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Harridan Society
Rise of Reikka
The mission was supposed to be easy, so easy it was almost boring until it wasn’t.
The Kingdom of Wraithland has been sending magic-wielding assassins to the continent for some time, and Reikka Harridan is one of the best. Her newest mission is to infiltrate the life of one of the continent's richest men to discover his secrets. Why? She doesn’t know, and she’s not supposed to ask, but the small voice inside her head is growing, and it wants answers.
Karik Vozkent only ever wanted to help his boss succeed—but loyalty has a price. Caught between ambition and deception, he's been living a double life for longer than he ever intended. Now, just as he starts to consider walking away, pressure from a business rival heats up, and everything begins to unravel. Everything Karik and his employer have built teeters on the edge of collapse
When Reikka stumbles into the city's darker side, the double lives both she and Karik have been leading collide. As if that weren’t enough, a long-hidden dragon resurfaces, exposing dangerous truths that could shatter everything she thought she knew. With her mission unraveling, her magic growing harder to conceal, and an enemy lurking under the same roof, Reikka must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect her secrets—and survive.
The Kingdom of Wraithland has been sending magic-wielding assassins to the continent for some time, and Reikka Harridan is one of the best. Her newest mission is to infiltrate the life of one of the continent's richest men to discover his secrets. Why? She doesn’t know, and she’s not supposed to ask, but the small voice inside her head is growing, and it wants answers.
Karik Vozkent only ever wanted to help his boss succeed—but loyalty has a price. Caught between ambition and deception, he's been living a double life for longer than he ever intended. Now, just as he starts to consider walking away, pressure from a business rival heats up, and everything begins to unravel. Everything Karik and his employer have built teeters on the edge of collapse
When Reikka stumbles into the city's darker side, the double lives both she and Karik have been leading collide. As if that weren’t enough, a long-hidden dragon resurfaces, exposing dangerous truths that could shatter everything she thought she knew. With her mission unraveling, her magic growing harder to conceal, and an enemy lurking under the same roof, Reikka must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect her secrets—and survive.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2025
5 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Claire A. Brower
2 books55 followersClaire A. Brower is an author, mom, and business owner, who resides in the foothills of the Adirondacks in Upstate, NY. She is an avid reader, crafter, adventurer, and home cook, who loves spending time with family and relaxing in the woods. She began writing early in life but has only recently begun the process of sharing her work with the world at large. Learn more about her and her work online.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 1, 2025
4.5 ✨
I received an ARC from the author. I absolutely devoured this book. The world is unique and creative, and the writing was beautiful. I really loved many of the characters and found them to be deep and complex and also relatable. If you enjoy fantasy I would highly recommend this book!
I received an ARC from the author. I absolutely devoured this book. The world is unique and creative, and the writing was beautiful. I really loved many of the characters and found them to be deep and complex and also relatable. If you enjoy fantasy I would highly recommend this book!
December 5, 2025
Claire, you've done it again! you are an absolute champion at world building and character building and I loved every second of this book! The fact that the FMC is more "experienced" drew me into this book and the plot basically leashed me to it! I could not wait for my long weekend so I could finish it! Bravo!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
January 9, 2026
Reikka comes from an elite society of women who are trained and conditioned from an early age to kill, seduce, or destroy whatever target her masters give her. When she is told to kill a woman and take her place as the high society niece to an uncle who hasn’t seen her since childhood, she does so without question. However, in a world where secrets are currency and nobody is quite who they seem to be, she finds that the grumpy accountant working for her new ‘uncle’ might also be pretending to be someone he’s not. As their double lives collide, they find themselves pulled into a dangerous game of attraction that threatens to unravel everything they have both worked so hard to achieve.
I’m captivated by the dark fantasy world Claire has created in this series! Not only is the magic system layered and unique, but there’s still so much of the world that remains to be explored. I absolutely love the way the curtain is drawn further back with every new Harridan sister as they begin to question the conditioning and brainwashing they’ve endured for years.
Although this is a prequel, I highly recommend reading RIN: An Assassin’s Tale first. You’ll fall in love with Reikka while reading that book, and it’ll give you a fresh perspective on some of the other characters. Seeing Reikka established in that book and then following her journey to that point is incredibly satisfying. While I adore Rin, I have to admit that Reikka is my favorite sister so far.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the MMC, Karik. He is incredibly hot, and every interaction they share is simply perfect. If you’re looking for a true enemies-to-lovers story where they’re at each other’s throats while flirting, this is definitely the book for you. Also, both characters are morally flexible and just a little bit feral, which makes their relationship all the more enjoyable to read.
Tropes:
⚔️ Forbidden Magick
🔥 30 YO FMC
⚔️ Secret Identities
🔥 Enemies to Lovers
⚔️ Mythical Beings
🔥 Dragons
⚔️ Secret Society
🔥 Elves
⚔️ Dual POV
🔥 Slow Burn
Thank you Claire for giving me an ARC!
I’m captivated by the dark fantasy world Claire has created in this series! Not only is the magic system layered and unique, but there’s still so much of the world that remains to be explored. I absolutely love the way the curtain is drawn further back with every new Harridan sister as they begin to question the conditioning and brainwashing they’ve endured for years.
Although this is a prequel, I highly recommend reading RIN: An Assassin’s Tale first. You’ll fall in love with Reikka while reading that book, and it’ll give you a fresh perspective on some of the other characters. Seeing Reikka established in that book and then following her journey to that point is incredibly satisfying. While I adore Rin, I have to admit that Reikka is my favorite sister so far.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the MMC, Karik. He is incredibly hot, and every interaction they share is simply perfect. If you’re looking for a true enemies-to-lovers story where they’re at each other’s throats while flirting, this is definitely the book for you. Also, both characters are morally flexible and just a little bit feral, which makes their relationship all the more enjoyable to read.
Tropes:
⚔️ Forbidden Magick
🔥 30 YO FMC
⚔️ Secret Identities
🔥 Enemies to Lovers
⚔️ Mythical Beings
🔥 Dragons
⚔️ Secret Society
🔥 Elves
⚔️ Dual POV
🔥 Slow Burn
Thank you Claire for giving me an ARC!
January 3, 2026
“You are referring to the chair, right?” I cut him off, pointing downward. “Because I know you are not talking about me since I am not a thing that can be owned.”
Tropes:
Forbidden Magic
30 YO FMC
Secret Identities
Enemies to Lovers
Mythical Beings
Dragons
Secret Society
Elves
Dual POV
2 Chili Peppers Spice Level
Slow Burn
That's was a definite four star read for me. Claire's riding is literal genius. Her world building and character development are supreme. I feel like I am personally being sucked into the story myself.
Reikka that's one heck of a main female character. Her tenaciousness and determination Is commendable. It took me a minute to get started in this book but once I was hooked, that was it. The story was very well paced and kept me entertained and turning the pages.
Tropes:
Forbidden Magic
30 YO FMC
Secret Identities
Enemies to Lovers
Mythical Beings
Dragons
Secret Society
Elves
Dual POV
2 Chili Peppers Spice Level
Slow Burn
That's was a definite four star read for me. Claire's riding is literal genius. Her world building and character development are supreme. I feel like I am personally being sucked into the story myself.
Reikka that's one heck of a main female character. Her tenaciousness and determination Is commendable. It took me a minute to get started in this book but once I was hooked, that was it. The story was very well paced and kept me entertained and turning the pages.
January 13, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️
Clair Brower proves herself an excellent writer once again with her newest release, Rise of Reikka. Never failing to provide strong, determined, intelligent FMCs, it is hard to not fall into Claire’s books, not coming up for a breath until the very last page. Her world building and character development pulls you into a beautiful adventure that leaves you guessing with each turn of the page.
Reikka is an assassin, plain and simple. She has been raised and trained to dispose of her targets quickly and quietly, using any means possible. She doesn’t question, doesn’t hesitate. Her latest mission is to take the place of a high society woman and assimilate herself into said woman’s uncle’s world. She succeeds, but while there, discovers that someone else in the circle may not be who they say either. Her true identity can’t be discovered, but she quickly learns there is much more at stake.
Karik was not an obstacle that Reikka was expecting to have to overcome in her mission. He too has a hidden agency for why he is within this social circle. As these two dance around each other, there is a simmer neither can ignore. Karik sees Reikka for the woman she truly is and never tries to change her, even though she could out him. He is confident, loyal, and committed. He helps her out more than you think and their chemistry continues to grow and grow through each encounter.
While this book is a prequel to the first book in Claire’s Harridan Society series, I think reading book 1 is necessary to fully understand the character of Reikka, thus far. Clair has tied both books together seamlessly, leaving readers needing more. If you love strong FMCs who are sassy, fierce, and all around badas$, this book is for you. If you love characters who are layered, deep, and complex, this book is for you. If you love authors who know how to write beautiful worlds, complex storylines, and amazing characters, Claire is a must read author for you!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🔥Secret Identities
⚔️30 Year Old FMC
🔥Forbidden Magic
⚔️Enemies to Lovers
🔥Mafia Vibes
⚔️Mythical Creatures
Clair Brower proves herself an excellent writer once again with her newest release, Rise of Reikka. Never failing to provide strong, determined, intelligent FMCs, it is hard to not fall into Claire’s books, not coming up for a breath until the very last page. Her world building and character development pulls you into a beautiful adventure that leaves you guessing with each turn of the page.
Reikka is an assassin, plain and simple. She has been raised and trained to dispose of her targets quickly and quietly, using any means possible. She doesn’t question, doesn’t hesitate. Her latest mission is to take the place of a high society woman and assimilate herself into said woman’s uncle’s world. She succeeds, but while there, discovers that someone else in the circle may not be who they say either. Her true identity can’t be discovered, but she quickly learns there is much more at stake.
Karik was not an obstacle that Reikka was expecting to have to overcome in her mission. He too has a hidden agency for why he is within this social circle. As these two dance around each other, there is a simmer neither can ignore. Karik sees Reikka for the woman she truly is and never tries to change her, even though she could out him. He is confident, loyal, and committed. He helps her out more than you think and their chemistry continues to grow and grow through each encounter.
While this book is a prequel to the first book in Claire’s Harridan Society series, I think reading book 1 is necessary to fully understand the character of Reikka, thus far. Clair has tied both books together seamlessly, leaving readers needing more. If you love strong FMCs who are sassy, fierce, and all around badas$, this book is for you. If you love characters who are layered, deep, and complex, this book is for you. If you love authors who know how to write beautiful worlds, complex storylines, and amazing characters, Claire is a must read author for you!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🔥Secret Identities
⚔️30 Year Old FMC
🔥Forbidden Magic
⚔️Enemies to Lovers
🔥Mafia Vibes
⚔️Mythical Creatures
January 6, 2026
EEEK!!! Reikka is such a baddie! I loved this whole book. I didn’t expect there to be a dual POV but that made it so much better.
I love all of the banter throughout this story. Not only is Reikka just an overall bad*ss, she’s so smart and witty too. I love how curious Reikka is, she wants answers and she’s going to get them one way or another. I’m so happy she got to experience some normalcy on her mission and see things in a new light.
Don’t even get me started on Karik. He is the perfect match for our girl. He sees her for the powerful woman she is and it only makes him want her more. We love a secure king. He values her for who she is and it’s amazing. This man is the definition of the “female gaze.” He single handedly raises the bar of expectations. And even though he’s into some shady sh*t, he doesn’t just bail and leave people out to dry. He considers how his actions impact others and if that isn’t enough, he’s also dangerously physically attractive.
The side characters too!! Even Darren, who we met in Rin, we see character arcs everywhere. Some good, some not so much. I loved getting to know Ruthy, Pheron, Uncle Raibyn, and Althena. No one is really who they initially appeared to be and I love how everyone has layers, even the smaller characters.
The twist at the end! I was really wondering how all of these plots were going to tie together but Claire did it seamlessly. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was proven wrong. I love a story with writing that can keep me guessing. I was always looking for a connection somewhere but it was never obvious.
I’m so excited for the next installment of this series. I can’t wait to meet more Harridan sisters!!
I love all of the banter throughout this story. Not only is Reikka just an overall bad*ss, she’s so smart and witty too. I love how curious Reikka is, she wants answers and she’s going to get them one way or another. I’m so happy she got to experience some normalcy on her mission and see things in a new light.
Don’t even get me started on Karik. He is the perfect match for our girl. He sees her for the powerful woman she is and it only makes him want her more. We love a secure king. He values her for who she is and it’s amazing. This man is the definition of the “female gaze.” He single handedly raises the bar of expectations. And even though he’s into some shady sh*t, he doesn’t just bail and leave people out to dry. He considers how his actions impact others and if that isn’t enough, he’s also dangerously physically attractive.
The side characters too!! Even Darren, who we met in Rin, we see character arcs everywhere. Some good, some not so much. I loved getting to know Ruthy, Pheron, Uncle Raibyn, and Althena. No one is really who they initially appeared to be and I love how everyone has layers, even the smaller characters.
The twist at the end! I was really wondering how all of these plots were going to tie together but Claire did it seamlessly. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was proven wrong. I love a story with writing that can keep me guessing. I was always looking for a connection somewhere but it was never obvious.
I’m so excited for the next installment of this series. I can’t wait to meet more Harridan sisters!!
December 31, 2025
Really enjoyed this prequel/sequel! Reikka was the backstory that I never knew that I needed, and now I don't know how I even could have gone without it.
I liked getting to see more of Reikka's character. We are getting to see how the Harridan sisters come into their own one by one and witness their stories....I'm really loving the direction this series is headed.
I really enjoyed the dual POV, I really enjoyed getting to know Karik's character! Mysterious and definitely broody, he has so many layers that I loved getting to peel back chapter by chapter.
I also really enjoyed getting just a tiny bit more insight into Daren, so I'm excited to see how this keeps playing out!
overall: recommend
spice: open door
I liked getting to see more of Reikka's character. We are getting to see how the Harridan sisters come into their own one by one and witness their stories....I'm really loving the direction this series is headed.
I really enjoyed the dual POV, I really enjoyed getting to know Karik's character! Mysterious and definitely broody, he has so many layers that I loved getting to peel back chapter by chapter.
I also really enjoyed getting just a tiny bit more insight into Daren, so I'm excited to see how this keeps playing out!
overall: recommend
spice: open door
January 4, 2026
This is a romantasy series featuring a secrety society of trained female assassins.
🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂
⚔️ Secret Society
🖤 Trained Assassins
⚔️ Hidden Identity
🖤 Shadow Daddy
⚔️ Stabby FMC
The story is told in a dual POV by our MC's Reikka and Karik. Neither character are truly who they pretend to be when they first meet. Reikka is posing as a sheltered farm girl while Karik is just an accountant. They soon learn they are both keeping secrets, including some hidden magic. I loved the tension that this added between the two characters as they really did not trust one another but could not deny their attraction to each other.
I loved getting to see more of the Harridan Society and how Reikka's story entertwined with Rin.
Thanks to the author for a digital copy
🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂
⚔️ Secret Society
🖤 Trained Assassins
⚔️ Hidden Identity
🖤 Shadow Daddy
⚔️ Stabby FMC
The story is told in a dual POV by our MC's Reikka and Karik. Neither character are truly who they pretend to be when they first meet. Reikka is posing as a sheltered farm girl while Karik is just an accountant. They soon learn they are both keeping secrets, including some hidden magic. I loved the tension that this added between the two characters as they really did not trust one another but could not deny their attraction to each other.
I loved getting to see more of the Harridan Society and how Reikka's story entertwined with Rin.
Thanks to the author for a digital copy
December 31, 2025
Reikka is a resilient, powerful, compelling FMC, and impossible not to root for. She owns every scene she’s in, and watching her rise feels both empowering and earned. The tension between her and the MMC is so well done!
The world-building and layered character development are excellent without feeling overwhelming, and I loved the connections I could make between this book and Rin. The pacing is just right, keeping the story engaging while allowing emotional moments to truly land. This book is a perfect blend of action, tension, and character driven storytelling. I'm excited to see where the adventures of the Harridan Society take us next!
The world-building and layered character development are excellent without feeling overwhelming, and I loved the connections I could make between this book and Rin. The pacing is just right, keeping the story engaging while allowing emotional moments to truly land. This book is a perfect blend of action, tension, and character driven storytelling. I'm excited to see where the adventures of the Harridan Society take us next!
January 3, 2026
Holy wow! This started off slow for me but the further along it got, the harder it was to put down. I absolutely loved all the characters but I love how Reikka and Karik are when they are around each other.
I think that I was expecting certain things to happen but they never did. I was so surprised by the twists, turns, and mysteries that ended up popping up. The world building was amazing and very descriptive. The characters were my favorite part though. This is definitely an amazing book and we need another one with Reikka (Saorsie) and Karik.
I think that I was expecting certain things to happen but they never did. I was so surprised by the twists, turns, and mysteries that ended up popping up. The world building was amazing and very descriptive. The characters were my favorite part though. This is definitely an amazing book and we need another one with Reikka (Saorsie) and Karik.
December 28, 2025
I absolutely LOVED every second of this book! Claire wrote such a captivating story & I had the absolute best time reading Reikka’s story! The characters were sooooo well done & I could not love them all more. I literally went on an emotional roller coaster with every page. Claire paced the story perfectly & built the world in a way I always knew what was going on but never bored or overloaded with information. I cannot wait to see how her story continues throughout the series.
January 10, 2026
3.5⭐️ 🌶️ spice ( open door)
This is a “maybe” book for me. The world and magic are unique which I appreciated. The book vibe reminds me of peaky blinders mafia style with a Bridgerton era world but it has magic. It was a slower paced book than I was expecting. For a good portion of the book I very much felt like I was reading two different plot lines trying to be merged together which was a bit confusing to me. They did eventually merge but then it felt rushed toward the end.
This is a “maybe” book for me. The world and magic are unique which I appreciated. The book vibe reminds me of peaky blinders mafia style with a Bridgerton era world but it has magic. It was a slower paced book than I was expecting. For a good portion of the book I very much felt like I was reading two different plot lines trying to be merged together which was a bit confusing to me. They did eventually merge but then it felt rushed toward the end.
December 17, 2025
Claire did it one more time. Reikka is an FMC we all want to be like. She is strong, she is brave, she those she was rise to do. She doesn't play game, she was given a mission and she did this and more. This ones was such an amazing read, I couldn't get enough. The story, the characters and everything that happen was top tier.
December 28, 2025
I received this as an ARC
I really enjoyed this book. It did take me a minute to get hooked but once I did i didn't want to put it down!if you enjoy fantasy like i do you will love this book. I can't wait to see whats nexted.
Release day January 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. It did take me a minute to get hooked but once I did i didn't want to put it down!if you enjoy fantasy like i do you will love this book. I can't wait to see whats nexted.
Release day January 8, 2026
December 15, 2025
What a great read and I loved this story. The plot and the spice and all the feels at the end! Crazy good! Loved that ending. Setting up for more mischief and I can’t wait!
January 8, 2026
this was such a great book to continue on with these characters! I can't wait to meet more of the characters and get more of their backstories!
January 8, 2026
5 ⭐
2 A few explicit scenes
3.5 ☠️ Several triggers apply
Dark, mysterious and thrilling!
Reikka is amazing! 😍 She has lived a nightmare to become the woman she is. When given the opportunity to bloom she surpassed even her own expectations. Sent on an extended mission to the continent she finds many things contradictory to her teachings and begins questioning her superior's motives.
Karik is no knight in shining armor but he has a good heart and he's a simp in the best way! 🫠 He struggles with the guilt of his double life and the difficulties of trying to extricate himself from one while keeping a suspicious eye on Reikka. The tension between the two was delicious!
I enjoyed the world building, you can read this before or after Rin and still have a pretty good picture of what the Society is like without getting much in spoilers from either. I loved Reikka 's story and was shocked by the villain reveal at the end! I can't wait to read more for the Harridan Sister's stories and see how they'll all come together.
2 A few explicit scenes
3.5 ☠️ Several triggers apply
Dark, mysterious and thrilling!
Reikka is amazing! 😍 She has lived a nightmare to become the woman she is. When given the opportunity to bloom she surpassed even her own expectations. Sent on an extended mission to the continent she finds many things contradictory to her teachings and begins questioning her superior's motives.
Karik is no knight in shining armor but he has a good heart and he's a simp in the best way! 🫠 He struggles with the guilt of his double life and the difficulties of trying to extricate himself from one while keeping a suspicious eye on Reikka. The tension between the two was delicious!
I enjoyed the world building, you can read this before or after Rin and still have a pretty good picture of what the Society is like without getting much in spoilers from either. I loved Reikka 's story and was shocked by the villain reveal at the end! I can't wait to read more for the Harridan Sister's stories and see how they'll all come together.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews