To have her magic unlocked, Ness Riseworth exchanged ten years of her life in service to the Imperial Protectorate.
Her assignment for the last decade has been training new magic wielders. But when a woman with a striking resemblance to Ness dies on her way to a rebel gathering, the Protectorate doesn’t care that Ness has no experience with spying, only that she is their best hope to infiltrate this group plotting against the Empire.
When she struggles to maintain her cover as a rebel leader, her attractive commander reminds her that people will believe what she tells them. He may be off-limits, but he is becoming increasingly jealous of the smoldering moments Ness shares with a handsome rebel leader to gain information.
Time is running out for Ness to uncover all she needs to know to stop this rebellion before it becomes a war.
THIS is the kind of fantasy romance I like to read! STEAMY sexual tension; perfect balance of humor, action, and heart; genuinely unexpected plot twist; and a relatable main character who grows into her power and confidence through the story. Also there’s a sassy horse named Sugardrop, so what more could you want?
I loved Ness's characterization- she's not perfect, but she tries her best and truly cares for those around her. I found myself relating so hard to her struggles with imposter syndrome and loneliness, and teared up while cheering her on as she finds her inner strength throughout the story. The power of friendship is a huge theme in this book, and it made my heart smile to see Ness bloom in the company of people who care for her.
Marley Ferguson has a gift for making all her characters come to life, even the more minor roles. It was easy to immerse myself in this world, and I genuinely cared about everyone we met in the story. Also the plot twist is GOOD and I did not see that coming!
Honestly I could write 17 more paragraphs about how much I love this book, but I'll leave it here. I already can't wait for book 2, and in the meantime will re-read book 1 and hang out with Ness some more.
Ness Riseworth exchanged 10 years of her life in service of the Empire in exchange for unlocking her magic. Her assignment for the last decade has been training new wielders until she is reassigned to be a spy for the Empire.
She takes the place of a woman whom she bears a striking resemblance to in order to infiltrate a possible gathering of rebels. When she struggles to maintain her cover, her very attractive commander reminds her that people will believe what they are told. He also becomes increasingly jealous of the smouldering flirtations Ness has with one of the rebel leaders.
Can Ness find the information she needs and therefore make it to the end of her service unscathed and free?
This was a wonderful read . Another FMC who isn’t just a 17 year old which I bloody love. Ness also speaks to me. The way she clings on to connections due to loneliness really makes me feel seen as I was exactly the same growing up. The way Ness has to come to terms with this particular trait also echoed my own struggles.
You really don’t see the plot twist coming and it’s testament to how well the author lays down the plot. You suddenly get to it and it all makes complete sense. I actually gasped aloud when all was revealed. I can’t wait to read the sequel to find out what happens next
So this turned out to be really good! I was a little bored in the beginning but the ending seriously made up for a lot of the world building in the beginning. There were definitely a few 🤯 moments that kept me hooked and it seriously helped the Ransom was charming as fuck! Go team Ransom. I mean how could I not. I love me a morally grey man. I will give you the main reason why I first came to not like Lev……he was only there for himself. All I’m saying…..
Ugh poor Ness, poor naive Ness….I mean she is super smart but poor girl didn’t question or think for herself for a long time and just went with the flow and believed what she was told throughout her life. I seriously came to love the rest of the little group she came with tho and I feel like they have become a pseudo-found family for her. I like her character development so far and began to connect things together. I am actually excited for the next book cause I am looking forward to the situation she has found herself in 😏!
4.5⭐️ - This was a fantastic debut by Marley Ferguson! There was so much to love in this book - world building, magic, political intrigue, found family, forbidden romance, plot twists, and even some comedy!
Our FMC Ness is just trying to complete the last few months of her service to the Empire as a teacher to new wielders when she finds herself thrown into a brand new assignment. Her world gets turned upside down when she’s tasked with becoming a spy to infiltrate a potential rebel gathering.
This book had such a perfect blend of humor, sexual tension, and action. The world felt super immersive, and I could picture myself there right alongside Ness!
I genuinely did not see that plot twist coming and was so shocked when we got there. I was left with a few questions by the end, and I’m excited to see where we go from here in Book 2!
Thank you so much to Marley Ferguson and Torch Lit Ink for the gifted copy of this one!
This was a very fun book, I absolutely had a great time reading! The banter is top notch and had me kicking my feet.
I loved Ness. She is a strong and feisty fmc. She is selfish and brave. She is sent on a spy mission she’s not been trained for and her main priority is keeping her friends safe. She soon begins to see that you can’t trust everything you’ve been told and some people aren’t who they seem… herself included.
This story is filled with secrets and lies ,but also humor and amazing banter. I really enjoyed the plot and crazy twists! I’m going to need book 2 and more Ransom asap! Oh and maybe a certain sassy horse!
Rebellion in the Mist by Marley Ferguson is a captivating fantasy romance that blends intrigue, magic, and political tension in a richly imagined world. At its heart is Ness Riseworth, who has spent ten years in service to the Imperial Protectorate training new magic wielders—a sacrifice she made to unlock her own magical potential. But when a woman who bears a striking resemblance to her dies on the way to a rebel gathering, Ness is thrust into a mission far beyond her training: to infiltrate the rebellion and uncover secrets that could ignite a full‑blown war. 
What makes this story compelling is how it balances cloak‑and‑dagger espionage with emotional stakes. As Ness navigates her dangerous undercover role, she struggles to maintain her cover while aligning with rebels whose cause is murky and whose leader challenges her heart as much as her loyalties. The slow build of tension between duty and desire adds depth, while the looming threat of escalating conflict keeps the plot moving with dramatic momentum. 
The worldbuilding feels expansive and layered, offering both glimpses of political complexity and glimpses of personal stakes. Ness’s growth—from reluctant operative to someone confronting both her inner power and her heart—makes Rebellion in the Mist more than just a fantasy adventure: it’s a story about trust, identity, and choosing one’s path even when the cost is high. 
With almost 402 pages of magic, romance, and rebellion, this book is an engaging pick for readers who love fantasy with strong heroines, simmering tension, and stakes that balance the personal with the epic.
“Rebellion in the Mist” follows a magic-wielding teacher, Ness, who, after a series of unfortunate events, is forced to become a spy—a role she’s never been trained for. You can imagine just how stressful that turns out to be.
Ness is socially awkward and, in her own eyes, nothing special. Her biggest dream is simply to finish her ten-year duty to the Empire and finally start living a real life alongside her two closest friends. She’s straightforward, and since the narrative is told from her POV, the prose isn’t particularly flowery. I grew to appreciate that style over time though.
Although Ness occasionally finds herself in humorous situations, I wouldn’t label this book as a comedy. I actually saw it marketed under comedy trope and thought, “Cool! I need something light and funny!”. But while there are comedic touches, the story is much deeper and at times even sad. It’s not a flaw—but it could confuse readers who go in expecting a lighthearted romp.
If we put aside the comedy expectation, what we get is a really solid (debut?) romantasy. The beginning is a bit slow, but once the pace picks up, it’s fast, engaging, and layered with political intrigue, spy training, and one of my favorite tropes—found family. There’s also a love triangle, which I usually don’t like very much, but I actually enjoyed how it was handled here.
What stood out most for me, though, was Ness herself. She surprised me. As the chapters unfold, you realize just how much she struggles with loneliness—likely her greatest enemy. It’s a sneaky, destructive force, making her desperate for closeness and prone to putting her trust in the wrong people. She eventually begins to see this for herself, and with outside help, she makes an important discovery: that much of her self-doubt stems from manipulation and brainwashing that convinced her she’s a nobody and that she should please everyone around her, even if that meant forgetting about herself in the process.
By the end of the book, Ness is broken but self-aware—a heroine who clearly needs healing before she can learn to love herself and find her place in a world that has betrayed her. That, combined with the romantic subplot, makes me impatient for book two, which I’ll definitely be picking up.
🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂
💝 teacher turned spy FMC 🐎 love triangle 💝 forbidden romance 🐎 magic 💝 found family 🐎 spicy 💝 plot twists 🐎 betrayal
Ness is such a compelling heroine, and I loved her from the start. She’s older, relatable, and carries this mix of self-doubt and quiet strength that made rooting for her feel so natural.
The undercover storyline was one of my favorite parts. Seeing Ness step into a rebel leader’s life, trying to hold her cover together while juggling secrets, shifting loyalties, and dangerous politics. And the romantic tension was perfect!! The commander is off-limits (of course), the rebel leader is dangerously charming (of course), and the moments between them all absolutely smolder.
The magic system, the political intrigue, and the friendships woven through the story added so much richness. I especially loved watching Ness find connection again after years of loneliness.. the found-family elements hit so close to home, and seeing her slowly gain confidence and step into her power was incredibly satisfying.
What to Expect -magic + political intrigue -undercover mission vibes -forbidden romance -jealous commander energy -found family -a twist you definitely won’t see coming
It struck such a beautiful balance of action, humor, heart, and heat, and the emotional moments landed just as strongly as the romantic ones. I’m already excited for book two!!! I need more Ness, more tension, and more of this world immediately.
This is an excellent way to kick off a romantic fantasy series! It's got everything you want - found family, high stakes, plenty of tension, and a really nice balance of heart, action, humor, and just enough heartbreak to keep things interesting.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ness is a solid main character, and I really enjoyed watching her grow over the course of the book. She feels realistic - very much the kind of character who could be your friend, which made it easy to root for her.
The plot is strong, with twists I didn't see coming and others I did (in the best way) thanks to some well-done foreshadowing. It felt intentional rather than predictable.
The world-building hits that sweet spot where you feel fully immersed without ever getting pulled away from the story or bogged down in details.
Pacing-wise, this was well balanced, mixing action and quieter reflective moments nicely. We spend more time in the "before shit hits the fan" phase than I expected, but I didn't even notice until later because I was so invested.
Overall, this is an impressive debut, and I can't wait to read more of Ness's adventures.
Wow, Wow, Wow!! What a book! I absolutely loved this. The premise of the story was brilliant, I loved the fact that we are not privy to anything and have to learn the role and history of Aurora and the kingdoms along with Ness.
Really liked Ness as our FMC, I thought she showed such resilience and courage when faced with really difficult tasks. She’s so selfless in everything she does. I really enjoyed her banter and laughed at her witty remarks with Ransom. Also, their chemistry was just chefs kiss😚🤌🏻
The plot twist in this book is one I absolutely did not see coming, which is not something I can say very often when reading a book! It had me at the edge of my seat and just kept on giving. You think you know one thing and then the next minute you’re questioning everything. I seriously cannot wait for book 2!!
I’d like to thank Marley Ferguson & Torch Lit PR for ARC. I have read this book voluntarily and this is my honest review.
This book comes out on 7th October 2025, don’t just walk to get it.. run!✨
This does not read like a debut novel. The word flow is grand. The characters are fleshed out. The story line. Well it starts slow but this is the first book in a series so some facts and characters have to be explained . Ness is a teacher of first year fae teaching the fundamentals of wielding magic. Once she leaves the classroom the excitement starts and just keeps happening in different ways. With her friends, with her job and with her travels and with her love life. There is some comedy. I laughed out loud three times. There is tragedy. Why do the good die young? There is romance. I want to know more about the tattoos. Like real life. There is more to come. Can't wait for book two
Rebellion in the Mist is Marley Ferguson’s debut novel and is a great entrance for this author.
A young fae who believes in the Empire she has lived in and worked for. A band of people ready to rebel against a king. Lies, deceit, and betrayal. All elements of a story that you can’t put down.
The story the Ferguson weaves may seem to start out a little slower than some novels of the genre, but as she reveals more of Ness’ story to the reader, the harder it becomes to put down. While I knew there would have to be a cliffhanger at the end as this is the first of the series, I was still shocked at where she left off.
I am excited to read the rest of this series as it releases and can’t wait to see how Ness grows into her own person.
THIS BOOK IS AMAZINGGGG! The author is so good planting doubts in your head and get you cautious and anxious with what's coming next in the plot and storyline. And you're suddenly thinking you're reading codes, than what actually lies ahead, and doubting which ones are the good guys, and which ones are not. If that's not talent, i dont know what is! The world-building is rich and immersive, drawing you deep into the setting. The characters are layered and compelling, adding both emotional depth and physical tension that builds fantastically throughout the story. I mean...rebel leaders, HELLO! But, brace yourself for the cliffhanger. Grateful for the ARC opportunity.
What an amazing debut! I am shouting this out from the rooftop!
The very beginning was a little slow, but it immediately picked up and kept getting better and better.
There was political intrigue, found family, lies, deceit, twists, turns, character growth, spice, loyalty, a very relatable heroine, a drool worthy rebel, excitement, backstabbing and SO much more!
I do not know how I can wait even a minute for the continuation! Ahhh, so good, so excited to read what happens next!
I recieved this book as an ARC and loved it. As a teacher, I really felt connected to the FMC who is herself a teacher. The fact that she is socially awkward and not a super warrior and is forced to go to spy school, also hit the spot. It was refreshing to read a different type of character. There are many funny moments that made me laugh and lots of action that kept me reading. I'll defintely be buying a shelf trophy.
I was lucky to be given the chance to review Rebellion in the Mist of my own accord, through being offered an eARC.
Wow! What a story! So many things I never saw coming. I found the magic system intriguing, so many interesting characters and great world building. And the ending…I can’t wait to see what happens next!
So grateful to have been given an ARC copy of this book. The characters were developed so well. I loved the story line. The plot twist towards the end left my jaw dropping. Totally worth the read and I cannot wait for the next book!
Ok so I was worried I wasn’t going to finish this when I started. It seemed so slow, but man when it took off it took off. I can’t wait to get the second book and find out what happens to these characters next!
This book started out a little slow for me, but it quickly picked up and had me hooked! I was surprised by some of the secrets, others I saw coming. I can't wait for the next book and to find out more of Nessas powers! 4.5 ⭐️
Rebellion in the Mist was captivating from the first chapter. Albeit it started off a bit slow. but man by the end I couldn't put it down. I definitely loved this read and can't wait for the next!
Rebellion in the Mist completely surprised me in the best way.
Ness Riseworth is not your typical fantasy heroine, and that is exactly why she works so well. She is older, a little lonely, deeply loyal, and carrying a decade of service she never truly chose. Watching her get thrown into a mission she is wildly unprepared for was equal parts stressful, heartbreaking, and addictive.
The tension in this book is immaculate. Between the off limits commander, the dangerously charming rebel leader, and Ness trying desperately not to unravel while undercover, every interaction felt loaded. Add in sharp banter, found family vibes, political intrigue, and a magic system that unfolds naturally, and I was hooked.
What really got me was Ness herself. Her struggle with imposter syndrome, trust, and believing what she has been told her whole life hit hard. The emotional layers in this story go much deeper than I expected, and the character growth felt earned and real.
And that twist. I actually gasped. One of those moments where everything clicks at once and you just sit there thinking oh no. This did not read like a debut, and I already need book two immediately.
That ending left me with unanswered questions of what is to come! I love that Ness made the decision that she made, but so irked by how a certain someone turned out.
I have so many theories and I can’t wait to see how everything plays out. This book delivered on the spying, mystery and tension.