City of Crooked Vows

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 her: 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, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Mystery, Romantasy, Paranormal, Slow Burn

447 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

[Ashley {_xamountofbooks} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via the author)

I do enjoy a "oh no we have to kiss to hide in plain sight" moment. I thought Aly was a great morally grey character. I liked her and Calum together as they worked together from opposite sides. I also really loved Sorcha as a character.

[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 💬🌊

[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)

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I say this book was a trip, I mean it!! In the best way possible. I devoured this book and then wanted to come back for more. I seriously could not put it down. Rowan MacKay absolutely knocked this one out of the park.

Our FMC, Aly, is one of my new favorite FMC’s. She’s smart, shrewd, morally grey, and loves to get herself into some trouble. Enter Calum, our MMC. Tall, cute, funny, a cop with very strict morals, what could possibly go wrong? The answer is everything, in the best enemies to allies to lovers way. These two have one of the most epic journeys I’ve gotten to read about in a while. Not to mention, this is a gaslamp fantasy with Scottish Fae.

I will admit, I was getting worried about how all of the different plot lines would pull together towards the middle, but, in the end, they were wrapped up perfectly, with an excellent cliffhanger for book two.

I will 100% be continuing this series and am already hyped for the second installment. Thank you to Rowan MacKay for trusting with the ARC of this for my honest review!

[Anna Berger · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

What an intense book. Let me just say this book was different from what I thought it would be. Aly was by far my favorite character in the book. She was such a dynamic character. Her relationship with Grant very much gave me Celaena and Arobynn vibes (for those who have read the throne of glass series). Calum lowkey got on my nerves at times, but I can understand how his actions were just a part of who his character is. Ending the book on a cliffhanger was really a nail in the coffin because I just want to know how the stories are going to end for these characters.

⭐️3/5

[Kyla Branston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really short but actually quite good. Sped through this one because I only had 8 days left to review but actually quite enjoyable. A hidden gem really!

[Andrea_books201]

It's just paused for now. Hope I can go back to it as soon as I end with the ARCs I can still do on time.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[Cori Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy-Scottish-cities are such a great setting I haven't a clue why more books don't use it ... but this one makes the most of it: cold and damp and beautiful and menacing.

The story follows police officer Calum, as he investigates the murder of a politician, and missing people. Caught up in that, is thief Aly, also a magic-seller (entirely illegal in this story) and deputy to one of the city's major crime lords. They start to work together for their own reasons, building and breaking trust, and uncovering information about the evil fae in this world. The dual POV works well, as they have SUCH different motivations, backgrounds, thinking and feelings.

Note, this is more of a relationship story than a romantic romance -- I enjoyed that aspect, because people ARE messy, they do not always (or even often) have a few practice relationships and then Find The One. But I know some like cleaner lines, so just to be aware. Here, we get all the emotional and practical complications you'd imagine as Calum is still dealing with the failure of his last relationship, and is still involved with him in various ways, while Aly is in an ongoing coercive relationship with the aforementioned crime lord.

On the grumping side ... personally I'd've liked an even slower-burn, since there's a lot of 'enemies' to overcome to get to 'lovers'. I'd also have liked the story to stay within the realm of 'gritty' and not take occasional swerves into 'grimdark' with an on-page torture scene and other darker elements. Personal taste, of course! The police are unbalancedly awful in several ways, there's no nuance here, and I'm not sure how well that fits into the setting. A critical neologism, "salching", takes For Ever to be defined, it took me several mentions to be able to work out from context that it's the process of selling magic. Minor niggle, but annoying at the start of the book. While at the end, the cliffhanger is tastefully done, but we are still very clearly stopping part-way into the story, which I always struggle a bit with.

All in all, I think the setting is the aspect I liked most, so will see how I feel about reading Book 2 when we get there next summer.

Rating: 15/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance review copy provided by the publisher.

Content tags: Torture, murder, assault, police brutality, and intimate partner violence. Blood and scarring, including scars resembling self-harm scars. Previous faery abduction of an MC, leading to current trauma and attempted murder (off-page and historical) by a family member. Parental neglect and emotional abuse (discussed; off-page and historical). References to past abortion and unwanted pregnancy. Classism, exploitation, and fantasy discrimination. On-page swearing and sex.

[Dana Vit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author, Rowan Mackay, for this eARC! My opinions are my own.

There was a lot about this book that I really liked. It’s fantasy w/a murder mystery! 👏🏻 The fae are not friendly, which is different than a lot of books right now. It had a vintage feel to it that I enjoyed. The magic was interesting- humans can be taught to wield magic and it’s mostly used for everyday things like lighting fires, turning lights on, heating up water, etc. And, magic can be sold. There are guilds and crime lords, rich and poor, government conspiracy and murder.

Aly and Calum are a good representation of two people, from two very different backgrounds, who have to come to trust each other. They’ve both had terrible things happen in their pasts that leads to distrust and insecurity, so much to overcome. They’re both actually good people deep down, but Calum’s heart, oh my he’s precious (even though he’s a copper). 😉💚

There’s some good surprises along the way, and the ending! Can’t wait to see what happens next.

[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.

[ARIII ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.7 🌟

And this is why ladies and gents not finishing a book should result in some type of fine. Not finishing a book might have you miss out on a great adventure. Although the first 35ish percent of the book was very slow paced and had me struggling to read though due to do language and lack of knowledge in Scottish folklore (completely my ignorance) the last 65% was so worth the journey that I need the ARC for book two in my email by the EOD.

We have our FMC, Aly, who has struggled in life after her mother put her out after an argument. That struggle has left her to turn to crime which eventually leads her in the life as the deputy to a crime lord, Grant. Aly has done some things for her survival that she is not too fond of, one of them selling her magic, which the process involves an excruciating extraction leaving scars of the proof. Her dearest Grant's criminal business revolves around this process. But Aly finds herself at the end of the road when a politician turns up dead and the jewelry he'd given her the night prior is within her possession when a cop, Calum, corners her about it. Semi believing Aly's story of the politician giving her the jewelry, Calum decides to strike a deal with her, she becomes his informant and gets to walk away freely. As they begin working together, Aly realizes that Grant has been withholding information from her and it's way more to unveil than the murderer of the dead politician. And of course a forbidden attachment between Calum and Aly arise that both of them know they can't entertain. I use the word “attachment” loosely for they do confess their feelings for each other, but I necessarily don’t feel love between them… at least not yet… or maybe at least not from Aly. I do know for sure Calum is in love. The way he speaks about Aly is very subtle and honest you can feel his yearning for her.

When first indulging in the story, as stated prior, there was some language and references that had me stopping (more than I'd like to) to educate myself which is not a bad thing but can become a distraction when trying to get into the story. What pushed me to keep going was honestly Calum, he was a notable man with a haunting back story and I wanted to strip him of his secrets, something that not even his previously lover could do.

But once we hit that 35ish mark when Aly has an awakening of her not being able to continue living the life being Grant's play thing, the story gets really interesting REAL fast. While some things I saw from a mile away, MacKay gives us layered reveals which is *chefs kiss* Honestly I could not put the book down and read through the last 65% like it my life depended on it. And as the pages dwindled down I realized that our story was far from over.

A notable mention from the story I'd like to shout out was when a turning point happens between Calum and Aly and he immediately realizes his wrongs, even though its apart of his haunting history, because of course those attachments, and he apologizes. Their attachment, I wouldn't describe as a slow burn but more as them being cautious due to their positions. Calum (to me) is the type that falls fast and is secured in his feelings. And Aly is so lucky to be loved by a man like that. I do however think, the love confession could have waited until book 2 especially because !!!SPOILER!!! they are currently separated. The longing between one another would have made the confession even more sweeter once they reunite.

I'm thrilled to have finished such a story and looking forward to the next installment.

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

** Thank to the author and their team for allowing me to serve as an ARC reader **

A City of Crooked Vows is a gaslamp fantasy romance story setted in a some sort of Scottish inspired backdrop low fantasy realm following the story of two main characters - Aly and Calum. Aly is a crook - the second in commander for the city's most vicious crime lord (Grant) and Calum is a police officer - or copper as they're called in the book - whose past of being abducted to faerie as a teenager to later escape and move to the city is the underlying factor to his personality and character traits as a police office.

The book mainly reads almost as a mystery as to why there are salchs - poor persons have to sell their magic to get by who are later found out to be demi-fae - going missing. Calum - seemingly the only non-crooked police in the entire city - is on the search as to why these people have gone missing, afraid that something fae lurks underneath these disappearances. At the same time that these people start going missing, a local politician is murdered, drawing lots of questions as to why they would be targeted, eventually leading Aly and Calum to meet. Aly starts serving as an informant for Calum due to her suspicions that her boss - the crime lord Grant - is involved in the missing persons case AND the murder of the local politician.

The overall read was fine and I'll start off with the positives: I really enjoyed the setting and found the prose to be well done. For me, the overall book fell a little flat and because of that I am rating it a 3 stars based on my weighted score:

📖 Storyline / Plot 15%: 3.5 -- I was torn here because I think the overall plot had potential and it was interesting as a mystery to be solved but I think a lot of the subplots didn't fit well together and to me, appeared to be tacked onto the story. Because of this, I think the overall plot twists and such didn't land.
✍️ Prose & Writing Style 15%: 4 -- I think the writing was well done overall, 3rd person POV
💕 Romance Chemistry 15%: 3 -- Something about the relationship between Aly and Calum just wasn't it for me. It was definitely a slow-burn romantic affair but even when we finally got their coming together, I was not moved. I think for me, the small moments that happen throughout a slow-burn that allow for that build-up were not strong enough for me to really feel their romantic chemistry.
🌍 World-Building 15%: 3.5 -- The magic system and the world building of this book were interesting.
🎭 Character Development 10%: 3.5 -- I'm not sure I would consider the character development strong. I think there were moments where I could see some development, but I am not convinced enough was done for the secondary characters to warrant being in the story.
⚡ Pacing & Structure 10%: 3 -- The pacing was one of the biggest issues for me and I am not sure if it was because it read as a mystery so perhaps there were bound to be cold spots, but overall I felt that it took a while to get into the main story line and then it got interesting and then it got cold again.
😮 Emotional Impact: 20%: 3 -- I was not moved by the plot nor by the the MMC and the FMC romance. I think this is a book that I would read book 2 to see what happens, but at least for book 1 I was not able to get emotionally attached to any of the characters.

Overall Score: 3.35 out of 5

[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.

[Michelle Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

City of Crooked Vows: A Gaslamp Fantasy Romance, is a well written mystery novel that will have the reader truly emersed in the universe she has created and wanting to read more to figure out the mystery. Rowan MacKay does an excellent job at creating her world, Mossburgh. Her descriptions of the impoverished city streets, the docks, the taverns, and the more middle/upper class parts of town allowed me as the reader to feel like I was part of the story. I could feel the cold salt spray from the docks, I could hear the creaks in the wooden stairs and floor boards, I could hear the every day commotion of the city streets and the police station. MacKay's eye for detail goes beyond the world she has created, but to the characters she has developed. Aly, Calum, and Grant are well though out characters placed into this well though out world. For me as I read, I became attached to Aly and her situation of trying to survive in Mossburgh. Throughout the book I admired her grit and fast thinking, rooting for her to make it through to another day so she could stick it to Grant. MacKay character development of Grant truly made me want to despise him and made me itchy to hurry Aly and Calum along to do him in. Calum, the straight laced, do the right thing copper, is a great balance to Aly's do what you have to do to survive mentality. What makes the pair work is that beneath it all they have the same moral compass, to help those who have been ignored by the corrupt system, they just go about it in different ways. MacKay develops her story from trying to solve the murder of a well liked Burges, to the workings of the seedy crime syndicate, to the inclusion of the Fae world and the half-Fae who inhabit Mossburgh well and sets the story up for a second novel in a way that truly seems like a continuation of the stories of Aly, Calum and Grant (something that I am looking forward to!)
The triggers in this book, abuse, kidnapping, act of scaring, did not effect me, but those sensitive to those triggers may be effected. I feel MacKay did a good job of writing those scenes by choosing her words carefully so that the full emotional impact of those actions were felt, with out an excessive amount of physical description.
The only negative I would give for this book is the development of romantic interest between Aly and Calum. In the beginning of the story she barley mentions or gives importance to their attraction to each other and clouds the possibility of them possibly getting together by introducing Calum's ex-lover turned friend Lewis early in the story. MacKay also adds a scene where Aly contemplates if she could have had a romantic relationship with her female friend/crime boss Yuanni. To me it doesn't matter if a character is gender fluid/pan/bi-sexual, but it just didn't seem to fit with the characters she was developing. I wish she would have mentioned it early in the character development or in the world creation because it just came as a surprise to me.
City of Crooked Vows is a well written story that will place the reader in the world of Mossburg with all of its hidden crime bosses, police corruption and secrets and have you rooting for Aly and Calum to be the shining light in the dark city.

[Belinda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

City of Crooked Vows completely consumed me. ✨🗡️🍃

I loved every second of this book and absolutely devoured it. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into the grimy gaslit streets of Mossburgh and honestly never wanted to leave. This was the kind of story that kept me saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was 2 AM. 😅📖

Aly’s story immediately hooked me. A criminal enforcer carrying dangerous secrets, surviving however she could in a city that seemed determined to crush people like her, she felt so real and heartbreakingly human. 💔✨ Her scars weren’t just physical reminders of the magic she had sold to survive—they represented every impossible choice she’d been forced to make.

When Aly found herself caught with a murdered politician’s jewellery and face-to-face with city guard Calum, I expected sparks. What I got was something even better. 🔥 Their partnership was messy, reluctant, frustrating, and absolutely addictive. Watching a woman tangled up in the city’s criminal underworld team up with an honest guard to investigate a murder should not have worked this well… but it did.

And Calum? 🥹🖤 He was thoughtful, principled, and carrying his own wounds. The fact that he cared more about justice than easy answers made him impossible not to love. The trust between them built painfully slowly, layer by layer, and every tiny moment felt earned. The slow burn was slow burning in the best possible way. Every glance, every conversation, every reluctant moment of vulnerability had me kicking my feet.

🌫️✨ The worldbuilding was incredible. The Scottish Gaelic-inspired names added so much character, and Mossburgh itself felt alive. Between the crime rings, political corruption, dangerous bargains, whispers of the fae, and the constant feeling that something sinister lurked just around the corner, the atmosphere was absolutely immaculate. I could practically smell the smoke-filled streets and feel the tension hanging over the city.

🔍🩸 The murder mystery kept me invested the entire time. As Aly and Calum dug deeper into the connections between the dead politician, the criminal underworld, and the fae, the stakes kept rising. Every revelation pulled me further in, and I loved how the mystery intertwined with the romance rather than overshadowing it.

What I loved most was how flawed everyone felt. Nobody was perfect. Nobody always made the right choices. They were messy, damaged, trying their best, and that made them incredibly easy to root for. ❤️

And that ending?! 😭📚 Rowan MacKay really expects me to just casually move on with my life after that? Absolutely not. I need book two immediately.

✨ Perfect for fans of:
🗡️ Cop x Criminal Dynamic
🔥 Slow Burn Romance
💔 Traumatized Characters
🌿 Morally Grey Heroine
🧚 Scottish Fae Lore
🔍 Murder Mysteries
⚔️ Enemies-to-Allies-to-Lovers Vibes
🌫️ Atmospheric Gaslamp Fantasy
🤝 Forced Partnership
❤️ Learning to Trust Again
🏙️ Corrupt Cities & Criminal Underworlds
✨ Magic, Secrets & Dangerous Bargains

Thank you so much to Rowan MacKay for the ARC opportunity. 💜 This was an unforgettable start to the series, and I’ll be eagerly waiting for the sequel!

[Glitched.Havok · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many fantasy romances give us an MMC who can intimidate an army before breakfast. Calum is not that man. He's a city guard who is trying to do the right thing, but he's also afraid. He doubts himself. He makes mistakes. His fear of the fae doesn't magically disappear because he's the hero, and honestly, that made him feel so much more human.

Did he frustrate me? More than once.

There were moments where I wanted to reach into the book and shake him because his fear kept getting in the way of the people he cared about. But that was also what made his character work. His choices weren't born from cruelty.

They came from years of prejudice, uncertainty, and believing he was protecting everyone. Thankfully, his sister was there to challenge those beliefs and remind him that things are rarely as simple as they seem.

Then there's Aly.

My heart absolutely shattered for her.

She has spent so long surviving instead of living that every decision she makes feels heavy. She carries secrets that could destroy her life if anyone discovered them, all while trying to escape the grip of someone who has spent years controlling her through fear. Watching her constantly weigh every word and every choice because one mistake could cost her everything was heartbreaking.

The relationship between Aly and Calum is built on fragile trust from the very beginning. One is a criminal forced into impossible situations. The other is a guard determined to uncover the truth.

They should never have been allies, yet somehow watching them slowly lower their walls felt completely believable. Every conversation had tension because you always knew one secret could bring everything crashing down.

I also loved that this wasn't just romance wrapped in fantasy. The murder investigation kept pulling me deeper into the story. Every answer uncovered another question, and just when I thought I understood where everything was heading, another layer appeared. The mystery blended so naturally with the world, the politics, and the growing danger surrounding the fae that I never felt like one element overshadowed the others.

And the emotions?
They hit hard.

I cried for Aly. I hurt for the impossible choices she had to make. I even hurt for Calum, despite wanting to yell at him more than once. That's when I know a book has done its job. When it can make me frustrated with a character while still understanding exactly why they're making those choices.

Then came that ending.
Excuse me?

That cliffhanger was absolutely brilliant in the most emotionally offensive way possible. I closed the book and immediately needed the next one because there was no way I was leaving these characters there.

If you love fantasy romance with flawed characters, emotional depth, genuine character growth, a murder mystery that keeps you invested, and a romance built on trust that has to be earned instead of handed over, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.

[Magpie's Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Thank you so much to Rowan MacKay for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***

5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


From the moment I began City of Crooked Vows, I found myself immersed in the city of Mossburgh and its rich history. This story proved to be a mixture of Sherlock Holmes and Carnival Row, with the Scottish folklore adding a richness of history to the novel, creating a captivating read from beginning to end.

The entire novel is filled to the brim with impeccable detail, each scene immersive and capable of tantalizing all five senses. As if having a mastery of writing vivid scenes with incredible prose was not enough, MacKay’s character creation is flawless. Each character is created with care and depth, especially Aly and Calum. They both want to do the right thing while fighting the demons of their pasts. This fight is where their differences shine; Aly uses her pain and suffering as a motivator to keep going, whereas Calum is frozen by it, fleeing from it instead of facing it head-on.

In the end, they are two tortured souls who support one another to try to make the world a better place for the vulnerable and downtrodden.

The moment Grant appeared on the page, I loathed him. He is the definition of a crooked man in power, and I held my breath every time he showed up, bracing myself for whatever cruelty he had dreamed up in-between moments with Aly. MacKay created a villain we grow to hate more and more alongside Aly.

When reading stories such as this, side characters can feel like last-minute additions to the story that push it along instead of adding to its richness. But that is not the case in this story. Each character stood on their own two feet, adding depth and history without feeling forced. Sorcha was especially endearing, providing the perfect comedic relief mixed with being a voice of reason. Lewis had me oscillating between loving him and hating him, but by the end, he had redeemed himself in my eyes. I hope we get to see more of them in the second book, especially Yvaani, as I felt like we had just started getting to know her before the end.

From a romance standpoint, the build between the main characters is gradual but intense, moving from reluctant allies to friends to lovers with ease. The tension between Aly and Calum is delicious, and the moment it breaks loose is well-earned and incredible. By the end, I was both cheering and crying for them. They are a stunning couple with the potential for a beautiful, heart aching continuation of their romance in the next book.

Overall, City of Crooked Vows was a delightful read full of mystery, magic, unforgettable characters, and a story that will leave you breathless and desperate for more. MacKay created an incredible world, and I look forward to reading book two in earnest.

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follows a thief and a detective who team up together to find missing people and to bring down a crime lord who has a hold over Aly, the thief.

I really enjoyed this one! I always enjoy a good mystery intertwined with a fantasy. Those two genres blend so well together, and this one had a particularly good blend of both.

The mystery and suspense was heavily placed throughout this story, but along with their plan to bring down the crime lord made me at times forget we are still trying to also solve a mystery that may or may not actually include this said crime lord. I just loved the guessing game I played through the whole book trying to figure out who the true culprit is and still being surprised by certain twists and betrayals that are riddled throughout.

The world itself is gritty and quite beyond morally grey, an underbelly of just grey people with some good sprinkled throughout. The magic system is unique and not thoroughly explained, but enough that you get the sense that magic is a touchy subject amongst the people that even we can’t seem to talk about it. It’s the Fae’s power and we don’t talk about them!

The characters really made this story though. Aly and Calum are flawed characters. They’ve both been through a lot in their own ways, and have had hard lives to get to where they’re at and both are still trying to get to a better life while also trying to adjust their natures, like Calum and his controlling nature which is out of love.

The romance is such a slow burn. These two do not trust each other, with good reason, at first. And it builds slowly, allowing them to learn about each other. And even when certain secrets are revealed, and yes, some may overreact, their communication was so on point. Despite being disappointed or hurt, they still would approach each other and apologize or talk about it, they didn’t run away and stay away creating unnecessary drama or miscommunication. I just so appreciate these flawed characters who recognize they have things they need to work on and are TRYING and they do this by talking to one another. I just loved these two so so much.

And then the relationship between Calum and his sister is so sweet. They definitely act like siblings, but you can sense the love and fierce loyalty and protection they have for the other. And her and Aly get along really well too causing Sorcha to see when Calum is being an idiot.

This was such a good story and hard to put down. Definitely worth the read if you love mystery mixed with fantasy. Plus, that ending has left me wanting more and I need to know how this story continues!

Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Aja Morissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating:10/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 1/5🌶

I volunteered to be an ARC reader and received this book via e-reader in exchange for an honest review.

That being said, if I could rate this book 10 stars, I would. The storyline was so spectacularly well written. I couldn't put it down. A magical 19th century Scotland was a nice break from the norm of Magical England.

Calum and Aly are my new favorite couple. Calum's struggles with his past and the PTSD that causes him to feel the need to control everything is so realistic. Rowan's ability to craft her characters makes you truly sympathize with him. I just wanted to reach into the book and hug him. He has a constant struggle with his fears. With his past being what it was, he could have easily gone down a different path and became a "dark" character, but he is this ray of light and shows his principles throughout. You just love him for it. When he lashes out at Aly, when he finally sees her scars, I cried. I cried for both their pain and fear. Which leads me to Aly. She is such a strong character. She is a survivor and her ability to think on her feet is so admirable. I hate that life has treated her so poorly, that she doesn't think of herself first. My heart bled for her. Her relationship with Grant is one that a lot of women unfortunately find themselves in. Feeling trapped, forced to bend and cater to their needs and wants. Constantly on edge and looking for their mood shifts. I feel like many are going to be able to relate on some level.

There isn't a lot of spice in the book, so if you prefer books with high spice content, this might not be for you. When they do finally have their moment though, it was so beautiful and tastefully written.

The overarching theme of poverty and how people are punished for it is compelling. You can see the parallels between their world and what is happening in current times. Corrupt politicians being in the pockets of the wealthy and criminal, passing laws that benefit them; it was like looking at a reflection and seeing our own world.

I do have to leave off with...why Rowan?? Why must you leave me on a cliffhanger? I am now waiting for the next book with baited breath. I read a lot of books in a month, but few rarely give me the emotional connection that this book did. So, thank you, Rowan, for giving us such a wonderful piece of literature. I NEED to have a physical copy as soon as it is released.

[Janessa Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much more than I could've hoped for. The world is stunning, the characters are complicated, and the plot is addictive. City of Crooked Vows is a murder mystery set in a magical world where very few know about the terrible Fae that are closer than they seem. Aly, a woman deep in the crime world, meets Calum, one of the only clean cops in town, and they begin a partnership to find the culprit of the murder. Little by little they grow closer together, but their trust is hard earned and easily challenged. Both have secrets that could change the course of their relationship and pasts they'd rather forget about completely.

I cannot stress enough how beautiful this world is to me. I've never read gaslamp fantasy but I have to imagine this is an example of what a perfect one looks like. Combine that knowledge with the characters who feel so real I could run into them on the street and action that kept me holding my breath for chapters at a time, and you have an idea of how amazing this book is.

Below are notes I took during my read, though there admittedly aren't many because I struggled to put the book down to take notes. Each chapter had so much to digest that I just had to sit with it.

A page in and I could already recognize that this is beautifully written. The voice of the author feels elegant but real. The reader is thrust straight into the world, which I love, but the writing ensures they're never too lost. And yet there's still a mystical feeling to it all. The writing remains strong throughout the narrative. This is definitely one of the most beautifully written books I've read. It doesn't have flowery language or anything, but the writing is concise, the vocabulary strong, and the dialogue natural. I was thoroughly impressed by the language the entire read.
I wasn't a huge fan of Aly's initial lustful reaction to Calum. It came on too hard, but thankfully it didn't seem to impede their relationship from growing naturally. I really love how they grow closer slowly, especially since they both know they can't fully trust each other. I do wish Calum would've had a stronger reaction to Aly being The Wulver's deputy, or at least that he had a more of a suspicion that she was working with him so his reaction (accepting it immediately and being on her side despite how deep in the crime world that makes her) made a bit more sense. I love that he was concerned for her, but the information didn't seem to change his opinion of her at all.
Chapter 29 had me in a chokehold. Grant is such a well written villain. There is so much tension knowing that Grant has so much power over Aly and she has no one to go to who can help her out of the situation. My heart was breaking for her as she desperately tried to escape his clutches.
As I mentioned, I could hardly put the book down to take notes for my review. Every chapter pulled me in so completely that I didn't want to leave the page. The world is so well rounded, I love the setting and the lore we learn throughout. The idea of Fae being seen as a superstition while being a very real thing that people are surrounded by is so fascinating to me. I loved how entwined magic is to the world but how it is almost viewed as a science while Fae magic is considered fantastical.
Calum's past in Faerie also fascinated me. His character is definitely my favorite. His trauma affects him so deeply; he wants to protect those around him from the terrors they can barely even believe in but he's often frozen in fear from those same horrors. His struggle isn't one explored in the books I've read, but it is one that feels very real. Aly is an amazing FMC as well. Her reasoning always made sense to me, though it was occasionally heartbreaking to read. Her inability to trust Calum, who cares deeply for her, because of her past with Grant works very well. I like that she does everything she can to remain independent. She is such a strong character. I cannot wait to see how her strong unfolds.
The ending of the novel had my jaw on the floor. I am pained to leave this fascinating world and these gorgeous characters, but I'm glad that I can look forward to the next book! I won't be forgetting this one for a long time.

[minimalistreadingnook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The City of Crooked Vows by Rowan MacKay follows Aly, an enforcer for a crime boss in the city of Mossburgh, as she forms an unlikely team with Calum, an unusually upright and moral copper, to solve the murder of a prominent politician. Things get messy as they navigate a world full of complex politics and dangerous secrets while also attempting to deny the growing attraction they have for one another.

Overall, this is a fairly solid first installment in the Faerie Bound series. The author does an excellent job of painting a setting that illustrates the desperation the citizens of Mossburgh endure at the hands of the corrupt politicians and city guards.

Aly becomes a truly endearing character when you realize just how much poverty and hardship she’s faced. She has nowhere to go and has to do what it takes to survive, even if it earns her the judgment of other people who may not have been forced into those same types of choices. Calum is an equally likeable character as we learn more about his past and witness just how deep his desire for truth and justice will take him.

The author also excels at writing action and suspense scenes as there were many moments that had me on the edge of my seat and gasping out loud.

The love story was sweet, but needed a little more development to be more meaningful and resounding–individually, I enjoyed their characters; however, together, some of their moments lacked the emotional punch I was looking for.

It did take me a while to get fully invested in the story. Around the halfway mark, the plot picks up and becomes something that I truly could not put down. The action happened quickly, which makes for an exciting read, but also meant that a lot happened in a short amount of time. At times, it was a lot to process and got slightly confusing.

Also, some of the actions seemed a little too obvious to be believable. Calum and Aly were always very discreet with their actions, which made it seem odd that they could deceive as many people as they did. However, despite a few pacing and romance related issues, I look forward to picking up the next installment of this series!

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.2/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!!

City of Crooked Vows is a Scottish fae fantasy with a slow burn romance. I enjoyed the depth given to the FMC and MMC, even though I didn’t love either character I could empathize with both throughout the plot. From a romance perspective, they had a sweet emotional connection, but I found they lacked chemistry. One thing I really like about the FMC is how she drove the plot with her actions, we could understand how her backstory and relationships caused her to act in certain ways. I never felt like the plot was just happening to her, she was always driving the storyline, which was really enjoyable. The book alternates between FMC and MMC povs. I don’t always love a multi-POV story, but I actually found it helped the story and I didn’t find the multiple povs repetitive at all.

The first half of the book was a slower read for me with a lot of descriptions and less dialogue. If you love being immersed in the setting with paragraphs of description, then this book is definitely for you! I like some description, but overall I felt it slowed down the pacing a lot. The book did pick up about 40-50% in and after that I got more into the story.

The plot involves the FMC and MMC trying to solve a mystery in a politically corrupt environment with crime lords, coppers, and people constantly trying to kill each other. I do have to say that if you’re in it for the fae you do have to wait a decent bit into the book before getting into that part of the story. If you enjoy a politically-driven plot with lots of different interesting characters, this book is well suited for you. I’m not the biggest fan of mystery/political-heavy plot lines, so I found a few parts tiring to get through.

The story ends in a cliffhanger, so expect a book 2!

Overall, I would recommend if you enjoy:
✨ multi-dimensional characters
✨ illustrative, descriptive settings
✨ slow burn romance
✨ crime lords & a little mystery

The book is published on June 30, 2026.

[Keli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

City of Crooked Vows: A Gaslamp Fantasy Romance (Faerie Bound Book 1) seems to be set in a Scottish land and even with a glossary at the back, some of the terms make it difficult to understand what is meant. Also, the story is heavily focused on bi-relationships, that in my opinion don't enhance anything in the story other than as an appeal to some readers. Additionally, the story line relies heavily on police brutality to move it forward. I was aware of the warning before reading, but still found it offputting. Not because of the brutality itself, which makes sense in the world built by the author and that I do not in any way condone. But it is so heavy that it reads as the "coppers" are the criminals and the criminals are the good guys, which made me wonder if this was related to personal experience. While I realize there are corrupt police officers in this world, this is just a bit too heavy-handed for me. So, if this subject matter doesn't appeal to you, you may want to read something else.

Aly is the FMC. In the beginning we don't know a lot about her background other than she has had to resort to a life of crime due to a bad home life with her doctor mother. She sells her magic to the crime boss she works for and she is feared by most because of the relationship with him. She doesn't believe there can be anything better in her life until she meets a copper named Calum with secrets of his own. As they work together to solve a dead politician's murder, Aly begins to realize she may have a way out of the life that she has been forced to live. That is, as long as she hasn't committed any crimes worse than theft because if Calum finds out she has, she might be arrested and that means banishment to Faerie. As Aly and Calum's relationship and trust grows, Aly is snatched up by a Fae in a not unexpected twist that leads to more hints about her background and an extremely abrupt cliffhanger.

[Mare Thear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me absolutely reeling from the jump. I got this as an eARC but as soon as it’s available, I’m sprinting to get a paper copy.
Magic is an element but there is so much rooted in 19th century reality (not the noted time-period, just the vibe) that the stakes feel higher and more intimate. Nothing felt arbitrary or hand waved by convenient turns of luck – coping with poverty, barriers to progress, human connection, processing the effect of grief on those closest to you. The characters didn’t get through things because they were plucky or had magic, they had to push through with the desperate choices that come with desperate circumstances.
That all makes it sound like a real bummer of a book, but really it just made the moments of joy and connection beautiful. Small victories brought comfort to what often felt hopeless. Even knowing that this is book one and therefore the main characters will be some version of “ok,” my heart was clinching constantly. Characters were morally gray not in the sense of being cruel because of dramatic things that happened in the past but because of the needs of sheer survival and trying to pursue a better life for themselves and the society around them.
These “enemies to lovers” are genuinely on opposite sides, not just people who don’t like each other or are trying to compete for the same prize. They are also able to connect because of their experiences with power, not “there’s just something about him/her.” Definitely a slow burn romance, but it was because there was a lot going on instead of frustrating, needlessly drawn-out indecision. I want both of them to have every form of happiness and it tore me up when some of their choices made things worse because I felt like I understood why they made them.
Please heed the content warning! The violence in this book isn’t gory, but it is explicit and important to the story.

[charniedoveisreading_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced copy to review, all thoughts are my own.

'City of Crooked Vows' is perfect for fans of heists, magic and lots of political discourse in their novels that is also inspired by historical Scotland and is full of Scottish Gaelic words- complete with a pronunciation guide!

We follow our many character Aly, who is unfortunately a criminal enforcer to Grant, one of the worst people in their town. Grant doubles as a brew master, but secretly runs a salching ring, ie. a operation whereby people are cut with iron and have their magic drained from them for a small fee.
Why are people doing this? Because of extreme poverty! And instead of the people buying the magic being criminalised, the salchees are the one's who are often most at risk from the crime lords and the police.

The novel starts with people going missing! Which results in a murder that leads our MMC Calum, a very straight-laced copper, onto Aly's doorway as the murder has occurred in Grant's district.
What ensues is Aly and Calum reluctantly teaming up to try and solve the crime, and ultimately have Grant arrested so that he can no longer cause harm to people.

Mackay does such a brilliant job of weaving a tale that initially felt like it may have too many loose threads at the end, only for everything to come together perfectly at the end and leave you setup with an enticing cliffhanger before book two. Their writing style is incredibly immersive and atmospheric, although I will say that the pacing was a little slow at the beginning and it took until about 40% into the book before I was truly hooked and convinced I wanted to keep going until the end.

Overall, a really brilliant novel which I think fans of 'Six of Crows' would really enjoy!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm on a pretty big fae kick right now, so when I saw this described as Six of Crows meets Scottish fae, I had to give it a read. And the setting did feel like Ketterdam, with various crime lords and a corrupt police force that cares more about the wealthy, upper class than it does the desperate and destitute. The dual POV really helped establish the tensions between the two main characters: their attraction to each other, their struggles to trust the other, their feelings about the inequity surrounding them, etc.. I found the whole concept of selling magic very interesting, especially as we learned about the demi-fae. That was such a unique plot point, and I found myself drawn in all the more for it. As I got closer to the end of the book, I started to be afraid things would be wrapped up too easily in the pages that were left, but no, the ending went in a direction I wasn't expecting, and now I can't wait to read book 2.

This is definitely a slow-burn read. While there is a growing relationship between our two main characters, a reluctant allies to lovers situation, it takes a backseat to their investigation and attempt to take down one of the crime lords. It's a story of survival, with Aly navigating the underbelly of this city as best she can, with limited options and danger lurking around every corner. I did like how the two main characters really see each other, however. They are each carrying their own traumas, and find understanding in the other - to an extent. Aly is terrified of how Calum might react if he discovers she is a salch herself.

I'm so thankful to the author and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. Anyone who enjoyed Six of Crows needs to give this a try!

[Suzanne Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, thanks to the author for my ARC copy.

Firstly, I liked the setting of the book. It invoked the dank, dark underbelly of a Scottish city back in the Victorian era if magic & myth were real. At its heart it is a period piece that focuses on gritty cop dramas with a bit of magic. You have a copper - MMC & his informant working for a criminal mastermind - MFC. They spend a lot of time running around, back tracking & covering the same thing, which made everything rather slow to get to the good stuff. I did love the folklore & magic system, but never really understood who the allusive Fae were. Were they monstrous to behold, or beautiful like other books or a combination? It took me a while to work that out & it was at the end of the book where it all came together.

My main issue with this book is it's pacing. It is rather slow & plods along at times. The MMC & MFC are obviously end game, but I never felt much slow burn, the anticipation just wasn't there for me & their eventual coming together was a bit flat. I didn't feel much emotion from either. The MFC throws herself in danger at regular interval too, which can get frustrating. There's a background cast of characters that support the story, but I never warmed to any of them as much as I would have liked.

The best part of this book, for me, is the last few chapters. The story changes & the tempo increases. I won't say how as it would spoil it. There's a cliffhanger, but it's more of a promise of things to come than an emotional drop. The last chapter had me smiling. The MFC amused me greatly. I am curious to see where the story goes next though.

My overall score is 3.5*. It just didn't quite hit the mark for me.