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Daughters of Light #1
The Castle and the Cloister
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26Two centuries ago, Honoria’s goddesses were silenced in blood. Now, as the realm’s fragile peace falters, the whims of a king may reignite the engines of war.
At the last cloister of the sun goddess, a young postulant seeks safety for her child but discovers that sanctuary comes at a heavy price. In the castle on the mountain, a queen treads a knife’s edge between loyalty and betrayal, desperate to shape a gentler future. And deep in the mountain’s heart, a blinded priest waits in the darkness, biding his time…
Together, they will risk the wrath of gods and kings – and decide the fate of a kingdom.
At the last cloister of the sun goddess, a young postulant seeks safety for her child but discovers that sanctuary comes at a heavy price. In the castle on the mountain, a queen treads a knife’s edge between loyalty and betrayal, desperate to shape a gentler future. And deep in the mountain’s heart, a blinded priest waits in the darkness, biding his time…
Together, they will risk the wrath of gods and kings – and decide the fate of a kingdom.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Laura E. Weymouth
8 books724 followersLaura Weymouth is a Canadian living in America, and the sixth consecutive generation of her family to immigrate from one country to another. Born and raised in the Niagara region of Ontario, she now lives at the edge of the woods in western New York, along with her husband, three wild-hearted daughters, an unruly garden, and an ever-expanding menagerie of animal friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Huge thanks to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster Canada for a chance to review this arc!
The Castle & the Cloister is a political fantasy following three characters trying to shape the future of a war shattered continent.
The political aspect of this novel was its success. A lot of thoughts were put into politics & it didn’t feel convoluted. Information was given at a good pace, and made it easy to follow.
Where the novel lost its spark for me was how religion was handled. Maybe it’s on me, but I didn’t expect this story to be so religiously heavy. From an atheist point of view ; I found both religions to be problematic. Unfortunately, it was clear which one was intended as the ‘good’ one vs the ‘bad’ one. I struggled with the narrative in that aspect and would’ve preferred an impartial view.
One aspect I think should’ve been mentioned in the synopsis is how heavily pregnancy/motherhood is present & a major part of this story. I think this would help find its rightful audience.
As for the characters… I did feel that the tone regarding them was cold & lacked depth. Fia was probably the one character that had the most character development. That character did rub me the wrong way at first though because she made me think of every single person that wants you to act like their child is the most important human being on earth while completely disregarding your own. How she disregarded the orphanage babies while only wanting safety for her child was off putting, to be quite honest.
Overall, i honestly think I wasn’t the intended audience for this. If you want to read a political fantasy that has a focus on religion & motherhood - this will be for you!
The Castle & the Cloister is a political fantasy following three characters trying to shape the future of a war shattered continent.
The political aspect of this novel was its success. A lot of thoughts were put into politics & it didn’t feel convoluted. Information was given at a good pace, and made it easy to follow.
Where the novel lost its spark for me was how religion was handled. Maybe it’s on me, but I didn’t expect this story to be so religiously heavy. From an atheist point of view ; I found both religions to be problematic. Unfortunately, it was clear which one was intended as the ‘good’ one vs the ‘bad’ one. I struggled with the narrative in that aspect and would’ve preferred an impartial view.
One aspect I think should’ve been mentioned in the synopsis is how heavily pregnancy/motherhood is present & a major part of this story. I think this would help find its rightful audience.
As for the characters… I did feel that the tone regarding them was cold & lacked depth. Fia was probably the one character that had the most character development. That character did rub me the wrong way at first though because she made me think of every single person that wants you to act like their child is the most important human being on earth while completely disregarding your own. How she disregarded the orphanage babies while only wanting safety for her child was off putting, to be quite honest.
Overall, i honestly think I wasn’t the intended audience for this. If you want to read a political fantasy that has a focus on religion & motherhood - this will be for you!
Did Not Finish
April 8, 2026Dryer than eating a cracker first thing in the morning.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I need the second book of this duology now!
The Castle and the Cloister is a beautiful character driven story following 3 different points of view. Full of power struggles, political intrigue, and the power of motherhood. The ending of this book left me in disbelief and hungry for more.
Thank you Netgalley and Saga Press for the gifted eARC. 4.5 stars
The Castle and the Cloister is a beautiful character driven story following 3 different points of view. Full of power struggles, political intrigue, and the power of motherhood. The ending of this book left me in disbelief and hungry for more.
Thank you Netgalley and Saga Press for the gifted eARC. 4.5 stars
July 16, 2026
“𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫.”
The Castle and The Cloister immediately reminded me of Game of Thrones, where the women were honestly the backbone of the entire story. Fia and Ariana are no exception - they gave me strong Cersei and Sansa vibes. I also found it really refreshing how motherhood was embraced in a fantasy novel, as it’s not something you often get to see. Laura’s writing is absolutely incredible as well and had me hooked from start to finish.The Castle and The Cloister proves, once again, that we would, in fact, be better off without men (lol).
the vibes ™:
- strong fmc’s
- motherhood
- religion
- politics
The Castle and The Cloister immediately reminded me of Game of Thrones, where the women were honestly the backbone of the entire story. Fia and Ariana are no exception - they gave me strong Cersei and Sansa vibes. I also found it really refreshing how motherhood was embraced in a fantasy novel, as it’s not something you often get to see. Laura’s writing is absolutely incredible as well and had me hooked from start to finish.The Castle and The Cloister proves, once again, that we would, in fact, be better off without men (lol).
the vibes ™:
- strong fmc’s
- motherhood
- religion
- politics
July 1, 2026
3.5 rounded up
July 18, 2026
The Castle and the Cloister is a sprawling, hypnotic political fantasy that weaves together religion, motherhood, and an enduring hope for survival and peace. Fia is a new mother who longs for nothing more than an ascetic life within her cloister. But as the threat of war looms, she is plunged into the role of an unlikely political queenmaker, going into the very kingdom that endangers both her and her daughter's safety.
Fia is fiery and stubborn, making her a hilarious presence amid the court's increasingly deadly events. There is also Ariana, apostate queen married to a tyrannical king. Their obsessive relationship is fascinating and grotesque, becoming a fault line that threatens to split the kingdom apart.
Together with a blind priest, they emerge as éminence grises, wielding influence through perceived frailty of their roles. It's this inversion of power that makes the story so captivating, especially against the feckless and violent masculinity that comes easily to men as kings.
Without going into spoilers, the novel is at its strongest when it explores the sacrifices each character makes, forcing them to reckon with selfish desires and morally fraught choices. Fia, bound by her blood prohibition, has to choose violence in the pursuit of peace—an unsettling contradiction that asks whether virtue can survive when reality is often otherwise.
The world is steeped in mysticism and devotion to the gods, yet Weymouth challenges their blind belief by confronting the horrors it can excuse.
If you're looking for a pacey read, this might not be for you. But patience is rewarded by Weymouth's meticulous plotting, as layers of disquieting secrets gradually come to light. It's a gripping political thriller wrapped in fantasy, with a tender thread of love against impossible odds and knowing that achieving something extraordinary always requires risking everything.
Fia is fiery and stubborn, making her a hilarious presence amid the court's increasingly deadly events. There is also Ariana, apostate queen married to a tyrannical king. Their obsessive relationship is fascinating and grotesque, becoming a fault line that threatens to split the kingdom apart.
Together with a blind priest, they emerge as éminence grises, wielding influence through perceived frailty of their roles. It's this inversion of power that makes the story so captivating, especially against the feckless and violent masculinity that comes easily to men as kings.
Without going into spoilers, the novel is at its strongest when it explores the sacrifices each character makes, forcing them to reckon with selfish desires and morally fraught choices. Fia, bound by her blood prohibition, has to choose violence in the pursuit of peace—an unsettling contradiction that asks whether virtue can survive when reality is often otherwise.
The world is steeped in mysticism and devotion to the gods, yet Weymouth challenges their blind belief by confronting the horrors it can excuse.
If you're looking for a pacey read, this might not be for you. But patience is rewarded by Weymouth's meticulous plotting, as layers of disquieting secrets gradually come to light. It's a gripping political thriller wrapped in fantasy, with a tender thread of love against impossible odds and knowing that achieving something extraordinary always requires risking everything.
June 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
For fans of Samantha Shannon is right! Might I also add ‘for fans of Shauna Lawless’? I absolutely adored this one after the first 150 pages or so. It was a little slow to start, but Weymouth has built such a compelling world that once I was into it, there was no getting out. It’s so refreshing to read ‘morally gray’ characters whose conflicts derive almost entirely from the standards they hold themselves to and the belief systems they occupy, rather than guilt over being a bad person! All of them are trying to be good! But their beliefs about what goodness and justice mean and how far they’re willing to go to uphold those ideals get in the way and cloud their judgment! More of that, please!
Fia, of course, was my favorite character, but I think Ariana’s POV was by far the most compelling. And the Priest! So good! Weymouth has such a talent for crafting believable and deeply flawed characters, and illustrates their inner turmoil with prose both lyrical and cutting. The magic system and worldbuilding seem somewhat basic from the description, but I promise you there’s so much more to this book than what the description offers. Push through (and/or relish) the first part of the story, because the payoff is incredible. And the blooded touch? Hello!?
For fans of Samantha Shannon is right! Might I also add ‘for fans of Shauna Lawless’? I absolutely adored this one after the first 150 pages or so. It was a little slow to start, but Weymouth has built such a compelling world that once I was into it, there was no getting out. It’s so refreshing to read ‘morally gray’ characters whose conflicts derive almost entirely from the standards they hold themselves to and the belief systems they occupy, rather than guilt over being a bad person! All of them are trying to be good! But their beliefs about what goodness and justice mean and how far they’re willing to go to uphold those ideals get in the way and cloud their judgment! More of that, please!
Fia, of course, was my favorite character, but I think Ariana’s POV was by far the most compelling. And the Priest! So good! Weymouth has such a talent for crafting believable and deeply flawed characters, and illustrates their inner turmoil with prose both lyrical and cutting. The magic system and worldbuilding seem somewhat basic from the description, but I promise you there’s so much more to this book than what the description offers. Push through (and/or relish) the first part of the story, because the payoff is incredible. And the blooded touch? Hello!?
July 24, 2026
I don’t know if I finished this book or if it finished me.
I was screaming, crying, throwing the book across the room and cursing Laura E Weymouths name.
10/10 reading experience. Will read again.
I was screaming, crying, throwing the book across the room and cursing Laura E Weymouths name.
10/10 reading experience. Will read again.
July 28, 2026
“Laura Weymouth is a genius.” ~ A thought I thunk ten times while reading this book.
Want to Read
May 13, 2026thank you Penguin for the physical ARC!
can't wait to read this, also the uk cover is SO PRETTY
can't wait to read this, also the uk cover is SO PRETTY
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rtc in the morning. That ending though, i feel like I've run a marathon. I need book 2 🙏
I have been collecting Weymouth's books since the first one, The Light Between Worlds, was released. Each book has been a different adventure, something unique that I've enjoyed each time I receive a new book by Weymouth to read, and I have LOVED each and every book release. This one, however, is my new favorite. The characters and their motivations, the politics that they have to navigate while trying to make a better world for the future, everything kept my attention engaged while I worked out who to root for and who to watch with a wary eye. The world that Weymouth has built in this story is so detailed and well-crafted and filled with people that could be real, it was hard to sit with their turmoil at moments because I just wanted to swoop in and save them. I knew that in the end, Weymouth would leave me wanting more from this story and I can't wait for the final book to be released.
The Castle & The Cloister is set in the nation of Honoria, conquered two centuries earlier by the Inver clan, who choose to rule with ongoing wars and blood. Honoria's current king is set on a course to start a new war that could mean more pain and loss for Honoria. Honoria used to have their people devoted to pacifist goddesses and certain cloisters still hold to the old beliefs, resisting the changes wrought by the Inver clan. In the sun goddess Raea's cloister, Fia and her daughter are seeking refuge, with Fia determined to give her daughter the safety and security she lacked growing up. But before they can truly be allowed in as part of the cloister, Fia is given a task that takes her into the heart of the kingdom, to the mountain fortress where the Inver king and queen reside, and to the political machinations at work there. In the fortress, Ariana Inver was once a follower of the goddess of the stars but is now the queen. After years trying to keep peace for the nation, Ariana has to find a way to keep her husband from moving forward with his new plans for conquest. In the mountain itself, underneath the fortress, the man known only as the Priest is in charge of keeping the Inver religion. Blinded during an attempt by the king to clear all claims to the throne, the Priest will have to work to find a way to a new future for Honoria, one that might change everything that the people have known. Together, these three will either find a way to bring peace or have the nation dragged into another war.
First of all, the world-building here is so vast and intricate, it felt like something that could have existed once in history. From the way the pacifist goddesses used to keep the nation of Honoria to the way the Inver clan moved in and, well, demolished everything, all of it held my attention, making me feel rage or wonder at different turns in the book. I hated certain characters, I rooted for others, and so much of that was also based in how much this world was made to feel real to the reader. Weymouth focused on the settings described in the title itself, the Castle where the Inver clan keeps their stronghold and then the Cloister, where Fia had hoped to make a life for herself. Two opposing forces bent on changing the other to their own ends. The castle wants to take control of the cloister and for the sake of forcing them to bend to Inver rule, to unite all the people so that Honoria will be a force to contend with when it comes to other nations declaring war against them. The castle also wants all the resources of the land that the cloister keeps under its protection. On the other hand, the cloister is determined to keep the peace, to help all of the people, not just those in Honoria, and the only way that can happen is by trying to curb the murderous tendencies of the king and possibly forging an alliance that both sides can uphold. The world-building also had an interesting religious system in place to further fill in the ways of the Inver clan as opposed to the cloister and their followers.
The fact that the Invers made blood the focus of so much of what they did, even offering blood when they prayed, drove home the fact that they were a brutal force, used to making threats and following through on them. The fact of the matter is that the king himself dispatched most of his siblings and his father in order to gain the throne and these acts proved that he was the best candidate for king because of what the people believed. It felt like everything was settled with some kind of fight to the death scenario and with this being the accepted way of things in the world made it that much more of a hard hitting truth. With the cloister however, they were meant to keep peace and spilling blood was something they were supposed to avoid unless it was meant to heal. It was an intriguing force to oppose the Inver way, the fact that the cloister had its own beliefs that were yes, against the Invers, but at the same time, could be argued that they weren't exactly the best to be in charge either, with their vows and tasks given to postulants, or the women who followed the goddesses in their cloisters. The cloister also had their own methods for doing things that felt difficult to understand, seen with Fia and Ariana and their paths in the book. Weymouth made these people feel real because everyone had their reasons, their beliefs, and neither side was strictly right or wrong. That precarious sense of middle ground for the world, where the leads make their home, is what draws the reader in because if neither side can be wholly in charge, perhaps the next step towards an actual lasting peace would be to find a way they can meld together.
As for the characters, I can honestly say that aside from one secondary character, I was sincerely impressed with every person focused on in this story. I can't even say that I have a favorite because each lead had their own path, their own things that I supported and their own things that I was against. I loved Fia because of the fact that she was a nursing mother, forced to leave her daughter behind for the sake of helping the queen, Ariana, in trying to stop a war from starting. Fia also helped with Ariana in the post-partum recovery, as the start of the book has Ariana giving birth to the new heir of the kingdom. Both of these women are so strong already but to show them in these situations as new mothers adds another layer to their fortitude, showing just how people in all ways of life have to pick themselves up and continue on after one of the most excruciating experiences of their lives. And I appreciated this so much because of the, let's call it, recognition it provided for people who have been in the same position. Ariana is literally bleeding through her clothes but she is putting herself in front of peace talks because she is queen and she hopes to prevent a war.
Both Fia and Ariana were also motivated by their own beliefs, Fia with her neglected childhood and her search for a home and Ariana with her upbringing in a cloister where all she ever knew was her religion and devotion to her goddess which has now been cast aside in her new role as queen to a king whose family history was filled with cruelty and murder. Fia could be cold and calculating but over the course of the book, she slowly comes to realize that the circle of people she cares for has grown and that change means she will take up whatever new role comes for her and make the best of the situations she finds herself in. Ariana has to find a way to reconcile the life she now leads with the beliefs she still holds, as keeping them separate for so long has not done much good for herself or her role as queen. There is also much to say about the Priest, who I felt had been dealt a hard hand in his life and yet managed to be such an intriguing character. I could not have made the life that he had created for himself after what he'd gone through. I would have thought he'd be motivated by revenge but the Priest surprised me by how level-headed he was, how quick he tried to protect people and the way he chose to step up when change was inevitable. His devotion to his new nephew was lovely to see compared to the way the king, Orden, regarded his new son. As for Orden, while I didn't love this character, I did appreciate his devotion to his queen, even though he never truly understood Ariana. I found it interesting that he did everything he could to make her happy, to protect her in his court, and yet at the same time, he loved the way she would show her devotion to him in turn, which came across as an imbalance in the power dynamics of their relationship. Weymouth drew every character with a deft hand, filling them with real world concerns and because of that, every nuance feels earned and respected over the course of the story.
Concerning the plot, it felt straightforward enough at first. Our three leads have to find a way to stop a war before it begins. Their positions in the kingdom and their backgrounds make it difficult to find a true, sure way through to making that a reality. At the same time, Weymouth had so many twists and turns, reveals that made me sit up and reconsider everything that had come before that moment. Various things that were exposed over the course of this story made my jaw drop because in the end, there were so many threads weaving together or being pulled apart that the final picture at the end of the story was not the one I expected to see. Honestly, I'm still sitting here after that epilogue and reconsidering everything that was seen in the book and I'm eyeing the release date like I could somehow make it change to earlier in 2027 because I NEED to know how everything resolves. I'm grateful for the fact that this release is book one of a duology. I don't know if my heart could take waiting years for a series to come to a conclusion.
At the end of the day, this is such a respectable read. I was infinitely impressed with everything Weymouth created here and when my copy arrives, I will be going through it with a fine-toothed comb, just to be sure I grasped everything that was so carefully crafted for this book. For now, I will be trying to find the time to go back and read every other Weymouth book I own while I wait for the conclusion to this book to be released.
Rating on my Scale: 10 Stars!! I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to absolutely LOVE this book. I want to find other readers so we can discuss everything about this book for hours. Read this book for the political intrigue set in a fantasy world and meet a cast of characters that pull at your heartstrings whether or not they are the hero of the story.
My thanks to NetGalley, Saga Press and Laura E. Weymouth for this eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.
I have been collecting Weymouth's books since the first one, The Light Between Worlds, was released. Each book has been a different adventure, something unique that I've enjoyed each time I receive a new book by Weymouth to read, and I have LOVED each and every book release. This one, however, is my new favorite. The characters and their motivations, the politics that they have to navigate while trying to make a better world for the future, everything kept my attention engaged while I worked out who to root for and who to watch with a wary eye. The world that Weymouth has built in this story is so detailed and well-crafted and filled with people that could be real, it was hard to sit with their turmoil at moments because I just wanted to swoop in and save them. I knew that in the end, Weymouth would leave me wanting more from this story and I can't wait for the final book to be released.
The Castle & The Cloister is set in the nation of Honoria, conquered two centuries earlier by the Inver clan, who choose to rule with ongoing wars and blood. Honoria's current king is set on a course to start a new war that could mean more pain and loss for Honoria. Honoria used to have their people devoted to pacifist goddesses and certain cloisters still hold to the old beliefs, resisting the changes wrought by the Inver clan. In the sun goddess Raea's cloister, Fia and her daughter are seeking refuge, with Fia determined to give her daughter the safety and security she lacked growing up. But before they can truly be allowed in as part of the cloister, Fia is given a task that takes her into the heart of the kingdom, to the mountain fortress where the Inver king and queen reside, and to the political machinations at work there. In the fortress, Ariana Inver was once a follower of the goddess of the stars but is now the queen. After years trying to keep peace for the nation, Ariana has to find a way to keep her husband from moving forward with his new plans for conquest. In the mountain itself, underneath the fortress, the man known only as the Priest is in charge of keeping the Inver religion. Blinded during an attempt by the king to clear all claims to the throne, the Priest will have to work to find a way to a new future for Honoria, one that might change everything that the people have known. Together, these three will either find a way to bring peace or have the nation dragged into another war.
First of all, the world-building here is so vast and intricate, it felt like something that could have existed once in history. From the way the pacifist goddesses used to keep the nation of Honoria to the way the Inver clan moved in and, well, demolished everything, all of it held my attention, making me feel rage or wonder at different turns in the book. I hated certain characters, I rooted for others, and so much of that was also based in how much this world was made to feel real to the reader. Weymouth focused on the settings described in the title itself, the Castle where the Inver clan keeps their stronghold and then the Cloister, where Fia had hoped to make a life for herself. Two opposing forces bent on changing the other to their own ends. The castle wants to take control of the cloister and for the sake of forcing them to bend to Inver rule, to unite all the people so that Honoria will be a force to contend with when it comes to other nations declaring war against them. The castle also wants all the resources of the land that the cloister keeps under its protection. On the other hand, the cloister is determined to keep the peace, to help all of the people, not just those in Honoria, and the only way that can happen is by trying to curb the murderous tendencies of the king and possibly forging an alliance that both sides can uphold. The world-building also had an interesting religious system in place to further fill in the ways of the Inver clan as opposed to the cloister and their followers.
The fact that the Invers made blood the focus of so much of what they did, even offering blood when they prayed, drove home the fact that they were a brutal force, used to making threats and following through on them. The fact of the matter is that the king himself dispatched most of his siblings and his father in order to gain the throne and these acts proved that he was the best candidate for king because of what the people believed. It felt like everything was settled with some kind of fight to the death scenario and with this being the accepted way of things in the world made it that much more of a hard hitting truth. With the cloister however, they were meant to keep peace and spilling blood was something they were supposed to avoid unless it was meant to heal. It was an intriguing force to oppose the Inver way, the fact that the cloister had its own beliefs that were yes, against the Invers, but at the same time, could be argued that they weren't exactly the best to be in charge either, with their vows and tasks given to postulants, or the women who followed the goddesses in their cloisters. The cloister also had their own methods for doing things that felt difficult to understand, seen with Fia and Ariana and their paths in the book. Weymouth made these people feel real because everyone had their reasons, their beliefs, and neither side was strictly right or wrong. That precarious sense of middle ground for the world, where the leads make their home, is what draws the reader in because if neither side can be wholly in charge, perhaps the next step towards an actual lasting peace would be to find a way they can meld together.
As for the characters, I can honestly say that aside from one secondary character, I was sincerely impressed with every person focused on in this story. I can't even say that I have a favorite because each lead had their own path, their own things that I supported and their own things that I was against. I loved Fia because of the fact that she was a nursing mother, forced to leave her daughter behind for the sake of helping the queen, Ariana, in trying to stop a war from starting. Fia also helped with Ariana in the post-partum recovery, as the start of the book has Ariana giving birth to the new heir of the kingdom. Both of these women are so strong already but to show them in these situations as new mothers adds another layer to their fortitude, showing just how people in all ways of life have to pick themselves up and continue on after one of the most excruciating experiences of their lives. And I appreciated this so much because of the, let's call it, recognition it provided for people who have been in the same position. Ariana is literally bleeding through her clothes but she is putting herself in front of peace talks because she is queen and she hopes to prevent a war.
Both Fia and Ariana were also motivated by their own beliefs, Fia with her neglected childhood and her search for a home and Ariana with her upbringing in a cloister where all she ever knew was her religion and devotion to her goddess which has now been cast aside in her new role as queen to a king whose family history was filled with cruelty and murder. Fia could be cold and calculating but over the course of the book, she slowly comes to realize that the circle of people she cares for has grown and that change means she will take up whatever new role comes for her and make the best of the situations she finds herself in. Ariana has to find a way to reconcile the life she now leads with the beliefs she still holds, as keeping them separate for so long has not done much good for herself or her role as queen. There is also much to say about the Priest, who I felt had been dealt a hard hand in his life and yet managed to be such an intriguing character. I could not have made the life that he had created for himself after what he'd gone through. I would have thought he'd be motivated by revenge but the Priest surprised me by how level-headed he was, how quick he tried to protect people and the way he chose to step up when change was inevitable. His devotion to his new nephew was lovely to see compared to the way the king, Orden, regarded his new son. As for Orden, while I didn't love this character, I did appreciate his devotion to his queen, even though he never truly understood Ariana. I found it interesting that he did everything he could to make her happy, to protect her in his court, and yet at the same time, he loved the way she would show her devotion to him in turn, which came across as an imbalance in the power dynamics of their relationship. Weymouth drew every character with a deft hand, filling them with real world concerns and because of that, every nuance feels earned and respected over the course of the story.
Concerning the plot, it felt straightforward enough at first. Our three leads have to find a way to stop a war before it begins. Their positions in the kingdom and their backgrounds make it difficult to find a true, sure way through to making that a reality. At the same time, Weymouth had so many twists and turns, reveals that made me sit up and reconsider everything that had come before that moment. Various things that were exposed over the course of this story made my jaw drop because in the end, there were so many threads weaving together or being pulled apart that the final picture at the end of the story was not the one I expected to see. Honestly, I'm still sitting here after that epilogue and reconsidering everything that was seen in the book and I'm eyeing the release date like I could somehow make it change to earlier in 2027 because I NEED to know how everything resolves. I'm grateful for the fact that this release is book one of a duology. I don't know if my heart could take waiting years for a series to come to a conclusion.
At the end of the day, this is such a respectable read. I was infinitely impressed with everything Weymouth created here and when my copy arrives, I will be going through it with a fine-toothed comb, just to be sure I grasped everything that was so carefully crafted for this book. For now, I will be trying to find the time to go back and read every other Weymouth book I own while I wait for the conclusion to this book to be released.
Rating on my Scale: 10 Stars!! I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to absolutely LOVE this book. I want to find other readers so we can discuss everything about this book for hours. Read this book for the political intrigue set in a fantasy world and meet a cast of characters that pull at your heartstrings whether or not they are the hero of the story.
My thanks to NetGalley, Saga Press and Laura E. Weymouth for this eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone (Del Rey) and NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this ARC! All opinions are my own.
5/5
Truthfully, if I could give The Castle & the Cloister 6/5 stars, I would. The Castle & the Cloister is a political thriller with a fantasy setting, and it mainly focuses on the machinations of international war diplomacy and the struggles of the royal court and everything that the two encompass. The lore consists mostly of the different religions within the continent, and their own magic and loyalties. The royals involved in the diplomatic struggle all have relations, one way or another, to a different religion, and thirst for the abilities they can gain from controlling the gods and goddesses’ gifts. I don’t want to spoil the complex intricacies of the political plot, so I will only mention that those who enjoyed the Letters of Enchantment Series by Rebecca Ross, The Chronicles of Castellane Series by Cassandra Clare, Elantris and Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson, and The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison must not skip on this novel. It is equal in quality at all possible levels.
There are four main characters who serve as narrative perspectives within the novel: Fia, Silas, Orden and Ari. Each has an incredible character arc, adding thus more layers to the novel.
I will start by mentioning King Orden. Objectively speaking, he is the hero who managed to overthrow his own family’s former tyrannical rule. He did so through bloodshed, and he is both revered and feared for that. Orden is regarded by others both as the lesser evil and as not cruel enough. His happy ever after with his Queen and Heir is seen as a weakness, and his desire to maintain peace within his realm is regarded by others as naïveté. The tragedy of this hero is that after winning and getting everything he wanted for his country, he is not enough; he is never enough, not for his Queen, not for his brother, not for his people, and all for different reasons. The fact that he cannot pick between one side or the other and tries to find a middle way is ultimately our King’s undoing; he can never satisfy everyone, and even when he tries to do good, he is seen as never enough. Not peaceful enough. Not bloodthirsty enough. Simply not enough. I enjoyed this twist on a character serving as King, seeing how the concept of rule and nobility differs from person to person, all projecting a different image on him, but never the one true to his ultimately chivalrous personality. The undoing of his character is beautifully done, and I enjoyed every moment of it — the author showed masterful writing in constructing Orden.
The Queen, Ari, serves as the trigger of all events in this first novel. Due to the birth of her son, Fia is sent to the castle, due to his love for her, the King acts in uncharacteristic ways to protect her, due to her persistence, Silas acts quietly defiant. She is the centre piece of all the action in this book, and truthfully her existence as the one who controls the narrative both internally and externally is well-done. Ari’s character is both complex and not; she is stuck in a mentality of victimhood and martyrdom, and manages to project a tame and innocent image to others, yet she is ultimately very self-absorbed. Only she can be right, only she can tell right from wrong, only she can view the true value of others, only she can claim life or death. Under the guise of a peaceful nobility, Ari’s character reveals condescension towards even those most loyal towards her. She is always above others, above judgement. The layers of her character unravel as the plot moves forward, like puzzle pieces falling into the right places.
The relationship between Orden and Ari is beautifully tragic; one of the parallels to Letters of Enchantment falls here, for those in the know.
Our main protagonist, Fia, is like the Sun Goddess herself. She burns with passion and persistence, and nothing stands between her and her aim. She is a character who believes that the end justifies the means, and is marvellously observant of the world around her, keen for knowledge and power to protect, and a master manipulator of both words and religion. I absolutely loved her character, and her progression throughout the entire novel. A mother and a practical woman, she is beautiful in all possible ways. She is sadly underestimated by the person she respects most, but her match is found in Silas. He lights the fire within her, brings her out of her shell of isolation, and makes her shine all while being respectful of the limits she sets for him. The mutual yearning of the two was splendid, enchanting and deeply intimate.
Lastly, Silas. The Priest, the King’s brother, the servant of gods he doesn’t believe in. If he has a religion, then it is Fia herself. I wish to speak more of how exquisite his character is, but I would end up spoiling. As such, I can only say he is as noble, royal and gallant as Maia, Raoden and Kitt. Perhaps I should add Faramir to this comparison too, for Silas is the unexpected noble knight in shining armour we all dream of seeing in fantasy novels.
Last, but definitely not least, and perhaps the most magical element of his novel, the prose. Beautiful, elegant, refined and enchanting — its silkiness has something which reminds me of Tolkien, at the very least in the construction of a world so magical it seems shiningly beautiful even at its worst. There’s an organic rhythm, a mixture of metaphors and poetry, all with a different voice depending on the character whose perspective is enhanced. There is a variation of sentences structure wise, the writing having a fluidity adaptable to every kind of scene. Even if everything else were less than perfect (which it is not), the prose itself is so alluring that it would make The Castle & the Cloister worth reading. Excellent work of the author and her editor/s!
Already looking forward to the next volume of this series. I hope everyone who enjoys political fantasy novels will give this a try. This novel is truly a gem.
5/5
Truthfully, if I could give The Castle & the Cloister 6/5 stars, I would. The Castle & the Cloister is a political thriller with a fantasy setting, and it mainly focuses on the machinations of international war diplomacy and the struggles of the royal court and everything that the two encompass. The lore consists mostly of the different religions within the continent, and their own magic and loyalties. The royals involved in the diplomatic struggle all have relations, one way or another, to a different religion, and thirst for the abilities they can gain from controlling the gods and goddesses’ gifts. I don’t want to spoil the complex intricacies of the political plot, so I will only mention that those who enjoyed the Letters of Enchantment Series by Rebecca Ross, The Chronicles of Castellane Series by Cassandra Clare, Elantris and Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson, and The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison must not skip on this novel. It is equal in quality at all possible levels.
There are four main characters who serve as narrative perspectives within the novel: Fia, Silas, Orden and Ari. Each has an incredible character arc, adding thus more layers to the novel.
I will start by mentioning King Orden. Objectively speaking, he is the hero who managed to overthrow his own family’s former tyrannical rule. He did so through bloodshed, and he is both revered and feared for that. Orden is regarded by others both as the lesser evil and as not cruel enough. His happy ever after with his Queen and Heir is seen as a weakness, and his desire to maintain peace within his realm is regarded by others as naïveté. The tragedy of this hero is that after winning and getting everything he wanted for his country, he is not enough; he is never enough, not for his Queen, not for his brother, not for his people, and all for different reasons. The fact that he cannot pick between one side or the other and tries to find a middle way is ultimately our King’s undoing; he can never satisfy everyone, and even when he tries to do good, he is seen as never enough. Not peaceful enough. Not bloodthirsty enough. Simply not enough. I enjoyed this twist on a character serving as King, seeing how the concept of rule and nobility differs from person to person, all projecting a different image on him, but never the one true to his ultimately chivalrous personality. The undoing of his character is beautifully done, and I enjoyed every moment of it — the author showed masterful writing in constructing Orden.
The Queen, Ari, serves as the trigger of all events in this first novel. Due to the birth of her son, Fia is sent to the castle, due to his love for her, the King acts in uncharacteristic ways to protect her, due to her persistence, Silas acts quietly defiant. She is the centre piece of all the action in this book, and truthfully her existence as the one who controls the narrative both internally and externally is well-done. Ari’s character is both complex and not; she is stuck in a mentality of victimhood and martyrdom, and manages to project a tame and innocent image to others, yet she is ultimately very self-absorbed. Only she can be right, only she can tell right from wrong, only she can view the true value of others, only she can claim life or death. Under the guise of a peaceful nobility, Ari’s character reveals condescension towards even those most loyal towards her. She is always above others, above judgement. The layers of her character unravel as the plot moves forward, like puzzle pieces falling into the right places.
The relationship between Orden and Ari is beautifully tragic; one of the parallels to Letters of Enchantment falls here, for those in the know.
Our main protagonist, Fia, is like the Sun Goddess herself. She burns with passion and persistence, and nothing stands between her and her aim. She is a character who believes that the end justifies the means, and is marvellously observant of the world around her, keen for knowledge and power to protect, and a master manipulator of both words and religion. I absolutely loved her character, and her progression throughout the entire novel. A mother and a practical woman, she is beautiful in all possible ways. She is sadly underestimated by the person she respects most, but her match is found in Silas. He lights the fire within her, brings her out of her shell of isolation, and makes her shine all while being respectful of the limits she sets for him. The mutual yearning of the two was splendid, enchanting and deeply intimate.
Lastly, Silas. The Priest, the King’s brother, the servant of gods he doesn’t believe in. If he has a religion, then it is Fia herself. I wish to speak more of how exquisite his character is, but I would end up spoiling. As such, I can only say he is as noble, royal and gallant as Maia, Raoden and Kitt. Perhaps I should add Faramir to this comparison too, for Silas is the unexpected noble knight in shining armour we all dream of seeing in fantasy novels.
Last, but definitely not least, and perhaps the most magical element of his novel, the prose. Beautiful, elegant, refined and enchanting — its silkiness has something which reminds me of Tolkien, at the very least in the construction of a world so magical it seems shiningly beautiful even at its worst. There’s an organic rhythm, a mixture of metaphors and poetry, all with a different voice depending on the character whose perspective is enhanced. There is a variation of sentences structure wise, the writing having a fluidity adaptable to every kind of scene. Even if everything else were less than perfect (which it is not), the prose itself is so alluring that it would make The Castle & the Cloister worth reading. Excellent work of the author and her editor/s!
Already looking forward to the next volume of this series. I hope everyone who enjoys political fantasy novels will give this a try. This novel is truly a gem.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Orden Inver, the unexpected heir to his family's bloody lineage, is engaged in two wars at once. The Inver's violent gods are at odds with the peaceful religion of the rest of the land, but Orden's violence is held in check by his wife Ariana, who balances her own desires for peace with love of her husband. When Ariana gives birth, her old friend Fia is manipulated into coming to her aid.
Review
I’m a little conflicted in how I feel about this book. It was very competently put together, but with some important flaws, yet redeemed itself in part toward the end.
Technically, in many ways, it was one of the strongest debut novels I’ve seen. The prose is strong, the characters carefully thought out, the emotional highs and lows well placed, the world credible. There’s a lot that’s good about it, and I can add to that an ending that in many ways supported emotional impact rather than Hollywood happiness.
At the same time time, there were some weaknesses. While the world building is well done – clearly deep, but never piled on as dressing – some aspects needed more balance. For example, there are two opposed religions, but one is clearly depicted as the true and honest religion, while the other is evil and venal. In a book that seems in many ways to strive for accuracy, that kind of black and white delineation rings false. That’s true of some of the characters as well – Ariana in particular, while assigned a few token flaws, is too pure for words, and simply doesn’t fit in a world where everyone makes pragmatic compromises left and right. Her complement, Fia, is more credible, but comes across as remarkably flat for someone making such difficult decisions. I read Fia as being much more in service of the plot than as a fully developed character, which is a serious problem in her role as the story’s hinge pin. The story’s main villain is irritatingly two dimensional. These character weaknesses are all the more unfortunate in a story that so clearly was trying to make them credible. Fia at one point betrays someone for seemingly no other real purpose than to betray them – there’s a given story reason, but it’s a thin reed. A few characters are so incredibly convenient that they undermine the story, with only one given a rationale for being so.
There’s also far too much politics in the story for my taste – realistic, but not interesting, in the same way that Katherine Kurtz’ Deryni stories got off track (and were famously called out by Ursula Le Guin). More troubling to me was a continuing S&M-flavored thread of misogyny and submission that was not at all to my taste. There were quite a few moments that I found genuinely repellent, and not only from the designated villains.
Formatting-wise, it was mildly irritating that it takes a long while to get to the actual story – working past page after page of praise, an author’s note that while interesting should have been an afterword, etc. There were only a few typos that will hopefully have been cleaned up by the time this is published.
While this mostly looks to stand as a complete novel on its own, the final chapter and epilogue say ‘sequel’ in big, flashing letters. It could be interesting, but I do think there’s a risk that story will double down on this one’s flaws. For the time being, if you’re interested in a credible, interesting world with complex but sometimes simply drawn characters, try this out.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Summary
Orden Inver, the unexpected heir to his family's bloody lineage, is engaged in two wars at once. The Inver's violent gods are at odds with the peaceful religion of the rest of the land, but Orden's violence is held in check by his wife Ariana, who balances her own desires for peace with love of her husband. When Ariana gives birth, her old friend Fia is manipulated into coming to her aid.
Review
I’m a little conflicted in how I feel about this book. It was very competently put together, but with some important flaws, yet redeemed itself in part toward the end.
Technically, in many ways, it was one of the strongest debut novels I’ve seen. The prose is strong, the characters carefully thought out, the emotional highs and lows well placed, the world credible. There’s a lot that’s good about it, and I can add to that an ending that in many ways supported emotional impact rather than Hollywood happiness.
At the same time time, there were some weaknesses. While the world building is well done – clearly deep, but never piled on as dressing – some aspects needed more balance. For example, there are two opposed religions, but one is clearly depicted as the true and honest religion, while the other is evil and venal. In a book that seems in many ways to strive for accuracy, that kind of black and white delineation rings false. That’s true of some of the characters as well – Ariana in particular, while assigned a few token flaws, is too pure for words, and simply doesn’t fit in a world where everyone makes pragmatic compromises left and right. Her complement, Fia, is more credible, but comes across as remarkably flat for someone making such difficult decisions. I read Fia as being much more in service of the plot than as a fully developed character, which is a serious problem in her role as the story’s hinge pin. The story’s main villain is irritatingly two dimensional. These character weaknesses are all the more unfortunate in a story that so clearly was trying to make them credible. Fia at one point betrays someone for seemingly no other real purpose than to betray them – there’s a given story reason, but it’s a thin reed. A few characters are so incredibly convenient that they undermine the story, with only one given a rationale for being so.
There’s also far too much politics in the story for my taste – realistic, but not interesting, in the same way that Katherine Kurtz’ Deryni stories got off track (and were famously called out by Ursula Le Guin). More troubling to me was a continuing S&M-flavored thread of misogyny and submission that was not at all to my taste. There were quite a few moments that I found genuinely repellent, and not only from the designated villains.
Formatting-wise, it was mildly irritating that it takes a long while to get to the actual story – working past page after page of praise, an author’s note that while interesting should have been an afterword, etc. There were only a few typos that will hopefully have been cleaned up by the time this is published.
While this mostly looks to stand as a complete novel on its own, the final chapter and epilogue say ‘sequel’ in big, flashing letters. It could be interesting, but I do think there’s a risk that story will double down on this one’s flaws. For the time being, if you’re interested in a credible, interesting world with complex but sometimes simply drawn characters, try this out.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
4.5 stars
THE CASTLE AND THE CLOISTER is a novel about difficult choices and clinging to your beliefs no matter what - and the consequences of that.
Fia and Ari narrate, along with the Priest and the king (Orden). It was really interesting to see all their perspectives on the book, their different approaches to gaining what they wanted. Fia is certainly the main character with the Priest next. I definitely preferred Fia over Ari (it seems like most people find one or other calls to them more) - she has such determination and is very openly ruthless when she decides there is something she wants.
I also really liked the Priest - he's the king's half-brother, blinded after a botched assassination attempt, and surviving by being the overlooked priest. He slowly begins to grasp the immense power this could have (and looks like next book he will be wielding that power openly) but at the same time is wracked by doubts in his faith (the brutal, patriarchal opposition to the goddess-lead peaceful one). It makes for a really interesting character and one you want to know what he'll do, which side he'll choose.
This is a book about religion and what it costs to follow your faith. There are two main religions in the book - one headed by three goddesses that requires peace and mercy at any cost and one that demands victory and violence under male gods. On the surface, this would seem a pretty obvious "patriarchy is bad" set up, but the matriarchal religion does not feel perfect. It demands non-violence even in self-defence, leading to endless martyrdom of its adherents. And the head priestesses (matria) are scheming and demanding sacrifices of their followers. I liked how complex the faiths were and that they demanded so much of its followers. It's not easy to truly follow either faith, something the characters were struggling with. This made the faiths feel so much more real than often the case in fantasy.
There are no easy answers in this book to any of the questions it poses. The characters are flawed and human and clinging doggedly to their beliefs - and not always asking if clinging to them so resolutely is actually twisting them into opposition to those beliefs. This is one of the things that really distinguishes adult from YA - the questions are not really answered and the exploration is so complex.
It's also a story about motherhood. Fia being a mother drives her actions, her determination to protect her daughter and forge another world. Ari gives birth early on and is dealing with the postpartum effects. I appreciate that there are books out there that centre the experience of motherhood (other great examples are THE LAST HOUR BETWEEN WORLDS and THE ADVENTURES OF AMINA AL-SIRAFI). I think someone who has a more personal experience of motherhood will identify with those themes more, but even if, like me, you don't, I think it's important and interesting to read about it and to have it centred in a book.
I am looking forward to the sequel!
4.5 stars
THE CASTLE AND THE CLOISTER is a novel about difficult choices and clinging to your beliefs no matter what - and the consequences of that.
Fia and Ari narrate, along with the Priest and the king (Orden). It was really interesting to see all their perspectives on the book, their different approaches to gaining what they wanted. Fia is certainly the main character with the Priest next. I definitely preferred Fia over Ari (it seems like most people find one or other calls to them more) - she has such determination and is very openly ruthless when she decides there is something she wants.
I also really liked the Priest - he's the king's half-brother, blinded after a botched assassination attempt, and surviving by being the overlooked priest. He slowly begins to grasp the immense power this could have (and looks like next book he will be wielding that power openly) but at the same time is wracked by doubts in his faith (the brutal, patriarchal opposition to the goddess-lead peaceful one). It makes for a really interesting character and one you want to know what he'll do, which side he'll choose.
This is a book about religion and what it costs to follow your faith. There are two main religions in the book - one headed by three goddesses that requires peace and mercy at any cost and one that demands victory and violence under male gods. On the surface, this would seem a pretty obvious "patriarchy is bad" set up, but the matriarchal religion does not feel perfect. It demands non-violence even in self-defence, leading to endless martyrdom of its adherents. And the head priestesses (matria) are scheming and demanding sacrifices of their followers. I liked how complex the faiths were and that they demanded so much of its followers. It's not easy to truly follow either faith, something the characters were struggling with. This made the faiths feel so much more real than often the case in fantasy.
There are no easy answers in this book to any of the questions it poses. The characters are flawed and human and clinging doggedly to their beliefs - and not always asking if clinging to them so resolutely is actually twisting them into opposition to those beliefs. This is one of the things that really distinguishes adult from YA - the questions are not really answered and the exploration is so complex.
It's also a story about motherhood. Fia being a mother drives her actions, her determination to protect her daughter and forge another world. Ari gives birth early on and is dealing with the postpartum effects. I appreciate that there are books out there that centre the experience of motherhood (other great examples are THE LAST HOUR BETWEEN WORLDS and THE ADVENTURES OF AMINA AL-SIRAFI). I think someone who has a more personal experience of motherhood will identify with those themes more, but even if, like me, you don't, I think it's important and interesting to read about it and to have it centred in a book.
I am looking forward to the sequel!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I have followed Weymouth's books for quite a few years now, since being completely charmed by The Light Between Worlds (her YA debut asking "what if Susan and Lucy came back to the real world with trauma after Narnia") and eagerly awaiting the switch to adult.
Summary: Fia is a single mother of a very young baby, and she is trying to join a cloister of nuns- one of the last strongholds of a Sun goddess sort of religion of love and warmth, in an increasingly wartorn country. The sisters tell her they will look after her baby and consider her application to join... as long as she goes to the court of the rampaging king to serve as a wet nurse for his queen, who is due to deliver a child any day now. She knew the queen long ago, when the queen was a sister in a Star goddess cloister. But the court is now under the rule of a warring leader and Fia will have to reckon with her own morals and ethical code in order to keep babies safe through fickle and evil times.
I liked this book a lot. I tend towards softer fantasy myself, loving anything Robin McKinley, Juliet Marillier, Patricia Wrede, and Tamora Pierce. This book verges on slightly too adult for me- at times it reminded me of Game of Thrones or Priory of the Orange Tree, which both veer a bit too heavily into politics and violence for my personal taste. So that is my only major reservation.
I found myself wishing we had more time in the sunny cloister with Fia's little daughter- I wanted to see more of the fiercely loving motherhood that was the spine behind all of Fia's actions. She leaves Miriel (her daughter) behind early in the book and we spend almost no time with her. All of Fia's mother-love is directed at the queen's son or done in the long-distance abstract calculus of "will this get me home to Miriel faster". Meaningful, but less impactful.
Orden, the war-hungry king, and Ariana, the gentle queen, have a very confusing relationship. It reminded me of the S&M adjacent dynamic from Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey (another favorite of mine), however I didn't feel like Orden ever really earned it, nor did I feel like I understood why Ariana made some of the choices she did.
All that being said: Fia the wet nurse and The Priest (the blind brother of the king who is one part spymaster, one part priest, and one part rebellious and angry man) were my favorite parts of the story. The characterization of a blind man who runs a court via strings and favors (literally, strings vibrate along the court and lead to his chambers and he knows what is happening where based on vibrations) was incredible. The descriptions and writing in his POV scenes are done entirely in touch and scent and sound based writing. This obviously makes the sex that much hotter. He reminded me of Varus from Game of Thrones, if Varus were more like Jaime Lannister or Ned Stark- inextricably tied to the crown, conflicted by his duty and his family and his faith, trapped in the cross fire of a regime hellbent on violence and destruction.
It was an excellent book and a very promising adult fantasy debut.
I'm looking forward to the sequel with high expectations!
I have followed Weymouth's books for quite a few years now, since being completely charmed by The Light Between Worlds (her YA debut asking "what if Susan and Lucy came back to the real world with trauma after Narnia") and eagerly awaiting the switch to adult.
Summary: Fia is a single mother of a very young baby, and she is trying to join a cloister of nuns- one of the last strongholds of a Sun goddess sort of religion of love and warmth, in an increasingly wartorn country. The sisters tell her they will look after her baby and consider her application to join... as long as she goes to the court of the rampaging king to serve as a wet nurse for his queen, who is due to deliver a child any day now. She knew the queen long ago, when the queen was a sister in a Star goddess cloister. But the court is now under the rule of a warring leader and Fia will have to reckon with her own morals and ethical code in order to keep babies safe through fickle and evil times.
I liked this book a lot. I tend towards softer fantasy myself, loving anything Robin McKinley, Juliet Marillier, Patricia Wrede, and Tamora Pierce. This book verges on slightly too adult for me- at times it reminded me of Game of Thrones or Priory of the Orange Tree, which both veer a bit too heavily into politics and violence for my personal taste. So that is my only major reservation.
I found myself wishing we had more time in the sunny cloister with Fia's little daughter- I wanted to see more of the fiercely loving motherhood that was the spine behind all of Fia's actions. She leaves Miriel (her daughter) behind early in the book and we spend almost no time with her. All of Fia's mother-love is directed at the queen's son or done in the long-distance abstract calculus of "will this get me home to Miriel faster". Meaningful, but less impactful.
Orden, the war-hungry king, and Ariana, the gentle queen, have a very confusing relationship. It reminded me of the S&M adjacent dynamic from Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey (another favorite of mine), however I didn't feel like Orden ever really earned it, nor did I feel like I understood why Ariana made some of the choices she did.
All that being said: Fia the wet nurse and The Priest (the blind brother of the king who is one part spymaster, one part priest, and one part rebellious and angry man) were my favorite parts of the story. The characterization of a blind man who runs a court via strings and favors (literally, strings vibrate along the court and lead to his chambers and he knows what is happening where based on vibrations) was incredible. The descriptions and writing in his POV scenes are done entirely in touch and scent and sound based writing. This obviously makes the sex that much hotter. He reminded me of Varus from Game of Thrones, if Varus were more like Jaime Lannister or Ned Stark- inextricably tied to the crown, conflicted by his duty and his family and his faith, trapped in the cross fire of a regime hellbent on violence and destruction.
It was an excellent book and a very promising adult fantasy debut.
I'm looking forward to the sequel with high expectations!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The worldbuilding around the goddesses and their religious orders was great, but as a story I found this really leaden. The first quarter of the book is very tell-don't-show, which got old fast, and most of the characters were so...basic? They felt stolid, all of them, plodding. Even the ones with Super Important Secrets did not feel like complex, multi-layered people, just collections of very obvious tropes. The prose turns pretty when it's describing nature - trees or fields or whatever - but otherwise it's... Honestly, I'm confused, because the prose seems like it SHOULD be lovely, but it sounds just a little off to my inner ear. I can't pinpoint why.
I had a lot of trouble believing in a lot of the conversations, a lot of the actions of the various characters. Dialogue often sounded really forced, and I couldn't figure out how or why this character or that one had ended up where they had, why they were doing what they were doing. For example, the king's Priest (capital p) secretly smuggles refugees through the cave system he lives in. But he...has no idea where the tunnel he leaves them at goes? It makes perfect sense for someone part of an underground railroad like this to not know who or where the next person on the railroad is; what bothered me was that he lives in these tunnels, but he...doesn't know where this one tunnel comes out? Why not? Sir, you live here. Or the way the queen is giving birth, but all the attendants are rude and awful and not helping her - even though a) the king adores her, and b) she is giving birth to the heir to the throne. It's BONKERS for them to not take the best possible care of her, even if they don't like her, because the king will STRING THEM UP if she comes to any harm, or the baby does. But no, we need to have them be awful so we can have a moment of the Priest telling them off. Or, the almost-priestess who is sent to take an (unsealed?!) letter to the queen - the guards on the gate check out the letter (?!), then she is SHOWN INTO THE ROOM WHERE THE QUEEN IS GIVING BIRTH.
A COMPLETE STRANGER.
A REPRESENTATIVE OF A LOATHED RELIGION, AT THAT.
IS ALLOWED...INTO THE ROOM WHERE THE QUEEN IS GIVING BIRTH TO THE HEIR OF THE THRONE. ON WHAT PLANET WOULD THIS HAPPEN?!
Oh, and the priestess is actually there for more than delivering a letter. But she only realises that when she sees the queen, because gods forbid the head of her order actually explained anything.
It's all so contrived. Things don't have to make sense, they have to be Dramatic, I guess.
I found myself thinking that this story is set too late - I needed a novel set, I don't know, fifteen years earlier, to set up the events of this book. As it was, I felt like we'd skipped over or hand-waved a lot of backstory - when it wasn't clumsily info-dumped on the reader, anyway. So much info-dumping, and so much of it repeated several times, especially all the stuff about the officially-not-a-war going on up north. You do not actually need to give me the exact same info four or five times in a handful of chapters!
Trying to read this just wasn't any fun, so I'm tapping out.
I had a lot of trouble believing in a lot of the conversations, a lot of the actions of the various characters. Dialogue often sounded really forced, and I couldn't figure out how or why this character or that one had ended up where they had, why they were doing what they were doing. For example, the king's Priest (capital p) secretly smuggles refugees through the cave system he lives in. But he...has no idea where the tunnel he leaves them at goes? It makes perfect sense for someone part of an underground railroad like this to not know who or where the next person on the railroad is; what bothered me was that he lives in these tunnels, but he...doesn't know where this one tunnel comes out? Why not? Sir, you live here. Or the way the queen is giving birth, but all the attendants are rude and awful and not helping her - even though a) the king adores her, and b) she is giving birth to the heir to the throne. It's BONKERS for them to not take the best possible care of her, even if they don't like her, because the king will STRING THEM UP if she comes to any harm, or the baby does. But no, we need to have them be awful so we can have a moment of the Priest telling them off. Or, the almost-priestess who is sent to take an (unsealed?!) letter to the queen - the guards on the gate check out the letter (?!), then she is SHOWN INTO THE ROOM WHERE THE QUEEN IS GIVING BIRTH.
A COMPLETE STRANGER.
A REPRESENTATIVE OF A LOATHED RELIGION, AT THAT.
IS ALLOWED...INTO THE ROOM WHERE THE QUEEN IS GIVING BIRTH TO THE HEIR OF THE THRONE. ON WHAT PLANET WOULD THIS HAPPEN?!
Oh, and the priestess is actually there for more than delivering a letter. But she only realises that when she sees the queen, because gods forbid the head of her order actually explained anything.
It's all so contrived. Things don't have to make sense, they have to be Dramatic, I guess.
I found myself thinking that this story is set too late - I needed a novel set, I don't know, fifteen years earlier, to set up the events of this book. As it was, I felt like we'd skipped over or hand-waved a lot of backstory - when it wasn't clumsily info-dumped on the reader, anyway. So much info-dumping, and so much of it repeated several times, especially all the stuff about the officially-not-a-war going on up north. You do not actually need to give me the exact same info four or five times in a handful of chapters!
Trying to read this just wasn't any fun, so I'm tapping out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐️
I'm not totally settled on how I feel about this book. I enjoyed its prose and the characters. It's a slow political fantasy, and I enjoyed the political maneuvering that dominated the plot.
The story, at least in book 1, has a much smaller scope than I expected. While the events of the book have wide consequences for the larger world, the narrative is very zoomed in on the three main characters and the setting is pretty limited as well. I liked all three main characters a lot, although I found some of the relationships between them better developed than others.
There's a lot of discussion of these characters' and their communities' differing perspectives on violence and martyrdom, and their hypocrisies, that I think sets up an interesting thematic conflict. I'm curious to see if the follow-through in book 2 navigates its nuance in a satisfying way. The cultural perspective on these varying philosophies is a bit weak, in part because the story is so focused on the protagonists that the communities they come from feel a bit flat and underdeveloped. Book 2 in this series probably needs to broaden its perspective and expand the setting significantly. I also hope the next book provides some detail on the magic system and its relationship to the different religions.
This book heavily focuses on motherhood and the postpartum experience. Fia has an infant daughter, and Ariana is in labor at the beginning of the book. The author also has the note at the start about her own postpartum experience and how it contributed to this book. After reading that note, I was surprised by how small a role the children themselves played. They certainly matter to the plot and to the character motivations, but they feel more like plot devices than characters. This isn't a criticism — most of the children involved are infants, but beyond that I found the centering of these women's experiences, informed by their motherhood but not revolving around their relationships with their children, to be a really interesting decision. I enjoyed seeing the lengths Fia would go to in the name of providing a better world for her daughter, and seeing that dedication in the form of political maneuvering and manipulation rather than a traditional martyred mother story.
The Priest is blind and I think this is generally handled well, but some of the mechanics of what he is and is not able to perceive I found confusing, particularly in one very crucial scene. There were a few similar moments where the mechanics of who knew what and who was where were unclear, in a way that muddled a plot line that I believe was supposed to be a dramatic reveal.
Overall I think this was a decent read despite its issues, and I'm leaning toward continuing with the sequel whenever it comes.
I'm not totally settled on how I feel about this book. I enjoyed its prose and the characters. It's a slow political fantasy, and I enjoyed the political maneuvering that dominated the plot.
The story, at least in book 1, has a much smaller scope than I expected. While the events of the book have wide consequences for the larger world, the narrative is very zoomed in on the three main characters and the setting is pretty limited as well. I liked all three main characters a lot, although I found some of the relationships between them better developed than others.
There's a lot of discussion of these characters' and their communities' differing perspectives on violence and martyrdom, and their hypocrisies, that I think sets up an interesting thematic conflict. I'm curious to see if the follow-through in book 2 navigates its nuance in a satisfying way. The cultural perspective on these varying philosophies is a bit weak, in part because the story is so focused on the protagonists that the communities they come from feel a bit flat and underdeveloped. Book 2 in this series probably needs to broaden its perspective and expand the setting significantly. I also hope the next book provides some detail on the magic system and its relationship to the different religions.
This book heavily focuses on motherhood and the postpartum experience. Fia has an infant daughter, and Ariana is in labor at the beginning of the book. The author also has the note at the start about her own postpartum experience and how it contributed to this book. After reading that note, I was surprised by how small a role the children themselves played. They certainly matter to the plot and to the character motivations, but they feel more like plot devices than characters. This isn't a criticism — most of the children involved are infants, but beyond that I found the centering of these women's experiences, informed by their motherhood but not revolving around their relationships with their children, to be a really interesting decision. I enjoyed seeing the lengths Fia would go to in the name of providing a better world for her daughter, and seeing that dedication in the form of political maneuvering and manipulation rather than a traditional martyred mother story.
The Priest is blind and I think this is generally handled well, but some of the mechanics of what he is and is not able to perceive I found confusing, particularly in one very crucial scene. There were a few similar moments where the mechanics of who knew what and who was where were unclear, in a way that muddled a plot line that I believe was supposed to be a dramatic reveal.
Overall I think this was a decent read despite its issues, and I'm leaning toward continuing with the sequel whenever it comes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"I have no intention of handing our daughter a world more broken than the one I was given. Whatever it takes, I will give her a life that is better and freer and closer to peace than mine ever was. If I have to alter the course of a nation in pursuit of that end, so be it. Honoria must move, because I will not."
4.25⭐
What a nice surprise.
This whole world feels very solid. It doesn't try to shove too much too fast into your face or loses its pace by painstakingly trying to anchor the universe; it trusts you to understand things without spelling it out for you; and for a plot that happens over 2 or 3 weeks, I actually felt like it was a lot longer, emotionally, instead of second-guessing the speed of the developments.
I think that'd be a great book for people who want to dip their toes into political fantasies without feeling overwhelmed, because while the zoomed-out plot and reason everyone is moving or forced to move the way they are is due to the politics of the kingdom and its relation to its neighbours, the political plot is slow-going, while we focus on the characters, their motivations for partaking into it at all, their efforts to move people where they want them..
The use of the religion (and kinda magic system ?) to explore pacifism is also really interesting. Actually every time I used "politics", I could have added a "/religion" because the two are so intertwined.
But my favourite aspect is still the characters.
I found them all to be vastly different and complex people, in a way that makes it understandable and logical even when they make decisions I was frustrated with.
The dynamic they all have is fascinating and really well done as well.
Ariana's faith is saintly but her soul is pulled apart between her king husband and her goddess and trying to bridge the two is killing her day by day.
Fia's determination to put her daughter first makes her fight the encompassing empathy that is constantly balancing her ruthlessness.
Orden is a greedy tyrant but also a besotted husband, determined to make his wife happy even as his very being is at odd with everything she represents.
The Priest has made the trade of.. well everything, is exchange for his life, hiding behind a false loyalty but never willing to pull away from it.
Even Afon, while not having many scenes, was fascinating with his toxic obsession with Ariana and the Inver.
I will absolutely buy a copy when it's released and will be looking forward to the sequel.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"You have do this," she murmured under her breath, because she needed to hear it from someone, and there was no one else. "You can keep on. Get up now, it's all right."
4.25⭐
What a nice surprise.
This whole world feels very solid. It doesn't try to shove too much too fast into your face or loses its pace by painstakingly trying to anchor the universe; it trusts you to understand things without spelling it out for you; and for a plot that happens over 2 or 3 weeks, I actually felt like it was a lot longer, emotionally, instead of second-guessing the speed of the developments.
I think that'd be a great book for people who want to dip their toes into political fantasies without feeling overwhelmed, because while the zoomed-out plot and reason everyone is moving or forced to move the way they are is due to the politics of the kingdom and its relation to its neighbours, the political plot is slow-going, while we focus on the characters, their motivations for partaking into it at all, their efforts to move people where they want them..
The use of the religion (and kinda magic system ?) to explore pacifism is also really interesting. Actually every time I used "politics", I could have added a "/religion" because the two are so intertwined.
But my favourite aspect is still the characters.
I found them all to be vastly different and complex people, in a way that makes it understandable and logical even when they make decisions I was frustrated with.
The dynamic they all have is fascinating and really well done as well.
Ariana's faith is saintly but her soul is pulled apart between her king husband and her goddess and trying to bridge the two is killing her day by day.
Fia's determination to put her daughter first makes her fight the encompassing empathy that is constantly balancing her ruthlessness.
Orden is a greedy tyrant but also a besotted husband, determined to make his wife happy even as his very being is at odd with everything she represents.
The Priest has made the trade of.. well everything, is exchange for his life, hiding behind a false loyalty but never willing to pull away from it.
Even Afon, while not having many scenes, was fascinating with his toxic obsession with Ariana and the Inver.
I will absolutely buy a copy when it's released and will be looking forward to the sequel.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"You have do this," she murmured under her breath, because she needed to hear it from someone, and there was no one else. "You can keep on. Get up now, it's all right."
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC
Sometimes you read a book you don't know that you've been waiting for, and this is one of them. I was wary going into this as it seems motherhood plays a big role in the book, and I am someone who doesn't have children and doesn't want them. But I think it gave this book a unique perspective that is sometimes missing from epic fantasy. The role of a wet nurse can be traced back to the 20th century, and held extreme significance with royalty. Having a wet nurse character POV in this book was very unique and I loved it.
Of course, Fia isn't just a wet nurse. She's a young postulant who wants to join the cloister and live in peace. But she soon finds herself playing a very different role in politics, Fia was an incredible character. She is passionate and persistent and very stubborn. She is observant and isn't afraid to manipulate people to get what she wants. I genuinely loved her journey through this book and I cannot wait to see where her character goes in the second book.
There are three other POVs in this book. Ari, a pacifist Queen. The blind Priest who does not believe in the gods he serves. And Orden, the King who overthrew tyrannical rule and is the hero to his people, but is embroiled in war and fending off his enemies. All of the POVs were distinct and well written. I especially loved seeing Orden from all the different POVs and how each character has their own opinion of him.
This is a political thriller of a book. I've seen it be compared to Samantha Shannon's The Priory of the Orange Tree and I completely agree with that comparison. It's a book about political manoeuvring, pacifism, conflict, religion, intrigue, love, and YEARNING. Can I mention the yearning? I absolutely loved the romance in this, and I am desperate for the next book because I need more of it.
The only thing that's holding me back from giving this a full 5 stars is that there is a clear difference between the two religions and it is written very clearly about which one is supposed to be the "right one". It's a bit heavy-handed. I'm not even religious myself but it was quite obvious immediately,
In the author's note at the end, she said she'd been writing this book for a long time, and I can tell. The writing is smooth and confident, and there's no lost plot threads (or at least there is a few but I am confident they'll be dealt with in the next book).
This is a character driven fantasy with a wide cast of characters, and I loved reading it so much. If you want a book that's along the lines of Priory of the Orange Tree, please pick this up. It's intriguing and I cannot wait to read the second book.
Sometimes you read a book you don't know that you've been waiting for, and this is one of them. I was wary going into this as it seems motherhood plays a big role in the book, and I am someone who doesn't have children and doesn't want them. But I think it gave this book a unique perspective that is sometimes missing from epic fantasy. The role of a wet nurse can be traced back to the 20th century, and held extreme significance with royalty. Having a wet nurse character POV in this book was very unique and I loved it.
Of course, Fia isn't just a wet nurse. She's a young postulant who wants to join the cloister and live in peace. But she soon finds herself playing a very different role in politics, Fia was an incredible character. She is passionate and persistent and very stubborn. She is observant and isn't afraid to manipulate people to get what she wants. I genuinely loved her journey through this book and I cannot wait to see where her character goes in the second book.
There are three other POVs in this book. Ari, a pacifist Queen. The blind Priest who does not believe in the gods he serves. And Orden, the King who overthrew tyrannical rule and is the hero to his people, but is embroiled in war and fending off his enemies. All of the POVs were distinct and well written. I especially loved seeing Orden from all the different POVs and how each character has their own opinion of him.
This is a political thriller of a book. I've seen it be compared to Samantha Shannon's The Priory of the Orange Tree and I completely agree with that comparison. It's a book about political manoeuvring, pacifism, conflict, religion, intrigue, love, and YEARNING. Can I mention the yearning? I absolutely loved the romance in this, and I am desperate for the next book because I need more of it.
The only thing that's holding me back from giving this a full 5 stars is that there is a clear difference between the two religions and it is written very clearly about which one is supposed to be the "right one". It's a bit heavy-handed. I'm not even religious myself but it was quite obvious immediately,
In the author's note at the end, she said she'd been writing this book for a long time, and I can tell. The writing is smooth and confident, and there's no lost plot threads (or at least there is a few but I am confident they'll be dealt with in the next book).
This is a character driven fantasy with a wide cast of characters, and I loved reading it so much. If you want a book that's along the lines of Priory of the Orange Tree, please pick this up. It's intriguing and I cannot wait to read the second book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The world feels solid underfoot, and I found all four PoV characters are compelling in their own ways. You have the two women, Fia and Ari, both mothers who are trying to make a better world for their children. Ari through her political maneuverings as she tries to steer her husband away from constant wars and violence, and Fia through helping Ari.
there is a lot of talk of children, bleeding, and the pain of being parted from a child — but if you’re like me and not terribly interested in the baby aspect, those scenes are pivotal to character motivation but don’t take up too much of the story. They’re not graphic and their not the defining personality trait of either woman. Fia is an asshole from start to finish; she uses people, even and especially those she loves. Ariana is under a great deal of stress and closing in on herself, tired of the conflicts of her pacifist faith — which is now banned — and having to surrender her daughters to keep them from being killed for their goddess marks.
Speaking of, those goddess marks and how the religious magic works feel a little vague at the moment (until one scene where we see Fia make use of hers), but I do expect to see it fleshed out in future books now that the cats out of the bag. And I honestly appreciate how skillful the religion has been created while at the same time despising it for deliberately raising young women to martyr themselves.
Of the two male POVs — the Priest and Orden — I find Orden more interesting, and I wonder … did he/does he know Afon’s secret? Is that what inspires some of his actions? Or does he not know, and he’s just a fool easily provoked? The Priest is in many ways the blandest character we meet, but given how the book ends and where he ends up, I do expect to see him grow into himself, especially since he starts the book deliberately diminishing himself to keep his brother from murdering him.
The reveal of what Ariana has done was really fun. And it sucks. She was told to make a choice and she did, and still ends up being blamed and responsible for things that aren’t her fault. But how else could she be a martyr if she’s not asked to take on all the injustice heaped on her.
The politics, the plots, and the people; this was just a good book with good writing, and I finished it in one sitting. I also can’t wait for book two. Thank you so very, very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!
there is a lot of talk of children, bleeding, and the pain of being parted from a child — but if you’re like me and not terribly interested in the baby aspect, those scenes are pivotal to character motivation but don’t take up too much of the story. They’re not graphic and their not the defining personality trait of either woman. Fia is an asshole from start to finish; she uses people, even and especially those she loves. Ariana is under a great deal of stress and closing in on herself, tired of the conflicts of her pacifist faith — which is now banned — and having to surrender her daughters to keep them from being killed for their goddess marks.
Speaking of, those goddess marks and how the religious magic works feel a little vague at the moment (until one scene where we see Fia make use of hers), but I do expect to see it fleshed out in future books now that the cats out of the bag. And I honestly appreciate how skillful the religion has been created while at the same time despising it for deliberately raising young women to martyr themselves.
Of the two male POVs — the Priest and Orden — I find Orden more interesting, and I wonder … did he/does he know Afon’s secret? Is that what inspires some of his actions? Or does he not know, and he’s just a fool easily provoked? The Priest is in many ways the blandest character we meet, but given how the book ends and where he ends up, I do expect to see him grow into himself, especially since he starts the book deliberately diminishing himself to keep his brother from murdering him.
The reveal of what Ariana has done was really fun. And it sucks. She was told to make a choice and she did, and still ends up being blamed and responsible for things that aren’t her fault. But how else could she be a martyr if she’s not asked to take on all the injustice heaped on her.
The politics, the plots, and the people; this was just a good book with good writing, and I finished it in one sitting. I also can’t wait for book two. Thank you so very, very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This gave me major Priory of the Orange Tree vibes and I was HERE for it.
There are three main characters that create a beautiful tapestry of political intrigue, a division between belief and responsibility, and intimate relationships.
A desperate mother seeking sanctuary who becomes the Queen’s wet nurse. A heretic queen navigating treacherous court politics torn between her pacifist innocent nature and desire for peace for the greater good above all. Finally, a plotting blinded priest who knows and does more than he should.
“I have no intention of handing our daughter a world more broken than the one I was given. Whatever it takes, I will give her a life that is better and freer and closer to peace than mine ever was. If I have to alter the course of a nation in pursuit of that end, so be it. Honoria must move, because I will not.”
This is a deep character study with each person caught between a rock and a hard place. Be that their convictions, religion, duty, family, and love.
There’s also a great contrasting of the characters which created difficult dynamics and choices.
The romance is such a minor sub-plot, but whilst I liked it, I have to say I was disappointed this wasn’t sapphic. That’s what I thought we were leading to, especially with the comparison to Priory of the Orange Tree.
I can grow fond of what I’m able to control, but I can’t love it, not truly. I can only love those who are equal to me—who may choose to yield, but could just as easily force my own submission.
I appreciated that there was clearly thought behind the blind priest in each scene. I am sick of fantasy books that seem to forget their character’s limitations scene to scene. Saying that, you do have to suspend your belief slightly with his prowess and capability at times.
This isn’t a standalone, but you will definitely be satisfied by how this one plays out. I was shocked by one of the reveals and a bit annoyed by one of them. My Instagram DMs are open to people who have finished.
A soft five stars.🌟
Physical arc gifted by Del Rey.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
There are three main characters that create a beautiful tapestry of political intrigue, a division between belief and responsibility, and intimate relationships.
A desperate mother seeking sanctuary who becomes the Queen’s wet nurse. A heretic queen navigating treacherous court politics torn between her pacifist innocent nature and desire for peace for the greater good above all. Finally, a plotting blinded priest who knows and does more than he should.
“I have no intention of handing our daughter a world more broken than the one I was given. Whatever it takes, I will give her a life that is better and freer and closer to peace than mine ever was. If I have to alter the course of a nation in pursuit of that end, so be it. Honoria must move, because I will not.”
This is a deep character study with each person caught between a rock and a hard place. Be that their convictions, religion, duty, family, and love.
There’s also a great contrasting of the characters which created difficult dynamics and choices.
The romance is such a minor sub-plot, but whilst I liked it, I have to say I was disappointed this wasn’t sapphic. That’s what I thought we were leading to, especially with the comparison to Priory of the Orange Tree.
I can grow fond of what I’m able to control, but I can’t love it, not truly. I can only love those who are equal to me—who may choose to yield, but could just as easily force my own submission.
I appreciated that there was clearly thought behind the blind priest in each scene. I am sick of fantasy books that seem to forget their character’s limitations scene to scene. Saying that, you do have to suspend your belief slightly with his prowess and capability at times.
This isn’t a standalone, but you will definitely be satisfied by how this one plays out. I was shocked by one of the reveals and a bit annoyed by one of them. My Instagram DMs are open to people who have finished.
A soft five stars.🌟
Physical arc gifted by Del Rey.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
• Review of advance copy received from publisher •
4.5⭐️
If you tell me a fantasy book is packed with political intrigue, it’s an instant add to TBR.
The Castle and the Cloister absolutely DELIVERED in this aspect and I ate it up!
The story is an ambitious political fantasy that draws you in with its intricate plotting and shifting alliances. We see characters forced to navigate impossible moral choices and it makes the stakes feel even higher. What begins as Fia’s hope of joining a cloister quickly becomes a dangerous game of influence where faith, power and survival are tightly intertwined. As a wet nurse thrust into the heart of the royal court, Fia proves to be a compelling FMC, determined, perceptive and willing to make difficult choices in the pursuit of peace, she won my heart a million times over.
For me, the political intrigue is easily the novel’s greatest strength… and trust me when I say it’s next level amazing! Every alliance is fragile, every conversation carries hidden motives and puts you on edge. Every character has their own agenda, you never quite pick what will happen next.
I loved how Fia, Queen Ariana and the blind priest each become powerful players despite occupying roles that others underestimate… this was such a powerful message to me. Ariana’s struggle to hold onto her ideals while navigating her unsettling relationship with the king adds yet another fascinating layer to the story, while the priest quietly pulls the strings from the shadows, proving that influence can be just as powerful as authority. Watching their stories intertwine, sometimes working toward the same goal and sometimes against one another made the court politics feel wonderfully unpredictable and meant I devoured this book in two days.
While this isn’t a fast paced fantasy, the careful plotting MORE than rewards your patience. If you’re looking for a character driven fantasy filled with epic political manoeuvring, religious conflict and super high stakes court intrigue, this one is well worth picking up and giving a go. Trust me.
4.5⭐️
If you tell me a fantasy book is packed with political intrigue, it’s an instant add to TBR.
The Castle and the Cloister absolutely DELIVERED in this aspect and I ate it up!
The story is an ambitious political fantasy that draws you in with its intricate plotting and shifting alliances. We see characters forced to navigate impossible moral choices and it makes the stakes feel even higher. What begins as Fia’s hope of joining a cloister quickly becomes a dangerous game of influence where faith, power and survival are tightly intertwined. As a wet nurse thrust into the heart of the royal court, Fia proves to be a compelling FMC, determined, perceptive and willing to make difficult choices in the pursuit of peace, she won my heart a million times over.
For me, the political intrigue is easily the novel’s greatest strength… and trust me when I say it’s next level amazing! Every alliance is fragile, every conversation carries hidden motives and puts you on edge. Every character has their own agenda, you never quite pick what will happen next.
I loved how Fia, Queen Ariana and the blind priest each become powerful players despite occupying roles that others underestimate… this was such a powerful message to me. Ariana’s struggle to hold onto her ideals while navigating her unsettling relationship with the king adds yet another fascinating layer to the story, while the priest quietly pulls the strings from the shadows, proving that influence can be just as powerful as authority. Watching their stories intertwine, sometimes working toward the same goal and sometimes against one another made the court politics feel wonderfully unpredictable and meant I devoured this book in two days.
While this isn’t a fast paced fantasy, the careful plotting MORE than rewards your patience. If you’re looking for a character driven fantasy filled with epic political manoeuvring, religious conflict and super high stakes court intrigue, this one is well worth picking up and giving a go. Trust me.
July 30, 2026
4.25✨ Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Del Ray and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of The Castle and the Cloister in exchange for an honest review.
Laura Weymouth’s adult debut is the start of an epic political fantasy duology, and it was a twisty, wild ride!
The Castle and the Cloister follows Fia, a young postulant hoping to pledge herself to the last remaining cloister of the realm’s sun goddess in order to secure safety for her infant daughter. The price is steep, and she finds herself attending the queen, Ariana, who is torn between her loyalty to her religion and her love for her husband.
King Orden is fully entrenched in the politicking of his court, torn between his love for his wife and his grasp on power. Silas, Orden’s (blind) priest (and brother), is torn between his values and his station within his brother’s court.
This was a heavy, slow journey but I absolutely loved it. I’ve seen it compared to The Priory of the Orange Tree, which I think is pretty apt (although not as romance-heavy as PotOT)…if you enjoy politician fantasy à la Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon, you will eat this up.
Exploring themes of motherhood, sacrifice, tyranny, duty vs desire, ever changing ethics, religion, this has a bit of something for everyone! The focus on motherhood in particular was such a great choice, as I felt it really brought honest relatability (I say this as a childfree human!) to an otherwise unrelatable/fantastical story.
The characters were all wonderfully complex, I was rooting for different aspects of all of our core cast at various points throughout the story. Even the villains were fully fleshed out which is quite impressive for book 1 in a duology!
There were plenty of twists and turns in this, as you would expect from a political fantasy, and at no point was I sure where the story would be going next. The ending set up book two PERFECTLY, and I am desperate to know what happens next. I am terrified slash excited 🙈
Laura Weymouth’s adult debut is the start of an epic political fantasy duology, and it was a twisty, wild ride!
The Castle and the Cloister follows Fia, a young postulant hoping to pledge herself to the last remaining cloister of the realm’s sun goddess in order to secure safety for her infant daughter. The price is steep, and she finds herself attending the queen, Ariana, who is torn between her loyalty to her religion and her love for her husband.
King Orden is fully entrenched in the politicking of his court, torn between his love for his wife and his grasp on power. Silas, Orden’s (blind) priest (and brother), is torn between his values and his station within his brother’s court.
This was a heavy, slow journey but I absolutely loved it. I’ve seen it compared to The Priory of the Orange Tree, which I think is pretty apt (although not as romance-heavy as PotOT)…if you enjoy politician fantasy à la Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon, you will eat this up.
Exploring themes of motherhood, sacrifice, tyranny, duty vs desire, ever changing ethics, religion, this has a bit of something for everyone! The focus on motherhood in particular was such a great choice, as I felt it really brought honest relatability (I say this as a childfree human!) to an otherwise unrelatable/fantastical story.
The characters were all wonderfully complex, I was rooting for different aspects of all of our core cast at various points throughout the story. Even the villains were fully fleshed out which is quite impressive for book 1 in a duology!
There were plenty of twists and turns in this, as you would expect from a political fantasy, and at no point was I sure where the story would be going next. The ending set up book two PERFECTLY, and I am desperate to know what happens next. I am terrified slash excited 🙈
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 ⭐
I wasn't sure what to expect going into The Castle and The Cloister as I haven't read any of the books it's been recommended for fans of but I really loved the premise and that's what captured my interest from the start. I will say I was very confused in the beginning, there is a lot to understand.
There is a large cast of characters that it takes a while to fully connect with and learn about their part in this story, the religious elements and how intricate the world is but once I could fully get into it I couldn't put it down and found myself becoming immersed into the story and the lives of these characters.
I haven't read anything quite like this before and that's what I loved the most it took me out of my comfort zone and kept me engaged until the very last page. Each and every character has a significant part they play in this story and I honestly loved and hated some of them at so many times, the way they are all deeply flawed and complex and have their own agendas but they also felt so very relatable and human that you couldn't help but sympathise with them even reluctantly at times.
This is very much a character driven story and this is where the strength of the book comes from, told through different PoVs that each have their own distinctive voices that makes it easy to understand and follow. There is a romance but it is very much a sub plot to the overall storyline and never once did it feel out of place or take anything away from the plot.
The world is rich and expansive and the plot development is intricate and intriguing and filled with so many twists and turns but at the forefront is motherhood and how these moments are wonderfully woven into the story to make them heartfelt. The pacing though feeling slow at the start continued to even out throughout until the very end where things ramped up to give an ending that has me looking forward to seeing where the story goes in the next book.
I wasn't sure what to expect going into The Castle and The Cloister as I haven't read any of the books it's been recommended for fans of but I really loved the premise and that's what captured my interest from the start. I will say I was very confused in the beginning, there is a lot to understand.
There is a large cast of characters that it takes a while to fully connect with and learn about their part in this story, the religious elements and how intricate the world is but once I could fully get into it I couldn't put it down and found myself becoming immersed into the story and the lives of these characters.
I haven't read anything quite like this before and that's what I loved the most it took me out of my comfort zone and kept me engaged until the very last page. Each and every character has a significant part they play in this story and I honestly loved and hated some of them at so many times, the way they are all deeply flawed and complex and have their own agendas but they also felt so very relatable and human that you couldn't help but sympathise with them even reluctantly at times.
This is very much a character driven story and this is where the strength of the book comes from, told through different PoVs that each have their own distinctive voices that makes it easy to understand and follow. There is a romance but it is very much a sub plot to the overall storyline and never once did it feel out of place or take anything away from the plot.
The world is rich and expansive and the plot development is intricate and intriguing and filled with so many twists and turns but at the forefront is motherhood and how these moments are wonderfully woven into the story to make them heartfelt. The pacing though feeling slow at the start continued to even out throughout until the very end where things ramped up to give an ending that has me looking forward to seeing where the story goes in the next book.
July 26, 2026
4.75-5⭐️
I went into this book not fully knowing what to expect but I ended up loving it! It is told through three different and unique povs: a blind priest, a postulant and an “heretic” queen. Somehow three main characters have much in common: even though they’ve had to do questionable things, they all strive for peace in a continent torn apart by war.
The interesting thing is that both Fia and queen Ariana are mothers and so motherhood plays a very important part in this book, which is very unique for a fantasy book and I didn’t mind it one bit! It is the children that act as motivators or as hostages and move the actions of the characters in the novel.
This book is full of complicated choices, morally gray characters, plots to undermine kings and complex relationships. I didn’t find it easy to form a full opinion on some of the characters because of their ambiguity!
If you like the shrewdness of HOTD, the fights for the throne together with mysticism, a fight between different faiths and powerful women, them you should definitely pick up this book!
Perhaps the only thing i would’ve done without is the emphasis on the faith that controlled in a way, the life of some characters. Anyway, my favourite character is definitely Fia, she’s determined (maybe a bit too much!), headstrong and fiercely protective. I also very much liked poor Silas❤️🩹 and i really hope everything goes well for him in book 2! I couldn’t fully connect with Ariana but she’s an interesting character overall, set to make too many impossible choices.
I wasn’t expecting that ending at all and I’m very much eager to read book 2 as soon as it comes out.
Thanks so much to Del Rey UK and Netgalley for a free earc, all opinions are my own!
I went into this book not fully knowing what to expect but I ended up loving it! It is told through three different and unique povs: a blind priest, a postulant and an “heretic” queen. Somehow three main characters have much in common: even though they’ve had to do questionable things, they all strive for peace in a continent torn apart by war.
The interesting thing is that both Fia and queen Ariana are mothers and so motherhood plays a very important part in this book, which is very unique for a fantasy book and I didn’t mind it one bit! It is the children that act as motivators or as hostages and move the actions of the characters in the novel.
This book is full of complicated choices, morally gray characters, plots to undermine kings and complex relationships. I didn’t find it easy to form a full opinion on some of the characters because of their ambiguity!
If you like the shrewdness of HOTD, the fights for the throne together with mysticism, a fight between different faiths and powerful women, them you should definitely pick up this book!
Perhaps the only thing i would’ve done without is the emphasis on the faith that controlled in a way, the life of some characters. Anyway, my favourite character is definitely Fia, she’s determined (maybe a bit too much!), headstrong and fiercely protective. I also very much liked poor Silas❤️🩹 and i really hope everything goes well for him in book 2! I couldn’t fully connect with Ariana but she’s an interesting character overall, set to make too many impossible choices.
I wasn’t expecting that ending at all and I’m very much eager to read book 2 as soon as it comes out.
Thanks so much to Del Rey UK and Netgalley for a free earc, all opinions are my own!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 Stars
The Castle and The Cloiseter is full of intriguing politics, complex characters, strong worldbuilding, and an interesting magic system. It is a quietly intense story exploring the religions and politics of the kingdom of Honoria and the people who have influence over them, with a focus on shaping the world for their children. Fia is a postulant at Raea's cloister looking to give her daughter a better and safer life than she herself had, who goes on a errand to deliver a note to the Queen in order to join the cloister. Ariana is the apostate queen, having foresaken Lyria the goddess of the stars in order to marry King Orden, who is on the verge of giving birth. The Priest, Silas, is the King's brother who was blinded during a struggle for power in the fight for the crown. These three's lives entangle in ways that will alter the future of Honoria forever.
It definitely took me a while to settle into this book as it is very slow going and dense in its worldbuilding, but I am glad I finally did. I loved how morally complicated the characters were and how devoted to each other they became. The world of this book was also deliciously moody. That being said I did have a few issues with this book including the deus ex machina near the end of the story and how clearly certain religions and antagonists were shown to be in the wrong as I thought there could be more nuance with them as with the other religions and characters. The story ends in such an interesting place for Fia, the Priest, and especially Ariana, so I am looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Castle and The Cloiseter is full of intriguing politics, complex characters, strong worldbuilding, and an interesting magic system. It is a quietly intense story exploring the religions and politics of the kingdom of Honoria and the people who have influence over them, with a focus on shaping the world for their children. Fia is a postulant at Raea's cloister looking to give her daughter a better and safer life than she herself had, who goes on a errand to deliver a note to the Queen in order to join the cloister. Ariana is the apostate queen, having foresaken Lyria the goddess of the stars in order to marry King Orden, who is on the verge of giving birth. The Priest, Silas, is the King's brother who was blinded during a struggle for power in the fight for the crown. These three's lives entangle in ways that will alter the future of Honoria forever.
It definitely took me a while to settle into this book as it is very slow going and dense in its worldbuilding, but I am glad I finally did. I loved how morally complicated the characters were and how devoted to each other they became. The world of this book was also deliciously moody. That being said I did have a few issues with this book including the deus ex machina near the end of the story and how clearly certain religions and antagonists were shown to be in the wrong as I thought there could be more nuance with them as with the other religions and characters. The story ends in such an interesting place for Fia, the Priest, and especially Ariana, so I am looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Promising fantasy for the fans of Priory of the orange tree.
The story is largely told from three perspectives. Fia, a young mother on the run who wishes to join her goddess’s convent. Ari, a promising queen who faces a series of hardships. The Priest, who, with a secret agenda up his sleeve, is trying to establish a safe environment for practising his faith. A complex society, multiple gods, strong characters, political conspiracies and certain magical powers all come together to form a coherent and fascinating whole. Occasionally, there are also some action scenes and witty exchanges interspersed throughout, which are delightful to read. Towards the end, there are also several plot twists that make the story truly gripping. It is furthermore refreshing that motherhood plays such a significant role in this story, something you don’t often come across in fantasy. The stories of the female characters do not come to an end simply because they become mothers; quite the opposite, in fact.
In short, a must-read for anyone who enjoys fantasy and stories featuring scheming and political undertones.
The only downside to this story is that the middle section was a little too slow, and for a long time it was rather unclear where the story was headed. It is only towards the end that the plot begins to take shape a bit more clearly. This book is the first part of a duology, so the plot is bound to come into its own more fully in the second instalment.
Thank you Saga Press and Del Rey for this ARC.
The story is largely told from three perspectives. Fia, a young mother on the run who wishes to join her goddess’s convent. Ari, a promising queen who faces a series of hardships. The Priest, who, with a secret agenda up his sleeve, is trying to establish a safe environment for practising his faith. A complex society, multiple gods, strong characters, political conspiracies and certain magical powers all come together to form a coherent and fascinating whole. Occasionally, there are also some action scenes and witty exchanges interspersed throughout, which are delightful to read. Towards the end, there are also several plot twists that make the story truly gripping. It is furthermore refreshing that motherhood plays such a significant role in this story, something you don’t often come across in fantasy. The stories of the female characters do not come to an end simply because they become mothers; quite the opposite, in fact.
In short, a must-read for anyone who enjoys fantasy and stories featuring scheming and political undertones.
The only downside to this story is that the middle section was a little too slow, and for a long time it was rather unclear where the story was headed. It is only towards the end that the plot begins to take shape a bit more clearly. This book is the first part of a duology, so the plot is bound to come into its own more fully in the second instalment.
Thank you Saga Press and Del Rey for this ARC.
July 20, 2026
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this eARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ DNF at around 50%
The Castle and the Cloister is a political fantasy following three characters trying to shape the future of a war torn continent. The political worldbuilding was the novel’s strongest aspect. The politics felt well thought out without becoming convoluted, and information was revealed at a pace that made it easy to follow. Sometimes politics can be messy but I found it straightforward.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t the right audience for the rest of the story. I found the heavy focus on religion difficult to engage with (like it’s every page) and from my perspective both religions felt very problematic, even though the narrative seemed to present one more favourably than the other. I would’ve preferred a more impartial approach..
I also think readers should know that pregnancy and motherhood are central themes throughout the story, as this isn’t something the synopsis really conveys.
The characters didn’t quite connect with me either. While Fia had the strongest development, I struggled with her perspective and found it difficult to empathise with some of her priorities, particularly in contrast to her treatment of the orphaned children.
Ultimately, I decided to DNF this one as it wasn’t holding my interest. That said, if you’re looking for a political fantasy with strong religious and motherhood themes, this may be a much better fit for you than it was for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ DNF at around 50%
The Castle and the Cloister is a political fantasy following three characters trying to shape the future of a war torn continent. The political worldbuilding was the novel’s strongest aspect. The politics felt well thought out without becoming convoluted, and information was revealed at a pace that made it easy to follow. Sometimes politics can be messy but I found it straightforward.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t the right audience for the rest of the story. I found the heavy focus on religion difficult to engage with (like it’s every page) and from my perspective both religions felt very problematic, even though the narrative seemed to present one more favourably than the other. I would’ve preferred a more impartial approach..
I also think readers should know that pregnancy and motherhood are central themes throughout the story, as this isn’t something the synopsis really conveys.
The characters didn’t quite connect with me either. While Fia had the strongest development, I struggled with her perspective and found it difficult to empathise with some of her priorities, particularly in contrast to her treatment of the orphaned children.
Ultimately, I decided to DNF this one as it wasn’t holding my interest. That said, if you’re looking for a political fantasy with strong religious and motherhood themes, this may be a much better fit for you than it was for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was given an advance reader copy of The Castle and the Cloister for an honest review. This is Book #1 of The Daughters of Light Duology – releases August 2026.
This book was great! I love character driven stories that also bring action, intrigue, and immersive world building. The plot moves with and through the internal motivations of the characters giving it depth and purpose. Two of the main character’s (Fia and Ariana) are strong parental figures showing the physical and emotional challenges of negotiating the religious, political, romantic, moral, and other aspects within themselves and the kingdoms they are trying to influence or save while balancing their number one motivation – the well-being of their child and the world they live in. I love these two and how they are portrayed. When characters have layers, it keeps me reading.
The setting has thoughtful deep world building – with each region within this world feeling real and lived in. The areas have a purpose (not just window dressing) that lends connection to the characters in the story. For me, some of the regions were characters unto themselves.
I knew this story was part of a duology, so I was curious as to how this book would end and lead into the second book. The author did not disappoint and I’m looking forward to the next part of this story.
I highly recommend giving this a read.
This book was great! I love character driven stories that also bring action, intrigue, and immersive world building. The plot moves with and through the internal motivations of the characters giving it depth and purpose. Two of the main character’s (Fia and Ariana) are strong parental figures showing the physical and emotional challenges of negotiating the religious, political, romantic, moral, and other aspects within themselves and the kingdoms they are trying to influence or save while balancing their number one motivation – the well-being of their child and the world they live in. I love these two and how they are portrayed. When characters have layers, it keeps me reading.
The setting has thoughtful deep world building – with each region within this world feeling real and lived in. The areas have a purpose (not just window dressing) that lends connection to the characters in the story. For me, some of the regions were characters unto themselves.
I knew this story was part of a duology, so I was curious as to how this book would end and lead into the second book. The author did not disappoint and I’m looking forward to the next part of this story.
I highly recommend giving this a read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 ⭐️ - ARC review
Thank you Laura E. Weymouth, Saga Press, and NetGalley for this eARC!
“In their singing together, Ariana found her confusion over her goddess, over Orden, over Honoria’s fate and the politic games of nations, all slipping away. There was only this. There was light. There was music. There was the welcome darkness and silence in between.”
The Castle and the Cloister is a slow-burn fantasy rich in the entanglement of religion, politics, pacifism, and motherhood. Laura crafted a detailed world that while it took a while for me to settle in the castle and characters, has a feeling of older fantasy novels. Fia, the Priest, and Adriana while each are told the role they have to play, go on a journey discovering what defines success and power. Can battles be won only on the field or in softness of one’s hand? What does blood shed represent? And how much is needed? The warring religion easy to pin, but both sides has its problematic issues. I hope to learn more about the Inver religion in the concluding book as we only see it through the eyes of the nobility and their thirst for spilled blood. Manipulation and interpretation of text is a focal issue of the discussion. This is a character driven novel while maintaining a more intimate plot. I’m curious to see what unfolds in in’s sequel and the conclusion to this duology.
Thank you Laura E. Weymouth, Saga Press, and NetGalley for this eARC!
“In their singing together, Ariana found her confusion over her goddess, over Orden, over Honoria’s fate and the politic games of nations, all slipping away. There was only this. There was light. There was music. There was the welcome darkness and silence in between.”
The Castle and the Cloister is a slow-burn fantasy rich in the entanglement of religion, politics, pacifism, and motherhood. Laura crafted a detailed world that while it took a while for me to settle in the castle and characters, has a feeling of older fantasy novels. Fia, the Priest, and Adriana while each are told the role they have to play, go on a journey discovering what defines success and power. Can battles be won only on the field or in softness of one’s hand? What does blood shed represent? And how much is needed? The warring religion easy to pin, but both sides has its problematic issues. I hope to learn more about the Inver religion in the concluding book as we only see it through the eyes of the nobility and their thirst for spilled blood. Manipulation and interpretation of text is a focal issue of the discussion. This is a character driven novel while maintaining a more intimate plot. I’m curious to see what unfolds in in’s sequel and the conclusion to this duology.
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