What do you think?
Into the Luminous Storm: Book 1 of the Foxglove Chronicles
***This is a re-write of my debut novel, Mark of the Fallen***
Nothing has been the same in the Kingdom of Trilithia since the Royal Family fell from a plague 17 years ago.
A mage named Aeron seized his opportunity to take over, utilizing his nefarious Shadow Guard to keep the citizens in check.
In Cass's village of Everloom though, things were even better than fine. She had her Ma, her two little brothers, her best friend, and her mentor. But one day, the Shadow Guard show up at her village and her world comes crashing down. Will she be able to overthrow Aeron and take back the Kingdom for its people?
Nothing has been the same in the Kingdom of Trilithia since the Royal Family fell from a plague 17 years ago.
A mage named Aeron seized his opportunity to take over, utilizing his nefarious Shadow Guard to keep the citizens in check.
In Cass's village of Everloom though, things were even better than fine. She had her Ma, her two little brothers, her best friend, and her mentor. But one day, the Shadow Guard show up at her village and her world comes crashing down. Will she be able to overthrow Aeron and take back the Kingdom for its people?
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 6, 2026
This was... nothing as I expected, and everything that I wanted.
Cass was an absolute delight to read. She's quick with her words and her actions—the first time she defeated Falcon in a duel, I was sitting there like 😍💞 She's independent, smart, and an actually strong lead, but more importantly, she does stuff. She makes decisions, takes action, gets herself into situations, and actively pushes the story forward. I cannot tell you how much of a difference that makes, especially in a book that revolves around rebellions, quests, the Chosen One, and all the usual fantasy shenanigans where it would be incredibly easy for the protagonist to spend half the book waiting for someone else to tell her what to do. (Can you tell I'm sick of reading fantasy books where we follow passive characters? lol)
Cass was exactly the kind of protagonist I enjoy following. I'm less sold on Falcon though. He's... fine, sure, but I'm still not ready to forgive him for the shit he pulled at the beginning of the book. He was being so infuriatingly misogynistic, and I could not tell whether he was actually being an asshole or if he was supposed to be teasing Cass and flirting with her. And ughhh. Look, I don’t pick up on flirting that easily, so perhaps that one is on me 😭 Cass seems to have forgiven him, though, so maybe I'll get there eventually.
Callum, on the other hand, I liked immediately 🥹 I have a soft spot for soft boys, nerds, and men who actually respect women, so he was basically designed in a lab to appeal to me.
The worldbuilding was not too complex, nor was it basic. There's clearly a lot more going on beneath the surface, and I'm very interested to see how the author develops the world and its larger conflicts in the next book. And I loved the rebellion group—the found family aspect was one of my favourite parts because they're all just a bunch of cuties. The fox too. Cute.
btw, the stars aligned for me while reading this book. Because every time I found myself thinking, "I wish this character would do X," they would actually go and do X. Once, I found the Cass with every other man in the book theme a little exhausting, and wished for a woman to talk to her, and then the next chapter was entirely girls talk?? Like, thank you, author. Thank you, universe.
Oh! btw, if this review reaches any Legend of Zelda fans, I want to let you know that this book is inspired by it!! Isn't that amazing? I love it when authors are so inspired by a piece of media that they end up writing a whole story based on it. Imagine loving a game so much that years later, you're still thinking about the world you could create from it. And so you do.
Overall, I had a really good time with this. Cass is a fantastic protagonist to follow, the characters have plenty of potential, the world is interesting, and the found-family dynamic is the sort of thing I will happily eat up. Count me in for the rest of the series!
── .✦ pre-read 𖹭.ᐟ
another book tour read!! this one has me very excited 👀💛
Cass was an absolute delight to read. She's quick with her words and her actions—the first time she defeated Falcon in a duel, I was sitting there like 😍💞 She's independent, smart, and an actually strong lead, but more importantly, she does stuff. She makes decisions, takes action, gets herself into situations, and actively pushes the story forward. I cannot tell you how much of a difference that makes, especially in a book that revolves around rebellions, quests, the Chosen One, and all the usual fantasy shenanigans where it would be incredibly easy for the protagonist to spend half the book waiting for someone else to tell her what to do. (Can you tell I'm sick of reading fantasy books where we follow passive characters? lol)
Cass was exactly the kind of protagonist I enjoy following. I'm less sold on Falcon though. He's... fine, sure, but I'm still not ready to forgive him for the shit he pulled at the beginning of the book. He was being so infuriatingly misogynistic, and I could not tell whether he was actually being an asshole or if he was supposed to be teasing Cass and flirting with her. And ughhh. Look, I don’t pick up on flirting that easily, so perhaps that one is on me 😭 Cass seems to have forgiven him, though, so maybe I'll get there eventually.
Callum, on the other hand, I liked immediately 🥹 I have a soft spot for soft boys, nerds, and men who actually respect women, so he was basically designed in a lab to appeal to me.
The worldbuilding was not too complex, nor was it basic. There's clearly a lot more going on beneath the surface, and I'm very interested to see how the author develops the world and its larger conflicts in the next book. And I loved the rebellion group—the found family aspect was one of my favourite parts because they're all just a bunch of cuties. The fox too. Cute.
btw, the stars aligned for me while reading this book. Because every time I found myself thinking, "I wish this character would do X," they would actually go and do X. Once, I found the Cass with every other man in the book theme a little exhausting, and wished for a woman to talk to her, and then the next chapter was entirely girls talk?? Like, thank you, author. Thank you, universe.
Oh! btw, if this review reaches any Legend of Zelda fans, I want to let you know that this book is inspired by it!! Isn't that amazing? I love it when authors are so inspired by a piece of media that they end up writing a whole story based on it. Imagine loving a game so much that years later, you're still thinking about the world you could create from it. And so you do.
Overall, I had a really good time with this. Cass is a fantastic protagonist to follow, the characters have plenty of potential, the world is interesting, and the found-family dynamic is the sort of thing I will happily eat up. Count me in for the rest of the series!
── .✦ pre-read 𖹭.ᐟ
another book tour read!! this one has me very excited 👀💛
September 13, 2026
Into the Luminous Storm is an action-packed fantasy featuring Cass, an 18-year old rebel warrior (coming into her own) fighting against a corrupt King. And one of his greatest crimes was imprisoning all the children in the kingdom, including Cass's two younger brothers. All she wants are her brothers to be freed, her mom to get better, the guy she likes to notice her, and to help liberate the kingdom by joining thr rebel cause, Luminous Storm. Easy, right?
Enemies-to-lovers, found family, slow-burn, very little spice, epic adventures, coming-of-age... All around, I'd recommend this debut! Now just to wait for the sequel...
Thank you to the author (Jessi Chaulk) for allowing me the opportunity to read this eARC, and I'm providing my honest review!
Enemies-to-lovers, found family, slow-burn, very little spice, epic adventures, coming-of-age... All around, I'd recommend this debut! Now just to wait for the sequel...
Thank you to the author (Jessi Chaulk) for allowing me the opportunity to read this eARC, and I'm providing my honest review!
September 15, 2026
Looking for a story that will hook you from the beginning? Then this is one that you're going to want to grab!
Children have been taken. For what purpose? Why does this mage Aeron want them? Well, you'll have to delve deep into this book. Hope you clear your schedule, because once you start this book you won't want to put it down!
This is the beginning of a series, and you're dropped right into some intriguing drama. Cass is on a quest for answers, and she sure knows how to acquire them. We love her tenacity and her wits. She's a clever character, and we highly commend her desire to right wrongs and find her little brothers.
This story is quite the whirlwind, but watch out for that ending!
Children have been taken. For what purpose? Why does this mage Aeron want them? Well, you'll have to delve deep into this book. Hope you clear your schedule, because once you start this book you won't want to put it down!
This is the beginning of a series, and you're dropped right into some intriguing drama. Cass is on a quest for answers, and she sure knows how to acquire them. We love her tenacity and her wits. She's a clever character, and we highly commend her desire to right wrongs and find her little brothers.
This story is quite the whirlwind, but watch out for that ending!
August 8, 2026
I. WAS. NOT. Expecting that! So, I applied for an ARC because the synopsis definitely sounded like it was up my alley for sure. Shortly after starting it, I saw posts by Jessi the author about the book being inspired by Legend of Zelda and I feel like I’ve seen that claim before and had never read anything that truly felt like LoZ. I have even personally started jotting ideas down for a book heavily inspired by LoZ that I may or may not get around to doing something with. Anyway! I hadn’t ever read something like LoZ until this very moment.
I was about half way through when (based on the knowledge of the inspiration) the story -the pathway- became very clear and clicked into place. At first I was like “Yea, Cass is very Zelda coded with some Link mixed in” but then I was like oh snap I can see to the heart of this! So I threw on some LoZ ambient music and binged the last half of the book.
This book absolutely has the soul of the Legend of Zelda and I may be a bit biased when it comes to that specific IP but damn if this book didn’t deliver on that claim of inspiration and I appreciated every page of it.
I was about half way through when (based on the knowledge of the inspiration) the story -the pathway- became very clear and clicked into place. At first I was like “Yea, Cass is very Zelda coded with some Link mixed in” but then I was like oh snap I can see to the heart of this! So I threw on some LoZ ambient music and binged the last half of the book.
This book absolutely has the soul of the Legend of Zelda and I may be a bit biased when it comes to that specific IP but damn if this book didn’t deliver on that claim of inspiration and I appreciated every page of it.
September 14, 2026
Into the Luminous Storm by Jessi Chaulk
4.25 Stars
I was not expecting to get swept up in this high-fantasy adventure as much as I did!
From the very beginning, Into the Luminous Storm is jam-packed with action, mystery, rebellion, hidden identities, and questions that kept me wanting to know more.
Seventeen years ago, the royal family of Trilithia fell to a devastating plague, leaving the kingdom under the control of the mage Aeron and his Shadow Guard. In Everloom, seventeen-year-old Cass has grown up alongside her ma, two younger brothers, and childhood best friend Liam—all while secretly training with her mentor, General Ren, to eventually join the rebellion known as the Luminous Storm.
But Cass’s plans are thrown into chaos when her younger brothers are captured and her mother is placed under a mysterious everlasting sleep. Determined to save her family, Cass and Liam join the rebellion earlier than expected, and Cass quickly proves that she is much more than an ordinary seventeen-year-old girl.
As her training intensifies, she earns the names Red Fox and Foxglove, developing a reputation as a fierce and lethal fighter. But when General Ren sends Cass and the militia commander, Falcon, on a mysterious quest to retrieve something that only Cass will recognize when she finds it, the story becomes so much bigger than a rescue mission.
What begins as a vague quest turns into a journey of self-discovery as secrets from Cass’s past begin coming to light. Suddenly, the things that have been hidden from her may make her an even greater threat to Aeron—and an important piece in the fight to rebuild their broken kingdom.
And then, of course, there’s the romance. 👀
Team Liam or Team Falcon?!
We’ve got yearning, friends-to-lovers energy, complicated feelings, a love triangle, and—one of my favorite things—no spice! The romance is there without overpowering the fantasy and adventure.
There is even an adorable little fox side character, which obviously won me over.
I still have SO many questions after finishing this book, but I actually love that about the beginning of a fantasy series. The unanswered mysteries leave you wondering about all the different directions these characters—and this world—could go next.
Once I gave this story a chance, I was pleasantly surprised by just how engrossed I became. The deeper I got into Cass’s journey, the more I wanted to uncover every secret alongside her.
The closest comparison I can make based on my own reading experience is that it gave me some of the adventurous, rebellious, heroine-discovering-her-power feelings I love about Throne of Glass, but with a younger, more YA-accessible feel.
Adventure. ⚔️
Rebellion. ✨
Hidden secrets. 🗝️
Found family. 🦊
A mysterious past. 🌙
And just enough romantic yearning to make me start picking teams.
I’m definitely looking forward to continuing Cass’s journey and seeing how all these mysteries unfold. This is also one of those series that I received digitally and immediately thought, Yep…I want this one on my physical bookshelf.
A huge thank you to Jessi Chaulk and Literary Loft PR for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review. I’m crossing my fingers that I get to continue along with the sequels because I’m officially invested in the Luminous Storm!
4.25 Stars
I was not expecting to get swept up in this high-fantasy adventure as much as I did!
From the very beginning, Into the Luminous Storm is jam-packed with action, mystery, rebellion, hidden identities, and questions that kept me wanting to know more.
Seventeen years ago, the royal family of Trilithia fell to a devastating plague, leaving the kingdom under the control of the mage Aeron and his Shadow Guard. In Everloom, seventeen-year-old Cass has grown up alongside her ma, two younger brothers, and childhood best friend Liam—all while secretly training with her mentor, General Ren, to eventually join the rebellion known as the Luminous Storm.
But Cass’s plans are thrown into chaos when her younger brothers are captured and her mother is placed under a mysterious everlasting sleep. Determined to save her family, Cass and Liam join the rebellion earlier than expected, and Cass quickly proves that she is much more than an ordinary seventeen-year-old girl.
As her training intensifies, she earns the names Red Fox and Foxglove, developing a reputation as a fierce and lethal fighter. But when General Ren sends Cass and the militia commander, Falcon, on a mysterious quest to retrieve something that only Cass will recognize when she finds it, the story becomes so much bigger than a rescue mission.
What begins as a vague quest turns into a journey of self-discovery as secrets from Cass’s past begin coming to light. Suddenly, the things that have been hidden from her may make her an even greater threat to Aeron—and an important piece in the fight to rebuild their broken kingdom.
And then, of course, there’s the romance. 👀
Team Liam or Team Falcon?!
We’ve got yearning, friends-to-lovers energy, complicated feelings, a love triangle, and—one of my favorite things—no spice! The romance is there without overpowering the fantasy and adventure.
There is even an adorable little fox side character, which obviously won me over.
I still have SO many questions after finishing this book, but I actually love that about the beginning of a fantasy series. The unanswered mysteries leave you wondering about all the different directions these characters—and this world—could go next.
Once I gave this story a chance, I was pleasantly surprised by just how engrossed I became. The deeper I got into Cass’s journey, the more I wanted to uncover every secret alongside her.
The closest comparison I can make based on my own reading experience is that it gave me some of the adventurous, rebellious, heroine-discovering-her-power feelings I love about Throne of Glass, but with a younger, more YA-accessible feel.
Adventure. ⚔️
Rebellion. ✨
Hidden secrets. 🗝️
Found family. 🦊
A mysterious past. 🌙
And just enough romantic yearning to make me start picking teams.
I’m definitely looking forward to continuing Cass’s journey and seeing how all these mysteries unfold. This is also one of those series that I received digitally and immediately thought, Yep…I want this one on my physical bookshelf.
A huge thank you to Jessi Chaulk and Literary Loft PR for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review. I’m crossing my fingers that I get to continue along with the sequels because I’m officially invested in the Luminous Storm!
September 15, 2026
This book really kept going, “oh, you thought THAT was the plot? cute.”
Cass is already dealing with the kidnapping of her two little brothers and her mother being trapped in a magical sleep, and then we find out she's secretly the Red Fox, a masked vigilante working against the tyrant king. Because apparently she didn't have enough problems.
Then comes Falcon, the broody rebellion commander who underestimates her until she flips him during their first sparring match. Their enemies-to-lovers tension was honestly one of my favourite parts. And then there's Liam, her childhood best friend, plus Callum, the sweet healer, so the romance situation is basically a geometric shape I haven't learned yet.
I also absolutely loved Ayla, the mysterious black fox who turns out to be so much more than she first appears. And watching Cass discover that she's an Elemental Warrior and a Light Weaver, with the ability to create weapons out of light, was SO satisfying.
The fantasy side kept getting bigger with the ancient sentient sword, forgotten royalty, curses, rebellion and all the secrets surrounding Cass. And that ending??? Cass finally discovers her powers, gets caught up in a huge battle, shares a long-awaited kiss with Falcon and then wakes up with the Mark of Alistair.
Queen Cassandra.BRO????
And of course that's where the book ends. Her brothers are still missing, her mother's curse isn't fully resolved, the romance is still a mess, and now she's apparently the rightful queen. Girl went from masked vigilante to queen in one book.
This is definitely a series starter, so go in knowing you're getting a BIG cliffhanger. It's also very low-spice/closed-door, with the romance focusing more on tension, feelings and kisses.
Overall, this was a fun romantasy read with plenty of magic, action, secrets and romantic chaos. I'm definitely curious to see where Cass's story goes next.
That ending though… Jessi, respectfully, I need book 2.
Cass is already dealing with the kidnapping of her two little brothers and her mother being trapped in a magical sleep, and then we find out she's secretly the Red Fox, a masked vigilante working against the tyrant king. Because apparently she didn't have enough problems.
Then comes Falcon, the broody rebellion commander who underestimates her until she flips him during their first sparring match. Their enemies-to-lovers tension was honestly one of my favourite parts. And then there's Liam, her childhood best friend, plus Callum, the sweet healer, so the romance situation is basically a geometric shape I haven't learned yet.
I also absolutely loved Ayla, the mysterious black fox who turns out to be so much more than she first appears. And watching Cass discover that she's an Elemental Warrior and a Light Weaver, with the ability to create weapons out of light, was SO satisfying.
The fantasy side kept getting bigger with the ancient sentient sword, forgotten royalty, curses, rebellion and all the secrets surrounding Cass. And that ending??? Cass finally discovers her powers, gets caught up in a huge battle, shares a long-awaited kiss with Falcon and then wakes up with the Mark of Alistair.
Queen Cassandra.BRO????
And of course that's where the book ends. Her brothers are still missing, her mother's curse isn't fully resolved, the romance is still a mess, and now she's apparently the rightful queen. Girl went from masked vigilante to queen in one book.
This is definitely a series starter, so go in knowing you're getting a BIG cliffhanger. It's also very low-spice/closed-door, with the romance focusing more on tension, feelings and kisses.
Overall, this was a fun romantasy read with plenty of magic, action, secrets and romantic chaos. I'm definitely curious to see where Cass's story goes next.
That ending though… Jessi, respectfully, I need book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I HAVE THOUGHTS. SO MANY THOUGHTS 😭
this book had me going from "okay, let's see where this goes" to EXCUSE ME????? approximately every five chapters!! 😭🖐🏼
first of all, Cass. I LOVE HER. she's brave, stubborn, impulsive, constantly throwing herself into situations where im genuinely questioning her survival instincts 😭 but somehow that just made me root for her harder. and the whole journey from trying to find her brothers to discovering that there is SO MUCH MORE going on with her?? i was SAT 🧎🏻♀️❤️
the found family/rebellion aspect??? YES. the friendships??? YES. the magic??? YES. the whole mystery surrounding the elemental warriors, the visions, the mark, Cass's mother and WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON WITH HER??? I NEED ANSWERS 🫡😭
and Falcon.🌚
FALCON.
that is all im saying because i refuse to spoil anything but SIR????? 😭🤚🏻😏
also Ayla!!! THE LITTLE FOX!!! 🥹💕 every time she appeared i was immediately happier. i did not expect to get emotionally attached to a magical fox but here we are 🤭🙂↕️
there were definitely moments where i wanted to grab Cass by the shoulders and scream "PLEASE THINK ABOUT THIS FOR TWO SECONDS" but honestly… that's part of the fun 😂 the story kept throwing revelations at me, and every time i thought i had something figured out, it was like "oh you thought you knew? cute 💀"
and that ending???
THAT. ENDING.
i actually just stared at the page like:
🧍🏻♀️
🧍🏻♀️
🧍🏻♀️
EXCUSE ME?????
this book is very much giving okay, that was only the beginning, and now i need the next book because o have approximately 47 questions and absolutely no patience 😔🙏🏻
if you like fantasy with magic, rebellion, secrets, found family, slow-burn romance vibes, mysterious powers and protagonists who apparently have no concept of self-preservation, you NEED to pick this one up.
now excuse me while i go scream about that ending somewhere else 🫡🥲🤚🏻
this book had me going from "okay, let's see where this goes" to EXCUSE ME????? approximately every five chapters!! 😭🖐🏼
first of all, Cass. I LOVE HER. she's brave, stubborn, impulsive, constantly throwing herself into situations where im genuinely questioning her survival instincts 😭 but somehow that just made me root for her harder. and the whole journey from trying to find her brothers to discovering that there is SO MUCH MORE going on with her?? i was SAT 🧎🏻♀️❤️
the found family/rebellion aspect??? YES. the friendships??? YES. the magic??? YES. the whole mystery surrounding the elemental warriors, the visions, the mark, Cass's mother and WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON WITH HER??? I NEED ANSWERS 🫡😭
and Falcon.🌚
FALCON.
that is all im saying because i refuse to spoil anything but SIR????? 😭🤚🏻😏
also Ayla!!! THE LITTLE FOX!!! 🥹💕 every time she appeared i was immediately happier. i did not expect to get emotionally attached to a magical fox but here we are 🤭🙂↕️
there were definitely moments where i wanted to grab Cass by the shoulders and scream "PLEASE THINK ABOUT THIS FOR TWO SECONDS" but honestly… that's part of the fun 😂 the story kept throwing revelations at me, and every time i thought i had something figured out, it was like "oh you thought you knew? cute 💀"
and that ending???
THAT. ENDING.
i actually just stared at the page like:
🧍🏻♀️
🧍🏻♀️
🧍🏻♀️
EXCUSE ME?????
this book is very much giving okay, that was only the beginning, and now i need the next book because o have approximately 47 questions and absolutely no patience 😔🙏🏻
if you like fantasy with magic, rebellion, secrets, found family, slow-burn romance vibes, mysterious powers and protagonists who apparently have no concept of self-preservation, you NEED to pick this one up.
now excuse me while i go scream about that ending somewhere else 🫡🥲🤚🏻
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed reading this book! It is a fantasy story with rebellion, magic, danger, family, friendship, and a slow burn romance.
Cass was my very favorite part of the book. She is strong, brave, stubborn, and very protective of the people she loves. Her relationship with her brothers, especially Bram and Kolby, made me really care about her. I also liked seeing how much she struggles with everything that happened to her family while still trying to be strong for everyone else.
I really liked Cass and Liam together. Their friendship flows really well because they have known each other for years. Their teasing, little things, and the way they care about each other made their relationship one of my favorite parts of the story. The slow development between them kept me interested.
Cass and the others started learning more about Aeron, the Shadow Guard, the missing children, and the magic behind everything. There were several moments where I wanted to know what would happen next.
I also enjoyed the mystery surrounding Cass, the Mark of Alistair, the Blade of Strattera, and her magic. There are many secrets in the story, and discovering them along with Cass made the book more exciting.
Cass's love for her family, her guilt, her fear of losing people, and her relationships with Liam and the other characters made her feel more real to me.
At the end, Into the Luminous Storm was an enjoyable fantasy read with a strong heroine, interesting magical elements, action, mystery, and a slow burn romance. I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy fantasy stories with these tropes and quotes!
Cass was my very favorite part of the book. She is strong, brave, stubborn, and very protective of the people she loves. Her relationship with her brothers, especially Bram and Kolby, made me really care about her. I also liked seeing how much she struggles with everything that happened to her family while still trying to be strong for everyone else.
I really liked Cass and Liam together. Their friendship flows really well because they have known each other for years. Their teasing, little things, and the way they care about each other made their relationship one of my favorite parts of the story. The slow development between them kept me interested.
Cass and the others started learning more about Aeron, the Shadow Guard, the missing children, and the magic behind everything. There were several moments where I wanted to know what would happen next.
I also enjoyed the mystery surrounding Cass, the Mark of Alistair, the Blade of Strattera, and her magic. There are many secrets in the story, and discovering them along with Cass made the book more exciting.
Cass's love for her family, her guilt, her fear of losing people, and her relationships with Liam and the other characters made her feel more real to me.
At the end, Into the Luminous Storm was an enjoyable fantasy read with a strong heroine, interesting magical elements, action, mystery, and a slow burn romance. I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy fantasy stories with these tropes and quotes!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Into the Luminous Storm is a magical fantasy mixed with romance, so it honestly has everything you could ask for. It gives you that enemies to not exactly lovers but close to lovers vibes, a lot of tension, a great found family, fun banter, a bit of mystery, and the kind of deep bonds you truly care about.
The story follows Cass, our main character, whose biggest priority is protecting her family and her little brothers. She’s that strong, elder sibling who keeps all her pain to herself so no one else has to worry. I loved her character so much. The way she risks everything to reach her brothers and constantly pushes herself, she is best yet she wasn't arrogant, and it made her so easy to root for. Her character growth is one of the best parts of the book, we can really see how much she evolves from start to finish.
Then there is Falcon, the way he changes and treats Cass is just amazing. I love it whenever he calls her "Foxglove"😭🌷 i mean it's cute. His shift in behavior toward her made me smile so much. On top of their dynamic, the action scenes are super exciting, and the whole concept of the mark kept me hooked the entire time. I was constantly wondering what would happen next and whether they would figure things out.
The world-building is done so well, too. The descriptions are vivid enough that you feel like you are standing right there in the middle of it all. I enjoyed this book a lot and honestly cannot wait for the second part, I desperately need to know how everything ends! 😭
The story follows Cass, our main character, whose biggest priority is protecting her family and her little brothers. She’s that strong, elder sibling who keeps all her pain to herself so no one else has to worry. I loved her character so much. The way she risks everything to reach her brothers and constantly pushes herself, she is best yet she wasn't arrogant, and it made her so easy to root for. Her character growth is one of the best parts of the book, we can really see how much she evolves from start to finish.
Then there is Falcon, the way he changes and treats Cass is just amazing. I love it whenever he calls her "Foxglove"😭🌷 i mean it's cute. His shift in behavior toward her made me smile so much. On top of their dynamic, the action scenes are super exciting, and the whole concept of the mark kept me hooked the entire time. I was constantly wondering what would happen next and whether they would figure things out.
The world-building is done so well, too. The descriptions are vivid enough that you feel like you are standing right there in the middle of it all. I enjoyed this book a lot and honestly cannot wait for the second part, I desperately need to know how everything ends! 😭
September 16, 2026
I loved this book!! And, yes, that's the exact way I wanted to start this review. First, I am a big fantasy reader and I can't read just anything in it. And, this book gave me that vibes, that excitement to keep turning the pages and never stop. I didn't want to stop but the author made me with 'To be Continued'🫤
Coming to the story,
Class is feisty, brave and beautiful warrior, a weapon to be precise in herself who trains determinedly and loves her family fiercely.
Everloom and nearly other villages were doomed by the presence and rule of a dark evil Aeron who had ruined the good life for people.
Liam is a fighter, survivor, caring and handsome who took his friendship with Cass like a prayer and his revenge to Aeron as life's motto.
They are training under General Ren to join The Luminous Storms one day and become part of the rebellion against Aeron.
But circumstances and fate had something else in store as they had to leave Everloom and join the rebellion sooner than expected.
There's a journey that would change how Cass and Liam have ever seen the world and themselves. Ahead lies the secrets to be revealed, magic to felt and justice to be served.
Ruins. Curse. Betrayal. Friendship. Loyalty. Magic. Fantasy.
What does this book not have!!??
I am literally in awe of the author as how wonderfully, measurably she has written this fantasy mystery with all the elements in proportion. Character building, stage set up, backstory conveyed, magic explained and everything coming together as if they were all meant to be.
Coming to the story,
Class is feisty, brave and beautiful warrior, a weapon to be precise in herself who trains determinedly and loves her family fiercely.
Everloom and nearly other villages were doomed by the presence and rule of a dark evil Aeron who had ruined the good life for people.
Liam is a fighter, survivor, caring and handsome who took his friendship with Cass like a prayer and his revenge to Aeron as life's motto.
They are training under General Ren to join The Luminous Storms one day and become part of the rebellion against Aeron.
But circumstances and fate had something else in store as they had to leave Everloom and join the rebellion sooner than expected.
There's a journey that would change how Cass and Liam have ever seen the world and themselves. Ahead lies the secrets to be revealed, magic to felt and justice to be served.
Ruins. Curse. Betrayal. Friendship. Loyalty. Magic. Fantasy.
What does this book not have!!??
I am literally in awe of the author as how wonderfully, measurably she has written this fantasy mystery with all the elements in proportion. Character building, stage set up, backstory conveyed, magic explained and everything coming together as if they were all meant to be.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A huge thank you to Literary Loft and Jessi Chaulk for sending me this wonderful ARC!!!!
I loved this book from start to finish. The plot ensnared me immediately and I got so into it that I finished it in a day! The characters are all so individually special and different; that I found myself enjoying every POV that I found myself in. Each character had something to offer to the plot and wasn't just a filler character. I look forward to reading about what happens to them in the next book!!
The writing is excellent and matches the pace of the story very well. I love how quirky the characters are; especially Cass and Ayla. The love triangle (?) is enjoyable; which means a lot coming from someone who despises them most of the time. I liked that it wasn't centered around a possessive situation but instead a natural distance created between individuals and miscommunication.
"I am the weapon."
I loved the twists and the worldbuilding that took place in this story. Cass is an excellent main character and an interesting narrator to follow as she learns that her world is not quite what it seems. I am interested to see what else she learns throughout the series!!
This book had me on the edge of my seat!! I would highly recommend this book to those who love a romantasy love triangle trying to take down an evil king while dealing with strange magical powers and magic forces. Also, this book comes with a charming fox companion :)
I loved this book from start to finish. The plot ensnared me immediately and I got so into it that I finished it in a day! The characters are all so individually special and different; that I found myself enjoying every POV that I found myself in. Each character had something to offer to the plot and wasn't just a filler character. I look forward to reading about what happens to them in the next book!!
The writing is excellent and matches the pace of the story very well. I love how quirky the characters are; especially Cass and Ayla. The love triangle (?) is enjoyable; which means a lot coming from someone who despises them most of the time. I liked that it wasn't centered around a possessive situation but instead a natural distance created between individuals and miscommunication.
"I am the weapon."
I loved the twists and the worldbuilding that took place in this story. Cass is an excellent main character and an interesting narrator to follow as she learns that her world is not quite what it seems. I am interested to see what else she learns throughout the series!!
This book had me on the edge of my seat!! I would highly recommend this book to those who love a romantasy love triangle trying to take down an evil king while dealing with strange magical powers and magic forces. Also, this book comes with a charming fox companion :)
Review of advance copy received from Author
"You know, I enjoy a good thorny rose, but not everyone wants to get pricked each time they get too close."
4.5/5
I would like to thank the author for the opportunity to be part of her ARC team and receive an advance reader copy of this book.
Cass is a confident young female whose life has been going well, until it wasn't. A ruthless ruler sent his guards to take away all the children in the kingdom. She and her best friend Liam join the rebellion in order to get her brothers back.
Reading this story has reminded me of the days when I played RPG games with my friends. Each of us played a different role, and we work on quests together. This book took me back to the days when you have to make an immediate decision (in-game), fail, and regroup and hope to succeed.
Callum stood out the most to me. He seems to be the most calm character in this book, showing up at the right place and at the right time.
This book was well paced, young adult fantasy with swords, daggers, prophecy, found family, and a banter between characters that are very enjoyable. It is the first book in the Foxglove Chronicles, and I am excited to continue the adventure when the next book comes out.
4.5/5
I would like to thank the author for the opportunity to be part of her ARC team and receive an advance reader copy of this book.
Cass is a confident young female whose life has been going well, until it wasn't. A ruthless ruler sent his guards to take away all the children in the kingdom. She and her best friend Liam join the rebellion in order to get her brothers back.
Reading this story has reminded me of the days when I played RPG games with my friends. Each of us played a different role, and we work on quests together. This book took me back to the days when you have to make an immediate decision (in-game), fail, and regroup and hope to succeed.
Callum stood out the most to me. He seems to be the most calm character in this book, showing up at the right place and at the right time.
This book was well paced, young adult fantasy with swords, daggers, prophecy, found family, and a banter between characters that are very enjoyable. It is the first book in the Foxglove Chronicles, and I am excited to continue the adventure when the next book comes out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Into the Luminous Storm by Jessi Chaulk was a surprise. I was ready for another fun fantasy. I was not ready to absolutely love the main character Cass. I usually gravitate to strong female characters but Cass takes it to another level. Our story begins with Cass' brothers being taken. All the children in the realm are being taken by force and disappear. Cass sets out on a journey to save her brother's and the rest of the realm in the process. Cass' love for her family keeps her strength and her drive constant throughout the adventure. The love interest Falcon almost appears more like a sidekick. He is not nearly as interesting as Cass. I am hoping as the series progresses we learn to love him as well. This novel has everything you want in a fantasy adventure. A heroine, a quest, magic, creatures we only dream about and evil to conquer. The ending left me in surprise and definitely wanting more. If you enjoy fantasy you will definitely not want to miss this story. I am hoping I get to be an ARC reader for the second book as I will be waiting not so patiently for what is coming next. 5 out of 5
September 8, 2026
I had the amazing opportunity to read this book as an Advance Copy Reader!
Into the Luminous Storm has officially been out for one week and I can honestly say that the writing, the banter between our MCs Cass and Falcon is top notch level writing, and the world building in this novel was amazingly well done—it is incredibly difficult to enter the romantasy space right now with dynasties like ACOTAR and the Empyrean series growing and expanding, but this story is a perfect separate entity on its own.
Cass reminded me so much of my favorite headstrong FMC while still being uniquely her; not quite the oblivious nature of Katniss while still having the save-my-sibling(s)-at-all-cost gene, not the unreliable narration of Aelin, not the everything-about-fanfic-Hermione—she was a well written protagonist to be the center of a revolution and I cannot wait for book 2 to find out what happens next! For anyone who enjoys a strong female protagonist and a broody male enemies-to-lovers commander love interest, you will definitely enjoy the dynamic of this book!
WARNING: The cliff hanger of this story will irritate you, but only because of how well it is done!
Into the Luminous Storm has officially been out for one week and I can honestly say that the writing, the banter between our MCs Cass and Falcon is top notch level writing, and the world building in this novel was amazingly well done—it is incredibly difficult to enter the romantasy space right now with dynasties like ACOTAR and the Empyrean series growing and expanding, but this story is a perfect separate entity on its own.
Cass reminded me so much of my favorite headstrong FMC while still being uniquely her; not quite the oblivious nature of Katniss while still having the save-my-sibling(s)-at-all-cost gene, not the unreliable narration of Aelin, not the everything-about-fanfic-Hermione—she was a well written protagonist to be the center of a revolution and I cannot wait for book 2 to find out what happens next! For anyone who enjoys a strong female protagonist and a broody male enemies-to-lovers commander love interest, you will definitely enjoy the dynamic of this book!
WARNING: The cliff hanger of this story will irritate you, but only because of how well it is done!
September 8, 2026
I found Into The Luminous Storm to be an interesting fantasy novel which caught my attention immediately. My favorite aspect of this story was Cass as she is a character who I really admired for her willpower, bravery, and love for her family.
Unlike many similar stories, Cass's goal wasn't merely to fulfil her destiny, that's why I have found her journey so interesting. I really appreciated the mystery of the story because there were so many enigmas connected to various events in Cass's life.
I was able to learn about everything together with Cass, without excessive explanations. The story had entertaining dynamics and funny dialogues, together with a gradual romantic development. It would be great to have more complexity in some relations because I believe some of them have a lot of potential for further explorations in the following parts of the story. And I can hardly ignore the character of Ayla, the fox who brightens the story. 😻
Overall, I'd recommend this to readers who enjoy fantasy quests, rebellion, magic, mysterious powers, found family, animal companions and a touch of slow-burn romance.
Unlike many similar stories, Cass's goal wasn't merely to fulfil her destiny, that's why I have found her journey so interesting. I really appreciated the mystery of the story because there were so many enigmas connected to various events in Cass's life.
I was able to learn about everything together with Cass, without excessive explanations. The story had entertaining dynamics and funny dialogues, together with a gradual romantic development. It would be great to have more complexity in some relations because I believe some of them have a lot of potential for further explorations in the following parts of the story. And I can hardly ignore the character of Ayla, the fox who brightens the story. 😻
Overall, I'd recommend this to readers who enjoy fantasy quests, rebellion, magic, mysterious powers, found family, animal companions and a touch of slow-burn romance.
September 16, 2026
Okayyy this was such a fun fantasy read. The whole book has this magical, adventurous energy that made me feel like I was stepping into a completely different world. ✨🌙
I reallyyyy enjoyed the atmosphere. There’s magic, danger, secrets and that feeling that there is always something bigger happening behind the scenes. The world building slowly pulls you in instead of throwing everything at you at once, which I personally loveddd. 🗡️🌪️
The characters were another highlight for me because they each bring their own personality and make the story feel more alive. I also loved that this is the first book in the Foxglove Chronicles because you can definitely feel that there’s a much bigger story waiting to unfold. 👀✨
And honestly, the cover??? Literallyyyyy gorgeous. It gives exactly the kind of epic fantasy vibes the story carries. 🥹📚
If you’re someone who enjoys magical worlds, adventure, mysterious characters and stories that leave you wanting to know what happens next, this one is definitely worth checking out. 💫
I finished it with that very specific “waittt, I need the next book now” feeling and honestly… that says a lotttt. 😭🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was the first time I have ever felt compelled to read a book based solely on personality of the Author. I met Jessi a couple years ago when the original title/book Mark of the Fallen had come out. The way in which Jessi spoke of The Fox Glove Chronicles drew me in. Her excitement and love for the story pours into the words she writes.
Cass is the heroine we’ve all dreamed of. Full of raw emotion and unapologetically herself.
"In these current conditions, Foxglove is
an extremely dangerous flower."
Just when I didn’t think this book could get any better Jessi came out with new approach, the story line is the same but with extra twists and turns. Endless details captivating you from the very beginning.
Diving in to love, heartbreak, and adventure. Giving a voice to not just the heroine of the story but a different perspective from other characters.
If you love all things fantasy, The Foxglove Chronicles are for you. Be prepared to be so immersed in this world that you won’t want to put the book down. This book leaves you wanting more by the last letter.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I sat down this morning planning to read a few chapters before tackling my chore list. A few chapters became several… which became all… which became me at the final page whisper‑screaming, no, absolutely not, where is book two.
Cass Brightwood is the kind of FMC who talks back, fights hard, and earns every ounce of your respect. When she joins Luminous Storm and the Commander calls her into the sparring ring, she hits him with, “I don’t need to be a man to beat one, Sir.” I nearly stood up and applauded.
The multiple POVs, the found family dynamic, and Ayla the fox (my new emotional support creature) made this world feel instantly addictive. And now I’m dying to see how Cass evolves—and whether she chooses Liam or Falcon, because both men are serving premium fantasy‑hero energy.
And listen… if someone murmured, “Foxglove is deceivingly beautiful. It comes in a variety of colors—red being my favorite,” I would fold like a lawn chair. Utter swoon.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
Cass Brightwood is the kind of FMC who talks back, fights hard, and earns every ounce of your respect. When she joins Luminous Storm and the Commander calls her into the sparring ring, she hits him with, “I don’t need to be a man to beat one, Sir.” I nearly stood up and applauded.
The multiple POVs, the found family dynamic, and Ayla the fox (my new emotional support creature) made this world feel instantly addictive. And now I’m dying to see how Cass evolves—and whether she chooses Liam or Falcon, because both men are serving premium fantasy‑hero energy.
And listen… if someone murmured, “Foxglove is deceivingly beautiful. It comes in a variety of colors—red being my favorite,” I would fold like a lawn chair. Utter swoon.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW: Author Jessi Chaulk’s book, Into the Luminous Storm was a very fun read. The title and book cover were well chosen and make it easy to want to peak inside and see what the contents are. Once you do, be sure you have a seat nearby because it will be tough to put the book down. Chaulk's writing style was fast-paced and very engaging throughout the entire story. It made it difficult for me to tear myself away from seeing what scrape Cass would get into next. The banter between each character was clever, believable and oftentimes genuinely funny. The pacing was perfect throughout each event that unfolded and always left me wanting to know what would happen next. I thought the worldbuilding was solid and little glimpses of older magic will lead into more depth in the books that come out later.
My only qualm was Falcon. I did not feel that his character had realistic reactions that stayed true to who he was as a commander. To me his behavior oftentimes seemed like he was more suited for a lesser rank in that regard. There were some other characters that I felt really needed to be fleshed out more - sequels are the solution for that and we will get them 😊. I loved everything else about Chaulk’s writing, however, and I am looking forward to the second book!
This was a clean read. No curse words, no spice. A few scenes with fighting and resulting wounds
My only qualm was Falcon. I did not feel that his character had realistic reactions that stayed true to who he was as a commander. To me his behavior oftentimes seemed like he was more suited for a lesser rank in that regard. There were some other characters that I felt really needed to be fleshed out more - sequels are the solution for that and we will get them 😊. I loved everything else about Chaulk’s writing, however, and I am looking forward to the second book!
This was a clean read. No curse words, no spice. A few scenes with fighting and resulting wounds
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an engaging quest fantasy with a no-spice slow-burn romance and a very likeable heroine.
After the entire royal family dies from a mysterious plague, the evil Aeron (a truly nasty piece of work) takes over and sends his Shadow Guard to kidnap every child in the kingdom, because it is prophesied that one with a Mark will be able to overthrow him.
After her brothers are kidnapped, young Cass (a/k/a Foxglove) and her best friend Liam join up with General Ren and his rebellion (the titular Luminous Storm), where she meets the stern but frustratingly attractive commander Falcon, mage Callum, and a fox named Ayla.
I’m not usually one for the Chosen One trope, but it works very well here, because the characters are so engaging (although I wish my fave Callum got more page time – perhaps in the sequels?) and the mysteries deepen as the story progresses. Just a heads’up, though, the ending is a literal To Be Continued.
My thanks to the author for a copy of her book to read and review!
After the entire royal family dies from a mysterious plague, the evil Aeron (a truly nasty piece of work) takes over and sends his Shadow Guard to kidnap every child in the kingdom, because it is prophesied that one with a Mark will be able to overthrow him.
After her brothers are kidnapped, young Cass (a/k/a Foxglove) and her best friend Liam join up with General Ren and his rebellion (the titular Luminous Storm), where she meets the stern but frustratingly attractive commander Falcon, mage Callum, and a fox named Ayla.
I’m not usually one for the Chosen One trope, but it works very well here, because the characters are so engaging (although I wish my fave Callum got more page time – perhaps in the sequels?) and the mysteries deepen as the story progresses. Just a heads’up, though, the ending is a literal To Be Continued.
My thanks to the author for a copy of her book to read and review!
September 9, 2026
First of all, lets dissect the cover. How gorgeous is that!? I’m in awe. It fits so perfectly with the setting and blends in with equal virtue.
Then comes the plot. It is immersive, emotionally triggering and magical. The dynamic between Cass and Liam is so engaging and sweet. Talk about duo goals, they top the list.
Cass is someone who people can look up to, especially her siblings. She is relentless, fearless, brave, determined and not easily distracted. I respect her character for the sheer nonchalance she portrays toward problems. Yet sometimes her recklessness can be worrying.
Slow burn is actually respectfully slow but so very fulfilling. Pacing is great throughout the book but it did feel dragged at times. A few chapters could have been shorter without disturbing the actual depth of the characters. If you love found family trope which also includes the importance of family, you’ll love this one.
I’m looking forward for the sequel because I need to know what happens next.
September 12, 2026
Thank you Jessi Chaulk for the ARC copy. I really enjoyed getting into this world and following Cass through everything she has to deal with. She’s a strong, determined character, but I also liked seeing the softer side of her, especially when it came to her family and the people she cares about.
The story has a nice mix of fantasy, adventure, mystery, and danger. I especially liked the storyline surrounding the children who were taken and the questions around Aeron and the three kingdoms. There were quite a few moments where I wanted to know what was really going on and how everything would eventually connect.
I also really enjoyed Cass and Liam’s relationship. Their banter and friendship felt natural, and I found myself looking forward to their scenes. The different character perspectives also helped keep things interesting.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fantasy read with an intriguing world and plenty of room for the story to grow. I'm definitely curious to see where the next part of Cass's journey goes.
The story has a nice mix of fantasy, adventure, mystery, and danger. I especially liked the storyline surrounding the children who were taken and the questions around Aeron and the three kingdoms. There were quite a few moments where I wanted to know what was really going on and how everything would eventually connect.
I also really enjoyed Cass and Liam’s relationship. Their banter and friendship felt natural, and I found myself looking forward to their scenes. The different character perspectives also helped keep things interesting.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fantasy read with an intriguing world and plenty of room for the story to grow. I'm definitely curious to see where the next part of Cass's journey goes.
September 9, 2026
Into the Luminous Storm is the kind of fantasy that takes you on an unexpected journey with Cass Brightwood and her friend Liam as they find themselves drawn towards something far bigger and stranger than they could have imagined.
I liked how the story slowly opened up its world instead of giving everything away at once. The sense of mystery kept me curious, and I especially enjoyed watching Cass navigate everything that was happening around her. The friendship between Cass and Liam also added a nice, grounded element to the story.
There were moments where I felt the pacing could have been a little tighter, and I wanted a bit more from some parts of the story, but overall, I enjoyed the experience. The world has enough mystery and potential to make me curious about where the Foxglove Chronicles goes next.
A solid 4-star fantasy read for me, especially if you enjoy magical worlds, friendship, adventure and a story that leaves you wanting to know what happens next.
I liked how the story slowly opened up its world instead of giving everything away at once. The sense of mystery kept me curious, and I especially enjoyed watching Cass navigate everything that was happening around her. The friendship between Cass and Liam also added a nice, grounded element to the story.
There were moments where I felt the pacing could have been a little tighter, and I wanted a bit more from some parts of the story, but overall, I enjoyed the experience. The world has enough mystery and potential to make me curious about where the Foxglove Chronicles goes next.
A solid 4-star fantasy read for me, especially if you enjoy magical worlds, friendship, adventure and a story that leaves you wanting to know what happens next.
September 17, 2026
I was really really looking forward to raad this book. Let me talk about that gorgeous cover first, I so badly want to hold a physical book.
Into the Luminous Storm was such an intriguing fantasy read for me.
I really enjoyed how the story slowly pulls you into its world instead of throwing everything at you at once. Cass’s determination to find her brothers and fight for what was taken from her made her journey easy to get invested in.
I especially liked the mix of rebellion, magic, danger and the complicated relationships developing along the way.
There’s a constant feeling that something bigger is happening beneath the surface, which kept me curious throughout. The characters aren’t perfect, and I liked watching their loyalties and relationships shift as the story progressed.
My only complaint? That ending! After getting so invested, being left with “to be continued” felt downright cruel omg. Now I desperately need book two.
Into the Luminous Storm was such an intriguing fantasy read for me.
I really enjoyed how the story slowly pulls you into its world instead of throwing everything at you at once. Cass’s determination to find her brothers and fight for what was taken from her made her journey easy to get invested in.
I especially liked the mix of rebellion, magic, danger and the complicated relationships developing along the way.
There’s a constant feeling that something bigger is happening beneath the surface, which kept me curious throughout. The characters aren’t perfect, and I liked watching their loyalties and relationships shift as the story progressed.
My only complaint? That ending! After getting so invested, being left with “to be continued” felt downright cruel omg. Now I desperately need book two.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved every moment spent reading this action filled fantasy about fighting for family (and found-family,) fighting against a corrupt throne-stealer, and fighting to bring light into the darkness. It was written so well that I could hardly put it down and couldn’t stop thinking about reading more. (I finished this book in 24 hours, if that says anything!) I will definitely be reading the next book!
If you like…
-Rebellions against a corrupt ruler
-No-spice, slow burn romance that is worth the wait
-Adorable fox companions
-Magic, sword fighting, and adventure that feels like an epic video game
-Snarky and confident FMCs who also care deeply
-MMCs that you can’t help but to love
…then this is the book you’ve been looking for!
Thank you to the author for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given willingly.
If you like…
-Rebellions against a corrupt ruler
-No-spice, slow burn romance that is worth the wait
-Adorable fox companions
-Magic, sword fighting, and adventure that feels like an epic video game
-Snarky and confident FMCs who also care deeply
-MMCs that you can’t help but to love
…then this is the book you’ve been looking for!
Thank you to the author for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given willingly.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What I liked most about this story was the different approach it took. Major fantasy elements like rebellion, ancient powers, a cruel ruler, mysterious artifact, came together so well and kept me curious about what was actually going on.
I especially loved Cass as the FMC. She simply wants to get her brothers back, and watching her fight for her family made it so easy to root for her. She’s brave, determined, and willing to step far outside the life she has always known when the people she loves are in danger.
I also enjoyed the mystery around the artifact and the rebellion. There were quite a few things that made me want to keep reading and find out what was really happening, but no spoilers... I'll let you find it out on your own.
This was such a fun fantasy read with a strong emotional heart.
I especially loved Cass as the FMC. She simply wants to get her brothers back, and watching her fight for her family made it so easy to root for her. She’s brave, determined, and willing to step far outside the life she has always known when the people she loves are in danger.
I also enjoyed the mystery around the artifact and the rebellion. There were quite a few things that made me want to keep reading and find out what was really happening, but no spoilers... I'll let you find it out on your own.
This was such a fun fantasy read with a strong emotional heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cass Brightwood had me from page one — fierce, funny, and grieving under all that snark, even as she throws herself headfirst into a fight bigger than herself. She’s surrounded by a cast of characters I fell for just as hard, each with their own pull on her loyalty and her heart.
I also loved how much this book keeps you guessing. There’s a real sense of mystery woven through everything, and I had a blast trying to piece things together as I went.
The found-family crew Cass builds along the way is easily one of my favorite parts — messy, loyal, and exactly what she needs. And that ending? Did not see it coming. I need book two immediately.
If you’re into morally gray politics, heroines who get to be soft and lethal, and slow-burn tension that pays off, this one’s worth your time.
I also loved how much this book keeps you guessing. There’s a real sense of mystery woven through everything, and I had a blast trying to piece things together as I went.
The found-family crew Cass builds along the way is easily one of my favorite parts — messy, loyal, and exactly what she needs. And that ending? Did not see it coming. I need book two immediately.
If you’re into morally gray politics, heroines who get to be soft and lethal, and slow-burn tension that pays off, this one’s worth your time.
August 24, 2026
🔮ARC Review🔮
✨
📖Into the Luminous Storm by Jessi Chaulk📖
✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨
First off I want to thank Jessi Chaulk for the opportunity to have me as an ARC reader for this amazing book. It was full of banter (literally like it had me LOLing so hard), plot twists, and amazing scenes.
✨
Cass, the FMC, is easily one of my favorite characters. She’s very sassy, and a badass. I absolutely adored the other characters. I finished this book last night but I already need the next one ASAP.. because THE ENDING ???!!!! Ugh
✨
If you love banter, badass scenes, a good plot twist, and an ending that will make you want the next book immediately, Into the Luminous Storm is for you!
✨
Again, thank you so much Jessi for introducing me to Cass’ world, I loved it so much 🩷
✨
📖Into the Luminous Storm by Jessi Chaulk📖
✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨
First off I want to thank Jessi Chaulk for the opportunity to have me as an ARC reader for this amazing book. It was full of banter (literally like it had me LOLing so hard), plot twists, and amazing scenes.
✨
Cass, the FMC, is easily one of my favorite characters. She’s very sassy, and a badass. I absolutely adored the other characters. I finished this book last night but I already need the next one ASAP.. because THE ENDING ???!!!! Ugh
✨
If you love banter, badass scenes, a good plot twist, and an ending that will make you want the next book immediately, Into the Luminous Storm is for you!
✨
Again, thank you so much Jessi for introducing me to Cass’ world, I loved it so much 🩷
September 15, 2026
Into The Luminous Storm is a truly amazing book. The book starts with a gripping action sequence making you get totally hooked to it and thoroughly eager to know how the plot will proceed. The storytelling has been done brilliantly in a simple and beautiful writing style.
Cass is an epitome of wonder. Her fighting skills are top notch and so inspiring. Her love for her family and loved ones is also heartwarming. I love her bond with Bram and Kolby.
The adventures, secrets, struggles and achievements of the Luminous Storm rebellion is interesting to read. Cass and Liam are two wonderful characters of this book and it is intriguing to know whether they find love for each other or remain as friends.
Cass is an epitome of wonder. Her fighting skills are top notch and so inspiring. Her love for her family and loved ones is also heartwarming. I love her bond with Bram and Kolby.
The adventures, secrets, struggles and achievements of the Luminous Storm rebellion is interesting to read. Cass and Liam are two wonderful characters of this book and it is intriguing to know whether they find love for each other or remain as friends.
September 16, 2026
This book completely caught me off guard in the best way! ✨ I went in expecting a fun fantasy inspired by The Legend of Zelda, but I didn’t realize just how strongly that influence would come through.
Once I started noticing the similarities, everything suddenly made so much more sense. The world, the characters, and the overall adventure gave me that familiar Zelda feeling while still being its own story. I loved how the inspiration was woven into the book without taking away from the experience.
It was such an enjoyable read, and by the second half, I was completely hooked. The atmosphere, adventure, and little details made this a really memorable book for me. 💚
Once I started noticing the similarities, everything suddenly made so much more sense. The world, the characters, and the overall adventure gave me that familiar Zelda feeling while still being its own story. I loved how the inspiration was woven into the book without taking away from the experience.
It was such an enjoyable read, and by the second half, I was completely hooked. The atmosphere, adventure, and little details made this a really memorable book for me. 💚
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