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The Steelborn Saga #1
Steelborn: The brand-new hottest enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance
Enter a world ruled by tyrants and thieves, where magic is outlawed, revolution brews, desire is dangerous, and an impossible cure may prove deadlier than the curse.
Never run. Never bow. Never die.
Reya Connery became the Crimson Dagger, the most notorious thief in Rhiterra, by following a strict set of rules. There is no honour among thieves. A good blade is key to any negotiation. Only the dead keep secrets. And Reya has a secret that must be kept at all costs. But when a heist goes wrong on the eve of paying off her debt to a ruthless crime lord, Reya may need a new set of rules. And a lot of coin. Fast.
Enter Caelan Halcyon, an immortal warrior whose magic makes him a valuable target – if the curse inching closer to his heart doesn’t kill him first. There’s just one person who might be desperate enough to try and get their hands on the fabled cure in time to save his life, someone whose legend claims they can steal the Crimson Dagger. A male of honour, Caelan loathes everything the beautiful, cocky thief represents, yet knows that Reya is his last hope for survival.
Their search takes them to the edge of the known world, where Reya discovers that there is far more at stake than her and Caelan’s own lives. Now, Reya must confront deadly foes, her growing attraction to the immortal who is as lethal as his jawline is perfect, and the rage she’s spent a lifetime trying to bury. This time, her daggers aren’t going to cut it, and the fate of all magic-born hangs in the balance.
Introducing an epic, slow burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy novel about a heroine forged in steel and rage, and the cursed immortal who might turn out to be as much her salvation as she is his, perfect for fans of Danielle L. Jensen and Callie Hart.
Taylor J. LaRue 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Never run. Never bow. Never die.
Reya Connery became the Crimson Dagger, the most notorious thief in Rhiterra, by following a strict set of rules. There is no honour among thieves. A good blade is key to any negotiation. Only the dead keep secrets. And Reya has a secret that must be kept at all costs. But when a heist goes wrong on the eve of paying off her debt to a ruthless crime lord, Reya may need a new set of rules. And a lot of coin. Fast.
Enter Caelan Halcyon, an immortal warrior whose magic makes him a valuable target – if the curse inching closer to his heart doesn’t kill him first. There’s just one person who might be desperate enough to try and get their hands on the fabled cure in time to save his life, someone whose legend claims they can steal the Crimson Dagger. A male of honour, Caelan loathes everything the beautiful, cocky thief represents, yet knows that Reya is his last hope for survival.
Their search takes them to the edge of the known world, where Reya discovers that there is far more at stake than her and Caelan’s own lives. Now, Reya must confront deadly foes, her growing attraction to the immortal who is as lethal as his jawline is perfect, and the rage she’s spent a lifetime trying to bury. This time, her daggers aren’t going to cut it, and the fate of all magic-born hangs in the balance.
Introducing an epic, slow burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy novel about a heroine forged in steel and rage, and the cursed immortal who might turn out to be as much her salvation as she is his, perfect for fans of Danielle L. Jensen and Callie Hart.
Taylor J. LaRue 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Audible Audio
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
Taylor J. LaRue
2 books198 followersTaylor J. LaRue began her career as a journalist in the Windy City. Now she lives in the Pacific Northwest with her high school sweetheart turned husband, their tiny human tyrant, and one very soggy puppy. Steelborn is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 623 reviews
June 23, 2026
thank you so much to netgalley for this arc!
this was such a fun romantasy!!!
the strongest part of the book was definitely reya. she's confident, intelligent, stubborn, and feels like she has a lot more depth than the typical romantasy heroine. i also adored her dynamic with caelan - the enemies-to-lovers progression felt natural, and although it wasn’t a ‘proper’ slow burn, it felt slower than a lot of my other recent romantasy reads.
the worldbuilding was super interesting, i feel like it was rich enough but still easy to understand. also loved the side characters that we met a bit later in the book!
my main complaint is that the pacing wasn't always consistent. the beginning hooked me immediately, but the middle section dragged at times and some plot points felt stretched out longer than necessary.
overall, this was a super enjoyable read with a compelling main character, good romantic tension, and some really fun twists. would highly recommend!!
this was such a fun romantasy!!!
the strongest part of the book was definitely reya. she's confident, intelligent, stubborn, and feels like she has a lot more depth than the typical romantasy heroine. i also adored her dynamic with caelan - the enemies-to-lovers progression felt natural, and although it wasn’t a ‘proper’ slow burn, it felt slower than a lot of my other recent romantasy reads.
the worldbuilding was super interesting, i feel like it was rich enough but still easy to understand. also loved the side characters that we met a bit later in the book!
my main complaint is that the pacing wasn't always consistent. the beginning hooked me immediately, but the middle section dragged at times and some plot points felt stretched out longer than necessary.
overall, this was a super enjoyable read with a compelling main character, good romantic tension, and some really fun twists. would highly recommend!!
Review of advance copy
Ah, that classic, and super relatable, age gap where a man male who has survived centuries of war looks at a 21 year old and thinks, “Yes, this is my true love.”
Let me get this out of the way real quick because it’s all I could think about as I read this book: the writing style and plot feel so Sarah J Maas coded. Think Heir of Fire but with way less emotional payoff.
Now that that’s done:
The first chapters do a great job setting up Reya’s motivations and stakes. The pacing is fast, and there is SO much going on. I mean this book truly has everything. From Fae and elementals to krakens, pirates and sirens. But even with all that going on, this is still a formulaic, rinse and repeat romantasy which is ABSOLUTELY FINE in most circumstances, but I couldn’t help but be disappointed by the romance.
The whole enemies thing felt so mild for me. She’s a thief in need of fast cash, while he’s dying and needs her help. Sure, she steals from him and he blackmails her (loved that), but then he also promises to pay her debts? Let's be honest, the stakes were not high enough. They hated each other for maybe the first 30% of the book, and this simply did not work for me.
He calls her thief and she calls him fire fingers, and I’ll admit that was cute the first time because of their reactions. But by the 20th time I read it, I was tired and found it to be way overused.
And while they don’t immediately jump into each other’s pants, it’s clear they want to. There’s a tug and pull, a will they, won’t they, actually, no, more like a they will but WHEN, that I just don’t care for. Seriously, the lust here was LUSTING. It’s one thing to acknowledge someone is hot, but it’s another to be constantly reminded of their sexual attraction (and the smell of that attraction). And *of course* they antagonized each other with very sexual undertones. Clearly, we have a very different definition of a slow burn, and it shows. Not to say that their emotional connection didn’t improve throughout the book (which it did!) but at the same time, and for me at least, it still happened too soon. Maybe my enjoyment was just a victim of my own expectations for the romance. But there’s nothing I can do about that now.
And Caelan… this man is the definition of a tortured soul. Past trauma and vulnerability? I loved to see it. But I also felt like we barely scratched the surface here! I really needed a culmination of all this guilt and suffering in the final chapters but there was nothing. By the end of the book this man is a simp for Reya and has lost all personality. Goodbye, noble and brave hero. Hello, obsessive and possessive male.
And sorry, but what do you mean a 21 year old was giving advice on how to win a war to a group of centuries old beings who actually participated in a bunch of them? And proceeded to tell them things any seasoned warrior would already know... and they took her seriously? *Sigh*
Then she goes and does something at the end ALONE that honestly made no sense either but of course it worked wonderfully. *Double sigh*
I’m just so tired of the trope where a barely legal girl is suddenly better at everything than immortals with centuries of experience. But hey, perks of being The Chosen One, I guess.
That said, if you're looking for something to scratch that romantasy itch, this will absolutely deliver. I know I’m being tough on it, but that’s because I was looking for something *very* specific when I picked this up and this just wasn’t it. But this is still good... kinda.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: perfect for fans of Danielle L. Jensen, you say? that’s me 🙋♀️ i’m holding you to that “slow burn enemies-to-lovers” promise. do not let me down, i am begging you 💀
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to Booktrovert and the publisher for the arc!
Let me get this out of the way real quick because it’s all I could think about as I read this book: the writing style and plot feel so Sarah J Maas coded. Think Heir of Fire but with way less emotional payoff.
Now that that’s done:
The first chapters do a great job setting up Reya’s motivations and stakes. The pacing is fast, and there is SO much going on. I mean this book truly has everything. From Fae and elementals to krakens, pirates and sirens. But even with all that going on, this is still a formulaic, rinse and repeat romantasy which is ABSOLUTELY FINE in most circumstances, but I couldn’t help but be disappointed by the romance.
The whole enemies thing felt so mild for me. She’s a thief in need of fast cash, while he’s dying and needs her help. Sure, she steals from him and he blackmails her (loved that), but then he also promises to pay her debts? Let's be honest, the stakes were not high enough. They hated each other for maybe the first 30% of the book, and this simply did not work for me.
He calls her thief and she calls him fire fingers, and I’ll admit that was cute the first time because of their reactions. But by the 20th time I read it, I was tired and found it to be way overused.
And while they don’t immediately jump into each other’s pants, it’s clear they want to. There’s a tug and pull, a will they, won’t they, actually, no, more like a they will but WHEN, that I just don’t care for. Seriously, the lust here was LUSTING. It’s one thing to acknowledge someone is hot, but it’s another to be constantly reminded of their sexual attraction (and the smell of that attraction). And *of course* they antagonized each other with very sexual undertones. Clearly, we have a very different definition of a slow burn, and it shows. Not to say that their emotional connection didn’t improve throughout the book (which it did!) but at the same time, and for me at least, it still happened too soon. Maybe my enjoyment was just a victim of my own expectations for the romance. But there’s nothing I can do about that now.
And Caelan… this man is the definition of a tortured soul. Past trauma and vulnerability? I loved to see it. But I also felt like we barely scratched the surface here! I really needed a culmination of all this guilt and suffering in the final chapters but there was nothing. By the end of the book this man is a simp for Reya and has lost all personality. Goodbye, noble and brave hero. Hello, obsessive and possessive male.
And sorry, but what do you mean a 21 year old was giving advice on how to win a war to a group of centuries old beings who actually participated in a bunch of them? And proceeded to tell them things any seasoned warrior would already know... and they took her seriously? *Sigh*
Then she goes and does something at the end ALONE that honestly made no sense either but of course it worked wonderfully. *Double sigh*
I’m just so tired of the trope where a barely legal girl is suddenly better at everything than immortals with centuries of experience. But hey, perks of being The Chosen One, I guess.
That said, if you're looking for something to scratch that romantasy itch, this will absolutely deliver. I know I’m being tough on it, but that’s because I was looking for something *very* specific when I picked this up and this just wasn’t it. But this is still good... kinda.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: perfect for fans of Danielle L. Jensen, you say? that’s me 🙋♀️ i’m holding you to that “slow burn enemies-to-lovers” promise. do not let me down, i am begging you 💀
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to Booktrovert and the publisher for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Strong 4! Review to follow!
Reya a thief, hiding secrets of her own and working for a notorious crime lord, Lennox. He sends her on a mission that is dangerous but leaves her completely indebted to him. Along the way, she’s forced into a partnership with Caelan, an immortal warrior who is suffering from a curse. His time is running out and he needs her help. Initially mutually distrustful, they set on a quest to steal a mythical cure but in the process find out a far larger conspiracy at play. As their distrust turns into attraction, their slow burn enemies to lovers romance will keep the tension and the stakes high.
*This is featured on Allurial for August* Grab your deluxe edition for 9.99$ using this code: https://www.allurial.com/refer/g7sai1...
Their books are limited edition and are only featured on Allurial. Excellent quality & one of a kind. Easy to sign up & cancel any time!
Many thanks to the publisher for an early copy!
Reya a thief, hiding secrets of her own and working for a notorious crime lord, Lennox. He sends her on a mission that is dangerous but leaves her completely indebted to him. Along the way, she’s forced into a partnership with Caelan, an immortal warrior who is suffering from a curse. His time is running out and he needs her help. Initially mutually distrustful, they set on a quest to steal a mythical cure but in the process find out a far larger conspiracy at play. As their distrust turns into attraction, their slow burn enemies to lovers romance will keep the tension and the stakes high.
*This is featured on Allurial for August* Grab your deluxe edition for 9.99$ using this code: https://www.allurial.com/refer/g7sai1...
Their books are limited edition and are only featured on Allurial. Excellent quality & one of a kind. Easy to sign up & cancel any time!
Many thanks to the publisher for an early copy!
August 4, 2026
If life is about learning to bloom where you're planted, Reya Connery has blossomed like a wild rose from scorched earth: an impossible beauty with steel daggers for thorns and fiery crimson petals.
She's the portrait of resilience. A proper firecracker who’s confident, clever, charming, and witty. In other words, she’s my favorite kind of heroine.
What makes her all the more admirable is how she’s never lost those parts of herself despite the many hardships she’s endured.
Reya was abandoned at birth and orphaned at eleven after her adoptive parents were murdered, leaving her starving and destitute on the streets. But, “like all her pain, she’d turned it into a weapon.”
We meet Reya a decade after she’s managed to rebuild a life for herself. Unfortunately, that life happened to be built upon a foundation laid by a notorious crime lord, Lennox, who preyed on her vulnerability and locked her into ten years of servitude as his henchwoman in exchange for food, shelter, and safety.
But if there’s one thing Reya’s going to do, it’s make lemonade from whatever lemons life throws her way. So she became a formidable force within the city’s criminal underbelly in her own right. Known as the Crimson Dagger, Reya is a legendary thief and cloaked enigma who leaves even the most fearsome guardsmen quaking in their boots.
While this lifestyle has forged Reya into a weapon of steel, she’s never abandoned her heart of gold. And when a critical heist forces her to choose between her values and the freedom it would finally grant her from Lennox, her integrity wins out.
That choice comes at a steep cost and thrusts her into an insurmountable, perilous quest that could sever her ties to Lennox for good, or bind her to another decade under his ruthless control. It pushes her criminal prowess to its limits and compels her to confront the dangerous truth of who and what she truly is.
Along the way, we witness perhaps Reya’s greatest heist of all: stealing the impenetrable heart of Caelan Halcyon. He’s a stoic, emotionally guarded, quasi-immortal warrior who, like Reya, is determined to rewrite his fate by any means necessary.
Their love is inevitable yet impossible. A tragic romance that had me clutching my pearls and praying to the stars that the tides would turn in their favor. I enjoyed their cheeky banter and the gradual unfolding of their connection. The slow burn is incredibly effective, and they don't truly come together until the final 25% of the story when it feels earned.
I also appreciated how Reya never became the lustful, brain-dead FMC who accepts scraps from the aloof MMC and wants to ravage him at the most inopportune and infuriating times (like I’ve seen play out in countless other romantasy novels).
I did, however, find that once Caelan fully embraced his desire for Reya, the floodgates of his heart came crashing down in a way that felt a bit too soft relative to his character. By this point, we've come to know him as a fierce warrior who's battle-hardened and emotionally unavailable; a wise man of few words who has fully devoted his life to protecting his people against the impending threat of genocide.
He felt like something of a crossover between Thor, Eeyore, and Confucius to me. So I found it slightly jarring to watch him quickly do a full 180 and melt into a pile of puddy regarding Reya near the end of the story.
In terms of the narrative and world building, my initial experience was one of major déjà vu (mostly in the first 10% of the story) after having recently read Quicksilver by Callie Hart. They both feature a thieving, orphaned FMC who’s introduced to us while knee-deep in a heist in ‘Silver City’ (literally the same exact name), which is ruled by a tyrannical monarch who has outlawed magic. Her father was also a blacksmith and there's a lot of symbolism related to precious metals, though in this case the focus is steel. But beyond this overlap, Steelborn feels unique and inventive, with poetic prose, gripping action, and nuanced, layered characters which I really enjoyed.
At its core, this is a story about self-acceptance and the journey of a woman who’s learning to love and embrace all parts of herself. It’s about reclaiming your magic and power; not just in the supernatural sense, but the raw and intrinsic kind that’s forged from every challenge we've endured and the strength we've gained because of it.
Reya’s character arc is a jagged yet beautiful journey where she learns that her life path doesn’t define her worth.
“She was everything this world had made her and more. She had survived. And surviving wasn’t always clean. Sometimes it was ugly and cruel. Thief. Liar. Killer. She would own it all—the light, the dark, and everything in between. Because there was no part of her that was not worthy of the rest."
And she comes to learn that she doesn't have to fit herself into the mold that's been laid by those who came before her. In fact, what the world needs most is her exactly as she is. And that, my friends, leaves me misty-eyed as I conclude this review because it strikes a little too close to home...
I’ll absolutely be continuing the series, as while we’re not left dangling on a harrowing cliff-hanger, the ending does crack open the door to an entirely new mission for Reya. She and Caelan still have much to conquer and plenty of retribution to seek, and I’m ready to devour every morsel of that conquest and vengeance once book two arrives.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Requited, and Taylor J. LaRue for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
She's the portrait of resilience. A proper firecracker who’s confident, clever, charming, and witty. In other words, she’s my favorite kind of heroine.
What makes her all the more admirable is how she’s never lost those parts of herself despite the many hardships she’s endured.
Reya was abandoned at birth and orphaned at eleven after her adoptive parents were murdered, leaving her starving and destitute on the streets. But, “like all her pain, she’d turned it into a weapon.”
We meet Reya a decade after she’s managed to rebuild a life for herself. Unfortunately, that life happened to be built upon a foundation laid by a notorious crime lord, Lennox, who preyed on her vulnerability and locked her into ten years of servitude as his henchwoman in exchange for food, shelter, and safety.
But if there’s one thing Reya’s going to do, it’s make lemonade from whatever lemons life throws her way. So she became a formidable force within the city’s criminal underbelly in her own right. Known as the Crimson Dagger, Reya is a legendary thief and cloaked enigma who leaves even the most fearsome guardsmen quaking in their boots.
While this lifestyle has forged Reya into a weapon of steel, she’s never abandoned her heart of gold. And when a critical heist forces her to choose between her values and the freedom it would finally grant her from Lennox, her integrity wins out.
That choice comes at a steep cost and thrusts her into an insurmountable, perilous quest that could sever her ties to Lennox for good, or bind her to another decade under his ruthless control. It pushes her criminal prowess to its limits and compels her to confront the dangerous truth of who and what she truly is.
Along the way, we witness perhaps Reya’s greatest heist of all: stealing the impenetrable heart of Caelan Halcyon. He’s a stoic, emotionally guarded, quasi-immortal warrior who, like Reya, is determined to rewrite his fate by any means necessary.
Their love is inevitable yet impossible. A tragic romance that had me clutching my pearls and praying to the stars that the tides would turn in their favor. I enjoyed their cheeky banter and the gradual unfolding of their connection. The slow burn is incredibly effective, and they don't truly come together until the final 25% of the story when it feels earned.
I also appreciated how Reya never became the lustful, brain-dead FMC who accepts scraps from the aloof MMC and wants to ravage him at the most inopportune and infuriating times (like I’ve seen play out in countless other romantasy novels).
I did, however, find that once Caelan fully embraced his desire for Reya, the floodgates of his heart came crashing down in a way that felt a bit too soft relative to his character. By this point, we've come to know him as a fierce warrior who's battle-hardened and emotionally unavailable; a wise man of few words who has fully devoted his life to protecting his people against the impending threat of genocide.
He felt like something of a crossover between Thor, Eeyore, and Confucius to me. So I found it slightly jarring to watch him quickly do a full 180 and melt into a pile of puddy regarding Reya near the end of the story.
In terms of the narrative and world building, my initial experience was one of major déjà vu (mostly in the first 10% of the story) after having recently read Quicksilver by Callie Hart. They both feature a thieving, orphaned FMC who’s introduced to us while knee-deep in a heist in ‘Silver City’ (literally the same exact name), which is ruled by a tyrannical monarch who has outlawed magic. Her father was also a blacksmith and there's a lot of symbolism related to precious metals, though in this case the focus is steel. But beyond this overlap, Steelborn feels unique and inventive, with poetic prose, gripping action, and nuanced, layered characters which I really enjoyed.
At its core, this is a story about self-acceptance and the journey of a woman who’s learning to love and embrace all parts of herself. It’s about reclaiming your magic and power; not just in the supernatural sense, but the raw and intrinsic kind that’s forged from every challenge we've endured and the strength we've gained because of it.
Reya’s character arc is a jagged yet beautiful journey where she learns that her life path doesn’t define her worth.
“She was everything this world had made her and more. She had survived. And surviving wasn’t always clean. Sometimes it was ugly and cruel. Thief. Liar. Killer. She would own it all—the light, the dark, and everything in between. Because there was no part of her that was not worthy of the rest."
And she comes to learn that she doesn't have to fit herself into the mold that's been laid by those who came before her. In fact, what the world needs most is her exactly as she is. And that, my friends, leaves me misty-eyed as I conclude this review because it strikes a little too close to home...
I’ll absolutely be continuing the series, as while we’re not left dangling on a harrowing cliff-hanger, the ending does crack open the door to an entirely new mission for Reya. She and Caelan still have much to conquer and plenty of retribution to seek, and I’m ready to devour every morsel of that conquest and vengeance once book two arrives.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Requited, and Taylor J. LaRue for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 16, 2026
Steelborn (The Steelborn Saga #1) by Taylor J. LaRue
Book Blurb: Enter a world ruled by tyrants and thieves, where magic is outlawed, revolution brews, desire is dangerous, and an impossible cure may prove deadlier than the curse.
Rating: *****
Feels: Adventure, Intrigue, Excitement, Giddy
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Adult
First published August 4, 2026 : 432 pages
Themes & Setting: I enjoyed the themes of inner growth, learning to accept your path, past and moving forward into the future. Some of the darker themes which were handled well and lend depth to the story was the overall political environment of trying to kill off magical beings and magic in general. The themes of other and self and learning tolerance and respect for those that are other.
FMC: Reya Connery also known as the Crimson Dagger is everything I could want from my favorite type of stabby FMC type. She just wants to be a blacksmith. Has had to do alot to survive and has alot to come to terms with to get to where she will need to be. I really enjoyed her.
MMC: Caelan Halcyon, yes please. Oh wait you wanted more. I just literally can not find the words to describe how fun he is. You would think tall dark and broody has been done but he does it sooo well. There is just something about a man dedicated to a cause with a dark side that inspires.
Conclusion: This is a top read for me this year !! I was thoroughly enthralled and giddy at points waiting to see what would happen. This was not that kind of book that pulled me in at the start , it slowly sunk its tentacles into me and had me completely in its grip by about 40%. I did not want to put the book down the last 30% it was so tense. The world building encased within this magic system and thousands of years of political turmoil and legends is a rich breeding ground for this story. The people of this world were vibrant, fun and some I wanted to walk off a plank over shark infested waters. Not only do we have humans , sages and fae … we have different magical creature who share the world with them (which I love !!) The themes explored of self discovery and forgiveness were handled in true fantasy style .. with swords , magic and blood shed (ok and some talking .) There was a part in the adventure were I literally said “YES” out loud and was kicking my feet I was so excited. This is the kind of blend of fantasy and romance I love. Where it is so deep and rich and well done … with swords, tension and swagger.
Favorite Quote: "What are our words?" They were branded on her heart. "Never run. Never Bow. Never die."
This book has:
Enemies to Lovers
Fae, Humans, Sages ..
Many Magical Beings
Outlawed Magic
Political Intrigue
Found Family
Pirates and Thieves
Chosen One
Slow Burn
Thank you to the author, @requited and @hachettebookgroup for this gifted ARC
Book Blurb: Enter a world ruled by tyrants and thieves, where magic is outlawed, revolution brews, desire is dangerous, and an impossible cure may prove deadlier than the curse.
Rating: *****
Feels: Adventure, Intrigue, Excitement, Giddy
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Adult
First published August 4, 2026 : 432 pages
Themes & Setting: I enjoyed the themes of inner growth, learning to accept your path, past and moving forward into the future. Some of the darker themes which were handled well and lend depth to the story was the overall political environment of trying to kill off magical beings and magic in general. The themes of other and self and learning tolerance and respect for those that are other.
FMC: Reya Connery also known as the Crimson Dagger is everything I could want from my favorite type of stabby FMC type. She just wants to be a blacksmith. Has had to do alot to survive and has alot to come to terms with to get to where she will need to be. I really enjoyed her.
MMC: Caelan Halcyon, yes please. Oh wait you wanted more. I just literally can not find the words to describe how fun he is. You would think tall dark and broody has been done but he does it sooo well. There is just something about a man dedicated to a cause with a dark side that inspires.
Conclusion: This is a top read for me this year !! I was thoroughly enthralled and giddy at points waiting to see what would happen. This was not that kind of book that pulled me in at the start , it slowly sunk its tentacles into me and had me completely in its grip by about 40%. I did not want to put the book down the last 30% it was so tense. The world building encased within this magic system and thousands of years of political turmoil and legends is a rich breeding ground for this story. The people of this world were vibrant, fun and some I wanted to walk off a plank over shark infested waters. Not only do we have humans , sages and fae … we have different magical creature who share the world with them (which I love !!) The themes explored of self discovery and forgiveness were handled in true fantasy style .. with swords , magic and blood shed (ok and some talking .) There was a part in the adventure were I literally said “YES” out loud and was kicking my feet I was so excited. This is the kind of blend of fantasy and romance I love. Where it is so deep and rich and well done … with swords, tension and swagger.
Favorite Quote: "What are our words?" They were branded on her heart. "Never run. Never Bow. Never die."
This book has:
Enemies to Lovers
Fae, Humans, Sages ..
Many Magical Beings
Outlawed Magic
Political Intrigue
Found Family
Pirates and Thieves
Chosen One
Slow Burn
Thank you to the author, @requited and @hachettebookgroup for this gifted ARC
August 13, 2026
I loved the ending but the middle really dragged on! It took me a long time to read for that reason 😭 probably 3.5⭐️ for that reason
It gives me major Metal Slinger vibes throughout - not at all in the plot or plot twist at the end), but the vibes - pirates/ocean, hidden magic, hidden prophecy / legacy, epic quest !!
It gives me major Metal Slinger vibes throughout - not at all in the plot or plot twist at the end), but the vibes - pirates/ocean, hidden magic, hidden prophecy / legacy, epic quest !!
August 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was realllllllyyy hoping Steelborn would be the book to pull me out of my romantasy slump, and while I’m still not quite out of it yet, I still really enjoyed it!
It gave me slight Throne of Glass vibes at times. The FMC reminded me a little bit of Celaena, which I loved! I also got some Pirates of the Caribbean vibes which was fun🏴☠️
Was it a life-changing 5-star read for me? No, but I had a really fun time reading it and thought it was a solid start to the series. And honestly, I think this first book set everything up for book two to potentially be EPIC. There’s so much potential for where this story could go next, and I’m definitely excited to continue the series!
I was realllllllyyy hoping Steelborn would be the book to pull me out of my romantasy slump, and while I’m still not quite out of it yet, I still really enjoyed it!
It gave me slight Throne of Glass vibes at times. The FMC reminded me a little bit of Celaena, which I loved! I also got some Pirates of the Caribbean vibes which was fun🏴☠️
Was it a life-changing 5-star read for me? No, but I had a really fun time reading it and thought it was a solid start to the series. And honestly, I think this first book set everything up for book two to potentially be EPIC. There’s so much potential for where this story could go next, and I’m definitely excited to continue the series!
June 21, 2026
Yeah, so, there wasn’t one original idea is this book. Steelborn wanted to be Throne of Glass so badly. A young girl “saved” by a notorious assassin king/crime lord and raised to be his little minion after family tragedy, a pirate lord, and an evil king walk into a bar… Oh, and the MMC’s name is spelled Caelan which just seems so close to Celaena to me. And the ruby hilted weapon….
If you like reading the same romantasy stories over and over again, then maybe you will like Steelborn.
I also just didn’t feel the romance at all. There wasn’t really any buildup to make me care about their relationship nor them as characters. Honestly, Thance and the little kid at the end of the book were my favorite characters.
I made it to the end and didn’t DNF, so I guess that makes it deserve 2 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Requited for the ARC!
If you like reading the same romantasy stories over and over again, then maybe you will like Steelborn.
I also just didn’t feel the romance at all. There wasn’t really any buildup to make me care about their relationship nor them as characters. Honestly, Thance and the little kid at the end of the book were my favorite characters.
I made it to the end and didn’t DNF, so I guess that makes it deserve 2 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Requited for the ARC!
August 19, 2026
4.5☆ I ATE THIS BOOK UP, SUE ME. We start the book off with a HEIST, and I was immediately hooked. I literally sat there like, “okay, LET’S GO.” It had me invested from the very beginning.
Were there parts that felt similar to Assassin’s Blade? Absolutely. But SUE ME because I LOVED the Throne of Glass vibes. At the same time, there are plenty of elements that make Steelborn its own story, and I think it has so much room to grow into something completely unique as the series continues.
And honestly, as someone who reads 99% romantasy, I think there needs to be an expectation that certain themes, tropes, and plot points are going to overlap. There are only so many ways to build a fantasy world, create magic systems, write quests, and throw morally questionable characters into life-or-death situations without some similarities popping up. What matters is how an author takes those familiar pieces and develops them into their own world and story.
I genuinely think Steelborn has the foundation to do exactly that. As the series progresses and more of the world, magic, characters, and bigger plot are revealed, I can see it becoming something that stands completely on its own rather than constantly being compared to other popular romantasy series.
And OH, I have about a thousand questions after that ending. I need answers, immediately. I’m so freaking excited to see where Taylor takes us in book two because I have a feeling we’ve only scratched the surface of what this story is going to become.
Were there parts that felt similar to Assassin’s Blade? Absolutely. But SUE ME because I LOVED the Throne of Glass vibes. At the same time, there are plenty of elements that make Steelborn its own story, and I think it has so much room to grow into something completely unique as the series continues.
And honestly, as someone who reads 99% romantasy, I think there needs to be an expectation that certain themes, tropes, and plot points are going to overlap. There are only so many ways to build a fantasy world, create magic systems, write quests, and throw morally questionable characters into life-or-death situations without some similarities popping up. What matters is how an author takes those familiar pieces and develops them into their own world and story.
I genuinely think Steelborn has the foundation to do exactly that. As the series progresses and more of the world, magic, characters, and bigger plot are revealed, I can see it becoming something that stands completely on its own rather than constantly being compared to other popular romantasy series.
And OH, I have about a thousand questions after that ending. I need answers, immediately. I’m so freaking excited to see where Taylor takes us in book two because I have a feeling we’ve only scratched the surface of what this story is going to become.
June 19, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from Netgalley
No notes.
I don’t even know what to say. I’m obsessed, I’m in love, I’m destroyed, nothing I read after this will come close to measuring up.
I need the next book YESTERDAY.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
thank you to the publisher for the arc♡
No notes.
I don’t even know what to say. I’m obsessed, I’m in love, I’m destroyed, nothing I read after this will come close to measuring up.
I need the next book YESTERDAY.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
thank you to the publisher for the arc♡
April 28, 2026
This story was non stop adventure, yearning, battles and betrayals. I mean some really deep betrayals. Not to mention all of the plot twists and reveals. You will be addicted to this high stakes romantasy, with a very fierce FMC, from the very first page. The world building and magic system is fascinating. There is so much that happens is this book and this is just book 1. I cannot wait for book 2.
Reya is extremely impressive and tenacious. You will find yourself rooting for her through every challenge that this thrown at her. She feels cursed but our MMC, Caelan is actually cursed. Reya is known as the Crimson Dagger who is the most notorious thief in Rhiterra and Caelan needs her special skills. They both set off on a dangerous quest to find a very rare substance that will change both of their lives. If only the dread wolves and Blood watchers would stop hunting them. If magic born weren’t constantly being hunted. If only the impending war would just go away and if she didn’t have to wonder on how to save the magic born from Bladestone Prison where they are being experimented on. If only everyone would stop trying to take her sword!! And that is just a few of the problems. Then a few of Caelan’s friends show up and they have even more to pile on her shoulders. Not to mention, Reya is trying to figure out what is going between her and Caelan. So much tension and banter. She just wants to honor her father and open up a forge.
This barely touches what goes on in this story. Highly recommend reading this book!!
🗡️Slow Burn Romance
🔥Enemies to Lovers
🗡️Deadly Curses
🔥Tortured Immortal Hero
🗡️Secret identity
🔥Forced Proximity
🗡️Found Family
🔥Only One Saddle
Thank you to the author, @requited and @hachettebookgroup for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Reya is extremely impressive and tenacious. You will find yourself rooting for her through every challenge that this thrown at her. She feels cursed but our MMC, Caelan is actually cursed. Reya is known as the Crimson Dagger who is the most notorious thief in Rhiterra and Caelan needs her special skills. They both set off on a dangerous quest to find a very rare substance that will change both of their lives. If only the dread wolves and Blood watchers would stop hunting them. If magic born weren’t constantly being hunted. If only the impending war would just go away and if she didn’t have to wonder on how to save the magic born from Bladestone Prison where they are being experimented on. If only everyone would stop trying to take her sword!! And that is just a few of the problems. Then a few of Caelan’s friends show up and they have even more to pile on her shoulders. Not to mention, Reya is trying to figure out what is going between her and Caelan. So much tension and banter. She just wants to honor her father and open up a forge.
This barely touches what goes on in this story. Highly recommend reading this book!!
🗡️Slow Burn Romance
🔥Enemies to Lovers
🗡️Deadly Curses
🔥Tortured Immortal Hero
🗡️Secret identity
🔥Forced Proximity
🗡️Found Family
🔥Only One Saddle
Thank you to the author, @requited and @hachettebookgroup for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2026
It’s glaringly obvious that this is a debut that wanted to be Throne of Glass.
There were some promise in the start, I liked the premise and the initial meeting between the main characters. But already in the first chapter the phrase “a vulgar gesture” appeared and I though, hmm, that’s familiar. And while Maas in no way has monopoly on that expression, the similarities just kept piling up. From the fact that the main character was a thief/assassin and an orphan, in dept to a crime lord. And she also harbors a secret identity and has a century-old love interest that can turn into a bird. The love interest name is even Caelan.
The overall writing also made it clear that this needed more polishing. It’s repetitive and full of inconsistencies. Reya had ruled out the possibility of running away from the crime lord Lennox or killing him, even though his leverage is revealed after she already comes to that conclusion. She’s apparently in debt to him, but also has substantial savings from what he’s paid her through the years. How can she both be paid enough to have stashes throughout the city while being unable to run away because she owes him so much?
It also has a very clear Booktook-aesthetic, where the main character has loads of books that she reads with a cup of chocolate with some cinnamon sprinkled on top. The mashup between a TOG-fantasy world and trying to appeal to social media users didn’t work for me.
I found the main character insufferable. I’m also supposed to believe that this 20-year-old can give advice on how to handle a war to centuries old warriors that they will listen to? Despite the fact that she has no actual experience in the matter? The fact that her horse was written like some sort of sentient creature that defended her and “gave her instructions” was also something that got on my nerves.
The romance is pitched as slow-burn, but the sexual innuendos started immediately, and the relationship never developed beyond that. Suddenly they wanted to spend eternity together, and I never saw any emotion beyond lust develop.
There’re also too many different creatures and abilities that’s not explored properly. It would’ve been so much better if there had been a select few that were done properly.
But if you love Throne of Glass so much that you want to read it again, but with a different cover and much more rushed and without any of the magic, this is the book for you. I'm out however.
There were some promise in the start, I liked the premise and the initial meeting between the main characters. But already in the first chapter the phrase “a vulgar gesture” appeared and I though, hmm, that’s familiar. And while Maas in no way has monopoly on that expression, the similarities just kept piling up. From the fact that the main character was a thief/assassin and an orphan, in dept to a crime lord. And she also harbors a secret identity and has a century-old love interest that can turn into a bird. The love interest name is even Caelan.
The overall writing also made it clear that this needed more polishing. It’s repetitive and full of inconsistencies. Reya had ruled out the possibility of running away from the crime lord Lennox or killing him, even though his leverage is revealed after she already comes to that conclusion. She’s apparently in debt to him, but also has substantial savings from what he’s paid her through the years. How can she both be paid enough to have stashes throughout the city while being unable to run away because she owes him so much?
It also has a very clear Booktook-aesthetic, where the main character has loads of books that she reads with a cup of chocolate with some cinnamon sprinkled on top. The mashup between a TOG-fantasy world and trying to appeal to social media users didn’t work for me.
I found the main character insufferable. I’m also supposed to believe that this 20-year-old can give advice on how to handle a war to centuries old warriors that they will listen to? Despite the fact that she has no actual experience in the matter? The fact that her horse was written like some sort of sentient creature that defended her and “gave her instructions” was also something that got on my nerves.
The romance is pitched as slow-burn, but the sexual innuendos started immediately, and the relationship never developed beyond that. Suddenly they wanted to spend eternity together, and I never saw any emotion beyond lust develop.
There’re also too many different creatures and abilities that’s not explored properly. It would’ve been so much better if there had been a select few that were done properly.
But if you love Throne of Glass so much that you want to read it again, but with a different cover and much more rushed and without any of the magic, this is the book for you. I'm out however.
August 14, 2026
ok here’s the thing. i know this book is already published, but it needs to be removed. it is plagiarism. straight up, webster definition plagiarism. at least, the entire first 15% of it is. because i think everyone who knows even a little bit about the difference between “inspiration” and “theft” can tell — this book crossed multiple lines. the author clearly read assassin’s blade and heir of fire by sarah j maas, changed a few names and details, and wrote the same story. that’s not how this goes. you can read assassins blade and decide you want to write a book about an assassin/thief. that is called inspiration. you can’t read assassin’s blade and decide you’re going to take over 10 elements of the story and use them in your book. that is stealing, and plagiarism. don’t worry — i wrote these ones down for you.
1. celaena, assassin & thief, was (brutally) raised for exactly 10 years by notorious assassin arobyn. (assassin’s blade)
2. magic is outlawed. magic weilders are hunted down & exterminated. (ab)
3. celaena is hiding her very dangerous secret identity. (ab)
4. celaena is known famously as “adarlan’s assassin”. did i mention she’s the best, and she’s famous. (ab)
5. catalyst event: celaena frees the slaves in skulls bay because she refuses to participate in human trafficking. (ab)
6. celaena is beaten to a bloody pulp by arobyn after succeeding and charged for the value of the slaves. (ab)
7. there is an underground tavern in which celaena watches a meeting between arobyn & a client take place. (queen of shadow)
8. celaena goes on a quest where she is forced to practice her (very special) magic that has been suppressed for 10 years. (heir of fire)
9. the male teaching celaena calls her by her true name, not her alias. she tells him: “don’t call me that.” (direct book quote). he ignores her. (hof)
10. said male shifts into a bird (hawk). (hof)
11. celaena carries a sword (goldryn) with a very large ruby in its hilt. (hof)
1. reya, thief & assassin, was (brutally) raised for exactly 10 years by notorious thief lennox.
2. magic is outlawed. magic weilders are hunted down & exterminated.
3. reya is hiding her very dangerous secret identity.
4. reya is known famously as “the crimson dagger”. did i mention she’s the best, and she’s famous.
5. catalyst event: reya frees a sage in a stolen carriage because she refuses to participate in human trafficking
6. reya is beaten to a bloody pulp by lennox after succeeding and charged for the value of the sage.
7. there is an underground tavern in which reya watches a meeting between lennox & a client take place.
8. reya goes on a quest where she is forced to practice her (very special) magic that has been suppressed for 10 years.
9. the male teaching reya calls her by her true name, not her alias. she tells him: “don’t call me that.” (direct book quote). he ignores her.
10. said male shifts into a bird (raven).
11. reya carries a dagger with a very large ruby in its hilt.
no one clocked this?! these aren’t even all the similarities. just the most note worthy. but seriously, not one person in publication thought, hmmmm … this is wrong.
i’m appalled. i will be leaving this review on every platform and drawing attention to this grievous crime.
1. celaena, assassin & thief, was (brutally) raised for exactly 10 years by notorious assassin arobyn. (assassin’s blade)
2. magic is outlawed. magic weilders are hunted down & exterminated. (ab)
3. celaena is hiding her very dangerous secret identity. (ab)
4. celaena is known famously as “adarlan’s assassin”. did i mention she’s the best, and she’s famous. (ab)
5. catalyst event: celaena frees the slaves in skulls bay because she refuses to participate in human trafficking. (ab)
6. celaena is beaten to a bloody pulp by arobyn after succeeding and charged for the value of the slaves. (ab)
7. there is an underground tavern in which celaena watches a meeting between arobyn & a client take place. (queen of shadow)
8. celaena goes on a quest where she is forced to practice her (very special) magic that has been suppressed for 10 years. (heir of fire)
9. the male teaching celaena calls her by her true name, not her alias. she tells him: “don’t call me that.” (direct book quote). he ignores her. (hof)
10. said male shifts into a bird (hawk). (hof)
11. celaena carries a sword (goldryn) with a very large ruby in its hilt. (hof)
1. reya, thief & assassin, was (brutally) raised for exactly 10 years by notorious thief lennox.
2. magic is outlawed. magic weilders are hunted down & exterminated.
3. reya is hiding her very dangerous secret identity.
4. reya is known famously as “the crimson dagger”. did i mention she’s the best, and she’s famous.
5. catalyst event: reya frees a sage in a stolen carriage because she refuses to participate in human trafficking
6. reya is beaten to a bloody pulp by lennox after succeeding and charged for the value of the sage.
7. there is an underground tavern in which reya watches a meeting between lennox & a client take place.
8. reya goes on a quest where she is forced to practice her (very special) magic that has been suppressed for 10 years.
9. the male teaching reya calls her by her true name, not her alias. she tells him: “don’t call me that.” (direct book quote). he ignores her.
10. said male shifts into a bird (raven).
11. reya carries a dagger with a very large ruby in its hilt.
no one clocked this?! these aren’t even all the similarities. just the most note worthy. but seriously, not one person in publication thought, hmmmm … this is wrong.
i’m appalled. i will be leaving this review on every platform and drawing attention to this grievous crime.
August 14, 2026
DNF’ing at 8%/Chapter 4
From the opening scene to the end of Chapter 3 I sadly could have spun a web between Steelborn and every similarity/plucked idea from Sarah J. Maas’ Assassins Blade/Throne of Glass Series/Celaena Sardothien/Aelin Galathynius storyline. The FMC read like an AU FanFiction of Celaena/Aelin but in the appearance of Ansel of Briarcliff.
The ONLY reason I bring this up is because I’ve already read and experienced Celaena/Aelin’s story, I do NOT desire to read it again in a different author’s voice. I want something new and fresh. Something that doesn’t feel familiar and already explored. I personally want an MC that I can’t get a good read on. I don’t want to be stuck in a world that feels a bit predictable. Give me uncharted territory. Keep me in the dark. I am seeking the stories that keep me guessing.
I think this story is probably going to be insanely enjoyable for those that haven’t read TOG. Or maybe those that don’t mind reading something that is familiar. But, I personally have already traveled this road. I am putting this book down because it stirs nothing within me.
From the opening scene to the end of Chapter 3 I sadly could have spun a web between Steelborn and every similarity/plucked idea from Sarah J. Maas’ Assassins Blade/Throne of Glass Series/Celaena Sardothien/Aelin Galathynius storyline. The FMC read like an AU FanFiction of Celaena/Aelin but in the appearance of Ansel of Briarcliff.
The ONLY reason I bring this up is because I’ve already read and experienced Celaena/Aelin’s story, I do NOT desire to read it again in a different author’s voice. I want something new and fresh. Something that doesn’t feel familiar and already explored. I personally want an MC that I can’t get a good read on. I don’t want to be stuck in a world that feels a bit predictable. Give me uncharted territory. Keep me in the dark. I am seeking the stories that keep me guessing.
I think this story is probably going to be insanely enjoyable for those that haven’t read TOG. Or maybe those that don’t mind reading something that is familiar. But, I personally have already traveled this road. I am putting this book down because it stirs nothing within me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
“Or maybe love is fierce. When those we care for are in danger—maybe love has teeth.”
WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?! I truly would not be surprised if this is the romantasy of the year. When I tell you this was pure addiction on a page, I could NOT put this book down and basically dropped off the face of the earth and ignored everyone while I devoured this masterpiece lol.
It starts off w/ a bang, and continues to keep your attention the entire way through. There’s so much action, so much going on, and something that needs to be done, with very limited time. I couldn’t stop yapping about Caelan and all the theories that I was SO excited to talk about with my best friends, ( we literally STILL can’t stop talking about this book lol ).
Think Assassins Blade.. but if it were more. More everything, more action, more plot twists, a slow yearn and major tension buildup that has you pulling strands of hair just begging for a kiss lol. So many heartfelt moments, our fmc is SO SO resilient, and Caelan is definitely a new favorite book bf to add to the list.
Taylor is a genius, I need book two DESPERATELY lol.
NEVER RUN, NEVER BOW, NEVER DIE. I AM STEELBORN. ⚔️
WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?! I truly would not be surprised if this is the romantasy of the year. When I tell you this was pure addiction on a page, I could NOT put this book down and basically dropped off the face of the earth and ignored everyone while I devoured this masterpiece lol.
It starts off w/ a bang, and continues to keep your attention the entire way through. There’s so much action, so much going on, and something that needs to be done, with very limited time. I couldn’t stop yapping about Caelan and all the theories that I was SO excited to talk about with my best friends, ( we literally STILL can’t stop talking about this book lol ).
Think Assassins Blade.. but if it were more. More everything, more action, more plot twists, a slow yearn and major tension buildup that has you pulling strands of hair just begging for a kiss lol. So many heartfelt moments, our fmc is SO SO resilient, and Caelan is definitely a new favorite book bf to add to the list.
Taylor is a genius, I need book two DESPERATELY lol.
NEVER RUN, NEVER BOW, NEVER DIE. I AM STEELBORN. ⚔️
Currently Reading
July 29, 2026Pre-Read:
Allurial August Pick! 🥰 I also received the Netgalley ARC so I'm super interested in this Romantasy!! Its got alot of good Reviews to.... Lets see what's in store. 🧐
Allurial August Pick! 🥰 I also received the Netgalley ARC so I'm super interested in this Romantasy!! Its got alot of good Reviews to.... Lets see what's in store. 🧐
August 4, 2026
3.5* Was this groundbreaking in the world of romantasy? No.
Was I entertained? I was indeed.
This book was non-stop. It had everything. Magic, sages, pirates, krakens, prison breaks, tragic backstories. You name it, it was there. So while I feel like I lived through a series worth of plot in one book, I was never bored. While the ending was left open, this can definitely be read as a fun standalone. Whether this is a book that will stick with me, only time will tell but I enjoyed my time with it.
what to expect:
- insta lust to slow burn romance
- age gap (21 fmc x hundreds of years old mmc)
- pirates
- sea monsters
- all the magical beings
- deadly curses
Was I entertained? I was indeed.
This book was non-stop. It had everything. Magic, sages, pirates, krakens, prison breaks, tragic backstories. You name it, it was there. So while I feel like I lived through a series worth of plot in one book, I was never bored. While the ending was left open, this can definitely be read as a fun standalone. Whether this is a book that will stick with me, only time will tell but I enjoyed my time with it.
what to expect:
- insta lust to slow burn romance
- age gap (21 fmc x hundreds of years old mmc)
- pirates
- sea monsters
- all the magical beings
- deadly curses
Did Not Finish
July 22, 2026I received an ARC from the publisher through the bookstore I work at.
DNFed at 23%.
I know I'm asking a lot from most romantasy authors to have consistent world-building throughout the entire book, but to not even have consistent world-building on a page by page bases sure is something. I lost count of how many times (in just the first 100 pages) that I had to flip back a page or two to double check information the author had previously laid out and then thoughtlessly discarded, contradicted, and/or forgotten herself only a few pages later. Like why is Reya holding a dagger to this magic born's throat to keep her from using her magic when she's... already wearing a collar made of a metal that keeps her from being able to use magic? Sure, that makes sense, so long as I don't think at all while reading this.
But if I'm being honest, the final straw for me was the main character's name literally being "of the mountain of the mountain". Her first name translates to "of the mountain" and her title is "of the mountain". Give me a break.
Also, a "problem" of being so well read is that I could very easily tell exactly what parts of what books the author frankensteined to make this one. It was hard to tell if it's supposed to be a "wink wink, nudge nudge" situation where and the readers are supposed to catch the references and be in on the joke, or if the author is just really uncreative and hoping people won't notice. Given the character's name, I'm not feeling very generous and it's making me lean more towards the latter.
All this to say... If you want a knockoff Throne of Glass then this is the book for you. I sure do hope the truly insane amount of typos in this are fixed in the real books (editors, do your freaking job).
DNFed at 23%.
I know I'm asking a lot from most romantasy authors to have consistent world-building throughout the entire book, but to not even have consistent world-building on a page by page bases sure is something. I lost count of how many times (in just the first 100 pages) that I had to flip back a page or two to double check information the author had previously laid out and then thoughtlessly discarded, contradicted, and/or forgotten herself only a few pages later. Like why is Reya holding a dagger to this magic born's throat to keep her from using her magic when she's... already wearing a collar made of a metal that keeps her from being able to use magic? Sure, that makes sense, so long as I don't think at all while reading this.
But if I'm being honest, the final straw for me was the main character's name literally being "of the mountain of the mountain". Her first name translates to "of the mountain" and her title is "of the mountain". Give me a break.
Also, a "problem" of being so well read is that I could very easily tell exactly what parts of what books the author frankensteined to make this one. It was hard to tell if it's supposed to be a "wink wink, nudge nudge" situation where and the readers are supposed to catch the references and be in on the joke, or if the author is just really uncreative and hoping people won't notice. Given the character's name, I'm not feeling very generous and it's making me lean more towards the latter.
All this to say... If you want a knockoff Throne of Glass then this is the book for you. I sure do hope the truly insane amount of typos in this are fixed in the real books (editors, do your freaking job).
July 8, 2026
“𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙪𝙣. 𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙬. 𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙚.”
I knew when I first read the summary of this that it was going to be an epic adventure. And I was right.
This is like Throne of Glass meets Shield of Sparrows meets Pirates of the Caribbean while still feeling like it’s own brand of original.
I simply could not put this down. And for it to be a debut??? My mind is blown.
I loved our fmc, Reya, from the start. She’s intelligent, methodical, strategic, and most of all: strong. A Steelborn kind of strong.
And when our MMC comes into the picture, the plot really starts to unfold. The quests and challenges they face along the way had me on the edge of my seat, and the slow-burn tension between them was sizzling hot.
“𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙙.”
And as the plot kept thickening, my mind was spiraling. I have a whole novel-length note saved in my phone of theories, info, and possible Easter eggs. I will definitely be looking forward to book 2.
“𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙍𝙚𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙬𝙮𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣.”
Thank you so much @taylorjlarue @readrequited and NetGalley for the advanced copy!
Steelborn releases August 4, 2026.
I knew when I first read the summary of this that it was going to be an epic adventure. And I was right.
This is like Throne of Glass meets Shield of Sparrows meets Pirates of the Caribbean while still feeling like it’s own brand of original.
I simply could not put this down. And for it to be a debut??? My mind is blown.
I loved our fmc, Reya, from the start. She’s intelligent, methodical, strategic, and most of all: strong. A Steelborn kind of strong.
And when our MMC comes into the picture, the plot really starts to unfold. The quests and challenges they face along the way had me on the edge of my seat, and the slow-burn tension between them was sizzling hot.
“𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙙.”
And as the plot kept thickening, my mind was spiraling. I have a whole novel-length note saved in my phone of theories, info, and possible Easter eggs. I will definitely be looking forward to book 2.
“𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙍𝙚𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙬𝙮𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣.”
Thank you so much @taylorjlarue @readrequited and NetGalley for the advanced copy!
Steelborn releases August 4, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Unfortunately, this one wasn't the right fit for me.
The premise initially caught my attention, but I struggled to connect with the story and characters. While the book contains many popular fantasy romance elements, a thief with a debt to repay, hidden identities, magical powers, and a protective love interest, I found the execution lacking the depth needed to make those familiar tropes feel fresh.
My biggest challenge was connecting with the characters. The character development felt limited, making it difficult for me to become emotionally invested in their journeys. The romance also felt rushed at times, moving from bickering and mistrust to attraction and protectiveness before I felt the relationship had been fully developed on the page.
I also found myself pulled out of the story by some of the dialogue and descriptions. Certain lines felt immature or unnatural, and there were moments where character actions seemed inconsistent with what had been established previously. Because of this, I struggled to stay immersed in the world and found myself losing interest rather than becoming more invested as the story progressed.
By the halfway point, I was considering a DNF, and after skimming the remainder of the book, many of the same issues remained for me. The chapter endings and plot progression never quite created the momentum I was looking for, and I found it difficult to stay engaged.
That said, every reader connects with stories differently, and I can see this appealing to readers who enjoy fantasy romance with a protective hero, magical training, and familiar genre tropes. Unfortunately, it simply wasn't a match for my reading tastes.
I received an advance review copy of this book for through Net Galley. Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity. This review reflects my honest opinion.
The premise initially caught my attention, but I struggled to connect with the story and characters. While the book contains many popular fantasy romance elements, a thief with a debt to repay, hidden identities, magical powers, and a protective love interest, I found the execution lacking the depth needed to make those familiar tropes feel fresh.
My biggest challenge was connecting with the characters. The character development felt limited, making it difficult for me to become emotionally invested in their journeys. The romance also felt rushed at times, moving from bickering and mistrust to attraction and protectiveness before I felt the relationship had been fully developed on the page.
I also found myself pulled out of the story by some of the dialogue and descriptions. Certain lines felt immature or unnatural, and there were moments where character actions seemed inconsistent with what had been established previously. Because of this, I struggled to stay immersed in the world and found myself losing interest rather than becoming more invested as the story progressed.
By the halfway point, I was considering a DNF, and after skimming the remainder of the book, many of the same issues remained for me. The chapter endings and plot progression never quite created the momentum I was looking for, and I found it difficult to stay engaged.
That said, every reader connects with stories differently, and I can see this appealing to readers who enjoy fantasy romance with a protective hero, magical training, and familiar genre tropes. Unfortunately, it simply wasn't a match for my reading tastes.
I received an advance review copy of this book for through Net Galley. Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity. This review reflects my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5⭐️ Damnit, Taylor! What kind of black magic did you weave into this book because I am HOOKED!
If I was to sum up this book in one word it would be, FUN! I can’t remember the last time I read a romantasy this quickly, I burned through all 432 pages in less than a day. The best way to explain my experience with Steelborn is like comparing it to a rollercoaster. From the very first page you are thrown into the story and taken for a wild ride. Reya is a totally bad ass. Her character felt multilayered and her interaction with Caelan was so fun to follow along to in every stage of their relationship. Honestly, I loved all the characters, the author did a great job developing every last one of them, even the villains. At first I was afraid this was going to be a very cheesy insta-lust romance but thankfully that was not the case at all.
Overall, this book has everything you could possibly want in a romantasy with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to get a physical copy for my shelf.
Thank you to the publishers and Taylor J. LaRue for an early copy of Steelborn. I will be singing this book’s praises far and wide.
If I was to sum up this book in one word it would be, FUN! I can’t remember the last time I read a romantasy this quickly, I burned through all 432 pages in less than a day. The best way to explain my experience with Steelborn is like comparing it to a rollercoaster. From the very first page you are thrown into the story and taken for a wild ride. Reya is a totally bad ass. Her character felt multilayered and her interaction with Caelan was so fun to follow along to in every stage of their relationship. Honestly, I loved all the characters, the author did a great job developing every last one of them, even the villains. At first I was afraid this was going to be a very cheesy insta-lust romance but thankfully that was not the case at all.
Overall, this book has everything you could possibly want in a romantasy with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to get a physical copy for my shelf.
Thank you to the publishers and Taylor J. LaRue for an early copy of Steelborn. I will be singing this book’s praises far and wide.
August 19, 2026
This book was giving Throne of Glass vibes but instead of assassin our main girl was a skilled thief. I really enjoyed it, especially the adventuring parts. Though I kept comparing it to ToG and this did not devastate me or made me sob. There are tense moments, but I almost want to say that everything always works out. It is completely fine and satisfying enough to enjoy the story but since that comparison keeps creeping in, I can't help it.
Can't wait to see where the story takes us
Can't wait to see where the story takes us
August 11, 2026
Steelborn was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026, which makes it all the more disappointing to say I didn't enjoy it.
The entire book felt like Sarah J. Maas, Quicksilver, and The Ascended had a baby, and not in a flattering way. I kept waiting for the story to surprise me. Instead, it leaned heavily on recycled romantasy tropes, predictable story lines, and convenient plot armor that allowed Reya to escape impossible situations with little effort or consequence.
One trope I'm exhausted with is the barely adult heroine paired with the centuries old love interest. Reya is only 21, and I wish romantasy would start giving us female protagonists with enough life experience to make these relationships feel like partnerships instead of uncomfortable power imbalances.
The marketing also promised a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance, but that's not what I found. Reya and Caelan are at the very most rivals, and attracted to each other immediately. Steelborn mistakes constant sexual awareness for romantic tension with their attraction surfacing at the most bizarre moments. I also nearly DNF'd in the opening chapter when one of Reya's adversaries lewdly oogled the "feminine curves of her armor" in the middle of a fight. I'm sorry, but if someone is actively trying to kill me I don't think they're stopping to thirst over my breastplate.
Caelan actually started out as one of the book's strongest characters. His introduction is clever, and I loved how he outmaneuvered Reya at her own game. Their banter never quite landed for me, but I was invested enough to see where their dynamic would go. Unfortunately, his character arc takes a sharp nosedive. The calculating, formidable warrior gradually transforms into someone who exists entirely to orbit Reya. I don't mind a MMC who's hopelessly devoted to the woman he loves, but his transition was too abrupt. It stripped away everything that made him compelling.
The story also struggles with its chosen one narrative. I like this trope when it's balanced with meaningful limitations and genuine sacrifice, but Reya becomes so overwhelmingly powerful that I never believed she was in real danger. The ending lacked any real emotional payoff because victory always felt inevitable.
Ironically, my favorite character wasn't one of the leads at all. Pirate captain Kalue Volani absolutely stole the show. The journey through the Kasmore Deep in search of the Kraken was easily the strongest section of Steelborn. Kalue was fierce, wily, unpredictable, and bursting with personality. Every time she was on the page, I craved more. At this point, I'd much rather read an entire book following her pirate adventures than continue with Reya's journey.
In the end, Steelborn didn't live up to the hype. I wanted so badly to love this debut, but too much of it was derivative, overly convenient, and unwilling to let its characters struggle. While Kalue Volani nearly salvaged the experience for me, she wasn't enough to convince me that I'll be continuing to book two.
Thank you to NetGalley, Requited, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The entire book felt like Sarah J. Maas, Quicksilver, and The Ascended had a baby, and not in a flattering way. I kept waiting for the story to surprise me. Instead, it leaned heavily on recycled romantasy tropes, predictable story lines, and convenient plot armor that allowed Reya to escape impossible situations with little effort or consequence.
One trope I'm exhausted with is the barely adult heroine paired with the centuries old love interest. Reya is only 21, and I wish romantasy would start giving us female protagonists with enough life experience to make these relationships feel like partnerships instead of uncomfortable power imbalances.
The marketing also promised a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance, but that's not what I found. Reya and Caelan are at the very most rivals, and attracted to each other immediately. Steelborn mistakes constant sexual awareness for romantic tension with their attraction surfacing at the most bizarre moments. I also nearly DNF'd in the opening chapter when one of Reya's adversaries lewdly oogled the "feminine curves of her armor" in the middle of a fight. I'm sorry, but if someone is actively trying to kill me I don't think they're stopping to thirst over my breastplate.
Caelan actually started out as one of the book's strongest characters. His introduction is clever, and I loved how he outmaneuvered Reya at her own game. Their banter never quite landed for me, but I was invested enough to see where their dynamic would go. Unfortunately, his character arc takes a sharp nosedive. The calculating, formidable warrior gradually transforms into someone who exists entirely to orbit Reya. I don't mind a MMC who's hopelessly devoted to the woman he loves, but his transition was too abrupt. It stripped away everything that made him compelling.
The story also struggles with its chosen one narrative. I like this trope when it's balanced with meaningful limitations and genuine sacrifice, but Reya becomes so overwhelmingly powerful that I never believed she was in real danger. The ending lacked any real emotional payoff because victory always felt inevitable.
Ironically, my favorite character wasn't one of the leads at all. Pirate captain Kalue Volani absolutely stole the show. The journey through the Kasmore Deep in search of the Kraken was easily the strongest section of Steelborn. Kalue was fierce, wily, unpredictable, and bursting with personality. Every time she was on the page, I craved more. At this point, I'd much rather read an entire book following her pirate adventures than continue with Reya's journey.
In the end, Steelborn didn't live up to the hype. I wanted so badly to love this debut, but too much of it was derivative, overly convenient, and unwilling to let its characters struggle. While Kalue Volani nearly salvaged the experience for me, she wasn't enough to convince me that I'll be continuing to book two.
Thank you to NetGalley, Requited, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 9, 2026
6 STAR ROMANTASY
If Assassin's Blade and Heir of Fire had a baby, it would be Steelborn.
I've been in a TOG hangover for 2 years and I've finally found the cure.
Reya is a badass, a thief, and a fiery red-head. Let's just get that out of the way. She meets a broody hot male. She's got trauma, he's got secrets, and they both have a boat load of sexual tension. Speaking of boats, we've also got pirates, monsters, adventure, betrayal, epic fight scenes, (me crying at other scenes), and magic. Honestly all of my favorite things in a romantasy book.
There is no surprise that people are saying this will be the romantasy book of the year.
6 stars for Reyanwyn of the Mountain.
Never run. Never bow. Never die.
My dreams came true when NetGalley and Requited gifted me this ARC.
If Assassin's Blade and Heir of Fire had a baby, it would be Steelborn.
I've been in a TOG hangover for 2 years and I've finally found the cure.
Reya is a badass, a thief, and a fiery red-head. Let's just get that out of the way. She meets a broody hot male. She's got trauma, he's got secrets, and they both have a boat load of sexual tension. Speaking of boats, we've also got pirates, monsters, adventure, betrayal, epic fight scenes, (me crying at other scenes), and magic. Honestly all of my favorite things in a romantasy book.
There is no surprise that people are saying this will be the romantasy book of the year.
6 stars for Reyanwyn of the Mountain.
Never run. Never bow. Never die.
My dreams came true when NetGalley and Requited gifted me this ARC.
August 1, 2026
Dit boek is echt weer een fantasy waarbij de focus ligt op het fantasy aspect en niet de romance. Wat een heerlijk verhaal 🤩! Het doet me echt denken aan Sarah J Maas boeken, maar dan meer TOG en CC. Qua focus op de worldbuilding, de actie, de quests en de gelaagdheid van het verhaal. Ik had in het begin even moeite om erin te komen, maar toen ik er eenmaal in zat, was ik wel echt invested!
Het is ook een echte slowburn en het einde is zoooo anders dan de meeste fantasyboeken en ik vond het echt verfrissend. Dit boek heeft me echt verrast!
Ga er niet in met het idee dat je een romantasy gaat lezen. Het is echt meer een fantasy, maar je wordt ook hier en daar beloond met wat romance 😉.
Ik denk dat veel mensen zullen genieten van dit verhaal en ik ben nu al benieuwd naar deel 2!
Het is ook een echte slowburn en het einde is zoooo anders dan de meeste fantasyboeken en ik vond het echt verfrissend. Dit boek heeft me echt verrast!
Ga er niet in met het idee dat je een romantasy gaat lezen. Het is echt meer een fantasy, maar je wordt ook hier en daar beloond met wat romance 😉.
Ik denk dat veel mensen zullen genieten van dit verhaal en ik ben nu al benieuwd naar deel 2!
April 25, 2026
I’ll prob write more when I can type on a computer, but I inhaled this book in 24 hrs. Thank you to NetGalley and Booktrovert for the eArc.
Fae, magic-born, and human? Pirates and kraken and sirens? I have no idea how, but this WORKED for me. I love the FMC and MMC, their dynamic, and the growth. The pacing - perfection. I had two small smut icks. I don’t need birth control morality in my fantasy and I’m unsure about getting busy on a moving horse. I could mark this down 4.5 for that. But I don’t want to because it the writing was otherwise solid and mature. And I have been trying lots of romantasy where I can’t look past the writing.
Also, I teared up during her hero’s journey. Which means they made me believe in her emotional world. This and Atmosphere are the only ones that made me cry so far in 2026
It is also quite graphic at times. I’d give it 3 🗡️🗡️🗡️ and 3 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️.
Fae, magic-born, and human? Pirates and kraken and sirens? I have no idea how, but this WORKED for me. I love the FMC and MMC, their dynamic, and the growth. The pacing - perfection. I had two small smut icks. I don’t need birth control morality in my fantasy and I’m unsure about getting busy on a moving horse. I could mark this down 4.5 for that. But I don’t want to because it the writing was otherwise solid and mature. And I have been trying lots of romantasy where I can’t look past the writing.
Also, I teared up during her hero’s journey. Which means they made me believe in her emotional world. This and Atmosphere are the only ones that made me cry so far in 2026
It is also quite graphic at times. I’d give it 3 🗡️🗡️🗡️ and 3 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️.
August 9, 2026
If you’re looking for your next high stakes, high adventure romantasy with just the right amount of world building…then look no further. Fans of Aelin from throne of glass are going to really eat this one up!
This story follows a notorious female thief known as the crimson dagger who holds a dangerous secret. When an immortal warrior seeks out her help to find a cure for a deadly curse, they must work together despite their better judgment before the clock runs out.
Rheas character has some much appreciated character growth. She goes from prickly closed off thief to someone more soft and relatable, and ultimately someone emotionally available for love.
This is definitely enemies to lovers romantasy coded with will they won’t they tension spanning the entirety of the book. And while Caelan is a centuries old warrior, he’s definitely a green flag MMC and I really liked him!
I loved the expanded backstory and world building the most. This story will take you into the wooded mountains, and on to castle heists, and end upon deck of a pirate ship as our found family crew battles it out with a mighty beast of the deep.
It was a whole lot of fun, and one of my favorite romantasy books I’ve read this year. No cliff hangers but I’m still excited to see where this series goes next!
This story follows a notorious female thief known as the crimson dagger who holds a dangerous secret. When an immortal warrior seeks out her help to find a cure for a deadly curse, they must work together despite their better judgment before the clock runs out.
Rheas character has some much appreciated character growth. She goes from prickly closed off thief to someone more soft and relatable, and ultimately someone emotionally available for love.
This is definitely enemies to lovers romantasy coded with will they won’t they tension spanning the entirety of the book. And while Caelan is a centuries old warrior, he’s definitely a green flag MMC and I really liked him!
I loved the expanded backstory and world building the most. This story will take you into the wooded mountains, and on to castle heists, and end upon deck of a pirate ship as our found family crew battles it out with a mighty beast of the deep.
It was a whole lot of fun, and one of my favorite romantasy books I’ve read this year. No cliff hangers but I’m still excited to see where this series goes next!
August 13, 2026
I keep going back and forth between a 4.75⭐️ and a 5⭐️, but regardless I really loved this story!
It felt like components of Throne of Glass (AB and HoF), Pirates of the Caribbean (Dead Man’s Chest), and bits and pieces of other likeable concepts were mashed into a book and I ate it up. Say what you will about romantasy, but if I’m reading the genre that’s what I like! 🤷🏼♀️
I have soooo many questions surrounding Reya’s brothers, especially Leo, and I hope that storyline unfolds in the next book (I just feel like he’s going to be an important piece?!).
Thank you to NetGalley who had sent me an e-ARC of this in exchange for an honest review (I know this book is already published though…I was really savoring the story okay LOL) 💕
It felt like components of Throne of Glass (AB and HoF), Pirates of the Caribbean (Dead Man’s Chest), and bits and pieces of other likeable concepts were mashed into a book and I ate it up. Say what you will about romantasy, but if I’m reading the genre that’s what I like! 🤷🏼♀️
I have soooo many questions surrounding Reya’s brothers, especially Leo, and I hope that storyline unfolds in the next book (I just feel like he’s going to be an important piece?!).
Thank you to NetGalley who had sent me an e-ARC of this in exchange for an honest review (I know this book is already published though…I was really savoring the story okay LOL) 💕
August 16, 2026
This was uninspired and unoriginal. What do you mean she’s the realms best assassin but spends the first quarter of the book repeatedly either failing her missions, getting caught or falling for obvious traps? I didn’t buy the romance either unfortunately, it was terribly dry and procedural at times, and I didn’t feel any chemistry between them. I was hoping for something much more original and better developed than this. I won’t be continuing this series.
August 17, 2026
was this a throne of glass dupe?? 100% did I love it?? 2000% gimme more pls
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