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The Debtor's Game
In a world where faeries are born with tattoos of debt to the High Fae, one servant must navigate a game of dangerous, sensual court politics between her mistress and the king—the first installment in a dark fantasy series.
As a palace faerie, Avery is busy preparing Lady Kassandra, a High Fae of the House of Illusions, for the upcoming coronation. Both of their freedoms rely on Kassandra, to escape her violent brother, and Avery, to pay off rings of debt tattoos she has inherited from her family, which force her to serve the High Fae.
After a series of tragic events, Avery is forced to split her loyalties between Lady Kassandra and the newly crowned King Maxian, an alluring High Fae of staggering power. Avery agrees to spy on the King in exchange for liberating her family from debt, forming a triangle that proves more dangerous by the minute—further complicated by Avery’s warring desire and resentment for both Maxian and Kassandra.
But freedom from her debt grows further out of reach when she’s forced to test her loyalties, leading her to uncover secrets about the High Fae with earth-shattering implications. Soon, Avery must find out whether the faeries—and herself—are really as powerless against the High Fae as they seem...or whether she just might hold the key to freeing them all.
As a palace faerie, Avery is busy preparing Lady Kassandra, a High Fae of the House of Illusions, for the upcoming coronation. Both of their freedoms rely on Kassandra, to escape her violent brother, and Avery, to pay off rings of debt tattoos she has inherited from her family, which force her to serve the High Fae.
After a series of tragic events, Avery is forced to split her loyalties between Lady Kassandra and the newly crowned King Maxian, an alluring High Fae of staggering power. Avery agrees to spy on the King in exchange for liberating her family from debt, forming a triangle that proves more dangerous by the minute—further complicated by Avery’s warring desire and resentment for both Maxian and Kassandra.
But freedom from her debt grows further out of reach when she’s forced to test her loyalties, leading her to uncover secrets about the High Fae with earth-shattering implications. Soon, Avery must find out whether the faeries—and herself—are really as powerless against the High Fae as they seem...or whether she just might hold the key to freeing them all.
528 pages, Hardcover
Published March 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Did Not Finish
March 19, 2026firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
unfortunately, dnf @ 26% which is disappointing because i saw a mutual read an early copy and really enjoyed it, and so of course i went and requested an arc for myself to see what this book was all about.
i’m sorry, but i couldn’t tell you the plot, the worldbuiding, or especially our fmc character’s name… i just was not interested at all, but i do think it was more of a personal issue than any issue with the book. perhaps this is a soft dnf for now.
i also listened to the audio through libby and the narrator was good!
i’m sure this book will find its audience, but at this current moment it’s not me.
——
i saw a mutual read an early copy and really enjoyed it, and so of course i went and requested an arc for myself! very excited to dive in, along with the audio! hopefully i enjoy it too :)
unfortunately, dnf @ 26% which is disappointing because i saw a mutual read an early copy and really enjoyed it, and so of course i went and requested an arc for myself to see what this book was all about.
i’m sorry, but i couldn’t tell you the plot, the worldbuiding, or especially our fmc character’s name… i just was not interested at all, but i do think it was more of a personal issue than any issue with the book. perhaps this is a soft dnf for now.
i also listened to the audio through libby and the narrator was good!
i’m sure this book will find its audience, but at this current moment it’s not me.
——
i saw a mutual read an early copy and really enjoyed it, and so of course i went and requested an arc for myself! very excited to dive in, along with the audio! hopefully i enjoy it too :)
Did Not Finish
February 26, 2026DNF @ 10%
it’s gonna be a no from me 🫶
i can’t take a faerie named jeremee seriously and the writing style just isn’t for me. it’s veering too far into YA territory for an ostensibly adult fantasy and life is too short to sit through 500+ pages of that
it’s gonna be a no from me 🫶
i can’t take a faerie named jeremee seriously and the writing style just isn’t for me. it’s veering too far into YA territory for an ostensibly adult fantasy and life is too short to sit through 500+ pages of that
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2026
This is an ambitious and thoughtfully executed debut that blends fantasy with complex real world themes in a way that feels both original and relevant. The exploration of tax, debt, and inheritance within a fantasy framework is particularly unique and adds a level of depth that sets this novel apart from others in the genre.
While the opening requires careful attention to fully grasp the intricacies of the world and its systems, the narrative quickly becomes immersive and rewarding. The structure and scope of the story reflect a confident and intelligent approach to worldbuilding.
The novel also engages with themes such as same sex relationships, gender hierarchy, and the societal structures that shape identity and opportunity. These elements are woven seamlessly into the fantasy setting, allowing them to feel organic and impactful rather than overtly political.
The worldbuilding is layered and cohesive, with strong connections to nature and a carefully constructed sense of history and lineage that enrich the narrative. Combined with a compelling plot and well developed characters, the result is a story that feels both substantial and engaging.
Overall, this is an impressive debut that balances imaginative storytelling with meaningful thematic exploration. I look forward to continuing the series.
While the opening requires careful attention to fully grasp the intricacies of the world and its systems, the narrative quickly becomes immersive and rewarding. The structure and scope of the story reflect a confident and intelligent approach to worldbuilding.
The novel also engages with themes such as same sex relationships, gender hierarchy, and the societal structures that shape identity and opportunity. These elements are woven seamlessly into the fantasy setting, allowing them to feel organic and impactful rather than overtly political.
The worldbuilding is layered and cohesive, with strong connections to nature and a carefully constructed sense of history and lineage that enrich the narrative. Combined with a compelling plot and well developed characters, the result is a story that feels both substantial and engaging.
Overall, this is an impressive debut that balances imaginative storytelling with meaningful thematic exploration. I look forward to continuing the series.
February 27, 2026
Initially reading the synopsis I thought this was going to be a hit for me. In the end, I’m kind of neutral, but leaning on the fact that I’m not sure that this one was the exact book for me. More so, because it kind of gave me anxiety. The beginning for me was slow to get into though it wasn’t very slow. The idea of the society of faeries that is born with tattoos of debt to the high fae was interesting but that was part of the thing that actually gave me a feeling of anxiety in the beginning and I am not sure why at this exact point So I had a hard time really wanting to get into it. And then we have a scene of abuse that plays out of us within the first 10% of the book and wow that’s not hugely triggering to me because of all the different genres of books that I read. Kind of put me in a mood mentally. So be warned and check your triggers before going into this.
That being said. The writing style was ok but not one that I would usually prefer. I also don’t think it had to be as long as it is. This took me longer to read then it normally would as I found myself putting it down down and taking breaks when I usually am more of a binge reader. This is not a book for you if you want to really go into a magical system and have it explained. I really wish it had been.
Thank you Balentine for the complementary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
That being said. The writing style was ok but not one that I would usually prefer. I also don’t think it had to be as long as it is. This took me longer to read then it normally would as I found myself putting it down down and taking breaks when I usually am more of a binge reader. This is not a book for you if you want to really go into a magical system and have it explained. I really wish it had been.
Thank you Balentine for the complementary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a free copy from Ballantine via Netgalley in exchange for a free review. Publish date March 3rd, 2026.
I’m a little wary of faerie books (often not my favorite subgenre), but I was willing to give a book with comps to Tasha Suri and Holly Black a shot. In The Debtor’s Game, Avery and the rest of her people are enslaved by debt tattooed on their bodies that is impossible to pay off. A misstep in Avery’s service to her cruel mistress Lady Kassandra makes her a pawn in the high noble court–traded away to the ruling house.
Books published as “faerie romances” right now tend to not be my cup of tea, but with a synopsis that hinted at being sapphic or poly, I thought the story might be promising, especially with the focus on predatory debt. Alas, from page one, I found that Mongeau refers to the characters as “males” and “females.” Deep sigh. The clumsy terminology is meant to remind the reader that none of the characters are human, but unfortunately it’s reflected by a slapdash depiction of gender and sexism in the worldbuilding. Offhand mentions to Avery being forced to wear dresses and Kassandra’s role as a broodmare are dropped into the text to provide character angst and plot tension. But these comments fail to create sense of systematic oppression– Avery feels very much like a twenty-first century American, with no real concept that her options are curtailed by her gender.
Avery is treated by the narrative as effectively a servant with abusive bosses. But in practice, she’s a slave. Faeries are literally born into debt for existing, and more debt can be stacked on at any time for perceived slights with no oversight, not to mention the ruinous interest. While faeries can technically pay off their debts through work, we see zero characters who have managed to free themselves. Avery’s status as a slave puts the romance plotline with her owners Lady Kassandra and King Maxian in an uncomfortable light. Mongeau hasn’t got the theoretical grounding to effectively depict a slave desperately trying to assert agency over her life through sex with her cruel owner, nor the romance-writing chops to pull off hot slave dubcon. The resulting narrative is a bit of a mess somewhere in between the two. It’s clearly meant to be morally gray and a bit fraught–but not this much.
I think the concept could have been improved by a strong execution, but I found the first person prose a touch inelegant, with a tendency to whiplash between stilted formal fantasy-speak and phrases like “okay." I liked The Debtor’s Game better than the other bi faerie romance Faebound, which I dnf’d, but this book was not a standout for me.
I’m a little wary of faerie books (often not my favorite subgenre), but I was willing to give a book with comps to Tasha Suri and Holly Black a shot. In The Debtor’s Game, Avery and the rest of her people are enslaved by debt tattooed on their bodies that is impossible to pay off. A misstep in Avery’s service to her cruel mistress Lady Kassandra makes her a pawn in the high noble court–traded away to the ruling house.
Books published as “faerie romances” right now tend to not be my cup of tea, but with a synopsis that hinted at being sapphic or poly, I thought the story might be promising, especially with the focus on predatory debt. Alas, from page one, I found that Mongeau refers to the characters as “males” and “females.” Deep sigh. The clumsy terminology is meant to remind the reader that none of the characters are human, but unfortunately it’s reflected by a slapdash depiction of gender and sexism in the worldbuilding. Offhand mentions to Avery being forced to wear dresses and Kassandra’s role as a broodmare are dropped into the text to provide character angst and plot tension. But these comments fail to create sense of systematic oppression– Avery feels very much like a twenty-first century American, with no real concept that her options are curtailed by her gender.
Avery is treated by the narrative as effectively a servant with abusive bosses. But in practice, she’s a slave. Faeries are literally born into debt for existing, and more debt can be stacked on at any time for perceived slights with no oversight, not to mention the ruinous interest. While faeries can technically pay off their debts through work, we see zero characters who have managed to free themselves. Avery’s status as a slave puts the romance plotline with her owners Lady Kassandra and King Maxian in an uncomfortable light. Mongeau hasn’t got the theoretical grounding to effectively depict a slave desperately trying to assert agency over her life through sex with her cruel owner, nor the romance-writing chops to pull off hot slave dubcon. The resulting narrative is a bit of a mess somewhere in between the two. It’s clearly meant to be morally gray and a bit fraught–but not this much.
I think the concept could have been improved by a strong execution, but I found the first person prose a touch inelegant, with a tendency to whiplash between stilted formal fantasy-speak and phrases like “okay." I liked The Debtor’s Game better than the other bi faerie romance Faebound, which I dnf’d, but this book was not a standout for me.
March 23, 2026
3 stars logically, 4 stars for the lesbians (more than 'Gideon the Ninth').
Writing needs more refining, but I was hooked by the plot and the lesbians, the possibility of a throuple to continue reading. I am not even that mad that this is NOT a standalone (apparently... based on that ending) book.
Writing needs more refining, but I was hooked by the plot and the lesbians, the possibility of a throuple to continue reading. I am not even that mad that this is NOT a standalone (apparently... based on that ending) book.
April 15, 2026
Picked this up on a whim.. wow!! So far it’s incredible!
OMG!! 6 stars, 10 stars!
This is the best Fae fantasy I’ve read in a very long time! And a debut??
The magic system is inventive and unique, the characters flawed but with so much heart. The plot engaging and perfectly paced.
The commentary on power imbalance and the FEMALE RAGE!!
Seriously, you must read this! So under hyped so deserving of more praise!
Can be a standalone ish… but oh my goodness do I need another book now! I want to know how this world and story develop !!
Did I mention 10 ⭐️⭐️?!
OMG!! 6 stars, 10 stars!
This is the best Fae fantasy I’ve read in a very long time! And a debut??
The magic system is inventive and unique, the characters flawed but with so much heart. The plot engaging and perfectly paced.
The commentary on power imbalance and the FEMALE RAGE!!
Seriously, you must read this! So under hyped so deserving of more praise!
Can be a standalone ish… but oh my goodness do I need another book now! I want to know how this world and story develop !!
Did I mention 10 ⭐️⭐️?!
March 5, 2026
4.5 rounded up
I think this might show up on Romantasy lists, and imo it doesn’t belong there. This is a fantasy, but one for adults with adult themes, which means there are inevitably romantic entanglements but they are not the story per se.
I also think it’s worth noting that this is a grim story, leaning much more traditional as far as faeries go with deals and tricks and a lot of various abuses. Check triggered warnings as needed, and know that this is not going to be an ACOTAR type of experience.
Half a star knocked off just because even as someone who reads a lot of fantasy o was occasionally feeling like the meme where she’s doing a bunch of trigonometry trying to understand what was happening, but only a half star because I think sometimes you were supposed to feel that way. Especially when it comes to the magic, I think there probably is hard magic system, or at least not as soft as it seems, we just aren’t getting the POV of someone who understands the rules.
This book had such a well done found family, with characters who sneak up on you and are complex and flawed, rather than any obvious stand ins for various archetypes. The main character is wonderfully flawed but ultimately good, and I loved her growth throughout the story.
I think this might show up on Romantasy lists, and imo it doesn’t belong there. This is a fantasy, but one for adults with adult themes, which means there are inevitably romantic entanglements but they are not the story per se.
I also think it’s worth noting that this is a grim story, leaning much more traditional as far as faeries go with deals and tricks and a lot of various abuses. Check triggered warnings as needed, and know that this is not going to be an ACOTAR type of experience.
Half a star knocked off just because even as someone who reads a lot of fantasy o was occasionally feeling like the meme where she’s doing a bunch of trigonometry trying to understand what was happening, but only a half star because I think sometimes you were supposed to feel that way. Especially when it comes to the magic, I think there probably is hard magic system, or at least not as soft as it seems, we just aren’t getting the POV of someone who understands the rules.
This book had such a well done found family, with characters who sneak up on you and are complex and flawed, rather than any obvious stand ins for various archetypes. The main character is wonderfully flawed but ultimately good, and I loved her growth throughout the story.
March 5, 2026
One of my favorite recent fantasy reads!!! So smart and subversive.
March 11, 2026
Now this is Fantasy with an AMAZING PLOT and excellent world building! I am in shock!!
This book is NOT intended for people with rigid minds. (Yes, I said what I said.) You must be open minded and willing to be provoked. That, is the intention with this book and it was executed beautifully. (I will take no slander on this.)
But, BEFORE you take my word for it, PLEASE READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS!! THIS BOOK IS STRONG. Maybe even too strong for some people. The content is intended to mature audiences, NOT for minors.
With that being said, to me, this book is a 5 star read. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that will take you through a fantasy world with very realistic issues and topics that we often see and mostly completely ignore in our own world, unfortunately. We need to do so much better.
This book was everything; all the themes were so on point, the plot: intense, the femme rage: emotionally catastrophic. The machinations to come up with this incredibly unique story… I am utterly and completely blown away with how incredible this book is. Without a doubt, my favorite read this year so far!
I went in blind. I just liked the cover and requested on NetGalley. I was given the ARC and now my brain chemistry has been forever changed. I had no expectations and wow… I’m speechless! The story is so intense and unique but relatable in every chapter, every plot twist! In this world, everything is so broken and so systematically wronged, so devastatingly and emotionally damaged that makes every little fight a rebellion in its own way and it is WONDERFUL and POWERFUL!!!! I was immersed!! Invested is an understatement!
The writing style was great, very descriptive and thought provoking. I highlighted more than 50 prompts and made so many annotations!
The pacing was fast overall, action-packed, intense. I was sat! Be mindful that this is book 1 in a series. At first it might feel slow and the world building might feel complex. Again, it’s understandable because the whole thing is very unique and requires patience to be understood. Then, everything falls into place. We are seeing this word through the eyes of Avery, the FMC, and she barely understands her own world, but push through because it’s sooooo worth it. As she grows, the readers also grow.
Themes: there are some themes here that some people might not be comfortable with so again, read the CW. I cannot stress this enough. It is meant to be thought provoking, and twisty!! This book is NOT Romantasy, even though there are some threads of romance storylines, it’s not the whole book or even the plot/center piece. Yes, there are spicy scenes but NOT the kind Romatasy readers might expect. They are more taboo because of the nature of the plot, and context in which the events happen. There’s non-consent here. Please, READ CW. Also, important: this book is NOT HEA.
The characters: The found family was exceptional here! We see diversity and growth as well as villains that I wish I could throat punch. I hated them more than Tamlin and thats saying a lot. Lila is my fave and I will not say anything else because I don’t want to spoil it.
Overall, I think this book was a great read and if you’re looking for fantasy, with a heavy side of Faeries lore, but also complex problems that are relatable, this is it. I will, without a shred of doubt, be getting a physical copy as a book trophy and cannot wait for book 2.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine and Isabelle Mongeau for the ARC.
This book is NOT intended for people with rigid minds. (Yes, I said what I said.) You must be open minded and willing to be provoked. That, is the intention with this book and it was executed beautifully. (I will take no slander on this.)
But, BEFORE you take my word for it, PLEASE READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS!! THIS BOOK IS STRONG. Maybe even too strong for some people. The content is intended to mature audiences, NOT for minors.
With that being said, to me, this book is a 5 star read. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that will take you through a fantasy world with very realistic issues and topics that we often see and mostly completely ignore in our own world, unfortunately. We need to do so much better.
This book was everything; all the themes were so on point, the plot: intense, the femme rage: emotionally catastrophic. The machinations to come up with this incredibly unique story… I am utterly and completely blown away with how incredible this book is. Without a doubt, my favorite read this year so far!
I went in blind. I just liked the cover and requested on NetGalley. I was given the ARC and now my brain chemistry has been forever changed. I had no expectations and wow… I’m speechless! The story is so intense and unique but relatable in every chapter, every plot twist! In this world, everything is so broken and so systematically wronged, so devastatingly and emotionally damaged that makes every little fight a rebellion in its own way and it is WONDERFUL and POWERFUL!!!! I was immersed!! Invested is an understatement!
The writing style was great, very descriptive and thought provoking. I highlighted more than 50 prompts and made so many annotations!
The pacing was fast overall, action-packed, intense. I was sat! Be mindful that this is book 1 in a series. At first it might feel slow and the world building might feel complex. Again, it’s understandable because the whole thing is very unique and requires patience to be understood. Then, everything falls into place. We are seeing this word through the eyes of Avery, the FMC, and she barely understands her own world, but push through because it’s sooooo worth it. As she grows, the readers also grow.
Themes: there are some themes here that some people might not be comfortable with so again, read the CW. I cannot stress this enough. It is meant to be thought provoking, and twisty!! This book is NOT Romantasy, even though there are some threads of romance storylines, it’s not the whole book or even the plot/center piece. Yes, there are spicy scenes but NOT the kind Romatasy readers might expect. They are more taboo because of the nature of the plot, and context in which the events happen. There’s non-consent here. Please, READ CW. Also, important: this book is NOT HEA.
The characters: The found family was exceptional here! We see diversity and growth as well as villains that I wish I could throat punch. I hated them more than Tamlin and thats saying a lot. Lila is my fave and I will not say anything else because I don’t want to spoil it.
Overall, I think this book was a great read and if you’re looking for fantasy, with a heavy side of Faeries lore, but also complex problems that are relatable, this is it. I will, without a shred of doubt, be getting a physical copy as a book trophy and cannot wait for book 2.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine and Isabelle Mongeau for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2026
The Debtor’s Game tells the tale of High Fae that subjugate faeries by forcing them into debt.
Think indentured servitude with magic, jut add a whole bunch of abuse and misogyny on top. Although one could argue that was the case as well…
Based on the premise of the book I expected a deeper dive into the magic system and its lore, but many of my questions remained unanswered. I believe that there are readers that will enjoy negging as a trope, but the dynamics and other forms of abuse made this a DNF for me …after making it about halfway through.
I appreciate the opportunity to explore this story and would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the arc.
Think indentured servitude with magic, jut add a whole bunch of abuse and misogyny on top. Although one could argue that was the case as well…
Based on the premise of the book I expected a deeper dive into the magic system and its lore, but many of my questions remained unanswered. I believe that there are readers that will enjoy negging as a trope, but the dynamics and other forms of abuse made this a DNF for me …after making it about halfway through.
I appreciate the opportunity to explore this story and would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the arc.
April 28, 2026
I have read my share of the faerie smut that is out there. I read this in 24 hours and can't wait for the next one. If you are into the faerie books but might be over the same old, same old. I would recommend this.
March 29, 2026
SOOOO good!! I loved the world building, the storyline, the character arcs - all of it! Can’t wait for more from this author.
March 3, 2026
I really loved it! It was gripping, fast paced, and suuuper politically relevant! I'll be getting a physical copy now that it's officially released just so I can have it on my shelf
February 8, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me early access to this eARC.
4.5 stars. This book is a great addition to the fantasy genre. This book follows Avery who is a faerie who serves a High Fae indebted to the system with ink on her skin. It follows her journey of learning more about her world and fighting the injustice within it.
This book had a lot of complexity. It began with a very simple concept and slowly grew into a very complicated political world.
I loved seeing Avery’s relationships develop throughout the book. In particular, with Kassandra. I absolutely loved the representation this book provided and the commentary on political class systems.
I am intrigued to see how this story continues. At times this was hard to read with the sheer injustice. Please check trigger warnings for there is many references to abuse, and other atrocities committed.
4.5 stars. This book is a great addition to the fantasy genre. This book follows Avery who is a faerie who serves a High Fae indebted to the system with ink on her skin. It follows her journey of learning more about her world and fighting the injustice within it.
This book had a lot of complexity. It began with a very simple concept and slowly grew into a very complicated political world.
I loved seeing Avery’s relationships develop throughout the book. In particular, with Kassandra. I absolutely loved the representation this book provided and the commentary on political class systems.
I am intrigued to see how this story continues. At times this was hard to read with the sheer injustice. Please check trigger warnings for there is many references to abuse, and other atrocities committed.
March 16, 2026
Honestly 6✨
How has this book not gotten more hype?!!
This is the best book I’ve read in a VERY long time.
I’m not good with words, I can’t write a detailed essay telling you why I loved it so much… but I’m telling you it’s SO GOOD!!
I hope this book reaches the right set of eyes and it gets a facelift for the cover. In this age of readers, it will be overlooked.
How has this book not gotten more hype?!!
This is the best book I’ve read in a VERY long time.
I’m not good with words, I can’t write a detailed essay telling you why I loved it so much… but I’m telling you it’s SO GOOD!!
I hope this book reaches the right set of eyes and it gets a facelift for the cover. In this age of readers, it will be overlooked.
February 14, 2026
The Debtor’s Game by Isabelle Mongeau kept me awake reading it until 2am this morning! From the start this book throws you head first into Avery’s world, Avery is a faerie who lives in a society dominated by the Fae whom hold total control over each and every Faerie’s life through a complex, controlling, dominating structure of debt.
Every Faerie born into this world is immediately mired in debt, 4 rings of debt for the Fae Houses who rule and an additional ring of debt to the House of Healers for delivering them into this world. The Debtor’s Game is a dystopian fantasy that meshes traditional fantasy themes of fantasy and magic with real world narratives of tax, debt, colonialism, and political control to weave together a complex and terrifying world-building that is oh so relatable.
Initially the introduction to this world feels breathtakingly overwhelming as you are immediately immersed into Avery’s life and trials as she struggles to keep her head above water, whilst also helping others who are drowning in debt and unable to escape it. Yet, the narrative of the story is such that the world-building and societal structures are gradually introduced and you become all the more immersed in Avery’s fight for survival.
I have read that there should be trigger warnings for this story and that is totally understandable, this is a powerful story, there are themes of rape, abuse, and overwhelming control that are difficult to handle but, this is the reality of life as a Faerie in this world. The Fae are deemed to be superior politically, societally and magically, with what appears to be a greater depth of control over the magical plane and the ability to perform complex magic. This they enforce through the structure of the four houses – Reign, Illusion, Healing, and the very much sidelined Death. The Faerie’s magic is more organic, less consistent and on first appearance less strong than that of the Fae but, historically all of the magic comes from nature, Lucan’s Tree being the magical source.
The story itself is so powerful and embodies not only the themes I have already referred to but, also illustrates Avery’s inner strength and discovery of what could be called female empowerment. Societal control dominates everything from debt and money, to behaviours and relationships, single sex relationships are illegal as they are not deemed beneficial to the production of heirs and workforce. This is a society designed to crush and control those at the bottom and maintain the power and control of those at the top, regardless of what it destroys, and Avery has had enough!
I am already waiting with baited breath for the next chapter in Avery’s story and for those readers looking for a book that will reward patience with an immersive, unique and well crafted dystopian fantasy, definitely pick up The Debtor’s Game.
Huge thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Every Faerie born into this world is immediately mired in debt, 4 rings of debt for the Fae Houses who rule and an additional ring of debt to the House of Healers for delivering them into this world. The Debtor’s Game is a dystopian fantasy that meshes traditional fantasy themes of fantasy and magic with real world narratives of tax, debt, colonialism, and political control to weave together a complex and terrifying world-building that is oh so relatable.
Initially the introduction to this world feels breathtakingly overwhelming as you are immediately immersed into Avery’s life and trials as she struggles to keep her head above water, whilst also helping others who are drowning in debt and unable to escape it. Yet, the narrative of the story is such that the world-building and societal structures are gradually introduced and you become all the more immersed in Avery’s fight for survival.
I have read that there should be trigger warnings for this story and that is totally understandable, this is a powerful story, there are themes of rape, abuse, and overwhelming control that are difficult to handle but, this is the reality of life as a Faerie in this world. The Fae are deemed to be superior politically, societally and magically, with what appears to be a greater depth of control over the magical plane and the ability to perform complex magic. This they enforce through the structure of the four houses – Reign, Illusion, Healing, and the very much sidelined Death. The Faerie’s magic is more organic, less consistent and on first appearance less strong than that of the Fae but, historically all of the magic comes from nature, Lucan’s Tree being the magical source.
The story itself is so powerful and embodies not only the themes I have already referred to but, also illustrates Avery’s inner strength and discovery of what could be called female empowerment. Societal control dominates everything from debt and money, to behaviours and relationships, single sex relationships are illegal as they are not deemed beneficial to the production of heirs and workforce. This is a society designed to crush and control those at the bottom and maintain the power and control of those at the top, regardless of what it destroys, and Avery has had enough!
I am already waiting with baited breath for the next chapter in Avery’s story and for those readers looking for a book that will reward patience with an immersive, unique and well crafted dystopian fantasy, definitely pick up The Debtor’s Game.
Huge thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow, wow, wow! The Debtor's Game blew me away, and I can't wait until publication day when I can get my hands on a physical copy for my shelf. I found it to be thought provoking, twisted, and impossible to put down.
The power imbalances faeries faced due to the crippling debt system they were born into was a mirror to society, and I was thoroughly impressed with Mongeau's ability to blend fantasy and life in such an original, pertinent way. Our characters debt, and the constant, lingering fear they could acquire more, was a steady thrum of tension woven throughout the pages, heightening their desperation and despair. It raised the stakes in a palpable way, and made this an immersive, addictive story.
Outside of the standout setting, I loved our characters. Truly the whole cast. Most had ambiguous moralities, and a few were truly dark and twisted, but all of them had ambition. The shifting loyalties, secret alliances, and plots for power, and feminine rage were everything I personally love in a fantasy, and they did not disappoint in The Debtor's Game. Holly Black's The Folk of the Air trilogy is one of my all time, favorite series, and one that I constantly say that I wish I read in high school/during formative years as a girl, because Jude was such an impactful, inspirational, female character. Well, I think I finally found the adult version of her with Avery. There were so many times, especially towards the end of the book, where I found myself comparing the two characters and was also inspired by Avery's rage, resilience, and selflessness. She is complex, and I can't wait to see how she fights next.
I absolutely loved this book. It is one I know I will read again, and I can't wait to return to this world/story in the sequel. I highly recommend for those looking for a dark fantasy that toes the line between fiction and reality with its themes, or for fans of The Folk of the Air trilogy who have craved a more adult version. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own. Expected publication is 3/3/26.
The power imbalances faeries faced due to the crippling debt system they were born into was a mirror to society, and I was thoroughly impressed with Mongeau's ability to blend fantasy and life in such an original, pertinent way. Our characters debt, and the constant, lingering fear they could acquire more, was a steady thrum of tension woven throughout the pages, heightening their desperation and despair. It raised the stakes in a palpable way, and made this an immersive, addictive story.
Outside of the standout setting, I loved our characters. Truly the whole cast. Most had ambiguous moralities, and a few were truly dark and twisted, but all of them had ambition. The shifting loyalties, secret alliances, and plots for power, and feminine rage were everything I personally love in a fantasy, and they did not disappoint in The Debtor's Game. Holly Black's The Folk of the Air trilogy is one of my all time, favorite series, and one that I constantly say that I wish I read in high school/during formative years as a girl, because Jude was such an impactful, inspirational, female character. Well, I think I finally found the adult version of her with Avery. There were so many times, especially towards the end of the book, where I found myself comparing the two characters and was also inspired by Avery's rage, resilience, and selflessness. She is complex, and I can't wait to see how she fights next.
I absolutely loved this book. It is one I know I will read again, and I can't wait to return to this world/story in the sequel. I highly recommend for those looking for a dark fantasy that toes the line between fiction and reality with its themes, or for fans of The Folk of the Air trilogy who have craved a more adult version. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own. Expected publication is 3/3/26.
April 29, 2026
Thank you to Random House for the gifted hardcover of The Debtor’s Game by Isabelle Mongeau.
Okay… this one is messy in a way that I was both frustrated by and completely hooked on?? Like I fully see the flaws, but I also could not look away.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The concept alone had me. Debt literally tattooed onto your body, controlling your entire life?? That’s such a cool, dark premise, and it adds this constant tension to everything Avery does. She’s not just making choices, she’s navigating survival under a system that is built to keep her trapped.
And then you throw in court politics, power plays, and a very morally gray dynamic between Avery, Kassandra, and Maxian… yeah. It’s complicated. Not always comfortable, but definitely compelling. I kept trying to figure out where everyone’s loyalties actually were, including Avery’s.
That said… the execution is a bit uneven. The worldbuilding takes a minute to click, and sometimes the tone or writing style feels inconsistent. There were also moments where the dynamics felt more chaotic than intentional, especially when it came to power and consent.
But also… the tension?? The drama?? I was invested.
What I Loved
• The debt tattoo concept, dark, original, and super compelling
• The political intrigue and constant shifting loyalties
• Avery being stuck between survival and agency
• The morally gray relationships, messy but interesting
• The overall vibe, dark, tense, and a little addictive
What Didn’t Work for Me
• The writing can feel uneven at times
• Worldbuilding takes effort to fully understand early on
• Some character dynamics felt unclear or underdeveloped
• The power imbalance in relationships can feel uncomfortable or not fully explored
Overall, this feels like one of those books where your enjoyment depends on what you’re willing to roll with. It’s not perfect, but it’s intriguing, dramatic, and sets up a series that I’m honestly curious to continue. If you like dark romantasy with messy dynamics and high stakes, this is probably going to pull you in.
Okay… this one is messy in a way that I was both frustrated by and completely hooked on?? Like I fully see the flaws, but I also could not look away.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The concept alone had me. Debt literally tattooed onto your body, controlling your entire life?? That’s such a cool, dark premise, and it adds this constant tension to everything Avery does. She’s not just making choices, she’s navigating survival under a system that is built to keep her trapped.
And then you throw in court politics, power plays, and a very morally gray dynamic between Avery, Kassandra, and Maxian… yeah. It’s complicated. Not always comfortable, but definitely compelling. I kept trying to figure out where everyone’s loyalties actually were, including Avery’s.
That said… the execution is a bit uneven. The worldbuilding takes a minute to click, and sometimes the tone or writing style feels inconsistent. There were also moments where the dynamics felt more chaotic than intentional, especially when it came to power and consent.
But also… the tension?? The drama?? I was invested.
What I Loved
• The debt tattoo concept, dark, original, and super compelling
• The political intrigue and constant shifting loyalties
• Avery being stuck between survival and agency
• The morally gray relationships, messy but interesting
• The overall vibe, dark, tense, and a little addictive
What Didn’t Work for Me
• The writing can feel uneven at times
• Worldbuilding takes effort to fully understand early on
• Some character dynamics felt unclear or underdeveloped
• The power imbalance in relationships can feel uncomfortable or not fully explored
Overall, this feels like one of those books where your enjoyment depends on what you’re willing to roll with. It’s not perfect, but it’s intriguing, dramatic, and sets up a series that I’m honestly curious to continue. If you like dark romantasy with messy dynamics and high stakes, this is probably going to pull you in.
April 4, 2026
A strong narrative mirroring the turmoil of prominent real world issues.
Set in a world where debt is displayed as ink on skin, we follow a servant named Avery, who is trying to survive under the oppression of the crueler and more powerful race of Fae monarchs. This book has a twistedly dark magic system, heavy themes of systemic oppression and a strong social commentary that stays with you after you put the book down.
It has such a has powerful messages to send about equality and told really well.
The writing has a distinct voice and the magic system is deeply explored, reinforcing the world's issues of financial control, and the treatment of women as commodities often to elevate men in a society built on exploitation and control.
The wider case of character is wonderfully written however some of the character motivations didn't feel entirely consistent. This may have been intentional to indicate the characters instability though. There was so much unexpected chaos throughout that the story felt like a rollercoaster that kept escalating higher before every drop.
This was a lot darker than my usual reads but right from the start the narrative was so compelling and the story so gripping that I was pulled in quickly and stayed invested for most of the way through despite the darker scenes.
This feels like the first instalment to something bigger as there were a lot of questions raised and left unanswered. I'm very looking forward to seeing what comes next and what direction the story will take.
This is a great read for anyone who doesn't mind darker themes, femme rage and a parade of red flag characters. However please do read the full warnings at the start of the book before deciding if this one is for you.
Also fun for anyone who hates the Male saviors trope or female leads with no real struggles.
I'm very thankful to NetGalley, Ballantine and Isabelle Mongeau for the ARC.
Set in a world where debt is displayed as ink on skin, we follow a servant named Avery, who is trying to survive under the oppression of the crueler and more powerful race of Fae monarchs. This book has a twistedly dark magic system, heavy themes of systemic oppression and a strong social commentary that stays with you after you put the book down.
It has such a has powerful messages to send about equality and told really well.
The writing has a distinct voice and the magic system is deeply explored, reinforcing the world's issues of financial control, and the treatment of women as commodities often to elevate men in a society built on exploitation and control.
The wider case of character is wonderfully written however some of the character motivations didn't feel entirely consistent. This may have been intentional to indicate the characters instability though. There was so much unexpected chaos throughout that the story felt like a rollercoaster that kept escalating higher before every drop.
This was a lot darker than my usual reads but right from the start the narrative was so compelling and the story so gripping that I was pulled in quickly and stayed invested for most of the way through despite the darker scenes.
This feels like the first instalment to something bigger as there were a lot of questions raised and left unanswered. I'm very looking forward to seeing what comes next and what direction the story will take.
This is a great read for anyone who doesn't mind darker themes, femme rage and a parade of red flag characters. However please do read the full warnings at the start of the book before deciding if this one is for you.
Also fun for anyone who hates the Male saviors trope or female leads with no real struggles.
I'm very thankful to NetGalley, Ballantine and Isabelle Mongeau for the ARC.
April 26, 2026
I finished this in less than 48 hours! It is by far the best fantasy novel I’ve read in a long time!
I had doubts when I saw some other reviews talking about weird sexual stuff. They couldn’t have been more wrong. Man, I can’t understand how people didn’t finish this. This is an utter delight from the magic, the world building, the relationships, the main character’s driving motivation… To the fact that the protagonist battles with herself as she develops a questionable love interest!! And then she struggles with the ethics around desire and any possible relationship! So relatable! Delightful!! Man, I am disappointed that I’m going to have to wait for book 2!
To anybody who’s unsure about this book, it’s SO worth your time and attention. The author handles financial anxiety, pain, beauty, friendship, emerging adulthood, grief, loss, family dynamics, consent, sexuality, and a fascinating magical world with **absolute** skill! It’s an imaginary world that you can believe exists because the flaws and joys are there. You are rooting for the MC every step of the way. This was WILD FUN that had me staying up late with a flashlight under the covers!
The author has some beautiful language as well. I wanted to note as I was reading, but honestly, I was so swept up in the story that I only jotted this one down, but it might be my favorite of the whole novel: “My pain clouded my privilege.” A statement I will be meditating on and one that we all should think on a little bit more.
Read this and leave this debut author a review because her writing is worth it.
PS I’m so glad that I’ve picked this up from my local library before anyone else! I can’t wait for other people to get to experience the joy of reading this!! I might even consider buying this book!! And I never do that!!
I had doubts when I saw some other reviews talking about weird sexual stuff. They couldn’t have been more wrong. Man, I can’t understand how people didn’t finish this. This is an utter delight from the magic, the world building, the relationships, the main character’s driving motivation… To the fact that the protagonist battles with herself as she develops a questionable love interest!! And then she struggles with the ethics around desire and any possible relationship! So relatable! Delightful!! Man, I am disappointed that I’m going to have to wait for book 2!
To anybody who’s unsure about this book, it’s SO worth your time and attention. The author handles financial anxiety, pain, beauty, friendship, emerging adulthood, grief, loss, family dynamics, consent, sexuality, and a fascinating magical world with **absolute** skill! It’s an imaginary world that you can believe exists because the flaws and joys are there. You are rooting for the MC every step of the way. This was WILD FUN that had me staying up late with a flashlight under the covers!
The author has some beautiful language as well. I wanted to note as I was reading, but honestly, I was so swept up in the story that I only jotted this one down, but it might be my favorite of the whole novel: “My pain clouded my privilege.” A statement I will be meditating on and one that we all should think on a little bit more.
Read this and leave this debut author a review because her writing is worth it.
PS I’m so glad that I’ve picked this up from my local library before anyone else! I can’t wait for other people to get to experience the joy of reading this!! I might even consider buying this book!! And I never do that!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
In the kingdom of Amyria, High Fae rule, and faeries born into servitude are tattooed with rings signifying the amount of debt owed. At any time debt can be added by the mercurial fae for any reason, and once you are completely covered in rings, you are banished to live outside the walls of the kingdom, and all other fae are forbidden to even so much as acknowledge them. Avery serves under Lady Kassandra in the House of Illusions, where she becomes tangled in a deadly game of politics & power. Avery must help Kassandra escape her violent brother by catching the eye of the soon-to-be-crowned King Maxian. But things go horribly wrong at the coronation, forcing Avery to split her loyalties between Kassandra and Maxian, where one wrong move could cost Avery her family. After that, Avery decides to quit playing fair; there is no point, because the game is rigged.
This is the first installment in the dark fantasy series. Before I go any further- there are scenes of abuse and rape, so if those are triggers for you, you might not want to read this. That said, this book was amazing. The author did an excellent job with world building and character development. I loved Avery & wanted to see her find a way out of the situation she found herself in. There was non-stop action & intrigue, which kept the story progressing at a rapid pace, and I loved the idea of different classes of fae & the rings of debt displayed as a tattoo on their skin. This was an excellent book & I can't wait for the next installment! If you love fantasy fiction, you are going to want to put this at the top of your TBR pile.
In the kingdom of Amyria, High Fae rule, and faeries born into servitude are tattooed with rings signifying the amount of debt owed. At any time debt can be added by the mercurial fae for any reason, and once you are completely covered in rings, you are banished to live outside the walls of the kingdom, and all other fae are forbidden to even so much as acknowledge them. Avery serves under Lady Kassandra in the House of Illusions, where she becomes tangled in a deadly game of politics & power. Avery must help Kassandra escape her violent brother by catching the eye of the soon-to-be-crowned King Maxian. But things go horribly wrong at the coronation, forcing Avery to split her loyalties between Kassandra and Maxian, where one wrong move could cost Avery her family. After that, Avery decides to quit playing fair; there is no point, because the game is rigged.
This is the first installment in the dark fantasy series. Before I go any further- there are scenes of abuse and rape, so if those are triggers for you, you might not want to read this. That said, this book was amazing. The author did an excellent job with world building and character development. I loved Avery & wanted to see her find a way out of the situation she found herself in. There was non-stop action & intrigue, which kept the story progressing at a rapid pace, and I loved the idea of different classes of fae & the rings of debt displayed as a tattoo on their skin. This was an excellent book & I can't wait for the next installment! If you love fantasy fiction, you are going to want to put this at the top of your TBR pile.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really really REALLY wanted to love this book.
To be clear - there's a bunch here to love. The world building is really interesting. And I absolutely loved the commentary and statements about debt, inherited debt and poverty. There's good class exploration made here as well, all in a fantastical setting. There are some riveting sections where I was on tinderhooks for what would happen next.
And yet. I really really struggled with this book. I mentioned the riveting sections? Yeah - there are also some sections where the book really drug for me. There are pacing issues. The awfulness of the world and the abject sadism of so many of it's denizens was difficult to get through. And as other reviewers have pointed out - you are dumped into this world with no knowledge whatsoever. Some things are painted or given as you write, but in the first quarter of the novel, I often found myself begging for an infodump. There is a glossary (a short one) at the end which helps, but because of this...and the pacing...the first fifth of this book is a real struggle. And then it picked up. And then it fell off. Etc.
The prose is excellent. I was interested in the world. But there just wasn't enough beauty and hope to keep me interested by the end. By the time the book was done...I felt exhausted.
I think some people may really really dig this. I'm just not one of them. It isn't bad - it just wasn't for me. 3 stars.
A big thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for an advance copy of this novel. All opinions are my own and were not compensated.
To be clear - there's a bunch here to love. The world building is really interesting. And I absolutely loved the commentary and statements about debt, inherited debt and poverty. There's good class exploration made here as well, all in a fantastical setting. There are some riveting sections where I was on tinderhooks for what would happen next.
And yet. I really really struggled with this book. I mentioned the riveting sections? Yeah - there are also some sections where the book really drug for me. There are pacing issues. The awfulness of the world and the abject sadism of so many of it's denizens was difficult to get through. And as other reviewers have pointed out - you are dumped into this world with no knowledge whatsoever. Some things are painted or given as you write, but in the first quarter of the novel, I often found myself begging for an infodump. There is a glossary (a short one) at the end which helps, but because of this...and the pacing...the first fifth of this book is a real struggle. And then it picked up. And then it fell off. Etc.
The prose is excellent. I was interested in the world. But there just wasn't enough beauty and hope to keep me interested by the end. By the time the book was done...I felt exhausted.
I think some people may really really dig this. I'm just not one of them. It isn't bad - it just wasn't for me. 3 stars.
A big thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for an advance copy of this novel. All opinions are my own and were not compensated.
March 14, 2026
I have no words. So I'm just gonna scream (insert female rage screaming).
So so so good. I can't even remember the last time I read something so enthralling, that hade me on a choke hold the entire time. And I took my time because this book is so powerful in so many ways that I just needed a few hours away before resuming reading because I was not ready for it to end. (And I'm starting an instant reread because it's too damn good and I need to see what I missed while trying to insert myself in this world).
I've never read a FF fantasy it's always been with a man/men somewhere in the middle. And I've been missing out big time, all the rage, all feminism that blossom inside me. Even from the beginning I was kinda shipping Avery and Death, then when Kassy got nicer I started shipping the 3 of them but never just her and Kass until the bathing scene, and now I hope Avery ends up as Queen and Kass her consort.
I don't think I'm ever gonna be able to see wooden objects the same way, and from now on, I'll be thanking my meals to the ones who gave their lives so I can continue mine. This is so powerful, and I know it to be true, I just forgot it; in college I was task an experiment to talk to plant/animal/person. And then kill just the flower and then write what I felt. And this book just brought all those feelings back and now I just need to go hug a tree, cry a little and talk to my jacarandas.
May I wander well until the next book comes out. Because you just injected me with enough will to live until this series is finished and that it's not an easy feat.
So so so good. I can't even remember the last time I read something so enthralling, that hade me on a choke hold the entire time. And I took my time because this book is so powerful in so many ways that I just needed a few hours away before resuming reading because I was not ready for it to end. (And I'm starting an instant reread because it's too damn good and I need to see what I missed while trying to insert myself in this world).
I've never read a FF fantasy it's always been with a man/men somewhere in the middle. And I've been missing out big time, all the rage, all feminism that blossom inside me. Even from the beginning I was kinda shipping Avery and Death, then when Kassy got nicer I started shipping the 3 of them but never just her and Kass until the bathing scene, and now I hope Avery ends up as Queen and Kass her consort.
I don't think I'm ever gonna be able to see wooden objects the same way, and from now on, I'll be thanking my meals to the ones who gave their lives so I can continue mine. This is so powerful, and I know it to be true, I just forgot it; in college I was task an experiment to talk to plant/animal/person. And then kill just the flower and then write what I felt. And this book just brought all those feelings back and now I just need to go hug a tree, cry a little and talk to my jacarandas.
May I wander well until the next book comes out. Because you just injected me with enough will to live until this series is finished and that it's not an easy feat.
April 10, 2026
3.75★ Rounded Up
I have mixed feelings on this book. The blurb had me super excited for the premise of the story, and overall I think it ended up being quite good. It just didn't quite live up to the hype for me. I do think the biggest issue for me was that the beginning was rather slow, maybe medium paced if I am being generous. I struggled to get pulled into the plot and was worried it wasn't going to be a a story for me. Luckily, it does pick up later on and the second half of the book really saved this for me.
Let's talk about the pros:
The caste system in this is very interesting to me, with how the debts are tattooed and how they are accumulated. It is absolutely a slave system and it will make you want to punch something. I was not totally sold on any of the potential romances in this given the power inequalities, but that is rather the point of this, and it never went too far for me. Definitely check trigger warnings though if you are on the fence. This is a grim story in general.
The villains in this are excellent and definitely throat-punch worthy, which I loved. The found family is fun and diverse in how each character fits in with the rest. I liked that it was a bit of a messy group, and that all the character were at times loveable or hateful.
Like I said before, this book definitely got better as it went on. The beginning is a little slow and info dump-y, but I gets a decent foundation for later. The final portion is exciting, super dramatic, and full of surprises. I am glad I kept reading and I plan to continue the series.
I have mixed feelings on this book. The blurb had me super excited for the premise of the story, and overall I think it ended up being quite good. It just didn't quite live up to the hype for me. I do think the biggest issue for me was that the beginning was rather slow, maybe medium paced if I am being generous. I struggled to get pulled into the plot and was worried it wasn't going to be a a story for me. Luckily, it does pick up later on and the second half of the book really saved this for me.
Let's talk about the pros:
The caste system in this is very interesting to me, with how the debts are tattooed and how they are accumulated. It is absolutely a slave system and it will make you want to punch something. I was not totally sold on any of the potential romances in this given the power inequalities, but that is rather the point of this, and it never went too far for me. Definitely check trigger warnings though if you are on the fence. This is a grim story in general.
The villains in this are excellent and definitely throat-punch worthy, which I loved. The found family is fun and diverse in how each character fits in with the rest. I liked that it was a bit of a messy group, and that all the character were at times loveable or hateful.
Like I said before, this book definitely got better as it went on. The beginning is a little slow and info dump-y, but I gets a decent foundation for later. The final portion is exciting, super dramatic, and full of surprises. I am glad I kept reading and I plan to continue the series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Initially, The Debtor's Game was a slow process to get into -- as the reader, you are thrust immediately into this world with little explanation while following Avery, our main faerie, and her thoughts and actions on the general state of this world. It took nearly a fourth of the book before things started clicking together (mostly) and the pacing of the plot picked up.
The magic is hinted at in terms of what faeries and High Fae can achieve with their "genius" -- High Fae are able to bend the magic plane to their whims and desires while faeries have base-level root magic of the elements that do not always respond to their calls. In terms of specifics, there are four High Fae houses that concentrate on a particular form of magic. Otherwise, those who want in-depth explanations on how the magic works may be disappointed (as evidenced by some prior reviews posted here).
The abuse of the faeries and main character are sometimes hard to stomach, but that is part of the impetus for the entire plot - Avery learning to fight for herself and those she loves against a system designed to crush them under. It may be triggering to some, so having trigger warning tags would be prudent. If one can get past this, the story transforms into female empowerment.
Honestly, I look forward to reading book two when it comes out!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Ballatine Books, and the author for allowing me an eARC to read and review.
The magic is hinted at in terms of what faeries and High Fae can achieve with their "genius" -- High Fae are able to bend the magic plane to their whims and desires while faeries have base-level root magic of the elements that do not always respond to their calls. In terms of specifics, there are four High Fae houses that concentrate on a particular form of magic. Otherwise, those who want in-depth explanations on how the magic works may be disappointed (as evidenced by some prior reviews posted here).
The abuse of the faeries and main character are sometimes hard to stomach, but that is part of the impetus for the entire plot - Avery learning to fight for herself and those she loves against a system designed to crush them under. It may be triggering to some, so having trigger warning tags would be prudent. If one can get past this, the story transforms into female empowerment.
Honestly, I look forward to reading book two when it comes out!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Ballatine Books, and the author for allowing me an eARC to read and review.
April 20, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley, Quercus Books and Isabelle Mongeau for providing me with a free copy of this book for the purposes of review. The below is my opinion freely given.
WOW WOW WOW!!! First 5 Star read of the year. If this isnt 2026's "The Raven Scholar", I'll eat my hat.
What a story. Unique magic : Tick, Unique Class system: Tick, this book is amazing. Avery is such a great main character. So well realised and not predictable at all. Her strength and vulnerability are amazing, the underlying themes of feminism wrapped in femininity and friendship is well thought out and powerful without becoming preachy or saccharine.
The brutality is stark but not egregious or over the top. The debt slavery concept is handled well and a little too close to real life to make it comfortable which makes it perfect.
I love the concept and the execution. The villians are many and varied and some are hard to hate. The world-building is quite adept, maybe a little lacking in some areas but nothing that couldn't be refined in future books.
One tiny gripe. I never understood the breaking of books in "Parts" when the POV or timeline stays the same. Doesn't make sense to me, and starting part 4 97% of the through the story makes no sense at all. Hopefully future editions will revise this
Otherwise, fans of The Raven Scholar, The Poet Empress, The sword of Kaigen, should find this worth a read and I can't wait for the next book.
WOW WOW WOW!!! First 5 Star read of the year. If this isnt 2026's "The Raven Scholar", I'll eat my hat.
What a story. Unique magic : Tick, Unique Class system: Tick, this book is amazing. Avery is such a great main character. So well realised and not predictable at all. Her strength and vulnerability are amazing, the underlying themes of feminism wrapped in femininity and friendship is well thought out and powerful without becoming preachy or saccharine.
The brutality is stark but not egregious or over the top. The debt slavery concept is handled well and a little too close to real life to make it comfortable which makes it perfect.
I love the concept and the execution. The villians are many and varied and some are hard to hate. The world-building is quite adept, maybe a little lacking in some areas but nothing that couldn't be refined in future books.
One tiny gripe. I never understood the breaking of books in "Parts" when the POV or timeline stays the same. Doesn't make sense to me, and starting part 4 97% of the through the story makes no sense at all. Hopefully future editions will revise this
Otherwise, fans of The Raven Scholar, The Poet Empress, The sword of Kaigen, should find this worth a read and I can't wait for the next book.
March 20, 2026
Arc review for NetGalley
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wow—what a debut. I’m completely invested in Avery’s story.
It took me a little while to fully immerse myself in the world, but once I did, I couldn’t put this book down. The slow burn friendship, forbidden love between Avery and Kass was absolutely heart wrenching and I really hope, they start to give into the romance in the next instalment.
The world-building is layered and thought, provoking! a male dominated society where same sex vows are forbidden, and women are fighting to reclaim even the smallest sense of power!
The themes run deep, particularly around corruption, control, and the abuse of power within royalty. It feels strikingly relevant to modern-day events, where those in positions of authority often act in their own interests, suppress others, and maintain systems that benefit the few at the expense of the many.
There were a few moments where the pacing felt slightly uneven, with some transitions that weren’t entirely seamless. However, this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
I am so ready for the House of Reign to fall and for the fae to rise in their fight for equality! Avery is a bad ass FMC and fully invested in what she does next
I cannot wait for the next installment.
Please check trigger warnings before reading, as the book explores several sensitive topics.
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wow—what a debut. I’m completely invested in Avery’s story.
It took me a little while to fully immerse myself in the world, but once I did, I couldn’t put this book down. The slow burn friendship, forbidden love between Avery and Kass was absolutely heart wrenching and I really hope, they start to give into the romance in the next instalment.
The world-building is layered and thought, provoking! a male dominated society where same sex vows are forbidden, and women are fighting to reclaim even the smallest sense of power!
The themes run deep, particularly around corruption, control, and the abuse of power within royalty. It feels strikingly relevant to modern-day events, where those in positions of authority often act in their own interests, suppress others, and maintain systems that benefit the few at the expense of the many.
There were a few moments where the pacing felt slightly uneven, with some transitions that weren’t entirely seamless. However, this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
I am so ready for the House of Reign to fall and for the fae to rise in their fight for equality! Avery is a bad ass FMC and fully invested in what she does next
I cannot wait for the next installment.
Please check trigger warnings before reading, as the book explores several sensitive topics.
March 16, 2026
I LOVED this book and am delighted to have discovered a new 'romantasy' author. I was entertained, intrigued and invested from the first chapters. I have read all of the Sarah Maas and Rebecca Yarros books, so the Kingdom of Amyria aligns nicely with the other worlds I’ve come to know and love. Historical fiction, fantasy, romance, female empowerment, entertainment, science fiction, family dynamics, adventure, palace intrigue, class systems--this book has it all. When I'm excited to get home from work to read and getting up early to read and staying up late to read; you know I am really enjoying a book, as I read it in three days. I adored the main character Avery; watching her make her first female friends and cheering her on as she faced adversity and loss and seeing how she used her intelligence along with magical abilities to manage power dynamics made for a compelling storyline. I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens next for the characters I've come to know and love. And can there please be a movie or tv series?!
*Quick tip: turn to the back of the book to read the glossary of terms prior to reading the book.
*Quick tip: turn to the back of the book to read the glossary of terms prior to reading the book.
April 3, 2026
The Debtor’s Game was a solid fantasy book. A world of Fae and Faeries, where the power dynamics put the Fae at the top while the faeries are at the whim of their command. We follow our female lead, Avery, as she navigates the turmoil following the events at the coronation of the new Fae King Maxian.
As she is forced to serve two households, she explores her growing power and that perhaps she is not alone in her struggles. I really enjoyed seeing Avery’s character growth, even if I found her a little infuriating at times.
Just be mindful, there is some strong content within this book regarding abuse of a physical, mental, and emotional nature.
Overall I enjoyed this book, I liked many of the characters within Avery’s circle and the magical aspect was interesting. My biggest gripe with it was that I was utterly confused at times. I feel like there could have been better explanations for how their magic worked, there is a glossary at the end of the book so that was nice, I just wished I had noticed it was there earlier!
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
As she is forced to serve two households, she explores her growing power and that perhaps she is not alone in her struggles. I really enjoyed seeing Avery’s character growth, even if I found her a little infuriating at times.
Just be mindful, there is some strong content within this book regarding abuse of a physical, mental, and emotional nature.
Overall I enjoyed this book, I liked many of the characters within Avery’s circle and the magical aspect was interesting. My biggest gripe with it was that I was utterly confused at times. I feel like there could have been better explanations for how their magic worked, there is a glossary at the end of the book so that was nice, I just wished I had noticed it was there earlier!
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
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