Review | Brimstone (Fae & Alchemy #2) by Callie Hart

Review of ‘Brimstone’ (Fae & Alchemy #2) by Callie Hart. Discover the darkly seductive sequel that blends dangerous fae magic, scorching romance, and courtly intrigue. Brimstone by Callie Hart returns readers to a world of high-stakes fantasy where secrets simmer, alliances shift, and passion takes center stage. But with all its chaos and heat, does the story rise from the ashes or get lost in the flames?

Brimstone by Callie Hart left me confused, a bit bored, and not sure if I should continu the series

Synopsis

Duty. Blood. Honour. Power.

Saeris Fane doesn’t want power. The very last thing she needs is her name whispered on an entire court’s lips, but now that she’s been crowned queen of the Blood Court, she’s discovering that a queen’s life is not her own. A heavy weight rests upon her shoulders.

Her ward – and her brother – need her back in her homeland . . . but the changes that have strengthened Saeris have also made her weak. Born under blazing suns, Saeris will surely die if she makes her way home through the Quicksilver. Which means that, once again, she must send someone else in her stead . . .

‘Keep your mouth shut. Stick to the shadows. And for the love of all seven Gods, do NOT crack any jokes.’

Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate has defeated armies and survived all manner of horrors, but traveling back to Zilvaren with Carrion Swift might just be the death of him. The male just will not shut up. Hidden dangers await them down the narrow alleyways of the Silver City. Unfolding secrets pose impossible threats. Fisher must wrangle the smuggler and accomplish his goals quickly if he wants to see his mate again.

Review

Discover the darkly seductive sequel that blends dangerous fae magic, scorching romance, and courtly intrigue. Brimstone by Callie Hart returns readers to a world of high-stakes fantasy where secrets simmer, alliances shift, and passion takes center stage. But with all its chaos and heat, does the story rise from the ashes or get lost in the flames?

In Brimstone, we return to a world where tensions are rising between kingdoms, old gods are awakening, and fae power runs deep and dangerous. Saeris and Kingfisher find themselves pulled into the heart of conflict, torn between duty and desire. As plots unfold and enemies circle closer, the fate of their world teeters on the edge. It should have been thrilling. But for me… it wasn’t.

I went in very excited, hoping to love this like I did Quicksilver. But I sadly came out just kind of disappointed? And honestly I think the biggest issue for me was the fact that I was bored. And for a book this long (because it’s really long and why is it so long?), that’s not a great feeling. There’s so much happening on the page, yet somehow it felt like nothing was really happening. I feel like we got really intense scenes at one moment and then the most random and useless scenes after it. The pacing dragged, and even though events did keep unfolding, they didn’t land with any real impact. It started to feel like noise.

Thank the stars for Carrion Swift!! He was easily the brightest part of this book. His energy, his unpredictability and ugh his chaotic charm. He brought so much life to a story that otherwise felt flat. Every scene he was in felt sharper, more alive. Honestly, if he hadn’t been there, I don’t know if I would have finished tbh.

Saeris and Kingfisher, the supposed emotional core, just didn’t work for me. I did like them in Brimstone but just their chemistry was not enough for me to fully enjoy this book. There were a lot of spicy scenes. A lot. And usually I don’t mind that, but here it felt like their romance and sex life were carrying the entire book. The rest of the plot felt more like a backdrop than a true story. Like we were just filling space between bedroom scenes.

I also came across a Dutch TikTok from Marwa Omari where she talked through some inconsistencies and errors in the book. And honestly, that just cemented the feeling I already had. This book is kind of a mess. It has ambition, sure, but the execution didn’t live up to it.

The ending was no doubt the strongest part. There was real momentum, and it finally felt like things were clicking into place. We also got twist after twist and I really liked that! I’m wondering where that power and execution was throughout the rest of Brimstone. It did make me want to add the third installment to my to read pile, but when looking at the book as a whole I don’t know if I can go through another 700 page book like this again. I’m curious, but not committed.

Final thoughts? If you’re mainly here for the heat and don’t mind a chaotic plot structure, Brimstone might be a fun ride. But if you’re looking for tight storytelling, emotional depth, or satisfying world-building, you might find yourself skimming and sighing… like I did 😦

Rating

5,5/10

Details

• Trigger warnings: Graphic violence, explicit sexual content, death, torture, blood drinking, coercion, toxic relationships, suicide attempts, graphic injury descriptions, genocide, forced sterilization, classism, alcohol use, fire, and infertility. This is a dark fantasy romance with mature themes throughout.
• Representation: The cast includes characters with diverse magical and cultural backgrounds, particularly through Saeris Fane, a desert-born human who becomes Queen of the Blood Court, offering a fresh perspective among traditionally Fae characters. While the story leans on fantasy archetypes like vampires, shadow beings, and elemental courts, Saeris’s origin and rise to power subtly introduce themes of outsider identity and cultural contrast. Carrion Swift brings humor and personality, standing out with a distinct voice, and the world features various beings like dragons and shadow-touched fae that expand its internal diversity, though modern racial categories aren’t explicitly defined.
• Pages: 672
• Publication date: November 18, 2025
• Publisher: Forever
• About the author:
  Callie Hart is an obsessive romantic who lovesthrowing a dark twist into her stories. Her charactersare imperfect, flawed individuals who dictate whenshe eats, sleeps, and breathes. A British expat now living in California, Callie can most likely be found sequestered away in the corner of a library, fantasizing about exciting new realms and the brooding anti-heroes who occupy them.