What do you think?
Rate this book
Kasmian Chronicles #2
Of Chaos and Cadence
A half-elf woman with deadly magic. A mage hunting for his childhood friend. A bargain that will change everything.
Isarrel Dalmyar is too human for her elven home, and too elven to be accepted anywhere else. Banished after her human magic endangers two elves, she must learn how to control her chaotic power if she ever wants to return home.
Liam Galway’s loyalty to his king has always guided him, so when he’s ordered to find the missing mages of Makaria—including his childhood friend—he does so eagerly. But the sparse clues only hint at dark dealings that stretch far beyond their own borders.
When Isa begs Liam to train her, he has one condition: she must use her elven skills to help him find the mages. It should be a simple task—if Liam can put his duty before his heart… and if Isa’s magic doesn’t kill him in the process.
Perfect for fans of Tara Grayce, Shari Tapscott, and Kenley Davidson, Of Chaos and Cadence is the newest installment in the Kasmian Chronicles, a series of swoony romantic fantasy connected standalones.
Isarrel Dalmyar is too human for her elven home, and too elven to be accepted anywhere else. Banished after her human magic endangers two elves, she must learn how to control her chaotic power if she ever wants to return home.
Liam Galway’s loyalty to his king has always guided him, so when he’s ordered to find the missing mages of Makaria—including his childhood friend—he does so eagerly. But the sparse clues only hint at dark dealings that stretch far beyond their own borders.
When Isa begs Liam to train her, he has one condition: she must use her elven skills to help him find the mages. It should be a simple task—if Liam can put his duty before his heart… and if Isa’s magic doesn’t kill him in the process.
Perfect for fans of Tara Grayce, Shari Tapscott, and Kenley Davidson, Of Chaos and Cadence is the newest installment in the Kasmian Chronicles, a series of swoony romantic fantasy connected standalones.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2023
76 people are currently reading
764 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
May 25, 2023
Of Chaos and Cadence is a standalone fantasy romance that features a half-elf girl (the cousin to the elf of my dreams in this series but that's a different story) and one of my favorite kinds of characters, a the loyal best friend of the king who is too bound up by duty to think about things like love- until it finds him...
I love this series! The worldbuilding and the magic system in these books are both so unique and creative, and the romances are so sweet and tender and clean. Also, this book has another favorite of mine, a pet name that the girl doesn't know the meaning of and it's super romantic.
Also, the bromance in Stormlarks was top tier and remains so here. The friendships are great!
This book also introduces part of the next couple and while it's not Vendar, the love of my life, it is about the close second. So I am very excited!
I received an ARC and am leaving a voluntary honest review!
I love this series! The worldbuilding and the magic system in these books are both so unique and creative, and the romances are so sweet and tender and clean. Also, this book has another favorite of mine, a pet name that the girl doesn't know the meaning of and it's super romantic.
Also, the bromance in Stormlarks was top tier and remains so here. The friendships are great!
This book also introduces part of the next couple and while it's not Vendar, the love of my life, it is about the close second. So I am very excited!
I received an ARC and am leaving a voluntary honest review!
June 11, 2023
Isarrel Dalmyar is half-elven and is considered too human for the elven world. When her chaotic power creates danger for those around her she's ordered to leave Loril and not come back until she has it under control.
Mage Liam Galway gets a mission from his king: find Makaria's missing mages, including his childhood friend. When Isa asks Liam to help her with her power he agrees, as long as she uses her elven skills to help him find the mages.
This is the second book in the Kasmian Chronicles, but it can be read on its own. It takes place in the same world as the first book, Of Stormlarks and Silence, and with partly the same characters, but the main characters are different. Here we follow Isa and Liam, and we get both POV's.
When I started reading this book I had a hard time putting it down. Something is always happening and it was fun to see how Isa and Liam interacted. After a while I didn't want it to end, so I actually slowed down and read other books in between, just to make the book last longer! I love the characters - not only the main ones - and I enjoyed watching Isa's growth. This is a clean, slow burn romance that almost got frustrating; admit that you love each other and stop beating around the bush, will you?! I like that they do so a bit before the end, so we can enjoy their happiness and love for a while!
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
Mage Liam Galway gets a mission from his king: find Makaria's missing mages, including his childhood friend. When Isa asks Liam to help her with her power he agrees, as long as she uses her elven skills to help him find the mages.
This is the second book in the Kasmian Chronicles, but it can be read on its own. It takes place in the same world as the first book, Of Stormlarks and Silence, and with partly the same characters, but the main characters are different. Here we follow Isa and Liam, and we get both POV's.
When I started reading this book I had a hard time putting it down. Something is always happening and it was fun to see how Isa and Liam interacted. After a while I didn't want it to end, so I actually slowed down and read other books in between, just to make the book last longer! I love the characters - not only the main ones - and I enjoyed watching Isa's growth. This is a clean, slow burn romance that almost got frustrating; admit that you love each other and stop beating around the bush, will you?! I like that they do so a bit before the end, so we can enjoy their happiness and love for a while!
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
March 6, 2025
I was so ready for Liam’s story and he and Isa did not disappoint! So much banter and fun wrapped up in adventure, and topped off with the depth of learning self-worth and accidentally falling in love along the way. I loved every minute of their journey!
CW: Death, loss, & violence—not too descriptive, slavery, sweet on the romance.
CW: Death, loss, & violence—not too descriptive, slavery, sweet on the romance.
July 1, 2023
I adored this book! I enjoyed the first one, but this book really made my heart happy.
Liam was my favorite character in Of Stormlarks and Silence, so I was excited to jump into this book where he is one of the main characters. Liam is on a mission to find the lost mages. At his side is the half-elf Isa, who cannot control her strong magic. He has agreed to help her learn to control her magic if she helps him in his quest.
I really grew to love both Liam and Isa in this book. There was so much character development as each faced their own struggles. While the first book focused a lot on forgiveness, much of this book's focus was on acceptance and self-love. I really related to Isa's emotions as she struggled with her gifts. And I adored the slow burn romance.
I'm so excited that there will be a third book. Can't wait to read it!
Liam was my favorite character in Of Stormlarks and Silence, so I was excited to jump into this book where he is one of the main characters. Liam is on a mission to find the lost mages. At his side is the half-elf Isa, who cannot control her strong magic. He has agreed to help her learn to control her magic if she helps him in his quest.
I really grew to love both Liam and Isa in this book. There was so much character development as each faced their own struggles. While the first book focused a lot on forgiveness, much of this book's focus was on acceptance and self-love. I really related to Isa's emotions as she struggled with her gifts. And I adored the slow burn romance.
I'm so excited that there will be a third book. Can't wait to read it!
January 14, 2024
Liam and Isa's relationship was so freaking adorable 🥹😖😫
August 28, 2024
4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
April 21, 2025
I fear I was bored :(
May 8, 2023
I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. I am not a romance reader but this author has captured my heart with her slow burn romance set in a fantastic place. I was so excited to see this waiting for me that I quickly finished what I was reading and spent the remaining free hours of the weekend devouring this entire book. Untold hardships, magic lovers and magic haters, dying lands, elves, tainted animals, and so much more! I will be truly desperate for the next one and will try to be patient waiting for the author to write it! Highly recommended!!
September 7, 2024
I really like this fantasy series. The characters are cute, lovable and well written. The magic system is interesting and easy to comprehend. The world building is just ✨chef kiss✨ Can't wait to read more about this series
August 31, 2024
A series I have enjoyed from the beginning and continue to enjoy. The first book, I really loved, this second book was a little harder to love. It started well, but in the middle seemed to have a bit of a drag waiting for the two main characters to move on from the town. I did love the switching between the main two characters point of views (those are my favorite). It was a good story overall and I’m excited for the third book coming out soon!
May 31, 2023
Of Chaos and Cadence is the second part in a series of standalones which is called The Kasmian Chronicles. Even though this book is a standalone, I would reccomend reading Of Stormlarks and Silence first because of the introduction to the characters as well as storyline. I really loved the first part and thought that it was an amazing debut. What will I think of this sequel?
Find out in my review on my blog Boekensteeg
Find out in my review on my blog Boekensteeg
November 17, 2023
I loved Liam in Of Stormlarks and Silence and he was event better in Of Chaos and Cadence! Isa being torn between two worlds and having to reconcile that part of her life was one of her biggest obstacles and where she grew the most and I loved how Liam interacted with her in that process. Liam is very loyal and determined to complete his mission to find his friend but also dived head first into all things Isa related. I love this series and if you are looking for clean fantasy with angsty/healing themes you are going to love this one!
I received an eARC from the author, all opinions are my own 😊
I received an eARC from the author, all opinions are my own 😊
January 16, 2024
4.5/5
Pretty good sequel. Another cute slow burn romance full of banter.
Interesting new characters I’m so curious about what will happen in the future books.
Pretty good sequel. Another cute slow burn romance full of banter.
Interesting new characters I’m so curious about what will happen in the future books.
September 19, 2024
As excited as I was for the next installment of the Kasmian Chronicles, I was even more excited that it was dedicated to two, yet to be explored indepth, characters, Isa and Liam, who we met in the brilliant Of Stormlarks and Silence. There is something about all the characters that resonate with me, they are so incredible, they capture me completely. They're so easy to understand, so easy to empathise with, yet complex at the same time. Truly well fleshed out and full characters.
Isa is a half elf, half human. Her human side is disgusting to most Elves, not fully accepted by them and ridiculed as inferior. She tries very hard to keep that side as mute as possible, only thing is, she's got this magic in her that threatens to overwhelm her. I felt so desperately sorry for her, all she wants is to get control of this "human" magic and go home, to be accepted, to be with her brother. What she didn't count on was that her quest would lead her to a new truth, to a mystery, to a path of unravelling some truths, both about her magic and the missing mages. Which leads to so many revelations, personal and political that only has her senses spinning further out of control!
I'm really really liking Liam! I'm so pleased to be presented with his "true" self, he's got a terrific sense of humour, he's so down to earth and normal, he's so, well, incredibly nice! And he's so patient and understanding with Isa, she's terrified of her magic, he's trying to coax her into using it but by far the sweetest is watching them NOT watching each other! Oh heavens does he worm his way into my soul! From the previous book, I was on the fence with him, but let me tell you, he completely dismantled every obstacle in my path, leaving me only with a swelling of love and pride to "know" this incredible man.
I can't get over how beautifully this tale was presented, it engrossed me utterly with the plot, the brilliant pacing, the love that shines off the pages, just like Isa's magic, enveloping me in a cocoon of RIGHT, of splendor and majesty. It's a standalone, even though it's part of a series, and the wonderful Tristan appears, just as awesome as he was in the previous book, but never for a second do you not know who he is or how he ties into the tale. Because he does. He does it so superbly, or should I say, Constance does it so superbly. The introduction of a few new characters is magnificently presented, so much so that I'm dying to discover more of Ahane Ryu, the Draecons and the mysterious creatures that are a danger to them all. I'm anticipating book 3, no, I have a burning need to read it. Now.
Isa is a half elf, half human. Her human side is disgusting to most Elves, not fully accepted by them and ridiculed as inferior. She tries very hard to keep that side as mute as possible, only thing is, she's got this magic in her that threatens to overwhelm her. I felt so desperately sorry for her, all she wants is to get control of this "human" magic and go home, to be accepted, to be with her brother. What she didn't count on was that her quest would lead her to a new truth, to a mystery, to a path of unravelling some truths, both about her magic and the missing mages. Which leads to so many revelations, personal and political that only has her senses spinning further out of control!
I'm really really liking Liam! I'm so pleased to be presented with his "true" self, he's got a terrific sense of humour, he's so down to earth and normal, he's so, well, incredibly nice! And he's so patient and understanding with Isa, she's terrified of her magic, he's trying to coax her into using it but by far the sweetest is watching them NOT watching each other! Oh heavens does he worm his way into my soul! From the previous book, I was on the fence with him, but let me tell you, he completely dismantled every obstacle in my path, leaving me only with a swelling of love and pride to "know" this incredible man.
I can't get over how beautifully this tale was presented, it engrossed me utterly with the plot, the brilliant pacing, the love that shines off the pages, just like Isa's magic, enveloping me in a cocoon of RIGHT, of splendor and majesty. It's a standalone, even though it's part of a series, and the wonderful Tristan appears, just as awesome as he was in the previous book, but never for a second do you not know who he is or how he ties into the tale. Because he does. He does it so superbly, or should I say, Constance does it so superbly. The introduction of a few new characters is magnificently presented, so much so that I'm dying to discover more of Ahane Ryu, the Draecons and the mysterious creatures that are a danger to them all. I'm anticipating book 3, no, I have a burning need to read it. Now.
June 19, 2023
This story is very cute and I love the magic system the writer created. It is very different from the other books I've read, which I love. I love the romance between the characters, its written very sweetly, you can see it build as time goes on. I also love the how the friendships are built in the story. The animals are so cool and different as well. The only thing I can say is I would like a little more detail in the story. Over all I really liked it and would recommend it to any one who likes sweet, quick romance novels with elves, magic, and mysterious. The author is very creative and makes it fun to read.
I recieved my book ARC and am volunteering my honest review.
I recieved my book ARC and am volunteering my honest review.
December 3, 2025
[4.5 stars]
YALL
i DEVOURED this. i couldn’t but the dang thing down. the ROMANCE????? like SHUT UP!!!
the fmc was so wonderful and her character growth was 10/10. she was the polar opposite of riona; timid, quiet, reserved, hid her emotions like it would be the death of her. i related to her on SO many levels.
the mmc was sweet, SO funny, charming, and i went from hating him to being so freaking obsessed with him. like i need him to exist so i can marry him rn. the way he encouraged isa and was so good to her and protective of her. I NEED THAT IN MY LIFE!!!
so good. i lived and breathed this and now im going to die while i wait for the third book bc THAT CLIFF HANGER 😭😭😭
YALL
i DEVOURED this. i couldn’t but the dang thing down. the ROMANCE????? like SHUT UP!!!
the fmc was so wonderful and her character growth was 10/10. she was the polar opposite of riona; timid, quiet, reserved, hid her emotions like it would be the death of her. i related to her on SO many levels.
the mmc was sweet, SO funny, charming, and i went from hating him to being so freaking obsessed with him. like i need him to exist so i can marry him rn. the way he encouraged isa and was so good to her and protective of her. I NEED THAT IN MY LIFE!!!
so good. i lived and breathed this and now im going to die while i wait for the third book bc THAT CLIFF HANGER 😭😭😭
May 26, 2023
I love this book! I love that we get to revisit characters from the first book. I love Liam and his determination to find his friend and maybe make Isa like him a little bit. I love his snarkiness and laid back personality. I love the theme of worth Isa explores throughout the book.
Read this if you like clean fantasy romance with a dude of mystery, intrigue, and adventure.
I love Constance’s writing style. It’s like a warm hug to me.
Read this if you like clean fantasy romance with a dude of mystery, intrigue, and adventure.
I love Constance’s writing style. It’s like a warm hug to me.
July 18, 2023
#HighFantasy #RomanticFantasy #Elves #ForcedFriendship
Summary: Returning to the world of Stormlarks and Silence, we have a royal mage/king’s official BFF on a quest to find a whole bunch of missing mages. Lucky for him (and maybe not so lucky for her), a hot half-elf has recently been banished from her people and is willing to lend a hand (in exchange for magic lessons).
They go on a magic/danger/romance-filled road-trip to a kingdom that loves magic-users and elves SO MUCH that they want to chain them up and never let them leave.
Isn’t friendship a beautiful thing?
Pros: I liked Liam in the last book, and I liked him in this book too. For Isarrel . . . I don’t remember her in the last book so much, but I think I liked her if only because she had pointed ears (I am nothing if not consistent).
Either way, I was happy to GET to know her, so we are still winning!!
And I loved seeing Tristan, the cute animal sidekicks, and a few other characters again too.
We got a LOT more explanation about the magic/worldbuilding that I was missing from the last book, and I really appreciated that. And once we got to the OTHER kingdom with the stolen mages, I enjoyed the more heist aspects of the plot and some of the new characters we meet there.
Also, it had a clear THEME and cute romance, which always makes me happy.
Cons: I will say that the second half was stronger than the first half for a variety of nit-picky reasons (the romance felt less forced, actions felt less random, and I was more orientated to the world by that point), but that just brings me to my COMPLETELY and TOTALLY real complaint!
Because we all know Constance. Happy emoticons? Innocent doe-eyes? Yes, that Constance. Well, I’m here to tell you that under that sweet façade of butterflies and rainbows, she is a ROTTEN LIAR.
She calls these books standalones. STANDALONES. But I pity the fool who TRIES to read this thing without reading the first book. The characters, all the names/magical concepts dropped at the beginning, none of it would make a lick of sense to a new reader. I was barely hanging on and I read the first book . . . months ago?
(*looks it up*)
Yeah. Months ago.
But then she goes and ends it on a CLIFFHANGER… at least for a few of the side characters and some larger plot dynamics.
And I can hear you in the back saying “Don’t you think you are being a bit dramatic? Aren’t there some pills/chocolate you are supposed to be taking? I mean, it IS focused on a different romantic couple from the first one and THEY have their happy ending, so it counts right?”
No. It does not. Because I am supposed to be able to PUT DOWN a standalone and feel SATISFIED. Happy for more, sure. But SATISFIED.
Well, dear reader, I am not satisfied. Not satisfied at all. And yes, I WILL take some chocolate if you have it handy because if THIS is the sort of behavior we can expect from Constance the Lying Liar Face in the future, I’m going to need it. Or maybe just pull out my USUAL method of waiting to read the series until there are a few of them available to binge.
Or have a shiny audiobook.
OR SOMETHING!
But then, I already read this one, and as you can probably tell, patience is NOT my strong suit, so . . . yeah. my path forward might be a bit unclear.
But one thing I AM CLEAR about is that THIS MORAL DILEMMA of EPIC and COMPLETELY REAL PROPORTIONS is brought to you by Constance and her DEVIOUS WEB OF LIES!!!
So there!
Conclusion: In all serious, I would define this as a solid second/middle/transitional book. Some great stuff to go along with the first book. Some great stuff to build up to the next. Not as much stands out if you try to call it a standalone, but I really have nothing against a good series (MORE BOOKS! MORE ELVES! MORE MAGIC!), and you should definitely make some plans to read it if you have read the first one.
And read the first one if you haven’t read the first one.
And maybe forcibly recruit a few likeminded and suggestable friends to read it too (I’m talking about emotional blackmail people, not weapons. We are meant to be civilized!).
And then you can all join me in peacefully picketing the author for the next one.
And so on!
Summary: Returning to the world of Stormlarks and Silence, we have a royal mage/king’s official BFF on a quest to find a whole bunch of missing mages. Lucky for him (and maybe not so lucky for her), a hot half-elf has recently been banished from her people and is willing to lend a hand (in exchange for magic lessons).
They go on a magic/danger/romance-filled road-trip to a kingdom that loves magic-users and elves SO MUCH that they want to chain them up and never let them leave.
Isn’t friendship a beautiful thing?
Pros: I liked Liam in the last book, and I liked him in this book too. For Isarrel . . . I don’t remember her in the last book so much, but I think I liked her if only because she had pointed ears (I am nothing if not consistent).
Either way, I was happy to GET to know her, so we are still winning!!
And I loved seeing Tristan, the cute animal sidekicks, and a few other characters again too.
We got a LOT more explanation about the magic/worldbuilding that I was missing from the last book, and I really appreciated that. And once we got to the OTHER kingdom with the stolen mages, I enjoyed the more heist aspects of the plot and some of the new characters we meet there.
Also, it had a clear THEME and cute romance, which always makes me happy.
Cons: I will say that the second half was stronger than the first half for a variety of nit-picky reasons (the romance felt less forced, actions felt less random, and I was more orientated to the world by that point), but that just brings me to my COMPLETELY and TOTALLY real complaint!
Because we all know Constance. Happy emoticons? Innocent doe-eyes? Yes, that Constance. Well, I’m here to tell you that under that sweet façade of butterflies and rainbows, she is a ROTTEN LIAR.
She calls these books standalones. STANDALONES. But I pity the fool who TRIES to read this thing without reading the first book. The characters, all the names/magical concepts dropped at the beginning, none of it would make a lick of sense to a new reader. I was barely hanging on and I read the first book . . . months ago?
(*looks it up*)
Yeah. Months ago.
But then she goes and ends it on a CLIFFHANGER… at least for a few of the side characters and some larger plot dynamics.
And I can hear you in the back saying “Don’t you think you are being a bit dramatic? Aren’t there some pills/chocolate you are supposed to be taking? I mean, it IS focused on a different romantic couple from the first one and THEY have their happy ending, so it counts right?”
No. It does not. Because I am supposed to be able to PUT DOWN a standalone and feel SATISFIED. Happy for more, sure. But SATISFIED.
Well, dear reader, I am not satisfied. Not satisfied at all. And yes, I WILL take some chocolate if you have it handy because if THIS is the sort of behavior we can expect from Constance the Lying Liar Face in the future, I’m going to need it. Or maybe just pull out my USUAL method of waiting to read the series until there are a few of them available to binge.
Or have a shiny audiobook.
OR SOMETHING!
But then, I already read this one, and as you can probably tell, patience is NOT my strong suit, so . . . yeah. my path forward might be a bit unclear.
But one thing I AM CLEAR about is that THIS MORAL DILEMMA of EPIC and COMPLETELY REAL PROPORTIONS is brought to you by Constance and her DEVIOUS WEB OF LIES!!!
So there!
Conclusion: In all serious, I would define this as a solid second/middle/transitional book. Some great stuff to go along with the first book. Some great stuff to build up to the next. Not as much stands out if you try to call it a standalone, but I really have nothing against a good series (MORE BOOKS! MORE ELVES! MORE MAGIC!), and you should definitely make some plans to read it if you have read the first one.
And read the first one if you haven’t read the first one.
And maybe forcibly recruit a few likeminded and suggestable friends to read it too (I’m talking about emotional blackmail people, not weapons. We are meant to be civilized!).
And then you can all join me in peacefully picketing the author for the next one.
And so on!
May 8, 2023
I’d be lying if I said that the moment that I realized that the ARC for Of Chaos and Cadence had dropped into my inbox I didn’t want to IMMEDIATELY drop what I was doing (even though sadly I was at work and that wasn’t possible…*wipes away a tear*) and immerse myself into the AMAZING and UTTERLY ENTRANCING storytelling that is created by Constance Lopez. I would also be lying if I said that a smile didn’t immediately grace my lips the moment I began reading it and only subsided once I finished the very last word of the very last sentence.
Isa has never seemed to fit into the world of the Elves. Being half human and then developing Harmonic magic has always separated her from her kin. And the harder she tries to push it down and bury it, the fiercer her Harmonic magic fights to the surface creating Chaos and deadly situations. When her magic flies out of control she finds herself on the wrong side of the elven council who banish her from her homeland until she can learn to control the Harmonic magic within herself.
Liam, as Mirror and best friend to the new Revon King, has always had his friend’s back. So when he is asked to discover what has happened to the mages that seemed to have disappeared without a trace he doesn’t hesitate.
A chance meeting between Liam and Isa leads them to a deal to help one another on their subsequent tasks. A half elf may have exactly what Liam needs to search out the mages and certainly Liam as a master mage himself would be perfect for teaching Isa how to control her magic. But what they don’t realize is that their journey will lead them down a mysterious and unknown path that not only leads to magic and mages but capturing each others hearts.
This was the absolute perfect continuation to the Kasmian Chronicles! I already ADORED Liam and Isa in Of Stormlarks and Silence and my adoration for them only increased exponentially. Liam was your smart, snarky (I do so love me lots and lots of snark), completely handsome, charismatic, and oh so swoon worthy male MC and well, Isa, Isa was your sweet, loving, completely flustered but oh so self conscious female MC that you could not help but absolutely love. They both had faults and fears but they were utterly perfect, in love and in life.
Lopez is a MASTERFUL weaver of words. Her stories are nothing short of BRILLIANT! She has a way of drawing you in with the perfect combination of mystery, mayhem, and magic and keeping you utterly spell bound with her revelations and romance. So if you love your stories filled with enough intrigue, secrets, magic, and mystery to captivate you and the quintessential amount of sweet, clean romance weaved and sprinkled throughout then you simply have no other choice than to ENJOY Of Chaos and Cadence.
Isa has never seemed to fit into the world of the Elves. Being half human and then developing Harmonic magic has always separated her from her kin. And the harder she tries to push it down and bury it, the fiercer her Harmonic magic fights to the surface creating Chaos and deadly situations. When her magic flies out of control she finds herself on the wrong side of the elven council who banish her from her homeland until she can learn to control the Harmonic magic within herself.
Liam, as Mirror and best friend to the new Revon King, has always had his friend’s back. So when he is asked to discover what has happened to the mages that seemed to have disappeared without a trace he doesn’t hesitate.
A chance meeting between Liam and Isa leads them to a deal to help one another on their subsequent tasks. A half elf may have exactly what Liam needs to search out the mages and certainly Liam as a master mage himself would be perfect for teaching Isa how to control her magic. But what they don’t realize is that their journey will lead them down a mysterious and unknown path that not only leads to magic and mages but capturing each others hearts.
This was the absolute perfect continuation to the Kasmian Chronicles! I already ADORED Liam and Isa in Of Stormlarks and Silence and my adoration for them only increased exponentially. Liam was your smart, snarky (I do so love me lots and lots of snark), completely handsome, charismatic, and oh so swoon worthy male MC and well, Isa, Isa was your sweet, loving, completely flustered but oh so self conscious female MC that you could not help but absolutely love. They both had faults and fears but they were utterly perfect, in love and in life.
Lopez is a MASTERFUL weaver of words. Her stories are nothing short of BRILLIANT! She has a way of drawing you in with the perfect combination of mystery, mayhem, and magic and keeping you utterly spell bound with her revelations and romance. So if you love your stories filled with enough intrigue, secrets, magic, and mystery to captivate you and the quintessential amount of sweet, clean romance weaved and sprinkled throughout then you simply have no other choice than to ENJOY Of Chaos and Cadence.
May 25, 2023
I recieved a free ARC from the author, and wanted to share my thoughts.
This book is officially one of my favorite books. The second in the series, we get to follow Liam and Isa as they travel to learn what has happened to the missing mages. That in itself is such a fun ride. Miss Author did an amazing job keeping the tension steadily rising as they uncover the mystery, and ride into increasing danger. As Isa grows in her abilities, her and Liam also grow closer together... but they may not be the quickest to admit it.. well, it makes for a perfect slow burn that made me grin the whole way through, but also occasionally made me face palm. In the best way.
In seriousness though, the characters of this book, not just Isa and Liam, all of them are so well-written. Each character made me want to know their stories, especially our villain and a new friend that joins them in the second half (no spoilers.) The antagonist is weirdly likeable, but definitely not to be trusted, lol.
The journey Isa and Liam take is a difficult one that only gets more dangerous when they reach their destination. As beautiful as the world building is, the characters are what drives the story. There is growth, self-discovery, sweet tender scenes, and there are truly touching moments that carry reminders I'm sure many of us might need to hear. (Or read, but you get the point.) There are also times I laughed out loud, which is always sure to get you some "looks" if you're around people. It was really cool to learn more about the magic and different way people behave towards it in this world. Seeing different magics and ways people use their abilities (magical and non-magical) was really fun too. Weighing the balance between love and duty, choosing to do what is right or what is expected of them. Exciting and emotional all at once. As a whole, this story kept me fully involved and the ending itself was so perfect. While not exactly a cliffhanger, there are definitely many unanswered questions and more adventures to be had! For those who'd like to know, this book is clean with no spice. (Unless you count kissing, in which case, it's low spice.)
This book is officially one of my favorite books. The second in the series, we get to follow Liam and Isa as they travel to learn what has happened to the missing mages. That in itself is such a fun ride. Miss Author did an amazing job keeping the tension steadily rising as they uncover the mystery, and ride into increasing danger. As Isa grows in her abilities, her and Liam also grow closer together... but they may not be the quickest to admit it.. well, it makes for a perfect slow burn that made me grin the whole way through, but also occasionally made me face palm. In the best way.
In seriousness though, the characters of this book, not just Isa and Liam, all of them are so well-written. Each character made me want to know their stories, especially our villain and a new friend that joins them in the second half (no spoilers.) The antagonist is weirdly likeable, but definitely not to be trusted, lol.
The journey Isa and Liam take is a difficult one that only gets more dangerous when they reach their destination. As beautiful as the world building is, the characters are what drives the story. There is growth, self-discovery, sweet tender scenes, and there are truly touching moments that carry reminders I'm sure many of us might need to hear. (Or read, but you get the point.) There are also times I laughed out loud, which is always sure to get you some "looks" if you're around people. It was really cool to learn more about the magic and different way people behave towards it in this world. Seeing different magics and ways people use their abilities (magical and non-magical) was really fun too. Weighing the balance between love and duty, choosing to do what is right or what is expected of them. Exciting and emotional all at once. As a whole, this story kept me fully involved and the ending itself was so perfect. While not exactly a cliffhanger, there are definitely many unanswered questions and more adventures to be had! For those who'd like to know, this book is clean with no spice. (Unless you count kissing, in which case, it's low spice.)
May 27, 2023
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Isa & Liam’s points of views
– there is some fantasy violence
Review:
This is my first book from Constance Lopez and I am so excited to go back and read the first book she wrote! 😍 I loved Liam & Tristan’s friendship and I want to see more of their interactions. I also really loved Isa’s friendship with her cousin. Vendar was so stoic and hilarious in his blunt comments. 😂 Watching him and Liam interact was the best with how laid back Liam acted. I also loved the adventure and mystery of where the mages could have gone in this story. It was great trying to figure out what happened along with the characters and reading their attempts at fitting in to spy better! Some of my favorite scenes/moments in this book included: a rescue, Liam’s inner monologue, Liam standing up for Isa, Isa gaining confidence in herself/abilities, Isa with her cousin, her cousin threatening Liam, Liam trying to train Isa, and the ending.
Summary:
Isa is a pariah among the elves, and not just because of her father’s treason. Isa is a half-elf, half-human who has not only the magic of elves, but also that of humans. Her human magic feels out of control with how it reacts to her emotions. After a particularly bad reaction of her magic, Isa is told she cannot return to the elves’ homeland until she gets it under control. So she travels to the nearby human kingdom to be trained by a mage to control her unwanted magic, and makes a deal to help them find their missing mages in exchange.
Liam is the right hand and spymaster for his king. When he is tasked with finding the mages that have disappeared from the kingdom, Liam is eager to investigate, especially when he discovers that his childhood best friend is one of the missing. But he hits a dead end is his search when no one can tell him even a little bit where they could have gone. When Isa requests his help gaining control of her magic, Liam realizes there could be another way to find the mages. So he agrees to help Isa as long as she uses her elven magic to help him track down the missing mages.
Their search leads them beyond where they expect to find the mages and beyond the feelings they should have for one another. With so much on the line, they will be tested in many ways and will have to make difficult choices they didn’t know they would have to face…
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Isa & Liam’s points of views
– there is some fantasy violence
Review:
This is my first book from Constance Lopez and I am so excited to go back and read the first book she wrote! 😍 I loved Liam & Tristan’s friendship and I want to see more of their interactions. I also really loved Isa’s friendship with her cousin. Vendar was so stoic and hilarious in his blunt comments. 😂 Watching him and Liam interact was the best with how laid back Liam acted. I also loved the adventure and mystery of where the mages could have gone in this story. It was great trying to figure out what happened along with the characters and reading their attempts at fitting in to spy better! Some of my favorite scenes/moments in this book included: a rescue, Liam’s inner monologue, Liam standing up for Isa, Isa gaining confidence in herself/abilities, Isa with her cousin, her cousin threatening Liam, Liam trying to train Isa, and the ending.
Summary:
Isa is a pariah among the elves, and not just because of her father’s treason. Isa is a half-elf, half-human who has not only the magic of elves, but also that of humans. Her human magic feels out of control with how it reacts to her emotions. After a particularly bad reaction of her magic, Isa is told she cannot return to the elves’ homeland until she gets it under control. So she travels to the nearby human kingdom to be trained by a mage to control her unwanted magic, and makes a deal to help them find their missing mages in exchange.
Liam is the right hand and spymaster for his king. When he is tasked with finding the mages that have disappeared from the kingdom, Liam is eager to investigate, especially when he discovers that his childhood best friend is one of the missing. But he hits a dead end is his search when no one can tell him even a little bit where they could have gone. When Isa requests his help gaining control of her magic, Liam realizes there could be another way to find the mages. So he agrees to help Isa as long as she uses her elven magic to help him track down the missing mages.
Their search leads them beyond where they expect to find the mages and beyond the feelings they should have for one another. With so much on the line, they will be tested in many ways and will have to make difficult choices they didn’t know they would have to face…
September 28, 2023
Isa has poor control of her harmonic magic, magic that is seen as inferior and a corruption by most of the elven community. After an incident with her magic leaving others injured she is told to leave her home and is able to return once she learns control. Her cousin just so happens to be traveling to Revon for a coronation and wedding ceremony where mages she knows will be there. She has every intention of forcing this control to happen because if not, she cannot return to the broken remains of her family. Liam is at a crossroads of sorts. He got his family’s estate back along with titles but he still wants to be back in Revon to help his friend and king. This means he may need to have a political marriage, an idea he isn’t too fond of. But on returning home, not only to get reacquainted with people from his past but to fulfill an order for his newly established queen, he discovers a mystery. Mages are coming up missing, including an old friend of his. Now he is determined to solve this mystery but isn’t sure quite where to start. When Liam is asked by Isa to help with her magic, an opportunity for both of them to fulfill their desires is present. As they travel to discover answers for their respective reasons they learn more about each other and come to find a bond between them as well.
Liam was my favorite side character in the first book and he does not disappoint as a main character in this one. Both Liam and Isa are characters I greatly enjoyed learning more about and watching their relationship grow was fun. Isa had such a satisfying conclusion to her arc and the ending she gets is very much well deserved. Dia is an interesting character and I hope to see more of him in future installments. Same for some of the other characters we encountered. I was wondering who would be featured for the next book and was pleasantly surprised with the epilogue revealing who that will be. There were several characters that it could have been and I am glad for multiple reasons for the direction this is going. I look forward to the next book.
Liam was my favorite side character in the first book and he does not disappoint as a main character in this one. Both Liam and Isa are characters I greatly enjoyed learning more about and watching their relationship grow was fun. Isa had such a satisfying conclusion to her arc and the ending she gets is very much well deserved. Dia is an interesting character and I hope to see more of him in future installments. Same for some of the other characters we encountered. I was wondering who would be featured for the next book and was pleasantly surprised with the epilogue revealing who that will be. There were several characters that it could have been and I am glad for multiple reasons for the direction this is going. I look forward to the next book.
July 31, 2024
“You are worthy, Isa.” He spoke more gently this time. “With or without magic. No matter what you do, you are worthy of love. Of a home.”
It’s the battle of the spirit. The one that each person finds themselves asking at points in this journey of life. What is one’s worth? For Isa, the elves have deemed her uncontrollable magic as grounds to expel her from her home, her family. If she wants that life back, she must learn to control that part of herself. But in truth Isa has never fit in, being half human and half elf, so perhaps it was easy enough for the elves to pass their judgement on her and be rid of her.
Liam takes on the task of helping train her in her magic in exchange for her assistance in finding the missing mages, one being a childhood friend. However, he finds the task far harder than he initially thought because he uncovers what is holding back Isa from “controlling” her magic. Walls must come down first, ones constructed from deception that Isa has spent a lifetime building and fortified by this outside world that has now banished her.
It’s voices that repeat that worth is defined by the slogan “what have you done for me lately,” and you have to keep doing something worthwhile to be counted. Liam rejects this and instead says worth is inherent because individuals simply are, that a person’s worth is not the sum of their usefulness. The voices counter that once a person is “used up,” they are tossed aside and abandoned because their worth is spent. Liam rejects this as well with the truth that individuals are not things to thrown out like the trash, but rather treasured because of their inherent worth and promises he will not abandon Isa, even if that’s been her experience with others. Then the most heartbreaking lie, the final conclusion to be reached from the voices, that because one has no worth, that the person is unlovable. It is this one, that Liam will not allow to stand.
For each time Liam looks at Isa, he sees that for the horrible lie it is and will fight with every inch of his being for her to discover the truth as well. She is worthy of love, and he knows that with every beat of his heart as he loves her more with each passing moment he’s with her. But first he must help her accept herself, love herself for who she is, not for who everyone wants her to be. For Isa, it’s a long path to experience healing that she didn’t realize she needed to have the world she finally wanted but never thought possible. Together though, Liam and Isa will realize they’re strong enough to topple the prison of the outside world and rebuild a home of their own from what they’re discovered in each other. And that it was certainly worth all the struggle of the journey.
It’s the battle of the spirit. The one that each person finds themselves asking at points in this journey of life. What is one’s worth? For Isa, the elves have deemed her uncontrollable magic as grounds to expel her from her home, her family. If she wants that life back, she must learn to control that part of herself. But in truth Isa has never fit in, being half human and half elf, so perhaps it was easy enough for the elves to pass their judgement on her and be rid of her.
Liam takes on the task of helping train her in her magic in exchange for her assistance in finding the missing mages, one being a childhood friend. However, he finds the task far harder than he initially thought because he uncovers what is holding back Isa from “controlling” her magic. Walls must come down first, ones constructed from deception that Isa has spent a lifetime building and fortified by this outside world that has now banished her.
It’s voices that repeat that worth is defined by the slogan “what have you done for me lately,” and you have to keep doing something worthwhile to be counted. Liam rejects this and instead says worth is inherent because individuals simply are, that a person’s worth is not the sum of their usefulness. The voices counter that once a person is “used up,” they are tossed aside and abandoned because their worth is spent. Liam rejects this as well with the truth that individuals are not things to thrown out like the trash, but rather treasured because of their inherent worth and promises he will not abandon Isa, even if that’s been her experience with others. Then the most heartbreaking lie, the final conclusion to be reached from the voices, that because one has no worth, that the person is unlovable. It is this one, that Liam will not allow to stand.
For each time Liam looks at Isa, he sees that for the horrible lie it is and will fight with every inch of his being for her to discover the truth as well. She is worthy of love, and he knows that with every beat of his heart as he loves her more with each passing moment he’s with her. But first he must help her accept herself, love herself for who she is, not for who everyone wants her to be. For Isa, it’s a long path to experience healing that she didn’t realize she needed to have the world she finally wanted but never thought possible. Together though, Liam and Isa will realize they’re strong enough to topple the prison of the outside world and rebuild a home of their own from what they’re discovered in each other. And that it was certainly worth all the struggle of the journey.
May 26, 2023
Disclaimer: This review is based off of my experience reading an eARC sent to me by Constance Lopez. This did not in anyway affect the contents of my review.
Of Chaos and Cadence by Constance Lopez is the second standalone book in the Kasmian Chronicles series. You do not need to read book one to enjoy this book, but I do recommend it as this book will heavily spoil book one and I really liked the first book! Due to this, my review may have spoilers for book one (Of Stormlarks and Silence), so proceed with caution!
In Of Chaos and Cadence, we meet Isarrel, who is half human and half elf and belongs in neither world. Her human magic is dangerous and unpredictable, and after an accident she is forced to go to a human mage for training. Thus, she meets up with Liam Galway, who is loyal to his king and searching for the missing mages of Makaria. He agrees to train Isa in exchange for her elven skills and assistance in tracking the mages.
I really enjoyed this book! The first book surprised me with how much I liked it, so going into this one I had relatively high expectations and they were definitely met! The romance between Isa and Liam was wonderfully done and developed naturally. Lopez did an excellent job with the dual POVs, and I really felt like I knew the characters well.
One of the highlights of this book for me was that we really got to learn and see more of the world. Most of the book takes place in new locations that had such vibrant cultures and many interesting new characters. With how the book ended, I will be looking forward to the third one!
I highly recommend this book to all readers of fantasy romance, especially those who are not fans of spice. This is a clean romance!
Of Chaos and Cadence by Constance Lopez is the second standalone book in the Kasmian Chronicles series. You do not need to read book one to enjoy this book, but I do recommend it as this book will heavily spoil book one and I really liked the first book! Due to this, my review may have spoilers for book one (Of Stormlarks and Silence), so proceed with caution!
In Of Chaos and Cadence, we meet Isarrel, who is half human and half elf and belongs in neither world. Her human magic is dangerous and unpredictable, and after an accident she is forced to go to a human mage for training. Thus, she meets up with Liam Galway, who is loyal to his king and searching for the missing mages of Makaria. He agrees to train Isa in exchange for her elven skills and assistance in tracking the mages.
I really enjoyed this book! The first book surprised me with how much I liked it, so going into this one I had relatively high expectations and they were definitely met! The romance between Isa and Liam was wonderfully done and developed naturally. Lopez did an excellent job with the dual POVs, and I really felt like I knew the characters well.
One of the highlights of this book for me was that we really got to learn and see more of the world. Most of the book takes place in new locations that had such vibrant cultures and many interesting new characters. With how the book ended, I will be looking forward to the third one!
I highly recommend this book to all readers of fantasy romance, especially those who are not fans of spice. This is a clean romance!
June 2, 2023
This book has an explosive beginning (literally) and continues to compel all the way through with good pacing, high stakes, and incredible character development. With the unfolding mystery of a quest to find missing mages coupled with the development of a magic rooted deep in the characters' hearts, this book has a lot of interest and depth. Despite featuring a long journey, it doesn't drag but instead keeps up a good pace. Liam is funny and snarky, Isa is so relatable, and their romance (that they're both resisting) is quite satisfying. Once again I found the different types of harmonic and kindred magic, which are connections between people and their homelands respectively, fascinating. But the even better part is how these innate abilities connect deeply into Isa's self-image and emotions. The themes of this book explored through her character arc are truly breathtaking - about knowing your worth, finding acceptance, and processing emotions in a healthy way. Some favorite quotes:
"Worth is not defined by if you’re useful. People are not tools to be used. Everyone has inherent worth, regardless of who they are or what they can do."
“You are more than enough. Your worth has nothing to do with whether others accept you or not. It has nothing to do with what you do. You are enough simply because you live, because you are.”
These themes really touched my heart because even though I can know the truth in my head, I still struggle in my heart not to prove my worth by what I do. Thanks to the author for providing an advance review copy for me. I may even like this book better than book one if that's possible (I REALLY enjoyed book one). But what can I say? Neat elves, fancy magic, sweet romance - just go read it.
"Worth is not defined by if you’re useful. People are not tools to be used. Everyone has inherent worth, regardless of who they are or what they can do."
“You are more than enough. Your worth has nothing to do with whether others accept you or not. It has nothing to do with what you do. You are enough simply because you live, because you are.”
These themes really touched my heart because even though I can know the truth in my head, I still struggle in my heart not to prove my worth by what I do. Thanks to the author for providing an advance review copy for me. I may even like this book better than book one if that's possible (I REALLY enjoyed book one). But what can I say? Neat elves, fancy magic, sweet romance - just go read it.
May 25, 2023
Of Chaos and Cadence was so good!! If you liked Liam as a side character in Of Stormlarks and Silence, you're going to love him as a hero in his own story!! 😍 His relationship with Isa was the best, and I loved every minute of their slow burn, absolutely sweet romance 💗 *happy sigh* I loved their getting to know each other, him admitting to his weakness yet always willing to help her beyond the initial task of learning to control her magic.
Isa definitely made me want to jump into the story and give her a hug. She's been through so much, and her mixed elven and human heritage and upbringing haven't been the easiest, yet her growth throughout this book is so beautiful! And what an adventure it is!! Buckle up because we're definitely exploring more of this world (other countries besides Loril, Makaria, and Revon), as well as we're resolving a mystery. Though, things are never that easy, and I loved all the plot twists and revelations happening throughout this journey.
From a Mirror and mages to camps and new allies as well as foes, be prepared to be swept away and not want to put this book down once you start it. So do yourself a favor, pick yourself a copy of this one, clear some time off your schedule, and be prepared to be swept away in this Sweet Romantic Fantasy book, full of swoony moments, adventure, mystery, growth, forgiveness, light, and hope. Completely recommended for fans of the author, the series/world, and/or Fantasy lovers looking for a slightly different experience. I can't wait to find some more answers in the next story! ~ 5 stars
I received an ARC copy from the author.
Isa definitely made me want to jump into the story and give her a hug. She's been through so much, and her mixed elven and human heritage and upbringing haven't been the easiest, yet her growth throughout this book is so beautiful! And what an adventure it is!! Buckle up because we're definitely exploring more of this world (other countries besides Loril, Makaria, and Revon), as well as we're resolving a mystery. Though, things are never that easy, and I loved all the plot twists and revelations happening throughout this journey.
From a Mirror and mages to camps and new allies as well as foes, be prepared to be swept away and not want to put this book down once you start it. So do yourself a favor, pick yourself a copy of this one, clear some time off your schedule, and be prepared to be swept away in this Sweet Romantic Fantasy book, full of swoony moments, adventure, mystery, growth, forgiveness, light, and hope. Completely recommended for fans of the author, the series/world, and/or Fantasy lovers looking for a slightly different experience. I can't wait to find some more answers in the next story! ~ 5 stars
I received an ARC copy from the author.
November 4, 2023
SO. GOOD. I feel like this should be one of the sparse reviews where I don’t say anything because I’m speechless with how amazing it was. So, I’ll cut to the chase: read it. Do it now, without waiting six months like I did. (But I’d suggest you read book one, Of Stormlarks and Silence, first. While this is a standalone, I appreciated it more having read book one, I think.)
Violence-wise, there is fighting. There is blood. I do not recall human deaths, but there is the seen demise of animal-things. You feel only relief at that, trust me. There is also enslavement, mental and physical, which could be disturbing. And fire. Fire is important.
Romance-wise, I like this better than book one. It felt lighter in that department. More sweet and thoughtful than passionate and throwing cares to the wind. Common sense does not flee…..too much. ; ) There is some staying in the same room, but as nothing romantic occurs during that, I didn’t find it bothersome. It was also basically a matter of protection and life and death more than one of convenience. Along those lines, there is brief nudity, but it is NOT described and it fits the scene perfectly. I have a very strict compass when it comes to this sort of thing, and this fits the scene and is not in any way sensual. It’s actually kind of a turning point in the book. You’ll understand when you read it. If you feel you want to preview this before letting a younger reader at this book, feel free; you won’t mind reading it twice.
Book three is coming in 2024 and I look forward to it with great anticipation. No pressure to the author, but book two beat out book one in my mind. So what might we see in the third installment?
Violence-wise, there is fighting. There is blood. I do not recall human deaths, but there is the seen demise of animal-things. You feel only relief at that, trust me. There is also enslavement, mental and physical, which could be disturbing. And fire. Fire is important.
Romance-wise, I like this better than book one. It felt lighter in that department. More sweet and thoughtful than passionate and throwing cares to the wind. Common sense does not flee…..too much. ; ) There is some staying in the same room, but as nothing romantic occurs during that, I didn’t find it bothersome. It was also basically a matter of protection and life and death more than one of convenience. Along those lines, there is brief nudity, but it is NOT described and it fits the scene perfectly. I have a very strict compass when it comes to this sort of thing, and this fits the scene and is not in any way sensual. It’s actually kind of a turning point in the book. You’ll understand when you read it. If you feel you want to preview this before letting a younger reader at this book, feel free; you won’t mind reading it twice.
Book three is coming in 2024 and I look forward to it with great anticipation. No pressure to the author, but book two beat out book one in my mind. So what might we see in the third installment?
June 11, 2023
Travels with Liam and Isa
This beautiful new fantasy romance by Constance Lopez continues the stories of Liam and Isa, secondary characters from the previous novel. Isa, being half human, has no control over her human magic and is as good as exiled from her land until she can gain control. Liam is on a quest to find the missing mages, one of which is an old friend of his. Their quests bring them together as they learn that their respective abilities may be exactly what the other needs.
I loved Isa from the beginning. Her struggles for acceptance with her family and her people were compelling and heartbreaking. Her fear of magic was also sad but understandable. I loved watching her grow in self-confidence. She is a lovely, lovely person.
Liam made me laugh. He waffled between asking Tristan to set up a political arranged marriage and falling for Isa. And then telling himself he couldn't fall for Isa because Tristan was going to use him for a political alliance. I'm just just sitting here thinking, "Seriously, Bro?" He needs to be interacting with either Riona or Isa (or Vendar), and Riona's taken and Vendar's...
I really enjoyed the quest for the mages and all the as-yet unanswered questions that will likely be handled in book three. And where the quest took them. I normally gripe about stories that have us on the road for this long, but there was so much that happened on the road, so many interesting people and places...I loved it.
I was given an ARC by the author, because she knows I love everything she writes, and have reviewed it willingly.
This beautiful new fantasy romance by Constance Lopez continues the stories of Liam and Isa, secondary characters from the previous novel. Isa, being half human, has no control over her human magic and is as good as exiled from her land until she can gain control. Liam is on a quest to find the missing mages, one of which is an old friend of his. Their quests bring them together as they learn that their respective abilities may be exactly what the other needs.
I loved Isa from the beginning. Her struggles for acceptance with her family and her people were compelling and heartbreaking. Her fear of magic was also sad but understandable. I loved watching her grow in self-confidence. She is a lovely, lovely person.
Liam made me laugh. He waffled between asking Tristan to set up a political arranged marriage and falling for Isa. And then telling himself he couldn't fall for Isa because Tristan was going to use him for a political alliance. I'm just just sitting here thinking, "Seriously, Bro?" He needs to be interacting with either Riona or Isa (or Vendar), and Riona's taken and Vendar's...
I really enjoyed the quest for the mages and all the as-yet unanswered questions that will likely be handled in book three. And where the quest took them. I normally gripe about stories that have us on the road for this long, but there was so much that happened on the road, so many interesting people and places...I loved it.
I was given an ARC by the author, because she knows I love everything she writes, and have reviewed it willingly.
May 23, 2023
"She just nodded again, soaking in his every touch. The way he looked. The way he sounded. If this was a dream, it was the best dream her mind had ever managed to conjure. She wanted to remember every moment of it."
Lovely, romantic, and enthralling! There aren't enough words to describe how much I loved this book. It's rare that I enjoy the adventure and character arcs in a book as much as the romance, but every aspect of this story had me hooked from the beginning. In a time where so many fantasy novels are steeped in darkness, this one is a refreshing dose of light and hope.
After reading the first book in the Kasmanian Chronicles, I wasn't sure if I'd care about Liam's story. He was super grumpy at certain points. He won me over instantly with his welcoming kindness towards Isa, so my fears were quickly relieved. They are both such strong and completely lovable characters. As I told Constance, I'd like to now be an elf (because hello, YOU CONNECT WITH THE FOREST).
Read this book if you love:
Exciting Adventure
Themes of hope and belonging
Swoony & Sweet Romance
Precious nicknames that you don't learn the meaning of until the end. (iykyk)
5/5
!TW: Violence & Imprisonment
* I received a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Releases 5/25/23
Lovely, romantic, and enthralling! There aren't enough words to describe how much I loved this book. It's rare that I enjoy the adventure and character arcs in a book as much as the romance, but every aspect of this story had me hooked from the beginning. In a time where so many fantasy novels are steeped in darkness, this one is a refreshing dose of light and hope.
After reading the first book in the Kasmanian Chronicles, I wasn't sure if I'd care about Liam's story. He was super grumpy at certain points. He won me over instantly with his welcoming kindness towards Isa, so my fears were quickly relieved. They are both such strong and completely lovable characters. As I told Constance, I'd like to now be an elf (because hello, YOU CONNECT WITH THE FOREST).
Read this book if you love:
Exciting Adventure
Themes of hope and belonging
Swoony & Sweet Romance
Precious nicknames that you don't learn the meaning of until the end. (iykyk)
5/5
!TW: Violence & Imprisonment
* I received a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Releases 5/25/23
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews