What do you think?
Rate this book
The Veil of Elpis #1
Sage of Hope and Ruin
The walls close in. Hope lies beyond the world’s end.
Aethra has no name, no parents, no home. Taken in by a secretive mentor, she’s taught to survive by robbing others of their coin - until the day he betrays her.
Saddled with debt even a noble couldn’t repay, Aethra is offered a chance to shake off the underworld elite who hunt her. She must steal the church’s most precious bloodstone on the day of their most holy festival.
But Aethra is a con artist, not a thief. When her attempt fails, she’s met not by the headsman but the king. In exchange for her freedom, she’s given a job:
Join a team on a quest to travel beyond the world’s end, and find a cure for its decay. A quest sure to end in their deaths.
No ordinary men would accept such an offer. Least of all the assassin with a silver tongue and the heretic with dark secrets - but Aethra has no choice but to follow them unto the end.
Aethra has no name, no parents, no home. Taken in by a secretive mentor, she’s taught to survive by robbing others of their coin - until the day he betrays her.
Saddled with debt even a noble couldn’t repay, Aethra is offered a chance to shake off the underworld elite who hunt her. She must steal the church’s most precious bloodstone on the day of their most holy festival.
But Aethra is a con artist, not a thief. When her attempt fails, she’s met not by the headsman but the king. In exchange for her freedom, she’s given a job:
Join a team on a quest to travel beyond the world’s end, and find a cure for its decay. A quest sure to end in their deaths.
No ordinary men would accept such an offer. Least of all the assassin with a silver tongue and the heretic with dark secrets - but Aethra has no choice but to follow them unto the end.
389 pages, Paperback
Published November 21, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
January 4, 2026
one of the easiest 5 stars i have ever given a book. i truly cannot emphasize enough how much i enjoyed reading this. i was lucky to not only be an arc reader but also a beta reader, so i have seen this story evolve and flourish. this is one of my favorite books of all time. let me tell you a bit about why this book is so well done.
the characters:
- our fmc, aethra, battles with self-doubt, unworthiness, and flat out depression throughout this story. she is real and raw and vulnerable. she says she doesn’t care about anything, about the people around her, but her heart is SO big. she is kind and compassionate despite the hand she has been dealt. she is so strong and brave, even in the face of grave danger.
- eleos. the kindest scholar who’s different enough to feel broken, to feel as though he could never be enough for someone. my heart aches for him. for his wit, his intelligence, his everything.
- seth. seth seth seth. i could go on forever about how much i love him. overprotective, fiery, intense. but also so caring and gentle and sweet.
- percy. a womanizing bard hiding his own pain from everyone, keeping his heart sheltered. set on going out with a bang instead of wasting away.
- seraphim. a natural born leader with a dark past, a girl’s girl. a friend, a talented mage, a sister. she deserves all the happiness in the world.
truly i would let them all throw me off a cliff.
the plot:
- a ragtag group of criminals band together to try and save the world from an all-consuming void? what in the dnd? are you kidding?! i loved it.
- found family. the way these people come to rely on each other, to not just trust but to care, to love, was so achingly sweet. despite the dismal circumstances and the bleak mission they’ve been sent on, there remains threads of humor, of humanity, of bonding. and it’s so so important.
- world building. the way of the world, the religion, the politics. all of it is a criticism of corrupt regimes who use their power to keep the status quo and step on others’ backs to stay on top. the unique magic system (a staple for knight books at this point) based on their gods and religion was so intriguing to learn about. even with one type of mage, there is variety and individuality.
seth:
yes i know i already talked about the characters but i’m gonna get a little unhinged about seth because that man is SO FOINE. *bites fist.* overprotective? check. secretive past? check. shadow daddy vibes? check. “i hate that i want you”? check. “who did this?”/“i’ll kill them for hurting you” moments? check. riley herself has said i’m seth’s number 1 fan and that stays true. that’s daddy fr and IDC no one else can claim him (except aethra…she can claim me too). he rapidly flew up my book boyfriend list. seriously i am on my knees for him. he can use my blood for his magic any time he wants.
riley knight is truly a master at what she does. this book will have you laughing, crying, despairing, and hoping for the best against all odds. it is fantasy, yes, but it’s also a story of the meaning of our lives and the struggles we all face with belonging, self-worth, and the overarching meaning of life.
the characters:
- our fmc, aethra, battles with self-doubt, unworthiness, and flat out depression throughout this story. she is real and raw and vulnerable. she says she doesn’t care about anything, about the people around her, but her heart is SO big. she is kind and compassionate despite the hand she has been dealt. she is so strong and brave, even in the face of grave danger.
- eleos. the kindest scholar who’s different enough to feel broken, to feel as though he could never be enough for someone. my heart aches for him. for his wit, his intelligence, his everything.
- seth. seth seth seth. i could go on forever about how much i love him. overprotective, fiery, intense. but also so caring and gentle and sweet.
- percy. a womanizing bard hiding his own pain from everyone, keeping his heart sheltered. set on going out with a bang instead of wasting away.
- seraphim. a natural born leader with a dark past, a girl’s girl. a friend, a talented mage, a sister. she deserves all the happiness in the world.
truly i would let them all throw me off a cliff.
the plot:
- a ragtag group of criminals band together to try and save the world from an all-consuming void? what in the dnd? are you kidding?! i loved it.
- found family. the way these people come to rely on each other, to not just trust but to care, to love, was so achingly sweet. despite the dismal circumstances and the bleak mission they’ve been sent on, there remains threads of humor, of humanity, of bonding. and it’s so so important.
- world building. the way of the world, the religion, the politics. all of it is a criticism of corrupt regimes who use their power to keep the status quo and step on others’ backs to stay on top. the unique magic system (a staple for knight books at this point) based on their gods and religion was so intriguing to learn about. even with one type of mage, there is variety and individuality.
seth:
yes i know i already talked about the characters but i’m gonna get a little unhinged about seth because that man is SO FOINE. *bites fist.* overprotective? check. secretive past? check. shadow daddy vibes? check. “i hate that i want you”? check. “who did this?”/“i’ll kill them for hurting you” moments? check. riley herself has said i’m seth’s number 1 fan and that stays true. that’s daddy fr and IDC no one else can claim him (except aethra…she can claim me too). he rapidly flew up my book boyfriend list. seriously i am on my knees for him. he can use my blood for his magic any time he wants.
riley knight is truly a master at what she does. this book will have you laughing, crying, despairing, and hoping for the best against all odds. it is fantasy, yes, but it’s also a story of the meaning of our lives and the struggles we all face with belonging, self-worth, and the overarching meaning of life.
December 1, 2025
Please respect my need for space in this time of reflection. BECAUSE THAT ENDING!!!!
I'm back. 12/1
Sage of Hope and Ruin swept me up quickly and I was commited to plowing through this book to see what happens. Riley gave us a crew of characters who are all likeable with their own fun quirks, and watching their relationships grow, and twist, was half the fun. I’ll admit I’m still mad at Seth (how could he? HOW COULD YOU, RILEY!?), but I'm eager for the next book to see whether forgiveness is in our future (mine and Seth's, of course).
I'm back. 12/1
Sage of Hope and Ruin swept me up quickly and I was commited to plowing through this book to see what happens. Riley gave us a crew of characters who are all likeable with their own fun quirks, and watching their relationships grow, and twist, was half the fun. I’ll admit I’m still mad at Seth (how could he? HOW COULD YOU, RILEY!?), but I'm eager for the next book to see whether forgiveness is in our future (mine and Seth's, of course).
October 16, 2025
I received an ARC in exchange for a complete and honest review.
I finished this ARC literally the day I got it. I read through migraine, I was committed. Because world building was absolutely amazing well thout out political system and religion.
The magic system wasn't like anything I ever read, it was magical (pun intended) It was so fun to learn about.
The characters! God, the characters. Never a dull moment. They are gorgeous and so well written that they feel like real people.
World building and characters are nothing without plot. And boy, there was certainly a plot™️. And I still need to process everything that happened.
Knight definitely has a way of raising stakes without throwing off the pacing, which I think a lot of authors struggle with.
Riley. Riley. When I get you, Riley. What was that ending?
I asked that you all respect my privacy at this time cause what the fuck?
Also Seth is wifey and can do no wrong
I finished this ARC literally the day I got it. I read through migraine, I was committed. Because world building was absolutely amazing well thout out political system and religion.
The magic system wasn't like anything I ever read, it was magical (pun intended) It was so fun to learn about.
The characters! God, the characters. Never a dull moment. They are gorgeous and so well written that they feel like real people.
World building and characters are nothing without plot. And boy, there was certainly a plot™️. And I still need to process everything that happened.
Knight definitely has a way of raising stakes without throwing off the pacing, which I think a lot of authors struggle with.
Riley. Riley. When I get you, Riley. What was that ending?
I asked that you all respect my privacy at this time cause what the fuck?
Also Seth is wifey and can do no wrong
October 20, 2025
WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!! The last page? had me throwing my ereader across my bed. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK LIKE YESTERDAY!!!
I was blessed with getting the chance to receive the ARC of SOHAR and I am forever thankful for getting that opportunity. This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The world building and magic system is phenomenal. Each character that you get introduced to is so developed and carefully crafted and has you falling in love with them (mostly for a specific furry friend named whisper).
Following along Aethra’s journey in discovering more about herself and her place in the world had me smiling and giggling and feeling each and every one of her emotions down to T. I adore her and cannot wait to see how more badass she becomes in this series.
Counting down the days until the official release of this book so I can add the physical copy to my mini library. Riley Knight you are phenomenal!!!
I was blessed with getting the chance to receive the ARC of SOHAR and I am forever thankful for getting that opportunity. This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The world building and magic system is phenomenal. Each character that you get introduced to is so developed and carefully crafted and has you falling in love with them (mostly for a specific furry friend named whisper).
Following along Aethra’s journey in discovering more about herself and her place in the world had me smiling and giggling and feeling each and every one of her emotions down to T. I adore her and cannot wait to see how more badass she becomes in this series.
Counting down the days until the official release of this book so I can add the physical copy to my mini library. Riley Knight you are phenomenal!!!
December 9, 2025
"The man I’d loved most bequeathed to me suffering and left me behind in the dust, stealing away my chance at life."
After being betrayed by the only person she's ever had in her life, then left to pay off his enormous debt, Aethra has been lost under the thumb of the Guild working to pay the debt and earn her freedom. When she is given the chance to pull off a heist to settle the debt, she cant help but to take the chance. Unfortunately, things dont go to plan.
After the heist goes awry, Aethra hooks up with a band of criminals and ventures off on a quest to save the world, before the Empty devours everything and and everyone.
It took me a little to get into this book, but once I did I found myself interested in how things would play out. I was rooting for Aethra to find her own strength and value and it seemed that maybe this band of criminals were just the people she needed to do that.
There were some interesting twists along the way and and the plot was interesting, along with good character and world building.
I will probably read the second book as I do want to know what happens next after that heart breaking cliff hanger!
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.
After being betrayed by the only person she's ever had in her life, then left to pay off his enormous debt, Aethra has been lost under the thumb of the Guild working to pay the debt and earn her freedom. When she is given the chance to pull off a heist to settle the debt, she cant help but to take the chance. Unfortunately, things dont go to plan.
After the heist goes awry, Aethra hooks up with a band of criminals and ventures off on a quest to save the world, before the Empty devours everything and and everyone.
It took me a little to get into this book, but once I did I found myself interested in how things would play out. I was rooting for Aethra to find her own strength and value and it seemed that maybe this band of criminals were just the people she needed to do that.
There were some interesting twists along the way and and the plot was interesting, along with good character and world building.
I will probably read the second book as I do want to know what happens next after that heart breaking cliff hanger!
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.
October 20, 2025
"Happiness bloomed in my chest for the first time in my life—not brought on by Eleos’ spells, or fleeting vice... Maybe I wasn’t worthless after all."
SYNOPSIS
Aethra is a conwoman saddled with the debt of her secretive betrayer of a mentor. She was taught to survive by robbing others. One day she is offered a chance to shake off her shackles. She must steal the church's precious artifact, the Maiden's Bloodstone, during their most holy festival.
Not a thief, Aethra's attempt fails and she is imprisoned. In exchange for her freedom, she is given a job. Now she's on a quest to travel to a hostile nation and find a cure for the world's end. Aethra knows this quest will end in her death.
To assist in the endeavor, Aethra joins a roguish team of magicians, assassins, and heretics. She soon finds a family, but also a web of secrets that threatens to undo her.
FIRST IMPRESSION
From the first chapter, I knew I was going to love this book. Knight weaves an exciting and unique world. I especially enjoyed her use of gods and their blessing of magical abilities to those who endure hardships. The plot was fast-paced and engaged me throughout the entire story. I also thoroughly enjoyed the main characters -- this little band of thieves quickly became my best friends. As more secrets are revealed and the Empty is explained, I became invested in this world's plight and the futures of those living within its bounds.
WHAT I LIKED
The characters absolutely make Sage of Hope and Ruin so enchanting. Aethra is extremely relatable with her self-doubting internal dialogue. My heart faltered numerous times as she questioned her value, strength, and abilities. When she would second-guess others' intentions and whether she was worthy of their friendship and/or love? Oh, how I FELT that self-criticism.
Her found family was messy and snarky and oh so perfect as well. Seraphim is the strong, confident woman Aethra needs in her life. The sweet and lovable Percy is everyone's adoptive brother. I wanted to protect him like my life depended on it. Eleos will move you to tears as you learn not only how dependable he is, but also how damaged. And Seth. On one page, Seth will give you butterflies, then belly laughs, and the next heartache. Each character brings a myriad of complexities that will cling to you beyond the last page of the story.
Beyond the characters, the world-building is stunning. Knight weaves a world that is both broken and beautiful. Those gifted with magic are also those who have endured great struggles. This concept really resonated with me -- it is truly unique that salvation comes after destruction.
This concept is constant throughout the entire book. I was consistently torn between whether hope or ruin is best for this world. Is hope too dangerous? Is ruin inevitable? That line between salvation and destruction blurs with each new chapter. The journey to the end will have you questioning your own morals.
WHAT WASN'T MY TASTE
That final scene though... I have three words for you, Riley Knight: how dare you.
My heart is in shambles, and you are completely to blame. I fully expect Callesis to bless me soon as I am enduring a great struggle here!
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Riley Knight won a new follower with this book. Yes, I was on her ARC team. Yes, I believe in giving new authors a fighting chance in the big, scary world of publishing and marketing. Yet, my overall impression for Sage of Hope and Ruin would not be different had I read it under the premise of post-release.
This book was not only engaging, but it was all-encompassing. There were moments within its pages that I truly felt the characters' emotions. I wept as the Empty erased families. I laughed at Percy's flamboyant style. I gasped when a secret came to light. I could not ask for more from a book... except to have the sequel sooner rather than later. (Hint hint, Riley.)
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO A FRIEND?
Absolutely! I will be hyping Sage of Hope and Ruin for the foreseeable future. Pre-orders are now available on Amazon. The official release is November 21, 2025!
Find me on Instagram @wordsandash so we can discuss more!
10/13/25 DISCLAIMER: Very excited to announce I was chosen to receive an advanced reading copy of Sage of Hope and Ruin! I will be making a recommendation once I finish my read-through. Be on the lookout -- SoHaR will be released on November 21, 2025!
SYNOPSIS
Aethra is a conwoman saddled with the debt of her secretive betrayer of a mentor. She was taught to survive by robbing others. One day she is offered a chance to shake off her shackles. She must steal the church's precious artifact, the Maiden's Bloodstone, during their most holy festival.
Not a thief, Aethra's attempt fails and she is imprisoned. In exchange for her freedom, she is given a job. Now she's on a quest to travel to a hostile nation and find a cure for the world's end. Aethra knows this quest will end in her death.
To assist in the endeavor, Aethra joins a roguish team of magicians, assassins, and heretics. She soon finds a family, but also a web of secrets that threatens to undo her.
FIRST IMPRESSION
From the first chapter, I knew I was going to love this book. Knight weaves an exciting and unique world. I especially enjoyed her use of gods and their blessing of magical abilities to those who endure hardships. The plot was fast-paced and engaged me throughout the entire story. I also thoroughly enjoyed the main characters -- this little band of thieves quickly became my best friends. As more secrets are revealed and the Empty is explained, I became invested in this world's plight and the futures of those living within its bounds.
WHAT I LIKED
The characters absolutely make Sage of Hope and Ruin so enchanting. Aethra is extremely relatable with her self-doubting internal dialogue. My heart faltered numerous times as she questioned her value, strength, and abilities. When she would second-guess others' intentions and whether she was worthy of their friendship and/or love? Oh, how I FELT that self-criticism.
Her found family was messy and snarky and oh so perfect as well. Seraphim is the strong, confident woman Aethra needs in her life. The sweet and lovable Percy is everyone's adoptive brother. I wanted to protect him like my life depended on it. Eleos will move you to tears as you learn not only how dependable he is, but also how damaged. And Seth. On one page, Seth will give you butterflies, then belly laughs, and the next heartache. Each character brings a myriad of complexities that will cling to you beyond the last page of the story.
Beyond the characters, the world-building is stunning. Knight weaves a world that is both broken and beautiful. Those gifted with magic are also those who have endured great struggles. This concept really resonated with me -- it is truly unique that salvation comes after destruction.
This concept is constant throughout the entire book. I was consistently torn between whether hope or ruin is best for this world. Is hope too dangerous? Is ruin inevitable? That line between salvation and destruction blurs with each new chapter. The journey to the end will have you questioning your own morals.
WHAT WASN'T MY TASTE
That final scene though... I have three words for you, Riley Knight: how dare you.
My heart is in shambles, and you are completely to blame. I fully expect Callesis to bless me soon as I am enduring a great struggle here!
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Riley Knight won a new follower with this book. Yes, I was on her ARC team. Yes, I believe in giving new authors a fighting chance in the big, scary world of publishing and marketing. Yet, my overall impression for Sage of Hope and Ruin would not be different had I read it under the premise of post-release.
This book was not only engaging, but it was all-encompassing. There were moments within its pages that I truly felt the characters' emotions. I wept as the Empty erased families. I laughed at Percy's flamboyant style. I gasped when a secret came to light. I could not ask for more from a book... except to have the sequel sooner rather than later. (Hint hint, Riley.)
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO A FRIEND?
Absolutely! I will be hyping Sage of Hope and Ruin for the foreseeable future. Pre-orders are now available on Amazon. The official release is November 21, 2025!
Find me on Instagram @wordsandash so we can discuss more!
10/13/25 DISCLAIMER: Very excited to announce I was chosen to receive an advanced reading copy of Sage of Hope and Ruin! I will be making a recommendation once I finish my read-through. Be on the lookout -- SoHaR will be released on November 21, 2025!
February 21, 2026
In the beautiful city Ikaria, Aethra is damned to live a life of servitude. A debt that must be paid. A debt that isn't even hers but to the one person she trusted most. Presented with an opportunity to pay off the debt entirely, Aethra must steal the Maiden's Bloodstone. Believed to be crystallized blood from the goddess Brizo, stealing it is nearly impossible, and at the Sundering Ceremony she is proven right. With the Maiden's Bloodstone within her sight it vanishes, and Aethra is shoved into a world she never would have expected.
Sage of Hope and Ruin will have you in emotional turmoil all throughout this grand adventure.
Sage of Hope and Ruin will have you in emotional turmoil all throughout this grand adventure.
October 22, 2025
The world building is amazing. Riley has created an immersive world with magic and intriguing characters and ways to wield their magic. She spins a story that keeps you on edge and not able to put the book down. I definitely enjoyed this and recommend.
November 21, 2025
From the first chapter, this grabbed me with that signature Knight sharp character work, emotional depth, and a world that feels lived-in from the moment you step into it. Aethra’s story kicks off with betrayal, debt, and a desperate bargain that sends her on a quest past the boundaries of her world, but the heart of this book lies in the characters and the bonds they forge.
I’ve been reading Knight since her debut series swept me away, and this genuinely feels like her strongest work yet. Everything just clicks: the pacing, the world-building, the tension, the emotional stakes. The magical decay at the center of the plot doubles beautifully as a metaphor for mental health, and that added layer of vulnerability made the story resonate even harder. There’s found family, there’s trauma and healing, there’s reluctant loyalty and it's all well done.
The cast is fantastic across the board. Knight is one of the few authors who can make me genuinely waver on who I want the romance to land with. Her almost-love-triangles always make me wish we were getting a full “why choose” situation, because every connection feels so genuine. The banter, the yearning, the vulnerability; all amazing. The world-building is sweeping and creative, and the relationships (platonic, familial, and romantic) carry so much emotional weight that I found myself devouring chapters just to stay with these characters longer.
My only very tiny complaint is
Overall, Sage of Hope and Ruin is the full package: richly imagined, intensely character-driven, emotionally layered, and effortlessly engaging. It’s everything I already loved about Knight’s writing, leveled up into something even more confident and compelling.
Thanks so much to the author and booksirens for the opportunity to read and review a pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
I’ve been reading Knight since her debut series swept me away, and this genuinely feels like her strongest work yet. Everything just clicks: the pacing, the world-building, the tension, the emotional stakes. The magical decay at the center of the plot doubles beautifully as a metaphor for mental health, and that added layer of vulnerability made the story resonate even harder. There’s found family, there’s trauma and healing, there’s reluctant loyalty and it's all well done.
The cast is fantastic across the board. Knight is one of the few authors who can make me genuinely waver on who I want the romance to land with. Her almost-love-triangles always make me wish we were getting a full “why choose” situation, because every connection feels so genuine. The banter, the yearning, the vulnerability; all amazing. The world-building is sweeping and creative, and the relationships (platonic, familial, and romantic) carry so much emotional weight that I found myself devouring chapters just to stay with these characters longer.
My only very tiny complaint is
Overall, Sage of Hope and Ruin is the full package: richly imagined, intensely character-driven, emotionally layered, and effortlessly engaging. It’s everything I already loved about Knight’s writing, leveled up into something even more confident and compelling.
Thanks so much to the author and booksirens for the opportunity to read and review a pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
October 22, 2025
I received this book as an ARC.
First things first…that ending! THAT ENDING?!?!? Riley Knight that was just mean! Please don’t make me wait too long for the second book!
The story Riley paints is perfection. You walk into this with just enough information trickled in at just the right spots to make the strong flow so beautifully and smooth.
The rag tag team of criminals essentially were all so perfect and the way they trusted each other so quickly was *chefs kiss*. They all fell into step and made their own perfect family and honestly with all their pasts they are exactly what each other needed.
Aethra has badass potentially but questions herself at every corner. And with her past it’s totally understandable but as the book goes on she becomes more sure of herself and by the end she was full badass in my opinion. I NEED Percy as my best friend. His sharp wit and sassy tongue were just what this book needed. Eleos gave me whiplash in the best way. He was funny and sweet and just what Aethra needed to start believing in herself. Seraphim, it took me a minute to trust her but once I did I saw her as a kind of mother figure that kept them all in step. And Seth…Seth, Seth, Seth. I love him. I do, I do, I do. The slow burn with him and Aethra will have me reeling for days!
AND THE ENDING!!! They betrayal?!? UGHHHHHHH!!!!
First things first…that ending! THAT ENDING?!?!? Riley Knight that was just mean! Please don’t make me wait too long for the second book!
The story Riley paints is perfection. You walk into this with just enough information trickled in at just the right spots to make the strong flow so beautifully and smooth.
The rag tag team of criminals essentially were all so perfect and the way they trusted each other so quickly was *chefs kiss*. They all fell into step and made their own perfect family and honestly with all their pasts they are exactly what each other needed.
Aethra has badass potentially but questions herself at every corner. And with her past it’s totally understandable but as the book goes on she becomes more sure of herself and by the end she was full badass in my opinion. I NEED Percy as my best friend. His sharp wit and sassy tongue were just what this book needed. Eleos gave me whiplash in the best way. He was funny and sweet and just what Aethra needed to start believing in herself. Seraphim, it took me a minute to trust her but once I did I saw her as a kind of mother figure that kept them all in step. And Seth…Seth, Seth, Seth. I love him. I do, I do, I do. The slow burn with him and Aethra will have me reeling for days!
AND THE ENDING!!! They betrayal?!? UGHHHHHHH!!!!
October 16, 2025
Oct. 2025 - I was accepted as an ARC reader for this book and I’m glad I was. It took me a little bit to get into the story but once I got into it, I was 👏🏻 in 👏🏻 it. Seth and Eleos were both in the running as potential favorite characters. And the world kind of reminds me of Shadow and Bone. I’d definitely recommend reading if you’re into Shadow and Bone, magic, morally grey main male characters, and dogs (you’ll get it part of the way in). Recommend to fantasy readers ☺️
October 23, 2025
I am so excited to have gotten an ARC of this story! Very unique magic system, found family, band of thieves, betrayal…read if you like the Crucible series! That ending 🤯 need book 2 ASAP.
October 18, 2025
ARC REVIEW
Thank you Riley Knight for accepting me in your ARCteam! I received this book as a gift and what a gift!
Easiest 5 stars book of this month, if not more, for me! I am actually at a loss of words, I loved it so much!
We have a main character, a con woman, Aethra, left by her teacher with a huge debt to pay to the Guild (sort of a mafia that spread it's power and influence all over the realm). She is tricked to try to steal a sacred stone and so she meets a merry band of thieves.
The story is alert, the banter is delightful and the characters are very well written! We have Percy, a guy obsessed with women, that has the power to sing and influence people with the sounds he makes, but he is so strange and funny, that no one can hate him. We have Seraphim, a strong woman that can control her blood into powerful weapons, a woman that lost everything yet she wants to save the world of the Empty. We have Eleros, a delightful scholar that suffers deeply, a man who can read minds and emotions, a big empath that loves and hates to a level hard to understand. The banter between Eleros and Aethra is delightful and their relationship is so strong!
They partner up and save Seth, a huge cinnamon roll of a guy, blood swords wielder , a tormented man that loves his dog would do everything to have Aethra safe.
The characters have lots of adventures in their endeavor to save the realm of the Empty, the dark plague that destroys everything in it's wake.
Sage of Hope and Ruin is a book about found family, about love given and received unconditionally, about ties created between people that share a purpose and are tormented by similar private ghosts of the past. A book about good and evil, about depression and love.
I cannot wait for the next book, this one left me completely speechless!🖤
Thank you Riley Knight for accepting me in your ARCteam! I received this book as a gift and what a gift!
Easiest 5 stars book of this month, if not more, for me! I am actually at a loss of words, I loved it so much!
We have a main character, a con woman, Aethra, left by her teacher with a huge debt to pay to the Guild (sort of a mafia that spread it's power and influence all over the realm). She is tricked to try to steal a sacred stone and so she meets a merry band of thieves.
The story is alert, the banter is delightful and the characters are very well written! We have Percy, a guy obsessed with women, that has the power to sing and influence people with the sounds he makes, but he is so strange and funny, that no one can hate him. We have Seraphim, a strong woman that can control her blood into powerful weapons, a woman that lost everything yet she wants to save the world of the Empty. We have Eleros, a delightful scholar that suffers deeply, a man who can read minds and emotions, a big empath that loves and hates to a level hard to understand. The banter between Eleros and Aethra is delightful and their relationship is so strong!
They partner up and save Seth, a huge cinnamon roll of a guy, blood swords wielder , a tormented man that loves his dog would do everything to have Aethra safe.
The characters have lots of adventures in their endeavor to save the realm of the Empty, the dark plague that destroys everything in it's wake.
Sage of Hope and Ruin is a book about found family, about love given and received unconditionally, about ties created between people that share a purpose and are tormented by similar private ghosts of the past. A book about good and evil, about depression and love.
I cannot wait for the next book, this one left me completely speechless!🖤
October 29, 2025
•A wild fantasy ride with heart-wrenching plot twists•
My 5 star review of Sage of Hope and Ruin by Riley Knight.
Give me a minute - I am in shock.
This book sneaks up on you. Yes, it is exciting from the beginning, but the opening sequences of the book do not prepare you for the absolute destruction (oh so good!) you will go through as the story progresses. The author gives us bits and pieces to string together as events unfold, little breadcrumbs to follow while we learn more. This leads to an intense connection to the characters, and I am now dangling on the edge wishing the next book was already here!
Things I loved about this book:
•fantasy elements that feel familiar yet unique and so intriguing
•a fiesty, smart FMC who grows into her power throughout the story
•engaging plot and character development that leaves you wanting more and more
When I come out of my book coma, I will shout to everyone who will listen to grab Riley Knight’s latest book right away.
Thank you to the author for sharing an ARC of this book with me.
My 5 star review of Sage of Hope and Ruin by Riley Knight.
Give me a minute - I am in shock.
This book sneaks up on you. Yes, it is exciting from the beginning, but the opening sequences of the book do not prepare you for the absolute destruction (oh so good!) you will go through as the story progresses. The author gives us bits and pieces to string together as events unfold, little breadcrumbs to follow while we learn more. This leads to an intense connection to the characters, and I am now dangling on the edge wishing the next book was already here!
Things I loved about this book:
•fantasy elements that feel familiar yet unique and so intriguing
•a fiesty, smart FMC who grows into her power throughout the story
•engaging plot and character development that leaves you wanting more and more
When I come out of my book coma, I will shout to everyone who will listen to grab Riley Knight’s latest book right away.
Thank you to the author for sharing an ARC of this book with me.
November 10, 2025
Note: This is an ARC review. Thank you to Booksirens and the author for giving me the chance to review her work. I am leaving my voluntary review 🥰
Honestly? I'm disappointed with myself for not reading this earlier because WHAT. THE. HECK.
We are following Aethra, a con artist, who has been offered to join an impossible and most potentially a suicide quest to prevent the world's end. We see her navigate obstacles and struggles with her unexpected allies to reach their goal while also discovering more about herself.
The plot and the characters were very unique and interesting. An adventure with a thief/conwoman, a heretic, an exiled, a bard, and an assassin isn't exactly what we would see in a usual setting, so this made the reading experience much more enjoyable. The writing was a bit different than the author's usual work, focusing on the main character's point of view. Of course, I enjoyed it much more as I felt more connected to Aethra and the way her mind works. Each character in the story had their own flaws and strengths, making it very satisfying when reading about their dynamics. The book also has greek mythology themes, which I really really like!!
Personally, Percy is one of my favorites since I really like characters who provide comedic relief while also being useful to the story 🙇♀️
SPOILER!!
Overall, I enjoyed this book so much!! I genuinely thought the characters were already safe and that we would simply see their journey to that place in the next book... But then I read the last page and freaked out 🤣 LIKE WHAT? WHAT??? WHAT?!?!?!?!?! I literally blanked out with that ending 😩🤘Hopefully, book 2 comes out soon 😭🫶
Honestly? I'm disappointed with myself for not reading this earlier because WHAT. THE. HECK.
We are following Aethra, a con artist, who has been offered to join an impossible and most potentially a suicide quest to prevent the world's end. We see her navigate obstacles and struggles with her unexpected allies to reach their goal while also discovering more about herself.
The plot and the characters were very unique and interesting. An adventure with a thief/conwoman, a heretic, an exiled, a bard, and an assassin isn't exactly what we would see in a usual setting, so this made the reading experience much more enjoyable. The writing was a bit different than the author's usual work, focusing on the main character's point of view. Of course, I enjoyed it much more as I felt more connected to Aethra and the way her mind works. Each character in the story had their own flaws and strengths, making it very satisfying when reading about their dynamics. The book also has greek mythology themes, which I really really like!!
Personally, Percy is one of my favorites since I really like characters who provide comedic relief while also being useful to the story 🙇♀️
SPOILER!!
Overall, I enjoyed this book so much!! I genuinely thought the characters were already safe and that we would simply see their journey to that place in the next book... But then I read the last page and freaked out 🤣 LIKE WHAT? WHAT??? WHAT?!?!?!?!?! I literally blanked out with that ending 😩🤘Hopefully, book 2 comes out soon 😭🫶
October 16, 2025
My first Riley Knight read and I am IMPRESSED to say the least!! I have started being a little less generous with my 5 star reviews but this book definitely deserves all 5 plus a few!!
A Sage of Hope and Ruin touches on many great subjects that so many of us deal with in real life. I love seeing this in books. Yes, I am an “escape reader” but I love reading characters who struggle through the same things I do.
I could not choose a favorite character in this book if I had to! I loved them all! I really related with Aethra most. Percy had me laughing and giggling throughout the book. Etheos gives off cinnamon roll vibes. Seth is our shadow daddy. Seraphim is our strong team leader. And last but most definitely not least we have Athena and Whisper, the very best animal companions!!
The world building was outstanding. The author is so descriptive that you literally feel like you are in the scene—smelling the smells and seeing the sights at times. The magics system in this book is absolutely unique. I haven’t read anything that I could remotely compare it to. The surprise twists in this book leave you reeling.
The ending will shock and WOW you!
If you love world building, found family, forced proximity, don’t touch her, court and religion politics, or unique magics then this book is definitely for you!
Thank you Riley Knight for this advance readers copy. I’m honored to leave this honest review voluntarily.
A Sage of Hope and Ruin touches on many great subjects that so many of us deal with in real life. I love seeing this in books. Yes, I am an “escape reader” but I love reading characters who struggle through the same things I do.
I could not choose a favorite character in this book if I had to! I loved them all! I really related with Aethra most. Percy had me laughing and giggling throughout the book. Etheos gives off cinnamon roll vibes. Seth is our shadow daddy. Seraphim is our strong team leader. And last but most definitely not least we have Athena and Whisper, the very best animal companions!!
The world building was outstanding. The author is so descriptive that you literally feel like you are in the scene—smelling the smells and seeing the sights at times. The magics system in this book is absolutely unique. I haven’t read anything that I could remotely compare it to. The surprise twists in this book leave you reeling.
The ending will shock and WOW you!
If you love world building, found family, forced proximity, don’t touch her, court and religion politics, or unique magics then this book is definitely for you!
Thank you Riley Knight for this advance readers copy. I’m honored to leave this honest review voluntarily.
October 17, 2025
I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of Sage if Hope and Ruin, and it was one of the quickest 5 stars I have ever given!
From the insane world building, to the cast of characters, this book had everything.
- A magic system that left me speechless with how well thought out and out together it was. I continued to be in awe of both the way their magic was written as well as how wonderfully Riley described it.
- Characters that are lovable, but not without flaws. I laughed at the banter and their chaotic antics. I cried at their past and the events that made them who they are.
-THE PLOT. Let me say, it's rare that I don't find plot holes in books, but there were none to be seen in Sage! I was hooked from page one, and continued to stay hooked until they very last page.
-The details. Throughout the entire story, the attention to detail wowed me. From colors, and scent to expressions and feelings, the descriptions were just perfect.
I am so excited to see where this series goes! If you Preorder any book for November- let it be this one!!
From the insane world building, to the cast of characters, this book had everything.
- A magic system that left me speechless with how well thought out and out together it was. I continued to be in awe of both the way their magic was written as well as how wonderfully Riley described it.
- Characters that are lovable, but not without flaws. I laughed at the banter and their chaotic antics. I cried at their past and the events that made them who they are.
-THE PLOT. Let me say, it's rare that I don't find plot holes in books, but there were none to be seen in Sage! I was hooked from page one, and continued to stay hooked until they very last page.
-The details. Throughout the entire story, the attention to detail wowed me. From colors, and scent to expressions and feelings, the descriptions were just perfect.
I am so excited to see where this series goes! If you Preorder any book for November- let it be this one!!
October 20, 2025
"Life was unfair to those who deserved joy, and fortune was spilled on those who didn't."
"You never afford yourself grace, but you'd happily give it to others."
Wow! The cover is gorgeous! Just by this alone, I want to read the book.
Aethra has been given a heist job to pull off and in exchange, her debt will be forgiven. It doesn't go as planned and she finds herself working with quite the group.
When she is given a different proposition; to go on a quest to find a cure for the decay beyond the world's end, she has no other choice, but to jump at the chance.
Aethra has quite the journey. She goes through ups and downs. She learns what she can do, but at what cost? The banter is great, along with the characters, but then again, Aethra is kept in the dark about her companions. Trust no one, especially with the group she is with or others they come across. Some of the book was a little slow, but the twists and turns that were introduced, picked up the pace and before you knew it; bam, the book is over and you have to wait for book 2!
Thank you Riley Knight and Boom Funnel for the ARC. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Sage of Hope and Ruin
"You never afford yourself grace, but you'd happily give it to others."
Wow! The cover is gorgeous! Just by this alone, I want to read the book.
Aethra has been given a heist job to pull off and in exchange, her debt will be forgiven. It doesn't go as planned and she finds herself working with quite the group.
When she is given a different proposition; to go on a quest to find a cure for the decay beyond the world's end, she has no other choice, but to jump at the chance.
Aethra has quite the journey. She goes through ups and downs. She learns what she can do, but at what cost? The banter is great, along with the characters, but then again, Aethra is kept in the dark about her companions. Trust no one, especially with the group she is with or others they come across. Some of the book was a little slow, but the twists and turns that were introduced, picked up the pace and before you knew it; bam, the book is over and you have to wait for book 2!
Thank you Riley Knight and Boom Funnel for the ARC. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Sage of Hope and Ruin
November 12, 2025
Ok. First off. RILEY WHAT WAS THAT ENDING. You have some major explaining to do. Talk about a cliff hanger. More like take my soul with you in that last paragraph. Rude much.
I did struggle a little to get in to it. But once I did MAN I could not stop reading. This magic system is so different than anything I’ve ever read before. I really enjoyed it. It was just your far, witches, and vampires. It’s fresh and new. Which I desperately needed.
My girl Aethra. Man had she had a rough life. She is so strong through. She keeps her head up and does what she can. She is relatable with how she doubts her self. While reading her inner monologue I was like wait. Did Riley write a book about me? lol.
In this book you will find found family, major plot twists, unique magic systems, amazing world building, and a ragtag group of criminals that band together to save the world. I definitely 💯 recommend this book to everyone.
I did struggle a little to get in to it. But once I did MAN I could not stop reading. This magic system is so different than anything I’ve ever read before. I really enjoyed it. It was just your far, witches, and vampires. It’s fresh and new. Which I desperately needed.
My girl Aethra. Man had she had a rough life. She is so strong through. She keeps her head up and does what she can. She is relatable with how she doubts her self. While reading her inner monologue I was like wait. Did Riley write a book about me? lol.
In this book you will find found family, major plot twists, unique magic systems, amazing world building, and a ragtag group of criminals that band together to save the world. I definitely 💯 recommend this book to everyone.
November 20, 2025
Holy smokes, Batman!
I need book 2 like right now!!!
This was such an amazing book with great world building and an FMC who is neither a damsel in distress nor a typical heroine, at least not right away 🤭
Beyond that, I really enjoyed the story of a misfit band of thieves and criminals working together to try and save their world from the encroaching Empty, which destroys land, people, and everything in its path.
I will say that Riley Knight is a great storyteller who had me in suspense the entire time, questioning character motivations. There is mystery and as you may have guessed it ended on a HUGE cliffhanger and there is definitely a lot of story left. I can’t wait for the next books in this series.
P.S. This book is an ARC but all opinions are my own 🥰
I need book 2 like right now!!!
This was such an amazing book with great world building and an FMC who is neither a damsel in distress nor a typical heroine, at least not right away 🤭
Beyond that, I really enjoyed the story of a misfit band of thieves and criminals working together to try and save their world from the encroaching Empty, which destroys land, people, and everything in its path.
I will say that Riley Knight is a great storyteller who had me in suspense the entire time, questioning character motivations. There is mystery and as you may have guessed it ended on a HUGE cliffhanger and there is definitely a lot of story left. I can’t wait for the next books in this series.
P.S. This book is an ARC but all opinions are my own 🥰
October 16, 2025
Riley did it AGAIN!
Such an original world, very beautifully built, with characters I really like!
This was such a refreshing book without all the tropey stereotypical trips seen all over booktok. I finished it quickly as I didn't want to put it down.
But I'm not surprised, as Riley Knight is a lovely storyteller.
If you like Mistborn this may be the next read for you!
I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Such an original world, very beautifully built, with characters I really like!
This was such a refreshing book without all the tropey stereotypical trips seen all over booktok. I finished it quickly as I didn't want to put it down.
But I'm not surprised, as Riley Knight is a lovely storyteller.
If you like Mistborn this may be the next read for you!
I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 26, 2025
I received this as an ARC and easily fell in love! The characters were dynamic and I love how they were not remotely predictable! The MFC is strong with a rough upbringing filled with mystery. There are a few MMCs presented in the book from the beginning; one a more shy thought provoking type the other a charismatic warrior. Such a fun story line! Cannot wait for the next one to come out!
October 20, 2025
This was my first ARC read and my first by Riley and it’s an absolute chefs kiss. SETH SETH SETH ugh that man is to die for and I absolutely love his protectiveness. The detail in building the world for your imagination is astounding and this is all around an absolutely beautiful book but that ending ???? Riley we need to talk about that ending!!
November 21, 2025
This was an ARC, and my first read by Riley Knight and all I can say is: I plan to devour her other works now.
This book blew my mind. The world build at the beginning took some concentration to follow (im not as familiar with greek historical scenes as I should be) but once I got into the meat I was hungrily eating. The setting alone feels like stepping into a painting- gleaming statues of their goddess, sun-washed buildings, and gorgeously dressed nobles moving through a world that worships power almost as much as it fears the Empty. The author captures that Greek-meets-fantasy vibe perfectly- you can practically feel the dust of ancient ruins under your feet and hear the echo of sandals on stone or their wet togas splashing through the marshes.
The main character has a type of magic no one fully understands including her. It's rare, volatile, and a little awe inspiring once she gets a handle on it. Watching her frustratingly access it let alone struggle to control it while everyone else either wants to use her or destroy her? Chef’s kiss.
But what really hooked me was the “heroes.” This band of supposed saviors? Yeah, they’re absolutely the worst people you’d ever trust with saving the world. Thieves, exiles, liars, and one guy who definitely enjoys violence a little too much (plus two of the most loyal pets to accompany them). And yet… somehow, they’re the only ones willing to stradle the line between civilization and complete annihilation. It’s like watching villains try to learn how to be good and allow themselves to feel worthy of love despite what their pasts have brought, and it’s messy in the best possible way. The two love interests are both swoon-worthy in opposite ways and the heated scene that rises between the FMC Aethra and one of the MMCs is deliciously lustful.
By the end, you’ll be questioning who the real monsters are- the ones willing to let the darkness take over, or the ones attempting to save the world through any means even betrayal. If you like morally gray characters, crumbling worlds, and ancient settings with dangerous secrets, this is your next obsession.
This book blew my mind. The world build at the beginning took some concentration to follow (im not as familiar with greek historical scenes as I should be) but once I got into the meat I was hungrily eating. The setting alone feels like stepping into a painting- gleaming statues of their goddess, sun-washed buildings, and gorgeously dressed nobles moving through a world that worships power almost as much as it fears the Empty. The author captures that Greek-meets-fantasy vibe perfectly- you can practically feel the dust of ancient ruins under your feet and hear the echo of sandals on stone or their wet togas splashing through the marshes.
The main character has a type of magic no one fully understands including her. It's rare, volatile, and a little awe inspiring once she gets a handle on it. Watching her frustratingly access it let alone struggle to control it while everyone else either wants to use her or destroy her? Chef’s kiss.
But what really hooked me was the “heroes.” This band of supposed saviors? Yeah, they’re absolutely the worst people you’d ever trust with saving the world. Thieves, exiles, liars, and one guy who definitely enjoys violence a little too much (plus two of the most loyal pets to accompany them). And yet… somehow, they’re the only ones willing to stradle the line between civilization and complete annihilation. It’s like watching villains try to learn how to be good and allow themselves to feel worthy of love despite what their pasts have brought, and it’s messy in the best possible way. The two love interests are both swoon-worthy in opposite ways and the heated scene that rises between the FMC Aethra and one of the MMCs is deliciously lustful.
By the end, you’ll be questioning who the real monsters are- the ones willing to let the darkness take over, or the ones attempting to save the world through any means even betrayal. If you like morally gray characters, crumbling worlds, and ancient settings with dangerous secrets, this is your next obsession.
June 2, 2026
Thank you to the author, Riley Knight, for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review (and sorry it’s taken me so long to get round to it!) 📚
Genre/Themes: ⚔️🎭🔥🩸🌪️🕳️🌊⚓️🐎
Tropes: Secret Society, Ragtag Team of Heroes, Found Family, Funny Sidekick, Morally Grey Characters, Cinnamon Roll, Kidnapping, Love Triangle, Redemption Arc, Slow Burn, Sworn off Relationships, Unrequited Love, Knights, Elemental Powers, Psychic, Betrayal, Escape, Heist, Vigilante Justice, All Hope Lost, World-Ending Threats, Non-Human Races, Prophecies, Wise Old Mentor
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌖
✍🏻 Full Review - RISK OF SPOILERS 🛑
What Worked for Me ✅
This was such a fun read. I loved the light-hearted humour of the writing style, and genuinely felt the characterisation was SO strong. My absolute favourite part of the reading experience was the hauntingly accurate depiction of Aethra’s neurodivergence. Her rejection sensitive dysphoria? Her ruminating anxiety? Her low self esteem and confirmation bias? All tied up in humour she used to disguise her deep-rooted fear of abandonment? Absolute genius. She was scheming, she was clever, she was compassionate. But all she really wanted was to be loved and to be chosen. She was probably my favourite FMC I’ve read for a while. And the supporting characters were just as wonderful, generally. Eleos and Seth were examples of different attachment styles versus Aethra’s, and I just felt like they were both so real. Eleos felt more avoidant-dismissive, whereas Seth was more fearful/disorganised-avoidant. Percy was the comic relief but not in a caricature way, he was still nuanced and emotional. I absolutely ADORED how the villain of the story, Phaedrus, was actually understandable. He was a result of compassion fatigue and grief, and the extremism that can come from it. One thing I loved too was how organic the diversity in this novel was. Seraphim being gay didn’t come as some forced, unnatural conversation, it was just known. And Eleos’ asexuality was drip-fed throughout the novel to the point I didn’t suspect it until the exact moment the author wanted me to, bringing all the earlier signs together. It was honestly heartbreaking but beautiful at the same time. The plot had my all time favourite trope - THE INFILTRATION / HEIST! It gave Six of Crows, another absolute favourite novel of mine. The Empty gave plenty of peril and some intense action scenes. The magic in the novel, especially the chthonics, was creative and I loved the imagery of their blood-made weapons. The descriptive writing was generally very immersive. Even the tiny details, like Aethra gradually getting better at riding and mounting, added so much heart and the concept of found family - including discovering the truth about the mentor who had ‘abandoned her’ - added so much connection and poignancy.
Room for Improvement 🔎
My only real issue with the prose was the overuse of participle clauses, especially earlier on in the novel. It made the flow feel a little clunky at times, but this definitely improved further on in the novel. I was also a little thrown when the author used the word ‘bangs’ to describe Aethra’s hair, which felt a little out of place. There were several typos, and I’m fairly sure this ARC is from a novel released last year so theoretically should be the already polished and published manuscript?
I felt Seraphim was the weakest character in the novel. By the end I still didn’t really feel I knew her personality or her morals and motives. I also felt the author automatically conflated Eleos’ asexuality with being aromantic as well, without it feeling intentional, and as a result maybe leant into some misconceptions. He never asked if sex was an essential for Aethra, just saying ‘I can’t love you the way you want to be loved’, and that he ‘felt something deep’ for her but avoided defining it as romantic love. Asexual people can and do feel romantic love, and some can even still have and enjoy sex because they don’t always lack drive, just sexual attraction. The reason the novel just missed four stars for me was Aethra and Seth. Their relationship didn’t build in the same way that Aethra and Eleos’ did, for me. From Aethra’s point of view it seemed to just be based on sexual attraction. So when they got together at the end, with Aethra saying she ‘fell for him’ too, I was taken aback. A couple of chapters earlier she had said she’d like to just ‘have fun’ with him and realistically she hadn’t seemed to feel conflicted between the two men - she quite clearly wanted Eleos. So it felt like Seth was just second choice, only becoming a true option once Eleos was seen as off-limits, and in a way it felt like it enforced the idea of ‘sex = love’. So the love triangle didn’t quite hit the way it could have.
I found the lore a little inconsistent at times, such as Phaedrus being able to make Aethra feel the emotions of her group without that ‘hint’ already being there, which Eleos said was essential to emotional manipulation. I also felt the concept of hope / giving up being the key to Aethra’s powers was somewhat flawed, because would you ever truly ‘give up’ if you knew that doing so was the key to your powers? That would give you hope, no?
As other readers have pointed out too - the world-building could have done with a bit more expansion, as sometimes I couldn’t picture what the world was supposed to look like. Sometimes it sounded Ancient Greek or Roman with marble pillars, temples and togas, other times it sounded pseudo-medieval. To be honest I was totally picturing it as more of the latter.
The pacing slumped for me somewhat around the second act when the group met the Clergy. I didn’t feel it drove the plot forward very much. I sometimes felt the group had a bit too much plot armour, too, surviving pretty much everything that happened to them, largely unscathed, including crossing an impossible sea with an unfit boat.
Overall, if you enjoy slow burn romantasy with love triangles, crime found families and world-ending magic, this could be for you. I’ll be jumping straight to the sequel after gratefully receiving the ARCs for both!
Genre/Themes: ⚔️🎭🔥🩸🌪️🕳️🌊⚓️🐎
Tropes: Secret Society, Ragtag Team of Heroes, Found Family, Funny Sidekick, Morally Grey Characters, Cinnamon Roll, Kidnapping, Love Triangle, Redemption Arc, Slow Burn, Sworn off Relationships, Unrequited Love, Knights, Elemental Powers, Psychic, Betrayal, Escape, Heist, Vigilante Justice, All Hope Lost, World-Ending Threats, Non-Human Races, Prophecies, Wise Old Mentor
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌖
✍🏻 Full Review - RISK OF SPOILERS 🛑
What Worked for Me ✅
This was such a fun read. I loved the light-hearted humour of the writing style, and genuinely felt the characterisation was SO strong. My absolute favourite part of the reading experience was the hauntingly accurate depiction of Aethra’s neurodivergence. Her rejection sensitive dysphoria? Her ruminating anxiety? Her low self esteem and confirmation bias? All tied up in humour she used to disguise her deep-rooted fear of abandonment? Absolute genius. She was scheming, she was clever, she was compassionate. But all she really wanted was to be loved and to be chosen. She was probably my favourite FMC I’ve read for a while. And the supporting characters were just as wonderful, generally. Eleos and Seth were examples of different attachment styles versus Aethra’s, and I just felt like they were both so real. Eleos felt more avoidant-dismissive, whereas Seth was more fearful/disorganised-avoidant. Percy was the comic relief but not in a caricature way, he was still nuanced and emotional. I absolutely ADORED how the villain of the story, Phaedrus, was actually understandable. He was a result of compassion fatigue and grief, and the extremism that can come from it. One thing I loved too was how organic the diversity in this novel was. Seraphim being gay didn’t come as some forced, unnatural conversation, it was just known. And Eleos’ asexuality was drip-fed throughout the novel to the point I didn’t suspect it until the exact moment the author wanted me to, bringing all the earlier signs together. It was honestly heartbreaking but beautiful at the same time. The plot had my all time favourite trope - THE INFILTRATION / HEIST! It gave Six of Crows, another absolute favourite novel of mine. The Empty gave plenty of peril and some intense action scenes. The magic in the novel, especially the chthonics, was creative and I loved the imagery of their blood-made weapons. The descriptive writing was generally very immersive. Even the tiny details, like Aethra gradually getting better at riding and mounting, added so much heart and the concept of found family - including discovering the truth about the mentor who had ‘abandoned her’ - added so much connection and poignancy.
Room for Improvement 🔎
My only real issue with the prose was the overuse of participle clauses, especially earlier on in the novel. It made the flow feel a little clunky at times, but this definitely improved further on in the novel. I was also a little thrown when the author used the word ‘bangs’ to describe Aethra’s hair, which felt a little out of place. There were several typos, and I’m fairly sure this ARC is from a novel released last year so theoretically should be the already polished and published manuscript?
I felt Seraphim was the weakest character in the novel. By the end I still didn’t really feel I knew her personality or her morals and motives. I also felt the author automatically conflated Eleos’ asexuality with being aromantic as well, without it feeling intentional, and as a result maybe leant into some misconceptions. He never asked if sex was an essential for Aethra, just saying ‘I can’t love you the way you want to be loved’, and that he ‘felt something deep’ for her but avoided defining it as romantic love. Asexual people can and do feel romantic love, and some can even still have and enjoy sex because they don’t always lack drive, just sexual attraction. The reason the novel just missed four stars for me was Aethra and Seth. Their relationship didn’t build in the same way that Aethra and Eleos’ did, for me. From Aethra’s point of view it seemed to just be based on sexual attraction. So when they got together at the end, with Aethra saying she ‘fell for him’ too, I was taken aback. A couple of chapters earlier she had said she’d like to just ‘have fun’ with him and realistically she hadn’t seemed to feel conflicted between the two men - she quite clearly wanted Eleos. So it felt like Seth was just second choice, only becoming a true option once Eleos was seen as off-limits, and in a way it felt like it enforced the idea of ‘sex = love’. So the love triangle didn’t quite hit the way it could have.
I found the lore a little inconsistent at times, such as Phaedrus being able to make Aethra feel the emotions of her group without that ‘hint’ already being there, which Eleos said was essential to emotional manipulation. I also felt the concept of hope / giving up being the key to Aethra’s powers was somewhat flawed, because would you ever truly ‘give up’ if you knew that doing so was the key to your powers? That would give you hope, no?
As other readers have pointed out too - the world-building could have done with a bit more expansion, as sometimes I couldn’t picture what the world was supposed to look like. Sometimes it sounded Ancient Greek or Roman with marble pillars, temples and togas, other times it sounded pseudo-medieval. To be honest I was totally picturing it as more of the latter.
The pacing slumped for me somewhat around the second act when the group met the Clergy. I didn’t feel it drove the plot forward very much. I sometimes felt the group had a bit too much plot armour, too, surviving pretty much everything that happened to them, largely unscathed, including crossing an impossible sea with an unfit boat.
Overall, if you enjoy slow burn romantasy with love triangles, crime found families and world-ending magic, this could be for you. I’ll be jumping straight to the sequel after gratefully receiving the ARCs for both!
November 29, 2025
4.5 stars
★★★★☆
Gosh darn it what a ride I had such a great time!!!
I also posted my review on my blog ✿
Aethra is barely scraping by, a huge debt on her head and no future to live for. The debt she owes is more than she can repay in this lifetime. She is a con artist, selling snake oil and duping the rich. Made to do an impossible job, to steal a sacred jewel. When she inevitably fails, she is given a job: join the quest to try and stop the decay that is eating the world in exchange for her freedom and getting her debt repaid. She accepts, because what else does she have to live for, and if she dies, at least she was doing something exciting and important.
Five people make up the questing group: Aethra, Eleos, Seraphim, Percy and Seth.
Seraphim is to groups leader, 40-ish years old, with blood fire magic and holds the plans and contacts for their mission.
Eleos is the priest who's not a priest, a scholar of The Empty, always with a journal in his hands, and an awkward compliment on his lips.
Percy is a bard, chronically ill with hope and love in his heart.
Seth an assassin who uses his blood magic to make blood blades, wetting his blade for those who cannot claim vengeance against injustices.
They all must use their skills to cross the country, avoid detection and trouble, and journey to the end, towards the source of the decay.
Aethra has no self confidence or esteem. Life has beaten her down and she doesn't have the energy to bother getting back up. She has no friends, family and no future and suffers quite heavily with suicidal ideation and gaining any sort of self-esteem seems tied to the group and finding love. It was heartwarming to see this found family, bringing a light into her life, even when the world is ending. Her bleak existence didn't give her time to breathe, crushing her slowly, day by day. Leaving that situation allowed her to experience and enjoy life, find friends and trust people again. Her growth was slow but I was excited to see her start to come into her own, find solace and self worth.
The characters and the relationships between them are the heart and soul of this book. They are a rag-tag group who are struggling to trust each other, and need each other to survive the journey. Everyone was necessary for the story. They all have deep seated wounds and trauma that is not resolved simply, eating away at them and skewing their actions and perspectives. They all hold secrets that can change or alter their course, and Riley Knight does well to slowly trickle the revelations out, in an impactful and emotional way. Seraphim was the only one that was slightly underdeveloped compared to the others, probably to facilitate the ending, but she did feel slightly apart from the others.
The world-building was interesting because it heavily relied on religion and the gods, but I think it lacked clarity and it was a missed opportunity in understanding how the characters each practised this religion (other than Eleos).
This story explores LGBTQIA+ and chronic illness representation, grief and loss and finding self-worth and belonging during difficult life-threatening circumstances.
The cliffhanger ending was so exciting and made me immediately upset that the next book isn't out. I will be vibrating out of impatience until the sequel is out.
Would I recommend this book??
Yes, definitely.
thank you to the author Riley Knight and Booksirens the ARC in exchange for an honest review
☞ content warnings: **contains spoilers**
★★★★☆
Gosh darn it what a ride I had such a great time!!!
I also posted my review on my blog ✿
Aethra is barely scraping by, a huge debt on her head and no future to live for. The debt she owes is more than she can repay in this lifetime. She is a con artist, selling snake oil and duping the rich. Made to do an impossible job, to steal a sacred jewel. When she inevitably fails, she is given a job: join the quest to try and stop the decay that is eating the world in exchange for her freedom and getting her debt repaid. She accepts, because what else does she have to live for, and if she dies, at least she was doing something exciting and important.
"Dying on an impossible job was far more inviting than slaving away, hopeless and alone."
Five people make up the questing group: Aethra, Eleos, Seraphim, Percy and Seth.
Seraphim is to groups leader, 40-ish years old, with blood fire magic and holds the plans and contacts for their mission.
Eleos is the priest who's not a priest, a scholar of The Empty, always with a journal in his hands, and an awkward compliment on his lips.
Percy is a bard, chronically ill with hope and love in his heart.
Seth an assassin who uses his blood magic to make blood blades, wetting his blade for those who cannot claim vengeance against injustices.
They all must use their skills to cross the country, avoid detection and trouble, and journey to the end, towards the source of the decay.
"We were neither priests nor nobles, but criminals escaping our sentence by pursuing a fool’s errand."
Aethra has no self confidence or esteem. Life has beaten her down and she doesn't have the energy to bother getting back up. She has no friends, family and no future and suffers quite heavily with suicidal ideation and gaining any sort of self-esteem seems tied to the group and finding love. It was heartwarming to see this found family, bringing a light into her life, even when the world is ending. Her bleak existence didn't give her time to breathe, crushing her slowly, day by day. Leaving that situation allowed her to experience and enjoy life, find friends and trust people again. Her growth was slow but I was excited to see her start to come into her own, find solace and self worth.
"Maybe I wasn’t worthless after all."
The characters and the relationships between them are the heart and soul of this book. They are a rag-tag group who are struggling to trust each other, and need each other to survive the journey. Everyone was necessary for the story. They all have deep seated wounds and trauma that is not resolved simply, eating away at them and skewing their actions and perspectives. They all hold secrets that can change or alter their course, and Riley Knight does well to slowly trickle the revelations out, in an impactful and emotional way. Seraphim was the only one that was slightly underdeveloped compared to the others, probably to facilitate the ending, but she did feel slightly apart from the others.
The world-building was interesting because it heavily relied on religion and the gods, but I think it lacked clarity and it was a missed opportunity in understanding how the characters each practised this religion (other than Eleos).
"A deadly game, when death beget the end of the world."
This story explores LGBTQIA+ and chronic illness representation, grief and loss and finding self-worth and belonging during difficult life-threatening circumstances.
The cliffhanger ending was so exciting and made me immediately upset that the next book isn't out. I will be vibrating out of impatience until the sequel is out.
Would I recommend this book??
Yes, definitely.
thank you to the author Riley Knight and Booksirens the ARC in exchange for an honest review
☞ content warnings: **contains spoilers**
Blog ✿ Goodreads ✿ TikTok ✿Twitter ✿ Instagram ✿ Pinterest ✿ StoryGraph ✿ Discovery ✿
November 22, 2025
“We lived in an endless cycle; when the Empty once again consumed the world, the Maiden would reappear and guide us to a new life, a new land.”
Sage of Hope and Ruin follows Aethra, a con woman and thief trapped in servitude to The Guild-an organization of mercenaries- by a debt earned by the betrayal of someone she trusted most. After a job gone wrong, she’s offered a choice; rot in prison, or join a ragtag trio of fellow criminals to save their world from the growing Empty-the black void which eats away at their world and destroys everything in its path. Because the empty is growing, and this group may just be the last hope of stopping it before all hope is lost.
This book! This book took me on a whirlwind ride I was NOT prepared for in the best of ways. Firstly, I adore Aethra. She is so real as a character, flawed and unsure of herself. And a great sense of humor and whit that had me laughing every chapter. I also loved that despite being a professional thief/con woman, she still had things she wasn’t great at like combat/self defense. Seraphim is MOTHER. Instantly had me falling in love with her from the moment we meet her. I want to know SO much more about her in the next books. Elios had me in a chokehold from the beginning, we love an empathetic, soft man… he’s endearingly awkward, but also quite frustrating. Percy must be protected at all cost, a cinnamon roll of a man. And Seth…. Ooooh that man has ALL of my heart! If you like em dark and brooding and romantic, you will love him too.
The plot has SO many twists and turns and you’re never ready for them. The ending literally knocked the air out of my lungs, because WHAT?!
I highly recommend this book if you love epic fantasy, great world building and lore, magic, high stakes, banter, and lovely broken characters.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Sage of Hope and Ruin follows Aethra, a con woman and thief trapped in servitude to The Guild-an organization of mercenaries- by a debt earned by the betrayal of someone she trusted most. After a job gone wrong, she’s offered a choice; rot in prison, or join a ragtag trio of fellow criminals to save their world from the growing Empty-the black void which eats away at their world and destroys everything in its path. Because the empty is growing, and this group may just be the last hope of stopping it before all hope is lost.
This book! This book took me on a whirlwind ride I was NOT prepared for in the best of ways. Firstly, I adore Aethra. She is so real as a character, flawed and unsure of herself. And a great sense of humor and whit that had me laughing every chapter. I also loved that despite being a professional thief/con woman, she still had things she wasn’t great at like combat/self defense. Seraphim is MOTHER. Instantly had me falling in love with her from the moment we meet her. I want to know SO much more about her in the next books. Elios had me in a chokehold from the beginning, we love an empathetic, soft man… he’s endearingly awkward, but also quite frustrating. Percy must be protected at all cost, a cinnamon roll of a man. And Seth…. Ooooh that man has ALL of my heart! If you like em dark and brooding and romantic, you will love him too.
The plot has SO many twists and turns and you’re never ready for them. The ending literally knocked the air out of my lungs, because WHAT?!
I highly recommend this book if you love epic fantasy, great world building and lore, magic, high stakes, banter, and lovely broken characters.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review
April 29, 2026
A gritty, character-driven fantasy that leans heavily into survival and secrets. While leaning on that uncomfortable truth that not every “mission” is meant to succeed. Aethra is given an impossible job tied to the Bloodstone in return it will ensure her freedom or death. Yet it quickly spirals her into a magical group and a mission far more dangerous. You and Aethra get that constant feeling as if it’s more like a setup than anything else. The deeper the group travels, the clearer it becomes that they were never given the full truth about anything. Much larger things are at play here. Creating a constant tension pushing further already fragile feelings of trust.
No one and nothing is entirely transparent. Everything and everyone are constantly questioned. That uncertainty keeps the story engaging even though the pacing is painfully slow. Aethra’s isn’t my favorite FMC. She lacks confidence, constantly questioning her worth. Very low on the spice scale romance which is not based on easy chemistry in the slightest. Again it’s a slow dynamic leaning heavy on mistrust.
The Bloodstone itself is the star here personally. Shifting from a simple objective into something far more complex. It never fully reveals all its cards. This does end on a chaotic cliffhanger. Delivering more of a sharp emotional hit than a sense of closure. It’s definitely messy and clearly setting up something bigger. I am assuming for the next installation.
No one and nothing is entirely transparent. Everything and everyone are constantly questioned. That uncertainty keeps the story engaging even though the pacing is painfully slow. Aethra’s isn’t my favorite FMC. She lacks confidence, constantly questioning her worth. Very low on the spice scale romance which is not based on easy chemistry in the slightest. Again it’s a slow dynamic leaning heavy on mistrust.
The Bloodstone itself is the star here personally. Shifting from a simple objective into something far more complex. It never fully reveals all its cards. This does end on a chaotic cliffhanger. Delivering more of a sharp emotional hit than a sense of closure. It’s definitely messy and clearly setting up something bigger. I am assuming for the next installation.
January 4, 2026
Another rainbow read to add to my collection!!!
Given an impossible mission, when it fails, given ANOTHER mission that could fail. But failing isn’t the option right? The world is ending- failure is NOT the option.
A girl who “doesn’t exist” but belongs to another, raised as a thief. Given 3 days to prepare for the theft of a lifetime to erase her debt! A king desperate for a cure for his world, will offer the chance to travel to end the Empty, and clear their debts.
A crew Of 4, Con Artist, Blood mage, Psyche, Bard?
off to study the Empty, find the way to stop it.
Can this motley troupe sent to the end of the world trust each other? (Oh and add in another member and his dog!)
Just the world DISAPPEARING and plenty of shenanigans, and the shock of truth vs lies awaits you! This begins with a heist, encouraging bad behaviours but ends with found family and multiple friends and healing.
There are a LOT of secrets revealed and alliances made. And a weird love triangle in the mix…. The cliffhanger is criminal but this was a book about vigilante criminals so that makes sense!
This series is going on my shelf! It’s one I can read over and over again and always find new information I missed before! No spoilers here!
“That was a bloody good eacape” - me at 4am
this is book 1 more to come!
Given an impossible mission, when it fails, given ANOTHER mission that could fail. But failing isn’t the option right? The world is ending- failure is NOT the option.
A girl who “doesn’t exist” but belongs to another, raised as a thief. Given 3 days to prepare for the theft of a lifetime to erase her debt! A king desperate for a cure for his world, will offer the chance to travel to end the Empty, and clear their debts.
A crew Of 4, Con Artist, Blood mage, Psyche, Bard?
off to study the Empty, find the way to stop it.
Can this motley troupe sent to the end of the world trust each other? (Oh and add in another member and his dog!)
Just the world DISAPPEARING and plenty of shenanigans, and the shock of truth vs lies awaits you! This begins with a heist, encouraging bad behaviours but ends with found family and multiple friends and healing.
There are a LOT of secrets revealed and alliances made. And a weird love triangle in the mix…. The cliffhanger is criminal but this was a book about vigilante criminals so that makes sense!
This series is going on my shelf! It’s one I can read over and over again and always find new information I missed before! No spoilers here!
“That was a bloody good eacape” - me at 4am
this is book 1 more to come!
October 28, 2025
Spice: None
Book: 5/5
I don’t even have the words to fully capture my thoughts on this book. The beginning is slow but I feel it was intentional because the world building was immense and allowed you to fully understand the state of the world and the climate of society as well as the dynamics between different social classes and between those with magic and without. It was informative and painted the world so the story could unfold without you having a ton of questions. So although it took me a minute to fully invest, once I grasped the world, I was hooked and unable to put the book down.
From the banter of the characters, the dungeons and dragons themes, the secret identities, to the cliffhanger at the end…. This book was everything and more that I could have wanted from it. The way I SCREAMED at the ending!!!!
Also… the LGBTQ + representation?!?!? Like YES THANK YOU!!! And it’s not in a way that feels forced - it was just natural and accepted and beautiful.
I cannot wait for this book to be released for you all to experience 🤭
Book: 5/5
I don’t even have the words to fully capture my thoughts on this book. The beginning is slow but I feel it was intentional because the world building was immense and allowed you to fully understand the state of the world and the climate of society as well as the dynamics between different social classes and between those with magic and without. It was informative and painted the world so the story could unfold without you having a ton of questions. So although it took me a minute to fully invest, once I grasped the world, I was hooked and unable to put the book down.
From the banter of the characters, the dungeons and dragons themes, the secret identities, to the cliffhanger at the end…. This book was everything and more that I could have wanted from it. The way I SCREAMED at the ending!!!!
Also… the LGBTQ + representation?!?!? Like YES THANK YOU!!! And it’s not in a way that feels forced - it was just natural and accepted and beautiful.
I cannot wait for this book to be released for you all to experience 🤭
Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews