The Silversmith

LJ Claren’s debut novel, The Silversmith, is an absolute triumph. With rich world-building, a tapestry of gods, lore, and prophecy, and a slow-burn romance that simmers with tension, this fantasy debut hits all the right notes.

The story follows Aryella (Ary), a young woman struggling to survive in the harsh, unforgiving north after the deaths of her father and brother. Just as her situation becomes dire, a friend appears with a startling revelation—Ary possesses hidden powers and must leave everything behind to train.

Enter Gavin Smyth, our morally gray male lead. Brooding, mysterious, and fiercely capable, Smyth becomes Ary’s guide and protector. Though rough around the edges, he harbors a soft spot for Ary, and as they journey together, sparks begin to fly. The chemistry between them is undeniable, though complicated by the fact that Ary is already betrothed to someone else. The tension, the longing—it’s the kind of slow-burn romance that fans of angst and high-stakes emotional drama will absolutely devour.

What sets The Silversmith apart is its unique magic system, deeply woven into a narrative about destiny, identity, and found family. The ending delivers a jaw-dropping twist that left me stunned and desperate for the next installment.

If you love immersive fantasy with a touch of romance, layered characters, and a fresh magical world, The Silversmith should be at the top of your TBR. This debut is nothing short of spectacular.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice Level: 🌶️

Blurb:

Power is awakening. Love is a liability.

And the fate of the world rests in the hands of a grieving girl who never asked to be chosen.

Still reeling from the deaths of her father and brother, Ary Gold survives only by sheer will in the icy wilds of the North. But when friends arrive with stories of long-lost magic and a power buried in her newly discovered royal blood, Ary is thrust into a fate far larger than her sorrow.

The realm of Nyrida is under threat. An ancient shadow wielder is determined to claim Ary’s power and plunge the world into corrupted darkness. To stop him, Ary must marry the commander she’s been promised to—a man whose army could help them win the war—and train to fight alongside him.

But her fiercest challenge may not be on the battlefield.

Assigned to shape her into a warrior is a man cloaked in violence and secrets. Cold, commanding, and maddeningly unreadable, he isn’t her betrothed… but he may be her undoing. As sparks fly and loyalties are tested, Ary must decide whether to follow the path laid out for her—or risk everything for a love as wild and dangerous as the power awakening inside her.

Xoxo, Melissa