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Princeweaver
Not yet published
Expected 16 Apr 26Their marriage is to save a warring kingdom. But in the process, it might destroy them both…
Born with forbidden, nature-infused magic in an occupied land, anxious apothecary Meilyr survives by keeping his head down. Until he ends up engaged to invading prince Osian in order to save his brother’s life. Now, he is in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse to hide his true self.
When nobles in Osian's court are gruesomely murdered by the same magic that flows through his veins, Meilyr realises someone is seeking revenge for his homeland. As suspicion towards him grows, he and the prince work together to uncover the killer, or risk losing the crown - or their lives.
Between court politics, unwieldy magic and a murderer on the loose, Meilyr must keep his wits about him. Especially as his feelings for Osian grow deeper with every passing day...
Combines the court intrigue and slow-burn yearning of A Taste of Gold and Iron with the folkloric grounding and lore that readers of Naomi Novik and Stephanie Garber will enjoy.
Born with forbidden, nature-infused magic in an occupied land, anxious apothecary Meilyr survives by keeping his head down. Until he ends up engaged to invading prince Osian in order to save his brother’s life. Now, he is in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse to hide his true self.
When nobles in Osian's court are gruesomely murdered by the same magic that flows through his veins, Meilyr realises someone is seeking revenge for his homeland. As suspicion towards him grows, he and the prince work together to uncover the killer, or risk losing the crown - or their lives.
Between court politics, unwieldy magic and a murderer on the loose, Meilyr must keep his wits about him. Especially as his feelings for Osian grow deeper with every passing day...
Combines the court intrigue and slow-burn yearning of A Taste of Gold and Iron with the folkloric grounding and lore that readers of Naomi Novik and Stephanie Garber will enjoy.
Hardcover
Expected publication April 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 30, 2025
HOPE YOURE ALL READY TO YEARN
Want to read
November 22, 2025I'M SO DARN EXCITED TO READ THIS BOOK
September 5, 2025
I was privileged to read an early version. Wow! This is a real page-turner. Forbidden magic, mysterious murders, all set in a fantasy version of Wales with some brilliant Welsh history and folklore included. This is not only about magic and romance, but also about conflict, a people subdued, resistance and defiance. I can always tell a good book when I am thinking about the characters and the world when I am not reading it, and this really had me hooked. I hear some really exciting things about the next two books, really looking forward to the whole thing!
February 1, 2026
4.5 stars
Yays:
- Unique magic system
- Queer normative world
- Good slow burn - the tension!! The yearning!!
- For real tho these two boys are professional yearners
- Commentary on the direct consequences of colonialism done well
- Osian? Good cinnamon roll
- Just the way the author wrote emotions was just beautiful
Nays:
- Still can’t get over Osian’s first gut reaction to saving Osian and his brother is to marry him??? I mean, it was hinted towards the end that there was a reasoning but it was not really revealed so I’m still meh about that
Overall, I need the second book now. Like now.
Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for the ARC!
December 3, 2025
Have just finished this book, and wow am I ready for the next part.
The slow burn is real, stick with it! The characters are strong, the yearning is stronger!
I loved the two main boys, but the side characters are entertaining and I loved them so much I want them to have their own books.
All in all a great, romantic fantasy with magic murder mystery style plots that kept me reading!
The slow burn is real, stick with it! The characters are strong, the yearning is stronger!
I loved the two main boys, but the side characters are entertaining and I loved them so much I want them to have their own books.
All in all a great, romantic fantasy with magic murder mystery style plots that kept me reading!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Buckle up, we're going for a ramble.
This was my absolute most anticipated 2026 read. Like to the point I texted Elian when it went up on Netgalley that if I did not get approved I would run into traffic. It absolutely did not disappoint but I am also LIVID about the whole experience. And yes, I will be directing my complaints to Hozier.
Despite the fact that this is truly, and I mean TRULY, the slowest of slow burns, we actually get into the story pretty quickly. We don't get a proper kiss until 75% in but the story is kicked off early on. And between all of that is an unhealthy amount of yearning. So much yearning. I cannot stress this enough. If you have jaw problems, call your dentist from pg.1 cause your teeth will be clenched for several hundred pages.
The yearning is actually heightened a lot by the magic. Meilyr, as a weaver, is attuned to the world in a way that brings even more life to almost everything. Plants turn to him and respond to his direction, he can heal and cure many ailments, and as part of the marriage ceremony, the mixing of his blood with Osian's means they are connected in ways Meilyr isn't with others before. All of this is super ideal when he's in a land that has been conquered by Osian's great-grandfather who led the hunt and slaughter of weavers to wipe them out. Meilyr's existence alone is an enormous crime against the crown…that he's just married into. NBD, right?
Also because none of that is stressful enough, a series of plant-based murders is striking down nobles to frame Meilyr. Which might be the best use of plant-based anything in this decade.
Like everything else in the fantastic pages of Princeweaver, the descriptions of these murders is fantastically vivid. I was equal parts wide-eyed and horrified as I was in absolute awe of the imagery. I mean, the cover alone is already steeped in perfect imagery. Just look at it!
Literally everything in this story is done with such detail, care, intentionality, and description. It is unbelievably rich. This would be true even if this was Elian's second, third, or tenth book, but that fact it is a debut is all the more impressive.
Normally I'd say a lot of elements were 'weaved' into a story like this but there's a drummer's rim-shot ba-dum-tss waiting for me if I do. So I'll just go with: the Welsh folklore, and Welsh history reflected in the the political landscape, culture and language erasure is just flawlessly done. From the pronunciation note at the start, to the Y Ddraig Goch, to the….everything else. I also loved the new folklore creatures this book sent me into a deep dive about. Can I properly pronounce their names? No. Am I still excited? Absolutely.
All of this gushing is without touching on the little snippets at the top of each chapter that adds to the myths and legends, and history of the Princeweaver world. But if I started on that we'd probably be here until the sequel comes out.
This entire book is a love letter to the slow-burn romance, Welsh folklore, and beautifully written fantasy. I don't even care that I guessed who the murderer was like a dozen times and was continually wrong. I do care about that ending though, and as I said, I am capital-everything LIVID.
My entire existence needs the next book immediately and this one isn't even out until April.
This was my absolute most anticipated 2026 read. Like to the point I texted Elian when it went up on Netgalley that if I did not get approved I would run into traffic. It absolutely did not disappoint but I am also LIVID about the whole experience. And yes, I will be directing my complaints to Hozier.
Despite the fact that this is truly, and I mean TRULY, the slowest of slow burns, we actually get into the story pretty quickly. We don't get a proper kiss until 75% in but the story is kicked off early on. And between all of that is an unhealthy amount of yearning. So much yearning. I cannot stress this enough. If you have jaw problems, call your dentist from pg.1 cause your teeth will be clenched for several hundred pages.
The yearning is actually heightened a lot by the magic. Meilyr, as a weaver, is attuned to the world in a way that brings even more life to almost everything. Plants turn to him and respond to his direction, he can heal and cure many ailments, and as part of the marriage ceremony, the mixing of his blood with Osian's means they are connected in ways Meilyr isn't with others before. All of this is super ideal when he's in a land that has been conquered by Osian's great-grandfather who led the hunt and slaughter of weavers to wipe them out. Meilyr's existence alone is an enormous crime against the crown…that he's just married into. NBD, right?
Also because none of that is stressful enough, a series of plant-based murders is striking down nobles to frame Meilyr. Which might be the best use of plant-based anything in this decade.
Like everything else in the fantastic pages of Princeweaver, the descriptions of these murders is fantastically vivid. I was equal parts wide-eyed and horrified as I was in absolute awe of the imagery. I mean, the cover alone is already steeped in perfect imagery. Just look at it!
Literally everything in this story is done with such detail, care, intentionality, and description. It is unbelievably rich. This would be true even if this was Elian's second, third, or tenth book, but that fact it is a debut is all the more impressive.
Normally I'd say a lot of elements were 'weaved' into a story like this but there's a drummer's rim-shot ba-dum-tss waiting for me if I do. So I'll just go with: the Welsh folklore, and Welsh history reflected in the the political landscape, culture and language erasure is just flawlessly done. From the pronunciation note at the start, to the Y Ddraig Goch, to the….everything else. I also loved the new folklore creatures this book sent me into a deep dive about. Can I properly pronounce their names? No. Am I still excited? Absolutely.
All of this gushing is without touching on the little snippets at the top of each chapter that adds to the myths and legends, and history of the Princeweaver world. But if I started on that we'd probably be here until the sequel comes out.
This entire book is a love letter to the slow-burn romance, Welsh folklore, and beautifully written fantasy. I don't even care that I guessed who the murderer was like a dozen times and was continually wrong. I do care about that ending though, and as I said, I am capital-everything LIVID.
My entire existence needs the next book immediately and this one isn't even out until April.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5⭐ (maybe a little more. Almost 4⭐ )
I received this book in advance through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Although it's a book with its share of mystery and suspicious deaths, at the core it's a heartwarming story with a gentle romance. BUT (yes, in capital letters)... I can't help but warn you that there will be some heart-stopping moments, get ready.
Princeweaver is a story set in a grand castle with a colorful and lively village at its feet. And here we find ourselves immersed in that opulent castle accompanying Meilyr.
Meilyr was living peacefully until he caught the attention of the prince due to an unfortunate event (like… my dude, go check your evil eye or something). He quickly becomes entangled in an arranged marriage.
It was entertaining to read how the protagonist learns to cope with this sudden wedding (you could say it's a Las Vegas marriage) and how he learns to navigate the whims of the royal family and the nobles, a world full of power struggles and gossip.
Meilyr is one of those characters whose strength lies in his gentleness and his open-minded personality, which might seem innocent or naive but actually demonstrates that he knows how to choose his battles. Fortunately for him, the prince is not a cruel or evil person; rather he seeks in him an ally and companion.
It's one of those slow romances with secret glances, touches like a Victorian courtship, whispers that tickle and a subtle flirtation that makes your heart skip a beat.
The story felt like "a day in my life as the prince's husband while I try to save the kingdom".
The moment the big reveal about Meilyr and Osian finally happens was spectacular. I was really looking forward to it and it didn't disappoint (of all the mysteries, this was my favorite. And I'm not trying to brag but you need to know what it's about. The book constantly hints at it and it was very entertaining).
And I must say that the ending should come with psychological help and financial compensation. How dare you.
Note: It's important to know that the book ends on a cliffhanger and there will be a sequel. For those who hate waiting, I recommend coming back when book 2 is released because the ending is mind-blowing.
If I had to offer some criticism: I would have liked to see deeper, more complex conversations between Meilyr and Osian, to solidify their relationship and make it more charming. This would not only have strengthened the romance but also given each character more depth. But because of the main mystery, I felt the characters were holding back too much.
I also felt the book was very slow, almost like a slice-of-life story set in a castle or a Coffee Shop AU. While I enjoy books that take their time, I believe that if you're going to have a story with such a leisurely pace, you should also include chapters that provide a solid foundation for the narrative or well-developed characters. I found that some scenes didn't make much sense or were very superficial in terms of the plot.
And if I took a shot every time Meilyr said "thank you," I'd be in a coma.
I received this book in advance through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Although it's a book with its share of mystery and suspicious deaths, at the core it's a heartwarming story with a gentle romance. BUT (yes, in capital letters)... I can't help but warn you that there will be some heart-stopping moments, get ready.
Princeweaver is a story set in a grand castle with a colorful and lively village at its feet. And here we find ourselves immersed in that opulent castle accompanying Meilyr.
Meilyr was living peacefully until he caught the attention of the prince due to an unfortunate event (like… my dude, go check your evil eye or something). He quickly becomes entangled in an arranged marriage.
It was entertaining to read how the protagonist learns to cope with this sudden wedding (you could say it's a Las Vegas marriage) and how he learns to navigate the whims of the royal family and the nobles, a world full of power struggles and gossip.
Meilyr is one of those characters whose strength lies in his gentleness and his open-minded personality, which might seem innocent or naive but actually demonstrates that he knows how to choose his battles. Fortunately for him, the prince is not a cruel or evil person; rather he seeks in him an ally and companion.
It's one of those slow romances with secret glances, touches like a Victorian courtship, whispers that tickle and a subtle flirtation that makes your heart skip a beat.
The story felt like "a day in my life as the prince's husband while I try to save the kingdom".
The moment the big reveal about Meilyr and Osian finally happens was spectacular. I was really looking forward to it and it didn't disappoint (of all the mysteries, this was my favorite. And I'm not trying to brag but you need to know what it's about. The book constantly hints at it and it was very entertaining).
And I must say that the ending should come with psychological help and financial compensation. How dare you.
Note: It's important to know that the book ends on a cliffhanger and there will be a sequel. For those who hate waiting, I recommend coming back when book 2 is released because the ending is mind-blowing.
If I had to offer some criticism: I would have liked to see deeper, more complex conversations between Meilyr and Osian, to solidify their relationship and make it more charming. This would not only have strengthened the romance but also given each character more depth. But because of the main mystery, I felt the characters were holding back too much.
I also felt the book was very slow, almost like a slice-of-life story set in a castle or a Coffee Shop AU. While I enjoy books that take their time, I believe that if you're going to have a story with such a leisurely pace, you should also include chapters that provide a solid foundation for the narrative or well-developed characters. I found that some scenes didn't make much sense or were very superficial in terms of the plot.
And if I took a shot every time Meilyr said "thank you," I'd be in a coma.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book so freaking much!
Meilyr lives a peaceful life running an apothecary until one incident changes it all. His brother accidentally kills one of the royal guards while trying to defend a member of their village. Meilyr gets caught in the middle, trying to defuse the situation. When the prince notices Meilyr, he offers him a proposition: marry him, and he’ll protect him and his brother. He has no choice but to accept.
I believe this is my second book where the magic has to do with weaving. I wasn’t familiar with it, but technically, it’s magic that increases the connection between living things. All it takes is a physical touch to give a glimpse of that connection, or ingestion for a more powerful weaving. The last, rare method is a blood oath. It requires both participants to be willing to share their life threads, which is why magic like Meilyr’s is seen as dangerous. People with Cyngaleg blood possess dangerous magic, according to the Khaimlic, and are therefore hunted down and killed. This leads to Meilyr having to hide who he is in plain sight after he’s left an orphan following his parents’ death. This also complicates things when, after Meilyr’s arrival, deaths within the royal circle start happening, making him an easy suspect because of his background and the lingering animosity between Osian’s people and Meilyr’s people. Not only did I enjoy the romance, but the mystery of who is killing these people sucked me in. I was truly invested in figuring out who the culprit was and looking for clues. It also helped to learn more about the world when every chapter would start with a writing entry that had to do with a historic event, a personal letter from someone important, or a story and lore correlating with the characters.
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes, especially if done right, and this definitely was. Add in a super slow burn, and you already have me. These two people know nothing about each other and have found themselves in an unusual predicament. Understandably, there’s some wariness and precaution, especially for Meilyr, who was roped into something he never imagined while trying to save his brother. The mutual yearning was *chefs kiss*. Because of how well they have to sell their romance, they have to act like they are truly in love. The kiss, touches, and glimpses, I ate that up, especially with how slow the slow burn was. I was eating any crumbs thrown my way. When they gave each other hickeys for the sake of selling the romance, I was like 👀. Osian is so sweet and considerate of Meilyr’s needs and comfort. He feels guilty for plucking him out of his comfortable, safe life into a deceptive and complicated royal one.
I did get right who the mystery sorcerer was because of context clues, but the way the character was portrayed was so well done that I would doubt myself.
My only complaint was that I wanted more of Osian’s POV. Usually I prefer single POV, but with how much yearning these two had for each other, I wanted to see it from him.
Oof, and that ending? I need my hands on the next one because I’m confused about what’s going to happen to the characters and the situation they ended up in.
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC.
Meilyr lives a peaceful life running an apothecary until one incident changes it all. His brother accidentally kills one of the royal guards while trying to defend a member of their village. Meilyr gets caught in the middle, trying to defuse the situation. When the prince notices Meilyr, he offers him a proposition: marry him, and he’ll protect him and his brother. He has no choice but to accept.
I believe this is my second book where the magic has to do with weaving. I wasn’t familiar with it, but technically, it’s magic that increases the connection between living things. All it takes is a physical touch to give a glimpse of that connection, or ingestion for a more powerful weaving. The last, rare method is a blood oath. It requires both participants to be willing to share their life threads, which is why magic like Meilyr’s is seen as dangerous. People with Cyngaleg blood possess dangerous magic, according to the Khaimlic, and are therefore hunted down and killed. This leads to Meilyr having to hide who he is in plain sight after he’s left an orphan following his parents’ death. This also complicates things when, after Meilyr’s arrival, deaths within the royal circle start happening, making him an easy suspect because of his background and the lingering animosity between Osian’s people and Meilyr’s people. Not only did I enjoy the romance, but the mystery of who is killing these people sucked me in. I was truly invested in figuring out who the culprit was and looking for clues. It also helped to learn more about the world when every chapter would start with a writing entry that had to do with a historic event, a personal letter from someone important, or a story and lore correlating with the characters.
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes, especially if done right, and this definitely was. Add in a super slow burn, and you already have me. These two people know nothing about each other and have found themselves in an unusual predicament. Understandably, there’s some wariness and precaution, especially for Meilyr, who was roped into something he never imagined while trying to save his brother. The mutual yearning was *chefs kiss*. Because of how well they have to sell their romance, they have to act like they are truly in love. The kiss, touches, and glimpses, I ate that up, especially with how slow the slow burn was. I was eating any crumbs thrown my way. When they gave each other hickeys for the sake of selling the romance, I was like 👀. Osian is so sweet and considerate of Meilyr’s needs and comfort. He feels guilty for plucking him out of his comfortable, safe life into a deceptive and complicated royal one.
I did get right who the mystery sorcerer was because of context clues, but the way the character was portrayed was so well done that I would doubt myself.
My only complaint was that I wanted more of Osian’s POV. Usually I prefer single POV, but with how much yearning these two had for each other, I wanted to see it from him.
Oof, and that ending? I need my hands on the next one because I’m confused about what’s going to happen to the characters and the situation they ended up in.
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this book as ARC from Netgalley!
I am... torn. 2.5*, rounded down. (EDIT: rounded down, my friend said i complained way too much about this book for it to get 3*. 😅)
This book really didn't work for me. Its obvious that author worked hard on it and its technically fine - the writing is readable and flows well. However, it seems like almost two books or genres smashed in one and the result is just not working for me. On one hand, you have dark fantasy, based on Welsh mythology and opression, with lot of wordbuilding. On the other hand, you have a sweet, nonproblematic romance. It is possible to combine those two in theory, but author didn't manage it in my view.
My biggest gripe was the main character. He is incredibly passive and anxious. I would say its a well done potrayal of anxiety and thoughts processes of anxious person, but that also means its not something I enjoyed reading.
When we switched to the other main character - the prince - for short periods, it felt better. However, the prince is plagued by another issue, which is what I would call "white guilt". Or English guilt? He feels really bad about the whole opression and genocide of the pseudo-Welsh island. Which is a valid character writing! The issue is more of an execution. Every time this topic was raised again and again, I felt like Hades from the Disney movie. "I KNOW! I get it, I got it. I get the concept."
The romance features lot of tropes I normally enjoy, but again fell flat for me. It was very consensual, to the point I rolled my eyes. Consent is fun and good! But do we need to spend so many paragraphs on making sure every kiss is telegraphed and double-triple consented? There was verbal consent, they had a special nonverbal method of agreement and they could even read each other's emotions. It felt like "consensual overkill".
And for the last, mostly minor gripe - author keeps using "Majesty" instead of "your majesty". And keeps using it for princes and not kings. I suppose it was meant as a wordbuilding lore? But it mostly annoyed me.
The mystery was... fine. I think I would have rated the book higher if it was either only dark fantasy mystery or if it was only sweet romance.
All in all, this book feels like lost potential to me. I kept thinking during reading "this could have been such an awesome book if only author did X" or "This would have worked much better if author added Y".
You can add 1 or even 2 stars to your personal ratings if you enjoy extra anxious MCs and lots and lots and lots of consent. I couldn't connect to the characters and I won't be picking up the sequel - even if there is a clifhanger ending.
I am... torn. 2.5*, rounded down. (EDIT: rounded down, my friend said i complained way too much about this book for it to get 3*. 😅)
This book really didn't work for me. Its obvious that author worked hard on it and its technically fine - the writing is readable and flows well. However, it seems like almost two books or genres smashed in one and the result is just not working for me. On one hand, you have dark fantasy, based on Welsh mythology and opression, with lot of wordbuilding. On the other hand, you have a sweet, nonproblematic romance. It is possible to combine those two in theory, but author didn't manage it in my view.
My biggest gripe was the main character. He is incredibly passive and anxious. I would say its a well done potrayal of anxiety and thoughts processes of anxious person, but that also means its not something I enjoyed reading.
When we switched to the other main character - the prince - for short periods, it felt better. However, the prince is plagued by another issue, which is what I would call "white guilt". Or English guilt? He feels really bad about the whole opression and genocide of the pseudo-Welsh island. Which is a valid character writing! The issue is more of an execution. Every time this topic was raised again and again, I felt like Hades from the Disney movie. "I KNOW! I get it, I got it. I get the concept."
The romance features lot of tropes I normally enjoy, but again fell flat for me. It was very consensual, to the point I rolled my eyes. Consent is fun and good! But do we need to spend so many paragraphs on making sure every kiss is telegraphed and double-triple consented? There was verbal consent, they had a special nonverbal method of agreement and they could even read each other's emotions. It felt like "consensual overkill".
And for the last, mostly minor gripe - author keeps using "Majesty" instead of "your majesty". And keeps using it for princes and not kings. I suppose it was meant as a wordbuilding lore? But it mostly annoyed me.
The mystery was... fine. I think I would have rated the book higher if it was either only dark fantasy mystery or if it was only sweet romance.
All in all, this book feels like lost potential to me. I kept thinking during reading "this could have been such an awesome book if only author did X" or "This would have worked much better if author added Y".
You can add 1 or even 2 stars to your personal ratings if you enjoy extra anxious MCs and lots and lots and lots of consent. I couldn't connect to the characters and I won't be picking up the sequel - even if there is a clifhanger ending.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read one of my most highly anticipated reads of the year!
4.25 stars for me.
I did sneakily bump this one to the top of my TBR (sshhh!) because I've been desperate to read it ever since I read that it was a fantasy retelling of the English conquest of Wales. I am not Welsh, but I recognised a lot of the similar sounding words, a lot of the folklore and legends, and I can tell the author did their research for this book.
The book follows Meilyr, who runs an apothecary and hides his forbidden magical nature, as he enters into an arranged marriage with the prince of the invading force, Osian, in order to save his brother. Meilyr has to attend court and hide his true nature, and then people start dying very magic-related deaths.
This is the slowest of slow burns. Don't go into this thinking that things are moving fast, because they aren't! There is a lot of yearning and pining, but it absolutely makes sense for the story for this to be slow burn, and it's delicious!
The nature-based magic was fascinating and unique, the court scenes and politics were excellent, and I loved loved loved the character dynamics at play here. Meilyr is at court, surrounded by people whose ancestors have opppressed his people, and trying to avoid their suspicion. I've seen some people say that Meilyr is too passive or too anxious or unwilling to do anything. I think his actions make perfect sense for his character. He is deeply afraid, trapped at court, every eye watching his move, and if he puts even a toe out of line, it might mean the death of his brother and his people.
The relationship between Meilyr and Osian is slow burn, filled with yearning and quiet resistance. Osian is rebelling against his family, and he is fiercely protective of Meilyr without coming across as smothering. It's very sweet and I genuinely loved their scenes together.
The author also played around with linguistics here - the oppressing force have one name for something, but Meilyr's people call it by it's true name. This can be a location, a castle, plant etc. It's so clever and so true to real life and I really liked how the author handled it here.
The ending made me gasp and now I am desperate for the next book!
I highly recommend picking this up if you are a fan of queer fantasy, romance filled with slow burn and yearning, court politics, murder mystery, and Welsh-inspired folklore.
4.25 stars for me.
I did sneakily bump this one to the top of my TBR (sshhh!) because I've been desperate to read it ever since I read that it was a fantasy retelling of the English conquest of Wales. I am not Welsh, but I recognised a lot of the similar sounding words, a lot of the folklore and legends, and I can tell the author did their research for this book.
The book follows Meilyr, who runs an apothecary and hides his forbidden magical nature, as he enters into an arranged marriage with the prince of the invading force, Osian, in order to save his brother. Meilyr has to attend court and hide his true nature, and then people start dying very magic-related deaths.
This is the slowest of slow burns. Don't go into this thinking that things are moving fast, because they aren't! There is a lot of yearning and pining, but it absolutely makes sense for the story for this to be slow burn, and it's delicious!
The nature-based magic was fascinating and unique, the court scenes and politics were excellent, and I loved loved loved the character dynamics at play here. Meilyr is at court, surrounded by people whose ancestors have opppressed his people, and trying to avoid their suspicion. I've seen some people say that Meilyr is too passive or too anxious or unwilling to do anything. I think his actions make perfect sense for his character. He is deeply afraid, trapped at court, every eye watching his move, and if he puts even a toe out of line, it might mean the death of his brother and his people.
The relationship between Meilyr and Osian is slow burn, filled with yearning and quiet resistance. Osian is rebelling against his family, and he is fiercely protective of Meilyr without coming across as smothering. It's very sweet and I genuinely loved their scenes together.
The author also played around with linguistics here - the oppressing force have one name for something, but Meilyr's people call it by it's true name. This can be a location, a castle, plant etc. It's so clever and so true to real life and I really liked how the author handled it here.
The ending made me gasp and now I am desperate for the next book!
I highly recommend picking this up if you are a fan of queer fantasy, romance filled with slow burn and yearning, court politics, murder mystery, and Welsh-inspired folklore.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Come with me. Come with me. Come with me.
I don't think I know how to breathe after this. How could it just end like that, and I don't even have a publication date for the next book.
Meilyr has a secret, one that'll kill him if it's found out. Perhaps set on a course by fate or just pure happenstance, Meilyr is wed to the prince of his homeland, but this prince is, technically, an enemy of sorts. Well, his family and their history are Meilyr's enemy. When people start dying at court and Meilyr is the only new thing to have appeared, all eyes are on him - not to mention Meilyr is also descended from those who were all murdered for sorcery. In a whirlwind of events, Meilyr is found at the center of a bigger plot to upend the current reigning family and potentially even their people. All the while falling deeper in love with his sweet prince.
Princeweaver, for me at least, does a wonderful job of blending the fantasy of Meilyr's powers and court intrigued, keeping me interested just enough on both ends while stringing me along with the plot. The magic here isn't overly done or convoluted, so it's easy to follow and doesn't need a grand explanation. The same can be said with the court/history politics. It's almost cozy, really. I think the summary is a little wrong when it says their marriage is to save the warring kingdom, because really, do we think that marriage between two people of differing backgrounds was really going to do it? I think it is more apt to say, a marriage to save Meilyr's (and Celyn's) life with the added hopefulness of bridging the two peoples together.
Meilyr and Osian are so, so delicious. The slow-burn yearning is everything. I do wish there were more moments, but I can't tell if I'm just being selfish or it genuinely needs more moments where they develop their relationship so I believe it more.
Morgan's prose and writing is just so gorgeous, too. The way they describe even the smallest actions, their consequence, has so much meaning.
I need this book in my hand, and the next, and whatever else Morgan and publishing company have in store for this series. I can't believe it's a series. Please give me it now. All of it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the eARC!
I don't think I know how to breathe after this. How could it just end like that, and I don't even have a publication date for the next book.
Meilyr has a secret, one that'll kill him if it's found out. Perhaps set on a course by fate or just pure happenstance, Meilyr is wed to the prince of his homeland, but this prince is, technically, an enemy of sorts. Well, his family and their history are Meilyr's enemy. When people start dying at court and Meilyr is the only new thing to have appeared, all eyes are on him - not to mention Meilyr is also descended from those who were all murdered for sorcery. In a whirlwind of events, Meilyr is found at the center of a bigger plot to upend the current reigning family and potentially even their people. All the while falling deeper in love with his sweet prince.
Princeweaver, for me at least, does a wonderful job of blending the fantasy of Meilyr's powers and court intrigued, keeping me interested just enough on both ends while stringing me along with the plot. The magic here isn't overly done or convoluted, so it's easy to follow and doesn't need a grand explanation. The same can be said with the court/history politics. It's almost cozy, really. I think the summary is a little wrong when it says their marriage is to save the warring kingdom, because really, do we think that marriage between two people of differing backgrounds was really going to do it? I think it is more apt to say, a marriage to save Meilyr's (and Celyn's) life with the added hopefulness of bridging the two peoples together.
Meilyr and Osian are so, so delicious. The slow-burn yearning is everything. I do wish there were more moments, but I can't tell if I'm just being selfish or it genuinely needs more moments where they develop their relationship so I believe it more.
Morgan's prose and writing is just so gorgeous, too. The way they describe even the smallest actions, their consequence, has so much meaning.
I need this book in my hand, and the next, and whatever else Morgan and publishing company have in store for this series. I can't believe it's a series. Please give me it now. All of it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was given this advanced copy for free in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Review:
A slowburn to end all slowburns and a world very heavily based on Wales and Welsh mythology, Princeweaver features many allusions to mythical heroes and gods like Gwydion, Lleu Llaw Gwyffes, Bloedewedd, Gronw Pebwr, and Arawn while also doing a little bit of it's own thing. I would've liked to see more of the world (can we see Lleu? Please??), but we spend so much time in our hero Meilyr's head worrying about things, he's an anxious little dude. The gay romance is very angsty and slow in the tradition of something like Heaven Official's Blessing; you fight through a hundred pages or so before they hold hands levels of slow burn. If you want a fast all consuming romance, this is not it.
I was pleasantly surprised that there's a murder mystery at the heart of this. I feel like someone paying attention beyond the romance will figure it out really fast. And YES, this is the first book in a series. I thought this was a standalone and was getting very anxious at that 97% mark when very little was resolved. It ends on a cliffhanger to be continued someday. I'll be there for it whenever that happens.
☀️ Fun Factor 4/5 (I read it in one sitting if that says anything?)
☀️ Writing Style 3/5
☀️ Characters 3/5
☀️ Plot 2/5 (You will guess the plot twist almost immediately)
☀️ Setting 4/5 (Not Exactly Wales)
☀️ Feels 3/5
☀️ Romance 4/5 (I was yellin' at them to please just kiss already god)
☀️ Spiciness 3/5 (It's not too explicit but too much to be YA)
☀️ Gore 4/5
☀️If this were a movie it'd be rated: PG-13 for some plant based body horror, mild sexual situations, language, violence
☀️FOR FANS OF: Someone who loves a good gay slowburn that's not too spicy and has a lot of political intrigue. Think Heaven Official's Blessing or Captive Prince, but with a PG-13 rating
☀️Ultimate verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
☀️Best Character Award goes to: I liked Osian a little more than Meilyr for whatever reason.
Review:
A slowburn to end all slowburns and a world very heavily based on Wales and Welsh mythology, Princeweaver features many allusions to mythical heroes and gods like Gwydion, Lleu Llaw Gwyffes, Bloedewedd, Gronw Pebwr, and Arawn while also doing a little bit of it's own thing. I would've liked to see more of the world (can we see Lleu? Please??), but we spend so much time in our hero Meilyr's head worrying about things, he's an anxious little dude. The gay romance is very angsty and slow in the tradition of something like Heaven Official's Blessing; you fight through a hundred pages or so before they hold hands levels of slow burn. If you want a fast all consuming romance, this is not it.
I was pleasantly surprised that there's a murder mystery at the heart of this. I feel like someone paying attention beyond the romance will figure it out really fast. And YES, this is the first book in a series. I thought this was a standalone and was getting very anxious at that 97% mark when very little was resolved. It ends on a cliffhanger to be continued someday. I'll be there for it whenever that happens.
☀️ Fun Factor 4/5 (I read it in one sitting if that says anything?)
☀️ Writing Style 3/5
☀️ Characters 3/5
☀️ Plot 2/5 (You will guess the plot twist almost immediately)
☀️ Setting 4/5 (Not Exactly Wales)
☀️ Feels 3/5
☀️ Romance 4/5 (I was yellin' at them to please just kiss already god)
☀️ Spiciness 3/5 (It's not too explicit but too much to be YA)
☀️ Gore 4/5
☀️If this were a movie it'd be rated: PG-13 for some plant based body horror, mild sexual situations, language, violence
☀️FOR FANS OF: Someone who loves a good gay slowburn that's not too spicy and has a lot of political intrigue. Think Heaven Official's Blessing or Captive Prince, but with a PG-13 rating
☀️Ultimate verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
☀️Best Character Award goes to: I liked Osian a little more than Meilyr for whatever reason.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Princeweweaver is an achillean murder mystery inspired by Welsh folklore and filled with yearning, also offering a stern condemnation of colonialism and showing the toll it takes on the land and its people. It perfectly sets the pieces for what promises to be a gorgeous series, but readers should be warned that the ending is quite abrupt and heart-wrenching, leading to the ferocious need to immediately get to the next book.
The slow burn between Meilyr and Osian is exquisite and acutely slow, a perfect counter to the terrifying and quite horrific murder spree happening around them. Meilyr is a sympathetic protagonist, torn between his secret past and the loyalty to his wrecked land, and the love he starts to bear for the very representative of the kingdom that destroyed his home. For his part, Osian is keenly aware of the wrongs of his royal family, and it shows both in his politics and in the tender respect he gives Meilyr, every interaction between them laden with care and attention. It's rare, refreshing, and beautiful to see so much attention given to consent, even for the smallest gestures, and each moment truly is swoon-worthy. There seems to be demisexual representation, too, which is lovely to see.
The rich worldbuilding ensnares the reader, seamlessly weaving elements of folklore into the narrative. The countryside of the Welsh-inspired conquered nation is rarely explored, most of the action set in the keep, but the old magic and the incredible resilience of its people seep through, especially with the focus on the banned language and on the persecution of magical individuals. The focus on herbology is also very interesting, and the magical system derived from it is clearly described.
This being a mystery, it offers clues that a more savvy reader may catch quickly on; I was personally taken aback, having been working on a completely different theory, but the signs were there, ready to lead to a stunning showstopper of an ending.
Princeweaver is a gorgeous first installment.
Princeweweaver is an achillean murder mystery inspired by Welsh folklore and filled with yearning, also offering a stern condemnation of colonialism and showing the toll it takes on the land and its people. It perfectly sets the pieces for what promises to be a gorgeous series, but readers should be warned that the ending is quite abrupt and heart-wrenching, leading to the ferocious need to immediately get to the next book.
The slow burn between Meilyr and Osian is exquisite and acutely slow, a perfect counter to the terrifying and quite horrific murder spree happening around them. Meilyr is a sympathetic protagonist, torn between his secret past and the loyalty to his wrecked land, and the love he starts to bear for the very representative of the kingdom that destroyed his home. For his part, Osian is keenly aware of the wrongs of his royal family, and it shows both in his politics and in the tender respect he gives Meilyr, every interaction between them laden with care and attention. It's rare, refreshing, and beautiful to see so much attention given to consent, even for the smallest gestures, and each moment truly is swoon-worthy. There seems to be demisexual representation, too, which is lovely to see.
The rich worldbuilding ensnares the reader, seamlessly weaving elements of folklore into the narrative. The countryside of the Welsh-inspired conquered nation is rarely explored, most of the action set in the keep, but the old magic and the incredible resilience of its people seep through, especially with the focus on the banned language and on the persecution of magical individuals. The focus on herbology is also very interesting, and the magical system derived from it is clearly described.
This being a mystery, it offers clues that a more savvy reader may catch quickly on; I was personally taken aback, having been working on a completely different theory, but the signs were there, ready to lead to a stunning showstopper of an ending.
Princeweaver is a gorgeous first installment.
January 26, 2026
Meilyr was living peacefully, running the village apothecary with his brother, until an attempt at a good deed catches the eye of the prince. Now, in order to keep his brother safe, he must enter into a marriage contract with Prince Osian. Life inside the castle is like nothing he is used to: intrigue, allies, enemies, and murder. When courtiers begin turning up dead by magic, the same secret magic that runs through Meilyr’s veins, he and Osian must find the killer before Meilyr ends up framed for the crimes. Along the way their feelings grow deeper, but will their secrets tear them apart?
Let me preface by saying this is a SLOW burn, but the absolute pining and romance are worth it! Osian is everything you could ever want in a book boyfriend: kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and protective to the point where he hurts himself over and over again rather than confess his feelings or make Meilyr uncomfortable around him. It was beautiful—if frustrating—to read but the progression of their feelings could not be rushed. It definitely pays off in the end.
The fantasy world Morgan creates is ripe with culture, a unique nature-based magic, and loads of Arthurian Easter eggs throughout. The characters are nuanced but relatable, even the supporting characters. You really get caught up in their family squabbles and journies.
The last fifty-ish pages were a roller coaster of emotions. There is quite a plot twist that I never saw coming (and I read a LOT so predicting plots usually happens before Im halfway through the book). There is quite a cliffhanger ending and a jaw-dropping epilogue that will leave you dying for the next book (fingers crossed its already planned out and perhaps being written now).
Overall fans will devour this book (the only reason I put it down was because I had to go to work the next day and couldnt’t stay up all jight reading!) as the plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat and the romance melts your heart!
Let me preface by saying this is a SLOW burn, but the absolute pining and romance are worth it! Osian is everything you could ever want in a book boyfriend: kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and protective to the point where he hurts himself over and over again rather than confess his feelings or make Meilyr uncomfortable around him. It was beautiful—if frustrating—to read but the progression of their feelings could not be rushed. It definitely pays off in the end.
The fantasy world Morgan creates is ripe with culture, a unique nature-based magic, and loads of Arthurian Easter eggs throughout. The characters are nuanced but relatable, even the supporting characters. You really get caught up in their family squabbles and journies.
The last fifty-ish pages were a roller coaster of emotions. There is quite a plot twist that I never saw coming (and I read a LOT so predicting plots usually happens before Im halfway through the book). There is quite a cliffhanger ending and a jaw-dropping epilogue that will leave you dying for the next book (fingers crossed its already planned out and perhaps being written now).
Overall fans will devour this book (the only reason I put it down was because I had to go to work the next day and couldnt’t stay up all jight reading!) as the plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat and the romance melts your heart!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Faux marriages and slow burns are usually not my cup of tea, but Princeweaver set it in front of me and I drank every last drop. I think that is owed so much to the world and character building Elian J Morgan has crafted for Princeweaver. I was hooked almost from the start, and with a book with so much courtly intrigue and mystery, a proper setting and the cast of characters can make or break a narrative. Princeweaver subverts many of the tropes and expectations set by others in the same genres and categories, and it made for a complete page turner of a story. From the romance to the mystery, I just wanted more and more, wanted to unfold each layer, staying up well past my bedtime for several nights.
I was to give specific praise to the life Morgan breathed into the world, the conflict of colonialism, death of culture and language, fear of the Other, made the fantasy feel practical and tangible without it feeling overdone or too underscored. We lived the world through both Meilyr and Osian, experienced the consequences and fears that an empire like Khaim leaves in its wake as it claims power. The magic system was uncomplicated but poignant, and one of those most interesting I’ve come across in the last several years, and really underscored the conflict between these two cultures.
The romance? Superb. The yearning, the complicated feelings, the growth between Meilyr and Osian was well paced and made me both giggle and kick my feet, and also clutch my heart from the ache. I appreciated that Osian was the typical Ice Prince type, especially for plots like this, there was something fairytale and chivalrous about him, but also something realistic.
I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interested in a queer fantasty, and already have been singing its praises to friends and in the comment sections of BookTok.
And to Elian J. Morgan: I will blame both you AND Hozier, thank you.
Thank you so much to Canelo for the ARC.
I was to give specific praise to the life Morgan breathed into the world, the conflict of colonialism, death of culture and language, fear of the Other, made the fantasy feel practical and tangible without it feeling overdone or too underscored. We lived the world through both Meilyr and Osian, experienced the consequences and fears that an empire like Khaim leaves in its wake as it claims power. The magic system was uncomplicated but poignant, and one of those most interesting I’ve come across in the last several years, and really underscored the conflict between these two cultures.
The romance? Superb. The yearning, the complicated feelings, the growth between Meilyr and Osian was well paced and made me both giggle and kick my feet, and also clutch my heart from the ache. I appreciated that Osian was the typical Ice Prince type, especially for plots like this, there was something fairytale and chivalrous about him, but also something realistic.
I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interested in a queer fantasty, and already have been singing its praises to friends and in the comment sections of BookTok.
And to Elian J. Morgan: I will blame both you AND Hozier, thank you.
Thank you so much to Canelo for the ARC.
January 31, 2026
3.5⭐️ rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for honest review.
Princeweaver is a murder mystery jam packed with political intrigue, that effortlessly weaves history and mythology to create an immersive fantasy world with a diverse cast of characters.
Meilyr is an anxious apothecary hiding outlawed magical powers that would see him executed if discovered.
Osian is a prince of the line of brutal conquerors whose ancestors put Meilyr’s to death.
They enter into a marriage of convenience and Meilyr is catapulted into a court that mostly despises his people and his homeland. When courtiers are brutally murdered using the powers Meilyr is desperately trying to hide, he becomes the prime suspect and together with Osian must uncover the truth before they both end up dead.
The world building is interesting and vivid. Morgan effortlessly paints a setting inspired by the natural beauty of Wales. The magic system fits this setting so perfectly.
I did become frustrated with the pacing at times. Whilst I enjoyed the day to day life and politicking, the action didn’t truly kick in until the 77% mark. The readers are presented with so many questions at the beginning of the story, and most of the reveals don’t come until the very end and are mixed in with so much action and drama that they don’t quite have the impact they would had they come a little earlier.
This story brings back yearning in a big way. I loved the tension between Meilyr and Osian, however the constant reassurances during the romantic interactions became frustrating and interrupted the flow of these moments.
Although the ending was hinted at throughout, these final moments were jaw dropping and heart wrenching, and I look forward to reading the second instalment.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for honest review.
Princeweaver is a murder mystery jam packed with political intrigue, that effortlessly weaves history and mythology to create an immersive fantasy world with a diverse cast of characters.
Meilyr is an anxious apothecary hiding outlawed magical powers that would see him executed if discovered.
Osian is a prince of the line of brutal conquerors whose ancestors put Meilyr’s to death.
They enter into a marriage of convenience and Meilyr is catapulted into a court that mostly despises his people and his homeland. When courtiers are brutally murdered using the powers Meilyr is desperately trying to hide, he becomes the prime suspect and together with Osian must uncover the truth before they both end up dead.
The world building is interesting and vivid. Morgan effortlessly paints a setting inspired by the natural beauty of Wales. The magic system fits this setting so perfectly.
I did become frustrated with the pacing at times. Whilst I enjoyed the day to day life and politicking, the action didn’t truly kick in until the 77% mark. The readers are presented with so many questions at the beginning of the story, and most of the reveals don’t come until the very end and are mixed in with so much action and drama that they don’t quite have the impact they would had they come a little earlier.
This story brings back yearning in a big way. I loved the tension between Meilyr and Osian, however the constant reassurances during the romantic interactions became frustrating and interrupted the flow of these moments.
Although the ending was hinted at throughout, these final moments were jaw dropping and heart wrenching, and I look forward to reading the second instalment.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am a simple person. I see a blurb by C.S. Pacat and I immediately want to read it.
The premise of this book is solid, and there’s a lot that I enjoyed: the writing style, the characters, the longing!!!, the mystery, and the world building. Our main characters were well thought out (even though I wish I had seen more from Osian so I could understand him better), and the mystery/gore was a really good addition that kept me entertained. I think this is a great start for a debut author.
But… where I felt it was lacking:
“Their marriage is to save a warring kingdom.” - Basically Osian decides to marry Meilyr in order to save his brother from certain death. But why would Osian do this for someone he only just met? In what world was this the only feasible solution to save Celyn, or his kingdom? Why is Meilyr essential to the plot here besides having magic? We’re not given a good enough explanation for this, and this made no sense to me for the entirety of the book! Even with that reveal at the end, I was still like ‘What do you mean???’
“He and the prince work together to uncover the killer.” - I barely saw this happening, though. It was always someone else looking for the culprit and doing the interrogation. We’re told what happens rather than being present in the chase. I just wish there was a more active role for both our main characters. It got very boring in the middle until I reached 80% when it finally started to pick up again.
Overall, I was not super invested and struggled with the pace a bit, but I think this will find its audience because the relationship and yearning is chef’s kiss.
P.S. I’m so confused about that ending.
The premise of this book is solid, and there’s a lot that I enjoyed: the writing style, the characters, the longing!!!, the mystery, and the world building. Our main characters were well thought out (even though I wish I had seen more from Osian so I could understand him better), and the mystery/gore was a really good addition that kept me entertained. I think this is a great start for a debut author.
But… where I felt it was lacking:
“Their marriage is to save a warring kingdom.” - Basically Osian decides to marry Meilyr in order to save his brother from certain death. But why would Osian do this for someone he only just met? In what world was this the only feasible solution to save Celyn, or his kingdom? Why is Meilyr essential to the plot here besides having magic? We’re not given a good enough explanation for this, and this made no sense to me for the entirety of the book! Even with that reveal at the end, I was still like ‘What do you mean???’
“He and the prince work together to uncover the killer.” - I barely saw this happening, though. It was always someone else looking for the culprit and doing the interrogation. We’re told what happens rather than being present in the chase. I just wish there was a more active role for both our main characters. It got very boring in the middle until I reached 80% when it finally started to pick up again.
Overall, I was not super invested and struggled with the pace a bit, but I think this will find its audience because the relationship and yearning is chef’s kiss.
P.S. I’m so confused about that ending.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an advanced proof copy of this through work and it is a Queer fantasy, part murder mystery that did not disappoint. It took me a little while to get into but the court intrigue, Welsh folklore and richly imagined world sold it for me. Every corner of the kingdom pulses with unspoken enchantments. but they serve as the embodiment of the old myths that Morgan so skillfully reimagines. It is definitely a slow-burn queer romance but it will grow on you mark my words.
Meilyr, a character whose name comes from the Welsh Meilir (meaning "prince" or "ruler"), is a mysterious and deeply compelling figure. An anxious apothecary born with forbidden, nature-infused magic who lives in an occupied land and just wants to keep his head down to protect his family. Then there’s the golden retriever hearted Prince Osian, an invading royal, conqueror, caretaker and prisoner of duty. What makes Osian fascinating is his quiet resistance. Unlike a traditional heroic rebel, he does not overthrow the old system in grand gestures. Instead, his defiance is subtle. He listens when he is expected to command, doubting when he is supposed to be certain, and offers Meilyr protection where cruelty would be easier. The magic that terrifies the court, the land that has been colonized, the people labeled “dangerous”- all of it challenges the version of the world he has been taught to accept.
Meilyr, a character whose name comes from the Welsh Meilir (meaning "prince" or "ruler"), is a mysterious and deeply compelling figure. An anxious apothecary born with forbidden, nature-infused magic who lives in an occupied land and just wants to keep his head down to protect his family. Then there’s the golden retriever hearted Prince Osian, an invading royal, conqueror, caretaker and prisoner of duty. What makes Osian fascinating is his quiet resistance. Unlike a traditional heroic rebel, he does not overthrow the old system in grand gestures. Instead, his defiance is subtle. He listens when he is expected to command, doubting when he is supposed to be certain, and offers Meilyr protection where cruelty would be easier. The magic that terrifies the court, the land that has been colonized, the people labeled “dangerous”- all of it challenges the version of the world he has been taught to accept.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I will, in fact, be directing my complaints to Hozier.
I enjoyed the fantasy version of Wales and the aspect of the forbidden magic in Princeweaver, as well as the weaving of history and folklore. The marriage of convenience and the yearning between Meilyr and Osian was quite delightful.
I liked reading this, but I think some elements keep it from going from a good book to a very good one. The romance is very sweet and halting and considering and shy, and feels like a cozy romance. But then there's the darker element of a people and land and history conquered and stamped out, plus greenery starts bursting out of people, plus there's political shenanigans afoot. So to me, it both felt like there was a lot that should be going on but somehow the stakes and consequences felt muted.
Princeweaver had one of my least favorite types of endings, though, in that it doesn't so much end as abruptly come to a stop. I am both pleased that the story will continue, as there's a lot of promise in this universe, and disgruntled because for ... 80? percent of this book I thought it would wrap up very nicely in a solid standalone. But overall, I liked the writing and could tell a lot of care went into this, so I'm glad I read it!
Thanks to Canelo, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I enjoyed the fantasy version of Wales and the aspect of the forbidden magic in Princeweaver, as well as the weaving of history and folklore. The marriage of convenience and the yearning between Meilyr and Osian was quite delightful.
I liked reading this, but I think some elements keep it from going from a good book to a very good one. The romance is very sweet and halting and considering and shy, and feels like a cozy romance. But then there's the darker element of a people and land and history conquered and stamped out, plus greenery starts bursting out of people, plus there's political shenanigans afoot. So to me, it both felt like there was a lot that should be going on but somehow the stakes and consequences felt muted.
Princeweaver had one of my least favorite types of endings, though, in that it doesn't so much end as abruptly come to a stop. I am both pleased that the story will continue, as there's a lot of promise in this universe, and disgruntled because for ... 80? percent of this book I thought it would wrap up very nicely in a solid standalone. But overall, I liked the writing and could tell a lot of care went into this, so I'm glad I read it!
Thanks to Canelo, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
January 31, 2026
Thank you to both NetGalley and Canelo for this eARC of Princeweaver.
Oh my goodness, I loved this book. I now have a new favourite and cannot wait for the rest of this series to be released. It is full of history, folklore, natural magic and court politics, as well as a gorgeous slow burn romance with two great MMCs.
Princeweaver is an epic fantasy romance, set in the country of Cyngalon which has been conquered by neighbouring Khaim. They have had their language, traditions, folklore and magic suppressed and outlawed, in a reflection of the true history of Wales/England.
Meilyr, in order to save his brother, finds himself in a marriage of convenience with Osian, a Prince of Khaim. Thrust into a busy royal court, Meilyr must hide that he is a Weaver, a sorcerer believed dangerous and hunted to extinction by previous Khaim leaders. It isn’t long before mysterious deaths start to occur and Meilyr must avoid suspicion to stay safe.
I really enjoyed the snippets of Osian’s POV that we got throughout the book, which really showed how smitten he is from the beginning.
This book contains a lot of things that I love and didn’t disappoint at all. I would heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys folklore, history and romance, who loves green flag MMCs and finds consent sexy.
Oh my goodness, I loved this book. I now have a new favourite and cannot wait for the rest of this series to be released. It is full of history, folklore, natural magic and court politics, as well as a gorgeous slow burn romance with two great MMCs.
Princeweaver is an epic fantasy romance, set in the country of Cyngalon which has been conquered by neighbouring Khaim. They have had their language, traditions, folklore and magic suppressed and outlawed, in a reflection of the true history of Wales/England.
Meilyr, in order to save his brother, finds himself in a marriage of convenience with Osian, a Prince of Khaim. Thrust into a busy royal court, Meilyr must hide that he is a Weaver, a sorcerer believed dangerous and hunted to extinction by previous Khaim leaders. It isn’t long before mysterious deaths start to occur and Meilyr must avoid suspicion to stay safe.
I really enjoyed the snippets of Osian’s POV that we got throughout the book, which really showed how smitten he is from the beginning.
This book contains a lot of things that I love and didn’t disappoint at all. I would heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys folklore, history and romance, who loves green flag MMCs and finds consent sexy.
February 6, 2026
This book wrecked me. That ending? What do you mean?? How am I supposed to wait for the next part when this one isn’t out yet???
It is a lovely fantasy following Meilyr, an apothecary who marries the occupier prince in order to save his brothers life. Prince Osian is not what Meilyr expected and we get a real slow burn in this book.
The writing style was lovely, I loved the mention of different plants throughout the book. There is also a lore of the worlds history woven into every chapter, and we get the feeling that there are higher stakes than the main plot.
*** Spoilers ahead for my future self, so I can remember the plot when reading the next book:
Someone is killing the occupier nobles with a magic only Meilyrs folk have. Meilyr is a suspect, but he also doesn’t know who it is. Every murder is connected to Meilyr, everyone who wronged him dies. The weaving magic is able to grow a plant from inside a human body if the weaver consumed the blood of the person. This magic can also be served for healing (which Meilyr secretly does). Slowly he falls in love with Osian and in the end they finally get together, but Meilyr has to flee the castle. The book ends both beautifully and devastating with Meilyr saving the prince and his family, but gets wrongly killed by the guards.
**** This was an ARC read from NetGalley. All my opinions are mine ****
It is a lovely fantasy following Meilyr, an apothecary who marries the occupier prince in order to save his brothers life. Prince Osian is not what Meilyr expected and we get a real slow burn in this book.
The writing style was lovely, I loved the mention of different plants throughout the book. There is also a lore of the worlds history woven into every chapter, and we get the feeling that there are higher stakes than the main plot.
*** Spoilers ahead for my future self, so I can remember the plot when reading the next book:
Someone is killing the occupier nobles with a magic only Meilyrs folk have. Meilyr is a suspect, but he also doesn’t know who it is. Every murder is connected to Meilyr, everyone who wronged him dies. The weaving magic is able to grow a plant from inside a human body if the weaver consumed the blood of the person. This magic can also be served for healing (which Meilyr secretly does). Slowly he falls in love with Osian and in the end they finally get together, but Meilyr has to flee the castle. The book ends both beautifully and devastating with Meilyr saving the prince and his family, but gets wrongly killed by the guards.
**** This was an ARC read from NetGalley. All my opinions are mine ****
February 5, 2026
Overall this was absolutely an enjoyable read! I am super excited to see what the author writes next as their writing was super accomplished and passionate.
Firstly what I liked! I loved the folklore element of this weaving in Welsh stories and this very obviously rooted in Wales which can sometimes be hard to do. I also loved the sweetness of the romance between the MMCs. There was great diversity in the characters as well which was done in such a way that it just wasn’t a big deal (not a tickbox activity as it sometimes comes across). The world was interesting and unlike others I’ve encountered in fantasy reads as well which made this feel original and exciting.
However, for me, the world building and character development was just lacking depth. I think we needed more to feel fully invested in the way I like to in stories like this. There was an undercurrent of oppression but we never saw any real evidence of this, and what motivated the characters? Also it would’ve been nice to have more exposition around how the MMCs fell for each other.
That being said the ending was absolutely shocking and I will definitely be picking up book 2!
3.5 stars rounded up 🌟 thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for the ARC
Firstly what I liked! I loved the folklore element of this weaving in Welsh stories and this very obviously rooted in Wales which can sometimes be hard to do. I also loved the sweetness of the romance between the MMCs. There was great diversity in the characters as well which was done in such a way that it just wasn’t a big deal (not a tickbox activity as it sometimes comes across). The world was interesting and unlike others I’ve encountered in fantasy reads as well which made this feel original and exciting.
However, for me, the world building and character development was just lacking depth. I think we needed more to feel fully invested in the way I like to in stories like this. There was an undercurrent of oppression but we never saw any real evidence of this, and what motivated the characters? Also it would’ve been nice to have more exposition around how the MMCs fell for each other.
That being said the ending was absolutely shocking and I will definitely be picking up book 2!
3.5 stars rounded up 🌟 thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.25 stars
Thanks to NetGalley, Canelo and Elian J Morgan for sending me an arc to review.
This is one of the slowest burns I have ever read. It was also one of the sweetest. I enjoyed the unique magic system although it isn't explained very well, but shown pretty clearly. I'm curious if in book 2 I will learn more about it and what all can be done with it. There is political intrigue, a mystery to be solved before the wrong person is accused, loyalty beyond just a crown, and some found family vibes, It is dual point of view but heavily from one character over the other. Reading their journey to love with its gentle angst was so much fun. The main characters were the sweetest, even those around them were great. But I always love when I can hate a character too, and there was definitely a few of those... especially the one that was giving me Rasputin vibes (might be just me, but that's who I pictured for the character).
I thought it was a standalone, so just heads up, there is a cliffhanger. And quite the cliffhanger at that. I'll be waiting impatiently for more of the story.
Thanks to NetGalley, Canelo and Elian J Morgan for sending me an arc to review.
This is one of the slowest burns I have ever read. It was also one of the sweetest. I enjoyed the unique magic system although it isn't explained very well, but shown pretty clearly. I'm curious if in book 2 I will learn more about it and what all can be done with it. There is political intrigue, a mystery to be solved before the wrong person is accused, loyalty beyond just a crown, and some found family vibes, It is dual point of view but heavily from one character over the other. Reading their journey to love with its gentle angst was so much fun. The main characters were the sweetest, even those around them were great. But I always love when I can hate a character too, and there was definitely a few of those... especially the one that was giving me Rasputin vibes (might be just me, but that's who I pictured for the character).
I thought it was a standalone, so just heads up, there is a cliffhanger. And quite the cliffhanger at that. I'll be waiting impatiently for more of the story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Princeweaver weaves a captivating tale full of love and longing, blood and magic, and deadly intrigue.
I really enjoyed this story and the way it draws on Welsh folklore. The magic and worldbuilding are beautifully crafted, and the political and courtly conflicts, along with the murder intrigue, keep the story engaging throughout.
I loved Meilyr and Osian! Their relationship is so sweet and unfolds slowly, with genuine yearning, and their personal emotional conflicts made it even more compelling. I only wish we’d gotten a little more of them together, perhaps through longer interactions.
That said, I did find the pacing a little off at times. While I have nothing against slower-paced books, some scenes felt very quick and could have benefited from longer dialogue or deeper character interactions. I often felt frustrated by how quickly scenes transitioned into one another, though that did not stop me from getting completely invested in the story!
After this ending, I am impatient for book 2!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this story and the way it draws on Welsh folklore. The magic and worldbuilding are beautifully crafted, and the political and courtly conflicts, along with the murder intrigue, keep the story engaging throughout.
I loved Meilyr and Osian! Their relationship is so sweet and unfolds slowly, with genuine yearning, and their personal emotional conflicts made it even more compelling. I only wish we’d gotten a little more of them together, perhaps through longer interactions.
That said, I did find the pacing a little off at times. While I have nothing against slower-paced books, some scenes felt very quick and could have benefited from longer dialogue or deeper character interactions. I often felt frustrated by how quickly scenes transitioned into one another, though that did not stop me from getting completely invested in the story!
After this ending, I am impatient for book 2!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Special thank to NetGalley and Canelo for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There were aspects of this book that I enjoyed. The premise was interesting, the writing was descriptive, and clearly a lot of thought and research was put into this book.
I was sad that this book did not click with me, especially because I was really anticipating it. For a book that had a lot of political intrigue and complexities, the stakes felt almost nonexistent and instead came across as boring. The romance was sweet, but not especially interesting. The prince is extremely flat and as a reader we do not get much insight into his thoughts or opinions and even more importantly, how those thoughts and opinions came to be. The main character is supposed to be smart, one of those characters that others tend to overestimate, and while we as readers are told that, we are never shown it. Instead, the main character is meek and passive.
I may read that next book to see how things wrap up, but this book was unfortunately not for me.
There were aspects of this book that I enjoyed. The premise was interesting, the writing was descriptive, and clearly a lot of thought and research was put into this book.
I was sad that this book did not click with me, especially because I was really anticipating it. For a book that had a lot of political intrigue and complexities, the stakes felt almost nonexistent and instead came across as boring. The romance was sweet, but not especially interesting. The prince is extremely flat and as a reader we do not get much insight into his thoughts or opinions and even more importantly, how those thoughts and opinions came to be. The main character is supposed to be smart, one of those characters that others tend to overestimate, and while we as readers are told that, we are never shown it. Instead, the main character is meek and passive.
I may read that next book to see how things wrap up, but this book was unfortunately not for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating 3.25/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Unfortunately, I didn't love this one as much as I anticipated I would. It held great elements, like a queernormative world, an interesting magic system, a conquered and oppressed people, a fantasy version of Whales, a prince wanting to right wrongs for the people, a cute, queer love story.
All of it just needed more development. Both the character world and the worldbuilding didn't feel fleshed out enough to connect. And because character work wasn't as in depth as it should be, it left me feeling like the relationship between the two main characters was lacking quite a bit of chemistry.
I also felt that for a story about a conquered people, not nearly enough importance and focus was put on the oppression they were facing.
Overall, I was left quite detached from the story, but still invested enough to wish for more. All the ingredients were truly there. It just felt a bit underseasoned.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Unfortunately, I didn't love this one as much as I anticipated I would. It held great elements, like a queernormative world, an interesting magic system, a conquered and oppressed people, a fantasy version of Whales, a prince wanting to right wrongs for the people, a cute, queer love story.
All of it just needed more development. Both the character world and the worldbuilding didn't feel fleshed out enough to connect. And because character work wasn't as in depth as it should be, it left me feeling like the relationship between the two main characters was lacking quite a bit of chemistry.
I also felt that for a story about a conquered people, not nearly enough importance and focus was put on the oppression they were facing.
Overall, I was left quite detached from the story, but still invested enough to wish for more. All the ingredients were truly there. It just felt a bit underseasoned.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🌿 I received this ebook as an ARC from Netgalley 🌿
When the author's note closes with — "I promise I will make it up to you, and any complaints can be forwarded to Hozier," — you know it's going to be good.
For the lovers of yearning—the intimacy of a lingering glance, the heat of fingers against bare skin, the silence where desire goes unspoken...meet Meilyr and Osian. They're from different worlds—a peasant with wild magic and a crown prince—caught in a political marriage in hopes of avoiding a(nother) war between their peoples.
Somewhere, the *lie* of their marriage becomes their deepest, most closely guarded truth. 🧡
Inspired by and infused with Welsh language, culture, and spirit, this story is both romance and mystery...with a sprinkling of magic and a dash of botanical horror.
It's exquisite, tender, and achingly beautiful. My heart may have actually burst more than once.
Infinite stars. Literally all of them.
When the author's note closes with — "I promise I will make it up to you, and any complaints can be forwarded to Hozier," — you know it's going to be good.
For the lovers of yearning—the intimacy of a lingering glance, the heat of fingers against bare skin, the silence where desire goes unspoken...meet Meilyr and Osian. They're from different worlds—a peasant with wild magic and a crown prince—caught in a political marriage in hopes of avoiding a(nother) war between their peoples.
Somewhere, the *lie* of their marriage becomes their deepest, most closely guarded truth. 🧡
Inspired by and infused with Welsh language, culture, and spirit, this story is both romance and mystery...with a sprinkling of magic and a dash of botanical horror.
It's exquisite, tender, and achingly beautiful. My heart may have actually burst more than once.
Infinite stars. Literally all of them.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The way I need Princebreaker like I need air.
Oh my! If I could give this six ⭐️, I would.
This was so beautiful. I stared at a wall for an hour after finishing this. Thank goodness the epilogue may have put some ease in me… maybe.
The love story between Meilyr and Prince Osian was slow burn but not enemies to lovers! The politics and reason for the marriage may have given me reason to doubt, but Osian fell first and Meilyr fell HARDER. Like woah.
I love Meilyr. He is such a strong and fierce character and his powers were unraveling as I read. Prince Osian, I adore you. The court dynamics and family matters were great additions and the magic system is so unique. I feel like we haven’t even tapped into the breadth of it, and only got a taste.
Sequel sequel sequel.
Just wow.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Oh my! If I could give this six ⭐️, I would.
This was so beautiful. I stared at a wall for an hour after finishing this. Thank goodness the epilogue may have put some ease in me… maybe.
The love story between Meilyr and Prince Osian was slow burn but not enemies to lovers! The politics and reason for the marriage may have given me reason to doubt, but Osian fell first and Meilyr fell HARDER. Like woah.
I love Meilyr. He is such a strong and fierce character and his powers were unraveling as I read. Prince Osian, I adore you. The court dynamics and family matters were great additions and the magic system is so unique. I feel like we haven’t even tapped into the breadth of it, and only got a taste.
Sequel sequel sequel.
Just wow.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for providing me with an ARC.
I absolutely loved this book, it was exactly what I needed from a fantasy novel and something I hadn’t been finding in other books lately.
One of the main reasons for that is the writing. It’s beautifully done and incredibly immersive, pulling you straight into the world. You don’t just read about it, you truly feel like you’re there.
The characters were very likable, and the story itself was engaging and well paced. I’m especially excited to see more of the magic system explored in the next book, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
I absolutely loved this book, it was exactly what I needed from a fantasy novel and something I hadn’t been finding in other books lately.
One of the main reasons for that is the writing. It’s beautifully done and incredibly immersive, pulling you straight into the world. You don’t just read about it, you truly feel like you’re there.
The characters were very likable, and the story itself was engaging and well paced. I’m especially excited to see more of the magic system explored in the next book, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm really struggling to rate this one. Because I looked forward to reading it and I legitimately wanted to know what would happen next. But the ending doesn't feel like an ending. I don't feel like I finished a book, I feel like I just closed a chapter. And I know that this is setting up for a sequel. But it doesn't feel like enough happened in this to be split up. Like it was soft and warm, and I appreciated that, but we needed more plot. I'm disappointed, but in a lackluster and apathetic way
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
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