Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - The Veiled Kingdom

First off, let me say the spice scenes saved this book - otherwise it’d be a solid 2. Felt kinda like a rip off Throne of Glass combined with Powerless but not as well written 🤷‍♀️

Holly Renee doesn’t seem to be the best at world building or descriptive writing in general, unless it’s smut apparently - because that was 10/10 🌶️🥵. But many things were unclear in the story (the magic, the world building etc.).

Even so, I will read the sequel as the ending hooked me a bit. Hopefully the main character gets a bit more interesting in the next book.

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dearhaleynicole's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I'VE SAID IT BEFORE AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN... If Holly Renee has a million fans, I am one of them. If Holly has ten fans, I am one of them. If Holly has only one fan, it's me. If Holly has no fans, that means I have been unalived.

Holly knows how to write the best spice out there, people. At least I think so. I have now read a handful of books from various series by her and I can confidently say she is an auto-buy author for me!

It's hard for any Holly Renee-written couple to top Evren & Adara in my heart, but let me tell you Dacre & Nyra got me feeling some type of way ✨🗡️ I loved their banter so much. It turned out to be a little bit more of a slow burn to me than Kingdom of Stars & Shadows Book 1 was for me and I wasn't upset one bit by that! Excited to see where things lead from here now for our MCs, so I guess I'll just have to read more...*wink wink*

This new The Veiled Kingdom series already has me in a chokehold 👀 The world, the magic, the characters, the plot twists, the nicknames ("little traitor," hehe), THE 🍷 SCENE !! Everything about this book was fantastic for me. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book (thank goodness it comes out middle of this year because I would not be able to wait much longer than that 🖤)

Side note: If you are a Xaden Riorson girlie, read this book! Dacre was giving MAJOR Wingleader vibes imo

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pauinha6's review

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.25

I had higher expectations i guess, after having read the Kingdom of Stars and Shadows series.
In comparison this felt rushed, less developed characters.
I love me a gray af mmc but Dacre was not it for me.
All their interactions felt very…… cohersed. And yes, she wanted it. But she also didn’t. She was conflicted and he was in a position of power and I am a firm believer in enthusiatic consent!
Yes, i know, it’s fiction. And we ignore the red flags because it’s safe when it’s not real. But it just felt wrong with Dacre 🤷🏻‍♀️ sorry.
Evren will always have my heart but that last chapter only made me feel like i was right all along.

I will read book 2, i think. But i had high expectations and was let down.

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koistyfishy's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4 Little Traitor Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

I was very sceptical going into this because when it comes to my friend's ratings and previous Holly Renee books, they are polar opposites. Some of them love her books and nonstop hype about them, and some of them do not particularly like her writing. So what better way to form my own opinion, than by reading the first instalment of her new adult romantasy???

AND LETS JUST SAY.... THIS IS BASICALLY CATNIP IN WORDS...
I loved this and if I could have inhaled the book faster I would...but sometimes a girl has got to get her beauty sleep...

From the very first line, I was hooked. There was something about the characters, their situations, the ease of writing and how the plot was set up that just played into everything I adore.

This is a dual POV that follows Nyra and Dacre. Nyra is the runaway princess, having fled her abusive father who only wants to use her. The only problem is she is the only fae that does not HAVE MAGIC. Living on the streets for about a year, she is captured and lands in the hands of Dacre, the son of the Resistance General. The same Resistance who are desperately trying to capture this princess so that they can overthrow the King. Having no choice but to join the Resistance, Nyra is forced to become one of the warriors, while also keeping her true identity a secret.

Nyra was everything that I look for in an FMC in a fantasy. While she does have flaws, an innate vulnerability due to her cloistered naivety, she also has scars. But she does not let those aspects define her. She is tenacious and determined to survive so is willing and able to be strong and to show some teeth when required. Given that she has had a very rough life, even though she is a princess - this has not broken her spirit and she makes the best of whatever situation she is placed in. I like the way that she pushed back and gave back as much as she got - and that she was feisty.

Dacre is just a walking metaphor for what makes your panties wet. He was morally grey PERFECTION but was completely and utterly smooth and swoony. He might be a literal asshole and knows he's an ass...BUT my god- THAT MAN AND HIS DIRTY MOUTH. Also that he is confident, cocky and dominant. I say it again...PERFECTION! I enjoyed his internal dialogue dealing with his grief as it made him incredibly real, also seeing how actions that he has to commit for his father affect him. I loved that the man stands for his morals and is incredibly motivated to do the right thing he believes.

The Banter between Nyra and Dacre was heel-kicking squeal-inducingly good. As I mentioned...THE MAN IS PERFECTION, so obviously his banter would be too... duh.
I loved the slow burn push and pull between the two. You could feel the animosity and sexual tension between them at the start and I DELIGHTED in the slow steps they walked as that transitioned to attraction.

I had one problem with the book, and the reason why I didn't give this 5 stars was I felt the story was a little bit lacking in depth and too short. Aspects were a bit too simplistic and high-level and I craved the story to dig a little deeper - without necessarily having this information in the sequel. Because it is such a quick read, the worldbuilding is not as fleshed out and Holly Renee does not go into too much on the backstories of the characters. BUT I WANTED MORE BACKSTORY. The same with aspects of their trauma - while it is touched on I think it would have added a little more to the characterisation if this was fleshed out a little more.

A lot of the book was spent in the training grounds focusing on banter and footwork so it didn't have as much action. There are just things that you are told and not shown, and I prefer to be shown, so I wouldn't have minded if this was an extra 100 pages longer to flesh out a bit more of the story and foundation. There are a couple of other things but they are spoilers - so only read them after you have read the book!

There is also the part about why she all of a sudden HAS magic but not around WHAT her magic is, or why only now... In fact, I have no clue actually HOW the whole magic system of the world works because there isn't much detail given to this aspect of worldbuilding

Trope Summary:
▶ Dual POV
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Royals and Political Intrigue
▶ One Bed
▶ Who Did This To You
▶ Captor/Captive
▶ Hidden Identity
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Found Family
▶ Forbidden Romance

(Like seriously....these are just MY CATNIP TROPES... - I TOLD YOU THIS BOOK WAS CATNIP)

Even though I wanted more depth, this was a fantastic first instalment, the ending blew my mind and I am salivating for the next book. Mostly that I can see what new dirty things come out of Dacre's mouth...

Thank you so much to Holly Renee and Valentine PR for the ARC in exchange for a review.
All thoughts and opinions are my own

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bookheathens's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (I'd give it more if could)
Pure Romantasy Magic!

Diving into Holly Renee's latest release felt like coming home to a world where enchantment thrives, and excitement awaits at every turn. Surrounded by friends who, like me, are avid fans of Holly’s writing and storytelling, I dove STRAIGHT into this new world.

Right from the start, I was hooked on the characters, their struggles, and the intricate plot, which seamlessly blended fantasy and romance into a spellbinding tale.

Narrated through the eyes of Nyra and Dacre, the story unfolds with a magnetic pull, drawing readers into a realm where a runaway princess without magic and a morally complex rebel collide in a whirlwind of intrigue and passion.

Nyra embodies everything I adore in a fantasy heroine – resilient, flawed, and unapologetically herself. Her journey from sheltered royalty to a formidable warrior navigating the complexities of her newfound reality had me rooting for her every step of the way.

And Dacre... oh, Dacre! 😮‍💨😮‍💨 With his irresistible charm and mysterious demeanor, he effortlessly stole every scene he graced. His internal conflicts and unwavering convictions added depth to his character, making each interaction with Nyra an electrifying exchange of wit and desire.

The banter between Nyra and Dacre crackled with tension, leaving me DYING for them to admit their undeniable chemistry. (Slow burns, amirite?)

BUT THE ENDING?! My mouth was agape. I wanted to cry?! In true Holly Renee fashion, she wrote one hell of a cliffhanger.

In summary, Holly Renee's latest masterpiece flawlessly weaves together tropes like enemies-to-lovers, royal intrigue, and hidden identities, delivering a captivating tale that will leave readers spellbound and desperate for more.

Huge thanks to Holly Renee and Valentine PR for providing an ARC in exchange for this review. My love for Renee's storytelling knows no bounds, and I can't wait to embark on the next adventure in this enchanting series.

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