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A Treason of Magic #1
A Treason of Magic
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100 copies available
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In a world where magic, desire, and duty collide, it is beauty who is fated to kill the beast in a lush historical fantasy of secrets and star-crossed love by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr.
Two young women. Heirs to altogether different hereditary burdens. Yet bound by a monstrous threat to their village.
Gabrielle is the first woman in Alveus to carry the mantle of Hunter, which comes with an obligation to kill the faery beasts murdering travelers in Brimmond Wood. Wary of the power she wields as guardian of her people, Gabrielle is summoned by her first love, a seductress who shattered her heart into pieces a decade ago.
Isabeau is the rarest of nobility—a lady duke. She is also afflicted by a curse that leaves her in a deep sleep between the gloaming and daylight. How can she begin her tenure as protector when she can’t keep her village safe from whatever stalks its darkest hours? For that, she needs the help of the Hunter.
Against her will, Gabrielle is falling in love all over again. But what new threats will arise when Gabrielle and Isabeau’s star-crossed destinies collide with the beast of Brimmond Wood?
Two young women. Heirs to altogether different hereditary burdens. Yet bound by a monstrous threat to their village.
Gabrielle is the first woman in Alveus to carry the mantle of Hunter, which comes with an obligation to kill the faery beasts murdering travelers in Brimmond Wood. Wary of the power she wields as guardian of her people, Gabrielle is summoned by her first love, a seductress who shattered her heart into pieces a decade ago.
Isabeau is the rarest of nobility—a lady duke. She is also afflicted by a curse that leaves her in a deep sleep between the gloaming and daylight. How can she begin her tenure as protector when she can’t keep her village safe from whatever stalks its darkest hours? For that, she needs the help of the Hunter.
Against her will, Gabrielle is falling in love all over again. But what new threats will arise when Gabrielle and Isabeau’s star-crossed destinies collide with the beast of Brimmond Wood?
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 23, 2026
About the author
Melissa Marr
109 books13k followersMelissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Gabrielle has been training her entire life to be the next Hunter when her father dies. It was only ever supposed to pass to the males in the family but having no sons, the duty fell to the eldest daughter.
When a beast around the estate starts dropping bodies, it's up to the Hunter & the Hunter in training to investigate, and kill whatever is doing the Killing.
This was a fun read. Kind of reminded me of the game Bloodborne in some ways.
Not as actiony as I would have liked, but I thought it was a good balance between the mission and the romance.
My biggest problem with it was the total lack of emotional connection I had with the characters. I felt nothing towards any of them, not even annoyance.. but that could strictly be a me problem and nothing to do with the book itself.
The writing was simple and easy to understand, and I liked the faery lore behind the world. I look forward to reading more by Melissa Marr in the future.
TWs: Death of parent, death in general, murder, decapitation.
Gabrielle has been training her entire life to be the next Hunter when her father dies. It was only ever supposed to pass to the males in the family but having no sons, the duty fell to the eldest daughter.
When a beast around the estate starts dropping bodies, it's up to the Hunter & the Hunter in training to investigate, and kill whatever is doing the Killing.
This was a fun read. Kind of reminded me of the game Bloodborne in some ways.
Not as actiony as I would have liked, but I thought it was a good balance between the mission and the romance.
My biggest problem with it was the total lack of emotional connection I had with the characters. I felt nothing towards any of them, not even annoyance.. but that could strictly be a me problem and nothing to do with the book itself.
The writing was simple and easy to understand, and I liked the faery lore behind the world. I look forward to reading more by Melissa Marr in the future.
TWs: Death of parent, death in general, murder, decapitation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A treason of magic is an atmospheric historical fantasy that is inspired by beauty and the beast. But with a twist. The world is rich with tradition, magic and fae lore, making the premise immediately intriguing.
Gabriel and Isabeau are both burdened by inherited powers and the story delves into themes of duty, leadership, and expectation. While the worldbuilding was strong, the pace felt uneven. Some sections dragged a bit to much, while others felt rushed.
The romance plays a major role in the story, but it wasn’t to my personal preference, which made it a bit harder to fully engage with.
Overall, this book has a strong concept, but it didn’t fully land for me. Readers who enjoy slower, character driven fantasy and fae mythology may enjoy this book more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Gabriel and Isabeau are both burdened by inherited powers and the story delves into themes of duty, leadership, and expectation. While the worldbuilding was strong, the pace felt uneven. Some sections dragged a bit to much, while others felt rushed.
The romance plays a major role in the story, but it wasn’t to my personal preference, which made it a bit harder to fully engage with.
Overall, this book has a strong concept, but it didn’t fully land for me. Readers who enjoy slower, character driven fantasy and fae mythology may enjoy this book more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC; all opinions are my own.**
3.75-4 ⭐️
2 🌶
Firstly, it was very cool to see my name as the love interest's name...but also a little weird 🤣 Secondly, anyone who is a fan of more classic faery stories will find this one very interesting. I enjoyed large parts of this story, though I did find the beginning to be rather slow and some of the dialogue didn't flow well at times. But I really liked the idea of a a family whose whole job is to be the Hunter to keep the realm safe from bad faeries, and that it was passed from parent to child. I liked that it was sort of a murder mystery, too!
Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone who likes these tropes:
☆faeries
☆queer-norm world
☆sapphic romance
☆magic
☆secrets
3.75-4 ⭐️
2 🌶
Firstly, it was very cool to see my name as the love interest's name...but also a little weird 🤣 Secondly, anyone who is a fan of more classic faery stories will find this one very interesting. I enjoyed large parts of this story, though I did find the beginning to be rather slow and some of the dialogue didn't flow well at times. But I really liked the idea of a a family whose whole job is to be the Hunter to keep the realm safe from bad faeries, and that it was passed from parent to child. I liked that it was sort of a murder mystery, too!
Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone who likes these tropes:
☆faeries
☆queer-norm world
☆sapphic romance
☆magic
☆secrets
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC received from NetGalley and Melissa Marr in exchange for honest review.
⚡BLURB⚡
In a world where magic, desire, and duty collide, it is beauty who is fated to kill the beast in a lush historical fantasy of secrets and star-crossed love by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr.
Two young women. Heirs to altogether different hereditary burdens. Yet bound by a monstrous threat to their village.
Gabrielle is the first woman in Alveus to carry the mantle of Hunter, which comes with an obligation to kill the faery beasts murdering travelers in Brimmond Wood. Wary of the power she wields as guardian of her people, Gabrielle is summoned by her first love, a seductress who shattered her heart into pieces a decade ago.
Isabeau is the rarest of nobility—a lady duke. She is also afflicted by a curse that leaves her in a deep sleep between the gloaming and daylight. How can she begin her tenure as protector when she can’t keep her village safe from whatever stalks its darkest hours? For that, she needs the help of the Hunter.
Against her will, Gabrielle is falling in love all over again. But what new threats will arise when Gabrielle and Isabeau’s star-crossed destinies collide with the beast of Brimmond Wood?
⚡REVIEW⚡
I was instantly sold on reading this book when I read it was a sapphic romantasy, and for the most part, I loved it. This book was constructed around three things - relationships (both romantic and familial), the role of the Hunter, and the Beast of Brimmond.
As a twin, her father chose Gabrielle over her sister Rylan, for a life of training for her future as Hunter - in fighting and weaponry, but also in science and research, collecting and analysing samples of DNA from the victim of a faery attack, or from offending faeries themselves, who meet their end at the hands of the Hunter. In doing so, he withholds the loving side of their relationship, saving that for Rylan. As a result, their bond is respectful but strained. When he discovered that Isabeau Maudite wished to marry his her, he constructed a lie that saw them torn apart, wishing for Gabrielle to take a husband in the faint hope that the inherited role of Hunter would pass to him. Gabrielle has yearned HARD for Isabeau in the years that have passed, and despite her reputation, it is clear that Isabeau has been doing the same. As the story progresses, Gabrielle and Isabeau are drawn together once more, romantically at first, but then subject to a geas, as Gabrielle attempts to uncover the identity of the Beast. It is at this point that familial bonds truly come into play, with Gabrielle's relationship with her mother and twin changed, and Isabeau's relationship with her aunt, Queen Morag, and her mother, the Duchess of Maudite, becoming key to the plot. Something I found interesting was when Gabrielle assumes the role of Hunter. Her instant thought is to protect Rylan from inheriting the role - but she doesn't seem to have planned exactly who will instead. I found that quite curious - I wonder if Melissa Marr has left that vague for a specific reason?
Isabeau is introduced as a rakish character, who sleeps around and gambles a lot, but it is clear that her feelings for Gabrielle run deep. Their discovery of Gabrielle's father's interference in their relationship sees her determined to prove that they are meant to be together, but a complication has arisen - she is cursed. She summons the Hunter, unaware that Gabrielle holds that position, creating a geas that commands her to kill the Beast of Brimmond. This creates further romantic tension, and the yearning continues in earnest, which I loved. There are two spicy encounters, but even with those, there is still a lot of muddy water between the characters due to the secrets and burdens they carry.
It was a joy to see a queer-normative society for a medieval set novel, and the whimsy of the faery threat added to the feeling that this real celebration of sapphic romance in an unusual setting. I am intrigued to see how the love story develops following the reveals that come at the end of this book, and the conflict that is sure to come.
The one area I did feel let this book down was the pacing. The first half of the book is very much Hunter and relationship focused, and takes its time to build the plot - it feels very slow to get into the plot. In contrast, the second half of the book is focused fully on the Beast, and speeds along, with no real clarity of how much time has passed between chapters. The worldbuilding is spectacular, and if the sequel heads in the direction I anticipate, I suspect that there is a lot more of that to come.
I really enjoyed this novel. It meshes fantasy with sapphic romance to create a different kind of romantasy than the norm, which made for a refreshing read. The bonds between characters are key to the story, and I am interested to see how they continue to influence the plot in the upcoming sequel. I just hope the pacing is a little more even, to really enhance the next part of Gabrielle and Isabeau's incredible story.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
⚡BLURB⚡
In a world where magic, desire, and duty collide, it is beauty who is fated to kill the beast in a lush historical fantasy of secrets and star-crossed love by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr.
Two young women. Heirs to altogether different hereditary burdens. Yet bound by a monstrous threat to their village.
Gabrielle is the first woman in Alveus to carry the mantle of Hunter, which comes with an obligation to kill the faery beasts murdering travelers in Brimmond Wood. Wary of the power she wields as guardian of her people, Gabrielle is summoned by her first love, a seductress who shattered her heart into pieces a decade ago.
Isabeau is the rarest of nobility—a lady duke. She is also afflicted by a curse that leaves her in a deep sleep between the gloaming and daylight. How can she begin her tenure as protector when she can’t keep her village safe from whatever stalks its darkest hours? For that, she needs the help of the Hunter.
Against her will, Gabrielle is falling in love all over again. But what new threats will arise when Gabrielle and Isabeau’s star-crossed destinies collide with the beast of Brimmond Wood?
⚡REVIEW⚡
I was instantly sold on reading this book when I read it was a sapphic romantasy, and for the most part, I loved it. This book was constructed around three things - relationships (both romantic and familial), the role of the Hunter, and the Beast of Brimmond.
As a twin, her father chose Gabrielle over her sister Rylan, for a life of training for her future as Hunter - in fighting and weaponry, but also in science and research, collecting and analysing samples of DNA from the victim of a faery attack, or from offending faeries themselves, who meet their end at the hands of the Hunter. In doing so, he withholds the loving side of their relationship, saving that for Rylan. As a result, their bond is respectful but strained. When he discovered that Isabeau Maudite wished to marry his her, he constructed a lie that saw them torn apart, wishing for Gabrielle to take a husband in the faint hope that the inherited role of Hunter would pass to him. Gabrielle has yearned HARD for Isabeau in the years that have passed, and despite her reputation, it is clear that Isabeau has been doing the same. As the story progresses, Gabrielle and Isabeau are drawn together once more, romantically at first, but then subject to a geas, as Gabrielle attempts to uncover the identity of the Beast. It is at this point that familial bonds truly come into play, with Gabrielle's relationship with her mother and twin changed, and Isabeau's relationship with her aunt, Queen Morag, and her mother, the Duchess of Maudite, becoming key to the plot. Something I found interesting was when Gabrielle assumes the role of Hunter. Her instant thought is to protect Rylan from inheriting the role - but she doesn't seem to have planned exactly who will instead. I found that quite curious - I wonder if Melissa Marr has left that vague for a specific reason?
Isabeau is introduced as a rakish character, who sleeps around and gambles a lot, but it is clear that her feelings for Gabrielle run deep. Their discovery of Gabrielle's father's interference in their relationship sees her determined to prove that they are meant to be together, but a complication has arisen - she is cursed. She summons the Hunter, unaware that Gabrielle holds that position, creating a geas that commands her to kill the Beast of Brimmond. This creates further romantic tension, and the yearning continues in earnest, which I loved. There are two spicy encounters, but even with those, there is still a lot of muddy water between the characters due to the secrets and burdens they carry.
It was a joy to see a queer-normative society for a medieval set novel, and the whimsy of the faery threat added to the feeling that this real celebration of sapphic romance in an unusual setting. I am intrigued to see how the love story develops following the reveals that come at the end of this book, and the conflict that is sure to come.
The one area I did feel let this book down was the pacing. The first half of the book is very much Hunter and relationship focused, and takes its time to build the plot - it feels very slow to get into the plot. In contrast, the second half of the book is focused fully on the Beast, and speeds along, with no real clarity of how much time has passed between chapters. The worldbuilding is spectacular, and if the sequel heads in the direction I anticipate, I suspect that there is a lot more of that to come.
I really enjoyed this novel. It meshes fantasy with sapphic romance to create a different kind of romantasy than the norm, which made for a refreshing read. The bonds between characters are key to the story, and I am interested to see how they continue to influence the plot in the upcoming sequel. I just hope the pacing is a little more even, to really enhance the next part of Gabrielle and Isabeau's incredible story.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
Did Not Finish
June 20, 2026Audiobook review: A Treason of Magic by Melissa Marr
Narrator: Gail Shalan
Vibes: 🏹💃🤨
DNF @ 30%
Thanks to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the free ALC.
Firstly, I want to say that I think Gail Shalan does a splendid job with the narration of the audiobook. It's a wonderful production and I would heartily recommend it if you want to give this one a try. Second, I really enjoyed Isabeau's rakish Duke character - she is so much fun! Alas, even though I love both fairytale retellings and queernorm historical fantasy, this story is a bit of a hot mess. There are some spoilers below, so proceed with caution if so inclined.
There are some wild inconsistencies between the worldbuilding and the plot. The author establishes three facts about the world very early:
1. It's queernormative - same sex relationships and marriage are normal and accepted.
2. There is a certain degree of gender equality - the love interest is a female Duke (specifically not a Duchess), so women can and do inherent positions of power.
3. There are rigid class divides, i.e. nobility and the working class. Our MC Gabrielle and her family are essentially nobility.
It therefore bamboozles me that one of the main plotlines revolves around Gabrielle's father having issues with her inheriting the title of the Hunter, specifically because she's a woman. He has been training her for her ENTIRE life for this mysterious, magical role passed down through their bloodline to the eldest child. By stint of cooincidence, she is going to be the first female Hunter. Despite, as I say, having chosen to train her for the role (which has included not even treating her as his child - Hunters are usually killed young, so I guess he's trying not to get attached even though she'll only inherit the title when he dies), he would quite like her to marry the local innkeeper because he thinks her husband MIGHT inherit the title instead if she does. The... innkeeper... who has no actual training for this role that's critical for the protection of the realm... but is a man... so would be... better? It would make more sense if this was a desperate bid to protect her, but that isn't how it's presented. Her dad also knows that his daughter likes women, which he has no issue with, apparently, as long as it's not the Duke. Ok, fine, I can see the foreshadowing here with the whole Beauty and the Beast retelling thing. He doesn't like the "cursed" Duke. But she should marry... the innkeeper?
There's also a LOT of time devoted to Gabrielle ruminating on how she tried sleeping with this innkeeper and she wasn't into it. At all. Now, she has no desire to avoid her birthright of becoming the Hunter and is insulted that her dad even wants her to try. But she does feel guilty about not enjoying banging this man that she SHOULD enjoy banging apparently (again, in this queernorm society where it's fine and acceptable to be attracted to the same gender) because... reasons.
Not!Gaston is also surprisingly keen to marry her. He knows she's not into him and he isn't in love with her either, but he's so keen he even tells her she wouldn't have to sleep with him and could take a mistress! He wants to protect her by becoming the Hunter. Because the Hunter gets regularly mangled by fae beasts and usually dies young despite their superpowered healing. And she's so small with her lifetime of training and he's such a big strong man after throwing some wine barrels (literally, this is how his physique is explained). So surely he would do a better job? Of course he wants to take this epic responsibility for this acquaintance he banged one time!
The point at which I decided to call it quits involved a scene with a noblewoman trying to convince the Duke, well known rake and bedder of copious maidens and widows, to marry her and make her the Duchess. Her argument was along the lines of, "I'll bang someone else periodically to give you an heir. We don't need to bang because you can't get me pregnant and I don't really like you like that. But I'll let you fondle my bosoms!". What a cunning and compelling argument.
The people in this story don't behave like people who live in a queernorm society or one where women can be Dukes. Or even just people with, you know, brains.
Pub date: 23 June 2026
Narrator: Gail Shalan
Vibes: 🏹💃🤨
DNF @ 30%
Thanks to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the free ALC.
Firstly, I want to say that I think Gail Shalan does a splendid job with the narration of the audiobook. It's a wonderful production and I would heartily recommend it if you want to give this one a try. Second, I really enjoyed Isabeau's rakish Duke character - she is so much fun! Alas, even though I love both fairytale retellings and queernorm historical fantasy, this story is a bit of a hot mess. There are some spoilers below, so proceed with caution if so inclined.
There are some wild inconsistencies between the worldbuilding and the plot. The author establishes three facts about the world very early:
1. It's queernormative - same sex relationships and marriage are normal and accepted.
2. There is a certain degree of gender equality - the love interest is a female Duke (specifically not a Duchess), so women can and do inherent positions of power.
3. There are rigid class divides, i.e. nobility and the working class. Our MC Gabrielle and her family are essentially nobility.
It therefore bamboozles me that one of the main plotlines revolves around Gabrielle's father having issues with her inheriting the title of the Hunter, specifically because she's a woman. He has been training her for her ENTIRE life for this mysterious, magical role passed down through their bloodline to the eldest child. By stint of cooincidence, she is going to be the first female Hunter. Despite, as I say, having chosen to train her for the role (which has included not even treating her as his child - Hunters are usually killed young, so I guess he's trying not to get attached even though she'll only inherit the title when he dies), he would quite like her to marry the local innkeeper because he thinks her husband MIGHT inherit the title instead if she does. The... innkeeper... who has no actual training for this role that's critical for the protection of the realm... but is a man... so would be... better? It would make more sense if this was a desperate bid to protect her, but that isn't how it's presented. Her dad also knows that his daughter likes women, which he has no issue with, apparently, as long as it's not the Duke. Ok, fine, I can see the foreshadowing here with the whole Beauty and the Beast retelling thing. He doesn't like the "cursed" Duke. But she should marry... the innkeeper?
There's also a LOT of time devoted to Gabrielle ruminating on how she tried sleeping with this innkeeper and she wasn't into it. At all. Now, she has no desire to avoid her birthright of becoming the Hunter and is insulted that her dad even wants her to try. But she does feel guilty about not enjoying banging this man that she SHOULD enjoy banging apparently (again, in this queernorm society where it's fine and acceptable to be attracted to the same gender) because... reasons.
Not!Gaston is also surprisingly keen to marry her. He knows she's not into him and he isn't in love with her either, but he's so keen he even tells her she wouldn't have to sleep with him and could take a mistress! He wants to protect her by becoming the Hunter. Because the Hunter gets regularly mangled by fae beasts and usually dies young despite their superpowered healing. And she's so small with her lifetime of training and he's such a big strong man after throwing some wine barrels (literally, this is how his physique is explained). So surely he would do a better job? Of course he wants to take this epic responsibility for this acquaintance he banged one time!
The point at which I decided to call it quits involved a scene with a noblewoman trying to convince the Duke, well known rake and bedder of copious maidens and widows, to marry her and make her the Duchess. Her argument was along the lines of, "I'll bang someone else periodically to give you an heir. We don't need to bang because you can't get me pregnant and I don't really like you like that. But I'll let you fondle my bosoms!". What a cunning and compelling argument.
The people in this story don't behave like people who live in a queernorm society or one where women can be Dukes. Or even just people with, you know, brains.
Pub date: 23 June 2026
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5/5 stars (rounded up to 4 stars)*
First off, let me say that the yearning in this book really does yearn. So many people are yearning. Gabrielle, our FMC, is yearning the most. It reads really well because it does work with her story which the basic premise is that Gabrielle is the first female hunter of creatures maybe in forever. She's in love with the female Duke Isabeau who is apparently a huge rake and despite really hating thinking about her being with other people, she can't get rid of the thought of her.
With attacks happening left and right, Gabrielle is torn between duty, her desire, and familial obligation (with a hint of feeling like she will never be enough due to knowing that she is only the hunter because there was no male child). There are fae, rival queens, a mysterious creature stalking the depths of the forest. All of this while everyone tries to figure out how to fulfill their obligations with new titles.
Sounds incredible. In practice, it's- slow.
Things I loved:
Characters. Very specifically I loved Isabeau, the rake who is just a little cinnamon roll of "Alright, so I have a reputation because I wanted you and you weren't here, so what?" She was incredible. I loved Gabrielle as the female hunter who really just wants to be in a closet with Isabeau doing rakish things but it honor bound to do her duty with a fierceness that is admirable. Really all the female characters were well written adn ones you could root for which made this novel really successful in being a love letter to women.
Yearning. I loved the yearning. It was really well done and despite getting rather tiring, I think that it helped to solidify Gabrielle's character. Like, she had a LOT to yearn for, but I do think that her growth in this regard doesn't happen in a big enough way for it to be super felt. There isn't that moment when she goes from yearning to embracing fully until a bit too late in the novel for it to feel like a payoff.
The biggest issue for me was simply the pacing. it felt long. It felt dragged out. I had to force myself to continue it because as much as I did want to finish it (and I did) it just is not a book where you sit down and gosh the time flies. This is one where a chapter really takes its time. It isn't necessarily a bad thing. In the beginning I actually loved how atmospheric it was. It also sort of set the tone for the world which I appreciated. However, even in the action packed moments, it was a crawl. If you are not someone who wants very atmospheric and very prosey fiction, this isn't for you at all, bt if you can deal with slower action segments, this shouldn't be that much of issue.
Overall, I would recommend this book to people who want to read a romantasy that is very romance/yearning heavy and one that has an interesting enough plot to stay invested. This si definitely a book that shines more on relationships and uses the plot as a way to tell the story of the relationships over the plot being the central focus.
*Thank you to Netgalley, Melissa Marr, and to the publisher for allowing me this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
First off, let me say that the yearning in this book really does yearn. So many people are yearning. Gabrielle, our FMC, is yearning the most. It reads really well because it does work with her story which the basic premise is that Gabrielle is the first female hunter of creatures maybe in forever. She's in love with the female Duke Isabeau who is apparently a huge rake and despite really hating thinking about her being with other people, she can't get rid of the thought of her.
With attacks happening left and right, Gabrielle is torn between duty, her desire, and familial obligation (with a hint of feeling like she will never be enough due to knowing that she is only the hunter because there was no male child). There are fae, rival queens, a mysterious creature stalking the depths of the forest. All of this while everyone tries to figure out how to fulfill their obligations with new titles.
Sounds incredible. In practice, it's- slow.
Things I loved:
Characters. Very specifically I loved Isabeau, the rake who is just a little cinnamon roll of "Alright, so I have a reputation because I wanted you and you weren't here, so what?" She was incredible. I loved Gabrielle as the female hunter who really just wants to be in a closet with Isabeau doing rakish things but it honor bound to do her duty with a fierceness that is admirable. Really all the female characters were well written adn ones you could root for which made this novel really successful in being a love letter to women.
Yearning. I loved the yearning. It was really well done and despite getting rather tiring, I think that it helped to solidify Gabrielle's character. Like, she had a LOT to yearn for, but I do think that her growth in this regard doesn't happen in a big enough way for it to be super felt. There isn't that moment when she goes from yearning to embracing fully until a bit too late in the novel for it to feel like a payoff.
The biggest issue for me was simply the pacing. it felt long. It felt dragged out. I had to force myself to continue it because as much as I did want to finish it (and I did) it just is not a book where you sit down and gosh the time flies. This is one where a chapter really takes its time. It isn't necessarily a bad thing. In the beginning I actually loved how atmospheric it was. It also sort of set the tone for the world which I appreciated. However, even in the action packed moments, it was a crawl. If you are not someone who wants very atmospheric and very prosey fiction, this isn't for you at all, bt if you can deal with slower action segments, this shouldn't be that much of issue.
Overall, I would recommend this book to people who want to read a romantasy that is very romance/yearning heavy and one that has an interesting enough plot to stay invested. This si definitely a book that shines more on relationships and uses the plot as a way to tell the story of the relationships over the plot being the central focus.
*Thank you to Netgalley, Melissa Marr, and to the publisher for allowing me this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
January 14, 2026
Set in a world of two queens and their treaty, the Hunter is destined to guard and protect the human territory from any potential faery threats. Intent on hunting down the mysterious faery creature murdering her people, Gabrielle must fight for her life, family, and lover in order to solve the mystery and save her kingdom. With elements of faery lore, romance, and strong female protagonists, A Treason of Magic was a refreshing, quick read that left me surprised by the twists at the end.
Gabrielle has been training since a young age with her father, the Hunter, as he did with his father and so on for many generations. They have no choice but to accept their fate, or otherwise suffer the consequences. She will become the first female Hunter when her father inevitably dies, gaining supernatural strength and abilities—and a secret identity. Gabrielle has guarded her heart for years after a heartbreak and is determined to never marry to stop the Hunter duties from continuing to pass down to future heirs. But this becomes difficult and tension is high when she suddenly finds herself in situations with a past lover, leaving her conflicted. Can she fulfill her Hunter duties and also stop herself from falling in love again with the one who once broke her heart? Will the female Hunter unguard her feelings and finally let herself be with the newly appointed lady Duke?
While I loved the idea of Gabrielle becoming the first female Hunter, the reality of it fell a little flat for me. I wish there would've been a little more action after she gains the Hunter powers. It felt at times, the story told more than it showed when it came to her abilities. I really hoped I would've eventually felt more of a connection with the main characters and learned more from the world-building, especially more about the faeries, but by the end, I was left feeling a little disappointed.
While I often choose stories with strong female characters, this was my first time reading a story involving queer romance between women in power. The romance between the two women was cute and endearing, just felt a little juvenile at times for characters in their early 30s. The romance element is a big portion of the book with some light spicy scenes. I am curious to see how the future between the two could unfold.
Overall, I thought the story was an interesting concept with elements I definitely enjoyed but really was left longing for more connection to Gabrielle and her cursed, lady Duke. I think if the story continues into new novels, there is huge potential to expand on the world-building and various avenues for more Hunter adventures. I would love to read a faster, action-packed story with Gabrielle becoming a confident figher and proving to herself that she can finally step out of her father's shadow.
3.5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of A Treason of Magic by Melissa Marr. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.
Gabrielle has been training since a young age with her father, the Hunter, as he did with his father and so on for many generations. They have no choice but to accept their fate, or otherwise suffer the consequences. She will become the first female Hunter when her father inevitably dies, gaining supernatural strength and abilities—and a secret identity. Gabrielle has guarded her heart for years after a heartbreak and is determined to never marry to stop the Hunter duties from continuing to pass down to future heirs. But this becomes difficult and tension is high when she suddenly finds herself in situations with a past lover, leaving her conflicted. Can she fulfill her Hunter duties and also stop herself from falling in love again with the one who once broke her heart? Will the female Hunter unguard her feelings and finally let herself be with the newly appointed lady Duke?
While I loved the idea of Gabrielle becoming the first female Hunter, the reality of it fell a little flat for me. I wish there would've been a little more action after she gains the Hunter powers. It felt at times, the story told more than it showed when it came to her abilities. I really hoped I would've eventually felt more of a connection with the main characters and learned more from the world-building, especially more about the faeries, but by the end, I was left feeling a little disappointed.
While I often choose stories with strong female characters, this was my first time reading a story involving queer romance between women in power. The romance between the two women was cute and endearing, just felt a little juvenile at times for characters in their early 30s. The romance element is a big portion of the book with some light spicy scenes. I am curious to see how the future between the two could unfold.
Overall, I thought the story was an interesting concept with elements I definitely enjoyed but really was left longing for more connection to Gabrielle and her cursed, lady Duke. I think if the story continues into new novels, there is huge potential to expand on the world-building and various avenues for more Hunter adventures. I would love to read a faster, action-packed story with Gabrielle becoming a confident figher and proving to herself that she can finally step out of her father's shadow.
3.5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of A Treason of Magic by Melissa Marr. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own, this is my honest review!
Though I explain why below, I want to preface my review by saying that ultimately I would rate the book 3-3.5 stars on a purely personal preference metric. However, it’s probably closer to a 3.5-4 for a reader who focuses perhaps less on the magic system and world-building and more on character development and a solid romantic arc.
===
A Treason of Magic gives the vibes of a historical fantasy with a fae twist. Gabrielle’s family has been tasked with the role of “hunter” since a treaty between the human and fae queens banished fae creatures from the human realm. The role is typically passed down from father to son, but as the eldest child (being born slightly before her twin sister) and lacking any brothers, the role will fall to her. When a strange – and extremely dangerous – beast starts terrorizing the kingdom, Gabrielle (the hunter-in-training) and her father (the hunter) seek to slay the beast before more harm can come to the kingdom’s citizens.
The book also introduces Isabeau, who, like Gabrielle, is to inherit a role typically meant for a male heir – Duke. As the book progresses, we learn more about Gabrielle and Isabeau’s past, their once romantic attachments and bitter split. We follow them as they try to move forward – needing to work together in order to protect the human realm while also keeping their secrets held close.
All in all I think A Treason of Magic had a compelling plot and was a well-written story. I had a bit of trouble connecting to any of the characters, I found them to be a little stiff (though this is largely a stylistic choice by the author, it just didn’t seem to land for me). The world was relatively small and not overly complex but I think this ultimately helped the story because it was far more about the characters and their development through the plot than it was about the larger struggles taking place within the world.
There was a heartbreaking longing to Gabrielle and Isabeau’s relationship that did hit at times however. I could absolutely feel for the characters when they spoke of and to each other and I’m aaaalllllwaaaayyyys here for a queer fantasy romance. It did at other times feel a little juvenile for characters meant to be in their late 20s/early 30s. With that sometimes pulling me out of the story, the fact that the book lacked the high-fantasy elements I normally hope for in a story ultimately pushed my rating down. That being said, the book didn’t exactly promise that so I can’t really hold it against it.
As I said at the beginning, it’s about a 3-3.5 for me, but depending on the reader, I would definitely still recommend, especially for those who prefer the romantic aspects to the fantasy aspects, or are maybe just getting into the genre!
Though I explain why below, I want to preface my review by saying that ultimately I would rate the book 3-3.5 stars on a purely personal preference metric. However, it’s probably closer to a 3.5-4 for a reader who focuses perhaps less on the magic system and world-building and more on character development and a solid romantic arc.
===
A Treason of Magic gives the vibes of a historical fantasy with a fae twist. Gabrielle’s family has been tasked with the role of “hunter” since a treaty between the human and fae queens banished fae creatures from the human realm. The role is typically passed down from father to son, but as the eldest child (being born slightly before her twin sister) and lacking any brothers, the role will fall to her. When a strange – and extremely dangerous – beast starts terrorizing the kingdom, Gabrielle (the hunter-in-training) and her father (the hunter) seek to slay the beast before more harm can come to the kingdom’s citizens.
The book also introduces Isabeau, who, like Gabrielle, is to inherit a role typically meant for a male heir – Duke. As the book progresses, we learn more about Gabrielle and Isabeau’s past, their once romantic attachments and bitter split. We follow them as they try to move forward – needing to work together in order to protect the human realm while also keeping their secrets held close.
All in all I think A Treason of Magic had a compelling plot and was a well-written story. I had a bit of trouble connecting to any of the characters, I found them to be a little stiff (though this is largely a stylistic choice by the author, it just didn’t seem to land for me). The world was relatively small and not overly complex but I think this ultimately helped the story because it was far more about the characters and their development through the plot than it was about the larger struggles taking place within the world.
There was a heartbreaking longing to Gabrielle and Isabeau’s relationship that did hit at times however. I could absolutely feel for the characters when they spoke of and to each other and I’m aaaalllllwaaaayyyys here for a queer fantasy romance. It did at other times feel a little juvenile for characters meant to be in their late 20s/early 30s. With that sometimes pulling me out of the story, the fact that the book lacked the high-fantasy elements I normally hope for in a story ultimately pushed my rating down. That being said, the book didn’t exactly promise that so I can’t really hold it against it.
As I said at the beginning, it’s about a 3-3.5 for me, but depending on the reader, I would definitely still recommend, especially for those who prefer the romantic aspects to the fantasy aspects, or are maybe just getting into the genre!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My first read of 2026! 😊
Thankyou NetGalley and Melissa Marr for this arc ❤️
A Treason of Magic ✨
3.5⭐
LGBTQ Romantasy, deadly faery creatures, curses, hunters and mystery.
🔥Smut included. This is not a closed door book.🔥
Gabrielle is navigating both becoming a new hunter and the reopened wound of heartbreak. She must hunt a murderous faery creature and avenge those who have been killed, all whilst struggling with the pull of desire.
The opening chapter hooked my attention immediately, begining with a dead body being examined by the hunter in training. It very quickly promised mystery and magic. I found the hunters way of investigation different and rather fun to follow.
The world building was easy to absorb and gave me a good understanding for the story. I only hoped for a touch more lore about where the Faery's came from and why. A little of this is wrapped up at the end of the book but I wanted more - If there is to be another book I would hope to see it there but I am unsure currently. Though, I do see potential for a second book.
It took me just shy of a week to get through this book, but to it's credit I had a very busy week. There were times where I questioned the pacing a little, but it didn't deter me from the story.
I liked that the faery's in this book were not beautiful and god-like like my usual Fae reads - they were powerful non-human creatures.
I enjoyed the conflicting and powerful sides to Gabrielle once she became the hunter. I also liked that relationship she had with her family was neither tragic or perfect but somewhere in the middle. There was struggles but obvious love within and it felt realistic.
Isabeau was a more enjoyable character than I expected and I am appreciative of the fact that she wasn't portrayed as completely masculine; she wore trousers but had a softness and elegance to her that read more feminine. And let's face it - trousers are far more practical when your on horse back chasing a girl (and in Gab's case, monsters). 😉
This was a lovely LGBTQ read and for any readers not wishing to read any hate, you wont find any here. There was no questioning or distaste towards loving the same sex to be found. It was the norm within the world to love freely. Very humble❤️👩❤️👩
🔥There is a handful of smut scenes that do go into some detail for any younger/uninterested readers. If you are like me and don't particularly enjoy smut, they are easy to skim over if you just read the speech in-between🔥
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the premise. It was easy to read and not a heavy book. Whilst it kept me guessing, there was a little predictability in the sense that you are clued in. The sort of book where you can turn your brain off and just enjoy.
Enjoy reading ✨
Thankyou NetGalley and Melissa Marr for this arc ❤️
A Treason of Magic ✨
3.5⭐
LGBTQ Romantasy, deadly faery creatures, curses, hunters and mystery.
🔥Smut included. This is not a closed door book.🔥
Gabrielle is navigating both becoming a new hunter and the reopened wound of heartbreak. She must hunt a murderous faery creature and avenge those who have been killed, all whilst struggling with the pull of desire.
The opening chapter hooked my attention immediately, begining with a dead body being examined by the hunter in training. It very quickly promised mystery and magic. I found the hunters way of investigation different and rather fun to follow.
The world building was easy to absorb and gave me a good understanding for the story. I only hoped for a touch more lore about where the Faery's came from and why. A little of this is wrapped up at the end of the book but I wanted more - If there is to be another book I would hope to see it there but I am unsure currently. Though, I do see potential for a second book.
It took me just shy of a week to get through this book, but to it's credit I had a very busy week. There were times where I questioned the pacing a little, but it didn't deter me from the story.
I liked that the faery's in this book were not beautiful and god-like like my usual Fae reads - they were powerful non-human creatures.
I enjoyed the conflicting and powerful sides to Gabrielle once she became the hunter. I also liked that relationship she had with her family was neither tragic or perfect but somewhere in the middle. There was struggles but obvious love within and it felt realistic.
Isabeau was a more enjoyable character than I expected and I am appreciative of the fact that she wasn't portrayed as completely masculine; she wore trousers but had a softness and elegance to her that read more feminine. And let's face it - trousers are far more practical when your on horse back chasing a girl (and in Gab's case, monsters). 😉
This was a lovely LGBTQ read and for any readers not wishing to read any hate, you wont find any here. There was no questioning or distaste towards loving the same sex to be found. It was the norm within the world to love freely. Very humble❤️👩❤️👩
🔥There is a handful of smut scenes that do go into some detail for any younger/uninterested readers. If you are like me and don't particularly enjoy smut, they are easy to skim over if you just read the speech in-between🔥
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the premise. It was easy to read and not a heavy book. Whilst it kept me guessing, there was a little predictability in the sense that you are clued in. The sort of book where you can turn your brain off and just enjoy.
Enjoy reading ✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a good pride month read! A Treason of Magic is a sapphic, queer-normative romantasy felt incredibly lush in every sense of the word. It’s atmospheric, steeped in danger, and the yearning?!? The yearning was sooooo good. Melissa Marr leans fully into the gothic/romantic side of romantasy, and I had such a fun time reading this! Between a cursed lady duke, a beast stalking the woods, and a heroine carrying the weight of becoming the first female Hunter in her family line, this had all the ingredients for a story I’d immediately fall in love with, and for the most part, I did.
What worked best for me was the emotional core of the book. Gabrielle and Isabeau’s history gives the romance an immediate ache, and this book thrives on longing, unfinished feelings, and the tension between duty and desire. I’m always weak for a sapphic second chance romance where both characters are still quietly wrecked over each other, and this delivered on that front. I also really liked the way Gabrielle’s role as Hunter shaped so much of her life, not just in the obvious action/fantasy sense, but in how it affected her family dynamics, her sense of obligation, and the way she sees herself. The lore, the curse, the political undercurrents, the beast in Brimmond Wood all gave the story a rich atmosphere that felt a little darker and more classic than a lot of current romantasy.
My main issue was the pacing, which is the only reason this wasn’t a full five star read for me. The first half takes its time (sometimes a little too much time) settling into the world, the relationships, and Gabrielle’s responsibilities, and there were stretches where I wanted the central plot to move faster. Then the back half swings in the opposite direction and starts pushing through reveals and developments much more quickly. I was still invested, but I definitely felt that imbalance.
All that being said, I still really enjoyed this. It felt like a romantasy that was more focused on the atmosphere, yearning, and the emotional weight both characters are carrying than in nonstop action, and I think that’s exactly why it worked for me as well as it did. If you like sapphic fantasy with lore, curses, second chance tension, and a heroine trying to hold together duty, grief, and desire all at once, this is absolutely worth picking up! And if you’re looking for a sapphic pride month romantasy, I definitely recommend this! I will most likely be continuing the series, because that ending left me very ready to see where Gabrielle and Isabeau go next!
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for this eARC!
What worked best for me was the emotional core of the book. Gabrielle and Isabeau’s history gives the romance an immediate ache, and this book thrives on longing, unfinished feelings, and the tension between duty and desire. I’m always weak for a sapphic second chance romance where both characters are still quietly wrecked over each other, and this delivered on that front. I also really liked the way Gabrielle’s role as Hunter shaped so much of her life, not just in the obvious action/fantasy sense, but in how it affected her family dynamics, her sense of obligation, and the way she sees herself. The lore, the curse, the political undercurrents, the beast in Brimmond Wood all gave the story a rich atmosphere that felt a little darker and more classic than a lot of current romantasy.
My main issue was the pacing, which is the only reason this wasn’t a full five star read for me. The first half takes its time (sometimes a little too much time) settling into the world, the relationships, and Gabrielle’s responsibilities, and there were stretches where I wanted the central plot to move faster. Then the back half swings in the opposite direction and starts pushing through reveals and developments much more quickly. I was still invested, but I definitely felt that imbalance.
All that being said, I still really enjoyed this. It felt like a romantasy that was more focused on the atmosphere, yearning, and the emotional weight both characters are carrying than in nonstop action, and I think that’s exactly why it worked for me as well as it did. If you like sapphic fantasy with lore, curses, second chance tension, and a heroine trying to hold together duty, grief, and desire all at once, this is absolutely worth picking up! And if you’re looking for a sapphic pride month romantasy, I definitely recommend this! I will most likely be continuing the series, because that ending left me very ready to see where Gabrielle and Isabeau go next!
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not bad. Not fantastic either, but a decent read. I’ve never read anything by Melissa Marr before but this was a solid start to her books, I think.
I knew next to nothing going into this book, only that it was a kind of historical fantasy that was also sapphic. I later found out it’s also inspired by Beauty and the Beast, which is fun. There are so many romantasy books inspired by Beauty and the Beast coming out lately. In the past few years or so. This one wasn’t as obviously inspired by it, it was a bit more loosely and subtly done. I don’t usually go looking for retelling or that particular tale, but I wasn’t really disappointed finding out it was.
The writing was pretty good, nothing outstanding but it doesn’t pull you out of the story which is the most important part. I think when I originally picked this book up I thought it was going to be a debut novel? I was clearly mistaken. It reads smoothly and fairly quickly, mainly because it’s quite a short book.
I really liked the setting and magic and how it was portrayed. I had a few issues with the pacing, though.
I did enjoy the fact that queerness is the norm. I always do. It’s one thing to read about two characters very obviously in love with each other and not do anything about it because the world they’re in prevents it. And that’s all good and very enjoyable if done well. It’s another thing, however, to read about two characters who are in love but are torn between their feelings and duty. That should be done more, because it really delivers if done correctly.
I really liked the characters in general. And the concept of their ranking and roles. Like, Gabrielle is a female hunter and Isabeau is a female Duke. I don’t think I’ve read anything that’s similar to that before. At least not to that extent.
Then the romance, which was probably the best part of this book. One thing about Gabrielle and Isabeau, they’ll always put their partner first. Their love is, while almost tortured, true. If there’s a queer romance in my fantasy books I’m always first in line, but here I genuinely just really liked their story and the fact that there was a romance came second.
I would check for trigger warnings because I think there’s some heavy things going on. And there’s spice, it’s not entirely clean, if that’s a make or break situation for some people.
Overall, I would recommend it. I wouldn’t say you should rush to read it, but I still liked my time in it, mostly for the characters. 3.5/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I knew next to nothing going into this book, only that it was a kind of historical fantasy that was also sapphic. I later found out it’s also inspired by Beauty and the Beast, which is fun. There are so many romantasy books inspired by Beauty and the Beast coming out lately. In the past few years or so. This one wasn’t as obviously inspired by it, it was a bit more loosely and subtly done. I don’t usually go looking for retelling or that particular tale, but I wasn’t really disappointed finding out it was.
The writing was pretty good, nothing outstanding but it doesn’t pull you out of the story which is the most important part. I think when I originally picked this book up I thought it was going to be a debut novel? I was clearly mistaken. It reads smoothly and fairly quickly, mainly because it’s quite a short book.
I really liked the setting and magic and how it was portrayed. I had a few issues with the pacing, though.
I did enjoy the fact that queerness is the norm. I always do. It’s one thing to read about two characters very obviously in love with each other and not do anything about it because the world they’re in prevents it. And that’s all good and very enjoyable if done well. It’s another thing, however, to read about two characters who are in love but are torn between their feelings and duty. That should be done more, because it really delivers if done correctly.
I really liked the characters in general. And the concept of their ranking and roles. Like, Gabrielle is a female hunter and Isabeau is a female Duke. I don’t think I’ve read anything that’s similar to that before. At least not to that extent.
Then the romance, which was probably the best part of this book. One thing about Gabrielle and Isabeau, they’ll always put their partner first. Their love is, while almost tortured, true. If there’s a queer romance in my fantasy books I’m always first in line, but here I genuinely just really liked their story and the fact that there was a romance came second.
I would check for trigger warnings because I think there’s some heavy things going on. And there’s spice, it’s not entirely clean, if that’s a make or break situation for some people.
Overall, I would recommend it. I wouldn’t say you should rush to read it, but I still liked my time in it, mostly for the characters. 3.5/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advanced copy recieved by Netgalley
I so badly wanted to love this book, it's atmospheric and the world is intriguing, full of magic and otherworldy creatures, romance and tradition, but unfortunately overall it fell a little flat for me.
I enjoyed the idea of the two main women being in positions of power and both shouldering the weight of different kinds of duty, but also the fact that both women are simply forces to be reckoned with themselves without their titles, both quick minded and skilled fighters and willing to do anything for the ones they love. Individually, I thought they were both very intriguing characters.
That being said I feel like their relationship had the potential to be equally as compelling but instead the constant pattern of them having some kind of moment only for gabrielle to inevitability pull away because of her insecurities over isabeau fully accepting her despite all of the latter's declarations, was too repetitive and it made me lose interest in the development of their relationship.
The most endearing relationships for me were the ones between Gabrielle and her family and then Gabrielle and her village. I appreciated that tragic mix of grief and pride that came with Gabrielle inheriting her powers and how it effects the family as a whole, how her mother and her sister interact with her not just as a daughter and a sibling but as the hunter as well. And I loved that the village protected Gabrielle and seemed to care for her as a person, always being ready to do whatever she needed.
I would have liked to see more world-building, more about the fae, the history of the two worlds and more of a hunt for the beast than what there was. I felt like the plotline of the beast got a little lost to make room for all of the romantic scenes. There were important moments that I think needed more depth and time and then other times where the pacing leading up to significant scene felt slower than necessary and it became difficult to remain interested in the impending outcome.
However, overall this was a really interesting concept and the world itself feels beautiful and rich. I think fans of a slow paced, more romance led fantasy will enjoy this, it just didn't quite meet my expectations.
I so badly wanted to love this book, it's atmospheric and the world is intriguing, full of magic and otherworldy creatures, romance and tradition, but unfortunately overall it fell a little flat for me.
I enjoyed the idea of the two main women being in positions of power and both shouldering the weight of different kinds of duty, but also the fact that both women are simply forces to be reckoned with themselves without their titles, both quick minded and skilled fighters and willing to do anything for the ones they love. Individually, I thought they were both very intriguing characters.
That being said I feel like their relationship had the potential to be equally as compelling but instead the constant pattern of them having some kind of moment only for gabrielle to inevitability pull away because of her insecurities over isabeau fully accepting her despite all of the latter's declarations, was too repetitive and it made me lose interest in the development of their relationship.
The most endearing relationships for me were the ones between Gabrielle and her family and then Gabrielle and her village. I appreciated that tragic mix of grief and pride that came with Gabrielle inheriting her powers and how it effects the family as a whole, how her mother and her sister interact with her not just as a daughter and a sibling but as the hunter as well. And I loved that the village protected Gabrielle and seemed to care for her as a person, always being ready to do whatever she needed.
I would have liked to see more world-building, more about the fae, the history of the two worlds and more of a hunt for the beast than what there was. I felt like the plotline of the beast got a little lost to make room for all of the romantic scenes. There were important moments that I think needed more depth and time and then other times where the pacing leading up to significant scene felt slower than necessary and it became difficult to remain interested in the impending outcome.
However, overall this was a really interesting concept and the world itself feels beautiful and rich. I think fans of a slow paced, more romance led fantasy will enjoy this, it just didn't quite meet my expectations.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I saw this, I thought, "Melissa Marr writing a sapphic historical fantasy? SIGN ME UP!"
But alas, by the halfway point, I may or may not have been ready to cancel my subscription.
To be clear, I will always and forever love Melissa Marr's books. Gotta get that out of the way. We're all allowed to have misses sometimes! But this one was a BIG miss to me.
Let's start with the pros. As always, Melissa Marr makes me want to read all things fae-related. She's created a lush and fascinating world that made me WANT world-building, which is saying something because I have been known to lead aggressive anti-world-building campaigns in the past. I would read another book in this world in a heartbeat! The characters, too, were solid. While they felt a little juvenile at times (to the point where the sex scenes felt inappropriate and I had to check their ages), other than that, they were compelling, interesting takes on their respective tropes, and I liked how they fit into their world.
But the plot. Oh, the plot.
On the plus side, I do think that this book is a great lesson in story structure. Because if you've ever asked yourself, "Do books really NEED subplots to be interesting?"...you can just read this book, and you'll understand that the answer is a resounding YES.
Sure, our plot is nice. It's fine. It would make an OK short story. But it's a little predictable, and then when dragged out over 315 pages with no distractions, it's...a lot. It unfortunately just reaches the point where there's very little to propel it forward, and without that sort of momentum, it's hard to feel motivated to read on, and, well, I just never want my reading to feel like a slog. And this did.
I know Melissa Marr can do better because I've read those better books. I have an entire shelf dedicated to her books! It's beautiful! Pick out any of those, and you won't regret it. But unfortunately, this one is not going to earn a spot on my sacred shelf. Love this book in theory, just not in practice. And I'm bummed about it.
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the temporary ebook loan! All opinions are, of course, my own.)
But alas, by the halfway point, I may or may not have been ready to cancel my subscription.
To be clear, I will always and forever love Melissa Marr's books. Gotta get that out of the way. We're all allowed to have misses sometimes! But this one was a BIG miss to me.
Let's start with the pros. As always, Melissa Marr makes me want to read all things fae-related. She's created a lush and fascinating world that made me WANT world-building, which is saying something because I have been known to lead aggressive anti-world-building campaigns in the past. I would read another book in this world in a heartbeat! The characters, too, were solid. While they felt a little juvenile at times (to the point where the sex scenes felt inappropriate and I had to check their ages), other than that, they were compelling, interesting takes on their respective tropes, and I liked how they fit into their world.
But the plot. Oh, the plot.
On the plus side, I do think that this book is a great lesson in story structure. Because if you've ever asked yourself, "Do books really NEED subplots to be interesting?"...you can just read this book, and you'll understand that the answer is a resounding YES.
Sure, our plot is nice. It's fine. It would make an OK short story. But it's a little predictable, and then when dragged out over 315 pages with no distractions, it's...a lot. It unfortunately just reaches the point where there's very little to propel it forward, and without that sort of momentum, it's hard to feel motivated to read on, and, well, I just never want my reading to feel like a slog. And this did.
I know Melissa Marr can do better because I've read those better books. I have an entire shelf dedicated to her books! It's beautiful! Pick out any of those, and you won't regret it. But unfortunately, this one is not going to earn a spot on my sacred shelf. Love this book in theory, just not in practice. And I'm bummed about it.
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the temporary ebook loan! All opinions are, of course, my own.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay… this was one of those books where I can absolutely see the vision, but I don’t know if the execution fully landed for me.
The atmosphere? Incredible. Melissa Marr really knows how to create a world that feels lush, eerie, and almost old fairytale-like. The fae lore, the forests, the sense of duty and legacy woven through the story all gave this very gothic romantasy energy that I honestly loved. It felt very much like a slower, moodier fantasy instead of a fast paced action heavy one.
Gabrielle being the first female Hunter was probably my favorite part of the entire premise. I loved the idea of this role being passed down through generations and the pressure that comes with carrying a legacy that was never really meant for her. There’s a lot of yearning in this book too. Like… SO much yearning. If you love pining, unresolved feelings, emotionally messy relationships, and sapphic tension, this definitely delivers.
That said, I struggled with the pacing quite a bit. The book spends a lot of time in its atmosphere and relationships, sometimes at the expense of momentum. I kept waiting for the story to fully take off, especially with the Hunter storyline and the darker fae elements, but it stayed more character and romance focused than action focused. I also wanted a stronger emotional connection to some of the characters because there were moments where I felt a little detached instead of fully invested.
I did really appreciate the queer-norm world and the more classic faerie folklore vibes though. It felt refreshing compared to a lot of romantasy lately. And even though this one didn’t completely wow me, I still think readers who love slower, atmospheric fantasy with romance, yearning, and fae politics will probably enjoy this more than I did.
The atmosphere? Incredible. Melissa Marr really knows how to create a world that feels lush, eerie, and almost old fairytale-like. The fae lore, the forests, the sense of duty and legacy woven through the story all gave this very gothic romantasy energy that I honestly loved. It felt very much like a slower, moodier fantasy instead of a fast paced action heavy one.
Gabrielle being the first female Hunter was probably my favorite part of the entire premise. I loved the idea of this role being passed down through generations and the pressure that comes with carrying a legacy that was never really meant for her. There’s a lot of yearning in this book too. Like… SO much yearning. If you love pining, unresolved feelings, emotionally messy relationships, and sapphic tension, this definitely delivers.
That said, I struggled with the pacing quite a bit. The book spends a lot of time in its atmosphere and relationships, sometimes at the expense of momentum. I kept waiting for the story to fully take off, especially with the Hunter storyline and the darker fae elements, but it stayed more character and romance focused than action focused. I also wanted a stronger emotional connection to some of the characters because there were moments where I felt a little detached instead of fully invested.
I did really appreciate the queer-norm world and the more classic faerie folklore vibes though. It felt refreshing compared to a lot of romantasy lately. And even though this one didn’t completely wow me, I still think readers who love slower, atmospheric fantasy with romance, yearning, and fae politics will probably enjoy this more than I did.
March 16, 2026
Thanks for Melissa Marr and 47North for the eARC!
Gabrielle is the hunter in training, the first woman to hold the position. She is destined to most likely die young, struggling against the faery beasts who violate their treaty with the human world. As a series of brutal attacks claim male victims in the Brimmond Wood, Gabrielle struggles against her duty and her desire for her first love, Isabeau, a cursed lady duke.
While I found some of the world building a bit under-explained, I found the characters fairly compelling. Isabeau and Gabrielle had a lot of chemistry, and I thought Gabrielle's dynamic with her family to be engaging and well thought out. The romance subplot was definitely the most compelling, and I really enjoyed unraveling the nuances of Gabrielle and Isabeaus earlier entanglements. This novel had a lot of fun tropes like a masquerade ball, a curse, friends to lovers, and second chance romance. If you're looking for a fun and light read, this definitely hit the spot!
Now the negative, I found the end twist to be a bit predictable. Overall, I struggled a bit with pacing in this novel. I felt that many moments of foreshadowing happened too late into the novel, making it very easy to guess when something was about to be revealed. Like I mentioned earlier, the world felt a bit underdeveloped at times. I wasn't quite following the structure of the ruling class and who could know the identity of the hunter, which made the stakes of Gabrielle's secret feel a bit thin at times. Still, I thought this was a fun read, and a nice queer romantasy. I'd definitely be interested in reading more of Melissa Marr's work in the future!
Gabrielle is the hunter in training, the first woman to hold the position. She is destined to most likely die young, struggling against the faery beasts who violate their treaty with the human world. As a series of brutal attacks claim male victims in the Brimmond Wood, Gabrielle struggles against her duty and her desire for her first love, Isabeau, a cursed lady duke.
While I found some of the world building a bit under-explained, I found the characters fairly compelling. Isabeau and Gabrielle had a lot of chemistry, and I thought Gabrielle's dynamic with her family to be engaging and well thought out. The romance subplot was definitely the most compelling, and I really enjoyed unraveling the nuances of Gabrielle and Isabeaus earlier entanglements. This novel had a lot of fun tropes like a masquerade ball, a curse, friends to lovers, and second chance romance. If you're looking for a fun and light read, this definitely hit the spot!
Now the negative, I found the end twist to be a bit predictable. Overall, I struggled a bit with pacing in this novel. I felt that many moments of foreshadowing happened too late into the novel, making it very easy to guess when something was about to be revealed. Like I mentioned earlier, the world felt a bit underdeveloped at times. I wasn't quite following the structure of the ruling class and who could know the identity of the hunter, which made the stakes of Gabrielle's secret feel a bit thin at times. Still, I thought this was a fun read, and a nice queer romantasy. I'd definitely be interested in reading more of Melissa Marr's work in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of A Treason of Magic by Melissa Marr.
A Treason of Magic is a lush, atmospheric historical fantasy that blends romance, duty, and fae lore. The premise is immediately compelling as its a Beauty-and-the-Beast–inspired story where the “beauty” is fated to kill the beast. two women burdened by power, expectation, and curses are drawn back into each other’s lives. The world feels richly imagined, with an emphasis on tradition, magic, and the weight of responsibility.
Gabrielle and Isabeau are both interesting protagonists, each carrying a different kind of inherited duty. I especially appreciated the exploration of gender, power, and leadership, as well as the queer romance at the center of the story. Their shared history adds emotional complexity, and there are moments where the tension between love and obligation really shines.
That said, the pacing felt pretty uneven, and I struggled to stay fully engaged throughout. Some sections moved slowly, while others glossed over moments that could have benefited from deeper emotional development. I also found the central conflict with the beast less compelling than I had hoped, as it sometimes took a backseat to introspection and political concerns.
Overall, A Treason of Magic has a strong concept and beautiful atmosphere, but the execution didn’t fully land for me. Fans of slower, character-driven fantasy with romantic elements and fae mythology may enjoy this, even if it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.
A Treason of Magic is a lush, atmospheric historical fantasy that blends romance, duty, and fae lore. The premise is immediately compelling as its a Beauty-and-the-Beast–inspired story where the “beauty” is fated to kill the beast. two women burdened by power, expectation, and curses are drawn back into each other’s lives. The world feels richly imagined, with an emphasis on tradition, magic, and the weight of responsibility.
Gabrielle and Isabeau are both interesting protagonists, each carrying a different kind of inherited duty. I especially appreciated the exploration of gender, power, and leadership, as well as the queer romance at the center of the story. Their shared history adds emotional complexity, and there are moments where the tension between love and obligation really shines.
That said, the pacing felt pretty uneven, and I struggled to stay fully engaged throughout. Some sections moved slowly, while others glossed over moments that could have benefited from deeper emotional development. I also found the central conflict with the beast less compelling than I had hoped, as it sometimes took a backseat to introspection and political concerns.
Overall, A Treason of Magic has a strong concept and beautiful atmosphere, but the execution didn’t fully land for me. Fans of slower, character-driven fantasy with romantic elements and fae mythology may enjoy this, even if it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two young women burdened by legacy and fate are drawn together by a deadly beast terrorizing their village. Gabrielle, the first female Hunter of Alveus, must confront both the monster in Brimmond Wood and the return of the woman who broke her heart. Isabeau, a lady duke cursed to sleep through the night, cannot protect her people without Gabrielle’s help. As old feelings reignite and their destinies intertwine, they must face the dark force threatening everything they hold dear.
I was immediately drawn to this book when I learned it was a sapphic romantasy. The romance between Isabeau and Gabrielle was beautifully written, and I loved watching them reconnect while navigating the complicated emotions that resurfaced between them. Often I struggle with romantasy because the balance between plot and romance often skews too far towards the latter for my taste, but Marr was able to balance the two perfectly.
The novel’s biggest weakness is its pacing. The opening chapters felt slower than necessary and took a while to gain momentum. However, once I settled into the worldbuilding, the story found its stride, and the second half moved at a much more engaging pace.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the audio-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
I was immediately drawn to this book when I learned it was a sapphic romantasy. The romance between Isabeau and Gabrielle was beautifully written, and I loved watching them reconnect while navigating the complicated emotions that resurfaced between them. Often I struggle with romantasy because the balance between plot and romance often skews too far towards the latter for my taste, but Marr was able to balance the two perfectly.
The novel’s biggest weakness is its pacing. The opening chapters felt slower than necessary and took a while to gain momentum. However, once I settled into the worldbuilding, the story found its stride, and the second half moved at a much more engaging pace.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the audio-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
January 25, 2026
I was lucky to read this book as an e-arc and I’m not a particular fan of digital books but this might have just swayed me.
This book reimagines gender norms and relationships within a historical setting and I’m totally here for it. This book discusses love over time, death, loss of parents however to me this books key theme is duty vs desire and how the protagonist takes on the responsibility.
For me this book was slow to get into the beginning however Melissa Marr designed the world beautifully and I could envision a map of the world in my head. The level of detail and description for each scene tied in very well with the story and some perceived behaviours of the characters.
Melissa Marr also clearly illustrated the relationships between characters and the protagonist perfectly. I could understand the characters emotions and reactions to events and the theme of duty vs desire ran throughout the book.
After a tragedy is when this book really picked up pace and I could not put it down the storyline keeps guiding you to what’s next until the final plot twist.
This book pulled at my heartstrings and stirred up a range of emotions and I would recommend reading to anyone is wanting to read a short fantasy romance, historical fiction that goes against gender norms
This book reimagines gender norms and relationships within a historical setting and I’m totally here for it. This book discusses love over time, death, loss of parents however to me this books key theme is duty vs desire and how the protagonist takes on the responsibility.
For me this book was slow to get into the beginning however Melissa Marr designed the world beautifully and I could envision a map of the world in my head. The level of detail and description for each scene tied in very well with the story and some perceived behaviours of the characters.
Melissa Marr also clearly illustrated the relationships between characters and the protagonist perfectly. I could understand the characters emotions and reactions to events and the theme of duty vs desire ran throughout the book.
After a tragedy is when this book really picked up pace and I could not put it down the storyline keeps guiding you to what’s next until the final plot twist.
This book pulled at my heartstrings and stirred up a range of emotions and I would recommend reading to anyone is wanting to read a short fantasy romance, historical fiction that goes against gender norms
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First I want to graciously thank Netgalley for the opportunity to enjoy this journey. All opinions are my own.
A Treason of Magic follows our female lead, Gabrielle, who is tasked with training to become the first female Hunter in the long line of male Hunters. Along this journey she reunites with her childhood sweetheart, Isabeau. Isabeau also just happens to be the first female successor to the Duke of Maudite. Both women carry the burden of maintaining their family legacy while also trying to uncover what beast has been attacking their citizens.
I have to admit that it took me a moment to get fully into this book but I was instantly captivated by Gabrielle's storyline. I, too, was the eldest daughter to a father who probably would have preferred me to be a son but made due with what he had. This made her character much more relatable to me and I wanted to see her ultimate success. There was a quote that said "I was what Father made do with, not the child he wanted." I felt an urge to keep reading to know how this would all play out.
I was captivated by all aspects of the story. 10/10 for the love story between Gabrielle and Isabeau. 10/10 for the defining of creatures. 10/10 for familiar bonding. This will be in my recommended list for sure!
A Treason of Magic follows our female lead, Gabrielle, who is tasked with training to become the first female Hunter in the long line of male Hunters. Along this journey she reunites with her childhood sweetheart, Isabeau. Isabeau also just happens to be the first female successor to the Duke of Maudite. Both women carry the burden of maintaining their family legacy while also trying to uncover what beast has been attacking their citizens.
I have to admit that it took me a moment to get fully into this book but I was instantly captivated by Gabrielle's storyline. I, too, was the eldest daughter to a father who probably would have preferred me to be a son but made due with what he had. This made her character much more relatable to me and I wanted to see her ultimate success. There was a quote that said "I was what Father made do with, not the child he wanted." I felt an urge to keep reading to know how this would all play out.
I was captivated by all aspects of the story. 10/10 for the love story between Gabrielle and Isabeau. 10/10 for the defining of creatures. 10/10 for familiar bonding. This will be in my recommended list for sure!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There is something about stories that explore the balance between loyalty and love that always gets me, and A Treason of Magic was no exception.
🌈 Queer representation! And not as a little afterthought, but as a very natural part of the story.
🌈 Slightly nerdy (in the best of ways) FMC with a Casanova girl crush.
🌈 Also, magic and monsters and somewhat of a murder mystery?!
🌈 When you want to live up to the expectations but you also really want to follow your heart…
I did feel like I was missing some character growth. Sometimes characters made choices that were explained to be against their nature or fitting their nature without really explaining why that was the case. It was made clear the connection between the main characters had a long history, but I wished we got more of that backstory. At the same time, there will be another book and maybe that will tell us more… 👀
I also found some of the bigger reveals fairly predictable. I had a strong suspicion about who “the beast” was supposed to be, and I never had much doubt about who were the heroes and villains. However, it didn’t take away my enjoyment of the story! Sometimes, a predictable outcome can still be satisfying when the story itself is engaging…
An early read via NetGalley - feelings included.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2☆ | disappointed by this one, it started off soo strong and I had such high hopes but unfortunately it just wasn't for me..
𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I really enjoyed the world building but the characters and pacing was just not that good to me.
I wasn't a fan of the romance at all as it personally didn't seem real enough, I didn't believe that Gabrielle and Isabeau were in love..
Which the romance is also a huge part of the story so I think with me not enjoying the romance it also made the book as a whole a lot less enjoyable for me
I was really invested in the first 20 or so percent but I think after that it just started to fall a bit flat.
The pacing was incredibly off, and it dragged a lot at times. The book was also a bit long, but the slow pacing made it seem so much longer than it actually was.
I read about 30% in the ebook and later got approved for the audiobook so I listened to that for the rest of the book and I really enjoyed the narrator! I thought she did a wonderful job.
𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
Not sure if I'll be back for book 2 coming out later this year. But I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for a slow paced, sapphic romantasy read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to have an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I really enjoyed the world building but the characters and pacing was just not that good to me.
I wasn't a fan of the romance at all as it personally didn't seem real enough, I didn't believe that Gabrielle and Isabeau were in love..
Which the romance is also a huge part of the story so I think with me not enjoying the romance it also made the book as a whole a lot less enjoyable for me
I was really invested in the first 20 or so percent but I think after that it just started to fall a bit flat.
The pacing was incredibly off, and it dragged a lot at times. The book was also a bit long, but the slow pacing made it seem so much longer than it actually was.
I read about 30% in the ebook and later got approved for the audiobook so I listened to that for the rest of the book and I really enjoyed the narrator! I thought she did a wonderful job.
𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
Not sure if I'll be back for book 2 coming out later this year. But I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for a slow paced, sapphic romantasy read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to have an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for the ARC!
This was a quick and easy read, and the concept intrigued me. This book had a lot of interesting elements that meshed well together, but the pacing felt very slow at times and the worldbuilding, especially where the faeries were concerned, was too thin to hold my attention. I liked this take on faeries, especially the sense of danger each time Gabrielle entered the forest, but I wish there was more surprise and discovery to her becoming the Hunter.
I appreciated the queer relationship at the center, and how Gabrielle and Isabeau’s romance had history and weight behind it, and thought Gabrielle and her relationships with both Isabeau and her family were compelling. That said, Isabeau and Gabrielle felt juvenile for being in their mid 30s, especially given that both of their families are pressuring them to get married and have children, as if that isn’t a conflict they would have come up against and/or come to terms with many times by their thirties.
Overall this was an interesting premise and will definitely find its audience, but fell short in a few ways for me.
This was a quick and easy read, and the concept intrigued me. This book had a lot of interesting elements that meshed well together, but the pacing felt very slow at times and the worldbuilding, especially where the faeries were concerned, was too thin to hold my attention. I liked this take on faeries, especially the sense of danger each time Gabrielle entered the forest, but I wish there was more surprise and discovery to her becoming the Hunter.
I appreciated the queer relationship at the center, and how Gabrielle and Isabeau’s romance had history and weight behind it, and thought Gabrielle and her relationships with both Isabeau and her family were compelling. That said, Isabeau and Gabrielle felt juvenile for being in their mid 30s, especially given that both of their families are pressuring them to get married and have children, as if that isn’t a conflict they would have come up against and/or come to terms with many times by their thirties.
Overall this was an interesting premise and will definitely find its audience, but fell short in a few ways for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⚔️ A Treason of Magic ⚔️
✨Isabeau & Gabrielle foreverrrrr✨
I was not prepared for how much I loved this sapphic historical fantasy. Apparently I need to read more historical fantasy because I am absolutely a fan. And I definitely need more sapphic books with Lady Dukes. Immediately. Duke Isabeau being a rake? Say less 😏
This book has a dark fairytale atmosphere that really fit the story. I loved that Gabrielle is set to become the first female Hunter in a role traditionally passed down to the Hunter’s son. There is a strong women in power thread throughout the story, which I honestly was not expecting in a historical setting and really appreciated.
My only note is that the writing occasionally felt a bit YA in tone, even though both FMCs are in their late twenties. That said, it did not take away from my overall enjoyment. This was still a five star read for me.
🖤 What to Expect
• Sapphic longing
• Hunter FMC
• Lady Duke FMC
• Folklore inspired fantasy
• Cursed woods
• Fae beasts
• Star crossed lovers
• Slow burn
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 23, 2026
📝 Thank you to 47North and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own.
✨Isabeau & Gabrielle foreverrrrr✨
I was not prepared for how much I loved this sapphic historical fantasy. Apparently I need to read more historical fantasy because I am absolutely a fan. And I definitely need more sapphic books with Lady Dukes. Immediately. Duke Isabeau being a rake? Say less 😏
This book has a dark fairytale atmosphere that really fit the story. I loved that Gabrielle is set to become the first female Hunter in a role traditionally passed down to the Hunter’s son. There is a strong women in power thread throughout the story, which I honestly was not expecting in a historical setting and really appreciated.
My only note is that the writing occasionally felt a bit YA in tone, even though both FMCs are in their late twenties. That said, it did not take away from my overall enjoyment. This was still a five star read for me.
🖤 What to Expect
• Sapphic longing
• Hunter FMC
• Lady Duke FMC
• Folklore inspired fantasy
• Cursed woods
• Fae beasts
• Star crossed lovers
• Slow burn
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 23, 2026
📝 Thank you to 47North and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own.
February 20, 2026
Thank you, Netgally, and the publisher for providing an ARC copy!
Firstly, really excited that we have some more LGBTQ fantasy books entering the genre!
I was hooked in relatively fast. While this was the case, the pacing was a little off for my preference, but it does, however, pick up after a certain point. This does, in fact, seem to be a growing theme when it comes to fantasy books, where the first 100 pages or so can be a bit sluggish. What I do appreciate, however, is that it didn't feel like a bombardment of information. I really loved the world created, and its elements of magic, and creatures. I also like how in the book, it wasn't a case of the relationship having to be kept under wraps because of societal pressures, which was a different perspective to take, which I liked.
Really liked the family dynamics, was initially concerned about the dynamics of the relationship, as you have these two strong characters, that I worried initially that their characters might clash more than they would complement each other, however happy to say I was wrong.
Very open to reading another book by Melissa Marr!
Firstly, really excited that we have some more LGBTQ fantasy books entering the genre!
I was hooked in relatively fast. While this was the case, the pacing was a little off for my preference, but it does, however, pick up after a certain point. This does, in fact, seem to be a growing theme when it comes to fantasy books, where the first 100 pages or so can be a bit sluggish. What I do appreciate, however, is that it didn't feel like a bombardment of information. I really loved the world created, and its elements of magic, and creatures. I also like how in the book, it wasn't a case of the relationship having to be kept under wraps because of societal pressures, which was a different perspective to take, which I liked.
Really liked the family dynamics, was initially concerned about the dynamics of the relationship, as you have these two strong characters, that I worried initially that their characters might clash more than they would complement each other, however happy to say I was wrong.
Very open to reading another book by Melissa Marr!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A big thank you to NetGalley, 47North, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.
Let’s start with the rating: it is more of a 3.5 than a 4-star read. However, I have read other works by Melissa Marr and truly enjoyed them—especially her writing style. Even horrible events and scenes are so atmospheric and beautifully written that you get emotionally invested without even realizing it.
The characters, specifically Gabrielle, her family, and Isabeau, were the highlight for me. While the political plot was interesting, it stayed in the background and felt fairly predictable. It didn't fully capture my interest because it was a bit too simple.
I wish the world-building had been stronger, as many threads felt underdeveloped. Also, the pacing started strong but dragged a bit in the middle before picking up again. Everything is nicely tied together by the end.
Maybe the world will be expanded in future books with other characters. I look forward to seeing more.
Let’s start with the rating: it is more of a 3.5 than a 4-star read. However, I have read other works by Melissa Marr and truly enjoyed them—especially her writing style. Even horrible events and scenes are so atmospheric and beautifully written that you get emotionally invested without even realizing it.
The characters, specifically Gabrielle, her family, and Isabeau, were the highlight for me. While the political plot was interesting, it stayed in the background and felt fairly predictable. It didn't fully capture my interest because it was a bit too simple.
I wish the world-building had been stronger, as many threads felt underdeveloped. Also, the pacing started strong but dragged a bit in the middle before picking up again. Everything is nicely tied together by the end.
Maybe the world will be expanded in future books with other characters. I look forward to seeing more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Gabrielle is a daughter of a hunter who is destined to kill the faerie-monsters attacking people. She and her father are trying to solve a mystery of what creature has killed men in the forest. And at the same time there are rumours about Gabrielle’s ex-lover, Isabeau, being cursed.
Mystery, fantasy world with faeries and beasts, sapphic romance, strong female characters.
I liked the mystery part so much, I changed my suspicions every chapter. The tension, the uncertainty - loved it.
As for the romance, it didn’t work for me. It felt like all the tension was built around miscommunication or misunderstanding. And I hate this trope. I didn’t feel connected to fmc’s. In my opinion, the romance and the spice fell flat.
I was happy to see so many strong female characters. Duke, hunter, guards, fmc’s sister…
I had a good time reading this book. It’s a standalone, easy read. It may be read in one sitting.
Mystery, fantasy world with faeries and beasts, sapphic romance, strong female characters.
I liked the mystery part so much, I changed my suspicions every chapter. The tension, the uncertainty - loved it.
As for the romance, it didn’t work for me. It felt like all the tension was built around miscommunication or misunderstanding. And I hate this trope. I didn’t feel connected to fmc’s. In my opinion, the romance and the spice fell flat.
I was happy to see so many strong female characters. Duke, hunter, guards, fmc’s sister…
I had a good time reading this book. It’s a standalone, easy read. It may be read in one sitting.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Magic? Dangerous.
Politics? Messy.
Feelings? COMPLICATED.
A Treason of Magic is the kind of fantasy that looks elegant on the surface and then absolutely wrecks you with secrets, betrayals, and yearning you didn’t sign up for (but enjoyed anyway).
Gabrielle is a certified badass the first female Hunter, out here slaying monsters and shattering expectations while carrying enough emotional baggage to need its own horse. And then there’s Isabeau, cursed, powerful, trapped by duty, and quietly breaking your heart every time she’s on the page. Put them together and BOOM: unresolved history, slow-burn sapphic tension, and feelings that refuse to stay buried.
Melissa Marr excels at atmosphere. The world feels lush, dangerous, and steeped in old magic and older grudges. This isn’t flashy spell-slinging fantasy it’s moody, political, and heavy on consequences. Everyone has an agenda, nobody is fully innocent, and trust is in very short supply.
Politics? Messy.
Feelings? COMPLICATED.
A Treason of Magic is the kind of fantasy that looks elegant on the surface and then absolutely wrecks you with secrets, betrayals, and yearning you didn’t sign up for (but enjoyed anyway).
Gabrielle is a certified badass the first female Hunter, out here slaying monsters and shattering expectations while carrying enough emotional baggage to need its own horse. And then there’s Isabeau, cursed, powerful, trapped by duty, and quietly breaking your heart every time she’s on the page. Put them together and BOOM: unresolved history, slow-burn sapphic tension, and feelings that refuse to stay buried.
Melissa Marr excels at atmosphere. The world feels lush, dangerous, and steeped in old magic and older grudges. This isn’t flashy spell-slinging fantasy it’s moody, political, and heavy on consequences. Everyone has an agenda, nobody is fully innocent, and trust is in very short supply.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✦⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆✦
✧｡･ﾟﾟ･☾ Review ☾･ﾟﾟ･｡✧
★★
THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND MELISSA MARR!
🪄👑🏹🗡️❤️
Woah woah woah…this book jumped way too quickly into everything. Only two chapters in, there was still no real character or story development, yet the romance trope was already being pushed hard. It made it difficult to care about the characters when I’d been given so little context about who they were or why their connection mattered. It just didn’t start off on the right foot for me, and that was hard to overlook.
The pacing felt off overall. It started aggressively fast and then oddly slowed down later. The story definitely has the potential to be really good but it could’ve benefited from more refining, clearer explanations, and more time spent building the world, characters, and relationships.
✧｡･ﾟﾟ･☾ Review ☾･ﾟﾟ･｡✧
★★
THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND MELISSA MARR!
🪄👑🏹🗡️❤️
Woah woah woah…this book jumped way too quickly into everything. Only two chapters in, there was still no real character or story development, yet the romance trope was already being pushed hard. It made it difficult to care about the characters when I’d been given so little context about who they were or why their connection mattered. It just didn’t start off on the right foot for me, and that was hard to overlook.
The pacing felt off overall. It started aggressively fast and then oddly slowed down later. The story definitely has the potential to be really good but it could’ve benefited from more refining, clearer explanations, and more time spent building the world, characters, and relationships.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgallery and the author for giving me a copy of the book for an honest review. I want to starts off saying this is my first book by the author and they did not disappoint!
There is a lot of world building in this book, which I enjoyed and thought there was a good balance between world building and plot. It’s such an interring and great story and nicely paced. There is magic, tension, politics, and power hungry characters that will not leave you bored! It is a first for me but I actually slowly read this book, I felt it’s not a book you rush or read at a fast paced I fear if you do you will miss a lot of the twists and the magic of the book. It needs to be savoured.
I liked the political aspect of the book, thought it was very interesting and makes it stand out from your usual fantasy books.
Overall an enjoyable book and would read more books by the author.
There is a lot of world building in this book, which I enjoyed and thought there was a good balance between world building and plot. It’s such an interring and great story and nicely paced. There is magic, tension, politics, and power hungry characters that will not leave you bored! It is a first for me but I actually slowly read this book, I felt it’s not a book you rush or read at a fast paced I fear if you do you will miss a lot of the twists and the magic of the book. It needs to be savoured.
I liked the political aspect of the book, thought it was very interesting and makes it stand out from your usual fantasy books.
Overall an enjoyable book and would read more books by the author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really wanted to love this. The premise had everything I usually go for—fae, magic, a sapphic romance, a strong female lead stepping into a traditionally male role—and on paper it sounds like it should’ve been a favorite.
But I just never fully connected to it.
The world was interesting, but I didn’t feel fully pulled into it, and the same went for the characters. I kept waiting for that moment where I’d get emotionally invested, and it just never quite clicked for me. The pacing also felt a little slow, which made it harder to stay engaged.
That being said, I didn’t dislike it. It was still an easy read, and I can see how it would work really well for readers who prefer a slower, more romance-focused fantasy.
Overall, I liked the idea of this book more than the actual experience of reading it—but I’d still be open to trying more from this author in the future.
But I just never fully connected to it.
The world was interesting, but I didn’t feel fully pulled into it, and the same went for the characters. I kept waiting for that moment where I’d get emotionally invested, and it just never quite clicked for me. The pacing also felt a little slow, which made it harder to stay engaged.
That being said, I didn’t dislike it. It was still an easy read, and I can see how it would work really well for readers who prefer a slower, more romance-focused fantasy.
Overall, I liked the idea of this book more than the actual experience of reading it—but I’d still be open to trying more from this author in the future.
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