Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I overall thought that this book was ok, the magic was interesting, but I didn't really connect with the characters. The middle of the book had a lot of background information, but none of it was really plot relevant leading the ending to feel very rushed and sudden. Not sure if I will continue with this series or not.

This book was a solid 3.5 stars. I loved Hedis (later known as Sylvia’s) journey to uncover her identity. This book is the story of a girl who has lived and been raised by humans and whilst hiding her magical gifts. She soon descovers she is one of four heirs to a mysterious kingdom she only believed to be a fable. The best part of this book is the immersive worldbuilding and the world of Verdelys is explored in depth with unique and amazing powers and creatures. I would only say that the pacing of this book was a little slow, I felt some aspects didn’t need to be drawn out - the walking and walking and some of Hedis training lessons. I think Heidis personality and character development could have been explored more if less time was spent on her day to day lessons etc.

I LOVED this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The book starts with the FMC Heidi and how she is going about her day to day life until an unexpected visitor arrives and she gets thrown into a world she didn’t think existed!

The pacing and details of her story and how her life changes is just perfect,
The world building is amazing, doesn’t feel rushed and you really get a sense of how the world works. The magic system is unique and interesting.
I enjoyed the relationship between the main characters and how their relationships evolved. The time was taken to delve into each relationship which is refreshing.

I can’t wait for the next book! Would highly recommend to read if you are wanting more of a high fantasy style read.

An immersive fantasy about girl discovering she is a lost heir to a magical kingdom.

The pacing was somewhat slow but still enjoyable! We saw a lot of character growth with our FMC and the world building is incredible.

I really loved this book and I’m looking forward to what comes next in this series.

I loved this! It was very nostalgic to read and reminded me of a few different fantasy books I've read before, including the Wings of Fire and Keeper of the Lost Cities. The world building and magic system is really interesting (and it's fun to see a French-inspired fantasy!) I love that we spend time with the characters before throwing them into action and we really get to see the relationships developing.

Very excited to see future installations in this series!

"Daughter of Water" is a captivating fantasy that embraces the essence of classic storytelling, opting for a more gradual and immersive approach rather than relying on constant surprises or imminent danger. The narrative unfolds naturally, inviting readers into a well-developed world at a measured pace.

The focus is on four heirs, each destined to lead, as they grapple with a kingdom veiled in mystery and threat. The protagonist’s path is especially notable—she doesn’t start off as a fierce or all-knowing figure. Rather, she stumbles, learns, and matures, making her a character readers can genuinely connect with. The balance between her and the more experienced individuals around her is carefully done—she doesn’t overshadow them, yet she steps up when the situation demands it.

The romance is another lovely aspect, evolving slowly and tenderly. It’s not an intense, overwhelming affair but a subtle connection that builds through quiet, meaningful interactions, making it all the more heartfelt.

I'm intrigued by the "Daughter of Water" and cannot wait to read the sequel!

This was a good book but it is definitely targeted to a younger audience. The story was a little slow paced and anti climatic.

Daughter of Water is a meticulously crafted and imaginative tale of intrigue, elemental magic, and destiny. The story follows four Firstborn heirs destined to rule the kingdom of Verdélys who realise they are battling forces larger and more sinister than they ever imagined. In a land steeped in magic and mystery, the characters come across as surprisingly human and compelling relatable.

The world-building is masterful and provides a rich foundation for the rest of the series. Stronger foreshadowing of some of the darker twists could have enhanced the otherwise immersive experience, but the ending is gripping and carries the book to an enticing conclusion that leaves the reader wanting more.

An epic fantasy that blends familiar elements with uniquely intricate twists, Daughter of Water is an impressive debut to what will surely be an enchanting series.

3.5/5 The concept of this book, as well as the cover art, really drew me in. The fantasy world the author created DID feel original and complete. The aspects where this story fell short were in length and monotony. I wasn’t able to fully connect with the main character, which may be because of the fact that this is book is more YA-focused. I did enjoy the details in the world the author created, it did feel drawn out at times, but overall a good fluffy read.

Unique Worldbuilding!

The book tells the story of Heidi, later called Sylvie, who is raised by humans and keeps her magical powers a secret in order to lead a normal life. However, her world is turned upside down when she learns that she is one of four reincarnated souls destined to rule the kingdom of Verdélys. In search of her true identity and fate, Sylvie embarks on a journey to the magical capital to learn more about her origins and her role in this extraordinary world.

The book immerses the reader in a unique and intricately crafted world filled with fascinating creatures and captivating magic. The worldbuilding is one of the book's strongest elements, as it brings the world of Verdélys and its rich history to life. The characters, especially the protagonist Sylvie, are very likable.

Unfortunately, the story has a very slow pace, especially in the beginning. The explanations of the world and many everyday scenes sometimes feel drawn out. This is particularly noticeable in the early chapters, where a lot of time is spent building the world and character backgrounds.

Despite this, the book has a lot of potential. The idea and setting are unique, and the world has many interesting facets that could have been highlighted more if the pace was quicker and there was more focus on tension and plot. The slow pace and lack of tension make it a cozy read, but not always gripping.
With some trimming and a stronger focus on the plot, the book could have been even more engaging.

There are some interesting ideas in this book, particularly regarding the world building. Magical beings imbued with elemental and seasonal powers that are reborn every 200 years ruling over a kingdom sounds fine, but add in a government of men and women who want the control in their own hands, who all but raise and train these elemental children — to make use of them, to use them, to destroy them — along with a magical wart between the Verdélys and the Imps, who are lower caste, cursed to be Imps often through not action or fault of their own … and it’s a lot.

Unfortunately, the pacing of this book is terrible. It’s a slow day-by-day slog of Heidi learning she’s a Chosen One, then leaving her village, then walking to the city — seeing the city in the distance — and then more walking. Then there are her endless lessons, which the reader gets to sit in on, a ballet where the entire playbill fills two pages, and on and on and on. It’s not just infodumps or exposition, it’s a lecture in a class that I’m not interested in.

Heidi,l whose true name is Sylvie, is a generic “good” person with the ability to read mines, something she doesn’t use intelligently. She knows or suspects someone’s not a nice, trustworthy person, and goes to take another lesson instead of even trying to see what this man is thinking. She has so little depth to her as a character that it’s hard for me to feel anything for her, and the rest of her quartet are just as hollow. I didn’t feel any personality from them, or any chemistry between Sylvie and Loic. Or between anyone and anyone.

For me, personally, if less time had been spent with history lessons and more time building up Sylvie and the others as characters — with less telling, and less describing and more feeling and thinking — this would have worked better for me. As it is, this is a three star read because Goodreads doesn’t let me give a 2.75. While the writing is decent, the pace and lack of characters are just glaring issues for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

a captivating fantasy filled with lost royalty, destiny, and an enchanting world. with rich lore and compelling characters, this is a must-read for fans of magical heritage and high-stakes adventure!!

I should've known that I wouldn't be able to fully connect with this book, but I was fully meamerized by the cover!!! It is definitely meant for younger readers.

The story follows Heidi, a young woman who was brought up by adoring parents in the town of Hull (not to be confused by the one in the UK). Shunned by many of the townsfolk for being strange she keeps to herself as much as possible, tending her garden, until one day a traveller calls and shatters her perception by decreeing that she is one of the fabled Verdelia, a notorious race from over the mountain.
This was an engaging story with good world building and an easy flowing storyline. The characters could have been developed further but this may happen in the next book and as such did not distract too much from my enjoyment of the story. Overall a solid fantasy read.

I could not get into this book, so it is not for me. I did like the cover art and I did like the overall plot I read in the description.

I think this book was a bit young for me now, but at 16/17 I would have devoured it. I did enjoy the inclusion of politics in addition to the usual sort of fantasy shenanigans, but overall this book failed to leave an impression on me.

Daughter of Water by A.S. Dampt is an intriguing start to The Verdélian Chronicles, blending rich world-building with a coming-of-age fantasy journey. The story follows Heidi, a young woman who learns she is one of the four Firstborns destined to lead the magical land of Verdélys. As she navigates this new reality, she faces challenges, discovers her powers, and uncovers her true identity.

The novel’s strongest aspects are its immersive world-building and unique magic system, which feel well thought out and detailed. Heidi’s character growth is handled with care, making her journey engaging. However, the pacing is slow at times, and certain plot points could have been explored more deeply to enhance emotional impact. While the romance subplot develops naturally, it remains subtle compared to the larger themes of destiny and leadership.

Overall, Daughter of Water is a solid fantasy read, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. With a bit more depth in character dynamics and pacing adjustments, it could have been even more compelling. I’d rate it 3.5/5 stars—an enjoyable read with great promise for the rest of the series.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read this ARC

I truly enjoyed this cozy epic fantasy. It’s strange to string those words together, but they oddly fit this book. It evokes the sort of feelings you had as a child/young adult reading series like “The Chronicles of Narnia” or other wholesome (read: not spicy) fantasy stories for the first time. You just know from the very beginning that no matter how things work out in the end, they will work out exactly as they should.

While there is a bit of romance in this book it definitely takes a backseat and functions as a sub-plot to the main storyline, which is something I found to be refreshing. This is definitely *not* a romantasy, and if you go into it this book expecting that you’re going to be sorely disappointed.

Also something to note: this is not the type of fantasy that is action-based or super fast paced. Rather it spends time on the little details and really constructs the cozy, almost soft world in which the cast of character live. The magic system and world-building is positively superb. It’s clear A.S. Dampt put a great deal of thought into making everything unique. I won’t spoil the story for you, but I will say this is a great palate cleanser!

I’m super on the fence about this book.

The good stuff was super good! I enjoyed worldbuilding—it was definitely unique. The political climate and tensions were perfectly described, as was the setting. Heidi enters Verdélys with no knowledge of their history, traditions, culture, or even herself. Overcoming the learning curve with Heidi made for an intriguing read, and Hiedi’s curiosity and ambition felt authentic. I personally haven’t read much elemental magic, so exploring the Firstborns and their respective powers (like mind reading!!) was super interesting.

However…

I struggled to get through this book. It felt extensively long. And I don’t mind a nice long book! This novel, however, fell victim to overexplaining. There were full on chapters dedicated to Heidi learning from a textbook, or the Firstborns attending an opera. By 40%, I felt as though nothing significant happened (besides her moving from Hull to Verdélys). Some parts of the book lacked substance—I would have much rather learnt about the other three Firstborns alongside Heidi as opposed to reading about her reading a textbook. Therefore, it was hard to connect to Heidi and the other main characters. Unfortunately, they lacked depth and context, and felt like plot devices rather than individuals. The climax also wasn’t a showstopper. It kind of just…existed without any real suspense.

Overall not terrible, but I do wish the novel stuck out a bit more. It has extensive potential, and I hope in future books the conflict and characters are fleshed out.

* I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The story follows Heidi, who grows up in a charming cottage surrounded by farmland, raised by her two human parents. Naturally, she assumes that she must be human too—until a mysterious stranger arrives in her village and changes everything. Heidi learns that she is actually one of four heirs to a kingdom she always believed was just a myth. Suddenly, she’s whisked away to Verdelys, where she must grow into a strong, intelligent, and capable heir to the throne. But as Heidi adjusts to this new life, she faces challenges far beyond royal training. A rising darkness threatens her kingdom, forcing her to navigate the complexities of court politics, an unfamiliar culture, and a completely new religious system—all while fighting to protect the world she loves.
The world-building in this book was absolutely incredible. Every time I picked it up, I felt fully transported into the universe Dampt created. I adored the setting. The mix of political intrigue, elemental magic, and rich history made the world feel so immersive and alive.
I can see how some readers might not love the slower pacing, but personally, I really enjoyed it.