What do you think?
Rate this book
The Runic Histories of Efelldor #1
Eleutheria
Alys Sathos has no interest in liberating the enemy witches of the Night Realm. They can keep their compulsion-wielding queen, and not even fate or a broody prince will change her mind.
A witch hardened by the streets as a magicless orphan, Alys spent adulthood clawing her way up the Day Realm’s army ranks to secure a captaincy. When a routine aerial operation goes wrong, Alys discovers she’s fated to end the Night Queen’s tyrannical reign. Refusing to risk her life for her enemies, she runs—right into the prince of the Night Realm.
Prince Maddox is everything Alys expected of Night unfeeling, cruel, and calculating. Convinced she’s up to something, he drags her before the Night queen she's meant to destroy. When the queen compels Alys and twists her loyalties, Alys begins searching for a way out from beneath the queen’s malice and discovers she’s not the only one. Alys and Maddox must risk moving behind the queen’s back to discover compulsion’s loopholes and step onto their fated paths.
But trusting someone whose mind isn’t his own might prove deadlier than their growing attraction.
A witch hardened by the streets as a magicless orphan, Alys spent adulthood clawing her way up the Day Realm’s army ranks to secure a captaincy. When a routine aerial operation goes wrong, Alys discovers she’s fated to end the Night Queen’s tyrannical reign. Refusing to risk her life for her enemies, she runs—right into the prince of the Night Realm.
Prince Maddox is everything Alys expected of Night unfeeling, cruel, and calculating. Convinced she’s up to something, he drags her before the Night queen she's meant to destroy. When the queen compels Alys and twists her loyalties, Alys begins searching for a way out from beneath the queen’s malice and discovers she’s not the only one. Alys and Maddox must risk moving behind the queen’s back to discover compulsion’s loopholes and step onto their fated paths.
But trusting someone whose mind isn’t his own might prove deadlier than their growing attraction.
461 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2025
16 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
November 3, 2025
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
Eleutheria was a case of ‘love at first sight’ for me when the cover randomly popped up on my bookstagram feed, and I immediately knew that this was going to be a book for me. I mean, an adult epic romantasy with a Pride & Prejudice-coded romance between a flying, magicless witch who falls off her broom behind enemy lines and the broody prince who drags her off to his home realm that she loathes but is somehow fated to save; I don’t know about you, but that premise sounds like pure magic to me.
Now, that feeling of ‘love at first sight’ I had with the cover didn’t just stop there, because as soon as I met my fierce babe Alys Sathos, I knew this was a woman after my own heart. She is probably a bit too feisty and snarky for her own good, but that only made me love her more. Seeing all the culture clashing with her being a Day Witch trapped in the Night Realm was not only wildly entertaining to me, but the way that she interacts with the world and everyone around her was also just so refreshingly real and relatable. Like, how would you react if tragedy strikes and you are suddenly told by a divine being that you’re fated to save the Realm of your enemies by killing their tyrannical Queen? ‘Great joke, but fuck no’, is what Alys thinks, and I can’t say I blame her. Also, girlie loves smutty books, and I love her for that.
“There was bad taste in men, and then there was a pathetic need to find comfort in all the wrong places. I erred on the latter.”
Needless to say, Alys has big main character energy and she absolutely steals the show, but that doesn’t mean she overshadows the other characters. Both the perspectives of my traumatized shadow daddy Maddox and my quiet, scholarly babe Corryn were equally compelling to me, even if they didn’t exactly have the same strong personality and loud voice as Alys does. I found it really impressive how Cantu executed the multi-POV first person narration in Eleutheria without the characters ever feeling indistinct from each other, and I loved discovering how all their paths (or should I say fates?) turned out to be inextricably intertwined with each other.
Moreover, I really appreciated how they each brought such a unique perspective to the world with their diverse backgrounds and own sets of knowledge and skills, which just made the world unfold so organically. And honestly, what a world it is. We don’t just get witches (on actual brooms!), but we also get an opposing Night and Day Realm each with their own unique culture, powers, and rules, we get a vampyre invasion threat, we get nasty goblins, we get compulsion magic, we get meddling gods, and we get a rich history dripping with blood and mystery.
Similarly to the works of Carissa Broadbent and Rachel Gillig, Eleutheria strikes the perfect balance between the dark fantasy and the swoon-worthy romance, with both aspects of the story developing beautifully alongside each other and only heightening the stakes and tension on every level. At times I did feel like some important character/relationship development happened off-page just to move the plot forward and keep the pace up, which sometimes made the characters’ actions and their reactions to some (potentially) life-altering events and information feel a bit convenient or unbelievable to me. Also, if you don't like characters with a big martyr complex, Alys might make you want to pull your hair out at points.
“Life had offered little at my birth. Pride and stubborn will were precious, but above even those, I had morality – a rare treasure born from Lilain’s cavern of horrors. My conscience wouldn’t crumble, not before queens, not before death. Not even before fate.”
However, the actual revelations and twists and turns themselves were really clever and exciting to me, especially with the way that books and literature played a role in it all; never underestimate the importance and value of a smutty vampyre romance, just saying. Cantu just does a brilliant job of balancing the fun, tongue-in-cheek tone with the dark, heavy content, and I really appreciated how the core themes of grief, trauma, regret, love, fate and Eleutheria (which means freedom and liberty in Greek) were woven into these characters’ journeys. They are all are constantly being torn between their destined duty and their heart’s desire, and I honestly loved revelling in all the emotional turmoil of it all.
And speaking of desire, the level of yearning in Eleutheria is absolutely delicious, especially with these characters being stubborn menaces who know full well that they are playing with fire but then still can’t stop pushing each other’s buttons every chance they get. The enemies to lovers vibes were vibing and the banter was bantering real hard between Alys and Maddox, but I loved that we also got to see some tender moments between them that made me really believe in their developing bond. Also, I was not expecting all the powerful friendships, complicated sibling bonds, and even some (tragically bittersweet) sapphic yearning that we got treated to through some of the other characters, but I was totally living for it all.
“It means you are mine until the last star blinks out, Alys. It means our world might be burning but I’ll gladly burn if it means standing beside you.”
I honestly just came to Eleutheria for the witchy vibes, a good enemies to lovers romance, and some entertaining banter, but it gave me all of that and then so much more. To me, it really shows that Cantu had an absolute blast writing this book, and I had just as much fun reading it. Especially the entire second half was just a wild ride that I couldn’t resist devouring in a single sitting, and I would have flown straight into book 2 if that had been available already. This is just an absolute banger of a debut, and I can totally see Ruth Cantu becoming the next big thing in the romantasy space, so you better don’t miss out.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Eleutheria is scheduled for release on November 18, 2025.
Eleutheria was a case of ‘love at first sight’ for me when the cover randomly popped up on my bookstagram feed, and I immediately knew that this was going to be a book for me. I mean, an adult epic romantasy with a Pride & Prejudice-coded romance between a flying, magicless witch who falls off her broom behind enemy lines and the broody prince who drags her off to his home realm that she loathes but is somehow fated to save; I don’t know about you, but that premise sounds like pure magic to me.
Now, that feeling of ‘love at first sight’ I had with the cover didn’t just stop there, because as soon as I met my fierce babe Alys Sathos, I knew this was a woman after my own heart. She is probably a bit too feisty and snarky for her own good, but that only made me love her more. Seeing all the culture clashing with her being a Day Witch trapped in the Night Realm was not only wildly entertaining to me, but the way that she interacts with the world and everyone around her was also just so refreshingly real and relatable. Like, how would you react if tragedy strikes and you are suddenly told by a divine being that you’re fated to save the Realm of your enemies by killing their tyrannical Queen? ‘Great joke, but fuck no’, is what Alys thinks, and I can’t say I blame her. Also, girlie loves smutty books, and I love her for that.
“There was bad taste in men, and then there was a pathetic need to find comfort in all the wrong places. I erred on the latter.”
Needless to say, Alys has big main character energy and she absolutely steals the show, but that doesn’t mean she overshadows the other characters. Both the perspectives of my traumatized shadow daddy Maddox and my quiet, scholarly babe Corryn were equally compelling to me, even if they didn’t exactly have the same strong personality and loud voice as Alys does. I found it really impressive how Cantu executed the multi-POV first person narration in Eleutheria without the characters ever feeling indistinct from each other, and I loved discovering how all their paths (or should I say fates?) turned out to be inextricably intertwined with each other.
Moreover, I really appreciated how they each brought such a unique perspective to the world with their diverse backgrounds and own sets of knowledge and skills, which just made the world unfold so organically. And honestly, what a world it is. We don’t just get witches (on actual brooms!), but we also get an opposing Night and Day Realm each with their own unique culture, powers, and rules, we get a vampyre invasion threat, we get nasty goblins, we get compulsion magic, we get meddling gods, and we get a rich history dripping with blood and mystery.
Similarly to the works of Carissa Broadbent and Rachel Gillig, Eleutheria strikes the perfect balance between the dark fantasy and the swoon-worthy romance, with both aspects of the story developing beautifully alongside each other and only heightening the stakes and tension on every level. At times I did feel like some important character/relationship development happened off-page just to move the plot forward and keep the pace up, which sometimes made the characters’ actions and their reactions to some (potentially) life-altering events and information feel a bit convenient or unbelievable to me. Also, if you don't like characters with a big martyr complex, Alys might make you want to pull your hair out at points.
“Life had offered little at my birth. Pride and stubborn will were precious, but above even those, I had morality – a rare treasure born from Lilain’s cavern of horrors. My conscience wouldn’t crumble, not before queens, not before death. Not even before fate.”
However, the actual revelations and twists and turns themselves were really clever and exciting to me, especially with the way that books and literature played a role in it all; never underestimate the importance and value of a smutty vampyre romance, just saying. Cantu just does a brilliant job of balancing the fun, tongue-in-cheek tone with the dark, heavy content, and I really appreciated how the core themes of grief, trauma, regret, love, fate and Eleutheria (which means freedom and liberty in Greek) were woven into these characters’ journeys. They are all are constantly being torn between their destined duty and their heart’s desire, and I honestly loved revelling in all the emotional turmoil of it all.
And speaking of desire, the level of yearning in Eleutheria is absolutely delicious, especially with these characters being stubborn menaces who know full well that they are playing with fire but then still can’t stop pushing each other’s buttons every chance they get. The enemies to lovers vibes were vibing and the banter was bantering real hard between Alys and Maddox, but I loved that we also got to see some tender moments between them that made me really believe in their developing bond. Also, I was not expecting all the powerful friendships, complicated sibling bonds, and even some (tragically bittersweet) sapphic yearning that we got treated to through some of the other characters, but I was totally living for it all.
“It means you are mine until the last star blinks out, Alys. It means our world might be burning but I’ll gladly burn if it means standing beside you.”
I honestly just came to Eleutheria for the witchy vibes, a good enemies to lovers romance, and some entertaining banter, but it gave me all of that and then so much more. To me, it really shows that Cantu had an absolute blast writing this book, and I had just as much fun reading it. Especially the entire second half was just a wild ride that I couldn’t resist devouring in a single sitting, and I would have flown straight into book 2 if that had been available already. This is just an absolute banger of a debut, and I can totally see Ruth Cantu becoming the next big thing in the romantasy space, so you better don’t miss out.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Eleutheria is scheduled for release on November 18, 2025.
September 15, 2025
So now that i have processed everything I think it’s time for my review.
First of all I would like to thank Ruth for choosing me to be part of her ARC team, secondly onto the review, I enjoyed this book so much, but I especially enjoyed Ruth’s writing style and the details in the world building, it honestly felt like I was watching a feature length film but in my head. I loved the characters so much, they have a lot of depth to them and the amazing banter between Aly’s and everyone had me laughing on multiple occasions.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Romantasy with amazing world building and complex but lovable characters. Maddox and the fight he has with himself not to fall for the savage Day Witch was right up my alley. Along with my sweaty palms and heart beating in those fighting scenes I was on edge turning page after page until the very end.
There was only one part of this book I couldn’t bare and that’s only because it made me cry to the point i had to put my kindle down for an hour and reevaluate my life 🙈😂, I will continue to read the series, I have way too many characters to pick a favourite because they are all so incredibly written its hard not to fall in love with them all, the ending was the perfect set up for book 2 and Ruth is now an automatic author I would read anything she writes.
6⭐️
First of all I would like to thank Ruth for choosing me to be part of her ARC team, secondly onto the review, I enjoyed this book so much, but I especially enjoyed Ruth’s writing style and the details in the world building, it honestly felt like I was watching a feature length film but in my head. I loved the characters so much, they have a lot of depth to them and the amazing banter between Aly’s and everyone had me laughing on multiple occasions.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Romantasy with amazing world building and complex but lovable characters. Maddox and the fight he has with himself not to fall for the savage Day Witch was right up my alley. Along with my sweaty palms and heart beating in those fighting scenes I was on edge turning page after page until the very end.
There was only one part of this book I couldn’t bare and that’s only because it made me cry to the point i had to put my kindle down for an hour and reevaluate my life 🙈😂, I will continue to read the series, I have way too many characters to pick a favourite because they are all so incredibly written its hard not to fall in love with them all, the ending was the perfect set up for book 2 and Ruth is now an automatic author I would read anything she writes.
6⭐️
October 11, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ brb with review
December 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded up to 5) Eleutheria is another really great read from 2025. It has fantastic and in-depth world building that progresses as the book goes on. Without revealing too much, some aspects of the story are predictable but there was a couple of revaluation’s that I wasn’t expecting at all, which I feel is a nice mix of allowing the reader to feel like they’re onto something but also flooring them at the same time 😂
It has some great typical fantasy features like the snarky, lovable, and badass FMC and broody, grumpy shadow daddy MMC which we love, as well as some enemies to lovers, slow burn, fate, and trauma. Alys, while slightly irritating at first, really grew on me and I adored her growth and self-love journey. My sweet sweet Maddox pulled on my heartstrings so damn hard, especially at the end of the book, iykyk. The emotions this story puts you through are no joke, there are dark parts, but also some really beautiful and uplifting quotes and sections along the way.
While this book doesn’t quite end on a huge cliffhanger, it really leaves you yearning for more of the story, with many unanswered questions about the characters and the fate of the world.
Thank you so much to Ruth for the ARC of this wonderful story. Eleutheria is a beautiful debut novel, and I cannot wait for the next part of the journey 🖤
It has some great typical fantasy features like the snarky, lovable, and badass FMC and broody, grumpy shadow daddy MMC which we love, as well as some enemies to lovers, slow burn, fate, and trauma. Alys, while slightly irritating at first, really grew on me and I adored her growth and self-love journey. My sweet sweet Maddox pulled on my heartstrings so damn hard, especially at the end of the book, iykyk. The emotions this story puts you through are no joke, there are dark parts, but also some really beautiful and uplifting quotes and sections along the way.
While this book doesn’t quite end on a huge cliffhanger, it really leaves you yearning for more of the story, with many unanswered questions about the characters and the fate of the world.
Thank you so much to Ruth for the ARC of this wonderful story. Eleutheria is a beautiful debut novel, and I cannot wait for the next part of the journey 🖤
December 3, 2025
5⭐️
ARC Review
I was locked in from the very first line and absolutely devoured this one. The world building came at a perfect pace and wove an incredible mystery of creatures, prophecy, and divided realms.
I LOVED the military witch set-up, it’s giving Blackbeaks from TOG and witches from Motherland: Fort Salem for anyone who’s watched that! Pair that with LOTR epic fantasy and Pride and Prejudice yearning? I’m was in heaven 😍 I thought the characters were so enjoyable and appreciated the care that was taken in their crafting! From their backstories slowly unfolding, their emotions showing across scenes, the beautiful dialogue- they were easy to root for and love, even with their flaws and complexities.
I am seriously so impressed with Cantu’s spell-weaving writing, which crafted tension and pulse-pounding action from the start. I haven’t stopped thinking about this story since I finished and it’s certainly a top read of the year! I cannot wait to continue with this story in the next installation!
What to expect:
🔮 Dark Fantasy Romance
🌙 Witches, Vampires & more
☀️ Fate versus Free Will
🔮 Military Unit
🌙 Yearning & Angst
☀️ Found Family
🔮 Prophecy
🌙 Multi-POV
☀️ Compulsion & Magic
Thank you so much to Ruth Cantu for an ARC of this book! It was my pleasure to read and give my honest review.
ARC Review
I was locked in from the very first line and absolutely devoured this one. The world building came at a perfect pace and wove an incredible mystery of creatures, prophecy, and divided realms.
I LOVED the military witch set-up, it’s giving Blackbeaks from TOG and witches from Motherland: Fort Salem for anyone who’s watched that! Pair that with LOTR epic fantasy and Pride and Prejudice yearning? I’m was in heaven 😍 I thought the characters were so enjoyable and appreciated the care that was taken in their crafting! From their backstories slowly unfolding, their emotions showing across scenes, the beautiful dialogue- they were easy to root for and love, even with their flaws and complexities.
I am seriously so impressed with Cantu’s spell-weaving writing, which crafted tension and pulse-pounding action from the start. I haven’t stopped thinking about this story since I finished and it’s certainly a top read of the year! I cannot wait to continue with this story in the next installation!
What to expect:
🔮 Dark Fantasy Romance
🌙 Witches, Vampires & more
☀️ Fate versus Free Will
🔮 Military Unit
🌙 Yearning & Angst
☀️ Found Family
🔮 Prophecy
🌙 Multi-POV
☀️ Compulsion & Magic
Thank you so much to Ruth Cantu for an ARC of this book! It was my pleasure to read and give my honest review.
November 20, 2025
4 Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Eleutheria pulled me in fast! The Day vs. Night realms were super interesting, the magic felt fresh, and the world was easy to sink into without ever feeling lost.
Alys and Maddox? Their slow-burn tension had me obsessed! The pacing did wobble a bit in the second half, and the ending felt a little rushed. I also wish we got more time with Alys’s Day-realm crew before everything kicked off.
But overall, I really enjoyed this! Great worldbuilding, great tension, and characters I genuinely cared about! I’m excited to see where the story goes next!
**I received this eARC from the author Ruth Cantu. Thank you for this opportunity! All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily. **
Eleutheria pulled me in fast! The Day vs. Night realms were super interesting, the magic felt fresh, and the world was easy to sink into without ever feeling lost.
Alys and Maddox? Their slow-burn tension had me obsessed! The pacing did wobble a bit in the second half, and the ending felt a little rushed. I also wish we got more time with Alys’s Day-realm crew before everything kicked off.
But overall, I really enjoyed this! Great worldbuilding, great tension, and characters I genuinely cared about! I’m excited to see where the story goes next!
**I received this eARC from the author Ruth Cantu. Thank you for this opportunity! All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily. **
October 16, 2025
I seriously think this book is going to be the next BIG one that everyone's talking about. I could NOT put it down!! I loved every single page. The story was so well thought out and beautifully written. The characters? Obsessed. The magic system? Brilliant.
Everything wove together in such a satisfying, powerful way.
If you love witches, magic, enemies to lovers, vampyres, and darkly enchanting worlds? This is 100% the book you need to read next. It gave me everything I was looking for and then some. Easily one of my new favorites. I will be buying a physical copy as a trophy for my bookshelf! 📚🖤
Everything wove together in such a satisfying, powerful way.
If you love witches, magic, enemies to lovers, vampyres, and darkly enchanting worlds? This is 100% the book you need to read next. It gave me everything I was looking for and then some. Easily one of my new favorites. I will be buying a physical copy as a trophy for my bookshelf! 📚🖤
October 22, 2025
I received an early copy of Eleutheria as an ARC reader, and wow — what a ride! This is a gripping romantasy debut that had me hooked from chapter one.
The world-building is rich and well constructed-witches, vampyres, goblins, elves, compulsion, and a war between realm. Love the political intrigue that adds real depth. The magic system (especially the way compulsion works) is quite unique and clever. Loved it!
I especially loved how the book explores themes of power, freedom, and fate without sacrificing the enemies-to-lovers part. he banter, the tension, the buildup… and those twisty reveals! I was turning pages way past bedtime. Can’t wait for book two! I’m super curious to see where the rest of The Runic Histories go.
The world-building is rich and well constructed-witches, vampyres, goblins, elves, compulsion, and a war between realm. Love the political intrigue that adds real depth. The magic system (especially the way compulsion works) is quite unique and clever. Loved it!
I especially loved how the book explores themes of power, freedom, and fate without sacrificing the enemies-to-lovers part. he banter, the tension, the buildup… and those twisty reveals! I was turning pages way past bedtime. Can’t wait for book two! I’m super curious to see where the rest of The Runic Histories go.
November 18, 2025
I enjoyed it. Witches, vampires, goblins?! What more could you want?
I'm definitely looking forward to book two as it doesn't really end on a cliffhanger but you know there will be!
- forbidden love
- magic system
- Night Witches
- Day Witches
- Evil Queens
I'm definitely looking forward to book two as it doesn't really end on a cliffhanger but you know there will be!
- forbidden love
- magic system
- Night Witches
- Day Witches
- Evil Queens
October 12, 2025
*ARC*
This was a great read with solid world building, memorable characters, and emotional payoff. I’m excited to read whatever this author writes next!
This was a great read with solid world building, memorable characters, and emotional payoff. I’m excited to read whatever this author writes next!
November 3, 2025
Love! Love! Love!
September 9, 2025
Elutheria is an epic romantasy that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. The story borrows from classic stories in the fantasy and romance genres without copying them. It was an exciting and beautiful story that you would never guess was the author’s debut if you were not already aware. I just finished it and I wish the next books were out because I would be devouring them.
The story deals with the weighing of grief and loss with a fated destiny from the gods while trying to figure out if those gods made the wrong choice. It blends mythologies and worlds from the author’s history in a unique way. Somewhat predictable at times for someone who reads a lot of fantasy and romance but still an amazing ride from start to finish.
Thank you to BookFunnel and Ruth Cantu for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story deals with the weighing of grief and loss with a fated destiny from the gods while trying to figure out if those gods made the wrong choice. It blends mythologies and worlds from the author’s history in a unique way. Somewhat predictable at times for someone who reads a lot of fantasy and romance but still an amazing ride from start to finish.
Thank you to BookFunnel and Ruth Cantu for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2025
This is an ARC review: the book starts with a lot of world building. There are some interesting and new ideas. I have loved following along the journey. There were no real slow points in the story. Some parts i were sometimes a little rushed. In the end there is a fighting sequence that was sometimes hard to follow. Throughout the story there is a big theme of doubting yourself and not trusting others. I found that it took away from empowerment of some of the characters. All that said, i still loved the story and would definitely read the next part in this series.
December 8, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and let me tell you, it was amazing! This is everything I want to read in a fantasy. Fantastic world building, action packed fights, power, greed, and of course spice.
The romance aspect was done perfectly. The fantasy plot reined supreme rather than the romance and sex, which often happens to these books. The magic system was interesting and new, keeping my interest during the whole story. Runes are one of my favorite divinations, making this an extra special book for me.
I would highly recommend giving this a read! I can’t wait for the next book!
The romance aspect was done perfectly. The fantasy plot reined supreme rather than the romance and sex, which often happens to these books. The magic system was interesting and new, keeping my interest during the whole story. Runes are one of my favorite divinations, making this an extra special book for me.
I would highly recommend giving this a read! I can’t wait for the next book!
November 3, 2025
4.5 🌟 - WOW. This is an amazing debut fantasy novel. There is a TON of world building and magic and creatures, so it’s definitely not a light read. However, it is WORTH it, because when the plot plotted, it PLOTTED. Like I was HOOKED.
There are 3 POVs and I understood how they played a role in the overall plot. Istg, I am in love with Maddox. Another Shadow Daddy, YUM. Alys and Maddox’s tension and longing and yearning and fighting and flirting - all of it, I ate it up!
What I loved most of all were the themes of fighting against injustice, speaking up for those who can’t, and empowering the disadvantaged. I loved that Alys was strong and willful and determined (and liked irritating Maddox for fun lol). The female rage is strong in this book - highly recommend lol.
Man, I am SO excited to see what’s in store for book 2, because this one blew me away.
** Thank you Ruth Cantu for the ARC for review! **
There are 3 POVs and I understood how they played a role in the overall plot. Istg, I am in love with Maddox. Another Shadow Daddy, YUM. Alys and Maddox’s tension and longing and yearning and fighting and flirting - all of it, I ate it up!
What I loved most of all were the themes of fighting against injustice, speaking up for those who can’t, and empowering the disadvantaged. I loved that Alys was strong and willful and determined (and liked irritating Maddox for fun lol). The female rage is strong in this book - highly recommend lol.
Man, I am SO excited to see what’s in store for book 2, because this one blew me away.
** Thank you Ruth Cantu for the ARC for review! **
December 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this book will have you up all night! Phenomenal!! It has magic, witches, the best banter!!, slow burn, lots of yerning, found family, battles, vampires, unexpected plot twist and so much more! Thank you Ruth Cantu for this eARC!!
November 10, 2025
I am incredibly excited to leave this review as an ARC reader.
This is probably one of the best books I’ve read this fall. The main characters are deep and nuanced, and I was cheering for Alys from the very beginning. The pacing of the story was absolute perfection - the author really took the time to draw me in and make me want to be invested in the characters as well as the plot. It was not short on emotion, from laughing out loud moments from the banter between characters to the more poignant and heartbreaking moments. As friends of mine are aware, my favorite emotion is heartbreak at the hands of a fictional tale, and this one delivered!
Some memorable quotes -
“The ancients also believed grief and physical pain wound the same. Both serve as reminders of what we’ve lost. Even when the pain fades, grief doesn’t. The gold remains as a token of what we lost.”
“What if the outcome of our story doesn’t matter?” I whispered. “What if we stole a single page of happiness for ourselves?”
“But it was the tiny, shadowed figures in the front window that made the backs of my eyes burn. No more than the size of my thumbnail, the entwined shadows swayed to music they alone heard, free and utterly ordinary.”
Honestly - this book did not read like a debut novel, it read like a book from an author who has spent years honing her craft. If this is the beginning, I cannot wait to see the rest!
This is probably one of the best books I’ve read this fall. The main characters are deep and nuanced, and I was cheering for Alys from the very beginning. The pacing of the story was absolute perfection - the author really took the time to draw me in and make me want to be invested in the characters as well as the plot. It was not short on emotion, from laughing out loud moments from the banter between characters to the more poignant and heartbreaking moments. As friends of mine are aware, my favorite emotion is heartbreak at the hands of a fictional tale, and this one delivered!
Some memorable quotes -
“The ancients also believed grief and physical pain wound the same. Both serve as reminders of what we’ve lost. Even when the pain fades, grief doesn’t. The gold remains as a token of what we lost.”
“What if the outcome of our story doesn’t matter?” I whispered. “What if we stole a single page of happiness for ourselves?”
“But it was the tiny, shadowed figures in the front window that made the backs of my eyes burn. No more than the size of my thumbnail, the entwined shadows swayed to music they alone heard, free and utterly ordinary.”
Honestly - this book did not read like a debut novel, it read like a book from an author who has spent years honing her craft. If this is the beginning, I cannot wait to see the rest!
November 8, 2025
10 more days!!
-----
I could easily picture this unfolding like a movie in my mind. It was captivating from beginning to end. Magic, evil queens and enemies to lovers. The spice level imo is a 1 (specifically one scene towards the end) and it's very plot heavy. Different character perspectives alternated throughout chapters. This has the right amount of description and depth. The story is just beginning and I'm already eager for more.
-----
I could easily picture this unfolding like a movie in my mind. It was captivating from beginning to end. Magic, evil queens and enemies to lovers. The spice level imo is a 1 (specifically one scene towards the end) and it's very plot heavy. Different character perspectives alternated throughout chapters. This has the right amount of description and depth. The story is just beginning and I'm already eager for more.
September 17, 2025
4.5⭐️
2🌶️
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of this book! Wow, what a debut novel!
Two thousand years ago, witches were exiled to their own island as punishment for their crimes against the rest of the species on the continent. For the past several hundred decades, the island has been split amongst two types of witches: Day and Night, each ruled by a ruthless and vicious Queen.
Alys has spent her life fighting. Plucked from the poverty streets of the Day kingdom, she fought her way up the ranks to Captain for the DRAS of Day Witches, despite being practically magicless herself. On an ambush that sees her unit wiped out, she lands herself in the enemy Night realm and caught by their notorious heirs, Maddox and Melis, to be brought forth before their Queen. Expecting imminent death, she’s instead compelled by the Queen to join the Night Guard and be used as a tool for the Queen’s own games. Compulsion now drives Alys’s life, as she cannot strike against the Queen or even think treasonous thoughts. But it doesn’t stop her from finding loopholes in that process and finding others who hate the Queen as much as she does.
Alys finds a path in this new kingdom, one that brings her closer to the feared Prince Maddox. She’s drawn to him and sees through the compelled facade he must follow. While she’s lost so many people along her life, she finds new friends to show her power isn’t only a physical thing. She’s destined for more and must find power within herself and those she loves and trusts. Only then, will she be able to bring down the Night and Day tyrant Queens.
I was very enthralled with this story. 1) it’s different. We get witches, goblins, vampyrs, and mentions of other species, all with a power pecking order. 2) some of the twists and turns in here I did not see coming! I thought I did, but we curved in a direction I didn’t expect (in a good way). 3) I loved the developing friendships and relationships in this book. And 4) this is written in 3 POVs, which at first I was wondering why but it all makes sense as you go along. All 3 characters really are MAIN characters that we needed all their POVs
Alys and Maddox are just like this old bickering married couple for most of the book and I am here for it 😂 they just find ways to argue with one another and it’s hilarious. Watching their relationship grow was beautiful to read. They both have such haunted pasts and I love that we get to see them overcome things together, no matter how much one pushes the other away. We get only 1 solid scene of spice 🌶️. I hope we build into more as the series goes on but it was enough to satisfy me for now. Would actually like to see some spice from Corryn’s POV too maybe? Hell, I wouldn’t mind a couple chapters in the POV of some of the side characters and get some stuff going on there too (if you’ve read the book, you can probably guess which characters I’m talking about 😜).
The story doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but it walking us right into a next installment nicely. I’m actually very intrigued where we might go from here because there is one VERY big obstacle for our MC’s to fulfill their destiny and I neeeed to know how we’re going to get around it lol 😂 because it’s a big one 🤣
I can’t wait for book 2 of this! Great debut and great story!
2🌶️
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of this book! Wow, what a debut novel!
Two thousand years ago, witches were exiled to their own island as punishment for their crimes against the rest of the species on the continent. For the past several hundred decades, the island has been split amongst two types of witches: Day and Night, each ruled by a ruthless and vicious Queen.
Alys has spent her life fighting. Plucked from the poverty streets of the Day kingdom, she fought her way up the ranks to Captain for the DRAS of Day Witches, despite being practically magicless herself. On an ambush that sees her unit wiped out, she lands herself in the enemy Night realm and caught by their notorious heirs, Maddox and Melis, to be brought forth before their Queen. Expecting imminent death, she’s instead compelled by the Queen to join the Night Guard and be used as a tool for the Queen’s own games. Compulsion now drives Alys’s life, as she cannot strike against the Queen or even think treasonous thoughts. But it doesn’t stop her from finding loopholes in that process and finding others who hate the Queen as much as she does.
Alys finds a path in this new kingdom, one that brings her closer to the feared Prince Maddox. She’s drawn to him and sees through the compelled facade he must follow. While she’s lost so many people along her life, she finds new friends to show her power isn’t only a physical thing. She’s destined for more and must find power within herself and those she loves and trusts. Only then, will she be able to bring down the Night and Day tyrant Queens.
I was very enthralled with this story. 1) it’s different. We get witches, goblins, vampyrs, and mentions of other species, all with a power pecking order. 2) some of the twists and turns in here I did not see coming! I thought I did, but we curved in a direction I didn’t expect (in a good way). 3) I loved the developing friendships and relationships in this book. And 4) this is written in 3 POVs, which at first I was wondering why but it all makes sense as you go along. All 3 characters really are MAIN characters that we needed all their POVs
Alys and Maddox are just like this old bickering married couple for most of the book and I am here for it 😂 they just find ways to argue with one another and it’s hilarious. Watching their relationship grow was beautiful to read. They both have such haunted pasts and I love that we get to see them overcome things together, no matter how much one pushes the other away. We get only 1 solid scene of spice 🌶️. I hope we build into more as the series goes on but it was enough to satisfy me for now. Would actually like to see some spice from Corryn’s POV too maybe? Hell, I wouldn’t mind a couple chapters in the POV of some of the side characters and get some stuff going on there too (if you’ve read the book, you can probably guess which characters I’m talking about 😜).
The story doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but it walking us right into a next installment nicely. I’m actually very intrigued where we might go from here because there is one VERY big obstacle for our MC’s to fulfill their destiny and I neeeed to know how we’re going to get around it lol 😂 because it’s a big one 🤣
I can’t wait for book 2 of this! Great debut and great story!
September 24, 2025
This is an amazing debut novel and I hope to see a lot more from Ruth Cantu specifically the sequel or series this book has started. More fantasy and magic than romance with a strong FMC and wounded complex characters throughout. If you liked ‘Shadow and Bone’ or ‘Forth Wing’ you will probably enjoy this book. Someone once said that all stories have already been told and this book tells the age old story of enemies joining forces to battle against and ultimately defeat tyranny. The Greek concept of eleutheria, freedom and liberty, has found its way into countless stories throughout time and Cantu weaves this once again into a compelling narrative with several dips and turns that as an avid reader I caught glimpses of but couldn’t narrow down to less than three paths before the story naturally revealed them. The conversation of grief and remorse especially in people who had no control over their actions is touching and hit home as I deal with my own survivor’s guilt and grief. Eleutheria is not only something you have to gain from outside forces but often from your own mean brain. Read the trigger warnings and take care of yourself. Thank you to book funnel and Ruth Cantu for giving me access to a delightful E-ARC read and very clearly not asking for a review let alone a good one. I hope you consider me for ARC reads of the rest of the series because I really don’t want to wait for distant publication dates.
Minor non-plot spoilers ahead
Very slow burn enemies to lovers with only 1 mildly 🌶️ scene 85% of the way through the book.
Death and violence; This is a fight against tyranny some of the deaths you will cheer for and others will make you cry. Again read the trigger warnings and take care of yourself first.
Gods; please don’t throw a fit if your favorite god is mentioned alongside another tradition’s deity. It’s fantasy we can handle having Greek, Roman, and Norse names. As an ARC read these may not make it into the final novel but seriously I only mentioned it to the author because some people are real jerks for no good reason.
Kafeh! The drink desired by the day witch when the night witches serve tea. Really we can live in a fantasy world that still has silks, tea, buttons, romance novels but heaven forbid that coffee exists. I almost drop half a star for this. Starbucks is an awful anti-union corporation but don’t blame that on the innocent beans.
Minor non-plot spoilers ahead
Very slow burn enemies to lovers with only 1 mildly 🌶️ scene 85% of the way through the book.
Death and violence; This is a fight against tyranny some of the deaths you will cheer for and others will make you cry. Again read the trigger warnings and take care of yourself first.
Gods; please don’t throw a fit if your favorite god is mentioned alongside another tradition’s deity. It’s fantasy we can handle having Greek, Roman, and Norse names. As an ARC read these may not make it into the final novel but seriously I only mentioned it to the author because some people are real jerks for no good reason.
Kafeh! The drink desired by the day witch when the night witches serve tea. Really we can live in a fantasy world that still has silks, tea, buttons, romance novels but heaven forbid that coffee exists. I almost drop half a star for this. Starbucks is an awful anti-union corporation but don’t blame that on the innocent beans.
November 26, 2025
⭐Arc Review⭐
Release Date: November 18, 2025
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️��️
My Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Liberating the enemy realm is not what Alys Sathos wanted to do, but it looks like she has no choice.
Alys Sathos, captain of the 22nd aerial squadron, fought her way from being an orphan in the streets of the Day Realm to commanding Lilian's military. She is stubborn, strong-willed, and magicless, or as magicless as she is. With the help of the runes on her broom, she is thankful to be able to fly. Lilian has compelled the 22nd to fly out and kill the goblin leader. When the operation went south, all of the 22nd except for Alys were slaughtered. Trying to escape and get back to the Day Realm, Alys is caught by the Night Guard.
Prince Maddox, heir to the Night Realm, has captured the infamous Captain Sathos of the 22nd Airwitch Squadron, and wonders what is so special about her and how she bested his highest-ranking officer in his military, his twin sister, Melis. Alys is a bit of a conundrum for Maddox, and little does he know that the Mother of All Creation has placed Alys not only in the hands of the Night Realm but also on the prince's direct path. Does he regard Alys as simply the enemy from the Day Realm, or does he let his curiosity guide him on a path he never knew he was to set to travel?
**Potential Spoilers**
Learning that Lilian had set out to kill the 22nd and hopefully Alys along with them was a tiny bit of a shock, but I knew there were reasons that were laid out later on in the book. The banter between Alys and Maddox was kind of predictable, but I did enjoy how Ruth went about it. It was not a capture, banter, then discovered love. No, it was captured, disgust, fantasizing, and being disgusted for fantasizing, to a slow burn, and finally recognition.
I found it interesting to have two sets of twins from from the beginning, and discovering that the magicless Alys and the quiet mouse Corryn were twins as well. It does make me wonder if there are any leads to Lilian and Morgeena being twins. Gods, I hope not! I can't stand either queen! In the best way, mind you!!
I truly enjoyed reading this book. For me, the pace was steady, no 'awkward silences', and the characters fit well with the story. Thank you, Ruth, for allowing me to read and review this amazing start to a series I know many will become obsessed with!
Release Date: November 18, 2025
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️��️
My Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Liberating the enemy realm is not what Alys Sathos wanted to do, but it looks like she has no choice.
Alys Sathos, captain of the 22nd aerial squadron, fought her way from being an orphan in the streets of the Day Realm to commanding Lilian's military. She is stubborn, strong-willed, and magicless, or as magicless as she is. With the help of the runes on her broom, she is thankful to be able to fly. Lilian has compelled the 22nd to fly out and kill the goblin leader. When the operation went south, all of the 22nd except for Alys were slaughtered. Trying to escape and get back to the Day Realm, Alys is caught by the Night Guard.
Prince Maddox, heir to the Night Realm, has captured the infamous Captain Sathos of the 22nd Airwitch Squadron, and wonders what is so special about her and how she bested his highest-ranking officer in his military, his twin sister, Melis. Alys is a bit of a conundrum for Maddox, and little does he know that the Mother of All Creation has placed Alys not only in the hands of the Night Realm but also on the prince's direct path. Does he regard Alys as simply the enemy from the Day Realm, or does he let his curiosity guide him on a path he never knew he was to set to travel?
**Potential Spoilers**
Learning that Lilian had set out to kill the 22nd and hopefully Alys along with them was a tiny bit of a shock, but I knew there were reasons that were laid out later on in the book. The banter between Alys and Maddox was kind of predictable, but I did enjoy how Ruth went about it. It was not a capture, banter, then discovered love. No, it was captured, disgust, fantasizing, and being disgusted for fantasizing, to a slow burn, and finally recognition.
I found it interesting to have two sets of twins from from the beginning, and discovering that the magicless Alys and the quiet mouse Corryn were twins as well. It does make me wonder if there are any leads to Lilian and Morgeena being twins. Gods, I hope not! I can't stand either queen! In the best way, mind you!!
I truly enjoyed reading this book. For me, the pace was steady, no 'awkward silences', and the characters fit well with the story. Thank you, Ruth, for allowing me to read and review this amazing start to a series I know many will become obsessed with!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2025
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to ARC read this book. Now onto the review!
Rating: ★★★★☆
Eleutheria by Ruth Cantu is a richly imagined romantasy that delivers a compelling mix of tension, magic, and emotion. While it has a few flaws, its strengths ultimately outweigh them, making it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.
One of the standout elements is the worldbuilding. Cantu introduces us to a dual-realm system—Day and Night—that feels fresh and immersive. The magic, rooted in compulsion and control, adds layers of intrigue and emotional complexity. It’s a setting that invites curiosity and offers enough mystery to keep you turning pages.
The heart of the story lies in the dynamic between Alys and Maddox. Their push-pull relationship, marked by mistrust, shared trauma, and growing connection, is thoughtfully developed. Their slow-burn tension never feels forced, and the emotional stakes feel genuine. Cantu does an excellent job exploring the burden of fate and the cost of freedom, weaving those themes into both character arcs and plot.
That said, the pacing isn’t always consistent. The first half is tight and well-paced, while the latter sections meander a bit, especially when exposition slows the momentum. There are also a few plot threads that could have used more resolution, and the climax—though emotionally resonant—felt slightly rushed.
Still, these are minor issues in an otherwise strong debut. Eleutheria balances romantic tension with magical worldbuilding in a way that feels fresh and emotionally engaging. Ruth Cantu is clearly a voice to watch, and I’m excited to see where she takes this world next.
If you enjoy character-driven fantasy with emotional depth, compelling stakes, and just enough romantic tension, Eleutheria is well worth your time.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Eleutheria by Ruth Cantu is a richly imagined romantasy that delivers a compelling mix of tension, magic, and emotion. While it has a few flaws, its strengths ultimately outweigh them, making it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.
One of the standout elements is the worldbuilding. Cantu introduces us to a dual-realm system—Day and Night—that feels fresh and immersive. The magic, rooted in compulsion and control, adds layers of intrigue and emotional complexity. It’s a setting that invites curiosity and offers enough mystery to keep you turning pages.
The heart of the story lies in the dynamic between Alys and Maddox. Their push-pull relationship, marked by mistrust, shared trauma, and growing connection, is thoughtfully developed. Their slow-burn tension never feels forced, and the emotional stakes feel genuine. Cantu does an excellent job exploring the burden of fate and the cost of freedom, weaving those themes into both character arcs and plot.
That said, the pacing isn’t always consistent. The first half is tight and well-paced, while the latter sections meander a bit, especially when exposition slows the momentum. There are also a few plot threads that could have used more resolution, and the climax—though emotionally resonant—felt slightly rushed.
Still, these are minor issues in an otherwise strong debut. Eleutheria balances romantic tension with magical worldbuilding in a way that feels fresh and emotionally engaging. Ruth Cantu is clearly a voice to watch, and I’m excited to see where she takes this world next.
If you enjoy character-driven fantasy with emotional depth, compelling stakes, and just enough romantic tension, Eleutheria is well worth your time.
November 15, 2025
is a brilliant romantasy, filled with exquisite slow-burn tension between a force-to-be-reckoned-with heroine with a chip on her shoulder and the broodiest shadow prince. It features top tier banter, opposing realms ruled by bitchy, immortal, deadly queens, and some truly lovable mythical creatures as main side-characters.
Our FMC is Alys Sathos. Born into poverty in the Day realm, she is Captain of the Day Realm Airwitch Squadron. After an ambush, she is caught by the Night Realm heirs, Maddox and Melis, notorious for their brutality, and is taken to their Queen. She is compelled by the Queen to join her Night Guard and work for her. She bonds with unlikely allies and is drawn to Maddox against her better judgement.
Prince Maddox is the MMC, working for the good of his kingdom under the compulsion of the queen. He does what he has to, and struggles with the emotional toll of his actions. He is a broken, brooding MMC with shadow powers, and gives major Mr Darcy vibes. I loved having access to his internal motivations and emotions! He fights the pull toward Alys trying and failing not to fall for her. And he falls SO HARD.
Corryn is awkward and in her head too much. So brilliant, she’s tightly wound but feels things with great intensity. It takes a long time to understand why she has her own POV but it’s a stunning reveal! And Melis, twin to Maddox, is easy to hate, but her backstory gives you compassion anyway .
The world building is fantastic, the court politics are well explained, there are aerial battles, goblins, giants, witches, and vampyrs, described with varying eschelons of power and societal standing. Survivors guilt, grief, regret, impossible choices, rebellion, found family, enemies to alllies, deep emotion, and gods and goddesses.. forbidden love with incredible slow-burn tension. It’s got everything and then some!!
Our FMC is Alys Sathos. Born into poverty in the Day realm, she is Captain of the Day Realm Airwitch Squadron. After an ambush, she is caught by the Night Realm heirs, Maddox and Melis, notorious for their brutality, and is taken to their Queen. She is compelled by the Queen to join her Night Guard and work for her. She bonds with unlikely allies and is drawn to Maddox against her better judgement.
Prince Maddox is the MMC, working for the good of his kingdom under the compulsion of the queen. He does what he has to, and struggles with the emotional toll of his actions. He is a broken, brooding MMC with shadow powers, and gives major Mr Darcy vibes. I loved having access to his internal motivations and emotions! He fights the pull toward Alys trying and failing not to fall for her. And he falls SO HARD.
Corryn is awkward and in her head too much. So brilliant, she’s tightly wound but feels things with great intensity. It takes a long time to understand why she has her own POV but it’s a stunning reveal! And Melis, twin to Maddox, is easy to hate, but her backstory gives you compassion anyway .
The world building is fantastic, the court politics are well explained, there are aerial battles, goblins, giants, witches, and vampyrs, described with varying eschelons of power and societal standing. Survivors guilt, grief, regret, impossible choices, rebellion, found family, enemies to alllies, deep emotion, and gods and goddesses.. forbidden love with incredible slow-burn tension. It’s got everything and then some!!
September 23, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of Eleutheria from the author, and I’m so glad I did—this book completely swept me away. From the very first page, I was hooked. Ruth Cantu’s writing is beautiful, immersive, and full of energy. She’s crafted a world that feels both expansive and mysterious, and I cannot wait to see more of it in future books.
Alys Sathos is the kind of heroine I love—fierce, independent, and absolutely not waiting around for someone to save her. After literally falling into enemy territory, she finds herself prisoner to the brooding Night Realm prince, Maddox. What follows is a tension-filled story of fate, reluctant alliances, and unraveling the secrets of a queen’s compulsion.
The banter between Alys and Maddox is sharp, witty, and layered in a way that not only entertains but also reveals their vulnerabilities and insecurities. Their dynamic felt natural and kept me turning the pages as much as the plot itself.
Cantu’s worldbuilding is another highlight. Witches, vampyres, goblins, elves—the variety of magical beings makes the realm feel vibrant and alive. And yet, we’ve only just glimpsed a fraction of what this world holds, which makes me even more eager for what’s to come in the series.
As for spice: Ruth herself rated it two chili peppers, but I’d personally give it a solid three. It’s a slow burn with plenty of tension, and while most of the book is focused on the emotional and plot-driven build-up, there is an open-door scene toward the end that lands it higher on the scale for me.
Overall, Eleutheria was an easy 5-star read. If you love slow-burn romantasy with a fierce heroine, a broody prince, and witty banter that makes you grin, this book deserves a place on your TBR.
Alys Sathos is the kind of heroine I love—fierce, independent, and absolutely not waiting around for someone to save her. After literally falling into enemy territory, she finds herself prisoner to the brooding Night Realm prince, Maddox. What follows is a tension-filled story of fate, reluctant alliances, and unraveling the secrets of a queen’s compulsion.
The banter between Alys and Maddox is sharp, witty, and layered in a way that not only entertains but also reveals their vulnerabilities and insecurities. Their dynamic felt natural and kept me turning the pages as much as the plot itself.
Cantu’s worldbuilding is another highlight. Witches, vampyres, goblins, elves—the variety of magical beings makes the realm feel vibrant and alive. And yet, we’ve only just glimpsed a fraction of what this world holds, which makes me even more eager for what’s to come in the series.
As for spice: Ruth herself rated it two chili peppers, but I’d personally give it a solid three. It’s a slow burn with plenty of tension, and while most of the book is focused on the emotional and plot-driven build-up, there is an open-door scene toward the end that lands it higher on the scale for me.
Overall, Eleutheria was an easy 5-star read. If you love slow-burn romantasy with a fierce heroine, a broody prince, and witty banter that makes you grin, this book deserves a place on your TBR.
October 22, 2025
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️(Habanero — slow burn with real heat)
Eleutheria surprised me — not with big twists or explosions, but with how quietly and deliberately it built its world until I found myself fully immersed in it. This isn’t a story that rushes you; it invites you to slow down and feel the world Ruth Cantu is crafting — one where every word and pause carries intention.
The beginning is undeniably slow and a little wordy, but once you adjust to the rhythm, you start to see the beauty in the details. The prose has weight — reflective, sometimes lyrical — and there’s a confidence in the pacing that feels rare. It’s as if the author knows exactly where she’s taking you, even if you don’t yet.
What really stood out to me were the characters. They’re not just figures moving through a plot — they’re layered, flawed, and deeply human. Each one seems to wrestle with freedom, love, and moral grayness in ways that feel both fantastical and painfully real. The emotional tension is palpable, simmering just under the surface before it burns hot in all the right ways.
The romantic and spicy scenes are handled with maturity and purpose — not gratuitous, but charged with meaning and vulnerability. Think habanero-level spice: fiery, intimate, and deliberate.
By the end, I found myself not only invested but already missing this world. The tone is hopeful yet heavy, and it lingers — the kind of book that leaves you quiet for a moment before you can move on.
If you enjoy books that build slowly but reward you with complexity, introspection, and stunning emotional payoffs, Eleutheria is worth every page. A deliberate, different, and wonderful start to what feels like a very promising series.
Now I’ll just be sitting here… waiting (impatiently) for book two.
Eleutheria surprised me — not with big twists or explosions, but with how quietly and deliberately it built its world until I found myself fully immersed in it. This isn’t a story that rushes you; it invites you to slow down and feel the world Ruth Cantu is crafting — one where every word and pause carries intention.
The beginning is undeniably slow and a little wordy, but once you adjust to the rhythm, you start to see the beauty in the details. The prose has weight — reflective, sometimes lyrical — and there’s a confidence in the pacing that feels rare. It’s as if the author knows exactly where she’s taking you, even if you don’t yet.
What really stood out to me were the characters. They’re not just figures moving through a plot — they’re layered, flawed, and deeply human. Each one seems to wrestle with freedom, love, and moral grayness in ways that feel both fantastical and painfully real. The emotional tension is palpable, simmering just under the surface before it burns hot in all the right ways.
The romantic and spicy scenes are handled with maturity and purpose — not gratuitous, but charged with meaning and vulnerability. Think habanero-level spice: fiery, intimate, and deliberate.
By the end, I found myself not only invested but already missing this world. The tone is hopeful yet heavy, and it lingers — the kind of book that leaves you quiet for a moment before you can move on.
If you enjoy books that build slowly but reward you with complexity, introspection, and stunning emotional payoffs, Eleutheria is worth every page. A deliberate, different, and wonderful start to what feels like a very promising series.
Now I’ll just be sitting here… waiting (impatiently) for book two.
November 17, 2025
6 stars!!
Would you believe me if I said I read this book in one weekend? It was that good!
First I loved that Alys our FMC is so unapologetically herself. Like not ✨f’s✨ given at all. She is true to herself and really takes no one’s bs. From the beginning we really get a sense of who she is and what she stands for. She’s not soft and fragile (she can be when she wants) and I think it was jarring in the best way to have FMC who owns who she is no matter what society tells her. No matter what it costs her and let me tell you Alys suffering hits hard.
Now Maddox- oh Maddox our doom and gloom MMC who just grows on you. His ability to learn to stand for what is right through a special someone was amazing to read and see how they grew together and grew into their relationship.
I liked that relationship here wasn’t clean and easily wrapped up into a bow. On the contrary it was jagged and sharp and dark. But it made it all the more realistic and left me wanting to read more and more about them.
I really enjoyed the found family in this world too. Those who helped Alys grow into herself and into who she is fated to be. I loved her unique relationship with Corryn- poor Corryn she was put through it in a whole dynamic way.
The plot pace was just right- it moved along into each plot point beautifully and seamlessly. I loved the magic in this book and how varied and nuanced it was. I loved how the magic comes together towards the end and the displays of magic by the different characters.
I am itching for the next book to see what everyone is up to and how they’ll deal with how this book ended.
This book reminded me why I love to get lost in fantasy all over again.
Thank you to Ruth Cantu for the wonderful opportunity to arc read this!
Would you believe me if I said I read this book in one weekend? It was that good!
First I loved that Alys our FMC is so unapologetically herself. Like not ✨f’s✨ given at all. She is true to herself and really takes no one’s bs. From the beginning we really get a sense of who she is and what she stands for. She’s not soft and fragile (she can be when she wants) and I think it was jarring in the best way to have FMC who owns who she is no matter what society tells her. No matter what it costs her and let me tell you Alys suffering hits hard.
Now Maddox- oh Maddox our doom and gloom MMC who just grows on you. His ability to learn to stand for what is right through a special someone was amazing to read and see how they grew together and grew into their relationship.
I liked that relationship here wasn’t clean and easily wrapped up into a bow. On the contrary it was jagged and sharp and dark. But it made it all the more realistic and left me wanting to read more and more about them.
I really enjoyed the found family in this world too. Those who helped Alys grow into herself and into who she is fated to be. I loved her unique relationship with Corryn- poor Corryn she was put through it in a whole dynamic way.
The plot pace was just right- it moved along into each plot point beautifully and seamlessly. I loved the magic in this book and how varied and nuanced it was. I loved how the magic comes together towards the end and the displays of magic by the different characters.
I am itching for the next book to see what everyone is up to and how they’ll deal with how this book ended.
This book reminded me why I love to get lost in fantasy all over again.
Thank you to Ruth Cantu for the wonderful opportunity to arc read this!
Read
November 16, 2025*ARC REVIEW*
Holy cow. This is by far one of my favorite reads of the year. I’m already addicted to this series and it’s not even out yet. I’m so sad I have to wait for the next one 😭
The story unravels through multiple perspectives. Each one with their own story to tell about their lives under the thumb of the tyrannical queens that are the primary antagonists of this tale. I found myself so invested in the story of most of the characters I encountered. The world was rich, and reading the culture shock from Alys perspective leant to some amusing and light hearted moments to break thru the overall bleak world she is trapped in. Her romantic plot line with Maddox was riddled with that delicious enemies to lovers tension sprinkled through with moments of ego driven banter that left me cackling and kicking my feet.
The overarching story was just as great. This world of witches divided by day and night in rival kingdoms, who hate each other almost as much as they hate every other magical creature. We get to learn more about why they are divided the way they are. They’re ruled by evil queens who have been ruling them for centuries tho no other witch has lived as long as them. Both queens while evil are evil in their own unique ways. This first book in the series is focused on the night witches so we learn of the ways that their queen oppresses any bit of rebellion. And the little ways that her people find ways to fight back.
Definitely one of my favorite books of the year and likely one of my new favorite authors.
Holy cow. This is by far one of my favorite reads of the year. I’m already addicted to this series and it’s not even out yet. I’m so sad I have to wait for the next one 😭
The story unravels through multiple perspectives. Each one with their own story to tell about their lives under the thumb of the tyrannical queens that are the primary antagonists of this tale. I found myself so invested in the story of most of the characters I encountered. The world was rich, and reading the culture shock from Alys perspective leant to some amusing and light hearted moments to break thru the overall bleak world she is trapped in. Her romantic plot line with Maddox was riddled with that delicious enemies to lovers tension sprinkled through with moments of ego driven banter that left me cackling and kicking my feet.
The overarching story was just as great. This world of witches divided by day and night in rival kingdoms, who hate each other almost as much as they hate every other magical creature. We get to learn more about why they are divided the way they are. They’re ruled by evil queens who have been ruling them for centuries tho no other witch has lived as long as them. Both queens while evil are evil in their own unique ways. This first book in the series is focused on the night witches so we learn of the ways that their queen oppresses any bit of rebellion. And the little ways that her people find ways to fight back.
Definitely one of my favorite books of the year and likely one of my new favorite authors.
November 16, 2025
I was given the amazing opportunity to read this as an ARC and I absolutely devoured Eleutheria. From the very first chapter, Ruth Cantu swept me into a world of danger, magic, and impossible choices, and I never once wanted to come up for air.
Alys Sathos is the kind of protagonist I love most—fierce, stubborn, deeply human, and fighting against a fate she never asked for. Watching her navigate the Day and Night Realms, while carrying the weight of being “chosen” for a task she doesn’t want, made her feel incredibly real. Her resilience hit me in all the right places.
And Maddox.
If you love a quietly broken, cold-on-the-outside, conflicted-on-the-inside character… prepare to be ruined. His dynamic with Alys is magnetic from the start. Their connection is sharp, tense, and beautifully messy in a way that feels perfectly suited to the world around them.
The Night Queen’s compulsion magic adds such a gripping layer of tension—every conversation, every alliance, every betrayal feels unpredictable because loyalties can be twisted at any moment. The stakes stay high, and the twists genuinely surprised me.
The worldbuilding is atmospheric, the pacing addictive, and the emotional beats land exactly where they should.
By the end, I was breathless, emotional, and already desperate for the next book.
If you’re looking for a fantasy romance with:
✨ enemies-to-reluctant-allies
✨ fate vs. free will
✨ dark magic and high stakes
✨ slow-burn tension
✨ characters who feel both flawed and unforgettable
…Eleutheria is absolutely worth your time. I’m obsessed.
Alys Sathos is the kind of protagonist I love most—fierce, stubborn, deeply human, and fighting against a fate she never asked for. Watching her navigate the Day and Night Realms, while carrying the weight of being “chosen” for a task she doesn’t want, made her feel incredibly real. Her resilience hit me in all the right places.
And Maddox.
If you love a quietly broken, cold-on-the-outside, conflicted-on-the-inside character… prepare to be ruined. His dynamic with Alys is magnetic from the start. Their connection is sharp, tense, and beautifully messy in a way that feels perfectly suited to the world around them.
The Night Queen’s compulsion magic adds such a gripping layer of tension—every conversation, every alliance, every betrayal feels unpredictable because loyalties can be twisted at any moment. The stakes stay high, and the twists genuinely surprised me.
The worldbuilding is atmospheric, the pacing addictive, and the emotional beats land exactly where they should.
By the end, I was breathless, emotional, and already desperate for the next book.
If you’re looking for a fantasy romance with:
✨ enemies-to-reluctant-allies
✨ fate vs. free will
✨ dark magic and high stakes
✨ slow-burn tension
✨ characters who feel both flawed and unforgettable
…Eleutheria is absolutely worth your time. I’m obsessed.
November 19, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐
Eleutheria is a fierce, emotionally charged fantasy debut that blends mythology, political tension, and razor-sharp character work into a story that feels both epic and intimate. From the opening pages, Cantu builds a world steeped in oppression, where compulsion magic controls minds, queens rule with cruelty, and freedom becomes a dangerous act of defiance.
The novel follows three POV characters: Alys, Maddox, and Corryn, each carrying their own wounds, secrets, and shifting loyalties. Their arcs are entwined through fate, prophecy, and the mysterious Eleutheria rune, a magic tied to independence and rebellion. Watching them unravel the truth behind compulsion and confront their own histories was easily my favourite part of the book.
Cantu’s writing shines brightest in emotional scenes: grief is raw, relationships are complicated, and the stakes feel genuinely high. The action scenes are brutal and cinematic, especially the escalating confrontations with Morgenna, whose presence is terrifying even when she isn’t on the page.
I also appreciated the cultural influences and the author’s note explaining the blend of Western mythology with Mexican/Latine heritage
Eleutheria. It gives the world a texture that feels refreshing in the fantasy genre.
Readers should be mindful of the extensive content warnings; this book doesn’t hold back. But within the violence and darkness, there’s a persistent thread of hope and a powerful meditation on autonomy, survival, and solidarity.
A gripping, high-stakes fantasy with unforgettable characters and a world I’d happily return to.
Eleutheria is a fierce, emotionally charged fantasy debut that blends mythology, political tension, and razor-sharp character work into a story that feels both epic and intimate. From the opening pages, Cantu builds a world steeped in oppression, where compulsion magic controls minds, queens rule with cruelty, and freedom becomes a dangerous act of defiance.
The novel follows three POV characters: Alys, Maddox, and Corryn, each carrying their own wounds, secrets, and shifting loyalties. Their arcs are entwined through fate, prophecy, and the mysterious Eleutheria rune, a magic tied to independence and rebellion. Watching them unravel the truth behind compulsion and confront their own histories was easily my favourite part of the book.
Cantu’s writing shines brightest in emotional scenes: grief is raw, relationships are complicated, and the stakes feel genuinely high. The action scenes are brutal and cinematic, especially the escalating confrontations with Morgenna, whose presence is terrifying even when she isn’t on the page.
I also appreciated the cultural influences and the author’s note explaining the blend of Western mythology with Mexican/Latine heritage
Eleutheria. It gives the world a texture that feels refreshing in the fantasy genre.
Readers should be mindful of the extensive content warnings; this book doesn’t hold back. But within the violence and darkness, there’s a persistent thread of hope and a powerful meditation on autonomy, survival, and solidarity.
A gripping, high-stakes fantasy with unforgettable characters and a world I’d happily return to.
December 24, 2025
Eleutheria pulled me into its world slowly and then refused to let go.
This story is rich with layered worldbuilding, political tension, and magic that feels dangerous rather than decorative. The Day and Night realms are sharply divided, and that divide seeps into every interaction, every choice, every betrayal. It made the stakes feel real — not just “save the world” big, but personal.
Alys is the kind of heroine I always root for: tough, scarred, magicless in a world that fears weakness — yet she never feels small. She’s guarded, capable, and quietly vulnerable in ways that felt earned. Watching her navigate power, prophecy, and manipulation while still holding onto her sense of self was one of my favorite parts of the book.
And Maddox… broody, restrained, emotionally layered. The dynamic between him and Alys is a true slow burn — built on distrust, forced proximity, and moments of reluctant understanding rather than instant chemistry. Their connection simmers instead of explodes, and I loved that it took its time.
The pacing is deliberate, and while it does require patience, the payoff is worth it. The magic system, moral gray areas, and political maneuvering kept me engaged, especially as the story deepened and the characters’ motivations became clearer.
If you enjoy:
• Slow-burn fantasy romance
• Strong, flawed heroines
• Political intrigue + magic
• Tension over instant gratification
this is absolutely one to add to your TBR.
This story is rich with layered worldbuilding, political tension, and magic that feels dangerous rather than decorative. The Day and Night realms are sharply divided, and that divide seeps into every interaction, every choice, every betrayal. It made the stakes feel real — not just “save the world” big, but personal.
Alys is the kind of heroine I always root for: tough, scarred, magicless in a world that fears weakness — yet she never feels small. She’s guarded, capable, and quietly vulnerable in ways that felt earned. Watching her navigate power, prophecy, and manipulation while still holding onto her sense of self was one of my favorite parts of the book.
And Maddox… broody, restrained, emotionally layered. The dynamic between him and Alys is a true slow burn — built on distrust, forced proximity, and moments of reluctant understanding rather than instant chemistry. Their connection simmers instead of explodes, and I loved that it took its time.
The pacing is deliberate, and while it does require patience, the payoff is worth it. The magic system, moral gray areas, and political maneuvering kept me engaged, especially as the story deepened and the characters’ motivations became clearer.
If you enjoy:
• Slow-burn fantasy romance
• Strong, flawed heroines
• Political intrigue + magic
• Tension over instant gratification
this is absolutely one to add to your TBR.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews