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Weavingshaw
In this debut gothic fantasy, the first book of an enthralling fantasy romance trilogy, a young woman who can see the dead strikes a deal with a magnetic and dangerous purveyor of dark secrets to save her brother’s life.
Three years ago, Leena Al-Sayer awoke with a terrible power.
She can see the dead.
Since then, she has hidden herself from the world, knowing that if she ever reveals her curse she will be locked away in an asylum.
When her beloved brother, Rami, falls fatally ill, Leena is faced with a terrible CHOICE: Let him die or buy the expensive medicine that will save his life by bartering the only valuable thing she has—her secret.
The Saint of Silence, a ruthless merchant who trades in confessions and is shrouded in unearthly rumors of cruelty and power, accepts her bargain, for a deadly price. Leena must find the ghost of Percival Avon, the last lord of Weavingshaw—or lose her freedom to the Saint forever.
As Leena’s search takes her and the Saint to Weavingshaw, she finds the estate and the surrounding moors to be living things—hungry for blood and sacrifice. Fighting against Weavingshaw’s might, Leena must also fight her growing pull toward the enigmatic Saint himself, whose connection to Percival Avon remains a mystery.
As the house begins to entomb them, time is running out on their desperate hunt for answers. For Leena has come to see that here in Weavingshaw, the dead are not hushed—and some secrets are better left buried with them.
Three years ago, Leena Al-Sayer awoke with a terrible power.
She can see the dead.
Since then, she has hidden herself from the world, knowing that if she ever reveals her curse she will be locked away in an asylum.
When her beloved brother, Rami, falls fatally ill, Leena is faced with a terrible CHOICE: Let him die or buy the expensive medicine that will save his life by bartering the only valuable thing she has—her secret.
The Saint of Silence, a ruthless merchant who trades in confessions and is shrouded in unearthly rumors of cruelty and power, accepts her bargain, for a deadly price. Leena must find the ghost of Percival Avon, the last lord of Weavingshaw—or lose her freedom to the Saint forever.
As Leena’s search takes her and the Saint to Weavingshaw, she finds the estate and the surrounding moors to be living things—hungry for blood and sacrifice. Fighting against Weavingshaw’s might, Leena must also fight her growing pull toward the enigmatic Saint himself, whose connection to Percival Avon remains a mystery.
As the house begins to entomb them, time is running out on their desperate hunt for answers. For Leena has come to see that here in Weavingshaw, the dead are not hushed—and some secrets are better left buried with them.
458 pages, Hardcover
First published February 24, 2026
503 people are currently reading
26337 people want to read
About the author
Heba Al-Wasity
1 book165 followersHeba Al-Wasity was inspired to write by her own experiences of being born an Iraqi refugee in Libya, growing up in Canada, and attending medical school in the UK. She has worked in emergency care and most recently in primary care, gaining firsthand insight into the ways that poverty and deprivation can lead to social inequalities. She currently lives with her husband near Manchester, England, just close enough to the moors to set her imagination alight.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 915 reviews
February 6, 2026
i just realized I really need to read the description of a book better before starting it because I never realize this is a trilogy🧍🏻♀️ I’m once again victim of a book not being a standalone
this was so good tho and atmospheric with the slowest slow burn ever😭 I honestly don’t know what to do with myself after this ending, idk how I’m going to wait until the next book
this was so good tho and atmospheric with the slowest slow burn ever😭 I honestly don’t know what to do with myself after this ending, idk how I’m going to wait until the next book
December 12, 2025
If you asked me what my ideal Gothic Fantasy is, I’d say it’s this book.
Weavingshaw checked all the boxes for me:
✔️Atmospheric writing
✔️Rich and immersive world-building and lore
✔️Paranormal mystery with ghosts and demons
✔️Intricate political landscape
✔️A true, slow burn romance
✔️Strong-willed and honest FMC
✔️Tortured and secretive MMC
This is a slower-paced read, but I personally felt that it aided the story, granting the reader space to submerse themselves in the atmosphere and connect more deeply with the characters. This is largely a credit to the writing, which was beautiful and very well done, making it easy to stay engaged.
Another area where this book shines is with its romantic subplot. It’s a rarity in today’s era of books, but Weavingshaw delivered a true, slow burn romance, devoid of insta lust or love. Leena and St. Silas are such a strong pairing; their chemistry is palpable, and I loved seeing their connection slowly grow as the story progressed.
The ending left me immediately wanting to dive into book two, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Weavingshaw checked all the boxes for me:
✔️Atmospheric writing
✔️Rich and immersive world-building and lore
✔️Paranormal mystery with ghosts and demons
✔️Intricate political landscape
✔️A true, slow burn romance
✔️Strong-willed and honest FMC
✔️Tortured and secretive MMC
This is a slower-paced read, but I personally felt that it aided the story, granting the reader space to submerse themselves in the atmosphere and connect more deeply with the characters. This is largely a credit to the writing, which was beautiful and very well done, making it easy to stay engaged.
Another area where this book shines is with its romantic subplot. It’s a rarity in today’s era of books, but Weavingshaw delivered a true, slow burn romance, devoid of insta lust or love. Leena and St. Silas are such a strong pairing; their chemistry is palpable, and I loved seeing their connection slowly grow as the story progressed.
The ending left me immediately wanting to dive into book two, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Currently reading
March 10, 2026The vibe is she sees dead people and is going to wander some extremely gothic haunted moors and I love this for us.
November 26, 2025
5.0 ★— Gothic Girl Winter has settled in, and I am happy to see Weavingshaw carrying forward the spirit of the season flawlessly.
Leena has been hardened by years of ghost hauntings, the only one able to see and interact with the beings. It’s a half-life, really, because that gift has stolen any chance at an ordered one. Her alienation — rooted not only in her ability but in her refugee identity in a country where her people are seen as Other — has marked her. And when she meets the book’s MMC, the Saint of Silence, you get an odd girl who sees ghosts encountering an equally odd, though in a very different way, shadowed man people sell their secrets to.
As a character, he didn’t disappoint. With his cool sharpness and the sense that he is always a step ahead, he immediately fascinated me. And as the book slowly, very slowly, showed him reacting to Leena and becoming more human through their interactions, I felt just as she did, wanting to see behind the curtain of this man’s hidden depths.
This book is undoubtedly a slow burn in the way it tells its story. It doesn’t rush, and there’s no fast revelations. Instead, it lets you stew in the unsaid, in the unknowns, as you watch Leena navigate her new life under the Saint. And, yes, there is a ton of yearning! So. Much. Of. It. Leena and the MMC’s dynamic is filled with distrust and animosity… until it isn’t, and I loved watching it slowly evolve.
The central mystery and story sharpen as the book continues, and while some revelations were more obvious, others left me in various states of emotions. I felt like I had to catch my breath after some parts of this story, and I still don’t know what got to me more: the beautifully dark atmosphere of the world, the tension between Leena and the Saint or the way this story completely consumed me.
_______________
Thank you to Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Leena has been hardened by years of ghost hauntings, the only one able to see and interact with the beings. It’s a half-life, really, because that gift has stolen any chance at an ordered one. Her alienation — rooted not only in her ability but in her refugee identity in a country where her people are seen as Other — has marked her. And when she meets the book’s MMC, the Saint of Silence, you get an odd girl who sees ghosts encountering an equally odd, though in a very different way, shadowed man people sell their secrets to.
As a character, he didn’t disappoint. With his cool sharpness and the sense that he is always a step ahead, he immediately fascinated me. And as the book slowly, very slowly, showed him reacting to Leena and becoming more human through their interactions, I felt just as she did, wanting to see behind the curtain of this man’s hidden depths.
This book is undoubtedly a slow burn in the way it tells its story. It doesn’t rush, and there’s no fast revelations. Instead, it lets you stew in the unsaid, in the unknowns, as you watch Leena navigate her new life under the Saint. And, yes, there is a ton of yearning! So. Much. Of. It. Leena and the MMC’s dynamic is filled with distrust and animosity… until it isn’t, and I loved watching it slowly evolve.
The central mystery and story sharpen as the book continues, and while some revelations were more obvious, others left me in various states of emotions. I felt like I had to catch my breath after some parts of this story, and I still don’t know what got to me more: the beautifully dark atmosphere of the world, the tension between Leena and the Saint or the way this story completely consumed me.
_______________
Thank you to Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 6, 2026
he takes two spoonfuls of sugar in his coffee. she does not *sobbing * he takes two spoonfuls of sugar in his coffee. she does not!!
the crimson peak-esque gothic fantasy we deserve with secrets, debts, and a complicated, fierce heroine at the forefront.
i’m a victim of not knowing this was a series😭
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for providing me an advance copy. full review to come.
Bookstagram | Blog
the crimson peak-esque gothic fantasy we deserve with secrets, debts, and a complicated, fierce heroine at the forefront.
i’m a victim of not knowing this was a series😭
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for providing me an advance copy. full review to come.
Bookstagram | Blog
February 9, 2026
Weavingshaw = YEARNING
Yearning for a better life.
Yearning for freedom.
Yearning for the safety of family.
Yearning for whats rightfully yours.
Yearning for vengeance.
Yearning for the obstinate little menace that refuses to submit.
Yearning for the devilish monster that deals in secrets.
Atmospheric, gothic, slow burn in plot and even slower burn in romance.
I read this in less than 24 hours. I need the next book immediately.
Whats to love…
- Did I mention the yearning?
- ghosts, demons, and magic
- political intrigue & complicated dynamics
- Family forward
- strong FMC
- stoic MMC (he’s got his own secrets)
- Atmospheric, sweeping narrative
- SLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOWWWWWWWNNNN burn romance
Whats not to love...
- I got a little confused at times with the who is who of things because characters are referred to by both their first names, and also Lady/Lord lastname. This is more of a me problem than a book problem. But something to note before you go in. I might have enjoyed this a tiny bit more had I paid better attention or had a dramatis personae to reference.
4.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Del Rey for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Yearning for a better life.
Yearning for freedom.
Yearning for the safety of family.
Yearning for whats rightfully yours.
Yearning for vengeance.
Yearning for the obstinate little menace that refuses to submit.
Yearning for the devilish monster that deals in secrets.
Atmospheric, gothic, slow burn in plot and even slower burn in romance.
I read this in less than 24 hours. I need the next book immediately.
Whats to love…
- Did I mention the yearning?
- ghosts, demons, and magic
- political intrigue & complicated dynamics
- Family forward
- strong FMC
- stoic MMC (he’s got his own secrets)
- Atmospheric, sweeping narrative
- SLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOWWWWWWWNNNN burn romance
Whats not to love...
- I got a little confused at times with the who is who of things because characters are referred to by both their first names, and also Lady/Lord lastname. This is more of a me problem than a book problem. But something to note before you go in. I might have enjoyed this a tiny bit more had I paid better attention or had a dramatis personae to reference.
4.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Del Rey for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
December 29, 2025
deadass pulling out my computer to write this review so i can get serious. i’ve had a busy week with not a lot of time to read and every single second i couldn’t read i was thinking about Weavingshaw. this is already going to be one of my best books of 2026 i’m telling you right now. prepare to be absolutely sick of me talking about it. atmospheric, slow (positive), gothic/Victorian romantic fantasy mystery — it’s a little bit of everything that is immediately elevated by Leena’s background and her motivations. St. Silas feels like a mix of Kaz Brekker and Arin of Nizahl if they were the MMC/love interests in a gothic historical romance. i know people will likely find this slower paced but i think that’s exactly what this story needs to build up the world, the stakes, the eerie feeling to everything, and especially the tension. it’s clear the author’s background as a refugee, doctor, and book lover has shaped the story and it feels extremely personal as a story of her heart. you can just tell!
i am THRILLED and blown away by how much i enjoyed this. i’ll be sat for the next two books, trust!
i am THRILLED and blown away by how much i enjoyed this. i’ll be sat for the next two books, trust!
February 26, 2026
6/5 Absolutely loved this book and thought about it during all the times I wasn't reading it.
This is a world of secrets-- secrets that consume, secrets that betray, secrets that indebt you to another. The atmosphere is slow and haunting, restrictive and also a little bit musty (in the way that many gothics are). And the main characters are all fierce and fleshed out, inextricably bound to their families whether they wish to be or not.
There are haunts and spooks that make this quite appropriate for Spooky Season, and an undercurrent of violence set against a backdrop of colonialism, unrest, and revolution. Though I questioned the title of the novel for the first half of the book (knowing this is a series and we were really slow to getting there in this first installment), by the end it couldn't have been named anything else.
And ohhhhh the slowburn was giving. I think a lot of people will see the Romantasy subgenre tag and make assumptions about what this book is based on other Romantasy, and I think that might be a disservice to it. I was truly spoiled for the number of scenes that made me think of the Mr Darcy hand gif and found the buildup and tension to be just delicious. Who knew chaste could be so steamy?
Overall:
I was so, so impressed that this was a debut and had me hooked from the beginning with the haunting atmosphere and villainous banter. I will be eagerly anticipating both the sequels and this book's eventual release so that y'all can finally read and talk about it with me!!
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
ps I listened to this "Dark Academia Piano and Cello" mood music while I was reading toward the end and it totally dialed up my enjoyment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20uf9...
February 6, 2026
huge thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
this was every bit of gothic, paranormal fantasy you can imagine. plus enemies to lovers with real slow-burn? perfection.
the book does start off a bit slow and you are left with so many questions forever. but the story-telling, the world-building, everything at the beginning ties together and i'm just in love with the writing of it all.
also, that ending was so cruel to my dear heart.
i want to also make a small comment that i loved that the author mentioned immigration and people being on foreign land and the different cultures, but also showing that some people still felt the same pain even with different skin tone. with everything currently going on in the world right now, it felt too close to home.
this was every bit of gothic, paranormal fantasy you can imagine. plus enemies to lovers with real slow-burn? perfection.
the book does start off a bit slow and you are left with so many questions forever. but the story-telling, the world-building, everything at the beginning ties together and i'm just in love with the writing of it all.
also, that ending was so cruel to my dear heart.
i want to also make a small comment that i loved that the author mentioned immigration and people being on foreign land and the different cultures, but also showing that some people still felt the same pain even with different skin tone. with everything currently going on in the world right now, it felt too close to home.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
yayyyyy! Just got my Physical copy😍😍😍
ARC from Netgalley
Knew it was a 5 stars 🌟 🤩 from the first 50%
Until she saw her first glimpse of Weavingshaw, Leena didn’t believe in monsters.
I was very intrigued by this book ever since I knew that the author is an Iraqi immigrant
However, it is not inspired by any Arabian/Islamic culture save for the names, but rather by the experience of immigrants
I have to say first, that the book is not perfect.
there are certain unclear elements
the many "tell not show" style was a bit over, but honestly I thought it served the plot
However, the beautiful writing style, the well-written characters, the amazing world and magic system and the intricate plot deserved to have a 5 star especially for a debuted novel
With how bad recent books that promises Slow Burn Yearning but delivers empty shells, Weavingshaw is a gem 💎
You may see People promoting it as enemies to lovers
I did not see it as such
its more like hate to like
there is definetly slow burn Yearning
however, please read it for what it is
A Fantasy Gothic
the book is divided into three parts and deserved a reading update thoughts
No spoilers
Part one: The Reckoning
this part holds almost half the book
we meet Leena Al Sayir, a 20 something POC Algaaran who can see ghosts
In a Faustian kinda deal to save hers and her brother's life, she strikes a bargain with the St of Silence the Misterious Bram Silas
This part is told mainly from Leena's pov
we get a chapter from certain side characters' which I found refreshing
I love Leena. She knows her limitations and flaws
I thought she would be a push over, but she impressed me on different levels
she is smart and can hold her own
through her eyes we meet the enigmatic St Silas. Our resident I-want-to-appear-as-the-villain-of-the-story hot guy
We dont know a lot about his powers except he deals with secrets
we also dont know why Leena in particular can see ghosts
the world is simple yet unique
and to me, this read like a fresh fantasy
===============
"The words were like a balm, releasing a ghost she did not realize had haunted her ever since that day ...."
ooooh I love that...such a clever twist on "she released a breath she did not know was holding"
****************************
Part 2: The Revelation
OMG! We get Silas' POV 😍😍😍😍😍
My poor Morally Grey Silas 😫😫😭😭
What a revelation 😍😍😍
Their differences had never been so apparent, standing there as they were within the tumultuous ocean: the control he wielded, the noble blood that flowed through his veins, his strong and rugged form a battlefront against the wind— a sharp contrast to Leena, who was stripped to the elements and flooded with the remains of the dead.
beautiful writing
somehow, I do not see a HEA though i wish it
part 3: The Ruin
There he stood—.... St. Silas, ....., waist-deep in vows, in vengeance, born to privilege, marked by brutality. There he stood, the Saint of Silence, triumphant in the dark.
ARC from Netgalley
Knew it was a 5 stars 🌟 🤩 from the first 50%
Until she saw her first glimpse of Weavingshaw, Leena didn’t believe in monsters.
I was very intrigued by this book ever since I knew that the author is an Iraqi immigrant
However, it is not inspired by any Arabian/Islamic culture save for the names, but rather by the experience of immigrants
I have to say first, that the book is not perfect.
there are certain unclear elements
the many "tell not show" style was a bit over, but honestly I thought it served the plot
However, the beautiful writing style, the well-written characters, the amazing world and magic system and the intricate plot deserved to have a 5 star especially for a debuted novel
With how bad recent books that promises Slow Burn Yearning but delivers empty shells, Weavingshaw is a gem 💎
You may see People promoting it as enemies to lovers
I did not see it as such
its more like hate to like
there is definetly slow burn Yearning
however, please read it for what it is
A Fantasy Gothic
the book is divided into three parts and deserved a reading update thoughts
No spoilers
Part one: The Reckoning
this part holds almost half the book
we meet Leena Al Sayir, a 20 something POC Algaaran who can see ghosts
In a Faustian kinda deal to save hers and her brother's life, she strikes a bargain with the St of Silence the Misterious Bram Silas
This part is told mainly from Leena's pov
we get a chapter from certain side characters' which I found refreshing
I love Leena. She knows her limitations and flaws
I thought she would be a push over, but she impressed me on different levels
she is smart and can hold her own
through her eyes we meet the enigmatic St Silas. Our resident I-want-to-appear-as-the-villain-of-the-story hot guy
We dont know a lot about his powers except he deals with secrets
we also dont know why Leena in particular can see ghosts
the world is simple yet unique
and to me, this read like a fresh fantasy
===============
"The words were like a balm, releasing a ghost she did not realize had haunted her ever since that day ...."
ooooh I love that...such a clever twist on "she released a breath she did not know was holding"
****************************
Part 2: The Revelation
OMG! We get Silas' POV 😍😍😍😍😍
My poor Morally Grey Silas 😫😫😭😭
What a revelation 😍😍😍
Their differences had never been so apparent, standing there as they were within the tumultuous ocean: the control he wielded, the noble blood that flowed through his veins, his strong and rugged form a battlefront against the wind— a sharp contrast to Leena, who was stripped to the elements and flooded with the remains of the dead.
beautiful writing
somehow, I do not see a HEA though i wish it
part 3: The Ruin
There he stood—.... St. Silas, ....., waist-deep in vows, in vengeance, born to privilege, marked by brutality. There he stood, the Saint of Silence, triumphant in the dark.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Are you a fan of:
💖 YEARNING
👹 demons
👩🏽🦱 dutiful and independent FMCs who care about their family
🤵🏻 dangerous, mysterious, flirty,and sometimes cranky dark-haired men who really need therapy
Then this is your Gothic fantasy romance!
I'm a huge fan of the Gothic genre. Yes, sometimes these books can get pretty corny and tropey, but you know what? This is my guilty pleasure.
And I won't lie. The cover didn't convince me at all. But after seeing a rave review from my friend, Andi, I thought, "Why not? It's worth a try."
Absolutely no regrets on my end.
The slow-burn will-they-won't-they component was done really well imo. As in, it didn't turn into a full-blown romantasy. (Thank god.) It reminded me of my favorite fanfics with my favorite ships. I was uncharacteristically giddy. It felt like I was reading something familiar, yet new at the same time.
Look, I have a weakness for guys like St. Silas. So that could've possibly, probably most definitely, marred my good judgment. But add in demons, a FMC whose parents escaped a civil war and became refugees, nobility drama, and I was hooked.
Being a fantasy romance, the worldbuilding and its politics were a bit on the older YA side. Nothing overtly complicated. You have refugees from a SWANA-coded country (Algaraa) who fled to a UK-coded country (Morland). There's racism, of course. Leena has a superpower. The MMC/love interest might or might not have a superpower. And this might be a somewhat niche reference, but the demons were giving Magik/Illyana from X-Men and that whole demons living in another dimension thing is one of my favorite fantasy tropes.
Usually, I'd give these types of books a 3-star rating or lower. But the yearning really got to me. I'm a lifelong yearner. Yearning is my passion. Being biased and pro yearning, I'm rating this higher than I usually do.
I'm hoping for more worldbuilding, more international politics (this might be asking for too much), more lore (demon lore and family lore from both Leena and St. Silas), and of course, a lot more yearning in the sequel. Hopefully it doesn't turn into a romantasy. We'll see.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this arc.
💖 YEARNING
👹 demons
👩🏽🦱 dutiful and independent FMCs who care about their family
🤵🏻 dangerous, mysterious, flirty,
Then this is your Gothic fantasy romance!
I'm a huge fan of the Gothic genre. Yes, sometimes these books can get pretty corny and tropey, but you know what? This is my guilty pleasure.
And I won't lie. The cover didn't convince me at all. But after seeing a rave review from my friend, Andi, I thought, "Why not? It's worth a try."
Absolutely no regrets on my end.
The slow-burn will-they-won't-they component was done really well imo. As in, it didn't turn into a full-blown romantasy. (Thank god.) It reminded me of my favorite fanfics with my favorite ships. I was uncharacteristically giddy. It felt like I was reading something familiar, yet new at the same time.
Look, I have a weakness for guys like St. Silas. So that could've possibly, probably most definitely, marred my good judgment. But add in demons, a FMC whose parents escaped a civil war and became refugees, nobility drama, and I was hooked.
Being a fantasy romance, the worldbuilding and its politics were a bit on the older YA side. Nothing overtly complicated. You have refugees from a SWANA-coded country (Algaraa) who fled to a UK-coded country (Morland). There's racism, of course. Leena has a superpower. The MMC/love interest might or might not have a superpower. And this might be a somewhat niche reference, but the demons were giving Magik/Illyana from X-Men and that whole demons living in another dimension thing is one of my favorite fantasy tropes.
Usually, I'd give these types of books a 3-star rating or lower. But the yearning really got to me. I'm a lifelong yearner. Yearning is my passion. Being biased and pro yearning, I'm rating this higher than I usually do.
I'm hoping for more worldbuilding, more international politics (this might be asking for too much), more lore (demon lore and family lore from both Leena and St. Silas), and of course, a lot more yearning in the sequel. Hopefully it doesn't turn into a romantasy. We'll see.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this arc.
November 15, 2025
Took me a bit to get into it but once I was immersed it was chef's kiss, the yearning was unmatched, it was gothic, it was layered, there's secrets and ghosts and some unforgettable scenes. Need need the next book.
I'm so happy to finally see the hijabis thriving in trad pub and with stunning covers too!
I received a digital arc from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I'm so happy to finally see the hijabis thriving in trad pub and with stunning covers too!
I received a digital arc from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
March 4, 2026
An atmospheric gothic fantasy with a healthy dose of yearning 🤭❤️
This is a slow paced book that really takes its time, so be patient with it!
I found the premise intriguing, and the way we’re gradually immersed into this fantasy world made the mysteries even more compelling.
It’s also worth pointing out that this is the first book in a trilogy (I was under the impression this was a standalone until almost the end 😅)
I enjoyed the plot and the world building very much. The political landscape and social climate of this fantasy world was intricate and interesting.
Our main character Leena is a refugee escaping from civil war along with her family, and the underlying uncertainty and violence that accompanies this political and social turmoil is present throughout the book, keeping the tension high.
In contrast, I wish the fantasy aspect of the story was explored in as much depth as its sociopolitical counterpart. I felt we were given some hints of world building that never came into play afterwards, and the demons and their powers were glossed over, with pieces of the magic system only being revealed when it was convenient.
That being said, I'm sure we’ll get to learn more about all of this in the next books in the series.
I wasn’t sold on the romance at first and for a good part of the book, but it really is a slow burn, and I eventually found myself rooting for these characters without knowing when I'd fallen in love with them. The tension and yearning were excellent and heart-wrenching, although I wish there had been better payoff for the romance 😭 definitely something else to look forward in the next book.
I had a great time reading this, and I have high expectations for the rest of the trilogy. While I enjoyed the slow pacing and slow burn, I'm curious to see how the author keeps us invested in the story in the following books.
Thanks to Del Rey via NetGalley for providing an eARC
This is a slow paced book that really takes its time, so be patient with it!
I found the premise intriguing, and the way we’re gradually immersed into this fantasy world made the mysteries even more compelling.
It’s also worth pointing out that this is the first book in a trilogy (I was under the impression this was a standalone until almost the end 😅)
I enjoyed the plot and the world building very much. The political landscape and social climate of this fantasy world was intricate and interesting.
Our main character Leena is a refugee escaping from civil war along with her family, and the underlying uncertainty and violence that accompanies this political and social turmoil is present throughout the book, keeping the tension high.
In contrast, I wish the fantasy aspect of the story was explored in as much depth as its sociopolitical counterpart. I felt we were given some hints of world building that never came into play afterwards, and the demons and their powers were glossed over, with pieces of the magic system only being revealed when it was convenient.
That being said, I'm sure we’ll get to learn more about all of this in the next books in the series.
I wasn’t sold on the romance at first and for a good part of the book, but it really is a slow burn, and I eventually found myself rooting for these characters without knowing when I'd fallen in love with them. The tension and yearning were excellent and heart-wrenching, although I wish there had been better payoff for the romance 😭 definitely something else to look forward in the next book.
I had a great time reading this, and I have high expectations for the rest of the trilogy. While I enjoyed the slow pacing and slow burn, I'm curious to see how the author keeps us invested in the story in the following books.
Thanks to Del Rey via NetGalley for providing an eARC
March 5, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this eARC! All opinions are my own.
____________
This was a well-written fantasy romance, but I wasn't enamoured by any of its other aspects.
The characters felt rather cookie cutter; I've definitely read these same people in many other books. The romantic relationship left a lot to be desired, and they felt like fumbling teenagers who were only attracted to each other and didn't actually *like* each other. They had hardly any chemistry together and I tended to cringe when there was supposed to be romantic/tension filled dialogue.
The plot was a bit wavy, filled with side characters that all felt like the same person and archetype, and there wasn't really any that I found myself caring about. The demon lore was quite interesting, but didn't seem to go anywhere except from the end which felt convoluted and very rushed. The title building 'Weavingshaw' felt like an afterthought and very sidelined in its own book.
____________
This was a well-written fantasy romance, but I wasn't enamoured by any of its other aspects.
The characters felt rather cookie cutter; I've definitely read these same people in many other books. The romantic relationship left a lot to be desired, and they felt like fumbling teenagers who were only attracted to each other and didn't actually *like* each other. They had hardly any chemistry together and I tended to cringe when there was supposed to be romantic/tension filled dialogue.
The plot was a bit wavy, filled with side characters that all felt like the same person and archetype, and there wasn't really any that I found myself caring about. The demon lore was quite interesting, but didn't seem to go anywhere except from the end which felt convoluted and very rushed. The title building 'Weavingshaw' felt like an afterthought and very sidelined in its own book.
March 3, 2026
Once in a blue moon, a debut author will release a book that makes you go, “Wow, I cannot believe that was a debut”, and Weavingshaw by Heba Al-Wasity is a perfect example that encapsulates this. I was floored by this book. Absolutely floored. Weavingshaw gripped me from the get go – one of the rare instances I knew it was going to be a five star read early on. There were a lot of mediocre reads in February and I was scared I was going to fall into a slump because of it, but Weavingshaw absolutely came to the rescue and I found myself dreading its end because holy shit, I loved everything about this book. Forget best book of the year. This is now one of my favorite books of all time.
Leena was such a refreshing FMC. She has a quiet strength to her and is incredibly likable with how empathetic she is. But I also love that she's not one to be underestimated, always careful and cautious but also really capable. She’s so resilient and I loved her determination to do whatever it is necessary to save her brother.
St. Silas was also such a good character! His biggest strength is his intelligence and it’s what makes him such an unpredictable but alluring character. You never quite know what he’s scheming nor what his next moves will be and it keeps you on edge as a reader because of his unpredictability. A lot of what makes Leena and St. Silas’s dynamic so good is how secretive they are. Both of them keep their cards close to their chest though St. Silas has that slight edge over Leena where he’s always two steps ahead of her, able to read her like an open book. Seeing them try to figure out each other’s secrets was incredibly entertaining.
Weavingshaw is also a masterclass in showing not telling, particularly in the romance department. The romance was a sloooow burn, one that really forces you to read between the lines to understand our protagonists’ feelings since both of them never explicitly convey how they feel. So much of what they say is so elusive, shrouded in half-truths and deflections, but it doesn’t need them to say, “I love you” to each other – everything is shown to you and you feel it when their relationship begins to shift into something more. A rare novel where the romance stems more from the unspoken words that are said between them. I absolutely inhaled the pining and yearning between them.
This book is also hugely relevant and a book I think will inspire a lot of empathy to refugees and immigrants. But I love how the underlying political messages are subtly done. Nothing is ever too on the nose or in your face. They’re present but never to the point where it preaches its message or becomes overbearing. The same goes for the romance and the dialogue. What I love about this book was how much of a breath of fresh air it was. The dialogue felt original and the romance never feels like it relies on tropes, though there were a lot of my favorites in there. Still, it never feels forced.
There’s so many other things I want to say, especially plot wise, but Weavingshaw is a book best read blind. I went into this book with certain expectations, but I really got more than my money’s worth. The intrigue and mystery was soooo strong. Weavingshaw is more than what it appears and I absolutely loved unravelling all the secrets. Absolutely delivered on all the reveals and that ending!! Heba Al-Wasity, when I catch you!!
Leena was such a refreshing FMC. She has a quiet strength to her and is incredibly likable with how empathetic she is. But I also love that she's not one to be underestimated, always careful and cautious but also really capable. She’s so resilient and I loved her determination to do whatever it is necessary to save her brother.
St. Silas was also such a good character! His biggest strength is his intelligence and it’s what makes him such an unpredictable but alluring character. You never quite know what he’s scheming nor what his next moves will be and it keeps you on edge as a reader because of his unpredictability. A lot of what makes Leena and St. Silas’s dynamic so good is how secretive they are. Both of them keep their cards close to their chest though St. Silas has that slight edge over Leena where he’s always two steps ahead of her, able to read her like an open book. Seeing them try to figure out each other’s secrets was incredibly entertaining.
Weavingshaw is also a masterclass in showing not telling, particularly in the romance department. The romance was a sloooow burn, one that really forces you to read between the lines to understand our protagonists’ feelings since both of them never explicitly convey how they feel. So much of what they say is so elusive, shrouded in half-truths and deflections, but it doesn’t need them to say, “I love you” to each other – everything is shown to you and you feel it when their relationship begins to shift into something more. A rare novel where the romance stems more from the unspoken words that are said between them. I absolutely inhaled the pining and yearning between them.
This book is also hugely relevant and a book I think will inspire a lot of empathy to refugees and immigrants. But I love how the underlying political messages are subtly done. Nothing is ever too on the nose or in your face. They’re present but never to the point where it preaches its message or becomes overbearing. The same goes for the romance and the dialogue. What I love about this book was how much of a breath of fresh air it was. The dialogue felt original and the romance never feels like it relies on tropes, though there were a lot of my favorites in there. Still, it never feels forced.
There’s so many other things I want to say, especially plot wise, but Weavingshaw is a book best read blind. I went into this book with certain expectations, but I really got more than my money’s worth. The intrigue and mystery was soooo strong. Weavingshaw is more than what it appears and I absolutely loved unravelling all the secrets. Absolutely delivered on all the reveals and that ending!! Heba Al-Wasity, when I catch you!!
November 19, 2025
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me a chance to read this book.
Do you like regency romances? Gothic romances? Strong female character? Slow-burn? Secrets? Villains and a plot that is uncovered layer by layer? A debut written by someone you can't believe has never written anything before this?
Weavingshaw is your book. I love gothic stories, but I've been really disheartened by the gothic fantasies with hopeful plots but absolutely shit execution and characters (looking at The Knight and the Moth / One Dark Window). So I requested this hoping for something better and passable.
I hardly give 5 star reads. But this? This is something special, so special I hit up the author after finishing it to tell her. You have an author who is of color, writing about a female of color. Set in a world where demons are real and the supernatural is just a whisper away (or a veil away). Our main character mourns the loss of her father who spoke up for marginalized group that are thrown in jail. Her mother is dead and so she and her brother just barely survive. Her brother falls ill and she is desperate for a cure. So she decides to hit up the one person she was told to stay away from, which is our main male character. He purchases secrets for a price. However, awful stories have been told about him, that there is always a catch.
Her secrets is she can see ghosts. So she tells him, and this piques his interest. He indentures her to him, for he is after a ghost and this certain ghost will lead him to Weavingshaw. Weavingshaw is a castle, and the castle has a history of death and despair.
I loved the characters. Our character, Silas, is cruel, unflinching, has secrets, looks handsome, and absolutely terrifies her by glances, mere words, and his perfect aim with a gun. He is a mixture of a Byron hero and a Jane Austen male lead. It's not like he dislikes her, he has a mission and she is not part of it, but he has to use her to get what he wants.
Our female lead is absolutely head-strong, smart, hateful, and on a mission to rescue her father from jail. Her trepidation when it comes to him, and being in the same room as him fills her with dread. She would rather being possessed by the dead then being with him. She would do anything to get her father back and keep her brother safe.
I love how the story unfolded as each chapter went on. You meet the villain (or the final boss) early on. He shows up once or twice, but he has lackys and other people who are connected to him (I'm talking in code as to not really spoil). The story of Weavingshaw soon starts to be made clear and why St. Silas is after this castle. As I said, if you're familiar with gothic romances, you'll start seeing the resemblance. By the end of this book, so many things happen and are revealed that you need Book 2 out now.
I have a list of questions as long as my arm, and I am sure given how wonderfully the author pulled of this debut that they'll be revealed.
So thank you Ms. Al-Wasity, for writing a book that absolutely feels like a romantic whisper in a crypt. I'll be there for Book 2!
Do you like regency romances? Gothic romances? Strong female character? Slow-burn? Secrets? Villains and a plot that is uncovered layer by layer? A debut written by someone you can't believe has never written anything before this?
Weavingshaw is your book. I love gothic stories, but I've been really disheartened by the gothic fantasies with hopeful plots but absolutely shit execution and characters (looking at The Knight and the Moth / One Dark Window). So I requested this hoping for something better and passable.
I hardly give 5 star reads. But this? This is something special, so special I hit up the author after finishing it to tell her. You have an author who is of color, writing about a female of color. Set in a world where demons are real and the supernatural is just a whisper away (or a veil away). Our main character mourns the loss of her father who spoke up for marginalized group that are thrown in jail. Her mother is dead and so she and her brother just barely survive. Her brother falls ill and she is desperate for a cure. So she decides to hit up the one person she was told to stay away from, which is our main male character. He purchases secrets for a price. However, awful stories have been told about him, that there is always a catch.
Her secrets is she can see ghosts. So she tells him, and this piques his interest. He indentures her to him, for he is after a ghost and this certain ghost will lead him to Weavingshaw. Weavingshaw is a castle, and the castle has a history of death and despair.
I loved the characters. Our character, Silas, is cruel, unflinching, has secrets, looks handsome, and absolutely terrifies her by glances, mere words, and his perfect aim with a gun. He is a mixture of a Byron hero and a Jane Austen male lead. It's not like he dislikes her, he has a mission and she is not part of it, but he has to use her to get what he wants.
Our female lead is absolutely head-strong, smart, hateful, and on a mission to rescue her father from jail. Her trepidation when it comes to him, and being in the same room as him fills her with dread. She would rather being possessed by the dead then being with him. She would do anything to get her father back and keep her brother safe.
I love how the story unfolded as each chapter went on. You meet the villain (or the final boss) early on. He shows up once or twice, but he has lackys and other people who are connected to him (I'm talking in code as to not really spoil). The story of Weavingshaw soon starts to be made clear and why St. Silas is after this castle. As I said, if you're familiar with gothic romances, you'll start seeing the resemblance. By the end of this book, so many things happen and are revealed that you need Book 2 out now.
I have a list of questions as long as my arm, and I am sure given how wonderfully the author pulled of this debut that they'll be revealed.
So thank you Ms. Al-Wasity, for writing a book that absolutely feels like a romantic whisper in a crypt. I'll be there for Book 2!
February 5, 2026
All That Gothic Atmosphere for a Romance I’ve Read Before ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 Stars)
Thank you to NetGalley, Heba Al-Wasity, and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
🕯️ A Haunting Premise with Serious Promise
In this debut gothic fantasy—and the first book in a planned trilogy—Weavingshaw introduces us to Leena Al-Sayer, a young woman cursed with the ability to see the dead. It’s a power she keeps hidden, knowing that discovery would mean confinement in an asylum.
When her beloved brother, Rami, falls gravely ill, Leena is forced into an impossible choice: let him die, or barter the only thing of value she has—her secret—to afford the medicine that could save him.
Enter the Saint of Silence.
A feared and magnetic purveyor of dark secrets, Saint Silas is a man wrapped in rumor, cruelty, and power. He agrees to help Leena, but at a steep cost: she must locate the ghost of Percival Avon, the last lord of Weavingshaw. Failure means losing her freedom forever.
🩸 Gothic Vibes… Until the Romantasy Kicks In
The beginning of this novel genuinely works. The gothic atmosphere is strong, the premise is intriguing, and the characters initially feel distinct and purposeful. For a while, it feels like you’re stepping into a story that knows exactly what it wants to be.
But about halfway through, once the romantic tension between Leena and Saint Silas takes center stage, the narrative begins to stumble—and unfortunately, it falls into very familiar romantasy territory.
Saint Silas is introduced as an untouchable, feared villain within his domain… and that edge disappears far too quickly. His shift from ruthless and cruel to emotionally accessible feels rushed and largely motivated by romance alone. The buildup simply doesn’t justify the payoff, which makes all that early hype feel a bit hollow.
🕸️ Characters That Lose Their Bite
As the story progresses, both Leena and Saint Silas start to feel less like fully realized individuals and more like roles we’ve seen countless times before. Their depth fades as the romance takes over.
And Rami? He feels oddly underdeveloped—present mainly to justify the plot rather than to exist as a meaningful character. By the end, I found myself surprisingly indifferent to his fate, which isn’t ideal considering how central his illness is to the story’s stakes.
🏚️ Worldbuilding That Stays on the Surface
For a gothic fantasy set in a sentient estate surrounded by dangerous moors, I expected a more immersive and influential world. While the atmosphere is there, the setting often feels like a backdrop rather than a living force shaping the characters’ choices.
I understand this is the first book in a trilogy, but first books matter. They lay the foundation—and this one doesn’t fully deliver on the depth it promises.
🕯️ Final Thoughts
Weavingshaw isn’t a bad book. There’s clear potential here, and the gothic framework is compelling. However, the execution—particularly when it comes to character depth and the romance—falls short of what it could have been.
If you’re a fan of gothic fantasy romance and don’t mind familiar tropes, this may still work for you. For me, though, the atmosphere was doing the heavy lifting while the characters and romance struggled to keep up.
Thank you to NetGalley, Heba Al-Wasity, and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
🕯️ A Haunting Premise with Serious Promise
In this debut gothic fantasy—and the first book in a planned trilogy—Weavingshaw introduces us to Leena Al-Sayer, a young woman cursed with the ability to see the dead. It’s a power she keeps hidden, knowing that discovery would mean confinement in an asylum.
When her beloved brother, Rami, falls gravely ill, Leena is forced into an impossible choice: let him die, or barter the only thing of value she has—her secret—to afford the medicine that could save him.
Enter the Saint of Silence.
A feared and magnetic purveyor of dark secrets, Saint Silas is a man wrapped in rumor, cruelty, and power. He agrees to help Leena, but at a steep cost: she must locate the ghost of Percival Avon, the last lord of Weavingshaw. Failure means losing her freedom forever.
🩸 Gothic Vibes… Until the Romantasy Kicks In
The beginning of this novel genuinely works. The gothic atmosphere is strong, the premise is intriguing, and the characters initially feel distinct and purposeful. For a while, it feels like you’re stepping into a story that knows exactly what it wants to be.
But about halfway through, once the romantic tension between Leena and Saint Silas takes center stage, the narrative begins to stumble—and unfortunately, it falls into very familiar romantasy territory.
Saint Silas is introduced as an untouchable, feared villain within his domain… and that edge disappears far too quickly. His shift from ruthless and cruel to emotionally accessible feels rushed and largely motivated by romance alone. The buildup simply doesn’t justify the payoff, which makes all that early hype feel a bit hollow.
🕸️ Characters That Lose Their Bite
As the story progresses, both Leena and Saint Silas start to feel less like fully realized individuals and more like roles we’ve seen countless times before. Their depth fades as the romance takes over.
And Rami? He feels oddly underdeveloped—present mainly to justify the plot rather than to exist as a meaningful character. By the end, I found myself surprisingly indifferent to his fate, which isn’t ideal considering how central his illness is to the story’s stakes.
🏚️ Worldbuilding That Stays on the Surface
For a gothic fantasy set in a sentient estate surrounded by dangerous moors, I expected a more immersive and influential world. While the atmosphere is there, the setting often feels like a backdrop rather than a living force shaping the characters’ choices.
I understand this is the first book in a trilogy, but first books matter. They lay the foundation—and this one doesn’t fully deliver on the depth it promises.
🕯️ Final Thoughts
Weavingshaw isn’t a bad book. There’s clear potential here, and the gothic framework is compelling. However, the execution—particularly when it comes to character depth and the romance—falls short of what it could have been.
If you’re a fan of gothic fantasy romance and don’t mind familiar tropes, this may still work for you. For me, though, the atmosphere was doing the heavy lifting while the characters and romance struggled to keep up.
February 8, 2026
4.25/5
What an absolutely delightful debut novel!! This was probably one of the best gothic fantasies I’ve ever read, mostly because it actually is gothic in tone and not just in aesthetic. This novel is one you can tell has been crafted with so much love, and I was thoroughly engrossed by it.
Leena is a stunningly well drawn main character. She uses her brain! She’s kind! Has empathy! Is strong! Listens to the supernatural messages and doesn’t brush them off!!!!!! Truly, I was in shock of how many of her decisions I would’ve done myself. She is someone that you instantly root for. I hope she reads that damn book soon!! I’m so curious about her past because I think something big happened that she’s forgotten. Her experiences as an immigrant were so heartfelt and important to read about.
Then we have St. Silas. 😭 a true gothic novel has a red flag of a love interest and this was no exception. Never trust a man who is emotionally stunted is my motto and it fit this man. I absolutely have empathy for him but WOW could I not relate to his great love for *that* thing. I would’ve left it alone! Signed out! He is not me, though, so expect suffering in his future. I didn’t love his character just because he is such a red flag but I think his potential for character development is immense.
The romance was also very well done. This is an extreme slow burn with not a lot happening in the first 75% of the book. I do sort of wish it had been even slower, extending into book 2, because I think St. Silas still does not match leena’s level lol.
I loved rami as a side character!!! And I loved the Hargreaves POVs, so fascinating. Excited for more of both of them for very different reasons in the sequel.
The world itself is so immersive and expansive. The world building is incredibly well done, and is done in a very subtle way. I loved learning about all the intricacies of the world and I have some theories cooking up in my head.
Gorgeous writing as well. Smooth, propulsive, and filled with emotion, it’s astounding for a debut to have such a great grasp on characters like this one does. Hats off to Heba!
That ending was 282902 bad things happening at once and I am not sure how we’re getting out of this one to be honest! 😭 Will 100% be reading the sequel. Everyone go set your calendars now for February 2026 and read this!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!!
What an absolutely delightful debut novel!! This was probably one of the best gothic fantasies I’ve ever read, mostly because it actually is gothic in tone and not just in aesthetic. This novel is one you can tell has been crafted with so much love, and I was thoroughly engrossed by it.
Leena is a stunningly well drawn main character. She uses her brain! She’s kind! Has empathy! Is strong! Listens to the supernatural messages and doesn’t brush them off!!!!!! Truly, I was in shock of how many of her decisions I would’ve done myself. She is someone that you instantly root for. I hope she reads that damn book soon!! I’m so curious about her past because I think something big happened that she’s forgotten. Her experiences as an immigrant were so heartfelt and important to read about.
Then we have St. Silas. 😭 a true gothic novel has a red flag of a love interest and this was no exception. Never trust a man who is emotionally stunted is my motto and it fit this man. I absolutely have empathy for him but WOW could I not relate to his great love for *that* thing. I would’ve left it alone! Signed out! He is not me, though, so expect suffering in his future. I didn’t love his character just because he is such a red flag but I think his potential for character development is immense.
The romance was also very well done. This is an extreme slow burn with not a lot happening in the first 75% of the book. I do sort of wish it had been even slower, extending into book 2, because I think St. Silas still does not match leena’s level lol.
I loved rami as a side character!!! And I loved the Hargreaves POVs, so fascinating. Excited for more of both of them for very different reasons in the sequel.
The world itself is so immersive and expansive. The world building is incredibly well done, and is done in a very subtle way. I loved learning about all the intricacies of the world and I have some theories cooking up in my head.
Gorgeous writing as well. Smooth, propulsive, and filled with emotion, it’s astounding for a debut to have such a great grasp on characters like this one does. Hats off to Heba!
That ending was 282902 bad things happening at once and I am not sure how we’re getting out of this one to be honest! 😭 Will 100% be reading the sequel. Everyone go set your calendars now for February 2026 and read this!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!!
February 3, 2026
2.75
Weavingshaw was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026, and I went into it genuinely excited, especially after the opening chapters, which felt promising enough, imo.
The beginning does its job well. The atmosphere leans gothic, the premise has promise, and the characters are introduced with personalities that do indeed feel distinct. For a while, it feels like you’re being guided toward a story that knows exactly what it wants to become.
But once the romantic tension between Leena and Saint Silas starts to surface, the story begins to lose its footing… like any other typical romantasy out there. And that’s what particularly bore me, 50% into the book and forward.
St. Silas is initially framed as this untouchable, feared, cruel villain of his own world. That edge fades far too quickly lol. Him starting to be ‘softer’ feels like it was simply triggered because of a girl, which you know, fair I guess?! But what’s the point of all that fuss around him being this alpha, scary and untouchable man? Gradually both characters lose depth. Leena and St. Silas stop feeling like people shaped by their world and start feeling like roles we’ve seen before. Oh and Rami? It just feels like bro is there just for the sake of being… there? His character doesn’t make sense at all and I couldn’t care less if he died.
As for the worldbuilding, it’s fine, but it’s not fully immersive. For a gothic fantasy, I expected a more intricate universe, something that presses in on the characters and shapes their choices. Instead, the setting often feels like a backdrop rather than a living world (yes I know, the reviews say otherwise) I understand this is the first book, but first books matter, they set the foundation, and this one doesn’t quite commit, let’s say?
Look, it’s not a bad book, there’s clear potential here, and I can see the story it wanted to be. But the execution falls shoooooort, especially when it comes to character depth and the handling of romance, which you know, I shouldn’t be surprised by this point.
Part of me wishes this was less romance and more about these people navigating through political schemes and drama, it would’ve been so much better.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the early copy.
Weavingshaw was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026, and I went into it genuinely excited, especially after the opening chapters, which felt promising enough, imo.
The beginning does its job well. The atmosphere leans gothic, the premise has promise, and the characters are introduced with personalities that do indeed feel distinct. For a while, it feels like you’re being guided toward a story that knows exactly what it wants to become.
But once the romantic tension between Leena and Saint Silas starts to surface, the story begins to lose its footing… like any other typical romantasy out there. And that’s what particularly bore me, 50% into the book and forward.
St. Silas is initially framed as this untouchable, feared, cruel villain of his own world. That edge fades far too quickly lol. Him starting to be ‘softer’ feels like it was simply triggered because of a girl, which you know, fair I guess?! But what’s the point of all that fuss around him being this alpha, scary and untouchable man? Gradually both characters lose depth. Leena and St. Silas stop feeling like people shaped by their world and start feeling like roles we’ve seen before. Oh and Rami? It just feels like bro is there just for the sake of being… there? His character doesn’t make sense at all and I couldn’t care less if he died.
As for the worldbuilding, it’s fine, but it’s not fully immersive. For a gothic fantasy, I expected a more intricate universe, something that presses in on the characters and shapes their choices. Instead, the setting often feels like a backdrop rather than a living world (yes I know, the reviews say otherwise) I understand this is the first book, but first books matter, they set the foundation, and this one doesn’t quite commit, let’s say?
Look, it’s not a bad book, there’s clear potential here, and I can see the story it wanted to be. But the execution falls shoooooort, especially when it comes to character depth and the handling of romance, which you know, I shouldn’t be surprised by this point.
Part of me wishes this was less romance and more about these people navigating through political schemes and drama, it would’ve been so much better.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the early copy.
January 21, 2026
When “I see dead people” is actually the meet cute
January 21, 2026
When the “demons of his past” are literal not metaphorical.
What a delicious gothic fantasy! I’m on the edge of my seat for Book 2, and I’m SO delighted with how well executed the themes and story were here. This has the perfect amount of worldbuilding. Al-Wasity has something to say about land, power and belonging, but it’s all perfectly built into the story, rather than feeling shoehorned in.
I loved St. Silas and Lena both from the beginning. The audience’s awareness that they are keeping secrets doesn’t detract from the explosive moments when those secrets are revealed.
Add to that some really brilliant writing that had me highlighting so much…
All in all this is debut absolutely knocks it out of the park.
What a delicious gothic fantasy! I’m on the edge of my seat for Book 2, and I’m SO delighted with how well executed the themes and story were here. This has the perfect amount of worldbuilding. Al-Wasity has something to say about land, power and belonging, but it’s all perfectly built into the story, rather than feeling shoehorned in.
I loved St. Silas and Lena both from the beginning. The audience’s awareness that they are keeping secrets doesn’t detract from the explosive moments when those secrets are revealed.
Add to that some really brilliant writing that had me highlighting so much…
All in all this is debut absolutely knocks it out of the park.
November 13, 2025
Loved loved loved.
The gothic vibes? The romance? A unique story that made sense??!!!!
We love to see it
The gothic vibes? The romance? A unique story that made sense??!!!!
We love to see it
February 24, 2026
I’m always impressed when a debut author manages to wow me. Al-Wasity is great at building atmospheric tension, and I loved the dark, gothic vibes of this first book of three. The characters are intriguing and leave you wanting to know more.
Leena, the main character, has done everything she can think of to make her sick brother well again. The only remaining way to save him is a certain course of medicine, and it’s so expensive that she can’t even dream of ever purchasing it. Out of ideas, Leena decides to seek out the Saint of Silence, who pays for secrets and has a terrifying reputation. If your secret is true, his payment will most likely come with a little curse, and if you try to lie to him…well, let’s just say that there have been more than enough cautionary tales to heavily discourage telling him falsehoods.
But Leena actually has a truly unique secret: she can see ghosts. And the Saint of Silence is interested in what she can do…for him.
Very, very interested.
Oh, he’ll buy the medicine for her brother.
For a price.
—---------
I encourage you to read this one if you’re into gothic fantasy with a lot of buildup of tension, born both of fear and of longing for what–and WHO–you can’t have. I’m excited to see more from this author!
My thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
Leena, the main character, has done everything she can think of to make her sick brother well again. The only remaining way to save him is a certain course of medicine, and it’s so expensive that she can’t even dream of ever purchasing it. Out of ideas, Leena decides to seek out the Saint of Silence, who pays for secrets and has a terrifying reputation. If your secret is true, his payment will most likely come with a little curse, and if you try to lie to him…well, let’s just say that there have been more than enough cautionary tales to heavily discourage telling him falsehoods.
But Leena actually has a truly unique secret: she can see ghosts. And the Saint of Silence is interested in what she can do…for him.
Very, very interested.
Oh, he’ll buy the medicine for her brother.
For a price.
—---------
I encourage you to read this one if you’re into gothic fantasy with a lot of buildup of tension, born both of fear and of longing for what–and WHO–you can’t have. I’m excited to see more from this author!
My thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
March 1, 2026
3.5 rounded up to 4. I went into this with super high expectations I absolutely adore gothic horror romances however it reads more like historical romance with some random supernatural stuff. The pacing is odd sometimes super slow and then others so much happens at once you have to re read. I also hated the pov of Hargreaves if completely takes away any of the mystery or emotional investment I would have most likely had otherwise . It felt kinda info dumpy at times and took FOREVER to even make it to Weavinghsaw lol All that being said I did really enjoy the slow burn between our fmc and mmc. Leena is strong in a natural , I am because I have no other choice kind of way that is endearing and the tension between her and Silas is palpable. There’s a lot of background politics that was really well done and enjoyable to watch play out. Silas starts out as a dark broody unlikable character (but yet still likable to me cuz issues? ) and as the story progresses you get to see the redeeming qualities peeking thru all the way up to that sacrificial last line . Chef kiss
Read
March 9, 2026WOWWWW. This is one of my favorite books of all time. I am absolutely blown away and astounded by this story & will come back when I collect my thoughts lol
December 8, 2025
This was *perfection* a gloriously gothic and ghosty tale with a haunting atmosphere and deliciously slow burn romance, the YEARNINGGGGG 😭 I absolutely loved this
Did not finish
February 18, 2026Putting this down for now at 17%.
If I see my friends giving this glowing reviews I will try again but I do not think I have the right mindset reading this right now. I got the ick when I first tried to start it a couple months ago and I haven’t been able to shake it.
Also saving myself from the cliffhanger I guess lol. Maybe once book two comes around I’ll want to try this again.
If I see my friends giving this glowing reviews I will try again but I do not think I have the right mindset reading this right now. I got the ick when I first tried to start it a couple months ago and I haven’t been able to shake it.
Also saving myself from the cliffhanger I guess lol. Maybe once book two comes around I’ll want to try this again.
February 25, 2026
4.5
this book was STUNNING, i think this is the most fun ive had reading a gothic fantasy. i did decide to wait until i could listen to the audiobook while reading and im so glad i did because it made it feel even more atmospheric — also because i definitely would have taken ages to read without listening as it is VERY detail oriented and i probably would have had a harder time getting invested and following along.
the literal only hang up i have towards this book was the random POV shifts in chapters, it really threw me off a few times and made me lose sight of what was going on. other than that it was absolutely beautiful and i cannot wait to see where the rest of this trilogy takes us!
this book was STUNNING, i think this is the most fun ive had reading a gothic fantasy. i did decide to wait until i could listen to the audiobook while reading and im so glad i did because it made it feel even more atmospheric — also because i definitely would have taken ages to read without listening as it is VERY detail oriented and i probably would have had a harder time getting invested and following along.
the literal only hang up i have towards this book was the random POV shifts in chapters, it really threw me off a few times and made me lose sight of what was going on. other than that it was absolutely beautiful and i cannot wait to see where the rest of this trilogy takes us!
March 8, 2026
It is rare that a debut novel ensnares you from the beginning, knowing it's automatically going to be a 5-star read, and Weavingshaw was just that type of book. I was floored while reading this, captivated from the beginning and finding myself unable to put it down and thinking of it when I wasn't reading.
Weavingshaw is a perfect blend of that grim, desolate gothic allure--a fortress shrouded in demons and secrets on the desolate moors and surrounded by an unforgiving sea--divine storytelling with a political plot that isn't the main focus of the story but is still a crucial element, compelling characters and an infinitesimally slow burn romance that's so subtle you have to read between the lines. On top of all of this, Weavingshaw is incredibly relevant given the world we are living in today, and I believe it will inspire empathy towards immigrants and refugees. I believe it speaks of the author's own experiences as an Iraqi immigrant who left her war-torn country to live in the West. I thoroughly enjoyed how subtle the political messages were--not too overbearing or feeling like they were trying to preach. The romance was the same, and I especially loved how the romance didn't rely on the standard tropes of romantasy/fantasy but was a breath of fresh air on its own. There was no hidden banter, not really anyway, but the dialogue was original and poignant.
Weavingshaw narrates the story of Leena Al-Sayer, an immigrant and refugee from neighboring country, Algaraa entrenched in a civil war, with her brother and father. She now lives in Mor, which does not take kindly to immigrants such as her. We discover quickly her father has been imprisoned for treason in Mor leaving her to be the sole breadwinner of the family and caretaker of her younger rebellious brother Rami. Leena is also hardened and haunted by her ability to interact with the spirit world. When her brother falls ill with a deadly and contagious illness she has no choice but to seek out the assistance of the the elusive Saint of Silence for the cure. To save him, she barters her only secret and is very soon indentured to the Saint of Silence who requires her ability to find a particular ghost, the Lord of Weavingshaw...As their search takes them to the grim, isolated fortress drenched in blood and secrets and hungry for sacrifice, Leena finds herself fighting not only fighting Weavingshaw's deadly allure, but the pull toward the enigmatic Saint himself shrouded in secrets and mystery.
The characters were what really made the story for me. Leena in particular was one of the strongest, most resilient characters I've had the pleasure of reading to date. She demonstrates a quiet strength and empathy, and a fierce loyalty and devotion to her imprisoned father and younger brother. As an MMC, St. Silas (the so-called Saint of Silence) was fascinating in the sense that he was not only handsome and sharp-witted, but entirely unpredictable and mysterious, appearing to be cold and "unyielding" at first towards Leena and reticent when it comes to divulging anything of himself. Their relationship was one where you had to read between the lines in their dialogue and interactions to indicate their feelings for one another as they never explicitly convey how they feel for each other...Both of them hold firm to their own secrets although St Silas is always one step ahead of her, able to read her and I absolutely loved their dynamic.
The only minor criticism I have is that this is unfortunately the first book in a trilogy, and given the fact, this first installment does end in a major cliffhanger.
5 stars. If you love clever storytelling, poetic prose with the gothic allure of Wuthering Heights, enigmatic characters and an unpredictable, slow burn romance with political intrigue that doesn't try to preach, I highly recommend Weavingshaw!
Weavingshaw is a perfect blend of that grim, desolate gothic allure--a fortress shrouded in demons and secrets on the desolate moors and surrounded by an unforgiving sea--divine storytelling with a political plot that isn't the main focus of the story but is still a crucial element, compelling characters and an infinitesimally slow burn romance that's so subtle you have to read between the lines. On top of all of this, Weavingshaw is incredibly relevant given the world we are living in today, and I believe it will inspire empathy towards immigrants and refugees. I believe it speaks of the author's own experiences as an Iraqi immigrant who left her war-torn country to live in the West. I thoroughly enjoyed how subtle the political messages were--not too overbearing or feeling like they were trying to preach. The romance was the same, and I especially loved how the romance didn't rely on the standard tropes of romantasy/fantasy but was a breath of fresh air on its own. There was no hidden banter, not really anyway, but the dialogue was original and poignant.
Weavingshaw narrates the story of Leena Al-Sayer, an immigrant and refugee from neighboring country, Algaraa entrenched in a civil war, with her brother and father. She now lives in Mor, which does not take kindly to immigrants such as her. We discover quickly her father has been imprisoned for treason in Mor leaving her to be the sole breadwinner of the family and caretaker of her younger rebellious brother Rami. Leena is also hardened and haunted by her ability to interact with the spirit world. When her brother falls ill with a deadly and contagious illness she has no choice but to seek out the assistance of the the elusive Saint of Silence for the cure. To save him, she barters her only secret and is very soon indentured to the Saint of Silence who requires her ability to find a particular ghost, the Lord of Weavingshaw...As their search takes them to the grim, isolated fortress drenched in blood and secrets and hungry for sacrifice, Leena finds herself fighting not only fighting Weavingshaw's deadly allure, but the pull toward the enigmatic Saint himself shrouded in secrets and mystery.
The characters were what really made the story for me. Leena in particular was one of the strongest, most resilient characters I've had the pleasure of reading to date. She demonstrates a quiet strength and empathy, and a fierce loyalty and devotion to her imprisoned father and younger brother. As an MMC, St. Silas (the so-called Saint of Silence) was fascinating in the sense that he was not only handsome and sharp-witted, but entirely unpredictable and mysterious, appearing to be cold and "unyielding" at first towards Leena and reticent when it comes to divulging anything of himself. Their relationship was one where you had to read between the lines in their dialogue and interactions to indicate their feelings for one another as they never explicitly convey how they feel for each other...Both of them hold firm to their own secrets although St Silas is always one step ahead of her, able to read her and I absolutely loved their dynamic.
The only minor criticism I have is that this is unfortunately the first book in a trilogy, and given the fact, this first installment does end in a major cliffhanger.
5 stars. If you love clever storytelling, poetic prose with the gothic allure of Wuthering Heights, enigmatic characters and an unpredictable, slow burn romance with political intrigue that doesn't try to preach, I highly recommend Weavingshaw!
January 15, 2026
4.5⭐️ Yearning is back 👏🏻
Ghosts, political discourse, family secrets, demons. This was a perfect Gothic winter read.
This was a bit on the slower side, but made sense for this story. Once all the pieces started coming together—I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN.
I loved the characters-the banter between the FMC and MMC was top tier.
This does end on a cliffhanger. You’ve been warned. I’m a bit disappointed that I have to wait at least a year for book 2. But, I will definitely be diving in as soon as I get the chance.
Thank you Del Rey/Random House and netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.
Ghosts, political discourse, family secrets, demons. This was a perfect Gothic winter read.
This was a bit on the slower side, but made sense for this story. Once all the pieces started coming together—I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN.
I loved the characters-the banter between the FMC and MMC was top tier.
This does end on a cliffhanger. You’ve been warned. I’m a bit disappointed that I have to wait at least a year for book 2. But, I will definitely be diving in as soon as I get the chance.
Thank you Del Rey/Random House and netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.
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