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The Lost Weapon
She’s been keeping secrets her whole life. He’s a secret she never saw coming.
Following a world-shattering war three hundred years ago, the tenuous peace between the Fire and Ice Dominions has been slowly fracturing. After a Fire Dominion attack fifteen years ago that led to the death of Sage’s parents, tensions have never been higher. So, when she’s tasked by the queen of the Ice Dominion to go to Earth and kidnap Aiden, the descendent of a noble Ice Dominion family, she has no problem with it. After all, this descendent is the only one who can wield the weapon that ended the war three centuries ago — and Sage will do whatever it takes to prevent a war from taking anyone else she loves.
Throughout their journey in the Ice Dominion, Sage and her friends-turned-family teach Aiden about their world and his magic. And Aiden teaches Sage that it’s okay to let others in.
Sage must learn there can be strength in weakness (as long as you can still beat the shit out of someone should the need arise) and Aiden must learn his place in this strange and magical world if they have any hope of their mission being a success.
Following a world-shattering war three hundred years ago, the tenuous peace between the Fire and Ice Dominions has been slowly fracturing. After a Fire Dominion attack fifteen years ago that led to the death of Sage’s parents, tensions have never been higher. So, when she’s tasked by the queen of the Ice Dominion to go to Earth and kidnap Aiden, the descendent of a noble Ice Dominion family, she has no problem with it. After all, this descendent is the only one who can wield the weapon that ended the war three centuries ago — and Sage will do whatever it takes to prevent a war from taking anyone else she loves.
Throughout their journey in the Ice Dominion, Sage and her friends-turned-family teach Aiden about their world and his magic. And Aiden teaches Sage that it’s okay to let others in.
Sage must learn there can be strength in weakness (as long as you can still beat the shit out of someone should the need arise) and Aiden must learn his place in this strange and magical world if they have any hope of their mission being a success.
346 pages
Published May 12, 2026
12 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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May 11, 2026
4.5⭐️ for The Lost Weapon by Sophie Jay ⚔️✨
This book had me hooked so fast. The world-building, the tension, the mystery?? SO good. I loved the mix of action, magic, and emotional moments, and the characters had me fully invested from the start.
The stakes kept getting higher and I genuinely could not stop turning pages. Fantasy readers who love dangerous quests, found family vibes, and getting emotionally attached to fictional people… this one’s for you 👀
This book had me hooked so fast. The world-building, the tension, the mystery?? SO good. I loved the mix of action, magic, and emotional moments, and the characters had me fully invested from the start.
The stakes kept getting higher and I genuinely could not stop turning pages. Fantasy readers who love dangerous quests, found family vibes, and getting emotionally attached to fictional people… this one’s for you 👀
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April 25, 2026Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book!
I’m not always a fast reader but I burned through these pages and did not want to put it down.
Adien is kidnapped but the Captain of the Guard from an alternate dimension where the world run on magic. Adien is apparently the key to finding a weapon to help win a war in the magical dimension he is unwilling forced into.
I absolutely devoured this story. It was simple, quick, easy read, and kept my ADHD brain engaged.
Highly recommend for a fun quick read!
I’m not always a fast reader but I burned through these pages and did not want to put it down.
Adien is kidnapped but the Captain of the Guard from an alternate dimension where the world run on magic. Adien is apparently the key to finding a weapon to help win a war in the magical dimension he is unwilling forced into.
I absolutely devoured this story. It was simple, quick, easy read, and kept my ADHD brain engaged.
Highly recommend for a fun quick read!
May 11, 2026
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
There is a war brewing between the Ice & Fire Dominions. In order to get an upper hand the Ice Dominions need to find the lost weapon.
So we start off with our FMC Sage kidnapping Aidan who is from earth but is the key to hopefully finding the weapon. The kidnapping is just the beginning of this exciting adventure!
I really enjoyed Sage, she is strong, confident, fierce and gets the job done no matter what. Even struggling with a chronic illness does not stop her. She is a bad ass. Then there is Aidan who does not know what to think of everything around him. He is funny, and the banter/tension between him and Sage is on fire.
The ending to this book had my jaw dropping! I was not expecting it. I am excited for book 2 to see where this goes.
There is a war brewing between the Ice & Fire Dominions. In order to get an upper hand the Ice Dominions need to find the lost weapon.
So we start off with our FMC Sage kidnapping Aidan who is from earth but is the key to hopefully finding the weapon. The kidnapping is just the beginning of this exciting adventure!
I really enjoyed Sage, she is strong, confident, fierce and gets the job done no matter what. Even struggling with a chronic illness does not stop her. She is a bad ass. Then there is Aidan who does not know what to think of everything around him. He is funny, and the banter/tension between him and Sage is on fire.
The ending to this book had my jaw dropping! I was not expecting it. I am excited for book 2 to see where this goes.
Review of advance copy
First, let’s go over the book without spoilers. Later in this review, I’ll get into some spoiler-y thoughts, but don’t worry, there’ll be a warning first. :)
First of all, I really liked the world-building of Tirlun. It’s easy to understand that there are two dominions: the Fire Dominion and the Ice Dominion. Because Aiden is new to this world, a lot gets explained to him, which means it also gets explained to us as readers. That made it really easy to understand the world, the magic system, and everything else that was going on.
The story starts with Aiden being kidnapped by Sage, which I loved because it throws you right into the action immediately. It instantly made me curious about why it was happening and what exactly was going on. Sage is kind of a bitch, but she’s funny as fuck, and I absolutely loved that.
I felt the tension between Sage and Aiden right away, which I really liked. I love good tension, a little spice here and there, funny banter, sexual banter… yeah, I’m into it. So yes, there is spice in this book. I wouldn’t say it’s too much, but if you really don’t like spice in books, it’s something to keep in mind before reading.
I do feel like this book reads a bit like a YA novel — and I don’t mean that in a bad way — except for the spice. The writing style is easy-going, fun, modern, and simple. And with simple, I mean that if you enjoy reading in English but it isn’t your first language, this book is very approachable. It doesn’t use overly difficult words or a super complicated writing style, which makes it really easy to fly through.
The pacing of the book is great. I never felt bored for a second. I read this book within 24 hours — honestly, probably closer to 10. I think that says a lot about how much I enjoyed it because I could barely put it down.
The female main character has a chronic illness, which isn’t a spoiler because it’s mentioned in the summary. I really loved that because I have a chronic illness myself, so I connected with Sage straight away. The way she tries to hide it, the way she’s afraid people will think she’s weak or look at her differently because of it… Those are thoughts and feelings I know all too well. It made me feel really connected to her character. I also loved seeing her still be a complete badass despite her illness. She doesn’t let it stop her, and I think that’s such a powerful and motivating message for people with chronic illnesses.
For a debut novel, I think this is really good. I had so much fun reading it, and I can’t wait for book two. I’d rate it 4.5 stars.
--------------------------------------------- SPOILERS
I love books with animals like dragons, foxes, or wolves, but polar bears?! That is so unique and I ate it uppppp. Now I want a polar bear as my method of transportation too. I loved that twist because it felt different from the more “standard” fantasy animals. There’s also a fox called Fluffy with a very special “outfit,” which I loved as well.
Aiden might honestly be a little too relaxed and grounded because this man got introduced to magic, a whole new world, new people, and an entirely different life after literally being ripped away from his own world… and he was mad for like three seconds. While I get that Sage and her friends/family are funny, kind, warm, and easy to like, I would’ve completely understood if Aiden had been more difficult with them for longer. He escaped exactly once — twice if you count the half attempt on Earth — and then just kind of accepted the situation. Honestly, respect, because I think I would’ve gone fully insane lol.
Sage acts like a bitch, but she actually isn’t. She uses it as a mask to keep people at a distance, and honestly, I get it. Her friends/family are amazing though: loyal, funny, kind, and just really easy to love. I’m such an introvert, but even I know I would’ve felt comfortable being myself around them.
The storyline itself isn’t bad, but I do think parts of it could’ve been thought out a little more. The whole “find the magical weapon” and “you’ll feel it when we’re close” thing felt a bit underdeveloped to me. I think there could’ve been more history behind it, more about Aiden’s family, their powers, or what the magical weapon could actually do to some extent. The mystery and surprise element is fun, but a little more information, rumors, or speculation could’ve made the search feel more exciting and scary.
Also, because they’re all so confident — or arrogant lol — in their skills, I never really doubted whether they would lose a fight or not make it out alive. That made some of the action feel a little less tense. I do love a confident squad, but I think having someone besides Aiden get seriously injured or something would’ve raised the stakes a bit more.
The ending was pretty shocking. I was confused for a second, but in a good way. It was also kind of heartbreaking and definitely not what I expected. That’s exactly the kind of ending that makes me impatient for book two.
This book may not be a literary masterpiece for some, but it is such a fun, cute, and exciting read!
🤍 Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book. #thelostweapon #thenerdfam 🤍
First of all, I really liked the world-building of Tirlun. It’s easy to understand that there are two dominions: the Fire Dominion and the Ice Dominion. Because Aiden is new to this world, a lot gets explained to him, which means it also gets explained to us as readers. That made it really easy to understand the world, the magic system, and everything else that was going on.
The story starts with Aiden being kidnapped by Sage, which I loved because it throws you right into the action immediately. It instantly made me curious about why it was happening and what exactly was going on. Sage is kind of a bitch, but she’s funny as fuck, and I absolutely loved that.
I felt the tension between Sage and Aiden right away, which I really liked. I love good tension, a little spice here and there, funny banter, sexual banter… yeah, I’m into it. So yes, there is spice in this book. I wouldn’t say it’s too much, but if you really don’t like spice in books, it’s something to keep in mind before reading.
I do feel like this book reads a bit like a YA novel — and I don’t mean that in a bad way — except for the spice. The writing style is easy-going, fun, modern, and simple. And with simple, I mean that if you enjoy reading in English but it isn’t your first language, this book is very approachable. It doesn’t use overly difficult words or a super complicated writing style, which makes it really easy to fly through.
The pacing of the book is great. I never felt bored for a second. I read this book within 24 hours — honestly, probably closer to 10. I think that says a lot about how much I enjoyed it because I could barely put it down.
The female main character has a chronic illness, which isn’t a spoiler because it’s mentioned in the summary. I really loved that because I have a chronic illness myself, so I connected with Sage straight away. The way she tries to hide it, the way she’s afraid people will think she’s weak or look at her differently because of it… Those are thoughts and feelings I know all too well. It made me feel really connected to her character. I also loved seeing her still be a complete badass despite her illness. She doesn’t let it stop her, and I think that’s such a powerful and motivating message for people with chronic illnesses.
For a debut novel, I think this is really good. I had so much fun reading it, and I can’t wait for book two. I’d rate it 4.5 stars.
--------------------------------------------- SPOILERS
I love books with animals like dragons, foxes, or wolves, but polar bears?! That is so unique and I ate it uppppp. Now I want a polar bear as my method of transportation too. I loved that twist because it felt different from the more “standard” fantasy animals. There’s also a fox called Fluffy with a very special “outfit,” which I loved as well.
Aiden might honestly be a little too relaxed and grounded because this man got introduced to magic, a whole new world, new people, and an entirely different life after literally being ripped away from his own world… and he was mad for like three seconds. While I get that Sage and her friends/family are funny, kind, warm, and easy to like, I would’ve completely understood if Aiden had been more difficult with them for longer. He escaped exactly once — twice if you count the half attempt on Earth — and then just kind of accepted the situation. Honestly, respect, because I think I would’ve gone fully insane lol.
Sage acts like a bitch, but she actually isn’t. She uses it as a mask to keep people at a distance, and honestly, I get it. Her friends/family are amazing though: loyal, funny, kind, and just really easy to love. I’m such an introvert, but even I know I would’ve felt comfortable being myself around them.
The storyline itself isn’t bad, but I do think parts of it could’ve been thought out a little more. The whole “find the magical weapon” and “you’ll feel it when we’re close” thing felt a bit underdeveloped to me. I think there could’ve been more history behind it, more about Aiden’s family, their powers, or what the magical weapon could actually do to some extent. The mystery and surprise element is fun, but a little more information, rumors, or speculation could’ve made the search feel more exciting and scary.
Also, because they’re all so confident — or arrogant lol — in their skills, I never really doubted whether they would lose a fight or not make it out alive. That made some of the action feel a little less tense. I do love a confident squad, but I think having someone besides Aiden get seriously injured or something would’ve raised the stakes a bit more.
The ending was pretty shocking. I was confused for a second, but in a good way. It was also kind of heartbreaking and definitely not what I expected. That’s exactly the kind of ending that makes me impatient for book two.
This book may not be a literary masterpiece for some, but it is such a fun, cute, and exciting read!
🤍 Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book. #thelostweapon #thenerdfam 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
Yes!! This was an enjoyable, magical, fun, sometimes unexpected read!
Sage the fmc in this is fiercely loyal, protective and a no bullshit kinda type! And she kidnaps Aiden from earth to their world Tirlun, through a portal, wich he and his family supposedly was from originally. I thought it was hillarious that he thought they were all crazy for so long before realising the truth. In many stories it just takes a short amount of time for the people to accept everything so it's refreshing that it wasn't the case here! And it has Ursa that they ride on, wich is like oir polar bears, wich is freaking awesome!!!
Sage calls Aiden "Shifrah" or "Pretty Boy" and he calls her "Princess". The tension between these two are excellent!!!! And I feel the trust and friendship is earned and not just there from the get go.
I love the friend group and that they all had their places within it and supported, helped and incurridged eachother.
Idris, Del, Aneira and Sage in their tight nit unite, group, friends, family: I looove them all with eachother and on their own!
That Aiden and his family was from Tirlun and that only he could find and use a lost weapon to help prevent a war was suspicious. Because there is an Ice dominian and a Fire dominion so I thought who is preventing it and why? But Aiden was from the ICE dominion and is included to find this with the group.
Sage has a chronic illness that makes her live in various degrees of pain also dependent on how much she excerts herself, but that she also hides it so well and put on a mask for everyone else. The descriptions of wanting to break a bone to have the pain consentrated in one place, the bitterness of it and the anger that's hard to reign in when the pain is too much. That it feels like it's ruining you but there's no visible effects to the pain other than the person feeling it. So why should anyone believe it? The big nudge to invisible chronic illnesses or pain was huge here, raw and so so real!
I liked that it was no particular religion here and that mother nature was the closest thing that would come to a god for them and that nature was their religion even though they did not see it as one. Theie respect for nature and to keep things natural and to try not to disturb nature to build housing and to build then in harmony with whats already present was beautifully shown through the worldbuilding and explanation of the different places throughout.
I have quotes that stuck with me:
"It's terrifying when things change. Especially when they change in ways you could never begin to prepare for. It's how you handle the changes that determine who you are."
The dedication in the book moved me:
"For the women who build walls so strong you forget they are there. And for the people willing to make a door.
The ending was awesome, romantic, thrilling, pageturning and unexpected!! I really look forward to the next book!!
Thank you nerdfam and to Sophie Jay for an ARC of this book!!
Sage the fmc in this is fiercely loyal, protective and a no bullshit kinda type! And she kidnaps Aiden from earth to their world Tirlun, through a portal, wich he and his family supposedly was from originally. I thought it was hillarious that he thought they were all crazy for so long before realising the truth. In many stories it just takes a short amount of time for the people to accept everything so it's refreshing that it wasn't the case here! And it has Ursa that they ride on, wich is like oir polar bears, wich is freaking awesome!!!
Sage calls Aiden "Shifrah" or "Pretty Boy" and he calls her "Princess". The tension between these two are excellent!!!! And I feel the trust and friendship is earned and not just there from the get go.
I love the friend group and that they all had their places within it and supported, helped and incurridged eachother.
Idris, Del, Aneira and Sage in their tight nit unite, group, friends, family: I looove them all with eachother and on their own!
That Aiden and his family was from Tirlun and that only he could find and use a lost weapon to help prevent a war was suspicious. Because there is an Ice dominian and a Fire dominion so I thought who is preventing it and why? But Aiden was from the ICE dominion and is included to find this with the group.
Sage has a chronic illness that makes her live in various degrees of pain also dependent on how much she excerts herself, but that she also hides it so well and put on a mask for everyone else. The descriptions of wanting to break a bone to have the pain consentrated in one place, the bitterness of it and the anger that's hard to reign in when the pain is too much. That it feels like it's ruining you but there's no visible effects to the pain other than the person feeling it. So why should anyone believe it? The big nudge to invisible chronic illnesses or pain was huge here, raw and so so real!
I liked that it was no particular religion here and that mother nature was the closest thing that would come to a god for them and that nature was their religion even though they did not see it as one. Theie respect for nature and to keep things natural and to try not to disturb nature to build housing and to build then in harmony with whats already present was beautifully shown through the worldbuilding and explanation of the different places throughout.
I have quotes that stuck with me:
"It's terrifying when things change. Especially when they change in ways you could never begin to prepare for. It's how you handle the changes that determine who you are."
The dedication in the book moved me:
"For the women who build walls so strong you forget they are there. And for the people willing to make a door.
The ending was awesome, romantic, thrilling, pageturning and unexpected!! I really look forward to the next book!!
Thank you nerdfam and to Sophie Jay for an ARC of this book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2026
I was not expecting the FMC to be the one doing the kidnapping—but honestly? I was completely here for it 😌🔥
The beginning felt a little disorienting, like I’d been dropped into the middle of something bigger without a map. But once that opening hit properly? BAM. I was hooked and didn’t want to leave 🫠✨
Set in a world still fractured after a devastating war between the Fire and Ice Dominions, the story followed Sage—captain of the guard, chronic secret-keeper, and absolute menace 💅⚔️—who was sent to Earth to kidnap Aiden. Why? Because he was the last descendant capable of wielding the weapon that once ended a war… and might be the only thing stopping another. What unfolded was a journey through the Ice Dominion filled with magic, tension, found family, and the slow unraveling of both their guarded hearts 🧊🔥
Aiden’s POV really grew on me. At first, I wasn’t fully sold—but his development felt earned. Watching him go from confused outsider to someone trying to understand his place in this magical, dangerous world was genuinely satisfying 🥹
But Sage? Oh, Sage. She owned this book for me 😮💨 She was fierce, loyal, dangerous—and completely unwilling to be controlled. The fact that she was both incredibly powerful and chronically ill, without that being her entire personality, felt so refreshing. Her strength wasn’t softened, and her vulnerability wasn’t erased. I loved her depth from the very beginning ❤️🔥
The dynamics? So good. The banter? Even better 😌 The found family elements added warmth to the story, balancing out the heavier themes of war, loss, and responsibility.
There were moments where the pacing dipped slightly—those classic fantasy pauses where the world-building took center stage. Not bad, just noticeable.
But once everything settled into place? Oh, I was in. The tension picked up, the stakes felt real, and I found myself completely invested in their mission and their relationship 💥
The slow burn? YES. Thank you for feeding me properly 🫶
The action and tension? Delivered.
And that ending??? I needed about five business days to recover 😭🔥
Overall, this was such a fun and emotionally engaging read. It took me a little time to fully click with it, but once I did—I didn’t want to let go. I’m definitely excited to see where Sophie Jay takes this world next 💫
✨ Perfect for fans of:
Kidnapping but make it romantic tension 😌🔗
Enemies ➝ friends ➝ lovers 💥❤️
Slow burn romance 🐢🔥
Powerful, morally grey FMC 💅⚔️
“Who hurt you?” energy 😭
Found family 🫂
Magic + elemental worlds (Fire vs Ice) 🔥❄️
Reluctant hero discovering hidden power ⚡
Touch her and die vibes 😤
Thank you to Sophie Jay and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity 💌✨
The beginning felt a little disorienting, like I’d been dropped into the middle of something bigger without a map. But once that opening hit properly? BAM. I was hooked and didn’t want to leave 🫠✨
Set in a world still fractured after a devastating war between the Fire and Ice Dominions, the story followed Sage—captain of the guard, chronic secret-keeper, and absolute menace 💅⚔️—who was sent to Earth to kidnap Aiden. Why? Because he was the last descendant capable of wielding the weapon that once ended a war… and might be the only thing stopping another. What unfolded was a journey through the Ice Dominion filled with magic, tension, found family, and the slow unraveling of both their guarded hearts 🧊🔥
Aiden’s POV really grew on me. At first, I wasn’t fully sold—but his development felt earned. Watching him go from confused outsider to someone trying to understand his place in this magical, dangerous world was genuinely satisfying 🥹
But Sage? Oh, Sage. She owned this book for me 😮💨 She was fierce, loyal, dangerous—and completely unwilling to be controlled. The fact that she was both incredibly powerful and chronically ill, without that being her entire personality, felt so refreshing. Her strength wasn’t softened, and her vulnerability wasn’t erased. I loved her depth from the very beginning ❤️🔥
The dynamics? So good. The banter? Even better 😌 The found family elements added warmth to the story, balancing out the heavier themes of war, loss, and responsibility.
There were moments where the pacing dipped slightly—those classic fantasy pauses where the world-building took center stage. Not bad, just noticeable.
But once everything settled into place? Oh, I was in. The tension picked up, the stakes felt real, and I found myself completely invested in their mission and their relationship 💥
The slow burn? YES. Thank you for feeding me properly 🫶
The action and tension? Delivered.
And that ending??? I needed about five business days to recover 😭🔥
Overall, this was such a fun and emotionally engaging read. It took me a little time to fully click with it, but once I did—I didn’t want to let go. I’m definitely excited to see where Sophie Jay takes this world next 💫
✨ Perfect for fans of:
Kidnapping but make it romantic tension 😌🔗
Enemies ➝ friends ➝ lovers 💥❤️
Slow burn romance 🐢🔥
Powerful, morally grey FMC 💅⚔️
“Who hurt you?” energy 😭
Found family 🫂
Magic + elemental worlds (Fire vs Ice) 🔥❄️
Reluctant hero discovering hidden power ⚡
Touch her and die vibes 😤
Thank you to Sophie Jay and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity 💌✨
Review of advance copy
Welp. I was not expecting the FMC to be the one doing the kidnapping—but listen… I was HERE for it.
Okay, first things first—this one actually took me a minute to get into. I went in blind (as one does), so I had absolutely no clue what was happening at first. But once that opening hit? BAM. I was hooked.
Aiden ended up being a really fun POV to read. His growth throughout the story felt earned, and watching his journey unfold was genuinely satisfying.
Now Sage? Oof. Tell me you wanted a baddie without telling me you wanted a baddie. She’s the captain of the guard—fierce, loyal, dangerous, and absolutely refuses to be controlled. I actually liked her more than Aiden in the beginning because of how much depth she had so early on. And the fact that she’s both powerful and chronically ill—without being watered down or having that define her completely—felt like such a breath of fresh air. You really don’t see that enough in fantasy.
The world-building and magic system were easy to follow, and while I connected to some characters more than others, I really enjoyed the dynamics and the banter across the board.
Now… honesty corner.
At the start, I did get a little annoyed with how often Aiden’s attraction to Sage was emphasized. Like—yes, she’s attractive. Yes, you’re angry and conflicted. I get it. But did we need to revisit that every other chapter? It made him come off a little more lust-driven than I would’ve preferred. And there were a few moments where the plot felt like it stalled—not badly, just that typical fantasy pause while the world gets fully explained.
But once everything was established? Oh, I wanted MORE.
The enemies → friends → lovers progression? Chef’s kiss. The slow burn? (Despite my earlier complaint—yes, it is in fact a slow burn. THANK YOU.) The action? So good. The tension? 🤌 And that ending??? AHHH.
Overall, this was a really fun read. It took me a second to fully settle in, but once I did, I was all in. I’m definitely excited to see what Sophie Jay does next with this world.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted books.
Okay, first things first—this one actually took me a minute to get into. I went in blind (as one does), so I had absolutely no clue what was happening at first. But once that opening hit? BAM. I was hooked.
Aiden ended up being a really fun POV to read. His growth throughout the story felt earned, and watching his journey unfold was genuinely satisfying.
Now Sage? Oof. Tell me you wanted a baddie without telling me you wanted a baddie. She’s the captain of the guard—fierce, loyal, dangerous, and absolutely refuses to be controlled. I actually liked her more than Aiden in the beginning because of how much depth she had so early on. And the fact that she’s both powerful and chronically ill—without being watered down or having that define her completely—felt like such a breath of fresh air. You really don’t see that enough in fantasy.
The world-building and magic system were easy to follow, and while I connected to some characters more than others, I really enjoyed the dynamics and the banter across the board.
Now… honesty corner.
At the start, I did get a little annoyed with how often Aiden’s attraction to Sage was emphasized. Like—yes, she’s attractive. Yes, you’re angry and conflicted. I get it. But did we need to revisit that every other chapter? It made him come off a little more lust-driven than I would’ve preferred. And there were a few moments where the plot felt like it stalled—not badly, just that typical fantasy pause while the world gets fully explained.
But once everything was established? Oh, I wanted MORE.
The enemies → friends → lovers progression? Chef’s kiss. The slow burn? (Despite my earlier complaint—yes, it is in fact a slow burn. THANK YOU.) The action? So good. The tension? 🤌 And that ending??? AHHH.
Overall, this was a really fun read. It took me a second to fully settle in, but once I did, I was all in. I’m definitely excited to see what Sophie Jay does next with this world.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted books.
May 10, 2026
I received this as an e-ARC from the Nerd Fam, and I was so happy and grateful to get the opportunity to read it early. Huge thanks to Sophie Jay and The Nerd Fam for providing me with a copy — I really appreciated it!
One of my favorite things about this book was the elemental powers. I absolutely love that trope, and not many books. I also really liked that Sage, the female main character, was the most powerful one instead of always making the male character stronger. Sage was definitely one of the highlights of the book for me. I especially loved how she became stronger through her illness rather than being held back by it.
Another aspect I enjoyed was the worldbuilding. The idea of a world parallel to Earth that deeply cares about their planet was really interesting and refreshing. The characters also had a lot more depth than I expected and didn’t feel shallow, which made it easier to connect with them. I also loved the found family trope and the dynamic between the group overall.
The plot itself was really enjoyable, and the plot twist was done well. You could kind of suspect parts of it, but it still wasn’t completely predictable, which I liked.
There were a few things that didn’t fully work for me, though. Some of the dialogue felt a little cringe at times, but considering this is the author’s first book, it’s understandable because writing natural dialogue can definitely be difficult. I also felt like Sage and the group were sometimes a little too cocky, even if they were very skilled. The ending also felt a bit rushed, and I think some moments could have used a little more time to fully develop.
As for Aiden, the male main character, he was a little too soft for my personal taste, especially in the beginning. He seemed a bit lost and honestly kind of stupid at times — but in a funny way haha.
Overall, The Lost Weapon was an enjoyable read with strong characters, interesting powers, and a great found family dynamic. Even though there were a few weaker points, I’m definitely interested to see where the story goes next.
3,5/5
One of my favorite things about this book was the elemental powers. I absolutely love that trope, and not many books. I also really liked that Sage, the female main character, was the most powerful one instead of always making the male character stronger. Sage was definitely one of the highlights of the book for me. I especially loved how she became stronger through her illness rather than being held back by it.
Another aspect I enjoyed was the worldbuilding. The idea of a world parallel to Earth that deeply cares about their planet was really interesting and refreshing. The characters also had a lot more depth than I expected and didn’t feel shallow, which made it easier to connect with them. I also loved the found family trope and the dynamic between the group overall.
The plot itself was really enjoyable, and the plot twist was done well. You could kind of suspect parts of it, but it still wasn’t completely predictable, which I liked.
There were a few things that didn’t fully work for me, though. Some of the dialogue felt a little cringe at times, but considering this is the author’s first book, it’s understandable because writing natural dialogue can definitely be difficult. I also felt like Sage and the group were sometimes a little too cocky, even if they were very skilled. The ending also felt a bit rushed, and I think some moments could have used a little more time to fully develop.
As for Aiden, the male main character, he was a little too soft for my personal taste, especially in the beginning. He seemed a bit lost and honestly kind of stupid at times — but in a funny way haha.
Overall, The Lost Weapon was an enjoyable read with strong characters, interesting powers, and a great found family dynamic. Even though there were a few weaker points, I’m definitely interested to see where the story goes next.
3,5/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌟 5-star review of this incredible arc!
**Tropes:** romantasy, fire and ice magic, FMC kidnaps him, MMC falls first, soulmates, betrayal, forced proximity, war, tension, frenemies to lovers, found family, chronic illness, animal companion.
**Spice:** 3.5 for this installment of the trilogy.
You jump straight into action with the FMC, Sage, kidnapping the MMC, Aiden. The pace picks up quickly as you learn Aiden is needed to find a magical lost weapon shrouded in mystery. Meanwhile, the bond between Sage, Aiden, Idris, Aneira, and Prince Delywn, who make up this found family, unfolds beautifully.
The world-building in the Ice Domination is stunning; you can truly visualize the landscape. Plus, there's a map at the start of the book that showcases this enchanting world!
Sage is fierce, powerful, and secretive, making her character grow on you as the story progresses. Aiden, on the other hand, is a bit clueless, yet he navigates everything with such enthusiasm, you can't help but adore him from the start.
As the quest to find the lost weapon unfolds, you discover new sides of each character, throughout the story. The cliffhanger at the end is perfectly placed, setting the anticipation for book two. This trilogy shows great promise—I was hooked from the beginning!
This arc features dual POVs, Sage and Aiden, bringing depth to the narrative. You also see aspects of the hierarchy within the Ice Domination royalty with minimal political exchanges, which are easy to follow, all while highlighting the deep-rooted tension between the Ice and Fire dominations.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and can’t wait for the next installment! If you love magic, world-building, character development, tension, quests, cliffhangers, betrayals, and secrets, you will definitely love *The Lost Weapon*.
**Tropes:** romantasy, fire and ice magic, FMC kidnaps him, MMC falls first, soulmates, betrayal, forced proximity, war, tension, frenemies to lovers, found family, chronic illness, animal companion.
**Spice:** 3.5 for this installment of the trilogy.
You jump straight into action with the FMC, Sage, kidnapping the MMC, Aiden. The pace picks up quickly as you learn Aiden is needed to find a magical lost weapon shrouded in mystery. Meanwhile, the bond between Sage, Aiden, Idris, Aneira, and Prince Delywn, who make up this found family, unfolds beautifully.
The world-building in the Ice Domination is stunning; you can truly visualize the landscape. Plus, there's a map at the start of the book that showcases this enchanting world!
Sage is fierce, powerful, and secretive, making her character grow on you as the story progresses. Aiden, on the other hand, is a bit clueless, yet he navigates everything with such enthusiasm, you can't help but adore him from the start.
As the quest to find the lost weapon unfolds, you discover new sides of each character, throughout the story. The cliffhanger at the end is perfectly placed, setting the anticipation for book two. This trilogy shows great promise—I was hooked from the beginning!
This arc features dual POVs, Sage and Aiden, bringing depth to the narrative. You also see aspects of the hierarchy within the Ice Domination royalty with minimal political exchanges, which are easy to follow, all while highlighting the deep-rooted tension between the Ice and Fire dominations.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and can’t wait for the next installment! If you love magic, world-building, character development, tension, quests, cliffhangers, betrayals, and secrets, you will definitely love *The Lost Weapon*.
May 12, 2026
First of all, huge thank you to Sophie Jay for sending me an ARC copy of The Lost Weapon 🖤⚔️✨
This story follows Sage, our brave, beautiful, and sometimes overly confident FMC, whose mission is to travel to Earth and kidnap the one man capable of preventing a war in her realm. Enter Aiden, who is just trying to survive life in Colorado after the loss of his parents… only to suddenly find himself transported into a world filled with magic, dominions, and secrets far greater than he ever imagined.
As Aiden struggles to accept the reality of Tirlun, we get introduced to Sage’s loyal crew: Delwyn, the prince of the Ice Dominion, Idris, the fierce warrior from the Fire Dominion, and Aneira, who may be sweet but is absolutely savage when needed 😭✨ Together, this group embarks on a dangerous journey to locate a powerful weapon capable of stopping war between the dominions.
But what truly touched me was Sage herself. Beneath her strength and bravery, she lives with a chronic illness that leaves her in constant pain, and I loved how the story explored both physical and mental health with such care and humanity. Watching Aiden slowly become someone willing to learn, train, and stand beside her instead of letting her carry the weight of the world alone was honestly beautiful. I also know Sophie has a personal connection to these themes, and I just want to say: Sophie, you are amazing. The care and authenticity you brought into Sage’s journey truly shines through, and I hope you know your readers are here supporting you always 🖤✨
The crew dynamics were funny, emotional, and lovable, the writing was easy to get immersed in, and the world building made the adventure feel magical from beginning to end.
And yes… Blizzard stole my heart 😭
Sophie, I am absolutely ready for book two because I NEED to continue this journey ⚔️
This story follows Sage, our brave, beautiful, and sometimes overly confident FMC, whose mission is to travel to Earth and kidnap the one man capable of preventing a war in her realm. Enter Aiden, who is just trying to survive life in Colorado after the loss of his parents… only to suddenly find himself transported into a world filled with magic, dominions, and secrets far greater than he ever imagined.
As Aiden struggles to accept the reality of Tirlun, we get introduced to Sage’s loyal crew: Delwyn, the prince of the Ice Dominion, Idris, the fierce warrior from the Fire Dominion, and Aneira, who may be sweet but is absolutely savage when needed 😭✨ Together, this group embarks on a dangerous journey to locate a powerful weapon capable of stopping war between the dominions.
But what truly touched me was Sage herself. Beneath her strength and bravery, she lives with a chronic illness that leaves her in constant pain, and I loved how the story explored both physical and mental health with such care and humanity. Watching Aiden slowly become someone willing to learn, train, and stand beside her instead of letting her carry the weight of the world alone was honestly beautiful. I also know Sophie has a personal connection to these themes, and I just want to say: Sophie, you are amazing. The care and authenticity you brought into Sage’s journey truly shines through, and I hope you know your readers are here supporting you always 🖤✨
The crew dynamics were funny, emotional, and lovable, the writing was easy to get immersed in, and the world building made the adventure feel magical from beginning to end.
And yes… Blizzard stole my heart 😭
Sophie, I am absolutely ready for book two because I NEED to continue this journey ⚔️
May 13, 2026
Thank you to THE NERD FAM for the gifted copy..
If I had to pick one best thing about this book, then it would be the morally grey, sharp tongued FMC who knows she’s difficult.. The book is set in world divided between the Fire and Ice Dominion after a war centuries ago..
The story follows Sage, a fierce Ice Dominion warrior who is sent on a mission to Earth to kidnap Aiden who is the only descendant capable of wielding a long lost weapon that once ended the war.. What began as a kidnapping soon turned into a journey filled with magic, adventure, political tension and slow unravelling of the emotional wall built within Sage.. I really loved their dynamic..
He’s learning how to belong in a world that isn’t his, while she’s slowly realizing that strength isn’t just about enduring alone. The found family element is just as awesome as the romance.. The side characters feel like a unit rather than background noise, adding depth to the Ice Dominion and making the stakes feel personal instead of just political. One of the most refreshing aspects is the chronic illness representation woven naturally into Sage’s character without defining her entirely. It adds vulnerability without taking away from her strength, which makes her feel real in a genre that often leans into invincible heroines. The pacing leans more into character driven than action-heavy, but when the stakes hit, you can feel the weight of what’s coming, especially with the looming threat of another war between the dominions.... Overall, this is a solid start to a romantic fantasy trilogy...
And I can’t wait for more...
If I had to pick one best thing about this book, then it would be the morally grey, sharp tongued FMC who knows she’s difficult.. The book is set in world divided between the Fire and Ice Dominion after a war centuries ago..
The story follows Sage, a fierce Ice Dominion warrior who is sent on a mission to Earth to kidnap Aiden who is the only descendant capable of wielding a long lost weapon that once ended the war.. What began as a kidnapping soon turned into a journey filled with magic, adventure, political tension and slow unravelling of the emotional wall built within Sage.. I really loved their dynamic..
He’s learning how to belong in a world that isn’t his, while she’s slowly realizing that strength isn’t just about enduring alone. The found family element is just as awesome as the romance.. The side characters feel like a unit rather than background noise, adding depth to the Ice Dominion and making the stakes feel personal instead of just political. One of the most refreshing aspects is the chronic illness representation woven naturally into Sage’s character without defining her entirely. It adds vulnerability without taking away from her strength, which makes her feel real in a genre that often leans into invincible heroines. The pacing leans more into character driven than action-heavy, but when the stakes hit, you can feel the weight of what’s coming, especially with the looming threat of another war between the dominions.... Overall, this is a solid start to a romantic fantasy trilogy...
And I can’t wait for more...
Review of advance copy
I received an advanced reader copy.
I absolutely loved this book.!!!
The characters! The ending! The writing!
It’s a story of two main characters Sage and Aiden and how they to find this lost weapon to prevent war. And the building of trust and friendship to lovers.
The chemistry between Sage and Aiden I felt immediately but it didn’t feel forced. I loved their dynamic and it just flowed so well.
The use of the chronic illness in the story was very eye opening. Unless you suffer from something that is beyond your control it’s hard to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. I loved how Sophie showed that strength is so powerful in spite of the obstacles faced with that illness. It’s shows that even the strongest people need someone to lean when the burden is just too much for them alone to bare. Although I don’t have the same illness as Sage, I resonated with her story and the fact she never gave up and put everything before her own needs even when there was someone right in front of her willing to hold that burden. It the fear of weakness that was so hard to overcome. That alone was a very powerful ideal expressed here to me.
It hit all the tropes I enjoy. Enemies to lovers. Found family. The age of the characters was also a plus! I liked the pacing. Nothing felt rushed to me. I went through the book fairly quick and it never got boring. I look forward to where the next book will take the readers.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
I absolutely loved this book.!!!
The characters! The ending! The writing!
It’s a story of two main characters Sage and Aiden and how they to find this lost weapon to prevent war. And the building of trust and friendship to lovers.
The chemistry between Sage and Aiden I felt immediately but it didn’t feel forced. I loved their dynamic and it just flowed so well.
The use of the chronic illness in the story was very eye opening. Unless you suffer from something that is beyond your control it’s hard to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. I loved how Sophie showed that strength is so powerful in spite of the obstacles faced with that illness. It’s shows that even the strongest people need someone to lean when the burden is just too much for them alone to bare. Although I don’t have the same illness as Sage, I resonated with her story and the fact she never gave up and put everything before her own needs even when there was someone right in front of her willing to hold that burden. It the fear of weakness that was so hard to overcome. That alone was a very powerful ideal expressed here to me.
It hit all the tropes I enjoy. Enemies to lovers. Found family. The age of the characters was also a plus! I liked the pacing. Nothing felt rushed to me. I went through the book fairly quick and it never got boring. I look forward to where the next book will take the readers.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An exciting adventure into a world where instead of technology that destroys our planet advancing the world, magic and being one with nature allows the world to thrive.
You follow a MMC, who’s grown up on earth, but one day is randomly kidnapped by a woman who claims to be from another realm with magic that he is supposedly also from. This woman states he’s from a long lost line of the ice kingdom that fled to earth when they created a weapon only they could wield but it would be too powerful and potentially destroy their world. When she finally convinces him that he’s not going crazy and this magical world is real, they embark on a mission along with her friends and cousin the crown prince to find the weapon.
This book was full of action and adventure and even a surprise plot twist at the end that kept me engaged. I really enjoyed the way the MMC doubted what was going on around him and didn’t believe what was happening because that’s exactly what I would do. Of course there was some tension between the MMC and the FMC who captured him that got stronger throughout. I also really liked the way the author showed the FMC dealing with her chronic pain and those around her supporting her through it and doing everything they can to help her, making her even more of a badass in my mind. Overall my rating 4.4/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
You follow a MMC, who’s grown up on earth, but one day is randomly kidnapped by a woman who claims to be from another realm with magic that he is supposedly also from. This woman states he’s from a long lost line of the ice kingdom that fled to earth when they created a weapon only they could wield but it would be too powerful and potentially destroy their world. When she finally convinces him that he’s not going crazy and this magical world is real, they embark on a mission along with her friends and cousin the crown prince to find the weapon.
This book was full of action and adventure and even a surprise plot twist at the end that kept me engaged. I really enjoyed the way the MMC doubted what was going on around him and didn’t believe what was happening because that’s exactly what I would do. Of course there was some tension between the MMC and the FMC who captured him that got stronger throughout. I also really liked the way the author showed the FMC dealing with her chronic pain and those around her supporting her through it and doing everything they can to help her, making her even more of a badass in my mind. Overall my rating 4.4/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
Review of advance copy
This book was such a fun, quick read! Aiden is kidnapped by Sage and taken to Tirlun, a world similar to Earth, but filled with magic. Once there, his powers awaken, setting him and Sage on a quest to find a lost weapon that only someone from his family can wield. Tirlun is divided into two domains, ice and fire, both teetering on the brink of war. Together, Aiden, Sage, and their companions set out to find this weapon and prevent the coming conflict.
I really enjoyed the quest driven plot. It kept the story engaging and fast paced. The worldbuilding was woven in naturally through Aiden’s introduction to Tirlun, which made it easy to follow without feeling overwhelming. I especially loved the dynamic between Aiden and Sage; their back and forth and evolving relationship added so much heart to the story. It was also great to see chronic illness representation through Sage, which added depth to her character and made her feel more relatable. The dual POV was nice, it gave deeper insight into both main characters and strengthened the emotional connection to their journey.
Overall, this is a fun, easy to read fantasy romance with elemental magic and great characters. Perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy adventure, a golden retriever MMC, a black cat FMC, and found family. Be warned this book ends on a cliffhanger that will have you wanting the next book immediately!
Thank you to The NerdFam for the gifted eARC. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed the quest driven plot. It kept the story engaging and fast paced. The worldbuilding was woven in naturally through Aiden’s introduction to Tirlun, which made it easy to follow without feeling overwhelming. I especially loved the dynamic between Aiden and Sage; their back and forth and evolving relationship added so much heart to the story. It was also great to see chronic illness representation through Sage, which added depth to her character and made her feel more relatable. The dual POV was nice, it gave deeper insight into both main characters and strengthened the emotional connection to their journey.
Overall, this is a fun, easy to read fantasy romance with elemental magic and great characters. Perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy adventure, a golden retriever MMC, a black cat FMC, and found family. Be warned this book ends on a cliffhanger that will have you wanting the next book immediately!
Thank you to The NerdFam for the gifted eARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read this book in one day! The world and character building were effortless & the story has a great flow that made putting it down feel anathema to my day.
Sage, out FMC, is a girl after my own heart! An orphan who has built herself an amazing found family while also becoming a top Captain for her Queen, Sage also has to deal with an autoimmune disease. In a world where folk live to be a millennia, such things aren’t normally seen. Luckily she can travel to Earth for treatment, so she was a natural to go when the Queen decided they needed to collect Aiden.
Aiden, our MMC, is the most Cinnabon of cinnamon rolls! He handles being kidnapped pretty well, despite having been living a pretty decent life.
Also an orphan, Aiden is a self made man but was clueless that he secretly was perhaps the last living member of a secret bloodline from another world.
What follows is a story of adventure and trust-building, all in hopes of saving the realm.
The Lost Weapon is first in a series, and first self published book by the author, which is pretty dang impressive!
With enough spice to make this old lady blush a time or two!
Thank you, Sophie Jay, for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy this arc before publication! I look forward to watching you grow as an author and to following along the story of Sage & Aiden!
Sage, out FMC, is a girl after my own heart! An orphan who has built herself an amazing found family while also becoming a top Captain for her Queen, Sage also has to deal with an autoimmune disease. In a world where folk live to be a millennia, such things aren’t normally seen. Luckily she can travel to Earth for treatment, so she was a natural to go when the Queen decided they needed to collect Aiden.
Aiden, our MMC, is the most Cinnabon of cinnamon rolls! He handles being kidnapped pretty well, despite having been living a pretty decent life.
Also an orphan, Aiden is a self made man but was clueless that he secretly was perhaps the last living member of a secret bloodline from another world.
What follows is a story of adventure and trust-building, all in hopes of saving the realm.
The Lost Weapon is first in a series, and first self published book by the author, which is pretty dang impressive!
With enough spice to make this old lady blush a time or two!
Thank you, Sophie Jay, for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy this arc before publication! I look forward to watching you grow as an author and to following along the story of Sage & Aiden!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Lost Weapon by Sophie Jay
"You can do anything, as long as you start with one breath and one step"
This journey starts with Aiden , recently captured from the his home, and thrown into the Turlin, a magical realm war between their two dominions. Aiden is at the centre of a propechy in a world he did not know existed. Can he harness his power be the Key they've been searching for ?
Thanks to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
Sage strong powerful Captain, strong , sure yet still vulnerable - her battle with her body and mind are the stand out for me in this book.
Aiden , I struggled with his charter alittle. He was very forgiving of being kidnapped ( maybe there's more back story to be uncovered later) and everything seems to come just a little to easy for him for my tastes.
The sexual tension starts immediately, which is alot of fun.The pacing at times felt a little slow , but does feed into the slow burn of Sage and Aiden's relationship. I really liked the wind talking, I was there had been more.
The found family aspect was well exe used and the ending is a good set up for the next book.
Tropes
- Capter x Captive
- One bed
- Found family
- Fire 🔥 and Ice 🧊
Highlights
- Chronic illness rep
- She kidnaps him
- Wind Talking was fun
Overall 3.75/5
#thenerdfam #foundfamily #romantasy
"You can do anything, as long as you start with one breath and one step"
This journey starts with Aiden , recently captured from the his home, and thrown into the Turlin, a magical realm war between their two dominions. Aiden is at the centre of a propechy in a world he did not know existed. Can he harness his power be the Key they've been searching for ?
Thanks to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
Sage strong powerful Captain, strong , sure yet still vulnerable - her battle with her body and mind are the stand out for me in this book.
Aiden , I struggled with his charter alittle. He was very forgiving of being kidnapped ( maybe there's more back story to be uncovered later) and everything seems to come just a little to easy for him for my tastes.
The sexual tension starts immediately, which is alot of fun.The pacing at times felt a little slow , but does feed into the slow burn of Sage and Aiden's relationship. I really liked the wind talking, I was there had been more.
The found family aspect was well exe used and the ending is a good set up for the next book.
Tropes
- Capter x Captive
- One bed
- Found family
- Fire 🔥 and Ice 🧊
Highlights
- Chronic illness rep
- She kidnaps him
- Wind Talking was fun
Overall 3.75/5
#thenerdfam #foundfamily #romantasy
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tell Me Why I wanted To Cry After Finishing This Book!!
Let’s just start off by saying if you are into Woman Ruled ! Well, you are about to have your world rock on by Sage 🥵🔥🥶❄️
She is one badass shorty you cannot keep your eyes off her hot curvy body 👀. She has everything I’ve want to be possessed and obtain. She embodies the leader of a lifetime, possesses strong pain tolerance, smells like flowers all the time, her magic is goals, her hair and body are to die for, she stands up for the right of the people, and many more things. Sage will take you through an emotional roller coaster of sexual desire, pain, success, amusement and major plot twist. Being the baddie, she is you will become fixated on her and keep reading till no words lefts. She has one goal in mind find the “lost weapon” and be prepared for war. She will go to extreme lengths to advocate the people who were caught in the crossfire between dominions. Stay tuned for “Release Date May 12th” and find out more about Sage 👸🏻
Troopes:
- She Kidnaps HIM 👨🏼🥶
-Found Home& Family 🏠🧑🧑🧒
-Chronic Illness 🤕
-Fire & Ice 🔥❄️
-Woman Ruled 👸🏻
Overall, this book has earned ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars and I cannot wait for the second part . What a wonderful read!!! 🩷 My heart goes out to you after you finished reading this you will need extra strength to get through the waiting of the second book!!
Let’s just start off by saying if you are into Woman Ruled ! Well, you are about to have your world rock on by Sage 🥵🔥🥶❄️
She is one badass shorty you cannot keep your eyes off her hot curvy body 👀. She has everything I’ve want to be possessed and obtain. She embodies the leader of a lifetime, possesses strong pain tolerance, smells like flowers all the time, her magic is goals, her hair and body are to die for, she stands up for the right of the people, and many more things. Sage will take you through an emotional roller coaster of sexual desire, pain, success, amusement and major plot twist. Being the baddie, she is you will become fixated on her and keep reading till no words lefts. She has one goal in mind find the “lost weapon” and be prepared for war. She will go to extreme lengths to advocate the people who were caught in the crossfire between dominions. Stay tuned for “Release Date May 12th” and find out more about Sage 👸🏻
Troopes:
- She Kidnaps HIM 👨🏼🥶
-Found Home& Family 🏠🧑🧑🧒
-Chronic Illness 🤕
-Fire & Ice 🔥❄️
-Woman Ruled 👸🏻
Overall, this book has earned ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars and I cannot wait for the second part . What a wonderful read!!! 🩷 My heart goes out to you after you finished reading this you will need extra strength to get through the waiting of the second book!!
Review of advance copy
“It’s terrifying when things change. Especially when they change in ways you could never begin to prepare for. It’s how you handle the changes that determine who you are.”
Sage kidnaps Aiden from the mortal earth world to return his blood line to the magical realm. Only someone of his lineage has the ability to find the “lost weapon” that could put an end to the Cold War between the fire dominion and the ice dominion. As a child of both fire and ice, Sage wields powerful magic and serves as the captain of the Ice Queen’s guard, and happens talks be the queen’s niece.
The story alternates between Aiden’s and Sage’s point of view as he is at first forced to be a participant in the search for the weapon. Sage’s small band of friends including her cousin, take Aiden on a very long journey to find the weapon. However the feelings and attraction Aiden and Sage have for each other turns into an epic slow burn for the bulk of their journey.
The dialogue for the most part seems pretty stereotypical and only a blind man wouldn’t see the twist coming. Aiden is likable enough and Sage channels her inner Celena Sardothian style ego. However on a whole the story felt flat and predictable. What keeps this at a three star is the way the author handles chronic illness and Sage’s feelings around her disease.
Than you, Net Galley and Sophie Jay for the ARC
Sage kidnaps Aiden from the mortal earth world to return his blood line to the magical realm. Only someone of his lineage has the ability to find the “lost weapon” that could put an end to the Cold War between the fire dominion and the ice dominion. As a child of both fire and ice, Sage wields powerful magic and serves as the captain of the Ice Queen’s guard, and happens talks be the queen’s niece.
The story alternates between Aiden’s and Sage’s point of view as he is at first forced to be a participant in the search for the weapon. Sage’s small band of friends including her cousin, take Aiden on a very long journey to find the weapon. However the feelings and attraction Aiden and Sage have for each other turns into an epic slow burn for the bulk of their journey.
The dialogue for the most part seems pretty stereotypical and only a blind man wouldn’t see the twist coming. Aiden is likable enough and Sage channels her inner Celena Sardothian style ego. However on a whole the story felt flat and predictable. What keeps this at a three star is the way the author handles chronic illness and Sage’s feelings around her disease.
Than you, Net Galley and Sophie Jay for the ARC
Review of advance copy
3.5⭐️ | This book was such a fun, quick read!
The world-building and magic system were easy to follow, especially because the MMC was new to this world. So while he was learning all about the world and magic system, you as a reader were right there with him learning all about it.
I really enjoyed the dynamics and the banter across the board.
I also really liked the way the author showed the FMC dealing with her chronic illness, making her even more of a badass in my mind.
To me this book reads a bit like a YA novel. The writing style is modern and simple. It doesn’t use overly difficult words or a super complicated writing style.
I struggled a little with the MMC’s charter a little. At first he was very repetitive about being kidnapped but still feeling attracted to the FMC. Then he was very repetitive about forgiving her and still feeling attracted to the FMC…. We get it. Everything else really seems to come just a little to easy for him to master. I know that he was training in the mornings … but damn … he mastered his magic like really really fast (for my liking at least).
This book was full of action, adventure and even a surprise plot twist at the end that kept me engaged.
I’ll definitely be interested to see where this story goes next.
🤍 Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book / ARC 🤍
The world-building and magic system were easy to follow, especially because the MMC was new to this world. So while he was learning all about the world and magic system, you as a reader were right there with him learning all about it.
I really enjoyed the dynamics and the banter across the board.
I also really liked the way the author showed the FMC dealing with her chronic illness, making her even more of a badass in my mind.
To me this book reads a bit like a YA novel. The writing style is modern and simple. It doesn’t use overly difficult words or a super complicated writing style.
I struggled a little with the MMC’s charter a little. At first he was very repetitive about being kidnapped but still feeling attracted to the FMC. Then he was very repetitive about forgiving her and still feeling attracted to the FMC…. We get it. Everything else really seems to come just a little to easy for him to master. I know that he was training in the mornings … but damn … he mastered his magic like really really fast (for my liking at least).
This book was full of action, adventure and even a surprise plot twist at the end that kept me engaged.
I’ll definitely be interested to see where this story goes next.
🤍 Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book / ARC 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into The Lost Weapon curious, and it ended up being one of those reads that just pulls you in without much effort.
The premise is strong—parallel world, magic, a reluctant main character pulled out of his normal life—but what really worked for me was the execution. The world of Tirlun (with the Fire and Ice Dominions) feels fully built out without being overwhelming, and the transition from Earth into that world is done in a way that feels natural.
At the 50% mark, I already felt completely immersed—and that only continued through the rest of the book.
The characters are what made this stand out. Sage is sharp, guarded, and layered in a way that makes her feel very real, and Aiden brings a balance to that dynamic that just works. But more than anything, it’s the group dynamic. The found family element is genuinely well done—they feel like people, not placeholders, and it’s easy to see why those relationships matter.
The emotional undercurrent, especially around strength, vulnerability, and chronic illness, adds depth without ever feeling heavy-handed.
And the twists kept things moving. Nothing felt thrown in for shock—everything added to the momentum of the story.
If you’re into fantasy that leans into character relationships, found family, and a world you can settle into quickly, this is absolutely worth picking up.
The premise is strong—parallel world, magic, a reluctant main character pulled out of his normal life—but what really worked for me was the execution. The world of Tirlun (with the Fire and Ice Dominions) feels fully built out without being overwhelming, and the transition from Earth into that world is done in a way that feels natural.
At the 50% mark, I already felt completely immersed—and that only continued through the rest of the book.
The characters are what made this stand out. Sage is sharp, guarded, and layered in a way that makes her feel very real, and Aiden brings a balance to that dynamic that just works. But more than anything, it’s the group dynamic. The found family element is genuinely well done—they feel like people, not placeholders, and it’s easy to see why those relationships matter.
The emotional undercurrent, especially around strength, vulnerability, and chronic illness, adds depth without ever feeling heavy-handed.
And the twists kept things moving. Nothing felt thrown in for shock—everything added to the momentum of the story.
If you’re into fantasy that leans into character relationships, found family, and a world you can settle into quickly, this is absolutely worth picking up.
May 12, 2026
The Lost Weapon is a debut novel set in a unique realm where there are two dominions. The Fire and Ice Dominion have been at war off and on for centuries.
Sage is a high ranking soldier in the Ice Dominion. Her aunt also happens to be the Queen. Sage is sent on a mission to Earth to find and bring back a decendent in the hope of finding a hidden weapon.
Aiden is kidnapped and brought back to Tirlun by Sage. He does not believe that magic is real until his powers come to life.
Aiden and Sage both feel a pull to each other but they can't figure out exactly what the pull is. Sexual tension also continues to rise between them.
Aiden trains and learns and asks questions. Sage does not always handle the questions being asked. She has things she is keeping hidden even from her close group/family. Their squad is made up of friends and family who all are very close. Each person has secrets of their own they try to keep hidden.
While out on their mission to reveal and obtain the lost weapon, more secrets come to light.
I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the world, the dominions, and the different ways that the powers and magic were used. The found family bond is so strong with the squadron. I can't wait for the next book already! 5/5 stars!
Thank you to the author and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity!
Sage is a high ranking soldier in the Ice Dominion. Her aunt also happens to be the Queen. Sage is sent on a mission to Earth to find and bring back a decendent in the hope of finding a hidden weapon.
Aiden is kidnapped and brought back to Tirlun by Sage. He does not believe that magic is real until his powers come to life.
Aiden and Sage both feel a pull to each other but they can't figure out exactly what the pull is. Sexual tension also continues to rise between them.
Aiden trains and learns and asks questions. Sage does not always handle the questions being asked. She has things she is keeping hidden even from her close group/family. Their squad is made up of friends and family who all are very close. Each person has secrets of their own they try to keep hidden.
While out on their mission to reveal and obtain the lost weapon, more secrets come to light.
I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the world, the dominions, and the different ways that the powers and magic were used. The found family bond is so strong with the squadron. I can't wait for the next book already! 5/5 stars!
Thank you to the author and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Buckle up champs and get yourself ready for a ride!
WHEN I TELL YOU SHIT WAS GOING DOWN AS SOON AS YOU OPENED THIS BOOK. Our girl Sage does not play, and I simply adore a kidnapped man situation. Aiden was really sweet and he was swooning for our girl Sage pretty dang quick (we can't blame him. He has eyes!).
I wish I had more world building and lore because I have recently discovered I'm a lorehound (and I can never be fed too much), but I hope we find out more in book 2 about the two domains and this 'weapon'.
The pacing was excellent, it didn't feel rush even whilst transitioning from enemies, to friends and then to 👀🔥💜. The banter was above expectations, but speaking of expectations - I was unprepared for that ending to chapter thirty five.
I enjoyed this sincerely. It had short chapters, witty exchanges, a dual pov and chronic illness representation that is personal to me.
And finally, to the author (if you ever read this). You should be so proud of yourself for getting this out there and this bring your first book. Thank you truly for letting us into your world.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted books. #thelostweapon #thenerdfam 💜
WHEN I TELL YOU SHIT WAS GOING DOWN AS SOON AS YOU OPENED THIS BOOK. Our girl Sage does not play, and I simply adore a kidnapped man situation. Aiden was really sweet and he was swooning for our girl Sage pretty dang quick (we can't blame him. He has eyes!).
I wish I had more world building and lore because I have recently discovered I'm a lorehound (and I can never be fed too much), but I hope we find out more in book 2 about the two domains and this 'weapon'.
The pacing was excellent, it didn't feel rush even whilst transitioning from enemies, to friends and then to 👀🔥💜. The banter was above expectations, but speaking of expectations - I was unprepared for that ending to chapter thirty five.
I enjoyed this sincerely. It had short chapters, witty exchanges, a dual pov and chronic illness representation that is personal to me.
And finally, to the author (if you ever read this). You should be so proud of yourself for getting this out there and this bring your first book. Thank you truly for letting us into your world.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted books. #thelostweapon #thenerdfam 💜
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really loved this book.
I do wish there was a tad more action, though. The action we got was exciting and intense, and I loved it. Plus we got to see how the group works together, and how Sage is so freaking cool. Plus Aiden I guess 🤪
Because overall, this book is amazing. I LOVED the rep for Sage and her underlying health issues. You don't see books like this very often, and I seriously loved it. It was amazing to see how she didn't really let it affect her too much. She's such an inspiration, and I aspire to be like her.
I also love how the love between her and Aiden bloomed. Their relationship had me giggling a few times just because of sweet they were. He's such a curious dude, but he's strong and amazing when he needs to be, and also doesn't let the hard days win.
I'm really looking forward to the next book because I have some theories based on that ending 😆 can the next book be out now?
Thank you nerd fam for a copy!
I do wish there was a tad more action, though. The action we got was exciting and intense, and I loved it. Plus we got to see how the group works together, and how Sage is so freaking cool. Plus Aiden I guess 🤪
Because overall, this book is amazing. I LOVED the rep for Sage and her underlying health issues. You don't see books like this very often, and I seriously loved it. It was amazing to see how she didn't really let it affect her too much. She's such an inspiration, and I aspire to be like her.
I also love how the love between her and Aiden bloomed. Their relationship had me giggling a few times just because of sweet they were. He's such a curious dude, but he's strong and amazing when he needs to be, and also doesn't let the hard days win.
I'm really looking forward to the next book because I have some theories based on that ending 😆 can the next book be out now?
Thank you nerd fam for a copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all I want to thank Sophie Jay and the Nerd Fam for allowing me to read this as an ARC.
3.5⭐️ | A fun fantasy with heart, magic, and found family
The Lost Weapon follows Aiden, an ordinary guy from Earth whose life is turned upside down when he is kidnapped by Sage, a fierce young woman from another realm. She takes him through a portal into a magical world divided between the Fire Dominion and the Ice Dominion, where Aiden begins to learn not only about this new world, but about his own connection to it.
This was a really enjoyable start to the trilogy. I loved the found-family dynamic between Sage, her friends, and Aiden as they slowly become something much deeper than just allies. The world itself was interesting, especially the tension between the two dominions, and I’m curious to see how it develops in future books.
Sage was definitely a standout character—badass, capable, but still shy in a way that made her feel genuine and relatable. I also appreciated the chronic illness representation, which added another layer to the story and characters.
Overall, this was a nice, easy-to-enjoy fantasy adventure with magic, heart, and strong character relationships. Perfect for readers who love portal fantasy, found family, strong but soft heroines, and inclusive representation. I’ll definitely be interested to see where the trilogy goes next.
3.5⭐️ | A fun fantasy with heart, magic, and found family
The Lost Weapon follows Aiden, an ordinary guy from Earth whose life is turned upside down when he is kidnapped by Sage, a fierce young woman from another realm. She takes him through a portal into a magical world divided between the Fire Dominion and the Ice Dominion, where Aiden begins to learn not only about this new world, but about his own connection to it.
This was a really enjoyable start to the trilogy. I loved the found-family dynamic between Sage, her friends, and Aiden as they slowly become something much deeper than just allies. The world itself was interesting, especially the tension between the two dominions, and I’m curious to see how it develops in future books.
Sage was definitely a standout character—badass, capable, but still shy in a way that made her feel genuine and relatable. I also appreciated the chronic illness representation, which added another layer to the story and characters.
Overall, this was a nice, easy-to-enjoy fantasy adventure with magic, heart, and strong character relationships. Perfect for readers who love portal fantasy, found family, strong but soft heroines, and inclusive representation. I’ll definitely be interested to see where the trilogy goes next.
Review of advance copy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Lost Weapon was such a fascinating and enjoyable read. I really loved the mix of fantasy, magic, tension between kingdoms, and found family elements throughout the story. The worldbuilding felt immersive without being overwhelming, and I found myself really invested in Sage and Aiden’s journey.
Sage was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. She’s strong, guarded, and determined, but you also get to see her emotional side as the story progresses. I also loved the dynamic between the characters and how their relationships developed over time.
The Fire vs. Ice Dominion conflict added so much tension to the story, and the magical elements kept me intrigued the entire time. If you enjoy fantasy books with adventure, found family, magic, slow-burn character development, and high stakes, I’d definitely recommend checking this one out.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the Author Sophie Jay for letting me have the opportunity to read this as an ARC.
The Lost Weapon was such a fascinating and enjoyable read. I really loved the mix of fantasy, magic, tension between kingdoms, and found family elements throughout the story. The worldbuilding felt immersive without being overwhelming, and I found myself really invested in Sage and Aiden’s journey.
Sage was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. She’s strong, guarded, and determined, but you also get to see her emotional side as the story progresses. I also loved the dynamic between the characters and how their relationships developed over time.
The Fire vs. Ice Dominion conflict added so much tension to the story, and the magical elements kept me intrigued the entire time. If you enjoy fantasy books with adventure, found family, magic, slow-burn character development, and high stakes, I’d definitely recommend checking this one out.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the Author Sophie Jay for letting me have the opportunity to read this as an ARC.
Review of advance copy
The Lost Weapon by Sophie Jay was a great fantasy book! I zipped through this book, it was so engaging. It starts off with our FMC, Sage, kidnapping our MMC, Aiden, and it just gets more fun from there.
A lot of the world building is done through explanations to Aiden on why he was kidnapped and what they need him for. The romance between our MCs isn’t exactly enemies to lovers, but there are hurdles, as she did kidnap him. And our FMC has a chronic illness, which I was really glad to see represented in this book. Especially since I’m pretty sure it’s the same one I have, and I could actually relate to her, which I usually have a hard time doing with other FMCs due to this.
This book was fun, and I read it in just under a day. And with a cliffhanger leaving you going what the…? I’m ready for book two!
Releases 5/12!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
A lot of the world building is done through explanations to Aiden on why he was kidnapped and what they need him for. The romance between our MCs isn’t exactly enemies to lovers, but there are hurdles, as she did kidnap him. And our FMC has a chronic illness, which I was really glad to see represented in this book. Especially since I’m pretty sure it’s the same one I have, and I could actually relate to her, which I usually have a hard time doing with other FMCs due to this.
This book was fun, and I read it in just under a day. And with a cliffhanger leaving you going what the…? I’m ready for book two!
Releases 5/12!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
Review of advance copy
Book overview
She's been keeping secrets her whole life. He's a secret she never saw coming.
Sage is a bitch and she knows it. She also knows that she’s strong and loyal to those she cares about. And that means no one else can see her weakness; she has a chronic illness in a world where no one gets sick.
The Lost Weapon is book one in an exciting romantic fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of found-family, badass FMC's, and chronic illness representation.
This was a 5 star read for me because I was so entertained through the whole book
I had so much fun reading this incredible story. I loved the world building, the magic system the author created. I loved the banter between Sage and Aiden and I really loved side characters Del the Prince
Thank you so much to @thenerdfam for gifting me this incredible arc
She's been keeping secrets her whole life. He's a secret she never saw coming.
Sage is a bitch and she knows it. She also knows that she’s strong and loyal to those she cares about. And that means no one else can see her weakness; she has a chronic illness in a world where no one gets sick.
The Lost Weapon is book one in an exciting romantic fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of found-family, badass FMC's, and chronic illness representation.
This was a 5 star read for me because I was so entertained through the whole book
I had so much fun reading this incredible story. I loved the world building, the magic system the author created. I loved the banter between Sage and Aiden and I really loved side characters Del the Prince
Thank you so much to @thenerdfam for gifting me this incredible arc
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book."
What's not to love about this book? Different dimensions, action, tension, dual POVs, an amazing world and magic system and so much more.
A book that starts out with the FMC kidnapping the MMC ... well ... that's my jam. Oh and that cliffhanger will leave you longing for the next book.
Sage and Aiden are the perfect duo. It was so much fun getting to know them. This was an excellent read with so much amazing adventure. I also really ate up the plot twist as well.
I liked how the author wrote the FMC's illness and how she dealt with that illness. I feel like many people in real life, who battle chronic illnesses, would probably relate well to this character.
I've really enjoyed this book, and I give it four out of five stars. Definitely, add this to your must read list. It's coming mid May 2026!
What's not to love about this book? Different dimensions, action, tension, dual POVs, an amazing world and magic system and so much more.
A book that starts out with the FMC kidnapping the MMC ... well ... that's my jam. Oh and that cliffhanger will leave you longing for the next book.
Sage and Aiden are the perfect duo. It was so much fun getting to know them. This was an excellent read with so much amazing adventure. I also really ate up the plot twist as well.
I liked how the author wrote the FMC's illness and how she dealt with that illness. I feel like many people in real life, who battle chronic illnesses, would probably relate well to this character.
I've really enjoyed this book, and I give it four out of five stars. Definitely, add this to your must read list. It's coming mid May 2026!
Review of advance copy
Nerd Fam Arc! Thank you for choosing me to really read and review this book!
This was a fast paced read that kept me engaged from start to finish!
Adien (MMC) is kidnapped but the Captain of the Guard, Sage (FMC) from an alternate dimension where the world runs on magic. He is apparently the key to finding a weapon to help win a war in the magical dimension he is unwilling forced into. I love that the kidnapper in this story is our FMC, a good switch from the normal.The banter is top tier and some of the best I've ever read! This slow burn was so so SO good and the tension had me ready to snap for them!
The Vibes are:
Enemies ➝ friends ➝ lovers
Slow burn romance
Powerful, morally grey FMC
“Who hurt you?” energy
Found family
Magic + elemental worlds (Fire vs Ice)
Reluctant hero discovering hidden power
Touch her and die vibes
This was a fast paced read that kept me engaged from start to finish!
Adien (MMC) is kidnapped but the Captain of the Guard, Sage (FMC) from an alternate dimension where the world runs on magic. He is apparently the key to finding a weapon to help win a war in the magical dimension he is unwilling forced into. I love that the kidnapper in this story is our FMC, a good switch from the normal.The banter is top tier and some of the best I've ever read! This slow burn was so so SO good and the tension had me ready to snap for them!
The Vibes are:
Enemies ➝ friends ➝ lovers
Slow burn romance
Powerful, morally grey FMC
“Who hurt you?” energy
Found family
Magic + elemental worlds (Fire vs Ice)
Reluctant hero discovering hidden power
Touch her and die vibes
Review of advance copy
Avatar The Last Airbender meets Fear The Flames in a tavern, and they produced this book.
Actual rating is more like 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the book, but there are some plot points that don't necessarily add up for me. HOWEVER, I think the overall story is compelling enough that I am willing to forgive some of the points that I didn't love. I think all of the bones are there for a more fantastical world and story, but as a reader, I am left with a craving for more depth, that I think will come in time.
I think this is particularly well suited for readers who are looking for a more gentle introduction to romantic fantasy reading, and at under 400 pages, it makes a quick read with an interesting plot and characters.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book. #thelostweapon #thenerdfam
Actual rating is more like 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the book, but there are some plot points that don't necessarily add up for me. HOWEVER, I think the overall story is compelling enough that I am willing to forgive some of the points that I didn't love. I think all of the bones are there for a more fantastical world and story, but as a reader, I am left with a craving for more depth, that I think will come in time.
I think this is particularly well suited for readers who are looking for a more gentle introduction to romantic fantasy reading, and at under 400 pages, it makes a quick read with an interesting plot and characters.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book. #thelostweapon #thenerdfam
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