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The Broken Sword Duology #1
The Shadow Weaver
Forged from iron and shadow, Caris Ironside is one of the an outcast hiding a deadly secret.
Caris is a skilled blacksmith and the only woman known to craft legendary swords. The novelty of her profession provides much-needed cover as she seeks vengeance for her mother's murder. Caris's search for the killer leads her to enter a brutal tournament disguised as a man, where she is quickly swept into the world of knights and courtiers.
When Caris's perilous mission takes her to Capita, a city ruled by The Order of Men, she must tread carefully. The Order is ruthlessly determined to eradicate the Cursed and will stop at nothing to see her fall.
As danger closes in, Caris finds herself relying on two unlikely a fellow blacksmith haunted by his past, and a brooding captain who saved her life as a child. But their loyalty may not be enough when the darkness inside her begins to surface.
The Shadow Weaver is an epic romantic fantasy filled with forbidden power, deadly secrets and heart-pounding action.
Caris is a skilled blacksmith and the only woman known to craft legendary swords. The novelty of her profession provides much-needed cover as she seeks vengeance for her mother's murder. Caris's search for the killer leads her to enter a brutal tournament disguised as a man, where she is quickly swept into the world of knights and courtiers.
When Caris's perilous mission takes her to Capita, a city ruled by The Order of Men, she must tread carefully. The Order is ruthlessly determined to eradicate the Cursed and will stop at nothing to see her fall.
As danger closes in, Caris finds herself relying on two unlikely a fellow blacksmith haunted by his past, and a brooding captain who saved her life as a child. But their loyalty may not be enough when the darkness inside her begins to surface.
The Shadow Weaver is an epic romantic fantasy filled with forbidden power, deadly secrets and heart-pounding action.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2025
27 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
About the author
Ivy Cliffwater
1 book31 followersIvy is a romantasy author based in Auckland, New Zealand. Combining her love for romance and fantasy, Ivy writes captivating stories that transport readers to hidden lands brimming with magic and passion. When she’s not weaving tales, Ivy can often be found at the local beach, taking in the coastal beauty with her husband and their well-loved border collie, Poppy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
October 14, 2025
I had so much fun reading this debut dark fantasy novel from Ivy Cliffwater. Full of action and epic battles that had me clenching my kindle. This follows Caris, our FMC, who is a skilled blacksmith and the only woman known to craft legendary swords. However, secretly she is plotting revenge for her mother's murder which leads her into a tournament disguised as a man. Along this journey she runs into two men from her past, but she must be careful because in this kingdom the Cursed, women with magic, are hunted.
What to Expect
⚔️Medieval Setting
⚔️Captain of the Guard
⚔️Female Blacksmith
⚔️Found Family
⚔️Forbidden Magic
⚔️Prophecies
⚔️Love Triangle
⚔️Epic Battles
Loved the characters, the deadly secrets, the fascinating magic system, the world-building and the heart-pounding action. The plot was addictive and how could it not be with all these amazing tropes. Yes, this is a debut novel so like all debut novels there are some things that can be more developed and small aspects that can be worked out. However, overall I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the next book in the duology.
Pre-read review: An epic romantic fantasy filled with forbidden power and deadly secrets...sign me up please!
What to Expect
⚔️Medieval Setting
⚔️Captain of the Guard
⚔️Female Blacksmith
⚔️Found Family
⚔️Forbidden Magic
⚔️Prophecies
⚔️Love Triangle
⚔️Epic Battles
Loved the characters, the deadly secrets, the fascinating magic system, the world-building and the heart-pounding action. The plot was addictive and how could it not be with all these amazing tropes. Yes, this is a debut novel so like all debut novels there are some things that can be more developed and small aspects that can be worked out. However, overall I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the next book in the duology.
Pre-read review: An epic romantic fantasy filled with forbidden power and deadly secrets...sign me up please!
September 4, 2025
In my heart, this is a 2.5 but I’ve rounded it up to 3 stars. I did enjoy this book to a point! I enjoyed the plot and kept reading to find out what happened to our characters! The romance was definitely pulling its weight, and I loved our adorable blacksmith, Cillian. (Although I think I always prefer the cold hearted love interest who has a soft spot for the main lead 🤭 and Torgrin definitely delivered in that area.) Caris was a decent character with that traumatic past that is required of all characters in the fantasy genre and future trauma to encounter for more delightful character development!
On the other hand, I don’t think the writing style in this book suited me. I think it was a bit simple and the pacing of the story suffered because of it at some points. It also felt like there was a lot that the author was wanting to do in this world in a short period of time, and by this, I mean the tropes that were included almost like someone had been ticking of their checklist as they were writing. It was a bit overwhelming for me and took me out of the story a little. I have some other critiques but they are mostly personal preference.
Overall, this book wasn’t really for me although I did enjoy parts of it. But!! I know there is a large audience that will love this book and I hope it finds them.
Go NZ authors!! Congratulations Ivy on your debut!!
On the other hand, I don’t think the writing style in this book suited me. I think it was a bit simple and the pacing of the story suffered because of it at some points. It also felt like there was a lot that the author was wanting to do in this world in a short period of time, and by this, I mean the tropes that were included almost like someone had been ticking of their checklist as they were writing. It was a bit overwhelming for me and took me out of the story a little. I have some other critiques but they are mostly personal preference.
Overall, this book wasn’t really for me although I did enjoy parts of it. But!! I know there is a large audience that will love this book and I hope it finds them.
Go NZ authors!! Congratulations Ivy on your debut!!
September 27, 2025
3.5 stars.
The writing style is very easy to read with simple words and simple sentence structure. Something I appreciated because I have had a stresssssful August and didn't want something that made me have to think too hard. We follow Caris' POV, experiencing her thoughts and actions directly.
While enjoyable, I did feel like there needed a bit more in terms of development; deeper, more effective diving to bring a stronger connection to the world and characters. I wasn't as invested as I wanted to be in a Fantasy and felt because of this, the relationships didn't bring the suspense or tingly feelings. Her journey wasnt as exciting as it couldve been and this felt the same for the tension and all her relationships.
The pacing and simplistic tone made this a bingeable read. I enjoyed the setting and the characters were recognisable; your funny labradork guy, the older, caring boss, the young jealous other woman, your 'emotionless' dimpled man who's brooding nature is an act when deep down he wants you. A little cliche at times but still good.
Overall the story is great, just the journey and all the in betweens lacked a little for me in terms of depth, structure and connection - BUT I will be getting a physical copy on release and think Ivy done a great job for her debut. Curious to see what happens next :)
The writing style is very easy to read with simple words and simple sentence structure. Something I appreciated because I have had a stresssssful August and didn't want something that made me have to think too hard. We follow Caris' POV, experiencing her thoughts and actions directly.
While enjoyable, I did feel like there needed a bit more in terms of development; deeper, more effective diving to bring a stronger connection to the world and characters. I wasn't as invested as I wanted to be in a Fantasy and felt because of this, the relationships didn't bring the suspense or tingly feelings. Her journey wasnt as exciting as it couldve been and this felt the same for the tension and all her relationships.
The pacing and simplistic tone made this a bingeable read. I enjoyed the setting and the characters were recognisable; your funny labradork guy, the older, caring boss, the young jealous other woman, your 'emotionless' dimpled man who's brooding nature is an act when deep down he wants you. A little cliche at times but still good.
Overall the story is great, just the journey and all the in betweens lacked a little for me in terms of depth, structure and connection - BUT I will be getting a physical copy on release and think Ivy done a great job for her debut. Curious to see what happens next :)
July 17, 2025
Thank you for allowing me this ARC read.
' 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘴. '
I was first lucky enough to experience this book in Beta format. at the time I knew it had potential. after reading the finished piece... wow. Ivy has not disappointed.
I intend to keep this review spoiler free, so it will be short.
The world we find ourselves in within The Shadow Weaver is complex, without feeling overwhelming. Cliffwater has created a unique magic system, but also a societal system that echoes a lot of the issues we face today.
The characters we come to love are individualized, and even the seemingly minor ones add value to the plot in ways you dont quite anticipate.
The level of detail put into things, down to how to forge a sword that bends before it breaks, makes me curious to see the authors' research folders - because they must be INTENSE.
This story was heartbreaking, hopeful, tense, amusing, and everything in between.
' 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘴. '
I was first lucky enough to experience this book in Beta format. at the time I knew it had potential. after reading the finished piece... wow. Ivy has not disappointed.
I intend to keep this review spoiler free, so it will be short.
The world we find ourselves in within The Shadow Weaver is complex, without feeling overwhelming. Cliffwater has created a unique magic system, but also a societal system that echoes a lot of the issues we face today.
The characters we come to love are individualized, and even the seemingly minor ones add value to the plot in ways you dont quite anticipate.
The level of detail put into things, down to how to forge a sword that bends before it breaks, makes me curious to see the authors' research folders - because they must be INTENSE.
This story was heartbreaking, hopeful, tense, amusing, and everything in between.
November 13, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ but rounding up to 4 ⭐️ because I still want to support a debut Kiwi author.
🗡️ Romantasy with darkish themes
🗡️ Medieval vibes
🗡️ Blacksmith FMC on a quest for revenge
🗡️ Forbidden magic
🗡️ Love triangle (but it’s obvi who she ends up with)
In a nutshell: The Shadow Weaver follows the story of female blacksmith and super warrior chick, Caris, who is not only 6’0 and a blacksmith, but after a very traumatic start to life, is on a quest to kill some bloke.
I will say that I was hooked from page one and absolutely devoured this book within a couple of days, but it definitely felt more like an entry level romantasy, so if you’re new to the genre, or want an easy to follow, NON stressful romantasy, this is a great book! Context: I read this off the back of a very complex, politics heavy romantasy, so that has absolutely shaped my thoughts and feelings towards this book.
Still lots to love about The Shadow Weaver and these were a handful of the things I really enjoyed:
😍 This is a VERY easy, fun read and Ivy has built up enough intrigue with all the characters to keep you turning the pages. You want to find out the WHY behind people’s actions, what secrets they’re hiding, and what a prophecy, Ivy weaves throughout the story, actually means for three of our characters.
😍 I’ve seen some reviews where people wished the magic system was fleshed out more in the start, but I actually liked that we learned more about it and the different types of Weavers as Caris learned about it. It made me feel like I was going on the journey with her.
😍 The side characters stole the show here. Atlas, Tomas, Mae, Ania, even annoying, bitchy Bethel provided a great source of entertainment and someone to root against.
😍 This is just a me thing, I appreciated how ruthless Ivy was with some of the characters meeting their demise. It makes you feel like no one is safe and you should be prepared to get your heart ripped out.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and commend Ivy for what she’s done with her debut, however, the book isn’t without its issues and there were a few things that bothered the absolute fuck out of me:
🫤 What is a romantasy girlie to do, think, feel or say when the romance in the romantasy isn’t good? I didn’t find the romance believable with either of the love interests - Cillian felt rush and underdeveloped and Tor felt instalusty and FORCED.
🫤 One of the key selling points of this book was the FMC. She’s 6’0 and worked as a blacksmith. And? Oh, those are literally the only two things different about her? Righto. She followed such a similar blueprint to so many romantasy FMCs, that “I’m better, faster, stronger” vibe, which is honestly becoming tiresome.
🫤 While yes, the writing was extremely easy to read and digest, it felt a bit juvenile for an adult romantasy. It was giving “and then this happened and then this happened and then this happened”.
It IS a duology and I AM interested to see how this prophecy comes to life, so I will be continuing this series. However, I implore Ivy and Hachette ANZ to get a stronger editor on board.
[Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Hachette Australia and New Zealand, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review]
🗡️ Romantasy with darkish themes
🗡️ Medieval vibes
🗡️ Blacksmith FMC on a quest for revenge
🗡️ Forbidden magic
🗡️ Love triangle (but it’s obvi who she ends up with)
In a nutshell: The Shadow Weaver follows the story of female blacksmith and super warrior chick, Caris, who is not only 6’0 and a blacksmith, but after a very traumatic start to life, is on a quest to kill some bloke.
I will say that I was hooked from page one and absolutely devoured this book within a couple of days, but it definitely felt more like an entry level romantasy, so if you’re new to the genre, or want an easy to follow, NON stressful romantasy, this is a great book! Context: I read this off the back of a very complex, politics heavy romantasy, so that has absolutely shaped my thoughts and feelings towards this book.
Still lots to love about The Shadow Weaver and these were a handful of the things I really enjoyed:
😍 This is a VERY easy, fun read and Ivy has built up enough intrigue with all the characters to keep you turning the pages. You want to find out the WHY behind people’s actions, what secrets they’re hiding, and what a prophecy, Ivy weaves throughout the story, actually means for three of our characters.
😍 I’ve seen some reviews where people wished the magic system was fleshed out more in the start, but I actually liked that we learned more about it and the different types of Weavers as Caris learned about it. It made me feel like I was going on the journey with her.
😍 The side characters stole the show here. Atlas, Tomas, Mae, Ania, even annoying, bitchy Bethel provided a great source of entertainment and someone to root against.
😍 This is just a me thing, I appreciated how ruthless Ivy was with some of the characters meeting their demise. It makes you feel like no one is safe and you should be prepared to get your heart ripped out.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and commend Ivy for what she’s done with her debut, however, the book isn’t without its issues and there were a few things that bothered the absolute fuck out of me:
🫤 What is a romantasy girlie to do, think, feel or say when the romance in the romantasy isn’t good? I didn’t find the romance believable with either of the love interests - Cillian felt rush and underdeveloped and Tor felt instalusty and FORCED.
🫤 One of the key selling points of this book was the FMC. She’s 6’0 and worked as a blacksmith. And? Oh, those are literally the only two things different about her? Righto. She followed such a similar blueprint to so many romantasy FMCs, that “I’m better, faster, stronger” vibe, which is honestly becoming tiresome.
🫤 While yes, the writing was extremely easy to read and digest, it felt a bit juvenile for an adult romantasy. It was giving “and then this happened and then this happened and then this happened”.
It IS a duology and I AM interested to see how this prophecy comes to life, so I will be continuing this series. However, I implore Ivy and Hachette ANZ to get a stronger editor on board.
[Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Hachette Australia and New Zealand, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review]
November 3, 2025
# A Blacksmith Forged in Fire and Shadow: Why This Debut Romance Fantasy Will Own Your Heart
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Shadow Weaver grabbed me from the first chapter and refused to let go. Ivy Cliffwater's debut feels fresh while still honoring everything I love about epic romantic fantasy. This is a book about power and survival in a world that wants to destroy you just for existing. 🔥
Caris Ironside is a standout protagonist. She's a blacksmith with exceptional talent, the only woman known to craft legendary swords. But she's also Cursed, which means she has shadow powers that could get her executed if anyone discovers them. Cliffwater handles this duality brilliantly. Caris is strong and capable, but she's also carrying grief and constant fear. When she disguises herself to enter a deadly tournament so she can track down her mother's killer, I was locked in. The stakes felt urgent and personal from the jump.
The tournament delivers. Combat scenes are brutal and detailed enough to make every fight feel dangerous. But this book never sacrifices character for action. The quiet moments where Caris processes her pain or works through her complicated relationships hit just as hard as the sword fights. That's the mark of excellent storytelling: knowing that real stakes come from emotional investment.
Now let's talk about Cillian and Torgrin, because these two men bring so much complexity. Cillian is warm and supportive, carrying his own past trauma but still willing to give Caris the understanding she's been starving for. Torgrin is his opposite: cold, disciplined, the captain who saved her life when she was a kid, but now pushes her in ways that are equal parts frustrating and magnetic. This isn't a shallow "pick a guy" situation. Each relationship forces Caris to wrestle with different parts of who she is. The choices she makes feel hard-won and meaningful. 💔
The world Cliffwater built works on every level. Capita under the Order of Men feels genuinely threatening. The Order is hunting the Cursed with ruthless efficiency, and that creates an atmosphere where danger is constant. Magic is forbidden. Being different means hiding or dying. The setting shapes every decision Caris makes. The pacing keeps things moving without rushing. There's always space for character growth and those moments where you need to catch your breath before the next crisis hits. ✨
Thematically, this book explores the concept of hiding your true self to survive and what happens when survival means stepping into the light anyway. It asks hard questions about trust and loyalty when the people you care about are also in danger. These themes run through the entire narrative without ever feeling preachy or forced.
The romance absolutely works. The tension between Caris and Torgrin simmers with longing and frustration, building to moments that made my pulse race. The connection with Cillian offers a different flavor of intimacy, softer but just as powerful. Cliffwater writes both desire and emotional connection with real skill. The romance enhances the plot instead of overtaking it, which is exactly what I want from romantasy. 💙
The ending left me gasping and immediately checking for the sequel's release date. Questions remain unanswered. Threads dangle tantalizingly. Character revelations hit like gut punches. This duology promises to be epic in scale while staying deeply personal, and I'm already desperate to see where Caris goes next. 📖
If you're into fierce heroines, forbidden magic, medieval combat, complicated love dynamics, and stories about claiming your power in the middle of chaos, The Shadow Weaver is required reading. Ivy Cliffwater just announced herself as a voice worth following in romantic fantasy, and I'll be first in line for whatever she writes next.
Read this book. Right now. 🗡️
Thank you to Ivy Cliffwater and Haus of Fables for the gifted copy of this book. I was happy to leave my honest opinion.
WOO HOO!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Shadow Weaver grabbed me from the first chapter and refused to let go. Ivy Cliffwater's debut feels fresh while still honoring everything I love about epic romantic fantasy. This is a book about power and survival in a world that wants to destroy you just for existing. 🔥
Caris Ironside is a standout protagonist. She's a blacksmith with exceptional talent, the only woman known to craft legendary swords. But she's also Cursed, which means she has shadow powers that could get her executed if anyone discovers them. Cliffwater handles this duality brilliantly. Caris is strong and capable, but she's also carrying grief and constant fear. When she disguises herself to enter a deadly tournament so she can track down her mother's killer, I was locked in. The stakes felt urgent and personal from the jump.
The tournament delivers. Combat scenes are brutal and detailed enough to make every fight feel dangerous. But this book never sacrifices character for action. The quiet moments where Caris processes her pain or works through her complicated relationships hit just as hard as the sword fights. That's the mark of excellent storytelling: knowing that real stakes come from emotional investment.
Now let's talk about Cillian and Torgrin, because these two men bring so much complexity. Cillian is warm and supportive, carrying his own past trauma but still willing to give Caris the understanding she's been starving for. Torgrin is his opposite: cold, disciplined, the captain who saved her life when she was a kid, but now pushes her in ways that are equal parts frustrating and magnetic. This isn't a shallow "pick a guy" situation. Each relationship forces Caris to wrestle with different parts of who she is. The choices she makes feel hard-won and meaningful. 💔
The world Cliffwater built works on every level. Capita under the Order of Men feels genuinely threatening. The Order is hunting the Cursed with ruthless efficiency, and that creates an atmosphere where danger is constant. Magic is forbidden. Being different means hiding or dying. The setting shapes every decision Caris makes. The pacing keeps things moving without rushing. There's always space for character growth and those moments where you need to catch your breath before the next crisis hits. ✨
Thematically, this book explores the concept of hiding your true self to survive and what happens when survival means stepping into the light anyway. It asks hard questions about trust and loyalty when the people you care about are also in danger. These themes run through the entire narrative without ever feeling preachy or forced.
The romance absolutely works. The tension between Caris and Torgrin simmers with longing and frustration, building to moments that made my pulse race. The connection with Cillian offers a different flavor of intimacy, softer but just as powerful. Cliffwater writes both desire and emotional connection with real skill. The romance enhances the plot instead of overtaking it, which is exactly what I want from romantasy. 💙
The ending left me gasping and immediately checking for the sequel's release date. Questions remain unanswered. Threads dangle tantalizingly. Character revelations hit like gut punches. This duology promises to be epic in scale while staying deeply personal, and I'm already desperate to see where Caris goes next. 📖
If you're into fierce heroines, forbidden magic, medieval combat, complicated love dynamics, and stories about claiming your power in the middle of chaos, The Shadow Weaver is required reading. Ivy Cliffwater just announced herself as a voice worth following in romantic fantasy, and I'll be first in line for whatever she writes next.
Read this book. Right now. 🗡️
Thank you to Ivy Cliffwater and Haus of Fables for the gifted copy of this book. I was happy to leave my honest opinion.
WOO HOO!
September 21, 2025
A thrilling dark fantasy debut from kiwi author Ivy Cliffwater, The Shadow Weaver is filled with action, forbidden magic, found family, a quest for revenge, and full-on rage against the patriarchy.
Caris is a skilled blacksmith (finally a heroine who isn’t a petite healer or princess 🙌) on a mission to avenge her mother’s murder. She’s six feet tall, strong, confident, and capable, yet layered with naivety that makes her feel real. Disguised in men’s armour, she enters a deadly tournament and crosses paths with two men from her past, all while navigating a kingdom where women with magic, the Cursed, are hunted.
The writing is approachable and easy to follow while still being immersive, making this perfect for readers new to fantasy or those who prefer lighter world-building. The magic system is only hinted at in this book, but it shows so much promise that I can’t wait to see it explored more in the next book. 👀 And every single action scene is strong, fast-paced, and gripping, keeping you on the edge of your seat!
If you love a good love triangle, this book delivers. Caris finds herself torn between the kind and gentle blacksmith who offers her refuge and the reserved, broody Captain of the guard from her past. For anyone asking, I’m team Torgrin! I definitely have a weakness for the strong, silent type with secrets (and I loved getting a glimpse into Tor’s inner thoughts via his journal entries).
Personally, I would have liked a little more build-up in the relationships between characters. That’s just my personal taste though, and I know plenty of readers will enjoy the faster pace and instant chemistry. I wanted to linger a little longer with those early interactions and watch them deepen.
This book is an emotional roller coaster, weaving together yearning romance, nail-biting action, villains you viscerally hate, and gut-punching moments of grief. Shout out to the found family and side characters that shine (Atlas is a personal favourite)!
And can we talk about that ending? 🤯 Absolutely brutal. I need book two asap. 🙏
What you can expect:
✨Tall, strong blacksmith FMC
✨Medieval tournament
✨Forbidden magic
✨Prophecy
✨Found family
✨Love triangle
✨Cinnamon Roll Blacksmith
✨Broody Captain
✨Rage against the patriarchy
⚠️ Please note there are dark themes throughout — be sure to check content warnings and read at your own discretion.
Thank you Ivy and Moa Press for the ARC!
Caris is a skilled blacksmith (finally a heroine who isn’t a petite healer or princess 🙌) on a mission to avenge her mother’s murder. She’s six feet tall, strong, confident, and capable, yet layered with naivety that makes her feel real. Disguised in men’s armour, she enters a deadly tournament and crosses paths with two men from her past, all while navigating a kingdom where women with magic, the Cursed, are hunted.
The writing is approachable and easy to follow while still being immersive, making this perfect for readers new to fantasy or those who prefer lighter world-building. The magic system is only hinted at in this book, but it shows so much promise that I can’t wait to see it explored more in the next book. 👀 And every single action scene is strong, fast-paced, and gripping, keeping you on the edge of your seat!
If you love a good love triangle, this book delivers. Caris finds herself torn between the kind and gentle blacksmith who offers her refuge and the reserved, broody Captain of the guard from her past. For anyone asking, I’m team Torgrin! I definitely have a weakness for the strong, silent type with secrets (and I loved getting a glimpse into Tor’s inner thoughts via his journal entries).
Personally, I would have liked a little more build-up in the relationships between characters. That’s just my personal taste though, and I know plenty of readers will enjoy the faster pace and instant chemistry. I wanted to linger a little longer with those early interactions and watch them deepen.
This book is an emotional roller coaster, weaving together yearning romance, nail-biting action, villains you viscerally hate, and gut-punching moments of grief. Shout out to the found family and side characters that shine (Atlas is a personal favourite)!
And can we talk about that ending? 🤯 Absolutely brutal. I need book two asap. 🙏
What you can expect:
✨Tall, strong blacksmith FMC
✨Medieval tournament
✨Forbidden magic
✨Prophecy
✨Found family
✨Love triangle
✨Cinnamon Roll Blacksmith
✨Broody Captain
✨Rage against the patriarchy
⚠️ Please note there are dark themes throughout — be sure to check content warnings and read at your own discretion.
Thank you Ivy and Moa Press for the ARC!
October 31, 2025
‘𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝑰 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑻𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆, 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒏, 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒆.’
Despite today being an absolutely gorgeously sunny day, I spent 98% of it inside binge-reading this amazing dark romantasy!
I was drawn in from the prologue alone! Add in the love triangle-ish romance with our FMC Caris, the hot golden retriever blacksmith, and the broody captain from her past and I was done for. Absolutely impossible to put down 😆
Though I say love triangle-ish because it didn't come with the usual jealousy or pick me vibes. It felt like it was almost why-choose at times and omg I was here for it! Cillian was just the perfect man, and omg Tor's journal 😭 literally could not make me pick here
I'm truly hoping we get more time to get to know certain characters such as Atlas in the next book. He seemed super interesting but we got so little time with him. A lot was happening and I wanted to slow down and savour the moment, you know?
Despite that, we all know that any book with a tall af, muscular heroine and a sassy black steed named Nightmare was always going to steal my heart 🤭🖤
This was a fantastic debut! That cliffhanger was brutal though 🥹 I have so many questions that I absolutely can't wait for the second book in The Broken Sword duology!
➛ 𝟑.𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬I
Despite today being an absolutely gorgeously sunny day, I spent 98% of it inside binge-reading this amazing dark romantasy!
I was drawn in from the prologue alone! Add in the love triangle-ish romance with our FMC Caris, the hot golden retriever blacksmith, and the broody captain from her past and I was done for. Absolutely impossible to put down 😆
Though I say love triangle-ish because it didn't come with the usual jealousy or pick me vibes. It felt like it was almost why-choose at times and omg I was here for it! Cillian was just the perfect man, and omg Tor's journal 😭 literally could not make me pick here
I'm truly hoping we get more time to get to know certain characters such as Atlas in the next book. He seemed super interesting but we got so little time with him. A lot was happening and I wanted to slow down and savour the moment, you know?
Despite that, we all know that any book with a tall af, muscular heroine and a sassy black steed named Nightmare was always going to steal my heart 🤭🖤
This was a fantastic debut! That cliffhanger was brutal though 🥹 I have so many questions that I absolutely can't wait for the second book in The Broken Sword duology!
➛ 𝟑.𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬I
October 26, 2025
Thank you to Haus of Fables for the advance copy of The Shadow Weaver. I always love discovering and supporting New Zealand authors, especially debuts. This story has a cosy, YA-leaning romantasy feel, with familiar tropes that I think will really appeal to readers who enjoy softer fantasy and relationship-forward plots. Personally, instalove isn’t my favourite, so I struggled a little with the romance and with connecting to Cillian’s character, whose tone didn’t always feel aligned with his backstory. I also would have loved more overall character development as well as mystery around the FMC’s arc. That said, I think readers who enjoy YA romantasy will have a great time with the final stretch of the book and its cliffhanger ending, which sets up the next instalment nicely.
October 26, 2025
This was good and kept me entertained through out! It was an interesting story and I enjoyed the character dynamics. I wish a little bit more of the questions were answered earlier in this book, especially since this is going to be a duology. I’m excited to see where the next book picks up and hopefully answer the many many questions I have!
November 23, 2025
This debut romantic fantasy novel follows Caris, a woman who dreams of getting revenge on the royal soldier who murdered her adoptive mother when she was a child. Caris has grown into a capable woman, a blacksmith by trade with fighting skills rivaling those of a soldier - skills that will hopefully help her in her quest for revenge.
'The Shadow Weaver' is fast paced, making it an easy and fun read. The writing is simplistic without a focus on description or more flowery prose, which does mean it is driven by action but is somewhat lacking in world building and scene setting. While the story itself was engaging, I personally found the pace unrelenting. There isn't much time to "breathe" between scenes per say, which does make the book fast paced, but also means it was hard to actually picture what the characters or settings actually looked like. I did feel that the general acceptance of Caris' character within the book felt somewhat contradictory to the patriarchal world she was living in; things felt like they came suprisingly easy to her and there was not as much conflict around her participating in typically masculine activities as I had expected.
Despite the aspects of the book that weren't necessarily for me, I still enjoyed my time with this story and it's clear from other reviews and the average rating that this book does have an audience. I will pick up the second book in the duology when it releases, and look forward to seeing what the author does in the future as this was a promising debut.
'The Shadow Weaver' is fast paced, making it an easy and fun read. The writing is simplistic without a focus on description or more flowery prose, which does mean it is driven by action but is somewhat lacking in world building and scene setting. While the story itself was engaging, I personally found the pace unrelenting. There isn't much time to "breathe" between scenes per say, which does make the book fast paced, but also means it was hard to actually picture what the characters or settings actually looked like. I did feel that the general acceptance of Caris' character within the book felt somewhat contradictory to the patriarchal world she was living in; things felt like they came suprisingly easy to her and there was not as much conflict around her participating in typically masculine activities as I had expected.
Despite the aspects of the book that weren't necessarily for me, I still enjoyed my time with this story and it's clear from other reviews and the average rating that this book does have an audience. I will pick up the second book in the duology when it releases, and look forward to seeing what the author does in the future as this was a promising debut.
November 3, 2025
This was a great debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely read the second book
October 15, 2025
I found this book really addictive and I loved the strong FMC. She was cool, witty and heroic! Plus welds an amazing sword!.
I think this is a brilliant duvet book and extra awesome that she’s a fellow Kiwi. I’m looking forward to reading the second book.
I think this is a brilliant duvet book and extra awesome that she’s a fellow Kiwi. I’m looking forward to reading the second book.
October 19, 2025
You know when youve been anticipating a book for so long and then you have it in your grubby little hands and your excited, on edge and also completely terrified to read it?
The Shadow Weaver was that book for me. I've been following Ivy for a very long time and this book has very easily become a brand new favourite.
Ivy's writing is so easy to fall into. I read The Shadow Weaver in a day. I devoured Caris' story - becoming a strong independent woman hell bent on revenge for the death of her mother and the two men she is infatuated with - a cinnamon roll black Smith and a badass slightly feral commander 🥵
Not only did I love the characters I also loved the world and the complex magic system we find throughout this story. Although it's complex Ivy does an amazing job of making it easy to understand.
The last part of the book kept me on the edge of my seat and honestly I dont know how I can look Ivy in the eye ever again after what she did 🙃
I loved this book so much and you need to read it as soon as it comes out!
The Shadow Weaver was that book for me. I've been following Ivy for a very long time and this book has very easily become a brand new favourite.
Ivy's writing is so easy to fall into. I read The Shadow Weaver in a day. I devoured Caris' story - becoming a strong independent woman hell bent on revenge for the death of her mother and the two men she is infatuated with - a cinnamon roll black Smith and a badass slightly feral commander 🥵
Not only did I love the characters I also loved the world and the complex magic system we find throughout this story. Although it's complex Ivy does an amazing job of making it easy to understand.
The last part of the book kept me on the edge of my seat and honestly I dont know how I can look Ivy in the eye ever again after what she did 🙃
I loved this book so much and you need to read it as soon as it comes out!
August 16, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Australia & NZ for giving me this opportunity to give my honest review of The Shadow Weaver!
This book was an experience like no other. It's taken me a while to write this review because I have so many thoughts and feelings about The Shadow Weaver, it's been so hard to put into words.
The Shadow Weaver is a dark (check your triggers), beautiful, enchanting tale about a tall 6ft female Blacksmith named Caris who is out for revenge, along her journey she meets another blacksmith, joins a tournament to become a Knight, meets people from her past (brooding, tall, dark, handsome Captain of the Guard) and new people along the way.
Found Family.
Love Triangle.
Forbidden Magic.
Revenge.
Prophecies.
Betrayal.
These are just some of the delicious things you will find in this book. The snippets that Ivy has been teasing on social media is just the BEGINNING! You are in for a treat as she is a master at weaving this tale.
'Impatient people annoyed me, but rude people made me angry. I considered dismounting and standing over the man, who was a head shorter than I, and telling him to be quiet.'
I have not read a book that has put me through such a roller coaster of emotions in such a very long time. I was giggling, laughing, screaming, crying, even cringing (in a good way) all through the book.
I loved every second, Ivy kept me on the edge of my seat trying to guess what could happen next.
I admit, I don't get surprised in books much anymore, but Ivy kept surprising me, I may have guessed one thing or two but then she would throw something else in the works that would pull the rug out from under me, which was really refreshing.
We definitely have our cliche moments, but I ate it up! Ivy's writing is just so enchanting and refreshing, you can tell the love, research and effort she put into the book, with all little details and facts spread throughout the pages, that weren't glossed over and gave the book the structure and detail that I love to see.
It is so very fast paced, at first, I was like 'oh wow, its moving very quickly from one scene to the next' but it never felt jarring, or out of place, it felt right for the book and the characters and while I would always want more of Ivy's writing, I didn't need more to understand the progress of the story.
Now let's talk about the Characters, oh boy they are all amazing! So very many who I loved, but I will name just the main few.
Cillian, precious golden retriever.
Atlas is like the mischievous and adorable younger brother.
Captain Tor.... the love I have for this man, his utter selfless devotion he has for Caris is next level, the way he lives and breathes for her made me want to jump into the book and slap her when she let her own insecurities get in her way again and again and doubted him.
'I had struggled with a simple hand touch a few months ago, and now I craved his embrace.'
'Survive, no matter what'
'Death couldn't stop me coming back to you.'
Caris herself was such a refreshing FMC, she was strong in ways and had confidence in her craft but yes, she was naive in other ways and had massive insecurities, but she is only human and coming into herself and exploring a world much bigger than her little village. I did want to smack her several times though.
Lastly... the Villains, the depth of hate I had for some of these characters was absolutely next level! Well done, Ivy.
The magic is so very intriguing, we don't learn much in book one, as this is very much in Caris's perspective, therefore, as she is still in the dark with the magic, so are we. We learn along with her as she gets little tidbits of information here and there that opens up her world and cannot wait to learn more.
I could honestly talk about this book forever, I don't think I can do it justice with this review, but I hope everyone picks it up and gives it a go for themselves!
Because, if this is what Ivy is giving us with book one, I can't wait to see what she gives us in book two, let alone her future works.
Think Knights Tale meets Quicksilver, its beautiful chaotic fun.
This book was an experience like no other. It's taken me a while to write this review because I have so many thoughts and feelings about The Shadow Weaver, it's been so hard to put into words.
The Shadow Weaver is a dark (check your triggers), beautiful, enchanting tale about a tall 6ft female Blacksmith named Caris who is out for revenge, along her journey she meets another blacksmith, joins a tournament to become a Knight, meets people from her past (brooding, tall, dark, handsome Captain of the Guard) and new people along the way.
Found Family.
Love Triangle.
Forbidden Magic.
Revenge.
Prophecies.
Betrayal.
These are just some of the delicious things you will find in this book. The snippets that Ivy has been teasing on social media is just the BEGINNING! You are in for a treat as she is a master at weaving this tale.
'Impatient people annoyed me, but rude people made me angry. I considered dismounting and standing over the man, who was a head shorter than I, and telling him to be quiet.'
I have not read a book that has put me through such a roller coaster of emotions in such a very long time. I was giggling, laughing, screaming, crying, even cringing (in a good way) all through the book.
I loved every second, Ivy kept me on the edge of my seat trying to guess what could happen next.
I admit, I don't get surprised in books much anymore, but Ivy kept surprising me, I may have guessed one thing or two but then she would throw something else in the works that would pull the rug out from under me, which was really refreshing.
We definitely have our cliche moments, but I ate it up! Ivy's writing is just so enchanting and refreshing, you can tell the love, research and effort she put into the book, with all little details and facts spread throughout the pages, that weren't glossed over and gave the book the structure and detail that I love to see.
It is so very fast paced, at first, I was like 'oh wow, its moving very quickly from one scene to the next' but it never felt jarring, or out of place, it felt right for the book and the characters and while I would always want more of Ivy's writing, I didn't need more to understand the progress of the story.
Now let's talk about the Characters, oh boy they are all amazing! So very many who I loved, but I will name just the main few.
Cillian, precious golden retriever.
Atlas is like the mischievous and adorable younger brother.
Captain Tor.... the love I have for this man, his utter selfless devotion he has for Caris is next level, the way he lives and breathes for her made me want to jump into the book and slap her when she let her own insecurities get in her way again and again and doubted him.
'I had struggled with a simple hand touch a few months ago, and now I craved his embrace.'
'Survive, no matter what'
'Death couldn't stop me coming back to you.'
Caris herself was such a refreshing FMC, she was strong in ways and had confidence in her craft but yes, she was naive in other ways and had massive insecurities, but she is only human and coming into herself and exploring a world much bigger than her little village. I did want to smack her several times though.
Lastly... the Villains, the depth of hate I had for some of these characters was absolutely next level! Well done, Ivy.
The magic is so very intriguing, we don't learn much in book one, as this is very much in Caris's perspective, therefore, as she is still in the dark with the magic, so are we. We learn along with her as she gets little tidbits of information here and there that opens up her world and cannot wait to learn more.
I could honestly talk about this book forever, I don't think I can do it justice with this review, but I hope everyone picks it up and gives it a go for themselves!
Because, if this is what Ivy is giving us with book one, I can't wait to see what she gives us in book two, let alone her future works.
Think Knights Tale meets Quicksilver, its beautiful chaotic fun.
November 11, 2025
The Shadow Weaver is a fast paced romantasy debut from Ivy Cliffwater.
I remember Ivy reaching out to me in 2024 asking if i’d be interested in BETA reading her novel and it’s been so cool seeing how far she’s come since then… hello traditionally published girlie 👏🏼
The Shadow Weaver follows Caris, our 6ft, confident, blacksmith girlie who knows her way around a sword and is out for revenge. But Caris also holds a secret and the closer she gets to exacting her revenge the harder it is to contain it…
I thought Ivy did a good job at capturing what it’s like for a 20-something trying to find their way in the world on their own. The world of The Shadow Weaver isn’t too complicated and the magic system was easy enough to grasp while also had me wanting to know more about Weavers/The Cursed. I also really loved Ivy’s fight scenes, they were action packed and engaging.
I do wish we could have explored the magic system a bit more in book 1 as we don’t really see much of it till the second half. I did also have a bit of trouble connecting with the characters, I’m very much a reader who likes to know why characters are doing what they’re doing and I didn’t feel The Shadow Weaver fully scratched that itch for me.
Some out of context thoughts while reading The Shadow Weaver:
🍿 I see Caris went to the archery school of Disney’s Robin Hood…
🍿 Lol is Caris’ tit just hanging out? 😮
🍿 The history of the Cursed reminds me of the Aes Sedai and The Wheel of Time Universe
🍿 HELLO! 😍 Sweaty half naked men… yes please 🤤
🍿 Caris girl… tread carefully… I don’t like how you’re disrespecting my beloved books
🍿 🎶 Alexa play ‘Possibility’ by Lykke Li 🎶
🍿 [Redacted] diary entries are giving Stefan Salvatorre vibes 🤭
🍿 If my math is mathing… then there is a high likelihood that [redacted] is gunna be [redacted] dad 👀
If you love strong FMC’s, feminine rage, with fast paced love triangles then The Shadow Weaver could be the read for you 🤺
Thank you to Netgalley and Moa Press for the ARC. All my reviews are my own honest thoughts and opinions
I remember Ivy reaching out to me in 2024 asking if i’d be interested in BETA reading her novel and it’s been so cool seeing how far she’s come since then… hello traditionally published girlie 👏🏼
The Shadow Weaver follows Caris, our 6ft, confident, blacksmith girlie who knows her way around a sword and is out for revenge. But Caris also holds a secret and the closer she gets to exacting her revenge the harder it is to contain it…
I thought Ivy did a good job at capturing what it’s like for a 20-something trying to find their way in the world on their own. The world of The Shadow Weaver isn’t too complicated and the magic system was easy enough to grasp while also had me wanting to know more about Weavers/The Cursed. I also really loved Ivy’s fight scenes, they were action packed and engaging.
I do wish we could have explored the magic system a bit more in book 1 as we don’t really see much of it till the second half. I did also have a bit of trouble connecting with the characters, I’m very much a reader who likes to know why characters are doing what they’re doing and I didn’t feel The Shadow Weaver fully scratched that itch for me.
Some out of context thoughts while reading The Shadow Weaver:
🍿 I see Caris went to the archery school of Disney’s Robin Hood…
🍿 Lol is Caris’ tit just hanging out? 😮
🍿 The history of the Cursed reminds me of the Aes Sedai and The Wheel of Time Universe
🍿 HELLO! 😍 Sweaty half naked men… yes please 🤤
🍿 Caris girl… tread carefully… I don’t like how you’re disrespecting my beloved books
🍿 🎶 Alexa play ‘Possibility’ by Lykke Li 🎶
🍿 [Redacted] diary entries are giving Stefan Salvatorre vibes 🤭
🍿 If my math is mathing… then there is a high likelihood that [redacted] is gunna be [redacted] dad 👀
If you love strong FMC’s, feminine rage, with fast paced love triangles then The Shadow Weaver could be the read for you 🤺
Thank you to Netgalley and Moa Press for the ARC. All my reviews are my own honest thoughts and opinions
October 11, 2025
I don’t even know where to start other than HOLY SHIT I LOVED THIS BOOK! 🖤✨
I wasn’t even in a fantasy mood when I started this, and yet that changed within just a few pages. The story was engaging and had me wholly captivated. The last 25% was a wild that had me biting my lip, clenching my fists, and tearing up a bit too.
I don’t even know how to succinctly write a review for this without spoiling it but everything was perfect. Our main protagonist, Caris, was such a fascinating woman. I loved that she was tall, that she didn’t cower, and she felt so deeply. She was unapologetically herself and, it might be odd to say, butI hope her character can inspire others and help them feel seen.
I’m not usually a fan of love triangles but I didn’t actually mind this one! Mostly because no one came off as nasty, there was no bitter jealousy, it was just sweet and spicy.
I’m so intrigued by the magic system in this world. You have all sorts of weavers hiding in plain sight and getting to see glimpses of them and what they could do throughout Cari’s ’ journey was exciting and dangerously beautiful.
All of the characters in TSW are so nuanced and not at all what I thought they’d be when I started reading. There are so many hidden depths and stories in all these characters, even the villains, and it’s really interesting to see.
As I said earlier, the last 25% was a wild freaking ride. I absolutely devoured it because I needed to know what came next but it left me gutted, heartbroken, and ready to ride at dawn. The feminine rage is REAL. I do need to have words with Ivy because HOW DARE SHE but in the mean time I shall let this book live rent free in my mind until book 2’s release.
Thank you so much to Moa Press, Haus of Fables PR, and Ivy Cliffwater for providing me with the arc in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn’t even in a fantasy mood when I started this, and yet that changed within just a few pages. The story was engaging and had me wholly captivated. The last 25% was a wild that had me biting my lip, clenching my fists, and tearing up a bit too.
I don’t even know how to succinctly write a review for this without spoiling it but everything was perfect. Our main protagonist, Caris, was such a fascinating woman. I loved that she was tall, that she didn’t cower, and she felt so deeply. She was unapologetically herself and, it might be odd to say, butI hope her character can inspire others and help them feel seen.
I’m not usually a fan of love triangles but I didn’t actually mind this one! Mostly because no one came off as nasty, there was no bitter jealousy, it was just sweet and spicy.
I’m so intrigued by the magic system in this world. You have all sorts of weavers hiding in plain sight and getting to see glimpses of them and what they could do throughout Cari’s ’ journey was exciting and dangerously beautiful.
All of the characters in TSW are so nuanced and not at all what I thought they’d be when I started reading. There are so many hidden depths and stories in all these characters, even the villains, and it’s really interesting to see.
As I said earlier, the last 25% was a wild freaking ride. I absolutely devoured it because I needed to know what came next but it left me gutted, heartbroken, and ready to ride at dawn. The feminine rage is REAL. I do need to have words with Ivy because HOW DARE SHE but in the mean time I shall let this book live rent free in my mind until book 2’s release.
Thank you so much to Moa Press, Haus of Fables PR, and Ivy Cliffwater for providing me with the arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2025
In all honesty, I'm not sure what this book was trying to be. It felt severely undercooked, and more than once I found myself wondering if I’d accidentally been sent a draft manuscript. 😕
—
🙌 What I Liked
Honestly—nothing. Having reflected on the experience, there wasn’t a single element I can confidently say I enjoyed. It became one of those reads I continued purely to see how it ended. Which leads me to...
❌ What Didn’t Hit
The pacing was the biggest hurdle. The story moved so rapidly—not just overall, but within scenes—that transitions almost didn’t exist. At one point, a moment that looked like it was heading toward an awkward romantic encounter cut abruptly to the FMC waking up to someone snoring. That kind of whiplash happened often, leaving me confused rather than compelled.
The writing itself felt very bare-bones, often reading like a simple recount of actions: “I walked into the room. Then I sat down.” Without richer detail or emotional depth, I found it impossible to connect with anyone on the page. And aside from one character’s facial scar, which was referenced repeatedly, I couldn’t picture any of the cast clearly. They could have been anyone.
As a result, the romances felt unearned, the relationships lacked chemistry, and the world-building was non-existent. On top of that, in the middle section, it felt like a new plot was emerging—one about reincarnation and possible fated mates—and it made me wonder if the author had two ideas originally, and decided to throw them into the same book without really fleshing them out.
👀 Do I Recommend It?
If you’re extremely curious about it, then go ahead. Given its high rating on GR right now, it does appear to have its fans. But for me, finishing it felt more like determination than enjoyment—so it’s not one I plan to revisit or continue.
—
I was gifted an ARC of this book—many thanks to Haus of Fables for the copy. All opinions are my own.
—
🙌 What I Liked
Honestly—nothing. Having reflected on the experience, there wasn’t a single element I can confidently say I enjoyed. It became one of those reads I continued purely to see how it ended. Which leads me to...
❌ What Didn’t Hit
The pacing was the biggest hurdle. The story moved so rapidly—not just overall, but within scenes—that transitions almost didn’t exist. At one point, a moment that looked like it was heading toward an awkward romantic encounter cut abruptly to the FMC waking up to someone snoring. That kind of whiplash happened often, leaving me confused rather than compelled.
The writing itself felt very bare-bones, often reading like a simple recount of actions: “I walked into the room. Then I sat down.” Without richer detail or emotional depth, I found it impossible to connect with anyone on the page. And aside from one character’s facial scar, which was referenced repeatedly, I couldn’t picture any of the cast clearly. They could have been anyone.
As a result, the romances felt unearned, the relationships lacked chemistry, and the world-building was non-existent. On top of that, in the middle section, it felt like a new plot was emerging—one about reincarnation and possible fated mates—and it made me wonder if the author had two ideas originally, and decided to throw them into the same book without really fleshing them out.
👀 Do I Recommend It?
If you’re extremely curious about it, then go ahead. Given its high rating on GR right now, it does appear to have its fans. But for me, finishing it felt more like determination than enjoyment—so it’s not one I plan to revisit or continue.
—
I was gifted an ARC of this book—many thanks to Haus of Fables for the copy. All opinions are my own.
November 23, 2025
First of all, I want to thank Hachette Australia for sending me this book, I feel so privileged! And of course, I want to thank Ivy Cliffwater for writing such an amazing book!
This book follows Caris Ironside who is a very skilled sword-maker and warrior. She also has shadow powers, which is not accepted in the land of Eritz. She desperately wants to enter the royal guard in Capita, to avenge her mother’s murderer, but the more she learns about the land she lives in, the more she realises that there is a bigger game that she finds herself at the centre of.
I’m speechless. I am utterly speechless. This book may have been a little slow for the first 8 chapters, but it picked up so so quickly and I ended up finishing it in a day. I could not put it down; every single thing about this book had me hooked! From the characters, the romance, the plot, the world, everything was beautifully done. I loved Caris! She was so strong and badass, and I can clearly see that she is gonna go through some serious character developments in the next book. I can’t wait to see how Ivy does that! I also loved the love triangle in this, and I ate Torgrin’s jealousy up! I also really appreciated how Ivy made Torgrin mature enough to put aside his jealousy when it came to Caris’ safety and happiness. It just made me love him even more! But, oh my god, that ending…why, Ivy whyyyyyyyy??? Why did you have to end it that way??? It had me ugly crying!
The only thing that fell short for me was the writing style. There were times where it was like ‘they did this, then they did that’, and that was easily unnecessary information about what the characters were doing. But other than that, this book was amazing. I finished it last night, and I still have not stopped thinking about the characters.
I need the second book more than I need air!
This book follows Caris Ironside who is a very skilled sword-maker and warrior. She also has shadow powers, which is not accepted in the land of Eritz. She desperately wants to enter the royal guard in Capita, to avenge her mother’s murderer, but the more she learns about the land she lives in, the more she realises that there is a bigger game that she finds herself at the centre of.
I’m speechless. I am utterly speechless. This book may have been a little slow for the first 8 chapters, but it picked up so so quickly and I ended up finishing it in a day. I could not put it down; every single thing about this book had me hooked! From the characters, the romance, the plot, the world, everything was beautifully done. I loved Caris! She was so strong and badass, and I can clearly see that she is gonna go through some serious character developments in the next book. I can’t wait to see how Ivy does that! I also loved the love triangle in this, and I ate Torgrin’s jealousy up! I also really appreciated how Ivy made Torgrin mature enough to put aside his jealousy when it came to Caris’ safety and happiness. It just made me love him even more! But, oh my god, that ending…why, Ivy whyyyyyyyy??? Why did you have to end it that way??? It had me ugly crying!
The only thing that fell short for me was the writing style. There were times where it was like ‘they did this, then they did that’, and that was easily unnecessary information about what the characters were doing. But other than that, this book was amazing. I finished it last night, and I still have not stopped thinking about the characters.
I need the second book more than I need air!
September 10, 2025
'Death couldn't stop me coming back to you,’
Umm... debut novel?! Excuse me?? Because this felt like the work of a seasoned pro. This was my first 5 ⭐️ read in ages.
This book has it all: forbidden power, deadly secrets, sizzling romance, and heart-pounding action. Caris Ironside - our fierce, blacksmith FMC - completely stole my heart. She's hiding a dangerous gift and hunting her mother's killer, and her journey throws her into a brutal tournament, a fearsome castle rescue, and men who would destroy her kind. Between her blacksmith ally haunted by a dark past and the brooding captain tied to her own - consider me completely obsessed.
The worldbuilding? Chef's kiss - rich and immersive without being overwhelming. The tropes? Troping like their lives depended on it. I adored every backstory, especially Torgrin's journal entries (emotional gut punch, but in the best way). Even the side characters felt alive and purposeful (even Nightmare Caris's horse).
And the ending. Let's just say... I sat there in stunned silence, blinking at the wall like "IVY. HOW COULD YOU?!" 😭 If book two was already out, l'd have purchased then and there to continue the series. I needed it like, yesterday!
Perfect for readers who love:
⚔️Fierce FMC blacksmith
🔥Forbidden powers
🏰Medieval fantasy settings
💀Trials + tournaments
❤️🔥Fated mates & tension
👊F*** the patriarchy
🖤Touch her/him and 💀
This debut seriously knocked me off my feet - I was obsessed from page one. If it's not on your TBR, add it now and preorder your copy ASAP!! 🖤
Thank you so much @haus.of.fables_pr @ivycliffwater @moapress for this ARC copy of The Shadow Weaver.
Umm... debut novel?! Excuse me?? Because this felt like the work of a seasoned pro. This was my first 5 ⭐️ read in ages.
This book has it all: forbidden power, deadly secrets, sizzling romance, and heart-pounding action. Caris Ironside - our fierce, blacksmith FMC - completely stole my heart. She's hiding a dangerous gift and hunting her mother's killer, and her journey throws her into a brutal tournament, a fearsome castle rescue, and men who would destroy her kind. Between her blacksmith ally haunted by a dark past and the brooding captain tied to her own - consider me completely obsessed.
The worldbuilding? Chef's kiss - rich and immersive without being overwhelming. The tropes? Troping like their lives depended on it. I adored every backstory, especially Torgrin's journal entries (emotional gut punch, but in the best way). Even the side characters felt alive and purposeful (even Nightmare Caris's horse).
And the ending. Let's just say... I sat there in stunned silence, blinking at the wall like "IVY. HOW COULD YOU?!" 😭 If book two was already out, l'd have purchased then and there to continue the series. I needed it like, yesterday!
Perfect for readers who love:
⚔️Fierce FMC blacksmith
🔥Forbidden powers
🏰Medieval fantasy settings
💀Trials + tournaments
❤️🔥Fated mates & tension
👊F*** the patriarchy
🖤Touch her/him and 💀
This debut seriously knocked me off my feet - I was obsessed from page one. If it's not on your TBR, add it now and preorder your copy ASAP!! 🖤
Thank you so much @haus.of.fables_pr @ivycliffwater @moapress for this ARC copy of The Shadow Weaver.
October 28, 2025
4.5⭐️
Thank you so much again to Haus of Fables PR, Moa Press and Ivy Cliffwater for the opportunity to read ‘The Shadow Weaver’ as an eARC. All opinions are my own.
What an absolutely WONDERFUL debut to read. I was drawn in by the 6ft tall woman blacksmith & stayed for all the rest. With easy to absorb world building & and a plot that doesn’t lose itself in too many side quests, this book is exactly what I love to read in a fantasy. I loved learning about the “Cursed” and the connection Caris has to all of this, and discovering more about the world alongside her.
In terms of the romantic side of things, I felt just as stuck in my choice as Caris because Cillian and Torgrin were both the type I would go for, especially in my fictional options. I’m also not normally one to enjoy reading a love triangle, but it really meshed with the story and ultimately won me over. It was easy to see how both offered Caris a connection she craved.
This book has a lot of heartbreak for Caris and I felt for immensely (and don’t even get me started on the prologue making me cry), so I cannot wait to see where her journey takes her in book 2.
Thank you so much again to Haus of Fables PR, Moa Press and Ivy Cliffwater for the opportunity to read ‘The Shadow Weaver’ as an eARC. All opinions are my own.
What an absolutely WONDERFUL debut to read. I was drawn in by the 6ft tall woman blacksmith & stayed for all the rest. With easy to absorb world building & and a plot that doesn’t lose itself in too many side quests, this book is exactly what I love to read in a fantasy. I loved learning about the “Cursed” and the connection Caris has to all of this, and discovering more about the world alongside her.
In terms of the romantic side of things, I felt just as stuck in my choice as Caris because Cillian and Torgrin were both the type I would go for, especially in my fictional options. I’m also not normally one to enjoy reading a love triangle, but it really meshed with the story and ultimately won me over. It was easy to see how both offered Caris a connection she craved.
This book has a lot of heartbreak for Caris and I felt for immensely (and don’t even get me started on the prologue making me cry), so I cannot wait to see where her journey takes her in book 2.
October 9, 2025
Well I clearly flew through this!! This was totally fun!! I’m seriously loving the influx of “Lady Knights” in fantasy recently just such a fun trope!!!
I really enjoyed the easy flow of this story, it was just enjoyable, engaging and fun all the way through. The magic system was very cool, I love the concept of the different weavers ( mind, shadow, anatomy, iron etc) it was just a really interesting but still easy to understand system!!
I’m usually not a fan of a love triangle — this one however I actually really enjoyed!!
Character wise, I loved that this was a larger cast of characters because I think it adds way more depth to the story for us as a reader, it also has you rooting for more than just the main characters, I always think that little side stories about side characters make or break a book and it was very well done here.
Overall I had a great time!! Looking forward to book two!!
You will like this if you liked things like Quicksilver, Shield of Sparrows, The Night and The Moth and The Second Death of Locke. 🤍
I really enjoyed the easy flow of this story, it was just enjoyable, engaging and fun all the way through. The magic system was very cool, I love the concept of the different weavers ( mind, shadow, anatomy, iron etc) it was just a really interesting but still easy to understand system!!
I’m usually not a fan of a love triangle — this one however I actually really enjoyed!!
Character wise, I loved that this was a larger cast of characters because I think it adds way more depth to the story for us as a reader, it also has you rooting for more than just the main characters, I always think that little side stories about side characters make or break a book and it was very well done here.
Overall I had a great time!! Looking forward to book two!!
You will like this if you liked things like Quicksilver, Shield of Sparrows, The Night and The Moth and The Second Death of Locke. 🤍
November 18, 2025
4.5⭐️
Where on earth did this come from? A simply STUNNING debut!!
This was such a refreshing romantasy, I went in expecting one thing and on several occasions was just sitting there like SHE DID NOT JUST WRITE THAT.
We have a badass blacksmithing FMC, dual love interests (but it’s not a love triangle), tension, chemistry, a bit of spice, yearning and a fcking cool magic system all smushed together with angst, war, brutality, betrayal and a whole lot of INTRIGUE.
The cliffhanger was particularly brutal (I loved it) and I CANNOT wait for the next book!! I need answers right neooooooooow pls
Where on earth did this come from? A simply STUNNING debut!!
This was such a refreshing romantasy, I went in expecting one thing and on several occasions was just sitting there like SHE DID NOT JUST WRITE THAT.
We have a badass blacksmithing FMC, dual love interests (but it’s not a love triangle), tension, chemistry, a bit of spice, yearning and a fcking cool magic system all smushed together with angst, war, brutality, betrayal and a whole lot of INTRIGUE.
The cliffhanger was particularly brutal (I loved it) and I CANNOT wait for the next book!! I need answers right neooooooooow pls
September 29, 2025
4.5🌟 I freaking loved this Dark Romantasy!!! Devoured in one sitting, I could not put it down! The pacing was so on point and I instantly fell in love with the characters. A stunning debut filled with rage fuelled plot, interesting magic that i can't wait to learn more about and some delish tension filled romance.
We love a 6 foot lady knight and Caris has to be one of my new fav FMCs. And the MCs well I loved them both - who doesn't want a golden retriever dad bod blacksmith and a dark brooding captain?!? I can't wait for book 2- tears were shed and I'm worried for what's next!
We love a 6 foot lady knight and Caris has to be one of my new fav FMCs. And the MCs well I loved them both - who doesn't want a golden retriever dad bod blacksmith and a dark brooding captain?!? I can't wait for book 2- tears were shed and I'm worried for what's next!
July 22, 2025
4.5 ⭐
Firstly I'd like to thank Netgalley, @moapress & Ivy for an Advance Reader Copy of The Shadow Weaver!
Wow, I went into this after a little bit of a reading slump and it absolutely threatened to put me in a hangover!
What an amazing debut fantasy romance!
The world building in this is probably one of my favourites I've read, it's not too overwhelming and Ivy describes the world in such a beautiful way!
The characters are diverse and not bland at all! If you are a lover of side characters like I am you will not be disappointed, my favourite character! 🤭
I absolutely recommend The Shadow Weaver to any fantasy or romance lovers!
I don't want to say too much and potentially give any spoilers so that's all I will say for now! 🤐🥰
Firstly I'd like to thank Netgalley, @moapress & Ivy for an Advance Reader Copy of The Shadow Weaver!
Wow, I went into this after a little bit of a reading slump and it absolutely threatened to put me in a hangover!
What an amazing debut fantasy romance!
The world building in this is probably one of my favourites I've read, it's not too overwhelming and Ivy describes the world in such a beautiful way!
The characters are diverse and not bland at all! If you are a lover of side characters like I am you will not be disappointed, my favourite character! 🤭
I absolutely recommend The Shadow Weaver to any fantasy or romance lovers!
I don't want to say too much and potentially give any spoilers so that's all I will say for now! 🤐🥰
November 6, 2025
I received an eARC copy of this book via Haus of Fables and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A captivating, and emotional read.
I was so drawn into Caris’s story, I loved Cillian, Torgrin, Atlas, Tomas, Ania…so many wonderfully portrayed characters.
I loved the action, the tension, all of the unexpected plot twists.
The ending has left me anticipating the next book, and hopefully some answers.
A captivating, and emotional read.
I was so drawn into Caris’s story, I loved Cillian, Torgrin, Atlas, Tomas, Ania…so many wonderfully portrayed characters.
I loved the action, the tension, all of the unexpected plot twists.
The ending has left me anticipating the next book, and hopefully some answers.
September 11, 2025
Adored this romantasy! It was so refreshing to read characters in this genre who feel mature yet still flawed. This book was addicting and so well written. I’m honoured to have received an ARC of this to read. Definitely recommend everyone add this to the top of their TBR.
October 25, 2025
I genuinely loved this read…what an amazing book for those looking to give Romantasy a try!!! This was easy to follow, had really exciting step into magic, secret identities, a badass FMC—seriously…she is a baddie, delicious spice…trust me it’s a fun read!!!
August 10, 2025
DNFed 25% in.
This book is in desperate need of developmental editing. It was messy, chaotic and confusing. Very much read like a first draft. I found the dialogue cringey and there was also a huge cliche thrown in during the tournament. There was also mention of naked minors having pubic hair? Very weird and completely unnecessary.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette for this eArc to review.
This book is in desperate need of developmental editing. It was messy, chaotic and confusing. Very much read like a first draft. I found the dialogue cringey and there was also a huge cliche thrown in during the tournament. There was also mention of naked minors having pubic hair? Very weird and completely unnecessary.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette for this eArc to review.
November 7, 2025
Listen, this could have been good but the world building was non-existent, I could care less about the characters and the descriptions and pacing were way off. Not for me unfortunately
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