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The Gray Sheep: The Lochsmith Book I
Not yet published
Expected 5 May 26After her father’s poor health forces him to retire, Cosette Argant proudly continues his trade, forging a reputation as Marenburg’s first female jeweler. But when Tearnan warships attack her coastal home and turn its narrow streets and ancient walled Quarters into a brutal battlefield, the rippling violence destroys nearly everything Cosette and her family have built. She fears losing her father, too, and enacts a desperate plan to cross the war-torn city to reach him.
While smuggling herself through occupied territory, she is mistaken for a spy and captured by the Tearnan army. Now a prisoner, Cosette is caught in a struggle between enemy factions intent on using her for their own ends. Her only hope of release, and of reaching her father, is to cooperate with the invaders. But as the fighting intensifies, it becomes increasingly difficult to cooperate without betraying the home—and the people—she loves, until she’s finally faced with a choice she never expected to have to make.
The Gray Sheep is the first book in the Lochsmith trilogy, a story of one ordinary woman’s intimate experience with war and the change she makes in the trajectory of a continent-wide conflict.
Perfect for fans of S. A. Chakraborty’s The City of Brass and Hannah Kaner’s Godkiller.
While smuggling herself through occupied territory, she is mistaken for a spy and captured by the Tearnan army. Now a prisoner, Cosette is caught in a struggle between enemy factions intent on using her for their own ends. Her only hope of release, and of reaching her father, is to cooperate with the invaders. But as the fighting intensifies, it becomes increasingly difficult to cooperate without betraying the home—and the people—she loves, until she’s finally faced with a choice she never expected to have to make.
The Gray Sheep is the first book in the Lochsmith trilogy, a story of one ordinary woman’s intimate experience with war and the change she makes in the trajectory of a continent-wide conflict.
Perfect for fans of S. A. Chakraborty’s The City of Brass and Hannah Kaner’s Godkiller.
- GenresFantasy
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 5, 2026
5 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
S.M. Somerset
1 book2 followersSM Somerset loved earning her degree in History but knew she wouldn't be happy pursuing a career in academia. Instead, she embraced her life-long proclivity for using stories to understand the world around her and began weaving her historical studies into her fantasy world of the Winding Clock.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 4, 2026
Thanks to House Tenebrion Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC! I’m so torn with this book! The synopsis and cover made me really excited to read it. The reality though, is that this is not your standard fantasy books, so don’t come in with that expectation. It felt more like a commentary on humanity during war times. And a bit of a coming of age story for the FMC, Cosette, even though she’s already 26. Also, there’s not anything about a lochsmith! But, this is only book one, maybe we’ll meet the lochsmith in the next book?
Aside from all that, here’s what I liked:
- The fantasy bits that WERE in the book were good. They were interesting and I wanted to know more!
- The supposed origins of the world/religions were also interesting. I wanted MUCH more about all that.
- I REALLY liked that Cosette is just an ordinary person. It provided a different viewpoint, where you’re just a normal person, but seeing these magical things happen around you, and how that would feel.
- speaking of Cosette, I LOVED her character development! She starts out rather naive and self-centered, choosing to ignore the bad things happening in the world around her. Yet, she also has not allowed the bad things happening around her to ruin her, and looks for the good in ALL people, regardless of which country they’re from. As she meets new people and learns their views and beliefs, she begins to question the things she’s been told her whole life. I enjoyed her thought process as she worked through her feelings and her own viewpoints, trying to decipher truth, and then decide how she would act, going forward.
What I didn’t like:
- Cosette’s naive stubbornness!! Stop being a little brat and listen to people that know better! I know, this was necessary for her growth, but it got a little tedious at times.
- not enough info regarding the magic, the knights, and the Sirkas. Although, maybe this was the authors point. Maybe she wants us to feel like Cosette feels, with only the knowledge that Cosette has. She’s just told Magic is bad, no who, what, where, why about it. Of course she wouldn’t know anything about it, so neither do we.
- not enough info about the world and its origins. Some pretty major things are mentioned in passing conversations, like it’s expected that we already know it, but I don’t!! So it makes it feel like there are holes in the story.
Bottom line, it was a solid book. It certainly makes the reader wonder, hope for, and expect even bigger revelations in the books to come!
Aside from all that, here’s what I liked:
- The fantasy bits that WERE in the book were good. They were interesting and I wanted to know more!
- The supposed origins of the world/religions were also interesting. I wanted MUCH more about all that.
- I REALLY liked that Cosette is just an ordinary person. It provided a different viewpoint, where you’re just a normal person, but seeing these magical things happen around you, and how that would feel.
- speaking of Cosette, I LOVED her character development! She starts out rather naive and self-centered, choosing to ignore the bad things happening in the world around her. Yet, she also has not allowed the bad things happening around her to ruin her, and looks for the good in ALL people, regardless of which country they’re from. As she meets new people and learns their views and beliefs, she begins to question the things she’s been told her whole life. I enjoyed her thought process as she worked through her feelings and her own viewpoints, trying to decipher truth, and then decide how she would act, going forward.
What I didn’t like:
- Cosette’s naive stubbornness!! Stop being a little brat and listen to people that know better! I know, this was necessary for her growth, but it got a little tedious at times.
- not enough info regarding the magic, the knights, and the Sirkas. Although, maybe this was the authors point. Maybe she wants us to feel like Cosette feels, with only the knowledge that Cosette has. She’s just told Magic is bad, no who, what, where, why about it. Of course she wouldn’t know anything about it, so neither do we.
- not enough info about the world and its origins. Some pretty major things are mentioned in passing conversations, like it’s expected that we already know it, but I don’t!! So it makes it feel like there are holes in the story.
Bottom line, it was a solid book. It certainly makes the reader wonder, hope for, and expect even bigger revelations in the books to come!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was genuinely excited when I received an ARC of Gray Sheep. The cover immediately caught my eye, and the synopsis sounded promising, especially since the book was categorized as fantasy.
The first part of the book, roughly the first 200 pages, I truly enjoyed. I liked the author’s writing style, and I found the protagonist surprisingly compelling. She’s very ordinar. No special powers, no grand destiny, and at first glance, there’s nothing particularly remarkable about her. But that actually worked for me. It felt intentional. We’re experiencing the story through the eyes of a regular person, an everyday woman, and I appreciated that grounded perspective.
From that point on, it felt like almost nothing was happening. Very little information is revealed, very little changes, and the plot barely moves forward. I honestly think the book would have benefited greatly from multiple POVs. Seeing things from the perspective of Cossette's cousins could have added tension, depth, and much-needed variety.
As for the fantasy aspect, while there are a few magical elements like healers, the Sirka and a magical sword, they are so underdeveloped that they barely register. The magic lacks explanation, weight, and impact, which made it hard for me to view this as a true fantasy. Overall, the story feels far more like historical fiction with very light fantastical decoration.
If you enjoy historical fiction and character-focused, slow-paced narratives, Gray Sheep may work very well for you. But if you’re picking this up expecting rich worldbuilding or a strong fantasy presence, this probably isn’t the book you’re looking for.
The first part of the book, roughly the first 200 pages, I truly enjoyed. I liked the author’s writing style, and I found the protagonist surprisingly compelling. She’s very ordinar. No special powers, no grand destiny, and at first glance, there’s nothing particularly remarkable about her. But that actually worked for me. It felt intentional. We’re experiencing the story through the eyes of a regular person, an everyday woman, and I appreciated that grounded perspective.
From that point on, it felt like almost nothing was happening. Very little information is revealed, very little changes, and the plot barely moves forward. I honestly think the book would have benefited greatly from multiple POVs. Seeing things from the perspective of Cossette's cousins could have added tension, depth, and much-needed variety.
As for the fantasy aspect, while there are a few magical elements like healers, the Sirka and a magical sword, they are so underdeveloped that they barely register. The magic lacks explanation, weight, and impact, which made it hard for me to view this as a true fantasy. Overall, the story feels far more like historical fiction with very light fantastical decoration.
If you enjoy historical fiction and character-focused, slow-paced narratives, Gray Sheep may work very well for you. But if you’re picking this up expecting rich worldbuilding or a strong fantasy presence, this probably isn’t the book you’re looking for.
netgalley-reviews
March 20, 2026⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)
The Gray Sheep by S.M. Somerset was such an interesting start to The Locksmith series, and I’m a bit torn—but in a good way.
The worldbuilding was definitely the standout for me. It has this gritty, slightly steampunk feel with a layered history that slowly unfolds as you read. I really enjoyed piecing things together, even if at times it felt a little overwhelming or under-explained early on. Once things clicked, though, the setting became one of the strongest parts of the book.
The plot itself was intriguing but a bit uneven in pacing. There were moments where it really pulled me in, especially when the stakes started to rise, but other sections felt slower and harder to stay fully engaged with. It’s very much a setup-heavy first book, so it spends a lot of time laying groundwork rather than delivering constant action.
Character-wise, I liked the direction things are going, though I didn’t feel fully emotionally connected to everyone yet. There’s definitely potential here, and I’m curious to see how the characters develop in future books. The dynamics and hints at deeper relationships were there—they just needed a bit more depth for me.
Overall, this was a solid and promising start to the series. While it didn’t completely hook me emotionally, the unique world and underlying story have me interested enough to continue. If you enjoy slower-burn fantasy with detailed worldbuilding and a darker tone, this might work really well for you.
The Gray Sheep by S.M. Somerset was such an interesting start to The Locksmith series, and I’m a bit torn—but in a good way.
The worldbuilding was definitely the standout for me. It has this gritty, slightly steampunk feel with a layered history that slowly unfolds as you read. I really enjoyed piecing things together, even if at times it felt a little overwhelming or under-explained early on. Once things clicked, though, the setting became one of the strongest parts of the book.
The plot itself was intriguing but a bit uneven in pacing. There were moments where it really pulled me in, especially when the stakes started to rise, but other sections felt slower and harder to stay fully engaged with. It’s very much a setup-heavy first book, so it spends a lot of time laying groundwork rather than delivering constant action.
Character-wise, I liked the direction things are going, though I didn’t feel fully emotionally connected to everyone yet. There’s definitely potential here, and I’m curious to see how the characters develop in future books. The dynamics and hints at deeper relationships were there—they just needed a bit more depth for me.
Overall, this was a solid and promising start to the series. While it didn’t completely hook me emotionally, the unique world and underlying story have me interested enough to continue. If you enjoy slower-burn fantasy with detailed worldbuilding and a darker tone, this might work really well for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
With the impacts of a steadily advancing war starting to impact her life, Cosette Argant, is thrust into the realities she's been comfortable to look away from. Her family comes from a long line of metal workers, with herself taking over her father's fine metalcraft shop after his ill health necessitated relocation to another Quarter of Marenburg. When the economic impacts of war has her uncertain of her future, she disregards the discrimination in her Quarter towards those who originate from the land of their enemy, Tearn, to her great detriment. Injured, and ripped from the life she knew she starts to question her assumptions about Tearn's anti-slavery stance, how people she's known her whole life could turn on her for being kind, about her cousin and his best friend's decades long service to Marenburg's military and stubbornly decides against all advice she must travel occupied territory to be at her dying father's side.
Creeping through darkened war-torn streets not only does Cosette fall into the lodgings of the Cartographers, a group of Tearn intelligence officers, while fleeing a different group of Tearn soldiers led by the fierce "Brigadier-Devil", but she becomes yet another point of conflict between the two groups. While she is held under suspicion of espionage, she has further opportunity to question her assumptions about religion, magic, loyalty and what the world outside her small experience is really like.
Thank you House Tenebrion Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. The character development Cosette goes through is thoughtfully and authentically written. She goes from a confident business owner wanting to demonstrate to her absent father how her skills are valued to a woman acknowledging she rashly ignored the advice of those more experienced who wanted the best for her. The author spends a lot of time on world building regarding the Quarters of Marenburg, the various religious beliefs, the origins of the universe and politics. Additionally, much time is spent on situations and conversations that lead Cosette to test and question her integrity. I enjoyed the care and richness that was given to these aspects of the story. It was evident that these were intentional and laying the foundation for future books. However, the first eighty percent of the book I kept asking myself when all of this knowledge would come to fruition with a situation that this complexity would need to be relied upon. While the members of the Cartographers were unique, especially Desil a mysterious being known as a Sirka, due to Cosette's status as a prisoner, we don't get to enjoy them fully. The final twenty percent of the book is more rapidly paced with important decisions, a teaser about the following books and exciting battles. I would especially recommend this book to readers who enjoy complex situations of war ethics and world building.
Creeping through darkened war-torn streets not only does Cosette fall into the lodgings of the Cartographers, a group of Tearn intelligence officers, while fleeing a different group of Tearn soldiers led by the fierce "Brigadier-Devil", but she becomes yet another point of conflict between the two groups. While she is held under suspicion of espionage, she has further opportunity to question her assumptions about religion, magic, loyalty and what the world outside her small experience is really like.
Thank you House Tenebrion Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. The character development Cosette goes through is thoughtfully and authentically written. She goes from a confident business owner wanting to demonstrate to her absent father how her skills are valued to a woman acknowledging she rashly ignored the advice of those more experienced who wanted the best for her. The author spends a lot of time on world building regarding the Quarters of Marenburg, the various religious beliefs, the origins of the universe and politics. Additionally, much time is spent on situations and conversations that lead Cosette to test and question her integrity. I enjoyed the care and richness that was given to these aspects of the story. It was evident that these were intentional and laying the foundation for future books. However, the first eighty percent of the book I kept asking myself when all of this knowledge would come to fruition with a situation that this complexity would need to be relied upon. While the members of the Cartographers were unique, especially Desil a mysterious being known as a Sirka, due to Cosette's status as a prisoner, we don't get to enjoy them fully. The final twenty percent of the book is more rapidly paced with important decisions, a teaser about the following books and exciting battles. I would especially recommend this book to readers who enjoy complex situations of war ethics and world building.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating: 4.75/5 stars
I need to stop reading the first book in trilogies as ARCs because now I’m sitting here with a void in my chest in the shape of this book. What do you mean I have to wait. What do you meeeeeaaaaaaannnnnnnn
I spent a good chunk of time trying to fit this book into a neat little genre box. Is it steampunk? Is it arcanepunk? Is it historical fantasy? Is it WWI era inspired? Older? But then I stopped myself. This book doesn’t need a neat little genre box because it’s one of those amazing books that’s a bit of everything. An amalgamation of steamarcanehistoricfantasypunketcetera.
This book follows Cosette, a young woman who goes after her father in a war torn country after she loses everything. She’s captured by the enemy and is taken in as a prisoner. I’ve seen other reviews say this book could have benefitted from another POV and I reluctantly agree. Desil got a few chapters sprinkled in (she’s my favorite, btw, so I’m not mad). I think maybe it would have been fun if Cosette’s cousin(s) got a few POVs as well (though I am confused. Is her cousin married/partnered with Alphonse? Or is Alphonse her other cousin? I pretended they were a couple but I may have missed something).
The story was so good. I think this is one of those books everyone should read right now because it’s so realistic. Cosette’s own dilemmas were so well done. It’s easy to support the enemy when they’re just helpless minorities and not your captors, right? Her main motivation was getting to her father. The middle sorta dragged at times but it wasn’t bad at all. The ending didn’t have a major cliffhanger and, yeah, I wanted one but I’m weird and shouldn’t be the majority lol.
This book also had no romance which I liked! I instinctively started shipping Cosette with everyone only to back off when I realized she doesn’t need a love interest. (Will that stop me from drawing Cosette x Desil fanart? No).
All in all, I loved this book so much and I need the second one right now please and thank you.
If you liked this book, I HIGHLY recommend the Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher because it’s the ONLY other book I’ve read with a sort of similar genre bending high fantasy plot to it.
Actual rating: 4.75/5 stars
I need to stop reading the first book in trilogies as ARCs because now I’m sitting here with a void in my chest in the shape of this book. What do you mean I have to wait. What do you meeeeeaaaaaaannnnnnnn
I spent a good chunk of time trying to fit this book into a neat little genre box. Is it steampunk? Is it arcanepunk? Is it historical fantasy? Is it WWI era inspired? Older? But then I stopped myself. This book doesn’t need a neat little genre box because it’s one of those amazing books that’s a bit of everything. An amalgamation of steamarcanehistoricfantasypunketcetera.
This book follows Cosette, a young woman who goes after her father in a war torn country after she loses everything. She’s captured by the enemy and is taken in as a prisoner. I’ve seen other reviews say this book could have benefitted from another POV and I reluctantly agree. Desil got a few chapters sprinkled in (she’s my favorite, btw, so I’m not mad). I think maybe it would have been fun if Cosette’s cousin(s) got a few POVs as well (though I am confused. Is her cousin married/partnered with Alphonse? Or is Alphonse her other cousin? I pretended they were a couple but I may have missed something).
The story was so good. I think this is one of those books everyone should read right now because it’s so realistic. Cosette’s own dilemmas were so well done. It’s easy to support the enemy when they’re just helpless minorities and not your captors, right? Her main motivation was getting to her father. The middle sorta dragged at times but it wasn’t bad at all. The ending didn’t have a major cliffhanger and, yeah, I wanted one but I’m weird and shouldn’t be the majority lol.
This book also had no romance which I liked! I instinctively started shipping Cosette with everyone only to back off when I realized she doesn’t need a love interest. (Will that stop me from drawing Cosette x Desil fanart? No).
All in all, I loved this book so much and I need the second one right now please and thank you.
If you liked this book, I HIGHLY recommend the Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher because it’s the ONLY other book I’ve read with a sort of similar genre bending high fantasy plot to it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and House Tenebrion Publishing for this E-ARC.
An enthralling debut from an exciting new voice, The Gray Sheep introduces a world as rich as its characters. We follow Cosette Argant, a woman thrust into the brutal realities of a war she once chose to ignore. When the economic fallout of the conflict threatens her future, Cosette disregards the prejudices of her "Quarter" toward the enemy land of Tearn—a choice that proves nearly fatal. Injured and uprooted, she begins to question everything: Tearn’s supposed anti-slavery stance, the cruelty of neighbors who turned on her for a single act of kindness, and her own stubborn resolve to cross occupied territory to reach her dying father.
While navigating darkened, war-torn streets, Cosette stumbles into the lodgings of the Cartographers—a group of Tearn intelligence officers—while fleeing a far more dangerous squad led by the fearsome "Brigadier-Devil." As she is held under suspicion of espionage, she becomes a flashpoint of conflict between the two factions, forcing her to confront her assumptions about religion, magic, and loyalty.
Final Verdict:
Cosette’s character development is thoughtfully and authentically paced. She evolves from a confident business owner eager to prove her worth to her absent father into a woman who must reckon with her own naivety and the consequences of her rashness. Somerset weaves world-building—from the Quarters of Marenburg to complex theological origins—into the narrative with natural ease. This is a story that values the "quiet" moments of integrity and ethical questioning just as much as the action. The only tiniest of a gentle nitpick is I sometimes found the font used in the representation of the written letters throughout a bit difficult to read at times. I can not wait for the second part to be released!
I highly recommend this for readers who love complex war ethics and immersive world-building. Perfect for fans of The Godkiller Chronicles and The Unbroken.
An enthralling debut from an exciting new voice, The Gray Sheep introduces a world as rich as its characters. We follow Cosette Argant, a woman thrust into the brutal realities of a war she once chose to ignore. When the economic fallout of the conflict threatens her future, Cosette disregards the prejudices of her "Quarter" toward the enemy land of Tearn—a choice that proves nearly fatal. Injured and uprooted, she begins to question everything: Tearn’s supposed anti-slavery stance, the cruelty of neighbors who turned on her for a single act of kindness, and her own stubborn resolve to cross occupied territory to reach her dying father.
While navigating darkened, war-torn streets, Cosette stumbles into the lodgings of the Cartographers—a group of Tearn intelligence officers—while fleeing a far more dangerous squad led by the fearsome "Brigadier-Devil." As she is held under suspicion of espionage, she becomes a flashpoint of conflict between the two factions, forcing her to confront her assumptions about religion, magic, and loyalty.
Final Verdict:
Cosette’s character development is thoughtfully and authentically paced. She evolves from a confident business owner eager to prove her worth to her absent father into a woman who must reckon with her own naivety and the consequences of her rashness. Somerset weaves world-building—from the Quarters of Marenburg to complex theological origins—into the narrative with natural ease. This is a story that values the "quiet" moments of integrity and ethical questioning just as much as the action. The only tiniest of a gentle nitpick is I sometimes found the font used in the representation of the written letters throughout a bit difficult to read at times. I can not wait for the second part to be released!
I highly recommend this for readers who love complex war ethics and immersive world-building. Perfect for fans of The Godkiller Chronicles and The Unbroken.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating 4.25
The Gray Sheep is a restrained, ethically alert fantasy that sets itself apart by turning away from spectacle and toward the weight of human consequence. I was immediately captivated by the authors writing. It felt more concerned with how things feel than with how spectacular they look. I would describe the writing as quietly lyrical, restrained, and ethically focused. Somerset’s prose favors clarity with texture. The sentences are precise and intentional, touched with a subtle lyricism that never drifts into excess. Above all, the writing’s candor stands out, it’s that honesty that makes it so deeply enjoyable.
Character development is understated, introspective, and shaped by consequences. The protagonist, Cosette, is richly drawn, evolving through thoughtful moral and practical choices. She learns when to speak, comply, or resist, while maintaining her core humanity. Secondary characters, especially her captors, are defined more by consistent actions and ethical tension than by backstory, ensuring their arcs feel grounded and consequential.
The worldbuilding is personal, tangible, and shaped by character perspective. It focuses on the beleaguered city of Marenburg, experienced almost entirely through Cosette’s eyes. Somerset brings streets, workshops, and fortifications to life with rich sensory detail, giving the city a sense of being both lived-in and precarious, while the broader war and political context remain mostly offstage, hinted at through rumor and the ripple of consequences rather than direct exposition. In my opinion this approach heightens tension and immerses the reader in the human-scale stakes of survival and moral choice.
Overall, The Gray Sheep is a quietly powerful fantasy about courage, survival, and moral choice, showing how ordinary people endure extraordinary chaos. From the first page I was invested and I look forward to Somerset’s next release.
The Gray Sheep is a restrained, ethically alert fantasy that sets itself apart by turning away from spectacle and toward the weight of human consequence. I was immediately captivated by the authors writing. It felt more concerned with how things feel than with how spectacular they look. I would describe the writing as quietly lyrical, restrained, and ethically focused. Somerset’s prose favors clarity with texture. The sentences are precise and intentional, touched with a subtle lyricism that never drifts into excess. Above all, the writing’s candor stands out, it’s that honesty that makes it so deeply enjoyable.
Character development is understated, introspective, and shaped by consequences. The protagonist, Cosette, is richly drawn, evolving through thoughtful moral and practical choices. She learns when to speak, comply, or resist, while maintaining her core humanity. Secondary characters, especially her captors, are defined more by consistent actions and ethical tension than by backstory, ensuring their arcs feel grounded and consequential.
The worldbuilding is personal, tangible, and shaped by character perspective. It focuses on the beleaguered city of Marenburg, experienced almost entirely through Cosette’s eyes. Somerset brings streets, workshops, and fortifications to life with rich sensory detail, giving the city a sense of being both lived-in and precarious, while the broader war and political context remain mostly offstage, hinted at through rumor and the ripple of consequences rather than direct exposition. In my opinion this approach heightens tension and immerses the reader in the human-scale stakes of survival and moral choice.
Overall, The Gray Sheep is a quietly powerful fantasy about courage, survival, and moral choice, showing how ordinary people endure extraordinary chaos. From the first page I was invested and I look forward to Somerset’s next release.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you for the ARC copy Netgalley and House Tenebrion Publishing.
The Gray Sheep is a well-crafted fictional fantasy about the unfortunate impact that war has on the daily lives of people. It is formatted to retell the tale of Cosette Argant, a shopowner and craftsperson, as she becomes victim to several unintentional circumstances that accompany the state of her war-torn city, Marenburg, and finds herself in the middle of a conflict in enemy territory.
The pace of the book starts off slow, and I admit it might take some time to get into the plot and truly connect with the characters, but I thought it was an effort well worth the pay off. Lovers of history, and fantasies with dense world-building will love this book (I know I did!). The fantasy elements of this book are largely centered around the rich world-building, with some hints towards magic that is only fleshed out closer to the end of the book.
One thing I appreciated about this book (and this may or may not appeal to everyone) is that the author slowly weaves in information about the world instead of doing an information dump at the beginning. To me, this was a strength, although it left me occasionally confused - but it was nothing that the story did not answer eventually.
Without getting into spoilers or details, Cosette's main motivation, which ran the plot, was understandable. Although there were times when her behavior was frustrating as a reader, I think that is exactly what made her character relatable and more human (because let's face it: people do impulsive, rash things for what they believe to be the right reason all the time). There are many scenes in the book, such as Cosette's internal conflict regarding her loyalties, that also make the reader ponder their own hypothetical choices. And a book that really gets you thinking, is a book worth picking up!
The Gray Sheep is a well-crafted fictional fantasy about the unfortunate impact that war has on the daily lives of people. It is formatted to retell the tale of Cosette Argant, a shopowner and craftsperson, as she becomes victim to several unintentional circumstances that accompany the state of her war-torn city, Marenburg, and finds herself in the middle of a conflict in enemy territory.
The pace of the book starts off slow, and I admit it might take some time to get into the plot and truly connect with the characters, but I thought it was an effort well worth the pay off. Lovers of history, and fantasies with dense world-building will love this book (I know I did!). The fantasy elements of this book are largely centered around the rich world-building, with some hints towards magic that is only fleshed out closer to the end of the book.
One thing I appreciated about this book (and this may or may not appeal to everyone) is that the author slowly weaves in information about the world instead of doing an information dump at the beginning. To me, this was a strength, although it left me occasionally confused - but it was nothing that the story did not answer eventually.
Without getting into spoilers or details, Cosette's main motivation, which ran the plot, was understandable. Although there were times when her behavior was frustrating as a reader, I think that is exactly what made her character relatable and more human (because let's face it: people do impulsive, rash things for what they believe to be the right reason all the time). There are many scenes in the book, such as Cosette's internal conflict regarding her loyalties, that also make the reader ponder their own hypothetical choices. And a book that really gets you thinking, is a book worth picking up!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
I'm genuinely so sad to DNF this book. The synopsis and fantasy-category caught my eye, as well as it being recommended for fans of Godkiller and The City of Brass.
I loved the FMC. She's so independent and tenacious but also just....a normal person, you know? Trying to survive living in a city with war right on her doorstep. I think the book did a really great job of introducing us to the normal life of Cosette, with the contrast of what happens to her as tensions rise and people start blaming Tearnan immigrants (and their friends) with prejudice.
But the story was sadly just too slow for my tastes at the moment. Just as I thought the story was picking up it went back to a slow pace. I saw someone say the story could have done with different POVs, perhaps the POVs of Cosette's cousins - I completely agree. The break of different perspectives would have really helped with the pacing.
In terms of fantasy - this read to me more as historical fiction with some elements of fantasy, rather than being a pure fantasy book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and House Tenebrion Publishing for giving me a chance to read this eARC.
I think if you're a fan of slower-paced historical fiction, with a little bit of fantasy elements and lots of complex war ethics - then you'll like this book.
I think it's quite likely I'll try to come back to this book at a later date, but for now it's three stars from me! It's a good story, and I can see what the author is trying to impart with the reader. I'm just not in the right mood for the pacing at the moment.
I'm genuinely so sad to DNF this book. The synopsis and fantasy-category caught my eye, as well as it being recommended for fans of Godkiller and The City of Brass.
I loved the FMC. She's so independent and tenacious but also just....a normal person, you know? Trying to survive living in a city with war right on her doorstep. I think the book did a really great job of introducing us to the normal life of Cosette, with the contrast of what happens to her as tensions rise and people start blaming Tearnan immigrants (and their friends) with prejudice.
But the story was sadly just too slow for my tastes at the moment. Just as I thought the story was picking up it went back to a slow pace. I saw someone say the story could have done with different POVs, perhaps the POVs of Cosette's cousins - I completely agree. The break of different perspectives would have really helped with the pacing.
In terms of fantasy - this read to me more as historical fiction with some elements of fantasy, rather than being a pure fantasy book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and House Tenebrion Publishing for giving me a chance to read this eARC.
I think if you're a fan of slower-paced historical fiction, with a little bit of fantasy elements and lots of complex war ethics - then you'll like this book.
I think it's quite likely I'll try to come back to this book at a later date, but for now it's three stars from me! It's a good story, and I can see what the author is trying to impart with the reader. I'm just not in the right mood for the pacing at the moment.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am so so excited for whenever the next installment is!! This novel reads like epic fantasy, a lot of time is spent developing the main players. It takes time, it'll feel slow, but it is necessary and worth it!
Somerset does an amazing job detailing the decision making that's involved in warfare. It may seem obvious to civilians what needs to happen, but as shown in the story, there are always more aspects involved than the average person would see.
Cosette experiences both sides, she's grown up with her people who are being invaded but after being captured she also witnesses the other side and perhaps there is more to the story then she first believed. War is rarely, if ever, black and white. There are "good" people on both sides, but what does that mean when your own people are suffering because of the war?
I really enjoyed the elevated use of vocabulary. It gives the feeling that the author loves words and finding different ways to communicate what's happening (especially in comparison to fantasy novels that utilize whatever happens to be hip or modern at the moment). That being said, there are multiple uses of the f bomb in addition to other swear words that didn't further the emotion of the scene in the way I think they were supposed to. There was 1-2 scenes where the f word would have really made an impact, but because it already felt overused it missed the mark.
The book is labeled as fantasy, however it does not delve into much fantasy elements until the end. But it feels like that we will see more of these elements as the series continues on, and I'm excited to see that development!
Somerset does an amazing job detailing the decision making that's involved in warfare. It may seem obvious to civilians what needs to happen, but as shown in the story, there are always more aspects involved than the average person would see.
Cosette experiences both sides, she's grown up with her people who are being invaded but after being captured she also witnesses the other side and perhaps there is more to the story then she first believed. War is rarely, if ever, black and white. There are "good" people on both sides, but what does that mean when your own people are suffering because of the war?
I really enjoyed the elevated use of vocabulary. It gives the feeling that the author loves words and finding different ways to communicate what's happening (especially in comparison to fantasy novels that utilize whatever happens to be hip or modern at the moment). That being said, there are multiple uses of the f bomb in addition to other swear words that didn't further the emotion of the scene in the way I think they were supposed to. There was 1-2 scenes where the f word would have really made an impact, but because it already felt overused it missed the mark.
The book is labeled as fantasy, however it does not delve into much fantasy elements until the end. But it feels like that we will see more of these elements as the series continues on, and I'm excited to see that development!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This had a little bit of a slow burn start-I think I was overwhelmed with the map and explanations at the beginning, but once I got into the story, I realized it wasn’t at all as complicated as I thought it’d be.
A war that you’ll mostly understand…but then also, do you actually know the whole story?!?! The characters were loveable, I’m totally invested in all the Cartographers and their survival in this war. I seriously can’t pick a favorite….maybe Desil…but also Graves….they are all endearing. The main character Cosette, grows a lot and is endearing herself. I’m interested to see how Somerset shapes and uses her in the next book.
I loved the fantasy aspects, and my mind is still trying to figure out how and what being a Sitka actually means/is. I anticipate the next book will be much more fantasy heavy as we learn about the different magics used.
I really enjoyed the read, and my biggest complaint was the amount of F words. I think my senior in Highschool would love it, but I won’t be recommending it him because of the language, and I feel like it got worse as the book went on.
My confusion at the beginning and the language kept it at that 4 star vs 5 star. But I will definitely be interested in the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. All opinions are my own.
A war that you’ll mostly understand…but then also, do you actually know the whole story?!?! The characters were loveable, I’m totally invested in all the Cartographers and their survival in this war. I seriously can’t pick a favorite….maybe Desil…but also Graves….they are all endearing. The main character Cosette, grows a lot and is endearing herself. I’m interested to see how Somerset shapes and uses her in the next book.
I loved the fantasy aspects, and my mind is still trying to figure out how and what being a Sitka actually means/is. I anticipate the next book will be much more fantasy heavy as we learn about the different magics used.
I really enjoyed the read, and my biggest complaint was the amount of F words. I think my senior in Highschool would love it, but I won’t be recommending it him because of the language, and I feel like it got worse as the book went on.
My confusion at the beginning and the language kept it at that 4 star vs 5 star. But I will definitely be interested in the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I devoured this debut novel! I got totally lost in the world and quickly grew attached to the characters. The protagonist, Cosette, is an ordinary woman who finds herself caught up in a war largely due to her own naïve decisions.
After the initial storyline and Cosette’s capture, the book slowed quite a bit. If this had been a longer novel, I don’t think that would have mattered as much. Unfortunately, it made up a significant portion of the book, which left me feeling a bit unfulfilled.
The ending also stopped in an odd place. At first, I genuinely thought I had only read part of the book. While it’s clearly a cliffhanger, there wasn’t much closure in this installment on its own. I think moving Cosette a little further along in her journey before ending the book would have worked better.
Overall, the author did a great job bringing Marenburg to life and offering intriguing glimpses of the surrounding countries. What she really excelled at, though, was showing how different cultures shape the way we think. As Cosette is exposed to new perspectives, her understanding of what is “right” begins to blur. I’m excited to continue the series and see how the author further develops both the world and the characters.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
After the initial storyline and Cosette’s capture, the book slowed quite a bit. If this had been a longer novel, I don’t think that would have mattered as much. Unfortunately, it made up a significant portion of the book, which left me feeling a bit unfulfilled.
The ending also stopped in an odd place. At first, I genuinely thought I had only read part of the book. While it’s clearly a cliffhanger, there wasn’t much closure in this installment on its own. I think moving Cosette a little further along in her journey before ending the book would have worked better.
Overall, the author did a great job bringing Marenburg to life and offering intriguing glimpses of the surrounding countries. What she really excelled at, though, was showing how different cultures shape the way we think. As Cosette is exposed to new perspectives, her understanding of what is “right” begins to blur. I’m excited to continue the series and see how the author further develops both the world and the characters.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Gray Sheep is the kind of book that first got me into reading. It also got me back into reading, arriving in my life at a point when I'd happened to realize that, though I thought of myself as a "reader," I actually hadn't read much of anything, at least for pleasure, since high school. The Gray Sheep more than made up for that long-overdue pleasure reading.
I felt so connected to the protagonist it was like she and I were in a three-legged race. The places all felt so real that, at times, it was like I was reading by the light of the fires devouring Marenburg's war-torn storefronts. The Gray Sheep reignited an interest in history (both real and imaginary), in maps (see previous parenthetical), and in watching someone's beliefs and values be tested by unprecedented times.
This is a book as fantastically crafted and intricately designed as one of its protagonist's trademark watch cases, a story both timeless and timely--fitting for an introduction to the World of the Winding Clock, a world to which I plan on returning time and time again.
I felt so connected to the protagonist it was like she and I were in a three-legged race. The places all felt so real that, at times, it was like I was reading by the light of the fires devouring Marenburg's war-torn storefronts. The Gray Sheep reignited an interest in history (both real and imaginary), in maps (see previous parenthetical), and in watching someone's beliefs and values be tested by unprecedented times.
This is a book as fantastically crafted and intricately designed as one of its protagonist's trademark watch cases, a story both timeless and timely--fitting for an introduction to the World of the Winding Clock, a world to which I plan on returning time and time again.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm really torn on what to rate this. I liked it, but I didn't love it. I think 3.5 stars would be my rating, but obviously we can't do half stars on here...
Anyway, this book follows the journey of Cosette Argant, a skilled metalworker who gets caught up in a war when her city is invaded. She embarks on a journey to see her sick father one last time.
I'm surprised some reviewers mentioned a lack of description because, if anything, this book had TOO MUCH description. I liked the premise, the plot, and the characters, but I feel like it was overwritten and moved very slowly.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.
Anyway, this book follows the journey of Cosette Argant, a skilled metalworker who gets caught up in a war when her city is invaded. She embarks on a journey to see her sick father one last time.
I'm surprised some reviewers mentioned a lack of description because, if anything, this book had TOO MUCH description. I liked the premise, the plot, and the characters, but I feel like it was overwritten and moved very slowly.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cosette Argant is a strong, everyday citizen from the coastal town of Marenburg. She keeps the war a distant thought until it shows up on her doorstep and destroys everything she has known and worked for. Cosette is smart, but naïve and believes she is invincible only the way someone in their late twenties can be.
Cosette’s journey to see her ailing father in The Gray Sheep disarms and challenges her assumptions about her life and ingrained prejudices. The world building is very slow, but steady. Each detail is beautifully laid in place by the author. Marenburg and Tearnan are complex and full of different characters with varying motives. There are brief touches into religion, political alignments, racism, and other nuances to shape each character’s moral compass.
We, as readers, have a frustratingly limited view of the events from Cosette’s perspective. There were a couple chapters following some of the other characters. I sincerely hope there will be more like those in later books.
The Gray Sheep is recommended to those looking for a very detailed fantasy setting and a lot of internalized character development. This is clearly the first in a series and lays a lot of groundwork towards the world building. I am absolutely looking forward to reading the sequel!
*** Many thanks to Netgalley and House Tenebrion Publishing for providing a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ***
Cosette’s journey to see her ailing father in The Gray Sheep disarms and challenges her assumptions about her life and ingrained prejudices. The world building is very slow, but steady. Each detail is beautifully laid in place by the author. Marenburg and Tearnan are complex and full of different characters with varying motives. There are brief touches into religion, political alignments, racism, and other nuances to shape each character’s moral compass.
We, as readers, have a frustratingly limited view of the events from Cosette’s perspective. There were a couple chapters following some of the other characters. I sincerely hope there will be more like those in later books.
The Gray Sheep is recommended to those looking for a very detailed fantasy setting and a lot of internalized character development. This is clearly the first in a series and lays a lot of groundwork towards the world building. I am absolutely looking forward to reading the sequel!
*** Many thanks to Netgalley and House Tenebrion Publishing for providing a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ***
February 11, 2026
Reading this book was such a journey. My only regret is that I’ll have to wait forever for the next book! I adore an adult female main character. A small business owner no less! I suspect the author might be an Anne McCaffrey fan (IYKYK). Overall this is a fantastic book with interesting and complex characters and situations that rightly challenge the main character’s worldview and opinions. A great book for 2026.
March 15, 2026
I’m sad to say that I actually DNFd this book at the 65% mark.
The book is well written, with characters the were well formed and an interesting plot.
The reason I don’t finish it is because it moved very very slowly. I couldn’t tell where it was going and nothing seemed to be happening. In the end I just got bored.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc. The review and words are mine freely given.
The book is well written, with characters the were well formed and an interesting plot.
The reason I don’t finish it is because it moved very very slowly. I couldn’t tell where it was going and nothing seemed to be happening. In the end I just got bored.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc. The review and words are mine freely given.
January 14, 2026
*thank you to NetGalley for giving me access*
DNF’ed at 20%
I don’t mind a slow book but I could not get into this. I even checked if I wasn’t accidentally reading the second book in a series because of how confused I was.
Maybe it would pick up down the line, but I had to force myself to read this and that just isn’t worth it to me.
DNF’ed at 20%
I don’t mind a slow book but I could not get into this. I even checked if I wasn’t accidentally reading the second book in a series because of how confused I was.
Maybe it would pick up down the line, but I had to force myself to read this and that just isn’t worth it to me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley for an early copy of this book!
I loved the premise of this book, and the cover is gorgeous! It took me AWHILE to get into this book, and even by the end it felt like the book was WAY too long for what actually happened. I did enjoy the main character, and the side characters but it dragged on a bit. By the end, I did enjoy the story but the ending felt really abrupt. I'll definitely be looking out for book two, just because I'm invested now.
I loved the premise of this book, and the cover is gorgeous! It took me AWHILE to get into this book, and even by the end it felt like the book was WAY too long for what actually happened. I did enjoy the main character, and the side characters but it dragged on a bit. By the end, I did enjoy the story but the ending felt really abrupt. I'll definitely be looking out for book two, just because I'm invested now.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📚📚 ARC Review 📚📚
S.M. Somerset is building an amazing world in The Gray Sheep. If the medieval era and modern times had a family, this book would live somewhere within that family.
The storyline will keep you reading just to see if things can get better or if they get any worse for Cosette. It felt a little long in places but I’m curious enough to keep reading when the second book arrives.
S.M. Somerset is building an amazing world in The Gray Sheep. If the medieval era and modern times had a family, this book would live somewhere within that family.
The storyline will keep you reading just to see if things can get better or if they get any worse for Cosette. It felt a little long in places but I’m curious enough to keep reading when the second book arrives.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
I enjoyed The Gray Sheep by S. M. Somerset. It pulled me in quickly and kept me interested most of the time. The FMC felt real and easy to connect with. I was interested in her story from the beginning, but will say about halfway through it got really slow for me. I didn't care for the abrupt ending either.
I enjoyed The Gray Sheep by S. M. Somerset. It pulled me in quickly and kept me interested most of the time. The FMC felt real and easy to connect with. I was interested in her story from the beginning, but will say about halfway through it got really slow for me. I didn't care for the abrupt ending either.
January 19, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and House Tenebrion Publishing for this E-ARC in exchange for this honest review.
Overall, this was a very solid first book in a series and debut novel as well. Looking at the plot in an overview, most of the main plot points can be found in the book summary, but Somerset expands on these plot points in the book, so it never feels like it is dragging on. With the plot, I enjoyed the fact that it was slow, since this allowed for the book to explore more deeply its themes of war, and I found it interesting the way that it examined both sides of the conflict. Cosette, the main character, is 3-dimensional, and she has to look inward in herself so that she can come to terms with the fact that her side is not completely perfect. I was thoroughly intrigued by the book, and bear in mind that it does end on a cliff-hanger that will have you wanting for more.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in a slower paced fantasy that tackles and asks good questions about war.
Overall, this was a very solid first book in a series and debut novel as well. Looking at the plot in an overview, most of the main plot points can be found in the book summary, but Somerset expands on these plot points in the book, so it never feels like it is dragging on. With the plot, I enjoyed the fact that it was slow, since this allowed for the book to explore more deeply its themes of war, and I found it interesting the way that it examined both sides of the conflict. Cosette, the main character, is 3-dimensional, and she has to look inward in herself so that she can come to terms with the fact that her side is not completely perfect. I was thoroughly intrigued by the book, and bear in mind that it does end on a cliff-hanger that will have you wanting for more.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in a slower paced fantasy that tackles and asks good questions about war.
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