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The Keepers
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26Sanverra lies at the heart of the Cardinal Lands, dynamic realms ruled by lines of great queens. While magic is very real, witchery is challenged, for witches bow to no queen, they hold loyalty to no crown. The queens may accept advice or healing from their local Covens of the Grounded, but they and their subjects are well aware witches do not offer their services without a price.
Aleris, adopted into the ambitious Orcharder family as a second daughter, is raised to hide the magic she was born with-until she no longer can. When she finally embraces her own witchery, she changes more fates than her own.
Queen Daphne of Sanverra's word on any matter is final-until she is nearly silenced forever. When she lives through her own death, she begins to understand how much she doesn't know about the witches of her world.
Greater than any Coven of the Grounded, though, is the otherworldly Coven of the Keepers, whose magic turns the very Wheel of the Year. These witches take sacrificed moments from the world to do so, adhering to only one truth: The Wheel must turn.
Aleris, adopted into the ambitious Orcharder family as a second daughter, is raised to hide the magic she was born with-until she no longer can. When she finally embraces her own witchery, she changes more fates than her own.
Queen Daphne of Sanverra's word on any matter is final-until she is nearly silenced forever. When she lives through her own death, she begins to understand how much she doesn't know about the witches of her world.
Greater than any Coven of the Grounded, though, is the otherworldly Coven of the Keepers, whose magic turns the very Wheel of the Year. These witches take sacrificed moments from the world to do so, adhering to only one truth: The Wheel must turn.
- GenresFantasy
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC.
Top notes that made me love this book:
- Found Family, Magic, Girl Power, Questions of morality, beginnings of war, conflict toward magic wielders.
-No spice. This story doesn't need it.
"The Wheel Must Turn"
Sarah Goehrke dazzles us with her debut novel. I could NOT put this book down. I was addicted and I desperately want more. The plot and characters had me on the edge of my seat, metaphorically biting my nails.
I love how Sarah built the world within The Keepers. She has created a deep lore with nods to Paganism/Druidism. I love her approach to the covens and how society is set up. The plot builds and builds. There are surprising twists and storylines that make your heart ache for the characters.The tension is delicious.
I love that the characters grow and evolve. Every character is well written. I love that Aleris (our FMC) grows so much from chapter 1. I love that she questions the things she's told to blindly follow. As much as she pisses me off, Cora is a great character with depth. Her ambition Even the vile characters are memorable.
Top notes that made me love this book:
- Found Family, Magic, Girl Power, Questions of morality, beginnings of war, conflict toward magic wielders.
-No spice. This story doesn't need it.
"The Wheel Must Turn"
Sarah Goehrke dazzles us with her debut novel. I could NOT put this book down. I was addicted and I desperately want more. The plot and characters had me on the edge of my seat, metaphorically biting my nails.
I love how Sarah built the world within The Keepers. She has created a deep lore with nods to Paganism/Druidism. I love her approach to the covens and how society is set up. The plot builds and builds. There are surprising twists and storylines that make your heart ache for the characters.The tension is delicious.
I love that the characters grow and evolve. Every character is well written. I love that Aleris (our FMC) grows so much from chapter 1. I love that she questions the things she's told to blindly follow. As much as she pisses me off, Cora is a great character with depth. Her ambition Even the vile characters are memorable.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This has such a strong hook: a family desperate enough to seek out witches despite the fear surrounding them, and from there, the story just keeps tightening its grip. Aleris discovers her own magic in a pretty brutal manner and her family is less than thrilled. Eventually, she leaves her family and steps into a coven that exists outside of the traditional power structure of queens and crown. And sets off a chain reaction that feels both inevitable and completely avoidable.
The idea that there are witches responsible for keeping the Wheel of the Year turning, and that it requires sacrifice to do so. Fate isn’t gentle here. It’s structured, demanding, and not particularly concerned with who gets hurt in the process. When Aleris interferes with something that was “meant” to happen, you can feel the ripple effect immediately. Everything starts to shift in ways that make the tension between royals and witches palpable. There’s a strong thread of distrust between witches and the people. The fear of magic, the control exerted by those in power, and the way certain groups are othered echoes our real-world history.
I also really liked the matriarchal structure of the world. Having women at the center of power shifts the dynamic, but certainly doesn’t make things any less complicated or dangerous. If anything, it highlights how power operates regardless of who holds it.
The writing leans more on the literary side. It’s thoughtful, a little slower at times, but very intentional in how it builds tension and lays groundwork. There are twists that caught me off guard and a clear sense that this is only the beginning of something much, much bigger.
Overall, this feels like a strong start to a series that’s going to dig deep into its themes and world. If you like witchy fantasy with layered world-building, this one is worth a read. Quills & Cosmos Press continues to be one of those publishers that doesn't miss.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and the author for the pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
The idea that there are witches responsible for keeping the Wheel of the Year turning, and that it requires sacrifice to do so. Fate isn’t gentle here. It’s structured, demanding, and not particularly concerned with who gets hurt in the process. When Aleris interferes with something that was “meant” to happen, you can feel the ripple effect immediately. Everything starts to shift in ways that make the tension between royals and witches palpable. There’s a strong thread of distrust between witches and the people. The fear of magic, the control exerted by those in power, and the way certain groups are othered echoes our real-world history.
I also really liked the matriarchal structure of the world. Having women at the center of power shifts the dynamic, but certainly doesn’t make things any less complicated or dangerous. If anything, it highlights how power operates regardless of who holds it.
The writing leans more on the literary side. It’s thoughtful, a little slower at times, but very intentional in how it builds tension and lays groundwork. There are twists that caught me off guard and a clear sense that this is only the beginning of something much, much bigger.
Overall, this feels like a strong start to a series that’s going to dig deep into its themes and world. If you like witchy fantasy with layered world-building, this one is worth a read. Quills & Cosmos Press continues to be one of those publishers that doesn't miss.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and the author for the pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the digital ARC of The Keepers by Sarah Goehrke. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Keepers is a really interesting fantasy debut set in a matriarchal world where queens rule, but witches answer to no crown.
One of the standout elements for me was the worldbuilding. The dynamic between the ruling queens and the covens of witches creates a really compelling tension from the start. Witches are respected, even needed, but never controlled...and that balance shapes the entire world in fascinating ways.
Following Aleris as she grows into her magic was one of my favorite parts of the story. Her journey from hiding her abilities to embracing her witchery feels like a meaningful shift, not just for her, but for the wider world around her. I also appreciated how her choices ripple outward, affecting more than just her own path.
The concept of the Coven of the Keepers was especially intriguing. The idea of a group of witches existing outside of space and time, maintaining balance by keeping the Wheel of the Year turning, adds a unique layer to the story. Their fortress in Elsewhere and the way they experience time, solitude, and connection gave the narrative an almost otherworldly feel.
I also liked how the story explores the idea that maintaining balance in the world doesn’t always mean passively accepting injustice. Aleris’s actions raise interesting questions about fate, intervention, and what it means to try to right a wrong, even when the system itself is built on maintaining equilibrium.
Overall, this was a strong and interesting debut with thoughtful worldbuilding and a unique magical system. I really enjoyed it and am curious to see where the story goes from here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The wheel must turn.
This no spice fantasy is set in a matriarchal society at the beginning of the witch trials with characters who go against the grain and refuse to follow blindly and who question the morality, some serious GOT vibes, untrusted magic even for those with the ability to wield it, found family, building tension, twists and turns, some serious lore similar to those of pagans and druids, where accepting fate changes more than your own course. If Witches going up against Queens is your thing, then this is for you!
Well written and with good pacing, this was an enjoyable and multifaceted read. The fact that this book has a matriarchal based society is a welcomed and refreshing change that deserves all the credit. I appreciate the time and attention that the author took creating the lore and histories in a way that wasn’t a quick cram session before the big test. Might I just say that this cover is everything! It is a perfect complement to the enchanting and confounding magic that has the characters set on a path of chaos.
This no spice fantasy is set in a matriarchal society at the beginning of the witch trials with characters who go against the grain and refuse to follow blindly and who question the morality, some serious GOT vibes, untrusted magic even for those with the ability to wield it, found family, building tension, twists and turns, some serious lore similar to those of pagans and druids, where accepting fate changes more than your own course. If Witches going up against Queens is your thing, then this is for you!
Well written and with good pacing, this was an enjoyable and multifaceted read. The fact that this book has a matriarchal based society is a welcomed and refreshing change that deserves all the credit. I appreciate the time and attention that the author took creating the lore and histories in a way that wasn’t a quick cram session before the big test. Might I just say that this cover is everything! It is a perfect complement to the enchanting and confounding magic that has the characters set on a path of chaos.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC from the publisher and author to read and review. Here are my thoughts.
"Covens were families, not of blood or birth or rings, for those ties weren’t theirs to have; covens were not born, they were Calls that were Answered."
Aleris is a witch who was adopted by a family of orcharders. She lives in a matriarchal society run by women. When her mother goes off on a trip her sister gets hurt and her father decides to seek the help of witches.
Aleris joins the coven of Keepers who live Elsewhere. They are responsible for making sure the wheel of time turns and receives the sacrifices due to it. Aleris interferes with a spoke meant to kill a mother during childbirth which leads to a brewing war between the crown and witches.
The Keepers is a debut literary fantasy novel and is part of a series of books. While the world building and background took me a bit to get through, by the end of the book I was hooked and I can't wait for the next one!
Favorite quote
"You’ll like her. Or not. No matter. You’ll work with her
"Covens were families, not of blood or birth or rings, for those ties weren’t theirs to have; covens were not born, they were Calls that were Answered."
Aleris is a witch who was adopted by a family of orcharders. She lives in a matriarchal society run by women. When her mother goes off on a trip her sister gets hurt and her father decides to seek the help of witches.
Aleris joins the coven of Keepers who live Elsewhere. They are responsible for making sure the wheel of time turns and receives the sacrifices due to it. Aleris interferes with a spoke meant to kill a mother during childbirth which leads to a brewing war between the crown and witches.
The Keepers is a debut literary fantasy novel and is part of a series of books. While the world building and background took me a bit to get through, by the end of the book I was hooked and I can't wait for the next one!
Favorite quote
"You’ll like her. Or not. No matter. You’ll work with her
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Goehrke’s debut epic fantasy delivers a beautiful, brutal, and dynamic world written in lush prose and guided by complex characters. The story follows several plot threads all steered by the actions of characters. While magical, it is a human story, exploring how the choices we make shape, or cannot shape, the world.
The Keepers satisfies what readers of Game of Thrones may be looking for but set in a grounded matriarchal setting. Political intrigue, descent into war, seeds of distrust. This book has zero spice, zero SA, and it was a breath of fresh air. It goes to show that epic fantasy can build its world and cut to the core without those elements.
This book is helmed and driven by women, and it shows in the best way. So many little brush-strokes went into the crafting of the prose to center feminine strength and women as fully realized humans, not plot objects.
The prose are lovely, layered, and lush. Fans of literary fiction will devour this one. I hope this book is read far and wide and I very much need the second book.
The Keepers satisfies what readers of Game of Thrones may be looking for but set in a grounded matriarchal setting. Political intrigue, descent into war, seeds of distrust. This book has zero spice, zero SA, and it was a breath of fresh air. It goes to show that epic fantasy can build its world and cut to the core without those elements.
This book is helmed and driven by women, and it shows in the best way. So many little brush-strokes went into the crafting of the prose to center feminine strength and women as fully realized humans, not plot objects.
The prose are lovely, layered, and lush. Fans of literary fiction will devour this one. I hope this book is read far and wide and I very much need the second book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an ARC from the publisher and author to read and review. Here are my thoughts.
This beautifully written debut literary fantasy swept me away. Set in Sanverra, a kingdom ruled by queensyet shaped by witches who answer to no crown, it’s afresh take on a matriarchal society filled with tension, found family, and serious twists. Following Aleris as she embraces her hidden magic and Queen Daphne as she survives a life-altering attack, the story hooked mefrom the first pages. The world-building is rich, thelore immersive, and the pacing perfect. You can tell the author poured so much care into this book and it truly pays off. And yes, while it isn’t a spicy read, it doesn’t need to be—this is more than a gorgeous cover; it’s the beginning of an epic fantasy series I can’t wait to continue.
Final rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This beautifully written debut literary fantasy swept me away. Set in Sanverra, a kingdom ruled by queensyet shaped by witches who answer to no crown, it’s afresh take on a matriarchal society filled with tension, found family, and serious twists. Following Aleris as she embraces her hidden magic and Queen Daphne as she survives a life-altering attack, the story hooked mefrom the first pages. The world-building is rich, thelore immersive, and the pacing perfect. You can tell the author poured so much care into this book and it truly pays off. And yes, while it isn’t a spicy read, it doesn’t need to be—this is more than a gorgeous cover; it’s the beginning of an epic fantasy series I can’t wait to continue.
Final rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received The Keepers as an ARC. It's a beautifully written work of literary fantasy. The book shines from its masterful pacing and storytelling--with lots of tension, surprise twists, and the setup for a much larger story to be told in further books. I also love the fact that this world is matriarchal. Not only does the book contain lots of interesting linguistic touches reflecting this, but aspects of politics and social hierarchy have been carefully considered in light of said matriarchy. The world is fantastic but realistic in the best way.
It's clear that Sarah Goehrke has created a world with her whole heart and I'm looking forward to reading more. As a disclaimer, I know the author in real life. But I read the novel as a reader first and foremost, and would highly recommend it.
It's clear that Sarah Goehrke has created a world with her whole heart and I'm looking forward to reading more. As a disclaimer, I know the author in real life. But I read the novel as a reader first and foremost, and would highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews