Smoke and Scar
Hardcover: This luxe hardcover edition features a foiled and embossed dust jacket, a foil-stamped hardcase cover, endpapers with full-color character art, a brand-new map and interior artwork, multiple bonus chapters, a book club guide, and an exclusive author Q&A!
Paperback: This luxe paperback edition features a foil-stamped and embossed cover, a brand-new map and interior artwork, multiple bonus chapters, a book club guide, and an exclusive author Q&A!
In this first epic romantasy in the Best of #BookTok Shattered Crown trilogy perfect for fans of Throne of Glass and The Serpent & the Wings of Night, brutal trials bring together a grieving fae warrior with shadow magic and a human knight out for revenge.
For centuries, humans and the magical races of Arcanis have been bitter enemies. Their only hope for lasting peace lies in the Arcane Crucible, a brutal series of trials that demands sacrifice every twenty-five years. Elyria Lightbreaker, once a celebrated fae war hero, is a shadow of her former self. When the man she loved was lost to last year’s Crucible, Elyria lost herself too—but now that his sister has stepped forward as a contender, she must rise to protect another person she loves from meeting the same fate. Which means entering the very nightmare she abhors and fighting like hell to get them both out alive. Cedric Thorne, humankind’s would-be champion, has lived only for vengeance. To him, Elyria is the enemy who stole everything: his family; his peace; his past, present, and future. But the Crucible doesn’t care about grudges. To survive, Cedric and Elyria must fight side by side, even as their determination to win burns hotter than the desire they can’t deny. Dark magic. Betrayal. A slow-burn love that could ignite the world. In the Arcane Crucible, enemies could become lovers…or destroy each other before the trials are through.
Things to Note:
Our Spice Scale
🌶️ 1 Pepper — Barely a Spark
What to expect:
- Subtle romantic tension
- Hand brushes, lingering looks, emotional connection
- Fade-to-black moments or implied affection
Perfect for:
Fantasy lovers who want plot-first stories with just a whisper of romance.
🌶️🌶️ 2 Peppers — Soft Heat
What to expect:
- Kissing, yearning, and physical closeness
- Romance takes center stage, but details stay gentle
- Intimacy is suggested rather than shown
Perfect for:
Readers who enjoy romance but prefer things cozy, sweet, and low-heat.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Peppers — Noticeably Spicy
What to expect:
- On-page intimate scenes with moderate detail
- A balance of story, emotion, and physical connection
- Heat that feels intentional, not overwhelming
Perfect for:
Romantasy readers who want chemistry you can feel without it taking over the plot.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 Peppers — High Heat
What to expect:
- Frequent and detailed intimate scenes
- Strong physical tension woven throughout the story
- Desire, attraction, and connection are front and center
Perfect for:
Readers who like their fantasy rich with passion and aren’t afraid of intensity.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 5 Peppers — Extra Spicy
What to expect:
- Explicit, on-page intimacy with vivid detail
- Multiple scenes and sustained heat
- The spice is a major element of the reading experience. May include some considered taboo elements.
Perfect for:
Seasoned spice lovers who want maximum heat alongside their magic, monsters, or morally grey love interests.
✨ Important Nox & Novel Notes
Because transparency is kind of our thing:
- 🌶️ Ratings reflect on-page detail and frequency, not just vibes
- 🌶️ Emotional intensity ≠ spice (but we’ll tell you when both show up)
- 🌶️ Trope-heavy books may feel hotter—this scale keeps it honest
- 🌶️ When in doubt, we round up, never down
Spice & Content PSA
Books listed outside of our mystery selections are not guaranteed to be low-spice. While we do our best to curate with care, spice levels can vary by author, genre, and reader interpretation.
If spice level is something you’re concerned about, we strongly recommend checking reviews or spice guides (shoutout to Google & BookTok ) prior to purchasing.
As always, books may contain profanity, mature themes, and descriptive or explicit content. Reader discretion is advised, and we recommend these titles for readers 18+.
Brand new titles likely have not undergone team reading and will not have our pepper & review at the top of the description.
Returns/Exhanges
Apparel, accessories, and books by title are returnable within 3 days of receiving. Items must be new, unread, and in original packaging to be eligible for return.
FINAL SALE ITEMS INCLUDE:
Due to the curated and limited nature of our blind dates, book of the months, exclusive editions, subscription boxes, pre-orders, and add-ons, all sales are final. We do not accept returns or exchanges on these items
Additionally, some books may be titles you’ve already read, as we have no way of tracking individual reading histories without your Goodreads link. This is not considered a defect or eligible for return but simply a risk of ordering a blind book.
If your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 3 days of delivery, and we’ll be happy to assist. Hello@noxandnovel.com