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A Rippling of Power
A beacon of hope or an embodiment of fear.
Cleo is an orphan, a peasant—and worst of all, a Halfling. To the Veari, whose survival instinct makes them nearly unbeatable, she’s an abomination. To the Kes, masters of elemental magic, she’s an outsider who will never belong.
But Cleo is about to discover, the power within her runs deeper than anyone suspects, and even the highest ranks of the kingdom may not be beyond her reach.
Haunted by mysterious voices and with her homeland teetering on the edge of tyranny, Cleo must learn to command the gifts bestowed upon her. Failure means more than losing her life. Success could change the fate of her country.
But can Cleo master her power or will it consume her?
Cleo is an orphan, a peasant—and worst of all, a Halfling. To the Veari, whose survival instinct makes them nearly unbeatable, she’s an abomination. To the Kes, masters of elemental magic, she’s an outsider who will never belong.
But Cleo is about to discover, the power within her runs deeper than anyone suspects, and even the highest ranks of the kingdom may not be beyond her reach.
Haunted by mysterious voices and with her homeland teetering on the edge of tyranny, Cleo must learn to command the gifts bestowed upon her. Failure means more than losing her life. Success could change the fate of her country.
But can Cleo master her power or will it consume her?
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 2, 2026
Take a bow Josie!! As someone who would not consider themselves a fantasy reader, you had me hooked from Chapter 1, and you have most certainly broadened my genre capacity. Loved the flow of the story, so many highs and lows. Your ability to make the reader invest in the characters is top tier. Quite the emotional roller coaster.
Very much looking forward to the sequel (assuming there has to be one ofcourse)
Very much looking forward to the sequel (assuming there has to be one ofcourse)
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was my first ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and it did not fail to impress!
The author's writing style plunges you deep into the fantasy world with various different characters, without becoming confusing or tedious. Each character has their own downfalls and setbacks, and it allows them room to blossom and grow with us as readers. I enjoyed that the FMC was originally painted as a character of deprivation and weakness, and not only do we follow their literal adventures, but their personal growth and their beliefs in themselves and ability to build up others around them too.
The world-building elements to this book were phenomenal and the descriptive elements were captivating, without being overly elongated.
How Josie creates such personal attachment and vivid likes and dislikes to each respective character in turn keeps you captivated, and the chapters are long enough to keep you hooked, without being boring or feeling like they're dragging.
I read this book in one day, and every time I put it down to carry on with a task, the characters were in the forefront of my mind. It is an addictive page turner, without being predictable.
I couldn't recommend this book more highly, Josie's writing style is descriptive yet captivating, and the world building to this fantasy book is in-depth enough to allow the reader to form such strong understandings of dynamics, with the added ability to explore your own perceptions with the guidance given.
I am so excited to see where this book takes the author, and the further publications they make!
The author's writing style plunges you deep into the fantasy world with various different characters, without becoming confusing or tedious. Each character has their own downfalls and setbacks, and it allows them room to blossom and grow with us as readers. I enjoyed that the FMC was originally painted as a character of deprivation and weakness, and not only do we follow their literal adventures, but their personal growth and their beliefs in themselves and ability to build up others around them too.
The world-building elements to this book were phenomenal and the descriptive elements were captivating, without being overly elongated.
How Josie creates such personal attachment and vivid likes and dislikes to each respective character in turn keeps you captivated, and the chapters are long enough to keep you hooked, without being boring or feeling like they're dragging.
I read this book in one day, and every time I put it down to carry on with a task, the characters were in the forefront of my mind. It is an addictive page turner, without being predictable.
I couldn't recommend this book more highly, Josie's writing style is descriptive yet captivating, and the world building to this fantasy book is in-depth enough to allow the reader to form such strong understandings of dynamics, with the added ability to explore your own perceptions with the guidance given.
I am so excited to see where this book takes the author, and the further publications they make!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed reading this book.
It was such an interesting story line. The character development of the MFC was impressive. She started as a little shy, timid disabled girl who overcame so much to become strong and independent and brave. it was lovely to watch.
it was a tad slow at the beginning, but this I feel is because Josie was trying to introduce characters with solid backgrounds and world building. This meant that the pace of the story line was just a tad slow. However the second half of the book made up for this with battles and twists and tense situations.
great book and the ending definitely felt like it was setting the scene for book 2.
Thank you Josie Rose Langdon for allowing me to ARC read your novel.
It was such an interesting story line. The character development of the MFC was impressive. She started as a little shy, timid disabled girl who overcame so much to become strong and independent and brave. it was lovely to watch.
it was a tad slow at the beginning, but this I feel is because Josie was trying to introduce characters with solid backgrounds and world building. This meant that the pace of the story line was just a tad slow. However the second half of the book made up for this with battles and twists and tense situations.
great book and the ending definitely felt like it was setting the scene for book 2.
Thank you Josie Rose Langdon for allowing me to ARC read your novel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Rippling of Power by Josie Rose Langdon
I’ve just finished Rippling of Power and I am completely obsessed. The kind of obsessed where you close the book and immediately wish you could unread it just to experience it all over again. And now I’m mildly devastated that I have to wait for the sequel.
Cleo is an outstanding FMC. Her journey of figuring out who she is, what she can become, and where she fits in this shifting world was genuinely captivating. One of the things I appreciated most was the thoughtful, authentic portrayal of her limb difference. As someone living with a chronic illness myself, I love seeing characters whose differences are part of their identity without being the whole plot. Josie Langdon handles this with so much care and nuance, it felt meaningful without being performative.
The political tension between the Kes and the Veari builds beautifully throughout the story. The worldbuilding is layered and believable, with stakes that grow in a way that feels organic. Every character arc, not just Cleo’s, is well-crafted, and the relationships (both alliances and rivalries) evolve in such a satisfying, sometimes painful way.
Speaking of pain: this book emotionally wrecked me… but also put me back together again. It’s been a while since a story made me feel this much.
I am so excited for the next installment. I can’t wait to see how Cleo continues developing her power, especially with the threat of war looming. If the next book is anything like this one, we’re in for something incredible.
Highly recommend, especially if you love character-driven fantasy with strong emotional pull, thoughtful representation, and political tension woven through every chapter.
I’ve just finished Rippling of Power and I am completely obsessed. The kind of obsessed where you close the book and immediately wish you could unread it just to experience it all over again. And now I’m mildly devastated that I have to wait for the sequel.
Cleo is an outstanding FMC. Her journey of figuring out who she is, what she can become, and where she fits in this shifting world was genuinely captivating. One of the things I appreciated most was the thoughtful, authentic portrayal of her limb difference. As someone living with a chronic illness myself, I love seeing characters whose differences are part of their identity without being the whole plot. Josie Langdon handles this with so much care and nuance, it felt meaningful without being performative.
The political tension between the Kes and the Veari builds beautifully throughout the story. The worldbuilding is layered and believable, with stakes that grow in a way that feels organic. Every character arc, not just Cleo’s, is well-crafted, and the relationships (both alliances and rivalries) evolve in such a satisfying, sometimes painful way.
Speaking of pain: this book emotionally wrecked me… but also put me back together again. It’s been a while since a story made me feel this much.
I am so excited for the next installment. I can’t wait to see how Cleo continues developing her power, especially with the threat of war looming. If the next book is anything like this one, we’re in for something incredible.
Highly recommend, especially if you love character-driven fantasy with strong emotional pull, thoughtful representation, and political tension woven through every chapter.
February 5, 2026
A Rippling of Power by Josie Rose Langdon: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) | 🌶 Spice: 0
A Rippling of Power was an ARC read kindly sent to me by the lovely Josie Rose Langdon. After seeing the blurb on TikTok, I knew immediately that this was a book I needed to read and I’m so glad I did.
The magic system is one of the strongest aspects of this story. It’s creative, unique, and thoughtfully constructed. I really loved the concept of the Veari and Kes people, and how their differences shape the world and its power dynamics. Our main character, Cleo, is born of both Veari and Kes parents and lives with a disability that requires medication to access her magic. This representation was handled with care and depth, and it added an extra layer of complexity to her journey. While most powers are elemental and tied to the earth, Cleo possesses something extra special that sets her apart in unexpected ways.
Cleo lives with her brother Win, and their sibling relationship was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their bond feels genuine and strong, and watching them navigate Cleo’s rising power and status together made the story even more engaging.
The pacing of the book was excellent, it flowed smoothly and kept me hooked from start to finish. There were two particularly heartbreaking moments involving the deaths of beloved characters, and they genuinely hurt because of how attached I’d become to them. Those losses added emotional weight and made the story feel more powerful and real.
I also appreciated how morally complex some of the characters were. At times, I questioned certain people’s intentions, but that sense of uncertainty felt very intentional. Josie does a great job of keeping you guessing about who can truly be trusted and whether those close to Cleo might have hidden motives.
The ending leaves you on a cliffhanger, and while I was slightly tortured by it, I’m also very excited to continue the series and get more answers in the next book.
One line that really stood out to me was:
“If her legs couldn’t work, at least her brain still did.”
Overall, A Rippling of Power is a compelling fantasy with a fresh magic system, emotional depth, and a protagonist you can’t help but root for. I’m definitely looking forward to what comes next.
A Rippling of Power was an ARC read kindly sent to me by the lovely Josie Rose Langdon. After seeing the blurb on TikTok, I knew immediately that this was a book I needed to read and I’m so glad I did.
The magic system is one of the strongest aspects of this story. It’s creative, unique, and thoughtfully constructed. I really loved the concept of the Veari and Kes people, and how their differences shape the world and its power dynamics. Our main character, Cleo, is born of both Veari and Kes parents and lives with a disability that requires medication to access her magic. This representation was handled with care and depth, and it added an extra layer of complexity to her journey. While most powers are elemental and tied to the earth, Cleo possesses something extra special that sets her apart in unexpected ways.
Cleo lives with her brother Win, and their sibling relationship was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their bond feels genuine and strong, and watching them navigate Cleo’s rising power and status together made the story even more engaging.
The pacing of the book was excellent, it flowed smoothly and kept me hooked from start to finish. There were two particularly heartbreaking moments involving the deaths of beloved characters, and they genuinely hurt because of how attached I’d become to them. Those losses added emotional weight and made the story feel more powerful and real.
I also appreciated how morally complex some of the characters were. At times, I questioned certain people’s intentions, but that sense of uncertainty felt very intentional. Josie does a great job of keeping you guessing about who can truly be trusted and whether those close to Cleo might have hidden motives.
The ending leaves you on a cliffhanger, and while I was slightly tortured by it, I’m also very excited to continue the series and get more answers in the next book.
One line that really stood out to me was:
“If her legs couldn’t work, at least her brain still did.”
Overall, A Rippling of Power is a compelling fantasy with a fresh magic system, emotional depth, and a protagonist you can’t help but root for. I’m definitely looking forward to what comes next.
February 16, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this book. I found myself thinking about it every time I had to put it down and I was eager to pick it up again.
I thought the characters were amazing, especially Cleo, she is such a good choice for a FMC. I love the way her character grows throughout the story and seeing her self confidence rise with each chapter was beautiful. There are a lot of diverse characters in this story and they are all so interesting and written so well you can’t help but like them.
I also really enjoyed the magic system. I have always been a sucker for elemental magic and it’s used so well in this book.
Another part I found really interesting is the drama and politics going on between the different courts and between the Kes and Veari people. I was so intrigued by what was going on and the tension was so good, I was on the edge of my seat.
I definitely recommend this book if you like a character driven fantasy with a beautiful found family trope, court politics and lots of tension.
Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book.
“I see your potential - everyone does. You just need to see it in yourself.”
“Some hates carved so deeply, there’s no way to repair it.”
“You can learn to be strong, but kindness must come from within.”
I thought the characters were amazing, especially Cleo, she is such a good choice for a FMC. I love the way her character grows throughout the story and seeing her self confidence rise with each chapter was beautiful. There are a lot of diverse characters in this story and they are all so interesting and written so well you can’t help but like them.
I also really enjoyed the magic system. I have always been a sucker for elemental magic and it’s used so well in this book.
Another part I found really interesting is the drama and politics going on between the different courts and between the Kes and Veari people. I was so intrigued by what was going on and the tension was so good, I was on the edge of my seat.
I definitely recommend this book if you like a character driven fantasy with a beautiful found family trope, court politics and lots of tension.
Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book.
“I see your potential - everyone does. You just need to see it in yourself.”
“Some hates carved so deeply, there’s no way to repair it.”
“You can learn to be strong, but kindness must come from within.”
March 16, 2026
Stunning first novel, well thought out magic system, incredible world building and characters, politics risk, threat, suspicious characters, adventure, disability rep was amazing! Found family!! An emotional rollercoaster of a read and with emotional damage!!! I loved Cleo from the start there was just something about her that I connected with, and that grew over the book, what an epic Fmc!! I am not going to spoil this, this book is a great starter for anyone wanting to dip into fantasy as it is so beautifully written, not overly descriptive but you still get the world building done with a great flow. the characters are all flawed, have their own wants and needs but still deeply lovable, this book was such a fast paced, adventure filled, emotional roller coaster you will devour it! it is EMPOWERING for anyone with a disability or who feels they do not belong!! This author knows what she is doing and has thought this book out so well. Do it, read it!! you won't regret it! I can't wait for book 2!! Well done Jose!
April 2, 2026
I need to write this review now that I've just finished reading this book, and my thoughts are fresh.
If I didn't know The Rippling was an indie debut, I would believe the author has done this for years! The pace is perfect, the characters have depth, and the story keeps you glued to the pages.
It's original, and it contains plot twists you DON'T see coming.
I loved following Cleo and her adventures, seeing her grow and shape her own personality by overcoming adversities.
Finally a female lead that doesn't conquer the readers because she's pretty and ethereal and 'omg I need to be saved'. She's a badass, even if she doesn't know yet.
And the side characters??? One better than the others.
Extra point for the made-up language.
Josie, keep me up on your list for The Rippling 2 ARC readers because I need to know what happens next.
If I didn't know The Rippling was an indie debut, I would believe the author has done this for years! The pace is perfect, the characters have depth, and the story keeps you glued to the pages.
It's original, and it contains plot twists you DON'T see coming.
I loved following Cleo and her adventures, seeing her grow and shape her own personality by overcoming adversities.
Finally a female lead that doesn't conquer the readers because she's pretty and ethereal and 'omg I need to be saved'. She's a badass, even if she doesn't know yet.
And the side characters??? One better than the others.
Extra point for the made-up language.
Josie, keep me up on your list for The Rippling 2 ARC readers because I need to know what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
☆𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨☆
Josie had me in a “I’ll just read one chapter” lie spiral because the writing style is SO immersive and easy to read. It flows in that effortless way where suddenly you’re way deeper in the story than planned and emotionally attached before you even realise what happened.
Watching the FMC Cleo's growth felt natural and satisfying, and I loved seeing her motivations and relationships evolve. It added this cozy, character-driven heart to the story that kept me fully invested and I was rooting for her hard by the end.
This was just a genuinely fun, engaging read that balanced story, emotion, and character development beautifully. You can really feel the care put into it, and it made the whole experience warm and addictive in the best way. I cannot wait for book 2!!
Josie had me in a “I’ll just read one chapter” lie spiral because the writing style is SO immersive and easy to read. It flows in that effortless way where suddenly you’re way deeper in the story than planned and emotionally attached before you even realise what happened.
Watching the FMC Cleo's growth felt natural and satisfying, and I loved seeing her motivations and relationships evolve. It added this cozy, character-driven heart to the story that kept me fully invested and I was rooting for her hard by the end.
This was just a genuinely fun, engaging read that balanced story, emotion, and character development beautifully. You can really feel the care put into it, and it made the whole experience warm and addictive in the best way. I cannot wait for book 2!!
January 26, 2026
I really enjoyed this! I thought it had a very good subplot and an interesting world build.
I thought having a main character with a limb difference was really interesting and did lead to some insight into disabilities. There were a few minor discrepancies in the book.
I wanted more character development through the book for the main character but it has been set up to go onto another book.
I would quite happily pick up the second book to this and I think it’s a very easy read. It would be lovely to see the final product with the map since sometimes I did feel slightly disorientated without a visual guide in the ARC copy!
I thought having a main character with a limb difference was really interesting and did lead to some insight into disabilities. There were a few minor discrepancies in the book.
I wanted more character development through the book for the main character but it has been set up to go onto another book.
I would quite happily pick up the second book to this and I think it’s a very easy read. It would be lovely to see the final product with the map since sometimes I did feel slightly disorientated without a visual guide in the ARC copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Vibes: 4.25⭐
Plot 4.5⭐
Characters: 4.25⭐
Spice: n/a
This is such a good story. It is super easy to read, fun, engaging and a big adventure. I love that it takes place over a reasonable amount of time, there isn't training for a month then she is the master of all, but it's done over many months.
Cleo is fun, and occasionally frustrating. The cast of characters all come together though to make for an excellent found family. With some excellent disability rep.
Honestly, though, it the plot where this books shines. The story is engaging and exciting and keeps you guessing throughout. I had an excellent time!
Plot 4.5⭐
Characters: 4.25⭐
Spice: n/a
This is such a good story. It is super easy to read, fun, engaging and a big adventure. I love that it takes place over a reasonable amount of time, there isn't training for a month then she is the master of all, but it's done over many months.
Cleo is fun, and occasionally frustrating. The cast of characters all come together though to make for an excellent found family. With some excellent disability rep.
Honestly, though, it the plot where this books shines. The story is engaging and exciting and keeps you guessing throughout. I had an excellent time!
February 22, 2026
What to say without spoilers.
The worldbuilding, the lore, the politics. You can really see Josie put in so much thought into how her world works.
Cleo is such a unique character and I love that she is this strong fmc who also has a disability. There are not a lot of books out there, or at least not that I have read, that bring visibility to disability. Certainly not a lot where the main character is the one with the disability.
If your new to fantasy I do feel that this would be a wonderful book for you to dip your toes into the genre. I am very intrigued as to how the next book will go based on the ending.
Josie Rose Langdon is definitely an author to keep an eye on.
The worldbuilding, the lore, the politics. You can really see Josie put in so much thought into how her world works.
Cleo is such a unique character and I love that she is this strong fmc who also has a disability. There are not a lot of books out there, or at least not that I have read, that bring visibility to disability. Certainly not a lot where the main character is the one with the disability.
If your new to fantasy I do feel that this would be a wonderful book for you to dip your toes into the genre. I am very intrigued as to how the next book will go based on the ending.
Josie Rose Langdon is definitely an author to keep an eye on.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book kind of reminded me of the song Soldier, Poet, King.
Thank you Josie for this arc and giving me the opportunity to read before release.
I really enjoyed the character development of the FMC in this book but what I loved most was when she became powerful she didn’t lose her disability - I loved the inclusiveness.
The start was a little slow as the world is built but that’s normal for the first book in a fantasy series and the ending has left me gagging for book two!
I’m also a sucker for a found family trope.
Thank you Josie for this arc and giving me the opportunity to read before release.
I really enjoyed the character development of the FMC in this book but what I loved most was when she became powerful she didn’t lose her disability - I loved the inclusiveness.
The start was a little slow as the world is built but that’s normal for the first book in a fantasy series and the ending has left me gagging for book two!
I’m also a sucker for a found family trope.
March 3, 2026
I was incredibly fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of A Rippling of Power by the author herself and honestly, it is one of those rare finds that reminds me why I love the fantasy genre.
From the very first chapter, I was genuinely blown away by the world-building and the intricate layers of the magic system. It is almost hard to believe that this is a debut indie novel; the writing was polished, confident, and allowed me to visualize every setting and confrontation with clarity. The author has a gift for description that pulls you in and doesn't let go.
Reading this book created a bit of a "reader’s dilemma" for me. On one hand, the plot is so gripping that I was desperate to reach the end to see how everything unfolded. On the other hand, the writing is so rich that I found myself wanting to slow down just to savor the story and stay in that world a little longer.
The author doesn't pull any punches when it comes to the fate of the characters, and I’ll admit I was left completely devastated at several points. However, that emotional weight only made the journey feel greater, with the stakes feeling incredibly high.
I’m already counting down the days until the sequel. This is a brilliant start and I am highly anticipating Book 2—so please, write faster!
From the very first chapter, I was genuinely blown away by the world-building and the intricate layers of the magic system. It is almost hard to believe that this is a debut indie novel; the writing was polished, confident, and allowed me to visualize every setting and confrontation with clarity. The author has a gift for description that pulls you in and doesn't let go.
Reading this book created a bit of a "reader’s dilemma" for me. On one hand, the plot is so gripping that I was desperate to reach the end to see how everything unfolded. On the other hand, the writing is so rich that I found myself wanting to slow down just to savor the story and stay in that world a little longer.
The author doesn't pull any punches when it comes to the fate of the characters, and I’ll admit I was left completely devastated at several points. However, that emotional weight only made the journey feel greater, with the stakes feeling incredibly high.
I’m already counting down the days until the sequel. This is a brilliant start and I am highly anticipating Book 2—so please, write faster!
Review of advance copy received from Author
My wife and I were luckly enough to read this book before publication as we know Josie (which maybe does make us slightly biased) but we both loved the book. Fantasy isn't ususally something we would read but I found the plot gripping and the characters well rounded. Cleo is a fantastic main character, I love how herself confidence builds throughout the book. she Can't recommend this book enough.
March 20, 2026
3.5⭐️
This was a really good debut fantasy novel!
It took me a minute to get into it and get to grips with the magic system and characters, but by the end I was wondering what would happen next.
Looking forward to book two!
Characters - 7/10
Atmosphere - 7/10
Writing - 7/10
Plot - 7/10
Intrigue - 7/10
Logic - 7/10
Enjoyment - 7/10
This was a really good debut fantasy novel!
It took me a minute to get into it and get to grips with the magic system and characters, but by the end I was wondering what would happen next.
Looking forward to book two!
Characters - 7/10
Atmosphere - 7/10
Writing - 7/10
Plot - 7/10
Intrigue - 7/10
Logic - 7/10
Enjoyment - 7/10
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed the book but I hope the next in the series isn't too long as I need to know what happens next! I was sitting on the train trying not to cry in the last few chapters but won't spoil the story by saying why...give it a read asap!
April 26, 2026
Cleo is an excellent and complex character and I thoroughly enjoyed following her on her journey. The ending was fantastically done and I cannot wait for the release of book 2.
3.75 ⭐️
3.75 ⭐️
February 23, 2026
‘some hates carved so deeply, there’s no way to repair it,’
I really enjoyed the magic system and it had an interesting world it was set in. Once I started understanding the valeri vs kes and the world, I found it hard to put down.
I loved the found family aspect to it, one of my favorite tropes and this was done so well.
I wish we had more time with the characters and really got more development as sometimes it felt as if they all merged into one character that all felt the same.
The disability rep was great, I loved that the fmc was ‘different’ to most fmcs in most books these days it, i hope to see her fierceness in book 2!
if you enjoyed the found family in six of crows and liked fate: the winx saga (Netflix) then I think you’d love this!
but nonetheless I really enjoyed this one and would love to carry on for book two!
Thank you to the author for this arc!
I really enjoyed the magic system and it had an interesting world it was set in. Once I started understanding the valeri vs kes and the world, I found it hard to put down.
I loved the found family aspect to it, one of my favorite tropes and this was done so well.
I wish we had more time with the characters and really got more development as sometimes it felt as if they all merged into one character that all felt the same.
The disability rep was great, I loved that the fmc was ‘different’ to most fmcs in most books these days it, i hope to see her fierceness in book 2!
if you enjoyed the found family in six of crows and liked fate: the winx saga (Netflix) then I think you’d love this!
but nonetheless I really enjoyed this one and would love to carry on for book two!
Thank you to the author for this arc!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews