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Silver in the Mist
"A fast-paced fantasy for fans of complicated families, lush magic, and beautiful friendships." — Linsey Miller, author of Mask of Shadows
Eight years ago, everything changed for Her country was attacked. Her father was killed. And her mother became the Whisperer of Aris, the head of the spies, retreating into her position away from everyone… even her daughter.
Joining the spy ranks herself, Dev sees her mother only when receiving assignments. She wants more, but she understands the peril their country, Aris, is in. The malevolent magic force of The Mists is swallowing Aris’s edges, their country is vulnerable to another attack from their wealthier neighbor, and the magic casters who protect them from both are burning out.
Dev has known strength and survival her whole life, but with a dangerous new assignment of infiltrating the royal court of their neighbor country Cerena to steal the magic they need, she learns that not all that glitters is weak. And not all stories are true.
Eight years ago, everything changed for Her country was attacked. Her father was killed. And her mother became the Whisperer of Aris, the head of the spies, retreating into her position away from everyone… even her daughter.
Joining the spy ranks herself, Dev sees her mother only when receiving assignments. She wants more, but she understands the peril their country, Aris, is in. The malevolent magic force of The Mists is swallowing Aris’s edges, their country is vulnerable to another attack from their wealthier neighbor, and the magic casters who protect them from both are burning out.
Dev has known strength and survival her whole life, but with a dangerous new assignment of infiltrating the royal court of their neighbor country Cerena to steal the magic they need, she learns that not all that glitters is weak. And not all stories are true.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2022
About the author
Emily Victoria
2 books210 followersEmily Victoria is an aroace Canadian prairie girl who writes young adult science fiction and fantasy. When not word-smithing, she likes walking her over-excitable dog, drinking far too much tea, and crocheting things she no longer has the space to store. Her librarian degree allows her to take home far too many books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
February 18, 2024
*Don’t mind me, just reviewing some ratings*
I went into this book with little to no expectations and was pleasantly surprised!
It’s an enjoyable, fast-paced stand alone - I read it in one sitting.
I enjoyed the complicated families, the strong friendships and the lack of romance (I needed a change!)
I went into this book with little to no expectations and was pleasantly surprised!
It’s an enjoyable, fast-paced stand alone - I read it in one sitting.
I enjoyed the complicated families, the strong friendships and the lack of romance (I needed a change!)
Want to read
September 15, 202114.09.2021 an asexual spy in a ya fantasy. YES.
Want to read
May 20, 2021a s e x u a l spy finally some decent fkn rep
November 4, 2022
Aroace spy! It was a fun little YA book and I would buy it but the cover is uhhhhh yeahhhh so fingers crossed it gets published in the UK or something with a better cover
March 16, 2024
I loved everything about this! I loved the characters and their friendships. I loved the world and the magic. I wish that this was a series because I want more of all of it. If the author ever does decide to make it a series, I will be the first in line for book two.
Want to read
January 10, 2021ace spy YES
Shelved as 'gave-up-on'
April 4, 2022I'd like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for allowing me a chance to jump into this book.
As an asexual, when I saw this book had an asexual main character. I was like, great.
After making it almost half-way through the book, I am trying to figure out where the asexuality comes in? Is it the fact that there is no romance written into the book? A lot of books have no written in romance, are you saying that they are 'asexual'?
Is it because she isn't really attracted to any one? Because that, again happens in books with main characters with no mention of asexuality.
The best thing so far was a nonbinary supporting character at the beginning of the book. That made a lot more sense and was written better in my opinion.
As for the plot? The plot is little to none and I expected a really good layout and understanding of the political depths this fraction between the two kingdoms. Instead, I got vague feelings of Grishaverse with 'mist' that is popping up and trapping off people.
I love finding asexual main characters but after almost 50% into this book I'm gonna tap out.
* raiting withheld due to not finishing the book
As an asexual, when I saw this book had an asexual main character. I was like, great.
After making it almost half-way through the book, I am trying to figure out where the asexuality comes in? Is it the fact that there is no romance written into the book? A lot of books have no written in romance, are you saying that they are 'asexual'?
Is it because she isn't really attracted to any one? Because that, again happens in books with main characters with no mention of asexuality.
The best thing so far was a nonbinary supporting character at the beginning of the book. That made a lot more sense and was written better in my opinion.
As for the plot? The plot is little to none and I expected a really good layout and understanding of the political depths this fraction between the two kingdoms. Instead, I got vague feelings of Grishaverse with 'mist' that is popping up and trapping off people.
I love finding asexual main characters but after almost 50% into this book I'm gonna tap out.
* raiting withheld due to not finishing the book
May 26, 2022
This book is one of my favorites of the past year! I really enjoyed the world and the magic in it, and especially the rich history. I also loved the characters. It’s rare that I talk about the theme of a book, but I found it masterfully woven into the story. Highly recommended!
January 20, 2023
Silver in the Mist by Emily Victoria follows a spy named Devlin. Eight years ago, Aris was attacked and her father was killed. Her mother is the Whisperer, the head of the spies of Aris. Devlin wishes for a relationship with her mother, but ever since that day, she had withdrawn emotionally. Devlin knows that The Mists are swallowing Aris and they are vulnerable to an attack from Cerena, their wealthier neighboring country. The magic casters of Aris are beginning to burn out. Devlin is sent on a mission to infiltrate the royal court of Cerena and get close to their most powerful caster, Alyse. When Devlin and Alyse become close friends and discover they have common goals, Devlin learns that the stories that both countries are told about each other are not exactly true.
This fantasy novel is a very engrossing read. I liked how unlike most fantasies, there was no romance, as Devlin is asexual. This novel focuses on friendship and knowledge coming together to make a better world.
This fantasy novel is a very engrossing read. I liked how unlike most fantasies, there was no romance, as Devlin is asexual. This novel focuses on friendship and knowledge coming together to make a better world.
October 31, 2022
I really liked This Golden Flame by this author so I was excited to read this one, and it did not disappoint!
Emily Victoria reminds me of Tricia Levenseller and Margaret Rogerson - reliable fantasy standalones that may not change your life but will show you a good time. This follows a spy who infiltrates a more successful kingdom to try to kidnap a mage who can help them.
The protagonist is (I think) asexual and aromantic and it's always nice to read a book with no romance - a lovely breath of fresh air! There is a great female friendship that I thought was really well done.
The plot was also compelling - my only complaint is that the main character is supposed to be a wildly talented spy and she kept doing dumb things.
Emily Victoria reminds me of Tricia Levenseller and Margaret Rogerson - reliable fantasy standalones that may not change your life but will show you a good time. This follows a spy who infiltrates a more successful kingdom to try to kidnap a mage who can help them.
The protagonist is (I think) asexual and aromantic and it's always nice to read a book with no romance - a lovely breath of fresh air! There is a great female friendship that I thought was really well done.
The plot was also compelling - my only complaint is that the main character is supposed to be a wildly talented spy and she kept doing dumb things.
July 25, 2022
THANK YOU to Inkyard Press & NetGalley for sending me this ARC. All reviews are honest reflections of my own opinion, always.
In the swirling mists, light flashes as danger stalks the edges of Devlin’s home in Aris.
Eight years have passed since the devastating attacks that killed her Father. Now her own Mother, feared Whisperer, is leader of the spies. But the magic that took Dev’s Father away from her also killed some part of her Mother too. Reclusive, harsh, a stranger now stands in the shadow of where love once lived.
A new assignment. Infiltrate the enemy country, bring back their most powerful caster… before the malevolent magic breaks their own barriers & kills them all.
But when one sends a spy, one must be ready to deal with all they uncover.
An interesting magic system & broadly likable characters, (minus the familiar distant mother trope) this book fell directly in the ‘ok’ category for me. The plot was sometimes slow, interesting enough to keep going, but not enough to make me desire to know more. The world building is nice, & I’d love to see it fleshed out even more. Altogether a middle of the lane read.
I understand (now) that the big draw is an asexual main, but honestly would never have assumed this was the case. A lack of romance on the main character’s part does not an asexual character make. If that were the case, one could throw that label on a whole slew of other stories. Another draw for readers is the non-binary side kick. I’ll be honest, the use of they/them pronouns kept pulling me out of the story as my mind tried in vain to attach some kind of mental image to this character, but with no success. A personal struggle & one others may be able to get past much more easily.
In the swirling mists, light flashes as danger stalks the edges of Devlin’s home in Aris.
Eight years have passed since the devastating attacks that killed her Father. Now her own Mother, feared Whisperer, is leader of the spies. But the magic that took Dev’s Father away from her also killed some part of her Mother too. Reclusive, harsh, a stranger now stands in the shadow of where love once lived.
A new assignment. Infiltrate the enemy country, bring back their most powerful caster… before the malevolent magic breaks their own barriers & kills them all.
But when one sends a spy, one must be ready to deal with all they uncover.
An interesting magic system & broadly likable characters, (minus the familiar distant mother trope) this book fell directly in the ‘ok’ category for me. The plot was sometimes slow, interesting enough to keep going, but not enough to make me desire to know more. The world building is nice, & I’d love to see it fleshed out even more. Altogether a middle of the lane read.
I understand (now) that the big draw is an asexual main, but honestly would never have assumed this was the case. A lack of romance on the main character’s part does not an asexual character make. If that were the case, one could throw that label on a whole slew of other stories. Another draw for readers is the non-binary side kick. I’ll be honest, the use of they/them pronouns kept pulling me out of the story as my mind tried in vain to attach some kind of mental image to this character, but with no success. A personal struggle & one others may be able to get past much more easily.
July 22, 2022
*Thank you to Netgalley & the author for letting me read and honestly review this book*
I haven’t read Emily Victorias debut This Golden Flame yet, but if it’s got similar pacing, lovable characters, and interesting world, I’m ready! I loved everything in this book. It’s been a while since Ive read a YA Fantasy, but this lived up to my expectations and more.
Silver in the Mist follows Devlin, a young asexual spy in one of two monarchies. Her mother, The Whisperer, head of the Spies of Aris, sends Dev in a mission; become friends with Alyse, the strongest magical caster, and steal her away so Aris can restore its dying magic.
I knew going in this was an ownvoices author with an asexual lead, but I was not expecting the nonbinary best friend who uses they/them pronouns! Pleasant surprise if I do say so myself.
The world, when you think about it compared to other YA fantasies, is so simple but Victoria makes it so much more complex and interesting. The way the 2 monarchies are divided (by a Mist) is definitely something different from what Ive read. And the magic system? Loved it.
The plot in this is fast right from the beginning. I was never bored in it, and read the last 260 pages in one go.
If you want a badass asexual spy, badass and funny nonbinary side character, and a loveable quartet of characters, Silver in the Mist is for you!
I haven’t read Emily Victorias debut This Golden Flame yet, but if it’s got similar pacing, lovable characters, and interesting world, I’m ready! I loved everything in this book. It’s been a while since Ive read a YA Fantasy, but this lived up to my expectations and more.
Silver in the Mist follows Devlin, a young asexual spy in one of two monarchies. Her mother, The Whisperer, head of the Spies of Aris, sends Dev in a mission; become friends with Alyse, the strongest magical caster, and steal her away so Aris can restore its dying magic.
I knew going in this was an ownvoices author with an asexual lead, but I was not expecting the nonbinary best friend who uses they/them pronouns! Pleasant surprise if I do say so myself.
The world, when you think about it compared to other YA fantasies, is so simple but Victoria makes it so much more complex and interesting. The way the 2 monarchies are divided (by a Mist) is definitely something different from what Ive read. And the magic system? Loved it.
The plot in this is fast right from the beginning. I was never bored in it, and read the last 260 pages in one go.
If you want a badass asexual spy, badass and funny nonbinary side character, and a loveable quartet of characters, Silver in the Mist is for you!
November 7, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley, Inkyard Press, and Emily Victoria for the opportunity to not only read Silver in the Mist in exchange for an honest review, but to be a part of the blog tour as well.
After Emily Victoria's debut novel, This Golden Flame, I was thoroughly excited to find something new coming from this author. With LGBTQ representation from the get-go, stunning world building, and a dynamic cast of characters, I can substantially say that this is yet another excellent work by Emily Victoria.
In Devlin's world, magic is dissipating, and in some instances, gone completely. With a domineering and strict mother who also happens to be the the Whisperer of Aris, the leader of a group of spies, Dev tries to do her best job and to be a fitful daughter as well. Being a spy under her mother's order, she makes here way across borders seeking intel from other countries to try and bring magic back to Aris.
Dev is tasked to continue this quest, though with a very specific end result: befriend the most powerful magic user, Alyse, and bring her to Aris to be used to quell the Hush, a thick mist full of creatures known as Phantoms. While Cerena may seek magic to attack Aris, a terrible misunderstanding delved from the past leads to Aris fighting two battles when both countries should be facing a common enemy. If Dev succeeds in befriending Alyse and tricking her with the use of a magic-cancelling bracelet, Aris might not be doomed. But Dev might just have some conflicted feelings of true friendship battling against her spy instincts.
This is a well-written novel full of magic and great characters. It has a bit of a Shadow and Bone vibe to it. Silver in the Mist is an appreciated stand-alone and yet another successful work from Emily Victoria. This Young Adult fantasy novel is sure to become a classic of the genre in no time!
After Emily Victoria's debut novel, This Golden Flame, I was thoroughly excited to find something new coming from this author. With LGBTQ representation from the get-go, stunning world building, and a dynamic cast of characters, I can substantially say that this is yet another excellent work by Emily Victoria.
In Devlin's world, magic is dissipating, and in some instances, gone completely. With a domineering and strict mother who also happens to be the the Whisperer of Aris, the leader of a group of spies, Dev tries to do her best job and to be a fitful daughter as well. Being a spy under her mother's order, she makes here way across borders seeking intel from other countries to try and bring magic back to Aris.
Dev is tasked to continue this quest, though with a very specific end result: befriend the most powerful magic user, Alyse, and bring her to Aris to be used to quell the Hush, a thick mist full of creatures known as Phantoms. While Cerena may seek magic to attack Aris, a terrible misunderstanding delved from the past leads to Aris fighting two battles when both countries should be facing a common enemy. If Dev succeeds in befriending Alyse and tricking her with the use of a magic-cancelling bracelet, Aris might not be doomed. But Dev might just have some conflicted feelings of true friendship battling against her spy instincts.
This is a well-written novel full of magic and great characters. It has a bit of a Shadow and Bone vibe to it. Silver in the Mist is an appreciated stand-alone and yet another successful work from Emily Victoria. This Young Adult fantasy novel is sure to become a classic of the genre in no time!
June 8, 2023
What an absolutely stunning book. From the very beginning, you're pulled into this magical world! It's so beautifully created that it feels as if you are truly there! The words chosen to describe it paint a picture that just captures your attention!
Even though this is a fantasy novel, our main character is Devlin, a spy!!! That was such a unqiue way to tell a story about magic! Especially since Devlin doesn't have the ability to use it. Instead, she is a bad ass spy sent undercover!! I love this plot point!! Because while pretending to be someone she's not, she becomes truer to herself!! Devlin's character growth is beautiful to experience!
As much as Devlin is the star of her own book, truly I don't think that would be possible without the absolute ray of sunshine, pure cinnanmon roll, Alyse!! She may be my favourite!! Just such a good heart while also trying to deal with the weight of her responsibilities!! I just.... yeah she delighted me !!
But their friendship was amazing!! And how much it grew and the depth of understanding between both them was something that was done so amazingly well!!! I really loved this verse that was created and the characters in!! Also to have such a beautiful magic system was just a bonus!!! Truly one of the best books I've read in 2023!!!
Even though this is a fantasy novel, our main character is Devlin, a spy!!! That was such a unqiue way to tell a story about magic! Especially since Devlin doesn't have the ability to use it. Instead, she is a bad ass spy sent undercover!! I love this plot point!! Because while pretending to be someone she's not, she becomes truer to herself!! Devlin's character growth is beautiful to experience!
As much as Devlin is the star of her own book, truly I don't think that would be possible without the absolute ray of sunshine, pure cinnanmon roll, Alyse!! She may be my favourite!! Just such a good heart while also trying to deal with the weight of her responsibilities!! I just.... yeah she delighted me !!
But their friendship was amazing!! And how much it grew and the depth of understanding between both them was something that was done so amazingly well!!! I really loved this verse that was created and the characters in!! Also to have such a beautiful magic system was just a bonus!!! Truly one of the best books I've read in 2023!!!
October 23, 2022
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: threat of knife violence, bullying/ostracization
3.5
This is my second book by Victoria, and I can say she writes characters you care about. I thought this cast of characters were easy to get invested in, and Dev's character growth is well done.
I also liked the lore in this book. The mystery of the past, the way the different countries tell the story, it's a realistic plot setting and leads to interesting discovery. I liked learning about the differences in these two countries, split apart, and finding out the things that had been left in the past and overwritten. Victoria does these discoveries well, keeping them on a scale that is believable yet world changing.
But this book was just a little off for me. The pacing was a bit strange, and the actual task of infiltrating this enemy country and all that came with that job wasn't proven to be difficult as much as simply stated as difficult and then done when the time came. The tension wasn't there.
The familiar territory being used here also makes it hard to stand out. What it is is mostly well written, but it doesn't create anything that new and so can't break out from the genre.
TW: threat of knife violence, bullying/ostracization
3.5
This is my second book by Victoria, and I can say she writes characters you care about. I thought this cast of characters were easy to get invested in, and Dev's character growth is well done.
I also liked the lore in this book. The mystery of the past, the way the different countries tell the story, it's a realistic plot setting and leads to interesting discovery. I liked learning about the differences in these two countries, split apart, and finding out the things that had been left in the past and overwritten. Victoria does these discoveries well, keeping them on a scale that is believable yet world changing.
But this book was just a little off for me. The pacing was a bit strange, and the actual task of infiltrating this enemy country and all that came with that job wasn't proven to be difficult as much as simply stated as difficult and then done when the time came. The tension wasn't there.
The familiar territory being used here also makes it hard to stand out. What it is is mostly well written, but it doesn't create anything that new and so can't break out from the genre.
April 21, 2023
This review was originally posted on The Moonlight Library
I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Despite it taking me literally forever to read this book, I did really enjoy it.
This book was published in November 2022 and I am finally reviewing it in April 2023 after taking far too long to finish it. I have no excuse. Despite enjoying it, it didn't grip me and prevent me from putting the book down, which only means it doesn't get 5 stars. Was it a good book? Undoubtedly. Would I recommend it to others? Without hesitation.
I know the author identifies as aroace, but I only found out after I had requested to review this book based on the undercover spy fake friendship blurb. I became aware that the lead was canonically ace and possibly aro, and I have also seen criticism from other reviewers that it doesn't seem like the representation is there as the main character never discusses their asexuality or aromanticism.
Look.
I didn't realise I was ace until I was thirty five years old.
I'm fucking married.
Dev is a fucking teenager.
But also, maybe it's not fucking relevant to the story. There was no place to bring up a conversation about Dev's sexual preferences or lack of romantic desire. Her primary relationship in the book is an awesome friendship with the girl she's supposed to betray, who also only saw Dev in terms of platonic friendship (even if she did have those emoji heart eyes because god damn, their friendship was remarkable).
What we got was a typical spy beats story about going undercover to fake befriend someone and then actually becoming friends. Like fake dating but for aroaces. And I loved that. I loved that Dev was trying to manipulate her target, but was steadily building a genuine friendship the entire time. I love platonic friendship, and as much as I am aware that gay rep is still pretty crap in YA lit, what's even worse is ace rep.
Aside from my own emoji heart eyes over the main friendship development, I did find the magic system a little hard to understand. There's a ton of worldbuilding history with an ancient feud and magic gone wild that needs restoring but I never quite grasped how the magical artefacts, the magical threat, and the magic users themselves were all connected. One of Dev's close friends appeared to have 'burned out' but I wasn't quite sure if it was because they used too much magic, and where the line is, and was Dev's strong and skillful new friend also at risk of burning out?
Apart from that, I lover Dev's character arc, her friendship with the girl she's supposed to betray and her old friend from back home, and her complicated relationship with her mother. The culture of the contrasting countries was also interesting, and watching Dev's reaction to the apparently frivolous use of magic and art.
As a stand alone, I really enjoyed this book, and I think it's a good example of how an aroace can be represented.
I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Despite it taking me literally forever to read this book, I did really enjoy it.
This book was published in November 2022 and I am finally reviewing it in April 2023 after taking far too long to finish it. I have no excuse. Despite enjoying it, it didn't grip me and prevent me from putting the book down, which only means it doesn't get 5 stars. Was it a good book? Undoubtedly. Would I recommend it to others? Without hesitation.
I know the author identifies as aroace, but I only found out after I had requested to review this book based on the undercover spy fake friendship blurb. I became aware that the lead was canonically ace and possibly aro, and I have also seen criticism from other reviewers that it doesn't seem like the representation is there as the main character never discusses their asexuality or aromanticism.
Look.
I didn't realise I was ace until I was thirty five years old.
I'm fucking married.
Dev is a fucking teenager.
But also, maybe it's not fucking relevant to the story. There was no place to bring up a conversation about Dev's sexual preferences or lack of romantic desire. Her primary relationship in the book is an awesome friendship with the girl she's supposed to betray, who also only saw Dev in terms of platonic friendship (even if she did have those emoji heart eyes because god damn, their friendship was remarkable).
What we got was a typical spy beats story about going undercover to fake befriend someone and then actually becoming friends. Like fake dating but for aroaces. And I loved that. I loved that Dev was trying to manipulate her target, but was steadily building a genuine friendship the entire time. I love platonic friendship, and as much as I am aware that gay rep is still pretty crap in YA lit, what's even worse is ace rep.
Aside from my own emoji heart eyes over the main friendship development, I did find the magic system a little hard to understand. There's a ton of worldbuilding history with an ancient feud and magic gone wild that needs restoring but I never quite grasped how the magical artefacts, the magical threat, and the magic users themselves were all connected. One of Dev's close friends appeared to have 'burned out' but I wasn't quite sure if it was because they used too much magic, and where the line is, and was Dev's strong and skillful new friend also at risk of burning out?
Apart from that, I lover Dev's character arc, her friendship with the girl she's supposed to betray and her old friend from back home, and her complicated relationship with her mother. The culture of the contrasting countries was also interesting, and watching Dev's reaction to the apparently frivolous use of magic and art.
As a stand alone, I really enjoyed this book, and I think it's a good example of how an aroace can be represented.
I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Shelved as 'to-read-ya'
September 15, 2021MYSTERY-SOLVING ASEXUAL ALERT MYSTERY-SOLVING ASEXUAL ALERT MYSTERY-SOLVING ASEXUAL ALERT MYSTERY-SOLVING ASEXUAL ALERT
AND BETTER STILL....
THE PLOT NOR THE TITLE HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH LOVE, AS OF YET. IT'S AN ASEXUAL VICTORY EVRYONE!
AND BETTER STILL....
THE PLOT NOR THE TITLE HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH LOVE, AS OF YET. IT'S AN ASEXUAL VICTORY EVRYONE!
November 1, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book via TBR and Beyond Tours in exchange for an honest review!
Silver in the Mist is a fantasy story about a country split in two. Devlin, a spy in Aris, is given the mission to kidnap Alyse, the strongest magic caster, from Cerena, to save Aris from succumbing to the mist threatening their lives.
“Well, maybe we can learn to break the rules together.”
I immensely enjoyed diving into this created world and plot! When thinking about it, the world is actually quite simple. What I love is the simple way but complex feeling the world has. The two countries, divided by the mist, are not so unique, but I loved it. The magic system as well is something I really loved!
The plot is fast and engaging from the very beginning! I also loved how little Easter eggs are given from the start, but you only notice this at the very end. A very cleverly written story that drew me in and wasn’t boring for even a moment!
The characters were written so damn good! I loved getting to know them and how they all complemented each other. Devlin, driven by the love and recognition she wants was a very strong and likable character. Alyse, driven by hope and wanting a better world, stole my heart. Both very different but perfect for the story and each other.
I loved Devlin being asexual and no romance whatsoever being present in the story. The only relationships given are the familial and friendship ones. I loved how strong friendships were formed and became the backbone of this story. It was very empowering to read. I also really liked how there wasn’t really a villain or “bad guy”. Those who acted selfishly were understandable, which made them relatable and thus not a villain in my eyes. Those who do bad, but their actions were understandable, are honestly the best.
Overall, I loved and enjoyed every second of the journey these characters took me on. With a badass spy, lots of humor and loveable characters.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book via TBR and Beyond Tours in exchange for an honest review!
Silver in the Mist is a fantasy story about a country split in two. Devlin, a spy in Aris, is given the mission to kidnap Alyse, the strongest magic caster, from Cerena, to save Aris from succumbing to the mist threatening their lives.
“Well, maybe we can learn to break the rules together.”
I immensely enjoyed diving into this created world and plot! When thinking about it, the world is actually quite simple. What I love is the simple way but complex feeling the world has. The two countries, divided by the mist, are not so unique, but I loved it. The magic system as well is something I really loved!
The plot is fast and engaging from the very beginning! I also loved how little Easter eggs are given from the start, but you only notice this at the very end. A very cleverly written story that drew me in and wasn’t boring for even a moment!
The characters were written so damn good! I loved getting to know them and how they all complemented each other. Devlin, driven by the love and recognition she wants was a very strong and likable character. Alyse, driven by hope and wanting a better world, stole my heart. Both very different but perfect for the story and each other.
I loved Devlin being asexual and no romance whatsoever being present in the story. The only relationships given are the familial and friendship ones. I loved how strong friendships were formed and became the backbone of this story. It was very empowering to read. I also really liked how there wasn’t really a villain or “bad guy”. Those who acted selfishly were understandable, which made them relatable and thus not a villain in my eyes. Those who do bad, but their actions were understandable, are honestly the best.
Overall, I loved and enjoyed every second of the journey these characters took me on. With a badass spy, lots of humor and loveable characters.
October 23, 2022
I’m always excited to find new fantasy books with ace rep, so I was stoked when I saw that Emily Victoria would be publishing her second novel, Silver in the Mist! I have not had a chance to read her debut novel, This Golden Flame, yet, but if it’s half as good as Silver in the Mist, I know I’m going to love it!
What’s better than an ace protagonist? An ace protagonist who is also a spy! Being the daughter of her nation’s head spy, Devlin is willing to do anything for her country, so when she is sent on a mission to infiltrate the sister nation of Cerena, she is ready to sacrifice anything. However, the more she gets to know her target, Alyse, Cerena’s most powerful caster, the more secrets she discovers. Her mission turns out to be more difficult than she ever imagined.
Normally, I try to keep notes of the things I like and dislike while I’m reading a novel, but I was so wrapped up in Silver in the Mist, I completely forgot to do so! The whole book was very immersive, and the plot had a decent mixture of action and depth. I thought the relationships Devlin made throughout the novel related to the plot well.
Devlin is such a great protagonist! I was fascinated reading about how her character develops throughout the book, and I loved that she starts off confident, questions herself a little, and regains that confidence. Her relationships with her mother, Lochlan, and Alyse really made the story shine.
Additionally, I found quite a few quotes that were simply poetic. On the surface, this book is about a spy trying to save her nation, but deeper down it is a novel about hope and perseverance. I was moved by the way Victoria developed those themes throughout the book, and that is what made it great in my opinion.
Overall, I highly recommend this book, and I can’t wait to finally read This Golden Flame, and to see what else Emily Victoria has in store for readers in the future!
What’s better than an ace protagonist? An ace protagonist who is also a spy! Being the daughter of her nation’s head spy, Devlin is willing to do anything for her country, so when she is sent on a mission to infiltrate the sister nation of Cerena, she is ready to sacrifice anything. However, the more she gets to know her target, Alyse, Cerena’s most powerful caster, the more secrets she discovers. Her mission turns out to be more difficult than she ever imagined.
Normally, I try to keep notes of the things I like and dislike while I’m reading a novel, but I was so wrapped up in Silver in the Mist, I completely forgot to do so! The whole book was very immersive, and the plot had a decent mixture of action and depth. I thought the relationships Devlin made throughout the novel related to the plot well.
Devlin is such a great protagonist! I was fascinated reading about how her character develops throughout the book, and I loved that she starts off confident, questions herself a little, and regains that confidence. Her relationships with her mother, Lochlan, and Alyse really made the story shine.
Additionally, I found quite a few quotes that were simply poetic. On the surface, this book is about a spy trying to save her nation, but deeper down it is a novel about hope and perseverance. I was moved by the way Victoria developed those themes throughout the book, and that is what made it great in my opinion.
Overall, I highly recommend this book, and I can’t wait to finally read This Golden Flame, and to see what else Emily Victoria has in store for readers in the future!
January 27, 2024
When I picked this book up, I was looking for a quick, easy, and enjoyable read to get me out of a reading slump. It was certainly quick and easy but enjoyable? Far from it. Everything about this book reads almost like a children’s fairy tale but worse. It’s saccharine and predictable, the morals and messages basically spelled out to you from the beginning. The writing is also atrocious. If you didn’t read the blurb and therefore didn’t know going into it that the main character is a spy, don’t you worry because this book will never let you forget it. Not through action-packed heist scenes, but through repeating the sentence “Well, I am a spy!” at least once a chapter. She also often refers to her “spy clothes”. This is a fantasy novel supposedly set in medieval-ish times. I am beyond baffled at the writing choices. Each and every piece of information the characters need to know is conveniently in an old letter that they conveniently find in either the library or a private study. Despite the fact that she’s supposed to be a skilled spy, the main character frequently makes stupid slip-ups that blow her cover. From the get-go, as soon as she arrives in this enemy nation, she starts expressing pro-Aris (her home country) views and criticizing decisions of the Cerenian government. When she’s supposed to be a Cerenian noblewoman. The more I think about it, the more I think this book deserves 1 star and I am so mad that I just wasted so much of my time on this book when I could have been re-reading the Broken Earth trilogy. Ugh.
August 10, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley, Inkyard Press, and Emily Victoria for the eARC of this book!
Silver in the Mist sucked me in with the intriguing premise of a young, asexual spy going on an important mission filled with thrills and magic. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to invest myself in the story. Some of the main plot points didn't make much sense, the magic system was confusing, and the writing tended to drag at times. I feel like the book could have been condensed quite a bit. However, I was invested enough in the journey of the heroine to continue reading and I actually really liked how the book ended. 2 stars for representation, a unique plot, and interesting character progression.
Silver in the Mist sucked me in with the intriguing premise of a young, asexual spy going on an important mission filled with thrills and magic. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to invest myself in the story. Some of the main plot points didn't make much sense, the magic system was confusing, and the writing tended to drag at times. I feel like the book could have been condensed quite a bit. However, I was invested enough in the journey of the heroine to continue reading and I actually really liked how the book ended. 2 stars for representation, a unique plot, and interesting character progression.
August 5, 2022
Thank you to the author and her publicist for sending me an e-arc on Netgalley!
I was really excited for this book because of the aroace rep! While it's never defined in the book, I did feel it was implied because the main character never looks at anyone through a romantic lens. I also loved the best friend that goes by they/them pronouns!! I really liked the world building, the mist reminded me of the fold in s&b and the history between the two split kingdoms was fascinating! It had the right amount of character-driven and plot-driven!
I was really excited for this book because of the aroace rep! While it's never defined in the book, I did feel it was implied because the main character never looks at anyone through a romantic lens. I also loved the best friend that goes by they/them pronouns!! I really liked the world building, the mist reminded me of the fold in s&b and the history between the two split kingdoms was fascinating! It had the right amount of character-driven and plot-driven!
November 2, 2022
Whilst I found the beginning a touch slow to get into once this does get going I thought it was a fun read and the pace really picks up then. I loved the non-binary supporting character and thought the representation in the book was wonderful, overall it’s a joy to read, really enjoyed the magic system, definitely recommend
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
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March 23, 2023Teenage me would have loved this, but as an adult it wasn’t what I was looking for.
September 14, 2023
wonderful, magical, funny, suspensful...all around exciting read...my darker side wanted a few specific people to drop dead by the end, but maybe thats just me ;)
October 29, 2022
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Silver in the Mist is Emily Victoria’s second book, and the rare time I’ve encountered a real sophomore slump. I genuinely enjoyed her first book, but found myself very underwhelmed by this one, even with all the promise of its premise.
The world building is intriguing, if a tad underbaked. There’s great lore to the world conveyed throughout, and the magic is a lot of fun. However, while there is a lot of literal ground covered, I didn’t really get a sense of place as to where this was meant to be.
The characterization was…ok. Devlin’s a spy, and while I can’t say I was blown away by her character, she’s not incompetent. It’s pretty standard YA fare, minus any romance. And this is perhaps where I feel the story began to fall down a bit. I’m fine with a book with no romance, but I don’t know how I feel about that being equated as more or less synonymous with “ace rep,” apart from maybe a throwaway mention. I know the author herself is aroace, and it’s totally fair for her to write from that experience. But I wish it hadn’t been blatantly marketed as an “asexual fantasy,” given how varied identities under that umbrella are. And while I don’t think romance was prominent, if present at all, in her first book, with much stronger characterization and plot independent of those aspects, I found the virtual absence easier to forgive. I did like the inclusion of a major non-binary character, and the usage of they/them pronouns, so there is some decent queer rep.
The plot is fairly slow-moving, and if I wasn’t invested in the world even on a surface level, I would have likely bailed. It does pick up, but I nevertheless found my interest constantly flagging.
While I found this book to be a bit of a dud, I can chock it up to a number of reasons, from the fact that I’m probably not the intended audience for the book to the more serious fact that I was looking for something where ace identity was at least somewhat more prominent. But if you’re a YA reader who doesn’t mind something on the younger side, and you don’t go in expecting groundbreaking asexual rep, you may enjoy this more than I did.
Silver in the Mist is Emily Victoria’s second book, and the rare time I’ve encountered a real sophomore slump. I genuinely enjoyed her first book, but found myself very underwhelmed by this one, even with all the promise of its premise.
The world building is intriguing, if a tad underbaked. There’s great lore to the world conveyed throughout, and the magic is a lot of fun. However, while there is a lot of literal ground covered, I didn’t really get a sense of place as to where this was meant to be.
The characterization was…ok. Devlin’s a spy, and while I can’t say I was blown away by her character, she’s not incompetent. It’s pretty standard YA fare, minus any romance. And this is perhaps where I feel the story began to fall down a bit. I’m fine with a book with no romance, but I don’t know how I feel about that being equated as more or less synonymous with “ace rep,” apart from maybe a throwaway mention. I know the author herself is aroace, and it’s totally fair for her to write from that experience. But I wish it hadn’t been blatantly marketed as an “asexual fantasy,” given how varied identities under that umbrella are. And while I don’t think romance was prominent, if present at all, in her first book, with much stronger characterization and plot independent of those aspects, I found the virtual absence easier to forgive. I did like the inclusion of a major non-binary character, and the usage of they/them pronouns, so there is some decent queer rep.
The plot is fairly slow-moving, and if I wasn’t invested in the world even on a surface level, I would have likely bailed. It does pick up, but I nevertheless found my interest constantly flagging.
While I found this book to be a bit of a dud, I can chock it up to a number of reasons, from the fact that I’m probably not the intended audience for the book to the more serious fact that I was looking for something where ace identity was at least somewhat more prominent. But if you’re a YA reader who doesn’t mind something on the younger side, and you don’t go in expecting groundbreaking asexual rep, you may enjoy this more than I did.
April 25, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of Silver in the Mist in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read this book.
Devlin is a spy tasked by the spymaster (her overly critical mother) to infiltrate the rival kingdom. Her goal is to steal away their best magic user to save her own kingdom from the mysterious Mists and the deadly lightning-creatures that live there.
I found this a well-paced, enjoyable read. Devlin is a sympathetic character who desperately wants to please her neglectful mother. Her motivations and her inner thoughts make sense in this context and I was rooting for her to find confidence in herself, regardless of her mother's approval. I thought the creeping mists and the scary creatures that live within were a neat idea, as were the two rival kingdoms. We don't get to see a lot of Devlin's home, but the kingdom she infiltrates is colorful, with an interesting culture that differs from her home kingdom. The friendships between the characters was well-written and is one of the strengths of the book. Overall, an entertaining story that kept me interested throughout.
I didn't love the fact that
Devlin is a spy tasked by the spymaster (her overly critical mother) to infiltrate the rival kingdom. Her goal is to steal away their best magic user to save her own kingdom from the mysterious Mists and the deadly lightning-creatures that live there.
I found this a well-paced, enjoyable read. Devlin is a sympathetic character who desperately wants to please her neglectful mother. Her motivations and her inner thoughts make sense in this context and I was rooting for her to find confidence in herself, regardless of her mother's approval. I thought the creeping mists and the scary creatures that live within were a neat idea, as were the two rival kingdoms. We don't get to see a lot of Devlin's home, but the kingdom she infiltrates is colorful, with an interesting culture that differs from her home kingdom. The friendships between the characters was well-written and is one of the strengths of the book. Overall, an entertaining story that kept me interested throughout.
I didn't love the fact that
December 17, 2022
What an actually fresh take in the YA genre. This is inclusion done right. The world building was evocative and really stands out to me among some of the rest I've read this year. The characters were each compelling and there were times I wasn't sure what would happen next. I loved the focus on teamwork and the way, little by little, everyone was able to change for the better and find ways to look to the future.
May 13, 2022
⅘ Stars
For a while, I have been feeling like every new fantasy has become so similar to each other that they started to sound the same. However, this book was so refreshing in every single aspect from plot, to characters, to dialog.
What I liked:
I am the type of reader that needs at least a subplot of romance so when I found out that the main character was asexual I was wondering where the romance was going to come from but this book was so good that I didn’t need any romance. IT WAS SO GOOD!!! I love every single character, even the characters that I hated. The world-building was easy to follow and unique, it reminded me of ‘Shadow and Bone’ but it was still unique in its own way.
Lastly, the way the main character talked and thought was so…. funny.. It was like taking a modern gen z and making them a spy.
What I did not like:
The only reason that I gave it 4 stars was because somewhere in the middle of the book everything was starting to sound repetitive, it was a little boring. But it only lasted a few chapters because the overall book is fast-paced.
For a while, I have been feeling like every new fantasy has become so similar to each other that they started to sound the same. However, this book was so refreshing in every single aspect from plot, to characters, to dialog.
What I liked:
I am the type of reader that needs at least a subplot of romance so when I found out that the main character was asexual I was wondering where the romance was going to come from but this book was so good that I didn’t need any romance. IT WAS SO GOOD!!! I love every single character, even the characters that I hated. The world-building was easy to follow and unique, it reminded me of ‘Shadow and Bone’ but it was still unique in its own way.
Lastly, the way the main character talked and thought was so…. funny.. It was like taking a modern gen z and making them a spy.
What I did not like:
The only reason that I gave it 4 stars was because somewhere in the middle of the book everything was starting to sound repetitive, it was a little boring. But it only lasted a few chapters because the overall book is fast-paced.
December 29, 2022
Devlin has never wanted to be a spy, yet she’s one of the best. Her mother is The Whisperer, head spy of Aris. Their country is under threat from The Mists, an ever-growing malevolent magical force that is encroaching on their lands and brings wraiths with it. Always looking for ways to earn her mother’s love, Devlin is ecstatic when she’s assigned a top-secret mission to their neighboring kingdom to steal their strongest magician in an attempt to help save Aris. As Devlin is on her own for the first time in her life, she begins to learn that not everything she’s been told is the truth.
Devlin was a fun protagonist. I enjoyed her complicated relationship with her mother, and how her views on several different things evolved throughout the work – there was some excellent character growth. I also enjoyed that there was no real emphasis on romance in this work. It was refreshing to read a YA fantasy where the protagonist makes real connections and has solid friendships, rather than falling in love over the course of three pages. The other characters were also well written with enough depth to make them feel like real people.
Overall, the worldbuilding was simple yet still interesting. I would have liked a bit more of an explanation of the magic system earlier in the book. Magic is called “Filagree” throughout the work, but it isn’t until one of the last chapters that this term is somewhat explained. I would have liked more explanation of other terms used as well – the term “Layde” is used for nobles, but the first several Laydes introduced are all women. So, when a male Layde was introduced, I was confused for a bit as there was no explanation offered.
While I enjoyed the plot, I felt that it was a little bit lacking. For a story about a spy infiltrating an enemy kingdom to steal a powerful magic user, there was no real tension present. This didn’t read like the high-stakes mission it was supposed to be, which did detract some from the immersion of the work.
This was an entertaining standalone fantasy read that I do recommend, especially if you’re not interested in insta-love. My thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Devlin was a fun protagonist. I enjoyed her complicated relationship with her mother, and how her views on several different things evolved throughout the work – there was some excellent character growth. I also enjoyed that there was no real emphasis on romance in this work. It was refreshing to read a YA fantasy where the protagonist makes real connections and has solid friendships, rather than falling in love over the course of three pages. The other characters were also well written with enough depth to make them feel like real people.
Overall, the worldbuilding was simple yet still interesting. I would have liked a bit more of an explanation of the magic system earlier in the book. Magic is called “Filagree” throughout the work, but it isn’t until one of the last chapters that this term is somewhat explained. I would have liked more explanation of other terms used as well – the term “Layde” is used for nobles, but the first several Laydes introduced are all women. So, when a male Layde was introduced, I was confused for a bit as there was no explanation offered.
While I enjoyed the plot, I felt that it was a little bit lacking. For a story about a spy infiltrating an enemy kingdom to steal a powerful magic user, there was no real tension present. This didn’t read like the high-stakes mission it was supposed to be, which did detract some from the immersion of the work.
This was an entertaining standalone fantasy read that I do recommend, especially if you’re not interested in insta-love. My thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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