Rebellion in the Mist Series: Rebellion in the Mist #1 Published by Marley Ferguson on October 7, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / General, Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
Pages: 402
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Goodreads
Reading Challenges: All booksPEOPLE WILL BELIEVE WHAT YOU TELL THEM
To have her magic unlocked, Ness Riseworth exchanged ten years of her life in service to the Imperial Protectorate.
Her assignment for the last decade has been training new magic wielders. But when a woman with a striking resemblance to Ness dies on her way to a rebel gathering, the Protectorate doesn't care that Ness has no experience with spying, only that she is their best hope to infiltrate this group plotting against the Empire.
When she struggles to maintain her cover as a rebel leader, her attractive commander reminds her that people will believe what she tells them. He may be off-limits, but he is becoming increasingly jealous of the smoldering moments Ness shares with a handsome rebel leader to gain information.
Time is running out for Ness to uncover all she needs to know to stop this rebellion before it becomes a war.
Finding Loyalty in the Fog
I went into Rebellion in the Mist expecting romantic fantasy with a dash of rebellion. What I got was a surprisingly layered story about loyalty, identity, and what happens when the “right side” stops feeling so right.
And honestly? I’m still thinking about it.
First Impressions
From the opening chapters, the tone feels heavy in a good way—like something is always simmering beneath the surface. The Empire is powerful, controlled, and structured. The rebels are whispered about, half-feared and half-admired. There’s tension in the air before the plot even fully unfolds.
We follow Ness Riseworth, a trained magic wielder who has dedicated ten years to serving the Imperial Protectorate. She willingly accepted what the empire told her; she’s loyal to a fault and does her best to keep her nose down so she can finish out her contract and move on to whatever is beyond the capital city. A series of events through her whole world upside down when she’s ordered to infiltrate the very rebellion she’s been taught to suppress.
That’s when everything gets interesting.
Ness: Strength Without Recklessness
One thing I really appreciated is that Ness isn’t written as a reckless, rule-breaking heroine from the start. She believes in the system. She trusts her training. Watching that certainty slowly fracture is far more compelling than an instant change of heart.
Her inner conflict feels real. The undercover mission forces her to see people—not enemies. And that shift is gradual, uncomfortable, and beautifully written. Allowed her to see the other side of the story from a perspective she would not have gotten if the empire had not placed her in the midst of it.
The Politics & Worldbuilding
The political tension carries the story. It’s not just “Empire bad, rebels good.” There are shades of gray everywhere. Every side believes they’re justified, and that ambiguity makes the stakes feel authentic.
The magic system is structured and controlled by the Empire, which adds another layer of unease. Power isn’t just a gift—it’s monitored, weaponized, and political.
If you enjoy fantasy where the world feels lived-in and morally complicated, this hits the mark.
The Romance (Because Yes, There’s Romance)
Let’s talk about it.
The romantic tension weaves seamlessly into the main plot rather than distracting from it. There’s emotional history. There’s an attraction tangled up in loyalty. There’s that delicious slow-burn uncertainty where you’re not sure who Ness should trust—politically or romantically.
It’s not fluff. It’s messy. And that’s what makes it work.
A Few Honest Thoughts
The pacing in the beginning is steady rather than explosive. Personally, I liked the buildup because it made the infiltration arc stronger—but if you prefer instant action, it may feel slow at first.
I also found myself wishing for even deeper exploration of the Empire’s origins and the rebellion’s ideology. The groundwork is strong; I just wanted more of it (which honestly is a good sign). Maybe a prequel is on the horizon?
Final Verdict
Rebellion in the Mist feels like the start of a series that’s going to hurt—in the best way. It’s a thoughtful romantic fantasy with emotional weight and political complexity.
If you love:
- Undercover spy storylines
- Morally gray characters
- Political tension
- Slow-burn romance with real stakes
You’ll probably enjoy this one.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
