The Silversmith by LJ Claren — A Morally Grey Slow Burn Romantasy
I devoured The Silversmith in a single weekend and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. It’s haunting, devastating, and heartbreakingly beautiful, one of those rare books that breaks your heart, rebuilds it, and shatters it again. Watching Aryella rise from grief-stricken and fragile to fierce and resolute was pure magic. A slow-burn romantasy with a spice rating of 2/5, it thrives on exquisite angst, yearning, and the promise of what’s to come. I loved every minute.
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Summary
Aryella Gold has already lost more than most can bear, her father, her brother, her sense of safety and memory of her past, yet she survives the unforgiving North by sheer force of will. When strangers arrive claiming she carries long-lost royal blood and dormant magic, Ary is pulled from her isolation and thrust into a destiny she never asked for. Ancient shadows are rising, threatening to swallow the realm of Nyrida, and Ary may be the only one capable of stopping them.
Promised in marriage to a powerful commander she’s never met, Ary is instead assigned a protector and trainer—Smyth, a man as dangerous as he is unreadable. Cold. Violent. Infuriating. And impossibly magnetic. As Ary’s power awakens and war looms, her fiercest battle becomes the one between duty and desire. Fate demands she save the world. Her heart demands something far more reckless.
My Thoughts
The Silversmith is the kind of book that seeps into your bones.
From the first chapter, LJ Claren builds a world that feels icy, ancient, and alive with danger. But it’s Aryella who keeps you rooted. She’s broken, grieving, and yet quietly burning. Her arc is spectacular. She starts as a young woman hollowed out by loss, unsure of her worth or place in the world, lacking any memory of her past. She becomes someone who refuses to be defined by trauma or prophecy. Her strength isn’t loud, it’s earned, sharpened, and breathtaking.
And then, there’s him. The morally grey, maddeningly controlled warrior assigned to shape her into a weapon. Their chemistry is pure slow-burn perfection. Its the kind where every glance feels charged, every brush of contact leaves an echo. The romance is more longing than spice (a solid 2/5), but the tension? Off the charts. It’s the kind of yearning that makes you pause, clutch the book, and internally scream.
The emotional damage? Oh yes, it’s real. Claren does not hold back. There are twists that made my chest ache and moments where my breath genuinely caught. But the pain is purposeful, pulling Ary, and us, toward the brutal question at the heart of the story, How much of your destiny is chosen, and how much do you fight for?
This is one of my top reads of the year. Five stars, no hesitation.
About the Author
LJ Claren is a rising star in the romantasy world. She’s a lifelong dreamer and avid reader who has turned her love for lush fantasy and slow‑burn romance into stories that tug at the heart and stir the soul. The Silversmith, the first book in her Selvaren series, began as a self-published smash hit before being acquired by Second Sky Books / Forever (Grand Central Publishing). The acquisition includes a five-book deal, with a new e-book edition released in late 2025 and a re-release print edition scheduled for February 24, 2026.
At home she wears many hats, wife, mom of two, and daydreamer. When she isn’t writing, she’s likely lost in a book. Her fiction centers on heroines who rise after being knocked down, and on love that doesn't just sneak in quietly, but hits with the full force of magic and emotion. The Silversmith isn’t just her debut, it’s her bold announcement that she’s a must‑read name for anyone who loves romance with danger, yearning, and breathtaking stakes.
If You Liked…
Readers who enjoyed any of the following will likely fall head over heels for The Silversmith:
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (for the slow-burn angst and morally grey deliciousness)
Discussion Questions
Character Growth & Motivation
Aryella undergoes a significant transformation from fragile and grieving to powerful and determined. What moment in the book felt like the true turning point for her?
How does Ary’s grief shape her early decisions and how does that grief evolve as she steps into her potential?
The MMC is introduced as violent, cold, and unreadable. How accurate is Ary’s initial perception of him, and what moments reveal his true nature?
Themes: Fate, Choice, & Power
Throughout the book, Ary struggles with the difference between fate and choice. Where do you think she exerts true agency, and where is she swept along by destiny?
The concept of “being chosen” is central to Ary’s identity. Do you think she embraces or rejects that role—and why?
How does the magic system reflect the emotional and psychological journeys of the characters?
Romance & Tension
The Silversmith leans heavily on longing, tension, and slow-burn romance. Which scene do you think best captures the chemistry between Ary and her protector?
How does their relationship challenge or strengthen Ary’s understanding of trust?
If you could describe their dynamic in three words, what would they be and why?
Worldbuilding & Conflict
The North is harsh, cold, and unforgiving. How did the setting shape the tone and stakes of the story?
The looming threat of the ancient shadow wielder sets the stage for larger conflict. Did the book give you enough answers about the villain, or do you think the ambiguity was intentional?
What aspect of Nyrida’s world or magic system are you most excited to explore further in the series?
Relationships Beyond Romance
How do Ary’s memories of her father and brother influence her decisions?
Which secondary character are you most curious about and why?
Emotional Impact
The Silversmith is known for “emotional damage.” Which moment hit you the hardest, and why?
How did you feel about the ending?
Speculation & Predictions
What unanswered questions are you hoping the sequel explores?
Where do you think Ary and the MMC’s relationship is headed after the events of this book?
If you had to guess, what theme will dominate the next installment: sacrifice, rebellion, redemption, or something else?
Big-Picture Reflection
This story blends destiny, grief, slow-burn romance, and world-shaking magic. Which element made the book unforgettable for you?
What do you think?
Have you read The Silversmith yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts and theories. Drop a comment below or come chat with me on Instagram or TikTok—let’s spiral together over that ending.
