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The Isle in the Silver Sea
From World Fantasy Award-winning author Tasha Suri comes The Isle in the Silver Sea, a heart-shattering romantasy of sapphic longing, medieval folklore and a love that spans the centuries.
In a Britain fuelled by stories, the knight and the witch are fated to fall in love and doom each other over and over, the same tale retold over hundreds of lifetimes.
Simran is a witch of the woods. Vina is a knight of the Queen's court. When the two women begin to fall for each other, how can they surrender to their desires, when to give in is to destroy each other?
As they seek a way to break the cycle, a mysterious assassin begins targeting tales like theirs. To survive, the two will need to write a story stronger than the one that fate has given to them.
But what tale is stronger than The Knight and the Witch?
'Fiercely tender, wildly imaginative, and deeply smart, The Isle in the Silver Sea is an ode to the power of stories themselves--both to shackle us to our destinies, and to free us from them. One of my new all-time favourites' Alix E. Harrow
In a Britain fuelled by stories, the knight and the witch are fated to fall in love and doom each other over and over, the same tale retold over hundreds of lifetimes.
Simran is a witch of the woods. Vina is a knight of the Queen's court. When the two women begin to fall for each other, how can they surrender to their desires, when to give in is to destroy each other?
As they seek a way to break the cycle, a mysterious assassin begins targeting tales like theirs. To survive, the two will need to write a story stronger than the one that fate has given to them.
But what tale is stronger than The Knight and the Witch?
'Fiercely tender, wildly imaginative, and deeply smart, The Isle in the Silver Sea is an ode to the power of stories themselves--both to shackle us to our destinies, and to free us from them. One of my new all-time favourites' Alix E. Harrow
512 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2025
661 people are currently reading
42343 people want to read
About the author
Tasha Suri
11 books4,446 followersTasha Suri was born in the U.K., but toured India during childhood holidays. She is now a librarian in London, and studied English and creative writing at Warwick University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,121 reviews
October 25, 2025
i was a bit letdown.
the worldbuilding and magic system were not clearly laid out, which would be fine if they weren’t both so central to the plot. i had no idea what kind of setting this London was supposed to be, I thought medieval up until a bullet was mentioned 3/4 in.
the romance could’ve used more time to build. i didn’t find the past lives trope strong enough to go off of emotionally, esp when we’re told it rather than substantial flashback scenes that help build the connection for us. they were suddenly in love at a point and it felt a bit like whiplash.
the split of the first and second parts almost makes me wish this were two separate books.
overall, it was a great concept and i enjoyed the characters but wasn’t a super satisfying read for me.
an honest arc review <3
_____________
tasha suri saw chappell roan's vma performance and said "bet"
the worldbuilding and magic system were not clearly laid out, which would be fine if they weren’t both so central to the plot. i had no idea what kind of setting this London was supposed to be, I thought medieval up until a bullet was mentioned 3/4 in.
the romance could’ve used more time to build. i didn’t find the past lives trope strong enough to go off of emotionally, esp when we’re told it rather than substantial flashback scenes that help build the connection for us. they were suddenly in love at a point and it felt a bit like whiplash.
the split of the first and second parts almost makes me wish this were two separate books.
overall, it was a great concept and i enjoyed the characters but wasn’t a super satisfying read for me.
an honest arc review <3
_____________
tasha suri saw chappell roan's vma performance and said "bet"
October 26, 2025
At a glance you may think that The Isle in the Silver Sea is a book about a knight and a witch, fated to fall in love and destroy their love across thousands of lifetimes. And you’d be right. But it’s also so much more.
It’s also anti-monarchy, anti-colonialism, anti-white supremacy and anti-bullshit. Yay! Love that for us. I really adore how distrustful it is of institutions such as the government, the crown and history. In particular, I really appreciated the way it draws attention to how the British Empire has erased languages, cultures, people and has whitewashed the Middle Ages and medieval lore and mythology to uphold an imagined ‘pure’ national history. The whole “no kings” sentiment has existed for Indigenous, Black and Brown communities and our ancestors (+other marginalised folk) for centuries and this book helps explore that theme.
Most fantasy is political and Suri knew what she was doing when she wrote this in response to the Windrush scandal amongst other things, which destroyed the lives of many Black and minority ethnic British people.
That said, if you’re allergic to politics, you could definitely read this as an escapist, lush, strange vibes read, because it’s stunning. We’ve got scribe-tattooist-witches who can ink magical gifts into your skin, eldritch creatures, sentient forests, hidden libraries and archives, reincarnated lovers, cursed mirrors, top tier sapphic yearning, all set in a queernormative world. The magical fantasy creature list is long and delightful and best discovered for yourself, but I’d like to personally thank Maleficium the cat and Peppermint the raven for their service.
Not gonna lie, I had a couple of false starts with this one and had no idea what was going on in the first 10 or 15%, but then once I started connecting the dots, I could let go and ended up really enjoying it. I'd be interested to see if others have a similar experience, but it was most likely just a subjective "me" issue.
By the end, I've gotta say that someone was definitely chopping onions near me which was rude but usually tends to happen when a book decides to reflect on life, love, mortality and the fragile business of being human.
I was so happy to be able to do an immersion read with a digital book and audio for this one. Shiromi Arserio really brought the characters to life and enhanced the experience.
A few things to be grateful for in 2025 and one of them is books about yearning lady knights.
A big thanks to the publishers for the DRC and Hachette Audio for providing the ALC of The Isle in the Silver Sea via NetGalley.
⚠️ Just a note, for fellow animal lovers, there are a couple of trigger warnings to be mindful of in terms of fantasy animal captivity and death. ⚠️
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
Every fantasy author in 2025: What if it was a yearning lady knight in a situationship
It’s also anti-monarchy, anti-colonialism, anti-white supremacy and anti-bullshit. Yay! Love that for us. I really adore how distrustful it is of institutions such as the government, the crown and history. In particular, I really appreciated the way it draws attention to how the British Empire has erased languages, cultures, people and has whitewashed the Middle Ages and medieval lore and mythology to uphold an imagined ‘pure’ national history. The whole “no kings” sentiment has existed for Indigenous, Black and Brown communities and our ancestors (+other marginalised folk) for centuries and this book helps explore that theme.
Most fantasy is political and Suri knew what she was doing when she wrote this in response to the Windrush scandal amongst other things, which destroyed the lives of many Black and minority ethnic British people.
That said, if you’re allergic to politics, you could definitely read this as an escapist, lush, strange vibes read, because it’s stunning. We’ve got scribe-tattooist-witches who can ink magical gifts into your skin, eldritch creatures, sentient forests, hidden libraries and archives, reincarnated lovers, cursed mirrors, top tier sapphic yearning, all set in a queernormative world. The magical fantasy creature list is long and delightful and best discovered for yourself, but I’d like to personally thank Maleficium the cat and Peppermint the raven for their service.
Not gonna lie, I had a couple of false starts with this one and had no idea what was going on in the first 10 or 15%, but then once I started connecting the dots, I could let go and ended up really enjoying it. I'd be interested to see if others have a similar experience, but it was most likely just a subjective "me" issue.
By the end, I've gotta say that someone was definitely chopping onions near me which was rude but usually tends to happen when a book decides to reflect on life, love, mortality and the fragile business of being human.
I was so happy to be able to do an immersion read with a digital book and audio for this one. Shiromi Arserio really brought the characters to life and enhanced the experience.
A few things to be grateful for in 2025 and one of them is books about yearning lady knights.
A big thanks to the publishers for the DRC and Hachette Audio for providing the ALC of The Isle in the Silver Sea via NetGalley.
⚠️ Just a note, for fellow animal lovers, there are a couple of trigger warnings to be mindful of in terms of fantasy animal captivity and death. ⚠️
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
Every fantasy author in 2025: What if it was a yearning lady knight in a situationship
August 14, 2025
A bunch of queer people versus: the entire isle of britain
This is actually a story of one cat (creature thing?) helping a bunch of queer people find happiness with reincarnation as the vehicle that they must break free from
Ensnared by a story takes a literal sense in The Isle in the Silver Sea, in which an island endlessly rebirthed through stories is doomed to fall unless a reincarnated supply of characters follow a tale eternal—down to the very letter. Tasha Suri’s newest fantasy standalone brings queerness, sapphic lady knights, witches, and sprawling libraries into the center focus and goddamn if it didn't leave me wanting to fall into a never ending cycle of story (wherein I fall for a hot butch knight). That and exploring old books in a library hidden away in an ancient forest. Romance and violence are a double edged blade in this novel, as a witch and knight face down a fate that can only lead to one thing: their death. But knowing your fate is to die does not mean you cannot yearn at unprecedented levels, and Tasha Suri takes that challenge at its utmost. A pale assassin stalks the stories that have let the island prosper, but it is a set of archivists serving as the very architects of history that feel the most sinister. Tasha Suri examines the preservation of history, from those determining the fate of certain narratives to the construction of a nation. In a fictitious Britain intrinsically tied to story, Suri swings her sword at myths, monarchy, and a vicious nationalism intent on controlling the narrative by any means necessary. Even riding a nation of its “otherness” and anything antithetical to its agenda.
Read my review
galath and vina’s relationship lowkey stole the show yall
sapphic lady knights are leading 2025 and im so happy
Bookstagram | Blog
This is actually a story of one cat (creature thing?) helping a bunch of queer people find happiness with reincarnation as the vehicle that they must break free from
Ensnared by a story takes a literal sense in The Isle in the Silver Sea, in which an island endlessly rebirthed through stories is doomed to fall unless a reincarnated supply of characters follow a tale eternal—down to the very letter. Tasha Suri’s newest fantasy standalone brings queerness, sapphic lady knights, witches, and sprawling libraries into the center focus and goddamn if it didn't leave me wanting to fall into a never ending cycle of story (wherein I fall for a hot butch knight). That and exploring old books in a library hidden away in an ancient forest. Romance and violence are a double edged blade in this novel, as a witch and knight face down a fate that can only lead to one thing: their death. But knowing your fate is to die does not mean you cannot yearn at unprecedented levels, and Tasha Suri takes that challenge at its utmost. A pale assassin stalks the stories that have let the island prosper, but it is a set of archivists serving as the very architects of history that feel the most sinister. Tasha Suri examines the preservation of history, from those determining the fate of certain narratives to the construction of a nation. In a fictitious Britain intrinsically tied to story, Suri swings her sword at myths, monarchy, and a vicious nationalism intent on controlling the narrative by any means necessary. Even riding a nation of its “otherness” and anything antithetical to its agenda.
Read my review
galath and vina’s relationship lowkey stole the show yall
sapphic lady knights are leading 2025 and im so happy
Bookstagram | Blog
July 9, 2025
2025 is truly the year of the lady knights and Tasha Suri wrote an appropriate tale for the occasion. She really captivated me with the concept of a magical Isle shaped by endlessly repeating tales, and it ultimately must be one of the most imaginative stories I've read all year. It's a world where some people are born as incarnates, which means that they will take on a role in a tale at some point in their lives. Their fate is set, however tragic it may be, as the tale forces itself onto its characters, feeding the eternal Isle in the process. Vina and Simran are reincarnations trapped in the Tale of the Knight and the Witch, a story that has had them madly in love and dying at each other's hand for hundreds of years now. The old tale starts playing out once again, but it is during a time of many changes. Someone impossibly kills incarnates, causing old tales to vanish and therefore damage to the Isle. It is also unusual that the knight and the witch are not of pureblooded Isle descent, and so both Vina and Simran mark a bit of a disturbance in the never-changing ways of the land. They are of course not keen on eventually killing their beloved and would rather prevent the tale from unfolding. But all tales and incarnates are under strict surveillance by the Eternal Queen, and all information is regulated or straight up destroyed. The main plot has a quest-like nature with Vina and Simran setting out to search for answers. They meet supernatural creatures, walk through witchy forests and stumble into faerie bargains. The world is rich with folklore and I loved recognizing familiar stories. I was surprised to see that the book doesn't take place in a medieval setting, but it didn't bother me too much and it was a good way to include more modern themes. I also expected it to be more romance heavy, but Vina and Simran's relationship turned out to be one of the least convincing parts of the story for me. It's not exactly instalove, but most of their attraction relies on their past lives together and their connection through the tale, and that just didn't make me as excited for their current selves.
It's a book about breaking an eternal cycle, about rewriting one's fate, about bringing change to a world stuck in the past. It's an ambitious story and I'm sure it was hard to find the right way of telling it. The book felt really long in a way that I wished for it either to be shortened or to be drawn out into a series. There were some episodes that made me question their function in the overall story, because I just couldn't detect any progress. Then there's a big time jump in the second half of the book and it was really unsatisfying to say the least. All the characters are put into new surroundings, and it was exhausting to basically start the story all over again after already reading for a long time. I have no solution for the problems I had with this book, so maybe that's why they didn't dim my reading experience too badly. I was reading with great interest and I'm still in awe of the fantastical world that Tasha Suri created here. My actual rating is 3.5 stars, but I'm happily rounding up on Goodreads.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK / Orbit Books for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
It's a book about breaking an eternal cycle, about rewriting one's fate, about bringing change to a world stuck in the past. It's an ambitious story and I'm sure it was hard to find the right way of telling it. The book felt really long in a way that I wished for it either to be shortened or to be drawn out into a series. There were some episodes that made me question their function in the overall story, because I just couldn't detect any progress. Then there's a big time jump in the second half of the book and it was really unsatisfying to say the least. All the characters are put into new surroundings, and it was exhausting to basically start the story all over again after already reading for a long time. I have no solution for the problems I had with this book, so maybe that's why they didn't dim my reading experience too badly. I was reading with great interest and I'm still in awe of the fantastical world that Tasha Suri created here. My actual rating is 3.5 stars, but I'm happily rounding up on Goodreads.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK / Orbit Books for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2025
I feel so very conflicted about this one. There is a lot to love about this and overall it’s a beautiful story that I think will work for a lot of people. For me, the things that didn’t work, really didn’t work and in the end I just never felt fully invested in this story.
The Isle in the Silver Sea’s magic system was so interesting. I loved what it had to say about stories fueling the land, the symbolism regarding eraser of bipoc stories and history, rewriting your own story, forced narratives, and the overall concept. I especially loved the way limmi ink was used to imbue traits on individuals!
I really enjoy when a book has a lot to say, and says it well - weaving symbolism and social commentary seamlessly into the story - and this book does an amazing job at that.
The magic and the world (as well as the symbolism that accompanied it) were definitely my favorite aspects. That said, I spent a bit too long confused about the magic system and even at the end of the book I was left with too many questions about how things worked.
On the subject of the world, I understand the reason this is set in England rather than a fantastic world (the author has spoken about her reasoning for the setting choice via social media) but I often forgot the setting was a reimagined version of Britain, until a character casually mentioned London. The world felt so unique, that until seeing the author speak on her reasoning, I couldn’t really understand why this wasn’t a completely new world. I also had a hard time imagining what time period we were in. It felt like we were given so few clues to pinpoint a time period. I wish we were given a better grasp of the time period and the setting.
At times the prose was beautiful, stunning descriptions, that made me feel like I was in the rooms or the forest, that the author was describing. But the prose also felt overly repetitive, and leaned a little too heavily on tell vs show. The author would do a wonderful job showing us, but then follow up with a statement that told us exactly how that “showing” should be interpreted. To be honest, it was a bit exhausting. Repetitiveness in prose is something I tend to get frustrated with quickly, but I often find my friends don’t feel the same way about the same text. So take this critique with a grain of salt! The dialogue was also very dry and felt overly formal — even between the two FMC while they were supposed to be flirting. Again, this works for the time period but wasn’t particularly fun to read if I’m being honest.
We have a lot of lady knights coming this year but this is the first sapphic adult romance featuring a Lady Knight that I’ve read and I was SO excited. Which is why it gives me great pain to admit that I did not enjoy the romance in this one. For me this lacked tension, chemistry, and banter -- which made the romance overall not believable. I think this was the real make or break it aspect for me - and the biggest factor for why I didn’t love this one more.
Here is my takeaway…
If you don’t mind being a little confused and you end up connecting with the romance right away then you’re going to love this book! It really is such a cool concept and it does an amazing job at saying a lot between the lines.
What I loved…
- magic system + overall concept
- symbolism, commentary, and messaging
- imagery of individual settings
- adorable cat companion
- lady knight + lady witch
What I didn’t love, but might work for you…
- world building felt shallow and not fleshed out enough
- dry dialogue
- chemistry, tension, banter did not hit for me
- repetitiveness and too much telling vs showing
- pacing
🌶️- There are 1-2 open door scenes but they are pretty ambiguous. Nothing I wouldn’t let my teen niece read.
3.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
The Isle in the Silver Sea’s magic system was so interesting. I loved what it had to say about stories fueling the land, the symbolism regarding eraser of bipoc stories and history, rewriting your own story, forced narratives, and the overall concept. I especially loved the way limmi ink was used to imbue traits on individuals!
I really enjoy when a book has a lot to say, and says it well - weaving symbolism and social commentary seamlessly into the story - and this book does an amazing job at that.
The magic and the world (as well as the symbolism that accompanied it) were definitely my favorite aspects. That said, I spent a bit too long confused about the magic system and even at the end of the book I was left with too many questions about how things worked.
On the subject of the world, I understand the reason this is set in England rather than a fantastic world (the author has spoken about her reasoning for the setting choice via social media) but I often forgot the setting was a reimagined version of Britain, until a character casually mentioned London. The world felt so unique, that until seeing the author speak on her reasoning, I couldn’t really understand why this wasn’t a completely new world. I also had a hard time imagining what time period we were in. It felt like we were given so few clues to pinpoint a time period. I wish we were given a better grasp of the time period and the setting.
At times the prose was beautiful, stunning descriptions, that made me feel like I was in the rooms or the forest, that the author was describing. But the prose also felt overly repetitive, and leaned a little too heavily on tell vs show. The author would do a wonderful job showing us, but then follow up with a statement that told us exactly how that “showing” should be interpreted. To be honest, it was a bit exhausting. Repetitiveness in prose is something I tend to get frustrated with quickly, but I often find my friends don’t feel the same way about the same text. So take this critique with a grain of salt! The dialogue was also very dry and felt overly formal — even between the two FMC while they were supposed to be flirting. Again, this works for the time period but wasn’t particularly fun to read if I’m being honest.
We have a lot of lady knights coming this year but this is the first sapphic adult romance featuring a Lady Knight that I’ve read and I was SO excited. Which is why it gives me great pain to admit that I did not enjoy the romance in this one. For me this lacked tension, chemistry, and banter -- which made the romance overall not believable. I think this was the real make or break it aspect for me - and the biggest factor for why I didn’t love this one more.
Here is my takeaway…
If you don’t mind being a little confused and you end up connecting with the romance right away then you’re going to love this book! It really is such a cool concept and it does an amazing job at saying a lot between the lines.
What I loved…
- magic system + overall concept
- symbolism, commentary, and messaging
- imagery of individual settings
- adorable cat companion
- lady knight + lady witch
What I didn’t love, but might work for you…
- world building felt shallow and not fleshed out enough
- dry dialogue
- chemistry, tension, banter did not hit for me
- repetitiveness and too much telling vs showing
- pacing
🌶️- There are 1-2 open door scenes but they are pretty ambiguous. Nothing I wouldn’t let my teen niece read.
3.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
October 7, 2025
My quote:
‘Both a romantic ode to stories and a warning of their dangers, The Isle in the Silver Sea could not be more timely or important in an age of propaganda, misinformation, and rising nationalism. In spinning this extraordinary tale about the power of words, Tasha Suri has cemented her own place as a legend of the fantasy world.’
‘Both a romantic ode to stories and a warning of their dangers, The Isle in the Silver Sea could not be more timely or important in an age of propaganda, misinformation, and rising nationalism. In spinning this extraordinary tale about the power of words, Tasha Suri has cemented her own place as a legend of the fantasy world.’
July 6, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the arc!
🌟🌟🌟✨️/5
Although gorgeously atmospheric, Tasha Suri's newest didn't quite hit as expected and perhaps would've worked better as a duology. I had a great time, but it wasn't the 'heart-shattering' story the blurb promised.
Here's what worked for me:
● The concept is phenomenal. An isle that's sustained by tales occurring over and over again via 'incarnates'? Sign me up.
● This is a book richly steeped in folklore. It's full of faerie bargains and creepy forests. I loved Suri's spin of fairytales!
● The atmosphere was insanely good. Suri's stunning prose really fleshed out the setting. I was wholly immersed.
● Excerpts from various documents at the start of every chapter added an authentic feel to the narrative.
● Part 1 was a 4.5 star read for me. So much of it felt like reading a classic fairytale.
● It's a queernormative world!
● I loved how Suri wove social commentary in this magical tale. She uses the magic system to talk about the erasure of stories and suppression of voices from 'elsewhere'. Who gets to write their own fate is a major theme here and I feel that the author did justice to it. Vina's representation as a biracial character who can't quite fit into either world was well done.
Here's what could've been better:
● I couldn't quite put a finger on what period Suri's alternate England is based on. It initially felt medieval but modern terms like 'trans' were also used.
● The magic system was as ambiguous as it was interesting. I had a lot of questions and the book left a few plot holes by the end.
● I became a fan of Tasha Suri after reading her 'Burning Kingdoms' trilogy. Suri perfected the art of writing sapphic longing in it, and that was conspicuously missing in her latest. I couldn't bring myself to care about the romance. There were some great moments between Vina and Simran in the beginning but the direction in which the story progressed (yes, I'm mostly talking about part 2) didn't let it develop very much.
● I was eagerly flipping pages in part 1, but my interest started to wane in part 2. I understand why the author did what she did, but it could've worked SO MUCH BETTER as a duology. A whole lot of wasted potential here.
● I expected some great character development because of Suri's trilogy but this being a standalone didn't allow much room for it.
I liked 'The Isle in the Silver Sea ' but didn't love it. However, if you love sapphic romantic fantasies and faerie lore, I think it's worth giving a try.
🌟🌟🌟✨️/5
Although gorgeously atmospheric, Tasha Suri's newest didn't quite hit as expected and perhaps would've worked better as a duology. I had a great time, but it wasn't the 'heart-shattering' story the blurb promised.
Here's what worked for me:
● The concept is phenomenal. An isle that's sustained by tales occurring over and over again via 'incarnates'? Sign me up.
● This is a book richly steeped in folklore. It's full of faerie bargains and creepy forests. I loved Suri's spin of fairytales!
● The atmosphere was insanely good. Suri's stunning prose really fleshed out the setting. I was wholly immersed.
● Excerpts from various documents at the start of every chapter added an authentic feel to the narrative.
● Part 1 was a 4.5 star read for me. So much of it felt like reading a classic fairytale.
● It's a queernormative world!
● I loved how Suri wove social commentary in this magical tale. She uses the magic system to talk about the erasure of stories and suppression of voices from 'elsewhere'. Who gets to write their own fate is a major theme here and I feel that the author did justice to it. Vina's representation as a biracial character who can't quite fit into either world was well done.
Here's what could've been better:
● I couldn't quite put a finger on what period Suri's alternate England is based on. It initially felt medieval but modern terms like 'trans' were also used.
● The magic system was as ambiguous as it was interesting. I had a lot of questions and the book left a few plot holes by the end.
● I became a fan of Tasha Suri after reading her 'Burning Kingdoms' trilogy. Suri perfected the art of writing sapphic longing in it, and that was conspicuously missing in her latest. I couldn't bring myself to care about the romance. There were some great moments between Vina and Simran in the beginning but the direction in which the story progressed (yes, I'm mostly talking about part 2) didn't let it develop very much.
● I was eagerly flipping pages in part 1, but my interest started to wane in part 2. I understand why the author did what she did, but it could've worked SO MUCH BETTER as a duology. A whole lot of wasted potential here.
● I expected some great character development because of Suri's trilogy but this being a standalone didn't allow much room for it.
I liked 'The Isle in the Silver Sea ' but didn't love it. However, if you love sapphic romantic fantasies and faerie lore, I think it's worth giving a try.
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November 19, 2025This is one of Book Riot’s Best Books of 2025:
This book skyrocketed to the top of my personal best-of list as not only one of my favorite books of the year but one of my favorite books of all time. It explores the very heart of what it means to tell—and retell—stories. Simran and Vina know that meaning all too well as characters in a world where stories play out over and over again, reincarnated to live out the same tale across the centuries. But, much like in real life, the stories affect far more than just the characters within them. Five stars? I would give this book every star in the sky and then some. Simran and Vina have my heart.
- Rachel Brittain
This book skyrocketed to the top of my personal best-of list as not only one of my favorite books of the year but one of my favorite books of all time. It explores the very heart of what it means to tell—and retell—stories. Simran and Vina know that meaning all too well as characters in a world where stories play out over and over again, reincarnated to live out the same tale across the centuries. But, much like in real life, the stories affect far more than just the characters within them. Five stars? I would give this book every star in the sky and then some. Simran and Vina have my heart.
- Rachel Brittain
June 26, 2025
The best sapphic love story I have read in a while.
Long ago, there lived a knight who was tasked by the Queen to kill a terrible witch.
Their tale made incarnates of them, and like all incarnates they will return to live their tale and love and perish for a hundred thousand lifetimes and beyond.
We’re encouraged to swoon over the tragedy of the love story, the honor of the knight. But when you cut all the magic and armor away, what’s left? A man murdering a woman. That’s all. It’s not a love story. The love is a lie.
Simran is an Elsewhere-born witch covered in ink-black scrollwork, prickly and protective.
Vina is the pretty knight who will slay the witch. As an incarnate, Vina had learned long ago that her purpose was to live out her tale. To embody the tale is to keep it alive.
But someone is killing the incarnates, throwing the isle into chaos.
Think VE Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic meets Inkheart meets fairytales.
This was tragic and beautiful and full of longing and yearning.
This is the best book I have read by Tasha Suri. The writing was evocative and in a fairytale tone that Suri pulls off incredibly well - think Alix E Harrow and Samantha Shannon.
I’d rather break the world to fit you.
There was heartwarming found family, trans representation, a cat and a Beast.
The pacing did feel slightly awkward with the book split into two parts. This did reduce some of the momentum and my attachment.
All in all, a satisfying standalone with gorgeous writing and brave, broken characters.
Physical arc gifted by Orbit.
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Long ago, there lived a knight who was tasked by the Queen to kill a terrible witch.
Their tale made incarnates of them, and like all incarnates they will return to live their tale and love and perish for a hundred thousand lifetimes and beyond.
We’re encouraged to swoon over the tragedy of the love story, the honor of the knight. But when you cut all the magic and armor away, what’s left? A man murdering a woman. That’s all. It’s not a love story. The love is a lie.
Simran is an Elsewhere-born witch covered in ink-black scrollwork, prickly and protective.
Vina is the pretty knight who will slay the witch. As an incarnate, Vina had learned long ago that her purpose was to live out her tale. To embody the tale is to keep it alive.
But someone is killing the incarnates, throwing the isle into chaos.
Think VE Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic meets Inkheart meets fairytales.
This was tragic and beautiful and full of longing and yearning.
This is the best book I have read by Tasha Suri. The writing was evocative and in a fairytale tone that Suri pulls off incredibly well - think Alix E Harrow and Samantha Shannon.
I’d rather break the world to fit you.
There was heartwarming found family, trans representation, a cat and a Beast.
The pacing did feel slightly awkward with the book split into two parts. This did reduce some of the momentum and my attachment.
All in all, a satisfying standalone with gorgeous writing and brave, broken characters.
Physical arc gifted by Orbit.
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December 20, 2025
I wanted to love this one, but sadly it was just ok for me 😭
The concept was definitely intriguing: an alternate Britain where fairytales exist in real life, and their characters are destined to reincarnate and reenact their tales in every lifetime.
Some aspects that I enjoyed: the queernormative world, the social commentary prevalent throughout the story, the beautiful and atmospheric writing.
I think my main gripe with this book is that it tries to include so many side plots that the main plot gets diluted among a million side quests and side notes and side characters and shiny details about the world building. The story ends up being all over the place, so much that at one point I even forgot what the characters were trying to achieve and what the stakes were for them.
I didn’t feel there was any chemistry between the main characters, and the romance relied heavily on their shared tale and their memories of their past lives, but on page it was very much instalove.
The world building was interesting but the magic system was glossed over, and it was subverted without much explanation when it was necessary for the plot.
I had high expectations but ended up disappointed 😢 I haven’t read other books from this author but I'd love to give her another chance.
Thanks to Orbit via NetGalley for providing an eARC
The concept was definitely intriguing: an alternate Britain where fairytales exist in real life, and their characters are destined to reincarnate and reenact their tales in every lifetime.
Some aspects that I enjoyed: the queernormative world, the social commentary prevalent throughout the story, the beautiful and atmospheric writing.
I think my main gripe with this book is that it tries to include so many side plots that the main plot gets diluted among a million side quests and side notes and side characters and shiny details about the world building. The story ends up being all over the place, so much that at one point I even forgot what the characters were trying to achieve and what the stakes were for them.
I didn’t feel there was any chemistry between the main characters, and the romance relied heavily on their shared tale and their memories of their past lives, but on page it was very much instalove.
The world building was interesting but the magic system was glossed over, and it was subverted without much explanation when it was necessary for the plot.
I had high expectations but ended up disappointed 😢 I haven’t read other books from this author but I'd love to give her another chance.
Thanks to Orbit via NetGalley for providing an eARC
November 29, 2025
sapphic lady knights for the win !!
August 17, 2025
I've read other Tasha Suri's books (the Books of Ambha duology and the Burning Kingdoms trilogy) and she's always been my favorite author. but WOW did this book blow my socks off. Despite my taking 2 weeks to finish it, this was singlehandedly one of the most beautiful, heartbreaking, haunting, and fantastic books I've had the pleasure of reading
I have seen the complaints about how this book felt like it lacked the depth between Vina and Simran, and while I do see where you guys are coming from, I personally thoroughly enjoyed their dynamic. They got me giggling and kicking my feet like a lovesick schoolgirl. It's sweet and feisty and complicated and, my favorite part, tragic. There's just something about two people who are doomed to a fate that was written for them, and how they don't really know how to differentiate themselves from that, yet still fall for each other as themselves, rather than what was expected, and try to break free from said fate. Chef's kiss, no notes, I'm in love.
Also, I appreciate how this book is focused on growth and letting change happen as a way to move forward instead of being stuck in a very narrow-minded way of living. The threaded theme of that in the book makes the whole journey much more meaningful.
The main takeaway is that Tasha Suri writes wlw like no other, and she strikes again with this one
Thank you to netgalley and little brown book group for giving me the arc to review
I have seen the complaints about how this book felt like it lacked the depth between Vina and Simran, and while I do see where you guys are coming from, I personally thoroughly enjoyed their dynamic. They got me giggling and kicking my feet like a lovesick schoolgirl. It's sweet and feisty and complicated and, my favorite part, tragic. There's just something about two people who are doomed to a fate that was written for them, and how they don't really know how to differentiate themselves from that, yet still fall for each other as themselves, rather than what was expected, and try to break free from said fate. Chef's kiss, no notes, I'm in love.
Also, I appreciate how this book is focused on growth and letting change happen as a way to move forward instead of being stuck in a very narrow-minded way of living. The threaded theme of that in the book makes the whole journey much more meaningful.
The main takeaway is that Tasha Suri writes wlw like no other, and she strikes again with this one
Thank you to netgalley and little brown book group for giving me the arc to review
dnf
October 19, 2025dnf @ 15%..
i’m sorry, but i am so bored and confused with this book. the writing and plot is all over the place and i just can’t force myself to continue it right now.
↠ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Orbit books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
i’m sorry, but i am so bored and confused with this book. the writing and plot is all over the place and i just can’t force myself to continue it right now.
↠ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Orbit books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
October 23, 2025
General Thoughts:
This was an epic and sweeping tale of long lost love, the power of stories, and the art of family. I really enjoyed this fantasy novel by Tasha Suri.
The plot was extremely detailed and multifaceted. But there was never a point where I felt like it was confusing or not making sense. That takes real talent as an author to keep everything straight and engage the reader with no confusion. And this book accomplished it. The magic system was extremely detailed and unique. I loved the ink based magic as well as the usage of stories as a plot device.
The sapphic romance had tons of yearning and was really well accomplished. I did feel the passion of the two characters and while I still feel like this was more fantasy than romance, I do feel like the romance is pretty integral to the plot.
The found family in the story is extremely well utilized. There were so many characters I felt strong feelings and emotions for, which really ingrained me into the story and kept me engaged. No matter what POV I was reading, the characters kept me interested and wanting to know more.
Tasha Suri maintains her position as one of my favorite and auto buy authors.
Book Stats:
📖: 496 pages
Genre: fantasy
Publisher: Orbit
Format: physical ARC
Series: Standalone
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 17 hours and 49 minutes
🎤: Shiromi Arserio
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Format: multi pov/multi timeline
Disclaimer: I read this book as a gifted physical ARC from the publisher and a gifted audiobook from the Hachette audiobook program. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This was an epic and sweeping tale of long lost love, the power of stories, and the art of family. I really enjoyed this fantasy novel by Tasha Suri.
The plot was extremely detailed and multifaceted. But there was never a point where I felt like it was confusing or not making sense. That takes real talent as an author to keep everything straight and engage the reader with no confusion. And this book accomplished it. The magic system was extremely detailed and unique. I loved the ink based magic as well as the usage of stories as a plot device.
The sapphic romance had tons of yearning and was really well accomplished. I did feel the passion of the two characters and while I still feel like this was more fantasy than romance, I do feel like the romance is pretty integral to the plot.
The found family in the story is extremely well utilized. There were so many characters I felt strong feelings and emotions for, which really ingrained me into the story and kept me engaged. No matter what POV I was reading, the characters kept me interested and wanting to know more.
Tasha Suri maintains her position as one of my favorite and auto buy authors.
Book Stats:
📖: 496 pages
Genre: fantasy
Publisher: Orbit
Format: physical ARC
Series: Standalone
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 17 hours and 49 minutes
🎤: Shiromi Arserio
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Format: multi pov/multi timeline
Disclaimer: I read this book as a gifted physical ARC from the publisher and a gifted audiobook from the Hachette audiobook program. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
September 14, 2025
3.5 Stars
I requested this novel because I previously read and enjoyed books by this author.
As expected from the advertising, this one leans more heavily in romantasy compared to The Burning Kings trilogy that I previously read. I didn't mind the romance aspects, since they were expected. However I found the worldbuilding elements more hazy than I would have liked. I felt like the relationship elements superseded the setting which made it harder for me to wrap my head around the world.
That being said, I would still recommend this one to romantasy readers. As someone who dips in and out of the subgenre, I found this one more polished and fleshed out than the majority I have read.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I requested this novel because I previously read and enjoyed books by this author.
As expected from the advertising, this one leans more heavily in romantasy compared to The Burning Kings trilogy that I previously read. I didn't mind the romance aspects, since they were expected. However I found the worldbuilding elements more hazy than I would have liked. I felt like the relationship elements superseded the setting which made it harder for me to wrap my head around the world.
That being said, I would still recommend this one to romantasy readers. As someone who dips in and out of the subgenre, I found this one more polished and fleshed out than the majority I have read.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Currently reading
December 23, 2025I can't think about this book without almost passing out... I need this more than air!!
sapphics, a knight, AND reincarnation? please orbit dear god i'm begging 🧎🧎🧎
sapphics, a knight, AND reincarnation? please orbit dear god i'm begging 🧎🧎🧎
October 23, 2025
This story, much like another lady knight story to come out next week, is about stories. Their importance. And, in a similar vein to said other book, what happens when those stories are.. changed. Controlled. Manipulated for the sake of agendas. But in THE ISLE IN THE SILVER SEA they aren't just myths or fairytales passed down; in this land, a land fueled and sustained by stories, some people are born incarnates, brought back again and again to play out a narrative, repeating dialogue, mistakes, living through (or causing) tragedy, forever. Which is exactly the case for Simran and Vina, the witch and the knight.
What Suri did with this story, especially the bits about losing one's history, that sense of being absorbed by one's new home and leaving everything behind -- culture and language -- was heartbreakingly real. As was the concept of being forced into roles, to play out what's expected of you, no matter your desire for something different. There was a lot woven into this, subtle and otherwise, that really hit the mark.
But.. there was some inconsistencies in dialogue, the strange uncertainty of the time period and setting (maybe done purposefully because of the shifting and or disappearing stories..?), that just didn't quite land. Sometimes there was an awkwardness in transition scenes, too, that forced me to go back and reread to see how we got somewhere.
And then there was the romance. I liked our leads as individuals but I don't think I bought the tragic, forever fated, love story beyond the fact that they were just meant to be because of said story. I did enjoy the (very brief) glimpses into past lives but I am something of a sucker for that anyway.
Finally, I think that, despite a good ending, there was an odd shift in the storytelling that rather caused me to lose steam. The transition from part one to two really didn't work for me and I rather disliked that whole plotline.
I wish I had loved this more but let me reassure you that there is a lot of strength, relevance, and important elements to this story, so if it even remotely sounds like your thing, you should definitely pick it up.
3.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
What Suri did with this story, especially the bits about losing one's history, that sense of being absorbed by one's new home and leaving everything behind -- culture and language -- was heartbreakingly real. As was the concept of being forced into roles, to play out what's expected of you, no matter your desire for something different. There was a lot woven into this, subtle and otherwise, that really hit the mark.
But.. there was some inconsistencies in dialogue, the strange uncertainty of the time period and setting (maybe done purposefully because of the shifting and or disappearing stories..?), that just didn't quite land. Sometimes there was an awkwardness in transition scenes, too, that forced me to go back and reread to see how we got somewhere.
And then there was the romance. I liked our leads as individuals but I don't think I bought the tragic, forever fated, love story beyond the fact that they were just meant to be because of said story. I did enjoy the (very brief) glimpses into past lives but I am something of a sucker for that anyway.
Finally, I think that, despite a good ending, there was an odd shift in the storytelling that rather caused me to lose steam. The transition from part one to two really didn't work for me and I rather disliked that whole plotline.
I wish I had loved this more but let me reassure you that there is a lot of strength, relevance, and important elements to this story, so if it even remotely sounds like your thing, you should definitely pick it up.
3.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
November 21, 2025
Loosely inspired by Arthurian folklore comes a sapphic fantasy exploring how stories can change over time and how we decide who has access to certain stories or to being reflected by them. People of color? Queer people? Immigrants? This feels particularly timely coming from a British South Asian woman at a time when there is conflict over who gets to belong.
The Isle in the Silver Sea imagines a world where characters from stories are reincarnated into new bodies and fated to live out those stories again and again in order to keep them alive. But as the book opens, we follow a lady knight and witch destined for love and murder, but they do not look like the original version describes...
I love what this book is doing thematically, and the latter part of the story is particularly good. However, in some ways this feels rushed. The world-building and characters internal worlds seem to get short shrift with the struggle to fit so much into a single volume where this easily could have been a duology. It took awhile to figure out what was going on and why, and even now I have a lot of unanswered questions about everything that happened and how it ties to the world-building. It's hard to know how much of this had to do with the specifics of the publishing contract or something else, but while this is still a good book I do think it could have been stronger. The audio narration is fine, although I might have liked more character differentiation especially what with the reincarnation element. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
The Isle in the Silver Sea imagines a world where characters from stories are reincarnated into new bodies and fated to live out those stories again and again in order to keep them alive. But as the book opens, we follow a lady knight and witch destined for love and murder, but they do not look like the original version describes...
I love what this book is doing thematically, and the latter part of the story is particularly good. However, in some ways this feels rushed. The world-building and characters internal worlds seem to get short shrift with the struggle to fit so much into a single volume where this easily could have been a duology. It took awhile to figure out what was going on and why, and even now I have a lot of unanswered questions about everything that happened and how it ties to the world-building. It's hard to know how much of this had to do with the specifics of the publishing contract or something else, but while this is still a good book I do think it could have been stronger. The audio narration is fine, although I might have liked more character differentiation especially what with the reincarnation element. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
August 30, 2025
To be honest I’m quite conflicted about this book. I’ve read the previous series by this author and I’ve enjoyed it immensely. However, this time I didn’t love it as much. There are a few things which I found captivating, but there are also a few things that I wish were more developed.
“The Isle in the Silver Sea” tells a story of two women living their life as an incarnation of a story. Simran is a witch and Vina is a knight. Their destiny is to tear down each other’s life. Will they be able to stand up for themselves or will they obey the story?
Things I did enjoy:
- very captivating premise promising me a dreamlike travel through stories
- interesting magic system, though not largely described
- the concept of incarnating stories was captivating and I’ve wanted to know more about it
Things I didn’t enjoy:
- character building and development, I felt like the book was lacking in that field
- the romance, I just didn’t felt it
- the pacing was a bit off, there were moments of action intertwined with slow wondering around, the characters had their reason to travel, but for me it wasn’t enough to keep my attention
- I just didn’t connect with the story and for the majority of time it was a bit boring
- setting the story in London was a bit of a weird choice for me, I think I’d like it much more if it was done in a fictional world with its own rules.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
“The Isle in the Silver Sea” tells a story of two women living their life as an incarnation of a story. Simran is a witch and Vina is a knight. Their destiny is to tear down each other’s life. Will they be able to stand up for themselves or will they obey the story?
Things I did enjoy:
- very captivating premise promising me a dreamlike travel through stories
- interesting magic system, though not largely described
- the concept of incarnating stories was captivating and I’ve wanted to know more about it
Things I didn’t enjoy:
- character building and development, I felt like the book was lacking in that field
- the romance, I just didn’t felt it
- the pacing was a bit off, there were moments of action intertwined with slow wondering around, the characters had their reason to travel, but for me it wasn’t enough to keep my attention
- I just didn’t connect with the story and for the majority of time it was a bit boring
- setting the story in London was a bit of a weird choice for me, I think I’d like it much more if it was done in a fictional world with its own rules.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 22, 2025
I'd rather break the world to fit you
Have I mentioned that lady knights are my weakness? I must have, it's a big part of my personality. Well, this lady knight did not disappoint. Vina was charming and funny and brave and, most importantly, down bad for her witch. Simran, the witch, was smart and powerful and loving beneath her hard surface. Can you tell that I am obsessed with them? They were great main characters and I was invested in their story and their struggles and of course their love (which was also really hot).
The story itself is among the most unique I've read. An isle existing beyond time supported by tales, by incarnates doomed to relive their fates lifetime after lifetime and in danger of being destroyed if they don't fulfill their part. Reading this book truly felt like a fairytale, including a great adventure, a mystery, a fight and a love story at times magical but also tragic. In its core, this is a book about our stories, how they shape us but also how we don't need to always repeat them, and of course how those in power will pick and choose the stories that suit them.
Special shout out to the passages at the beginning of each chapter. I loved how we got to known the world through letters and publications, in my opinion it was masterfully done.
The sex scene had me screaming btw.
"Go on" Simran ordered. "Please me".
Have I mentioned that lady knights are my weakness? I must have, it's a big part of my personality. Well, this lady knight did not disappoint. Vina was charming and funny and brave and, most importantly, down bad for her witch. Simran, the witch, was smart and powerful and loving beneath her hard surface. Can you tell that I am obsessed with them? They were great main characters and I was invested in their story and their struggles and of course their love (which was also really hot).
The story itself is among the most unique I've read. An isle existing beyond time supported by tales, by incarnates doomed to relive their fates lifetime after lifetime and in danger of being destroyed if they don't fulfill their part. Reading this book truly felt like a fairytale, including a great adventure, a mystery, a fight and a love story at times magical but also tragic. In its core, this is a book about our stories, how they shape us but also how we don't need to always repeat them, and of course how those in power will pick and choose the stories that suit them.
Special shout out to the passages at the beginning of each chapter. I loved how we got to known the world through letters and publications, in my opinion it was masterfully done.
The sex scene had me screaming btw.
"Go on" Simran ordered. "Please me".
July 18, 2025
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
okay, i’ve done it. i’ve finished it. and oh my god was it good.
The Isle In The Silver Sea follows the reincarnations of legends amongst a fantasy world that needs their tales to survive; our main characters are Simran (The Witch) and Vina (The Knight) and we follow their tale, The Knight and the The Witch. their tale dictates that they will fall in love but ultimately die together, for the good of the world around them. Simran and Vina are the latest incarnates and both understand their roles all too well, even if they wish it weren’t so. they will meet, fall in love, and die by the magic of the isle as countless incarnates before them. but when other incarnates start mysteriously dying - something that most thought impossible before - they must work together to unravel the threads that have been sewn into the world around them, despite the many challenges they will face along the way. there were about a hundred things i loved about this book, but i’ll try and tell you the most important ones:
the worldbuilding: a lot of times people expect fantasy novels to have incredibly detailed and complex world building that takes up tens of pages in order to encapsulate the world in it’s entirety. for me, i don’t need to know every single detail about a world if the world presented to me allows the story to flourish and thrive. and my god, did this world do that. the very commonly used Fictional-Fantasy-England was done in such a beautiful, unique and complex way. there was magic, witches, fae, kings and queens, lady knights and knives-to-throats, but the setting of the Isle itself was truly a standout for me. even acknowledging things such as the colonialism and racism within their seemingly perfect structures was done fantastically. the world itself is alive and breathing - it’s a character in and of itself, and it flows and ebbs like the tide (pun intended).
the characters: when i say every single character in this book mattered and was treated with reverence, i mean it. truly not a single person was wasted in this book or used for a throw away line. they were all incredibly important, involved, and fleshed out that when it came time for them to depart the story (or continue on in a different way), it was like there was no other option but the one they chose. it was truly beautiful to read such fantastic and vivid characters. the development of the characters we meet right at the beginning was just amazing!! Vina and Simran are like actually the loves of my life and i would kill for them. the yearning between these two is on astronomical levels and they were both hot af. Vina is a knight who knows her duty down to her bones, and Simran is a witch that the world has been unkind to. they both have their demons and it was an honour to read the journeys that they go on together to unravel them.
the romance (of course): this book shows how revered both romantic and platonic love should be. every single mention of love, whether it be between family, friends, enemies or indeed lovers, was written with the utmost care and affection. i loved alongside every character as well as loved them all. as previously mentioned, the yearning was diabolical. off the charts levels of ‘i would kill/die for you’ and i had so many outward reactions to particular lines that i had to stop myself from reading this in public to prevent the world from thinking i was crazy. found family was a massive theme in this book, as well as reconnecting to your place of birth and history even if the relationship with your family is complicated. and in a world where so many sapphic relationships are presented as naturally toxic or harmful, tasha suri’s devotion to these gorgeous and wonderful relationships is admirable. I LOVE LOVE!!!!
of course, no book will ever be truly truly perfect. however, this book comes incredibly close, and has been my favourite read of 2025. i cannot wait to read it again and discover more things that tasha suri has left behind for us readers to discover.
thank you endlessly to netgalley and Hachette Australia for the e-arc <3
okay, i’ve done it. i’ve finished it. and oh my god was it good.
The Isle In The Silver Sea follows the reincarnations of legends amongst a fantasy world that needs their tales to survive; our main characters are Simran (The Witch) and Vina (The Knight) and we follow their tale, The Knight and the The Witch. their tale dictates that they will fall in love but ultimately die together, for the good of the world around them. Simran and Vina are the latest incarnates and both understand their roles all too well, even if they wish it weren’t so. they will meet, fall in love, and die by the magic of the isle as countless incarnates before them. but when other incarnates start mysteriously dying - something that most thought impossible before - they must work together to unravel the threads that have been sewn into the world around them, despite the many challenges they will face along the way. there were about a hundred things i loved about this book, but i’ll try and tell you the most important ones:
the worldbuilding: a lot of times people expect fantasy novels to have incredibly detailed and complex world building that takes up tens of pages in order to encapsulate the world in it’s entirety. for me, i don’t need to know every single detail about a world if the world presented to me allows the story to flourish and thrive. and my god, did this world do that. the very commonly used Fictional-Fantasy-England was done in such a beautiful, unique and complex way. there was magic, witches, fae, kings and queens, lady knights and knives-to-throats, but the setting of the Isle itself was truly a standout for me. even acknowledging things such as the colonialism and racism within their seemingly perfect structures was done fantastically. the world itself is alive and breathing - it’s a character in and of itself, and it flows and ebbs like the tide (pun intended).
the characters: when i say every single character in this book mattered and was treated with reverence, i mean it. truly not a single person was wasted in this book or used for a throw away line. they were all incredibly important, involved, and fleshed out that when it came time for them to depart the story (or continue on in a different way), it was like there was no other option but the one they chose. it was truly beautiful to read such fantastic and vivid characters. the development of the characters we meet right at the beginning was just amazing!! Vina and Simran are like actually the loves of my life and i would kill for them. the yearning between these two is on astronomical levels and they were both hot af. Vina is a knight who knows her duty down to her bones, and Simran is a witch that the world has been unkind to. they both have their demons and it was an honour to read the journeys that they go on together to unravel them.
the romance (of course): this book shows how revered both romantic and platonic love should be. every single mention of love, whether it be between family, friends, enemies or indeed lovers, was written with the utmost care and affection. i loved alongside every character as well as loved them all. as previously mentioned, the yearning was diabolical. off the charts levels of ‘i would kill/die for you’ and i had so many outward reactions to particular lines that i had to stop myself from reading this in public to prevent the world from thinking i was crazy. found family was a massive theme in this book, as well as reconnecting to your place of birth and history even if the relationship with your family is complicated. and in a world where so many sapphic relationships are presented as naturally toxic or harmful, tasha suri’s devotion to these gorgeous and wonderful relationships is admirable. I LOVE LOVE!!!!
of course, no book will ever be truly truly perfect. however, this book comes incredibly close, and has been my favourite read of 2025. i cannot wait to read it again and discover more things that tasha suri has left behind for us readers to discover.
thank you endlessly to netgalley and Hachette Australia for the e-arc <3
November 9, 2025
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audiobook in exchange for an honest review!*
2.75!
I’ll be honest — I almost DNF’d this one. The story just didn’t grab me the way I hoped it would, especially since I’ve been looking forward to finally reading something by Tasha Suri for a while. That said, I decided to stick with it because the audiobook flowed so smoothly that it made the reading experience much easier to follow.
Even though this book wasn’t exactly what I expected, I can still see why so many readers love Suri’s writing — her worldbuilding and atmosphere are really unique. This one just didn’t fully click for me personally, but it definitely doesn’t mean I’m giving up on her other works. I’m still curious to try more of her stories!
2.75!
I’ll be honest — I almost DNF’d this one. The story just didn’t grab me the way I hoped it would, especially since I’ve been looking forward to finally reading something by Tasha Suri for a while. That said, I decided to stick with it because the audiobook flowed so smoothly that it made the reading experience much easier to follow.
Even though this book wasn’t exactly what I expected, I can still see why so many readers love Suri’s writing — her worldbuilding and atmosphere are really unique. This one just didn’t fully click for me personally, but it definitely doesn’t mean I’m giving up on her other works. I’m still curious to try more of her stories!
October 10, 2025
Isle in the Silver Seas suffers from vibe-itis.
This is a problem I have with books sometimes, they follow a trend and know that people will pick it up based on the visuals and idea. Unfortunately the story doesn’t follow through and we all leave feeling a little (or a lot) disappointed.
This book can’t decide what timeline it’s in, and the instalove between these characters completely erodes their previous characterization and personality.
DNFed at 30% due to lack of world building, lack of cohesion, and lack of interest.
⭐
Available October 21, 2025
Thank you to Orbit for a free advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is a problem I have with books sometimes, they follow a trend and know that people will pick it up based on the visuals and idea. Unfortunately the story doesn’t follow through and we all leave feeling a little (or a lot) disappointed.
This book can’t decide what timeline it’s in, and the instalove between these characters completely erodes their previous characterization and personality.
DNFed at 30% due to lack of world building, lack of cohesion, and lack of interest.
⭐
Available October 21, 2025
Thank you to Orbit for a free advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Want to read
March 3, 2025!!!! lady knight autumn will be upon us this year !!!! also this cover made my jaw drop absolutely stunning
August 21, 2025
(thank you little brown book group for the arc in exchange for an honest review)
The Isle is fuelled by stories. From the witch who axes her husband in the woods to the man doomed to fall helplessly in unrequited love with a fae lady, the very existence of the Isle depends on these tales being reincarnated and completed to the final word. Yet for years now, villages and forests have disappeared, taking with them all that was dependent, leaving behind foggy memories. Incarnates, those born to live out the tales, are dying. Someone is murdering them.
When a sequence of events leads Simran, a witch of the woods, to chase after this deadly assassin, she is joined by Vina, a knight of the Queen’s court. Together, they must end the Pale Assassin’s reign of terror, all while trying not to fall in love, though knowing the tale pulls them to do so. They are ‘The Knight and The Witch’. They shall fall in love and when the knight kills the witch to fulfil her honour, she dies with her.
This is a story of fighting institutions hell-bent on preserving the status quo. About being other and how isolating it can be. Of a group of people breaking a cycle that has gone on since existence. And though the romance is a main aspect of the book, the story being told (the world-building especially) stands on its own. Tasha Suri wrote something really beautiful and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy.
(Also, props for making me tear up with a paragraph. Ibrahim’s letter to his sister had me shed a tear at work)
“Long ago, there lived a knight who was tasked by the Queen to kill a terrible witch.”
The Isle is fuelled by stories. From the witch who axes her husband in the woods to the man doomed to fall helplessly in unrequited love with a fae lady, the very existence of the Isle depends on these tales being reincarnated and completed to the final word. Yet for years now, villages and forests have disappeared, taking with them all that was dependent, leaving behind foggy memories. Incarnates, those born to live out the tales, are dying. Someone is murdering them.
When a sequence of events leads Simran, a witch of the woods, to chase after this deadly assassin, she is joined by Vina, a knight of the Queen’s court. Together, they must end the Pale Assassin’s reign of terror, all while trying not to fall in love, though knowing the tale pulls them to do so. They are ‘The Knight and The Witch’. They shall fall in love and when the knight kills the witch to fulfil her honour, she dies with her.
This is a story of fighting institutions hell-bent on preserving the status quo. About being other and how isolating it can be. Of a group of people breaking a cycle that has gone on since existence. And though the romance is a main aspect of the book, the story being told (the world-building especially) stands on its own. Tasha Suri wrote something really beautiful and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy.
(Also, props for making me tear up with a paragraph. Ibrahim’s letter to his sister had me shed a tear at work)
November 24, 2025
“the sun rose and fell, and the tides drew in and out, and the knight and the witch loved and died.”
don’t expect much coherence from this review, folks. it’s been a month and i still get emotional thinking about this book. it’s an exquisite story about stories and folklore and choice and fate and stagnation and change and clinging to an idealized past that never existed and narratives as a tool of power and also, of course, about a knight and a witch. it’s a love story in so many ways.
also, it made me ugly cry.
in a britain fueled by stories, a knight and a witch are destined to love each other and doom each other in every lifetime. their story, and so many others, must play out as it is written in order to preserve britain, and here suri brilliantly explores the role of folklore in nationalism and history. it asks not only who writes our history, but what have they erased, added, rewritten? it’s a sharp commentary on the desire for the “good ol’ days” of a past that has been whitewashed and edited to fit a narrative.
the isle in the silver sea won’t get the love that the everlasting gets (we all know why) but (even with a few lady knight books to go) i feel confident saying that these two will be my favorites of the year of the lady knight. if you loved one, read the other. (and also pick up fate’s bane if you’re still craving sapphics doomed by the narrative.) however, i will note that this is a very meta book and while the romance is central to the plot, i would not consider it a romantasy.
i received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
rating: 4.75/5.0 stars
October 24, 2025
First of all, the cover is gorgeous. Second, this has such an intriguing and fresh premise, truly a fascinating concept!
Admittedly, I enjoyed part two more than part one (I literally binged the last 30% in one sitting and there were a lot of tears). During the first half, I tended to focus more on the characters than the world-building and plot, which I'm not entirely certain is because I just wasn't absorbing the information well, or that it wasn't quite fleshed out enough 🤷♀️. I felt like I was missing extra details, as if information was just out of reach and I couldn't completely grasp what was happening (it's hard to explain, but that's the best way I can put it).
I was stunned by the magic system though—how the world is woven of tales in which the characters are sacrificed through repeated retellings to maintain the location where the events unfold and the lives within it.
It became much easier to visualise the settings, and the plot gained momentum and anticipation later in the book. All the seeds planted earlier came to fruition, culminating in a climactic, raw and emotionally charged conclusion that tied everything together beautifully. 🥹
I loooved both Vina and Simran as characters straight away. I really enjoyed how they perceived the world differently, and despite their clashing personalities and opposing views, they were able to accept and respect each other’s wishes without judgment. It made for a very compelling dynamic.
Other than not feeling fully immersed until later in the book—I just needed a little more depth to really pull me in—I really did love and care for the characters throughout and appreciated the overall storyline that had a very satisfying and wholesome ending, which really saved it for me. This was a tricky one to rate. 😮💨
─ 3.75 stars ˙✦
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette AUS & NZ for the eARC!
Admittedly, I enjoyed part two more than part one (I literally binged the last 30% in one sitting and there were a lot of tears). During the first half, I tended to focus more on the characters than the world-building and plot, which I'm not entirely certain is because I just wasn't absorbing the information well, or that it wasn't quite fleshed out enough 🤷♀️. I felt like I was missing extra details, as if information was just out of reach and I couldn't completely grasp what was happening (it's hard to explain, but that's the best way I can put it).
I was stunned by the magic system though—how the world is woven of tales in which the characters are sacrificed through repeated retellings to maintain the location where the events unfold and the lives within it.
It became much easier to visualise the settings, and the plot gained momentum and anticipation later in the book. All the seeds planted earlier came to fruition, culminating in a climactic, raw and emotionally charged conclusion that tied everything together beautifully. 🥹
I loooved both Vina and Simran as characters straight away. I really enjoyed how they perceived the world differently, and despite their clashing personalities and opposing views, they were able to accept and respect each other’s wishes without judgment. It made for a very compelling dynamic.
Other than not feeling fully immersed until later in the book—I just needed a little more depth to really pull me in—I really did love and care for the characters throughout and appreciated the overall storyline that had a very satisfying and wholesome ending, which really saved it for me. This was a tricky one to rate. 😮💨
─ 3.75 stars ˙✦
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette AUS & NZ for the eARC!
November 11, 2025
3,75⭐️
i love yuri yaoi representation
i love yuri yaoi representation
August 14, 2025
2.5
i wanted to love this and really thought i would. unfortunately this really fell flat for me. there was some things i did like, the magic of the world seemed really interesting and unique. i also did liked vinas character. but that was sadly all, something just didn’t grip me as much as i would’ve liked and that left me struggling to read as i wasn’t connecting with any characters or the plot. it also felt too long and heavy at some parts and maybe would’ve preferred it to be split into multiple books.
thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this
i wanted to love this and really thought i would. unfortunately this really fell flat for me. there was some things i did like, the magic of the world seemed really interesting and unique. i also did liked vinas character. but that was sadly all, something just didn’t grip me as much as i would’ve liked and that left me struggling to read as i wasn’t connecting with any characters or the plot. it also felt too long and heavy at some parts and maybe would’ve preferred it to be split into multiple books.
thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this
July 5, 2025
DNF @ 27%
Loved the concept of an English island where the characters are trapped in the stories of their old folk tales, but I was struggling to keep up as we constantly switched location and introduced more and more characters. I finally decided to quit when the plot contradicted itself - Vina said in the crypt tunnels that if anyone turned up she'd know, and then two people immediately turned up. I'm lost.
Loved the concept of an English island where the characters are trapped in the stories of their old folk tales, but I was struggling to keep up as we constantly switched location and introduced more and more characters. I finally decided to quit when the plot contradicted itself - Vina said in the crypt tunnels that if anyone turned up she'd know, and then two people immediately turned up. I'm lost.
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