The things I enjoyed most: forced proximity, magic and flash backs. I found myself hooked by the first chapter which doesn’t happen often. I love the budding relationship between Aramina and Rixon as you can feel the chemistry between them. The book had great character development however, I do wish the world building was a little more extensive. I would have liked to see more fantasy aspects.

I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“Wielder’s Prize” by Melissa Mitchell

Aramina, a lady witch who has recently graduated and has been bonded with a wielder named Rixon. In this world, each witch is paired with a wielder who provides physical protection. While witches use magic to defend against demons, wielders rely on their strength. As Aramina and Rixon embark on their first mission, bound for the Citadel in Raeria, they see the surge in demonic activity that has been talked about.

Their goal is clear: make it to the Citadel safely and investigate the alarming increase in demon numbers. However, amidst the dangers they face, an attraction between Aramina and Rixon begins to grow, adding another layer of complexity to their journey.

I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars. I loved the tension between Aramina and Rixon. Also, their constant bickering is so cute. My only issue with the book is that it’s super short, not only did I want more story and relationship content it didn’t have a lot that happens in the book because of the length. I wished the first and second book were combined. The ending also wasn’t super impactful and because I haven’t read the second book, yet I don’t know if there’s a better place to have ended it or just combined them. It is a good book with a lot of potential and steamy smut that I enjoyed.

This is a great, quick read!

The plot was a little bit predictable, but not in a bad way! I enjoyed getting to learn the back story of our FMC.

However, the flashbacks at the beginning of each chapter were a little abrupt. I think it would have been better to focus more on the past in their own chapters. That way we could get more attached to the FMC. All that said, I was still devastated when the tragic past was revealed!

It would have been great to learn a little more about the MMC, but that could come later in the series I suppose. Maybe the mystery is part of the allure.

Grumpy/Sunshine and Enemies to Lovers - a fantasy romance reader's dream!

3.5 stars - The book pacing of the book was fast and short but note this is the first book in a series. There was not much world-building so the reader is left to imagine much of the world. There is more romance than fantasy in the book so if you enjoy a book more romance. The characters were likable. I would not mind continuing to read to rest of the book in this series.

Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

Could you handle being bonded with someone you believe hates you? What if I told you would be bonded until someone passes away? However, this person that you’re bonded to is one of the strongest wielders out there and you know that he will keep you safe no matter what.

Who wouldn’t want to read a book about a witch and her bonded muscle? They have to travel a month out to get to their post and on top of that her wielder is not the friendly talkative type at all. I enjoyed the plot a lot in this book and the character development throughout the whole book. I think for me it was the magic system that I loved and the world building that the author created that I loved so much. I thought the pace was steady throughout the book, picked up at the right time and was slow at the right time. The magic system was so interesting, how the witches come into their magics and how they have to learn to develop their magic so they can fight away the demons that are trying to come into the world. I did not mind that the book would go from the past to the present at all because the author had it clearly marked if you were in the past and when the present time started, and it really gave you a glimpse of what started this attraction between these two characters and to get a better understanding of them both.

Mina is a great FMC, she is strong and determined to make it on top without anyone really knowing exactly how much power she really holds as a witch. She keeps to herself mostly, but she does have a close friend. I loved that even though she knows people will judge her for her choices she puts everything aside and picks with logic when it comes to picking a wielder. She doesn’t have time to listen to rumors and would rather hear the truth from the person, rather than sit there and make up their own stories.

Rixon is quiet and keeps to himself as well. He doesn’t have time for witches in the Citadel, instead he would rather be training to become better than he was before and reading. He is a little standoffish but once you get him to thaw out a little… girl run. That man is yummy in all the right ways. Protective, determined, quiet, sweet (once he is thawed out), and let me tell you know he also knows when to take charge in all the right ways…. Wink wink. I loved the banter between the characters, and I loved that when Rixon would push Mina she would push right back.
I would go on but honestly, I think it’s time that I go read book two now.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes witches, sexy protectors, a little spice, forced proximity (one bath, one bed) and so much more great things.

I want to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to review this book .

I chose this one to read as a bit of a wild card really. I love witchy stories, saw this was advertised as a Novella and thought why not?

It's a really, really interesting concept and not something I've read before...

Mina and Rixon - I was cheering these to on from the moment I started reading. You could smell the sizzling, chemistry between the two of them from the moment you meet them. Mina - young and powerful but kind and a little troubled by her past. Rixon - dark and brooding but a capable warrior and protector. Both have intense histories that you start to explore in this first book.

The generalised storyline is Mina and Rixon have bonded and have been send from the Citadel across the country to a settlement to support the people there. I'm not going to tell you why as that was the first surprise of the book and I'd hate to spoil it for you.

Is there Spice? Oh yes, there's spice but equally there is a great storyline running through the Novella and equally it's great to see the relationship between the two changing the deeper you get into the book.

Absolutely need to be read for any Witchy lovers out there, can't read to continue with Mina and Rixon's story!

This novella has brought me out of my 6 month reading slump and I am so happy about it. My enjoyment was undeniable, the characters are relatable, and the plot brought it all home for me. My only gripe is that the language seemed to shift from modern language to more of a medieval age from time to time. However, it didn't ruin my good time!

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for allowing me the honor of reading this and I am excited to see what else comes from this!!!

The Wielder’s Prize follows the story of a witch, Aramina, and her wielder, Rixon, as they set on a journey reach to Rockfall, their first assignment since they were bonded together. Travelling across Raeria, they learn to work together as they fight the demons, both physical and literal, they come across on their way. This is easier said than done, as both have mysterious pasts and have ignored each other the last two years.

This is a light fantasy, with easy-to-understand lore and a nice spin on the overdone fantasy genre, using the witch and wielder bond. Mitchell uses flashbacks at the beginning of each chapter to shed more light on the training involved in becoming a witch or wielder, and how the bond works, which was a great way to build up the world without info-dumping at the beginning of the book. While the simple magic system makes the world very easy to fall into, I do wish there had been a bit more detail of the magic system, and perhaps more of the fantasy elements of the novel.

I did really like the main character, Aramina, who is brave, hard-working, quick-witted and resourceful. Her character arc was satisfying to read as she learnt how to overcome her fears from her past. Mitchell made sure that there was just enough intrigue about the pasts of both Aramina and Rixon to keep the reader wanting to know more, without making me want to rush to later chapters to learn about their history – very skilfully done. Rixon was not as endearing and well-developed as Aramina, but I feel like he might be more fleshed out in the later books, so I wasn’t put off by this. The dialogue between the two was very snappy and witty, keeping the pace of the book fast and engaging.

This was very romance heavy rather than fantasy heavy, which I definitely appreciated after just having finished a quite complex and combat focused series. The romance contained a good level of spice with a nice mix of friendship and joking, so it made the romance more believable. However, I did find that some of the romance scenes dragged, and the story could have benefitted from having more of a balance between the plot-driving chapters and the steamier chapters.

I can honestly say I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this, and I will definitely be reading the next few books in the Lady Witch series! The Wielder’s Prize is a strong start to the series.

Content warnings: violence, injury, SA, murder, sexual content.

"Every witch needs a wielder."

Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me this eARC!
I really enjoyed Wielder's Prize! I had to get into it the first 30-40 pages but once I picked it up I finished it in one sitting.

Tropes
- Witchy theme
- Spicy romance
- Forced proximity (one bed, one horse, one bath wink wink)
- Who hurt you?
- Flashbacks

Spice rating
2/5 🌶️

It was more romance than fantasy but there was still an existing plot with an interesting, not too large, world setting. The heroine is not the typical shy one. She's reserved but badass and is determined in what she wants!
I really liked seeing her develop as she had to overcome fears and personal issues because of past trauma.

I always wanted to try books that are witch themed and this one really lived up to my expectations. I'm for sure continuing the series and the 4th book is coming out soon so that's a really good timing!

As I said the world setting and plot are there and is easy to follow, everything gets its explanation and there weren't any plot holes. it was a descriptive book but it was simple enough for the reader to understand.
The main thing that I really enjoyed was how every chapter was divided into a flashback and a part of the present day and the story in the flashbacks would develop slowly as you kept reading. That was a new thing for me,
I haven't read a book until now who had the same idea but it was surprisingly enjoyable in stead of random flashbacks during a dialogue in a chapter. I hope I see more of that in the next books!

For the romance, it was pretty insta-lovey / lust and I think that the author could have taken a little more time. Rixon went from super cold to sweet and possessive (which I don't mind but you get what I mean). I wish there was a step between those two. It was too abrupt.

"My little witch has talons. I was wondering when you'd scratch me again. I rather enjoy it."

I would really recommend this book to anyone who likes a witchy themed book with a cute romance!

I hope this review helped to give you an idea of the book and convinces you to read it as well, enjoy! (:

Bottom Line: a charming fantasy novella about a witch (magic-user) and a wielder (fighter-protector).

I was looking for something a bit lighter and shorter after a series of longer heavy reads, and Wielder's Prize by Melissa Mitchell attracted me immediately. The premise is that every Witch must have a Wielder. Our heroine, Mina, is newly-graduated and getting to know her Wielder. As the book unfolds, we flash back in time with each new chapter to uncover her past and her history with her Wielder, Rixon, as they work together to battle demons and shelter innocents.

This book is an enjoyable read full of well-trodden tropes. Some readers might want more surprising twists, while others will find comfort in the familiar. At some points, I did hope to see more world building, particularly given the interesting setup for gendered Witch/Wielder roles that appears to be present. I'd hope to see more of this in the second and third novellas, which are already published.

Overall, a fun enjoyable read, and I plan to check out the sequels as well.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the free copy in exchange for a review. This book is also currently available on Kindle Unlimited.

I loved this book! And I’m annoyed it’s as short as it is... and yes I know it’s technically a novella. I see there are three more in the series and I will be reading them as soon as I can. I’m hoping there will be more backstory for Rixon because even for all his dreaminess he’s still very two dimensional. I need to know more about him. I like Aramina and her strength after everything she’s been through. I’m excited to see how their relationship progresses and I hope it becomes a true partnership amid this world’s power dynamic between witch and wielder. I’m also hoping for some more expansion of the world building, which is definitely being hinted at with the last chapter. It’s interesting to read a fantasy as a novella series and I’m excited to see where it all goes. I’m hoping that since it’s a novella the other three will address some of the missing bits.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for the chance to read this!

The Wielder's Prize is a fantasy romance book focused on the characters' development and relationship more than the world around them.
Aramina is a witch and she is bonded to a wielder, Rixon. In this world, Raeria, every witch is accompanied by a wielder whose job is to keep the witch safe from the demons that are around. Witches do have powers to defend themselves, but the pair witch-wielder is more effective than just using their powers, so they bond for eternity. Both Aramina and Rixon have dark pasts that you get to know chapter after chapter.
I liked the flashbacks at the beginning of the chapters that let you see which process made Aramina choose Rixon as her wielder, and I also liked the tension between the two main characters in them.
When I started reading I was a little lost, it took me a couple of chapters to really understand how the wielders-witch relationship worked and the whole demons situation.
Aramina's POV is perfect as a narrative and I enjoyed it a lot, sometimes I found her a little unfair towards Rixon since she asked him a lot and seemed to give him almost nothing, but in the end, it still worked out fine.
Rixon starts as a grumpy and reserved character, Aramina tries more than once to talk with him but he doesn't trust her at all. It's clear that there's a reason for his behavior and it's not Aramina's fault, going on reading you find out pieces of information about him that will make you understand him better.
I enjoyed this book especially because of its focus on the characters. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who wants to read detailed descriptions of the creatures or the world in which the characters live, you have as much info as needed for your imagination to wonder, and I find it's enough to appreciate the reading.
I do recommend this book to all romantasy (as we like to call it) readers out there.

This was such an interesting read! I enjoy fantasy and have read the genre for some time but somehow I have read only a few books heavily involving witches. This is a great introduction to the sub-genre!

Pros: A quick read (under 200 pages), the FMC and MMC are likable characters and I enjoyed them as a couple. The plot is incredibly unique and does a good job of pulling you in. I liked the incorporation of Jarrow into the story, it was cute.

Cons: I struggled to get into the first 30% of the book, maybe it was the world-building. But the fact that this is a shorter read I felt like the descriptiveness In the beginning was a bit too much.

Overall, a great read, and I look forward to reading more about Mina and Rixon.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

My biggest complaint about this book was: there just was not enough of it.

1. I got emotionally invested quickly"

I was confused about the way the book started, I felt out of place, and like it must've been the 2nd book of a trilogy, but no, it was the first. And that's okay, because after about ten minutes of reading it clicked that the author was approaching the book in a different way. And I am totally okay with it.

I was mad at Rixon, and yet in love with him almost immediately. I understood Mina well.

2. I loved the character building but wanted *more*

I think that the characters needed to be teased out more. I needed to see their personal journeys. To understand their development arcs. I wanted to know more about what motivated Mina other than her family was gone (no spoilers). I need to know more about Rixon and his past. It felt so sparse.

Give me more. Show me more.

3. I loved the steamy bits, but it felt too bold too quickly. Expand on it, build it up a little slower, make me feel like it is more authentic.

I am here for romance and love scenes. I thought they were *good* but I see massive potential in the author. For a "virgin" and an older man, this at times felt really uncomfortable and a little predatory. I love that the author did include consent. I love the actual actions. I just wanted to see them grow into trusting each other. Slow down and build it.

4. The world building is exquisite. The action scenes are exceptional.

The demons, the witches, the idea of wielders. I cannot wait to learn more about it. I loved it. The writing was higher quality than many in its genre. I love reading these types of stories. I found this one to be especially good.

I found this one to be in the top 100 of what I have read. Out of the 70+ books I have reviewed this year, this is probably in my top 10.

Overall, this is an excellent story.

I DEVOURED this book. I finished this book in two sittings (would have been one sitting but real world responsibilities and all that jazz).

Typically I find myself not fond of books that jump around in the timeline between past and present but this book just did it so well that all my thoughts on that format are now null! Every scene from Aramina's past correlated so well with the corresponding scene from the present and provided not only background information but also character depth and development all at once.

I found the concept of a witch and wielder pair so unique, it created such an interesting dynamic between already interesting characters. We get to see Aramina's more 'traditional' thoughts about the bond between witch and wielder but we also get to see a bit of Rixon's thoughts on these bonds after his non-traditional experience with one.

I gave 4 stars instead of 5 due to one small critique, I found their journey to Rockfall to be a bit repetitive. It felt somewhat like different iterations on the same basic scene; travel by horseback, fight demons, stay at the town inn and meet the town's assigned witches and wielders. I just want to say that this did not affect my reading experience in the least, I was thoroughly engaged the whole time! This was simply a thought that I had upon completing the book and recounting in my mind the story I just read.

Aramina and Rixon were such a fun pair to read about and I cannot wait to continue reading their story!

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for access to this novella by Melissa Mitchell. I enjoyed the pacing of this read, but some of the lack of world-building left me wanting more. There were several instances of convenient info-dumping that I really would have enjoyed if they were fleshed out more. The world itself left a lot to the reader’s imagination. If you enjoy fantasy romances that lean more heavily on romance, this is for you! The characters were rather likable and I was pleased with the read overall.

If you haven’t read this yet, and are a fan of witches, magic, spice, steamy romance, grumpy MMC, romance then this spellbinding world is for you.

This book you won’t be able to put down, while I felt I would have loved to hear more about the magic system and it’s intricacies I loved what I learnt about it and it’s super easy for you to follow and understand! This is only a short novella, so the author didn’t spend immense time on explaining the magic system or the world building, but what was written was descriptive and enough to get your imagination going.

The writing is fast-paced, detailed and easy to follow along, the action and fighting scenes made you feel like you were there and immersed you in.

This book certainly is more romantasy than a fantasy romance, but that doesn’t make it any less of a great read!

Thank you to the author, Melissa Mitchell, Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for this e-ARC for me to provide a review.

4 ⭐️.

The perfect book for anyone who loves romance, fantasy, dual-timeline and the forced proximity trope. Witches, “wielders” (witch protectors), and demons? A ton of action? Sign me up. This book read so easily/ quickly, the magic system was not difficult to understand, and there was not a single lull in the plot, never a dull moment. Loved that the book dove right into the action without the awkward introductions and info-dumping that usually comes with the start of a fantasy series.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I just reviewed Wielder's Prize by Melissa Mitchell. #WieldersPrize #NetGalley

This book was one that I would say surprised me, I thought it was a beautiful world and that it was in first person. I’m a sucker for a great first person pov. I loved the banter, and and smart ass that she is. I think my favorite part is that we aren’t reading about a woman who had no idea she had power, or was surprisingly given it. She had it, from the beginning. And surprisingly, even to myself I loved that. Overall she’s great, and a badass, and I loved Aramina. Cannot wait for the next one!!

"Wielder's Prize" by Melissa Mitchell promises an enticing blend of magic, adventure, and the complexities of human emotions. This novel invites readers into a world where witches and wielders form unique and intricate bonds to combat the challenges that lie ahead.

At its core, the story revolves around Aramina, a witch who embarks on her first assignment, and her reluctant partner, Rixon, a wielder with a mysterious and checkered past. The premise immediately draws readers into a world filled with demons, magic, and the potential for both danger and romance.

Mitchell's narrative appears to focus not only on the external threats Aramina and Rixon face but also on the internal struggles and emotions that arise as they form a partnership. Aramina's determination to remain closed off and the unresolved tension between the two characters promise a complex and engaging dynamic.

The concept of witches and wielders bound together in a shared destiny adds depth to the story, and the idea of a lonely life as a witch sets the stage for exploration into the characters' personal growth and emotional connections.

As readers follow Aramina and Rixon's journey, they can expect a combination of action, magic, and the gradual unraveling of the characters' backstories and emotions. "Wielder's Prize" appears to offer a rich and immersive reading experience for fans of fantasy and romantic fantasy genres, making it a book worth diving into for those who enjoy tales of magical worlds and the power of human connection.