It’s been a year since Quicksilver took the romantasy world by storm, and now it’s finally time for Callie Hart’s Fae & Alchemy series to continue with Brimstone.
Brimstone is a dramatic and enchanting romantasy that picks up right after the events of the first book. With all kinds of impressive magic and a romance that is both hot and heartfelt, this book beautifully continues a series that’s sure to go down in the romantasy hall of fame.
*this review contains spoilers for Quicksilver*
Saeris Fane is now the Queen of the Blood Court, a vampire fae hybrid, and she’s been put in the position to change all of Yvelia. With her Gods-bound mate by her side, Saeris is forced to play the games of politics while she comes to terms with her newfound power.
Things only get worse when catastrophe comes to Cahlish. There’s an infectious rot spreading decay through the realm that kills everything it touches. This rot threatens the end of not only Cahlish, but everything.
Saeris and Kingfisher are forced to split up, with him and Carrion going back to the human quarantine zone in Zilvaren to retrieve supplies and information to help them defeat the infected hoards, and finally bring Saeris’ brother back to her.
At the vampire court, Saeris must work to master her abilities and harness the alchemical power that has the potential to save them all.
Their fate is a tangled web with many paths, but with devotion to each other and their people, Kingfisher and Saeris are determined to fight with everything they have to conquer the evil that threatens to engulf them.
Even with all the intense drama and emotional turmoil, there is still so much sass in the dialogue of this book, and it creates a wonderful balance. The hilarious hijinks from Fisher and Carrion are a high point, along with the rest of the character dynamics in this found family.
The characters in this book are so strong and determined, and no matter what hellish problem they face, they lead with a fierce love. Fisher and Saeris feel so right together.
But sometimes, if you wanted to… you’re allowed to soften, Saeris. You’re allowed to stop baring your teeth at the world and take a breath. Because I’ve got you.
Between Fisher and Saeris, the romance elements are magical and exciting. They have tattoos that appear between them, and the love is clear in every interaction. The spice is not the focal point in Brimstone — but that doesn’t at all diminish the power of the romance between the main characters.
Once again, I started a romantasy sequel only to realize I’ve made a terrible mistake in not doing a reread of the prior book first. I’ll learn my lesson someday. That said, the author does a good job of subtly catching the readers up on the most important points.
Brimstone brings new monsters and new magic to this world, and the characters face a truly terrifying adversary with this rot. It’s moving quickly and killing people by the thousands with no solution in sight. I know a happy ending is guaranteed, but dear reader, this one made me a little fucking nervous.
The story is very detailed and descriptive, with creative obstacles and fascinating side quests. There’s one editing issue I noticed, where Carrion is supposed to be in Zivaren with Kingfisher, but he’s mentioned casually as being in the Blood Court. It’s a small mistake, but since my social media was all up in arms over this editing miss, it seemed worth mentioning.
Brimstone is a great sequel, filled with dire circumstances and impossible choices for the main characters to face. It’s an instant romantasy classic, but it does end on a truly evil cliffhanger, and readers will have to wait until November 2026 to find out what happens next in this series.
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