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Apotheosis #1
The Dark Side of the Mirror
Not yet published
Expected 21 Nov 26When Entia's mother disappeared, she left behind a trail of secrets, and a world her daughter never knew about.
Thrust into the high society of the twelve houses, she finds herself surrounded by nobleman with equally deadly smiles and magic.
Only one captures her attention. When she dances with a shadow under the moonlight, she is set on a path from which there is no return.
Here, lies are fact and history is buried. But trying to uncover the truth might condemn them all.
Thrust into the high society of the twelve houses, she finds herself surrounded by nobleman with equally deadly smiles and magic.
Only one captures her attention. When she dances with a shadow under the moonlight, she is set on a path from which there is no return.
Here, lies are fact and history is buried. But trying to uncover the truth might condemn them all.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 21, 2026
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
August 8, 2025
ARC Review
This story drew me in so quickly and I found no issues following along with the different point of views or throw backs.
This story follows Janus and a shadow self Des and the different lives and interests between the two. Janus proves to be stronger, in my opinion, than what others believed her to be. I loved getting a little bit of a slow-burn romance but that plot is what had me. The characters all lead to have their own secrets and as a reader trying to see what you can piece together was so fun!
There are twist and turns, unexpected heartbreaking betrayal, and so much more. I am so thankful for being given the opportunity to read this and can't wait for book 2!
This story drew me in so quickly and I found no issues following along with the different point of views or throw backs.
This story follows Janus and a shadow self Des and the different lives and interests between the two. Janus proves to be stronger, in my opinion, than what others believed her to be. I loved getting a little bit of a slow-burn romance but that plot is what had me. The characters all lead to have their own secrets and as a reader trying to see what you can piece together was so fun!
There are twist and turns, unexpected heartbreaking betrayal, and so much more. I am so thankful for being given the opportunity to read this and can't wait for book 2!
August 5, 2025
I was really excited going into this one. The premise felt like everything I usually love.. slow-burn romantasy, political intrigue, and mysterious assassination attempts set against a haunting backdrop. But unfortunately, the execution didn’t work for me the way I hoped.
Even after finishing the book, I was still confused about the character dynamics and motivations. I often found myself rereading passages to make sense of who was speaking or what exactly was happening. A lot of characters were introduced very quickly, with minimal description, and it made it hard to keep track of them, especially during scenes where they were jumping between locations or plot threads rapidly. For example, there was a scene with Des and Talon spying that left me unsure who they were spying on, and another scene with a card game that felt abruptly placed without much grounding.
The writing style, while clearly artistic and intentional, often felt choppy and hard to follow. It made it difficult to feel immersed or emotionally connected.
I can see how others might enjoy the worldbuilding/magic systems and lyrical prose, but for me.. i was struggling with clarity and cohesion. I felt like I was constantly trying to catch up, and that left little room to enjoy the journey or get emotionally invested in the characters.
That said, I still think there’s potential here! The author has big ideas and an ambitious vision and while this particular story didn’t land for me, I’m hoping future installments might offer more clarity and development. 💕
Even after finishing the book, I was still confused about the character dynamics and motivations. I often found myself rereading passages to make sense of who was speaking or what exactly was happening. A lot of characters were introduced very quickly, with minimal description, and it made it hard to keep track of them, especially during scenes where they were jumping between locations or plot threads rapidly. For example, there was a scene with Des and Talon spying that left me unsure who they were spying on, and another scene with a card game that felt abruptly placed without much grounding.
The writing style, while clearly artistic and intentional, often felt choppy and hard to follow. It made it difficult to feel immersed or emotionally connected.
I can see how others might enjoy the worldbuilding/magic systems and lyrical prose, but for me.. i was struggling with clarity and cohesion. I felt like I was constantly trying to catch up, and that left little room to enjoy the journey or get emotionally invested in the characters.
That said, I still think there’s potential here! The author has big ideas and an ambitious vision and while this particular story didn’t land for me, I’m hoping future installments might offer more clarity and development. 💕
August 6, 2025
I had the honor of being accepted onto the street team for this book. And let me tell you,
You are going to want this book.
It drops September 21st, orders are open right now and you WANT this book in your collection.
It has it ALL. Well written politics, heart crushing betrayal, age old friendships, the most adrenaline inducing romantic slow burn that AIDS the plot but it is not the ONLY plot.
This is the first in the trilogy. I guarantee you will be desperate for the next installment. This is fantasy romance and political drama done RIGHT.
You are going to want this book.
It drops September 21st, orders are open right now and you WANT this book in your collection.
It has it ALL. Well written politics, heart crushing betrayal, age old friendships, the most adrenaline inducing romantic slow burn that AIDS the plot but it is not the ONLY plot.
This is the first in the trilogy. I guarantee you will be desperate for the next installment. This is fantasy romance and political drama done RIGHT.
August 25, 2025
I was the happiest person when I received this ARC from the author, and am so thankful I get to be apart of this journey!
Death Of The Glass Angel was such a fun read for me! I actually really enjoyed Riley’s writing style and the story and characters she has created! Every chapter had me coming back for more, I want to know everything about each character! They are all so unique and interesting I just want to keep reading their chapters to see more of their back stories! The world and magic system in this book was different to what I normally read, but I really enjoyed the creativeness of it.
This is definitely a slowburn with the romance being a subplot, I just wanted a little bit more of it! Considering the characters though I really don’t know how that’s all going to play out, it’s going to be very interesting to see.
I think my favorite character out of all of them would have to be Felsin! I loved how he was with Janus and just everything about his character drew me in!
And can I talk about Gem for a second! He’s I think the most interesting character out of all of them and there is so much more to his back story I need to know! Like now! His wit is everything! I love it so much!
I’m hoping to see Janus grow a little more in the next book, she had been through a lot and it would be so much fun to see her become a strong confident character!!
That ending got me though! I honestly didn’t see it coming till it was happening! And now I just want the second book immediately so I can find out what happens! I don’t know if my review did this book justice, but I’m definitely going to read her other books because of this one! ☺️
Death Of The Glass Angel was such a fun read for me! I actually really enjoyed Riley’s writing style and the story and characters she has created! Every chapter had me coming back for more, I want to know everything about each character! They are all so unique and interesting I just want to keep reading their chapters to see more of their back stories! The world and magic system in this book was different to what I normally read, but I really enjoyed the creativeness of it.
This is definitely a slowburn with the romance being a subplot, I just wanted a little bit more of it! Considering the characters though I really don’t know how that’s all going to play out, it’s going to be very interesting to see.
I think my favorite character out of all of them would have to be Felsin! I loved how he was with Janus and just everything about his character drew me in!
And can I talk about Gem for a second! He’s I think the most interesting character out of all of them and there is so much more to his back story I need to know! Like now! His wit is everything! I love it so much!
I’m hoping to see Janus grow a little more in the next book, she had been through a lot and it would be so much fun to see her become a strong confident character!!
That ending got me though! I honestly didn’t see it coming till it was happening! And now I just want the second book immediately so I can find out what happens! I don’t know if my review did this book justice, but I’m definitely going to read her other books because of this one! ☺️
August 19, 2025
Thank you Riley Knight for the ARC opportunity. I loved it but it was a tough read. I loved the magic system with the evokers and the cefra. The opening of the story rips your heart apart and sucks you in. The big reveal and cliffhanger at the end will have you saying OMG. However, I did find myself constantly going back and rereading things to try and understand better, many times to no success. There were a couple scenes (leaving the party to play cards to go back quickly) that made no sense as to why they happened. There was a lot of information thrown at the reader with no enough depth to it to understand. As the first in the series I feel it has good bones to be built off of and I look forward to reading what comes next.
October 14, 2025
A political romantasy that gives everything from slow burn love to devasting betrayals with all the mysteries, twists and turns in between. A wonderful book and introduction to what I believe is going to be an amazing series.
Death of the Glass Angel had me hooked from the very first chapter, a feat that is not usually accomplished when it comes to me and fantasies. I devoured this book completely invested in the characters and all the twists and mysteries I found around every corner. This book gave me a new love of a political romantasy, with all the plotting, betrayals, and a delicious slow burn.
Full of political moves and motivations, as well as heartbreaking betrayals, this story is well written and moves at a good pace for me. It is a unique world with a different magic system at play and the way this was presented felt like part of the story instead of pages of background information that I had to “get through” to get back to the main story. And let me tell you… that ENDING!!! I was left speechless and needing to read the next book in an almost unhealthy way.
Janus lives a life that is only half hers. She must leave her self-imposed sheltered life from her castle to journey out for her responsibilities. Talon is the handsome and mysterious merchant charged with keeping her safe and navigating this journey. Trust must be built between these two in dangerous circumstances revealing motivations and plots for their world that neither one of them could have predicted. Janus will have to fight to see if she can change her stars or succumb to the notion that fate is unforgiving and unwavering.
The growing romance between Janus and Talon is everything but I appreciate that the romantic element did not detract from the plot but rather elevated it. This is the slowest of burns, I’m talking torturous, in the best of ways. There is angst beyond measure between Janus and Talon and their banter with each other did not disappoint.
Besides our main characters the supporting characters are nothing to shake your head at. Valkyrie (bad-ass female), Dinu (smart ass friend who is more than he appears) and Gem (the mysterious mentor) are some of the characters that I most enjoyed. I loved reading their parts throughout the story and I look forward to continuing to learn more about these characters and unraveling their mysteries.
There are twists and mysteries around every corner, even though I was able to figure some of the twists out I was not swayed from continuing to see if I was right; then instead of a feeling of accomplishment that I guessed right I was left with more unsated intrigue because with every reveal came so many more questions. I appreciate the way the author addressed the complicated subject of the past, especially grief in this book. Many characters are burdened with the past at some level and have chosen different paths to deal with the grief they feel, demonstrating how multifaceted this emotion is. This theme spoke to me, as I have my own complicated relationship with grief, and is a beautiful depiction bringing something into the light that is often kept in darkness.
I absolutely recommend Death of the Glass Angel to lovers romantasy and political intrigue. It was a joy to read, and I might have been slightly annoyed in those moments when the real world interrupted this escape (sorry family). I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book and cannot wait to see how this journey ends.
Death of the Glass Angel had me hooked from the very first chapter, a feat that is not usually accomplished when it comes to me and fantasies. I devoured this book completely invested in the characters and all the twists and mysteries I found around every corner. This book gave me a new love of a political romantasy, with all the plotting, betrayals, and a delicious slow burn.
Full of political moves and motivations, as well as heartbreaking betrayals, this story is well written and moves at a good pace for me. It is a unique world with a different magic system at play and the way this was presented felt like part of the story instead of pages of background information that I had to “get through” to get back to the main story. And let me tell you… that ENDING!!! I was left speechless and needing to read the next book in an almost unhealthy way.
Janus lives a life that is only half hers. She must leave her self-imposed sheltered life from her castle to journey out for her responsibilities. Talon is the handsome and mysterious merchant charged with keeping her safe and navigating this journey. Trust must be built between these two in dangerous circumstances revealing motivations and plots for their world that neither one of them could have predicted. Janus will have to fight to see if she can change her stars or succumb to the notion that fate is unforgiving and unwavering.
The growing romance between Janus and Talon is everything but I appreciate that the romantic element did not detract from the plot but rather elevated it. This is the slowest of burns, I’m talking torturous, in the best of ways. There is angst beyond measure between Janus and Talon and their banter with each other did not disappoint.
Besides our main characters the supporting characters are nothing to shake your head at. Valkyrie (bad-ass female), Dinu (smart ass friend who is more than he appears) and Gem (the mysterious mentor) are some of the characters that I most enjoyed. I loved reading their parts throughout the story and I look forward to continuing to learn more about these characters and unraveling their mysteries.
There are twists and mysteries around every corner, even though I was able to figure some of the twists out I was not swayed from continuing to see if I was right; then instead of a feeling of accomplishment that I guessed right I was left with more unsated intrigue because with every reveal came so many more questions. I appreciate the way the author addressed the complicated subject of the past, especially grief in this book. Many characters are burdened with the past at some level and have chosen different paths to deal with the grief they feel, demonstrating how multifaceted this emotion is. This theme spoke to me, as I have my own complicated relationship with grief, and is a beautiful depiction bringing something into the light that is often kept in darkness.
I absolutely recommend Death of the Glass Angel to lovers romantasy and political intrigue. It was a joy to read, and I might have been slightly annoyed in those moments when the real world interrupted this escape (sorry family). I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book and cannot wait to see how this journey ends.
August 23, 2025
ARC Review—
✨⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Death of the Glass Angel by Riley Knight deserves every bit of a six-star rating! This book isn’t just a story—it’s an experience. From the very first page, I was completely captivated by the hauntingly beautiful prose and the way Riley Knight weaves emotion, suspense, and raw humanity into every scene. The writing is lyrical yet sharp, pulling you into a world that feels both fragile and unshakably real, much like the angel at its heart. The characters are breathtakingly complex, their struggles and triumphs lingering with me long after I closed the last page. This is not just a novel—it’s art. It broke me, healed me, and left me stunned by its beauty. Truly unforgettable, mesmerizing, and utterly brilliant—Riley Knight has crafted a masterpiece that readers will be talking about for years to come.
✨⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Death of the Glass Angel by Riley Knight deserves every bit of a six-star rating! This book isn’t just a story—it’s an experience. From the very first page, I was completely captivated by the hauntingly beautiful prose and the way Riley Knight weaves emotion, suspense, and raw humanity into every scene. The writing is lyrical yet sharp, pulling you into a world that feels both fragile and unshakably real, much like the angel at its heart. The characters are breathtakingly complex, their struggles and triumphs lingering with me long after I closed the last page. This is not just a novel—it’s art. It broke me, healed me, and left me stunned by its beauty. Truly unforgettable, mesmerizing, and utterly brilliant—Riley Knight has crafted a masterpiece that readers will be talking about for years to come.
October 5, 2025
personally this book just wasn’t it for me. i don’t know if it’s just me but i was dragging my feet through this book so much. i’ve read ginormous books before and i like them, but the writing style and execution of certain aspects of the story made it difficult for me to digest and to want to digest. i had to DNF while i had 200 pages left because i didn’t find myself wanting to go further. i think this story had a great concept though and has potential with some changes.
thank you netgalley and victory for the ARC!
thank you netgalley and victory for the ARC!
August 6, 2025
I made it to 40% and just couldn’t keep track of what was going on. I feel like the storyline has potential but the way it’s written just keeps losing me. Names seem to change and there’s so many side plots and details that might make sense later but it just makes everything so confusing. There are so many characters and they are introduced so quickly with minimal details to set them apart that it’s almost like I need a guide of who is who to follow. I feel like the story would be amazing if just written slightly differently.
September 14, 2025
ARC BOOK REVIEW!
Death of the Glass Angel [Apotheosis, Book 1]
By Riley Knight
Release Date: October 13th, 2025!
Overall Rating: 4.25/5 ⭐️
Spice Rating (out of 5): 0.5
Fans of Mistborn, magic, mystery, and murderous plots - this one’s for you.
I did not know what to expect from Death of the Glass Angel, but I was fantastically surprised by how good it turned out to be! From beginning to end, I was intrigued by the world building, the mystery, and the unique magic system. This reader believes a good fantasy maintains an epic scope, and the book seemed to be the first installment in a series that maintains just that. If you love Sanderson’s Mistborn, Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, or Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass, you should definitely give book 1 in the Apotheosis trilogy a try!
A few of my favorite things about DotGA:
🌓 Mental Health Disability Representation. I deeply appreciate how well Knight portrays and humanizes those who struggle with very heavy mental disorders through the characters of Janus, Des, and Talon.
❔The mystery of it all. I have so many questions!! However, I loved this, as the story did not feel rushed in an attempt to answer them. Instead, it maintains a steady pacing that makes you want the next book immediately.
🐈 SORS!! (Enough said 🫶🏻)
✨ The magic system. Knight’s is incredibly unique, and unlike any I have read/seen before.
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this read! I was excited to pick the book up every time I had a moment. I would absolutely recommend it, and would recommend sticking around for the rest of the trilogy as well! 👀
‼️ DotGA will be available for purchase through ebook and paperback on October 13th!
Thank you Riley and Autumn for allowing me to be part of your ARC team!
Death of the Glass Angel [Apotheosis, Book 1]
By Riley Knight
Release Date: October 13th, 2025!
Overall Rating: 4.25/5 ⭐️
Spice Rating (out of 5): 0.5
Fans of Mistborn, magic, mystery, and murderous plots - this one’s for you.
I did not know what to expect from Death of the Glass Angel, but I was fantastically surprised by how good it turned out to be! From beginning to end, I was intrigued by the world building, the mystery, and the unique magic system. This reader believes a good fantasy maintains an epic scope, and the book seemed to be the first installment in a series that maintains just that. If you love Sanderson’s Mistborn, Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, or Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass, you should definitely give book 1 in the Apotheosis trilogy a try!
A few of my favorite things about DotGA:
🌓 Mental Health Disability Representation. I deeply appreciate how well Knight portrays and humanizes those who struggle with very heavy mental disorders through the characters of Janus, Des, and Talon.
❔The mystery of it all. I have so many questions!! However, I loved this, as the story did not feel rushed in an attempt to answer them. Instead, it maintains a steady pacing that makes you want the next book immediately.
🐈 SORS!! (Enough said 🫶🏻)
✨ The magic system. Knight’s is incredibly unique, and unlike any I have read/seen before.
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this read! I was excited to pick the book up every time I had a moment. I would absolutely recommend it, and would recommend sticking around for the rest of the trilogy as well! 👀
‼️ DotGA will be available for purchase through ebook and paperback on October 13th!
Thank you Riley and Autumn for allowing me to be part of your ARC team!
August 19, 2025
4/5 stars. ✨
A very good book to kick off a series with.
This a true mystery type of book, blink and you might just miss it, you have to pay attention to each detail to fully comprehend what’s happening. It was a slow burn, low romance style, subtle romantic tone but it was kinda refreshing. Like it starts to scratch your romance itch but leaves you to enjoy the world building and magic system and character progression. I’m excited to see what Riley Knight has for us next book!!
A very good book to kick off a series with.
This a true mystery type of book, blink and you might just miss it, you have to pay attention to each detail to fully comprehend what’s happening. It was a slow burn, low romance style, subtle romantic tone but it was kinda refreshing. Like it starts to scratch your romance itch but leaves you to enjoy the world building and magic system and character progression. I’m excited to see what Riley Knight has for us next book!!
August 6, 2025
I think this story had potential and overall good bones, but the execution might have been a little off for me. It started off very strong with a tragedy that had me pulled in. After the beginning I think it got a bit complex and more confusing than it needed to be. There is so much happening and there are also a lot of flashbacks. The chapter openings with letters or journal entries added more to my confusion as I still don’t know how they tie in…
The world building was interesting, while again slightly overwhelming. There were so many characters, places etc at the beginning to try to remember. It took a while for me to really get it all straight in my mind.
I love a good mystery and while some things started to slowly make sense, I was a bit overwhelmed by trying to figure out all the pieces of the story and how they fit together. You’re given a bread crumb here, a bread crumb there and so on. However, they didn’t correlate enough and there’s almost too many “different paths” to try to keep up with that it just ended up being too much. Even the ending left me feeling confused… like most questions, that aren’t even close to being answered.
There’s perhaps a little slow burn romance but it’s a complicated version of a “love triangle”. I wouldn’t classify this as a romance or romantasy. Perhaps it will evolve in the later books.
With all this said, I would still give the rest of the trilogy a try.
Tropes:
- elemental powers with unique catalyst
- Will they won’t they, love “triangle-ish”
- Prophecy
- Political intrigue
Thank you NetGalley and to the author for sending me the ARCS.
Favorite quotes:
“what I felt for you was real. In another life, I would have chased you to the ends of the earth. I would have fought off all your suitors until your hand was mine alone."
October 13, 2025
Death of the Glass Angel by Riley Knight is an enchanting blend of fantasy, romance, and political intrigue that pulled me in from the very first page.
Riley Knight’s world-building is exceptional—richly detailed, layered with political tension, and utterly immersive. The slow-burn romance between Janus and Talon was beautifully crafted, leaving me eagerly turning the pages for every moment they shared. Both characters undergo meaningful development, making their journey all the more satisfying.
It’s perfect for readers who love fantasy with intricate politics, slow-burn romance, and complex characters.
Riley Knight’s world-building is exceptional—richly detailed, layered with political tension, and utterly immersive. The slow-burn romance between Janus and Talon was beautifully crafted, leaving me eagerly turning the pages for every moment they shared. Both characters undergo meaningful development, making their journey all the more satisfying.
It’s perfect for readers who love fantasy with intricate politics, slow-burn romance, and complex characters.
October 14, 2025
omgosh I loved this book loved that the princess had to versions to her self and that she took the advantage and created more
September 17, 2025
If romantasy and mystery had a baby, this would be it. You will literally be trying to piece together all the clues to figure out who did it, while simultaneously enjoying the delicious slow-burn tension we all love. I was hooked from the first chapter.
The magic system and the world of this book are truly unique. There are two main types of magic wielders, evokers and cefras, and both magics are dependent upon memory. The majority of the book takes place at a series of balls in celebration of the alliance between the nations. While there, many of the characters are trying to uncover the mystery of who wants Janus dead. But there is so much more going on than anyone originally thought.
The FMC, Janus is basically a shut-in who is extremely awkward and obsessed with ancient architecture and drawing. But she has a secret so deep within her that even she doesn’t know about it…until she does. Initially, Janus comes off as a very fragile character, rightfully so, but there are tiny glimpses of her strength throughout the book, and I look forward to seeing how her character continues to develop in the series.
The rest of the characters in the book are complex with their own unique backstories and motivations. I absolutely loved Talon, Felsin, Dinu, and of course Gemellus. My heart aches for Talon, Dinu is definitely more than he appears to be, Felsin is so sweet, and Gemellus is just the most mysterious.
The romance subplot in this book is very interesting and I can’t wait to see how it plays out. It is very much a slow burn with lots of yearning and tension. It’s kind of a love triangle, but also not. Just one more thing that is unique in this book.
The end of the book revealed a huge twist, and then of course ended on a cliffhanger. I was left with more questions than answers and I cannot wait to read the next book in the trilogy.
This is definitely a book where you need to be paying close attention or you just might miss something.
Tropes:
Political Intrigue
Balls & Spies
Unique Magic System
Slow Burn
Witty Banter
Mental Health Rep
Mysteries
Spice: 🫑
The magic system and the world of this book are truly unique. There are two main types of magic wielders, evokers and cefras, and both magics are dependent upon memory. The majority of the book takes place at a series of balls in celebration of the alliance between the nations. While there, many of the characters are trying to uncover the mystery of who wants Janus dead. But there is so much more going on than anyone originally thought.
The FMC, Janus is basically a shut-in who is extremely awkward and obsessed with ancient architecture and drawing. But she has a secret so deep within her that even she doesn’t know about it…until she does. Initially, Janus comes off as a very fragile character, rightfully so, but there are tiny glimpses of her strength throughout the book, and I look forward to seeing how her character continues to develop in the series.
The rest of the characters in the book are complex with their own unique backstories and motivations. I absolutely loved Talon, Felsin, Dinu, and of course Gemellus. My heart aches for Talon, Dinu is definitely more than he appears to be, Felsin is so sweet, and Gemellus is just the most mysterious.
The romance subplot in this book is very interesting and I can’t wait to see how it plays out. It is very much a slow burn with lots of yearning and tension. It’s kind of a love triangle, but also not. Just one more thing that is unique in this book.
The end of the book revealed a huge twist, and then of course ended on a cliffhanger. I was left with more questions than answers and I cannot wait to read the next book in the trilogy.
This is definitely a book where you need to be paying close attention or you just might miss something.
Tropes:
Political Intrigue
Balls & Spies
Unique Magic System
Slow Burn
Witty Banter
Mental Health Rep
Mysteries
Spice: 🫑
August 6, 2025
Death of a Glass Angel 🗡️💙
Riley Knight
Expected Publishing Date- 09/21/2025
RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you are looking for a slow burn with lots of Romantasy and unique magic, this book is for you!
“Janus lives only half a life. Her shadow owns the rest. Darkness poisons Janus' Vallides past-memories she yearns to forget. Kept company by only her books, she hides herself-and her secret-from the world.
When the decennial ball arrives, Janus must attend to represent her family. Her father employs a guide to see her to the palace safely—a charming young man with an easy smile whose every word hides a lie.
More than pretty gowns and painted faces await them. Daggers lurk in the night, eager to take Janus' life. But who sent them? Trapped in an unfamiliar city with few allies, she must uncover the mysteries unfolding around her, or die. Worse still are the feelings she's developed for a man she cannot trust—a man whose fate has been written in the stars: to die by her hand. For fans of Mistborn or One Dark Window comes a romantasy about a young woman who must find the truth in the darkness while she grapples with the weight of her past and grief.”
WOW! Such an amazing read from Riley Knight! The characters and story line are so amazing that I was unable to put the book down. It did start to get confusing for me after the beginning, so I did have to slow down and really take the time to take everything in. It’s everything you need in a romantasy- slow burn, lots of banter, amazing friendships, political intrigue, a ‘love triangle-ish romance’, and unique magic!
This is the first book in the trilogy, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest!
Huge thank you to author Riley Knight and Autumn Morgan for the opportunity to read this amazing romantasy ARC! I will be impatiently waiting for the rest of the series!
Riley Knight
Expected Publishing Date- 09/21/2025
RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you are looking for a slow burn with lots of Romantasy and unique magic, this book is for you!
“Janus lives only half a life. Her shadow owns the rest. Darkness poisons Janus' Vallides past-memories she yearns to forget. Kept company by only her books, she hides herself-and her secret-from the world.
When the decennial ball arrives, Janus must attend to represent her family. Her father employs a guide to see her to the palace safely—a charming young man with an easy smile whose every word hides a lie.
More than pretty gowns and painted faces await them. Daggers lurk in the night, eager to take Janus' life. But who sent them? Trapped in an unfamiliar city with few allies, she must uncover the mysteries unfolding around her, or die. Worse still are the feelings she's developed for a man she cannot trust—a man whose fate has been written in the stars: to die by her hand. For fans of Mistborn or One Dark Window comes a romantasy about a young woman who must find the truth in the darkness while she grapples with the weight of her past and grief.”
WOW! Such an amazing read from Riley Knight! The characters and story line are so amazing that I was unable to put the book down. It did start to get confusing for me after the beginning, so I did have to slow down and really take the time to take everything in. It’s everything you need in a romantasy- slow burn, lots of banter, amazing friendships, political intrigue, a ‘love triangle-ish romance’, and unique magic!
This is the first book in the trilogy, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest!
Huge thank you to author Riley Knight and Autumn Morgan for the opportunity to read this amazing romantasy ARC! I will be impatiently waiting for the rest of the series!
August 23, 2025
Arc review 4.5/5
I really liked the book... however, I had a rough time following all the different character changes and had to re-read several passages over again to figure out what was going on and whose point of view. Once you figure that out, the story does come together, albeit a little confusing.
I won't give too many spoilers away. We follow Janus a princess and her second personality (shadow) Des. Her protector Talon and maybe a love triangle between a few characters. Lots of mystery, plot turns, and of course fantasy and magic.
The ending, though I would've never thought it was him 😯 Can't wait to read book 2.
Thank you to Riley Knight for the opportunity to read and review. ❤️
I really liked the book... however, I had a rough time following all the different character changes and had to re-read several passages over again to figure out what was going on and whose point of view. Once you figure that out, the story does come together, albeit a little confusing.
I won't give too many spoilers away. We follow Janus a princess and her second personality (shadow) Des. Her protector Talon and maybe a love triangle between a few characters. Lots of mystery, plot turns, and of course fantasy and magic.
The ending, though I would've never thought it was him 😯 Can't wait to read book 2.
Thank you to Riley Knight for the opportunity to read and review. ❤️
August 15, 2025
Death of the Glass Angel was absolutely amazing! From the first chapter, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. I loved the unique magic system and the depth with which the author explored trauma—especially how Janus and Talon, navigate and cope with the lingering scars it leaves on their minds.
The dual personality of Janus was so well-written—it added a fascinating complexity to her actions and thoughts.
For the romance girlies there is not only one love interest but two!!!💕
Also there is Sors the cat 🐱 who was everything—true emotional support animal energy ❤️—and don’t even get me started on the dragon plushie, which had me tearing up once I found out its backstory. 😢
And that ending!!! The final reveal had me punching the air in frustration because now I’m stuck waiting for the second book! I need answers, I need closure, and I need more of this world ASAP. 😩
If you love immersive magic systems, deeply human characters, emotional support cats, double the romance, and cliffhangers that will haunt your TBR list, Death of the Glass Angel is a must-read.
Thank you BookSirens and Riley Knight for allowing me to read the book early. 😊
The dual personality of Janus was so well-written—it added a fascinating complexity to her actions and thoughts.
For the romance girlies there is not only one love interest but two!!!💕
Also there is Sors the cat 🐱 who was everything—true emotional support animal energy ❤️—and don’t even get me started on the dragon plushie, which had me tearing up once I found out its backstory. 😢
And that ending!!! The final reveal had me punching the air in frustration because now I’m stuck waiting for the second book! I need answers, I need closure, and I need more of this world ASAP. 😩
If you love immersive magic systems, deeply human characters, emotional support cats, double the romance, and cliffhangers that will haunt your TBR list, Death of the Glass Angel is a must-read.
Thank you BookSirens and Riley Knight for allowing me to read the book early. 😊
September 27, 2025
I never knew what was going to happen next! 🤯
ARC review - This is my honest review: The Death of a Glass Angel is filled with action, magic, and political intrigue. I recommend it if you want to dive into a book with a ton of world building. It did take me a little to get into the world, but once I understood it, I was hooked! Beware, it does end on a slight cliffhanger, but there are more books to come. I can't wait to see what Riley Knight comes up with next! 🙂
ARC review - This is my honest review: The Death of a Glass Angel is filled with action, magic, and political intrigue. I recommend it if you want to dive into a book with a ton of world building. It did take me a little to get into the world, but once I understood it, I was hooked! Beware, it does end on a slight cliffhanger, but there are more books to come. I can't wait to see what Riley Knight comes up with next! 🙂
August 15, 2025
this book was actually really enjoyable for me. i really enjoyed the fmc, janus, and watching her character progress throughout the story. i loved a ton of the other characters, too - des, talon, gemellus, and dinu.
this is definitely a true mystery - you have to pay close attention to the details and honestly i found myself going back throughout the book a lot after reveals to see if i could have seen it coming. as this is only book 1, many of the mysteries are still slowly unraveling and while part of me wanted everything explained, it also made me itch for the next book.
the magic system and world building was really refreshing to me. it felt very different from other fantasy books i've read and and i truly hope that it continues to expand in the next book(s).
this is very much a slow burn - there was very little romance throughout this book and it was very subtle. i surprisingly didn’t mind this, as i was really more interested in the politics and the world around the main characters.
i’m definitely going to read more in this series and more from this author. thank you to riley knight for the arc!
this is definitely a true mystery - you have to pay close attention to the details and honestly i found myself going back throughout the book a lot after reveals to see if i could have seen it coming. as this is only book 1, many of the mysteries are still slowly unraveling and while part of me wanted everything explained, it also made me itch for the next book.
the magic system and world building was really refreshing to me. it felt very different from other fantasy books i've read and and i truly hope that it continues to expand in the next book(s).
this is very much a slow burn - there was very little romance throughout this book and it was very subtle. i surprisingly didn’t mind this, as i was really more interested in the politics and the world around the main characters.
i’m definitely going to read more in this series and more from this author. thank you to riley knight for the arc!
August 24, 2025
ARC Review: This book had moments that piqued my interest—starting with a dramatic fire that immediately grabbed my attention. The concept of dual personalities, especially with Janus and Des, added a layer of intrigue that kept me curious. However, the execution left me feeling more confused than captivated.
There were numerous typos and grammatical inconsistencies, like possessive apostrophes gone rogue and misused words (“Capital” instead of “Capitol,” “wastes” instead of “waists”), which disrupted the reading flow. The sheer number of names and clans introduced early on made it hard to keep track, and the pre-chapter excerpts felt disconnected from the story, adding to the confusion rather than enriching the narrative.
I often felt like I was dropped into conversations midstream, missing crucial context. The magic system, while potentially fascinating, wasn’t clearly explained—leaving me unsure when or how it was being used. Talon’s storyline, including the mysterious voices and implied torture, could’ve been compelling if more fully explored.
The book seemed to thrive on withholding information, dangling secrets without satisfying reveals. Instead of building suspense, it felt like the story was saying “I’ve got a secret and I won’t tell you…” repeatedly, which became frustrating. While I suspect the book might be more rewarding on a reread, it didn’t offer enough clarity or engagement on the first pass to make me want to try again.
Ultimately, this felt like a mystery without a clear question, and a slow burn romance I couldn’t invest in. There’s potential here, but it’s buried under layers of ambiguity and missed opportunities.
There were numerous typos and grammatical inconsistencies, like possessive apostrophes gone rogue and misused words (“Capital” instead of “Capitol,” “wastes” instead of “waists”), which disrupted the reading flow. The sheer number of names and clans introduced early on made it hard to keep track, and the pre-chapter excerpts felt disconnected from the story, adding to the confusion rather than enriching the narrative.
I often felt like I was dropped into conversations midstream, missing crucial context. The magic system, while potentially fascinating, wasn’t clearly explained—leaving me unsure when or how it was being used. Talon’s storyline, including the mysterious voices and implied torture, could’ve been compelling if more fully explored.
The book seemed to thrive on withholding information, dangling secrets without satisfying reveals. Instead of building suspense, it felt like the story was saying “I’ve got a secret and I won’t tell you…” repeatedly, which became frustrating. While I suspect the book might be more rewarding on a reread, it didn’t offer enough clarity or engagement on the first pass to make me want to try again.
Ultimately, this felt like a mystery without a clear question, and a slow burn romance I couldn’t invest in. There’s potential here, but it’s buried under layers of ambiguity and missed opportunities.
September 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review
✨ Death of the Glass Angel by Riley Knight
📖 Releases Oct 13, 2025 (387 pages)
🌑 Dark Fantasy • Fantasy Romance • Slow Burn
🗡️ Daggers, deception, danger
💔 Themes of grief + mental illness
👗 For fans of Mistborn: The Final Empire & Six of Crows
I had the absolute joy of receiving an Advanced Reader Copy of Death of the Glass Angel and I cannot thank the author enough for letting me dive into this world early 💜 About 65% in, I couldn’t resist and went straight to her website to order my own signed hardcover, because I knew this was a book I needed on my shelves forever.
From the very first chapter, this book doesn’t tiptoe in, it grabs you. The tension, the atmosphere, and the sense of mystery immediately set the stage for a story I found utterly absorbing. The opening scene had my heart racing. I completely understand how some reviewers may find certain sections a little confusing with the dual threads of conversations or the sudden bursts of action, but personally, I had no trouble keeping up. In fact, I found the surprises and shifts part of what made this ride so addictive. Every time I thought I could put it down, I’d whisper “just one more chapter” until my eReader/book was literally falling on my face. That’s the kind of hold this story had on me. 📖✨
Janus was an absolute standout. Her duality — meek and withdrawn in one breath, bold and fearless in the next — made her one of the most fascinating characters I’ve read in a long while. And the fact that she shares her name with the Roman god Janus, always shown with two faces looking in opposite directions? That detail felt so clever, almost like a subtle foreshadowing of her split self. It wasn’t just a name, it was symbolism built into her story, and I adored that layer.
And then there are the MMCs. Not one, but two. TWO. And let me tell you, I adore them both for completely different reasons. The dynamic between them and Janus is equal parts swoony, chaotic, and heart-pounding. There’s a little “why choose?” energy here, but the author keeps it ambiguous enough that you’re left guessing and theorizing. It’s playful, it’s messy, and it’s addictive.
The world itself feels alive: glittering ballrooms filled with tension, gritty slums with witty banter and sparks of chemistry, towers that reveal glimpses of fate. The pacing blends mystery, political maneuvering, and bursts of sudden action that keep you from ever feeling too comfortable. Sometimes it’s like a slow burn, sometimes it’s like being jolted awake, but it always, always keeps you hooked.
One of my favorite highlights:
That single line gave me chills. It captures the beauty, fragility, and danger woven through the entire story. 🌙✨
By the time I reached the ending, I was a wreck in the best way. I laughed, I gasped, I may have teared up a little… and then came the cliffhanger. The diabolical, mind-blowing cliffhanger that left me staring at the ceiling whisper-screaming “is this even legal?!” 😭 Somebody call the book police 🚨😂 because this kind of ending should come with a warning label.
✨ On the Writing Style
The writing style itself deserves a spotlight. It balances lush description with razor-sharp dialogue, and the banter between characters had me grinning while the quieter, more reflective moments made me pause. There’s a rhythm to the prose that mirrors the story’s themes — soft and hesitant one moment, fierce and unrelenting the next. It never felt bloated or overly complex, just immersive in all the best ways.
✨ On the Themes
At its core, this book isn’t just about politics, secrets, and romance. It’s about duality, perception, and identity — how others see you versus who you really are. Janus embodies this struggle perfectly, and it made me think about the masks we all wear. That blend of fantastical stakes and very human emotions gave the story a weight that stuck with me long after I finished.
✨ On the Reading Experience
This wasn’t just a book I read, it was a book I lived with. I highlighted so many passages, annotated moments on my eReader/book, and even found myself jotting down notes just to process what I was feeling. The kind of book that makes you stay up too late, text your bookish besties in all caps, and refresh Goodreads to see if the sequel is announced yet. It’s rare that I want to dive back into a world immediately after finishing, but this one has me counting the days.
✨ Final Summation
Death of the Glass Angel is the kind of book that reminds me why I love fantasy so much. It’s layered, imaginative, and brimming with characters that feel alive — characters who frustrate you, charm you, break your heart, and make you laugh all in the span of a single chapter. Every page held something worth savoring, and every twist pulled me deeper into its spell.
If you’re looking for a read that will keep you up past midnight, leave you clutching your eReader/book in disbelief, and have you counting down the days until the sequel, this is it. Emotional, witty, mysterious, and completely unforgettable — this book deserves to be shouted about from the rooftops. Five shining stars, and a desperate plea for the next installment as soon as humanly possible.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
✨ Death of the Glass Angel by Riley Knight
📖 Releases Oct 13, 2025 (387 pages)
🌑 Dark Fantasy • Fantasy Romance • Slow Burn
🗡️ Daggers, deception, danger
💔 Themes of grief + mental illness
👗 For fans of Mistborn: The Final Empire & Six of Crows
I had the absolute joy of receiving an Advanced Reader Copy of Death of the Glass Angel and I cannot thank the author enough for letting me dive into this world early 💜 About 65% in, I couldn’t resist and went straight to her website to order my own signed hardcover, because I knew this was a book I needed on my shelves forever.
From the very first chapter, this book doesn’t tiptoe in, it grabs you. The tension, the atmosphere, and the sense of mystery immediately set the stage for a story I found utterly absorbing. The opening scene had my heart racing. I completely understand how some reviewers may find certain sections a little confusing with the dual threads of conversations or the sudden bursts of action, but personally, I had no trouble keeping up. In fact, I found the surprises and shifts part of what made this ride so addictive. Every time I thought I could put it down, I’d whisper “just one more chapter” until my eReader/book was literally falling on my face. That’s the kind of hold this story had on me. 📖✨
Janus was an absolute standout. Her duality — meek and withdrawn in one breath, bold and fearless in the next — made her one of the most fascinating characters I’ve read in a long while. And the fact that she shares her name with the Roman god Janus, always shown with two faces looking in opposite directions? That detail felt so clever, almost like a subtle foreshadowing of her split self. It wasn’t just a name, it was symbolism built into her story, and I adored that layer.
And then there are the MMCs. Not one, but two. TWO. And let me tell you, I adore them both for completely different reasons. The dynamic between them and Janus is equal parts swoony, chaotic, and heart-pounding. There’s a little “why choose?” energy here, but the author keeps it ambiguous enough that you’re left guessing and theorizing. It’s playful, it’s messy, and it’s addictive.
The world itself feels alive: glittering ballrooms filled with tension, gritty slums with witty banter and sparks of chemistry, towers that reveal glimpses of fate. The pacing blends mystery, political maneuvering, and bursts of sudden action that keep you from ever feeling too comfortable. Sometimes it’s like a slow burn, sometimes it’s like being jolted awake, but it always, always keeps you hooked.
One of my favorite highlights:
“She was a glass angel, fragile in form, yet sharp enough to cut when the light caught her just right.”
That single line gave me chills. It captures the beauty, fragility, and danger woven through the entire story. 🌙✨
By the time I reached the ending, I was a wreck in the best way. I laughed, I gasped, I may have teared up a little… and then came the cliffhanger. The diabolical, mind-blowing cliffhanger that left me staring at the ceiling whisper-screaming “is this even legal?!” 😭 Somebody call the book police 🚨😂 because this kind of ending should come with a warning label.
✨ On the Writing Style
The writing style itself deserves a spotlight. It balances lush description with razor-sharp dialogue, and the banter between characters had me grinning while the quieter, more reflective moments made me pause. There’s a rhythm to the prose that mirrors the story’s themes — soft and hesitant one moment, fierce and unrelenting the next. It never felt bloated or overly complex, just immersive in all the best ways.
✨ On the Themes
At its core, this book isn’t just about politics, secrets, and romance. It’s about duality, perception, and identity — how others see you versus who you really are. Janus embodies this struggle perfectly, and it made me think about the masks we all wear. That blend of fantastical stakes and very human emotions gave the story a weight that stuck with me long after I finished.
✨ On the Reading Experience
This wasn’t just a book I read, it was a book I lived with. I highlighted so many passages, annotated moments on my eReader/book, and even found myself jotting down notes just to process what I was feeling. The kind of book that makes you stay up too late, text your bookish besties in all caps, and refresh Goodreads to see if the sequel is announced yet. It’s rare that I want to dive back into a world immediately after finishing, but this one has me counting the days.
✨ Final Summation
Death of the Glass Angel is the kind of book that reminds me why I love fantasy so much. It’s layered, imaginative, and brimming with characters that feel alive — characters who frustrate you, charm you, break your heart, and make you laugh all in the span of a single chapter. Every page held something worth savoring, and every twist pulled me deeper into its spell.
If you’re looking for a read that will keep you up past midnight, leave you clutching your eReader/book in disbelief, and have you counting down the days until the sequel, this is it. Emotional, witty, mysterious, and completely unforgettable — this book deserves to be shouted about from the rooftops. Five shining stars, and a desperate plea for the next installment as soon as humanly possible.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 16, 2025
I received an ARC of this book, which does not affect my review. Thank you to the author and Booksirens for the chance to read this book.
I deeply love epic fantasy, the more epic the better, and it is refreshing when I can read a book that features a main character who is a woman and it is not “purely” or heavily romantasy, but rather leans deeper into the epic side of things and in this book, mystery as well. Ahhh, that breath of fresh air! I don’t know if the romance will be explore more in later series, but for this one, it was a subtle part of the book and I personally felt the book was stronger for it. The world and characters that this author has built is tremendous, and, from the beginning I felt the setting so vividly. I love it when stories do that. The writing itself is also very lyrical and aids in creating this beautiful world.
However, the story was not all perfect. I am usually a quick reader, as in, I can read and digest large scale fantasy books in a matter of days, but, I found myself going much more slowly with this one, and not from lack of interest. Rather, it was because I often had to go back and read pages yet I still felt as though I was missing things or did not fully understand anything. This problem most often happens in epic fantasy and like genres, I am sure, as there is just so much going on that needs to be accounted for, and the writing still did have immense strength. As most every reader, I approach novels unconsciously from the standpoint of prose, the actual story, and then the execution of the story and how it is arranged or organized. I found the first two were strong here, but the last one wasn’t as great as I had hoped. It wasn’t that I was confused about everything, I was able to follow the story more or less and still found that I could see it through to the end and essentially know what had happened, but I think it could have been laid out, organized, or simply told in a somewhat clearer way. To me, it actually wasn’t the multi-povs that confused me, especially as the chapters clearly note whose head we are in, from Janus to Felsin to Talon, Des, and more. Likewise the way the chapters were set up was beautiful, it reminded me of classic epic fantasy! The disconnect and confusion came more so from the way the plot and mystery played out and how explanations were lacking. That’s why I often had to go back and re-read whole passages, and on more than one occasion whole chapters because I was sure I missed something, but I hadn’t.
Unfortunately because of the jumping around or the lacking explanations, I struggled to connect to Janus the way I thought I would in the beginning, as I was mainly focused on ensuring I truly knew what was going on or hadn’t missed anything. Especially in these hefty books where there are many moving parts, I need an element of trust with the author that I will not be unintentionally led astray, which is where more clarity could have helped here. It was also why despite note being the longest epic fantasy I have ever read, it took me a few more days that it typically would have.
However, there are some good characters in this book, and despite some confusion and unsureness I had with the plot I would still consider reading the next books in the series. Especially if the execution of explanations and the way the plot is weaved together as a whole improves in its clarity, which sometimes in series, I have found they do. I cannot imagine how hard epic fantasy is to write, and I am in much awe for the authors that undertake this, and this author has a beautiful voice and lovely characters. So I am interested in seeing how the other books evolve. While there was much I enjoyed about this novel, the lack of clarity, explanations, and resulting distance I sometimes felt from the characters made it rocky in some places. Do I still recommend it? Yes, I do, though be prepared for some bumps but an overall exciting story.
I deeply love epic fantasy, the more epic the better, and it is refreshing when I can read a book that features a main character who is a woman and it is not “purely” or heavily romantasy, but rather leans deeper into the epic side of things and in this book, mystery as well. Ahhh, that breath of fresh air! I don’t know if the romance will be explore more in later series, but for this one, it was a subtle part of the book and I personally felt the book was stronger for it. The world and characters that this author has built is tremendous, and, from the beginning I felt the setting so vividly. I love it when stories do that. The writing itself is also very lyrical and aids in creating this beautiful world.
However, the story was not all perfect. I am usually a quick reader, as in, I can read and digest large scale fantasy books in a matter of days, but, I found myself going much more slowly with this one, and not from lack of interest. Rather, it was because I often had to go back and read pages yet I still felt as though I was missing things or did not fully understand anything. This problem most often happens in epic fantasy and like genres, I am sure, as there is just so much going on that needs to be accounted for, and the writing still did have immense strength. As most every reader, I approach novels unconsciously from the standpoint of prose, the actual story, and then the execution of the story and how it is arranged or organized. I found the first two were strong here, but the last one wasn’t as great as I had hoped. It wasn’t that I was confused about everything, I was able to follow the story more or less and still found that I could see it through to the end and essentially know what had happened, but I think it could have been laid out, organized, or simply told in a somewhat clearer way. To me, it actually wasn’t the multi-povs that confused me, especially as the chapters clearly note whose head we are in, from Janus to Felsin to Talon, Des, and more. Likewise the way the chapters were set up was beautiful, it reminded me of classic epic fantasy! The disconnect and confusion came more so from the way the plot and mystery played out and how explanations were lacking. That’s why I often had to go back and re-read whole passages, and on more than one occasion whole chapters because I was sure I missed something, but I hadn’t.
Unfortunately because of the jumping around or the lacking explanations, I struggled to connect to Janus the way I thought I would in the beginning, as I was mainly focused on ensuring I truly knew what was going on or hadn’t missed anything. Especially in these hefty books where there are many moving parts, I need an element of trust with the author that I will not be unintentionally led astray, which is where more clarity could have helped here. It was also why despite note being the longest epic fantasy I have ever read, it took me a few more days that it typically would have.
However, there are some good characters in this book, and despite some confusion and unsureness I had with the plot I would still consider reading the next books in the series. Especially if the execution of explanations and the way the plot is weaved together as a whole improves in its clarity, which sometimes in series, I have found they do. I cannot imagine how hard epic fantasy is to write, and I am in much awe for the authors that undertake this, and this author has a beautiful voice and lovely characters. So I am interested in seeing how the other books evolve. While there was much I enjoyed about this novel, the lack of clarity, explanations, and resulting distance I sometimes felt from the characters made it rocky in some places. Do I still recommend it? Yes, I do, though be prepared for some bumps but an overall exciting story.
September 12, 2025
3.75 rounded up!
I received an ARC of this through NetGalley and Knight’s publishing team. Thank you for letting me be an early reader, it was a joy!
I am going to start this review with saying that it’s been probably a week since I finished this book, but I think about the world and/or the characters almost daily. It’s funny how I didn’t even notice how attached I was getting to them until about halfway through my read, when the plot really picks up.
There is a fairly long exposition to the main events of the book, but it is filled with lore, character backstory, and witty banter between our FMC and her enigmatic mentor, Gemellus (who very quickly became one of my favorite, if not THE favorite, characters). The world itself is incredibly interesting, and although it took me a while to fully understand the magic system, by the time things were picking up (around 35-40%?) I understood enough to know what was going on.
I didn’t realize going into this that this is kind of a mystery sort of murderer-at-the-masquerade type thing, and as soon as I realized that my confusion was reduced significantly. DotGA is not the easiest book to follow, between the flashbacks and the FMC switching personalities (on top of all the character POVs… there are a lot, some I didn’t think were necessary)… but ultimately it was a satisfying story and left on a note that left me wanting more without feeling like the author was using a cliffhanger gratuitously to try to coerce readers into the next book.
I think this is a planned trilogy, and I do think there are good bones for the story and it could lead to a pretty crazy trilogy, if the author plays her cards right. (DotGA reminds me of ACOTAR, where people don’t like the first book as much as the others, since the meat of the story happens in later books).
The representation of mental illnesses that many authors are afraid to write (psychosis, DID) are particularly well-done in this book, though I do not have a background in psychology so take my words with a grain of salt. There was also significant diversity in the cast.
The romance is sloooooooow burn. Y’all. Do not read this if you are only looking for a quick burn romance with smut. They only get a little handsy in the last leg of the book. But the romance(s) DotGA has set up are so intriguing that I am definitely going to be reading the next books, because I both want to know what happens next AND I wanna see them smooch more.
Again, thank you for the ARC and I will greatly anticipate the next installment!
I received an ARC of this through NetGalley and Knight’s publishing team. Thank you for letting me be an early reader, it was a joy!
I am going to start this review with saying that it’s been probably a week since I finished this book, but I think about the world and/or the characters almost daily. It’s funny how I didn’t even notice how attached I was getting to them until about halfway through my read, when the plot really picks up.
There is a fairly long exposition to the main events of the book, but it is filled with lore, character backstory, and witty banter between our FMC and her enigmatic mentor, Gemellus (who very quickly became one of my favorite, if not THE favorite, characters). The world itself is incredibly interesting, and although it took me a while to fully understand the magic system, by the time things were picking up (around 35-40%?) I understood enough to know what was going on.
I didn’t realize going into this that this is kind of a mystery sort of murderer-at-the-masquerade type thing, and as soon as I realized that my confusion was reduced significantly. DotGA is not the easiest book to follow, between the flashbacks and the FMC switching personalities (on top of all the character POVs… there are a lot, some I didn’t think were necessary)… but ultimately it was a satisfying story and left on a note that left me wanting more without feeling like the author was using a cliffhanger gratuitously to try to coerce readers into the next book.
I think this is a planned trilogy, and I do think there are good bones for the story and it could lead to a pretty crazy trilogy, if the author plays her cards right. (DotGA reminds me of ACOTAR, where people don’t like the first book as much as the others, since the meat of the story happens in later books).
The representation of mental illnesses that many authors are afraid to write (psychosis, DID) are particularly well-done in this book, though I do not have a background in psychology so take my words with a grain of salt. There was also significant diversity in the cast.
The romance is sloooooooow burn. Y’all. Do not read this if you are only looking for a quick burn romance with smut. They only get a little handsy in the last leg of the book. But the romance(s) DotGA has set up are so intriguing that I am definitely going to be reading the next books, because I both want to know what happens next AND I wanna see them smooch more.
Again, thank you for the ARC and I will greatly anticipate the next installment!
September 20, 2025
3.5/5 stars
Note: I read the first edition, which has since been updated by the author. This story touches on mental health conditions such as DID and psychosis. I can’t speak to those experiences personally and hope sensitivity readers were involved in shaping that representation.
This is a fantasy woven with intrigue, politics, and the kind of shadowy court atmosphere where no one can be trusted. While the relationships are important, the focus really lies on the wider story and world-building. Knight takes her time with the reveals, letting the plot unfold in layers. Information comes gradually, with secrets still left unanswered by the final page. That said, I sometimes found the “mentor” figures more puzzling than illuminating, and certain threads felt needlessly complex in ways that pulled me out the story.
I usually find Knight’s strength lies in building deeply compelling characters, but here I struggled to feel a strong emotional connection. The grief and mental health elements were intense and could have carried incredible weight, but the pacing kept events moving so quickly that I didn’t have time to fully bond with the cast. With Janus being essentially two main characters in one, that added another layer that felt difficult to explore within the space given. The layers of mystery and the dramatic premise definitely kept my attention, but I was left wishing the emotional beats had been drawn out with more depth.
Even so, I really admire the ambition of this book. The mysteries are intriguing, the darker tones are effective, and the ideas behind the story are truly unique. I can see how, with the revisions the author has made since, this could grow into something very powerful. It is a thoughtful exploration of grief, identity, and relationships against a richly imagined fantasy backdrop.
While this one didn’t resonate with me quite as strongly as Knight’s earlier works, I still enjoyed the journey. Knight's creativity, writing skills, and drive to push boundaries always shine through.
Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.
Note: I read the first edition, which has since been updated by the author. This story touches on mental health conditions such as DID and psychosis. I can’t speak to those experiences personally and hope sensitivity readers were involved in shaping that representation.
This is a fantasy woven with intrigue, politics, and the kind of shadowy court atmosphere where no one can be trusted. While the relationships are important, the focus really lies on the wider story and world-building. Knight takes her time with the reveals, letting the plot unfold in layers. Information comes gradually, with secrets still left unanswered by the final page. That said, I sometimes found the “mentor” figures more puzzling than illuminating, and certain threads felt needlessly complex in ways that pulled me out the story.
I usually find Knight’s strength lies in building deeply compelling characters, but here I struggled to feel a strong emotional connection. The grief and mental health elements were intense and could have carried incredible weight, but the pacing kept events moving so quickly that I didn’t have time to fully bond with the cast. With Janus being essentially two main characters in one, that added another layer that felt difficult to explore within the space given. The layers of mystery and the dramatic premise definitely kept my attention, but I was left wishing the emotional beats had been drawn out with more depth.
Even so, I really admire the ambition of this book. The mysteries are intriguing, the darker tones are effective, and the ideas behind the story are truly unique. I can see how, with the revisions the author has made since, this could grow into something very powerful. It is a thoughtful exploration of grief, identity, and relationships against a richly imagined fantasy backdrop.
While this one didn’t resonate with me quite as strongly as Knight’s earlier works, I still enjoyed the journey. Knight's creativity, writing skills, and drive to push boundaries always shine through.
Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.
August 18, 2025
Death of the Glass Angel by Riley Knight is a multi POV between Janus, the princess, Des, her shadow, Talon, her guide, and Felsin, the prince. Janus and Des have a lot in common; they share a mentor, a bedroom...oh, and they also share one body.
Janus is a shut in. She doesn't leave her house if she can help it. But when the royal ball comes up and her brother is unable to go, she is tasked with going in his place. She is accompanied by her guards, as well as Talon, her guide, as she travels across the land. Along the way, an assassin makes an attempt on her life.
Once at the ball in Altanbern, she must navigate the political waters which she has no interest in, and try to figure out who has it out for her. With a little help from Des, they are able to socialize and make a list of suspects, while also avoiding further attempts on their life.
However, no one seems to be telling the truth, and Janus and Des are unsure who they can truly trust. It's not until someone is kidnapped that they get any answers, however small. It then becomes a battle to try to let go of their past in order to protect their future. Can they thwart the vision that has been foretold?
The story started off a little slow but quickly picked up. I found myself just as unsure of who to trust. On one hand, you have Talon, their guide for around Altanbern, who seems to keep more secrets than truths. On the other, Felsin, the prince, son of one of the clan leaders who seems to know too much about too many people. Not to mention, everyone else who will not give a straight answer to save their lives. Janus and Des both had flaws they needed to work out, and, while it wasn't easy, with the others help, they have great character growth.
TW: The book seems to include two different mental disorders that I associated with the characters: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), and Schizophrenia. I am not an expert, and can not speak on the validity of how each was portrayed.
Janus is a shut in. She doesn't leave her house if she can help it. But when the royal ball comes up and her brother is unable to go, she is tasked with going in his place. She is accompanied by her guards, as well as Talon, her guide, as she travels across the land. Along the way, an assassin makes an attempt on her life.
Once at the ball in Altanbern, she must navigate the political waters which she has no interest in, and try to figure out who has it out for her. With a little help from Des, they are able to socialize and make a list of suspects, while also avoiding further attempts on their life.
However, no one seems to be telling the truth, and Janus and Des are unsure who they can truly trust. It's not until someone is kidnapped that they get any answers, however small. It then becomes a battle to try to let go of their past in order to protect their future. Can they thwart the vision that has been foretold?
The story started off a little slow but quickly picked up. I found myself just as unsure of who to trust. On one hand, you have Talon, their guide for around Altanbern, who seems to keep more secrets than truths. On the other, Felsin, the prince, son of one of the clan leaders who seems to know too much about too many people. Not to mention, everyone else who will not give a straight answer to save their lives. Janus and Des both had flaws they needed to work out, and, while it wasn't easy, with the others help, they have great character growth.
TW: The book seems to include two different mental disorders that I associated with the characters: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), and Schizophrenia. I am not an expert, and can not speak on the validity of how each was portrayed.
September 7, 2025
quick premise:
janus has always had a shadow looming over her life: she just didn’t think it had a name. as janus and her shadow, des, are escorted to a series of balls, she is forced to deal with her guilt and grief over her little brother’s death early in her life, as well as the upheaval of everything she thought was true.
quick thoughts:
ok i thought the dual character in one thing was SO cool. it was so fun to have to romance subplots going because janus likes felsin and des likes talon!!! I am personally team des and talon but i loved the other two together as well. they were like fire and ice.
the world seemed to be very established for the author which is AWESOME: we love when an author is sure of themselves and the world they’re placing us in. I wish I could’ve had a little more settling, maybe starting the story a bit earlier to have some more worldbuilding and grounding in the world!
idk if this was just me but the kindle version had lots of typos and formatting issues, none of which I could report bc it was an imported book but I wanted to put that out there!
this book’s plot, tho maybe a teeny bit confusing sometimes, kept me on my TOES. there were twists and turns and it was so clear that everything happened for a reason, though “fate is not a script.” ;)
the quotes from this book too UGH!!!
read this if you want:
- intense and intricate plot w lots of twists
- unique and lush magic system
- incredible writing, beautiful setting descriptions
- a character whose initial truths all come crashing down
- a fmc w two personalities and two love interests ;)
janus has always had a shadow looming over her life: she just didn’t think it had a name. as janus and her shadow, des, are escorted to a series of balls, she is forced to deal with her guilt and grief over her little brother’s death early in her life, as well as the upheaval of everything she thought was true.
quick thoughts:
ok i thought the dual character in one thing was SO cool. it was so fun to have to romance subplots going because janus likes felsin and des likes talon!!! I am personally team des and talon but i loved the other two together as well. they were like fire and ice.
the world seemed to be very established for the author which is AWESOME: we love when an author is sure of themselves and the world they’re placing us in. I wish I could’ve had a little more settling, maybe starting the story a bit earlier to have some more worldbuilding and grounding in the world!
idk if this was just me but the kindle version had lots of typos and formatting issues, none of which I could report bc it was an imported book but I wanted to put that out there!
this book’s plot, tho maybe a teeny bit confusing sometimes, kept me on my TOES. there were twists and turns and it was so clear that everything happened for a reason, though “fate is not a script.” ;)
the quotes from this book too UGH!!!
read this if you want:
- intense and intricate plot w lots of twists
- unique and lush magic system
- incredible writing, beautiful setting descriptions
- a character whose initial truths all come crashing down
- a fmc w two personalities and two love interests ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2025
Death of the Glass Angel pulled me in from the very first chapter. From Janus’s tragic beginnings to the dangerous, fate-laden path she’s forced to walk, this book is equal parts heartbreaking and mesmerizing.
This story blends political intrigue, romance, and magic into a world that feels vibrant and dangerous at every turn. Janus is a fascinating heroine, torn between who she is and who she’s expected to become. Her duality with Dez, her other self, adds such a compelling layer to her character. And then there’s Talon, the mysterious, steadfast protector who may not be everything he seems. Their relationship simmers with slow-burn tension, full of banter and trust tested in impossible ways.
What I loved most is how the book balances action with emotional depth. There are daring escapes, assassination attempts, and betrayals, but also quieter explorations of grief, fate, mental health, and whether our futures are truly our own. The prophecy hanging over Janus, that she might one day betray Talon, added a constant, delicious tension.
Supporting characters shine too, each with their own motives and mysteries that made me want to know more about them. The worldbuilding is layered and rich, and the pacing kept me turning the pages late into the night.
And that ending… jaw-dropping. I was left stunned and immediately wishing I had the next book in hand.
If you love political fantasy, slow-burn romance, and stories that ask big questions about destiny and choice, Death of the Glass Angel is one you don’t want to miss.
This story blends political intrigue, romance, and magic into a world that feels vibrant and dangerous at every turn. Janus is a fascinating heroine, torn between who she is and who she’s expected to become. Her duality with Dez, her other self, adds such a compelling layer to her character. And then there’s Talon, the mysterious, steadfast protector who may not be everything he seems. Their relationship simmers with slow-burn tension, full of banter and trust tested in impossible ways.
What I loved most is how the book balances action with emotional depth. There are daring escapes, assassination attempts, and betrayals, but also quieter explorations of grief, fate, mental health, and whether our futures are truly our own. The prophecy hanging over Janus, that she might one day betray Talon, added a constant, delicious tension.
Supporting characters shine too, each with their own motives and mysteries that made me want to know more about them. The worldbuilding is layered and rich, and the pacing kept me turning the pages late into the night.
And that ending… jaw-dropping. I was left stunned and immediately wishing I had the next book in hand.
If you love political fantasy, slow-burn romance, and stories that ask big questions about destiny and choice, Death of the Glass Angel is one you don’t want to miss.
October 12, 2025
"We sometimes do not realize better days will come. We refuse to believe they will arrive. And some, they do not. But we shall never reach them, unless we take the next step forward."
This book truly spoke to me in so many different ways. It begins with a heart breaking tale that shows us how grief and trauma can shape a person and have an affect on how they interact with the world. The way the author represents mental health is outstanding — as someone with a Masters in Developmental Psychology and a former therapist, I don’t say that lightly.
In addition to the mental health aspect, this is an intriguing political romantasy with a super slow burn and the best banter. The way the story is presented had me feeling as if I was a detective as I was trying to piece together the clues to see where the story was going and who we could trust in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the multiple POVs and glimpses into the past to further add to the mysterious and mystical elements of the story. And the ending!!! — I had my suspicions but it still threw me for a loop and had me immediately ready for the next book.
I highly recommend this book for readers that enjoy:
~ Political Romantasy
~ Slowest of slow burn
~ Unique Magic System
~ Dual POV
~ Mental Health Rep
~ Banter upon banter
*Disclaimer*
I received this copy for free as an ARC — I was not paid to review this book, these are my own thoughts and feelings. Thank you to Riley Knight and Autumn Morgan for the honor to read and review this book!
This book truly spoke to me in so many different ways. It begins with a heart breaking tale that shows us how grief and trauma can shape a person and have an affect on how they interact with the world. The way the author represents mental health is outstanding — as someone with a Masters in Developmental Psychology and a former therapist, I don’t say that lightly.
In addition to the mental health aspect, this is an intriguing political romantasy with a super slow burn and the best banter. The way the story is presented had me feeling as if I was a detective as I was trying to piece together the clues to see where the story was going and who we could trust in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the multiple POVs and glimpses into the past to further add to the mysterious and mystical elements of the story. And the ending!!! — I had my suspicions but it still threw me for a loop and had me immediately ready for the next book.
I highly recommend this book for readers that enjoy:
~ Political Romantasy
~ Slowest of slow burn
~ Unique Magic System
~ Dual POV
~ Mental Health Rep
~ Banter upon banter
*Disclaimer*
I received this copy for free as an ARC — I was not paid to review this book, these are my own thoughts and feelings. Thank you to Riley Knight and Autumn Morgan for the honor to read and review this book!
September 13, 2025
Note: This is an ARC review. Lots of love for BookSirens for providing me a copy!
4.25⭐️
I had the honor of getting a copy of the author's previous books, so the magic system is already familiar to me. I liked how there's an extra new system with shadows and their own magic.
There are quite a lot of things happening in this book. We have royal politics, mysterious assassination attempts, lots of slowburn situation with LIs, and then the potential traitor/s from... everywhere, actually. So if you like these tropes, then I think this would be the perfect book for you!
*POTENTAL SPOILER*
When it comes to the love interests, I am a bit torn as to who I want for the female lead/s, because I want both of them for her 😭. Both love interests were good to her, so how will I ever pick between the two of them ( ´-｀)... But honestly, I like Talon for both Janus and Des ://
Maybe I'll just go with Gemellus the mentor hehe
Overall, I enjoyed reading this! I can't wait for the next book to release because I am desperate to know what is going on with Evander and Gemellus (ToT)
4.25⭐️
I had the honor of getting a copy of the author's previous books, so the magic system is already familiar to me. I liked how there's an extra new system with shadows and their own magic.
There are quite a lot of things happening in this book. We have royal politics, mysterious assassination attempts, lots of slowburn situation with LIs, and then the potential traitor/s from... everywhere, actually. So if you like these tropes, then I think this would be the perfect book for you!
*POTENTAL SPOILER*
When it comes to the love interests, I am a bit torn as to who I want for the female lead/s, because I want both of them for her 😭. Both love interests were good to her, so how will I ever pick between the two of them ( ´-｀)... But honestly, I like Talon for both Janus and Des ://
Maybe I'll just go with Gemellus the mentor hehe
Overall, I enjoyed reading this! I can't wait for the next book to release because I am desperate to know what is going on with Evander and Gemellus (ToT)
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