The Courtesan's Eye

by Kate Hyers, J.C. Smith

Cordè is a courtesan-spy who trades in sex and secrets. But when a prestigious assignment ends in a shocking death, she must navigate her city's shadowy underbelly to find the killer.

Aelus is a warrior priest, devout in his faith, plagued by his own complicated lineage. His efforts to prove himself, however, are shattered when a routine ceremony goes horribly awry. Given one last chance at redemption, he's sent to unravel the conspiracy threatening his Order—a mission that puts him in Cordè's employ.

Aelus's uptight personality and austere lifestyle clash with Cordè's free-spirited world of parties and indulgence, creating friction that breeds suspicion. But they must put their animosity aside when they discover a bigger threat lurking beneath the streets—one that's stolen the power of the gods themselves. As the bodies pile up, they'll be forced to choose: trust each other, or let the city burn.

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance

452 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2025

Reviews

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to recieve an advanced copy from Book Sirens, and they have once again fulfilled all my hopes and dreams. I now have a new romantasy book to recommend to everyone who will listen and TWO new authors to obsess about.

I always wonder how co-authoring will work and if I will feel the pull and tug of two people trying to create one tale. This is flawless, these authors must share a brain.

Cordè is a courtesan-spy who trades in sex and secrets. Think Satine from Moulin Rouge and add Gods, Magic, Blood Curses & Legends. Then top that off with two MMC that perfectly pair with our FMC in different ways and you've got the makings of one perfect and intriguing political romantasy novel.

I would highly suggest going into this blind- the story unfolds in the best ways. If you love the Throne of Glass or Six of Crows series, check this out!

[hope anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to read an advance copy of this, and had an absolute blast with it. For disclosure: I am not a romantasy girlie. I have been burned too many times by the shadow daddy books. The Courtesan's Eye is like a HUGE breath of fresh air. One of the two MCs, Corde, is an absolute riot and everything I've wanted from a main character. The other MC, Aelus, is so far from a shadow daddy as possible. Give me more anxious men wrapped up in religious crises in my romance!!!! The world building is complex, but easy to follow, and I loved the queer representation. It's not just throw away side characters; the whole story beats with queer authenticity, humor and joy. (and angst) ((though none of the angst is about being queer)) (((tbh most of the angst comes from the straight bro))).

This book is co-authored, which can sometimes feel clunky, but The Courtesan's Eye flows so well that I don't think you could tell there are two authors unless it was on the cover.

Overall, a VERY fun ride ((much like Corde)), and would highly recommend!

[Siavahda · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Actual rating 3.5 stars)

If I call this ‘Kushiel’s Dart Lite’ it sounds like an insult, but that’s not how I mean it. Courtesan’s Eye didn’t work for me, but it will be plenty appealing to a lot of other readers, especially any who like the look of Kushiel’s Dart but are intimidated by the pagecount and density.

Courtesan’s Eye has easier prose, telling-not-showing that’s much more heavy-handed than Dart, and generally a much more upbeat tone. There’s more humour, the worldbuilding and intrigue are much simpler, and I think it’s fair to say that the characters are more…approachable? It’s impossible not to draw comparisons because Eye is really not subtle about drawing on Dart: the main character being a courtesan-and-spy isn’t unique to Dart, no, but combined with the bodyguard from an order of celibate warrior-monks, and a mentor who’s basically genderbent Anafiel Delaunay de Montrève with a dash of Cecilie Laveau-Perrin tossed in…? And don’t forget the bodyguard being the love interest, despite the holy celibacy and despising the FMC’s decadent, perverted ways. It’s a bit much. And for me, that really didn’t work, because anything that thinks it can do Kushiel’s Dart better than Dart did is doomed to fail in my eyes.

But it’s very readable, the main character is great fun (though I’m VERY sad we lost her original bodyguard in favour of the love interest, because the first guy was AWESOME), and I can see this being a great read for romantasy fans who are looking for a bit more plot and fantasy than your typical romantasies. Not for me, but not a bad book at all.

[Mott (Foxandcatspress) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Courtesan’s Eye
Auther/s:
Kate Hyers & J. C. Smith

My Rating: Five stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Infinity Stars
♾️✨

Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 1/2

Genre:
Fantasy
Mystery
Dark Fantasy
Romantic Fantasy

Tropes:
* Political Intrigue
* Murder Mystery
* Subduction & Betrayal
* Antagonists to friends to Flirtation
* Gods, Magic, Blood Curses & legends
* Courtesan Half-elf FMC
* Bastard Preist MMC
* Diverse & Inclusive Full Cast of Characters

I have been a reader for years now and I pride myself on going into a book with no preconceived ideas of how it will go, but I have to say The Courtesan’s Eye was nothing like I thought it was going to be in the best possible way!
This book was well written with a strong storyline, engaging plot and characters, from main to side, that felt real and interesting. The fantasy world felt vivid, gritty and seductive at times.
I was sobbing at 17% in and I generally thought that the murder victim was going to be a main character and didn’t see the death coming.
The plot twists were also shocking and I only guess one correctly.
I loved this book and highly recommend it, though I would like for anyone who wants to read it know going in that the book is fantasy and dark mystery for most, and a slow slow burn romance subplot.
The main character by the end have strong chemistry and clearly deep emotion for one another, but the mysteries and world building are the main focus of the story.
I was also surprised how well the spice in this book was written, I think with the FMC being a courtesan the spice level was going to be a little overwhelming but it was really well balanced, though non where with our mmc, there was fm, ff and ffm scenes though not overly descriptive.

[Grada (BoekenTrol) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced review copy for this book and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️

I liked the story this book told.
At first I was taking the title literally, but then it appeared to mean something else 😁 It happens...
A book full of plot twists, intrigues between several groups of beings. It was an interesting read, not only because of the story, but I relearned some long forgotten words and added some new ones to my English vocabulary.

I liked Cordè. As I did Talat and later Aelus. To me they were the characters with the most layers/depth. Most of the others were just plotting, greedy or plain evil, but they were my favourites.

When I liked this bookwhy did it get 'only' three ⭐?
Well, that's because of me (myself and I). I am still fairly new to reading fantasy, especially in another than my native language.
And while reading this book, I missed some (for me) key information. Whether it was not given or not picked up by me from the text, I'm not sure, so I leave that in the middle. I was happy with reading this as an ebook, because it gives the opportunity to look up/translate unknown words directly. Unfortunately many words I didn't know and couldn't guess from the context made reading this book quite difficult.
Maybe adding a list of specific terms and their meanings might be a good idea. Or even a small explanation on the specific groups in the story. What they do, where they come from, how things came to be like they are now.

So, concluding, all in all I liked this book. I think I'll be wanting to read the next part as well🙂

[Dymon Knapps · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. I loved Cordae's free spirit and energy. She definitely surprised me when she immediately jumped into action to figure out the murderer. Aleus grew on me. He was judgmental and only cared about being an Eye. But he went through it in this book I'm honestly surprised how he still stayed committed to his faith. I also didn't expect the book to be action packed and the twists were unexpected.

The reason I rated this book a 3.5 is because by the end of the book I was totally lost. I felt that the world-building was incomplete. The history between the Blade and the Eye needed to be more indepth. The mastermind behind everything was a character that was only mentioned once so while it was unexpected I was unable to see how it all tied together. Overall I still enjoyed the book and id be interested in reading part 2.

[Kristen Argyres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC and then went ahead and pre-ordered a physical copy because I loved this book so much. The Courtesan's Eye is the kind of writing I've been desperate to find in the fantasy genre.

Cordè and Aelus were both well-written with their own personalities and flaws, the plot and world-building kept me interested, and the TWISTS. <3

I'm going to have to go back and re-read this book to find the hints I missed. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

[TheBookishSkull · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast-paced, twist-filled fantasy (and kind of a murder mystery) that delivers a thrilling ride. Brimming with secrets, magic, betrayal, and the seductive art of power, this book keeps you guessing at every turn. I was constantly surprised by the plot twists—each one more surprising than the last.

The story blends action and intrigue with a touch of romantic angst, queer representation, and even political intrigue, all while setting the stage for a promising series. I especially enjoyed how seduction was used as a clever tool for gathering intel, though I found myself wanting even more of those tantalizing moments.

A strong start to an intriguing new series—perfect for readers who love their fantasy with mystery, edge, and flair.

Thanks to Kate Hyers, J.C. Smith, Conquest Publishing and Story Origin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

—————————

Esta es una fantasía trepidante y llena de giros inesperados (y una especie de misterio de asesinato) que ofrece una experiencia emocionante. Rebosante de secretos, magia, traición y el seductor arte del poder, este libro te mantiene en vilo a cada paso. Me sorprendieron constantemente los giros de la trama, cada uno más sorprendente que el anterior.

La historia combina acción e intriga con un toque de angustia romántica, representación queer e incluso intriga política, todo ello preparando el terreno para una serie prometedora. Disfruté especialmente de cómo se utilizó la seducción como una herramienta inteligente para obtener información, aunque me encontré deseando aún más de esos momentos tentadores.

Un comienzo sólido para una nueva serie intrigante, perfecto para los lectores que aman la fantasía con misterio, audacia y estilo.

Gracias a Kate Hyers, J.C. Smith, Conquest Publishing y Story Origin por el ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta.

[Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book, which does not affect my review. Thank you to the author and Booksirens for the chance to read this book.

I devoured this book from page one until the very end. It is so well written and I adored the characters. Aelus was my favorite but Cordè was not far behind. Both were great and likable characters who I instantly enjoyed following.

I am surprised this book was written by two people. Sometimes that can make plots feel very messy or disjointed, but not in The Courtesan’s Eye. It was a cohesive and gripping tale that follows Cordè, a courtesan/spy who uses her position and clientele to learn dark secrets. Aelus, on the other hand, he comes from a quite different background of faith, so you would not think Aelus and Cordè would ever cross paths. When the two are put together due to a mission Aelus finds himself thrust into the two must set aside their differences of which there are many.

Despite Aelus being closed off to Cordè’s life and job at first and having many times where he did not understand or approve of it, I did like his character. He is soft and kind yet skilled in strength, at war with his uptight nature, which means he does not adjust easily to Cordè nor her to him. Over the novel he develops much as a character, all against the backdrop of very real political intrigue, spying, and thrills.

I enjoyed Cordè too, and her personality. Nobody in this book is perfect and it makes them all the better for it, and yet the main characters are still very likable. The two main characters also used their own personal strengths in order to progress in the book and I found it great how they leaned into their own talents and skills, but also grew beyond them as they got to know each other.

The world building was also very good. I always love to see maps in the beginning, as it immerses me deeply in the setting and plot almost instantly. Even though I still have some questions with the lore and history of the world, with the gods most of all and what we figure out about Aelus, I am most confident they will be answered later on. I appreciate it very much when I read an author or in this case two authors where they have proven to the reader that they can trust them, which makes me feel as though I will not be left unsatisfied by the end. I am so excited for more. The last part of the book was so scary in a way that made me unable to stop turning pages. That scene with Cordè, Aelus, and Myrra was so brutal and I found myself gasping and being so scared for what was going to happen. By page 400 it was very hard for me to even stop and update my reading because I was desperate to know what would happen next. I love it when a book gets me in like that. By the end it is clear this will be continued, and while I do not always like books ending on cliffhangers, it was different here, as I know I’m going to read the next book whenever it comes out. I am excited not only to see how the plot unfolds but also how Cordè and Aelus continue to grow on their own and together.

My favorite part of this novel was that even though there is romance, it was not the only focus and characters did not constantly think of it. Sometimes I find that in fantasy books that are more romantasy, characters will spend so much time thinking of romance or lust that the political intrigue and big threats are distracted from. While there is romance and hints of romance in this book, it does not dictate the plot nor the characters. They have their own missions outside of the romance and to me, that makes the romance even stronger, because the characters feel like real people pitted against very scary and big stakes that take up most of their energy. And yet I know there is romance budding and I am all the more excited for it to keep developing.

The balance this book struck in every way, from the characters, to action versus information, to fantasy versus romance, to simply the two authors themselves, was just great. I knew from the beginning I was going to love this book but my expectations were exceeded. To say I am eagerly awaiting the next book or books is an understatement. The Winter Lily has earned its place on my very anticipated books I would like to keep reading, and I would recommend it for other fantasy and romance enthusiasts such as myself.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC!

I’ll be honest, it was about a week between reading the synopsis and getting around to reading the book since I had a few others on my list before I could start this one. In that time, I totally forgot what the book was about so I went in without expectations. I actually thought Talat was going to end up being the love interest for the first 15-20% of the book, which once you actually read the book, you’ll realize is SO off base 😂 I also should note that despite the reviews I’ve seen so far, I would not classify this book as a romantasy. I would put this firmly in the fantasy category, and any romance there might be is a subplot at best. Which is fine with me, I loved this book all the more for it. The political intrigue (with the different orders, spying, the election) and multi-layered mysteries (who's the murderer, who is kidnapping Etherians) made for a really captivating story, and the very slow build-up of the relationship between the two mains feels incredibly realistic, especially for the MMC's personality.

Things I liked - including the map at the beginning (love a good map for visualization)! The representation in this didn’t feel forced or like an afterthought - there’s an abundance of queer representation, Orien is mute and it doesn’t hold her back at all, and there’s a wide range of skin colors and appearances mentioned throughout.

I also love that Cordè also actually seems to enjoy her job, which is kind of a nice change of pace versus other courtesan/spies in fantasy (Nina in Six of Crows, Lysandra in Throne of Glass, both of whom I also adore) so she feels like her own character and not just a stereotype. She’s young and still makes mistakes, and I feel like the authors have done a great job at ensuring she has a very clear personality. I also enjoyed seeing such a variety of magic. I feel like a lot of times stories with magic can end up with only showcasing magic in war or fighting. The healing magic from the Etherians was really fleshed out here, and I loved reading about that.

I struggled a bit, especially early on, with keeping all the names straight. We get thrown into the world pretty quickly, and with the number of characters we meet, the 5 legions to remember, and the different groups being associated with certain types of races or characteristics (Cordè is an elf, only the Eyes can get a specific disease, etc), it’s a bit tricky to remember it all. I’d love a directory of names or a quick blurb about the orders maybe along with the map, I think it would enhance the reading experience. That being said, I feel that the authors did a great job at describing the city layout, the characteristics of the legions, and really any scene and it made for a really immersive reading experience.

There were several plot twists I didn’t see coming, and I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface at the story the authors want to tell. I can’t wait for the next book to come out because the ending of this one definitely set us up for a really great sequel!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Conquest Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a lovely surprise. For a debut, the writing for The Courtesan’s Eye is extremely well done. I found myself engaged and overall, I was really impressed.

I loved the characters Kate and J.C. created. Corde was unique and had so many layers. She’s naive in her role as a spy, so there’s growth to be had still. She comes off as vain at first but she has more depth than that. I loved how she was confident in her own skin but she had her own flaws. I’m also happy she isn’t the typical “tough as nails” FMC that we so way too much these days. She uses brains over brawn and I can’t wait to see her political prowess grow in this story.

Aelus was a perfect counter part. While Corde is extroverted and confident. Aelus is more introverted and shy. He’s good with a sword, but interacting with others is not a speciality of his. He also had so much depth. I want to know more about him before he joined the Order. Clearly there’s more there especially with the ending.

All the other side characters were great too. Even though some had small roles, they felt fleshed out. Like I could follow them through a door and easily learn more about them.

My only complaint with this was the overall world building and the gods. It felt like there were a lot of pieces working together and while I can tell they’re thought out, I felt like I was just expected to understand immediately. There wasn’t much of a chance to really catch up and digest all the politics of the world, and why things are the way that they are.

Overall though, this was really well done. I’m very excited to see where we go in book two. Here’s hoping we get some romantic sparks flying between our two main characters in book two as well. 😏

4 stars!

[Julianne Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap holy crap holy crap!!!

I had no idea what to expect when I first started this book. To be honest, the beginning was slow, but then someone dies a and suddenly there is a mystery to be solved. While trying to solve the initial mystery of the death, another mystery is brought up when the women healers called Ether and start to go missing. And then it just keeps piling up and I wasn't sure who to trust anymore. It was wild in the best way possible. I saw some of the signs to who the real culprit behind everything was, but I didn't expect that ending!
Once you thought you had your bearings in the story, something came along to guide you down a whole new direction. It was such a blast to read.

Since this is about a courtesan, there are obviously spicy scenes where she is gaining information from the people she is bedding, because she is, after all, a courtesan spy.

In this world, there are people called Blades and people called Eyes. Both their jobs are to keep people safe but they also have a large field against one another. They each think the other inferior. Eyes are like personal bodyguards while Blades are like the army.

The whole story revolves around Corde, the courtesan, and her Eye...or should I say Eyes. Her first Eye ends up jumping off a roof and everyone believed it suicide, but Corde and the other Eyes don't believe it. They Seers (leaders of the Eyes) send a new bodyguard to watch after Corde and the two end up working together to figure out what really happened (though they started off with a really rocky relationship), but they start to uncover more and more secrets as they dive head first into an interconnected scheme. The fun part is, you have no idea that there is really one person pulling the strings. Gosh! It was just so well done!

I am not going to talk too much of all the goings on because I don't want to spoil any of it.

I am so grateful to the author for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I was blown away!

There is quite a lot of violence towards the end so a warning for people who can't stomach gore and death.

[Marin · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝙸 𝚜𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸 𝚍𝚘 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚕𝚢. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍.

The Courtesan’s Eye • Kate Hyers & J.C. Smith

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this through StoryOrigin and I’m so glad I did! This debut fantasy totally surprised me in the best way. This wasn’t my usual romance-heavy comfort read, but what it was? A sharp, glittering blend of murder mystery, political drama, religious tension, and character-driven storytelling that absolutely kept me hooked.

We follow Cordè, our sassy high-elf courtesan with a spine of steel, zero patience for nonsense, and a dream of becoming a spy. She’s bisexual, bold, and brings such refreshing energy to the page — plus, the way her anxiety is woven into the narrative? Chef’s kiss relatable. She is chaos, but the smart kind.

And then there’s Aelus, our cinnamon roll priest with all the charisma of a stone wall and a heart the size of a cathedral. Celibate, anxious, and deeply devoted to his duty as an Eye, he’s the kind of soft protector that quietly steals your heart while spiraling into a full-on faith crisis.

This book really shines in its character work. Both POVs feel distinct (shoutout to the co-author magic for that), and the tension — emotional, political, and occasionally sexy — is layered and compelling. The romance is a slow simmer (and definitely more of a subplot), but I have a suspicion there may be something budding for book 2!!👀

Think Crescent City murder mystery vibes wrapped up with religion, identity, and political crises. I felt joy, heartbreak, tension… there’s so much packed into this one!

Overall? I adored the characters, was pulled into the mystery, and I’ll definitely be back for book two!!🤩

[Sofia Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from start to finish. The action was tight, the emotions acute. I love Cordé and Aelus. The promiscuous courtesan and the sheltered priest have been done enough that it would have been easy for these two to read like cardboard, but they felt so alive. Dare I compare them to Nina and Matthias from Six of Crows? Yes, yes I do. Their clashing ideals were personal. They’re complete opposites and it was necessary and a delight to have both of their POVs. I love how the murder mystery ballooned into something much larger and sinister. The worldbuilding was seamlessly integrated in dialogue, art, and the characters’ musings. There’s enough worldbuilding that you need to focus to catch it all, but not so much that it’s overwhelming or distracting to the story. In case someone couldn’t guess by the cover, it is adult - open-door content, innuendoes, and lots of violence and swearing - so younguns come back in a few years. This book felt like Aelus’s origin story, and I anticipate the next book will get into Cordé’s origins. I can’t wait to see more of the world, and how our characters grow individually and grow closer since their safe places have been ripped out from under them. I have so many theories and things I’m excited for - I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the next installment in the series.

Thank you Kate Hyers and J C Smith for the review copy! I leave my review honestly and voluntarily.

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

This is hands down one of the BEST books I have read in the last few years. Its beautifully layered, complex and full of adventure, tension, humor and fantasy that its probably going to be my top read for the year! Thanks so much to the authors and Booksiren for the ARC!

Our heroine Corde is the absolute best. She's witty, clever, charming and terribly relatable. I am in LOVE with Aelus. I'm still crying over Talat!!!!!!! I totally did not see that coming!

The world building is fantastic. Complex enough to be fascinating but simple enough to not get terribly lost and lose sight of the plot. The scenery is vivid enough to be engrossing, but not overly detailed that you feel the need to skim it to get back to the main story at hand.

The plot in itself was fun, full of twists I couldn't anticipate, which was such a nice break from the usual obviousness that is seen in a lot of books nowadays. I adored this book so much! Aelus has definitely made my book boyfriend roster because he was the absolute best! I love a good warrior in a garden type paired with a fiesty do it herself gal.

I will have to buy myself a hardcopy very soon and I cannot wait for the next book!!!!!!!!

[CHRIS CARTER · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Courtesan’s Eye is a gripping blend of fantasy, romance, and intrigue that pulls you into a city filled with secrets, danger, and stolen divine power. From the very beginning, the story feels intense and layered, balancing mystery with emotional depth.

Cordè is a fascinating main character, a courtesan and spy who deals in both pleasure and information. When one of her most important assignments ends in a shocking death, she’s forced to move through the city’s dark underworld to uncover the truth. Her world of indulgence, parties, and secrets is rich and dangerous, and she knows how to survive it.

Aelus, on the other hand, couldn’t be more different. He’s a warrior priest, deeply devoted to his faith and struggling with his own complicated past. After a ritual goes terribly wrong, he’s given one last chance to redeem himself by investigating a growing conspiracy. That mission leads him straight into Cordè’s orbit.

The tension between Cordè and Aelus is one of the strongest parts of the book. His strict discipline clashes with her free-spirited lifestyle, creating mistrust and sharp dialogue. But as bodies begin to pile up and they uncover a threat that has stolen the power of the gods themselves, they must decide whether to trust each other, or risk letting the city fall into chaos.

[Anne Staudenmaier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got my hands on an advanced copy of this book, and I am so glad I did! While I'm not always a romance fan, the fantasy and world-building promise are what drew me to it - and I am so glad I read it! A lot of what turns me off romantacy are the tropes, but this book never felt like it was falling into the old standbys. When it did utilize romantacy standards, it did so in a refreshing way that made sense and didn't just seem to use them for convenience.

Now to get to my favorite things in any book - characters and world! The thing I love about fantasies is that they have such a diverse cast that you can usually find one character you love. This book, with its amazing cast, will make it so hard to pick just one. I think having co-authors really works for this, too, as while they blend incredibly well, it also allows the characters to have distinct internal and external voices so that you feel like the characters truly have their own unique personalities - not just one person trying to cosplay as different people. The main city is a character all in itself, and the beauty in which it is shaped so lovingly by these authors is just incredible to watch.

I will definitely be wishlisting book 2 as soon as it's up!

[Twinkle.butt.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, if you’re looking for a fantasy read that kicks off with a bang (and a body!), ‘The Courtesan’s Eye’ sounds like your next obsession! 🤩
This first book in ‘The Winter Lily Series’ introduces Cordè, a sharp-witted courtesan and elf who’s definitely not here for anyone’s nonsense. Her world gets flipped when her protective Eye, Talat (who sounds like a chaotic-good, sarcastic cinnamon roll), is mysteriously murdered.
Enter Aelus, the new Eye on the block: he’s huge, devout, and maybe a little socially awkward (he blushes!), but he’s on a secret mission to uncover Talat’s killer. Their dynamic? Pure gold! Think fiery independence meets stoic, oath-bound giant.
Expect a world brimming with political intrigue, a corrupt religious Order, and a terrifying villainess who literally uses blood magic. Plus, there’s a horse named Daphne who gets sugar cubes and therapy sessions, and a stablehand who can punch out drunkards. Seriously, what’s not to love? If you’re into murder mysteries, morally grey characters, and a dash of unexpected romance, dive in! ✨

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

[Wile Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be able to read an advance copy of this book. I've read fantasy for many years and this story was a tour de force of all the right elements. It is no exaggeration to say that this story has a little bit of everything a reader could want. Romance? It has that. Political Intrigue? Absolutely. War? Plenty of it. High stakes and higher magic? Look no further.

Most fantasy falls flat when it comes to world building, but this stands out in creating a setting that is highly detailed, interwoven, and thought out. While at first it can feel confusing, the further along the plot progresses, the more questions are answered. I wouldn't be surprised to see a lore document put on the authors' websites for readers to reference.

I highly enjoyed it and with the knowledge this is the just the first of a series, it ends on the promise of bigger things to come... and the realization that no one is safe.

[EllasEnchantedReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Courtesan's Eye is a dark debut fantasy romance with murder, secrets, divine conspiracies, strong queer & grief representation, diverse characters, and a slow burn enemies to lovers romance subplot. The romance fell into the background for the most part, but it worked well for this story with low spice tastefully incorporated. The primary focus of this book is on world building & lore, an engaging high stakes murder mystery, dark magic, and political & religious intrigue. There were many unexpected plot twists that kept me flipping through the pages for more. I really enjoyed the small romance subplot and hope to see it unfold more in book two. You can expect lots of forced proximity and very slow-burning tension between a sassy & clever half-elf courtesan-spy heroine, and her cursed & devout cinnamon roll bodyguard. I loved their grumpy x sunshine dynamic and all of the fun, witty banter.

Thank you Kate Hyers & J. C. Smith, and StoryOrigin, for a copy of this ARC!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors and Story Origin for an ARC! All opinions are my own.

4.5 rounded up. Wow! This was definitely a solid start into a new fantasy series!! While at times I was a little confused because of the sheer number of names and places, this book really hooked me in quickly. All the characters were so intriguing and the mysterious turns of the plot kept me interested from start to finish. That cliffhanger? Absolutely shook. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!!

POV: multiple third person (primarily two people)

You can expect: opposites attract, forced proximity, enemies to allies, religion, power, intrigue, mystery, magic, elf FMC, spy FMC, sex worker FMC.

Rep: queer FMC, queer side characters, mutism, sign language, grief.

Spice: 2/5 (brief scenes)

CW: murder, discussion of torture, violence, gore

[Shaelynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Conquest Publishing.

Because this is both an ARC and a debut, I wasn't entirely certain what to expect when it came to The Courtesan's Eye. However, once I was pulled into this world, I found myself enamored by the beautiful, vivid descriptions and the interesting cast of characters created by these authors.

The story does take a little bit to get going--but I wouldn't expect anything less than a high fantasy tale that's clearly the first in a series. I appreciated that the writers took the time to let readers get to know the various characters, to understand the magical systems in play, and even to really determine what kind of settings this story moves in and around.

I can't wait for the next book in this series!

Fans of Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series will find The Courtesan's Eye an intriguing mystery full of scandal, lust, and power plays.

[Jessica Salina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Courtesan’s Eye is a fantastic read for fans of fantasy political drama and murder mysteries. If you enjoyed the murder mystery elements of the first Crescent City book by SJM, then you’ll really like The Courtesan’s Eye, since the main plot resolves around some disappearances and a murder that the protagonists suspect are linked.

While there wasn’t any explicit romance, there were spicy scenes (as per the FMC’s job, and those scenes were so fun to read) and tons of tension/chemistry in a “hate to love” way between the FMC and MMC, and I can’t wait to see their relationship continue to develop, especially after how things ended. I suspect a romance is budding between them (and I hope I’m right!).

Thank you Conquest for the ARC!

[Astrophel R · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5
Thank you to Booksirens and Conquest Publishing for the absolute delight of reviewing an ARC of this.

This book was so good and fun that it became hard to review because I just wanted to hold up the book and say “Yes!! Good!” but alas that would not be very helpful for other readers.

I loved both Cordè and Aelus! Cordè is clever, feisty and so confident in herself which I think makes her an amazing protagonist. Aeolus is a perfect contrast since he’s so accustomed to trying to fit within all of The Order’s rules, that it’s jarring for him to spend time with someone who acts so freely.

But I think the real star of this book was the plot and pacing. Every plot line had a satisfying conclusion, and the way that we learned the answers was rewarding.

[Cristal · Rating 5 out of 5]

LETS TALK ABOUT IT. the first 20-25% was a little un-catching, i thought about DNFing but after that, it was absolutely gripping. i couldn’t put the book down and when i did i found myself trying to fit in more reading time. the plot was great, there was so many twists and it felt different compared to your traditional fantasy book! the mysteries within the book left me guessing and only wanting more. by the last 80% i couldn’t put the book down. i was obsessed. i cannot wait for book 2!! i was loving the slow burn romance as well, i can’t wait to see how their relationship develops. the fantasy storyline was a bit difficult to follow since i don’t read a lot of fantasy and there was a lot of introducing in the beginning but by the end i was hooked. i can’t wait!

thank you for the arc 🩷

[ToniLynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Thank you to the authors, Kate Hyers and J.C. Smith, for the advanced copy of this book!

I knew I was going to love this book as soon as I saw they needed ARC readers. A socially recognized sex worker and a celibate bodyguard - What could possibly go wrong? Although, I had the entire premise wrong and it ended up loving it even more.

The world of magic was pretty cool - not as heavy as some of the other Romantasy I’ve read. This was very political and made me so slow down to really understand it. We have some excellent representation in this book and excellent found family. One of my very favorite things.

Looking for a new Romantasy - this definitely needs your attention!

[Jasmine Durham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very different from what I typically read. It did start out a bit slow for my liking however, once it picked up I thoroughly enjoyed the book! The authors did an amazing job of building the world that this book exist in where the people operate under the “guide” that the particular god that they worship stood for. They then strategically uses events of the story to show the flaws in the thought process and have those characters question everything they had been taught. Unlikely people pair up to solve mysteries surrounding people they care about and you do not see the plot twists coming.


Thank you to booksirens for the ARC. All thoughts and options are my own and are given voluntarily 💜

[Justina Bascombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors for a gifted copy. These are my opinions.

I really liked this book. I almost never read the blurbs and after signing up for a copy it had been a while so I didn’t know what I was walking into. And I was not disappointed. The storyline is good and it was well paced. We get our FMC who is a courtesan but who she works for also uses them to gain information. They have guards, their Eye, who watch over them. The idea of the Eye is pretty unique to me. It was definitely an attention grabber. I was enraptured trying to keep up with the twists and turns.

I look forward to continuing the story!

[Augenee Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice 🌶️

I have no complaints on the pacing, I found the characters especially the side ones interesting but I have many questions about the characters I hope to get anwered in the next book. I really enjoyed the story line and how it focused on the murder/ mystery plot in this first book. There is no romance so far so we will see where the next book takes us but I love how they are just finally becoming friends.

There is a few things I would have added or changed, but the over all book is a solid 4 for me.

This book has a diverse cast and is lgbtqia+ friendly 🥰

[DandelionBlowsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, can I just say thank you to the amazing authors @hyerssmith for giving me an arc copy to review.

Second of all… wow😶
This book has left me completely speechless!!!

I absolutely loved the characters and I absolutely loved the plot. It kept me hooked from beginning to end and that’s a hard task to do for someone like me who struggles to enjoy fantasy most of the time.

This book is a proper slow burn romantasy that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
I was hit with plot twists left and right during the last few chapters and I sincerely hope book two is basically ready to published because I need it now please!!!

✨✨✨✨