I wanted to thank the publisher for the e-arc!

While reading The Guardians of Alveston, I never found a reading rhythm that worked for me and the story—I usually kept waiting for the pace and story to pick up. Overall, the premise of the book sounded right up my alley, and I was looking forward to reading it. At the end, I’m glad I read it, but it didn’t leave me with a “I have to read the next book right now!” type of feeling.

I didn’t finish this book. I didn’t like the way it was written and got bored with the story. Hard to follow and couldn’t get into it. Sorry!

I felt no real connection the story the entire time I read this. I never truly felt immersed in the story. I was confused the majority of the time I was reading this. Multiple creatures were mentioned but I don’t ever recall getting a full description of them. Trods have tentacles and are meant to be huge but how many and how big are they? What are the whispers? Were they insects or bigger? What does the omnibus actually look like? What is the Dhargash? From what I gathered it’s some kind of curse but did I miss the full explanation?

I would’ve appreciated more information when it came to the world and more world building. I was left confused about the history and why the society is the way it is now. I would’ve loved to learn more about the characters environment and the school she was in. Why was she working for her sister in the Order but no other students had this sort of internship position? Speaking of this position why couldn’t she have a bag to carry all these folders because clearly it was too many to carry and she kept dropping them? What’s the history with tree mages? I would’ve liked more information about tree mages since Tei is one. I would’ve liked to know what other type of mages there are. Characters were brought in just to disappear and never be mentioned again (Naitly’s friend is one example).

Enemies to lovers is a major reach. Naitly was the mysterious guy who looked familiar but Tei couldn’t place from where. It bothered her only for her to never figure out why he seemed familiar. It was just forgotten. I also felt like there was so read build up to their relationship. I felt no emotional attachment to these characters. The ending confused me because I felt like I missed some major event as to why he was being shipped off and they couldn’t be together for now.

I gave this 2 stars because I did soft dnf this for a few days only to come back because I felt like it was going to get better. I kept getting drawn back because the story sounded interesting so I kept coming back but in the end it fell flat for me.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.

This is the first book in a new series. It is full of magic, creatures, mystery, and has a strong theme of good vs evil. I really liked the storyline and the twist and turns of the plot. The characters still have some room to grow and develop but I’m invested in Tei and Naitly’s story and can’t wait to see where the series goes!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Roni Kramer for the opportunity to review this advance copy.

*The Guardians of Alveston: Cursed* delivers a thrilling experience from start to finish, blending dark fantasy, mystery, and high-stakes intrigue. From the opening pages, where a forbidden ritual unleashes chaos, the book sets an ominous tone, immersing the reader in a world where nightmares bleed into reality. Tei No One’s, a determined yet conflicted protagonist, embarks on a tense mission that forces her to navigate treacherous political and supernatural forces. The ever-present tension between Tei and Naitly, a brooding and secretive cadet mage, adds layers of unpredictability, making every interaction feel like a dangerous game of trust and deception.
The action is relentless, with pulse-pounding chases, eerie encounters with ancient spirits, and mind-bending visions that blur the line between reality and illusion. The deeper Tei ventures into Alveston's mysteries, the more sinister truths she uncovers—truths that threaten not only her mission but the very foundation of the Order she serves. The atmosphere is thick with dread, yet the narrative never loses its momentum, seamlessly weaving character development with intense, cinematic sequences. Each revelation raises the stakes, making the book impossible to put down. By the time the final twists unfold, the reader is left breathless, questioning everything they once believed about justice, power, and fate.

This book was so well written and kept me intrigued the whole way through. Loved the magic system as well . Will be recommending to everyone!

Thank you NetGalley and Roni Krav for allowing me access to the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I think this books nails it when it comes to setting up a dark and mysterious atmosphere. You get a really creepy sense of the world off the jump which is great for the reader to get fully immersed in the world. Though at times it can be a little confusing. 
 
I think this might intrigue fans of the Emily Wilde series who are looking for something a little more grittier. I think the prose itself is nice, and Tei is a very approachable character. Naitly is a little out there, but you kind of get used it. 
 
However, the pacing was a bit all over the place and the tonal shifts were jarring. While most of the time I'd call the pacing slow, which made it a little bit of a slog—it also had fast moments and my god it was like breakneck speed. (For example the first battle with the Trods in part one.) Sadly, that brought down my experience in a big way.

Good world-building. The author really immerses you in this environment that is equally fantastical as it is horrific while still being grounded and having a very real, gritty feeling to it. I also appreciate that the world-building is sprinkled throughout the story and not simply dumped through large chunks of exposition.

I also find the characters very engaging. Tei is an excellent main character and I'm curious to watch her development in this series. I think the relationship between her and her adoptive sister is perhaps my favorite, though Naitly is a close second.

However, I do think the plot was weak and fragmented. The pacing was a bit off at times -- I think the middle portion was a bit of a slog to get through -- and it did become bogged down. There seemed to be a lot of characters that were included but lacked significant purpose which weakened the characters themselves and their relationship to Tei. Sometimes it felt like the story lacked a through-line which led to some instances of being like "What are we doing here? What is the purpose of this scene? Why does this matter in the overarching plot of the book?" I do understand that this is the first in a series, but there are a few too many loose threads.

Review of The Guardians of Alveston

The Guardians of Alveston is a dark fantasy filled with mystery, magic, and political intrigue. When a forbidden ritual unleashes chaos, student investigator Tei No One is sent to track down a fugitive among the Old Believers. With only the enigmatic cadet mage Naitly as an ally—who may have his own dangerous agenda—Tei must uncover the Order’s secrets before the spreading darkness consumes the northern lands.

The novel excels in its worldbuilding, creating an immersive setting where ancient forces lurk beneath the surface. The premise is compelling, and Tei’s determination to seek justice gives the story a strong moral backbone. However, the pacing is uneven, with the central mystery unfolding too slowly at times. While Tei is an intriguing protagonist, some of the supporting characters, including Naitly, could have been further developed to deepen the emotional stakes.

The writing is atmospheric, but occasionally leans too heavily on exposition, making certain sections feel dense. The tension builds well, yet the climax doesn’t fully deliver on the anticipation created throughout the novel.

Overall, The Guardians of Alveston has an engaging premise and strong worldbuilding but falls short in execution. Fans of dark fantasy will find elements to enjoy, but the slow pacing and underdeveloped side characters may leave some readers wanting more.

Rating: 3/5

This is a Romance/Fantasy (Romantasy) read. I enjoyed the character development and the continued plot development that kept the story interesting. A page turner. The plot is addictive and intense, and the world development was well written.