Metal Slinger (Fire & Metal)

While I’ve read some amazing books this year, it’s been awhile since I have completely devoured a book in less than 24 hours. This book was one I truly could not put down. I couldn’t fall asleep because I didn’t want to stop reading what happened next. The way this book starts is one of my absolute favorite ways to fall into a story - with no preamble and immediate conspiring amongst characters. Brynn has quickly become one of my new favorite FMCs. She is just so REAL. No whining or blaming her situation on everyone and everything else. She accepts her role in the world, but also holds a fierce determination to know the truth of that world. She is brave, yet terrified. Strong, yet self-conscious. She is cunning and intelligent and she doesn’t shy away from what is hard or allow emotion to overcome logic. I feel like she’s such a relatable character in everything that happens to her. Then we have Kai…our commander and son of the leader. He’s got secrets. Big ones. And the amount of times my feelings for him flipped in this book is insane. I’m still honestly reeling… Acker, my man…he’s mysterious, yet he doesn’t pull his punches. He’s loyal to a fault. He feels things deeply and he is fervent in his beliefs and desires. I adore him and yet want to shake him for the way he goes about making decisions and only sharing half truths. And right now my heart is aching for him and also terrified of him. When I say I need book 2 like I need water, that’s an understatement. I don’t have space to discuss every side character, but just know that I love them deeply and they each have big personalities of their own. The miscommunication honestly feels more like a necessity and less of a trope. The MCs don’t truly know one another, so of course there’s hesitancy to share everything with a stranger who has been somewhat forced upon you due to the situation you’ve both found yourself in. But it also is refreshing to watch them both learn to trust and communicate more and more as they go. The world building was exciting and unique - unlike anything I’ve read before. The kingdoms and their systems and the unique magics all create this setting that is utterly perfect. I never felt confused, but could easily envision everything as it was explained in detail. The slow burn and spice was paced so perfectly and realistically that it never felt weird or forced or annoying. It unfolds the way most normal relationships would (minus the magic and fantasy aspects). I truly cheered for our MCs and loved the way they finally came together. This story takes all the tropes we know and love and twists them into something unique and entirely different than all the other stories we’ve grown used to. And when I tell you that you will NEVER see the plot twists coming, HOLY SMOKES BATMAN! And the last 2 chapters took me ALL THE WAY OUT. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to be okay after that. I almost want to go back to chapter 55 and pretend the rest didn’t happen…but of course I can’t do that and now I’ll just be dying a little inside every day until I get my hands on book two! If you enjoy fantasy or romantasy, this has to be your next read. All the rest can wait. Grab your copy YESTERDAY.

I enjoyed Metal Slinger! The writing is strong, and the unique setting and magic system were easily my favorite parts. There’s a lot about this world that feels fresh and different, and I definitely want to see more of it. My only real complaint was the pacing. It felt a little slow for me through much of the book, but that last 10% REALLY kicked things into gear and left me much more excited about where the story is headed. A solid 4/5 for me, with a strong suspicion that the next book might be even better.

This is my first time reading Rachel Schneider and I am now a fan. I’ll definitely be reading the conclusion and any other books in this world. The storytelling and world building are creative, fun, and engaging. Did not feel predictable. A few spicy scenes ( I agree with romance . io regarding spice level: 3 flames out of 5). I loved the unique twist, I love how creatively it was presented. Cool magic system, I’d like to know more about how their different magics work and would love to see this world expanded after this duology to tell the story of Beau and Hallis. Highly recommend this book for those who like high fantasy, with some spicy romance. M/F slow burn

Metal Slinger is the first book in the Fire and Metal series and follows Brynn through visiting the annual market in Kenta leading to the breaking of a century long treaty and then fleeing Alaha. Brynn is well developed as a character as she learns about who she is and the world around her. She definitely has a sharp wit that comes out as she narrates the story. Acker is amazing as you get to know him through their travels and unraveling Brynn’s past. Hallis, Messer, and Beau lend a great depth to the cast of characters. The plot is fairly fast paced but easily followed. It’s well developed as you learn about Brynn’s past and the rest of the world. The plot twist at the end was not expected at all and just made me more eager to read the next book.

Okay, while I definitely enjoyed my time reading this and feel like it sets up the sequel in such an exciting way, I also feel it needed more development in the details. First and foremost, the plot twist unfortunately wasn’t my favorite and it felt very out of left field. I think that in order for the author to pull it off, some things needed to be intentionally left vague, but in doing so, the characters felt too distant. It also made it hard to truly root for the couple even though I really liked their history and banter. They, along with all the side characters, were surprising and complex, but I didn’t fall in love with any of them as much as I expected to. I also liked the plot overall, but there was too much meandering towards the middle that made the pacing come to a screeching halt. There were also several things about the ending that didn’t quite make sense to me, but that could just be a me issue, so I definitely have a lot of questions going into book two. There’s a lot going on as far as schemes and betrayals and court politics, so there was also an undercurrent of unease as soon as more and more about Jovie’s past is revealed. That said, I think the world itself is really compelling, with its history of warring kingdoms and magic, so there’s a lot of potential for the sequel. I’m very intrigued to see what happens next, and the absolute devastation, tension, and yearning it will bring. The story also leaves the world in a precarious position, right on the edge of all-out war, which should make things even more interesting.

The plot had a great pace, I was never bored, and the twist in the end was actually really surprising! I can usually predict twists pretty easily but this one I had no idea. Can't wait to read the next book.

This book has it all. It’s never boring. No unnecessary fluff. The characters are young 20’s, and some show immature youthfulness at first, but war matures them all quickly. All are fighting for a better tomorrow, but the question of who can be trusted looms large. Just when you think you have it figured out, there is a new and powerful twist. Great writing! All main characters are realistic and necessary. The women are smart and brave, but still compassionate. The men are equally good and powerful, but not afraid of being in love. The MC romance builds over time and through hardships. Adult love scenes. Some curse words. Neither is overdone. Neither distracts from or cheapens the story.

Ok, I had to process almost a whole 24 hours before I could write this review. And long story short, did I enjoy the book, yes. Does it have a lot of interesting and good parts to it? Also yes. But does it also have some major flaws? Absolutely. Now I'm not gonna break down every single little thing in this book. But here are the basics of what I liked, and what I didn't like. The good? I liked the characters. They intrigued me off the bad. The world building is pretty decent. It's a little confusing in the beginning, but information is slowly doled out, and some questions are answered. I found that there was a lot of little twists and turns that kept the story engaging. The magic system is intriguing. But, there are quite a few things off for me. First off, we have another story that has heavy inspirations from other books. There are a lot of aspects in this story that felt directly pulled from throne of glass. And the big twist at the end? Was almost verbatim the same ending as the book how does it feel. As soon as I read it I was like hold up, I literally just read almost this same thing when I read how does it feel when it released like a year or year and a half ago. Now I know no concepts are really new anymore, and inspiration comes for everywhere. But I feel like most stories it's like, oh this book has these vibes, or if you liked this book you'd like this one that's similar. But this reminds me of powerless in where there are like exact plots and plot points taken from other things. Now is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. I still enjoyed powerless, and I still enjoyed this story. But it does throw me. There are also a few red flags that the MMC Acker gave me that were not the good kind of red flags we love. First, when they are riding thru the city and people throw stuff at the FMC and he does nothing? Red flag. When they meet his dad and they demand she vows not only to the king but to the MMC? Red flag. All the secrets he keeps? Red flag. When he SLAPS HER IN THE END? Red flag. I'm not sure how I really feel about him. In the end. This was still an enjoyable read. I did like it and I am curious about the next book. But I am wary about some of the plot points and the MMC.

4.5 stars I have never felt more slapped in the face by a plot twist/cliffhanger. IYKYK. The ending! Ma'am! I am extremely disturbed by that turn of events! The world building and magic system were easy to follow and enjoyable to learn about. It was an easy fantasy/romantasy read, a page turner if you will. I was really into this story, it pulled me in from the jump. Acker - can we talk about his name? Every time I read it all I could hear in my head was the "ACK" part. Like the noise my dog makes when he's about to throw up. Other than his name though, we've got ourselves a new book boyfriend. Kai - we liked him, and then we really didn't like him! He was giving major Tamlin vibes, holding her back, keeping her in his claws type behaviour...until the ending...and now I don't know what to think about him. Brynn - she was a great FMC. She was strong. She was torn between what she thinks she knows and what she's learning. She was likeable. I need more Beau please. You bet your butt I'll be reading the second book as soon as it's released!

That ending, that freaking ending !!!!!!! I haven’t read a book like this never before!!! I need book 2 now!!!!

Love this book ! It is amazing and full of twists. I can't wait to read the sequel light wielder.

This was the first book I‘ve read in 2025 and I already know - this will be one of my favorites from this year. It was sooo good! It gripped me from beginning to end (what.an.ending.that.was!! 😱) and delivered with a very unique setting without being overwhelming. The plot was super interesting and always kept me wondering what would happen next. I‘m not going to dive deeper into the plot, because I would strongly advise going into this not knowing too much and just let the journey surprise you. When it comes the the MCs, I really liked them both. The FMC is smart and had some real bad@ss moments 💅🏻 The MMC Acker has a touch her and 💀attitude, is morally grey and has a fricking nose ring 🫠 And if that wasn’t enough, he falls first and is known for being ruthless af 🖤 I was talking to myself while reading the last two chapters 🫣 Like, WHAT.DO.YOU.MEAN??😭😭 Rachel Schneider is a mastermind of twists and revelations and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.

Wow. So many twists that had me totally in shock but I could not put this book down. Such a good read.