Quicksilver

This was corny as hell. It’s messy, smutty nonsense in the best and worst ways. I don’t know if I would’ve liked it better on the page instead of audio, but as a listen, it was a cringey binge I couldn’t stop. I'm not proud, but I kept going. It’s classic romantasy, so on-the-nose it borders on parody. I kept getting flashes of Southern Vampire Mysteries, The Empyrean, and a dash of Ali Hazelwood’s Bride, but not quite as strong in any direction. The characters were pretty annoying, and the banter wasn’t hitting for me. I can’t pretend I won’t listen to the sequel. I’m surprised by how many glowing reviews this one has, but I get it, we all love a ridiculous, sexy fantasy escape. If this is your genre, you’ve show more probably already read it. show less

Wow—Quicksilver completely pulled me in. I loved it.

From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the tension, the atmosphere, and the slow-burning dynamic between Saeris and Kingfisher. The worldbuilding is rich and moody, with just enough mystery to keep you on edge—but let me tell you, that twist at the end? I did not see it coming. My jaw actually dropped.

That said, parts of the book had me so frustrated—in a good way. There are so many secrets being kept between characters that it made me want to scream at them sometimes. I get it adds to the tension, but wow, the lack of communication nearly drove me nuts. Still, that made the reveals even more satisfying.

If you're into fantasy with strong romantic tension, emotionally show more scarred characters, and a touch of darkness, Quicksilver is 100% worth it. I’m already thinking about the sequel. show less

“It’s under the most unbearable conditions that the sharpest, most dangerous weapons are forged."

I don't even know where to start. I am in love with this book. It had all the things you could possibly need in a fantasy romance. I really loved that we just jumped into the story. Saeris might be my new favorite female main character of all time. She is full of fight and sass and she doesn't back down. I think I immediately fell in love with her character and it just got better and better. Kingfisher... oh boy... the broody, slightly unhinged, shadow daddy that you can't help but love even though you want to hate him. The banter between these two is everything I could have asked for and then some. The fact that the book could have been show more a smash with just them is made even better by the supporting characters. All of which are so different but make this perfect little found family dynamic.
The drama in this book is amazing. I loved the pacing and the way events unfolded. I have to admit that I didn't see certain things coming and was completely blown away by them. I spent like the last quarter of this book on the edge of my seat, pulling out my hair haha. I can't think of the last time I was so invested in a story and the characters. I honestly don't have a single bad thing to say about this book. I really couldn't put it down and didn't want to finish because then it would be over. I really think this will be one of those books that I recommend to everyone from now on. I cannot wait for book 2. show less

📖 Quicksilver by Callie Hart

💭 My Thoughts

I can’t deny that from the moment I started this book, it intrigued me all the way through. I didn’t find a single part slow or boring. I flew through it and I’m honestly so glad I read it close to the release of book two because I only have to wait a few weeks before I can dive right back in.

At first, the FMC (Saeris Fane) and MMC (Kingfisher) relationship definitely had that enemies-to-lovers vibe with some seriously delicious tension. Both of them had their walls up high, and I loved how the author peeled those walls back brick by brick at a steady, believable pace. I don’t want to give anything away, but when their love story finally came together, it was done so beautifully. show more You could really feel how much they needed and wanted each other, and that made it all the more satisfying to read.

The worldbuilding and politics between characters was fascinating, and there were twists I didn’t see coming at all. A few things I guessed, but most of it caught me off guard, which made the story even more exciting. The mix of plot and romance felt balanced and the writing itself was beautiful. The descriptions were vivid, and I actually laughed out loud at some of the banter and comic relief from most of the characters (especially Carrion show less

This enthralling enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance hooked me from the first page. The story centers on Saeris Fane, who, after a lifetime of keeping her powers hidden and surviving by stealing in a desert wasteland, is thrust into the icy realm of Yvelia. Here, she accidentally binds herself to Kingfisher, a brooding Fae warrior with secrets as deep as her own. The worldbuilding is rich, the banter between characters is razor-sharp, and the romance is steamy and intense. This book is packed with action, magic, and twists that kept me turning pages late into the night. This book is a must-read for fantasy lovers, and I can't wait for the next installment!

Wow! What a ride! Saeris Fane unwittingly gets taken from the land of humans to the land of the fae and finds out she's an alchemist. Unbeknownst to her, there's an all out war in the land she's found herself in. And the guy that's brought her to this place is...less than pleasant. But he's got a task for her, and he's also being cagey about himself and why he seems so familiar with her.

I have to admit, I was completely absorbed from the first word. Yes, it's about as close to ACOTAR as you can get without actually being ACOTAR. But this eats. A further admission: I own the paperback, the deluxe hardback edition, and the audio version. It's that good. Now for all you ACOTAR fans, Kingfisher is voiced by Anthony Palmini, who also voiced show more Rhysand in the audio dramatized versions of ACOTAR. So, there's that.

I'm taking off half a star, because I didn't care for the teeth and the blood (if you know, you know). But otherwise, this packs a punch! And I cannot wait for book two. show less

SYNOPSIS: When Saeris, a skilled thief hardened by the brutal streets of Zilvaren, steals a gauntlet from a powerful guardian, she has no idea that one impulsive act will upend her entire world. Raised in poverty and shaped by survival, Saeris never dared to dream beyond getting through the next day. But in a city where every breath is a battle, fate has other plans. Enter Kingfisher—a mysterious, magnetic figure whose arrival brings both peril and possibility. As their lives collide, the world around Saeris begins to shift in ways she never imagined. Magic stirs, loyalties are tested, and what once seemed unreachable suddenly feels within grasp. Now, as love, power, and destiny converge, Saeris must decide what kind of future she’s show more willing to fight for—before it slips through her fingers.

REVIEW: This romantasy completely hooked me, and I’m already craving more! From the very first page, I was pulled into a world that felt rich and immersive, with every character and moment carefully crafted to draw me in. Each page was satisfying, and I couldn’t get enough of the complex characters. The way Callie blended a diverse range of fantasy creatures—fae, vampires, witches, humans, alchemists, and so many more—was done so perfectly, making the world feel alive and expansive. I loved how she seamlessly integrated these beings into the story, creating a world that felt both magical and entirely believable.
The nostalgic vibes it gave me reminded me of some of my all-time favorite books and movies, which only added to my enjoyment. It was like a wonderful mash-up of everything I adore in fantasy, but with its own unique twist. I couldn’t stop reading, and now I can’t wait for the second book to dive deeper into Saeris and Fisher’s journey.
One of the standout characters for me was Carrion. From the moment he was introduced, I was hooked. There was something about him that drew me in, and by the end, I was completely invested in his role in the story. The final chapters were everything I hoped for—they tied everything together in such a satisfying way and left me eagerly awaiting the next book. It’s because of those last chapters that this book earned a well-deserved 5-star rating.
If you’re a fan of romantasy or fantasy, this book is an absolute must-read. It’s everything you could want in a fantasy story—exciting, magical, and filled with characters you’ll fall in love with. show less