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Reign
Found family, forbidden love, and a heroine who refuses to kneel― from Cosmopolitan's book imprint comes REIGN, a fierce feminist romantasy about choosing freedom over fear and setting fire to the throne.
The Kingdom of Lyonesse is absent of magic but not of rain.
In the rain-soaked Kingdom of Lyonesse, magic is outlawed―punishable by death.
So when Niamh's forbidden witchcraft is exposed, she flees her rainy village disguised as a man.
She never meant to end up on a battlefield.
Mistakenly conscripted into a brutal war engineered by a paranoid king against a vengeful sorceress determined to reclaim the throne, Niamh now hides another secret―her womanhood. Between fighting terrifying beasts and confronting arcane powers she once believed were merely folklore, Niamh is thrust into a world where survival relies on more than luck―it demands alliances.
In battle, Niamh must obey Prince Fitzroy, the king's infuriatingly handsome illegitimate son and sharp-tongued commander tasked with eradicating magic. He is everything she despises…and everything she struggles to resist. Back at camp, she forges a complicated friendship with Bash, a fellow soldier who sees her like no one else does and stirs forbidden feelings that could shatter her disguise.
As war tightens its grip on the kingdom, Niamh is forced to choose: obey the prince who could expose her, trust the soldier who could love her, or embrace the forbidden magic that could save them all.
But war is merciless, and not everyone will live to see which side prevails.
The Kingdom of Lyonesse is absent of magic but not of rain.
In the rain-soaked Kingdom of Lyonesse, magic is outlawed―punishable by death.
So when Niamh's forbidden witchcraft is exposed, she flees her rainy village disguised as a man.
She never meant to end up on a battlefield.
Mistakenly conscripted into a brutal war engineered by a paranoid king against a vengeful sorceress determined to reclaim the throne, Niamh now hides another secret―her womanhood. Between fighting terrifying beasts and confronting arcane powers she once believed were merely folklore, Niamh is thrust into a world where survival relies on more than luck―it demands alliances.
In battle, Niamh must obey Prince Fitzroy, the king's infuriatingly handsome illegitimate son and sharp-tongued commander tasked with eradicating magic. He is everything she despises…and everything she struggles to resist. Back at camp, she forges a complicated friendship with Bash, a fellow soldier who sees her like no one else does and stirs forbidden feelings that could shatter her disguise.
As war tightens its grip on the kingdom, Niamh is forced to choose: obey the prince who could expose her, trust the soldier who could love her, or embrace the forbidden magic that could save them all.
But war is merciless, and not everyone will live to see which side prevails.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Bethan Croome
4 books138 followersBeth is an author and content creator from the UK. She holds a Master’s degree in Writing from Bath Spa University and enjoys crafting stories with flawed characters, complicated romances, and magical settings. When she’s not conjuring up fantastical kingdoms and creatures, you will find her walking her dachshund, Arwen, through the rainy countryside or exploring museums in search of historical inspiration.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
September 11, 2026
I'm going to make this short and quick: A heroine who refuses to submit should have been enough for me to enjoy this but after the first 30% I started to really wonder if the book is even appealing. I think the biggest problem was the flow of the writing itself and the pacing. The choppy and clunky writing style really impacted the story here. To be honest I started to lose interest after the first half and unwilling to pick it up later. It had the right ingredients but a weak execution. The story also had romance..but it seemed to be heading into a love triangle that was not done well. Neither of the love interests were developed well or enough to the point where I was rooting for either or. I also thought that Niamh, our heroine, was super flippant in her affections for both love interests.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Cosmo Reads and the author, Bethan Croome for an early ARC.
Publication date: September 1, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Cosmo Reads and the author, Bethan Croome for an early ARC.
Publication date: September 1, 2026
Did Not Finish
June 2, 2026DNF 12%. This book reminded me of Mulan and I love Mulan, so I was really excited to start this.
Sadly, the writing felt choppy, the dialogue was stilted and bland, and it relied way too much on telling rather than showing how the characters felt.
The plot was starting to get interesting, BUT I just couldn’t get past the writing style.
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
Sadly, the writing felt choppy, the dialogue was stilted and bland, and it relied way too much on telling rather than showing how the characters felt.
The plot was starting to get interesting, BUT I just couldn’t get past the writing style.
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
Did Not Finish
June 3, 2026dnf @ 34%
I picked up Reign because the premise sounded exactly like my kind of fantasy: forbidden magic, a heroine disguised as a man, political conflict, and a war-torn kingdom. The setup was strong, and the opening chapters immediately caught my attention. The Mulan-inspired elements had a lot of potential.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the characters as the story progressed. The relationships felt underdeveloped, and I found it difficult to invest in the romance. While Niamh had moments I enjoyed, her emotional development didn't always feel convincing to me, and I never became fully attached to the cast.
The writing itself was hard to get through, and the pacing started to drag in the middle. I found myself losing interest rather than becoming more invested in the story. By 34%, I realised I was reading out of obligation instead of excitement, so I decided to put it down.
This one simply wasn't the right fit for me, though readers who enjoy feminist romantasy and hidden-identity storylines may have a better experience.
I picked up Reign because the premise sounded exactly like my kind of fantasy: forbidden magic, a heroine disguised as a man, political conflict, and a war-torn kingdom. The setup was strong, and the opening chapters immediately caught my attention. The Mulan-inspired elements had a lot of potential.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the characters as the story progressed. The relationships felt underdeveloped, and I found it difficult to invest in the romance. While Niamh had moments I enjoyed, her emotional development didn't always feel convincing to me, and I never became fully attached to the cast.
The writing itself was hard to get through, and the pacing started to drag in the middle. I found myself losing interest rather than becoming more invested in the story. By 34%, I realised I was reading out of obligation instead of excitement, so I decided to put it down.
This one simply wasn't the right fit for me, though readers who enjoy feminist romantasy and hidden-identity storylines may have a better experience.
Want to Read
February 8, 2026Cannot wait 😍😍😍
Did Not Finish
September 27, 2026DNF at 60%
Before starting my review, I had actually read some of the other readers’ reviews, and I have to admit that at first I couldn’t understand why this book had such low ratings. I genuinely thought the story had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, I abandoned ship at around 60%. The main reason was Niamh, the protagonist. If it weren’t for her, I probably would have finished the book. I might have ended up appreciating it more, because the worldbuilding is phenomenal and honestly deserves so much more attention than it gets in the story. But the way the author chose to portray Niamh and the mindset she was given was something I simply couldn’t get past. Instead of feeling like a woman on a mission, determined to survive a war while protecting her secrets, she often came across more like a teenage girl who desperately needed to get laid at least once just to get it out of her system. I’m sorry to put it so bluntly, but that is genuinely the impression her character gave me.
I really think this story could have gone in a completely different direction and become the kind of read that stays with you. It had all the ingredients for it, but as the story progressed, I increasingly felt like it had forgotten about its own plot devices. Niamh is supposed to be hiding both her magic and the fact that she’s a woman while pretending to be her brother, and there are definitely moments where her disguise creates genuinely tense situations. But the story didn’t always seem to remember just how much danger she was actually in. Some of the things Niamh did were incredibly bold. I can understand that, as someone disguised as a man, she would sometimes want to act the part and try to outsmart the people around her. But so often, it felt like she was deliberately playing with fire. And while I could see where that confidence was supposed to come from, I sometimes struggled to believe that she fully understood the situation she was putting herself in.
The secondary characters were also a bit of a rollercoaster for me: there were moments when I was interested in them, followed by others where I simply didn’t care anymore. Niamh’s reaction to the death of her best friend was particularly disappointing. Considering how important that relationship was supposed to be, I expected her grief to have a much stronger impact on her character and the way she approached everything that followed. Instead, it felt like she moved on from it surprisingly quickly, and I struggled to understand what the loss actually changed for her. Then there’s Bash. I sometimes found their interactions genuinely sweet, but I never really understood where Niamh’s feelings for him came from. Was it genuine attraction that eventually became something deeper? Was it simply the need for physical affection and an outlet for her desires? Or was it a combination of the two? The book never really made that clear to me. And then there’s Fitzroy, which is where I became even more confused. Once Niamh starts developing feelings for Bash, I genuinely struggled to understand what she continued to see in Fitzroy. Her interest kept shifting between them, and the constant focus on physical attraction made it difficult for me to understand what her actual feelings were supposed to be based on. Honestly, I found myself wondering how Niamh even had the mental space for all of this. There’s a war going on; she’s constantly trying to maintain her disguise, hiding her magic, and being exposed could have serious consequences for her. Those already feel like more than enough for her to deal with, so I struggled to understand why so much of her attention was repeatedly drawn toward romantic and sexual feelings. It wasn't that I needed her to have no romantic or sexual interest at all. I just wanted those feelings to feel more grounded in who these people were and in the circumstances they were actually living through. Instead, they often felt like they were there because the story needed a love triangle, rather than because I could genuinely understand why Niamh was falling for either of them.
After all these criticisms—which are ultimately what made me abandon the story—I do want to emphasize that the magic system was genuinely one of my favorite parts of the book. It was intriguing, and, for the most part, very well developed. Even though there were moments where I felt the execution slipped, this was probably the aspect of the story that felt the most carefully constructed to me. I also enjoyed the way the worldbuilding initially introduced the rain. The rain is presented as such an important part of Lyonesse that it almost feels like it’s supposed to be a character in its own right. And, to be fair, I really loved how it was used in the beginning. You could really feel its presence, and it helped create the story's atmosphere. Unfortunately, as the story progressed, its impact seemed to fade further and further into the background. By the later parts of the book, I barely felt its presence at all, which was disappointing considering how much importance seemed to be placed on it initially. There were also so many elements of the world that I found genuinely intriguing and wished the story had explored further.
One thing I kept wondering about was why the witches and wizards who were supposedly being persecuted weren't seeking refuge with the White Queen. If they knew that remaining under her brother's rule meant they were unlikely to find safety, why wouldn't more of them try to reach her instead? There was even a scene where Niamh and Bash ride the wyvern and discover the White Queen's castle. I remember thinking that it could have been such an interesting turning point if they had actually entered her kingdom and perhaps found themselves becoming part of her ranks. That could have opened up a completely different side of the story and allowed us to see the conflict from another perspective. The White Queen's backstory was another element I found incredibly intriguing. It's a shame that, from what I experienced of the book, it mostly felt like the foundation for the wider story rather than something that was explored in greater depth. There was so much potential there for a more complex history and a more interesting conflict surrounding her. Of course, these are ultimately just my own thoughts and the directions I personally would have found interesting. I stopped reading at around 60%, so I don't know where the author intended to take these plotlines or whether some of these questions are eventually answered. I'm only speaking about how the story was presented up to the point where I stopped reading.
Unfortunately, despite all the potential I saw in the worldbuilding and magic system, the way the story unfolded ultimately didn't make me want to keep going and find out where it was headed.
The plotting became increasingly frustrating for me. I actually didn't mind the writing style itself, although there were a few moments where the transitions between scenes or developments felt a little abrupt and didn't make the story as fluid as it could have been. Some things felt rushed while others were drawn out, and the whole “love triangle” aspect became increasingly inconsistent and difficult for me to understand. There was a lot of potential here, and I think the story had the ingredients to become something I could really enjoy. Unfortunately, for all the reasons I've mentioned above, I just couldn't connect with the way it was ultimately executed. I wish the story had maintained the focus and tension of the elements that worked so well for me instead of becoming increasingly scattered.
Thank you to Cosmo Reads and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Before starting my review, I had actually read some of the other readers’ reviews, and I have to admit that at first I couldn’t understand why this book had such low ratings. I genuinely thought the story had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, I abandoned ship at around 60%. The main reason was Niamh, the protagonist. If it weren’t for her, I probably would have finished the book. I might have ended up appreciating it more, because the worldbuilding is phenomenal and honestly deserves so much more attention than it gets in the story. But the way the author chose to portray Niamh and the mindset she was given was something I simply couldn’t get past. Instead of feeling like a woman on a mission, determined to survive a war while protecting her secrets, she often came across more like a teenage girl who desperately needed to get laid at least once just to get it out of her system. I’m sorry to put it so bluntly, but that is genuinely the impression her character gave me.
I really think this story could have gone in a completely different direction and become the kind of read that stays with you. It had all the ingredients for it, but as the story progressed, I increasingly felt like it had forgotten about its own plot devices. Niamh is supposed to be hiding both her magic and the fact that she’s a woman while pretending to be her brother, and there are definitely moments where her disguise creates genuinely tense situations. But the story didn’t always seem to remember just how much danger she was actually in. Some of the things Niamh did were incredibly bold. I can understand that, as someone disguised as a man, she would sometimes want to act the part and try to outsmart the people around her. But so often, it felt like she was deliberately playing with fire. And while I could see where that confidence was supposed to come from, I sometimes struggled to believe that she fully understood the situation she was putting herself in.
The secondary characters were also a bit of a rollercoaster for me: there were moments when I was interested in them, followed by others where I simply didn’t care anymore. Niamh’s reaction to the death of her best friend was particularly disappointing. Considering how important that relationship was supposed to be, I expected her grief to have a much stronger impact on her character and the way she approached everything that followed. Instead, it felt like she moved on from it surprisingly quickly, and I struggled to understand what the loss actually changed for her. Then there’s Bash. I sometimes found their interactions genuinely sweet, but I never really understood where Niamh’s feelings for him came from. Was it genuine attraction that eventually became something deeper? Was it simply the need for physical affection and an outlet for her desires? Or was it a combination of the two? The book never really made that clear to me. And then there’s Fitzroy, which is where I became even more confused. Once Niamh starts developing feelings for Bash, I genuinely struggled to understand what she continued to see in Fitzroy. Her interest kept shifting between them, and the constant focus on physical attraction made it difficult for me to understand what her actual feelings were supposed to be based on. Honestly, I found myself wondering how Niamh even had the mental space for all of this. There’s a war going on; she’s constantly trying to maintain her disguise, hiding her magic, and being exposed could have serious consequences for her. Those already feel like more than enough for her to deal with, so I struggled to understand why so much of her attention was repeatedly drawn toward romantic and sexual feelings. It wasn't that I needed her to have no romantic or sexual interest at all. I just wanted those feelings to feel more grounded in who these people were and in the circumstances they were actually living through. Instead, they often felt like they were there because the story needed a love triangle, rather than because I could genuinely understand why Niamh was falling for either of them.
After all these criticisms—which are ultimately what made me abandon the story—I do want to emphasize that the magic system was genuinely one of my favorite parts of the book. It was intriguing, and, for the most part, very well developed. Even though there were moments where I felt the execution slipped, this was probably the aspect of the story that felt the most carefully constructed to me. I also enjoyed the way the worldbuilding initially introduced the rain. The rain is presented as such an important part of Lyonesse that it almost feels like it’s supposed to be a character in its own right. And, to be fair, I really loved how it was used in the beginning. You could really feel its presence, and it helped create the story's atmosphere. Unfortunately, as the story progressed, its impact seemed to fade further and further into the background. By the later parts of the book, I barely felt its presence at all, which was disappointing considering how much importance seemed to be placed on it initially. There were also so many elements of the world that I found genuinely intriguing and wished the story had explored further.
One thing I kept wondering about was why the witches and wizards who were supposedly being persecuted weren't seeking refuge with the White Queen. If they knew that remaining under her brother's rule meant they were unlikely to find safety, why wouldn't more of them try to reach her instead? There was even a scene where Niamh and Bash ride the wyvern and discover the White Queen's castle. I remember thinking that it could have been such an interesting turning point if they had actually entered her kingdom and perhaps found themselves becoming part of her ranks. That could have opened up a completely different side of the story and allowed us to see the conflict from another perspective. The White Queen's backstory was another element I found incredibly intriguing. It's a shame that, from what I experienced of the book, it mostly felt like the foundation for the wider story rather than something that was explored in greater depth. There was so much potential there for a more complex history and a more interesting conflict surrounding her. Of course, these are ultimately just my own thoughts and the directions I personally would have found interesting. I stopped reading at around 60%, so I don't know where the author intended to take these plotlines or whether some of these questions are eventually answered. I'm only speaking about how the story was presented up to the point where I stopped reading.
Unfortunately, despite all the potential I saw in the worldbuilding and magic system, the way the story unfolded ultimately didn't make me want to keep going and find out where it was headed.
The plotting became increasingly frustrating for me. I actually didn't mind the writing style itself, although there were a few moments where the transitions between scenes or developments felt a little abrupt and didn't make the story as fluid as it could have been. Some things felt rushed while others were drawn out, and the whole “love triangle” aspect became increasingly inconsistent and difficult for me to understand. There was a lot of potential here, and I think the story had the ingredients to become something I could really enjoy. Unfortunately, for all the reasons I've mentioned above, I just couldn't connect with the way it was ultimately executed. I wish the story had maintained the focus and tension of the elements that worked so well for me instead of becoming increasingly scattered.
Thank you to Cosmo Reads and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 25, 2026
This story follows Niamh as she hides as a man to escape her village after a magical event. Because magic is forbidden, she uses her brother’s name to flee, but gets conscripted to the army instead. There, she meets other wizards from whom she hides her womanhood. As the politics become more incertain, Niamh finds herself fighting in a war and forging unlikely alliances.
I really enjoyed this book, the political intrigue, the feminist takes and the multiple friendships, but I was not sure about the romantic aspect in the story. It seemed too perfect then predictable with Bash while also being too fast and useful with Fitzroy. There was a lack of chemistry between Niamh and the men. It felt a bit forced just to have a romantic aspect that was not necessary in my opinion.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for a copy of this book.
I really enjoyed this book, the political intrigue, the feminist takes and the multiple friendships, but I was not sure about the romantic aspect in the story. It seemed too perfect then predictable with Bash while also being too fast and useful with Fitzroy. There was a lack of chemistry between Niamh and the men. It felt a bit forced just to have a romantic aspect that was not necessary in my opinion.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for a copy of this book.
April 12, 2026
This was such a good book!! The themes in this book were all ones I enjoy strong female characters, cross dressing to protect identity, sisterhood, folklore accurate magical beasts and the list goes on!!!
This story gives medieval English Mulan vibes and I’m all for it! The characters were well developed and we got to know them on a personal level.
The slow burn love triangle was absolutely perfect! I don’t always enjoy a love triangle as I find the bouncing back and forth annoying. However, this love triangle was well written and felt natural not forced. The magic language was a special bonus about this book that I found really cool! I can wait for the next book and find out what happens next!
This story gives medieval English Mulan vibes and I’m all for it! The characters were well developed and we got to know them on a personal level.
The slow burn love triangle was absolutely perfect! I don’t always enjoy a love triangle as I find the bouncing back and forth annoying. However, this love triangle was well written and felt natural not forced. The magic language was a special bonus about this book that I found really cool! I can wait for the next book and find out what happens next!
April 11, 2026
A magical political story with a sprinkle of a Mulan retelling isn’t as successful of a message as it may have hoped to be but still a good ride.
With magic outlawed, Niamh hides her talents behind women’s curiosity and medicinal herbs but when a long time friend catches her speaking the forbidden tongue she flees taking her brothers identity and finds herself enlisted for the growing war against the skipped over Queen. With creatures lurking in the woods and more allies than she could have imagined she works to free her people from tyrannical rule and allow those with talents to walk freely in the sun.
From a retelling aspect I really enjoyed the identity swap where Niamh became her brother Finn and was able to walk through the world and be seen for her talents and not her skirts especially when it came to her craft as a blacksmith, that being said she fell into the trap of the gender she was wearing and was rather cruel and belittling to other women who had a different set of talents that made them equally successful in their endeavors. It is a fantasy story so I didn’t expect a lot of modern like changes when it came to sex work but she rarely considered them as fully formed people and more like objects to use or be jealous of and there’s a rather odd, and in my opinion quite selfish, moment with the ownership of a necklace later that gets shrugged off and maybe I’m weird for holding on to that as tightly as Niamh did but I don’t get why she kept quiet about all of it just because she wanted to keep it.
The other characters are rather flat, her brother fairs better when he’s not around and someone else is using his name. The love interests are fine though I wish more was given to flesh them out. With war stories like this I wish we could have focused a bit more on the conflict and used these relationships to pull you in so any loss feels like you’re in the moment with them but it was like looking through glass that muffles the experience. It also wraps up too quickly which again maybe it’s me but to have it be said that there are these grand stakes and essentially a war on two fronts to be handled in a chapter or two is sort of disappointing.
The more I write the more I question my rating but I’ll let it stand because it was an easy read with good bones to it just a bit rocky on the execution.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
With magic outlawed, Niamh hides her talents behind women’s curiosity and medicinal herbs but when a long time friend catches her speaking the forbidden tongue she flees taking her brothers identity and finds herself enlisted for the growing war against the skipped over Queen. With creatures lurking in the woods and more allies than she could have imagined she works to free her people from tyrannical rule and allow those with talents to walk freely in the sun.
From a retelling aspect I really enjoyed the identity swap where Niamh became her brother Finn and was able to walk through the world and be seen for her talents and not her skirts especially when it came to her craft as a blacksmith, that being said she fell into the trap of the gender she was wearing and was rather cruel and belittling to other women who had a different set of talents that made them equally successful in their endeavors. It is a fantasy story so I didn’t expect a lot of modern like changes when it came to sex work but she rarely considered them as fully formed people and more like objects to use or be jealous of and there’s a rather odd, and in my opinion quite selfish, moment with the ownership of a necklace later that gets shrugged off and maybe I’m weird for holding on to that as tightly as Niamh did but I don’t get why she kept quiet about all of it just because she wanted to keep it.
The other characters are rather flat, her brother fairs better when he’s not around and someone else is using his name. The love interests are fine though I wish more was given to flesh them out. With war stories like this I wish we could have focused a bit more on the conflict and used these relationships to pull you in so any loss feels like you’re in the moment with them but it was like looking through glass that muffles the experience. It also wraps up too quickly which again maybe it’s me but to have it be said that there are these grand stakes and essentially a war on two fronts to be handled in a chapter or two is sort of disappointing.
The more I write the more I question my rating but I’ll let it stand because it was an easy read with good bones to it just a bit rocky on the execution.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
Did Not Finish
August 19, 2026Thank you to NetGalley & Cosmo Reads for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I was intrigued by the premise of this story and the parallels with Mulan. However, I struggled with the writing style being telling vs. showing and was unable to connect to the characters or storyline. I really think this had great potential, the delivery just missed the mark for me.
Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I was intrigued by the premise of this story and the parallels with Mulan. However, I struggled with the writing style being telling vs. showing and was unable to connect to the characters or storyline. I really think this had great potential, the delivery just missed the mark for me.
September 9, 2026
This book was hard to put down. The characters, magic, world building, and story were all fantastic. Dare I say…. gut-wrenching?
It gives Merlin vibes - in all the best ways.
The only thing I had a hard time with was a blacksmith that wasn’t strong…. Maybe that’s a thing? But her constantly needing help with the soldier’s equivalent of “can you open this pickle jar” definitely got the side eye. Like, have you seen how heavy blacksmithing tools are???
Overall, it’s such a breath of fresh air for this genre after being drowned in bad Booktok romantasy.
There was true slow burn, a way better enemies-to-lovers sequence that felt believable, complexity in the relationships, and depth with both emotions and the writing.
I really hope we get a sequel.
It gives Merlin vibes - in all the best ways.
The only thing I had a hard time with was a blacksmith that wasn’t strong…. Maybe that’s a thing? But her constantly needing help with the soldier’s equivalent of “can you open this pickle jar” definitely got the side eye. Like, have you seen how heavy blacksmithing tools are???
Overall, it’s such a breath of fresh air for this genre after being drowned in bad Booktok romantasy.
There was true slow burn, a way better enemies-to-lovers sequence that felt believable, complexity in the relationships, and depth with both emotions and the writing.
I really hope we get a sequel.
August 18, 2026
2.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
This was a debut novel and unfortunately it read like one. The ideas were there and they were solid and sometimes they hit, that’s what kept me reading, but more often than not the execution just wasn’t there. The characters were a bit flat and there was too much telling and not enough showing.
You may want to give this a try if you enjoy: romantasy, hidden identities, love triangles, forbidden magic, and an author that knows the difference between a dragon and a wyvern.
*****
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review
This was a debut novel and unfortunately it read like one. The ideas were there and they were solid and sometimes they hit, that’s what kept me reading, but more often than not the execution just wasn’t there. The characters were a bit flat and there was too much telling and not enough showing.
You may want to give this a try if you enjoy: romantasy, hidden identities, love triangles, forbidden magic, and an author that knows the difference between a dragon and a wyvern.
*****
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review
September 5, 2026
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If I'm being 100% honest, I'm not quite sure how to feel after finishing this book.
The story is like Mulan meets Twelfth Night meets Night of the Witch meets the Chronicles of Prydain. And if that sounds like a lot, just know that Reign is A LOT, too.
Mulan and Twelfth Night in that Niamh, our FMC, flees home after a terrible event and "accidentally" gets conscripted into the army, thus taking on the identity of her older brother and working as a blacksmith within the camp she and her companions are assigned to. Night of the Witch in that Lyonesse is a land at war, choked by a fear of magic so strong that it rivals religious zealotry, meaning the accusation of witchcraft/wizardry carries almost certain death. And the Chronicles of Prydain because the setting feels steeped in English/Welsh folklore and the language of magic is rooted in olde English; and also b/c Regina, our main antagonist, gives me strong Achren vibes—you know, if she were a) alive and b) more ambitious.
All that to say, the vibes were immaculate.
The pacing, however? Very strange. The beginning starts SUPER slow, the initial opening conflict occurs quickly and ends super abruptly (although we do learn that's intentional later on....), then we spend most of the story at the war camp with little jaunts to and from a tavern(?) and one major voyage to Regina's island fortress. The story relies heavily on characterization and sparse sprinklings of action to keep us engaged, and unfortunately, I think that's where I'm struggling to wrap my head around things.
Niamh starts off so promising. She's bullheaded and strong and a survivor. She's proud of her craft and adamant that she won't be reduced to a villager's wife and mother. It feels inherently feminist, and yet throughout the story, she thinks so many things and so many of her actions speak AGAINST other women. She dismisses the women in the tavern as whores the way men do, demeaning their sacrifices as sex workers. She judges them for laying with men when SHE HERSELF strings along two different love interests for most of the story.
And the locket.
When I saw it mentioned in reviews, I hadn't reached that point in the story yet and couldn't fathom what would set people off so much.
Welp. Now I know and trust me, I'm disappointed too.
And circling back to the love triangle... I thought it was decently developed—I didn't feel we were lacking in characterization or interactions—but I HATED how Niamh's choice seemed to be based solely on who was in front of her at any given moment. She was so flippant in her affections, giving in to the heat of the moment, and even when it seemed like she had made her choice, she would immediately flip-flop in the next scene and it was SO frustrating.
In the end, I don't think she deserved Bash, but Fitzroy didn't deserve her either (that tent confrontation had my blood BOILING, that vindictive, misogynistic motherfucker).
And the ending felt like it left a lot to be desired. Because I wasn't 100% invested in the romance, one of the final reveals didn't land like I imagine it was supposed to, and the battle felt wayyyy too short and underdeveloped. Plus, awfully convenient that a couple witches and wizards sending a spell together can just magically overwhelm the most powerful sorceress in the land. Regina was characterized as so strong and ruthless and capable, and yet And I genuinely do NOT believe she would not have a) sussed out everyone's betrayal, b) changed her battle strategy because of said disloyalty and desertion, c) taken her nephew out immediately upon joining the battle, and d) had enough magical protections upon herself to withstand whatever spells the others tried to throw at her.
It's unclear whether or not this is a standalone, but from where I stand, I'm happy it's over. I DID have an enjoyable reading experience, I swear, but I'm too conflicted to want more, I think. If you're someone who actually enjoys love triangles and likes the English/Welsh mythological vibes, maybe you'll jive with this more than I did.
If I'm being 100% honest, I'm not quite sure how to feel after finishing this book.
The story is like Mulan meets Twelfth Night meets Night of the Witch meets the Chronicles of Prydain. And if that sounds like a lot, just know that Reign is A LOT, too.
Mulan and Twelfth Night in that Niamh, our FMC, flees home after a terrible event and "accidentally" gets conscripted into the army, thus taking on the identity of her older brother and working as a blacksmith within the camp she and her companions are assigned to. Night of the Witch in that Lyonesse is a land at war, choked by a fear of magic so strong that it rivals religious zealotry, meaning the accusation of witchcraft/wizardry carries almost certain death. And the Chronicles of Prydain because the setting feels steeped in English/Welsh folklore and the language of magic is rooted in olde English; and also b/c Regina, our main antagonist, gives me strong Achren vibes—you know, if she were a) alive and b) more ambitious.
All that to say, the vibes were immaculate.
The pacing, however? Very strange. The beginning starts SUPER slow, the initial opening conflict occurs quickly and ends super abruptly (although we do learn that's intentional later on....), then we spend most of the story at the war camp with little jaunts to and from a tavern(?) and one major voyage to Regina's island fortress. The story relies heavily on characterization and sparse sprinklings of action to keep us engaged, and unfortunately, I think that's where I'm struggling to wrap my head around things.
Niamh starts off so promising. She's bullheaded and strong and a survivor. She's proud of her craft and adamant that she won't be reduced to a villager's wife and mother. It feels inherently feminist, and yet throughout the story, she thinks so many things and so many of her actions speak AGAINST other women. She dismisses the women in the tavern as whores the way men do, demeaning their sacrifices as sex workers. She judges them for laying with men when SHE HERSELF strings along two different love interests for most of the story.
And the locket.
When I saw it mentioned in reviews, I hadn't reached that point in the story yet and couldn't fathom what would set people off so much.
Welp. Now I know and trust me, I'm disappointed too.
And circling back to the love triangle... I thought it was decently developed—I didn't feel we were lacking in characterization or interactions—but I HATED how Niamh's choice seemed to be based solely on who was in front of her at any given moment. She was so flippant in her affections, giving in to the heat of the moment, and even when it seemed like she had made her choice, she would immediately flip-flop in the next scene and it was SO frustrating.
In the end, I don't think she deserved Bash, but Fitzroy didn't deserve her either (that tent confrontation had my blood BOILING, that vindictive, misogynistic motherfucker).
And the ending felt like it left a lot to be desired. Because I wasn't 100% invested in the romance, one of the final reveals didn't land like I imagine it was supposed to, and the battle felt wayyyy too short and underdeveloped. Plus, awfully convenient that a couple witches and wizards sending a spell together can just magically overwhelm the most powerful sorceress in the land. Regina was characterized as so strong and ruthless and capable, and yet And I genuinely do NOT believe she would not have a) sussed out everyone's betrayal, b) changed her battle strategy because of said disloyalty and desertion, c) taken her nephew out immediately upon joining the battle, and d) had enough magical protections upon herself to withstand whatever spells the others tried to throw at her.
It's unclear whether or not this is a standalone, but from where I stand, I'm happy it's over. I DID have an enjoyable reading experience, I swear, but I'm too conflicted to want more, I think. If you're someone who actually enjoys love triangles and likes the English/Welsh mythological vibes, maybe you'll jive with this more than I did.
September 1, 2026
thank you so much to the author for an advanced copy of this book! reign had me hooked from very early on. crazy events were happening within the first few chapters that completely caught me off guard (in a good way).
i loved how the story developed and i enjoyed our FMC! she had to disguise herself as a man in this story, so it was so interesting to read about her different experiences in this old British setting. i enjoyed the politics side of things, and i honestly wanted to know a bit more!
there were certainly a few moments that made me laugh because of the ridiculous situations our main character got herself in. those moments were a perfect break from some of the heaviness throughout the story.
my main complaints about this book revolve around the love triangle and the ending. the love triangle felt a bit rushed and i felt like i didn’t get to know enough about the mannerisms and lives of the love interests. BUT, there is still someone i am firmly rooting for haha. i also feel like the ending cuts off at a bit of a weird spot. i’m assuming this book will be a series, but the way it ended made me confused about whether this was the case or not. i also would have enjoyed a bit more information about the setting and the magical creatures throughout the book.
reign was an addictive read that i didn’t want to put down. i wanted to know what our main character could possibly get herself into next, and i was constantly wondering whether her secret identity would begin to unravel. i recommend this one if you want a high stakes, addictive read that includes many magical beings and a love triangle :)
thank you again to Bethan for the advanced copy!
i loved how the story developed and i enjoyed our FMC! she had to disguise herself as a man in this story, so it was so interesting to read about her different experiences in this old British setting. i enjoyed the politics side of things, and i honestly wanted to know a bit more!
there were certainly a few moments that made me laugh because of the ridiculous situations our main character got herself in. those moments were a perfect break from some of the heaviness throughout the story.
my main complaints about this book revolve around the love triangle and the ending. the love triangle felt a bit rushed and i felt like i didn’t get to know enough about the mannerisms and lives of the love interests. BUT, there is still someone i am firmly rooting for haha. i also feel like the ending cuts off at a bit of a weird spot. i’m assuming this book will be a series, but the way it ended made me confused about whether this was the case or not. i also would have enjoyed a bit more information about the setting and the magical creatures throughout the book.
reign was an addictive read that i didn’t want to put down. i wanted to know what our main character could possibly get herself into next, and i was constantly wondering whether her secret identity would begin to unravel. i recommend this one if you want a high stakes, addictive read that includes many magical beings and a love triangle :)
thank you again to Bethan for the advanced copy!
September 25, 2026
This Mulan-inspired fantasy had such a strong premise. In Niamh’s world, magic is punishable by death, and being discovered could cost her family their lives too. When her secret is exposed, she cuts her hair, assumes her brother’s identity, and runs, only to accidentally answer his military summons.
The constant risk of exposure was by far one of my favorite parts. Niamh has two massive secrets to protect, and she is VERY good at getting herself into situations that threaten both. I loved watching her improvise when plans fell apart, especially when one lie or mistake created another problem. There was always this underlying question of how long she could keep everything hidden before someone started putting the pieces together.
The middle was where the story really clicked for me. The characters were entertaining, Niamh’s chaos kept things moving, and the threat of discovery gave even smaller interactions tension.
Unfortunately, the final part tried to do too much. New plotlines and relationship complications kept appearing without enough time to develop, which made some resolutions feel rushed and others unfinished.
The romance was especially unclear. And to be fair I’m not the biggest fan of love triangles. I was not aware this was going to be one. I’ll take a why choose all day everyday! But I do need to understand why the FMC is drawn to each person. Niamh seemed to shift between the two men depending on the scene, without enough emotional development to make either connection feel convincing.
That’s what made this one frustrating. The forbidden magic, hidden identity, military setting, and constant threat of discovery created a setup I genuinely enjoyed. When the story stayed focused on Niamh trying to survive without exposing who or what she was, I was invested. I just wish the rest of the book had maintained that same focus.
The constant risk of exposure was by far one of my favorite parts. Niamh has two massive secrets to protect, and she is VERY good at getting herself into situations that threaten both. I loved watching her improvise when plans fell apart, especially when one lie or mistake created another problem. There was always this underlying question of how long she could keep everything hidden before someone started putting the pieces together.
The middle was where the story really clicked for me. The characters were entertaining, Niamh’s chaos kept things moving, and the threat of discovery gave even smaller interactions tension.
Unfortunately, the final part tried to do too much. New plotlines and relationship complications kept appearing without enough time to develop, which made some resolutions feel rushed and others unfinished.
The romance was especially unclear. And to be fair I’m not the biggest fan of love triangles. I was not aware this was going to be one. I’ll take a why choose all day everyday! But I do need to understand why the FMC is drawn to each person. Niamh seemed to shift between the two men depending on the scene, without enough emotional development to make either connection feel convincing.
That’s what made this one frustrating. The forbidden magic, hidden identity, military setting, and constant threat of discovery created a setup I genuinely enjoyed. When the story stayed focused on Niamh trying to survive without exposing who or what she was, I was invested. I just wish the rest of the book had maintained that same focus.
August 30, 2026
This book showed so much promise, which is what initially drew me to it. The FMC, Niamh, lives in a land where magic is forbidden, and being discovered as someone who can do magic sentences you and your loved ones to death. When Niamh is discovered as a magic-doer, she is forced to chop her hair, pretend to be her brother, and leave town. In the midst of her escape, she accidentally ends up showing up for her brother’s summons to aid in the war.
The story begins in a very dark manner, and it almost caused me not to continue with it. I did stick around, though, and happily enjoyed the middle third of the story. The characters were amusing, and Niamh keeps getting herself into tricky situations and finding ways to persevere. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and I found that to be the case when I reached the final third of the book. My main complaint is that the author attempted to juggle too many ideas at one time. This did not give enough attention or time for all of them to be properly fleshed out before finding resolution, if they weren’t simply left as loose ends fluttering about in the wind.
Another complaint is how unclear it was to determine who the love interest is supposed to be. It seemed like the author wanted to make it out to be a love triangle, but instead created a situation that made the FMC seem unreliable in matters of the heart, bouncing from one male to another depending on the scene. My final complaint is about the cringe-worthy language used during the intimate encounters. The descriptors used for the female anatomy were awkward and, at times, a little confusing. It felt like these sections desperately needed another round of edits.
Overall, this is an interesting concept that needed a little more development for it to get a higher rating from me. There were definitely parts of the story that I enjoyed, particularly the middle section and Niamh’s ability to continually get herself into—and out of—trouble. I think there is a solid foundation here, but the execution left me wanting more depth and cohesion, especially toward the end. Too many plot points and relationship dynamics were introduced without being given enough room to develop naturally, which ultimately made the conclusion feel rushed. Based on this initial book, I am not sure if I will continue this series. There is enough potential that I might be curious to see where the story goes, but I would need the next book to show more growth and a stronger sense of direction before I could fully commit to continuing.
Thank you so much to Bethan Croome and Cosmo Reads for the opportunity to read to and review this e-book.
The story begins in a very dark manner, and it almost caused me not to continue with it. I did stick around, though, and happily enjoyed the middle third of the story. The characters were amusing, and Niamh keeps getting herself into tricky situations and finding ways to persevere. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and I found that to be the case when I reached the final third of the book. My main complaint is that the author attempted to juggle too many ideas at one time. This did not give enough attention or time for all of them to be properly fleshed out before finding resolution, if they weren’t simply left as loose ends fluttering about in the wind.
Another complaint is how unclear it was to determine who the love interest is supposed to be. It seemed like the author wanted to make it out to be a love triangle, but instead created a situation that made the FMC seem unreliable in matters of the heart, bouncing from one male to another depending on the scene. My final complaint is about the cringe-worthy language used during the intimate encounters. The descriptors used for the female anatomy were awkward and, at times, a little confusing. It felt like these sections desperately needed another round of edits.
Overall, this is an interesting concept that needed a little more development for it to get a higher rating from me. There were definitely parts of the story that I enjoyed, particularly the middle section and Niamh’s ability to continually get herself into—and out of—trouble. I think there is a solid foundation here, but the execution left me wanting more depth and cohesion, especially toward the end. Too many plot points and relationship dynamics were introduced without being given enough room to develop naturally, which ultimately made the conclusion feel rushed. Based on this initial book, I am not sure if I will continue this series. There is enough potential that I might be curious to see where the story goes, but I would need the next book to show more growth and a stronger sense of direction before I could fully commit to continuing.
Thank you so much to Bethan Croome and Cosmo Reads for the opportunity to read to and review this e-book.
August 31, 2026
⭐️ 4.25 stars
This gave me Mulan retelling vibes with magic, and I was hooked from the very beginning.
Niamh is a witch in a world where magic is outlawed. When things go south with her best friend, she’s forced to leave everything behind and disguise herself as her brother to join the war. Her journey was so wild, especially being surrounded by men while trying to keep her identity and magic hidden.
I loved the tension between both male characters, and I honestly didn’t see the love triangle coming, but I enjoyed it. There were a lot of heated moments between them and the ending definitely left me wanting more.
The battles were brutal, the court politics were interesting, and I loved how determined Niamh was to not let men dictate her life. I’m excited to see where this series goes next.
🎧 The audiobook is narrated by Jialing Pan. The accent is a bit strong, so if that’s not your thing, I’d recommend physically reading this one instead.
Tropes:
✨ hidden identity
✨ love triangle
✨ slow burn
✨ forbidden love
✨ forced proximity
✨ magical creatures
Many thanks to Cosmo Reads for the eARC and Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC.
This gave me Mulan retelling vibes with magic, and I was hooked from the very beginning.
Niamh is a witch in a world where magic is outlawed. When things go south with her best friend, she’s forced to leave everything behind and disguise herself as her brother to join the war. Her journey was so wild, especially being surrounded by men while trying to keep her identity and magic hidden.
I loved the tension between both male characters, and I honestly didn’t see the love triangle coming, but I enjoyed it. There were a lot of heated moments between them and the ending definitely left me wanting more.
The battles were brutal, the court politics were interesting, and I loved how determined Niamh was to not let men dictate her life. I’m excited to see where this series goes next.
🎧 The audiobook is narrated by Jialing Pan. The accent is a bit strong, so if that’s not your thing, I’d recommend physically reading this one instead.
Tropes:
✨ hidden identity
✨ love triangle
✨ slow burn
✨ forbidden love
✨ forced proximity
✨ magical creatures
Many thanks to Cosmo Reads for the eARC and Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC.
May 24, 2026
This book had a lot of promise. I loved the premise as it reminded me of Mulan and was very curious how it would play out within this world. I liked the magic system but most of the other aspects of the book fell flat. The characters were enjoyable and interesting at times but they all needed to be developed more. Also the relationships between Niamh and Fitzroy and Niamh and Bash were not compelling. Neither relationship was developed enough for me to care who she ended up with. Finally, the ending felt very rushed. Even just one more chapter would have really helped to bring everything together. I would have really liked to see what happened in the future for everyone. Regardless of all of this, I did still enjoy reading this book, I just wish there was a little more world building and character development.
Thank you to Cosmo Reads and NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you to Cosmo Reads and NetGalley for the ARC!
Did Not Finish
September 23, 2026DNF (21%)
A friend recommended this book to me, so when I saw that it was available to listen to, I decided to give it a shot.
However, I had to realise early on that Reign wasn't for me. I stopped way too early to be able to comment on a lot of things, but finding the FMC the typical girl boss type of character and not being able to get into the writing style in general put me off completely.
A quick note on the audio experience: It took me quite a while to get into the narrator's style, and I think that also influenced my feelings towards the book. I would recommend eyeballing this one.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for providing access to this ALC via their Influencer Hub. All opinions are my own.
A friend recommended this book to me, so when I saw that it was available to listen to, I decided to give it a shot.
However, I had to realise early on that Reign wasn't for me. I stopped way too early to be able to comment on a lot of things, but finding the FMC the typical girl boss type of character and not being able to get into the writing style in general put me off completely.
A quick note on the audio experience: It took me quite a while to get into the narrator's style, and I think that also influenced my feelings towards the book. I would recommend eyeballing this one.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for providing access to this ALC via their Influencer Hub. All opinions are my own.
June 28, 2026
A lot of people compared this to Mulan and I can certainly see the similarities in the very beginning, but I didn't think it was that similar other than a girl disguised as a boy for a little bit. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The magic was probably my favorite part, and I loved how the romance was woven into the story without taking over. The world was interesting, the characters kept me invested, and I was always curious to see what was going to happen next.
It wasn't quite a five-star read for me, but I had a lot of fun with it and flew through it. The ending definitely left me wanting more, and I really hope this turns into a series because I'd absolutely keep reading to see where these characters go next!
It wasn't quite a five-star read for me, but I had a lot of fun with it and flew through it. The ending definitely left me wanting more, and I really hope this turns into a series because I'd absolutely keep reading to see where these characters go next!
September 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC and ARC of this book. I was really excited for this book as the premise sounded right up my alley and I did listen to most of this book and the accent was a bit difficult for me to keep up with at my typical reading speed. It was interesting at points but I became frustrated with the relationship between Fitzroy and Niamh and how she was torn between Bash and Fitzroy. I felt the last few chapters were very rushed and the ending was not at all what I expected. I think it could have been so much more.
September 19, 2026
a fantastic feminist fantasy!
a romantic side plot that allowed the fantasy elements to dance in the forefront, this story had just the right balance. the cast featured wyverns, a dog called dog (lmao), and a bastard prince who was everything we needed him to be, including a raging jerk at points! the setting was lush - with mud, there was lots of mud, and only a little bathing. there was never a point where i was not vividly aware of the brutal environment in which we were at war.
the standout of this book was the female empowerment elements. watching the fmc journey (physically and mentally) from her life as a girl in need of a husband in order to have a "real life" to a woman in command of her own body, her future, and the men around her was fantastic!
a romantic side plot that allowed the fantasy elements to dance in the forefront, this story had just the right balance. the cast featured wyverns, a dog called dog (lmao), and a bastard prince who was everything we needed him to be, including a raging jerk at points! the setting was lush - with mud, there was lots of mud, and only a little bathing. there was never a point where i was not vividly aware of the brutal environment in which we were at war.
the standout of this book was the female empowerment elements. watching the fmc journey (physically and mentally) from her life as a girl in need of a husband in order to have a "real life" to a woman in command of her own body, her future, and the men around her was fantastic!
Want to Read
July 6, 2026🌧️⚔️ Reign ⚔️🌧️
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Romantasy
• Hidden Identity
• Forbidden Magic
• Found Family
• Love Triangle
• Political Intrigue
_ _ __
📅 Pub Date: September 1, 2026
Thank you to Cosmo Reads and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Romantasy
• Hidden Identity
• Forbidden Magic
• Found Family
• Love Triangle
• Political Intrigue
_ _ __
📅 Pub Date: September 1, 2026
Thank you to Cosmo Reads and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
September 27, 2026
the setup for this book was so strong and I was loving it until about the 70% mark. This is giving Mulan in a magical setting with fantastic beasts, wizards and goblins - so so promising!! But the final battle felt like an afterthought after so much buildup, and the love triangle/romance felt very forced and I just wasn’t a big fan of how it played out
August 25, 2026
3.25 stars
I was really excited to pick this story up. It definitely was giving Mulan and She’s the Man vibes. Overall, I enjoyed the story. However, parts felt flat to me. I enjoyed the political intrigue and the plot line. The romance was not believable to the point I think the story could have benefited from the subplot. There just wasn’t enough on-page chemistry for me.
Things I enjoyed:
The FMC
The family aspect
The feminist themes
The battle scenes
The witchy gothic vibes
Thank you, Cosmo Reads, for the gifted eARC via NetGalley for review.
Audiobook notes:
I enjoyed the audiobook, particularly the accent to the narrator, Jialing Pan. She was expressive and had a great pace. There was one sentence that was completely repeated, but that’s not on the narrator. Overall, I enjoyed it.
Thank you, Source Audiobook program, for the gifted ALC on Libro.fm for review.
I was really excited to pick this story up. It definitely was giving Mulan and She’s the Man vibes. Overall, I enjoyed the story. However, parts felt flat to me. I enjoyed the political intrigue and the plot line. The romance was not believable to the point I think the story could have benefited from the subplot. There just wasn’t enough on-page chemistry for me.
Things I enjoyed:
The FMC
The family aspect
The feminist themes
The battle scenes
The witchy gothic vibes
Thank you, Cosmo Reads, for the gifted eARC via NetGalley for review.
Audiobook notes:
I enjoyed the audiobook, particularly the accent to the narrator, Jialing Pan. She was expressive and had a great pace. There was one sentence that was completely repeated, but that’s not on the narrator. Overall, I enjoyed it.
Thank you, Source Audiobook program, for the gifted ALC on Libro.fm for review.
September 6, 2026
2.5 Stars
This was so disappointing. I’m a sucker for Mulan-inspired stories and had been looking forward to this for a long time. It did not live up to my expectations. 🥲
This was so disappointing. I’m a sucker for Mulan-inspired stories and had been looking forward to this for a long time. It did not live up to my expectations. 🥲
Did Not Finish
September 9, 2026I just can't do it.
Dnf @20%
I have no interest in this, I can't force myself to pick it up. I'm sure it's fine, but it should have me into it by this point and it's not there for me.
Dnf @20%
I have no interest in this, I can't force myself to pick it up. I'm sure it's fine, but it should have me into it by this point and it's not there for me.
Did Not Finish
August 14, 2026Didn’t like the writing style
August 31, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
Reign is a magical fantasy novel where magic has been outlawed and witches and wizards are persecuted. Hiding from their true nature, the subjects of the kingdom fight a battle against a “hysterical witch” who believes the throne was taken away from her because she was a woman. Pretending to be her brother after her best friend found out her secret, Niamh is conscripted into this army and must live as a man to help save her kingdom.
So, I liked this book, but it started out very slow for me. If it wasn’t an ARC I may have DNF’d it around 30%. But I pushed through, and did enjoy much of the plot. Niamh as a character definitely irked me a bit because she just made horrible choices. The romances also confused me, with whiplash between dual love interests and no real choice made by her, but made by the men’s choices. It was frustrating as a big theme was that women shouldn’t have to live by the constraints of men, but Niamh still ended up doing just that. There’s also a betrayal that seemed to make absolutely no sense. The one really good part was the fantastic bisexual king, Bash. Overall, it was a decent read, but probably not one I’d read again.
Reign is a magical fantasy novel where magic has been outlawed and witches and wizards are persecuted. Hiding from their true nature, the subjects of the kingdom fight a battle against a “hysterical witch” who believes the throne was taken away from her because she was a woman. Pretending to be her brother after her best friend found out her secret, Niamh is conscripted into this army and must live as a man to help save her kingdom.
So, I liked this book, but it started out very slow for me. If it wasn’t an ARC I may have DNF’d it around 30%. But I pushed through, and did enjoy much of the plot. Niamh as a character definitely irked me a bit because she just made horrible choices. The romances also confused me, with whiplash between dual love interests and no real choice made by her, but made by the men’s choices. It was frustrating as a big theme was that women shouldn’t have to live by the constraints of men, but Niamh still ended up doing just that. There’s also a betrayal that seemed to make absolutely no sense. The one really good part was the fantastic bisexual king, Bash. Overall, it was a decent read, but probably not one I’d read again.
May 11, 2026
A big thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Loved every second of this book.
An atmospheric fantasy blending witches, wizards, selkie lore, and a war-torn setting where identity and survival are tightly bound. The hidden identity thread adds constant tension and keeps the story engaging throughout.
At its heart, this is a story about a woman navigating a life shaped by expectation, and the possibility of choosing something beyond it. That emotional core gives the book real weight beyond the magic and politics.
The romance is subtle and slow-burn, built on restraint, emotional intensity, and quiet yearning.
Favourite line:
“Every time I learn something new about you, Smith, you become unimaginably more perfect than I thought possible.”
Atmospheric, character-driven, and emotionally charged. For readers who enjoy slow-burn fantasy with strong identity themes and layered tension.
An atmospheric fantasy blending witches, wizards, selkie lore, and a war-torn setting where identity and survival are tightly bound. The hidden identity thread adds constant tension and keeps the story engaging throughout.
At its heart, this is a story about a woman navigating a life shaped by expectation, and the possibility of choosing something beyond it. That emotional core gives the book real weight beyond the magic and politics.
The romance is subtle and slow-burn, built on restraint, emotional intensity, and quiet yearning.
Favourite line:
“Every time I learn something new about you, Smith, you become unimaginably more perfect than I thought possible.”
Atmospheric, character-driven, and emotionally charged. For readers who enjoy slow-burn fantasy with strong identity themes and layered tension.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Cosmo Reads, NetGalley, and Bethan Croome for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
NOTE: Goodreads does not offer half-stars. In the interest of fairness, I am rounding this up to a four-star rating. I would've given it 3.5 had that been an option.
A mystical world where magic is outlawed. A woman hiding a potentially deadly secret. A bitter war that threatens two feuding realms. Though Bethan Croome's Reign has all the right elements to be an engaging romantasy, it didn't quite land with me, especially as a standalone novel.
The story follows Niamh, a young woman from an Irish-like village who finds herself overshadowed by her brother, a blacksmith, (though her skills are superior) and ignored by her mother, who prefers to dote on her brothers after the death of her father. Though Niamh longs to use the magic she was born with, it has been outlawed in the Kingdom of Lyonesse, forcing her to resort to herbs and potions. Like many in her village, Niamh finds herself under the leering gaze of the local men, and chafes against the expectations society has for her. Her only true joy is caring for a dog (named, aptly, "Dog") she found in the wetlands, and even that comes under scrutiny by the townsfolk, ever-vigilant against the perils of magic.
When an encounter between Niamh and her best friend, the lord of the Wetlands daughter, goes horrifically awry, Niamh finds herself assuming her brother Finn's identity in order to escape the angry village mob demanding justice. A twist of fate finds her being conscripted into the King's army, forced to train to fight against the magic of the Silver Witch's forces, even as magic within the King's army is punishable by death. The King's army, led by the privileged and insufferable bastard Prince Fitzroy, is divided into factions by ability and skill. As a blacksmith, Niamh is able to enjoy comforts not available to those in the foot soldier or infantry corps, but that doesn't mean she struggles any less. She must keep her identity secret less she be executed not only for her magic but for fleeing the scene of a crime. In the process, she develops tentative friendships with those in her regiment, including Bash, a roguish sailor who takes a liking to her almost immediately.
As the conflict between the king and the Silver Witch escalates, Niamh soon learns that not all is what it seems in the world of magic, and without forming alliances, she and her newfound friends may soon be destined to die. As the final act comes to a crescendo, will Niamh's true identity be revealed, or will she continue to remain hidden, risking everything she's fought to earn?
I think this story had a solid premise but faltered a bit in pacing, worldbuilding, and execution. The outline was there, but I think in some ways the details failed to land, dragging the story out in some places and hustling it along too quickly to process in others. I enjoyed the author's use of language and the depiction of camp life, but some of the subplots lacked strength (the brothel scenes failed to resonate with me) and some of the characters' personalities seemed to change too abruptly to be emotionally resonant. When we first meet Fitzroy, he is pompous, arrogant, and spoiled, looking down on his troops with derision. As the novel progresses, we start to see a more sympathetic side to him, but just as quickly, he does another one-eighty, making him hard to relate to. We see his attraction to Niamh and her reciprocation, but we don't see enough detail in between the two points to make it land emotionally, especially when at first Niamh despises him.
Bash is introduced to us as a potential love interest and protector, but we never quite see that follow through, even when we're almost sure that he knows Niamh is a woman. Later in the novel, Bash's attitude abruptly changes, but it doesn't deliver the emotional impact as probably intended because the change of heart was so abrupt and, in the grander scheme of things, not as severe as some of Niamh's other deceptions.
The ultimate battle of the story, which takes place in the third act, also lacks emotional resonance, though not for lack of trying. There are two specific events in that battle that are meant to be heartbreaking and poignant, but they failed to land for me because they lacked buildup or true stakes, almost like an afterthought. Because this is a standalone novel, everything is more or less resolved in the end, but it felt a bit rushed and underwhelming for me.
I think you may enjoy this novel if you enjoy adventure stories with hidden identities set in the framework of a magical world. Though the book was enjoyable enough, I didn't connect with it enough for me to stay up late absorbed in the pages.
NOTE: Goodreads does not offer half-stars. In the interest of fairness, I am rounding this up to a four-star rating. I would've given it 3.5 had that been an option.
A mystical world where magic is outlawed. A woman hiding a potentially deadly secret. A bitter war that threatens two feuding realms. Though Bethan Croome's Reign has all the right elements to be an engaging romantasy, it didn't quite land with me, especially as a standalone novel.
The story follows Niamh, a young woman from an Irish-like village who finds herself overshadowed by her brother, a blacksmith, (though her skills are superior) and ignored by her mother, who prefers to dote on her brothers after the death of her father. Though Niamh longs to use the magic she was born with, it has been outlawed in the Kingdom of Lyonesse, forcing her to resort to herbs and potions. Like many in her village, Niamh finds herself under the leering gaze of the local men, and chafes against the expectations society has for her. Her only true joy is caring for a dog (named, aptly, "Dog") she found in the wetlands, and even that comes under scrutiny by the townsfolk, ever-vigilant against the perils of magic.
When an encounter between Niamh and her best friend, the lord of the Wetlands daughter, goes horrifically awry, Niamh finds herself assuming her brother Finn's identity in order to escape the angry village mob demanding justice. A twist of fate finds her being conscripted into the King's army, forced to train to fight against the magic of the Silver Witch's forces, even as magic within the King's army is punishable by death. The King's army, led by the privileged and insufferable bastard Prince Fitzroy, is divided into factions by ability and skill. As a blacksmith, Niamh is able to enjoy comforts not available to those in the foot soldier or infantry corps, but that doesn't mean she struggles any less. She must keep her identity secret less she be executed not only for her magic but for fleeing the scene of a crime. In the process, she develops tentative friendships with those in her regiment, including Bash, a roguish sailor who takes a liking to her almost immediately.
As the conflict between the king and the Silver Witch escalates, Niamh soon learns that not all is what it seems in the world of magic, and without forming alliances, she and her newfound friends may soon be destined to die. As the final act comes to a crescendo, will Niamh's true identity be revealed, or will she continue to remain hidden, risking everything she's fought to earn?
I think this story had a solid premise but faltered a bit in pacing, worldbuilding, and execution. The outline was there, but I think in some ways the details failed to land, dragging the story out in some places and hustling it along too quickly to process in others. I enjoyed the author's use of language and the depiction of camp life, but some of the subplots lacked strength (the brothel scenes failed to resonate with me) and some of the characters' personalities seemed to change too abruptly to be emotionally resonant. When we first meet Fitzroy, he is pompous, arrogant, and spoiled, looking down on his troops with derision. As the novel progresses, we start to see a more sympathetic side to him, but just as quickly, he does another one-eighty, making him hard to relate to. We see his attraction to Niamh and her reciprocation, but we don't see enough detail in between the two points to make it land emotionally, especially when at first Niamh despises him.
Bash is introduced to us as a potential love interest and protector, but we never quite see that follow through, even when we're almost sure that he knows Niamh is a woman. Later in the novel, Bash's attitude abruptly changes, but it doesn't deliver the emotional impact as probably intended because the change of heart was so abrupt and, in the grander scheme of things, not as severe as some of Niamh's other deceptions.
The ultimate battle of the story, which takes place in the third act, also lacks emotional resonance, though not for lack of trying. There are two specific events in that battle that are meant to be heartbreaking and poignant, but they failed to land for me because they lacked buildup or true stakes, almost like an afterthought. Because this is a standalone novel, everything is more or less resolved in the end, but it felt a bit rushed and underwhelming for me.
I think you may enjoy this novel if you enjoy adventure stories with hidden identities set in the framework of a magical world. Though the book was enjoyable enough, I didn't connect with it enough for me to stay up late absorbed in the pages.
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