The Useless Witch: A Dark Romantasy Standalone

by Bree Harlow

Previously published as The Useless Witch by Savannah Lee.

My entire life, I’ve feared the Darkwings.

Shadow-wielding monsters with red eyes who flay the skin from the bones of any magical being that dare cross their path. A story Lightlace witches told to their children to ensure they didn't stray. Be good, or the Darkwing will steal your magic.

But that’s all it was. A nightmare. A legend.

Until I meet him.

Vane.

Born in darkness, enshrouded by shadows. He is on the hunt, searching for something that could alter the very fabric of my family’s magic. If I was smart, I would run in the other direction.

But I was born in darkness too.

Under a solar eclipse, robbing me of the Lightlace magic I so desperately wished I had. The magic my family punishes me for not possessing.

Darkness is something I’ve become accustomed to, calling to me like an old friend, but if I’m not careful, I could vanish in Vane’s shadows forever.

The Darkwings are real, and I may have just found the most dangerous one of them all.

Genres: Fantasy

413 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2026

Reviews

[Milou · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.75 stars ⭐️

I want to start this one off my thanking NetGalley and Victory Editing for this opportunity!

I was super excited to get my hands on this; a previous version of this book had already landed itself on my priority TBR so when I saw the duology was now completed and turned into one book, I immediately applied. I loved the premise of this book; a powerless, rejected heir, a ‘monster’ that isn’t quite so monstruous as she’d been told and a hunt for a powerful relic.

Unfortunately, this didn’t live up to my expectations. While it did hook me in the very first few chapters, I found myself dragging my feet through the first half and while it did pick up after that, I really only finished it because it was an ARC. I found myself struggling with the overall slow pacing, how some elements of the story seemed completely under utilised, thus not living up to their potential while others were a bit overdone, and honestly… the lack of chemistry between our MC’s. It felt way too rushed to be believable, especially with the trauma our FMC had been through. It all just felt a bit disjointed to me, and not at all like what I was expecting from the blurb.
The story was original and the writing was fine, but I was too uninvested in the characters, plot or romance to actually enjoy reading it. I don’t want to be unnecessarily negative as I’m very grateful to be giving advanced access to this book, but it just wasn’t for me. I think you might enjoy this more if you enjoy a slower, less tension-filled type of romantasy though!

[Gretel A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my honest, voluntary review.

Standalone romantasy that reads like an action adventure story, complete with a band of loyal sidekicks who help the FMC and MMC along their paths. What would be worse than being born into a magic royal family, but never receive any magic? In this world, nothing. That's the devastating reality that we find Saoirse living in. Escaping from the pain and shame of her father, the king, and her existence as "the useless daughter," to live an ordinary, quiet life as a baker. Until fate drags her back into the brutal castle and then on an adventure she never saw coming. To find a power unlike the world has ever seen and a love she never could have hoped for.

This novel was written with such beautiful, lyrical prose. The reader is given action but in the most imaginative way possible. I found myself dazzled by the picture that was painted in my mind from the words on the page.

A few of my favorite passages:
"My life was born of hate, and still it persisted, venomous and putrid, a leech that latched onto my darkness and fueled it, refusing to consume it."

"A massive, impossible creature made of pure shadow and living magic. Smoke and darkness shaped into death. He wasn’t a man weilding a monster, he was the monster."

"It rang in my bones, in the hollows of my ribs, in the place in my chest where I had carried fear for so long I thought it was a second heart."

It is rare to get a standalone romantasy and even more rare for that story to not feel rushed or incomplete in any way. Bree gave us a dynamic world and a story with a clear beginning, middle and end. Every scene felt purposeful in the quest at hand and I was intrigued to see where the plot was taking us. The love story was vital, but not overpowering. We got a few romantic scenes but this book was more plot driven than a lot of the romantic fantasy I've read. Bringing in magic that was varied, light and shadow, and elemental was a good delineation between the territories encountered and added some great variation in the action sequences.

Pick this book up if you enjoy a lower spice, romantic fantasy that is plot driven with elements of heist or journey tales. You will definitely be taken for a ride!

[Harley Krusch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I related to Saoirse and her trauma so much. The feeling of not being enough and sometimes the thing/person no one wanted. This book was has a lot of mental health representation. You keep getting hit over and over with these one liners that LITERALLY crush your soul in the best way possible. Shes a sad broken girl. She’s definitely stronger than she thinks.
She has the will that many of those who have magic don’t carry.

Vane… VANEE. This man is utter perfection he only cares about one thing. He is here for a mission to save his people but most importantly his mother. I will never recover from him washing Saoirse’s hair. Their connection and his care for her is unmatched.

Savannah literally broke my soul with this one. You are hooked from page one and she sucks you into this word of witches and you don’t want to stop. It didn’t go the way I thought it would and I’m glad it didn’t and you will agree with me when you read this book.

[Katie Gullo · Rating 3 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*

Pretty cover, decent story. The FMC being powerless was a nice twist on the usual schtick - the timeline was a little wonky though. Or something was. Average, don’t regret reading, but probably won’t reread.

[FabledWhimsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Bree Harlow for the ARC copy of The Useless Witch. I really enjoyed taking this journey of healing and discovering your self-worth alongside Vane and Saoirse. I enjoyed my time reading this and my shadow MMC/ Dragon shifter loving heart was loving life!

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✴︎ The Useless Witch is set in a world where magic is easily accessible and celebrated. I enjoyed the lore of the God Star. A magical creation bound to the earth by its first Goddess. Five different Gods gave the divinity of the God Star shape. They each ruled a kingdom with a given fragment of its light. One God broke the covenant, the God Star destabilised, and the Gods turned on one another in a war that destroyed everything in its path, thus shattering this Star and its divinity was destroyed. This is where humans come in. They fill the vacuum that the Gods left behind and created the kingdoms we see within this story. This was really intriguing to me. I was hooked and wanted to learn so much more. A world full of magic is one I will always find myself getting sucked into. This world was no different.

✴︎ Saoirse’s story broke me into pieces and built me back up into something sturdier and stronger. Her story speaks to many of us, the familiar ache of trying to make ourselves small, shrinking our essence to become more palatable to people that don’t deserve it. She has her choices stolen from her at every turn. She is trying to outrun her past whilst still living in her trauma’s shadow. In a world where everyone has a connection to power, and the ability to wield it, Saoirse is born with none at all. She is cast aside by her cruel father, labelled as useless and a disappointment. Beaten down until this notion has buried its way to the very marrow of her bones, to the core of her, tainting the way she looks at herself in the mirror. The violence and savagery is so deeply entrenched that it becomes her inner thoughts. She learns to hurt others and keep them at arms length, before they get the chance to hurt her. The very best moments in this book is when Saoirse starts to learn that she is not how people treated her, she is not what they made her and just because she may be powerless, doesn’t mean she is useless. Strength has many ways of presenting itself, and she is stronger in more ways than magic could ever make her.

✴︎ Vane, the consent king, the shadow boyfriend of our dreams. He is patient and kind, always offering Saoirse a choice, never pushing, never expectant. Their connection is immediate, and I really enjoyed their mutual respect for one another, even when they had no reason to trust each other at first. He is mysterious, he is shrouded in intrigue, and we are drawn to him like a moth to a flame. I adored how supportive he was of Saoirse, he saw her for who she truly was, not the anxiety, not the panic. He looked past her learned self-hatred, to the person she was inside. He never saw her as someone broken who needed fixing. Their relationship is one of two hurt people healing together. They both have had more than their fair share of hardships, but they hold each other up, they support one another’s growth with understanding and kindness. The yearning!! I wanted to bump their heads together like my old Barbie dolls, saying, “now kiss."

✴︎ I think the mental health and trauma aspect was dealt with the appropriate reverence and respect. As always, check the trigger warnings as there are sensitive topics in this book. I felt that these themes lent themselves to the narrative and had a real place in this story, it was not a case of these being thrown in just for dramatic tension. Trauma and pain are deeply rooted in these characters and their journeys and my heart broke for them when they suffered. The Useless Witch acknowledges that healing is not a linear journey, we may take several steps back, we may relapse, but this doesn’t detract from the fact we are trying. There will be moments where you are barely able to keep your head above water, sometimes being dragged into their tumultuous depths, but there will be times, more often than not, where you will crest that hill, the one you thought was insurmountable, and you will feel the sun on your face once again.

[Clémence CJPM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Français ⬇️
I've ARC read The useless witch by Bree Harlow. I want to start by acknowledging that it's a Re-realese of a previous duology.

"Previously published as The Useless Witch by Savannah Lee.
My entire life, I’ve feared the Darkwings.
Shadow-wielding monsters with red eyes who flay the skin from the bones of any magical being that dare cross their path. A story Lightlace witches told to their children to ensure they didn't stray. Be good, or the Darkwing will steal your magic.
But that’s all it was. A nightmare. A legend.
Until I meet him.
Vane.
Born in darkness, enshrouded by shadows. He is on the hunt, searching for something that could alter the very fabric of my family’s magic. If I was smart, I would run in the other direction.
But I was born in darkness too.
Under a solar eclipse, robbing me of the Lightlace magic I so desperately wished I had. The magic my family punishes me for not possessing.
Darkness is something I’ve become accustomed to, calling to me like an old friend, but if I’m not careful, I could vanish in Vane’s shadows forever.
The Darkwings are real, and I may have just found the most dangerous one of them all."

The blurp had me excited, but ultimately, this book didn't win me over. I struggled to connect with the MMC, a man of few word in the beginning. I understand the author's intention to create a mysterious and protective character, like a shadow daddy, but the result fell short of my expectations. The heroine isn't without personality, but certain traits, like self-harm, are introduced early in the novel and then forgotten... There are some inconsistencies in the passage of time and distances, which confused me several times.
The magic system seems quite original, yet we're given almost no explanation about it... The same goes for the world our characters inhabit.
I had a hard time finishing it. I see the potential in this story, but it didn't captivate me. A little 3 ✨.

J'ai lu en avant-première « The Useless Witch » de Bree Harlow. Je tiens à préciser d'emblée qu'il s'agit d'une réédition d'une duologie précédente.

"Publié précédemment sous le titre « La Sorcière Inutile » par Savannah Lee.
Toute ma vie, j'ai craint les Ailes Sombres.
Des monstres maniant l'ombre, aux yeux rouges, qui arrachent la peau jusqu'aux os de tout être magique osant croiser leur chemin. Une histoire que les sorcières de Lightlace racontaient à leurs enfants pour s'assurer qu'ils ne s'égarent pas. Sois sage, sinon l'Aile Sombre te volera ta magie.
Mais ce n'était qu'une légende. Un cauchemar.
Jusqu'à ce que je le rencontre.
Vane.
Né dans les ténèbres, enveloppé d'ombres. Il est à la chasse, à la recherche de quelque chose qui pourrait altérer la trame même de la magie de ma famille. Si j'étais intelligente, je m'enfuirais dans l'autre sens.
Mais je suis née dans les ténèbres, moi aussi.
Sous une éclipse solaire, me privant de la magie de Lightlace que je désirais tant. La magie pour laquelle ma famille me punit de ne pas posséder.
Les ténèbres sont devenues une habitude, elles m'appellent comme une vieille amie, mais… Si je ne fais pas attention, je pourrais disparaître à jamais dans l'ombre de Vane.
Les Ailes Noires existent bel et bien, et il se pourrait bien que je sois tombée sur le plus dangereux d'entre eux."

Le résumé m'avait enthousiasmée, mais finalement, ce livre ne m'a pas convaincue. J'ai eu du mal à apprécier le personnage principal masculin, un homme taciturne. Je comprends que l'auteure ait voulu créer un personnage mystérieux et protecteur, mais le résultat n'a pas été à la hauteur de mes attentes. L'héroïne n'est pas dénuée de personnalité, mais certain trait, comme l'automutilation est présenté en début de roman et oublié par la suite... Il y a quelques incohérences dans le passage du temps et les distances, ce qui m'a perturbée à plusieurs reprises.
Le système de magie semble assez original, pourtant on ne nous donne quasiment aucune explication à son sujet… Idem pour le monde dans lequel vivent nos personnages.
J'ai eu du mal à le terminer. Je perçois le potentiel de cette histoire, mais elle ne m'a pas séduite. Un petit 3 ✨.

[Brittany Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC of this book!

This book has been a struggle to get through. I’m at the half way point and I feel like I’m running a marathon without water, electrolytes, or carbs.

The pacing is so incredibly slow. I don’t know how so much can be happening, whilst simultaneously, nothing is happening at all. I’ve never read anything quite like it (derogatory).

Then there’s the numerous and egregious spelling, punctuation, etc. errors. I understand this is an ARC, so there’s bound to be a few rough patches here and there, but babyyyyy, the amount of typos is really detracting from my reading experience. I realize this may make me sound insufferable, but as a former *avid* reader of Webtoon (feel free to judge me with abandon) there were amateur series I read on there consistently, that had far fewer errors.

Then there’s the repetitive phrasing. Like diva, I beg of you to consult a thesaurus so that these phrases can be reworded. If I read that Vane is “sitting, bent over”, and has his “arms on his legs” one more time, or that something hot (heat) is being compared to a “forge”, or (confoundingly) a candle flame or any flame, really, is described as “guttering” (babes, what???) I may have to take a break to scream into the void. Oh! Another one that is getting used A LOT is, anytime Vane says anything to Saoirse that is remotely emotional or insightful it “lands heavy” or “weighs heavy in her chest” (or some variation of this). This same phrasing occurs when several OTHER characters say things to her that are anything above conversational pleasantries! It’s like if Groundhog Day, the movie with Bill Murray, was a book when it comes to dialogue/narration. Also, when is Saoirse going to stop making the SAME comments about the “shadows” that “move beneath” Vane’s skin?! She’s been with him for WEEKS at this point, it’s just unnecessary observational details because it doesn’t tell the reader anything new about Vane or reveal Saoirse learning/experiencing a new aspect of Vane’s magic.

I will keep reading this book, I’m at 49% now, but it’s killing me a little bit. The characters are so interesting and the concept for the book is great, but the execution so far? Leaves a lot to be desired.

I’m at 80% now… omg how is it still going? How is this book called a “dark romance”??? She and Vane have BARELY been romantic; which is understandable!!! Considering, Saoirse has to be one of the most severely abused characters I’ve ever read about. This poor baby is not in the headspace to deal with a MAN 24/7. But why call it a “romantasy”???

Okayyyy, now I’m at 92% and I WILL have to change my rating from 2 stars to 3. Why? Because I have deep rooted daddy issues that have a price tag in the $$$$’s in therapy bills; so when a FMC pops off and MURDERS her abusive dad??? In front of a crowd of people? And says “I don’t belong to you anymore”??? Yeah, that’s an immediate hell yeah from me. Also, right after 80% we finally got a spicy scene between Saoirse and Vane. So this book is the slowest of slow burns but it was something. But I’m stoked to the MAX about the patricide.

[Allix · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a lot going on with this book, and I’m not sure that it really achieved everything it was trying to do. The magic system didn’t make a ton of sense, and we don’t get much explanation of how or why the magic works. The magic itself was really interesting, and while I thought it was going to be the standard shadow daddy stuff, it went in a unique direction that I think I would have really enjoyed if it had been explained better. We don’t get a ton of explanation of how the world works in general - the politics are sort of all over the place, and while the quest the characters went on was interesting, it didn’t feel as though it mattered because there were so many other things pulling the characters in different directions. I do think that there were several relationships that felt very well-thought out, like those between Saorise and Xan and Vane and Ryker, and I would have loved to see more of that.
I thought several of the characters had potential, like Xan and Vane and Ryker, but we didn’t learn enough about them for that to pay off. I don’t enjoy insta-love, and what Saorise and Vane had going on was definitely that. I didn’t fully understand Vane’s motivations, and that made the book feel kind of generic. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, especially regarding Saorise’s trauma, and that ultimately weakened the book. I completely understand that this was supposed to be a darker romantasy book, but some of the darker elements - the self harm and the physical abuse in particular - just completely took me out of the story rather than explaining anything about the characters that would make me connect with it better. Some of those scenes seemed to sort of come out of nowhere and then disappear, and were only brought up again when Saorise needed to self harm or be beaten by her father again, for example. They were entirely unrelated to the plot or Saorise’s characterization or growth, which made them feel sort of extraneous. I think those aspects could have been written a little bit better, if they were important to see on-page as part of Saorise’s characterization or motives.
There were a lot of unfortunate errors with tense-swapping, spelling, and grammar as well, which took me out of the story. I’m hoping those are corrected before publication, but there were quite a few.
Overall, I think maybe this book just needed a little more time and editing to be able to do everything it promised. I almost think I’d rather see a movie of the story - maybe some of the issues I had with it would have been less apparent or even irrelevant if the formatting had been different.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bree Harlow for the ARC!

[read wiff sav · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start this off with a thank you for this ARC read!!

The Useless Witch is an amazing read. I would definitly read the trigger warnings before going into this book. It has depictions of SH, SA, violence of a parent against a child as a child and as an adult, and mental health struggles. There is also death, fighting and violence, and spice. I mention the spice only because I know some people can be made uncomfortable by this.

Now, onto my review.

I think the FMC, Saoirse, is a wonderfully written main character. As someone who has struggled with mental health in various ways, I was pleased with how well written her struggles was. She clearly has ptsd and has suffered a lot in the life she has lived. That doesn't stop her from being a kind hearted woman who cares about those around her.

Vane, the MMC. I do think that he is good character, just not as well written as Saoirse. Maybe it's because the pov is only in Saoirse's perspective, but I feel like he got attached to her very quickly. His introduction is really well written with him saving Saoirse, but his instant instinct to protect her at all costs feels unearned. Don't get me wrong, I love how he treats Saoirse, but I wish there were more interactions and build up to him feeling that way. I do love how family oriented he is. He's just more proof that the men in books are usually better than the ones in real life.

While I did find this an enjoyable read, I don't think this book is for everyone. It can be a bit slow pacing wise, which is something that doesn't bother me as long as I'm entertained. Reading through other reviews is what brought this to my attention. While I didn't find this as an issue as I love drawn out stories, I know it's not for everyone.

My biggest problem with the book is the pacing of Saoirse and Vane's relationship. I stated before that I thought Vane acted too quickly with his fatuation with Saoirse. I think the same can be said about them falling for each other-- or more specifically with Saoirse.

Saoirse is a very traumatized person. Her falling for Vane so quickly after she was attacked was a bit unrealistic to me personally, but I suppose anyone can argue that trauma affects everyone differently. Though as someone who has experienced similar traumas, it took me a very long time to recover from them. Just food for thought.

All in all, I do think that this was an enjoyable read. I hope this does wonders on its release day in a few days.

Final rating: 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 for goodreads).

[Bry]

I unfortunately decided to dnf this book at 50%. I was considering powering through and finishing the last 200 pages of this book but decided against it since I don’t believe it would have changed my opinion. I read this author’s previous book, One Second to Forever, and enjoyed it a lot so I was excited to receive an arc for this book, which is why I am sad to not have loved it.

This is a book with a lot of potential. The story is very interesting but unfortunately the execution didn’t work for me. The pacing is what bothered me the most since it felt off to me. The beginning of the story moved really fast, the main characters met and instantly fell for each other, showed care for each other and trusted each other, without barely having talked, and nothing else that explained the connection between them. The world building was also lacking with the magic system never being explained and the characters talked about the world without ever explaining it, like the reader was supposed to already know it. The pacing started to slow a bit farther in to the book, but then we got parts that felt dragged out, like multiple pages of the main characters in a spring together, wanting to kiss but saying they shouldn’t, literally for multiple pages, to the point it felt repetitive and dragged out.

I did like the main characters, they really had potential. Saoirse is a complex character with deep rooted trauma that made a really good and interesting character. Vane, on paper, is the perfect mysterious morally grey character, but he unfortunately felt a bit flat to me, I wished for more from his character, but this is said only having read half of the book so it is possible that we got more from his character farther in to the story.

Overall, this is an interesting book that could easily become great with more editing. I read an early copy of this, which often has some mistakes in it that will be fixed before publishing, but this one seemed to have too many mistakes in it for so close to publication, it felt like reading a first draft of a book. Almost every single page, there were a few mistakes, mostly periods in the wrong place or the first word of a sentence starting with a lower case letter. It’s just typos, but with this many obvious ones it felt like there had been no editing done, which might be the reason that I couldn’t fully immerse myself in to this book.
Thank you Bree Harlow for the digital arc copy which i received in exchange for an honest review.

[Eternity's Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you very much to Bree Harlow for the ARC. I am leaving this review completely for free and it is 100% my own thoughts and opinions.

The Useless Witch is a darker fantasy story, covering some heavier topics such as familial abuse and self harm, but it uses those heavier topics to have some extremely compelling elements, mostly centred around its FMC Saorise and the romance in the book between her and the MMC Vane.

I thought Saoirse was an extremely well written FMC. Extremely caring and strong willed despite the abuse she has suffered, she continually forged ahead to try and overcome whatever crosses her path. Reading her struggles was hard at times as they had such good emotion tied behind them and seeing her urge for control when it was so often taken from her added lots of depth to her character.

Vane was a great MMC. Protective of those he loves, quiet and subtle in his mannerisms but with rage lurking under the surface. He is clearly a protector and someone who is willing to give up all of himself to be there for others who need it, and it was lovely seeing his fight for his family.

Saoirses relationship with Vane was slow and delicate and so nice to read. The way he could read her, how he gave her space and respected her boundaries so clearly. The gentle ways they spoke with each other. It was a balm to read, I really enjoyed the subtle, soft chemistry between them.

Outside of Saoirse and Vane, Xan was probably the character who shone the most. Someone who feels bound by duty, but wishes she wasn't. Someone who wants to make changes, but isn't sure how.

Where I think this book failed for me was the fantasy elements. I didn't find them explored in enough depth and really wished for more from this world. More exploration of the regions, better explanations and longer periods of time within the different places we go in the book.

At several times, especially towards the end of the book, I found myself questioning what was happening and why as I didnt think it really made complete sense. However the way the ending of the book was written offered good closure for the characters and I appreciated it.

I would definitely recommend this book for those who like a heavy focus on a characters internal growth while being okay with weaker fantastical/world building elements.

[Zanna Bear · Rating 3 out of 5]

❤️ The cover
❤️ The hotsprings scene
❤️ Love that Vane doesn't treat Saoirse as broken. But as someone forged in fire.
❤️ The extremophile seasnakes/watermonsters

"Men like him do not deserve to breathe the same air as you."

So… A lot of mixed feelings about this book. Some of it about the writing style, some of it about the story/character choices, and some about logistics. Let’s start with the ‘meh’ and end with the hype.

At around 50% I needed a break. The writing style just got so bland that I couldn’t take it anymore. The continual metaphors and figurative language made it impossible to just roll with the story. Once I did pick up this book again, I skimmed a lot of the non-dialogue, until I reached about 80% in the story, where the intensity picked up and I was hooked again.

My very personal pet-pieve and logistical hang-up: Vane and Saoirse can walk everywhere in a matter of days, yet at the beginning it’s been said that the whole world exists of four kingdoms/peoples who were once united under the same god. Is the world the size of a pea?

I also feel like the characters outside of the MC's are unexplored depths. Every time I get the sense
that there could be more to them, the skipping stone passes on.

What I admired about the Saoirse in the beginning, her acceptance of violence as part of the truth about her world, sort of disappears as the story continues. She's not making choices anymore, she's just going along with Vane because she feels safe around him.

I do feel we get a good vibe of the places Saoirse and Vane visit. From the sunny reds and golds in Sol, to the more aqua-teal, everything is curved in Ocea. The dark/dank underground of the Nighthunters and the shaded greens and greys of Umbra.
Personally I’d have loved some more detailed descriptions mixed in with the action, but I respect that the author chose not to focus on those.

No spoilers: the scene in destroyed Umbra is heartbreaking, I loved it.

I love that Saoirse and Vane both find their people and not just each other. That they are able to work with their siblings and that they don’t doubt those loyalties.

This is a book that stays very close to its main character, Saoirse. I think most romance readers venturing into fantasy will thoroughly enjoy The Useless Witch.


"We were objects paused in time…"

[Ravenwolf Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had me in its claws at the start — genuinely. The opening chapters felt rich, atmospheric, full of promise, like we were stepping into a fantasy‑soaked world where time bends and destinies sharpen in the dark. But somewhere along the way, that momentum slipped through the cracks.

One of the biggest things that kept jolting me out of the story was the tense switching. Not just the occasional wobble — I mean full jumps from past to past continuous to present, sometimes mid‑sentence. It made the timeline feel unstable, like the narrative couldn’t decide whether it was remembering the moment or reliving it. Instead of heightening the intensity, it left me constantly recalibrating, which killed the immersion.

Then there’s the passage of time in Umbra, which felt… elastic in a way that didn’t quite make sense. Characters seemed to form deep familiarity in impossibly short spans — especially Ryker with Sairose. It was hard to buy into their dynamic when the groundwork wasn’t really there.

And Vane — gods, I wanted to understand him. I wanted that brooding, magnetic, morally‑grey energy to pull me under. But his instant investment in the FMC felt unearned, almost abrupt, like we skipped the chapter where their connection was forged. Without that foundation, his intensity read more confusing than compelling.

The story started strong, genuinely. But as it went on, the spark dimmed. The plot lost its bite, the emotional beats softened, and the tension that should have been tightening instead fizzled into something a bit… blah. I kept waiting for the fire to return, for the narrative to rise again — but it never quite did.

And I have to say it: the artwork does not match the story at all. The tone, the aesthetic, the energy — it felt like it belonged to a different book entirely. It created expectations the narrative didn’t follow through on.

I really wanted to love this. I went in ready to be obsessed. But in the end, it just didn’t grip me the way I hoped. There’s a brilliant story buried in here — the bones are good — but the execution kept pulling me out of the world instead of pulling me deeper in.

[Kristi Hamm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Tropes: Enemies to lovers, forbidden love, grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, touch her and die, dragon shifter, unique magic system, mental health rep

Quotes:
"You have to live long enough to choose what you become."
"You were the first person who looked at me like I wasn't only teeth and shadows. You were the first person who touched my skin without flinching. You were the first person who stayed. That's why I love you."

Review:
Thank you very much to author Bree Harlow for allowing me to read a copy of this book prior to it's release date. This is my honest review and opinion. This book intrigued me from the beginning with it's beautiful cover and the title-I'm all for a good witchy read to break up the norm. However I feel this one missed the mark and wasn't quite as strong as I'd hoped it would be...while still worth the read, there were some pacing inconsistencies throughout the middle portion of the book that I got hung up on and made it challenging to really immerse myself in the storyline. HOWEVER, it did have excellent moments of atmospheric depth, most notably the hot springs, the healing pools in Ocea, the corridor 'dream' scene, and the ending. The writing absolutely pulls you into those key moments and makes you feel everything, which can be challenging to accomplish.

I feel like Saorise's character was quite well written and her growth and self-acceptance arc was beautiful to see bloom and thrive. MMC Vane was also well done but I think he could have used a little more complexity and background in the beginning-he was quite intriguing and a total green flag despite the intimidating exterior, but there's a bit of guessing where he's coming from in the early portion of their paths crossing. I also liked Xan and Ryker as side characters and wish we could have seen a little more of them! They were both strong in their own rights and added a lot of value to driving the plot but it kind of felt like they were a bit of an afterthought at some points.

Overall this was a pretty engaging and emotionally charged read with good bones, but it left me feeling like something was lacking.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

first things first please pleaseeee check tw before you go into this. It tackles some very heavy topics and while theyre handled with care, they can be intense to read.

That said I really did enjoyed this book. Saoirse is a really well written fmc. I felt her trauma and her internal pain were portrayed soooo realistically. Shes been cast out by her family, the King and Queen of Sol for being born magicless and the weight of that is palpable. But she's also so incredibly strong and kind and watching her come into her own was one of my fav parts of the story.

And Vane, this man is on a mission to save his people and his mother, I swear he's the ultimate shadow daddy. He makes yearning look like an art form, I loved how he was with Saoirse, like he was sooo patient and protective letting her set the pace and understanding her trauma in a way no one else ever had. Their connection was just everyyythingg I love them.

The world building was incredibleee and the plot, while a familiar save the world setup had a unique enough twist to keep me fully invested. I also really appreciated that this was a standalone! It's so nice to get a complete satisfying story in one book.

The reason this is a 4 star and not a 5 star for me is the pacing, specifically of their relationship. With everything Saoirse had been through, her falling for Vane so quickly felt a little unrealistic to me. The same goes for Vanes instant need to protect her, I just wish there had been a little more build up to make it feel more earned. It didn't ruin the story for me at allll but it was noticeable.

This was an emotional and immersive read, if you're looking for a character driven story with amazing character development and a shadow daddy who yearns definitely pick this one up.

🖤 dragon shifter MMC
🖤 magicless witch FMC
🖤 curvy FMC rep
🖤 shadow daddy - his magic lives on his skin
🖤 forbidden love
🖤 enemies daughter
🖤 daddy issues
🖤 touch her and you'll need a body bag
🖤 enemies to lovers

[Lauren Kitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC received from author in exchange for honest feedback/review*

Thank you to Bree for letting me read through your work, I really enjoyed the opportunity.

Firstly, I would recommend readers to check their trigger warnings as there are some quite graphic descriptions of self-harm and abuse from a parent to a child (and then later as an adult). As a mental health nurse, these depictions did not shock me, but for a lot of people it may be off putting.

Our FMC (Saoirse) is born magicless, to the King and Queen of Sol, a magical kingdom. Her childhood is difficult and she is cast out of the family and left to fend for herself, with a huge amount of trauma. She meets Vane (who is from another magical kingdom, which Saoirse has been taught to fear), our MMC, who is equally as tormented/traumatised, just in different ways. Vane is the ultimate shadow daddy and he makes yearning look like an art form!

I really liked the relationship dynamic between the two MC’s and I felt that the author did a very good job of portraying realistic responses to traumatic events and how this influences how we enter and sustain relationships (of all kinds, not just romantic). The book is very character oriented and people who appreciate character growth and found family tropes have a lot to get their teeth stuck into with this book.

In terms of plot, I felt that some parts of the story could have been developed more, but on the whole, this didn’t negatively impact my experience of reading the book and I understand why these may not have been explored in greater detail. I suppose there are just things that I as a reader would prefer, perhaps others may not. It was also refreshing to see quite a unique magic system being explored too. As a seasoned romantasy reader, it can be hard at times to find books that surprise you, but this one did!

I would say this book was a solid 4 stars for me and I really enjoyed reading it. I do love a shadow daddy that yearns, and Vane did plenty of this throughout, lovely 😊.
This was my first time reading a book by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last.

[Randi Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of ARC from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and Author/publisher. This review will contain trigger warnings of abuse and self harm that are included in the book and personal life and possible spoilers, so please be advised (I will mark areas of spoilers/triggers before continuing). Starting with the book in general it was a quick, decent read and the cover art is gorgeous. I enjoyed and hated the characters in the book (the hate is for valid reasons due to character personalities) it did feel a bit bland though. I wish there was more details to the world building. The whole world itself felt very small not sure if that was intentional or not but I felt the MMC & FMC got places quickly and there was a huge missed opportunity for them to get to know each other better. I get that they are both broken characters and sometimes words don’t need to be said but it was a bit frustrating how the FMC was ok with just not really talking at all. The different kingdoms in the world representing different elements was fascinating it again I do wished I got more information on these kingdoms. The magic system was pretty cool and how the story unfolded with the “useless witch” actually being pretty powerful for the world itself.

Spoilers/trigger warnings from here down.

The author did a great job with exploration of depression, abuse, and self harm that happened with the FMC. It is a sad reality that a lot of people live through and as a former self harmed it allowed me to relate a lot to the FMC. The fact that she was in the end super important in saving the world was beautiful and sent a wonderful message of you have been created just as you were meant to. Now I do wish there was more growth with the FMC in being able to stand on her own and not develop a codependent relationship with the FMC. I get the whole him being silent and being supportive with her trying to heal herself but I just wished there was more self healing in the FMC instead. Overall it was a good book and I’m happy I read it.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity

The useless witch… yeah, that title is a lie.
If you thought book one set the tone, The Useless Witch said hold my shadows.
Enemies to lovers but make it sharp, messy, and emotionally loaded. This one leans harder into the tension the kind that simmers for way too long before it finally snaps. And when it does?? you feel it. We’ve got: grumpy x sunshine (and he is GRUMPY)“touch her and I’ll unalive you” energy, shadow powers that actually feel dangerous, forbidden love that doesn’t play it safe and a shadow daddy dragon who is… not here to be gentle. This book is heavier. Darker. More emotional. You see the cracks, the obsession, the push and pull that hurts just as much as it heals. The slow burn? Still slow… but it burns deeper. If you’re going in expecting light romantasy this isn’t that. This is for the ones who like their love stories a little unhinged, a little painful, and a lot consuming. And honestly? I’m still sitting with it.

📚 Español:“La bruja inútil”… sí, claro mentira.
Si el primer libro te preparó, The Useless Witch viene a romperte un poquito más. Enemies to lovers, pero con filo. Con tensión que se siente incómoda de esa que arde lento hasta que explota. Y cuando explota? Se siente.
Tenemos: grumpy x sunshine (y él… insoportable en el mejor sentido)energía de “la tocas y te mueres”, poderes de sombra que sí se sienten peligrosos, amor prohibido que no se contiene
y un shadow daddy dragón que no vino a ser suave. Este libro pesa más. Es más oscuro. Más emocional. Aquí vemos las grietas, la obsesión, ese tira y afloja que duele tanto como engancha. El slow burn sigue siendo lento… pero quema más profundo. Si buscas algo ligero esto no es. Esto es para las que aman historias intensas, un poco caóticas, un poco dolorosas… y completamente adictivas. Y yo? Todavía no lo supero.

[❁ Ashton ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release Date - 5th May

Romantasy with mutual attraction and YEARNING? I LOVED this book so much !!

Their story has me gripped , their passion was relentless and the slow burn? Brutal!!

Saoirse knew she was a burden . Weak , useless and powerless but those were just the cruel words of a parent. Destiny had big plans for her future. I just wanted to hug her ! she spent years being emotionally and physically abused , tortured at the whim of an evil King, her father . Even being banished he found ways to punish her . But one night changed everything . She was put in the path of Vane.

Dark and dangerous Vane soon showed he could be trusted. He fell first but knew their feelings was forbidden and pushed back as much as he could . For a Darkwing he cared , he feared for her and he protected her , something his kind was not known for. Along their brutal journey truths are discovered , secrets are uncovered and hope had been ignited . But who can they trust when all kingdoms have their own secrets and motive for wanting the missing shards ?

This is a must read !! I was gripped ! I felt the raw pain , honesty and vulnerability. Their dilemma and their love was a constant battle. They endured a lifetime of trauma but they used the pain and anger and directed it at the evil and wrongness.. I admire the authors writing because she had me hooked into their story . I love how she don’t make their pain and trauma disappear, the healing would take time.. and that’s okay ! Something I could totally relate to them both, and I know there will be readers that would also connect to their pain and struggles . There’s power in that.

✨ Thank you to Bree Harlow for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review ✨

[Jessica (Readingdiaries_) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

The Useless Witch is an ambitious dark fantasy - I liked the world and the way it was structured - with gods fractured, kingdoms destroyed and reshaped, and magic yielded.

This book does a lot of things well. Firstly, it is well written - the writing flows nicely, I liked the way the story was told and Saoirse as a main character. I like her personnality and how much her trauma impacted her, with a cruel father and a neglectful mother. This book did a good job showcasing the impact of trauma and the way some people deal with it. I liked that it was a common theme throughout the story, and not just mentioned at the beginning and then forgotten. I also liked the characters and the setting - with Saoirse a witch without. magic, Vane, a powerful magic yielder, Ryder and Xan, I liked what they all brought to the story.

Unfortunately, despite a lot of elements I enjoyed, this book felt short for me. I mentioned it was ambitious, and it was - a bit too much, a lot of things are happening in this book, so much that everything happened too fast and did not flow nicely. From when Vane and Saoirse met to when they ran away together to the end of the book, it took 2 weeks max. It made the story less impactful. Resolutions were too easy, twists and turns were happening too fast, and it felt a bit too manufactured to my liking. I enjoyed the chemistry between Vane and Saoirse, and their scenes were definitely well-written and intense. However, the lack of foundation for their relationship and attraction makes the romance unconvincing to me.

I would recommend this book for readers who like fast-paced books with good chemistry, but this sadly did not hit the spot for me.

[Victoria Hawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. Thank you so much!

The Useless witch was a great book! I really enjoyed the story and the characters.

Saoirse is the daughter of the King and queen of Sol. A country that is within walls made to keep people out and in. In this world people are granted powers from the gods that left them years ago. Sadly, when it was her time to have her grand ceremony, she was left with nothing, no powers, and a family that hated her.
She has a very hard life from then on, but when she meets the dark and mysterious Vane, everything changes.

I thought the pace of the story was a bit interesting for some parts of the book especially the ending. It kind of comes out of no where and then wraps it all up with an epilogue. I really enjoyed most of the pacing though. Knowing that is was a standalone meant that I knew it would be on the faster side.

Saoirse is a character that lives a life no one would wish for. Her father (the king) belittles her anytime he gets (that's not all her does) as does her distant mother. She lives and works on the outskirts of the capital city in a bakery. Over the course of the boom we see her internal pain and how she copes with it. Eventually she gets help with her habits, though not willing, and starts to move past them.
If you are someone that has a trigger warring for self harm, you may want to skip certain chapters.

Vane is mysterious man that is part of a race of people that were thought to be dead. Fun fact, they are very much alive. He is on a mission to save his mother and fulfill a quest from another kingdom. Overtime her gains the help of our leading lady and of course grows to adore her.
Overall I enjoyed the book! I think it was a fun and fast pace book!

Spice- 🌶️

[Alyssa Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC via Netgalley.com in return for an unbiased review.

I genuinely liked The Useless Witch. I think it deserves a better title, but it worked with the story and was true to the POV character.

I gave this book 3 stars, but I'd really rate it a 3.5 if I could. The story is solid, I enjoyed all the characters, and the pacing was pretty good overall. I felt the story did ebb and flow more than I wanted, but it never bogged down in useless details, and sometimes moved a little too quick, but not for long. Often felt like a novelization of a homebrew D&D game (and I say that as a DM who enjoys such things, this is not intended as a negative).

Saorise feels very real and sometimes hit close to home, as I've known people who went through things like she did, or who did the kinds of things she does to take control of her life. I really felt for her and I enjoyed her character arc - it felt honest while also being hopeful, which I really appreciated.

Vane is a delightful counterpart to Saorise, and I really enjoyed how he treats her - respectful of her past but also not like she's fragile. He also seems very swoon-worthy. :)

I had a few issues with some worldbuilding and sometimes transitions felt like there was weird timey-wimey stuff happening, but I never hesitated to pick the book up again and keep going. Some of it may be ARC-content that will be updated with the published version, and none of it took away from the story enough to impact my overall enjoyment.

I comfortably recommend The Useless Witch to anyone looking to read a good romantasy book with some lovely characters, realistic problems, and a world that feels familiar but new in interesting ways.

[Stasia Roze · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute joy to get through. I was swept up in the story and taken out of reality and put into a wonderful world with magic, shifters, and a delectable slow burn.

Harlow has combined a previously released duology into one book, and it has worked seamlessly. If you hadn't told me that this used to be a duology, I'd never have known. The plot comes in ebbs and flows (complementary). Our main characters face challenges and plights, the flows, and then ebb out into recovering, almost kissing, almost feeling, steamy yearning. What I particularly like is Harlow's ability to cover travelling without stale points. Everything is done with forethought and need.

The characterisation is done so well, even down to the magic of our characters, which is almost given sentience by Harlow talking about how passive powers (the shadows) move and change depending on the wielder's emotions. This is a really clever way to show and not tell readers how our character feels without forcing dialogue or inner monologing. You can tell how much Harlow has thought about her storytelling, and small bits like this are fundamental in building a story up level by level and enhancing the reader's experience.

The romance was divine. I love a slow burn, and Harlow delivered in true romantasy fashion. She gives us everything; will they, won't they, forbidden lovers, should be enemies to lovers, touch her and die, I'll burn for you. The whole works. And when they finally come together? UGHHHH It's perfection.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy, which means that it is an uncorrected proof - so it would be unprofessional and factually inaccurate to say it's riddled with errors (it isn't anyway) and to mark it down for that. Something I think all ARC readers should remember. Readers should also remember not to be bullies and not to be rude to authors.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Bree Harlow, for an arc copy of The Useless Witch in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 ⭐️s (rounded up)

~ non spoiler review ~

I was hooked right away with this book. Only a few chapters in, I was already full of emotion when we got introduced to our fmc. That being said, the first few chapters were very intense. I definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings that come with the book before starting.

I loved our fmc and how fierce and loyal she was. It felt very easy to connect with her and I liked that. However, I sadly did not really connect with our mmc. This disappointed me as I wanted to get to know him more, but besides being a “dragon shifter shadow daddy,” he didn’t seem to have much character. This also impacted how I viewed our fmc and mmc’s relationship. I felt that it was lacking and that there wasn’t much emotion involved.

Even though I struggled with connecting to some of the characters, I really enjoyed the world building. I did however struggle with the pacing. I honestly didn’t like the inconsistent chapter lengths. Some chapters were very short and others were really long. I usually don’t care how long or short chapters are, but I feel like all chapters need to be similar length to allow for good pacing. Having such drastically different lengths for chapters did not help my engagement.

I did really enjoy the ending. During the last few chapters, I was really engaged and I did enjoy that this story is a standalone.

I do believe this story has potential, it just wasn’t for me. As always, just because I didn’t enjoy it, doesn’t mean someone else won’t :)

You might be interested in this book if you like the following:
🌹enemies to lovers
🌹chosen one
🌹forbidden love
🌹dragon shifter x useless witch
🌹self discovery

[star ⭐️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay so I went into this and ended up liking it, I just can’t shake the feeling that it could’ve hit a lot harder.

The setup was honestly one of my favorite things. You’ve got this magic-filled kingdom, and then the FMC is basically pushed aside by her own family because everyone thinks she has no magic. She starts off really vulnerable, which I liked, and then watching her come into her power later on was satisfying.

And Vane… yeah, I get the hype. For someone who’s supposed to be this feared Darkwing, he was actually really soft with her in a way I liked. He had her back from the beginning, and their connection was cute, I just wish it took more time to get there. The romance felt a little too instant for me—I wanted more tension and buildup instead of them falling into it so quickly.

The world itself was really easy to get lost in, and the writing made it a smooth read. I did notice a few moments where things felt dragged out or repeated, but it didn’t completely take me out of it—just something I kept noticing.

What really stood out though was the last chunk of the book. The final stretch was way more exciting, the battle was fun, and I actually liked the romance more there too. The spice is pretty mild, but it worked for the story. I also liked the smaller details, like her relationship with her sister, and the whole witch-with-a-bakery thing was honestly adorable.

Overall I enjoyed it and was into it while reading, but I’m not super eager to jump into book two anytime soon.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before anything else, please read the trigger warnings for The Useless Witch. This book tackles some heavy topics, and there are moments that are difficult to get through. Not because of poor writing, but because of the subject matter itself.

Now, onto the review.

I’m going to start with why this is a 4 star and not a 5. There were a few moments where the sense of timing felt a little off. At times it seemed like days had passed, and then suddenly it felt like it might have only been hours. I couldn’t quite pinpoint why, maybe wording, maybe transitions, but it pulled me out of the story just enough to notice. It didn’t ruin the experience for me, but it did happen often enough to affect my rating.

Now for the good stuff.

The world building was fantastic. I won’t go into too much detail because discovering it is part of the experience, but the world is divided into four realms that definitely do not get along, and the way that’s revealed is really well done.

The plot leans into a familiar “save the world” setup, but the way the world needs to be saved felt fresh and unique, which kept me fully invested.

The characters were also a highlight. Vane and Saoirse make great main characters, and I loved how they balanced each other out. But if I’m being honest… Xan stole the show for me. Easily my favorite character.

Overall, despite a few pacing hiccups, I really enjoyed this book. It’s emotional, immersive, and definitely worth picking up.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked that this book was created as a standalone. You dont get those very often and it was really nice to read.
I feel like I need to mention for those who want to read this book, to make sure that you read over the trigger warnings. This book does go over child abuse, and self harm as some of the trigger warnings. I do have to say that that everything was well portrayed and you felt the pain and what the FMC was going through.
Along that line, this book and the characters were very well done. The FMC, Saoire, had a very strong inner strength that showed in how she handled everything tossed at her. She also comes into her own during this book which is so fun to read. I love her relationship with the MMC, Vane was just perfect for her and with her. I think that he was her perfect parnter and he understood her so well. He goes slow with her, allowing her to choose what happens between them at her place. Understanding when she needed her space or when she needed to just be herself. He supports her in whatever she decides and I really enjoy that.
The plot and flow of the book was really well done. There were parts that I wish went into more details only because I wanted more information. Other than that everything was very well wrapped up and so epically done.
This book was very good and I highly recommend it!

Thank you Bree Harlow and her team for allowing me this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Samantha Alejandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had all the right elements, strong plot, lovable characters, and solid development, but it left me wanting just a little more.

That said, I really appreciated how easy and smooth the story felt. Nothing overly complicated, just a simple, engaging read with characters you naturally grow attached to.

The adventure, deception, lies, and character growth were all beautifully written. It’s the kind of book that feels light but still meaningful.

The chemistry between Saoirse and Vane it was there. Vane’s attachment, his gentleness, and that quiet, almost possessive care toward her… it was giving. I just wish we had more of it, more scenes, more moments to really sit in that dynamic.

And yes… shadow daddy x dragon shifter energy, which I loved, but again, I wanted more depth and interaction.

What stood out most to me was Saoirse. A character who believed she had no worth, no claim, no real place, slowly becoming the one thing that ties everything and everyone together. Watching her step into a version of herself that even she didn’t believe existed, and unlocking potential in others along the way, was quietly powerful.

If you’re new to romantasy, I would definitely recommend this. It’s a great entry point into the genre, easy to follow, enjoyable, and sets the tone for what’s to come.

Thank you, Bree, for the opportunity to ARC this. I truly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from you.

[Barbara Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5...The opening really delivers on that eerie tone, and I loved the contrast between the Lightlace witches and the shadow world. The setup for both the magic system and the danger felt rich and full of potential. The FMC’s backstory hit hard. Being born without magic in a family that punishes her for it added emotional weight, and the themes of parental abuse and anxiety were handled in a way that made her struggles feel real and grounded. Her connection to darkness, and how it both comforts and threatens her, was one of the more interesting internal conflicts. Vane, as the MMC, definitely fits the “shadowy, dangerous” archetype well. He’s intriguing, and there’s just enough mystery around him to keep things engaging. That said, I wanted more of him—more interactions, more depth, more time spent actually building the relationship between him and the FMC. The romance itself really takes a backseat to the main plot. While that works in terms of developing the world and overarching conflict, it does make the emotional payoff between the characters feel a bit underdeveloped. Plot-wise, it’s engaging and keeps things moving, though at times it feels like it’s setting up more than it delivers in this installment. There’s a lot of potential here, especially with the darker elements and the lore surrounding the Darkwings, but I’m hoping future books dive deeper.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Erin Dyches · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harlow does not shy away from exploring the depths of mental health in this story, and I really appreciated how thoughtfully those themes were handled.

I was hooked from the beginning. The bakery was described with such warmth and tranquility that it felt like a true safe haven — not just for Saorise, but for the reader as well.

Vane was a standout for me. He’s the definition of a considerate partner — patient, understanding, and never pushing Saorise beyond her comfort. That kind of dynamic was refreshing to see.

The relationship between Saorise and her sister, Xanthi, added so much emotional depth. Their bond was genuinely heartwarming, especially given the darkness in their past. The story doesn’t hold back when it comes to heavier topics, but it approaches them in a way that feels intentional and necessary.

While I really enjoyed the beginning, the middle section lost me slightly. The pacing felt a bit rushed, and I found myself wanting more time in each setting before moving on to the next.

That said, there were still some standout moments — the hot springs scene being one of them.

Saorise’s journey also surprised me. I expected a more traditional rise into power, but the direction her character took felt unique and still impactful in its own way.

And as for her father… that outcome felt well deserved.

Overall, this was an emotional and engaging read with strong themes, compelling relationships, and just a slight dip in pacing through the middle.