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Mirrorwoven
You are cordially invited to the Dragon Masquerade …
Del has two rules. stay away from royalty. don’t fall in love.
The first – because Del is secretly a runaway princess. After the death of her sister at the hand of her boyfriend, Del flees her family, home and all the responsibilities that come with being the queendom’s new heir. With a magically constructed mirrorwoven face, Del is now unrecognisable, and disappears to the faraway opaline lagoon-city of Salato.
The second rule – because the enchantment hiding Del’s identity can only be unravelled by true love’s kiss. But that’s just fine. Del’s had enough of love anyway.
When Del breaks Rule One and becomes court bard to the newly widowed First of Salato, she is resolved to keep her head down. But Clara is naïve and trusts too easily, and soon Del finds herself having to guide Clara through the shoals of court life, somehow without revealing her own secret.
As Del grows closer to both Clara and Nasca, Clara’s brilliant, dangerous sister-in-law, it will only take a push to bring Del’s house of cards tumbling down.
Like, for example, breaking Rule Two.
Del has two rules. stay away from royalty. don’t fall in love.
The first – because Del is secretly a runaway princess. After the death of her sister at the hand of her boyfriend, Del flees her family, home and all the responsibilities that come with being the queendom’s new heir. With a magically constructed mirrorwoven face, Del is now unrecognisable, and disappears to the faraway opaline lagoon-city of Salato.
The second rule – because the enchantment hiding Del’s identity can only be unravelled by true love’s kiss. But that’s just fine. Del’s had enough of love anyway.
When Del breaks Rule One and becomes court bard to the newly widowed First of Salato, she is resolved to keep her head down. But Clara is naïve and trusts too easily, and soon Del finds herself having to guide Clara through the shoals of court life, somehow without revealing her own secret.
As Del grows closer to both Clara and Nasca, Clara’s brilliant, dangerous sister-in-law, it will only take a push to bring Del’s house of cards tumbling down.
Like, for example, breaking Rule Two.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨👑 Mirrorwoven 👑 ✨
Sapphic Princess 🤝🏾 Love Triangle
I definitely need more Sapphic Princess romances! This was a fun Romantasy even if it’s a bit predictable!
4.5 Star read!
🪞 What to Expect
• Runaway princess
• Musician FMC
• Hidden identity
• Magical disguise
• Sapphic Romance
• Court politics
• Love triangle
_ _ _ _
⭐ Final Rating: 4.5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel and Friends, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Sapphic Princess 🤝🏾 Love Triangle
I definitely need more Sapphic Princess romances! This was a fun Romantasy even if it’s a bit predictable!
4.5 Star read!
🪞 What to Expect
• Runaway princess
• Musician FMC
• Hidden identity
• Magical disguise
• Sapphic Romance
• Court politics
• Love triangle
_ _ _ _
⭐ Final Rating: 4.5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel and Friends, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
July 5, 2026
This was amazing and I’m kinda sad that it’s a standalone because I’m so not ready to say goodbye to these characters😭 Like don’t get me wrong, the story has a satisfying ending as is, but I want more! I loved this so much, I am absolutely looking forward to this author’s future work.
Tropes and such:
- sapphic fantasy in a Venice-inspired setting
- musician FMC x queen
- princess in hiding
- faking your death to start over from nothing
- mirror magic
- friends to enemies
- family trauma and dead siblings
Do the queer characters get a happy ending?
----
Thank you to HarperCollins UK for the ARC
Tropes and such:
- sapphic fantasy in a Venice-inspired setting
- musician FMC x queen
- princess in hiding
- faking your death to start over from nothing
- mirror magic
- friends to enemies
- family trauma and dead siblings
Do the queer characters get a happy ending?
----
Thank you to HarperCollins UK for the ARC
Want to Read
January 3, 2026YA sapphic fantasy w/ love triangle
March 4, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley for providing an ARC for review.
Del is on the run. An heir to a magical kingdom in magical disguise, all she wants is to become a guild bard in Solato, a supposed democratic lagoon-city. Through a series of events however she finds herself court bard to the widowed First of Solato, which is a nightmare because of course, Rule 1 is to stay away from royalty. Rule 2 is not to fall in love - and of course Del, the disaster bisexual that she is, finds herself falling head over heels for the city's ruler. Oh, and there's also Clara's hot sister in law. Del must somehow keep herself hidden while helping the naive Clara the First navigate the leadership of a city roiling with class tension. What could go wrong?
Bori crafted a unique Venice inspired setting, interesting characters, a well voiced protagonist and of course, an enormous amount of sapphic yearning (and payoff). The twists in this were very satisfying, and once the pace picks up in the back half of the book it was difficult to put down.
This is an atypical read for me and I still found myself struggling to really connect with the story and characters, but I still ultimately enjoyed the read and am impressed at the quality of this debut.
Great work Bori, I'm proud of you!
Del is on the run. An heir to a magical kingdom in magical disguise, all she wants is to become a guild bard in Solato, a supposed democratic lagoon-city. Through a series of events however she finds herself court bard to the widowed First of Solato, which is a nightmare because of course, Rule 1 is to stay away from royalty. Rule 2 is not to fall in love - and of course Del, the disaster bisexual that she is, finds herself falling head over heels for the city's ruler. Oh, and there's also Clara's hot sister in law. Del must somehow keep herself hidden while helping the naive Clara the First navigate the leadership of a city roiling with class tension. What could go wrong?
Bori crafted a unique Venice inspired setting, interesting characters, a well voiced protagonist and of course, an enormous amount of sapphic yearning (and payoff). The twists in this were very satisfying, and once the pace picks up in the back half of the book it was difficult to put down.
This is an atypical read for me and I still found myself struggling to really connect with the story and characters, but I still ultimately enjoyed the read and am impressed at the quality of this debut.
Great work Bori, I'm proud of you!
October 17, 2025
Read an early copy of this and I CANNOT WAIT for it to be out in the world. One of the best YA fantasies I've read, hands down. So imaginative, so funny, and so damn heartbreaking. (Bori, you're the worst. But your books slaps.)
May 31, 2026
Note: I was granted access to an e-ARC of this book by the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
Mirrorwoven is a YA standalone fantasy novel and the debut novel of the author, Bori Cser. The writing style is quite impressive for a debut: clear, smooth, well-structured, with a very good balance of dialogue to prose, and little to no info-dumping.
The setting is, more than inspired by Venice, actually Venice itself, albeit a fantasy version of it — but barely discernible from the real thing in a lot of ways, including in the history and traditions of the real Italian city which is used as lore for the purposes of the novel (yes, the Marriage of the Sea is a real thing that happens in Venice, a tradition going back nearly a full
Millennium, that still occurs and is celebrated every year in May).
Yes, some things were embellished or enriched but for the most part a lot of the setting and setup of the Nation of Salato is based on the historical city state of Venice.
I have a personal pet-peeve with books using foreign languages peppered throughout to enrich their worldbuilding, but aside from a few instances (starting with the name Salato, which means “salty, savory” in Italian) I have to admit that this book is actually an example that it can actually be done in such a way that isn’t offensive to the original language and culture (a first in my personal reading experience).
The book is told in first person and the MC’s story is quite interesting, though her background is approached in too rushed a manner and unclear until the very end of the book, for no discernible reason.
Knowing why Del was running away and had changed her appearance would not have detracted from the story at all in my opinion — in fact, it would have upped the stakes and helped the reader understand the urgency in keeping her secret and her real appearance from anyone around her.
I think we could have used that urgency and higher stakes, because although the premise is interesting, I found it hard to connect with the characters for most of the book. They all seemed a bit remote, not quite fully shaped or solid enough — Del as the MC was the better one in that regard, partially helped along by the first-person narrative which gave us direct insight into her thoughts and how she viewed and experienced things, but even then it felt like something was missing or rushed at times. The secondary characters were definitely less solid than they should have been and that took away from the impact of various events Del experienced.
There were also a few instances in which a development or decision felt rushed, too sudden, lacking development in its approach.
The first half of the book was mostly coasting along for me but after an important twist in the story a little after the half-way point, the story gains urgency and one of the side characters gains some dimension which nearly pays off but loses a little steam towards the end.
Overall a pretty good read and pretty solid debut, but I feel like it could have used more character development and less rushed background stories, especially for the MC but really for most of the secondary characters that she interacts with throughout the novel.
Because of that it’s not quite a 4-star for me, more a 3 1/2, which I’m rounding down because I can’t do half-stars here.
Mirrorwoven is a YA standalone fantasy novel and the debut novel of the author, Bori Cser. The writing style is quite impressive for a debut: clear, smooth, well-structured, with a very good balance of dialogue to prose, and little to no info-dumping.
The setting is, more than inspired by Venice, actually Venice itself, albeit a fantasy version of it — but barely discernible from the real thing in a lot of ways, including in the history and traditions of the real Italian city which is used as lore for the purposes of the novel (yes, the Marriage of the Sea is a real thing that happens in Venice, a tradition going back nearly a full
Millennium, that still occurs and is celebrated every year in May).
Yes, some things were embellished or enriched but for the most part a lot of the setting and setup of the Nation of Salato is based on the historical city state of Venice.
I have a personal pet-peeve with books using foreign languages peppered throughout to enrich their worldbuilding, but aside from a few instances (starting with the name Salato, which means “salty, savory” in Italian) I have to admit that this book is actually an example that it can actually be done in such a way that isn’t offensive to the original language and culture (a first in my personal reading experience).
The book is told in first person and the MC’s story is quite interesting, though her background is approached in too rushed a manner and unclear until the very end of the book, for no discernible reason.
Knowing why Del was running away and had changed her appearance would not have detracted from the story at all in my opinion — in fact, it would have upped the stakes and helped the reader understand the urgency in keeping her secret and her real appearance from anyone around her.
I think we could have used that urgency and higher stakes, because although the premise is interesting, I found it hard to connect with the characters for most of the book. They all seemed a bit remote, not quite fully shaped or solid enough — Del as the MC was the better one in that regard, partially helped along by the first-person narrative which gave us direct insight into her thoughts and how she viewed and experienced things, but even then it felt like something was missing or rushed at times. The secondary characters were definitely less solid than they should have been and that took away from the impact of various events Del experienced.
There were also a few instances in which a development or decision felt rushed, too sudden, lacking development in its approach.
The first half of the book was mostly coasting along for me but after an important twist in the story a little after the half-way point, the story gains urgency and one of the side characters gains some dimension which nearly pays off but loses a little steam towards the end.
Overall a pretty good read and pretty solid debut, but I feel like it could have used more character development and less rushed background stories, especially for the MC but really for most of the secondary characters that she interacts with throughout the novel.
Because of that it’s not quite a 4-star for me, more a 3 1/2, which I’m rounding down because I can’t do half-stars here.
July 4, 2026
Review to come 🩷
Read
March 17, 2026Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to Harper Fire, Bori Cser and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of Mirrorwoven.
Mirrorwoven follows Del, a princess of Gilnea who has fled her home after a tragedy struck her family and left her as the heir to the throne. She enlists the help of her grandmother, who weaves her a new face with her illusion magic, and sets off to the merchant city of Salato to do the thing she loves most; play her lute. To protect herself, she establishes two rules. One; don't go near royalty. Two; never fall in love as true love's kiss will break the illusion on her face. When Del reaches Salato, she unknowingly breaks rule one and becomes the court bard to the First of Salato, the ruler of the city, and ends up getting closer to the First, the innocent and naive Clara, and her wily sister-in-law, Nasca. As Del draws closer to each of these captivating girls, she finds herself at risk of breaking both of her rules and revealing her true self.
3.5 stars!
I had a lot of fun with this debut sapphic YA fantasy. It's written in such an engaging and fun way, and it really pulled me into the Venetian-inspired city from the onset. While the worldbuilding isn't as detailed as I personally like, I did still really appreciate what we were given, and I think it was the perfect amount of worldbuilding for this story. Salato was so atmospheric that it felt like you were truly there; I felt like I was walking down a canal or sailing on a gondola when those scenes were described. I also liked the hints of other countries that we got, especially Gilnea, which seemed more rural than the gilded Salato. I wish we'd got to visit Gilnea to see a parallel to Salato for ourselves, rather than just seeing it through Del's commentary. The magic was also interesting; again I wish it had been described and established a bit more, such as its rules, but the amount of detail we got was suitable for the story and didn't leave me with too many questions. I did really like the use of mirrors to cast enchantments, and therefore the Gilnean superstition of covering mirrors to be safe from enchantment, that was a really cool addition and not something that I've seen too much of in fantasy before.
Del was such a fun character to follow. She's determined and loyal but makes mistakes and has real flaws, which makes her all the more engaging to read about. While some of her decisions through the book, and even before the book starts, had me questioning her and getting frustrated at her, they were still understandable decisions for someone in her situation to have made. Her connection to music really stood out to me as well; I really enjoy when a main character has a hobby that they're truly passionate about, and for Del it was music and her lute. Seeing her find comfort and happiness in music was really lovely to see, and I really enjoyed the sections where she was playing. Outside of those scenes, I did lose a bit of connection to her due to some of the decisions she made, but I still did enjoy following along in her story.
Our two love interests, Clara and Nasca, were both really interesting characters as well. In love triangles I usually will pick a preferred love interest and stick with it, and this time was no exception; I was a Clara girl through and through. I did enjoy how the two of them felt quite different from each other; Clara as the more naive and innocent one whereas Nasca was more politically savvy and witty. However, both of the romances progressed a little faster than I'd prefer; although months did pass in the story, the shorter page count meant that the romances felt slightly rushed and didn't have as much yearning as I personally like. But that's just a me thing!
If you enjoy sapphic YA fantasy with queer-normative worlds and fun and engaging characters then I'd definitely recommend Mirrorwoven. The ending seemed to wrap up nicely with a few questions, however I've learnt that this will be a duology, so hopefully those questions will be answered in the sequel.
Mirrorwoven follows Del, a princess of Gilnea who has fled her home after a tragedy struck her family and left her as the heir to the throne. She enlists the help of her grandmother, who weaves her a new face with her illusion magic, and sets off to the merchant city of Salato to do the thing she loves most; play her lute. To protect herself, she establishes two rules. One; don't go near royalty. Two; never fall in love as true love's kiss will break the illusion on her face. When Del reaches Salato, she unknowingly breaks rule one and becomes the court bard to the First of Salato, the ruler of the city, and ends up getting closer to the First, the innocent and naive Clara, and her wily sister-in-law, Nasca. As Del draws closer to each of these captivating girls, she finds herself at risk of breaking both of her rules and revealing her true self.
3.5 stars!
I had a lot of fun with this debut sapphic YA fantasy. It's written in such an engaging and fun way, and it really pulled me into the Venetian-inspired city from the onset. While the worldbuilding isn't as detailed as I personally like, I did still really appreciate what we were given, and I think it was the perfect amount of worldbuilding for this story. Salato was so atmospheric that it felt like you were truly there; I felt like I was walking down a canal or sailing on a gondola when those scenes were described. I also liked the hints of other countries that we got, especially Gilnea, which seemed more rural than the gilded Salato. I wish we'd got to visit Gilnea to see a parallel to Salato for ourselves, rather than just seeing it through Del's commentary. The magic was also interesting; again I wish it had been described and established a bit more, such as its rules, but the amount of detail we got was suitable for the story and didn't leave me with too many questions. I did really like the use of mirrors to cast enchantments, and therefore the Gilnean superstition of covering mirrors to be safe from enchantment, that was a really cool addition and not something that I've seen too much of in fantasy before.
Del was such a fun character to follow. She's determined and loyal but makes mistakes and has real flaws, which makes her all the more engaging to read about. While some of her decisions through the book, and even before the book starts, had me questioning her and getting frustrated at her, they were still understandable decisions for someone in her situation to have made. Her connection to music really stood out to me as well; I really enjoy when a main character has a hobby that they're truly passionate about, and for Del it was music and her lute. Seeing her find comfort and happiness in music was really lovely to see, and I really enjoyed the sections where she was playing. Outside of those scenes, I did lose a bit of connection to her due to some of the decisions she made, but I still did enjoy following along in her story.
Our two love interests, Clara and Nasca, were both really interesting characters as well. In love triangles I usually will pick a preferred love interest and stick with it, and this time was no exception; I was a Clara girl through and through. I did enjoy how the two of them felt quite different from each other; Clara as the more naive and innocent one whereas Nasca was more politically savvy and witty. However, both of the romances progressed a little faster than I'd prefer; although months did pass in the story, the shorter page count meant that the romances felt slightly rushed and didn't have as much yearning as I personally like. But that's just a me thing!
If you enjoy sapphic YA fantasy with queer-normative worlds and fun and engaging characters then I'd definitely recommend Mirrorwoven. The ending seemed to wrap up nicely with a few questions, however I've learnt that this will be a duology, so hopefully those questions will be answered in the sequel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Full disclosure: This is not a book I can review without bias. I've been cheering it on since its inception - since its predecessor's inception! - and seeing Cser's hard work come to fruition fills me with an admiration and pride that was always going to colour my reading experience.
By the same token, I'm fairly miserly with my star ratings, and have only become pickier and more discerning as my reading journey has gone on. I love and support my friends, but I also believe strongly in honesty, and in the boundaries between readerly and writerly spaces.
Thankfully, though unsurprisingly, Mirrorwoven was fantastic, and I can gush with integrity. Mirrorwoven follows Del, a runaway princess who soon finds that she has inadvertently traded the trials and tribulations of one court and kingdom - well, queendom: her home, Gilnea - for another. It is in this latter nation, the Venice-inspired city-state Salato, that Del must learn to stand her ground, navigating her appointment as court bard to its ruler, the First; her budding relationships with two very different, though equally alluring, sisters-by-marriage, Clara and Nasca; the fraught politics of a much larger, wealthier foreign body; and all that follows as a result.
I loved these characters from the very first page, and soon found myself as swept up in the happenings of their lives as they were. This debut is written with so much self assurance, such attention to detail and respect for the craft of writing, that it almost transcends genre. I say almost, because this is very much a young adult fantasy novel, and it shows too much respect for both the genre and its readers to waste page space trying to convert the uninitiated, no matter how much it knows they're missing out. But for the casual fantasy reader, it's a joyous reminder of all that is good about the genre, and for the fantasy lover, it's a no-brainer.
In some respects, Cser shows her hand early. There are no deus ex machinas here, only Chekhov's guns and Occam's razors. Setup and payoff go hand in hand, and in Mirrorwoven, such narrative principles are deftly balanced against surprise and intrigue, always in harmony. The joy is not in watching the cards being revealed, but in seeing how expertly Cser stacks them up, only to make them tumble at just the right moment. The whole thing is spectacularly orchestrated; never is that clearer than in its conclusion, which ties up just enough to leave you happy and hopeful, but not so much that you're totally satisfied - because such completion, of course, comes with Mirrorwoven #2, just as intended.
I can't wait to have this book in my hot little hands come pub day. If you like sapphic romances, if you like love triangles, forbidden love, YEARNING (my God, the yearning), rich historical Venetian fantasy settings, world-building as natural as breathing and as exciting as your dream holiday, court politics, masquerade balls, music, love, life, light - give Mirrorwoven a try. I doubt you'll regret it.
Thank you to Bori Cser, Harper Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. What a fun week of reading this has been!
By the same token, I'm fairly miserly with my star ratings, and have only become pickier and more discerning as my reading journey has gone on. I love and support my friends, but I also believe strongly in honesty, and in the boundaries between readerly and writerly spaces.
Thankfully, though unsurprisingly, Mirrorwoven was fantastic, and I can gush with integrity. Mirrorwoven follows Del, a runaway princess who soon finds that she has inadvertently traded the trials and tribulations of one court and kingdom - well, queendom: her home, Gilnea - for another. It is in this latter nation, the Venice-inspired city-state Salato, that Del must learn to stand her ground, navigating her appointment as court bard to its ruler, the First; her budding relationships with two very different, though equally alluring, sisters-by-marriage, Clara and Nasca; the fraught politics of a much larger, wealthier foreign body; and all that follows as a result.
I loved these characters from the very first page, and soon found myself as swept up in the happenings of their lives as they were. This debut is written with so much self assurance, such attention to detail and respect for the craft of writing, that it almost transcends genre. I say almost, because this is very much a young adult fantasy novel, and it shows too much respect for both the genre and its readers to waste page space trying to convert the uninitiated, no matter how much it knows they're missing out. But for the casual fantasy reader, it's a joyous reminder of all that is good about the genre, and for the fantasy lover, it's a no-brainer.
In some respects, Cser shows her hand early. There are no deus ex machinas here, only Chekhov's guns and Occam's razors. Setup and payoff go hand in hand, and in Mirrorwoven, such narrative principles are deftly balanced against surprise and intrigue, always in harmony. The joy is not in watching the cards being revealed, but in seeing how expertly Cser stacks them up, only to make them tumble at just the right moment. The whole thing is spectacularly orchestrated; never is that clearer than in its conclusion, which ties up just enough to leave you happy and hopeful, but not so much that you're totally satisfied - because such completion, of course, comes with Mirrorwoven #2, just as intended.
I can't wait to have this book in my hot little hands come pub day. If you like sapphic romances, if you like love triangles, forbidden love, YEARNING (my God, the yearning), rich historical Venetian fantasy settings, world-building as natural as breathing and as exciting as your dream holiday, court politics, masquerade balls, music, love, life, light - give Mirrorwoven a try. I doubt you'll regret it.
Thank you to Bori Cser, Harper Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. What a fun week of reading this has been!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A runaway princess in the midst of a journey
Imagine your situation when you create only two rules and quickly end up breaking both? That's exactly what happens to Del in "Mirrorwoven". First of all, I wanted to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Generally, love triangles are very hit or miss for me, and this one was a miss. Unfortunately, I didn't like Nasca at all, and nothing about her convinced me of her feelings or that anyone could feel anything for her (that was quite sad, actually), but I have a vague impression that perhaps it was a reaction the author expected (and perhaps it was her intention, I can't say).
Therefore, for me, I saw the story more as a romance between Del and Clara, and I anxiously awaited the moment when things would work out for them... But I was nervous thinking about everything Del was hiding from Clara, including her identity. What actually makes it more interesting and more to my liking, because I love stories where one side hides who they are, and has reasons for doing so.
I loved how the musical element was handled in the story, and the importance it had. It was very moving to feel how much music really meant to Del, but I'll try not to say too much about it so you can have the same sense of discovery while reading. I also loved the vivid descriptions, well-connected to the sensory side, making them easy to imagine and experience.
However, I felt something was missing. In the world-building and the magic, mainly, but I don't know if I can name everything I felt was missing. The truth is that the story had the potential to be even more, and I missed seeing that. Maybe I had too high expectations, but I really felt it lacked a spark. It had a lot of potential to be a wonderful book, but I enjoyed it anyway.
I think one of the things that took me out of the reading a bit was the fact that I felt part of the way the plot was handled, and part of the language, didn't quite match the YA genre that's so often mentioned in the synopsis, and perhaps that's something the author could pay attention to in the future when writing another YA book. Maybe because I read and write YA I'm a bit more picky about this, so I think it's important to say that maybe my opinion is biased.
I was also sad that some characters just disappeared and lost importance throughout the plot, when the book gave the impression that they would have an important role in the story. I also missed seeing more of "Mirrorwoven," but it had a secondary role in the story.
Finally, I recommend the book to those who like lighter fantasies with a fairy tale touch, as well as easy-to-visualize universes. And definitely the highlight of the book is the beautiful romance. I will certainly read the books that the author publishes in the future.
Imagine your situation when you create only two rules and quickly end up breaking both? That's exactly what happens to Del in "Mirrorwoven". First of all, I wanted to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Generally, love triangles are very hit or miss for me, and this one was a miss. Unfortunately, I didn't like Nasca at all, and nothing about her convinced me of her feelings or that anyone could feel anything for her (that was quite sad, actually), but I have a vague impression that perhaps it was a reaction the author expected (and perhaps it was her intention, I can't say).
Therefore, for me, I saw the story more as a romance between Del and Clara, and I anxiously awaited the moment when things would work out for them... But I was nervous thinking about everything Del was hiding from Clara, including her identity. What actually makes it more interesting and more to my liking, because I love stories where one side hides who they are, and has reasons for doing so.
I loved how the musical element was handled in the story, and the importance it had. It was very moving to feel how much music really meant to Del, but I'll try not to say too much about it so you can have the same sense of discovery while reading. I also loved the vivid descriptions, well-connected to the sensory side, making them easy to imagine and experience.
However, I felt something was missing. In the world-building and the magic, mainly, but I don't know if I can name everything I felt was missing. The truth is that the story had the potential to be even more, and I missed seeing that. Maybe I had too high expectations, but I really felt it lacked a spark. It had a lot of potential to be a wonderful book, but I enjoyed it anyway.
I think one of the things that took me out of the reading a bit was the fact that I felt part of the way the plot was handled, and part of the language, didn't quite match the YA genre that's so often mentioned in the synopsis, and perhaps that's something the author could pay attention to in the future when writing another YA book. Maybe because I read and write YA I'm a bit more picky about this, so I think it's important to say that maybe my opinion is biased.
I was also sad that some characters just disappeared and lost importance throughout the plot, when the book gave the impression that they would have an important role in the story. I also missed seeing more of "Mirrorwoven," but it had a secondary role in the story.
Finally, I recommend the book to those who like lighter fantasies with a fairy tale touch, as well as easy-to-visualize universes. And definitely the highlight of the book is the beautiful romance. I will certainly read the books that the author publishes in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an ARC from the publisher in preparation for an interview. It has not affected my opinions.
4.5 stars
MIRRORWOVEN is a sapphic debut fantasy with a great magic system.
There is a thread of political intrigue running through the book. It's not the focus of the book (that's the tug of war between the attraction between Del and Clara and Nasca) but acts more as a subplot to make Clara's position all the more unstable. I really enjoyed this aspect of the book. Of course, I wish it had been larger, but that's the not the story the author wanted to tell.
I enjoyed the way the love triangle was done. It feels emotionally resolved quiet early, but Del is running from the truth (in so many ways) so doesn't act on that - or commit. It's far from the healthiest way to act but it's understandable and means that we end up with a triangle less about love but safety/risk.
The author is a classical musician and that is very clear from the way she writes about being a musician. It's so central to Del's identity. I really like it when authors bring their expertise into fiction like this as it makes it feel more realistic. Sure, this is a secondary world where mirrors can be used for magic, but having an authentic representation of being a musician helps ground it.
The magic was very interesting. At the start of the book, it's not a major component - more an explanation of how Del can slip into this new life and also add a consequence to falling in love - but it becomes very prominent by the end. It's a magic of illusions where mirrors are key conduits thanks to their reflection of light. There are so many superstitions about magic around the world, and I liked how this played on some of them (though not the breaking mirrors equalling bad luck!)
I really liked that the role of mirrors in magic bled through into the society of Del's home (one of the few places that practices magic.) They don't like having mirrors around because it's a conduit for power, while the city-state doesn't really believe in magic, so has mirrors everywhere. It's an example of really detailed, consistent world building that follows the natural consequences of belief systems propagating into everyday life. There is also the secondary consequence of this making it clear that Del is an outsider to the city.
I didn't realise until double checking for this review that it was the first book in a duology. The book does feel like it could be a standalone, but there is enough questions unresolved that I did wonder if these were left as keeping a door open for a sequel. But, luckily, it turns out there is already a sequel in the works!
4.5 stars
MIRRORWOVEN is a sapphic debut fantasy with a great magic system.
There is a thread of political intrigue running through the book. It's not the focus of the book (that's the tug of war between the attraction between Del and Clara and Nasca) but acts more as a subplot to make Clara's position all the more unstable. I really enjoyed this aspect of the book. Of course, I wish it had been larger, but that's the not the story the author wanted to tell.
I enjoyed the way the love triangle was done. It feels emotionally resolved quiet early, but Del is running from the truth (in so many ways) so doesn't act on that - or commit. It's far from the healthiest way to act but it's understandable and means that we end up with a triangle less about love but safety/risk.
The author is a classical musician and that is very clear from the way she writes about being a musician. It's so central to Del's identity. I really like it when authors bring their expertise into fiction like this as it makes it feel more realistic. Sure, this is a secondary world where mirrors can be used for magic, but having an authentic representation of being a musician helps ground it.
The magic was very interesting. At the start of the book, it's not a major component - more an explanation of how Del can slip into this new life and also add a consequence to falling in love - but it becomes very prominent by the end. It's a magic of illusions where mirrors are key conduits thanks to their reflection of light. There are so many superstitions about magic around the world, and I liked how this played on some of them (though not the breaking mirrors equalling bad luck!)
I really liked that the role of mirrors in magic bled through into the society of Del's home (one of the few places that practices magic.) They don't like having mirrors around because it's a conduit for power, while the city-state doesn't really believe in magic, so has mirrors everywhere. It's an example of really detailed, consistent world building that follows the natural consequences of belief systems propagating into everyday life. There is also the secondary consequence of this making it clear that Del is an outsider to the city.
I didn't realise until double checking for this review that it was the first book in a duology. The book does feel like it could be a standalone, but there is enough questions unresolved that I did wonder if these were left as keeping a door open for a sequel. But, luckily, it turns out there is already a sequel in the works!
July 12, 2026
Mirrorwoven is a fun young adult fantasy romance following a princess on the run, trying to make a new life for herself. Del faked her death and ran away, taking a new face through magic, and is now trying to make a living as a musician in a foreign kingdom. Over time she becomes the court bard and ends up embroiled in the political schemes of the country, torn between two princesses and their affection for her. But Del’s secret has a hitch; she can’t fall in love, or her illusion will unravel.
I loved the queer representation in this story. Our primary romance is a lesbian love triangle between Del and two sisters-in-law. Many of the characters are fluid in their sexuality, and there are characters who identify across the spectrums of gender and sexual identities. It’s nice to see representation throughout the story that is accepted in most circumstances, but also has real world consequences.
This story is billed as a standalone, and it does feel like a complete story. However, there are threads left loose, which could just be nice for the audience’s imagination or could be setting up for a sequel. As the story focused so heavily on the romance, I think a sequel could be very different in tone and content, but there are definitely open doors for future stories.
The pacing in the story was solid, with our character setting up the world building well without being overbearing. The author introduces the magic system slowly as things become relevant, rather than dumping information all at once. The magic system does feel a little thin for a story that centers it as the title, but because our main character is not a magic user herself, it is appropriate that she doesn’t fully understand things. It’s possible that this is a book in a larger world and I’m simply unaware, because the magic system seemed shallow yet complex for a story in which it’s glossed over so thoroughly.
Del, as a character, is a little frustrating to follow. It’s YA, which makes sense that she feels young, but she makes some really, really poor decisions as the story goes on. The lies she’s wrapped herself in cause her to act in ways that don’t feel natural. Her choice to run away from her problems is an understandable one; some of her other decisions felt less so. I wanted to root for Del, but every time she would make a big move, I would get frustrated with her idiocy. For someone so aware of court politics, you’d think she would have a little more common sense.
The side characters in this story can occasionally feel like a caricature. Some don’t have much depth or complexity. Clara and Nasca have interesting depth, though one of them feels that her character arc becomes less complex as the story goes on, and many of the other side characters are one-note.
Altogether, this story was a really fun YA fantasy romance. There were some issues in the characterization of our main and side characters, but the story was fun, the magic was interesting and the pacing was good. I enjoyed myself reading it, even if I did occasionally want to smack Del for her terrible decisions. Then again, we probably all deserved a knock in the head at seventeen for our decision making skills.
Thank you to MacMillan Children’s and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy!
I loved the queer representation in this story. Our primary romance is a lesbian love triangle between Del and two sisters-in-law. Many of the characters are fluid in their sexuality, and there are characters who identify across the spectrums of gender and sexual identities. It’s nice to see representation throughout the story that is accepted in most circumstances, but also has real world consequences.
This story is billed as a standalone, and it does feel like a complete story. However, there are threads left loose, which could just be nice for the audience’s imagination or could be setting up for a sequel. As the story focused so heavily on the romance, I think a sequel could be very different in tone and content, but there are definitely open doors for future stories.
The pacing in the story was solid, with our character setting up the world building well without being overbearing. The author introduces the magic system slowly as things become relevant, rather than dumping information all at once. The magic system does feel a little thin for a story that centers it as the title, but because our main character is not a magic user herself, it is appropriate that she doesn’t fully understand things. It’s possible that this is a book in a larger world and I’m simply unaware, because the magic system seemed shallow yet complex for a story in which it’s glossed over so thoroughly.
Del, as a character, is a little frustrating to follow. It’s YA, which makes sense that she feels young, but she makes some really, really poor decisions as the story goes on. The lies she’s wrapped herself in cause her to act in ways that don’t feel natural. Her choice to run away from her problems is an understandable one; some of her other decisions felt less so. I wanted to root for Del, but every time she would make a big move, I would get frustrated with her idiocy. For someone so aware of court politics, you’d think she would have a little more common sense.
The side characters in this story can occasionally feel like a caricature. Some don’t have much depth or complexity. Clara and Nasca have interesting depth, though one of them feels that her character arc becomes less complex as the story goes on, and many of the other side characters are one-note.
Altogether, this story was a really fun YA fantasy romance. There were some issues in the characterization of our main and side characters, but the story was fun, the magic was interesting and the pacing was good. I enjoyed myself reading it, even if I did occasionally want to smack Del for her terrible decisions. Then again, we probably all deserved a knock in the head at seventeen for our decision making skills.
Thank you to MacMillan Children’s and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ☆
Del is a runaway princess who has fled her kingdom in the wake of her sister’s death. She swears to two rules: stay away from royalty and don’t fall in love. However, this doesn’t go according to plan, as she becomes bard to the new First Salato (royalty), but Del also manages to fall in love during the process.
Del was an interesting FMC to say the least. From the very first page, you’re immediately sucked into her life after having left her kingdom. She’s trying to figure herself out while keeping her identity hidden, which isn’t difficult thanks to the enchantment concealing her features (which can only be broken by true love’s kiss). Del finds herself in a love triangle between two sisters, which I really enjoyed. Love triangles are normally hit or miss, to the point where I slightly dread them when I see they’re incorporated in a story, especially when siblings are involved. But that wasn’t the case. There was a lot of yearning, and you could tell the feelings involved were genuine from the beginning.
Music is a large part of this story, and at first I wondered whether it would be heavily emphasized or pushed aside as an afterthought. I was glad to see that it was extremely important to Del and her story, and I think it made the reading experience all the more enjoyable.
The only difficulty I had while reading was this underlying feeling that something was missing. There are parts of the book where certain situations or the worldbuilding itself could have been expanded. I thought there would be more explanations with mirrors and their significance, especially given that the book is called Mirrorwoven. This is just one example, but overall, I don’t feel like it took away from the story. It was extremely atmospheric and enjoyable. I liked the characters and the magic system. I could appreciate the incorporation of music because it’s not something I come across too frequently in fantasy books. I definitely would read more by this author.
Del is a runaway princess who has fled her kingdom in the wake of her sister’s death. She swears to two rules: stay away from royalty and don’t fall in love. However, this doesn’t go according to plan, as she becomes bard to the new First Salato (royalty), but Del also manages to fall in love during the process.
Del was an interesting FMC to say the least. From the very first page, you’re immediately sucked into her life after having left her kingdom. She’s trying to figure herself out while keeping her identity hidden, which isn’t difficult thanks to the enchantment concealing her features (which can only be broken by true love’s kiss). Del finds herself in a love triangle between two sisters, which I really enjoyed. Love triangles are normally hit or miss, to the point where I slightly dread them when I see they’re incorporated in a story, especially when siblings are involved. But that wasn’t the case. There was a lot of yearning, and you could tell the feelings involved were genuine from the beginning.
Music is a large part of this story, and at first I wondered whether it would be heavily emphasized or pushed aside as an afterthought. I was glad to see that it was extremely important to Del and her story, and I think it made the reading experience all the more enjoyable.
The only difficulty I had while reading was this underlying feeling that something was missing. There are parts of the book where certain situations or the worldbuilding itself could have been expanded. I thought there would be more explanations with mirrors and their significance, especially given that the book is called Mirrorwoven. This is just one example, but overall, I don’t feel like it took away from the story. It was extremely atmospheric and enjoyable. I liked the characters and the magic system. I could appreciate the incorporation of music because it’s not something I come across too frequently in fantasy books. I definitely would read more by this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mirrorwoven was on my ‘maybe’ list of books to read, and I’m so glad I requested it. I was a little on the fence about this book in the beginning, but something changed along the way, and by the end, I loved it. So much so that I was very annoyed by the open-endedness of things, and there definitely better be a sequel on the horizon or I’m going to be very upset.
I tend to not like love triangles, but I thought this one was well done. At first, I was definitely more invested in Del and Nasca, but as we got to know Clara more, my opinion shifted. I almost instantly liked Del and Nasca (both as individuals and as potential love interests), but Clara very much grew on me throughout the book in a way that I wasn’t expecting.
The story also went places I was not anticipating to the point that I was reading it at work during lunch and trying not to cuss at my desk (and failing). I often see things coming from a mile away, so this was a nice change of pace. Some of these things were wrapped up by the end, but others were left open for that sequel that I hope is happening.
I really only had one complaint about the book and that was that I found some things confusing in the beginning, which is maybe why I was on the fence at first. I felt like some things were left a little too vague for too long regarding Del’s life before coming to Salato. Not getting the full picture made it hard for me to remember who was who, which wasn’t helped by the fact that sometimes their full name was used and sometimes their nickname.
This was a very enjoyable and engaging book that I couldn’t wait to continue every time I had to stop for something ridiculous like sleep or work. Four and a half stars, rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I tend to not like love triangles, but I thought this one was well done. At first, I was definitely more invested in Del and Nasca, but as we got to know Clara more, my opinion shifted. I almost instantly liked Del and Nasca (both as individuals and as potential love interests), but Clara very much grew on me throughout the book in a way that I wasn’t expecting.
The story also went places I was not anticipating to the point that I was reading it at work during lunch and trying not to cuss at my desk (and failing). I often see things coming from a mile away, so this was a nice change of pace. Some of these things were wrapped up by the end, but others were left open for that sequel that I hope is happening.
I really only had one complaint about the book and that was that I found some things confusing in the beginning, which is maybe why I was on the fence at first. I felt like some things were left a little too vague for too long regarding Del’s life before coming to Salato. Not getting the full picture made it hard for me to remember who was who, which wasn’t helped by the fact that sometimes their full name was used and sometimes their nickname.
This was a very enjoyable and engaging book that I couldn’t wait to continue every time I had to stop for something ridiculous like sleep or work. Four and a half stars, rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
💜 Sapphic love triangle
❤️ Mirror Magic
🧡 Runaway Princess
💛 True Loves First Kiss (with a twist)
💚 Venice Setting
Let me start off by saying that the premise of this story intrigued me. I’ve been wanting to read more sapphic novels, so I was excited when I was given the opportunity to read this by the publisher. Who doesn’t love a runaway princess with secrets?
The start of the story kept me really engaged and I was wanting to the know why Del decided to up and leave her past life and why she loved music so much to pursue a career playing the lute, instead of fulfilling her royal destiny. The inclusion of music was also a really nice added touch and not something I’ve really read a whole lot about before, which was a pleasant change.
Did I like Del? No, she was beyond selfish and some of her actions towards others were honestly unwarranted. Does she redeems herself in the end. Sure, to some degree but she wouldn’t be a person I’d easily forgive in real life. I know some will say “but she’s just a teenager” I have a teenage daughter and she wouldn’t ever treat others how Del was portrayed.
My heart honestly hurt for Clara. The way everybody treated her was abhorrent. In particular Del and Nasca. I actually loathed them because of it. Considering Clara’s situation and not really having any say in matters, I was confused as to why they treated her in such an awful manner. Especially since Clara was kind, compassionate and an all round good person trying her best in the situation she was handed. I was also confused as to why Del treated her as such, it made no sense to me.
Now while this book brought out an array of emotions within myself, the writing at times frustrated me, as it was so inaccurate and left me confused on more than one occasion. For instance, “she runs a hand over her stubble” a woman doesn’t get stubble. Also the whole magic debarkle at the end of the book made no sense whatsoever! Nasca had no magical abilities but then somehow learnt it by herself in such a short amount of time that she was so “powerful” enough to brainwash a whole bunch of people into believing she is the rightful ruler. Not only that, it also somehow made Del forget who she was (without any prompting from Nasca) but she could still remember other smaller components?
I truly think this would have benefited with a more thorough world building and thought provoking details, which gave us more insight. For example, how the magic system worked. We get a brief explanation but given the book is called “Mirrorwoven” it’s barely even a subplot.
I’m sad this fell flat for me as I really believe the base is there, it just wasn’t executed properly.
❤️ Mirror Magic
🧡 Runaway Princess
💛 True Loves First Kiss (with a twist)
💚 Venice Setting
Let me start off by saying that the premise of this story intrigued me. I’ve been wanting to read more sapphic novels, so I was excited when I was given the opportunity to read this by the publisher. Who doesn’t love a runaway princess with secrets?
The start of the story kept me really engaged and I was wanting to the know why Del decided to up and leave her past life and why she loved music so much to pursue a career playing the lute, instead of fulfilling her royal destiny. The inclusion of music was also a really nice added touch and not something I’ve really read a whole lot about before, which was a pleasant change.
Did I like Del? No, she was beyond selfish and some of her actions towards others were honestly unwarranted. Does she redeems herself in the end. Sure, to some degree but she wouldn’t be a person I’d easily forgive in real life. I know some will say “but she’s just a teenager” I have a teenage daughter and she wouldn’t ever treat others how Del was portrayed.
My heart honestly hurt for Clara. The way everybody treated her was abhorrent. In particular Del and Nasca. I actually loathed them because of it. Considering Clara’s situation and not really having any say in matters, I was confused as to why they treated her in such an awful manner. Especially since Clara was kind, compassionate and an all round good person trying her best in the situation she was handed. I was also confused as to why Del treated her as such, it made no sense to me.
Now while this book brought out an array of emotions within myself, the writing at times frustrated me, as it was so inaccurate and left me confused on more than one occasion. For instance, “she runs a hand over her stubble” a woman doesn’t get stubble. Also the whole magic debarkle at the end of the book made no sense whatsoever! Nasca had no magical abilities but then somehow learnt it by herself in such a short amount of time that she was so “powerful” enough to brainwash a whole bunch of people into believing she is the rightful ruler. Not only that, it also somehow made Del forget who she was (without any prompting from Nasca) but she could still remember other smaller components?
I truly think this would have benefited with a more thorough world building and thought provoking details, which gave us more insight. For example, how the magic system worked. We get a brief explanation but given the book is called “Mirrorwoven” it’s barely even a subplot.
I’m sad this fell flat for me as I really believe the base is there, it just wasn’t executed properly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2026
Fun and voicey YA fantasy taking place in fantasy Venice with a sapphic love triangle. Loved the snark and how Del was a dramatic, messy teenager. The love of music was palpable, without turning it into a gimmick the whole story hinges upon. Every time I see a book that centers the whole premise around something like tailoring magic, cooking magic, perfume magic, tea magic, I roll my eyes. But here magic revolves around mirrors and changing appearance while music is something else.
The worldbuilding is typical faux-Europe and I assume Del is from the equivalent of Scotland when she mentions her country is known for sheep, whisky and witches. Wasn't a fan of inserting Italian words when we aren't in actual Italy but in a fantasy world. It always feels like a crutch to build atmosphere. Also wasn't a fan of withholding Del's backstory for 70% of the book, because when it finally got revealed it felt like "wait, that's it?" All this time we're held in suspense that Del did something horrible and must fake her death because of it, and the reader keeps wondering was it a mistake or an accident, and in the end it was neither.
But it was an enjoyable YA fantasy that didn't fall into overly tropey nonsense like "deadly competition" and delivered the moral of the story without too much infodumping and lecturing. Even though the story feels short and simple, and the worldbuilding basic, it was fun to read and the writing style was more polished than most YA debuts these days. It rises above the sea of mediocrity flooding the market. However, I'd wish the world, magic and side characters were more developed, and the two love interests more nuanced than "the good girl and the bad girl".
The worldbuilding is typical faux-Europe and I assume Del is from the equivalent of Scotland when she mentions her country is known for sheep, whisky and witches. Wasn't a fan of inserting Italian words when we aren't in actual Italy but in a fantasy world. It always feels like a crutch to build atmosphere. Also wasn't a fan of withholding Del's backstory for 70% of the book, because when it finally got revealed it felt like "wait, that's it?" All this time we're held in suspense that Del did something horrible and must fake her death because of it, and the reader keeps wondering was it a mistake or an accident, and in the end it was neither.
But it was an enjoyable YA fantasy that didn't fall into overly tropey nonsense like "deadly competition" and delivered the moral of the story without too much infodumping and lecturing. Even though the story feels short and simple, and the worldbuilding basic, it was fun to read and the writing style was more polished than most YA debuts these days. It rises above the sea of mediocrity flooding the market. However, I'd wish the world, magic and side characters were more developed, and the two love interests more nuanced than "the good girl and the bad girl".
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Every now again, a book comes along that reminds you just how FUN reading can be. Mirrorwoven is absolutely that book.
If Kvothe from The Name of the Wind was a chaotic bisexual runaway princess, caught in a love triangle between Sabran from Priory of the Orange Tree and the femme equivalent of Robin Hood's Guy of Gisborne (the Richard Armitage version obviously!), while living like Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle if the curse had made her a hottie instead, while trying to compartmentalise herself like Shallan from the Stormlight Archive... you might get something like Mirrorwoven.
But these comparisons seem somewhat unfair as it is very much its own book! I loved Del/Adeline, despite (or because of) the consistently terrible decisions she made throughout the novel.
It was also so nice to see a love interest who was loved for just being a dang good person who consistently tries to be better.
Worth noting that this is a delightfully queernorm world, with well-written trans rep of a minor character with no associated trauma and queer characters all-over. The main character however, most certainly DOES have trauma, which leads her to fracture her personalities and we only properly uncover her backstory as the book goes on.
As someone who spent years of their life studying music, I got so much joy from Del as a main character- I can totally understand falling out of a boat and only thinking of your instrument.
Please tell me there is a sequel, and we will get to see more of the other kingdoms!
Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins and Bori for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!!
If Kvothe from The Name of the Wind was a chaotic bisexual runaway princess, caught in a love triangle between Sabran from Priory of the Orange Tree and the femme equivalent of Robin Hood's Guy of Gisborne (the Richard Armitage version obviously!), while living like Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle if the curse had made her a hottie instead, while trying to compartmentalise herself like Shallan from the Stormlight Archive... you might get something like Mirrorwoven.
But these comparisons seem somewhat unfair as it is very much its own book! I loved Del/Adeline, despite (or because of) the consistently terrible decisions she made throughout the novel.
It was also so nice to see a love interest who was loved for just being a dang good person who consistently tries to be better.
Worth noting that this is a delightfully queernorm world, with well-written trans rep of a minor character with no associated trauma and queer characters all-over. The main character however, most certainly DOES have trauma, which leads her to fracture her personalities and we only properly uncover her backstory as the book goes on.
As someone who spent years of their life studying music, I got so much joy from Del as a main character- I can totally understand falling out of a boat and only thinking of your instrument.
Please tell me there is a sequel, and we will get to see more of the other kingdoms!
Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins and Bori for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!!
May 31, 2026
Del has two rules. 1. Avoid royalty. 2. Avoid love. Because Del is secretly a runaway princess, with a new, enchanted, ‘mirrorwoven’ face. When she arrives in the beautiful lagoon-city of Salato, only true love’s kiss can unravel her magical disguise. When Del breaks Rule 1 and becomes court bard to Clara, the newly widowed ruler, she has to be careful. But as she is drawn to both the beautiful, naïve Clara, and her brilliant, striking sister-in-law, Nasca, it becomes harder for Del to avoid breaking Rule 2. Now she’s navigating politics, a love triangle, and a secret identity - what could go wrong?
This is a spellbinding sapphic love triangle mixing magic and mystery with courtly intrigue and a secret identity! The story dives right in with Del on the run, arriving in the beautiful city of Salato. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Venice a few times and I was definitely feeling the vibes! Del’s backstory is drip-fed to the reader, with details and memories scattered into the early chapters, so you can piece together her life before learning more. I enjoyed this, as it felt like I was getting to know Del alongside Nasca and Clara. The magic system was very interesting - Salato has no magic, adding to the secrets Del is keeping! It had a wonderfully diverse cast of characters who were all well-written, and the different layers of society contrasted so well, I could feel the push and pull of court. The author did a great job of illustrating the dynamics and building the world. The political situation and difficulties at court provide the perfect backdrop for the simmering tension, and it all built up for a brilliant finale!
Thank you to Harper Fire for an advance copy.
This is a spellbinding sapphic love triangle mixing magic and mystery with courtly intrigue and a secret identity! The story dives right in with Del on the run, arriving in the beautiful city of Salato. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Venice a few times and I was definitely feeling the vibes! Del’s backstory is drip-fed to the reader, with details and memories scattered into the early chapters, so you can piece together her life before learning more. I enjoyed this, as it felt like I was getting to know Del alongside Nasca and Clara. The magic system was very interesting - Salato has no magic, adding to the secrets Del is keeping! It had a wonderfully diverse cast of characters who were all well-written, and the different layers of society contrasted so well, I could feel the push and pull of court. The author did a great job of illustrating the dynamics and building the world. The political situation and difficulties at court provide the perfect backdrop for the simmering tension, and it all built up for a brilliant finale!
Thank you to Harper Fire for an advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm screaming. I'm sobbing. I'm obsessed.
MIRRORWOVEN is a bright, joyous, heart-shredding debut. The world is vibrant and alive, inspired by Venetian canals singing with music, sunlit estuaries with salt on the air and dragons rumored to sleep below.
Del is an incredible protagonist, full of humor and sassy avoidance on the surface, fleeing from her trauma like her life depends on it. Her reluctant journey of self-acceptance had me gripped, shouting at her and rooting for her in equal measure.
And the yearning? Off the charts. This book spoils us with not one, but TWO iconic sapphic love interests. We've got one with cute pathetic puppy energy, who you just want to snuggle up with and protect from the world, but is actually a badass in her own right. Then another with unflinching step-on-me energy who might just burn the world down, and honestly, let her. How is a girl to choose??
But beyond the characters, and the love story, and the incredible setting, what truly shines in this book is the MUSIC. Not just a passing feature, or a light hobby for the MC. Music is woven so beautifully and inextricably into Del's character and her story. This book is written with such a clear passion for music, for the craft of creating and sharing songs, for the love and heartbreak and memories laden in every note.
If you're looking for something fresh, musical, both joyous and devastating, don't miss MIRRORWOVEN!
MIRRORWOVEN is a bright, joyous, heart-shredding debut. The world is vibrant and alive, inspired by Venetian canals singing with music, sunlit estuaries with salt on the air and dragons rumored to sleep below.
Del is an incredible protagonist, full of humor and sassy avoidance on the surface, fleeing from her trauma like her life depends on it. Her reluctant journey of self-acceptance had me gripped, shouting at her and rooting for her in equal measure.
And the yearning? Off the charts. This book spoils us with not one, but TWO iconic sapphic love interests. We've got one with cute pathetic puppy energy, who you just want to snuggle up with and protect from the world, but is actually a badass in her own right. Then another with unflinching step-on-me energy who might just burn the world down, and honestly, let her. How is a girl to choose??
But beyond the characters, and the love story, and the incredible setting, what truly shines in this book is the MUSIC. Not just a passing feature, or a light hobby for the MC. Music is woven so beautifully and inextricably into Del's character and her story. This book is written with such a clear passion for music, for the craft of creating and sharing songs, for the love and heartbreak and memories laden in every note.
If you're looking for something fresh, musical, both joyous and devastating, don't miss MIRRORWOVEN!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
a runaway princess, a borrowed face, and two rules she was absolutely never going to keep
okay so Mirrorwoven got me. like genuinely got me. Del is such a good protagonist, she's witty and chaotic and the kind of narrator who makes you want to follow her anywhere even when she's actively making terrible decisions. which she is. constantly. and it's great.
the love triangle actually works here?? which, as someone who is usually deeply skeptical of love triangles, feels worth saying out loud. Clara and Nasca are such different pulls on Del, and watching her emotionally combust over both of them while also trying to not blow her entire cover was honestly
so entertaining. the "true love's kiss breaks the enchantment" stakes added this perfect layer of tension to every single romantic moment and i loved it.
my main gripe is that i wanted more from the world. Salato sounds gorgeous, the mirrorwoven magic is genuinely cool, and i felt like we were always just on the edge of getting more and then... didn't quite get there. not a dealbreaker but i was hungry for it.
still, this was a really solid read and Del is the kind of character i'll be thinking about for a while.
4 stars.
(thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC. all opinions are my own.)
okay so Mirrorwoven got me. like genuinely got me. Del is such a good protagonist, she's witty and chaotic and the kind of narrator who makes you want to follow her anywhere even when she's actively making terrible decisions. which she is. constantly. and it's great.
the love triangle actually works here?? which, as someone who is usually deeply skeptical of love triangles, feels worth saying out loud. Clara and Nasca are such different pulls on Del, and watching her emotionally combust over both of them while also trying to not blow her entire cover was honestly
so entertaining. the "true love's kiss breaks the enchantment" stakes added this perfect layer of tension to every single romantic moment and i loved it.
my main gripe is that i wanted more from the world. Salato sounds gorgeous, the mirrorwoven magic is genuinely cool, and i felt like we were always just on the edge of getting more and then... didn't quite get there. not a dealbreaker but i was hungry for it.
still, this was a really solid read and Del is the kind of character i'll be thinking about for a while.
4 stars.
(thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC. all opinions are my own.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am incredibly grateful to HarperCollins UK, Children's for the opportunity to read and review Mirrorwoven. Being selected to explore this captivating story before its official release has been such a treat, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts on it with all of you. A huge thank you to the team at HarperCollins UK, Children's for their generosity and for making this advanced reading experience possible.
I am so in my Fantasy era at the moment!
Now, Mirrorwoven was good but it didn't live up to my expectations. It has a lot of promise and it is a good book, but it had the potential to be a great book, not just a good book.
The premise itself is good but most of the book felt like it was setting the scene and a lead up to the main event but at no point was it really clear where it was going.
There were certain characters that seemed so important in the beginning but then are barely featured or even mentioned throughout most of the story.
With the title being Mirrorwoven, I expected to see or hear of it more throughout but in reality it plays quite a minor part in the story.
With all of that being say, it's an enjoyable read. It wasn't something I struggled to get through by any means and it was time well spent. I am excited to see what's next for this author. I think a sequel could be a good idea as there's still lots that could be developed based on what we've seen.
I am so in my Fantasy era at the moment!
Now, Mirrorwoven was good but it didn't live up to my expectations. It has a lot of promise and it is a good book, but it had the potential to be a great book, not just a good book.
The premise itself is good but most of the book felt like it was setting the scene and a lead up to the main event but at no point was it really clear where it was going.
There were certain characters that seemed so important in the beginning but then are barely featured or even mentioned throughout most of the story.
With the title being Mirrorwoven, I expected to see or hear of it more throughout but in reality it plays quite a minor part in the story.
With all of that being say, it's an enjoyable read. It wasn't something I struggled to get through by any means and it was time well spent. I am excited to see what's next for this author. I think a sequel could be a good idea as there's still lots that could be developed based on what we've seen.
April 29, 2026
Oh I absolutely loved reading this debut gem of a book from Bori Cser!
Reading this book felt like reading a beautiful modern aged fairytale set in a world that reminded me of Venice. Think beautiful lagoons, canals and islands ruled by different kingdoms and our FMC Del, a princess from the Kingdom of Gilnea running away to Salato - mostly to pursue her love of music but also to run away from an awful tragedy and she does so under an enchantment that changes her appearance with magic made from mirrors.
Del then meets all these wonderful characters and explores the island of Salato which I think Bori does so wonderfully. Everything felt colourful and cultural and was a real pleasure to explore. All of the characters add such a wonderful depth to the story and I loved getting to know them all.
One of my favourite character dynamics was the sapphic love triangle between Del, Clara and Nasca. All the yearning and flirting had me squealing snd blushing and I love how the story panned out.
In this book you will also find court intrigue, traditional magic like “true loves first kiss” and one of my favourite tropes - found family
This book was a pleasure to read and I’m so thankful to harper fire for sending me an early copy and PR box. Congratulations Bori and can’t wait to read book two!
Reading this book felt like reading a beautiful modern aged fairytale set in a world that reminded me of Venice. Think beautiful lagoons, canals and islands ruled by different kingdoms and our FMC Del, a princess from the Kingdom of Gilnea running away to Salato - mostly to pursue her love of music but also to run away from an awful tragedy and she does so under an enchantment that changes her appearance with magic made from mirrors.
Del then meets all these wonderful characters and explores the island of Salato which I think Bori does so wonderfully. Everything felt colourful and cultural and was a real pleasure to explore. All of the characters add such a wonderful depth to the story and I loved getting to know them all.
One of my favourite character dynamics was the sapphic love triangle between Del, Clara and Nasca. All the yearning and flirting had me squealing snd blushing and I love how the story panned out.
In this book you will also find court intrigue, traditional magic like “true loves first kiss” and one of my favourite tropes - found family
This book was a pleasure to read and I’m so thankful to harper fire for sending me an early copy and PR box. Congratulations Bori and can’t wait to read book two!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 rounded up!
This sapphic fantasy novel caught my eye as soon as it was announced, with its stunning cover and exciting premise, and I’m so happy to say it absolutely lived up to my expectations. It’s a beautiful story of love, secrets, loyalty, and music. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read it early!
Set in a Venice-inspired fantasy world, Mirrorwoven follows Del, a runaway princess who has been magically altered to appear as a commoner so she can start a new life as a musician in a different kingdom. Despite her rule to stay away from royalty, she soon becomes the royal bard in Salato, where she is drawn into a love triangle with the ruling First and her sister-in-law. While her enchantment could be broken by true love’s kiss, already a problem for her in itself, political tensions are also rising, mistrust of the inexperienced First is simmering in Salato, and external threats begin to reach realm.
I’m not often sold on love triangles these days, but Bori Cser really made this one work so well. Clara and Nasca are such distinct presences in Del’s life - one kind, calm, and sometimes a bit too naive; the other fiery, brilliant, and dangerous. Even though I had no doubt who I leaned towards, I could tangibly feel the pull of both girls, which made Del’s hesitation feel very real (especially with the added complication of her enchantment potentially being undone).
The first half of the book focuses heavily on world-building and character development, all of it beautifully written. I wasn’t entirely sure where the fantasy plot was heading at first, but I didn’t mind, as I was so immersed in the setting and relationships. And then the story really picks up! The stakes rise, the twists start coming, and suddenly everything feels urgent and unpredictable. I was hooked and I didn’t see many of the developments coming - loved how it all unfolded!
As an Italian, I also really liked the familiar elements woven into this Venetian-inspired world, from the names to the small cultural details, and the use of some Italian expressions.
I’d highly recommend this to readers who enjoy YA fantasy with a slower, immersive build-up and high stakes in the second half, as well as sapphic romance.
This sapphic fantasy novel caught my eye as soon as it was announced, with its stunning cover and exciting premise, and I’m so happy to say it absolutely lived up to my expectations. It’s a beautiful story of love, secrets, loyalty, and music. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read it early!
Set in a Venice-inspired fantasy world, Mirrorwoven follows Del, a runaway princess who has been magically altered to appear as a commoner so she can start a new life as a musician in a different kingdom. Despite her rule to stay away from royalty, she soon becomes the royal bard in Salato, where she is drawn into a love triangle with the ruling First and her sister-in-law. While her enchantment could be broken by true love’s kiss, already a problem for her in itself, political tensions are also rising, mistrust of the inexperienced First is simmering in Salato, and external threats begin to reach realm.
I’m not often sold on love triangles these days, but Bori Cser really made this one work so well. Clara and Nasca are such distinct presences in Del’s life - one kind, calm, and sometimes a bit too naive; the other fiery, brilliant, and dangerous. Even though I had no doubt who I leaned towards, I could tangibly feel the pull of both girls, which made Del’s hesitation feel very real (especially with the added complication of her enchantment potentially being undone).
The first half of the book focuses heavily on world-building and character development, all of it beautifully written. I wasn’t entirely sure where the fantasy plot was heading at first, but I didn’t mind, as I was so immersed in the setting and relationships. And then the story really picks up! The stakes rise, the twists start coming, and suddenly everything feels urgent and unpredictable. I was hooked and I didn’t see many of the developments coming - loved how it all unfolded!
As an Italian, I also really liked the familiar elements woven into this Venetian-inspired world, from the names to the small cultural details, and the use of some Italian expressions.
I’d highly recommend this to readers who enjoy YA fantasy with a slower, immersive build-up and high stakes in the second half, as well as sapphic romance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to be sent an early copy of this by the author, and I so enjoyed it. At a plot level, it’s a compelling sapphic love triangle between young women who have had the welfare of kingdoms thrust onto their too-young shoulders; but it's also an exploration of grief and pain, responsibility and entitlement, the mistakes of youth, and all the ways that the artist is in constant friction with their place in society.
Del is a princess running away from her past after faking her own death and magically changing her face. Her new identity will hold as long as she never again falls in love, which she cannot imagine anyway. Not after what happened. She has a whole plan of making it as a lutist in her new home, which should be big enough to hide in. Except, then she meets the sweet Clara and the tart Nasca, and she officially has A Problem.
I very much enjoyed the lush fantasy historical setting, in a place that looks a lot like a Renaissance city state, complete with attendant political messiness; and the chaos bisexual MC, whose voice manages to both be sassy and compelling, and who also just felt very real as a musician.
The whole thing is delicious. Everyone is in for a treat.
Del is a princess running away from her past after faking her own death and magically changing her face. Her new identity will hold as long as she never again falls in love, which she cannot imagine anyway. Not after what happened. She has a whole plan of making it as a lutist in her new home, which should be big enough to hide in. Except, then she meets the sweet Clara and the tart Nasca, and she officially has A Problem.
I very much enjoyed the lush fantasy historical setting, in a place that looks a lot like a Renaissance city state, complete with attendant political messiness; and the chaos bisexual MC, whose voice manages to both be sassy and compelling, and who also just felt very real as a musician.
The whole thing is delicious. Everyone is in for a treat.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of the aspects I appreciated most was the atmosphere of the story, along with its central concept and the use of music woven throughout the narrative. The setting in particular stood out to me, and I found it very immersive and thoughtfully constructed, with all the Venice-inspired gondolas and city style. 😍
I especially enjoyed the musical elements, which added an interesting layer to the narrative and helped create a unique tone within the book.
However, I did find that the slower pacing made it more difficult for me to stay fully engaged throughout, and as a result I ended up reading some sections more quickly and skimming parts as the story progressed. This affected my overall connection to the narrative and characters.
That said, I do believe the book will resonate more strongly with readers who enjoy slower, more atmospheric and lyrical fantasy, particularly those who appreciate stories driven by mood, concept, and character-focused rather than fast pacing.
I’m grateful to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and to experience the ideas within it. 🤍
I especially enjoyed the musical elements, which added an interesting layer to the narrative and helped create a unique tone within the book.
However, I did find that the slower pacing made it more difficult for me to stay fully engaged throughout, and as a result I ended up reading some sections more quickly and skimming parts as the story progressed. This affected my overall connection to the narrative and characters.
That said, I do believe the book will resonate more strongly with readers who enjoy slower, more atmospheric and lyrical fantasy, particularly those who appreciate stories driven by mood, concept, and character-focused rather than fast pacing.
I’m grateful to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and to experience the ideas within it. 🤍
June 24, 2026
Mirrorwoven is the perfect queer YA summer read full of magic, music, grief, and love. Set in a magical Venice, Mirrorwoven is a Sapphic tale of a princess who has run away from her home following the death of her sister to pursue her dream of becoming a professional musician. With an enchanted facial disguise, her dreams of a quick rise to the top are quickly thwarted by the realm's residency laws, leading her to become the bard for the ruler, a beautiful young widow who has absolutely no idea how to rule a county. A love triangle with her sister-in-law ensues, which is further complicated by court politics, imperial invasion, and an ambitious sorceress. Will Del risk revealing her true self to save her true love?
Bori Cser's debut made me laugh out loud, sigh, kick my feet, and even shed a few tears. The story is so wholesome, I wish this book had existed when I was a tween coming to terms with my sexuality. It is so nice to have a gorgeous, positive fairytale for younger readers - one sure to please all ages!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC, which I voluntarily chose to review. All opinions my own.
Bori Cser's debut made me laugh out loud, sigh, kick my feet, and even shed a few tears. The story is so wholesome, I wish this book had existed when I was a tween coming to terms with my sexuality. It is so nice to have a gorgeous, positive fairytale for younger readers - one sure to please all ages!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC, which I voluntarily chose to review. All opinions my own.
June 22, 2026
Thank you so much to Harper Collins Australia for sending me a copy of this one. All thoughts are my own.
This was an absolutely fantastic romantasy! I was hooked from the start and it only got better the more I read.
The politics at play in this book were fascinating. I was so intrigued by how it all worked and Nasca’s reveal had me completely shook! I didn’t fully trust her but I didn’t expect where that went at all.
I loved Del’s relationship with Thaddeus and his family so much. They gave real found family vibes and I won’t lie, my heart broke a little when they became less present in the middle. I was so, so glad Del went back to them and I loved how instrumental they were to everything.
But the romance between Del and Clara was the beating heart of this story for me. I absolutely loved them together. I felt like they brought out the strength and braveness in each other and I adored them.
This was an absolutely fantastic romantasy! I was hooked from the start and it only got better the more I read.
The politics at play in this book were fascinating. I was so intrigued by how it all worked and Nasca’s reveal had me completely shook! I didn’t fully trust her but I didn’t expect where that went at all.
I loved Del’s relationship with Thaddeus and his family so much. They gave real found family vibes and I won’t lie, my heart broke a little when they became less present in the middle. I was so, so glad Del went back to them and I loved how instrumental they were to everything.
But the romance between Del and Clara was the beating heart of this story for me. I absolutely loved them together. I felt like they brought out the strength and braveness in each other and I adored them.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is like falling through the looking glass and ending up in my perfect novel.
The love triangle is often an overdone trope in the fantasy space but Bori breathes new, exciting light on it with making all three women. I loved Del, Nasca and Clara all at the same time with a healthy dose of social commentary on the side that was EVERYTHING.
I love the idea of a utopian, equalised democracy that actually is a lie the society tells themselves made 1000% times better by the authors voice. My goodness it was incredible, I actually had to put the book down several times I was laughing too much.
Also I am a sucker for any mention of music and it was fabulously fragmented through this story which I so appreciated.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC, I had a fabulous time (even though the ending felt like [redacted] broke off a piece of mirror and stabbed me through the chest)
The love triangle is often an overdone trope in the fantasy space but Bori breathes new, exciting light on it with making all three women. I loved Del, Nasca and Clara all at the same time with a healthy dose of social commentary on the side that was EVERYTHING.
I love the idea of a utopian, equalised democracy that actually is a lie the society tells themselves made 1000% times better by the authors voice. My goodness it was incredible, I actually had to put the book down several times I was laughing too much.
Also I am a sucker for any mention of music and it was fabulously fragmented through this story which I so appreciated.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC, I had a fabulous time (even though the ending felt like [redacted] broke off a piece of mirror and stabbed me through the chest)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Whatever the nonsense being marketed to little girls today, being a princess is sometimes not all it's cracked up to be. Just ask Del.
After her sister dies at the hands of her boyfriend, Del is in line to become the ruler of their Queendom - something she has no desire to do. So, she escapes and travels far away, disguising herself with a mirror magic face which prevents anyone from recognising her - provided she follows the key rule: not falling in love.
But while Del may think that this is going to be a piece of cake, life has other plans in store for her. Not least the fascinating people she meets in her new location, and the court intrigues she must navigate there....
This is intelligent and creative fantasy storytelling which will be greatly enjoyed by the target readership.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
After her sister dies at the hands of her boyfriend, Del is in line to become the ruler of their Queendom - something she has no desire to do. So, she escapes and travels far away, disguising herself with a mirror magic face which prevents anyone from recognising her - provided she follows the key rule: not falling in love.
But while Del may think that this is going to be a piece of cake, life has other plans in store for her. Not least the fascinating people she meets in her new location, and the court intrigues she must navigate there....
This is intelligent and creative fantasy storytelling which will be greatly enjoyed by the target readership.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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