The Unweaver: Dark Fantasy Romance

Unwoven Fates #1

by Elizabeth Zoba

Peaky Blinders with mages: The Unweaver is a historical dark fantasy romance seething with forbidden magic, gory horror, and a steamy enemies-to-lovers slow burn.

December 1920.

Necromancy is a secret thirty-year-old Cora will take to her grave. If only she could stay in it.

As war erupts between gangs of mages, hiding in plain sight, Cora haunts the shadows of London’s magical underworld as the Unweaver. Blackmailed by gang boss “Mother,” Cora pries secrets out of corpses like worms to feed the magpie spy’s insatiable appetite for intrigue.

Only a few of the living and scores of the dead know the Unweaver’s true identity. If anyone discovers Cora, mages will condemn her as an abomination and humans will execute her as a presumed murderer.

But when her twin brother goes missing, Cora makes a deal with the devil himself to find him—she partners with enemy gang boss and portal mage, Malachy Bane. Together they must unweave the tangled threads of conspiracy before all of London is ensnared.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark Romance, Magic

303 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2025

About the author

Biologist by day and fantasy writer by night, Elizabeth lives in California with her feline familiar.

Stay in touch by signing up for her mailing list or following on Instagram (@liz_zoba).

Reviews

[chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god this was so good I want to scream.

4.5⭐️ rounding up for the GR
3/5🌶️

The Unweaver is a dark fantasy romance that takes place in a super spooky 1920s London setting as war erupts between rival gangs of Mages.

The magic system was so freaking COOL and super creepy as well. The setting was so immersive and incredibly well written. The FMC is an extremely powerful Necromancer who is forced to trust an enemy gang boss to help her twin brother who gets into trouble.

Top tier banter, 30-year-old FMC, mystery, suspense, enemies to lovers, slow burn, and a morally grey FMC and MMC. This is book 1 in a dark fantasy romance trilogy and does not end on a cliffhanger. Book 2 releases later this year.

[Vanessa Hermanns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, I was having a great time with The Unweaver. A fantasy version of Peaky Blinders with magic? Sign me up! The world was gritty, the magic system was cool, and the morally gray characters were serving chaos and questionable life choices on a platter, with a side of slow burn, just how I like it. But then… the ending happened. And suddenly, my excitement turned into the literary equivalent of stepping on a Lego.

I’m not saying I threw my Kindle across the room or anything, because I’d never, but I did set it down aggressively while muttering some choice words. It’s like the book built this intricate house of cards…strategy, betrayal, magic, power plays, and then at the last minute, it sneezed and knocked the whole thing over. I’m still deciding if I care enough to pick up book two or just let these characters live (or die) in my memory as they are.

3 stars because the magic system was solid, the vibes were immaculate, and I was invested, right up until I wasn’t. If you love early 1900’s London gangsters with magic and don’t mind an ending that might leave you in emotional WTF purgatory, give it a shot. Otherwise, enter at your own risk.

[Brooklyn L. Wolves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Zoba has crafted a truly unforgettable world in The Unweaver, a novel I devoured in a single sitting. Imagine Peaky Blinders, drenched in gothic atmosphere and fueled by raw, visceral magic, and you’re only scratching the surface of this brilliant debut. Set in a grimy, atmospheric December 1920 London, teeming with hidden magical gangs, The Unweaver is a thrilling, suspenseful, and deeply character-driven tale that will haunt you long after you turn the final page.

Cora, the Unweaver herself, is a protagonist of immense complexity and captivating contradictions. Burdened by the secret of her necromancy, she's a specter in her own life, forced to navigate the treacherous shadows of the magical underworld under the thumb of the ruthless “Mother.” Zoba paints a vivid picture of Cora’s desperation, her fear, and her surprising resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. The constant threat of exposure, coupled with the moral ambiguity of her actions, makes her a character you simultaneously pity and admire.

The plot is a tightly woven tapestry of conspiracy, blackmail, and betrayal. Cora's desperate search for her missing twin brother propels the narrative forward at a breakneck pace, forcing her to strike a devil's bargain with Malachy Bane, a charismatic and dangerous portal mage from a rival gang. The reluctant partnership between Cora and Malachy is a stroke of genius, sparking with tension, suspicion, and a simmering undercurrent of attraction. Their dynamic is electric, filled with witty banter and genuine moments of vulnerability that add depth and emotional resonance to the story.

Zoba's world-building is simply stunning. The depiction of a magical underworld hidden beneath the veneer of 1920s London is richly detailed and utterly believable. The magic system is unique and fascinating, with each gang wielding different abilities, from necromancy and portal magic to other intriguing forms of arcane power. The author masterfully blends historical details with fantastical elements, creating a world that feels both authentic and utterly captivating.

The Unweaver is more than just a fantasy novel; it's a gripping thriller, a poignant exploration of sibling bonds, and a compelling character study. The author's prose is evocative and lyrical, painting a vivid picture of a dark and dangerous world. With its compelling characters, thrilling plot, and richly imagined setting, The Unweaver is a must-read for fans of urban fantasy, historical fiction, and anyone looking for a truly original and unforgettable story. I eagerly anticipate what Elizabeth Zoba has in store for us next, and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone. Prepare to be spellbound!

[Lisa Franz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Signing up to read the ARC via Booksirens, I was hooked just through reading the blurb.

The Unweaver takes the reader on a journey back to the 1920's London where rival gangs break treaty and fight for territory and power.

With poetic writing, rich language and an ominous aesthetic, Zoba brings to life a story of tragedy and new beginnings with the FMC Cora.

When I say I could not put this down, I mean I COULD NOT put it down.
I had to keep reading! I was pulled in and was immersed into the world of necromancy and the slow burn and banter of enemies to lovers.
The masterful descriptions; the deliberate choice of wording, and vocabulary were deliciously animating and painted the story beautifully.

One of the best pieces I have read in the last few years, I cannot wait to see what Zoba does next!
Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of being a part of the ARC team.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is frustrating. I loved the first half, would give it stars for the set-up, world-building, and characters. About halfway through, it went off the rails.

Cora is TSTL. She goes out of her way to mess up stuff, at least when she isn’t moping. I wanted to slap her many times. I understand she’s reacting to her abusive past, but girl needs to get a spine. She’s also very modern for a book set in the 1920s. I had to suspended my disbelief many times at the setting and time period. Her and teddys relationship was hollow. He didn’t seem to care for her and yet, she almost killed herself trying to bring him back.

Bane is a secretive, shadow-daddy, who is literally heartless. They had chemistry at the beginning, but it fell flat after all the back-and-forth between them. I really don’t care if they die, marry, kill each other, whatever.

I really thought this would be a 5 star book.

[Crystal Jenkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stopped reading this book at almost 80%. I forced myself that far but couldn’t take it anymore. I literally could not STAND the main character. She acted like a rock brained teenager and not a 30 year old woman. And please don’t excuse her extreme ignorance and bobble headed childishness for trauma. Plenty of us have had our fair share of trauma and aren’t that mush brained and infantile. It’s sad though. If her character had been written better this could have been a good book.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a really promising premise, and I liked the authors prose but it completely fell apart in the plot and pacing department for me. I liked the setting, it very much had a peaky blinders type of feel with warring London gangs, and the magic system was interesting but not very fleshed out. The characters were also a bit unidimensional. The FMCs entire character is defined by her grief which is thematic but a bit dull. I want her to have a bit more agency! The MMC very much felt like broody Irish Howl, from Howl’s moving castle, and all the reveals felt rushed so the ending didn’t have any impact. I wish the author had cut down on the FMCs self deprecating monologues and instead spent more time on world building and plot development.

[sashenka 🖤]

necromancy + 30 year's old FMC?
I'm in.

[Sennehs · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 meh⭐️. I clearly wasn’t that into this book as it took nearly five days to read, which is abnormal for me. I almost DNF multiple times because of frustration (see following review for reasons), but I pushed through.

In the beginning there is a glossary of 17 different types of mages. 17. That’s one thing I abhor about some books. Give me the information through the story. For instance, don’t tell me an Animancer is a spirit mage and then not bother to delve into what that means. It’s lazy. And I don’t think all 17 mage types were even used in the book, or if they were it was in passing.

The setting was interesting and drove the story well, and having rival gangs competing for territory ratcheted up my interest in the plot. Magical world building was not a thorough as I would have expected, and when I got to most of the characters I was left disappointed. I still don’t even really understand why Cora’s mage ability is such a big secret. She can’t be the only necromancer, right? Is it just because people have misconceptions about what she does, and that they think necromancers kill people indiscriminately? Also, do the gloves she wears really prevent her from killing or rotting anything? That doesn’t make sense because she can rot through things like metal. Is she really a vegetarian because she can actually feel how an animal died (seems unlikely since she’s noted repeatedly as wearing an ermine coat)? And then Bane…is he the only Realmwalker in the world? How does his magic work? I didn’t understand what type of mage he was until the end. I wanted the author to explain more to me instead of glossing over it.

Also, there were times when the book just didn’t follow its own storyline. Bane and Cora make a blood binding agreement, and when something happens to one it should happen to the other. Ok, I really liked this idea for the plot. However, Bane is shot in the shoulder which Cora clearly doesn’t feel, but then she disinfects his wound and “paired pain ignited in her own shoulder”. Among other things, consistency is definitely lacking.

The slow burn romance was done well, as were the historical references. Overall, this book had some spectacular elements and *could* have been incredible, but there were too many inconsistencies the editors neglected to correct.

[Ashley Groter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time really LOVING this book. It was fine, not bad, the writing for any dreams or flashbacks had was pretty great.

My biggest issue is a 30 year old FMC with the habits of at 16 year old.

Cora (that was supposedly raised on the streets of early 1900s London) somehow couldn’t fathom defending herself? She behaved incredibly reckless (I get the trauma & death of her brother being a big deal & grief can make people reckless) but especially when she claimed to have ONE goal, she constantly did things to get in the way of that goal.

I was so excited for a fantasy with a grown adult woman as the main character but she still behaved the same as a teenager but with coke.

Then there’s Malachay Bane, he’s interested but not? Interesting but not? I would have preferred a POV swap to get more insight from him cause I feel like the majority of their time together was very confusing. I’d like to get his thoughts/internal dialogue.

Overall, I had a hard time starting the book & a hard time finishing the book. The middle was solid. It seemed to have a very quick ending. Not a bad book but not an amazing book.

[Clara Mei 🍪🎧 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed (almost) every single page. 🥲

Okey, this book has been great. However, i must admit that the pace fell off a bit afger the 50% of the book and then it increased again.

The characters are likeable and they have strong personalities, i liked them. The romance was food, there is tension, there is understanding of the feelings and i liked the push and pull. The plot was well executed, but it could have been better written. The writing as a whole is good, nothing outstanding but it did it's job well.

Then end was good but it was confusing at the same time. I think it could have been better, but i understand that you need to create something in order to introduce the next book so…

What was a 10 for me was the style and the vibes. I was imagining the scenes as if i were watching Peaky Blinders and OMG! Such a great atmosphere 😍

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting world building. Not sure if I’ll continue the series. I really wanted Cora to show more growth, and not act quite so childish. She did the opposite of what was requested of her almost every time.

[Nessa]

The writing style was a bit difficult for me to follow - very wordy.

[Lindsay Koehly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book. I enjoyed it until I got to the ending, just wanted to finish it quickly :(

[Reyna M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens for providing me an e-ARC!

**4 stars!** The blurb initially captured my interest and I’m happy to say I was definitely not disappointed! This has such a promising start to a new series and I can’t wait until it reaches the shelves so that others can freak out with me.

Set in 1920s London, thirty-year-old Cora hides in plain sight as one of the rare mages—a necromancer. Following the disappearance of her twin brother, she seeks help from her enemy, gang leader Malachy Bane, a portal mage. Together, they retrace Cora’s brother’s steps in hopes of uncovering what happened to him, all while navigating the ongoing war between rival gangs.

This is Elizabeth Zoba’s debut novel, and I would have never guessed it. Her writing is reminiscent of my favorite authors—V.E. Schwab, Leigh Bardugo, Olivie Blake, and Roshani Chokshi. It’s dark and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the story.

The connection and tension between Bane and Cora were so palpable that it was honestly a joy to read. Two broken characters, each with their fair share of suffering, manage to find each other at the right time—it’s perfection.

If there’s one thing to improve on, it’s the transitions between the current and past timelines. A clearer distinction—such as italicizing the past—would make the shifts easier to follow. Additionally, with so many types of mages in this world, a glossary at the beginning would have been helpful for defining them.

If you love a slow-burn romance (one that’s written WELL) set in a fantastical 1920s London, you’ll love this book. Though it’s part of a series and ends with a cliffhanger, it doesn’t leave you feeling frustrated but excited for the next installment—it’s a great ending.

(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[seli · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book so much that i can't even properly put it into words. elizabeth zoba, you can have my firstborn if you want it

[downtown]

DNF at 55%

I liked this setting and the set up to this story. Very good descriptive prose and such a dark and dreary setting. Cora's magic seemed wicked and cool. I was looking forward to getting to know Cora better because for the first 30% or so she seemed vague.

The author notes that this is the beginning of a trilogy with a healing journey so I imagine she will very much come into her own and be badass. In this book she was very "kicked puppy" and quite fragile. She's had a rough life and I can give her room for growth because there is so much potential.

"People have projected their fear of death onto you, and you’ve internalized it as shame. But you have power. They fear that power. Let them fear you.”

See? Badass. However, this fell apart for me quickly after about 40%. I tried to hang on but I kept having to force myself to read another chapter hoping it would get better or get going. Cora spent several years on the streets as a child and then under the finger of one of the city's crime lords...she was approaching TSTL at my quitting point. And I can give room for wounded but not stupidity when it it doesn't match the character. No necromancer I know would gasp at the mention of murder, especially when a cop is present. Seriously?! That was the death blow for this reader.

I gave it one more chapter after that but I don't know why I'm still here. Maybe because I think some people are still gonna love this book? Sadly, not me.

[Rosemary H.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Unweaver follows a traumatized-but-magically-powerful FMC's efforts to save her twin in a gothic/dark magic Peaky Blinders-type setting; the love interest is a magical gang crime boss. The comparisons to Six of Crows and One Dark Window seem slightly off since those are generally ensemble books about people more than a decade younger (with not nearly as much violence and consensual and nonconsensual sex). The Unweaver is a mix of visceral (violence/gore/corpse reanimation), introspection (trust issues/self-doubt/addiction/suicidal thoughts), and magic (I need a glossary for all the different types of magic wielders). The Unweaver's exploration of possible facets of necromancy is the most interesting I've encountered. A handful of times it seemed like the story took sudden jumps forward (in relationship development, action, and the mythology of the conflict that appears to be what will carry over to the next book), but overall I found Cora's journey and world to be compelling. I was definitely vibing.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one felt set in the world of Newt Scamander only darker. I enjoyed the world building and unique aspect of each type of magic.While the self-loathing of the FMC was a touch over done, I enjoyed her as a character nonetheless. Pretty pissed at the cliffhanger at the end, but it's definitely hooked me for the rest of the series!

[Claire Bobowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had so much potential- dark horror elements, Industrial Revolution London setting, a murder, mystery, an interesting magic system etc. However, I was ultimately let down by the writing and how difficult I felt it was to be immersed in the story. Sometimes a story just feels heavy or a slog to get through, and that was my experience with The Unweaver. The protagonist was fine- she had eons of suffering that built up her character which framed her choices in the story. But I couldn’t help but feel occasionally annoyed at her lack of speaking up when it would seem to benefit it her the most. That being said, the characters are, for the most part, not my problem with the book. The male lead is interesting, maybe a bit undeveloped, but still with some depth there. I found that I liked him a lot better than the female protagonist who often times just came across as stupidly naïve (which with her background should not be possible). Truly, it was just the writing that killed me and made what should have been a slam dunk of a read of me, more of a chore to finish.

[Tara Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“My w-“
YOUR WHAT NOW

[chel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5☆

I think it was okay for a debut fantasy novel. I enjoyed the book and plot is interesting, a huge potential, in my opinion. but at some point, it feels like the magic system is complex and a little bit hard to follow. I feel like the world building is a bit lacking to make me fully immersed into the world. But, I still enjoyed it because it is so interesting and dark. Honestly, it wasn't anything near Six of Crows, but I do get what it means when they refer it to Six of Crows. I did get the dark ambiance and gang vibe from it, but the found family trope is a bit weak.

Nevertheless, it is a good potential, and I hope the second one will be better

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Skylar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I broke my ‘no Good Reads review’ policy for this: I have no idea how this book could be so highly rated, and I love a cheap self-published moment. It’s as if a 14-year-old tried to write a Raymond Chandler film noir and kept forgetting it was supposed to be loosely set in the roaring magical 20s and every time she did indeed remember the setting, maybe every other chapter or so, she randomly sprinkled in one barely era-appropriate phrase or word, … savvy? On the bright side, the author surely must have broken the record for most idioms and similes used in one work. DNF.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me preface by saying that I enjoyed this, thoroughly, and I’m excited for the next installment. The beginning of the novel, up until around page 25, was a bit of a slog with exposition and glossary magic terms; HOWEVER, there was enough interest in the backstory that I was keen to continue. The pace really picked up for a bit, then dove back into exposition with a flashback. My preference for storytelling is that the world building is sprinkled into the present, and I would have preferred if this novel had done that, too; but, nevertheless, I enjoyed the story, the characters, the magic system, and the plot. There was a ton of alliteration, and other technical aspects that sometimes worked for me and sometimes didn’t, but it’s clear that the author is clever and poured a LOT of love into this. Some of the sentences were so beautiful—I think I have over 50 highlights in my Kindle. The romance was lovely. In short, I would absolutely recommend this to dark romantasy lovers. It’s on another level than most of what’s on offer today.

I received an ARC for this book and am leaving an honest and voluntary review.

[Chelsea Raab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

This book was so good & unlike anything I have read!
I was hooked after just reading the premise. The story is set is post war 1920s London where 3 mage gangs are battling for control of the docks.
The book starts with us meeting Cora (FMC), a Necromancer & her brother Teddy, an Animancer, who are investing the death of their rival gangs second hand man.
From there the author skillfully weaves a tale of mystery, magic, fate & the feelings our FMC feels along the way.
MAGIC SYSTEM:
The magic system in this book was unique & a breathe of fresh air. I love shadow magic & wings as much as the next girl, but it’s nice to see a different take every now and then!
CHARACTERS:
As we know by now our FMC is Cora. I loved Cora, she is such a strong FMC, her feelings are very complex, we see her grow but also get stuck, I found her reactions to the things she goes through believable!
Our MMC is Malachy Bane aka Realmwalker. Like Cora he is a strong MMC, he’s rough around the edges but truly cares about those he keeps close in the ways he is able to. His belief in Cora was unwavering & their romance was sweet to watch play out.

This book does end in a cliffhanger & I can’t wait to pick up the second one!.

.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.

This is definitely one of my top favorite reads this year, I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel. My biggest annoyance was the mage names because the glossary was all the way in the beginning. For the most part, the mage names were easy to figure out (Beastiamancer = Beast Mage), but for all the complicated ones (Oneiromancer, etc) I had to keep going back to the glossary for an explanation. It really put a damper on my mood after so much back and forth.

This was a book I randomly stumbled upon on Kindle Unlimited and I’m so glad I did! I absolutely cannot wait to see where the rest of the story goes.

[Baška · Rating 4 out of 5]

The worldbuilding was there, story seems to be promising so I will be happy to read the next book. One problem I had was the romance aspect actually, I did not find it very believable and I did not care for it that much, I much rather enjoyed reading FMCs unweaving and doing her "dark" magic. Which I don't know how bad it is since the book is marketed as romance book, but maybe the relationship will develop better in the coming books. Overall recommend!

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ - The magic system in this is well explained and I found myself enjoying the FMC and the storyline as a whole. However this felt a bit disjointed at times and I found myself going back and thinking "wait what did I miss something?'". I enjoyed it overall but can't say I'm invested enough to read book 2 any time soon.

🌶️? - romance is not the point of this one but we do get a little light spice

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow - what a great read! I love the imaginative way this story was built, and the way magic has been incorporated. You'll love some characters, hate others and some you will love and hate! I enjoy the fact that the characters are all flawed in their own way.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Moonburst · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a job lands her in the middle of burgeoning war between three mage gangs, Necromancer Cora does her best to lay low. She wants no one to know her secret identity as the Unweaver, as she will surely be hunted down and killed. But when her twin brother is found brutally murdered with dark magic, she makes a bargain with the dangerous portal mage, Malachy Bane. She'll work for his gang, and he'll help her find her brother's killers and recover her brother's soul.

Having had a brutal and traumatic life, Cora cares only for her brother. Bane is an intelligent and calculating man, with his own mysterious dark past. As the two work despite their misgivings toward their mutual goal, Cora must learn to embrace her dangerous powers, and Bane must confront his inescapable fate.

The Unweaver is a tightly written, dreamy dark fantasy that is unafraid to explore the darker sides of humanity. A bewitching read that I couldn't put down.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.