City of Iron and Ivy, Thomas Kent West
City of Iron and Ivy, Thomas Kent West
List: $38.99 | Sale: $27.30
Club: $19.49

City of Iron and Ivy

Author: Thomas Kent West

Narrator: Chloe Campbell

Unabridged: 17 hr 54 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Forever

Published: 04/21/2026


Synopsis

This beguiling historical romantasy debut blends dark academia with the glamour of Bridgerton, as a scholar of magic investigates her sister’s murder—perfect for fans of Heather Fawcett and H. G. Parry.  
 
In an alternate London alive with botanical magic, Elswyth Elderwood is a thorn among roses: a bristly, scarred scholar in a world of socialites. Her sister Persephone is the opposite: a graceful debutante seeking a marriage that will save their family from ruin. At least, until Persephone is murdered.  
 
Suddenly the last scion of her house, Elswyth must abandon her studies and find a wealthy husband. She is thrust into a London fueled by floromancy: hedge witches sprout nightshade from their fingertips, high-born ladies weave gowns from wildflowers … and a serial killer called the Reaper transforms his victims into plant-human hybrids.  
 
When clues suggest the Reaper is a powerful nobleman, Elswyth’s search for her sister’s killer and her hunt for a husband become one and the same. But she is drawn to bastard-born archaeologist Silas Blackthorn—who may have dark, twisted secrets of his own.   
 
Elswyth must determine friend from foe and lover from liar—or suffer the same fate as her sister.  

Reviews

Goodreads review by Mai ༊*·˚ on April 10, 2026

4.0 ★— This book comes pretty close to what I imagine a historical fantasy written by Poison Ivy would be like! Advertising itself as a mix of Bridgerton with alllll the dark academia vibes, I would like to make clear to the people that are here for the swoonworthy romance a Bridgerton comparison inv......more

Goodreads review by Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ on April 24, 2026

An obvious villain, but a wonderful main character. An unexpected find that paired an enticing writing style with a Bridgerton-esque society and plant fantasy. Scarred scholar Elswyth Elderwood investigates her sister's murder, discovering a serial killer who turns their victims into plants, all whil......more

Goodreads review by kat on May 08, 2026

Thank you to netgalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with copy of this audiobook in return for an honest and voluntary review! thinking about how to rate this book was a little difficult for me to be honest - there was a lot of positives in this book but the pacing of it made it feel like it wa......more

Goodreads review by Emily on October 27, 2025

This book scratched an itch that ACOTAR also scratched. Fun combination of genres, lovable (and hatable) characters, and I adore any book that keeps me guessing!......more

Goodreads review by Leanna on April 21, 2026

This was such a unique read. The plant-based magic was incredibly well done. It’s beautiful but also unsettling in a way that gave the whole story a creepy, almost horror-like edge. Think Bridgerton vibes, but darker, bloodier, and rooted in botany horror. The atmosphere was easily my favorite part......more