What Secrets in A Game of Veils Will Make You Move It Up Your TBR?
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Eva Chase comes to us with a new series The Royal Spares. The first book A Game of Veils, invites readers into a richly woven tapestry of intrigue and desire, where a born princess must navigate the treacherous waters of the imperial palace amid scheming competitors and a brutal empire.
Set in a world conquered by a powerful bachelor—the emperor himself—this new fantasy romance series from Ink Spark Press follows the smoldering morally grey dynamics between royal wards and the court noblewomen surrounding them. As humiliating trials test her resolve, our protagonist, Aurelia, grapples with bottled rage. She finds herself prostrating before her enemies, becoming a perfect target for their seductive wiles.
With simmering fury and a determination to return to her kingdom, she discovers that the game of veils is not just about survival but also about reclaiming her place in a world filled with dangerous alliances and unexpected betrayals. Will she rise above the count of her humiliations, or will the scheming competitors succeed in bringing her down? Dive into this captivating tale available in paperback, or on Kindle Unlimited where every page counts and the stakes are as high as the kingdom’s royal legacy.
Title: A Game of Veils (The Royal Spares, 1)
Author: Eva Chase
Publisher: Ink Spark Press
Genre: Reverse Harem, Romatasy, Fantasy, Paranormal
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Pages: 518
Star Rating: 3.5 stars (rounded up)
Spice Rating: 1 chili pepper
Layers of Deception in a Kingdom Conquered
One thing you should know about me is that I am a lover of reverse harems. It is a newfound love but a love all the same. Plus, it isn’t often that I have come across a fantasy reverse harem (yes I know they are out there but there are soo many books). So when The NerdFam sent an email saying that it was available to request A Game of Veils I jumped on it. *Note beyond knowing it was a reverse harem I knew nothing about A Game of Veils. It is the way I like to do things.
In A Game of Veils, the second-born princess of a kingdom subdued by a brutal empire finds herself nothing more than a pawn in a dangerous game. Unexpectedly arranged to marry the most powerful bachelor—the son of the emperor himself—she arrives at the imperial palace only to discover she must compete against scheming competitors, the court noblewomen, in a series of humiliating trials to win his devotion. The stakes are high: those who fail face execution.
“I’m a piece in the game, and that’s all I’ve ever been meant to be.”
Risking her life for her country, she must navigate the torment inflicted by her sadistic betrothed, who flaunts his lovers and revels in cruelty. Yet, her enemies extend beyond the trials; the emperor’s royal wards, princes from conquered domains, lurk in the shadows, viewing her as a traitor prostrating herself for their tyrants’ approval. These men, fueled by bottled rage and simmering fury, see her as the perfect target to ruin.
As she becomes entangled in their seductive wiles, their pain and broken hopes resonate within her. They may be the unexpected allies she needs to save her life and kingdom, but she must conquer these morally grey men before she loses her heart. This sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance marks the beginning of a thrilling fantasy romance series from Ink Spark Press, where each decision could lead to love or destruction.
“Inganne. The Godlen of Creativity and Dreams herself.”
At the end of the first chapter of A Game of Veils, I was intrigued. By the fifth, I was well invested in the machinations of the parable. The one thing that I didn’t like is that we were competing and risking our necks FOR A MAN! A preening idiot who strokes his own ego enough it’s a wonder he needs trials to help stroke it for him. The idea is crazy but one I was willing to see through. Simply because I wanted to know what each trial would be and how they would up the ante. It goes without saying that I rolled my eyes enough for the ligaments to be broken and have them stuck in the back of my head.
The writing is clear and smooth like polished glass. There is clarity and depth to the story. Eva’s choice of words paints a picture so vivid that each scene feels like you are standing in the room. Not only allowing you to visualize but to immerse yourself and experience the world and its nuances. Each carefully selected word adds layers of meaning. Inviting readers to explore the subtext and underlying themes that enrich the story. Although Aurelia plays the game well enough, there are moments when you feel her tension and the build-up. She is ready to explode, and you’re right along with her. Although simple in nature with things like the magic system, A Game of Veils is layered so well that you don’t see the result until the last page. At that moment you are screaming OMG.
“So good. So fucking good. Come for me, Aurelia. I want to feel that precious cunt clamping around my —”
Speaking of the magic system and its simplicity it is also unique. It is a tradition that you dedicate yourself to one of the godlens when you turn twelve. It is the one chance you have to be blessed with a gift of magical talent. But of course, there is a give and take. Because with that gift, you must give something of yourself. Aurelia dedicates herself to the golden of health, medicine, and peace, Elox. By giving her spleen, she was given the gift of making healing potions and other cures. But it is restricted to the things she creates.
As I mentioned I am a why-choose girlie, always down for multiple love interests, and this does it wonderfully. Being true enemies to lovers. They start out despising each other (they are actively trying to kill her throughout the trials) moving into an attraction that none of them can deny. While I am glad that the trials were the focus of this book so that the romance could be the focus of the next one, I wish there was just a little more romance. Balancing so much action and making it a little more emotional. Beyond the constant disgust of the Imperial Emperor and Heir.
“Conquer All.”
In contrast, the last two chapters were so frustrating that I couldn’t bring myself to read them. Remember what I said about seeing the forest for the trees? Before I hit the last page, I was so annoyed that I skimmed them. Eventually, some thoughts clicked into place but the damage had already been done.
Okay, so I just raved RAVED about this book but the question is will I continue? I don’t think so. Here’s what I am thinking. The book was good, borderline great. BUT the final two chapters soured me to a point that I don’t know if I am going to continue (honest answer). Will I change my mind when it’s time for book two to be released in December (the 11th to be exact)? Most likely, yes! My annoyance would have cooled and my curiosity at where the princes and Aurelia end up will peak. And I will pick it up and continue the series. Until that point, you should add it to your TBR and read it in time for book two of the series.
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