A Vision of Flame

Elements & Illusions #1

by Aimee Lavigne

Evelyn Connolly never expected to be a princess, until an unknown assassin murdered the king of Elemental Magic, and her father inherited the throne.

Now, Evelyn is dragged along to secure a marriage between her older sister and the prince of the neighboring kingdom. But unsolved murders in the city and threats against both royal families destroy any hope of a fairy tale ending. Evelyn must uncover the truth before the next victims are her own family.

Complicating her plans are three fae males with their own secrets. First is Leo, a royal guard who steals Evelyn’s heart with his sweet words. Next is Damien, a soldier and Leo’s best friend, who is ruthlessly protective of Evelyn. Last is Haydn, a high-ranking diplomat who offers Evelyn anything her heart desires… for a price.

In a realm of grand illusions and grander deceptions, Evelyn must decide who she can trust with her heart and the lives of everyone she loves.

Genres: Fantasy

518 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2026

Reviews

[E.A. Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC copy of A Vision of Flame. Me and my friend did a buddy read and it was the perfect book for it. This book sucked me in right away and held my attention the entire time. I didn’t want to do anything else but keep reading. I would beg my friend to stop what she was doing so we could keep going.

There are layers of mystery in this book. The whole time you are trying to peel them back and figure everything out. Three men. All possible love interest. I was less than 100 pages away from finishing and still no idea how any of it was going to unfold. I honestly wished I filmed us reading it with our loud outburst and commentary. I think it would have been amusing to look back on. I love a book that shocks me and this one did that. There is so much more I want to say but no spoilers. Great read.

🔥 love triangle
🔥 fae
🔥 magic
🔥 mystery
🔥 political intrigue
🔥 family secrets

[Haley Bohme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC copy! Absolutely loved it and such a fun buddy read!

A Vision of Flame completely pulls you in and refuses to let go. The mix of elemental magic, mystery, romance, and dangerous secrets makes it impossible to put down you always need to know what happens next. Evelyn is thrown into a world of royal intrigue, hidden motives, and intriguing fae men, and every chapter leaves you more hooked than the last. If you love fantasy books that instantly captivate you and keep you up way too late reading “just one more chapter,” this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Sam G · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re into love triangles (or squares?) then this is a great book for you. At any given point in the book I had no idea who our FMC Evelyn was going to pick or stay with. There’s Leo the guard who is so sweet and charming. Haydn (my personal fav 🥵) is the mysterious bad boy who has answers to questions the audience and Evelyn have. And Damien who is honest and just there for Evelyn when she needs a shoulder or a friend. At various times throughout the book I was rooting for all of them. All of this along with a plot that Lavigne had me guessing and second guessing THE WHOLE TIME! 😂 I absolutely loved that about this book!

I was forehead slapping at some of Evelyn’s decisions, laughing out loud at the A+ banter and covering my mouth at some of the horror our main cast of characters encountered. There are definitely some dark elements to the book. Dark mysteries that need to be solved, interwoven with a creative magic system of elements and illusions.
This book was so great and I highly recommend!

[Erika Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review:
Okay wow, what a debut novel! This book had me from the beginning, and I had so many emotions through out it. I was happy, mad, sad, kicking my legs with excitement from things the MMC’s said. The love triangle was written well, I loved how sassy/bratty (in a good way) Evelyn was. I have a favorite MMC, but the other two kept switching places for me. I can’t wait for book 2!!

[Brittany Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to author Aimee Lavigne for an ARC for an honest review!

This book hooked me from the beginning and never let go. It’s very fast paced, but the world building is woven in so well you don’t ever feel lost. The two primary magic systems (that we see firsthand, I have a feeling we will explore others in the following books) are elemental and perceptual, which I found to be an interesting contrast and I loved reading about the world in which this book took place. Let’s talk about our characters though - I’m so attached to them, I can’t even explain. Evelyn is fiery (literally) and strong, but also kind of a chaotic mess in her own way and I love her for it. We essentially have a love square going on, and the three MMCs could not be more different from one another. I won’t say which one I’d pick to avoid any spoilers, but I PROMISE you will never have a chance to be bored with this book. I completely inhaled it and I can’t wait until the next one is out to see where it all goes next. If you like romantasy at all, this is the book for you.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one definitely deserved more than five stars. 😭

I really loved this one. I don't usually blow through 500+ page books in three days. The amount of drama and tension could start a fire in real life. I am so glad I signed up to ARC read this book.

Our main female character is definitely a brat, but not the whiney kind. She doesn't expect to ever be a queen and only goes to the other kingdom to see her sister get married to the prince. It doesn't take much for her to get wrapped up in all sorts of chaos. She starts falling for a guard and gets tangled in a series of tragic events. The real chaos begins when she starts catching the eye of more than one suiter. Her body screams for one, her heart for another, and her mind for a third. This gets her in all sorts of trouble. Next thing she knows, she has to carry secrets too heavy, and promises too dark.

This book is perfect for intense scenes and dark themes. I do recommend reading triggers and warnings. It's not a light fantasy romance. The love interests aren't exactly good choices and a lot of it is circumstantial due to the time restrictions the characters are being pressured by.

The ending is what really got me. You pretty much know who the bad guy is going to be but you don't know how deep it truly goes and that's what shocked me. The book ends just as intensely as the rest of the story and is left on a cliffhanger.

I am really looking forward to the second book in this series. This is what a true dark drama should read like!

I received this book as an ARC and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Kyra Sirag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I enjoyed this immensely! Evelyn, our FMC, is a new princess traveling to marry her sister off to the neighboring kingdom’s prince, until things go awry. Evelyn is a funny, stubborn, and powerful FMC. Although she may seem a little naive at times, the character growth provides her the grace she needs.

We also get 3 drastically different MMCs. Leo is a guard that automatically draws you into him. Damien is his best friend, and soldier. Then, Haydn is a diplomat with an agenda of his own.

This story will take you through so many emotions. It was such a fun ride. I personally loved Damien the most and can’t wait to get more of him in the series. The end of the book left me satisfied about certain characters and conflicted about others.

Read this if you like:
🔥 elemental magic
🎶 perceptual magic
🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 bargains
🥰 love triangles (and squares)
🎭 hidden identity

[Taylor Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a hard time reading and understanding fantasy books but Aimee Lavigne wrote this so beautifully, so easy to digest and comprehend. Evelyn, our fmc, was so strong, confident, brilliant, and felt everything so deeply. There are 3 mmc’s but Damien has my whole entire heart and he deserves everything life can give him i love him so much 😭
I really cannot explain how much i devoured this story. I had to physically cover the lower half of my pages to avoid reading ahead during intense moments. I had to put my book down to avoid throwing it across the room. This book makes you FEEL everything they feel in the best and worst way.
This is book 1 of 5, and i will be anxiously waiting for the rest of the series!

[Kit M · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review: This book wowed me. The discovery of a love square, manipulation and power. Aimee Lavinge is giving the world an illusion never to be forgotten. The world building and love story connection burn through your soul as you flip the pages. Yes, Evelyn is a naive little girl and the reader may facepalm a few.....many....times and shake the book like...gggiiirrrlll. But under that self discovery and needing the true guidance is all she really needs. The characters are loveable and hateable in all the right ways. There were several times i thought this is the climax (pun intended) and ending soon....oh what there is more!! Aimee gives plot twist after plot twist. This is a great first book to release out into the Continent both in the series and Aimee Lavinge

[Britany Walkling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was MESSYYYY and I loved every second of it. The drama and storyline were absolutely there. The TENSION between Evy and… multiple people 👀 had me hooked the entire time. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, something happened and it completely shifted in another direction.

And that ending?! NOT what I expected at all. I’m actually distraught learning this is a FIVE book series because now I have to wait for the rest 😭

*Arc read

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Goodness. Bookish besties, I devoured this read! I gave up much needed sleep because I could NOT put it down, it absolutely charmed me. Don't even try to guess where this story is going to take you, just sit back and enjoy the ride. I promise you will enjoy it. But now we desperately need the next book!

Run, don't walk, to put this on your TBR!

[Connie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the opportunity to ARC read this book ❤️
I was all in from reading the bio and it was even better than I expected it to be. The characters are brilliant and each personality draws you further into the world that’s been created, I couldn’t put it down.
If I could give more stars I would.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved everything about this book. It was beautifully written and the plot was amazing. Everything about this book made me fall in love and the characters are some of the best written characters I’ve read, 5/5 stars a hundred times

[lillian hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

um wtf!!!! i gotta be honest, around 60% i realized the twist BUT i thought it was going in a TOTALLY different direction! I love Damien so much and want to give him a big kith :)

[Kayla Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a love triangle which each character has magical element powers. The main female character, and the other three main male characters grow a connection to one another that makes us readers want more.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely do not even know where to begin with this book.

From the moment I first saw it, I knew I needed to read it, and after being lucky enough to receive an ARC from Aimee Lavigne, I can confidently say this story completely consumed me. I devoured it.

What makes this book stand out from so many others I’ve read is how deeply human it feels. Characters in books make mistakes all the time, but this story lets you truly feel those mistakes. You hear the inner turmoil, the regret, the fear, the longing, the conflict. The characters aren’t perfect, and honestly… that’s what made me love them even more. Their choices felt raw and real, even when they hurt.

Evelyn’s journey pulled me in immediately, and every relationship in this book brought something different to the story. The tension, the secrets, the emotional weight, the romance, the danger… it all blended together perfectly. I found myself attached to every character in one way or another, and I don’t want to spoil anything, but that ending absolutely wrecked me.

Part of me suspected pieces of what was coming, but knowing didn’t make it hurt any less.

I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I stressed, and yes… I absolutely lusted after certain characters.

This book is simply beautifully written. If someone had told me this was a debut novel — the author’s first published book and the beginning of a series — I never would have believed them. It was genuinely impressive from beginning to end.

And now comes the worst part… waiting for book two.

It’s going to be agonizing, but after this ending? I already know it’ll be worth it.

[Zany.Rin.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if I can articulate the proper words to describe how absolutely amazing I found A Vision of Flames to be. The story drew me in and had me hooked from the opening scene and by the time I got to the end I was completely flabbergasted and blown away by the fact that this is a debut novel from Mrs. Aimee Lavigne.

This book has everything I love about Romantasy. Amazing world building with political intrigue, unique and multilayered magic systems, banter and shenanigans that are hands down some of my favorite moments. But that's not all, this book had my emotions all over the spectrum. One moment I'm giggling like a school girl and lusting hard after varous MMCs to begin emotionally distraught and angry just to turn around and be on the edge of me sit excited waiting for what madness was about to descend next.

I am beyond attached to the characters in this book. To the point one might try to commit me to a psych ward for a health watch.

I absolutely love Evelyn, our FMC. She is a feisty, sassy badass who can throw around attitude with the best of them. Sure she has some flaws but who doesn't. I mean her decision making could be called into question because one would expect the end result to backfire into chaos and pandemonium but they make sense at the same time which leaves you wanting to have her back regardless.

Next there is our possible MMCs ...

First we have Leo who is our charming mystery man although I knew who he really was before the truth was revealed and the emotional bomb exploded and eviscerated my girl Evelyn’s tender heart.

Next there's Daimen, Leo best friend and partner in crime. He is the charismatic and protective captain who just happens to find joy in teasing Evelyn.

And lastly we have Haydn ... the surprised diplomat who one moment is a smooth talker saying all the flowery things a girl wants to hear and the next he's such a naughty boy with a deliciously dirty mouth that a girl also loves to hear.

I don't know how I could choose between them and I hope that in the end of this 5 book series I don't have to. I mean Mrs. Lavigne wouldn't be that mean, would she? Needless to I can't wait for book 2 and would not be surprised if A Vision of Flame series becomes the next Bookstagram / Booktok phenomenon.

[Summer Breanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no words. I just finished reading A Vision of Flame by Aimee Lavigne, the first installment of her romantasy Elements & Illusions series that releases June 2nd. Let me start by saying that this went NOTHING like how I expected. At first I thought it was giving ACOTAR vibes, but after fully reading and finishing the book I realized that it was…quite different (in the best way possible). I was on the edge of my seat and fully invested in the entire book, and I never got bored or felt like it was slow. I loved the way the worldbuilding was scattered throughout the book, making it that much easier to focus on the characters and plot rather than trying to differentiate who is from where. All characters in this book have their own unique personalities, which is very refreshing and allows you to connect with them even more. Our FMC, Evelyn, is such a fun, strong main character, but she also is very real. She makes mistakes, learns and grows, and ultimately is very easy to fall in love with. As for our MMCs (plural feels right), that one you are going to have to read to find out about because I don’t even have WORDS after that ending. If you are a fan of ACOTAR -loving the aspects of different courts and fae- but want something very different from other fantasy books, I highly recommend this one. It’s really hard to find books to compare it to because of how unique it is, but that is one of the things I love most about it. If you are in a reading slump or looking for your next engaging romantasy, PLEASE pick up this one!! The twists, the plot, the banter, and the utter shock throughout the entire book is so so worth it. The need for the second book is going to drive me crazy, but until then I’ll look forward to a hardcopy release to annotate and other readers to connect with on their thoughts!


Thank you so much Aimee Lavigne for this eARC. It was absolutely amazing and as a writer, you are so talented. I look forward to the continuation of this series and more books in the future! Congratulations!

[Jonah Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I am still screaming about the ending. When I first picked this up, I assumed it would be generally in the same ballpark as ACOTAR. And while I think ACOTAR fans will also enjoy A Vision of Flame, it's also quite different.

After reading the first couple of chapters, the book was a little more whimsical than I expected. Princess Evelyn is travelling to a neighboring magical land so her older sister can be courted by the local prince. Cool beans. BUT NO. I was lulled into a false sense of security because the first few chapters were cute. Things escalate, and then they escalate again, and then they forego the escalator entirely and grab a jetpack shoot up the stakes even higher. Some of the plot points were easy to see coming. (I'm looking at you, Secret Identity Trope.) But that made it all the more surprising when some other plot twist sucker punched me.

Without getting too deep into the story and any spoilers, the plot develops around a love triangle between our FMC, Evelyn, and a few magic-wielding men. There's Leo, who is sweet but comes with some complications. There's Damien, who is snarky but loyal. And there's Haydn, who is kind of the bad boy but gets away with his BS because he's handsome. I really liked the characters, and the interplay between our FMC and her various suitors was one of the highlights, especially when the plot let me have time to breathe.

My main complaint about the book can also be one of its strengths. Evelyn sometimes makes really bad choices. Seagulls drunk off McDonalds dumpster juices make better choices. But the choices also make sense in context. The reader can usually see a little further ahead and know that what Evelyn is doing is not going to end well, but her bad ideas pretty much always made sense at the time. And seeing that she's calculating the risks wrong also makes it more tense to read, because you just know that this One Neat Trick to fix all her problems is going to blow up in her face instead. She's exasperating, but you can't help but root for her.

Highly recommended. Five stars.

[Krista G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more! This book hooked me like a drug. From the very first chapter, I was completely under its spell, and now that I’ve finished, I’m practically vibrating with the need to know what happens next.

The world-building is absolutely top-tier. The contrast between the elemental magic and the perceptual illusions created a gripping story. It’s rare to find a romantasy that balances such high-stakes political intrigue with magic systems that feel this fresh and visceral.

The tension in this book—both the "will-they-won't-they" sexual heat and the raw emotional friction—shook me to my core.

Evelyn: She is such a relatable, chaotic mess. Watching her navigate the sudden weight of the crown while she discovered her full potential was a highlight.

Leo & Damien: The dynamic between these two and Evelyn is electric. The sweet words from Leo versus the ruthlessly protective nature of Damien kept me constantly torn. Honestly? I’m still holding out hope for a little three-way action in the future. The chemistry is just too explosive to ignore.

Haydn: And can we talk about Haydn? I needed even more of his brand of "dirty." He absolutely swept me away, and I found myself rooting for him the whole damn time. There’s just something about that bad boy energy that makes the danger so much more enticing.

The plot twists just kept coming, but the ending... it absolutely rocked me. I’ll be honest, I felt a sting of disappointment initially, mostly because I did not see it coming and I had grown so attached to the specific brand of danger and desire the story was building. However, like all truly great stories, things change and evolve. I have faith that this series will only get better with every word, every line, and every chapter.

My Final Verdict? If you love a spicy dark romantasy with a "love square" that keeps you guessing, put this on your TBR immediately. I’m already counting down the days until book two!

[Kaitlyn Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this ARC (and getting it a bit early!)😁

3.5/4 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this. It sure wasn't what I read 😂 I like Evelyn. I think she's a fiesty, independent fmc who takes nobody's shit! I was getting slightly frustrated when she was in that love triangle (square?) With Hadyn, Leo, and Damien. Like, girl. I get it, but c'mon! You were pining after one and using the others as rebounds in my opinion. I think she was a little immature in some instances.

The little bit of spice that was in the book was definitely spicing 🌶

I knew who Leo was the moment he stalked Evelyn to the beach that first night and found it kinda comical how Evelyn had no clue and just barely kept missing the prince whenever he was around.

While I enjoyed the story because it was light and not heavy on world building, it felt....long. It could'vebeen shorted, i feel. And almost like the plot got a little lost in the whole love triangle/square whatever it was. One moment our fmc is in love with Leo. The next she's noticing how attractive his best friend is. The next she's jumping into bed with a man she hardly knows because she thinks she could be happy with him after finding out Leo lied to her.

The whole point of the book was soldiers were going missing and coming up dead. Leo's brother was murdered. Then the king was murdered. There was foul play. Hadyn ended up the betrayer. But it kept getting lost behind the whirlwind of Evelyn's love life and not being able to make up her mind.

I am curious to see where the rest of this series goes. And I kinda hope Leo forgives Evelyn, even if i was yelling at him through my kindle for being too overprotective and disappearing all the time

[plottwistobsessed · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC READER**

I had the pleasure and honor of doing an eARC read of A Vision of Flame by Aimee Lavigne (Releasing 6/2/2026) and OH MY GOD!!

The way this book sucked me in and held my entire existence hostage should be studied.

Our story follows Evelyn Connolly; a young woman that was thrust into the life of being a princess after the death of their kingdoms royal family and her Father inherited the throne. We travel with her, her sister Hannah, and their father King Tristan to Gyron to meet the family of Hannah’s hopeful betrothed.

The journey is anything but that of a fairy tale. Elemental and Illusion magic is wrapped up in a love triangle and danger within the kingdom. Evelyn finds herself torn between three fae men: Leo, a royal guard that finds his way to her heart easily with his sweet words and kind demeanor. Damien, a soldier and Leo’s best friend, who will viciously protect Evelyn against anything. And lastly, Haydn. After a mysterious meeting in a dark bar, he’s learned to be a High-Ranking and powerful diplomat. He offers Evelyn anything she could ever want…but it would come at a price.

Amidst all of this, someone is picking off the royal families one by one. While trying to figure out who is behind the massacres, they must also determine the why…and fast. Doing so in a land of both illusions and deceptions will prove very tricky for our fiery FMC.

It’s hard to know who can be trusted and who to believe. Everyone isn’t who they appear to be, and things are only going to get worse if they can’t stop whoever is behind everything. Who will make it out alive?

I read this book so fast, that my heart broke when it was over. Thankfully it’s the FIRST of this series…now i have to figure out life until we all return to this world of magic and mystery.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

And here we have yet another book that completely sent me and had me saying “Wow…” when I closed it at the end. This one is going to be HARD to do without spoilers, but I strive to deliver just that - so here we go…

“A Vision of Flame” has us walking alongside Princess Evelyn Connolly of Carrowmore as she accompanies her sister Princess Hannah to Gryon where Hannah is to be wed to Prince Alexander Ducasse. As Hannah is off spending time with the Ducasse family and looking forward to her wedding, Evelyn finds herself sleeping in and then out too late on a couple of (mis)adventures with Leo and Damien - which inevitably lead to the development of a plot that will have you turning page after page after page to see what happens next. As the story unfolds, Evelyn finds that her trip to Gryon turns into a life-changing experience that will challenge her perception of herself and have her asking what comes next at the end of every chapter.

Yes, you will be “armchair quarterbacking” her through the entire book. Yes, you will become Evelyn’s biggest cheerleader.

With banter and a storyline that are as epic as they are engaging, Aimee Lavigne’s “A Vision of Flame” is absolutely worth getting your hands on if you’re a romantasy fan - and even if you’re not typically, this is still worth the read for the character development alone. Let’s not even get into how the ending of the book is as captivating as the season finale of some of the most epic shows to have ever existed.

If you’re looking for a new series to follow along with, “A Vision of Flame” is book 1 in a 5 book series and I know I’ll be reading along as these are available. Lavigne has done a phenomenal job with this book.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

This book really had me in a chokehold apparently. I started reading in the early afternoon and by the time I finished I looked up and it was night. I thought the magic system in this world was so interesting! Elemental magic is always cool, but sensory magic was new to me! Basing magic powers around the senses was really unique and I thought it added a lot to the story. Evelyn, our FMC, was never raised to be a princess, so she sure doesn't act like one. She hates court politics and playing nice, and even when she was making decisions that made me want to smash my head into a wall, she still felt super real. She's still very naive about how people act around her as a princess, but she's getting there. Alexander, one of our MMCs (not my favorite one 😒), is a prince in need of a princess to marry. He cares about duty, but also cares about following his heart, and he'll have to choose which one to follow sooner rather than later. Damien, our other MMC (and my sweet precious baby), is Alexander's best friend and Captain of the guard. He's sarcastic, loyal, and just a decent person (he's playfully mean with the FMC but actually nice to her and other women 😱). Our third and final MMC is Haydn, a mysterious man from a neighboring land whose devastating good looks and sharp tongue threaten to throw Evelyn into a tailspin. I haven't been this invested in who the FMC is going to pick since I read The Selection series when I was 13. There were so many twists and turns in this book, at some point I didn't even know which way was up or down. I really loved this book and its characters (read: Damien) and I absolutely cannot wait for the rest of the series! 

[Sparkle_LynStories · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review:

Ladies & gentlemen Aimee MF’n Lavigne has entered the chat. I devoureddddddd this. OMG. This definitely leaned more to the romance side of romantasy. I feel like this potentially is going to be a you’re obsessed or you’re frustrated but the people watcher in me, the part that should have been a psychologist was living her besttttt life reading this. It was like gossip girls but not really but like that juicy. It’s so funny bc despite everyone having a century under their belt they are clearly in their early to late twenties.

The FMC is a straight shooter her inner monologues never annoyed me. Like when we get her sister’s story she’s probably going to annoy my nerves but Evelyn is just a girl. She did not ask to be here but she is unapologetically her and that’s why everyone either loves or hates her.

The secrets in this book just kept coming and for the most part it was easy to figure out but the way everything unfolded was the highlight.

We have 3 MMCs & it took me a while to determine who I was rooting for at one point I remember saying out loud “who am I supposed to be rooting for?” 😂 honestly I still don’t know. I do but I don’t. It’s all a risk 😂 but what I loved the most is the FMC working through the different aspects the considerations were so real life. It also made me think about how comparison is truly the thief of joy and the difference between love & lust & possessiveness & healthy relationships vs dependency.

Honestly I don’t write long reviews like this which means I need a discussion board, a book club or something so much to digest. Anywho hope you love it as much as I did!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoil Free Reviews

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Author: @aimeelavigne_writer
POV: Single 1st person
Gene: Romantasy
Triggers: Explicit sexual content, violence/gore, murder, emotional manipulation, etc.
Read Time: 9 - 13 hours
Expected Publishing Date: 6/2/2026
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

❤️ World Building: The world building was incredible! The way the magic worked was so unique, and it was nice to see kingdoms that were allies instead of warring each other. It really draws you in and keeps you there.

❤️ The Characters: The characters are marvelous. Evelyn is a girl after my own heart, never fitting in, always too much. Hannah is a girl who had her personality taken from her so that she could be what someone else wants her to be. The men in the book are all complex, each in a different way. I can’t say too much about the men for fear of giving something away.

❤️ The Story: This was a rollercoaster of a story! I’m not even sure where to begin. There is so much going, but not in an overwhelming way. I laughed, I cried, and I got so angry!

❤️‍🔥Overall: I’m honestly not sure what I’m going to do till the next book! I really recommend this book!!

🐅Orange Cat Fact Inspired by Daffodil/Sergeant Whiskers: Four out of five orange tabby cats are born male—a whopping 80 percent of orange kittens will be boys. Why? The marmalade colour comes from a sex-linked gene, with the X chromosome being responsible for the orange coloured fur. All orange cats sport an “M” on their forehead. Though various legends attribute the “M” to everyone from the Virgin Mary to Mohammed, the real, science-backed explanation is in their DNA. The trademark “M” marking is caused by the same gene that gives orange cats their tabby pattern.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! From the moment I picked it up I could not stop reading it. Even when I stepped away from the book I kept coming back to it because I had to know what happened!

Evelyn is strong and fiery despite making some of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen! Even when she did not know what she wanted she did not allow her self to be backed into a corner. She spoke her mind and did not take crap from anyone. Evelyn was an authentic character who made mistakes and tried to learn from them even though it was a struggle.

Leo is such a well written character but man I hated him. The entire book I was begging Evelyn to leave him. He told so many lies and got upset every time the truth came out. Leo reminded me a little too much of people I’ve interacted with in real life. I hope they do not get back together and he can kick rocks!

Haydn is a conniving trickster who you know is scheming throughout the book but you never knew what he was planning. From the start I knew there had to be some reason that he wanted Evelyn but I never imagined it was going to end up with him being the killer. Haydn enjoyed enraging Leo with Evelyn so I thought it would be revealed he had a personal vendetta against Leo. Haydn ended up being a little too murder happy and Evelyn with just a bonus.

My favorite character from the book is definitely Damien. He is smart, sarcastic, and was the only character that was truly there for Evelyn with no ulterior motives. Damien and Evelyn’s banter throughout the book was so entertaining and made me root from them. I hope that Evelyn does not get back with Leo and finally recognizes that Damien is the won for her.

[Gretel A · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

4.5 stars. This is such a strong Romantasy debut that I enjoyed immensely. Evelyn, the youngest daughter of the King of Carrowmore, goes with her family to visit the neighboring kingdom of Gryon, in the hopes that her older sister Hannah can meet and become betrothed to Prince Alexander. Evelyn, who's firey personality matches her fire magic abilities is not one to sit quietly, finding herself drawn into adventure, mysterious and tragic happenings, and possibly a romance (or two, or three) of her own. Things are not always what they seem and Evelyn's reality and future may be held in the balance.

I got elements of TOG and Once Upon a Broken Heart, so if you enjoy those books you will enjoy this one. The characters were interesting and multi-layered, with secrets lurking in the background. I was dying to figure out their end games and see what their true motivations were. Evelyn was also lousy with choices when it came to strapping men to choose from. The flipping back and forth between her attraction for all three of these men in this love square was entertaining as hell. I couldn't decide who I liked more or wanted her to end up with. The varied magical abilities between the courts kept the story interesting and made for some cool pictures in my mind. Seeing the elements and illusions used in many different ways was an excellent development of this fantasy world.

The book ended in such an exciting place. We luckily got some answers to the many mysteries of the story, but were left at an intriguing starting point for book 2. It will be so satisfying to see what happens next.

[TiffanyMichele Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book from the lovely Aimee Lavigne. I was super excited to read this book. I had it hyped up so much in my mind and unfortunately it didn’t live up to the hype for me. A lot of other people loved it and I’m sure if you’re reading this review you will as well. For me it was a 3.75 star read. I enjoyed the plot and the magic system a lot. I did not however like any of the main characters, well maybe Leo a little bit. Evelyn the FMC was annoying to me and super naive. She fell in “love”with 3 guys in 1 week and that was just much too fast for me. I also did not like all of the secrets that every one of those characters hide from each other the entire book really. I did however like some of the side characters like Evelyn’s guards Rory and Simon and Lord Nicolas. Truthfully I could have done without any of the other characters. I honestly don’t mind a love triangle or square in this case but it just happened way too fast for me. There was political intrigue, a murder mystery (which I unfortunately solved way too quickly), banter, and so much miscommunication it made my head spin. Maybe not so much miscommunication as keeping things from people for people the FMC barely knew. But like I said, I was intrigued and am intrigued with the plot just not the romance. It was like watching a train wreck I couldn’t look away from and I am interested in book 2 because I want to see where the plot goes. Book 2 is supposed to focus on her sister, who I also wasn’t a fan of, but hopefully she is better than her sister who loves/fantasizes about any male with a pulse.

[Read_with_Beans · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5

Thanks to the author, Aimee Lavigne, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

My review is easy – I honestly LOVED it, will always recommend it, and will be patiently awaiting the next installment in the Elements and Illusions series.

I have been taking a step back from reading fantasy romance because I was getting burned out on every book having the same storyline, the same characters, and the same nonsense (egregious unbelievability). When the author so kindly reached out to ask if I would consider reading her new book, I figured I would take a chance, and I am so glad that I did.

I found the writing style to be extremely easy to digest and beautiful, but not so lyrical that it made the story difficult to follow. The pacing, plot, and fun characters made this 600-page book so addictive and difficult to put down. One FMC and three MMCs lend themselves to a spicy good time and a love square?! Each of the three fae (MMCs) couldn’t be more different, but I think readers will have trouble deciding which one they favor.

Oh, and can we talk about the artwork that comes with pre-orders and is available to purchase from the author?!?! Absolutely incredible.

I can confidently recommend this book and would also recommend following the author on Instagram. Her content is full of all the beautiful artwork I just raved about. Stop reading this review and go buy the damn book already!