Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Young Adult 17+
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Summary (Spoiler-Free)
- Title: Quicksilver
- Author: Callie Hart
- Genre: Fantasy Romance
- Series: Fae & Alchemy – Book One
- Page Count: 624
- Listening Length: 20 hours 41 minutes
- ISBN: 978-1538774199
- Publisher: Forever
- Published: June 3, 2024
Quicksilver by Callie Hart is a dark romantasy that centers on Saeris Fane, a 24-year-old thief living in the harsh desert city of Zilvaren. Saeris isn’t just surviving — she’s hiding a secret power that even she doesn’t understand. When she steals a golden gauntlet off a guard, she sets off a chain of events that changes everything she thought she knew of the world.
Things take a left turn when she accidentally reopens a hidden portal and Death himself takes her through the gate. She awakens to the snow-covered realm of Yvelia, a world of Fae, political violence, and a magic in herself that she must learn to use to get back home.
Enter Kingfisher, an shadowy Fae warrior with secrets of his own. Saeris must work with him while she masters her newfound powers, navigates a new world, and fights to return home.
My Thoughts
When I say that I have read/listened to this book three times in the last year, I’m not exaggerating. I own two physical copies, an e-book copy, and the audiobook. There is just something about the story and characters that has me in a chokehold and won’t let go.
The worldbuilding happens throughout which keeps you interested. Instead of being dry as a bone in the beginning with lots of descriptions, you are just as ignorant as Saeris so you learn the landscape as she does. Callie writes a rich history with lore and myths for the world it’s set in.
The characters are really fleshed out and have wildly different personalities. Making the banter *chefs kiss* Saeris has spent her entire life fighting to survive in a desert wasteland but maintains her integrity despite having to steal to get by. Carrion has a smart mouth and boyish humor that makes any scene with him entertaining (and my favorite character.) Kingfisher is dark and hot and kind of a dick, which honestly is my type so yeah. Love me some Kingfisher. There’s also some really great side/main characters!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romantasy novel with fae, magic, enemies to lovers, or fated mates. It’s a surprisingly powerful read of perseverance and love. A strong-willed female lead and a grade A certified book boyfriend to add to your list, because Kingfisher is top 3 for sure.
Breakdown & Details
Genre:
- Fantasy Romance, Young Adult 17+
Tropes:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- Morally Gray Characters
- Fated Mates
- Fae Romance
- Touch Her and Die
- Court Intrigue & Betrayal
- Shadow Daddy
- Grumpy-Sunshine
⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
- Violence, Death, Murder, Torture, Gore
- Sex Work mentioned
- Suicidal Ideation
- Forced Sterilization
- Extreme Childhood Neglect/Poverty
- War
Spice Level:
- 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Medium – Graphic on page descriptions of sex and sexual acts.
Keywords:
- Violent Politics
- Ethereal forests
- High and Lesser Fae
- Monsters
- Court Intrigue
- Epic Romance
Rating Breakdown
- Characters: 5/5
- Romance/Chemistry: 5/5
- Plot/Pacing: 4/5
- Worldbuilding: 5/5
- Writing Quality: 4/5
- Overall Enjoyment: 5/5
Read This If You Like… (RTIYL)
- Fourth Wing
- The Serpent & the Wings of Night
- Throne of Glass
- ACOTAR
- Slow-burn magical romance
- High fae warriors
Where to Buy
If you’d like to pick up a copy of Quicksilver, here are a few places to grab it:
(This post contains affiliate links. They don’t cost you anything, but purchasing through them helps support the blog!)
Final Thoughts
That’s the end of this review but I have to know: Have you read Quicksilver? What did you think? Share your comments and let’s talk about it.