City of Promise and Light: Mates of Gods and Fae

by M.B. Atkins

Sybil Hart's ordinary life unravels the moment she collides with a silver-haired stranger, pulling her into a hidden world of fae, ancient gods, and long-buried magic. A tempting job offer from the enigmatic Ambrose Farra quickly becomes a perilous path as Sybil's latent power awaken, threatening to consume her and strip away her humanity.

As she's drawn deeper into a legacy she never knew existed, Sybil finds herself caught between two powerful men: Ambrose, a seductive manipulator with dangerous ambitions, and Samian, her brooding protector who urges her to take control of her fate. But nothing is as it seems, and when betrayal strikes from within, Sybil must confront the truth about who she is and what she's capable of. With the fate of an entire realm hanging in the balance, she faces an impossible choice...

Can Sybil embrace the darkness rising within or risk loosing herself forever?

Genres: Fantasy, Fae

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[minnie. [reading slump hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars!
◟ ࣪˖ ִֶָ .ᐟ˖ City of Promise and Light⟡ˎˊ˗
𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐞: 14+

Thank you to BookSirens and M.B. Atkins for the E-ARC of the novel!

⏾⋆.˚ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
⤷ Explicit sex scenes (not main character)
⤷ Swearing
⤷ Torture (mild), Death, Violence
⤷ Abusive relationship/manipulation

⏾⋆.˚ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ⤵
Okay, the ending?????????? Why'd you have to leave me on a cliffhanger 😭.
I loved this book. It's really well written and the plot was really interesting. Sybil finds out that she has magical powers and goes to Nemos, the upper world to learn to control her powers. I liked that in the fantasy world the author incorporated some technology, which is different than most other fantasy novels I've read. I loved Sybil's character because she was just so relatable. She was training to master her powers, but she kept failing, and I enjoyed reading about her training arc. I liked that Sybil didn't just immediately master her magic, and that she had struggles and failures along the way, which made the plot more enjoyable and interesting. Sybil is such a relatable character because she has a lot of fears and insecurities, and she doesn't really belong or fit in anywhere, which I can really relate to. It really pained me to read Sybil being manipulated by Ambrose, and tbh I was so scared when I thought that Ambrose was the mmc. Overall, the book was enjoyable and the writing was wonderful. Can't wait for the second book!

⏾⋆.˚ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭
⤷ Fated mates
⤷ Love triangle (it's gonna be good I promise)
⤷ Slow burn
⤷ Multiple pov's (including the villain)
⤷ Multiple plot lines
⤷ Fantasy mixed with modern technology
⤷ Plot twists
⤷ Cliffhanger
⤷ Lovable side characters (cough* Aster *cough)

⏾⋆.˚ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
Sybil: My girl Sybil!! Loved her so much, and she is so relatable, as I mentioned above.
Samian: Oh my god fated mates but only he knows about it????? You have me sat.
Ambrose: ... 😒 I love a good enemies to lovers falling for the villain, but not this time. Ambrose has no redemption and he needs to get far farrrr away from Sybil.
Keiran: Introduced near the end of the novel, but I'm still so excited to read more about him!! Omg and he calls her princess..I'm swooning 🤭
Aster: Lovable side character done right!!!! Omg she a diva, and I love her so much.

⏾⋆.˚ 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 ⤵
Loved this book, and I would totally recommend it to fantasy lovers!

[Katie Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens and M.B Atkins for allowing me to read this as an E-ARC!

Your next romantsy / dark fantasy obsession - I am calling it now!
No I'm serious !! I consumed this in one sitting! Couldn't put it down! Didn't want to put it down! Take some of the tropes we all know and love but with twists you DON'T see coming! I was shocked!
Our story follows Sybil, who lives in the modern world until she sadly loses her job, her relationship crumbles and a mysterious pair come along...

Ideal for readers who love
- multiple POVs including our main villain (please refer to second last point about said villain)
- mysterious plot lines
- modern technology mixed with the fantasy world done RIGHT
- easy to digest but well thought out world building and magic system
- an FMC who although may be out of her depth in this new magical world, will not back down
- a love triangle (don't roll your eyes this one is JUICY!)
- fresh twists on tropes we all know and love
- an ending that, although leaves you chomping at the bit for the next instalment, will not leave you with a gut wrenching cliff hanger
- a villain you physically can't help but plan how you would bury them
- side characters that are fully developed and enjoyable to follow

I CANNOT WAIT for more people to read this story so we can discuss theories! Thank you so much for letting me read this before it hits the stores on September 9th!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
First, any book that has a dedication page asking their parents not to read the book because of well, we all know why ( lol), it has my attention.
Unaware, Sybil's magic was bound as a child. When she suddenly loses her job, she receives an unexpected job offer. It leads her to a whole new world where magic is real and she has powerful light magic.
Sybil is thrust into a whole new world, and I can definitely understand her being overwhelmed. However, there were times when I got frustrated with her. At times, she was a little whiny, and her decisions made me want to smack her.
We have 2 MMCs, so it will be interesting to see where the love story goes- love triangle or a why choose. As a reader, I like both and can't decide who to cheer for.
I am eagerly waiting for book 2.

[Kristina Ehrlich · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would - I was completely immersed and some plot points, though predictable, left me feeling deeply for the characters, sometimes disgusted at what was happening to them. Though some things were predictable, other parts were not and I loved being surprised. This is the kind of book where I would pick up the next book right away if it were out. I often thought about reading this book more when I had other responsibilities, desiring to make time to read and not just because I committed to reading it. There were some undesirable parts to read, which is the only reason it’s 4.5 stars for me. It would probably be a good idea to look at trigger warnings prior to reading this if it’s available, however some I noticed were: emotional manipulation, abuse and torture.

I’m so glad I received this on my ARC list through BookSirens, it was a joy to read. I did receive a copy of this book for free through them and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Monika Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC

First off I loved this book. The characters were very well written. Secondly I need someone to remind me not to start good books at night.

[Moonburst · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sybil's life has never been easy. Estranged from her family and having recently been fired, she decides to accept a mysterious job offer from enigmatic Ambrose. She hopes that this job will allow her greater understanding of her own dangerous magic, but instead she finds herself in a strange faerie court where everyone has their own hidden objectives. Can Sybil learn to control her magic without losing herself?

I really wanted to like this book. However, Sybil drove me absolutely crazy. She's 32, going on 17. At first, I was very excited for the main protagonist to be in her thirties. So many fantasy books have young protagonists in their teens/early twenties, and having an older, more mature main character would allow for a more balanced and nuanced story. Unfortunately, Sybil is extremely reactive, often making sudden, terrible decisions seemingly out of spite. Even more baffling, is when her character is ten and right before meeting the faeries, she seems to be a hardworking, cautious character who pays attention to details and doesn't rush into anything. But after the first twenty pages or so, she starts paying attention to nothing and refusing to think for herself. It is infuriating. Even worse, when she is getting bullied in a similar style to mean high school girls everywhere, she genuinely is upset. This is rather asinine as while bullying is unpleasant, the jeers Sybil endures are rather stupid and unlikely for a grown adult woman to care about.

Sybil's immaturity is very frustrating to read about, especially as she could have easily made similar decisions in a less reactive way. For example, it is lightly touched on that Sybil, feeling abandoned by her family, has become somewhat of a perfectionist. She does spend an exhausting about of time assuming she's going to fail. She could have just decided to go with Ambrose and Samian due to a desire to have perfect control over her unbound powers. There was literally no reason for her father, who she has had no contact with for twenty years, to show up just to forbid her from "taking the job" and for her to respond with, "you can't tell me what to do, I'm taking the job!" Later her impatience and desire for perfection would have been enough to get her to agree to Ambrose's bargain. It just would have made for a more realistic, mature character.

I could have handled Sybil's obnoxious decision making if I had had someone to really root for. Unfortunately, Samian is extremely ineffective, being more concerned about protecting himself than making any major inroads against Ambrose's schemes. He is truly an atrocious teacher, basically abandoning Sybil every time he's vaguely called away, and assuming she'll understand by reading books alone. By the end of the book, I didn't feel like he had truly done anything to substance other than skulk around. And while we do spend some time with the rebels, we don't spend enough time with them to really understand what they are fighting for, or to really care. All we really know is Ambrose is super bad, so we don't want him to succeed.

In comparison to everyone else, Ambrose is the strongest character. He's an extremely unnerving, capable villain. But we spend too much time with him as he uses his mental coercion to sleep with any female in his general vicinity. As it's fairly certain that he's manipulated everyone to the point that giving actual consent is impossible, I really could have done with less detailed depictions of his sexual exploits. After a certain point, I got frustrated when the story was from his point of view, because it added little to the plot, and we already understood that he's a terrible person.

All in all, I wanted to like this book, as the overall plot of a rebel group trying to succeed against a horrifyingly capable manipulator while the main character tries to learn control of her capabilities is something I would generally enjoy. But I couldn't stand any of the main characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nikki Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Eventually, the rulers of the realm came together, deciding to combine their magic and separate the Earth into three separate realms: the lower, the middle, and the upper realm. You were born into Mide—the middle realm, which consists mostly of humans and little magic, though there are cases of beings like me that make the Mide their home. Dubnos, the lower realm, was created for the creatures born of the dark and shadows. Demons, dark fae, the unseelie, and creatures of shadow rule in the lower realm. Here in Nemos, the light fae, the seelie, seraphim, and creatures of light rule. With me so far?"


City of Promise and Light by M.B. Atkins... Holy ambitious and immersive, Batman! From the very beginning, the story leans hard into multi-POV fantasy storytelling, layering Sybil’s initially-unraveling human life with the perspectives of Samian, Ambrose (major ick, what a haunting villain!), and later Kieran to build a world that feels politically charged and constantly in motion. What begins in Charlotte quickly heads into Nemos, one of three Earthly realms, and Atkins wastes no time establishing the high stakes of fae courts, hidden bloodlines (literally my favorite part), and power structures built on both light and coercion.


The fae lore is a standout in this book. The concept of seelie heritage literally rewriting Sybil's human DNA adds a fascinating biological dimension to the story's mythology, grounding magic in something that feels unsettlingly inevitable. I was absolutely fascinated by this detail, and it was one of my fave moments in the whole book. And the Queen Cassia tie there was a twist I didn't see coming. Speaking of the queen... Political tension simmers beneath nearly every interaction, from Ambrose’s unnerving control of the court to the quiet rebellion forming in the shadows and the queen who's... indisposed, we'll say. The cast's personalities shine and feel distinctly unique, with characters like Samian, Kieran, Ezra, and Aster bringing their own energy, emotional contrast, and intrigue to every moment. Ambrose in particular is a villain you feel whenever he’s on the page. Yikes. I'll just leave it at that and let other readers uncover the rest. But be ready, because he's equal parts repulsive and chilling.


At its heart, City of Promise and Light is a character-driven fantasy about identity, inheritance, and power. If you enjoy multi-POV fantasy with fae politics, fated threads, and a healthy dose of spice, this one is well worth picking up. I’m definitely curious to see where Atkins takes this world next!

[Bri West · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.75

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to receive an eARC! I think the Mates of Gods and Fae series has really great potential. The world building was interesting and I think we will continue to learn more about it as the story progresses in the next books. Book one somewhat feels like the build up and I think the next will absolutely take off!

The story has plenty of action to keep you intrigued and wanting to see what happened next. There was a lot that was predictable and while you know some of the “bad things” have to happen for the plot to move along (and for the dramatics), I have to admit some made me want to scream and pull my hair out for the characters making such stupid and easily avoidable choices.

I’m mostly looking at you Sybil. While yes, she is thrust into a completely new world unprepared, she is also quite naive, beyond easy to manipulate and even a bit whinny. Repeatedly she has gut feelings / instincts screaming telling her both good and bad, and yet she ignores them every. single. time…..

Kieran and Samian are definitely intriguing. I know we will get more of our MMCs (as it seemed there’s gonna be more than one mate in this dynamic). However even they sometimes made some decisions that had me going …. Really dude? You know better. Plus, somehow they’re these powerful guys but couldn’t protect Sybil when it really mattered? Same for Ezra - a general who didn’t have any control over his commander or other soldiers? Just a bit too convenient.

Speaking of side characters such as Ezra- Aster, Viv and even Queen Cassia make you want to have more interactions with them. I hope they get to remain in the foreground for the next books. Ambrose is a Villain you can truly hate. So is his lackey Arianna.

I’m eager to read the next book in this series and hopefully once all the secrets come out, Sybil will learn to finally listen to those instincts. I’m also excited for the romance to unravel next book with the prospect of dual mates.

Tropes:
- Fae & elemental magic
- mysterious
- Dual POVs
- Mates
- Potential love triangle

[stephanie cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow Sybil Hart, whose normal life is shattered after a chance encounter with a silver-haired stranger—an event that spirals into a realm brimming with ancient gods, fae courts, and awakening powers she never knew she possessed. What starts as a mysterious job offer turns into a dangerous unraveling of Sybil’s identity, and Atkins handles this transformation with both emotional depth and wild, intoxicating energy.

The character work is what really stood out to me. Sybil isn’t just a vessel for the story she’s layered, flawed, and real. And Ambrose Farra? Equal parts enigmatic and magnetic, his presence fills every scene he enters. The tension, the vulnerability, the push and pull between them it’s done so well without falling into predictable tropes.

And the world-building? Absolutely transportive. Atkins doesn’t spoon-feed you the lore—instead, she challenges you to lose yourself in it. The magic system is intricate, the mythological roots are rich, and the darker themes woven throughout give this book real weight. You feel the stakes, and that makes the magic hit even harder.

Fair warning: this is not a light, whimsical fae tale. It dives into heavier themes and doesn’t shy away from emotional or psychological complexity. But that’s what makes it so captivating. Also… someone remind me never to start a book like this at night unless I plan to be completely sleep-deprived.

While I’m giving this 4 stars instead of 5, it’s only because I think the pacing in some parts could’ve been a bit tighter—but that’s a minor note in what is otherwise a stellar entry into the genre.

If you're a fan of high-stakes fantasy with gods, fae, hidden powers, and emotionally grounded characters, then City of Promise and Light deserves a spot on your TBR. I’m already loving this author and looking forward to reading more of their work.

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a frustrating read because City of Promise and Light had so much potential. The plot itself is solid, the villains are compelling, and the supporting cast genuinely shines but unfortunately, the FMC ruins a lot of the magic by being hard to tolerate.

Sybil is painfully naive and overly stubborn, and many of her decisions felt illogical to the point of being unbelievable. I struggled to connect with her at any point, and her constant poor judgment dragged down what could have been an incredible foundation for the series. She may be one of the most frustrating main characters I’ve read in a while, which is especially disappointing because the rest of the book is actually really good and the writing style is fantastic.

The side characters were the highlight for me. Samian and Kieran were both enjoyable, Ezra is an absolute fluffy giant who I’d love to read more about, and Ambrose and Arianna were excellent villains and were awful in the most satisfying way.

Another issue was the lack of early world-building. The story opens with a mysterious job offer that Sybil accepts with almost no information, and there’s little explanation for things like why her brother was calling her or how they knew she lost her job (and it never really loops back). These early plot holes made it hard to suspend disbelief and fully settle into the world and also contributed to Sybil being a hard character to connect with.

Overall, this could easily have been a 4-star read with a stronger FMC and a more developed opening. As it stands, it lands around 3 stars for me. I’m hopeful that the next installment will redeem Sybil as a character, because the series itself has a lot of promise.

[Kaylee (Faerietalesafterdark) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, and I think it has so much potential.

Sybil, our FMC, lands on some hard times and meets two mysterious men (Ambrose and Sabien) who have a job proposal for her. Ultimately, she ends up taking this "job" and is thrust into a different realm, the realm of the Faeries.. and other beings. This is where the truth of who Sybil is and what nefarious plans Ambrose has for her come to light, and how Sabien has been checking in on her since she was a little girl to make sure that she's okay. While in this new realm, she is offered a bargain from Ambrose, that she decides to take.. to her extreme detrement, because he is not who he has made himself out to be.

I think my only problem with this book is that Sybil is supposed to be in her early 30's, but if you told me she was 18 I would believe you. Her behaviours and thought process seems extremely naieve. Having said that, I'm not sure how I would react if I was torn from everything and everyone that I've ever known into a world that I didn't know existed, with these huge powers that have been bound for so long. But, the side characters are really my favorite of the whole thing. I love a found family trope with some amazing side characters, and I think I will be getting that with this series. I really hope that in the next book Sybil steps into herself and becomes the badass I know that she is meant to be! I really want to love her, and I'm excited to see where her character arc takes us!

Tropes:
Dark romantasy
multiple fated mates
found family
naieve MMC
betrayal
why choose
hidden truths
slllowwwww burnnnn

[Bookishwife · Rating 5 out of 5]

City of Promise & Light by M.B. Atkins was such a fantastic addition to my Romantasy addiction! ✨

One of the things I really appreciated was how the FMC, Sybil, didn’t instantly master her power. She fails—multiple times—and the fear she develops toward a magic she never asked for felt so real. That struggle made her decision-making understandable.

I also loved the political elements woven throughout: the rebellion, the way the outer villages are crushed by taxes to keep them under control, and the layered dynamic of social classes. And then there’s the villain… the perfect blend of charm and emotional manipulation. I hate to admit it, but I kind of fell for it too (ugh, why am I like this? 😂).

Also, while I understand one of the MMC, Samian, is trying to protect Sybil, I can’t help but wish he’d let that guard down just a little more—I need more time with him and way more romantic tension. 👀🔥

The side characters, especially Ezra, completely stole my heart. ❤️

And that ending?! Let’s just say I’m not okay—I need book two in my hands right now!

If you’re looking for Romantasy with flawed magic, political intrigue, a manipulative villain you’ll love to hate (or hate to love 👀), and side characters worth obsessing over, this one is a must-read.

A huge thank you to M.B. Atkins and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of City of Promise and Light! 📖✨

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

City of Promise and Light is an immersive entry into the Mates of Gods and Fae series that blends mythic magic, political danger, and deep emotional stakes. M.B. Atkins throws readers into a world where ancient powers stir, loyalties are tested, and the pull of fate is impossible to resist.

The story follows Sybil Hart, whose once‑ordinary life shatters when she encounters a mysterious silver‑haired stranger. Dragged into a hidden realm of fae courts, ancient gods, and awakening magic, Sybil must confront forces far beyond her understanding — and grapple with a power inside her that threatens to consume her very humanity.

What sets this romantasy apart is the slow‑burn tension between love, loyalty, and self‑discovery. Sybil finds herself torn between Ambrose Farra, a seductive and dangerously ambitious figure, and Samian, her brooding protector who wants her to claim her strength rather than be defined by it. Betrayal, hidden truths, and the threat of violence weave through the plot, keeping the emotional stakes high.

The world building feels both ancient and visceral — gods with agendas, fae politics simmering with tension, and a destiny that feels heavier than a crown. Themes of identity, power, and choice pulse through every page, and Sybil’s growth from uncertainty to fierce determination gives the story real depth.

[Samantha Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a romantasy book that has great character development and an original storyline, this book is for you! If you're like me and have read a good deal of romantasy, after a while, a lot of the story lines begin to sound the same. This book was different! I found this book and the universe it is set in to be original which kept me interested throughout and made it hard to put the book down. Plus, the main character, Sybil, is so lovable and relatable that it is hard to stop reading because you need to know what her fate will be. In many other fantasy books, I've found it hard to connect with the FMC because they are quick to accept the situations they are thrown into. Sybil has emotions that are relatable and she reacts in ways that a normal woman would instead of being the perfect model of stoicism that you tend to come across in other fantasy books. She is constantly going through complicated emotions that help you get into her mindset and give her character depth. The MMCs are all equally lovable and balance Sybil out so well that it is hard to root for one of them over the other. It is even hard for me to pick my favorite side character because they each have their own charms although they are diverse in personality and background. Overall, this was such a fun read and had me reaching for book 2 as soon as I finished it!

[Fairytale_tiff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens and the author for an eARC! I really had a lot of fun with this! I love when a fantasy is short and I finished it in a day!

I truly have no clue which direction the story will go! It is keeping me on my toes that I still can’t exactly pinpoint who the MMC(‘s?) are going to be. We have a potential why choose, fated mates, love triangle and I am here for it! We get all the mythical and magical creatures from fae, seelie/unseelie, demons, wolves, ect.

The world building in this book is executed very well. I hope that we get a little bit more of that in depth in book 2 with the three realms. I was hoping to see a little bit more of court politics in this book as well between the rebels and the fae.

Sybil is a very likeable FMC but I just wanted her standing up for herself slightly more but I’m really excited for her character development! Oh how the author will truly make you feel all the feels in her POV.

This book is perfect for fans of Infatuated Fae but this is a slow burn!

[Stina Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

City of Promise and Light throws you headfirst into a dark, magical world where nothing comes easy for Sybil. She starts out a bit whiny and overwhelmed (and honestly, I wanted to shake her a few times), but watching her grow into her power kept me hooked. The two MMCs add a fun twist, will it be a love triangle or a why choose? Either way, I’m invested.

What stood out most to me is how real the themes felt. Sybil’s desire for stability and freedom hits close to home, and the villains echo the kind of power-hungry figures we see too often in the real world. It’s dark, heavy at times, and definitely not a lighthearted fantasy, but if you stick with it, it’s so rewarding.

M.B. Atkins delivers a debut that’s bold, thought-provoking, and full of heart. I’ll definitely be picking up book two.

[CORINNE · Rating 4 out of 5]

stars
Dark magic brutal scenes
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 September 2025
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily

I would have given this 5 stars if not for how it ended

Absolutely “spell binding “ story magical and brutal

Very interesting concept throughout so much going on

Depth of characters personalities was excellent

Couldn’t put it down

Made me feel all sorts of things from awe to angry

So disappointed with Samien as a character always promising never fulfilled

Sybil is so confused no one really explained anything fully to her always later or when you need to know leading her to dark paths

Really left hanging at the end

One conclusion would have been good

I know there will probably be a follow up book but will that leave so many questions unanswered too?
Thank you for your review.
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[audio.smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate up this ARC! Sybil is a modern woman who is unhappy with her job, her partner and basically her life. Childhood trauma has her closed off to her emotions and she lacks the motivation to make changes. Enter Ambrose and Samian from a mysterious world to swoop in with a hard to pass offer of a new life. Sybil accompanies her new acquaintances to the high fae world where layer upon layer of mystery, intrigue and suspense slowly unfold. The world building in this book is excellent. Book 1 kept me hooked while still answering questions and leaving many more for book 2! I really enjoyed this different take on dark romance. There is spice in an unexpected way with plenty of slow burn along side. Check out City of Promise and Light if you want a fresh take on Fae lore with more deep themes and complex characters. You will not be disappointed!!

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

City of Promise and Light was an entertaining read that kept me turning the pages. I rate books based on how well they hold my attention, and this one definitely succeeded in that regard—the overall story was good and engaging enough to keep me hooked.

That said, I did find the FMC a bit on the annoying side at times, which pulled me out of the story here and there. I’m hopeful her character growth will be stronger in the next installment, because the worldbuilding and plot setup have a lot of promise. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Overall, it’s a solid start to a series with plenty of potential. I’ll be interested to see where the story goes next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved it! This was such an interesting take on Romantasy and I was hooked from the very beginning. The story starts out simple and then as it unfolds you are just as confused as the heroine (but in a good way.) I love the three perspectives because it gives you a look into the two sides and then how she is torn. As she learns her powers I loved how she was compassionate and that drives her decisions. As the history and the plot unfolds, it sucks you in. This series is going to be fantastic!

If you are just venturing into Romantasy, this one is for you. It isn’t as complicated as some others, which I also loved. If you are a long time fan you will also love it because it is a really interesting premise and the multiple perspectives on both sides is really interesting. Can’t wait for book 2! 5/5⭐️ 4/5🌶️

I received an advanced copy of this book.

[Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words, just a list of needs: I need book 2 ASAP! I need everyone to read book 2 before me and start posting spoilers online so I can google “does ____die?” to help soothe my plot related anxiety. I need to be included in casting decisions when this series is inevitably translated to film….because it will be, and I have people in mind already. I need my work and family to understand that I will be taking time off when the next books drop. You will not be able to reach me. I will be busy.

The story is so engaging. The characters very quickly make you love or hate them, and sometimes you’re not actually sure which one you’re feeling. The imagery is *chefs kiss*. 10/10. New obsession.

[okaybookbestie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Book Sirens and our wonderful author for this advanced reader copy of City of Promise and Light. I was in a reading slump/hangover when I started this book and it almost instantaneously brought me out of it. Things to know: there is a main character, Sybil, but you will also get multiple POVs the whole way through without losing your care or interest in the main character. I found the writing easy to follow and the book flowed seamlessly from chapter to chapter. Read this book, yall! When I say the tension writing in this book is top notch I mean it! There’s tense yearning and well written spice that is topped off with brilliant waves of panic, distress, and grief. I loved every moment of it and I cannot wait for the second book.

[Caitlin S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will preface this by saying I am not a regular fantasy reader, so this was a new genre experience for me.

I found this book to be really engaging! The characters were written so well that I actually did really hate some of them to my core. MB Atkins really knows how to make a villain.

The main character, Sybil, makes me feel indifferent about her. I find her to be naïve and lacking confidence, but I can already tell we’re going to see some great character development with her throughout the series.

Overall, I enjoyed the world-building and side stories of all the characters. This book really set the stage for what’s to come in the rest of the series and I am SO excited to pick up the next book when it comes out!

[Anna Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I can say is—I NEED book two!!!!

If you love ACOTAR, you will love this book. It was impossible not to feel for the main character as I was drawn straight into her world. The emotional pull is strong, and I found myself completely invested in her journey. Though please read your trigger warnings, as there are some heavy themes and moments in this. I loved the MFC's heart, her desire to do right… It was refreshing, and I just wanted to give her a big hug half the time. (There are a few spicy scenes that are easy to skip if that is your preference)

I can’t wait to see where the next book takes me!

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this was going to be good from the tagline "What monster deserves a happy ending?" and this book didn't disappoint. I was hooked from the first page and thought the overall Fae and supernatural elements were so well done and worked together in this. The plot was everything that I was looking for in an opening chapter of the Mates of Gods and Fae series and enjoyed the way M. B. Atkins wrote this and wanted more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review! Thank you to the author for allowing me to to an ARC reader for this book! Following the main female character, Sybil, we learn of her magic and a new world she’s thrust into after she’s went years not knowing the magic was inside of her. However, I did find her frustrating at times. Most fantasy books are set in a world where modern day technology doesn’t exist, and I liked how this book brought some of that technology into it. We also have two very intriguing main male characters, and I can’t wait to see how that plays out in the next book!

[That Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Fae romance will enjoy City of Promise and Light.
Sybil Hart's routine is disrupted by a chance encounter with Samian, a mysterious silver-haired stranger, thrusting her into a world of gods, fae courts, and hidden powers. She must learn to control her magic before things get out of hand. Will she be able to do it? And who is this Ambrose Farra? Can he really be trusted?

Thank you to M.B. Atkins and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of City of Promise and Light

[Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the start of this book I was drawn in. Sybil and her cousin in the woods had me highly irritated and then jumping through time as if she just forgot her power had me thinking I would not be captivated enough to continue However, Samian and Kieran saved it for me and I'm eager to see where the next book will lead them. And in my head I'm already taking Arianna and Ambrose out myself. Great read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Regan Pontius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read City of Promise and Light as an eARC and loved every minute of it. I had a slow start to it, but once I got into the book, I couldn't put it down.

It's a romantasy filled with everything you could think of and more. I didn't want the book to end. When it did, I was surprised. I'll be eagerly waiting for the next book.

The book is told in multiple POV, consists of love triangles, dark agendas, and fated mates.

Have fun reading!

[Cherin W · Rating 4 out of 5]

The FMC is just having a really bad day!! I really liked how this started in the real world and then jumped into Fantasy. The FMC felt like she was sufficiently out of her depth and out of sorts. The book really pick up and hooked me about 1/3 of the way into it. Be sure to read the trigger warnings because the antagonist gave me all the vibes and there were times I almost could read some scenes he was in but it all served a point. Look forward to book 2