Book Review: The Shadow Weaver's Gambit

My rating: 4 fierce stars

I was supposed to make a Happy Pub Day post for this book as part of the Hidden Hollow Book Tours.

But the blurb was like catnip since I'm a sucker for anything Latin-American. So I picked up the gifted copy. A big thank you to the author for that!

I picked up the book and started reading, one page and then another... And I found myself reluctant to set it down. Because this is NA fantasy the way it should be written. The kind that will have a reader hooked from the very first chapter and keep them turning pages till the end.

The Shadow Weaver's Gambit is a great enemies to lovers romantasy but, at heart, it's a lot more.
It is the story of donita Mariela, a lonely 18 year old girl, who refuses to break and give up, despite having lived in the shadows since she was a child, used to being unwanted and 'not enough', and being constantly mistreated by her stepfather.
And it starts with her decision to take back what is rightfully hers by birthright - the crown of Xaca. Because she wants to prove that she is worthy. Worthy of a family that considers her inadequate and perhaps, worthy of the crown she so desperately wants to claim.
But then her tale turns into so much more!!
Because that young woman trying to fight for her self-worth, slowly starts finding reasons to fight for a people, for what's good and right, and perhaps even for the sworn enemy she's supposed to kill, not love.

"It isn't about the truth. It's about what you can get others to believe."

Mariela's story is not just an enemies to lovers fantasy of the best kind. It's found family and learning to stand up not only for yourself but also for others. It's a story of perfectly imperfect youngsters trying to do their best for not just themselves, but also their people, in a perfectly fitting edge of the seat manner I should add.
20% great plans made only to have them go to hell in a handbasket and 80% flying by the seat of their pants while hoping the gods won't curse their luck quite that much to turn it all into a disaster.

YA and NA are often a miss for me because of the characters, who often end up falling flat or feeling unrealistic. But with these ones here, it was love at first sight. Well, first read line to be exact, but that's just semantics. :D

Very well written, in a nicely paced and flowing prose, this Mage World novel ticks all the boxes of a first class fantasy. Great magic and very well fleshed out imperfect characters to absolutely root for (side cast included), edge of the seat suspense, a solid wordbuilding with an irresistible Latin-American vibe I absolutely adored, and a hell lot of heart.
Oh! And don't even get me started on the firebird!! Miyo stole the show. I want my own Miyo too.

Happy reading Bookdragons, 

and be kind.

Check out this book and more of Kiersten Michele over at: https://magiabooks.com/