Genres: Dark Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy | Release Date: 15 July 2025 | Series: The Verran Isles | Series Book: #1 | Pages: 460 | Publisher: Piatkus | Review
“I am not the pet they tamed. I am the beast they let inside. And I keep my promises.”
Madeline Taylor
Overview:
It feels like a lifetime ago now, but when I dived into Heir of Illusion by Madeline Taylor? My heart was shaken like a kaleidoscope—this dark romantasy delivered absolutely *everything* you could ever want in the genre. Seriously! In my eyes, this tale has no flaws. It is utter perfection. But before I fangirl too much, let’s give you an overview, shall we?
Ivy Pomeroy is not a woman to be messed with—and with immense powers like illusory magic, there is little she cannot accomplish… Except for the thing she craves the most: gaining her freedom from the collar which keeps her chained to the king. Doomed to be his assassin while she wears the enchanted necklace, Ivy will never stop searching for a chance to break these shackles. But when Thorne, a Reaper from Death’s Isle, arrives? Ivy could never have predicted what would unfold… Although destined to be enemies, both are searching for an infamous weapon, one which harbours a deadly sentience. And if they don’t work together to succeed? Everything will crumble around them. But can Ivy and Thorne succeed when secrets threaten to rip them apart? Will Ivy ever be able to secure her freedom? And what part does Thorne have to play in the political machinations of the king?
Happiness Boost:
Glitterbugs, Heir of Illusion is hands down one of my absolute favourite romantasies ever. Yes, I said it. EVER. I will give you a heads up that this tale does tackle some tough subjects, such as the removal of free will and non-suicidal self-injury. So, obviously, please do prioritise your own wellbeing if these will negatively impact you. But, for me? It was incredibly refreshing to read about such a real FMC in Ivy. I love her fierceness, her determination to survive, and her ability to stare down the challenges thrown her way.
We *all* love a winged MMC, right? Thorne, you broody hero. He is the definition of a mysterious male, and I couldn’t stop trying to guess his motives and background. Madeline has created the perfect duo, with Thorne and Ivy—they are perfectly flawed, with pockets of silence, regret, and devastation sitting in their souls. I am in love, and honestly even now I’m struggling to form the right words for this review.
Who knew you could love shadows?! Within Heir of Illusion, I had no idea I would be hoping for more moments with Thorne’s shadows, but they’re such sentient cuties (if you can call shadow snakes that), I’m really hoping we get even more of them in the sequel! They kind of remind me of the darklings you find in Tamora Pierce’s The Immortals, or the quirky shadows in Shadow Beast Shifters by Jaymin Eve. Of course that’s a massive happiness boost!
Downside:
There’s no downside to this incredible romantasy!
Final Thoughts:
Heir of Illusion by Madeline Taylor is a captivating dark romantasy, featuring deadly powers, devastating secrets, and a kingdom intent on breaking apart. Did I add a hardcover of this to my collection, even though there really is no space on my shelves? Of course I did! When you love something *this* much? How could I not?! And if you want to add this gorgeous book to your own shelf? Just click on any of the links below to order yourself a copy! Happy reading, glitterbugs!
You can order a copy of Heir of Illusion via these links:
