A sweeping fantasy about a witch who must navigate a ruthless marriage competition—and try not to fall in love along the way. Part twisting mystery, part thrilling romance, The Weaver Bride is an unputdownable romantasy steeped in a lush magical world.
Lovett Tamerlane is a silkwitch. Like all girls of her kind, she holds a rare magic—a magic that can be harnessed only through marriage to a Weaver. But finding a Weaver husband requires status, refinement, and money, all of which Lovett sadly lacks. Her one secret ability, to open any door, is her saving grace. Hidden in plain sight, Lovett spends her days using her gift to steal from wealthy families and her nights avoiding the fate imposed on all unwed silkwitches: a life confined to the cloisters.
But opening doors can be dangerous, and when Lovett steals from the wrong person, she finds herself face to face with Eliot Lear, the notorious son of a prominent Weaver. It turns out Eliot’s been watching Lovett. He knows she’s a silkwitch, and he offers her a life-altering opportunity: entrance to the Vainglory, a competition with the ultimate prize—marriage to Noé Alaire, heir to generations of Weaver wealth. The catch? Last year, the Vainglory ended in tragedy. The winner died. And the winner was Eliot’s sister.
The arrangement is simple: If Lovett solves the mystery of Ophelia Lear’s death and unmasks her killer, Eliot will ensure she has her pick of Weaver suitors, regardless of who wins the competition. Yet unraveling Ophelia’s murder proves far more complicated than either of them anticipated. And Lovett should know better than to take a Weaver at his word.
After all . . . what is love without betrayal?
Lovett Tamerlane is a silkwitch. Like all girls of her kind, she holds a rare magic—a magic that can be harnessed only through marriage to a Weaver. But finding a Weaver husband requires status, refinement, and money, all of which Lovett sadly lacks. Her one secret ability, to open any door, is her saving grace. Hidden in plain sight, Lovett spends her days using her gift to steal from wealthy families and her nights avoiding the fate imposed on all unwed silkwitches: a life confined to the cloisters.
But opening doors can be dangerous, and when Lovett steals from the wrong person, she finds herself face to face with Eliot Lear, the notorious son of a prominent Weaver. It turns out Eliot’s been watching Lovett. He knows she’s a silkwitch, and he offers her a life-altering opportunity: entrance to the Vainglory, a competition with the ultimate prize—marriage to Noé Alaire, heir to generations of Weaver wealth. The catch? Last year, the Vainglory ended in tragedy. The winner died. And the winner was Eliot’s sister.
The arrangement is simple: If Lovett solves the mystery of Ophelia Lear’s death and unmasks her killer, Eliot will ensure she has her pick of Weaver suitors, regardless of who wins the competition. Yet unraveling Ophelia’s murder proves far more complicated than either of them anticipated. And Lovett should know better than to take a Weaver at his word.
After all . . . what is love without betrayal?
Title: The Weaver Bride
Author: Lydia Gregovic
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Expected Publication Date: September 30, 2025
Review:
Thank you to Random House Children's Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I'm all about a good fantasy that introduces a new and unusual world. I really wasn't prepared to like this book as much as I did and now I'm so gald I jumped it. This title definitely hit the fantasy spot I've been eagerly awaiting. First it pulls you in with a rich setting in a time when magic is prime reality. The silkwitches are coveted for their hair which helps to provide the magic. The Weavers are those that want to marry them and gain access to their magic. Then it turns it all upside down and gives you a twist you didn't see coming! I loved every minute of it.
Lovett's character is so well done. She's been keeping to herself, thieving, and hoping her 21st birthday comes and goes without her having to go to the cloisters, a sort of prison for silkwitches who don't find themselves a weaver to marry. She definitely has a moral grayness to her, which you don't often see in the female characters in fantasy. When she's given the opportunity to better herself through a competition and helping Eliot find out what happened to his sister, she jumps at the chance. She doesn't expect to grow closer to Eliot, nor does she expect to find herself in them middle of a world full of secrets. She's such a strong character. Well aware of who she is and what she's capable of. I really enjoyed getting to know her.
I loved Eliot's character, as well. Though we only get to see him through Lovett's eyes since she narrates the story. I kind of wish Eliot's POV was part of the book as I would have liked to see what is truly in his brain. And, while he seems like he's closed off and not wanting to let anyone in, you do find out why that is and see what his agenda is during the story.
Gregovic creates a unique magical system which stems from a symbiotic relationships between silwitches and weavers. But there's so much more complexity to it. And she draws in so much political intrigue into the story. So many subtle dynamics that build and show importance as the story unravels. The Author also builds a timeline that is part dark games, very much gothic, and even part steampunk. Plus she keeps you guessing as to who the real villains are of the story, never quite knowing who to trust. And her pacing and plot twists are spot on, keeping me interested and wanting to turn the pages to see what will happen next. She infuses a slow burn but the romance is definitely not the focus of this story. It's all about the magic and what it stands for.
If you're looking for a book with the usual voice of competition and an unusual magical system, pick this one up. I am itching to get my hands on the next one to see where the author takes the story!
Author:
Lydia Gregovic is a Brooklyn-based author and editor, whose identity is rooted in the Texas gulf and along the coastline of Montenegro. She currently lives in New York with her complete collection of the works of Jane Austen and several half-dead plants. The Monstrous Kind is her first novel.
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