Silver & Blood by Jesie Mihalik

Silver & Blood by Jessie Mihalik

My Rating: 3.5 ⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 2.5 🌶🌶

Blurb:

On a deadly mission to kill the mythical beast that has been haunting her woods, a desperate mage finds her fate intertwined with the handsome and powerful man who saves her.

There’s something in the woods…

Untrained and barely armed, Riela reluctantly agrees to enter the forest and kill the deadly beast that has been attacking her fellow villagers as she’s the only mage available—or so she thought. When one beast turns into two, she fears her death is at hand, but unexpected aid from a scarred, strikingly handsome man with dangerous moonlit magic means a second chance at life—and an opportunity to learn more about her own fickle power.

After being rescued and healed from her fight in the forest, Riela awakens in a magical castle complete with a gorgeous library, a strange wolf, and the surly man who saved her life. Riela soon learns Garrick is not a mortal mage at all—he’s a powerful Etheri sovereign who has been locked out of his kingdom in Lohka for nearly a century, and his powers are weakening.

Trapped in his castle and surrounded by the treacherous woods, the spark of attraction between Riela and Garrick slowly ignites into fiery desire. But the more they discover about Riela’s magic, the more suspicious Garrick grows of her identity. As they unravel the secrets connecting Riela’s past to Lohka, the tenuous threads of trust between them begin to fray because Riela’s life—or her death—might be the key to regaining everything Garrick has lost.

(This is a STUNNING COVER!)

My Review:

👀👄

This was one of those reads that came so close to being a favorite for me. While I enjoyed my time with it, I ultimately walked away feeling satisfied rather than swept off my feet.

The story opens strongly, immediately pulling you into its world, a choice that pays off and sets the tone well. The magic system is thoughtfully designed and easy to engage with, and Riela stands out as a capable, resilient protagonist. As the sole mage in her village, she carries both power and pressure, which gives her character a solid foundation and makes her easy to root for.

After a brutal encounter with a mysterious beast, Riela’s journey takes an expected but cozy turn when she’s rescued by Garrick: reserved, enigmatic, and residing in a magically protected castle (yes, complete with an inviting library and a wolf companion). The setting leans heavily into comfort-fantasy vibes, and the romantic tension sparks quickly. The slow-burn elements are well handled, and the chemistry is present from the start, even if the story doesn’t always surprise.

Where the book faltered for me was in its execution rather than its ideas. The plot follows a fairly predictable path, and while the revelations are spaced out nicely, some sections drag or feel more like connective tissue than meaningful progression. The pacing wavers, and a few moments could have been trimmed without losing impact.

The romance, in particular, was my biggest hurdle. Although the attraction between the leads is undeniable, it often leans too heavily on physical desire without enough emotional groundwork. Much of their connection is expressed through intense inner commentary rather than shared vulnerability or growth, which made the relationship feel more infatuation-driven than heartfelt. This may be intentional groundwork for a sequel, but in this installment, it left the romance feeling underdeveloped.

That said, this is still an enjoyable romantasy for readers who prefer lighter stakes and a more relaxed emotional investment. The world is charming, the magic is intriguing, and there’s a steady sense of momentum that keeps the pages turning. While it didn’t fully deliver on its potential for me, there’s enough here to make it a pleasant and entertaining read.