I absolutely loved reading The Ordeals. It was A Darker Shade of Magic meets an adult version of Nevermoor; more blood, death and sizzling romance.

I was completely drawn to Sophia Dewinter and I felt the world building was intruiguing and inviting. The challenges were absolutely brutal and the tension built is captivating.

I was on and off rooting for the romance, I thought it was very much a thread within the story, rather than the focus, which I particularly enjoyed as it left plenty of space to layer the plot, including Sophia's search for answers about who her parents were.

I think this book is ideal for urban fantasy fans who enjoy a layered and compelling story, peppered with a hot slow burn romance. I honestly loved it.

Please tell me this is just the start!!!!

The Ordeals by Rachel Greenlaw

Sophia De Winter has been bound to her cruel uncle, the Collector since he exacted a blood bond from her as a child. When she learns of Killmarth, an elite academy for magic wielders outside of the Collector’s control, she sees it as her only chance to break free.
Not read a book like this before and I was gripped from the start and couldn't stop reading as I wanted to find out everything about Sophia and her life.
Gripping .

to the publishers, the author and the gods please let me have the next instalment of this story!!!
i am hooked, i devoured this book I could not put it down.
think, early cassandra claire, think The Night Circus this book just has ‘it’
amazing just amazing

Actual Rating: 3.5

Last year ’The Woodsmoke Women’s Book Of Spells’ utterly bewitched me so when I was lucky enough to be offered an early chance to read ’The Ordeals’ I was overjoyed. Not only did I find Rachel Greenlaw’s writing truly beguiling last year but this novel sounded like a deadly dream come true (in the best possible way). Featuring an elite magical academy, deadly trials, a threat picking off hopefuls and an ominous figure known as ‘The Collector’ the premise of ’The Ordeals’ sounded like the perfect blend of features to discovering a new favourite. As you can probably guess from my rating that sadly didn’t prove to be the case but don’t let that deter you from picking this one up; this particular instalment of the series may not be a new favourite but considering where everything is heading, and how my investment continued to grow throughout, there’s every possibility that the sequels could be.

Something that truly intrigued me consistently throughout was the world that ’The Ordeals is set within. It has a magic system that I loved learning about, hostile neighbours with very different beliefs and the unexpected bonus of supernatural beings. Going into this I didn’t know that entities like werewolves, vampires and gargoyles would be included but I was overjoyed to find them featuring upon the page. I don’t want to say too much, due to the spoiler risk, but let’s just say that at least one of these kinds of beings plays an important role within the story too in a manner that’s left me craving a copy of the sequel.

Another factor of ’The Ordeals’ that I truly appreciated was the number of mysterious story threads woven throughout. There were plenty of truths that I longed to uncover and mysteries that kept me guessing. Between these threads leaving me longing for answers, and the overall tension and danger of the plot, it was easy to stay invested once I was hooked.

Character wise there’s an interesting mixture of individuals to discover. Sophia was a strong central character to follow during ’The Ordeals’ and her fellow hopefuls were a varied bunch in terms of abilities and personalities. The professors intrigued me – and I can’t wait to learn more about them all – as did The Collector. The truth about him did manage to catch me off guard and I can’t wait to unravel more within the future books. Personally I’d have loved a few flashbacks to Sophia’s past with him – to strengthen the impact that their complicated bond had on me – but I know not every reader is fond of such things.

So this book certainly had a lot going on that interested me and I found myself increasingly invested by the plot throughout. Unfortunately I did struggle to connect somewhat initially and I think that’s partially because the initial meeting between Sophia and Alden didn’t quite work for me. There’s this constant push and pull between them throughout yet I never really brought into the rival side of their dynamic. That being said I can see plenty of romantasy fans falling for their interactions so there’s definitely plenty of hope that others will be ensnared by them.

Similarly there were a couple of times throughout where certain elements felt a bit too convenient to me although they generally weren’t strong enough to jar me from the plot. Personally I also felt like the professors could have been shown to have more of a reaction to the threat against the hopefuls. The Ordeals themselves are a cutthroat competition but given the rules about hopefuls and their behaviour between each trial I felt like more of an investigation would have been taking place. Plus I can’t help but question the logic behind the Ordeals to some degree. Don’t get me wrong I love where the narrative is heading. But the trials don’t strike me as the most sensible approach given what’s going on. I didn’t let this impact my enjoyment – as I was hooked by then – but it’s worth mentioning.

So ultimately, as someone whose now excited to see what the sequel looks like, I certainly recommend picking up ’The Ordeals’. It had a few minor issues that lessened its overall impact on me but the direction that it’s heading in has left me eager for more. As the element I struggled most with boils down to the dynamic between certain characters – something that truly can affect each reader differently – there’s also every chance that this book will hook other readers sooner. Altogether I’m delighted with the unexpected road that this one went down.

Old Magic. New power. A contest to die for…

A contest to die for? This book was to die for!

A deliciously deceptive and dangerous dark academia with magic and supernatural monsters!

When I say this was addictive, I wasn’t lying! Every spare moment I could find I was reaching to read this. This is one of those books that I could see turned into a film or TV series because the writing was so immersive and atmospheric it practically jumped off the page.

I loved how the magic system was crafted and how easy it was to become so invested in the story and the characters you couldn’t help but cheer them on through each of the ordeals! Interwoven between the main action is an element of mystery that keeps you on your toes and has you wondering all the who’s, where’s and why’s. Everything comes together in a very tense final few chapters which completely took me by surprise! I won’t say much more but I’m praying there is going to be a book 2!

Outstanding! What a truely amazing book. The way Rachel weaved her magic in this book is incredible. Flawlessly weaving her take on magic, magical schools, vampires and werewolves and making it all seem so effortless and seamless is amazing. Her take on the magical world had me gripped from the first few pages and only left me wanting more and more. I found it hard to put this book down! This definitely made me reminiss over my love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer but in a completely different unique way. The Ordeals themselves leaving me on the edge of my seat! There were a few twists I did not see coming which left me gasping audibly To say I was disappointed when this book was finished is an understatement! I need more! I need more magic, more of the characters I have grown to love, more of their back stories and what is going to happen next. I honestly can't wait for more. Well done Rachel, absoltely well done!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets the Scholomance series!

I inhaled The Ordeals! Binge-worthy from start to finish, I devoured it in less than a day - and it would have been even faster if I hadn’t had to work! The last third had me on the edge of my seat. It was wild, twisty, and impossible to put down. I loved the fresh take on vampires and werewolves, seamlessly woven into a magical world that feels like it’s only just beginning to unfold. There’s obviously so much more to come too - more world, more magic, and more twists, and I can't wait to see where this series goes next!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

This addictive new romantasy was an entertaining adventure with magic, trials, romance, and many twists. The ordeals were truly nerve wracking, and they had me on the edge of my seat.

The MCs start as rivals, but they soon join forces in a “keep your enemies closer” kind of way, which of course turns into more. I loved how their romance was written.

Another aspect I really liked was Sophia’s determination and how she used the skills she gained working for her uncle to observe, to listen, and to learn, skills which helped her analyse people and strategise in the trials. I love a clever FMC who can think on her feet and is also not afraid to take a chance!

The magic system was so fascinating, we have illusionists, botanists, masquiers, and alchemists, each with their specific abilities and I don’t think I can pick one because I was so intrigued by all types.

Truly a great new fantasy and I cannot wait for it to come out because I want the physical copy for my collection.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the eARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Sophia has been bound to her uncle since she was a child and must undertake dangerous missions for him- her life is not great! So when she learns about an academy that trains magic wielders and thinks that it will be an opportunity to escape him, she grabs it with both hands, doesn't take long to realise that he isn’t the only threat that she needs to worry about! To become a scholar at the academy each hopeful must compete in the ordeals, which are used to whittle down the applicants in brutal and devastating ways! I loved the camaraderie and loyalty in this book, there was a definite whiff of Buffy tenacity about Sophia and her new friends with their incredible will to succeed together no matter what is thrown at them. I feel we have only scratched the surface of this world, but I am excited for whatever is coming next.

The Ordeals is amazing. I loved Rachel's previous adult book and was offered the chance to read this one early. I jumped at it, and I am so glad I did.
Atmospheric and immersive dark academia with deadly trials.
I was fully invested in Sophia's story. I did not see the ending coming, although I did suspect there might be more to Sophia that meets the eye.
Rachel Greenlaw has created an intriguing world full of magic, mayhem, and supernatural creatures. There are so many layers to this story, it is complex, and it is beautiful.
Definitely going down in the favourite books pile!

Think Escape Room/Fourth Wing (minus the dragons)/Harry Potter and add in vampires and werewolves!

Sophia wants more from her life, trapped by a blood bond, working for her Uncle. When she hears about a magical college that can break his hold, she battles to secure herself a place. The competition for spaces are highly sought after, but who can Sophia trust and how far will the other wielders go to stay on as scholars?

A story of romance, friendship, and having the courage to pick yourself back up again when the odds are stacked against you.

A million wows!

This was like a Hunger Games./Harry Potter/Buffy The Vampire mash-up.

Deathly competitions - check
Magic in a studious environment- check
Vampire battles - check

Sophia is tied to her uncle, and she is planning to escape him at the start of the novel, She knows somewhere she can go to that the spell he cast when she was young will break. She will be protected. She will then have to compete in a series of challenges to earn her place at the college.

It's an amazing world, full of brilliant magical ideas and bold, lovable characters. The love interest, Alden? ooof!

Greenlaw is a master storyteller. Every page, every word, all brilliantly crafted. So many different characters. the plots, the twists. I loved it all, And the ending ? Floored me.

Need more of this world, these people, I was devastated when it had ended!

A spellbinding and intense romantasy where danger, magic, and love collide in a high-stakes competition for survival.

Sophia De Winter has spent her entire life bound to her cruel uncle, the Collector, thanks to a blood bond he forced on her as a child. When she hears about Killmarth College, an elite academy for magic wielders beyond her uncle’s reach, it’s her one shot at freedom. But to gain entry, she must survive the Ordeals—a series of brutal trials designed to test the most skilled illusionists, masquers, botanists, and alchemists. Many do not make it out alive.

Sophia’s illusions are weak, but she gets through the first challenge by teaming up with Alden Hughes, a powerful and undeniably attractive botanist. As the trials progress, she must master her magic, determine who she can trust, and figure out who is sabotaging the competition. With hopefuls being picked off one by one, Sophia must confront the terrifying reality that her escape from her uncle might lead her straight to death.

This book is everything I love in a story—atmospheric, cutthroat, romantic, and filled with fierce women and high stakes. There is so much yearning and tension throughout, as Sophia navigates the dangerous trials and her growing feelings for Alden. The Ordeals is a fast-paced, immersive read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

If you love stories filled with magic, intrigue, and fierce competition, The Ordeals is a must-read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Rachel Greenlaw has done it again! So many books have been written about entrance to magical schools, but few have been done as well, and with such insidious darkness as The Ordeals.

From the Crucible onwards, Sophia is out of her depth, untrained and seemingly weaker than the rest of her competition. The Ordeals is a tale of trust and deceit, power and ambition, love and fear. The more she learns to trust herself and the circle around her, the stronger she becomes, until she is a blazing powerhouse by the end!

Like in the 'Woodsmoke Women', there is an underlying darkness that never quite overpowers the story, but is always in your peripheral, a threatening, visceral fear. A masterpiece, and a beautiful reminder that strength in numbers is not a weakness!