City of Crooked Vows: A Gaslamp Fantasy Romance

Faerie Bound #1

by Rowan MacKay

When a criminal enforcer teams up with an upright city guard, she must hide her most shocking crime of all—or face banishment to Faerie.

Hardened by the gaslit alleys of Mossburgh, Aly doesn’t trust a guard easily. Not least because her most sordid crime of all—selling her own magic to survive—is etched into her very skin in dozens of telltale scars. So when a handsome city guard catches her with a dead politician's jewellery in her pocket, she's convinced it's all over.

But Calum surprises her. Generous, thoughtful and principled, it’s clear he cares more about finding the truth than simply closing the case. He makes a bargain with help him solve the murder, and he'll grant amnesty for her petty crimes. It’s a chance to start over, free of her violent boss.

But there’s a catch. If he learns she’s committed anything more serious than theft, he won’t think twice about taking her down. And if he finds out she sold magic, it won’t be a prison sentence that awaits her.

It will be banishment to Faerie.

As they chase the bloody connections linking the dead politician to the city's underbelly and even the fae, the fragile trust between them blooms into something deeper. Soon Aly finds herself gambling not just her freedom... but her heart.

Six of Crows meets Scottish fae in this slow burn, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance, featuring forbidden love, a morally grey heroine and a traumatised love interest who sleeps with knives by his bed.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

476 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2024

About the author

Rowan MacKay was raised on a diet of fantasy novels and Scottish castles, leading to a lifelong enthusiasm for all things old and enchanted, so it’s little surprise she ended up writing gaslamp fantasy romance.

She writes angsty, enemies-to-lovers books about stabby women and the tormented men who accidentally fall in love with them. Her stories blend historical inspiration with fantasy to create immersive settings filled with high-stakes political intrigue and dangerous fae courts.

When she’s not writing, Rowan channels her passion for history and magic into sewing Victorian skirts and witchy capes, all the better to maunder around the moors pretending she’s just stepped out of Faerie.

Reviews

[Maddy Freitas · Rating 4 out of 5]

My ARC Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’d like to start off this review by saying that I’m autistic. The language and spelling of words in this book was immensely difficult for me to process, and I know that won’t be an issue for everyone. I’ve included examples of this below. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a little slow in the first 40%, and I had to learn to kind of skim over the spelling for some conversations but then it picked up speed and a ton of things were happening all at once that made it hard to put down. I really enjoyed the instant ease of the relationship between Aly and Calum, despite being on opposite sides of the law and both characters were easy to relate to and enjoy. I loved that everything Aly did was out of necessity and survival, and that she wasn’t a bad person at heart, she just had to do bad things to appease Grant, the crime “laird” who she worked for. This book had a world of magic that was so unique and beautiful, and I honestly have never read anything like it. The majority of this takes place in a kind of crummy city where the only crime some people commit is being poor, and the police do nothing but arrest them for doing the only thing they can, called salching to make money to survive. Salching is the process of letting someone drain the magic from your body which is seen as something dirty and those who do it are scum. While cops are trying to end salching and solve everyday crimes, Calum realizes that there are a string of disappearances that nobody seems to take interest in because the missing are poor salchs. Calum starts investigating these while trying to move up in his career as a cop while also running from the fey who captured him as a boy. It was interesting seeing a thief and cop work together. When Aly got arrested for a crime she didn’t commit and couldn’t scheme herself out of prison, Calum offered to work with her as his informant in exchange for getting her out. Seeing their attraction as the story progresses and they get deep into their plan/scheme was neat, and the author did a perfect job at making their connection clear and believable despite their differences. The connection they had was instant and of course it was hard not to be attracted to Aly who is cunning, funny and beautiful. Calum was easily able to open up to her about the things from his past that haunt him in order to protect her and those he loves. Towards the end as their relationship and mission grew, the plot of taking down the biggest crime laird in the city was INTENSE and awesome. The two of them scheming together on opposite sides was really cool and involved so much planning, acting, and wit. I’ve never read a book about a thief and cop, so this was a really good intro to the theme for me. The ending to this book was not nice at all!! I can’t wait for the second one to come out in October to see what happens next.

Since this might possibly help other readers who would have an issue with the language and spelling (I didn’t even know that was something I had an issue with until I started this ARC) or be turned off by this type of language/spelling, I have some examples below:

“aye, and if you’re thinking of carrying that wee tidbit back tae your boss, she’s away tae the countryside an no, I dinnae ken where”, “aye, you warned me. And you ken fine why I dinnae listen”, “Where? If you had anywhere else to sell it, you wouldnae be here. Naebody else is thick enough tae tak it aff you”. “I dinnae ke what happened tae him after that, but it’s nowt tae dae wit me”.

I’d also like to point out that some words are spelled differently or referred to differently throughout the book even if it’s the same character saying it which might have been an editing thing or just something with the language that I disliked. For example, police were spelled and referred to as police, polis, and copper. It took a hot minute to process some of the phrases too like “dinnae ken”. People also said no, nae, and nowt.

I also got major Throne of Glass vibes with Celaena and Arobyn’s relationship…like, almost exactly the same situation with the addition of Aly sleeping with Grant. When Aly decides to take Grant down and ruin him, it was also like Celaena doing the same with Arobyn as she plotted and schemed to ruin him.

I was given this ARC from BookSirens in exchange for my honest review. I am also helping to host a book tour by sharing graphics on release day for Wreathed in Tide and Torment from R&R Book Tours who also gave out ARC’s to hosts.

📚 Find me on Booksta + BookTok + Tome: @bookishsirensong – always down to scream about fantasy romances & ocean magic with fellow readers 💬🌊

[FloofyMooseReads]

This is the first book in the Eskalian Fey series, a romantasy trilogy with gaslamp vibes set in a world inspired by Scottish history and folklore. In addition to the trigger warnings, please note that in addition to the FMC’s relationship with the MMC, the FMC is in a relationship with another male I would label as one of coercion where she has no amorous feelings toward him. I received a review copy and my thoughts are my own. Thank you to the author and R&R Book Tours for my paperback review copy.

Tropes and themes include:
✨Reluctant allies to lovers
✨Slowburn
✨Morally gray FMC
✨Broody MMC
✨Fae
✨Banter
✨He cooks for her

I enjoyed the setting of the story and the gaslamp vibes. It was sort of an eerie beauty and felt effortless. I also liked how the FMC and the MMC connected and started working together. It’s not a fast burn or instalove by any means but did feel like they just fit together.

[Candace | infinitetbrofabookdragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 1🌶️

I devoured this book. A slow-burn romantasy with a gritty, gaslamp fantasy vibe, Wreathed in Tide & Torment hooked me early on and I had a hard time putting it down. If you like a cop/criminal dynamic (Carnival Row fans, this one’s for you!), flawed-but-relatable characters, and an atmospheric setting dripping with magic and mystery, you need to pick this up.

I’ll admit, the Scottish Gaelic-inspired names tripped me up at first…three full pages of pronunciation guides!…but I got over it quickly, and it honestly just added to the worldbuilding. Mossburgh felt so real, with its crime rings, political corruption, and the ever-present shadow of the fey (for those who believe).

Aly and Calum? Chef’s kiss. Their dynamic was everything—tense, reluctant, filled with trust issues (for very good reason), and the chemistry? So good. The slow burn made every moment worth it, and I loved watching their relationship shift as they unraveled the murder mystery at the heart of the story. And that ending? I need book two immediately.

A huge thank-you to Rowan MacKay and R&R Book Tours who provided me an e-ARC of Wreathed in Tide & Torment in exchange for my honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Alex (HEABookNerd)]

DNF 15%

Nothing against the book, the writing is great and the story is really interesting, but I personally don't like to read books where an MC is with someone other than the love interest. I wouldn't call this a love triangle because Aly's relationship with the crime lord Grant is more out of survival, habit, and coercion and she doesn't really have feelings for him. I can appreciate the complexity of her situation but it just doesn't work for me personally.

Content Warning: FMC is in a coercive relationship with an abusive partner (not the MMC)

[Kaalatzvya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the writing, and the Scottish background. Clever use of Scottish mythology. Found the plot convoluted, and never fell in love with the characters. Can’t decide if I’ll read part two.

[Sue Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always on the search for new authors, and Rowan MacKay is definitely a new favourite. Wreathed in Tide and Torment captivated me from the first page, with a world so believable that I immediately felt at home. The dialogue often made me laugh with an authentic, wry humour that offsets some of the gorier aspects of life in Mossburgh.
The backstory of protagonist Aly is revealed gradually as her relationships with the crime laird and the policeman progress, and I enjoyed getting to know her and her struggles. She's not perfect, but she's a character that you can immediately relate to and cheer for - we care what happens to her.
Mackay crafts their plot around folklore and faery magic but they don't dominate and there's a fair degree of realism as well. There's some strong social commentary underlying Mossburgh society which cause the reader to reevaluate parallels with our own world.
I devoured this book in less than two days and can't wait for the next instalment in the series!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in two minds about this one but, ultimately, I enjoyed it. It took a little while to get moving, but I was so glad to read something that felt genuinely fresh that I didn’t mind too much ... even if I did catch myself page-skimming during parts of the first 20%.

I wanted to love Aly and Calum, and as separate, flawed and layered characters, I did love them … but I don’t know if I loved them together. I found their jump from slow burn to "all-in" a little jarring and honestly, I was hoping the yearning would keep building into the next book so it could land as a real crescendo. But maybe that’s just my preference for a truly painful slow burn where it takes an age and a load of hurdles for the characters to get over themselves and get together. Like their first kiss in the alley? Perfectly paced and delightfully yearning… but imagine if that was it until book two and Calum had to get over the whole fae thing and get himself over to faerie to save Aly to realise his feelings?

I also struggled a little with how sexuality was handled. Some characters felt very clearly coded as queer, only for that to shift quite fluidly without much grounding or exploration. I’m absolutely here for queer and bi representation, but at times it felt a little underdeveloped rather than intentional. I suspect the author was aiming for a world where sexuality is accepted as fluid without question, which I love as a concept, but I’m not sure it fully landed on the page. A bit more insight into Aly and Calum’s histories, attractions, or emotional landscapes might have helped their relationship feel more convincing overall.

What I did love was how original the story felt while still being deeply rooted in fae lore. And Calum being the emotionally wrecked one with emotional support knives? Fun. Here for it! Because let’s be real, Aly is absolutely the strong one with everything she’s been through. I’m hoping book two gives us more clarity around why Calum, as a human, seems to possess stronger magic than almost everyone else because, at this stage, it doesn’t fully add up.

I think that’s ultimately where a lot of my feelings sit with this book: I wanted slightly fewer lingering details within individual scenes and slightly more answers overall. I love immersive world-building, but this felt a little uneven at times; sparse in areas where I wanted depth and overly detailed in moments that didn’t need quite so much attention. That said, I trust Rowan has a plan and hope it’s just a case of withholding details until later books.

I’d also venture to say that I don’t think this really gels with me as true enemies to lovers… but certainly reluctant allies fits the bill.

Final thoughts: as an ARC reader, I wanted to get all my thoughts down honestly because there were definitely elements I struggled with. But despite my reservations, I couldn’t put this down, and that cliffhanger is absolutely going to haunt me. I’m really looking forward to book two and hoping for deeper character development, more answers around why these characters are the way they are, and a little more plot momentum overall. More than anything, though, I loved reading something that felt genuinely fresh and different.

[Addie · Rating 3 out of 5]

City of Crooked Vows is a beautifully written gaslamp romantasy, and since it’s the first book in the Faerie Bound series, it ends on a cliffhanger. Here's my review:

I loved the characters and the plot was well-executed. The start of the story really hooks you in even though the actual plot takes its time to set the world and the characters in their own environments before unpacking any action, which makes it a bit slow-paced, but once you’re about 45-50% in, the plot thickens and unfolds interestingly. I also have to give it to the author for a micro plot twist that I didn’t see coming at all, which kept me hooked until the very end as I kept an eye out for more. The plot talks about some issues, such as poverty, and I liked the fact that issues like that were incorporated into the book, especially the varying opinions of different characters that perfectly mimicked the real life.

The characters, in themselves, were individual personalities, not a copy-paste of one another and you could see that in writing. Even the side characters, had their own vibrant personalities which was an element that I enjoyed. The side-characters, weren't just there to add a few lines, they were there to contribute to the plot and even have opposing opinions, which was some strong character building on the author's part.

As for the MCs, there are some very sweet elements in the book between them, and the wording made it all the better, but a word of caution, IT IS A SLOW BURN ROMANCE. And my honest opinion is that I was hoping, since it is a series AND a slow-burn, they wouldn't get together in this book. Because we read so much about Aly and Grant, we could see why she was with him even after the way he treated her and because of that, their relationship existing in the first place, made more sense to me than the main ship. Now, I'm not saying it was a good relationship, I'm just saying since the book gave so much depth to their abusive relationship, I was expecting a same amount and then some for the Aly and Calum. There was indeed chemistry between them, I was just hoping it would continue to build up until the next book and take the slow burn to the next level. Regardless, I liked the way the plot brought them together and how the MMC helped Aly accept her identity.

In conclusion, it’s a sweet read for gaslamp fantasy lovers. I enjoyed reading the book, but I do think it was a bit too descriptive in some places, which caused me to skip a few long descriptions.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amber Crook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wreathed in Tide and Torment is a great Scottish gaslamp fantasy, and I'm really excited to see where this story goes!

Tropes:
Gaslamp Fantasy
Inspired by 18th Century Scotland (and language reflects that)
Reluctant Allies to Lovers
Fey are Myth and Feared (they are real)

Aly is second in command to a crime lord, doing everything she can to survive, when she is accused of murder. When Calum, a detective, decides to give her immunity in order to try and find the murderer, Aly takes the opportunity that will hopefully lead to her way out of thievery. Calum has to face his past and fears when the murder is pointed to someone who may be fey, and Aly has to face the fact that faeries really do exist and could be among them. They also have to face that they are falling for each other, and question everything they know about the world around them.

Buckle up for this one, friends, because it is the slowest of burns. I really enjoyed Aly and Calum's characters. I thought the author did a great job showing Aly's desperation in trying to survive, and the ugly things that had to happen to do so. Calum's development was great, and I really enjoyed watching his character start to question his stances on everything he thought he believed in. This book left on a pretty big cliff hanger, and I look forward to learning about this author's world of Faerie, as well as getting more of Aly and Calum's back stories.

🌶️

Thank you, Rowan and RR Book Tours, for sending me a copy of this book!

[Soha Amer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A review of Advanced Reader Copy.

Atmosphere, slow-burn romance, and world-building. City of Crooked Vows by Rowan MacKay is a moody, gaslamp fantasy romance full of secrets, dangerous bargains, and a slow-burning emotional connection that builds through mistrust and survival.

Set in the gritty, gaslit streets of Mossburgh, the story follows Aly, a morally complex enforcer hiding a devastating secret, and Calum, a principled city guard determined to uncover the truth—even if it complicates everything between them.

What makes this book stand out is the balance between crime-driven plot and emotional tension, as both characters are forced into a fragile alliance that slowly evolves into something deeper.

This story delivers:

* enemies-to-lovers romance
* gaslamp / Victorian-inspired fantasy vibes
* morally grey heroine
* hidden identity + dangerous secrets
* crime investigation + political intrigue
* forbidden magic and fae worldbuilding
* slow-burn emotional development

The romance is especially strong in its restraint—built on trust, risk, and the constant fear of discovery. Every step closer feels earned, but also dangerous, especially with Aly’s secret threatening everything.

It’s a story about survival, trust, and what it costs to finally let someone in.

⚠️ Content Warnings

* Violence and criminal activity
* Trauma and past abuse themes
* Moral ambiguity and deception
* Death and investigation of murder
* Magical punishment / banishment threats
* Emotional distress and paranoia

[Latisha’s Low-key Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝕎𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕋𝕚𝕕𝕖 & 𝕋𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙴𝚜𝚔𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝙵𝚎𝚢
𝗥𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝘆

Wreathed in Tide & Torment is the first book in this trilogy. It is a Scottish gaslamp fantasy full of mystery, criminal activity, faery intrigue, and magic, and it has an allies-to-lovers storyline.

The main characters, Aly and Calum, are easy to like. They are two individuals who know what hard times are like and believe in justice. Though Aly is on the wrong side of the law, her situation in life forced her in that direction. I found myself rooting for both of them.

The story is told from the POVs of Aly and Calum, alternating chapter by chapter. I enjoyed both, and it was easy to decipher one from the other. The plot kept my interest and was rather unique, in my opinion.

I struggled with some of the language used by a few characters. The spellings made me do a double take at times. Here are a couple examples: “Did he discover owt? Like who micht be behind it?” and “If he did, he didnae share it wi me.” I have no idea if Scottish people spoke this way in the past, but it slowed my reading speed down a bit.

Overall, I devoured this story. It ended on a cliffhanger, and I’m anxious to see where it goes from here.

Thank you to R&R Book Tours, the author, and the publisher for providing me with this book to read and review.

[Ladenia27 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wreathed in Tide & Torment was a slow burn romance and a deep dive into Scotland, with some words and expressions in Gàidhlig or Scottish Gaelic intertwined.

I loved the duality between the FMC and the MMC, as they are in opposite sides of the laws, while dealing with their emotions, past and present issues.

I liked the FMC, Aly, her sassiness and unapologetic behaviour, although a bit unhinged sometimes, was also very entertaining. The MMC, Calum, in my opinion was a bit underwhelming, especially in the first half of the book, but he grew on me.

I felt the plot was not overly complicated although I did feel a bit of repetition in situations that I felt we’re detrimental to the pacing.

I recommend this book if you love slow burn romance, with Scotland inspired ambiance and strong willed and morally grey FMCs.

Can’t wait for book two to find out where the characters’ decisions and acts will least them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alex Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author, and I have never encountered anything quite like it. Inspired by 18th-century Scotland and its lore, I was captivated by the world-building, although the names were a little hard to pronounce, even with the guide provided. The incorporation of fae lore and mystery elements added depth to the story.

I will scream from the rooftops that, I have so much love and respect for queer normative elements and dynamics in fantasy romances. I love to see the representation! Although, it initially was slow to start, about 30% in, it picks up and you start to see the story pick up and the mystery unfold. I enjoyed the dynamic between Aly and Calum, in my mind I kept thinking of modern tv shows where the police officer has a civilian consultant. This is also one of the SLOWEST BURNS I’ve read and it felt genuine given the timeline and lack of trust these reluctant allies have for one another. 

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you open this book, you're instantly thrust into a magical and beautiful world, carefully crafted by MacKay, complete with complex and unique characters that will capture your interest the moment you meet them. You are completely immersed, and I enjoyed the fact that the characters speak in their dialect, it just added to the overall vibes of everything. (I also appreciated the pronunciation guide)! The story itself has quite a few layers to it, as do the characters, and the deeper you go, the more intrigued you'll get. I was dying to know more about Aly and Callum's pasts, while also wanting to know what was going on in the present, and it was those mysteries that kept me turning pages, wanting to know what new twist was waiting around the corner. There is some romance, but it's woven in well with the intrigue.

[nvl_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the ESKALIAN Fey trilogy and I really enjoyed it. It was a nice change for me as I’m used more traditional fantasies. This one is a Scottish gaslamp fantasy with magic, mystery, and romance. Aly is an enforcer to a crime laird. The relationship is something she had to do for survival, but not something she wants. When she gets accused and arrested for a murder she didn’t commit, she meets detective inspector Calum, who is a fairy. He offers her amnesty in return for her help catching the real killer. Their attraction grows throughout the story and this made it really believable. I love the intrigue of them working from both sides to take down the crime laird. The banter, the alternating points of view and the story kept me engaged from beginning to end. I can’t wait for the next in the series.

[Sarah Higginbottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read!

The atmosphere was dark, lush, and full of dangerous magic — the kind of fantasy that feels dreamy one moment and deadly the next. Between the fae politics, hidden motives, uneasy alliances, and constant tension, I was hooked the entire time.

I loved the rich worldbuilding and the way the story slowly unraveled its secrets. The characters felt messy and compelling in the best way, and the relationships had just enough longing, distrust, and chemistry to keep me fully invested.

This book felt like wandering through a glittering fae city where every promise comes with a price. Magical, sharp, and addictive — I already need the next book.
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Rowan MacKay and Wickentree Press📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

[Luzanne Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic, murder, and slow-burn tension—Rowan MacKay delivers an immersive gaslamp fantasy that grips you from the first page!

Aly is a morally grey enforcer given an impossible choice: help solve a murder or face the consequences. Calum is a broody detective haunted by his past in Faerie. As they chase a killer through the crime-ridden streets of Eskal, their reluctant alliance begins to unravel secrets neither is ready to face.

💀 Mystery & political intrigue
✨ Queer-normative world & stunning atmosphere
🔥 Slow-burn romance & top-tier banter
🍽 HE COOKS FOR HER!

A must-read for fans of fae fantasy, morally grey heroines, and detective fiction with a magical twist. If you love The Falconer or The Bone Season, you NEED this book!

⭐ 5/5 – Read this if you want to be obsessed.

[Christiane_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! I loved the murder mystery storyline in this gas lamp fantasy. The FMC is morally grey and throughout the book we are left wondering who she actually is and why she’s made the decisions she has. Is she telling the truth about her past? The MMC is a morally righteous police officer put in uncomfortable positions. I loved following this unlikely duo as they try to discover the truth behind a local politician all while trying to avoid the crime underworld.

I’ll definitely be reading the next one!

[Lois Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the first in a new trilogy, Aly is the deputy to a crime lord and living in desperation. When she arrested for being a murder suspect she meets a cop who is different than the normal cop and actually sees her for who she really is. As she and Calum work together to solve not just a murder but a bunch of missing person cases they grow closer. Aly learns things about herself she didn’t know. I really loved the dynamic between Calum and Aly and how they grow despite the fear. This world was rich and the twist on fey was unique. I really can’t wait to read the next book!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC for free and my views are my own 🥰


I enjoyed City of Crooked Vows immensely! I’m a big fan of Scottish romance and romantasy and this book is a great combination of genres. The ideas about how magic is used/collected and how it is stigmatized was quite interesting.

The fmc is a good balance of worldly, intelligent, and vulnerable. Her role and the way it impacts the MMC leads to a well paced slow burning romance.

The unexpected twists kept me wanting more and the cliff hanger at the end had me annoyed book 2 isn’t out yet. 😅🥰

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unable to put down this swirling fantasy

This book is a delight. The settings, dialog, and characters are intriguingly foreign and flawed, but familiar. The magical elements lightly settle over the story in a way that allows me to focus on the Aly as she unravels her past and awakens to her present. A well crafted start to a series of books anyone who loves fantasy and mystery needs to read.

[Sasha V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

˜”*°•.˜”*°• ARC Review •°*”˜.•°*”˜

I really enjoyed this book! It took me a little to get used to the spelling the author uses to denote the characters accents, but once I figured that out-I had a good time!

The banter is great, and I loved getting to know these characters better. If you're a fan of an immersive Gaslamp setting and queer representation, I highly recommend picking up this book!

[Kate (bookish.kate_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much, @rowanmackay_ and @rrbooktours for the gifted paperback of WITT. 💙 Gosh, this cover is beautiful. The story was so intriguing and captivated me from the beginning.

Rowan is a new to me author, and this debut novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys fantasy and mystery. Wreathed in Tide and Torment is the first book in the Eskalian Fey series. I will definitely be continuing this series. Can't wait for the next installment!

Tɾσρҽʂ:
❄️Immersive Gaslamp Setting
❄️Queer-Normative World Building
❄️Reluctant Allies-To-Lovers
❄️Bi / Demi Rep
❄️Inspired By 18th-Century Scotland
❄️Morally Grey FMC and Broody MMC
❄️Scots and Scottish Gaelic Language Rep
❄️He Cooks Her Dinner
❄️Banter

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, there’s so much happening in Wreathed in Tide and Torment – faeries, magic, political intrigue, murder, and romance – but author MacKay skilfully weaves it all together into a satisfying read.
The dialogue is authentic. Main character Aly codeswitches between accents when the situation demands and the verbal swordplay between Calum and Aly is sharp and witty.
There’s overt social commentary as well. This is a Gaslamp Fantasy but the plight of many of the characters reflects on latter day issues.
The main protagonists are all damaged in their own way, and their actions reflect this as the book progresses. However, it’s one of the minor characters that resonated most with me – Calum’s sister, Sorcha, steals every scene that she’s in, and I hope we see more of her in the next book in the series.

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aly & Calum

First I love morally grey characters, with an outstanding story. This is a great paranormal story that had me hooked from page one. I Loved every page! No Spoilers!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book!