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By Her Will
By Her Will: Every truth demands a choice.
Captured by enemy mages, Princess Harmony Liandria is forced to play a dangerous game where survival depends on winning the favor of the very prince who holds her captive. Her plan is simple: gain his trust, earn his protection, and escape. But what begins as calculated manipulation soon becomes something far more perilous.
As heir to a dying civilization and descendant of its legendary savior, Harmony was raised to serve and safeguard her people, not to question their beliefs.
Yet within the enemy’s court, she uncovers truths that shatter everything she thought she knew about her ancestors, her mission, and herself.
With those truths warring inside her, Harmony’s connection with Crown Prince Shane grows into something undeniably real, blurring the lines between strategy and desire.
Now, Harmony faces an impossible choice:
Secure her freedom, or surrender to a love that will cost her everything.
Captured by enemy mages, Princess Harmony Liandria is forced to play a dangerous game where survival depends on winning the favor of the very prince who holds her captive. Her plan is simple: gain his trust, earn his protection, and escape. But what begins as calculated manipulation soon becomes something far more perilous.
As heir to a dying civilization and descendant of its legendary savior, Harmony was raised to serve and safeguard her people, not to question their beliefs.
Yet within the enemy’s court, she uncovers truths that shatter everything she thought she knew about her ancestors, her mission, and herself.
With those truths warring inside her, Harmony’s connection with Crown Prince Shane grows into something undeniably real, blurring the lines between strategy and desire.
Now, Harmony faces an impossible choice:
Secure her freedom, or surrender to a love that will cost her everything.
534 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2026
About the author
Elyse Sylvan
2 books7 followersElyse Sylvan is a teacher, cat mom, and a relentless maker of to-do lists. She also enjoys gaming and the occasional well-earned nap.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 30, 2026
Well...that's how you start a series! I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book. There's a lot of world building and character introduction, but the way it all connects and comes together held my attention. I appreciated that Harmony wasn't whiny and annoying like a lot of other FMCs. I liked that her best friend/cousin is male and is actually supportive of her. Best of all, there is an elusive "shadow daddy" that I can't wait to see play out in this series. The ending had me in an absolute chokehold! I am excited to see how this plays out.
June 4, 2026
Omg I couldn’t put this book down. This book starts and ends action-packed. Every character is unique and the reader can feel their personality, which is a refreshing change of pace. I would love to meet side characters Honour and Peter. Can I please be friends with Zaphyr?! Martina and Elyse have a way with words - I mean their writing is quality A+ and it shows in this well-developed world and plot with sustenance. I am glad there is a book 2 because I want MORE of this universe! The book kept me guessing! I already want to re-read it while I wait for the next one.
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May 11, 2026Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC — I’m very grateful for the opportunity to read this!
By Her Will took me a little while to fully settle into because of the amount of worldbuilding in the beginning, but once the pace picked up, I was completely hooked.
This story has so much to offer: tension, a badass FMC, strong friendships, unexpected plot twists, and an ending that absolutely delivered. Once everything started coming together, I couldn’t stop reading.
The finale especially left me very excited to see where this series will go next, and I’ll definitely be looking forward to book two.
A strong start to what promises to be an exciting series.
By Her Will took me a little while to fully settle into because of the amount of worldbuilding in the beginning, but once the pace picked up, I was completely hooked.
This story has so much to offer: tension, a badass FMC, strong friendships, unexpected plot twists, and an ending that absolutely delivered. Once everything started coming together, I couldn’t stop reading.
The finale especially left me very excited to see where this series will go next, and I’ll definitely be looking forward to book two.
A strong start to what promises to be an exciting series.
May 24, 2026
received an ARC of this book and this is my completely honest review (I swear on my unread TBR pile).
Y’all… I am baffled that this is this author’s debut series. She didn’t just come out swinging—she walked in, drop-kicked the door off its hinges, and yelled “SURPRISE, WITCHES!”
It took me a hot minute to fully dive in because Elyse is out here doing Olympic-level world and character building. I was basically doing mental cardio trying to keep up. But once the story actually took off? Oh honey, I was hooked. Like, “ignoring my responsibilities” levels of hooked.
I’m obsessed with Harmony as an FMC—she’s strong-willed, zero damsel energy, and zero patience for nonsense. No whining, no helpless staring into the void waiting for a man to save her. Just pure “I will fix this myself and maybe stab a few people on the way” vibes.
The magic system? So intricate and cool I genuinely wanted to take notes like I was back in school (except this time I was actually invested). We’ve got tension, war, a certified badass FMC, a gorgeous magic system, and a whole lineup of love interests who scream “enemies to lovers” so loud I need earplugs.
And that ending? I gasped so dramatically my husband asked if I was okay. Ma’am. The CLIFFHANGER. I was left dangling off the edge like a cartoon character clutching a crumbling cliff, screaming “WAIT NO—COME BACK!”
10/10. Already tying my shoelaces for the running leap into book two.
Y’all… I am baffled that this is this author’s debut series. She didn’t just come out swinging—she walked in, drop-kicked the door off its hinges, and yelled “SURPRISE, WITCHES!”
It took me a hot minute to fully dive in because Elyse is out here doing Olympic-level world and character building. I was basically doing mental cardio trying to keep up. But once the story actually took off? Oh honey, I was hooked. Like, “ignoring my responsibilities” levels of hooked.
I’m obsessed with Harmony as an FMC—she’s strong-willed, zero damsel energy, and zero patience for nonsense. No whining, no helpless staring into the void waiting for a man to save her. Just pure “I will fix this myself and maybe stab a few people on the way” vibes.
The magic system? So intricate and cool I genuinely wanted to take notes like I was back in school (except this time I was actually invested). We’ve got tension, war, a certified badass FMC, a gorgeous magic system, and a whole lineup of love interests who scream “enemies to lovers” so loud I need earplugs.
And that ending? I gasped so dramatically my husband asked if I was okay. Ma’am. The CLIFFHANGER. I was left dangling off the edge like a cartoon character clutching a crumbling cliff, screaming “WAIT NO—COME BACK!”
10/10. Already tying my shoelaces for the running leap into book two.
July 14, 2026
A great story that gets better with every page. Loved the ending! Can't wait to read the second book.
July 11, 2026
✨ Thank you to the author for sending me a physical copy! ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
By Her Will was such an addictive read! I flew through it because there was always something happening. The fast-paced action kept the story moving, and it was definitely one of those books that had me saying, "Just one more chapter."
It took me a little while to get into the story at first, and there were a few moments where I felt a bit lost. But once everything started coming together, I couldn't put it down.
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced, and epic page-turner that kept me hooked.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
By Her Will was such an addictive read! I flew through it because there was always something happening. The fast-paced action kept the story moving, and it was definitely one of those books that had me saying, "Just one more chapter."
It took me a little while to get into the story at first, and there were a few moments where I felt a bit lost. But once everything started coming together, I couldn't put it down.
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced, and epic page-turner that kept me hooked.
June 6, 2026
Very impressed as a debut book, especially fantasy. I’m not huge on world building and fantasy with the crazy names. This was perfect for me. Character development was amazing. You start to really love one and then bam, not a good alien lol I will totally read book 2
July 6, 2026
A well constructed introduction to a triad of three conflicting worlds and ideologies, centering on a young princess that is equally conflicted between duty and her own will. I thought it was a compelling story with good world building that also laid good ground work for the opposing magical systems. Many of the characters in this novel were interesting and had real depth, with no one being absolutely good or bad. Throw in some unexpected twists, which this story had, and you have a good read. I did find that I became invested in the fate of Harmony as she looks to overcome both fate and her own vulnerabilities. I am looking forward to the next chapter of this story. What will Harmony's path be and will there be peace or war between these worlds of mundane, elemental magic and arcania?
May 23, 2026
This book is emotionally layered, politically dangerous, and FULL of the kind of slow-burning tension that completely takes over your brain 👀🖤🔥
Captive princess?
Enemy prince romance?
A heroine discovering her entire world may have been built on lies??
Yeah… I was hooked immediately.
What really stood out to me is how much emotional conflict exists underneath every single interaction in this story. Harmony isn’t just physically trapped—she’s trapped between duty, survival, loyalty, and the terrifying realization that the people she trusted may not have been telling her the truth at all.
And honestly??
That internal struggle made this SO addictive.
Harmony was SUCH a compelling FMC.
She starts the story trying to survive through strategy and manipulation, fully intending to use Shane’s trust to secure her escape. But the deeper she gets into the enemy court, the harder it becomes to separate what she was taught from what she’s actually seeing for herself.
Watching her worldview slowly unravel was one of my favorite parts of the book 👀🖤
Then there’s Shane…
And WOW.
That man completely stole the show for me 🔥
He’s powerful, intelligent, emotionally restrained, and constantly walking the line between captor and protector in a way that creates incredible tension throughout the entire story.
Because the connection between them NEVER feels simple.
Every softer moment is layered with suspicion, political consequences, attraction, and the knowledge that either of them could destroy the other if things go wrong.
And honestly??
That emotional complexity made the romance hit SO much harder.
The court atmosphere was also PERFECT. Intrigue, manipulation, shifting loyalties, hidden truths—it constantly feels like everyone is playing a dangerous game where one wrong move could change everything.
What really made this stand out though is how deeply the story explores identity and inherited belief systems. Harmony isn’t just questioning other people—she’s questioning herself, her purpose, and the entire history she was raised to protect.
✨ If you love:
• enemy prince romance
• political fantasy intrigue
• slow-burn forbidden tension
• morally complicated truths
• emotionally layered fantasy romance
This one is immersive, emotional, dangerous, and impossible to put down 🖤🔥
Captive princess?
Enemy prince romance?
A heroine discovering her entire world may have been built on lies??
Yeah… I was hooked immediately.
What really stood out to me is how much emotional conflict exists underneath every single interaction in this story. Harmony isn’t just physically trapped—she’s trapped between duty, survival, loyalty, and the terrifying realization that the people she trusted may not have been telling her the truth at all.
And honestly??
That internal struggle made this SO addictive.
Harmony was SUCH a compelling FMC.
She starts the story trying to survive through strategy and manipulation, fully intending to use Shane’s trust to secure her escape. But the deeper she gets into the enemy court, the harder it becomes to separate what she was taught from what she’s actually seeing for herself.
Watching her worldview slowly unravel was one of my favorite parts of the book 👀🖤
Then there’s Shane…
And WOW.
That man completely stole the show for me 🔥
He’s powerful, intelligent, emotionally restrained, and constantly walking the line between captor and protector in a way that creates incredible tension throughout the entire story.
Because the connection between them NEVER feels simple.
Every softer moment is layered with suspicion, political consequences, attraction, and the knowledge that either of them could destroy the other if things go wrong.
And honestly??
That emotional complexity made the romance hit SO much harder.
The court atmosphere was also PERFECT. Intrigue, manipulation, shifting loyalties, hidden truths—it constantly feels like everyone is playing a dangerous game where one wrong move could change everything.
What really made this stand out though is how deeply the story explores identity and inherited belief systems. Harmony isn’t just questioning other people—she’s questioning herself, her purpose, and the entire history she was raised to protect.
✨ If you love:
• enemy prince romance
• political fantasy intrigue
• slow-burn forbidden tension
• morally complicated truths
• emotionally layered fantasy romance
This one is immersive, emotional, dangerous, and impossible to put down 🖤🔥
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️ (rounded up to 5)
This was an incredible start to the series, with rich, engaging world-building that never felt weighed down by the typical “first book in a fantasy series” setup.
Harmony is a fantastic female lead; she’s passionate, charming, and easy to root for from the very beginning. The entire cast feels authentic and fully developed, like real people you could actually be friends with.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is how emotionally engaging it is. The authors capture the characters’ emotions so well that you can’t help but become invested in their journeys, cheer for their successes, and cry for their losses.
You can feel the passion jump off the page from these authors, this was an especially impressive and memorable read, especially for their debut novel. I’m already looking forward to the second book so I can return to this world and these characters.
This was an incredible start to the series, with rich, engaging world-building that never felt weighed down by the typical “first book in a fantasy series” setup.
Harmony is a fantastic female lead; she’s passionate, charming, and easy to root for from the very beginning. The entire cast feels authentic and fully developed, like real people you could actually be friends with.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is how emotionally engaging it is. The authors capture the characters’ emotions so well that you can’t help but become invested in their journeys, cheer for their successes, and cry for their losses.
You can feel the passion jump off the page from these authors, this was an especially impressive and memorable read, especially for their debut novel. I’m already looking forward to the second book so I can return to this world and these characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️ I’m sorry, WHAT. This book had so much world building, and while it was a lot to comprehend at first, it all made sense the more I read. I found myself getting so invested in these characters that the more that happened to them, the more I sympathized with them. The final few chapters led me to be genuinely surprised at the ending since it was so unexpected. I’m so excited to read the next book!
July 5, 2026
A thrilling romantic epic that does not neglect world building or complexity. You will not regret reading.
July 16, 2026
A very well written book by two stellar human beings.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A wonderful world to immerse yourself in! The characters are crafted with care, balancing between relatability and plot twists you don't see coming. The worldbuilding is intricate and yet is done in a way that it's not overwhelming, which is important for a series in a fantasy setting of any sort. With all of the moving parts in this book, it would be very easy to get overwhelmed. The authors have managed to put you into the universe in a way that does not make you feel like you're drowning in information. That's a skill that's getting rarer these days.
Honour is my favorite, as is Zaphyr. There's no doubt you'll find at least one or two characters in this series to relate to and adore. Highly recommend.
Honour is my favorite, as is Zaphyr. There's no doubt you'll find at least one or two characters in this series to relate to and adore. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews