Carousel

by Beth Best

Staying loyal just might break her heart.

Alchemised meets The Hunger Games in this twisty, steampunk-inspired romantasy debut from Beth Best that sees a young woman who, when forced to undergo an enemy conversion programme during a sky war, finds herself torn between two vastly different countries... and between two deeply flawed men.

Ara knows the people who go into the sky do not come back.

So she’s rightly terrified when she’s taken captive on a warship after saving the life of an enemy soldier, an act seen as treason by her harshly regimented country. In the sky, she’s put through a process known as Integration, designed by the ship’s eccentric captain to bring prisoners of war onto Hevalla's side.

Because Hevalla wants to use her, and the blood magic she and other Rhavnans might have, to bolster the war effort.

But Ara is loyal. She knows what’s right.

She won’t break that easily.

And she won’t get distracted by a man she thought was dead, a former friend turned strict officer who wants to protect her...

Or by the unnerving prisoner who came up with her, who just might make her powerful.

"Maybe he’s not Rhavnan. Maybe he is, but he’s a spy. All I know is – and I know it now, in every fibre of my being – he’s dangerous."

A compelling, often whimsical Star-crossed Lovers versus Soulmates science fiction fantasy with magic, mystery, action and spice that will keep you up all night turning pages and second-guessing everything... especially your loyalties.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Steampunk

514 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2026

Reviews

[Amanda]

I received an ARC of Carousel from the author. This review has been floating around in my head for days. Deciding my final rating has been so hard because I really enjoyed the first two thirds of this book! I mistakenly assumed this was part one of a series and was so pumped to know what would happen next! Once I realized this was written to be a standalone I was so disappointed.

The ending just doesn't work for me knowing that was what the author intended as the ultimate resolution. It's rushed and unsatisfying and makes me feel like everything that happened to Ara was pointless. One part of the love triangle was developed really well while the other wasn't. I see so many reviews saying how this was one of the best love triangles. But Ara and Drake don't do anything to indicate why she would have feelings for him. I really wanted more of these two because I thought Drake was an interesting character and his and Ara's backstories were tragic!

This world has so much potential and I really would love to see the aftermath of the war. I have heard that there "may be a book two of sorts". If it does pick up immediately where this left off and turns a standalone into a real series/duology then I definitely will be back, and potentially update this review. For now I'm rating it 3.5 stars.

[RootsfortheVillain]

Carousel isn’t the type of book I usually read, but I was surprised by how quickly it pulled me in. The characters and the world-building were well done. I enjoyed learning about the main characters’ backstories, and I kept changing my mind about which side Ara should choose and who she should be with. There were so many twists that I never knew what would happen next or who I could trust. It’s been ages since a book made me yell out loud, but by the end of Carousel, I was shouting “No!” Beth Best, how could you end it like that? I was already feeling so much, and the ending just about broke me.

If you like fantasy stories with steampunk vibes, blood magic, and a love triangle, I definitely recommend giving this book a try.

Carousel comes out on September 26th.

Thank you to Beth Best and Books and Bloom PR for the opportunity to review Carousel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Le Cy]

DUDE HOW AM I EXPECTED TO MOVE ON FROM THIS STORY
Chapters 48 and 49 absolutely tore my heart to shreds and the epilogue managed to tape it back up just slightly (still very much shredded)
I feel bad for ALL these characters, flawed as they were. Oh, and crazy twists btw.
Have I mentioned my heart is broken.

Full review to come!

Thank you Books & Bloom PR and Beth Best for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Isalyne]

Thank you to the author and Books&BloomPR for gifting me this ARC: all opinions are my own

4.5⭐️/5

When I started this book I thought it would be a basic Romantasy that I would ARC review to help an indie author. I didn't think I would love it. BUT I DID!
This story is a dystopian Romantasy full of war intrigue and steampunk technology. The romance wasn't really the focus point of everything but still quite fun. Beth really created a new world and I felt like I was also living on board. It made me think of The Hunger Games when they are in District 13's bunker!

This book was not what I was expecting and I'm not mad about it. I was really invested in the story and was surprised at many twists: what you think you know from the start keeps changing and the story becomes deeper and fuller. The story is separated in multiple parts so you get a mini plot twist each time. I did not feel bored despite the book being quite long.

Ara can be a bit naïve and stubborn but it is explainable by her upbringing. She still has some strong qualities and is a really intelligent and courageous woman. She had a great character arc.

Cosmer was nice and I loved how he treated them at the start of the integration. We can clearly feel that he is a nice person in a not so great situation. I liked their relationship and found them so cute together. I was glad they got to experience this short live first love.

As a sucker for the dark brooding character, I evidently loved Drake. His knowledge about everything was quite impressive and his magic intriging. I was so invested in his story (😢) and the mysterious prophecy (🤯). He may not have been nice but he treated her like a queen.

I'm on the fence about the ending which is not what I would have expected nor wanted 😬 I feel like it's a bit too open and would be perfect if this was a series (I believe it is not). I honestly thought their would another small part to properly end everything...
Why I didn't like the ending:The ending was not for me. I feel like we saw Ara become mature, badass woman for her choice to be taken away. I know she asked for her memories of him to be erased but not to be a changed person. She did a full 180 and accepted her fate when she fought it before... I like what they did for the kingdom but I don't feel like this was the real her.
I'm so happy to have found Beth Best and will keep an eye for her next release ❤️

[Megan Gunning]

Wow!! This book did it for me. I absolutely loved it! I was transfixed reading this in one sitting while everything around me melted away.

I loved how this book kept me on my toes the entire time. I went through every emotion while reading; laughing, crying, completely shocked. The author did an incredible job of portraying the reality of addiction and its often heartbreaking consequences. She also did a great job of making me feel conflicted going back and forth on who I wanted the FMC to end up with. I felt like i was a rag doll being tugged by my arms in both directions.

I was so invested in these characters. This book really tugged at my heart strings. I think a lot of people will enjoy reading this book. It has war, strategizing, a love triangle, some spice, magic, prophecies, mystery, and best of all it is a book that really makes you feel something. I 1000% recommend it.

[Stephanie]

"I’m dizzy, like I’m on a carousel. 
I can’t get off it."

I honestly don't know how I'm supposed to write this review. I don't have the words for how much I enjoyed this book. It had beautiful world building and wonderfully written characters, especially Ara, Cosmer, and Drake. There were twists and turns and surprises I definitely was not expecting.
I went through so many emotions while reading this book, it made me laugh, it made me cry, and parts of it even made me really angry. I got so much out of this book and I wish I could have more! This is my favorite book of the year so far and I think everyone should add it to their TBR!!!

[Dorothy]

**** ARC Review ******

Wow. I genuinely did not expect this book to pull me in the way it did.

There are so many twists, turns, betrayals and “wait, WHAT?” moments that putting this book down became a problem. Beth’s writing completely sucked me in and the world building was phenomenal. I could actually picture myself up there in the sky, surrounded by the ships, the magic and all the chaos.

Please, do not let that pretty pink cover and those gorgeous illustrations fool you. This is not just a pretty romantasy. Carousel has grit.

The steampunk elements, blood magic, politics, shifting loyalties and everything happening behind the scenes were done so well. Just when I thought I had something figured out, the story had other plans.

Let’s just say trusting anyone in this book feels like a terrible life choice.

I loved the tension, the mystery, the betrayals and constantly questioning who was actually telling the truth. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, Beth threw something else at me.

This book was atmospheric, twisty, a little unhinged (in the best way possible) and completely addictive.

I was hooked from beginning to end. What a ride!

[Everlore Reading]

3.75 ⭐️

I don’t know what to think about this book. I’ve rather enjoyed some moments, and some moments were just off to me. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the plot of this book.

I loved all the characters, Ara, Cosmer, and Drake. However, the love triangle was just okay. I don’t mind a love triangle, especially when it’s done very well. But I just didn’t see that connection between Ara and Drake. Like there were no reasons for Ara to fall for him in the first place. Because I didn’t see those interactions or chemistry between the two, unlike with Cosmer. And I was really hoping for Cosmer to be the love interest because of the way they were together. Just for her to kind of go to Drake at the end was just shocking, and it did affect my rating. It just didn’t make sense at all. The only reason why she was with Drake that I could see was because of the prophecy and the fact that she had to marry him. I felt like that was their only connection together.

I thought the ending was rather rushed in a way. I wished that the author would have taken her time with everything and explaining why Ara chose to do the things she did. And more about the lore between her and Drake. The epilogue did hurt me because you can see the love that Cosmer had for Ara, but obviously due to a prophecy they were never in the stars together. And even throughout the story, you can see the love for her constantly pouring out of him.

Meanwhile, Drake was just constantly there. Barely doing stuff and only being there to comfort her when Cosmer and Ara were having problems. Maybe in a way to make him seem like a better person. Idk. I felt like he would have been just great friends with him and nothing more.

I do love the steampunk fantasy vibes of this book. It was super interesting, and I have never read a steampunk book before. So this was a nice introduction. Like I said, I don’t know how to feel about this book because there were just so many good things and some bad things about the book. I’m just split. I believe that the beginning of the book is much more enjoyable than towards the end. I just wished we knew more about Drake and Ara. Or even had them interact much more. Like I need that tension and that undying decision of which one should Ara be with. If we did get more of that information, I feel like I would be rooting for their relationship more.

[Allie Green]

I had a wonderful time reading Carousel by Beth Best and a terrible time deciding who to trust. For a book called Carousel, it’s fitting that I kept coming back around to people I thought I’d made up my mind about.

That was especially true of the love triangle. Every time I thought I knew which couple I was rooting for, I’d reconsider. I’m still undecided, but I actually enjoyed being torn rather than frustrated. The character development was a standout, and I loved how getting to know everyone challenged my first impressions. The side characters were a highlight, too, and I enjoyed their stories almost as much as Ara’s.

I also loved the steampunk-inspired setting. A warship in the sky, blood magic, and divided loyalties made for a world I really enjoyed exploring. I loved following the story and trying to figure out which side of the war I should even be rooting for. Apparently, choosing a romantic pairing wasn’t enough of a challenge for me. Several twists caught me completely off guard, which made trying to piece everything together even more fun.

Between the imaginative setting and the complicated characters, Carousel was well worth the ride. I enjoyed every turn, even when it sent my loyalties spinning.

Thank you so much to Beth Best for the ARC! I’m already looking forward to your next book! 🖤

[Natoshia Blaylock]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Beth Best for allowing me to review this arc! These opinions are my own!

What do you do when your country is at war and you are part of the prophecy to end it, but the prophecy doesn’t include you being with the man you love?

Ara tries to help an enemy soldier named Drake hide. There is something she can’t explain that draws her to Drake. Unfortunately, both of them get caught and she is deemed a traitor. They are taken to be reformed and join the soldiers in the sky.

Both of them are assigned keepers to ensure their integration into the ranks of the soldiers. The problem is one of the Keepers is Cosmer, Ara’s crush that she hasn’t seen in 3 years. Nothing is what is seems and there are a lot of sacrifices being made to ensure the prophecy will be fulfilled.

This is an enemies to allies to friends to enemies to ??????? story. Will Ara choose love over fulfilling the prophecy??

There is a little bit of spice in this book. I would give it a 2/5 for spiciness. 🌶️🌶️

[Holly Chandler]

The world-building in this one was wonderful! I genuinely felt like I was right there in Hevalla, aboard the Emperor, and in Rhavna. The different settings were brought to life so well, and I loved getting to experience each one.

The characters were awesome too! I was able to connect with them, and I especially loved seeing how things unfolded between Ara, Drake, and Cosmer. 👀

There were so many plot twists I wasn’t expecting, and I found myself with my jaw on the floor more than once! And that ending?! CRAZY. 😳

Overall, this was such an immersive and entertaining read with characters I connected with and plenty of twists to keep me guessing. Definitely a solid 4-star read! ✨

[Tisha Lawrence]

This book was a ride. The world building, sky ships, blood magic, twists, and betrayals had me hooked.

Every time I thought I had something figured out, the story made me question everything again. I never knew who to trust, and I loved that.

Twisty, chaotic, addictive, and so much fun. I already need more.

[Sneha R]

Carousel completely caught me off guard in the best possible way. I went into it expecting a fantasy romance with some steampunk elements, but what I got was a richly layered story filled with war, magic, prophecy, impossible choices, and characters who constantly challenged my expectations. By the end, I was staring at my Kindle wondering how I was supposed to move on after that ending.

One of the first things that stood out to me was the world-building. Beth Best creates a fascinating setting where technology and magic coexist in a way that feels fresh and original. The conflict between Hevalla, with its advanced steam-powered warships and military strength, and Rhavna, with its deep-rooted magic and ancient bloodlines, creates a backdrop that feels epic without ever becoming overwhelming. The lore is woven naturally into the story, and I loved how every piece of the world seemed to have purpose.

The airship The Emperor deserves a special mention because it almost felt like a character itself. Most of the story takes place aboard this massive war vessel, and every deck, corridor, and hidden corner felt vividly imagined. I could easily picture the machinery, the crews, the military hierarchy, and the tension of being trapped aboard a ship in the middle of a war.

Ara was such an interesting protagonist. She's far from perfect, and that's exactly why I found her so compelling. At the beginning, she's simply trying to protect her family and survive in a world that has already taken so much from her. But one impulsive act of compassion changes everything. Throughout the story, she is forced to question her loyalties, her beliefs, and even her understanding of herself. There were definitely moments where I wanted to shake her and tell her to make better decisions, but I also appreciated how realistically flawed she felt.

And then there's the love triangle.

Normally, love triangles can be hit or miss for me, but this one genuinely worked. Mostly because I never felt entirely sure who I was supposed to trust.

Cosmer completely stole my heart. At first glance, he comes across as the charming childhood friend, but there are far more layers to him than I initially expected. The more I learned about him, the more invested I became in his story.

Then there's Drake.

Every time I thought I had him figured out, he did something that made me question everything. He's mysterious, frustrating, intriguing, and impossible to fully understand. The tension surrounding his character kept me second-guessing myself throughout the entire book.

What I loved most was that neither relationship felt simple. This isn't a case of one obvious choice and one placeholder love interest. Both men have strengths, flaws, secrets, and motivations that shape the story in meaningful ways. The emotional conflict felt just as important as the larger political conflict.

Another thing I appreciated was that the romance never overshadowed the plot. At its core, Carousel is still a story about war, identity, destiny, and choice. The romantic relationships deepen those themes rather than distract from them. There are tender moments, heartbreaking moments, and plenty of emotional tension, but the larger story always remains at the forefront.

The pacing worked surprisingly well considering the length. There are action sequences, quieter character moments, political intrigue, mystery, and revelations spread throughout the story. The slower sections give the characters room to breathe, while the bigger moments hit with even more impact because of that buildup.

And then there are the twists.

I genuinely thought I had a solid idea of where the story was going.

I was wrong.

The final portion of the book completely changed my perspective on several characters and events. There were reveals I never saw coming, and by the time I reached the ending, I was emotionally wrecked in the best possible way. The last few chapters had me reading faster and faster just trying to understand how everything would come together.

What really stayed with me after finishing was the book's exploration of destiny versus choice. Throughout the story, characters are faced with prophecies, expectations, loyalties, and responsibilities that seem impossible to escape. Yet the question remains: are they truly bound by fate, or can they choose their own path? It's a theme that runs beneath everything and gives the story far more depth than I expected.

If I had one complaint, it's simply that I wanted more time with some of the side characters. Several of them were so interesting that I found myself wanting additional scenes from their perspectives. That's not really a criticism, though, because it speaks to how invested I became in the entire cast.

If you enjoy: ⚙️ Steampunk fantasy
✨ Magic and prophecy
⚔️ Wartime settings
🚢 Massive airships and military intrigue
💔 Emotional love triangles
🔥 Slow-burn romance
👑 Political conflict and hidden agendas
🌙 Complex, morally gray characters
📖 Endings that leave you speechless

...then Carousel absolutely deserves a place on your TBR.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Beautifully written, emotionally gripping, and unlike anything else I've read recently, Carousel blends fantasy, steampunk, romance, and adventure into a story that feels both familiar and completely unique. The world captivated me, the characters broke my heart, and that ending ensured I won't be forgetting this book anytime soon. ⚙️✨🚢📚💫

Thankyou Beth and Books & Bloom PR for this ARC!

[alpha katt]

Where to start?
Great world building that didn’t take you out of the story. I liked the fact that the Anatomy of a Hive Ship, Crew, and Terms were at the beginning, so I wasn’t always trying to figure out what was being spoken about and didn’t need it spelled out in the story, I think that was a smart move by Best.
First let’s start with setting(s): Hevalla (where the story begins), The Emperor (ship where most of the story takes place), Rhavna (in memory, and in reality, at the very end). There are other places that are spoken of, or have limited memories mentioned, but the main setting is the Hevallan ship, The Emperor. The overall story does give that steam-punky futuristic society versus magical society feel and the battle between the two, as there are those that have magical blood and bloodlines (the royal family of Rhavna have the “strongest” and it trickles to obscurity through distance of relations to the royal family) and those without magic who rely on weapons and firepower in the war between them. There are also prophecies and mysticism throughout, gods that are believed in or not. There are a lot of elements you find in fantasy stories that are woven together so well in Carousel so that you feel this is a “new” story and not a copy paste with a different setting/power/ETL/{insert fantasy trope here}, so it felt fresh and like a new idea. Fantasy and Romantasy are my top read genres, and I loved that I didn’t see what was coming. The last 30% of the book threw me for a loop!
The characters: Ara is our main FMC, at the beginning of the story she and her brother and great grandmother are Rhavnans living in Hevalla as they escaped when the war started. I think (as we learn later) that maybe Ara isn’t sure of her position or even safety in Hevalla or Rhavna. Her great grandmother is a seer and shares incomplete or open-ended futures for Ara, so it makes us question Ara and who she is. But she cares about her family and her brother’s safety especially. She is kind and has adapted to life in Hevalla. We soon see her world turn upside down when she rescues and an enemy (Rhavnan) soldier who has crash landed on her beach. By saving him, she feels some connection with him (he is from her homeland after all), and they are then taken as POWs onto the Hevallan ship, the Emperor.
Our two MMCs are Drake and Cosmer. Ara grew up with Cosmer, believed him to be dead after running away to join the war. Drake is the “enemy” soldier from her homeland that she rescues and feels an instant connection to. But both men have secrets and have more information than Ara has. Who is she to trust as she is pulled between who she should be loyal to in the war and in her heart? As Ara narrates, it is our job to try to figure this out with the limited knowledge she has. I won’t go too deeply into these two as I feel her relationships with each is very important to flow of the story and Ara’s emotions and choices. Cosmer (gotta love a red head), plays the golden retriever, but there is true hidden depth to him, he is so much more than that, but I am not going to say further! Drake (dark and striking), he is a mystery, every time you think you know, he will do something that changes your mind. I honestly don’t know how I am feeling about him by the end of Carousel!
I also don’t want to just give a synopsis, and spoil anything but the bulk of the story takes place on the ship. We do meet some other characters, some you will grow to love and some you will hate right off the bat, some that grow on you and some that deceive you. At least one may bring tears to your eyes.
I think it is important to state that Ara is an unreliable narrator at best. She thinks she knows, and truly, has her eyes opened many times throughout the story. There are so many twists and turns and questions about destiny and choice, and they are woven together as to make even you, the reader, question what the right answer and destination are for Ara, Cosmer, and Drake. Who is good? Who is bad? Are there ever really such clean drawn lines? Of course not. I think there is are a few reasons why the book is named Carousel.
If you want an immersive experience and feel like you are part of the story, Carousel delivers. It feels epic in scale on these huge ships, the battle sequences are nuanced and some of the intimate scenes (not talking about spice here, just closeness) feel so innocent and some feel so desperate. Ara has a battle going on and not just the war.
I am truly impressed with Beth Best here. She wrote a world that I wanted to live in and experience! Thank you for the ARC and I can’t wait to see Carousel everywhere!
Overall: 5 stars, it kept me engaged, I loved our MCs and I don’t want to wait for more!
FMC: 4.5 ONLY because I sometimes yelled through the ether “girl, what is you doing!”
MMC1: Cosmer 5, 5+, so many stars. Baby, baby, you stole my heart!
MMC2: Drake 4, you have secrets and do some stuff I don’t like, but then you will redeem yourself. You confuse the crap out of me!

[Chrissie Marie 🪶]

“I don’t belong here.
But I need to make myself belong.”

If there’s one thing you need to know about me, I love a good dystopian novel. And this unique steampunk dystopian romantasy does not disappoint! There were some serious moments of 1984 energy, and the political intrigue and magic was quite good, too! As far as romantasy’s go, this was a good change of pace, because it was definitely all there, but and it totally different and unique way than a lot of traditional romantasy.

It was so freaking fun being in a skyship. But not being in space! The militaristic aspect of it was also really well done, but not in an overbearing way. It was interesting discovering the different locales, rules and roles on the hive-like skyships that looked like carousels, and really interesting getting to know the characters.

There is a unique love triangle between the FMC, Ara, and the two MMC‘s, Drake and Cosmer, and I went back-and-forth between the two of them several times! I really liked that it wasn’t about their looks so much as it was about other factors. (I don’t want to give anything away, but it didn’t feel at all like a traditional love triangle, and it really worked for - and was integral to - the story.) Both MMC‘s cared about her, but for very different reasons and very different ways, and both could be entirely selfless for her while still being flawed humans, just as she was.

All of the relationships in this book were really entertaining and fascinating. Some characters that I loved in the beginning I ended up hating, but still appreciating, and others I grew to love more. Allegiances changed, friendships formed that I didn’t fully expect, secrets were shared and uncovered, and of course there were challenges and betrayals. Beth Best really keeps you on your toes and brings people together and apart in compelling ways!

Dezeeves is witty and rather silently scary, while his brother is outwardly so. Riss is sassy, sarcastic and so damn loyal it hurts. Her friendship with Cosmer was beyond heartwarming. And oh Cosmer, you sweet, self-sacrificing so-and-so. I’m still unpacking my feelings for you. Drake was probably my favorite because I feel like I could read a whole book on just him. I loved uncovering more about his history and his magic and his relationships. The magic between him and Ara was fascinating. And Ara herself, there was so much more to her than initially met the eye. I especially enjoyed her interactions with Old Mother.

This book made me laugh, it made me cry, and it intrigued me with it’s unique and original world and magic. When people say you won’t have read anything like this, it’s the truth. If you love dystopian, political intrigue, steampunk, fantasy, romantasy and/or books with unique worlds, this is a book for you!

I am so grateful to Beth Best for allowing me the opportunity to read Carousel as an ARC reader, and I can’t wait to have my physical copy in my hands, because not only is this book amazing, but so is its gorgeous cover!

[Shannon 📚]

I received this as an ARC from the author, this is my honest review and opinions

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The fact that I stayed up until nearly 2am to finish this probably tells you everything you need to know because I genuinely could not put my Kindle down.

I really loved Ara. She’s smart, fierce and feels like an actual person rather than an FMC who somehow makes the perfect decision every single time. She definitely leads with her heart and sometimes that means she makes choices that probably aren’t the smartest, but I actually really respected that about her. She cares deeply, she stands up for what she believes in and she doesn’t lose that part of herself even when everyone around her seems to think she should.

And Cosmer and Drake… I HAVE QUESTIONS.

My feelings towards both of these men changed constantly throughout the book. I liked Cosmer, but there were so many little moments where I found myself questioning his actions and wondering what his actual motives were. Then there’s Drake, who I liked, then wasn’t entirely sure about, and somehow ended up liking again 😂 Neither of them are perfect and honestly I’m glad they aren’t. Give me complicated characters who make me question whether I should trust them!!

The world itself was probably one of my favourite parts. Fantasy mixed with steampunk, warships and dystopian vibes?! I was sold. There’s so much happening underneath everything and I loved the way information was slowly given to you. I never felt completely lost or like I needed a degree to understand the world, but I was constantly questioning things and trying to piece everything together.

The pacing was SO good too. Things would happen that had me immediately needing to know what came next, then another piece of the story would fall into place and suddenly something from earlier made so much more sense. Clearly it worked because “one more chapter” somehow turned into me finishing the entire bloody book at 2am.

I also really liked the way addiction was written into the story. It wasn’t neat or straightforward and there wasn’t this magical moment where everything suddenly became okay. There were struggles and setbacks alongside the progress, which made it feel so much more real.

And then that ending...

EXCUSE ME?!

I have questions. I have theories. I need answers immediately.

This was such an easy 4.5⭐️ for me. I was completely invested in Ara, constantly suspicious of everyone around her and desperate to figure out where everything was going.

If you like fantasy with morally complicated characters, steampunk and dystopian elements, warships, romance and a story that will have you saying “just one more chapter” until a completely unreasonable hour… read Carousel

[Miranda]

“Every decision you make offers you something, and what’s best for you is rarely what’s best for the world. You need to think, hard, about what you want. What you could give […] And what you could have.”

Summary:
Ara loves Rhavna, the country she grew up in. But when the sky war broke out between Rhavna and Hevalla, she, her great-grandmother, and her younger brother were sent to a village in Hevalla to protect them. But when Ara rescues a Rhavnan pilot after his airship is downed, she and the pilot—Drake—are taken captive by a Hecallan airship and forced into a conversion program to integrate them into the crew. But to Ara’s surprise, her old friend Cosmer from the Hevallan village is one of the officers in charge of integrating her. Will she explore the magical draw she feels toward Drake or grow closer with Cosmer? And will she stay loyal to Rhavna?

Likes:
I love a good steampunk read! Especially when it mixes in some magic, and this book delivers! I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the technology on the ship as well as the opulent elegance that they had in certain spaces and in the dress. I also felt that Best did a fantastic job of growing the love triangle in a way that made me continually flip between the two MMCs—both for good and bad reasons. At the end of the book I especially was unsure which one I favored (oh please let there be a book 2!). Overall, I thought this book did a fantastic job of building the bones of the world, the characters and the conflict in such a way that at the end of the book I was dying to know what happened next.

Dislikes:
Most of the things I didn’t like about this book were nitpicky things that could easily be rectified in a second book (please let there be a second book). I found the description of the ship as a carousel a little lacking, and I would hav liked a clearer picture of it. I would have also liked to get a little clearer sense of who Ara was as a person (her likes, dislikes, her sense of humor). Additionally, I would have liked to get a clearer insight into how the Hevallan government worked on more of a national level and how the technology worked in terrestrial spaces. Finally, the pacing felt a little rushed to me with the book taking place over only a week.

Notes:
At the end of the book, I think I fall on Team Drake. Cosmer did enough things that irritated me that I’m more intriguedabout Ara growing a relationship with Drake. That being said, nothing Cosmer did was a deal breaker for me and I do think his actions allow for what could be beautiful character growth. All this to say, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET THERE BE ANOTHER BOOK AFTER THIS ONE. As far as I’m aware, there’s no news about a sequel (yet) but book 1 really sets the stage for a really phenomenal book 2. Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy.

[Alt Reads]

Review of Advanced Copy From The Author.

4.5 ⭐️

Where to start!?

I absolutely ate this book up in just 2 days!

This is my first steam-punk book and to be honest I was on a ARC application ban to make time for me to combat my TBR but I soon as I saw the premise for this book, how could I not apply?!

It definitely lives up to it giving 'Alchemised and Hunger Games' vibes, I also feel it comparable to the His Dark Materials TV series.

I found this book utterly captivating, I WANTED the world building!
The whole world/tech/magic/war in the sky premise was fascinating.

There are plenty of twists and turns, one moment you think you have it figured out, next you don't. I never knew who I could trust or even who I could consistently like. The characters were so human and clearly dealing with growing up with strong opinions of each others countries and the mess of the mind going to war must create in a person.

Ara is a young women who's whole world is flipped upside down, both past and present, I felt she reacted to that the most realistically I have ever read. She questions everything she thought she knew and who taught her it and quite rightly (as a fellow stubborn and 'don't tell me what to do' women) really pushes against 'fate' and the future that was chosen for her, her freewill and what freewill she thought she had has all been ripped away.

By the end of the book I really did feel sorry for her, even if irritated by some of her choices.

The love triangle definitely TRIANGLED, even upon finishing the book I still don't know who I am rooting for.

On one hand you have the fates chosen love who clearly cared for Ara and had strong feelings for her from the get go of the reader meeting him. He very much had her at heart, but did was it love or engineered trauma bond?
Who they chose each other outside of all this?

Then you have the true love they both chose for themselves. Yes he was deeply flawed (often annoyingly so) but so was she. However did Ara love him or did she love she love him for his sacrifices?

This book left me staring at the wall by the end.
I didn't finish it, it finished me.

Is the world truly safe?

Was anyone truly happy in the end?

This book was fast paced, full of twists and frankly insane characters, it had beautiful world building.

The pace may have been a little quick for in places (however I was never bored or willing the story along) as I would have loved to get to know the characters personalities more, especially Ara, Meg and Drake, dude what are all your secrets!? You were so quiet! I want to know more!

Wonderful book and I look forward to reading more of Beth Best's work in the future.

[Lisa Neusse]

4.5 ⭐️rounded up. Thank you to Beth Best and Books and Bloom PR for the opportunity to read this ARC.
There were so many things I loved about this book starting with the world building, political intrigue and magic system. She did a phenomenal job portraying the war torn world and the conflict between the kingdoms, the xenophobia and what life was like on the hive air ship. I felt like I was right there in the midst of everything.
Then there’s the 3 main characters that I fell in love with, along with Riss, although at first I didn’t know if I could trust her. I felt like I was on a roller coaster filled with emotional upheaval while trying to figure out who Ara could trust and who would be a traitor, and the multiple plot twists kept you on your toes. As for Cosmer and Drake, I loved them both. I kept going back and forth between the two trying to figure out who would or should be her end game. They have their own personalities and qualities, good or bad, and I felt compassion for both of them as they went through their struggles. But you can see that they both love and care for Ara and show it in their own way, which led to scenes of emotional anguish and heartache.
And Ara is a fierce, strong, young lady who makes decisions based on emotion, whether right or wrong, but she believes in her convictions and has a strong moral compass, even though she may ☠️ people. Lol. She’s not perfect, but neither are the men in the book. In fact, crew members working near the osimidite fuel chamber have a propensity for drug abuse and addiction, and Beth does a great job describing that addiction in the book, along with scenes of overdose and withdrawal. I’m not going to go into detail and give anything away, but you will see that it’s one of the struggles that they must deal with.
As for the ending, I keep feeling like there needs to be more. I’m hoping for a sequel to see how things develop for Ara, Drake and Cosmer, and to see if things truly develop with the kingdoms of Hevalla and Rhavna the way they have planned. I have to say that even though I’m team Drake, I loved them both and want HEAs for him and Cosmer. Truly, once I started this book, I did not want to put it down. Highly recommend! And can we take a sec to appreciate the beauty of the book as well? It’s gorgeous!

[Sj]

Carousel by Beth Best

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars

Firstly, a huge thank you to Beth Best and Books and Bloom PR for providing me with an ARC copy of Carousel in exchange for an honest review.

Carousel follows Ara, a young woman from the strictly controlled nation of Rhavna, whose life is turned upside down when she saves an enemy soldier and is subsequently captured during a war fought in the skies. Fiercely loyal to everything she has been taught, Ara is determined not to be swayed by her captures beliefs, but her convictions become increasingly difficult to hold onto as she finds herself caught between two opposing nations, questions about her own identity and abilities, and two very different men with complicated connections to her. Set against a steampunk-inspired world of war, magic, divided loyalties and romance, Ara must begin to decide for herself who she can trust and where she truly belongs.

I found this book genuinely fascinating. The world-building was one of its real strengths, giving enough detail to make the setting feel immersive and believable without becoming overly descriptive or drawn out, something I have occasionally found with other books in this genre.

The character stories were equally immersive, and I particularly enjoyed being able to see the potential for them to grow and develop further in future books. It feels very much like the beginning of a world with many more stories still waiting to be told.

The twists and turns made for compulsive reading, and there was plenty that I simply didn’t expect. Just when I thought I had worked out where the story might be heading, something would shift again.

For me, this was a four-star rather than a five-star read because there were occasional moments where events or elements of a character’s story seemed to pass a little too quickly, or were resolved or dismissed more easily than I would have liked. At times, I wanted the story to linger just a little longer and explore those moments in greater depth.

That said, Carousel was a really enjoyable and intriguing read, combining fantasy, romance, magic and conflict within an absorbing world. I’m definitely interested to see where Beth Best takes these characters and this world next.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

[Jessica | Pages, Pens & Stories]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Carousel

A STUNNING DEBUT ✨

When a book is marketed as a dystopian steampunk romantasy, I know I’ll love it, despite having absolutely no idea what I’m about to read.

Think The Hunger Games. Political intrigue. Star-crossed lovers. Indoctrination. A war. In the sky. With corsets. Blood magic. Leather jackets. And a ribbon.

There is a LOT going on here: the world-building is intricate, layered and beautifully written, with steampunk references throughout. (And the glossary was very much needed for the military acronyms 🤣) The world - and sky - feels huge. There are different countries (Rhavna and Hevalla), different loyalties, different agendas, and I couldn’t decide which I liked side or loathed more.

Our heroine, Ara, is impulsive. She thinks with her heart, acts before she thinks, and throws her words around like they can physically wound someone. Which sometimes they can, especially when she harnesses her forgotten memories, her blood magic, and her RAGE.

Normally with a love triangle I know who I’m rooting for. There’s always one man where you’re like, yes, obviously him, everyone else can leave. Not here. I could not choose. Because this isn’t just about who Ara wants. It’s about fate, chance… and design.

There’s Cosmer 🥺 Ara’s childhood friend turned crush. It should be easy, right? He takes her to Drens Island, a gorgeous little interlude in an otherwise bleak, war-torn world, and it feels like the place where Ara’s feelings for Cosmer really begin to cement.

But then… DRAKE. Drake is such a misunderstood, wounded soldier of a character, who we learn more about in every chapter, and get more conflicted over in every chapter, too.

There were twists coming at me from all directions in this novel, starting with “I aim the gun at his chest. And I fire it.” This one changed the whole trajectory of the novel and made me rethink all of my alliances, and the twists just kept on coming. Then the LAST CHAPTER decided to have one final little stab at my heart 😭

Thank you to @bethbestbooks for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Miek (diditall4thebookie)]

4.25 ⭐️


First of all, thank you to the author, Beth Best, for providing me with an e-ARC and giving me the opportunity to read and review her debut!

What a great debut!

I immediately fell in love with the world-building, the way technology and magic were a part of it, the complications of the ongoing war, the barrier between life on the ground and up in the sky... Add a possible life and world changing prophecy to that , and you get some impossible choices that the main characters are faced with. Loved it!

What I also really liked is how the anatomy of a Hive Ship (such as the Emperor where most of the story tales place) and different terms were explained before diving into the story. Made it so much easier to paint a full picture in my head of everything that was going on.

It was a breeze to get through this story. The writing style made it so easy to keep wanting to read more and more.

Ara, the FMC, might be strong and tough, but she is also an unreliable narrator. She is loyal, but also seems to make rash decisions. She is definitely a person who listens more to her heart than her mind... and that leads to less than ideal situations for both her and those around her. Add a lot of discovery of secrets from the past, and you get even more weight added to her decisions.

Now I have to address the love triangle. There was definitely an attraction between Ara and both Cosmer and Drake. Both guys have their interesting sides, but are far from perfect. But the thing is.. I think all three of them are in no way ready for a relationship. Not in the current situation. But hey, that hardly ever stops people from chasing their feelings (and hormones), right? It definitely made the triangle more interesting!

I loved the balance between action-plot-characters in this book, and as a reader not knowing who the true good guys are. The side characters were all interesting to say the least, and definitely added to the story.

If "steampunk romantasy" sounds interesting to you, then you definitely need to pick this one up!

[Kimberly Carroll]

Okay but HOW am I supposed to just move on after that ending?? 😂

Carousel started as one of those books where I was interested and trying to piece together the world, the politics, the magic, who I trusted… and then somewhere along the way I realized I was completely addicted. Every time I thought I had finally figured something out, I got an answer that somehow created five more questions. My imaginary red-string conspiracy board was WORKING overtime.

This has such a fun mix of skyships, blood magic, war, prophecy, hidden identities, morally questionable decisions and a romance situation that became increasingly complicated in exactly the way I apparently enjoy. 😂 I especially loved how much of the story revolves around choice—what we choose for ourselves, what other people decide is “best” for us, and whether a good intention can still lead to a very bad decision.

And listen… Drake. 👀 I know there will be opinions, but apparently I am Team Drake and I am standing by it. He is messy and makes choices I absolutely wanted to yell at him about, but he's also just as caught up in everything that was done to these characters as Ara is. Their connection ended up being one of the most interesting parts of the book for me.

I will say the worldbuilding and all of the terminology/political pieces took a little attention in the beginning, and there were moments when I was still figuring out where everything was headed. But once the different mysteries started connecting? I was IN. The second half especially just kept unfolding and revealing how many little details from earlier actually mattered.

And that epilogue?? Excuse me?? I have QUESTIONS. So many questions. 😂 There are multiple storylines I desperately need followed, characters whose stories are absolutely not finished, and an entire relationship situation that I refuse to believe we've seen the end of.

Easy 4 stars for me. Twisty, addictive, morally messy, and the kind of ending that immediately makes me ask: when do I get the next book?? 🎠

[Roses & Realms (Bex)]

ROSES & REALMS REVIEWS: CAROUSEL BY BETH BEST

TL:DR: This is how you bring a world to life from the sky!

Gripped from the first chapter, this book brings together so many elements that have made Romantasy books great over the last 15-20 years. Moral dilemmas, loyalty called into question, yearning and smokey love growing; as well as the hints of found family through unlikely friendships.

All whilst maintaining the balance between action/fast paced writing and sweet intimate moments. What a rollercoaster.

Highlights: This book was very fast paced. A lot happens almost all of the time and there are often things that are merely hinted at that would normally have been a few pages in other such books. This means that the action is always there, the pace never lets up meaning I was never bored or felt like I didn’t want to pick it back up.

The characters are understandable, diverse and the events that unfold in the book made sense, had you thinking and at times, had you making audible noises (IYKYK).

On the flip side that also means that there are developments between characters or moments that make less sense or feel rushed because those things are often developed during those low pace moments.
None of this slows this book down and it is genuinely a great start to a series that has so much potential. You have:
🥀Unique magics and abilities
🥀Betrayal and twists
🥀Battle action and high stakes events
🥀Sweet tender moments
🥀Moral questioning inc. morally grey actions
🥀Something bigger than the FMC realises – weaving paths of historic and present moments.

There is something for everyone!
I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of typical Romantasy. Which sounds dumb but this book sits squarely and snugly in that genre, right along side greats like Lynette Noni, Victoria Aveyard, Sarah J Maas and many others.

[Kellie]

In this Alchemised meets The Hunger Games steampunk-inspired romantasy, a young woman, Ara is forced to undergo an enemy conversion program during a sky war and finds herself torn between two vastly different countries and between two deeply flawed men. After a series of recent disappointments in my romantasy reads, I’m surprised that this one book actually got me out of my mini romantasy book slump.

First things first, the powers in this book are unique. What Ara (FMC) and Drake (let’s call him MMC 1) have together was truly something that was totally new to me in a romantasy. My immediate thought was that I couldn’t imagine how such powers would work in real life and how dangerous they would be. Their powers also spell danger for Cosmer (let’s call him MMC 2), who is now romantically challenged. Despite this, Ara and Cosmer share a long history together, and it was refreshing to see Ara struggle right until the end to make her final choice while also trying to protect her country.

As the story develops, I’m glad that other characters, such as Riss, are introduced, which moves the focus away from being purely a love triangle and towards a more well-developed story that also explores the other characters and their unique powers. Of course, some characters’ powers were only briefly covered, and I would have loved more backstory to better understand the motivations behind some of their drastic actions. However, I felt that this did not impede the overall plot.

Overall, I found Carousel to be a satisfying romantasy read that didn’t disappoint me at all. Readers interested in a star-crossed lovers versus soulmates dynamic, with a science-fiction fantasy setting, will definitely enjoy this book. The ending truly broke my heart a little, and it was definitely something I didn’t expect.

[Leah Marie]

You can't outrun your destiny, no matter how hard you try. I absolutely loved this debut book by Beth Best! The world building pulls you right in, and you feel a part of it. War between worlds, betrayal and magic all build into this story, and blends to bring an amazing story. The lengths that Ara will go to save her family and friends really inspire you. She will stop at nothing to save her one true love. Unfortunately, she is destined to marry the prince and become the next queen, although that is not the only future that has been predicted.

As Ara and Drake are going through initiation and training, they are brought to a special dinner and served swan. This is the national bird of their people and is a test to see how they would react. You really get a feeling for how daunting these tests are going to get after this happens to them. It really made me worried about the pair and the future they may face together.

The bond between Cosmer and Ara is a great friendship and love. Their relationship is tested and made me cry in a few parts. They would give up anything for the other person, and you just want to see them together once this is all over.

I loved the headstrong character of Ara, as she tries to make sense of everything around her. I wanted to see her end up with her true love and went through so many emotions alongside her. There are so many people that Ara meets, but it is hard to figure out who she can really trust, and which of those she ends up trusting, she really shouldn't. I could not put this book down and loved the unique story this was. I look forward to reading more books from Beth Best.

[Francine]

4.5⭐

I received an ARC from the author, opinions are always my own.

This book was so much fun. The longer I read it, the more hooked I got. By the halfway point I couldn't stop anymore and basically just inhaled the rest 😅

Ara lost the country she loved when she was moved to the country that attacked her home. She lost the boy she loved when he joined in the fighting. Then one day an enemy ship from her home country crashes to the beach she's on and she saves a man she was not supposed to save. One she is drawn to in a way she cannot explain. When they are taken on a ship as prisoners of war she finds that the boy she used to love is not in fact dead. Taken through a process meant to turn her traitor to her own country she is torn between the two seriously flawed men that both seem deeply connected to her.

This is everything romantasy should be, but in such a new and refreshing way.
While a lot of tropes and elements are not necessarily very different (enemies to lovers, fantasy world, magic, war time, finding power in pain), I felt the execution was most definitely fresh and unexpected. I love how all the characters are flawed and human, in a believable way. They actually make mistakes that make sense and the miscommunication and discussions are all very natural. I loved the magic and technology mix and the writing was very engaging all around.

Overall, I highly recommend this one. Especially for fans of Fantasy romance who like their worlds to have some substance and their relationships to have layers and depth. But mostly, I just had a blast reading it.

[Melinda]

I received this as an ARC from the author, this is my honest review and opinions.

I think I’ve never read anything close to steampunk before and I was happily surprised to discover how thrilling it was! I’m actually mindblown by the magical worldbuilding where both tech and environment comes together in a credible way and without it taking over completely or being too hard to understand. We also have elements of magical blood and mythology which makes it even more interesting. Beth is telling the story in a playful yet mature way because it truly was a magical adventure in wartime. The beginning took off strong and fast and I was intrigued almost all the way through - I could barely put it down!

The characters and their development were interesting to follow. It felt so real with the conflicted feelings, miscommunications and how some moments of calm or joy could take place in between everything happening. I constantly changed my mind about a lot of them and they frustrated me and surprised me. They’re still loveable, some relatable and very well written!

The glossary in the beginning was also appreciated, I honestly didn’t understand it at first but it was helpful once I got into the story.


Other than feeling like the pace staggered a little in the middle I thought it was an overall steady pace with lots of moments you’re proven wrong if you think you know what happens next or how one of the characters would act in a certain situation. It also came with a surprising ending (I did not expect that!). I thought it wrapped up a little bit too fast from there though, it left me wishing for more time with Ara and Drake and a deeper dive into their reasons of actions.

I feel like it ended in a cliffhanger and we’re getting a sequel because there’s a lot of potential for it! Both in character development and the story itself. I want to dive even deeper into the world and the main characters and I also want more of them. Fantasy is my preferable read and this felt refreshing and unique, I love it.

[Kat Hartwell]

Many thanks to the author and Books and Bloom PR for the ARC!

I was immediately attracted to this book by the gorgeous aesthetic and the description of a steampunk fantasy romance that mixed Alchemised with Hunger Games, and it definitely delivered on that promise. It is one of the most unique books I have read this year. It is also slightly on the longer side but doesn't drag and has decent pacing throughout.

The world in which the story is set is really interesting, the conflict between Rhavna and Hevalla is clearly explained without getting too bogged down by detail, and the political intrigue is high. I also enjoyed the aspect of magic vs technology, and how this played a role in the war effort.

Ara is a sympathetic but unreliable narrator, who begins the book trying to do the right thing and ends up as a prisoner of war. As time goes on and secrets are revealed, she ends up questioning everything she knows about herself. She often makes questionable decisions, which can leave the reader frustrated at times.

The two MMCs are both interesting and flawed characters, and it is never entirely clear who will win Ara's heart. While Cosmer is portrayed as the golden retriever character and Drake more morally grey, they both have aspects that call to her. I really like the concept of fate vs choice that comes from this love triangle, and I am still not 100% sure which I prefer!

There are plenty of twists and turns throughout this book, meaning you often want to read just one more chapter. The ending was unexpected, and definitely leaves the door open for a sequel!

[Zehra__reads]

A SHIP. IN. THE. SKY. And somehow Beth Best made me believe every second of it!

I genuinely don’t know how Best dreamed up the idea of a ship sailing through the sky, but I am OBSESSED. What an incredibly talented indie author to take such a unique concept and turn it into a world that felt so vivid and completely immersive.

The world-building was phenomenal. The writing pulled me in so deeply that I genuinely forgot I was reading a book — I was there. Among the characters, the ship, the danger and everything unfolding around Ara.

And Ara? Smart, strategic and incredibly capable, but never emotionless. She felt everything, and I loved that about her. Her strength wasn't about shutting her emotions off; it was about navigating them while still making calculated decisions.

Then we have Drake and Cosmer… Two MMCs who couldn't be more different from each other, yet both held Ara's attention for completely different reasons. Their contrasting personalities added such an interesting dynamic, and I was equally invested in seeing where each relationship would go.

What really stood out to me, though, was how every character felt integral to the story. Nobody felt like they were simply there to fill space. Each one brought something to the plot, the world or Ara's journey.

This is exactly why I love discovering indie authors. Give me a wildly creative concept, immersive fantasy world-building, complex characters and writing that makes me forget I'm holding a book any day.

Beth Best is definitely an indie author I'm keeping my eye on.