The Veiled Kingdom: Exploring Love and Loyalty in Holly Renee’s Saga
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In The Veiled Kingdom series by bestselling author Holly Renee, readers are thrust into a world where the line between love and hate is razor-thin. Our heroine, the missing daughter of a despised king, escapes the clutches of her wicked father only to face death in the streets. Captured by rebels who remain blind to her true identity, she is forced into an impossible choice: align with the very people sworn to destroy her or meet their lethal blades.
As the fierce battle unfolds within this hidden realm, a new fantasy romance ignites between her and Dacre, the son of the ruthless rebellion commander. Torn between loyalty to her kingdom and her undeniable devotion to Dacre, she navigates a treacherous path where kingdoms clash, secrets unravel, and forbidden desires threaten to consume her.
Dive into this dual review as I explore Holly Renee’s captivating series, where love, betrayal, and destiny collide in a world where nothing is as it seems.
Title: The Veiled Kingdom/ The Hunted Heir
Author: Holly Renee
Publisher: Independent
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 364/211
Star Rating: 3 stars
Spice Rating: 1 chili pepper
The Veiled Kingdom
I came across The Veiled Kingdom a few months ago, following Holly Renee on Instagram (you should follow me also). I was excited to make this book my entire personality (as one does). Prattling on about it nonstop, and encourage it to everyone I encounter. I could still do that but let’s converse about my feelings for The Veiled Kingdom. Shall we?
When uncovered initially it was the plot and premise that drew me in. A lost princess who is powerless, a hidden city, an enemies-to-lovers romance. Some would say that it is a typical fantasy romance. While parts of that are true (it is a typical fantasy romance) this crown fits loosely on the story.
The Veiled Kingdom is one of the few books that I read in one sitting this year. It captured me in the storyline with its fast-paced momentum. But I think the reason I enjoyed it so much is the fact that it moved at a rapid pace. Moving on to the next point before fully settling on the last.
“Who did that to you?” His voice lacked every bit of his control.”
When diving into The Veiled Kingdom you immediately take Nyra’s side. Finding yourself invested in her plight against her father and those he associates himself with. She doesn’t want to be a princess anymore even if that means giving up leaving her people. The fact that she is powerless only adds to this, as it gives the wicked king ammunition to continue his ministrations on her without remorse.
As you delve deeper into the narrative you see that not everything is up to par. There is a coverlet of what I can only describe as dispiritedness that only grows as you continue the tale. Aside from the kingdoms of both Marmoris and the Hidden City, there isn’t much in the way of world-building. I didn’t know these people were supposed to be fae for the greater part of the story. No actual descriptors were implying this. Did they have hair, beauty, and various other descriptors? Yes. Did it need to openly declare they were Fae? No, but a little more could have been given to explain this detail. BEFORE a character enters with wings, and it is stated that it’s rare for the Fae to have wings.
As we get further into the storyline, this story continues to leave something to be desired. There are numerous plot holes and threads to the story that are left hanging way into the end of the book. Including something I can’t mention here having to do with Nyra’s powers (so read it so we can chat about it on Instagram or in the comments), this is a crucial point to the story that feels like it has just been added in for the sake of adding it in.
“I have been starved, nyra. until you.”
Let’s touch on the romance. What do you think? We all agree that reading is subjective. And with this subjectivity comes interpretations of things like enemies to lovers, how spicy a book is, etc. For me, The Veiled Kingdom is not an enemies-to-lovers romance. They are essentially two people on the opposite side of the tracks. Neither wants to kill each other. To be precise Dacre is quite taken by Nyra from the moment he sees her. Existing in a state of possession from day one! That’s not enemies to lovers no matter how much the publisher wants it to be.
While we are on the subject of Dacre, most also wouldn’t consider him morally grey (again no matter how much that has been a buzzword as of late). A DOM for sure. But, there is nothing morally grey about him. Is he a part of a rebellion? Yes. Are there questionable things that have to be done for said rebellion? Also yes. I don’t find that how he feels and what he does matches someone who’s morally grey. Rhysand is morally grey. Severus Snape is morally grey. Aelin Ashryver Galathynius Whitethorn is morally grey. But again subjectivity. The one thing I am certain of is that Dacre better do some Olympic-style groveling or I won’t forgive him (and neither should Nyra).
*side note* let the record show I don’t regret reading this. In reality, I clock-watched until the 20th ( I finished The Veiled Kingdom on the 18th) for when The Hunted Heir was released (we will get to The Hunted Heir)
The Hunted Heir
For The Hunted Heir, there are a few points that I want to make. As it is a sequel in true Diary of a Reader fashion we aren’t going to get too much into the plot because we don’t want any SPOILERS.
The Hunted Heir picked up right where The Veiled Kingdom left off. Verena is on the run, not only from her father and his men but from the rebellion as well. I have to admit, I loved The Hunted Heir more than The Veiled Kingdom. With Verena on the run, the tension was palpable. My heart was in my throat, having to take a breather between chapters. Adding to the enjoyment (this book almost had a thriller feel with how tense it was).
“The gods made you for me. carved you from the stars themselves until I could no love bear to gaze up at the sky without longing for you.”
But, I expected The Hunted Heir to have more in terms of answers to the plot holes left in book one and while there were some there weren’t nearly enough. This could be because the author also left this book on a cliffhanger as well.
*side note* While Dacre did do some groveling it WASN’T NEARLY ENOUGH to atone for his actions.
In fact, what happened to the smoke show that was Dacre? In book one he was this possessive domineering Daddy, and in book two he turned into a lost puppy dog. It failed to impress, to put it mildly.
What I find interesting is that these books (both The Veiled Kingdom and The Hunted Heir) hell even The Rivaled Crown (the third book) could have been formed into one book or even an omnibus. In terms of length for what is supposed to be a scorching romantasy series these are what would be considered novella size. Especially The Hunted Heir, which sits at 200 pages. Both books could have benefited from more detail adding to the page length.
With this, the lack of world-building continues into Book 2. As things should get better with the progression into a second book this feels like something severely underdeveloped. This includes things like the magic system. Which is still a mystery and something we should have gotten an explanation for (or at least the basics) in Book 1.
“Because I had never wanted to protect someone as badly as I wanted to protect her.”
Subsequently, with my plotting and planning for reading the first two books, there was a fatal error in reading The Hunted Heir. Book 3 (The Rivaled Crown) won’t be released until the spring of 2025. I have no motive for reading this installment other than wanting to know if Dacre makes his way back to Verena (obviously this is a yes but I want to know how this happens).
Overall, The Veiled Kingdom series is entertaining but also frustrating. It is too short and lacks critical points. I expected more (of everything). And I am hoping that book three satisfies the need that I am craving.
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