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The Leviathan's Call #1
A Song in the Storm
For fans of Assassin's Apprentice and Mistborn comes an epic romantic fantasy about trust, love, secrets and betrayal.
The fae king's soiree attracts the most unlikely guests: an exiled prince, the lost heir to the Empire, and the vessel of an ancient god.
Fionn has always been alone. Haunted by a destiny that will claim her life, she's spent her life waiting for her master to send her into terrible danger. Ordered to steal the fae king's most precious treasure, she braces herself for the heist of a lifetime - but no one crosses the fae and escapes unscathed.
Arsene has spent the last two years running. Determined never to return home, he travels in the company of a sellsword, fighting monsters for scraps. But with war looming on the horizon, and fae scheming at his back, he finds himself drawn back toward his country, and the royal crown he threw away.
When Fionn and Arsene's fates intertwine, they find themselves forced into an unlikely alliance. Secrets brew in the underbelly of the Empire. Someone has long intended for the Empire to fall, and their plan has finally been set in motion.
Danger lurks all around. Former allies hold knives behind their backs, and enemies might be their only salvation. Stuck in a doomed war at the edge of the world, they must learn to trust one another, or the terrifying truth of this world's darkness will never come to light.
The fire will consume all in its path. None shall not be spared. The shadows cast will hide their true faces until the last embers have fallen. And then, a dead empire shall be born anew.
The fae king's soiree attracts the most unlikely guests: an exiled prince, the lost heir to the Empire, and the vessel of an ancient god.
Fionn has always been alone. Haunted by a destiny that will claim her life, she's spent her life waiting for her master to send her into terrible danger. Ordered to steal the fae king's most precious treasure, she braces herself for the heist of a lifetime - but no one crosses the fae and escapes unscathed.
Arsene has spent the last two years running. Determined never to return home, he travels in the company of a sellsword, fighting monsters for scraps. But with war looming on the horizon, and fae scheming at his back, he finds himself drawn back toward his country, and the royal crown he threw away.
When Fionn and Arsene's fates intertwine, they find themselves forced into an unlikely alliance. Secrets brew in the underbelly of the Empire. Someone has long intended for the Empire to fall, and their plan has finally been set in motion.
Danger lurks all around. Former allies hold knives behind their backs, and enemies might be their only salvation. Stuck in a doomed war at the edge of the world, they must learn to trust one another, or the terrifying truth of this world's darkness will never come to light.
The fire will consume all in its path. None shall not be spared. The shadows cast will hide their true faces until the last embers have fallen. And then, a dead empire shall be born anew.
555 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2025
44 people are currently reading
1997 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
March 26, 2025
Note: This was based on an ARC copy and the author made changes before release.
A Song in the Storm by Riley Knight is an ambitious and captivating debut that reads like a truly epic fantasy while feeling incredibly unique. With an ensemble cast of flawed yet compelling characters, intricate world-building, and a richly woven plot, this book has SO much to offer.
The opening pulled me in immediately, though the early chapters can feel overwhelming with multiple perspectives, time jumps to the past, and characters who initially seem only loosely connected. It takes patience to see how everything fits together, but once it does, the payoff is incredibly satisfying. The magic system is intriguing, the political dynamics are layered, and the twists are genuinely surprising.
I would NOT say that this is a romantasy book, though there are some charming relationships and romance subplots sprinkled within that add warmth to the story. Honestly, the friendships here are some of the best relationships.
Where the book falters slightly is in its structure—at times, the pacing drags, and the fragmented storytelling can make the first half feel disjointed. While I personally loved spending time with these characters, some readers may find that the plot could have been streamlined for a more cohesive flow. That said, the writing is strong and immersive, painting vivid scenes that make the world come alive in a way many books struggle to achieve for me.
Despite a few rough edges, A Song in the Storm is an incredibly unique and promising debut. Fans of sprawling, character-driven fantasy will find plenty to love here. It’s a five-star read wrapped in slightly uneven pacing, but the sheer imagination and heart behind it make it a standout. I’m excited to see what Knight writes next!
Thanks to booksirens for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
A Song in the Storm by Riley Knight is an ambitious and captivating debut that reads like a truly epic fantasy while feeling incredibly unique. With an ensemble cast of flawed yet compelling characters, intricate world-building, and a richly woven plot, this book has SO much to offer.
The opening pulled me in immediately, though the early chapters can feel overwhelming with multiple perspectives, time jumps to the past, and characters who initially seem only loosely connected. It takes patience to see how everything fits together, but once it does, the payoff is incredibly satisfying. The magic system is intriguing, the political dynamics are layered, and the twists are genuinely surprising.
I would NOT say that this is a romantasy book, though there are some charming relationships and romance subplots sprinkled within that add warmth to the story. Honestly, the friendships here are some of the best relationships.
Where the book falters slightly is in its structure—at times, the pacing drags, and the fragmented storytelling can make the first half feel disjointed. While I personally loved spending time with these characters, some readers may find that the plot could have been streamlined for a more cohesive flow. That said, the writing is strong and immersive, painting vivid scenes that make the world come alive in a way many books struggle to achieve for me.
Despite a few rough edges, A Song in the Storm is an incredibly unique and promising debut. Fans of sprawling, character-driven fantasy will find plenty to love here. It’s a five-star read wrapped in slightly uneven pacing, but the sheer imagination and heart behind it make it a standout. I’m excited to see what Knight writes next!
Thanks to booksirens for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
April 8, 2025
4/5 ⭐️
Note: This was based on an ARC copy and the author made changes before release.
I really enjoyed A Song in the Storm. Even though the first half of the book was a bit confusing, having multiple POVs and the action having taken place in such a complex world, the story was written beautifully. The descriptions were magical and I could see the work that was put into this book.
I was amazed with how incredibly intertwined the characters were, each having shared past memories with at least one other person in their group. It made their connection all the more beautiful. I am really curious to see what adventure they end up embarking on in the next book!
Even so, I would have appreciated a glossary at the beginning of the book, with all the types of races and places described, but it all started making sense the more I got into the story.
The ending was interesting, leaving me to wonder what is going to happen next in the series.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this book's uniqueness. It was without a doubt a breath of fresh air :)
Many thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Note: This was based on an ARC copy and the author made changes before release.
I really enjoyed A Song in the Storm. Even though the first half of the book was a bit confusing, having multiple POVs and the action having taken place in such a complex world, the story was written beautifully. The descriptions were magical and I could see the work that was put into this book.
I was amazed with how incredibly intertwined the characters were, each having shared past memories with at least one other person in their group. It made their connection all the more beautiful. I am really curious to see what adventure they end up embarking on in the next book!
Even so, I would have appreciated a glossary at the beginning of the book, with all the types of races and places described, but it all started making sense the more I got into the story.
The ending was interesting, leaving me to wonder what is going to happen next in the series.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this book's uniqueness. It was without a doubt a breath of fresh air :)
Many thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 14, 2025
Wow!
If you're looking for a completely different, completely immersive book this one is for you!
This is an epic story told from multiple POV that hooked me from the first sentence:
What finer way to celebrate the end of your life than with a glass of champagne?
I was instantly curious and did not put this book down until I finished it.
And my mouth is still hanging open!
I honestly enjoyed this world (s) and the character building was impeccable.
An excellent book to snap you out of the fairy shadow daddy and pet dragon world of fantasy.
Truly a smart & fun read!
If you're looking for a completely different, completely immersive book this one is for you!
This is an epic story told from multiple POV that hooked me from the first sentence:
What finer way to celebrate the end of your life than with a glass of champagne?
I was instantly curious and did not put this book down until I finished it.
And my mouth is still hanging open!
I honestly enjoyed this world (s) and the character building was impeccable.
An excellent book to snap you out of the fairy shadow daddy and pet dragon world of fantasy.
Truly a smart & fun read!
May 28, 2025
3.75 stars
Great writing from the author. Its a very complex story. You really have to pay attention to every word or you'll get lost in what's happening.
Great writing from the author. Its a very complex story. You really have to pay attention to every word or you'll get lost in what's happening.
March 1, 2025
A Song in the Storm is an wonderful book, full of delightful prose and well written characters!
We get to experience the story from the point of view of multiple characters, including Eckhart, Fionn, Arsene, and many others. This diverse cast of characters truly made the story more entertaining to witness, and their unique perspectives fleshed out the story quite well. One of these povs were from the viewpoint of Fionn, a cefra (one of the unique species in this world) under the patronage of a certain someone of questionable morals. Oh! That reminds me, this book has a few lovely new species. The cefra are something like a elven/elemental mix, but they are their own species, and what a truly delightful species at that! I love the concept of being a very close family, though the point where they know everything about everyone in their clan is not that appealing. The various kingdoms that we get to see are unique and lovely. The kingdom with the forest full of giant trees reminds me of the Redwood forest in California. Can we also talk about the amazing cover? It's not the most colorful, but it is certainly still beautiful. The symbolism of the songbird and the instrument (a lute maybe?) is lovely.
I truly don't have the words to do this book justice... It is a breathtaking experience, one perfect for lovers of well developed fantasy worlds and writing that transports you right there alongside the characters. Now, if this has intrigued you, go and A Song in the Storm a try!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We get to experience the story from the point of view of multiple characters, including Eckhart, Fionn, Arsene, and many others. This diverse cast of characters truly made the story more entertaining to witness, and their unique perspectives fleshed out the story quite well. One of these povs were from the viewpoint of Fionn, a cefra (one of the unique species in this world) under the patronage of a certain someone of questionable morals. Oh! That reminds me, this book has a few lovely new species. The cefra are something like a elven/elemental mix, but they are their own species, and what a truly delightful species at that! I love the concept of being a very close family, though the point where they know everything about everyone in their clan is not that appealing. The various kingdoms that we get to see are unique and lovely. The kingdom with the forest full of giant trees reminds me of the Redwood forest in California. Can we also talk about the amazing cover? It's not the most colorful, but it is certainly still beautiful. The symbolism of the songbird and the instrument (a lute maybe?) is lovely.
I truly don't have the words to do this book justice... It is a breathtaking experience, one perfect for lovers of well developed fantasy worlds and writing that transports you right there alongside the characters. Now, if this has intrigued you, go and A Song in the Storm a try!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 9, 2025
I really enjoyed this debut fantasy novel. It’s written in multiple POVs and it allows us a deeper understanding of the characters, and there are many of them! Obviously this includes lots of world building and can sometimes be a lot to digest, but it’s normal as it’s the first in the series. Such a diverse cast of characters, different magic systems, gods, clans, with romance sprinkled throughout. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC, and here’s to hoping the sequel doesn’t take too long to arrive! If you love a good adventure quest with unique characters and storylines, add to TBR.
March 21, 2025
First off if your looking for a mindless book this isn't it. This story I would consider moderate. Meaning not really a read through at one sitting book definitely not while multitasking. It has twists and turns that take more thought. If your looking for a book that might last you a couple days and keep you entertained this is it. Be prepared to get nothing done in that time. It kept me hooked. Recommend.
It changes perspectives often keeping track of a group of people. Plot is good and pulls you in. Pretty clean. Leaves you with a bit of mystery.
What I didn't like is book leaves things unresolved. However it leaves it at a good place. it looks like it's part of a series so...common.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It changes perspectives often keeping track of a group of people. Plot is good and pulls you in. Pretty clean. Leaves you with a bit of mystery.
What I didn't like is book leaves things unresolved. However it leaves it at a good place. it looks like it's part of a series so...common.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 19, 2025
What an incredible debut book. There was action and twists from the first page to the last. The whole thing was large puzzle to sort out, all while loving the characters and their POVs. From the different kind of magic systems to religious and political intrigue, you never knew which piece of the puzzle was going to fit into place next or who to truly trust. With one person, I kept going back and forth. After that last chapter/epilogue, whelp there's my answer. Now for the others I have questions about...cannot wait for book two!
March 26, 2025
Reading this as an ARC from NetGalley was a treat. the story is interwoven with so many characters. This was such a pretty story that proves each individuals experiences vary so much but are still interlocked in some way. the descriptions of landscape, people, and magics was beautiful. I would give anything to actually hear Fionn sing. The glossary and map added after after receiving feedback are so helpful and a great addition to thr overall understanding of the world that is being built in this story.
March 31, 2025
3.5🌟
I’m glad I found this book by chance!
The story follows Fionn, Arsene and Eckart as the main characters and their journeys. As their interests align, their paths dissect. The interwoven POVs aid in creating a richer and more expansive world and just generally makes the story feel lived in.
Since finishing my read, the book has been published and now includes a map and a glossary. Whilst reading an advanced copy, this was something I’d wished I had. I have purchased my own copy and would love to reread with all this in mind!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC :)
I’m glad I found this book by chance!
The story follows Fionn, Arsene and Eckart as the main characters and their journeys. As their interests align, their paths dissect. The interwoven POVs aid in creating a richer and more expansive world and just generally makes the story feel lived in.
Since finishing my read, the book has been published and now includes a map and a glossary. Whilst reading an advanced copy, this was something I’d wished I had. I have purchased my own copy and would love to reread with all this in mind!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC :)
March 13, 2025
This book is very detailed and follows multiple characters, I found I had to focus more on what was happening at the beginning, but eventually, everything added up. The characters are very easy to love and the magic system is incredible.
I definitely recommend this book.
I was provided this ARC for free and leaving my review vulnerability.
I definitely recommend this book.
I was provided this ARC for free and leaving my review vulnerability.
February 18, 2025
Overall this was an enjoyable read. It has numerous points of view, which can feel a little difficult to follow to start: trying to recall who is travelling with who and why but as the story lines converge this gets easier. The lands created within this world are distinct and fascinating. The plot was well crafted and intriguing, although a little slow paced at times.
This was an ARC from NetGalley
This was an ARC from NetGalley
March 21, 2025
A Song in the Storm is a debut fantasy book I really enjoyed. It starts with an Imperial heir being kidnapped and then several years later we are thrown into the lives of a thief pretending to be a bard on a quest for her patron, an exiled heir turned mercenary, and a bastard who is half human half cefran (a common species in this world that has a sort of elemental magic and humans aren’t really a fan of). Then their paths eventually cross and they become tangled in something bigger.
So we have multiple point of views and a lot of world building that goes into this book. It slowly pulled me in until I was pretty invested towards the end, as a lot of the book was spent setting up the story. Trying to get a grasp on the world and all the characters was a little difficult at first. There was a lot of switching of POVs and sometimes it wasn’t clear whose POV we were in. I really liked the memory magic and then the elemental magic we get to see as well. Most of the characters we follow are likable, and there’s a little bit of romance sprinkled in there but not a lot, it’s definitely not a huge part of the plot. I’m hoping in book two we will get to deep dive into some characters a bit more, as I feel like I didn’t understand what their main motivations were. It seems they were just along for the ride. When the characters’ paths finally started to converge, it did start getting pretty interesting especially when you know something fishy is going on!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
So we have multiple point of views and a lot of world building that goes into this book. It slowly pulled me in until I was pretty invested towards the end, as a lot of the book was spent setting up the story. Trying to get a grasp on the world and all the characters was a little difficult at first. There was a lot of switching of POVs and sometimes it wasn’t clear whose POV we were in. I really liked the memory magic and then the elemental magic we get to see as well. Most of the characters we follow are likable, and there’s a little bit of romance sprinkled in there but not a lot, it’s definitely not a huge part of the plot. I’m hoping in book two we will get to deep dive into some characters a bit more, as I feel like I didn’t understand what their main motivations were. It seems they were just along for the ride. When the characters’ paths finally started to converge, it did start getting pretty interesting especially when you know something fishy is going on!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 19, 2025
A Song in the Storm by Riley Knight is a fantasy book unlike a lot of what is out there right now, it’s fun and mysterious with characters that feel both real and likeable with great chemistry between them and fun banter throughout.
My favourite part about this book is definitely the rich culture and world building, the descriptions of everything were very detailed and it was so easy to imagine and picture every scene. I also loved the magical elements and really enjoyed how every characters magic reflected parts of themselves, it would give little hints about who the character is before we actually find out.
Despite my favourite thing being the expansive world building, this book was quite hard to get into at the start, it’s multiple POV’s and every character has a different and unique background, and while that definitely is a plus later on in the book, it is just a bit confusing at the start. I did struggle quite a bit to understand everything during the first third of the book and it did take me quite a bit of time to read this.
However, once getting into this book, it more than made up for it and the ending has definitely left me hanging and wanting the next book ASAP and overall it was a very enjoyable book to read. It’s perfect mix of a dnd campaign-esque plot and a heist with so many plot twists and hidden meanings it will make your head spin. I definitely recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
My favourite part about this book is definitely the rich culture and world building, the descriptions of everything were very detailed and it was so easy to imagine and picture every scene. I also loved the magical elements and really enjoyed how every characters magic reflected parts of themselves, it would give little hints about who the character is before we actually find out.
Despite my favourite thing being the expansive world building, this book was quite hard to get into at the start, it’s multiple POV’s and every character has a different and unique background, and while that definitely is a plus later on in the book, it is just a bit confusing at the start. I did struggle quite a bit to understand everything during the first third of the book and it did take me quite a bit of time to read this.
However, once getting into this book, it more than made up for it and the ending has definitely left me hanging and wanting the next book ASAP and overall it was a very enjoyable book to read. It’s perfect mix of a dnd campaign-esque plot and a heist with so many plot twists and hidden meanings it will make your head spin. I definitely recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
March 9, 2025
This story was a very pleasant surprise for me!
It is the kind of epic fantasy that slowly pulls you in until you’re completely hooked.
It starts with the kidnapping of an imperial heir, setting off a chain of events that throws a mix of characters (each with their own secrets and struggles) into a world of warring factions, ancient mysteries, and supernatural forces.
The way the world is created & explained to us is one of my favourite parts of this story.
There are so many different lands, cultures, and magical elements it can be hard to follow at first, but if you keep with it, it slowly comes together forming a very real & lived in experience.
The way this book has been written, brings everything to life, from sweeping landscapes to eerie, magic-filled places where danger is always lurking….. it kept me on the edge of my seat… making it extremely hard to put this book down.
The way the magic system has been created is fascinating ~ it’s not just something characters use; it’s woven into the world in a way it becomes obe with nature.
The pacing is a little slow at times, but the layers of mystery and how everything unfolds kept me hooked. There were plenty of surprises, and I loved watching the characters get tangled in something much bigger than they ever expected. If you’re into epic fantasy with rich worldbuilding, complex characters, and a story that keeps expanding in unexpected ways, this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you to NetGalley & Amazon KDP for a copy of this eARC.
It is the kind of epic fantasy that slowly pulls you in until you’re completely hooked.
It starts with the kidnapping of an imperial heir, setting off a chain of events that throws a mix of characters (each with their own secrets and struggles) into a world of warring factions, ancient mysteries, and supernatural forces.
The way the world is created & explained to us is one of my favourite parts of this story.
There are so many different lands, cultures, and magical elements it can be hard to follow at first, but if you keep with it, it slowly comes together forming a very real & lived in experience.
The way this book has been written, brings everything to life, from sweeping landscapes to eerie, magic-filled places where danger is always lurking….. it kept me on the edge of my seat… making it extremely hard to put this book down.
The way the magic system has been created is fascinating ~ it’s not just something characters use; it’s woven into the world in a way it becomes obe with nature.
The pacing is a little slow at times, but the layers of mystery and how everything unfolds kept me hooked. There were plenty of surprises, and I loved watching the characters get tangled in something much bigger than they ever expected. If you’re into epic fantasy with rich worldbuilding, complex characters, and a story that keeps expanding in unexpected ways, this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you to NetGalley & Amazon KDP for a copy of this eARC.
March 16, 2025
I read A Song in the Storm by Riley Knight as an ARC.
At first I had a bit of difficulties to follow because of the switching of the POV's but afterwards it's like a world and people you got to know where it all starts and how it ends in this first book.
I am pleased to say it intrigued me and I kept on reading. And before I knew it, the book was finished. I love the magical world and all the building around. Also it was well written and I am up for book 2 when it will come out.
Thanks to Netgalley to give me the opportunity to read this as an ARC. Also congratulations on Riley Knight for writing this unbelievable book.
Definitely a 4-star read.
At first I had a bit of difficulties to follow because of the switching of the POV's but afterwards it's like a world and people you got to know where it all starts and how it ends in this first book.
I am pleased to say it intrigued me and I kept on reading. And before I knew it, the book was finished. I love the magical world and all the building around. Also it was well written and I am up for book 2 when it will come out.
Thanks to Netgalley to give me the opportunity to read this as an ARC. Also congratulations on Riley Knight for writing this unbelievable book.
Definitely a 4-star read.
March 8, 2025
This was a really enjoyable read. The worldbuilding was immersive, it had many fascinating places rich with culture and magic. There was a great diverse cast, and I enjoyed the multiple povs. The plot was a bit slow to build, but it was interesting to discover how everything connected.
My only issue was that I felt a bit disorientated at times as the world is so complex, something like a glossary would have been really helpful. Overall, a fantastic story. I’m eager to find out what happens next.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc.
My only issue was that I felt a bit disorientated at times as the world is so complex, something like a glossary would have been really helpful. Overall, a fantastic story. I’m eager to find out what happens next.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc.
March 26, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ARC Review ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to Victory Editing, Riley Knight, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Book 1 of the Leviathan’s Call series starts off with the kidnapping of a royal infant. From there we divulge into multiple POV’s with characters who each have their own unique backstories and driving forces for why they are doing what they’re doing in this world. This book was a fun read and Riley clearly spent a lot of time fleshing out her world building and character development prior to putting pen to paper.
This is a very fantasy heavy start to a series. If you are a romantasy person, this may not be the book for you. Romance is a very minor subplot, and you can easily get bogged down in the details. If you’re someone who loves a good epic fantasy with lots of magic, unique lands, and different characters abilities, this is the book for you.
I’ll admit that I struggled through the first half to get into the story. The characters are very well written and their interactions were incredibly fun to read. But other than that and the world building, at times it felt like the plot wasn’t going anywhere. But the characters were so well fleshed out I couldn’t help but find myself forced to continue reading because I was falling in love with these well developed people and needed to know how their stories end.
By the end of the book, I was hooked! I will eagerly await the continuation of this series to see where we are going from here. I loved the unique magic systems present in the book (two main distinct ones in the human and cefran races). The characters felt very realistic. And the world is massive with so much happening in every corner of it.
Pros:
-World building
-Unique magic system
-Well developed characters
Cons:
-At times plot lacked drive
-Very detail oriented, may be hard to follow if you’re not a heavy fantasy reader!
Thank you to Victory Editing, Riley Knight, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Book 1 of the Leviathan’s Call series starts off with the kidnapping of a royal infant. From there we divulge into multiple POV’s with characters who each have their own unique backstories and driving forces for why they are doing what they’re doing in this world. This book was a fun read and Riley clearly spent a lot of time fleshing out her world building and character development prior to putting pen to paper.
This is a very fantasy heavy start to a series. If you are a romantasy person, this may not be the book for you. Romance is a very minor subplot, and you can easily get bogged down in the details. If you’re someone who loves a good epic fantasy with lots of magic, unique lands, and different characters abilities, this is the book for you.
I’ll admit that I struggled through the first half to get into the story. The characters are very well written and their interactions were incredibly fun to read. But other than that and the world building, at times it felt like the plot wasn’t going anywhere. But the characters were so well fleshed out I couldn’t help but find myself forced to continue reading because I was falling in love with these well developed people and needed to know how their stories end.
By the end of the book, I was hooked! I will eagerly await the continuation of this series to see where we are going from here. I loved the unique magic systems present in the book (two main distinct ones in the human and cefran races). The characters felt very realistic. And the world is massive with so much happening in every corner of it.
Pros:
-World building
-Unique magic system
-Well developed characters
Cons:
-At times plot lacked drive
-Very detail oriented, may be hard to follow if you’re not a heavy fantasy reader!
March 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐ rounded up.
This wasn't bad, just not the vibes I was looking for at the moment. I'll try to be objective in spite of that because there was a decent amount of pros and cons.
You will likely enjoy this book if you're looking for:
🌍 Unique worlds, heavy on world building
🗡️ Emphasis on fantasy adventure aspects
🙅♀️❤️ Romance is not a focus
📖 Story arc is multilayered/many perspectives
I felt a little lost in the first half or more of the book as there's not much explanation to how the world works or how all the pieces fit together initially. You pick it up slowly over time. It took me further into the last half of the book to truly feel I had a handle on the world/situations. This made it a little hard to connect but if you're willing to put in the time investment the payoff is a unique and beautifully written world with richly developed characters and relationships.
There's virtually no romance in this and absolutely no spice if that's something that you're looking for. This is primarily a good old-fashioned fantasy adventure. I will say that they take a lot of time building relationships in a meaningful way so I feel perhaps there might be some advancement in the romance department in the next book but based solely off of how this book read I can't be sure and it likely won't be a focus.
It was clear Fionn/Wulf had a connection and interest in each other yet the best banter award definitely goes to Fionn/Arsene (again towards the very end). And it's their dynamic (for better or worse), not Fionn and Wulf's, that had me intrigued to see played out and itching for the next book.
In summary, I think the next book will be the determining factor for me on if this time investment truly cashes out. The last chapter had me REALLY hoping it does.
Thank you Net Galley/Riley Knight for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. All opinions are my own.
This wasn't bad, just not the vibes I was looking for at the moment. I'll try to be objective in spite of that because there was a decent amount of pros and cons.
You will likely enjoy this book if you're looking for:
🌍 Unique worlds, heavy on world building
🗡️ Emphasis on fantasy adventure aspects
🙅♀️❤️ Romance is not a focus
📖 Story arc is multilayered/many perspectives
I felt a little lost in the first half or more of the book as there's not much explanation to how the world works or how all the pieces fit together initially. You pick it up slowly over time. It took me further into the last half of the book to truly feel I had a handle on the world/situations. This made it a little hard to connect but if you're willing to put in the time investment the payoff is a unique and beautifully written world with richly developed characters and relationships.
There's virtually no romance in this and absolutely no spice if that's something that you're looking for. This is primarily a good old-fashioned fantasy adventure. I will say that they take a lot of time building relationships in a meaningful way so I feel perhaps there might be some advancement in the romance department in the next book but based solely off of how this book read I can't be sure and it likely won't be a focus.
It was clear Fionn/Wulf had a connection and interest in each other yet the best banter award definitely goes to Fionn/Arsene (again towards the very end). And it's their dynamic (for better or worse), not Fionn and Wulf's, that had me intrigued to see played out and itching for the next book.
In summary, I think the next book will be the determining factor for me on if this time investment truly cashes out. The last chapter had me REALLY hoping it does.
Thank you Net Galley/Riley Knight for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 24, 2025
Rating-
DNF 12%
Genre-
Fantasy
Thoughts/Would I Recommend This?-
I honestly stared at this book wanting to start it for weeks and then when I did start it I felt confused and then looked if there was a book before this one. There was not, and so then I was left wondering what the heck was going on. Long story short, I tried to push on and read it anyways and failed…so I apologize, but this is a dnf that I tried not to dnf but could not get through it and I felt it would honestly be a waste of my time and the authors to continue on with this book. I do feel others could maybe understand and like this book a lot more than I did and so if you want I suggest you look into this and give it a try.
(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
DNF 12%
Genre-
Fantasy
Thoughts/Would I Recommend This?-
I honestly stared at this book wanting to start it for weeks and then when I did start it I felt confused and then looked if there was a book before this one. There was not, and so then I was left wondering what the heck was going on. Long story short, I tried to push on and read it anyways and failed…so I apologize, but this is a dnf that I tried not to dnf but could not get through it and I felt it would honestly be a waste of my time and the authors to continue on with this book. I do feel others could maybe understand and like this book a lot more than I did and so if you want I suggest you look into this and give it a try.
(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
March 18, 2025
I enjoyed this book, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing what happens next in this series.
The world building was great, and still feels there could be much more expanded on in future books. The ending has been very impatiently waiting now to see what comes next.
I did find it quite hard to follow with all the characters. I didn’t feel like there was enough distinguishing them off the bat, so they all blurred together for me unfortunately. I’m usually fine to follow multiple characters and storylines but I found this one difficult. Likely because it’s the first book and intro into the world.
The world building was great, and still feels there could be much more expanded on in future books. The ending has been very impatiently waiting now to see what comes next.
I did find it quite hard to follow with all the characters. I didn’t feel like there was enough distinguishing them off the bat, so they all blurred together for me unfortunately. I’m usually fine to follow multiple characters and storylines but I found this one difficult. Likely because it’s the first book and intro into the world.
March 10, 2025
EArc provided by NetGalley
3.9 stars
Tettiena is evil lady goals which I loved. She did after all set up her own son to take the fall for her which is brutal beyond belief.
Eckart is my sweet boy mostly because feeling like never enough is a mood as a mixed kid.
The end felt a little rushed but I read this in a reading slump which could have resulted in this feeling as I do have a tendency to skim during those.
Will have to try give this a reread once I'm out of my slump.
3.9 stars
Tettiena is evil lady goals which I loved. She did after all set up her own son to take the fall for her which is brutal beyond belief.
Eckart is my sweet boy mostly because feeling like never enough is a mood as a mixed kid.
The end felt a little rushed but I read this in a reading slump which could have resulted in this feeling as I do have a tendency to skim during those.
Will have to try give this a reread once I'm out of my slump.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2025
This book seriously gives off major Dungeons & Dragons vibes but in the best way. This book has an adventuring crew that somehow ends up stuck together, pulling off heists, using all kinds of cool magic, and getting wrapped up in a wild plot making me so excited for the next book! It’s chaotic, clever, and super fun trying to figure out how it all ties together. Anddddd that insane cliffhanger was not expecting that!
March 8, 2025
I really wanted to love this book. The world-building was incredible, and having so many characters followed throughout the book was great. The memory magic and storm magic were so well done. It is clear that the writer took such great care in writing this book. I hate to give a low rating to a book and an author with so much clear potential, but a few things about the book made it so I could not finish it, and I really did try.
I made it more than 30% of the way through the book and it is still unclear what the overarching conflict is of this book. It felt a bit as if reading Lord of the Rings for the first time, except instead of telling you that the ring was evil or about the Eye of Sauron, the characters just keep encountering things. I need to know who the "bad guy" is- is it the king? Does it have to do with the war? I'm sure we find out, but it needs to be so much earlier in the book. Without a common conflict, the story feels disjointed.
Because of this, and other reasons, I think it is hard to tell what motivates the characters besides Fionn. The book seems to bring up how each character is important in some way by this point, but besides Fionn I feel that we also really don't know how their "important titles" actually translate to this life. At this point, I also don't feel like I know much about the characters besides their supposed titles and what they DO. What do they like and dislike? What are their hopes and dreams? Have they loved and lost? Wulf and Arsene have to be driven by at least one thing other than money, right?
That being said, I greatly appreciate having had the opportunity to read this book. I think the author will go on to do great things, even if this book is just a stepstone to bigger better books in the future.
I made it more than 30% of the way through the book and it is still unclear what the overarching conflict is of this book. It felt a bit as if reading Lord of the Rings for the first time, except instead of telling you that the ring was evil or about the Eye of Sauron, the characters just keep encountering things. I need to know who the "bad guy" is- is it the king? Does it have to do with the war? I'm sure we find out, but it needs to be so much earlier in the book. Without a common conflict, the story feels disjointed.
Because of this, and other reasons, I think it is hard to tell what motivates the characters besides Fionn. The book seems to bring up how each character is important in some way by this point, but besides Fionn I feel that we also really don't know how their "important titles" actually translate to this life. At this point, I also don't feel like I know much about the characters besides their supposed titles and what they DO. What do they like and dislike? What are their hopes and dreams? Have they loved and lost? Wulf and Arsene have to be driven by at least one thing other than money, right?
That being said, I greatly appreciate having had the opportunity to read this book. I think the author will go on to do great things, even if this book is just a stepstone to bigger better books in the future.
July 30, 2025
The initial blurb and current tags given to this book need an overhaul. Neither of them do this piece justice. This is not a book to be taken lightly or read quickly. Usually, I do not read the glossary provided because I assume that the unique words and concepts will be introduced with context and my understanding built upon as I continue to read. My reading experience probably would have initially been better if I had read through the glossary first, and if I had a physical copy to more easily flip to it as needed. However, it was not impossible or too terribly confusing to make it through the book. Still, I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the glossary and map provided at the beginning before starting.
As I said, this is not a light or quick little fantasy read. This reminded me of reading Lord of the Rings for the first time, as a child, who was still learning the English language. To be honest, I am embarrassed to admit the number of times I utilized the dictionary function on my kindle. Besides a richly author-created vocabulary, I was also stopping to define actual English words- like “suzerain”. I consider myself a pretty well read and literate adult with above average reading comprehension skills. After reading this, I will be tending to my biblio-ego wounds and reading Zodiac Academy to rebuild my literary self-esteem.
Simultaneously, I have a significant amount of respect for the author in regards to her incredible mythopoeic skills in conceiving such an original world and equally unique lexicon. It was rife with novel and distinct species, like the cefran, who are accompanied by their own gods and magical methods and societal nuances. To date, this is the most highlights and annotations I have made in a first read through of a book. It definitely helped me keep track of the numerous storylines, characters, and POVs in the beginning.
Initially, it did feel like I had to focus and apply myself while reading in order to comprehend what was going on and confidently follow along. Thankfully, it did become a lot easier as the plot progressed and storylines converged. I actually think that the pacing of the plot really helped in this manner too; for once, I appreciated the slower start as I acclimated myself into this wholly alien world. It definitely evolved from being convoluted to mysteriously intriguing. Overall, I felt rewarded from my scrupulous annotations early on and more thoroughly enjoyed the later portion of the book. By the end, I had a much better appreciation for the relatively stoic prose.
After finishing A Song in the Storm, I will definitely be adding the second book in this series to my TBR list. However, I will probably need a refresher of my notes beforehand and also set aside time to read this and only this then. I do think that the reception of this story would improve if it was marketed more towards a heroic epic fantasy reader base. Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien and Brandon Sanderson would probably enjoy this author’s debut work MUCH MORE than those of romantasy authors like Rebecca Yarros and Sarah J. Maas. There is more tension in political machinations than there is between any potential romantic interests. However, the friendships and camaraderie between the main characters is endearing. Even in terms of violence, this book is relatively tame and conservative. Calling this a romantic fantasy is going to lead to some frustratingly disappointed reviews. I would hate to see misled or unprepared readers skew ratings of this truly unique and wonderfully written piece of literature.
As I said, this is not a light or quick little fantasy read. This reminded me of reading Lord of the Rings for the first time, as a child, who was still learning the English language. To be honest, I am embarrassed to admit the number of times I utilized the dictionary function on my kindle. Besides a richly author-created vocabulary, I was also stopping to define actual English words- like “suzerain”. I consider myself a pretty well read and literate adult with above average reading comprehension skills. After reading this, I will be tending to my biblio-ego wounds and reading Zodiac Academy to rebuild my literary self-esteem.
Simultaneously, I have a significant amount of respect for the author in regards to her incredible mythopoeic skills in conceiving such an original world and equally unique lexicon. It was rife with novel and distinct species, like the cefran, who are accompanied by their own gods and magical methods and societal nuances. To date, this is the most highlights and annotations I have made in a first read through of a book. It definitely helped me keep track of the numerous storylines, characters, and POVs in the beginning.
Initially, it did feel like I had to focus and apply myself while reading in order to comprehend what was going on and confidently follow along. Thankfully, it did become a lot easier as the plot progressed and storylines converged. I actually think that the pacing of the plot really helped in this manner too; for once, I appreciated the slower start as I acclimated myself into this wholly alien world. It definitely evolved from being convoluted to mysteriously intriguing. Overall, I felt rewarded from my scrupulous annotations early on and more thoroughly enjoyed the later portion of the book. By the end, I had a much better appreciation for the relatively stoic prose.
After finishing A Song in the Storm, I will definitely be adding the second book in this series to my TBR list. However, I will probably need a refresher of my notes beforehand and also set aside time to read this and only this then. I do think that the reception of this story would improve if it was marketed more towards a heroic epic fantasy reader base. Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien and Brandon Sanderson would probably enjoy this author’s debut work MUCH MORE than those of romantasy authors like Rebecca Yarros and Sarah J. Maas. There is more tension in political machinations than there is between any potential romantic interests. However, the friendships and camaraderie between the main characters is endearing. Even in terms of violence, this book is relatively tame and conservative. Calling this a romantic fantasy is going to lead to some frustratingly disappointed reviews. I would hate to see misled or unprepared readers skew ratings of this truly unique and wonderfully written piece of literature.
June 16, 2025
3.5, rounded up for GR
This was definitely a slow build. the beginning was a bit confusing, but the world building came into place and made it a bit easier to understand. the magic system is really cool and unique and i enjoyed learning more about it and seeing the characters test its limits.
the characters are fleshed out, but something about them felt a little flat to me, though I can't quite put my finger on why. I'm hoping book 2 will help with that, as everything began to feel more concrete at the end of this book. a few reveals at the end here did have me going "oh! what? oh" in a good way. I'm very excited to see what happens next as soon as i get the chance.
some additional bullet pointed thoughts:
-there are a lot of character povs. for me, this was a bit much, but i know that a lot of people love that. and i did like the characters
-predictably, my favorites are Arsene and Leo.
-there were times that i felt the topic would change quickly and I'd be a little lost in how we got from point A to point B
-i cannot state enough how cool the magic system is
-even at the end of the book, it's unclear what exactly the main conflict and who the main antagonists are. i understand the air of mystery, but it also makes it hard to gain a solid footing in the narrative
-the characters are not all 17 year olds and we love to see it
-romance is very much a subplot, which is nice, but i hope it gets more development only because i felt that there was not really any intrigue between Fionn and Wulf, who i think we are meant to be rooting for for at least the majority of the book
overall, the book was a bit dense, but that might be because I haven't read a true fantasy in a while, but i did enjoy it! i lopk forward to when i have the chance to dive into book 2!
This was definitely a slow build. the beginning was a bit confusing, but the world building came into place and made it a bit easier to understand. the magic system is really cool and unique and i enjoyed learning more about it and seeing the characters test its limits.
the characters are fleshed out, but something about them felt a little flat to me, though I can't quite put my finger on why. I'm hoping book 2 will help with that, as everything began to feel more concrete at the end of this book. a few reveals at the end here did have me going "oh! what? oh" in a good way. I'm very excited to see what happens next as soon as i get the chance.
some additional bullet pointed thoughts:
-there are a lot of character povs. for me, this was a bit much, but i know that a lot of people love that. and i did like the characters
-predictably, my favorites are Arsene and Leo.
-there were times that i felt the topic would change quickly and I'd be a little lost in how we got from point A to point B
-i cannot state enough how cool the magic system is
-even at the end of the book, it's unclear what exactly the main conflict and who the main antagonists are. i understand the air of mystery, but it also makes it hard to gain a solid footing in the narrative
-the characters are not all 17 year olds and we love to see it
-romance is very much a subplot, which is nice, but i hope it gets more development only because i felt that there was not really any intrigue between Fionn and Wulf, who i think we are meant to be rooting for for at least the majority of the book
overall, the book was a bit dense, but that might be because I haven't read a true fantasy in a while, but i did enjoy it! i lopk forward to when i have the chance to dive into book 2!
May 12, 2025
"Men are not meant to mingle in the affairs of the gods."
A Song in the Storm is a bold and immersive high fantasy debut that rewards patience. It’s a thick book with a fantastic opening line and a story that steadily builds across multiple POVs and timelines. The first fifth moves a little slowly, but not necessarily in a bad way—it’s more of a careful setup than a drag. Once things start clicking, though, it’s impossible to put down.
What stood out most to me was how well Riley Knight handles complexity. The shifting timelines, various characters, and layers of politics, religion, culture, and magic could’ve easily become overwhelming, but it’s all woven together beautifully. The world-building feels rich and unique in the genre, and I loved the sense that I didn’t fully understand how everything connected at first, but I could feel that it would—and it absolutely does.
There’s a small romance subplot too, which added just enough without distracting from the bigger story. I liked that there was a map to help visualize things, and while there’s also a glossary, I never needed it—the author does a great job of making terms understandable in context.
A few minor things: some spots could use a tighter developmental edit, and the whole book would benefit from a copyedit (though the story is so well done that unless you’re quite detail-oriented, you likely wouldn’t even notice this). Finally, parts of the ending are just slightly more cryptic than I prefer; however, the story is clearly meant to continue, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next one.
All in all, a strong, ambitious debut with real depth. If you like high fantasy that makes you think and doesn’t hand you everything up front, this one’s for you. Looking forward to where this series goes!
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
A Song in the Storm is a bold and immersive high fantasy debut that rewards patience. It’s a thick book with a fantastic opening line and a story that steadily builds across multiple POVs and timelines. The first fifth moves a little slowly, but not necessarily in a bad way—it’s more of a careful setup than a drag. Once things start clicking, though, it’s impossible to put down.
What stood out most to me was how well Riley Knight handles complexity. The shifting timelines, various characters, and layers of politics, religion, culture, and magic could’ve easily become overwhelming, but it’s all woven together beautifully. The world-building feels rich and unique in the genre, and I loved the sense that I didn’t fully understand how everything connected at first, but I could feel that it would—and it absolutely does.
There’s a small romance subplot too, which added just enough without distracting from the bigger story. I liked that there was a map to help visualize things, and while there’s also a glossary, I never needed it—the author does a great job of making terms understandable in context.
A few minor things: some spots could use a tighter developmental edit, and the whole book would benefit from a copyedit (though the story is so well done that unless you’re quite detail-oriented, you likely wouldn’t even notice this). Finally, parts of the ending are just slightly more cryptic than I prefer; however, the story is clearly meant to continue, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next one.
All in all, a strong, ambitious debut with real depth. If you like high fantasy that makes you think and doesn’t hand you everything up front, this one’s for you. Looking forward to where this series goes!
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
July 20, 2025
copied from my bookstagram @justanotherbook10
🌸Finished Reading🌸
A Song In the Storm by @rileysknight
Book 1 of the Leviathan's Call
Pages ~ 487
ARC
🔹️First off, thank you SOO much to Riley for mailing this free physical ARC copy and for being so patient with me as I was reading your book. This book is a MUST READ and she deserves so much credit. It's been published since March 2025.
🔹️To the individuals who ghosted her after you got the free physical ARC book... not cool yall. 🥺 Please do better!
🌸My thoughts🌸
Can I just say how beautiful the cover is!!!😍
I found this book to be extremely well written and a beautiful, in-depth epic fantasy read. The beginning was a little slow but stay with the book, it does pick up! You will have multiple POVs and a complex storyline that sets off a chain of events for our multiple main characters. I enjoyed seeing how things played out in the book, from sneaking around in castles to relationships/adventures, it's very entertaining and keeps your attention. I would like to add that I found the world-building to be captivating. You have species, magic, travel, kingdoms, and much more.
🌸Tropes🌸
Magic systems
Twists
Love triangle
Morally Grey characters
Banter😘
Slow burn romance
Unique worldbuilding
Multiple POVs
Adventures
Different species
You will get hooked on this story. I HIGHLYYYYYYY recommend it for your next fantasy read.
🌸Finished Reading🌸
A Song In the Storm by @rileysknight
Book 1 of the Leviathan's Call
Pages ~ 487
ARC
🔹️First off, thank you SOO much to Riley for mailing this free physical ARC copy and for being so patient with me as I was reading your book. This book is a MUST READ and she deserves so much credit. It's been published since March 2025.
🔹️To the individuals who ghosted her after you got the free physical ARC book... not cool yall. 🥺 Please do better!
🌸My thoughts🌸
Can I just say how beautiful the cover is!!!😍
I found this book to be extremely well written and a beautiful, in-depth epic fantasy read. The beginning was a little slow but stay with the book, it does pick up! You will have multiple POVs and a complex storyline that sets off a chain of events for our multiple main characters. I enjoyed seeing how things played out in the book, from sneaking around in castles to relationships/adventures, it's very entertaining and keeps your attention. I would like to add that I found the world-building to be captivating. You have species, magic, travel, kingdoms, and much more.
🌸Tropes🌸
Magic systems
Twists
Love triangle
Morally Grey characters
Banter😘
Slow burn romance
Unique worldbuilding
Multiple POVs
Adventures
Different species
You will get hooked on this story. I HIGHLYYYYYYY recommend it for your next fantasy read.
April 1, 2025
This review is based on an ARC copy. The author edited the book before publishing.
I didn’t hate the book. I finished it, and that was quite the task. But I was frustrated by it. There are 6 main characters, and we are introduced to them all right away. And they have fictional fantasy names. And there are newly invented races of people. And they have colored skin and hair that is significant, but I couldn’t keep up with that and the fantasy world, and the fantasy religions/Gods, and the names I couldn’t remember because I’ve never seen anything like them before (who names a horse Dilsaeth and a goat Teffnut). This is the first book in a series, so all 5 billion pages felt like exposition. That being said, I like the characters. There’s an echo of cozy fantasy mixed with epic fantasy, mixed with a mythology epic. There is a great story buried in here. I don’t know if I will come back for the sequels. But I can say, I have no idea where this series is headed.
I didn’t hate the book. I finished it, and that was quite the task. But I was frustrated by it. There are 6 main characters, and we are introduced to them all right away. And they have fictional fantasy names. And there are newly invented races of people. And they have colored skin and hair that is significant, but I couldn’t keep up with that and the fantasy world, and the fantasy religions/Gods, and the names I couldn’t remember because I’ve never seen anything like them before (who names a horse Dilsaeth and a goat Teffnut). This is the first book in a series, so all 5 billion pages felt like exposition. That being said, I like the characters. There’s an echo of cozy fantasy mixed with epic fantasy, mixed with a mythology epic. There is a great story buried in here. I don’t know if I will come back for the sequels. But I can say, I have no idea where this series is headed.
March 13, 2025
This book pleasantly surprised me. I really love the characters and the world, especially the world-building was interesting and I liked the names. The magic system is unique too. The writing style was great as well, it was simple and captivating, it read smooth like butter.
However, I do think the book was very long and could've been shorter. The prologue with the princess does not have as much importance throughout the book as I thought. I do think it reads like the prequel to book 2, where the actual heist will begin, but it's still enjoyable.
I did like that this book has a refreshing and unique fantasy plot and world. The characters had cute moments together and by the end you really like them a lot.
At the end of the book it became more exciting, and I think the ending makes me want to read book 2 for sure!
However, I do think the book was very long and could've been shorter. The prologue with the princess does not have as much importance throughout the book as I thought. I do think it reads like the prequel to book 2, where the actual heist will begin, but it's still enjoyable.
I did like that this book has a refreshing and unique fantasy plot and world. The characters had cute moments together and by the end you really like them a lot.
At the end of the book it became more exciting, and I think the ending makes me want to read book 2 for sure!
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