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A Rose Forged of Steel
Seraphine Vale, healer in the secret order of the Night Ravens, devotes herself to her patients and has a smile for everyone.
Except Theodore Holt, that is, the infuriating sentry whose popularity knows no bounds.
Unaware of Seraphine’s scorn, Theodore makes a reckless bet to kiss her. But soon, the bet is the least of his worries.
An ancient evil awakens from the depths of their home, and it won’t stop until it’s consumed every soul within. Seraphine and Theodore must work together in secret to stop it before it destroys everything they hold dear.
But when the price demanded is worse than either of them feared, sacrifices must be made.
Except Theodore Holt, that is, the infuriating sentry whose popularity knows no bounds.
Unaware of Seraphine’s scorn, Theodore makes a reckless bet to kiss her. But soon, the bet is the least of his worries.
An ancient evil awakens from the depths of their home, and it won’t stop until it’s consumed every soul within. Seraphine and Theodore must work together in secret to stop it before it destroys everything they hold dear.
But when the price demanded is worse than either of them feared, sacrifices must be made.
185 pages, Paperback
Published January 20, 2026
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 9, 2026
Seraphine Vale is a dedicated healer with a smile for everyone, except Theodore Holt, the infuriatingly popular sentry she can’t stand. Theodore, blissfully unaware of her scorn, makes a reckless bet to win a kiss, but a petty wager is the least of their problems when an ancient evil awakens to consume their home. Forced into a secret alliance to save their world, they soon discover that the price of victory is a sacrifice more devastating than either of them imagined.
• Enemies to Lovers
• Healer x Sentry
• Secret Alliance
• Ancient Evil Awakening
• The "Bet" Trope
***
Considering I’m not usually one for novellas, this is two for two – these authors just keep knocking it out the park and I’m having a blast watching it.
This story makes a fantastic addition to the Whispers of Night Ravens Series world. It doesn’t give away any major plot points or slot neatly into the main storyline, but if you’re craving more from this universe, it’s a solid recommendation. Marie originally shared it through her newsletter, and you can catch the details over on her social media.
This novella is fast paced and packs in a lot of action in such a short time, it also covers some quite heavy hitting emotional trauma so please check the triggers. We start with Seraphine, a healer in the Night Ravens stronghold, she has escaped something dark and dangerous in her past and is working twice as hard as anyone else to keep her mother safe. Her mother has a dementia like illness which is dealt with so well, without minimising it, but by focussing on the experience of Seraphine as her daughter and carer. Seraphine has been forged in fire and pain, the strength of her spine is more than steel and it is simply gorgeous watching her transformation and how she uses that strength to try and save the day.
Theodore at first seems to be the typical “golden boy” playboy, but you quickly learn that’s not all he is, most of the time. He is facing his own demons and working hard to make amends for his choices in the past. One if which is how he hurt and scorned Seraphine and so gives us our delicious enemies to lovers, with bickering, sarcasm, withering stares and the oh so enjoyable breaking down of walls.
We follow our reluctant duo as they face an ancient evil that is threatening to destroy their homes, their friends and family’s lives and so so much more. What else can they do except come together and try to fight it off? Theo is still holding onto the bet he made and Seraphine is determined not to soften towards him, leading to him obviously falling first and becoming her gallant hero. But not he’s not the only hero of this story, because our girl is made of strong stuff.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Short and spicy, action packed and emotional.
• Enemies to Lovers
• Healer x Sentry
• Secret Alliance
• Ancient Evil Awakening
• The "Bet" Trope
***
Considering I’m not usually one for novellas, this is two for two – these authors just keep knocking it out the park and I’m having a blast watching it.
This story makes a fantastic addition to the Whispers of Night Ravens Series world. It doesn’t give away any major plot points or slot neatly into the main storyline, but if you’re craving more from this universe, it’s a solid recommendation. Marie originally shared it through her newsletter, and you can catch the details over on her social media.
This novella is fast paced and packs in a lot of action in such a short time, it also covers some quite heavy hitting emotional trauma so please check the triggers. We start with Seraphine, a healer in the Night Ravens stronghold, she has escaped something dark and dangerous in her past and is working twice as hard as anyone else to keep her mother safe. Her mother has a dementia like illness which is dealt with so well, without minimising it, but by focussing on the experience of Seraphine as her daughter and carer. Seraphine has been forged in fire and pain, the strength of her spine is more than steel and it is simply gorgeous watching her transformation and how she uses that strength to try and save the day.
Theodore at first seems to be the typical “golden boy” playboy, but you quickly learn that’s not all he is, most of the time. He is facing his own demons and working hard to make amends for his choices in the past. One if which is how he hurt and scorned Seraphine and so gives us our delicious enemies to lovers, with bickering, sarcasm, withering stares and the oh so enjoyable breaking down of walls.
We follow our reluctant duo as they face an ancient evil that is threatening to destroy their homes, their friends and family’s lives and so so much more. What else can they do except come together and try to fight it off? Theo is still holding onto the bet he made and Seraphine is determined not to soften towards him, leading to him obviously falling first and becoming her gallant hero. But not he’s not the only hero of this story, because our girl is made of strong stuff.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Short and spicy, action packed and emotional.
March 15, 2026
Book Review
We all know what it’s like to wear a mask—hiding pieces of ourselves from the world, protecting our vulnerabilities. But sometimes, the right person comes along and challenges us to let that mask slip. This novella explores that very idea through the compelling backstory of Seraphine and Theodore, characters readers may briefly recognise from Whisper of the Night Ravens (Book 2).
What begins with tension and even disgust slowly transforms into something far more powerful. Watching that shift—from distrust to desire—adds a fascinating emotional layer to their story. The dynamic between Seraphine and Theodore is intense, complex, and surprisingly heartfelt, making their journey feel both raw and captivating.
Fast-paced and action-packed, this short novella delivers exactly what fans of the Idrix world are looking for. Despite its length, it never feels rushed; instead, it gives readers a satisfying glimpse into the characters’ motivations and the forces shaping their connection.
Perfect for anyone craving a quick return to the Idrix universe, this story provides just the right fix—full of tension, emotion, and intrigue. A gripping, bite-sized addition to the series that leaves you wanting more. ✨📚🖤
We all know what it’s like to wear a mask—hiding pieces of ourselves from the world, protecting our vulnerabilities. But sometimes, the right person comes along and challenges us to let that mask slip. This novella explores that very idea through the compelling backstory of Seraphine and Theodore, characters readers may briefly recognise from Whisper of the Night Ravens (Book 2).
What begins with tension and even disgust slowly transforms into something far more powerful. Watching that shift—from distrust to desire—adds a fascinating emotional layer to their story. The dynamic between Seraphine and Theodore is intense, complex, and surprisingly heartfelt, making their journey feel both raw and captivating.
Fast-paced and action-packed, this short novella delivers exactly what fans of the Idrix world are looking for. Despite its length, it never feels rushed; instead, it gives readers a satisfying glimpse into the characters’ motivations and the forces shaping their connection.
Perfect for anyone craving a quick return to the Idrix universe, this story provides just the right fix—full of tension, emotion, and intrigue. A gripping, bite-sized addition to the series that leaves you wanting more. ✨📚🖤
March 1, 2026
I loved returning to Idrix for Theo and Sera's story!
This duo and their supporting cast were instantly engaging, and I'm kinda sad this was only a novella because I'd absolutely read a wider series about them.
Theo is the swaggering "golden boy" Sentry with a hidden earnestness and yearning.
The combination makes for an absolutely delicious MMC.
Sera is a gifted healer with a quiet fortitude, and a spark that blazes when ignited.
She’s a force to be reckoned with, and a great character!
Cedric, Iris, and Sal are a wonderful found family as well.
The plot itself was gripping and I was frantically reading faster and faster to discover the fate of our characters.
A great read!
This duo and their supporting cast were instantly engaging, and I'm kinda sad this was only a novella because I'd absolutely read a wider series about them.
Theo is the swaggering "golden boy" Sentry with a hidden earnestness and yearning.
The combination makes for an absolutely delicious MMC.
Sera is a gifted healer with a quiet fortitude, and a spark that blazes when ignited.
She’s a force to be reckoned with, and a great character!
Cedric, Iris, and Sal are a wonderful found family as well.
The plot itself was gripping and I was frantically reading faster and faster to discover the fate of our characters.
A great read!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews