Reign

by Bethan Croome

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fiction, Adult

496 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 1, 2026

About the author

Beth 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.

Reviews

[Sophie ❦]

DNF 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!

[belle ੈ✩‧₊˚]

dnf @ 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.

[Christin]

Cannot wait 😍😍😍

[Mathilde Banville-Chénier · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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**

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[FablesUnderMoonlight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC of this book through NetGalley from Cosmo Reads. Thank you to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this in advance. All thoughts are my own.

This was one of those books where I kept bumping into ideas and themes that I found genuinely interesting, even when the story itself didn’t fully come together for me emotionally.

The strongest aspect for me was definitely the setup. I really liked the Mulan-esque identity swap elements and the way Niamh is suddenly able to move through the world differently once she starts living under her brother’s identity. There’s something inherently interesting about stories that explore how quickly people’s perception of competence, authority, and usefulness changes depending on gender presentation, and I kept waiting for the book to dig even further into those ideas.

At times it really brushed up against some fascinating conversations about freedom, visibility, mobility, and what it means to “pass” within a society structured around exclusion. Watching Niamh experience spaces, respect, and opportunities differently as Finn was probably the most compelling thread in the novel for me.

Which is also why I think parts of the feminist framing ultimately felt somewhat uneven to me. The story clearly wants to critique patriarchal systems and restrictions placed on women, but I often found myself wishing it had engaged more critically with the hierarchies being reproduced within the narrative itself. Niamh, despite being marginalized in certain ways, still moves through the story with a surprising amount of judgment toward other women, especially women surviving differently within the same system. And while flawed characters are obviously interesting, I never fully felt like the story itself was aware enough of how she was perpetuating some of those same hierarchies and dismissive attitudes.

I think there was room for a much richer exploration of how gaining access to masculine privilege might complicate someone’s understanding of power, oppression, and solidarity, and I personally would have loved to see the book lean harder into that complexity.

Outside of that, I did enjoy the atmosphere quite a bit. The rain-soaked war fantasy setting, outlawed magic, forests, survival elements, and general gothic tone created a strong visual identity for the story. It’s also a very readable book. The pacing moves quickly for most of the novel, and I can absolutely see why readers who enjoy accessible fantasy with romance, war tension, hidden identity tropes, and emotionally charged stakes would fly through it.

That said, I did struggle somewhat with the emotional depth of the supporting cast and relationships. I wanted the side characters and romance to feel more layered and lived in than they ultimately did, especially given the larger war setting. The ending also wrapped things up a bit too quickly for me considering the scale of the conflict being built throughout the story.

Overall, while this didn’t fully land for me emotionally, I do think it has strong bones and some genuinely interesting thematic ideas underneath the romantasy and war fantasy structure. I just personally wanted the story to push those ideas further than it ultimately did.

[Krisseh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reign had me SO excited when I first read the blurb! Forbidden magic? A girl disguised as a man? A rainy kingdom at war? Morally complicated romance potential? Found family? This is normally my kind of romantasy.

And honestly, the setup is strong. The first part of the book definitely hooked me enough to keep reading because I kept waiting for everything to click into place.

Unfortunately… it never fully did for me.

My biggest issue was the characters. I wanted to connect with them so badly but most of them felt underdeveloped. So it created this weird disconnect where I never fully understood the dynamics between them.

Niamh herself was probably the hardest for me to connect with. Her emotional reactions, especially where the romance was concerned, sometimes felt inconsistent. I kept feeling like I was missing pieces of her internal development. One minute we’re here emotionally, the next we’re somewhere completely different and I struggled to follow the progression naturally.

And the romance… I needed WAY more buildup. The emotional payoff just wasn’t there for me because so much of the development happens later in the story instead of being layered throughout. I wanted more tension, yearning, more moments that made me believe these people were genuinely falling for each other instead of the story simply telling me they were.

THIS genuinely threw me, the reveal of Niamh’s magic felt so abrupt? The beginning is fairly slow. So I expected the magic reveal to feel huge and carefully built up but instead it almost drops in out of nowhere and is treated so casually between her and her mother that I had to think "Did I somehow miss something earlier?". Considering magic is supposedly dangerous enough to get you killed. I wanted a lot more weight behind that reveal.

And a love triangle... Personally, it’s one of my least favorite ways to resolve a triangle because it always feels less like an emotional conclusion and more like the easiest exit strategy.

At the end of the day, this wasn’t a bad book for me — it just felt like a story with a ton of unrealized potential. The bones of something amazing are absolutely here: the atmosphere, the premise, the war setting, the forbidden magic. I just needed stronger character work, more emotional depth and a romance that felt earned rather than rushed.

If you love YA romantasy and don’t mind lighter character development, there’s still a good chance you’ll enjoy this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cosmo Reads for this read!!

[Coralie · Rating 3 out of 5]

“He couldn’t comprehend how siblings could be so cold to one another, but Finn and I had competed our entire lives—with him always having the upper hand. This was the first time we were equals. Living as a man had finally allowed me to crawl out of my brother’s shadow and bask in the light, eclipsing him.”

(3.5 stars)

In the rain-soaked Kingdom of Lyonesse, magic is outlawed and punishable by death. We follow Niamh, the daughter of a village’s blacksmith, as her forbidden witchcraft is exposed and she has to flee her home disguised as a man. She soon ends up on a battlefield, under the King’s illegitimate son’s orders, whose mission is to eradicate magic.

This book started off so strong for me, I found the first 40-50% amazing and really engaging. After that unfortunately, some pacing issues appeared — I found the book to drag quite a bit for most of the second half, and the ending was way too abrupt. I think we needed at least one more chapter, preferably even two or three. Overall though I would say this book has a very strong base, and was very close all throughout to be an excellent read with just a little more editing. My major issue is that everything felt a little too easy. We’re thrown into a war, yet I never felt scared or anxious for any of the characters, and we only had three quick battle scenes in total.
There were no groundbreaking feminist takes in here, but it’s still an aspect of the story that I really enjoyed. I would’ve loved more emphasis on how Niamh disguised her true identity. They stayed at this military camp for supposedly months, but there was never even a mention on how she bathed, let alone on periods.
On the romance side of things, I was glad to see that the romance wasn’t the central plot of this book so I actually quite enjoyed it. I even liked the love triangle aspect because I found both love interests to be equally developed and interesting. It’s the first time I’m seeing an fmc actually stop fancying one of the love interests after they treated her badly and I. LOVED. THAT!!
Despite all of my complaints, I think this is a great debut novel and I had a good time reading it. I will keep an eye out for Bethan Croome’s next book!

thank you to netgalley + cosmo reads for this advanced review copy ◡̈

[EmJustReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Reign follows Niamh who is suspected of being a witch, and is forced to flee to save the lives of her family. She ends up getting forced into the war efforts — taking her brother’s place as a blacksmith. The vibe throughout the story is very much “a man can do it… how hard can it be?”

The kingdoms are at war over who deserves the throne: the (exiled) Silver Witch, or her younger *cough* weaker brother. Insert the Commander of the Army, and the friends Niamh meets along the way. The banter and teasing is great, and I really liked how the FMC really said whatever came to mind.

The story focused a lot on gender roles, and it’s a nice to see that addressed and acknowledged. Niamh is a more talented blacksmith than her brother, but because she’s a woman no one in the society will respect her. It’s interesting to see how short hair and wearing pants can make such a difference.

I related to the FMC a lot, and I could follow along with her thought process for the most part. In the beginning of the story she’s clearly quick witted, and quickly puts things together, but at the end with the surprise twists… I’m surprised she didn’t realize those things quicker (when the reader could assume from the hints)

When the second book comes out I plan to read it. Thankfully I felt satisfied where this book ended because IMO there weren’t really “loose strings.” I would compare it to a Harry Potter book ending at the close of a school year — where there obviously will be more, but it’s a good place to pause.

Yes I would recommend this book, but I wasn’t as excited to pick it up and keep reading as I would prefer. It felt a little slow at times, but the author used that to really build on the details. I think I was just on the verge of a reading slump, but it is a good book!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this ARC

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up Reign by Bethan Croome mainly because of its description — a girl disguising herself as a boy and ending up in a military camp sounded like something I’d enjoy — and a historical setting.

I read about 44% before deciding not to continue, but I still wanted to share my thoughts.
What I enjoyed most was the writing style. It’s smooth, easy to read, and flows naturally. The atmosphere stood out to me — it reminded me a little of Ivanhoe, not in terms of plot, but in that classic historical feel. There’s also a hint of a love triangle, which could appeal to readers who enjoy that dynamic.
For me, the main challenge was connecting with the characters. The prince felt quite unsure at times, and the moment with a single tear after the first battle made it harder for me to see him as a strong, convincing lead. I personally tend to connect more with male characters who come across as more decisive and strong, so this may simply come down to preference.
The female main character felt more balanced. I liked that she was thoughtful and able to look beyond her initial prejudices. At the same time, her reactions to the two male characters felt a bit confusing to me — it seemed like her attraction was based more on their physical appearance than on their character or actions.
Bash was a very likeable character and the one I found most engaging.

Overall, I found the story easy to read, but I personally was looking for more depth in both the plot and the world-building. The story felt quite straightforward, and I found myself wanting a bit more complexity and detail to stay fully invested.
I think this book could work well for readers who enjoy lighter, atmospheric historical-style stories with a touch of romance. It just wasn’t quite the right fit for me.

[Keeley Ribchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reign ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bethan Croome has created an atmospheric, emotional fantasy that completely pulled me into Niamh’s story from the very beginning. Between hidden magic, dangerous secrets, political tension and slow burn romance, this was such an addictive read for me and one I found very difficult to put down.
I absolutely loved Niamh as a main character. Watching her hide her identity and powers while navigating an increasingly dangerous world created constant tension throughout the story. Her journey after the Black Shuck attack and the desperate decision to disguise herself as her brother to survive added so much emotional weight, and I became deeply invested in her struggles, strength and determination.
The relationships were another standout for me. The growing connection between Niamh and Fitzroy was filled with tension and longing, while Bash added another compelling dynamic to the story. I genuinely found myself torn at times, which is exactly what I want from a good fantasy love triangle. The emotional push and pull between loyalty, duty and love was handled really well.
I also loved the magical elements woven throughout the story, especially the hidden witches, suppressed magic and the reveal surrounding the king. The atmosphere of the world felt dark, immersive and full of intrigue, and I really enjoyed uncovering its secrets alongside the characters.
Most of all, this book left me wanting more. The ending opened up so many possibilities, and I am genuinely hoping this is only the beginning of Niamh’s story because I would absolutely read a sequel immediately.
This was such a strong and memorable fantasy debut, and I cannot wait to see what Bethan Croome writes next📚✨

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley is exchange for my honest review. ***

The tension. The yearning. The feminine rage. All done so well. In a land where magic has been outlawed and is violently prosecuted, Niamh must keep hers hidden to protect herself & her family. The daughter of the local blacksmith, Niamh has learned her father’s trade, but as a woman, has no opportunity to practice it. When her secret is discovered, she has no choice but to prevent her friend from outing her. Sadly, her friend is the daughter of the local Lord and he is on the hunt for his daughter’s killer. Niamh disguises herself as a man and runs from her village.

She ends up in a military encampment, overseen by the King’s bastard (in both senses of the word) son, Fitzroy. There, she works as a blacksmith, her secret identity unknown by her new friends. The Prince discovers her identity & agrees to keep her secret if she uses her magic to help him win the war. One of her new friends, Bash, is very protective of blacksmith, who he believes is a man of diminutive stature. Bash & Niamh begin to grow close, with Bash believing theirs is “the love that dares not speak its name”. Niamh is injured in a battle and when Fitzroy cuts away her tunic to heal her, Bash discovers that Niamh had been lying to him. He rejects her in anger.

Subsequently, Niamh grows closer to Fitzroy, as they seek allies in the war. Torn between her love for Bash and growing feelings for Fitzroy, the final battle is not only for the land and future of magic, but also for Niamh’s sense of self and her heart. The ending was tidy and complete as is, but the door was left open a crack for the possibility of continuation.

[yas · Rating 3 out of 5]

sooooo excited for this ARC

this was promised to be a feminist romantasy with hints of a mulan retelling. I think the story got certain elements of each, but i maybe wouldn’t say that it fully hits the mark with any of those genres.

things i loved about this book:
- dressing as a man (it didn’t really give me mulan vibes though, actually a lot more like twelfth night)
- tension between two love interests
- the setting

the ideas presented in the story were compelling but i struggle to see how this was feminist when half of the book is using derogatory language toward women and then the comeback is just “but women are actually smart too!” the main character Niamh starts to criticize the constructs of her world but then randomly shifts back and only really questions it again when a man points it out to her?

I think using romantasy was a stretch. i liked the tension with both the love interests, but it felt like the relationships were a little undeveloped and rushed. the character (especially Fitzroy) were confusing in their actions and words toward Niamh and it made it feel like maybe neither of the men are good for her and she should just be on her own.

i really wasn’t sure what the ending was supposed to achieve because it didn’t feel satisfying as i was hoping. it felt a little incomplete? i found myself wondering “what now?” was change made? did the kingdom get better?

for it being a romantasy we don’t really see any sort of romantic ending and the character growth was questionable for both Fitzroy and Niamh.

this was an enjoyable read overall and it has some interesting ideas but i think the story had a hard time fully fleshing them out. i would maybe give this 3.5 stars.

[Alyssa ☀️ (stories.and.sunshine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Cosmo Reads, NetGalley and Bethane Croome for the chance to read and review Reign. What drew me to request Reign was the description that included court politics, forbidden love, and witchcraft. Reign definitely delivered on all three.

In Reign the main character, Niamh, challenges gender norms in the midst of a war between two kingdoms. I’m a huge fan of the lady knight resurgence, because of Reign you can say I’m in my lady blacksmith era. The lore behind the court politics and fear of magic users reminded me of War of the Roses meets the Salem Witch trials. The like silkie, goblins, wyverns, and more magical creatures tied together the fiefdom and magic fantasy elements to make a balanced fantasy setting. As I read I was much more interested in Niamh’s internal conflict as she navigated layers of hidden identity and forbidden love.

The romance in Reign is a true slow burn. Some books can be marketed as a slow burn and the characters are kissing like a third into the story. Niamh explores feelings of desire for much of the book before the tension breaks. The forbidden love is capital C Complicated! There are a few on page intimate scenes by the end so by ready for a spicy ending to the slow burn romance.

I would recommend Reign to readers who enjoyed The Heartless Hunter, Mulan, and The Bear and The Nightingale. The interaction with magic is on the darker side which I feel is more aligned to themes in fairytales. At times I felt the conflict between the two kingdoms was not compelling enough to continue a war. It wasn’t until after I recalled my tour in Salem, MA that fear is sometimes illogical and people in power can leverage it for their own agenda. A great debut for Bethane Croome!

[Mikaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reign had a really strong premise that immediately drew me in. I loved the Mulan-inspired elements, the forbidden magic, and the idea of a heroine disguising herself while navigating war and complicated alliances.

Unfortunately, it didn’t fully come together for me. While the beginning showed promise, I found it difficult to stay engaged as the story progressed. The characters, in particular, felt underdeveloped, which made it hard to connect with them. I also found that many of them came across as quite young in their behavior, and I struggled to get a clear sense of their ages, which made it harder to feel grounded in the story.

I also struggled with the FMC, whose actions and emotional shifts, especially in regard to the romance, felt inconsistent at times. The romance itself felt rushed, as much of it develops closer to the end without enough buildup to make it fully convincing. I would have loved to see more development and depth in that aspect of the story.

That said, the concept is compelling, and I do think there’s a solid foundation here. With more depth in both character and relationship development, this could have been a much stronger read for me.

Overall, a great idea that didn’t quite land for me, but one that may still appeal to readers who enjoy romantasy with a quicker-paced romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cosmo Reads for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has real potential, and Reign feels like a strong foundation for what could become a compelling story.

I enjoyed the exploration of traditional gender roles, and Niamh’s internal conflict as a skilled blacksmith in a society that values women primarily for their virtue and ability to bear children. Her struggle with wanting companionship while refusing to let her achievements be overshadowed by a man was compelling — though I do feel the romantic elements sometimes undercut that tension.

I don’t mind a love triangle; I actually liked both love interests. The issue was how abruptly Niamh’s feelings swung between them - it honestly gave me whiplash. It wasn’t “Who will she choose?” so much as “Niamh, respectfully, please pick a lane.” Because of that, the relationships never quite hit the emotional depth they were aiming for.

And while there are only so many ways to resolve a triangle, I didn’t need a prophecy to foresee that ending. It’s probably my least‑favourite way to wrap things up — more convenient cop‑out than satisfying resolution.

Overall, Reign is an enjoyable read with plenty of promise. It doesn’t fully stick the landing, and the execution sometimes feels like it’s fighting itself, but I’m intrigued enough to keep going… even if I’m also mildly exasperated. Not bad, but not unforgettable.

[Kelsey L · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was absolutely taken in by the blurb for this book. Who wouldn’t want a strong FMC hiding as a man to help end a war against magic??? However, I honestly do not think this book lived up to the hype of the blurb. I really wanted to DNF this book at 25% but I pushed through hoping it would get better. If anything, it actually got worse. Niamh was a very annoying FMC. She had a secret that would end her life and she almost immediately spilled it to someone that would kill her for it. The other characters felt shallow and not well thought out. I had a really hard time reading this book. It honestly pissed me off at some parts because it felt so ridiculous. I can suspend my belief for a lot of fantasy, but when everything always goes your way when you whine about it, I just can’t take it. There was a love triangle and I wasn’t rooting for anyone in it. I’m sorry, but I just really didn’t like this book. If you want a romantasy with a love triangle and an FMC that pretends she’s a man, this is certainly one to look into. If you want a romantasy with a strong FMC who doesn’t bow to any man and isn’t super annoying because of that trait, this probably isn’t the one for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cosmo Reads for sending me this eARC to review.

[Amara F · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I was given this book as an eArc but my review is based solely on my own thoughts and opinions*

The beginning is slow, it took a second to get really into it however then out of no where you find out she has magical powers but there was no build up to it, no background, like it was talked about as a normal thing between her and her mother.

For someone so opinionated and idealist, she sure does kill easily. The deaths were gruesome, I actually got a little sick reading it. The very first chance she had, there was no moral dilemma, it was just like an oh sh*t moment, just kill. It did not like the main character after that. And that just continues, the mfc seems very hypocritical. It was hard for me to like her. A lot of the characters felt flat, could just be how cause of the chauvinistic world they live in. Idk.

The cover is gorgeous, chefs kiss and the idea of the storyline was intriguing, a mulan like inspired story however I did DNF it. I do feel like people will like it, the writing style is nice however the premise/story just not for me and for that reason I give it a 2.5. I’m happy to see others enjoying it and wish nothing but the best for the author.

[Tee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, there’s a lot to like about this book.

I think my favorite element was the fact that a lot of the story reminded me of Mulan (which was one of my favorite movies growing up)! So in that sense, this book carried some element of nostalgia for me, which was great.

The writing style was very easy to read and flowed well, which I appreciated a lot. I also really liked the atmosphere of the world, as it had a historical feel that was believable.

The characters were interesting, and I didn’t mind the love triangle. (In fact, I actually liked both love interests… though I feel like Niamh could’ve handled her feelings towards them a bit better.) Having said that, I think I wanted a bit more from each character individually, as I personally struggled to connect with them at times.

I also think I was looking for a bit more depth in terms of the plot, as it seemed a bit straightforward (which isn’t a bad thing; I personally just wanted more complexity). I do see a lot of people not minding that though as they read. And I’m still glad that I read this novel.


Thank you so much to Cosmo Reads and NetGalley for allowing me to read the eARC!

[Shanna Voormeulen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reign by Bethan Croome is a captivating and emotionally driven read that kept me invested from beginning to end. The storyline is well thought out, with plenty of twists, tension, and heartfelt moments that make it difficult to put down. Bethan Croome does a fantastic job of creating characters that feel authentic and relatable, each with their own depth and personality, which made their journeys even more engaging to follow.

One of the standout aspects of the book is the writing style — it flows naturally and paints vivid scenes that make it easy to become immersed in the world of the story. The emotional moments were especially well written, adding real weight to the characters’ experiences and relationships. I also appreciated the balance between drama, character development, and plot progression.

There were a few sections where the pacing felt a little slower than I would have liked, which is the main reason it’s a 4-star rather than a 5-star read for me. However, the strong storytelling and memorable characters more than make up for it. Overall, Reign is an enjoyable and compelling book that I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for an emotional and engaging read.

[Victoria Viper · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 rounded to 4 stars.
I was hooked right from the start with this book, which normally doesn't happen so usually.

The story never stops, there is not a boring moment in this story, I have read this in a day. I like the part that it always rains, making the atmosphere of the read more grim with just that addition, made better when finding out it's because of the villain.
Loved that there are many many different creatures but I think a map would have been a nice addition.

The love triangle was alright, I think the boys should have competed for the protagonist more. I liked that too longer to one of them to find out her secret also.

(Huge spoiler in this paragraph) Tom death was seen almost more written that Bash, omg my poor boy that was brutally, but oh boy do I love brutal books, but yea when Bash death came and even he was my favorite I was like, that's it? It felt too cold compared to the rest of the read.

The ending also was left so open and rough it doesn't feel like a standalone, but I believe there is going to be a series of connected standalone, in that case I'll let it pass, but maybe don't wrap a whole war in 2 chapters?

[Hazel F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started out so promising. A witch in a land where magic was outlawed. But very quickly it went downhill with events occurring too quickly with very little background or context provided.

Then our FMC is on the run and finds herself in the middle of a war. This is a love triangle story and that was the only thing that kept me reading. Unfortunately this was one of the worst endings I have ever read because it felt very rushed and disjointed. I understand the love triangle aspect had to be wrapped up but this was just disappointing and frustrating as there were plenty of other ways to finish this book and make everything work out.

As with any ARC read I feel I owe it to the author to read the entire book. With this one I was really hoping it would get better because the storyline was interesting and held so much promise. I gave it 3 stars for that reason. This could have easily been two books with all of the story lines more thoroughly fleshed out.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reign tells the story of Niamh who has all the skills of a blacksmith, but, being a woman, none of the recognition. Taking her brother’s name, she finds herself conscripted into a war where she must hide, not only her womanhood, but her magic. But in war, alliances are required, and she’s forced to choose between a prince she despises or a fellow soldier who could undo her secrets.

While the premise is interesting, I found the book hard to get into because there wasn’t much world building. I felt like I was thrown into the middle of a story and playing catch up the entire time. Because I was interested in the love story, the found family aspect, and the prospect of learning more about the magic system, I kept reading. I also became invested with a certain character and needed to know how their storyline ended.

Overall, I give this book 3 stars; I just wish it was fleshed out a bit more.

Thank you to Bethan Croome, Cosmo Reads and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and unique world. This book started out slow, but by the end I was having a hard time putting the book down. The main character pulling off being a man for so long was not too believable to me especially considering the interactions she had with the other characters over a long period of time. If I suspended some belief there I felt like the relationships between characters were a bit off as well. There were multiple situations with different characters where they were incredibly upset and conflicted, but then quickly resolved. I think that to an extent the characters were overreacting to begin with, but at the same time they were over it the next day and I don't think either reaction really made sense. One of the romantic partners surprised me because they were not the type I would typically root for, but I did think they had a lot of chemistry with the main character. The other romantic interest was a little too cliché with not much depth in the personal relationship. Overall the plot was pretty predictable besides the interpersonal whiplash.

[MrsBookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reign by Bethan Croome was such an addictive read for me. I went into it expecting a fun fantasy romance, but I ended up completely hooked by the characters, the tension, and all the twists along the way. The world-building was detailed enough to feel immersive without being confusing, which I really appreciated.

The character dynamics were definitely my favourite part of the book. The chemistry, emotional conflict, and betrayals kept me invested the whole time, and I loved that the characters felt flawed and realistic instead of perfect. Some of the choices they made were frustrating, but in the best way because it made everything feel more intense.

The pacing dipped slightly in the middle for me, which is the only reason this isn’t a full 5-star read, but the ending completely pulled me back in and left me desperate for more. Overall, this was a really enjoyable fantasy romance with plenty of drama, emotion, and tension, and I’d definitely recommend it to fans of the genre.

thankyou NetGalley for this e-Arc!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Cosmo Reads, the author, and NetGalley for the eArc.

Reign by Bethan Croome really scratched the “Mulan but make it romantasy” itch for me. Niamh hiding both her magic and her identity while being forced into a brutal war kept the tension high basically the entire book. I loved the rain-soaked atmosphere, the outlawed magic, the wyverns and creatures lurking around the edges of the story, and especially the themes around gender roles and survival. Once the political twists and battlefield chaos kicked in, I was fully invested.

I did have a few issues with the execution, though. The love triangle felt messy in a way that didn’t always feel intentional, and there were times where Niamh’s feelings swung so quickly that it gave me emotional whiplash. The world-building also could’ve been fleshed out more because I spent part of the first half feeling like I’d been dropped into the middle of a larger story without enough context. Still, I had a genuinely good time with this overall.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from Netgalley

3⭐️ sigh. I was really excited for this book because who wouldn’t love a English Mulan retelling. However, it fell kind of flat for me. The first couple chapters had me hooked but the overall character development was off. I really like connecting/relating to the characters but I don’t know if they were overdeveloped or what because I couldn’t get a hold of these characters. One minute our MFC was immune to emotion and next page it bursted with emotion and also her magic was just suddenly there? The love triangle wasn’t the best I’ve read, I definitely wasn’t invested and the resolution to it very neat. I didn’t hate this read, I just don’t think it was a good fit for myself but I think others would enjoy this if you love YA.

Big thanks to Netgalley & the Author for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my review. All thoughts and honest opinions are my own.

[Whitney ✨A River of Books✨]

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the eARC

DNF @ 26% The face eating dog was the most interesting thing about what I was reading and she did not get enough time to make me want to keep going.

This started out promising, but I fear (due to the - ahem… love triangle) is taking a turn. The writing style seems to have shifted as well.

It just seems weird that there is this grand war (sibling rivalry, am I right?) and magical people/ creatures are put to death, yet within the first 20% our FMC (who’s pretending to be her brother) has already found another wizard, shared the secret, and get this shit- rode a Wyvern over the witch queens castle.. I don’t believe it or they have zero self preservation skills all of a sudden.

The devil dog that eats faces is pretty cool, hell even her smithing is bad ass- but I’m not getting enough of that because they have to get out of the way for these damn romances to butt in.