There has been an influx of indie authors over the last few years. Many folks in the industry don’t hold indie authors up to the same credibility as traditionally-published authors. I do not agree with that statement for a variety of reasons but one is that this book is one of my top THREE reads of 2022. This book is incredible.

Synopsis (from Barnes & Noble)

Leaves May Fall by Carissa Hardcastle

When it comes to fate, where is the line between being predestined and being condemned?

Merriam was born a regular girl in a mundane world. Mollian is a fae prince whose family is charged with guarding the Gate that binds every existence together. Both of their lives were forever changed when they met in the woods as children, sparking a bond in their souls deeper than either of them understood.

Now an adult, Merriam has spent the last seven years securing her place in the magical realm Mollian calls home. She has built a reputation as a formidable mercenary, working to prove her merit outside of her friendship with the second-born prince and navigating her ever-growing feelings for his older brother. When a pattern of strange disappearances and gruesome murders appears, she and the mercenaries she runs with are hired by the Crown to hunt down and eradicate those responsible.

My Review

Like I mentioned above, this book was one of my top three reads of 2022. I was lucky enough to beta read this book meaning I got to read before the general public; however, I still bought the physical copy of the book because it was that good. I could not recommend this book more especially if you love fantasy romance.

The book includes incredible worldbuilding that is a cross between Colorado (where the author is from) and a magical realm. The main female character (Merriam) is a badass mercenary whose favorite weapon is an ax and she battles epic beasts throughout. The friendship between Merriam (the main female character) and Mollian (one of the main male characters) is something that is so divine and so beautifully written, I couldn’t put the book down.

Every turn of the page, I wondered what was going to happen. The battle scenes are so visceral that I could have tasted the blood coming from the mythical creatures they slay. It was one of the first books I read where I fell in love with a side character and her story arc – Aleah will forever be one of my favorite side characters in any book. Carissa has such a way of storytelling and developing her characters that I felt like I was a friend in the room – I was in on their conversations.

I will warn you, though – there is a TRAGIC death that will leave you gutted (unless, of course, you don’t have a heart). You will be put through the ringer and spat out at the end. The way Carissa writes about death and grief is unmatched in any other book I’ve read recently. Have a box of tissues handy, you’ll go through the whole thing.

This is a duology so the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger. The second book, Mountains Will Crumble, comes out in 2023.

Also, there is a peregrine falcon named “Panic” that is a side character and I ADORE HIM. His presence in the book really brings it all together.