Quicksilver Book Review - No Spoilers
Introduction
I was trying to finish up some edits late one night, candles lit, rain tapping on the roof here in Colorado Springs. Rebecca wandered in, asking for a midnight snack, Marcus was asleep in his room, and all I wanted was a few more quiet minutes with a book. That’s when I picked up Quicksilver — exactly the kind of rich, immersive romance-fantasy I needed to get lost in.
Plot Summary
Quicksilver by Callie Hart is the first book in the *Fae & Alchemy* series. The protagonist, Saeris Fane, is a 24-year-old thief in a harsh desert world, surviving by her wits, stealing water from reservoirs, hiding the magic she has, and caring for her brother. One mistake leads her to open a forbidden gate, which transports her to the frozen lands of Yvelia — a Fae realm she knows only from myth. There she becomes bound to Kingfisher, a powerful and troubled Fae warrior with secrets. He needs her alchemical powers (especially her command over a strange substance called Quicksilver) to protect his people in a war she never meant to be part of. Saeris must learn her magic, navigate dangerous politics, and decide where her loyalties lie — especially as the lines between friend and enemy blur.
Why I Love This Book
I love how alive the world feels. The desert scenes made me sweat; the winter realm of the Fae made me shiver. The contrast between scarcity of water, brutal heat, then ice and snow — it pulls you in. I also love Saeris. She’s not perfect. She’s flawed, stubborn, scared, but also capable. The way she handles her magic (and her guilt, and her fears) resonated with me. Kingfisher is broody and damaged, sure — but he’s also fiercely protective, and the tension between them is slow burn in a satisfying way. I love romance that takes its time to build, that makes me root for the characters even when they mess up. The alchemy / magic system especially impressed me: Quicksilver as a magical substance who has costs, rules, and consequences — that adds complexity. And yes, there are steamy scenes. They don’t feel gratuitous, in my view; they heighten the stakes emotionally. It’s messy, it’s dangerous, and it feels real enough that I cared about what the characters sacrificed.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy romantasy with strong enemies-to-lovers vibes; magic that is costly, weird, sometimes dangerous; a heroine who is resourceful, gritty, and emotionally complex; and a hero who’s flawed, protective, possibly morally grey — this is likely for you. If you like Ember-inspired winter courts, betrayal, portals between realms, “found family,” and worldbuilding that feels big and layered, you’ll probably savor this.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This book contains explicit sexual content, violence, manipulative / morally grey characters, magic with dark consequences, and hints of trauma. If you’re sensitive to those, you may want to check content warnings first.
Tagged As
paranormal, fae, magic, romantasy, dark romance, enemies to lovers, portal fantasy, high fantasy, fantasy romance, spicy romance, moral ambiguity, adventure, alchemy, dangerous magic, heat, large cast, dual POV, HEA eventual, adult fantasy
Steam Level
There is a lot of sensual tension. Scenes don’t always pull back — some are very vivid. If you like your romance spicy, this delivers.
