Heir of Illusion
by Madeline Taylor
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Blurb:
An alliance between enemies. A weapon of untold power. And a bond that could rewrite fate.
Fall into the viral, propulsive dark romantasy everyone is reading. A fae assassin with the power of illusion, sworn to a king she despises. An enigmatic grim reaper, searching for freedom. Enemies collide in an unlikely alliance, brimming with desire and destruction.
She is not the pet they tamed.
Blessed with the power of illusion, Iverson Pomeroy has many tricks up her sleeve. However, none of them are a match for the enchanted collar at her throat that keeps her bound as assassin and mistress to a ruthless king. Forced to play the role of his obedient pet, she plots in secret to destroy him and claim the freedom she has always been denied.
She is the beast they let inside.
When a mysterious reaper, Thorne, arrives in the city with his sights set on the same weapon Ivy needs—the only artifact that can remove her collar—she must decide how far she’s willing to go.
And she will show no mercy.
With a tenuous alliance tying them together, Ivy learns there is more to her reluctant companion than meets the eye... He sparks her curiosity and ignites dangerous desires within her. But will the secrets they harbor destroy each other? And does it even matter, when anyone who so much as touches Thorne dies?
Tropes
Enemies to lovers / shadow daddy / female assassin / who did this to you / unlikely alliance / he falls first / banter / touch her and die / slow burn / morally gray MMC
Fall into the viral, propulsive dark romantasy everyone is reading. A fae assassin with the power of illusion, sworn to a king she despises. An enigmatic grim reaper, searching for freedom. Enemies collide in an unlikely alliance, brimming with desire and destruction.
She is not the pet they tamed.
Blessed with the power of illusion, Iverson Pomeroy has many tricks up her sleeve. However, none of them are a match for the enchanted collar at her throat that keeps her bound as assassin and mistress to a ruthless king. Forced to play the role of his obedient pet, she plots in secret to destroy him and claim the freedom she has always been denied.
She is the beast they let inside.
When a mysterious reaper, Thorne, arrives in the city with his sights set on the same weapon Ivy needs—the only artifact that can remove her collar—she must decide how far she’s willing to go.
And she will show no mercy.
With a tenuous alliance tying them together, Ivy learns there is more to her reluctant companion than meets the eye... He sparks her curiosity and ignites dangerous desires within her. But will the secrets they harbor destroy each other? And does it even matter, when anyone who so much as touches Thorne dies?
Tropes
Enemies to lovers / shadow daddy / female assassin / who did this to you / unlikely alliance / he falls first / banter / touch her and die / slow burn / morally gray MMC
My Review:
Not only is The Heir of Illusion wildly original, from its immersive worldbuilding to its inventive magic system, but the FMC instantly earned a spot among my all-time favorites.
Ivy is a beautifully written character with a fully realized backstory that makes every choice she makes feel intentional and earned. She’s strong, capable, and resilient, yet still vulnerable and deeply human. Nothing about her feels forced or convenient, which made her journey incredibly satisfying to follow and easy to root for.
And then there’s the MMC… Thorne the Reaper. Tortured past? Check. Morally gray? Absolutely. Fiercely loyal and terrifyingly protective? Without question. He is my favorite kind of book boyfriend, dangerous, devoted, and willing to destroy anyone who threatens her. I was hooked the moment he stepped onto the page.
This story delivers everything I love: sharp banter, a refreshingly unique fantasy setting, and unforgettable characters (a wraith FMC and a Reaper MMC? Yes, please). The pacing is strong, the stakes are high, and just when I thought I had the plot figured out, Madeline Taylor completely blindsided me. The twist was brilliantly executed, with clues woven in so subtly that I never saw it coming.
That ending left me absolutely stunned, and that cliffhanger? I am more than ready for book two.
The Heir of Illusion by Madeline Taylor releases March 31, 2025. Do yourself a favor and preorder it now, this is a phenomenal fantasy debut, and I’m officially a forever fan.
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