Synopsis:
Her magic is outlawed. Her ambition is limitless.
After years of secret research, Sage is on the cusp a momentous discovery: the ability to stabilize her forbidden magic so she can finally wield it out in the open. Now, if only she can manage to live long enough to complete it.
When a group of rebels blows up her lab, Sage barely escapes with her life. And when she flees to sanctuary in the royal palace, she winds up accused of being a rebel herself by the cold and commanding captain of the guard, Eskar.
Desperate to find the missing link in her research and forge a peace between the magical factions, Sage sets out for the misty moorlands saddled with Eskar as her less-than-willing protector.
But the more she learns about the privileged King’s guard, the more Eskar’s tormented past and dark magic calls to Sage—until his presence on her quest begins to feel less like a burden, and more like an intriguing glimpse into the future she never thought she would have. Together, this outsider and insider might be the only ones able to prevent an all-out war…but only if they can bring themselves to trust in each other.
Review:
We live in a world where the use of magic is suppressed and essentially forbidden, unless it benefits the powerful. Sage is desperately trying to channel her magic, to shape and control it. She’s close to a breakthrough, but her latest attempt fails. When she’s suddenly attacked by rebels fighting the regime, she’s forced to flee and ends up in a situation where she’s offered the chance to continue her work in secret.
Sage isn’t trusted and is immediately suspected of being a rebel herself, especially by Eskar, the captain of the king’s guard. Circumstances keep pushing them together, and it slowly becomes clear they may have more in common than either expected. For Sage to continue her mission, she must leave her protected haven and reluctantly team up with Eskar. On their journey, both learn that achieving a shared goal requires cooperation and trust.
What I enjoyed most was the gradual way the relationship between the two main characters developed. It never felt forced or rushed. Their connection grows naturally and goes deeper than simple physical attraction. They’re both shaped by the situations they’ve been thrust into, and what stood out for me was that the story doesn’t gloss over an early event that has a significant emotional impact on Sage. Disappointment and pain aren’t brushed aside; the narrative allows both characters the time and space to truly understand this.
I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how the story continues after the cliffhanger at the end of Book
🌙 Recension: The Alchemy Before The Dawn (Lightless Alchemist) by Hayley Pierce
📚 Genre: Romance, Fiction
📅 Release Date: September 26, 2025 (initial release under Aubade Rising, relaunch Feb 2026 with new title + Cover)
📱 Read as: Kindle
📗 available in various formats – included in Kindle Unlimited
💸 Bought
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages: 364
⭐️ 4/5
Interested in more?
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