The Seaglass Blade

by J.C. Snow

A home at the end of the world. The bonds that shape a family. The sacrifices demanded by love.

Aili Fallon has spent three hundred years of her unexpected immortality building a safe place for all those she cares about – her phoenix lover; their dragon son; their renegade demon daughter; and the shape-shifting spiritual creatures who come to Aili to learn the sword. She's determined to protect them from human captivity and demonic corruption.

But the patterns of the natural world, the source of spiritual power, are inexplicably failing. When Aili's lover is attacked, her phoenix healing disappears. A curse killing dragons targets their son, while growing demonic power threatens to destroy their daughter.

And hidden deep, a traitor is waiting.

Piece by piece, a long-laid plot of vengeance, betrayal, and cruelty is tightening around Aili and her family. The home that's been a sanctuary is now a trap, and Aili will risk everything she’s built, and everything she is, to break them free.

Everything will not be enough.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Queer, LGBT, Demons, Adult

Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

J. C. Snow (she/her) is a queer fantasy author who lives with her wife, child, dog, and a wild garden in the Bay Area. She writes novels and stories centering queer characters, usually with plenty of fight scenes, love stories, trauma and healing. She holds a doctorate in Religious Studies from Columbia University and has also published extensively on the history of race and religion in the United States. Her current non-fantasy-writing life goal is to be certified as a scuba diver.

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!



I walked into J.C. Snow’s standalone novel without realizing it was actually the afterparty for "The Crane Moon Cycle" duology. It turns out, this is a "standalone" in the same way a sequel is a standalone. (Also, the plot summary felt misleading...I wouldn't describe the book in that way - at all.)

We are in Crane Moon, a remote spiritual hotspot currently being pummeled by demons. Why? Apparently, Aili killed some clan leaders back in the day (read: in the previous books). Because I missed the duology, the demons' motivation felt a little flat—basically, "we want negative energy because we’re bad guys." I felt like I arrived at the movie theater 30 minutes late and was just nodding along.

The pacing had a limp. At one point, Aili goes into seclusion for six weeks to "cultivate energy." Did we need to sit through that? Probably not. If you trimmed about 10% of the fluff, this story would snap, crackle, and pop. Instead, it just kind of meandered.

Between Aili, Chenguang, and a revolving door of POV shifts, I needed a spreadsheet to keep everyone straight. Because I missed their origin stories in the duology, I had zero emotional attachment to the main couple. A character glossary would have been a lifesaver here.

Thank god for Majen. He was funny, fully realized, and actually had a personality I could root for. His chemistry with Yisue was the highlight of the book, and I loved the deep dive into dragon traditions.

“Don’t you ever feel as though the dragon is bigger than you are?” – Majen asked, just to add another stupid question to his collection.

I'd also like to award some bonus points, because everyone in this book is gay. It's amazing.

There were cool elements here (Dragon lore! Majen!), but mostly I just had questions. Like, what is Guiren’s deal? He lost an arm and can’t cultivate? Tell me more! Sadly, the book did not. If you plan to read this, do yourself a favor and read the Crane Moon Cycle first.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I confess that when I requested this title on NetGalley, I didn't realize it was sort of a continuation of JC Snow's Crane Moon Cycle duology. I hadn't read that duology, but I don't think that should be a deterrent for anyone thinking about picking this book up. There's some background information and probably world-building information that would make for a more nuanced reading, but I didn't find myself so hopelessly lost that I either DNF'd or didn't enjoy the book.

Found family is one of my favorite tropes when done well and it's done excellently here. The love between Aili and Chenguang and their children, Yisue and Sanmer, as well as the ties they have to Tainu and Guerin, are at the heart of this book. It's this love that drives much of the story and keeps the reader engaged and invested in the characters.

Demons are destroying the world as part of a (very) long plan to get revenge, but also just because they apparently love chaos and torture. Each of the family members are targets in different ways, plus there's the introduction of Majen, who serves as both a love interest for Yisue, but also a character whose motivations aren't fully known for a good chunk of the book. What you do know is that he has been working for demon clan leaders for a very long time, making him a natural target for suspicion as their plot begins to reveal itself. I enjoyed the way Snow incorporated real-world concerns--mainly climate change--into the story. Did I wish the problem was as simple as demons targeting our world and thus the solution could be as simple as killing the demons? Yes, absolutely. Alas.

Snow does a great job balancing the looming threat of the demons with navigating the MCs' emotional conflicts. Aili is trying to figure out how to protect everyone she loves, while Chenguang is struggling with the consequences of a decision she made three hundred years before. Yisue is on something of a self-discovery path after learning dragons all over the world are being killed, while Sanmer--well, I won't go too much into Sanmer, except to say that I hope we get another book focused on her in the future because I would love to read more about her. The action was just enough to keep the story moving without still leaving enough space for the character development. There were certain time jumps that were a bit confusing, but not enough for me to lower my rating.

While I agree with another reviewer that the love in this story is so prominent that it can feel surprisingly cozy, this is still a fantasy novel about a battle against demons. Obviously, there are losses and some of those losses are devastating. Grief definitely plays a role and because it's grief borne out of great love, it hits so much harder when you see the aftermath. There's also trauma and trauma responses, including fear and stunted emotional development, and I loved how that was developed in a particular character (my favorite character, if I'm being honest). While the ending is happy enough, it came with a price and while some of that price can be described as the natural flow of things, it doesn't make the pain and loss any easier to bear. Snow showcases those very real feelings well.

I'm curious to see what it will be like to go back and read the original duology, having read this first. I suspect some of the tension won't be there, but that I'll still enjoy those books as much as this.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to J.C. Snow and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of The Seaglass Blade!

The Seaglass Blade follows Aili and Chenguang, a powerful immortal couple that have created a sanctuary for those able to use the magic of cultivation. Aili has taught disciples for three hundred years, content to live a solitary life on Crane Moon forever. However, when Chenguang, an immortal phoenix, returns to Crane Moon and is attacked, events unfold that threaten the couple and their powerful dragon and demon children, as well as all of the disciples on the island. The peace that Aili and Chenguang have fought so hard for is threatened, and they will do anything to protect those that they love.

I will start this by saying that this is the follow up to J.C. Snow's other series The Crane Moon Cycle, which I haven't read, however I now definitely want to go back and read the two previous books as I really loved the characters in this and want to see the backstory to this book for more detail. I don't think you need to have read The Crane Moon Cycle to read this, as I did enjoy this one on its own, however if I'd known before going into this that it was a follow up, I'd have read the first two beforehand. Having the knowledge of the backstory in more detail would have enhanced my enjoyment of this one I think.

This is such a beautiful story of love and family; I really enjoyed the core familial relationships between Aili, Chenguang, Yisue and Sanmer, as well as the other familial ties that they have towards Guiren and Tainu; each of these powerful beings become such a close knit family and you can really see the love that they have for one another. At its core, this is a family story before the romantic side, and I really enjoyed getting to follow the family. Each of these characters are great on their own, with each having such deep inner voices and feelings, but together they become such a wonderful family unit. With the addition of Majen as a romantic interest for Yisue, who were my favourite couple of the book, I really enjoyed all of the characters in here, and enjoyed the study of each of them.

I haven't read any xianxia, which is what this book is inspired by, however the magic system didn't confuse me too much. Cultivation seems to be a prevalent systen in the xianxia genre so I'd be interested to go and read more to understand the magic system more. I really enjoyed the inclusion of so many different magical creatures in here, from phoenixes to dragons to demons; they all felt like they belonged in the world and had a place.

I think the main thing that I struggled with in this book was the writing style; there were some parts of the prose that didn't quite click with me, however when I was able to immerse myself fully in reading, I flew through it quite quickly. I did struggle at first, and was contemplating DNF-ing, however I'm very glad I didn't as the middle to end section really picked up. There were also a few timejumps that weren't very clearly explained so I ended up getting a bit confused with the timeline at points.

Overall this is a really great book, and I'd definitely recommend it to someone who enjoys more of an isolated fantasy setting with a great found family at its heart. Reading The Crane Moon Cycle first would probably be the way to go, and I'm definitely going to be going back to read it soon.

[Geetha Krishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d previously read and loved The Crane Moon Cycle which is a queer cultivation fantasy duology by this author and had loved it. When I saw this kickstarter, and the author shared the early chapters in her newsletter and asked me if I wanted to be an early reader, I was like fuck yeah!

And!

This book! This amazing, brilliant, masterpiece of a book!

The story takes place 300 years after the end of the duology, and there are not many references to the earlier series, so readers who haven’t read it can also read this and enjoy it, but me, I re-read the duology and cried a lot yet again before starting this.

Let me just say that if your book makes me cry, it’s gonna be my comfort read for all time. I love books that makes me feel, that makes me cry so much I have to stop reading because I can’t see the words anymore.

So, on to the review for The Seaglass Blade.

300 years after the end of The Crane Moon Cycle, Aili and Liu Chenguang are still married, still in love, but living apart. Aili runs a Sect for spiritual creatures, teaching them cultivation, while Liu Chenguang spends her time in Easterly, being a doctor. Yisue, the dragon child they had adopted is all grown up now, and they have also adopted a demon child called Sanmer who wanted to escape her demonic roots, to be able to love, to find peace, to cultivate spiritual energy instead of corrupted one.

Liu Chenguang is coming home and Aili is eager to see her, but everything goes haywire when demons attack Liu Chenguang just outside the wards of the new Crane Moon Sect and stabs her with a crystal dagger that vanishes but Liu Chenguang doesn’t heal. Searching for answers, Yisue goes to visit Beilong, and learns that there’s a demonic spell targeting dragons. A Cat spirit called Majen helps Yisue despite being a demonic spy. Aili accepts Majen as a disciple, and with the information from Majen, Zhu Guiren is able to create a counterspell that wakes Liu Chenguang and heals her.

But when Yisue learns he may be the only dragon left, and Tainu and Liu Chenguang comes up with a risky counterspell to the demonic one, it’s only the start of events that cascade to tear apart the lives of everyone in Crabe Moon.

Fuck, I loved Yisue in this, and I loved his dynamic with Majen too. Majen is pretty much a cinnamon roll, and I adore him. Zhu Guiren is still my favouite though Yisue comes close now! Aili and Liu Chenguang and their love for each other is transcending everything once again, and I loved how everything resolved for them.

And Sanmer! Omg, her character arc had me in tears, and I don’t want to spoil things, but her last conversation with Majen had me tear up. I want to see more of her, and I hope we get a book that’s focussed on her next.

At many times, I had to stop reading because I was getting so anxious for the characters and was tempted to ask the author for spoilers, lol.
This is queer cultivation fantasy at its finest and is both heart wrenching and gut churning.

Go read it! You won’t regret it AT ALL.

[Yaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant indie fantasy from J.C. Snow!
I found out that this actually started as a kickstarter and I really wish I'd known about it back then.

I think this is a standalone book but set in the same universe as Snow's previous duology The Crane Moon Cycle. Yes! That means I've an extra two books I can read in this world! I can attest you don't need to have read The Crane Moon Cycle before reading The Seaglass Blade.

The book's centred around queer found family - with a core sapphic relationship between a phoenix and a phoenix(ish) woman, and an M/M relationship between another phoenix and a (reformed) demon. Together, these adults founded and run a sanctuary called Crane Moon Sect - where spiritual creatures can come and learn to cultivate spiritual energy from pure sources.

In this world, demons are creatures who cultivate corrupted energy from suffering and pain. And boy is there plenty of it. Extreme pollution, climate change - all these things are causing havoc in our world, and causing pain not just to humans but also to the spiritual creatures who lives in nature.

The adults in Crane Moon Sect, as well as their teaching duties, spend their time hunting down and killing demons and undoing their work. And then one day....they realise the demon leaders have spent a long time forming a plan to bring them down, and it's been set in motion.

I loved all the couples in this book - Liu Chenguang and Aili (who is a human bonded to Chenguang the phoenix, giving her phoenix-like powers). They have a couple of adopted kids - Yisue a dragon who's newly an adult, trying to find his place in the world; and Sanmer, a demon who ran away from her demon clan as a child and was raised by Chenguang and Aili to cultivate pure spiritual energy, but who feels like no matter how much good she does it'll never be enough to make up for being a demon.

There's Zhu Guiren a reformed demon who's partnered with Tainu, another phoenix. I loved them both so much and I so wish we'd gotten so much more of them!

And I can't forget about Majen. I LOVED Majen's character arc and if there's another book I really hope he's in it!

There's a lot of talk of the emotional and physical pain and trauma that a lot of these characters have gone through. But there's also so much love - familiar, platonic & romantic - that to me it almost feels like a cosy book, although there's too much violence for it to be so (but it's still cosy to me!)

The pacing was fantastic and especially towards the end, I just couldn't stop reading!

Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC and for helping me discover a new queer author to follow and read!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seaglass Blade is a standalone novel that takes place centuries after The Crane Moon Cycle duology. While this is a standalone novel I believe it would be beneficial to have read The Crane Moon Cycle duology first. I wish there had been a prologue to sum up the previous books and also a glossary of characters. I went into this book blind as I haven’t read the previous books and did feel a little out of the loop. That being said, I actually really enjoyed this book! It was an epic high fantasy full of queer romance and fascinating creatures including phoenixes, dragons, animal shifters, demons, and more. The writing was very easy to read and understand. None of it was confusing for me but also I didn’t feel like the writing was dumbed down. It was just really well written. I became invested in the characters and wish I could have known more about each of them individually. This might be where reading the other books first would have helped.

There are several main characters but I feel like the story mostly centers around one established Sapphic couple and a potential queer couple. Chenguang Is a phoenix who has somehow bound herself and her power to the human Aili. At the start of the story Chenguang is returning home to Crane Moon, leaving Easterly where she is a physician. She brings her human aid Lanse with her but Lanse didn’t know Chenguang was a phoenix or about the existence of other mystical creatures. Aili runs Crane Moon where she teaches creatures to cultivate spiritual powers. Chenguang and Aili are partners and have two children they took in, Yisue a male dragon and Sanmer a female demon.

The safe bubble that Aili has created for their lives becomes threatened by outside forces and they must fight to protect all they hold dear. Not only is Crane Moon in peril but so are all the dragons across the land. The outside forces are targeting dragons and using their bones for nefarious purposes. Yisue adventures outside of Crane Moon to try to find and warn other dragons. He meets a male cat shifter named Majen who might not be the friend he appears to be.

The romance was tender and believable without open door spicy scenes. While this book is labeled as adult it felt more like a young adult story. Overall I really enjoyed this story and would like to see a sequel. I also want to go back and read the Crane Moon Cycle duology. Thank you J.C. Snow and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Jayli Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 rounded up!!!

The Seaglass Blade is breathtaking. It filled my heart so many times I lost count.

This book has beautiful demons, absurdly devoted phoenixes, powerful dragons, a cat spirit (who I adore), and found family. It’s about building a home at the end of the world and then doing absolutely everything in your power to keep it from being torn apart. It’s tender, stressful, magical, and queer *with love so intense that it borders on reckless!

I was INVESTED.

I absolutely adore how alive everything feels, even the water. Yisue’s relationship with the element is deeply intimate. He doesn’t just hear it; he understands its language and its weight.

“He let himself sense the water’s life… Here, just behind the dam, the water was captive.”

Again, I adored Majen (the cat.. forever 🐾). My heart went out to him again and again.

Special mention for how this story highlights the importance of environmental care AND how that topic is woven seamlessly into the narrative. The discussion of dams, turbines, and water being taken beyond its limits. Humans take without considering consequences because “their lives are so short.” So many lines rang true for the issues we are facing in regards to Mother Earth.

There’s a line about dragons being intimate with sacrifice and that idea reverberates everywhere in this book. In grief. In love. In what we give up to protect what matters.

As a death doula, I was really moved by the quiet reflections on grief: how every human is a tiny world of their own. Each with a beginning and an end.

There is so much I want to say, and I apologize if this review is a bit all over the place. But after thinking on it, I reckon why this book hit me so deeply is that I struggle with feeling as if I can’t find my place. And this story is about pattern and belonging.

“I don’t feel connected to the world. I’m the most useless dragon that can be, since I don’t have a pattern. I’m just still drifting. More or less.”

I so often feel as if I am drifting ‘until I find the shape of the world that matches me.’

This was a beauty of a novel.

The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

[Melanie Marchetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seaglass Blade by J.C. Snow was an unexpected and engaging read. I was surprised to discover a richly imaginative world centered around Crane Moon, a secluded commune where magical, shape-shifting beings gather to cultivate spiritual power. These beings can take the form of various animals and are guided by Aili, a human who is soul-bound to a phoenix named Chenguang. The story opens with Aili preparing for Chenguang’s long-awaited return after several years spent among humans, but the anticipated reunion quickly turns into crisis when demons attack Crane Moon, forcing the community to defend their home.

I found the story highly compelling and finished it in less than twelve hours. The worldbuilding is immersive, and the emotional stakes are heightened by a series of trials, betrayals, and shifting alliances that keep the narrative tense and engaging. The pacing is strong, and the plot maintains a sense of urgency that makes it difficult to put the book down.

My primary criticism concerns the frequent oversexualization of the characters. The narrative repeatedly emphasizes widespread romantic and sexual tension, often suggesting that many characters are attracted to one another regardless of context or mutual interest. Outside of the core relationships that are more thoughtfully developed, this recurring element felt unnecessary and, at times, uncomfortable. It detracted from the otherwise strong storytelling and occasionally disrupted the tone of the novel.

Without this aspect, the book could potentially appeal to a broader audience, particularly given its focus on magical creatures such as animal shifters, dragons, and phoenixes. However, the persistent sexual undertones firmly position it as an adult-oriented story. Even so, The Seaglass Blade remains a vivid and memorable read with imaginative worldbuilding and strong narrative momentum.

Many thanks to Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for this ARC.

[Shannon Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lush and lyrical, The Seaglass Blade tells a layered tale of love, family, and fighting for what you believe in.

The Seaglass Blade is somewhat of a departure from Snow's previous duology, and, therefore, Snow fittingly wrote it as an entry book for new readers. There is a large cast of characters, and everyone has goals and backstories--some of those backstories are available in books you can buy now. The Seaglass Blade opens with an older woman, the First Master of the Crane Moon cultivation sect, preparing to meet her love, whom she has been living separately from for several years. We establish that the two women are not human and neither are their two adult children. In fact, none of these family members are the same type of fantasy entity, and the children are adopted. The Crane Moon sect is a school full of live-in students, and the other masters are also a couple (M/M). So, on one layer we have a love story dealing with all different types of love. On the romantic front, we have a long-established F/F couple with some relationship issues, but we also have the younger generation experiencing first love (M/M and F/F) and, a bit in the background, the other long-established couple (M/M). There's also family responsibilities in all different directions and mentor-mentee relationships. A core theme is the concept of starting over represented by sea glass, which begins as one thing and becomes another. You can also see how the idea of being broken relates to this metaphor.

Aside from the emotional layers focused on interpersonal relationships, there is a great big adventure with attacking demons, demonic corruption, mysterious spells, and life-and-death consequences threatening our heroes at both the personal level and at a much more epic degree. Phoenixes, dragons, demons, and cultivational magic collide. The Seaglass Blade delivers many memorable characters to care for as they strive to reach their goals on personal and epic scales.

[TheMondayMuse · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chinese Mythology. Dragons. Animal spirits. Demons. Love. Sacrifice.

This had all the promise of a whimsical fantasy romance with a darker side and it partially delivered. It was all of the above with a side of confusion.

I enjoyed the world and the lore behind it a lot, though at times I felt it hard to follow. Part of this is probably that I have not read the previous duology or any similar books. It was partly also because at many points not even the characters knew what was possible or what should happen or how things work. This made it hard for me as the reader to grasp what was happening.

Whilst I did enjoy the concept and reach of having two romance stories, I felt they diluted one another given everything else that was happening with the demons. The adult couple also seemed quite childish to me and overall there was a strong YA feel to the book even though the two main women were over 300 hundred years old.

Despite my love of the world and lore, I found my mind wandering quite early on and then I was not hooked again until about 200 pages and then the ending seemed to drag for me.

It's frustrating because I cannot place my finger on any one reason other than perhaps the story seemed to be both character and plot driven which split my attention to many ways and gave me no solid focus. The writing could also have been tightened up a little.

Ultimately, this is a decent book and I loved the world and concept and I'm sure many readers who love Chinese mythology will also love this side of the book.

I do suggest reading the other duology first as this may have helped me to wrap my head around some of the rules regarding magic and demons etc (though this is marketed as a standalone).

[Kuu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I really really enjoyed this book. It had magic and fantasy and a mix between a modern and a non-modern setting, it had a bunch of queer characters (like, I don't think there was a single straight character in here? nice.), it had loss and questions of morality and nature vs nurture, it had difficult choices, found family... It had a bunch of good things, really.

Majen was my favourite character. His fear of being a monster, simply because of what was done to him, what he couldn't help but become... yeah, that one hit close. And the way he turned into an awkward teen around Yisue? Very fun to read.

I feel like this book had a nice mix of calm, domesticy scenes and action, which really helped me get to know the characters, which was very needed as there wasn't really any kind of introduction. That ties in with my below comment. I also really enjoyed the struggle here, the way every single character felt responsible for solving things, in their own way, with their own approach to, for example, murder and fighting, and the way in which ultimately, they realise all of them are needed.

One note I have, however, is that this book is clearly part of a series. It's kind of a spin-off, obviously happening centuries after what happened in the original series, but there were some parts where I was like... huh? I feel like I'm missing important context here. And then I checked the author's Goodreads page and... yeah, there is a duology happening before this, and while this worked as a standalone as well, I feel like it would have been more enjoyable if I had read the duology first, as it would have given context and I feel like a lot of the worldbuilding also happened in the original series.

4.5 because of the mentioned lack of worldbuilding/context in this specific novel.

[Pernille · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. While reading, I kept wondering who I could trust, and I loved what that uncertainty did to my reading experience.

This book has a really interesting take on the climate crisis we’re experiencing right now. The author takes fantasy elements and mythical creatures and places them right in the middle of that crisis, which made the story feel both imaginative and very relevant.

We get dragons, phoenixes, demons, animal spirits, and so much more. These creatures live on cultivated energy drawn from the world and nature. But what happens when corrupted spirituality, born from the destruction of the world, begins to take over? Will the mythical creatures perish, or will they fight? And if they can’t fight it and instead take it in, can you really trust the people around you?

I found this concept incredibly interesting, and the themes in this book feel very relevant to the world we live in today.

The book has a lot of POVs, but they are handled in a way that is easy to follow. The only thing I struggled with a bit was the timeline. There are quite a few time jumps, sometimes small and sometimes larger, and at one point I didn’t even realize that an entire year had passed from the beginning of the book.

Before starting this book, I didn’t know there was a duology that takes place before this one. I believe this book can be read on its own, because the author does a great job explaining all the relevant details. When I have the time, I will definitely be looking for the first duology, because this book really intrigued me and made me want to read more from this author.

This book was given to me by NetGalley and I chose to share my honest thoughts.

[Lianne Dubbs]

Thank you J.C. Snow and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The premise of the book was very intriguing. The idea of a former mortal being bestowed immortality, the presence of climate issues, and a family with an established couple and adopted children were all really interesting. As someone who likes epic fantasies, I was hoping to enjoy this novel a lot.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF the ARC at 57%. This book has been marketed as a standalone, and I personally felt like this wasn't the case. Aside from Majen, almost all of the important characters appeared in the author's duology, The Crane Moon Cycle. I think the worldbuilding would be easy to grasp if one has read xianxia novels before (cultivation). As someone who has never read xianxia, I felt very confused about how the spiritual energy and powers worked with respect to the world. Additionally, I felt like I was missing context that would've helped me care about the the relationships of the characters. Yisue's subplot of finding more dragons was compelling, and I enjoyed seeing his budding romance with Majen. However, I had a hard time understanding subtle nuances of the other characters, and this lack of understanding severely dampened my enthusiasm for the story. While I would love to return to this book in the future, I think it makes more sense for me to drop the book for now. I hope to pick this book back up once I've read both books in The Crane Moon Cycle.

I recommend this book for people who enjoy xianxia novels and for those who have picked up The Crane Moon Cycle. I would also personally recommend that this book not be marketed as a standalone, especially for readers like myself who like character-driven stories.

[Cayolimebooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 38%
I'm sad to say that I DNF'd this book. I was very interested in the story from having read the summary, but once I started reading it didn't catch my interest. I'm not sure why that is as it's well-written, the story is easy to follow despite it kind of being a sequel in stand-alone form and the world-building, lore and such are great. I did keep on reading thinking it was just a difficult start for me, but no matter how much I read nothing really stuck with me. None of the characters really spoke to me (except maybe Majen) and some I sadly just found annoying and got frustrated by. I really wanted this book to be a book for me, but I'm afraid it's not. I feel like that if I keep on trying to read, it'll become like a chore instead of an enjoyment.

However, for those who are interested in multi-POV stories with deep lore, found family bonds, magical creatures and a world that is slowly dying, along with all you want is to protect you own family: then I do think this book is worth checking out. There's complicated, long established, relationships as well as new blossoming ones. The spice (as far as I got) is low and leaves more an emotional input than physical. There's deep settled self-issues with each character, some being self aware of it and some through the book learning how to deal with it.
I do think though it's probably best to read The Crane Moon Cycle duology first, because some parts to me felt like "I should know this" but I didn't as I hadn't read the duology.

So, in short the book has so much potential that is sadly lost on me.

I'm not sure how to rate the book fairly due to the DNF. Because as I say, it's not bad in, it's just not for me. Still thank you to J.C. Snow and NetGalley for the ARC and sorry.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, epic fantasy romance! It is a follow-up to The Crane Moon Cycle duology, but it can be read as a standalone since the story takes place hundreds of years later.

FMC Chenguang is a phoenix healer who merged her life with human FMC Aili centuries ago. Together, they have built a sanctuary and school to help other magical beings learn to cultivate their magic. They have two adoptive children, Sanmer, a demon, and Yisue, a dragon. Both are adults, but they are still learning how to function in this vast magical universe. When danger and demons threaten the sanctuary, Yisue must go in search of other dragons. Along the way, he meets Majen, a cat shifter with secrets, and it’s unclear whether he is friend or foe.

I adored this story. It is beautifully written, and the cultivation based magic system is fascinating. I’ve never read a book quite like this before. I loved the worldbuilding, the variety of creatures, and the way the magic works. I also appreciated that there are really two love stories, the established, older couple and a new, developing relationship. While there are many sweet, heartfelt romantic moments, this is primarily a high-stakes fantasy. The story moves beyond the school setting into travel across a wide range of locations, and even different magical planes of existence.

I’m a little mad at myself for not reading the first two books sooner, because I clearly missed out on something special. Still, I’m glad I now have them to look forward to. This book was fantastic and is a new favorite!

Spice 2/5
Plot: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
My Enjoyment: 5+/5

*** I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Gealach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Seaglass Blade is a brilliant standalone adventure set in the same world of the author's previous series The Crane Moon Cycle and featuring much of the same characters. Despite this, it's very easy to follow, as relevant old events are mentioned and explained without being infodumpy. It's a wuxia-inspired novel, with cultivation, demons, and shapeshifting dragons and phoenixes. It pulls the reader in with a very cozy atmosphere and a lovely queer found family, but there are also really harsh emotional beats and betrayal. At its core, it is a story about grief, family, and the cost of surviving.

The many PoV characters include the main sapphic relationship, made from a phoenix and her long-time companion, and a nascent achillean relationship. Chenguang and Aili are at the core of the book, their love tested and found true, and the both of them are fantastic, well-rounded characters. A definite highlight is the young dragon's quest for self-actualization against a terrible tragedy, as he matures and reaches a new understanding.

The worldbuilding is phenomenal and really stands out. It's one of my first forays into this subgenre, but the rich imagery and the complex relationships make for a vivid and solid novel. The sections about the dragon and the sea were especially beautiful. The demons are of course not the christian stereotype but a nuanced exploration of the cycle of abuse, and the girl demon especially has a captivating, heartbreaking arc.

The Seaglass Blade is a delightful read.

[East of Reality · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book throws you right into the world without holding your hand, expecting you to either be able to figure out from context what’s going on, or be familiar enough with xianxia tropes — and let’s be honest, general fantasy tropes — to follow along. The world building is a little on the vague side, not terribly interested in the world outside the cultivation sect or the immediate fights with the demons. You’re not going to get an exposition dump about what the humans are up to, because the characters have more urgent issues to deal with, like the dragons dying out.

As much as I like this book, and I do, this is not a book you’re going to read for the plot. The plot, while fine, isn’t given much love in this book. It’s there to make the characters think, feel, and act — and they do. Aili and Chenguang are an established couple who don’t communicate as they ought, who would the easy simplicity of grand sacrifices than revealing the secrets they keep from one another. Yishue and Majen are two young men in love, each a little clueless about how to go about it … but honest and sincere with one another.

And then there’s Sanmer, a poor broken child who was led down a dark path and now sees no way out. Her final scene is heartbreaking, as she wonders if redemption is possible for a demon, much as Aili wonders if love and forgiveness have to go hand in hand. Can you love someone and not forgive them their betrayal? Can you only forgive if you love?

This is a wonderful character driven story that I highly recommend.

[Scarlet Tempest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snow has made a stunning sapphic fantasy that will take readers on a journey - both physical and emotional. The cultivation based magic system is well-developed and serves as an interesting metaphor and statement on the characters who use it. The world is complex, described with rich detail, and filled with imagery that reminds me of the West coast of the USA.

Snow's characters are interesting and distinct from each other. I can feel whose "head" I am in, and their narrative voices are all clearly defined. I love the different backstories, and I feel everyone will find someone they love and relate to.

Personally, I love the demon character cast and the emphasis that Snow places on establishing that Sanmer, Guiren, and Majen have survived great trauma and approach their lives after differently. The statement on cycles of abuse and trauma survivors in the demons made me feel seen as a reader, and I cried several times.

Aili and Chenguang, the center of their found family, show readers that love will face challenges of all types --- internal and external, but can endure through even the greatest threats and hardships. I was rooting for them from the first moment that Aili screamed Chenguang's name.

Readers who love epic Sapphic fantasy with emotional depth and beautiful imagery should read The Sea Glass Blade.

Keep an eye out for The Sea Glass Blade as a coming release and ARC opportunity.

[Emboldened · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this advanced copy.

This one didn’t quite work for me overall, even though so many elements should have been a perfect fit on paper. The premise, a found-family crew navigating a world scarred by demonic corruption, trying to protect a fragile home at the end of the world, is genuinely compelling, and there are stretches where the pacing and action absolutely deliver. The battles are vivid, the stakes feel tangible, and there is a real sense of looming ruin that gives the set pieces weight and urgency. There is also a strong thread of slow-burn, complicated love woven through the story, the kind that simmers quietly alongside guilt, responsibility, and long-standing wounds, which adds emotional depth without tipping into melodrama.​ The worldbuilding feels big and ambitious, with rich lore, layered magic, and a focus on how corruption touches not just landscapes and bodies but also institutions and spirits. Readers who enjoy sprawling ensemble fantasy, intricate politics, and morally messy characters trying to right a world drowning in darkness will likely find a lot to appreciate here, especially in the way the story tackles sacrifice, found family, and the cost of hope. For those who love sinking into dense, character-driven epics with high emotional stakes and plenty of action, this is absolutely worth sampling to see if the voice and structure click.​

[Siavahda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This is perfectly fine, but it’s lacking that spark for me. The prose is very plain, not bad but very blunt and often reading as kind of unpolished. The environmental themes are bleak, and the ‘all humans are bad’ vibe is one I’m tired of. There’s virtually no sensory description and the worldbuilding is super vague. And I had no idea this was a story featuring cultivators – not a cultivation novel, I’m pretty sure, but still, it’s a set-up/genre/whatever that has never interested me, and Seaglass Blade did nothing to change that.

It doesn’t help that this is actually a sequel to the author’s Crane Moon Cycle. I think it’s supposed to function as a standalone, but it felt to me that the story was leaning heavily on the reader already caring about these characters. They all felt very two-dimensional to me; they had one or two qualities that defined them, a Role within the family, and that was it. There’s lots of unreasonable guilt and almost-self-hatred going around, which is not something I have a lot of patience for, especially when it’s baseless, as it is here. (One character beating himself up for not being a warrior, etc.)

Not actively terrible, but there’s nothing to convince me I want to keep reading past the 20% mark.

[Kristie Kieffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one feels like salt air in your lungs and a blade hidden beneath silk. 🌊✨

The Seaglass Blade blends coastal fantasy with sharp political tension and a romance that simmers just under the surface. The setting is one of my favorite parts — windswept shores, shifting tides, old grudges that run as deep as the ocean. The atmosphere is immersive without being heavy, and the magic feels tied to the land (and sea) in a way that makes the world feel alive.

The heroine carries quiet strength. She’s not reckless for the sake of it — she’s deliberate, observant, and shaped by loss in ways that inform every decision she makes. Watching her navigate loyalty, betrayal, and destiny gives the story real emotional weight.

And the romance? Slow-building, tension-laced, and rooted in complicated history. There’s mistrust. There’s longing. There are moments where you’re not sure if they’re about to kiss or draw steel. That constant edge makes every interaction charged.

The pacing leans thoughtful rather than frantic, which works beautifully for the layered worldbuilding and character development. When the action hits, it hits hard — but it earns those moments.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely story of love and family! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and of course the wonderful author for an advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have to say that I have not read the Crane Moon Cycle duology and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything as the author did a great job describing the characters and the world. I am intrigued though to get more in depth with the world building and character building from that duology!

I appreciated the world and meaning of Crane Moon that Aili and Chenguang created for sanctuary for those able to use magic through cultivation. It lasted three hundred years.

This story begins with Aili and Chenguang coming back together after being separated and Chenguang is injured which sets off this story’s journey. I loved these two and also Yisue and Majen. Truly all the characters were interesting and well developed.

This is a well paced story packed with intrigue, wonderful characters and a nicely satisfying ending. If you enjoy fantasy along with found family then definitely give this a read…and maybe start with the duology first for more world building and character delight!

[Rach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was under the impression that this was a standalone book separate to the Crane Moon duology it seemed more of a companion / add on book in my opinion. So at points I did struggle as I had not read the other books and the motivation for the ‘deamon’s’ setting up the whole book didn’t make sense to me!

It is well written, but honestly I felt it was slow. Overly long in places and I do enjoy a multiple POV but again felt like I needed to have read the previous stories to follow them as very little back story. At one stage I did consider giving up but powered through but honestly it just felt like work and at times it’s just a bit heavy especially around guilt, their unpleasantness around humans and their general sense of looming doom!

It is an epic fantasy, found family, action, magical creatures and pretty much everybody is queer but as much as I usually enjoy these elements it just didn’t work for me, my strongest advise if you do choose to read is before you do, read the other two first then I think this will work.

Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley co-op for an opportunity to read this prior to release.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seaglass Blade is a telling of how a group of unique and powerful individuals were able to come together and resist evil forces. This was a somewhat cozy fantasy that felt a little isolated. I didn’t realize that were other books set in this world so that is likely a me problem.

The first half of this book felt like it was dragging a bit, with a lot of fluff and not that much character building. It was hard to find a footing with how the story was going and who everyone was when the POV was changing so often. The latter half was much better as there was some action and the shifts in POV were a bit more meaningful.

I really wish this had a bit more grit, as the poetic language didn’t help set the scene when there are demons and other creatures trying to kill everyone.
I ended up liking one pairing more than another and it was not the main wlw couple. Which was sad to me as a lesbian. But oh well. People who enjoy a slower pace fantasy with a smaller world would enjoy this.
3.5 stars rounded to 4

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC to review.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.25 stars

This is a book about love, but not a quiet, yielding love that gives in with grace and empathy. This is about a love that fights, tooth and claw; a love that consumes in burning flame, in a drowning waves, in a spray of arterial blood. This is about the things you will do for the one you love — and continue to do, because their life, their happiness, the breath in their lungs and the beat of their heart is so much more to you than your own. In a way it’s a selfish form of love, but in another, it’s absolutely pure; after all, what are heroes but people who act in the name of love?

This is one of those books you read for the characters, more than the plot, and as someone who loves a good character, I enjoyed this book and hope you do, too.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[En · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started following this author when I saw that her list of inspiration included Chinese BL writers like Priest, Mo Xiang Tong Xiu and Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou alongside Ursula K. Le Guin. Immediately jump onto the ARC when I saw it on Netgalley.

Though I have not read the duology, The Seaglass Blade offered sufficient context to the world, magic systems and cast of characters.

The world of Crane Moon blends the mystic and modern, offering a fresh experience while delivering everything that makes cultivation and its adjacent magic systems work.

Expect a fast-paced, action heavy journey alongside charming characters, morally grey casts who’ll capture your heart and downright wicked villains.

[Janna Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seaglass Blade is an emotional fantasy story with beautiful writing and a grand sense of adventure. Aili shows deep love for her found family over three centuries, which serves as the emotional heart of the story. It mixes themes of phoenix fire, dragon legends, demon corruption, and sword-making in a way that feels personal and large in scope. The tension builds as nature struggles, her loved ones come under threat, and old betrayals reveal themselves, endangering everything she has built. The story really shines in its portrayal of love as both a safe space and a hard choice, showing how far Aili will go to protect the home she created. With its detailed world, poetic writing, and high-stakes family bonds, this book offers a rewarding journey worth reading.

[Minishca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The initial writing style was a bit off-putting but it improved significantly as the book progressed, which I happily discovered. This was a wonderful story of found family, resilience and strength in all its forms. Do not be mistaken it is not a romance, though we are treated to the depths of devotion and sacrifice that only love can bring. Rather it is an action fantasy endeavour that is well worth the read. Excellent plot, pacing and writing enable the reader to delve into the difficult and painful decisions that are sometimes necessary to save those who matter most. A definite recommendation for your library.

[Serina’s Stories wolfganghollows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am new to this world having not read the Crane Moon Cycle duology, now I would like to read the duology. This story was one that you can completely lose yourself in. I smiled, almost cried, and was totally stressed out at what was going to happen next, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I must add, there are both f/f and m/m relationships in this book, nothing graphic which was good, as a lesbian I was a bit worried. But thankfully as there was nothing graphic, I also found the m/m characters relationships very sweet.
This is a really heartfelt story and I can’t wait to read more by this author.

I received an ARC from NetGalley this is my honest review

[lindsay (taylor's version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. i went into this without realizing that this book was more of a "sequel" to another duology than a standalone. it was good, but it would benefit better if it was marketed as a companion instead of a standalone. the pacing was kind of meh and i found the writing style a bit simplistic, but that's probably just personal taste. if you plan on reading this, definitely read the original duology, the Crane Moon Cycle, first!

thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC!