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Wretched Mage #1
Wretched Mage
Wretched Mage is an adult romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast, and the first book in a duology. Perfect for fans of Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley and Silvercloak by L.K. Steven.
Jane Darling thought taking over her family’s trade and attending a merchant fair would be her greatest challenge, until she stepped off at the wrong train station. Lost and far from home, she is seized by a monstrous creature and taken to the castle of the mageborn, a people whose magic she never imagined existed and whose lands she has unknowingly trespassed. Brought before a judge by the lord of the land, Reagan, Jane is sentenced to remain for a year, while he is tasked with ensuring no other human crosses the passage between their realms.
With her family’s livelihood at risk, Jane refuses to accept confinement dictated by laws she never knew or to obey the overbearing Mage Lord. But when her escape attempt nearly costs her life, Reagan offers to secure her trade and, in return, she’ll accept her sentence. With no other choice, Jane agrees and quickly realises that her wit is her only advantage against deadly creatures and the band of mageborn known for crimes against humans. Determined to learn anything to keep herself safe, she begins to see that Reagan may not be as loathsome as she first believed. He is burdened by threats against his estate and by the worst kind of sentence imposed by the very court that enforces these laws: a curse.
As a forbidden romance ignites between them, Jane seeks answers about Reagan’s fate. But he keeps secrets even from his own staff, and with his political enemies turning their attention to her, even the most tenacious and well-protected human might not survive long enough to see the end of her sentence.
For readers who love:
🌹 Beauty and the Beast retelling
🔮 Mage vs Human
🏰 Court intrigue
🌘 Monsters and a dangerous Order
🔥 Forbidden romance
🖤 Found family
Jane Darling thought taking over her family’s trade and attending a merchant fair would be her greatest challenge, until she stepped off at the wrong train station. Lost and far from home, she is seized by a monstrous creature and taken to the castle of the mageborn, a people whose magic she never imagined existed and whose lands she has unknowingly trespassed. Brought before a judge by the lord of the land, Reagan, Jane is sentenced to remain for a year, while he is tasked with ensuring no other human crosses the passage between their realms.
With her family’s livelihood at risk, Jane refuses to accept confinement dictated by laws she never knew or to obey the overbearing Mage Lord. But when her escape attempt nearly costs her life, Reagan offers to secure her trade and, in return, she’ll accept her sentence. With no other choice, Jane agrees and quickly realises that her wit is her only advantage against deadly creatures and the band of mageborn known for crimes against humans. Determined to learn anything to keep herself safe, she begins to see that Reagan may not be as loathsome as she first believed. He is burdened by threats against his estate and by the worst kind of sentence imposed by the very court that enforces these laws: a curse.
As a forbidden romance ignites between them, Jane seeks answers about Reagan’s fate. But he keeps secrets even from his own staff, and with his political enemies turning their attention to her, even the most tenacious and well-protected human might not survive long enough to see the end of her sentence.
For readers who love:
🌹 Beauty and the Beast retelling
🔮 Mage vs Human
🏰 Court intrigue
🌘 Monsters and a dangerous Order
🔥 Forbidden romance
🖤 Found family
435 pages, ebook
First published May 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
February 14, 2026
━━━ઇଓㅤ⤸
꒰ 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ꒱
𝟐.𝟕𝟓-𝟑 ✩
"𝑀𝓎 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒥𝒶𝓃𝑒, 𝓎𝑜𝓊'𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒."
꒰ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: ꒱
I have such conflicting feelings towards this book.
First off, I absolutely loved how unique Wretched Mage was. It’s about a human who unknowingly tresspasses into mage territory and finds herself sentenced to stay there under the watch of the Mage Lord of Mountheim, Reagan. Jane must rely on the staff to ensure her family’s trading agreement goes underway, while learning about their magic to protect herself against the monsters–and the people that want her dead. Wretched Mage has political intrigue, a cursed land, and is perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast.
As always, I’ll start with the things I didn’t like.
Pronunciation and understanding plays a very important role when rating a book, in my opinion. And even with the guide at the start, I still very much struggled to keep track of who was who. I DETESTED the way both first and last names were used, and thought the author was introducing new characters when they were actually the same people. I’ve gotten used to crazy names with unusual pronunciations–as every fantasy book has them–but was unsuccessful with one specific name that I gave up on in the end and called them the way it looked on paper. For example: Cerridwen. My way was KEH-ri-dwen. The real way is actually SEH-ri-jin. Of course the ‘d’ and ‘w’ are silent… No matter how many times I went back to the guide, I couldn’t get my brain to say it right.
This felt like the kind of book that you read on a gloomy day when curled up with a cup of tea while the rain pitter patters against the window. It was simple and forgettable, but books like these, I’m all for the vibes. There’s not much action (though the other themes do make up for it, and the parts that do have action were fun to read), fascinating magic and curses, and an eerie atmosphere that will give you the chills. These kinds of fantasy books are always a hit or miss for me; I’m the type of reader who needs the action-packed plot that has me on the edge of my seat. I find it irritating when they’re boring up until the end, it’s not much fun if you only enjoy the last twenty pages.
With the pacing, it was on the slower side with insanely long chapters. At one point, I checked the time on my kindle and it said fourty-two minutes remaining. I’ve never been a big fan of long chapters, and though there are some exceptions with books that have been so captivating I didn’t care for how long they were, this book–and many others I have read– are slow and boring, and their chapters feel like a lifetime to get through.
The romance was a good balance of steamy and angsty, between a human and a mage–two people who can’t be together. They choose to make the most of her time at Mountheim, but (obviously) end up falling for each other. It’s getting repetitive with the amount of books that are ‘no-string-attached, only-for-pleasure-yet-accidentally-fall-in-love’. I liked Reagan and Jane, and some of the quotes had me swooning, but I also didn’t really care for them.
Overall, Wretched Mage was pretty mundane, but if you're looking for a book simply for vibes (magical, political, swoony), this might be your jam. I probably won’t be continuing the series considering that the ending, yes, had me pausing for a moment to absorb what I'd just read, but it wasn't enough to have me shooketh to the core and dying to get my hands on the next book.
━━━
ᰔᩚ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: ꒱
i’m so glad no one was home to witness how embarrassing i sounded trying to pronounce all the names in the guide, my goodness. someone is called coriander… i was actually hesitant about requesting the arc for this because at first i hated the cover. it’s now growing on me, and the story does sound interesting. what made me finally request it was seeing the tropes and fanart on instagram. you’ll always see me picking up books because of that, i can’t help it. hope i enjoy!!
Ⓘ thank you @netgalley and publisher for giving me the chance to read this free arc, i'm very eager to share my thoughts.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝: 11/2/2026
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 13/2/2026
-𝓖
꒰ 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ꒱
𝟐.𝟕𝟓-𝟑 ✩
"𝑀𝓎 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒥𝒶𝓃𝑒, 𝓎𝑜𝓊'𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒."
꒰ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: ꒱
I have such conflicting feelings towards this book.
First off, I absolutely loved how unique Wretched Mage was. It’s about a human who unknowingly tresspasses into mage territory and finds herself sentenced to stay there under the watch of the Mage Lord of Mountheim, Reagan. Jane must rely on the staff to ensure her family’s trading agreement goes underway, while learning about their magic to protect herself against the monsters–and the people that want her dead. Wretched Mage has political intrigue, a cursed land, and is perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast.
As always, I’ll start with the things I didn’t like.
Pronunciation and understanding plays a very important role when rating a book, in my opinion. And even with the guide at the start, I still very much struggled to keep track of who was who. I DETESTED the way both first and last names were used, and thought the author was introducing new characters when they were actually the same people. I’ve gotten used to crazy names with unusual pronunciations–as every fantasy book has them–but was unsuccessful with one specific name that I gave up on in the end and called them the way it looked on paper. For example: Cerridwen. My way was KEH-ri-dwen. The real way is actually SEH-ri-jin. Of course the ‘d’ and ‘w’ are silent… No matter how many times I went back to the guide, I couldn’t get my brain to say it right.
This felt like the kind of book that you read on a gloomy day when curled up with a cup of tea while the rain pitter patters against the window. It was simple and forgettable, but books like these, I’m all for the vibes. There’s not much action (though the other themes do make up for it, and the parts that do have action were fun to read), fascinating magic and curses, and an eerie atmosphere that will give you the chills. These kinds of fantasy books are always a hit or miss for me; I’m the type of reader who needs the action-packed plot that has me on the edge of my seat. I find it irritating when they’re boring up until the end, it’s not much fun if you only enjoy the last twenty pages.
With the pacing, it was on the slower side with insanely long chapters. At one point, I checked the time on my kindle and it said fourty-two minutes remaining. I’ve never been a big fan of long chapters, and though there are some exceptions with books that have been so captivating I didn’t care for how long they were, this book–and many others I have read– are slow and boring, and their chapters feel like a lifetime to get through.
The romance was a good balance of steamy and angsty, between a human and a mage–two people who can’t be together. They choose to make the most of her time at Mountheim, but (obviously) end up falling for each other. It’s getting repetitive with the amount of books that are ‘no-string-attached, only-for-pleasure-yet-accidentally-fall-in-love’. I liked Reagan and Jane, and some of the quotes had me swooning, but I also didn’t really care for them.
Overall, Wretched Mage was pretty mundane, but if you're looking for a book simply for vibes (magical, political, swoony), this might be your jam. I probably won’t be continuing the series considering that the ending, yes, had me pausing for a moment to absorb what I'd just read, but it wasn't enough to have me shooketh to the core and dying to get my hands on the next book.
━━━
ᰔᩚ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: ꒱
i’m so glad no one was home to witness how embarrassing i sounded trying to pronounce all the names in the guide, my goodness. someone is called coriander… i was actually hesitant about requesting the arc for this because at first i hated the cover. it’s now growing on me, and the story does sound interesting. what made me finally request it was seeing the tropes and fanart on instagram. you’ll always see me picking up books because of that, i can’t help it. hope i enjoy!!
Ⓘ thank you @netgalley and publisher for giving me the chance to read this free arc, i'm very eager to share my thoughts.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝: 11/2/2026
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 13/2/2026
-𝓖
February 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley & the author for a chance to review this arc!
Wretched Mage follows Jane as she accidentally stumble upon the Mage World and is kept against her will for trespassing.
I know this will find its audience but it was sadly not for me. Wretched Mage leaned heavily in the Beauty & the beast elements and didn’t quite capture my attention as I’ve read this formula over and over again.
I know that for some readers this won’t be an issue. It was just not a groundbreaking read.
The world building wasn’t completely fleshed out and the side characters were difficult to tell apart. The romance was quick and I couldn’t really get why he would fall so fast? The other issue I had was with the reasoning behind having to keep her there for a year. It sort of felt like pulling on strings.
The fmc was definitely the strong aspect of this book. She was fleshed out and was quite agreeable to read about.
I’m giving this a 3 stars read because I do believe it was a fitting debut. I also do believe this will find its audience!
Wretched Mage follows Jane as she accidentally stumble upon the Mage World and is kept against her will for trespassing.
I know this will find its audience but it was sadly not for me. Wretched Mage leaned heavily in the Beauty & the beast elements and didn’t quite capture my attention as I’ve read this formula over and over again.
I know that for some readers this won’t be an issue. It was just not a groundbreaking read.
The world building wasn’t completely fleshed out and the side characters were difficult to tell apart. The romance was quick and I couldn’t really get why he would fall so fast? The other issue I had was with the reasoning behind having to keep her there for a year. It sort of felt like pulling on strings.
The fmc was definitely the strong aspect of this book. She was fleshed out and was quite agreeable to read about.
I’m giving this a 3 stars read because I do believe it was a fitting debut. I also do believe this will find its audience!
April 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!
I absolutely adored this. The forced proximity in this story is done so well. The tension between Jane and Reagan had me completely hooked. The yearning is truly to the max. Every interaction between them feels charged, and I loved the way their relationship unfolded. I love them with all my heart.
Jane is such a strong main character. She is witty, inquisitive, stubborn, and so easy to connect with. She gets thrown into a strange and unfamiliar world and still has so much determination, which made following her journey so satisfying.
Reagan is everything. He has such a magnetic presence that makes every scene with him impossible to look away from. The slow burn between them is full of tension and longing, and it completely worked for me.
I love every person on Reagan’s staff. They all bring so much warmth, humor, and depth to the story. These characters really made the story feel alive.
The atmosphere of this world is incredible. It’s rich, immersive, and has this dark fairy tale feeling that made me fall in love with it so quickly. The Beauty and the Beast inspired elements, the cursed setting, and the political tension all come together so well.
The cliffhanger ending was brutal. Absolutely cruel in the best way. I need the next book immediately.
I absolutely adored this. The forced proximity in this story is done so well. The tension between Jane and Reagan had me completely hooked. The yearning is truly to the max. Every interaction between them feels charged, and I loved the way their relationship unfolded. I love them with all my heart.
Jane is such a strong main character. She is witty, inquisitive, stubborn, and so easy to connect with. She gets thrown into a strange and unfamiliar world and still has so much determination, which made following her journey so satisfying.
Reagan is everything. He has such a magnetic presence that makes every scene with him impossible to look away from. The slow burn between them is full of tension and longing, and it completely worked for me.
I love every person on Reagan’s staff. They all bring so much warmth, humor, and depth to the story. These characters really made the story feel alive.
The atmosphere of this world is incredible. It’s rich, immersive, and has this dark fairy tale feeling that made me fall in love with it so quickly. The Beauty and the Beast inspired elements, the cursed setting, and the political tension all come together so well.
The cliffhanger ending was brutal. Absolutely cruel in the best way. I need the next book immediately.
November 13, 2025
Another awesome beauty and the beast retelling that uses the original premise and expands on it making it its own entirely. Loved the world building and literally stepping into it with our fmc. Jane is really strong and constantly fighting and I really enjoyed watching her rile up Reagan. Loved the forced proximity and gothic vibes. This was a nice easy enjoyable read. Congrats to the author on her debut and thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc 💜
November 16, 2025
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
i didn't know when i first got this edition from netgalley, it was previously published already but that didn't stop me lol.
i really enjoyed this. it definitely read YA to me, but was easy to follow along with the world-building and magic system. there is a lot of intense moments throughout the book but enough pause in between for you to gather your thoughts etc.
there were a few inconsistencies i noticed throughout that didn't make sense to me or wondered why we never dove deeper into them - but i think some of it will come in with the next book a little more which i WILL be reading.
i enjoyed the slow-burn romance in this, the tension.
i do say i wish this was dual pov and would have gotten Reagan's view on a lot and how he felt.
i didn't know when i first got this edition from netgalley, it was previously published already but that didn't stop me lol.
i really enjoyed this. it definitely read YA to me, but was easy to follow along with the world-building and magic system. there is a lot of intense moments throughout the book but enough pause in between for you to gather your thoughts etc.
there were a few inconsistencies i noticed throughout that didn't make sense to me or wondered why we never dove deeper into them - but i think some of it will come in with the next book a little more which i WILL be reading.
i enjoyed the slow-burn romance in this, the tension.
i do say i wish this was dual pov and would have gotten Reagan's view on a lot and how he felt.
May 2, 2025
3.5⭐️
This was a good, fun, easy time.
We follow Jane Darling, a human, who is sentenced to spend 1 full year with Lord Mage Ragen at Mountheim, an ancient and long hidden estate, after she's caught (accidentally) trespassing on his land. Both Jane and Ragen are furious to have to spend a full year together, but sparks soon fly!
This was such an easy read. I read it in a single sitting. It's over 400 pages but felt like 200. I really enjoyed the plot, the characters, the magic system, and the sizzling chemistry between Jane and Raegan. It also had a gothic feel to it, which was something I really adored.
My favourite part has to be the way Jane intentionally riles up Raegan. She's powerless, he's incredibly powerful, and yet she's literally doesn't care. It was so satisfying to read!
The only issue I had with the book is that the writing was a little too YA for me, which isn't a bad thing, it's the reason why this book was such an easy, fun read, but I felt some of the scenes felt a little out of place and didn't fit in with the writing style. But that's just personal preference.
Consider this is Juliana Pinheiro debut novel. I think it's excellent, and I will definitely be continuing with the series.
Thank you so much, Juliana, for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🖤Fantasy Romance
🖤Mages
🖤Magic System
🖤Badass FMC
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Enemies-to-lovers
This was a good, fun, easy time.
We follow Jane Darling, a human, who is sentenced to spend 1 full year with Lord Mage Ragen at Mountheim, an ancient and long hidden estate, after she's caught (accidentally) trespassing on his land. Both Jane and Ragen are furious to have to spend a full year together, but sparks soon fly!
This was such an easy read. I read it in a single sitting. It's over 400 pages but felt like 200. I really enjoyed the plot, the characters, the magic system, and the sizzling chemistry between Jane and Raegan. It also had a gothic feel to it, which was something I really adored.
My favourite part has to be the way Jane intentionally riles up Raegan. She's powerless, he's incredibly powerful, and yet she's literally doesn't care. It was so satisfying to read!
The only issue I had with the book is that the writing was a little too YA for me, which isn't a bad thing, it's the reason why this book was such an easy, fun read, but I felt some of the scenes felt a little out of place and didn't fit in with the writing style. But that's just personal preference.
Consider this is Juliana Pinheiro debut novel. I think it's excellent, and I will definitely be continuing with the series.
Thank you so much, Juliana, for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🖤Fantasy Romance
🖤Mages
🖤Magic System
🖤Badass FMC
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Enemies-to-lovers
September 20, 2025
This book was absolutely amazing! I was in a terrible reading slump before, but when I started reading this, I couldn’t put it down.
It’s a quick read, but don’t let that fool you – the descriptive writing is incredibly well done. It’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but everything in the book made sense while also being unpredictable in my opinion. The ending left me speechless and processing everything for about five minutes. I can’t wait for the next book!
The characters were all so well-developed and I adored each and every one of them. The tension and slow burn between the main characters were perfectly done.
If you love a good romantasy with some slow burn (to spice), courtly intrigue, and found family, then I highly recommend checking out this book. 😌
It’s a quick read, but don’t let that fool you – the descriptive writing is incredibly well done. It’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but everything in the book made sense while also being unpredictable in my opinion. The ending left me speechless and processing everything for about five minutes. I can’t wait for the next book!
The characters were all so well-developed and I adored each and every one of them. The tension and slow burn between the main characters were perfectly done.
If you love a good romantasy with some slow burn (to spice), courtly intrigue, and found family, then I highly recommend checking out this book. 😌
April 13, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC e-book!
**Light spoilers ahead - nothing too specific though **
CONS:
- I’m the kind of person who notices typos, errors, or any kind of redundancy right away; I noticed the use of the word “gelid” at least 3 times, because it’s not a super common word, so I just wish that it hadn’t been used so often
- also, I’m not sure that “Jan” is really a nickname for “Jane” (which is already one syllable??) and if it is…it’s not a really compelling or good one. It sticks out rather oddly.
PROS:
- loved the character development, and I’m hoping that the next book expands on backstories for more of the staff (Finn, Gwinifer, Barracus, Cerridwen)
- great world-building too, especially the magic types/uses/rules
- much of the plot is pretty reminiscent of ACOTAR (book 1), which is expected since both stories are inspired by Beauty & the Beast. So I’m also hoping we see more divergence from ACOTAR in the next book. I didn’t say this was a con because I think it works in favor of readers wanting something slightly familiar in their romantasy series
- I liked the banter between all the characters. It was authentic and enjoyable
- And the cliffhanger at the end definitely has me excited to read the next book!
**Light spoilers ahead - nothing too specific though **
CONS:
- I’m the kind of person who notices typos, errors, or any kind of redundancy right away; I noticed the use of the word “gelid” at least 3 times, because it’s not a super common word, so I just wish that it hadn’t been used so often
- also, I’m not sure that “Jan” is really a nickname for “Jane” (which is already one syllable??) and if it is…it’s not a really compelling or good one. It sticks out rather oddly.
PROS:
- loved the character development, and I’m hoping that the next book expands on backstories for more of the staff (Finn, Gwinifer, Barracus, Cerridwen)
- great world-building too, especially the magic types/uses/rules
- much of the plot is pretty reminiscent of ACOTAR (book 1), which is expected since both stories are inspired by Beauty & the Beast. So I’m also hoping we see more divergence from ACOTAR in the next book. I didn’t say this was a con because I think it works in favor of readers wanting something slightly familiar in their romantasy series
- I liked the banter between all the characters. It was authentic and enjoyable
- And the cliffhanger at the end definitely has me excited to read the next book!
March 1, 2026
I don’t usually gravitate toward specific tropes, however, I do enjoy the occasional Beauty and the Beast retelling and the forced proximity trope. On paper, everything I gathered from the book’s summary was a green light.
However, the execution of these tropes was not to my liking. The reasoning behind the forced proximity was beyond ludicrous—the cause felt pointless, as if the author couldn’t think of a stronger motive and simply wanted to get it over with in order to create a captive FMC.
The world-building and politics were bland, offering nothing new to a seasoned reader. The setting also felt off, there were numerous inconsistencies regarding the time period, though I suppose I can dismiss that as creative liberty.
Jane Darling, who was meant to be clever, came across as chaotic rather than witty. She didn’t particularly bother me, but I also couldn’t bring myself to care about her. When reading a book, forming an emotional connection to a character is, in my opinion, essential.
The dialogue felt dry and overly scripted. Every character sounded the same; they were indistinguishable from one another. Banter-wise, there were a few decent lines, but overall, nothing felt fresh—mostly recycled phrases and familiar scenarios.
Additionally, the character dynamics closely follow the same pattern seen in ACOTAR. Other readers have even drawn direct comparisons between specific characters, which I’m not particularly fond of either. The entire book feels ACOTAR-templated, and even the slow burn didn’t burn all that slowly.
Thank you, NetGalley and J. B. Pinheiro, for the ARC!
However, the execution of these tropes was not to my liking. The reasoning behind the forced proximity was beyond ludicrous—the cause felt pointless, as if the author couldn’t think of a stronger motive and simply wanted to get it over with in order to create a captive FMC.
The world-building and politics were bland, offering nothing new to a seasoned reader. The setting also felt off, there were numerous inconsistencies regarding the time period, though I suppose I can dismiss that as creative liberty.
Jane Darling, who was meant to be clever, came across as chaotic rather than witty. She didn’t particularly bother me, but I also couldn’t bring myself to care about her. When reading a book, forming an emotional connection to a character is, in my opinion, essential.
The dialogue felt dry and overly scripted. Every character sounded the same; they were indistinguishable from one another. Banter-wise, there were a few decent lines, but overall, nothing felt fresh—mostly recycled phrases and familiar scenarios.
Additionally, the character dynamics closely follow the same pattern seen in ACOTAR. Other readers have even drawn direct comparisons between specific characters, which I’m not particularly fond of either. The entire book feels ACOTAR-templated, and even the slow burn didn’t burn all that slowly.
Thank you, NetGalley and J. B. Pinheiro, for the ARC!
October 26, 2025
Wretched Mage is the debut novel by Juliana Pinheiro and was first published in May of 2025. I was lucky enough to get a free copy of it through NetGalley and enjoyed it a lot!
Jane Darling is a human, heading to a nearby town to represent her sick father at a market. When she exits at what she believes to be her train stop, she finds herself lost in the woods, where she is beset upon by frightening beasts. One of these beasts leads her to his home, and is revealed to be a mage lord under a curse as punishment for past transgressions. As punishment for her trespassing on mage lands, and so that the reasons for her entry onto mage lands can be uncovered, she is sentenced to spending a year under the protection of this mage lord, Reagan. As the two grow closer, they must confront numerous obstacles - the complications of a mage/human relationship and the reality that Jane will be sent back to the human lands with her memories wiped at the end of the year. Despite this, they grow closer, and, predictably, begin to fall in love.
I enjoyed this book a lot! I will say that I did struggle a little with the number of similarities between this and A Court of Thorns and Roses/A Court of Mist and Fury. Reagan felt like a little bit of a combo between Rhys & Tamlin, although perhaps some of those similarities were unavoidable with this being a Beauty & The Beast retelling. Jane is eventually appointed as Reagan's emissary and travels with him to summery lands to conduct business with their Mage Lord, in a section very similar to a lot of ACOMAF. With that being said, I enjoyed this a lot and would certainly go on to read the next book. It would be interesting to see if the stories deviate further as they move away from the initial Beauty & The Beast inspiration.
✅ Romantasy
✅ M/F romance
✅ Beauty & The Beast retelling
✅ Mages
✅ Forced proximity
✅ Spice
Wretched Mage is available now and is on Kindle Unlimited if you're interested!
Thank you to Juliana Pinheiro for this E-ARC through NetGalley! All opinions are my own.
Jane Darling is a human, heading to a nearby town to represent her sick father at a market. When she exits at what she believes to be her train stop, she finds herself lost in the woods, where she is beset upon by frightening beasts. One of these beasts leads her to his home, and is revealed to be a mage lord under a curse as punishment for past transgressions. As punishment for her trespassing on mage lands, and so that the reasons for her entry onto mage lands can be uncovered, she is sentenced to spending a year under the protection of this mage lord, Reagan. As the two grow closer, they must confront numerous obstacles - the complications of a mage/human relationship and the reality that Jane will be sent back to the human lands with her memories wiped at the end of the year. Despite this, they grow closer, and, predictably, begin to fall in love.
I enjoyed this book a lot! I will say that I did struggle a little with the number of similarities between this and A Court of Thorns and Roses/A Court of Mist and Fury. Reagan felt like a little bit of a combo between Rhys & Tamlin, although perhaps some of those similarities were unavoidable with this being a Beauty & The Beast retelling. Jane is eventually appointed as Reagan's emissary and travels with him to summery lands to conduct business with their Mage Lord, in a section very similar to a lot of ACOMAF. With that being said, I enjoyed this a lot and would certainly go on to read the next book. It would be interesting to see if the stories deviate further as they move away from the initial Beauty & The Beast inspiration.
✅ Romantasy
✅ M/F romance
✅ Beauty & The Beast retelling
✅ Mages
✅ Forced proximity
✅ Spice
Wretched Mage is available now and is on Kindle Unlimited if you're interested!
Thank you to Juliana Pinheiro for this E-ARC through NetGalley! All opinions are my own.
February 23, 2026
[⛏️ Minor Spoilers In This Review ⛏️]
I absolutely loved this book! 😭💗
From Jane and Reagan's very first meeting to the big reveal at the end I was locked in!
Lowkey wish we had more scenes with Reagan in his beast form 😏
What I enjoyed:
- The characters
- Gwinifer training Jane
- The huge study/library <3 & Jane soaking up all of the knowledge she can get her hands on
- Alameda befriending Jane 🥹
- The Scions getting their asses kicked
- Ngl when it was revealed that it was [redacted] that licked Jane's neck I was like 👁️👄👁️
- The touch her & die vibes from Jane & Reagan
- The ending!! It all started to make sense!! Especially Gwinifer's comment on the train ride
- Reagan's selflessness
- Jane's headstrong attitude
- The fact that the author managed to make me like a blond male character (Finnegan) lol he's actually a fave of mine
I'm excited for book two because I have QUESTIONS!
I absolutely loved this book! 😭💗
From Jane and Reagan's very first meeting to the big reveal at the end I was locked in!
Lowkey wish we had more scenes with Reagan in his beast form 😏
What I enjoyed:
- The characters
- Gwinifer training Jane
- The huge study/library <3 & Jane soaking up all of the knowledge she can get her hands on
- Alameda befriending Jane 🥹
- The Scions getting their asses kicked
- Ngl when it was revealed that it was [redacted] that licked Jane's neck I was like 👁️👄👁️
- The touch her & die vibes from Jane & Reagan
- The ending!! It all started to make sense!! Especially Gwinifer's comment on the train ride
- Reagan's selflessness
- Jane's headstrong attitude
- The fact that the author managed to make me like a blond male character (Finnegan) lol he's actually a fave of mine
I'm excited for book two because I have QUESTIONS!
October 24, 2025
4 stars
This was so much fun. And albeit it reads a bit YA I had a blast reading this.
The story -enemies-to-lovers mixed with slowburn- was done so well. I really enjoyed the characters' journey and that last 10%.. the twists were so good. Can't wait for book 2 after that cliffhanger.
Overall, I love the story, the magic system, and the world building, although I do think we'll get more explanations about some things in book 2. This was a very engaging and entertaining read .
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was so much fun. And albeit it reads a bit YA I had a blast reading this.
The story -enemies-to-lovers mixed with slowburn- was done so well. I really enjoyed the characters' journey and that last 10%.. the twists were so good. Can't wait for book 2 after that cliffhanger.
Overall, I love the story, the magic system, and the world building, although I do think we'll get more explanations about some things in book 2. This was a very engaging and entertaining read .
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2026
⭐ Rating: 4/5
A Beauty and the Beast retelling that leans into simplicity — and makes it work.
The story itself isn’t overly complex, and the world-building and magic system aren’t explored in huge depth. But honestly? That didn’t matter. The strength of this book lies firmly in its characters. They felt vivid and emotionally grounded, which made the romance compelling from start to finish.
This is a pure, straightforward love story — drawn out in a way that builds tension beautifully rather than dragging. I was completely hooked the entire time, turning pages not because of intricate plot twists, but because I cared about the people at the heart of it.
Sometimes you don’t need sprawling lore or elaborate systems — sometimes strong character work and emotional payoff are more than enough.
A Beauty and the Beast retelling that leans into simplicity — and makes it work.
The story itself isn’t overly complex, and the world-building and magic system aren’t explored in huge depth. But honestly? That didn’t matter. The strength of this book lies firmly in its characters. They felt vivid and emotionally grounded, which made the romance compelling from start to finish.
This is a pure, straightforward love story — drawn out in a way that builds tension beautifully rather than dragging. I was completely hooked the entire time, turning pages not because of intricate plot twists, but because I cared about the people at the heart of it.
Sometimes you don’t need sprawling lore or elaborate systems — sometimes strong character work and emotional payoff are more than enough.
April 8, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ rounded
I always love a fairytale retelling, and this may be one of my favorites. This new interpretation of Beauty and the Beast is perfect for people who grew up with the original story, but are now looking for an adult take on it. I loved these versions of the characters, as well as the world the story is set in. The twists definitely make me want to get ahold of the second book as soon as possible!
Thank you NetGalley and Juliana Pinheiro for this ARC!
I always love a fairytale retelling, and this may be one of my favorites. This new interpretation of Beauty and the Beast is perfect for people who grew up with the original story, but are now looking for an adult take on it. I loved these versions of the characters, as well as the world the story is set in. The twists definitely make me want to get ahold of the second book as soon as possible!
Thank you NetGalley and Juliana Pinheiro for this ARC!
March 17, 2026
This book, from the very beginning, felt like a breath of fresh air. You’re thrown straight into the world, and I actually really appreciated not getting a heavy backstory on Jane right away. It let me understand her gradually as the story progressed, and it kept a bit of mystery there, which worked really well for the pacing.
What stood out most to me was the dialogue and the way scenes were written. The interactions between characters felt strong, intentional, and immersive. And honestly, thank God the characters felt mature and age-appropriate. So many times I read fantasy and find myself rolling my eyes at how people react or behave, but that wasn’t the case here. Jane’s responses felt grounded and real, and Reagan’s cold, distant demeanor in the beginning was done really well.
I also really appreciated how the relationship developed. It wasn’t instant love or instant lust. It started with confusion, frustration, even a bit of anger, and slowly moved into something deeper. That kind of progression feels so much more satisfying, and honestly, refreshing.
The world itself isn’t overly descriptive, but it gives you just enough to stay engaged and pulled into what’s happening. This is definitely more character-driven, but when the writing is strong, that’s more than enough. This is one of those books that proves if the writing and structure are solid, everything else falls into place. I’ve read plenty of books with great ideas that fall apart because of poor execution, and this is the opposite.
There are also some really vivid, darker moments that bring a gritty edge to the story. Those scenes felt visceral in a way that added depth without being overdone.
The ending left me genuinely excited for more. I actually waited to read this eARC until the second book was out so I could go straight into it, and I’m really glad I did. Knowing this is a completed duology makes it even better, because I already know I’m not ready to leave this world.
If you’re looking for something immersive with strong character work and a slow burn that actually feels earned, I would definitely pick this up. It has hints of familiar tropes, but the way it’s written makes it feel fresh and worth the read.
What stood out most to me was the dialogue and the way scenes were written. The interactions between characters felt strong, intentional, and immersive. And honestly, thank God the characters felt mature and age-appropriate. So many times I read fantasy and find myself rolling my eyes at how people react or behave, but that wasn’t the case here. Jane’s responses felt grounded and real, and Reagan’s cold, distant demeanor in the beginning was done really well.
I also really appreciated how the relationship developed. It wasn’t instant love or instant lust. It started with confusion, frustration, even a bit of anger, and slowly moved into something deeper. That kind of progression feels so much more satisfying, and honestly, refreshing.
The world itself isn’t overly descriptive, but it gives you just enough to stay engaged and pulled into what’s happening. This is definitely more character-driven, but when the writing is strong, that’s more than enough. This is one of those books that proves if the writing and structure are solid, everything else falls into place. I’ve read plenty of books with great ideas that fall apart because of poor execution, and this is the opposite.
There are also some really vivid, darker moments that bring a gritty edge to the story. Those scenes felt visceral in a way that added depth without being overdone.
The ending left me genuinely excited for more. I actually waited to read this eARC until the second book was out so I could go straight into it, and I’m really glad I did. Knowing this is a completed duology makes it even better, because I already know I’m not ready to leave this world.
If you’re looking for something immersive with strong character work and a slow burn that actually feels earned, I would definitely pick this up. It has hints of familiar tropes, but the way it’s written makes it feel fresh and worth the read.
February 17, 2026
—2.5 stars—
“My darling Jane, you’re my home.”
A tale reminiscent of the beauty and the beast fairytale, Wretched Mage follows Jane Darling, who is swept away from her normal life when she accidentally gets off at the wrong train station and into mage territory. Sentenced with a year’s service for trespassing, she’s forced to stay with the very mage lord who saved her life—and has to fight her growing feelings towards him.
Unfortunately, despite the interesting premise (and gorgeous cover) this ended up falling a little flat for me. The writing felt repetitive at times, and some of the worldbuilding didn’t seem the clearest. The concept of Mountheim was good, and i liked some of the little details, but in comparison the human world felt fuzzy and inconsequential. It also had some confusing points—modern fashions and technologies such as trains juxtapositioned with more medieval-inspired trading systems and job positions.
There were a lot of things that piqued my interest (like the sentient mansion) that never seemed to be built out more, but as this is the first book of a duology, i expect at least some parts will be more resolved later on.
Despite liking Jane, i didn’t really feel connected to either of the main characters, and thought their relationship could have used more development, since they went from a ‘one time thing’ to i-love-you fairly quickly in my opinion. Their dialogue felt repetitive, and i couldn’t help but feel Jane’s last name was Darling purely so it could be used as a sarcastic quip by Reagan. The side characters also didn’t feel fleshed out, and i genuinely had trouble telling two of them apart.
In my opinion, the ending felt rather obvious, and how quickly the action wrapped up after 400 pages of build-up was unsatisfying. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the long chapters, but that’s very much just a personal preference!
Altogether, i think Wretched Mage would be the perfect for someone who prefers a faster paced romance, with hints of politics and magic, but that person sadly just wasn’t me.
(many thanks to the author and netgalley for this digital arc! all thoughts and opinions are my own.)
“My darling Jane, you’re my home.”
A tale reminiscent of the beauty and the beast fairytale, Wretched Mage follows Jane Darling, who is swept away from her normal life when she accidentally gets off at the wrong train station and into mage territory. Sentenced with a year’s service for trespassing, she’s forced to stay with the very mage lord who saved her life—and has to fight her growing feelings towards him.
Unfortunately, despite the interesting premise (and gorgeous cover) this ended up falling a little flat for me. The writing felt repetitive at times, and some of the worldbuilding didn’t seem the clearest. The concept of Mountheim was good, and i liked some of the little details, but in comparison the human world felt fuzzy and inconsequential. It also had some confusing points—modern fashions and technologies such as trains juxtapositioned with more medieval-inspired trading systems and job positions.
There were a lot of things that piqued my interest (like the sentient mansion) that never seemed to be built out more, but as this is the first book of a duology, i expect at least some parts will be more resolved later on.
Despite liking Jane, i didn’t really feel connected to either of the main characters, and thought their relationship could have used more development, since they went from a ‘one time thing’ to i-love-you fairly quickly in my opinion. Their dialogue felt repetitive, and i couldn’t help but feel Jane’s last name was Darling purely so it could be used as a sarcastic quip by Reagan. The side characters also didn’t feel fleshed out, and i genuinely had trouble telling two of them apart.
In my opinion, the ending felt rather obvious, and how quickly the action wrapped up after 400 pages of build-up was unsatisfying. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the long chapters, but that’s very much just a personal preference!
Altogether, i think Wretched Mage would be the perfect for someone who prefers a faster paced romance, with hints of politics and magic, but that person sadly just wasn’t me.
(many thanks to the author and netgalley for this digital arc! all thoughts and opinions are my own.)
Read
April 19, 2026First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Wretched Mage by J.B. Pinheiro is a fantasy novel that follows the arrival of a human, Jane, in a world where powerful and dangerous mages live and she will have to find her way back to her own world or get lost in the intricacies of where she's found herself in. Navigating a world shaped by magic, political tension, and hidden truths, she has to adapt to her sentence that binds her to Mountheim for one whole year. While the plot develops gradually, it builds toward larger conflicts that hint at an even more expansive story to come.
I really enjoyed this book and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to read it. Despite being over 600 pages long, it reads incredibly smoothly and kept me hooked the entire time. I honestly couldn’t put it down. It had been a while since I last read a fantasy novel, and this felt like such a positive and refreshing return to the genre.
The characters are one of my favorite aspects of the story — I absolutely love them. They gave me strong “found family” vibes, similar to the Night Court dynamic, which I always adore. The relationships felt engaging and added a lot of emotional depth to the story.
The world-building, while not overly detailed, really intrigued me. There’s something about the ideas behind the world that made me want to learn more, and I found myself wishing for even deeper exploration. It definitely left me curious in the best way.
Overall, I’m very excited about where this story is going, and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
Wretched Mage by J.B. Pinheiro is a fantasy novel that follows the arrival of a human, Jane, in a world where powerful and dangerous mages live and she will have to find her way back to her own world or get lost in the intricacies of where she's found herself in. Navigating a world shaped by magic, political tension, and hidden truths, she has to adapt to her sentence that binds her to Mountheim for one whole year. While the plot develops gradually, it builds toward larger conflicts that hint at an even more expansive story to come.
I really enjoyed this book and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to read it. Despite being over 600 pages long, it reads incredibly smoothly and kept me hooked the entire time. I honestly couldn’t put it down. It had been a while since I last read a fantasy novel, and this felt like such a positive and refreshing return to the genre.
The characters are one of my favorite aspects of the story — I absolutely love them. They gave me strong “found family” vibes, similar to the Night Court dynamic, which I always adore. The relationships felt engaging and added a lot of emotional depth to the story.
The world-building, while not overly detailed, really intrigued me. There’s something about the ideas behind the world that made me want to learn more, and I found myself wishing for even deeper exploration. It definitely left me curious in the best way.
Overall, I’m very excited about where this story is going, and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
November 17, 2025
Unfortunately, I have to give this book two stars. It’s simply not the book for me. My biggest issue with this book from the very first chapter is this is just.. ACOTAR. I have read other Beauty and the Beast retellings but they didn’t give me the too similar vibes of ACOTAR and stood out on their own, but this felt like it followed the themes almost too closely. There was a lot of inconsistencies in the plot, magical world, and the end was unfortunately predictable to me. I wanted the relationship growth and the characters to be built out and grow on their own but it felt like they were only there to strengthen the predictable plot sometimes.
I did enjoy each character individually, especially Jane, and their backgrounds and banter. I really enjoyed the beginning atmosphere with Jane getting off the train, being nervous for the market, and then worrying about her family and making a stand. I think the bravery (and defiance) she consistently showed throughout the book was refreshing. I’m sure this book is for someone out there, but unfortunately not me.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this book.
I did enjoy each character individually, especially Jane, and their backgrounds and banter. I really enjoyed the beginning atmosphere with Jane getting off the train, being nervous for the market, and then worrying about her family and making a stand. I think the bravery (and defiance) she consistently showed throughout the book was refreshing. I’m sure this book is for someone out there, but unfortunately not me.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this book.
November 2, 2025
Final verdict:
(Thanks to Netgallery and the publisher for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review)
This book was above average, but there was nothing memorable about it other than the initial hook in the opening of the story. I think the world building itself was phenomenal, it is the sort of writing I want to see more of. The only reason I haven't rated this five stars is literally that: It wasn't memorable to me. Other than the initial hook. I did enjoy this story, but when it comes to recommendations I wouldn't know why to recommend it. I do however want to acknowledge that this is a book if I saw in a shop I would buy, and it is probably a book that I will return to.
If anyone here remembers a romance game called the arcane, and Julian was your type (like he was mine at the time) then absolutely pick up this book. Other than that there isn't really much to say on this book.
Usually when I have a arc- I comment about spelling or grammatical errors, I like to have a notepad next to me when going through an arc copy- I have no notes. So the editing and the writing go hand in hand as brilliant. I'm unsure what makes a world memorable to me, this one just wasn't. The writing was however- above average, and this is the sort of book I do want to see published more. I know this is very vague for a review - but I honestly do not know what else to put.
Before notes:
I've applied for the arc copy but I can see its also been released. Need to keep tabs on this so I come back to it. Looks like the sort of thing I would read. I love the art on the cover, the title is enticing plus the lettering/typography stands out as something new and different, so I'm very intrigued by this one.
(Thanks to Netgallery and the publisher for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review)
This book was above average, but there was nothing memorable about it other than the initial hook in the opening of the story. I think the world building itself was phenomenal, it is the sort of writing I want to see more of. The only reason I haven't rated this five stars is literally that: It wasn't memorable to me. Other than the initial hook. I did enjoy this story, but when it comes to recommendations I wouldn't know why to recommend it. I do however want to acknowledge that this is a book if I saw in a shop I would buy, and it is probably a book that I will return to.
If anyone here remembers a romance game called the arcane, and Julian was your type (like he was mine at the time) then absolutely pick up this book. Other than that there isn't really much to say on this book.
Usually when I have a arc- I comment about spelling or grammatical errors, I like to have a notepad next to me when going through an arc copy- I have no notes. So the editing and the writing go hand in hand as brilliant. I'm unsure what makes a world memorable to me, this one just wasn't. The writing was however- above average, and this is the sort of book I do want to see published more. I know this is very vague for a review - but I honestly do not know what else to put.
Before notes:
I've applied for the arc copy but I can see its also been released. Need to keep tabs on this so I come back to it. Looks like the sort of thing I would read. I love the art on the cover, the title is enticing plus the lettering/typography stands out as something new and different, so I'm very intrigued by this one.
September 17, 2025
For a debut, this blew me away. The descriptive writing completely immersed me in the world!
It’s a slowburn, enemies to lovers romance and BOY DID REAGAN HAVE ME SWOONING!!! 😍
The tension between him and Jane was so good.
The world building and court system were layered and intriguing and added depth without slowing the pace.
And then… THE CLIFFHANGER. As ironic as this is coming from me: I need more. Immediately. Please and thank you Juliana.
It’s a slowburn, enemies to lovers romance and BOY DID REAGAN HAVE ME SWOONING!!! 😍
The tension between him and Jane was so good.
The world building and court system were layered and intriguing and added depth without slowing the pace.
And then… THE CLIFFHANGER. As ironic as this is coming from me: I need more. Immediately. Please and thank you Juliana.
Read
November 5, 2025Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
Is this cover not to die for??? Beyond gorgeous! This was a Beauty and the Beast fantasy retelling: immediately identifiable by the sentient/magic castle, partially transformed staff, and the curse with a deadline to be broken. This had loads of aspects of fantasy novels that I know a lot of folk will love. We had a forced proximity to lovers thing going on, a learning to fight montage, a bit of exploration of the fantasy world. Unfortunately for me, the writing just didn't quite do it justice and the plot fell pretty flat. I felt like our mmc kept intentionally embarrassing the protagonist in public and that started to feel kind of icky? Idk just not a fan, despite how stunning it is!
Is this cover not to die for??? Beyond gorgeous! This was a Beauty and the Beast fantasy retelling: immediately identifiable by the sentient/magic castle, partially transformed staff, and the curse with a deadline to be broken. This had loads of aspects of fantasy novels that I know a lot of folk will love. We had a forced proximity to lovers thing going on, a learning to fight montage, a bit of exploration of the fantasy world. Unfortunately for me, the writing just didn't quite do it justice and the plot fell pretty flat. I felt like our mmc kept intentionally embarrassing the protagonist in public and that started to feel kind of icky? Idk just not a fan, despite how stunning it is!
May 18, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ rating for me! Wretched Mage felt like going back to an adult version of Hogwarts with a hint of ACOTAR woven through it. It makes up a perfect combination if you ask me!
Jane is your perfect badass bestie, I loved the fire she had and secretly wished I had some of her spirit in me! And Raegan is a grumpy man you’ll fall in love with in no time, if you want it or not!
Some scenes really made my heart pound from the tension in them, while other scenes made me feel sorry for poor Jane. I love how Juliana left little hints throughout the book, so I would say, pay attention while reading Wretched Mage and see if you can figure everything out! 😉
It was a true pageturner, making me want to stay home from work and read all through the night.
Congratulations on your debut novel sweet Juli! Can’t wait to see where the story of Jane and Raegan leads in book two! 🫶🏽
Jane is your perfect badass bestie, I loved the fire she had and secretly wished I had some of her spirit in me! And Raegan is a grumpy man you’ll fall in love with in no time, if you want it or not!
Some scenes really made my heart pound from the tension in them, while other scenes made me feel sorry for poor Jane. I love how Juliana left little hints throughout the book, so I would say, pay attention while reading Wretched Mage and see if you can figure everything out! 😉
It was a true pageturner, making me want to stay home from work and read all through the night.
Congratulations on your debut novel sweet Juli! Can’t wait to see where the story of Jane and Raegan leads in book two! 🫶🏽
October 19, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ review coming soon
May 11, 2025
So, spoiler free review of Wretched Mage is finally here.
First of I'd like to thank author Juliana Pinheiro for that I was able to get an advanced reader copy (arc) of the book and a chance to review it early. I read it as an ebook.
The book for me, was a page turner like the Cruel Prince series by Holly Black, a series I more or less sped through.
I also didn't want to stop reading and my main gripe with myself was not getting the physical (arc) because I liked the book so much. It was right down my alley and I have so so many quotes saved now for the final spoiler review coming at some point.
Wretched Mage is one of my favourite romantasy books that I have read and also one of my favourite books this year. So I can highly recommend it for fans of romance fantasy books. While I might not have agreed with every character development, it was an enjoyable read from start to finish.
So for the rating, I give Wretched Mage a 4/5 ⭐
I can't personally wait for it to be released on may 28th and I know I'll be buying a physical copy of it on release day and read it again at some point.
First of I'd like to thank author Juliana Pinheiro for that I was able to get an advanced reader copy (arc) of the book and a chance to review it early. I read it as an ebook.
The book for me, was a page turner like the Cruel Prince series by Holly Black, a series I more or less sped through.
I also didn't want to stop reading and my main gripe with myself was not getting the physical (arc) because I liked the book so much. It was right down my alley and I have so so many quotes saved now for the final spoiler review coming at some point.
Wretched Mage is one of my favourite romantasy books that I have read and also one of my favourite books this year. So I can highly recommend it for fans of romance fantasy books. While I might not have agreed with every character development, it was an enjoyable read from start to finish.
So for the rating, I give Wretched Mage a 4/5 ⭐
I can't personally wait for it to be released on may 28th and I know I'll be buying a physical copy of it on release day and read it again at some point.
July 21, 2025
Looking for a fun, fast-paced, fantasy romance? Wretched Mage by J.B. Pinheiro is just for you!
Jane Darling, a human, accidentally trespassed on mage territory, and finds herself sentenced to remain there for one year, bound to Mage Lord Reagan. Jane must survive the dangerous creatures, and resist the undeniable chemistry with Reagan. Can she make it through the year?
This was such a fun read! I finished it in under 48 hours. It featured some of my favorite tropes: forced proximity, slow burn romance, witty banter, and forbidden romance. Both the FMC and MMC were written really well, Jane was really relatable. Don’t even get me started on their chemistry! The world was written really well! The political and court intrigue was one of my favorite parts.
Wretched Mage is perfect for fans of ACOTAR and Romantasy.
Jane Darling, a human, accidentally trespassed on mage territory, and finds herself sentenced to remain there for one year, bound to Mage Lord Reagan. Jane must survive the dangerous creatures, and resist the undeniable chemistry with Reagan. Can she make it through the year?
This was such a fun read! I finished it in under 48 hours. It featured some of my favorite tropes: forced proximity, slow burn romance, witty banter, and forbidden romance. Both the FMC and MMC were written really well, Jane was really relatable. Don’t even get me started on their chemistry! The world was written really well! The political and court intrigue was one of my favorite parts.
Wretched Mage is perfect for fans of ACOTAR and Romantasy.
December 15, 2025
Jane Darling, a human traveling by train to the capital to complete trade deals for her family’s business, gets off at the wrong platform and stumbles into Mage Territory. As a human, this land shouldn’t be accessible. With this being her first time to broker her family’s trades, she assumes the unusual train stop she got off at is exactly where she needs to be. Jane finds herself wandering an eerily empty path away from the station to find the merchants she is to do business with. Instantly, she is faced with wraith like creatures that try to kill her. She is saved by a beast and taken in by the Mage Lord of the territory so that he may present her before a judge for trespassing. She’s sentenced to one year of service under the Mage Lord who found her, unable to leave and tell her family. Tensions are high between Jane and the Mage Lord, Reagan. He’s saddled with this liability while also serving out his own sentence. Jane and Reagan learn they may be able to help each other during their sentences, but that does not come without chaos and friction.
This book took off at 50%. There is a lot of world building and character introductions in the first half. At first, I didn’t appreciate it, but now I see how well everything was written to give this world and characters depth.
I’m interested to see what happens in the next book, as this is book one of a series and ends on a pretty heavy cliffy.
I’ve seen this labeled as a Beauty and The Beast retelling and it’s one of my favorites. I’m telling you, this book had my jaw on the floor during the last 150 pages. Lots of Ah-ha moments. I thought I had this story pegged from the get go, but I was wrong. Wrong about literally everything.
This book took off at 50%. There is a lot of world building and character introductions in the first half. At first, I didn’t appreciate it, but now I see how well everything was written to give this world and characters depth.
I’m interested to see what happens in the next book, as this is book one of a series and ends on a pretty heavy cliffy.
I’ve seen this labeled as a Beauty and The Beast retelling and it’s one of my favorites. I’m telling you, this book had my jaw on the floor during the last 150 pages. Lots of Ah-ha moments. I thought I had this story pegged from the get go, but I was wrong. Wrong about literally everything.
December 2, 2025
You’re thrown straight into the action from the very first chapter, which was a little jarring at first.. I would’ve loved a bit more background on Jane and her world. That said, the details do unfold nicely as the story goes on. And maybe that was the point?
Once I settled in, I was hooked. The plot had just enough twists and turns to keep me guessing, and the romance flowed naturally, nothing felt rushed or forced.
The FMC wasn’t perfect, and that made her all the more relatable. I found myself rooting for her the whole way through. All the characters were well developed and I loved the humour throughout.
Overall, a really enjoyable read! I’m eager to see where the story goes next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Once I settled in, I was hooked. The plot had just enough twists and turns to keep me guessing, and the romance flowed naturally, nothing felt rushed or forced.
The FMC wasn’t perfect, and that made her all the more relatable. I found myself rooting for her the whole way through. All the characters were well developed and I loved the humour throughout.
Overall, a really enjoyable read! I’m eager to see where the story goes next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2026
Thank you so much for the EARC copy and Physical copy of The Wretched Mage.
I adored your book. I didn’t feel for a moment overwhelmed with information, the world building was so well set, I could imagine it all straight away.
The detail with Jane Darling’s ring was interesting, it was mentioned first whilst she was on the train and I thought to myself “this ring is going to mean something” and it went on to be mentioned few more times and I became more convinced that Jane wasn’t human, possibly a witch, a healer but never thought her to be a mage.
I found her relatable, not annoying and quite refreshing. I loved how much she cared for her family and that she couldn’t release that guilt, even after Reagan, suggested that he could have their wellbeing taken care of.
I adored how much she challenged Reagan, wouldn’t take any nonsense and pushed him to be better whilst holding him accountable.
Their tension was everything and I’ll be honest, I was rooting for them to be endgame as soon as they met, I do live for an enemies to lovers trope and this was delivered.
I adored the details of him falling for her, turning up at her bedroom door, trying to find common ground, showing and practically giving her the library.
That scene when he said that Mage’s were patient and that her chose her, I’ve highlighted it, it was so good, he showed real vulnerability in that moment and when they kissed, bloody hell! It was everything, I was so cross at Jane for stopping the situation from developing but also understood given that they only had mere months together, that her memory of him would be wiped clean and she was thinking of getting back to her family.
I’ll be honest, I need his PoV, just like a flashback or something from when he met her. He said that he wanted her from the beginning and I would have loved to of read about his yearning.
“I am not in love with any mountain” WOW. I did laugh how they went on to discuss hypothetical love whilst just declaring their feelings. Jane being so torn because their time is limited and won’t recall it and Reagan not caring, wanting everything with her whilst they had the time. Urgh. It was everything.
I love her friendship with Gwin, she comes across as the biggest snob on the train but to see their friendship blossom, it reminded me of Aelin & Lysandra.
Even Reagan’s friendship with Finn reminded me of Tamlin & Lucien but you know, without trapping and suppressing the fmc part.
I want to know more about Joy, that cliffhanger, I need more.
I want Jane & Caedmon to be together, what a power house. I need them to be Lord & Lady of Mountheim.
I did enjoy the conflict between Mages & Humans, I feel that plot is deeper than what was discovered in this book?
I had a rally good time reading Wretched Mage, my only issue is, I need Caedmon’s point of view! I think I may be a little obsessed with him, maybe it’s because he reminded me so much of Dorian Havilliard.
So thank you for this book, it was beautiful.
A solid 4/5 stars.
I adored your book. I didn’t feel for a moment overwhelmed with information, the world building was so well set, I could imagine it all straight away.
The detail with Jane Darling’s ring was interesting, it was mentioned first whilst she was on the train and I thought to myself “this ring is going to mean something” and it went on to be mentioned few more times and I became more convinced that Jane wasn’t human, possibly a witch, a healer but never thought her to be a mage.
I found her relatable, not annoying and quite refreshing. I loved how much she cared for her family and that she couldn’t release that guilt, even after Reagan, suggested that he could have their wellbeing taken care of.
I adored how much she challenged Reagan, wouldn’t take any nonsense and pushed him to be better whilst holding him accountable.
Their tension was everything and I’ll be honest, I was rooting for them to be endgame as soon as they met, I do live for an enemies to lovers trope and this was delivered.
I adored the details of him falling for her, turning up at her bedroom door, trying to find common ground, showing and practically giving her the library.
That scene when he said that Mage’s were patient and that her chose her, I’ve highlighted it, it was so good, he showed real vulnerability in that moment and when they kissed, bloody hell! It was everything, I was so cross at Jane for stopping the situation from developing but also understood given that they only had mere months together, that her memory of him would be wiped clean and she was thinking of getting back to her family.
I’ll be honest, I need his PoV, just like a flashback or something from when he met her. He said that he wanted her from the beginning and I would have loved to of read about his yearning.
“I am not in love with any mountain” WOW. I did laugh how they went on to discuss hypothetical love whilst just declaring their feelings. Jane being so torn because their time is limited and won’t recall it and Reagan not caring, wanting everything with her whilst they had the time. Urgh. It was everything.
I love her friendship with Gwin, she comes across as the biggest snob on the train but to see their friendship blossom, it reminded me of Aelin & Lysandra.
Even Reagan’s friendship with Finn reminded me of Tamlin & Lucien but you know, without trapping and suppressing the fmc part.
I want to know more about Joy, that cliffhanger, I need more.
I want Jane & Caedmon to be together, what a power house. I need them to be Lord & Lady of Mountheim.
I did enjoy the conflict between Mages & Humans, I feel that plot is deeper than what was discovered in this book?
I had a rally good time reading Wretched Mage, my only issue is, I need Caedmon’s point of view! I think I may be a little obsessed with him, maybe it’s because he reminded me so much of Dorian Havilliard.
So thank you for this book, it was beautiful.
A solid 4/5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2026
Wow! What a great first novel.
The story follows a human woman called Jane as she stumbles on a land that is supposed to be warded against human intrusions. Here she meets mages and mage-human hybrids, and is sentenced to spend a year under the protection of Reagan, a mage Lord, while she tries to work out how she managed to breach the wards.
The world building is excellent but easy to follow, the descriptions brought the locations to life and the characters are well-written. The MMC is suitably gorgeous with a side of yikes, the besties are adorable and the villain is slimy to say the least.
The plot is a loose beauty and the beast retelling, though I also felt there were some ACOTAR echoes in here too.
Jane’s journey as she develops from someone feeling helpless and out-of-control to a valued member of the court is a delight to read.
The slow burn between her and Reagan was delicious, even though her concerns frustrated me at times. I would’ve caved earlier! 🤭
My only (minor) niggles are;
• There are a few clunky transitions that don’t match (eg someone kneeling then a few lines later they sit from standing) but these really are minor and I was so engrossed in the story I was able to brush over them.
• The jump to some of the conclusions Jane made was quite large, and therefore felt slightly more on the convenient side rather than believable. But if you can fully suspend any disbelief I’m sure this won’t bother you.
If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers, court intrigue, magic, a swoony MMC and a capable FMC then this is for you!
A solid 4 star read.
I will definitely read the next book in the series and look forward to finding out what happens next.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the e-book, which I received after the publication date.
All review comments are my own.
The story follows a human woman called Jane as she stumbles on a land that is supposed to be warded against human intrusions. Here she meets mages and mage-human hybrids, and is sentenced to spend a year under the protection of Reagan, a mage Lord, while she tries to work out how she managed to breach the wards.
The world building is excellent but easy to follow, the descriptions brought the locations to life and the characters are well-written. The MMC is suitably gorgeous with a side of yikes, the besties are adorable and the villain is slimy to say the least.
The plot is a loose beauty and the beast retelling, though I also felt there were some ACOTAR echoes in here too.
Jane’s journey as she develops from someone feeling helpless and out-of-control to a valued member of the court is a delight to read.
The slow burn between her and Reagan was delicious, even though her concerns frustrated me at times. I would’ve caved earlier! 🤭
My only (minor) niggles are;
• There are a few clunky transitions that don’t match (eg someone kneeling then a few lines later they sit from standing) but these really are minor and I was so engrossed in the story I was able to brush over them.
• The jump to some of the conclusions Jane made was quite large, and therefore felt slightly more on the convenient side rather than believable. But if you can fully suspend any disbelief I’m sure this won’t bother you.
If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers, court intrigue, magic, a swoony MMC and a capable FMC then this is for you!
A solid 4 star read.
I will definitely read the next book in the series and look forward to finding out what happens next.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the e-book, which I received after the publication date.
All review comments are my own.
December 4, 2025
This was literally reheating acotars nacho's. I actually found it leaned heavier into that than doing something new twist on a Beauty and Beast retelling. It wasn't groundbreaking or doing anything different or unique in the romantasy genre. Same formula with the same copy and paste characters. While the writing was good, I felt like the dialogue was a little stiff. Honestly, I do feel like there's room to grow and the world building was great, so the bones are there and I haven't written off the series itself fully.
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