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The Veiled Kingdom #2
The Hunted Heir
From USA Today Bestselling Author Holly Renee, comes the second book in the scorching romantasy series with enthralling secrets, impassioned enemies, and luring tension.
Verena was the lost princess of Marmoris, the very thing we had spent our entire lives looking for, and I had let her go.
The lingering taste of her mixed with the deep ache in my chest over her betrayal haunted my days and nights. I knew she was hiding something, but her secrets were far more treacherous than I could have imagined.
Though I wished my own betrayal hadn’t been so bitter on my tongue.
Now my dreams are haunted with the way her deep blue eyes looked up at me in shock when I revealed I knew her truth.
The way I crave for her to look at me now as I hunt for her.
Me, along with half of the rebellion.
If my father finds her before me, there is no telling what he will do to her.
And even though she’s the little traitor I’d always thought she was, I couldn’t allow him to find her.
But his orders were clear. The princess is to be taken by the rebellion or she would be taken by the gods. I don’t know which is worse.
She is the heir to our kingdom, the daughter of the cruel king who was responsible for my mother’s death, and the key to winning our rebellion.
I vowed to my father that I would find her, the one person I wish I didn’t have to.
Verena is the hunted heir. But more than anything, she is mine.
Verena was the lost princess of Marmoris, the very thing we had spent our entire lives looking for, and I had let her go.
The lingering taste of her mixed with the deep ache in my chest over her betrayal haunted my days and nights. I knew she was hiding something, but her secrets were far more treacherous than I could have imagined.
Though I wished my own betrayal hadn’t been so bitter on my tongue.
Now my dreams are haunted with the way her deep blue eyes looked up at me in shock when I revealed I knew her truth.
The way I crave for her to look at me now as I hunt for her.
Me, along with half of the rebellion.
If my father finds her before me, there is no telling what he will do to her.
And even though she’s the little traitor I’d always thought she was, I couldn’t allow him to find her.
But his orders were clear. The princess is to be taken by the rebellion or she would be taken by the gods. I don’t know which is worse.
She is the heir to our kingdom, the daughter of the cruel king who was responsible for my mother’s death, and the key to winning our rebellion.
I vowed to my father that I would find her, the one person I wish I didn’t have to.
Verena is the hunted heir. But more than anything, she is mine.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2024
2646 people are currently reading
32155 people want to read
About the author
Holly Renee
28 books7,296 followers✨USA Today Bestselling Author
🤠 Cowboy Casual out October 7th
Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhollyrenee/
Join my Reader Group, Hollywood: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HollyRenee
🩷🤠COWBOY ROMANCE🤠🩷
Cowboy Casual | Coming October 7th
✨🌙⚔️FANTASY ROMANCE⚔️🌙✨
The Veiled Kingdom Series
The Veiled Kingdom
The Hunted Heir
The Rivaled Crown
The Stars and Shadows Series
A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows
A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal
A Kingdom of Venom and Vows
A Kingdom of Fire and Fate
🖤🫦CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE🫦🖤
The Boys of Clermont Bay Series
The Touch of a Villain
The Fall of a God
The Taste of an Enemy
The Deceit of a Devil
The Seduction of Pretty Lies
The Temptation of Dirty Secrets
The Good Girls Series
Where Good Girls Go to Die
Where Bad Girls Go to Fall
Where Bad Boys are Ruined
The Rock Bottom Series
Trouble with the Guy Next Door
Trouble with the Hotshot Boss}
[book: Trouble with the Fake Boyfriend
The Wrong Prince Charming
The Wrong Prince Charming
🤠 Cowboy Casual out October 7th
Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhollyrenee/
Join my Reader Group, Hollywood: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HollyRenee
🩷🤠COWBOY ROMANCE🤠🩷
Cowboy Casual | Coming October 7th
✨🌙⚔️FANTASY ROMANCE⚔️🌙✨
The Veiled Kingdom Series
The Veiled Kingdom
The Hunted Heir
The Rivaled Crown
The Stars and Shadows Series
A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows
A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal
A Kingdom of Venom and Vows
A Kingdom of Fire and Fate
🖤🫦CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE🫦🖤
The Boys of Clermont Bay Series
The Touch of a Villain
The Fall of a God
The Taste of an Enemy
The Deceit of a Devil
The Seduction of Pretty Lies
The Temptation of Dirty Secrets
The Good Girls Series
Where Good Girls Go to Die
Where Bad Girls Go to Fall
Where Bad Boys are Ruined
The Rock Bottom Series
Trouble with the Guy Next Door
Trouble with the Hotshot Boss}
[book: Trouble with the Fake Boyfriend
The Wrong Prince Charming
The Wrong Prince Charming
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,337 reviews
August 23, 2024
"He was the son of the rebellion, and I was the daughter of everything they fought against. We were born and bred to be enemies, to never trust the other."
It was a completely different reading experience compared to book one. While book one was more happening, more action packed, had more substance; this one had nothing of that.
The writing was so problematic for me. It was so unnecessarily descriptive, and slow paced. There were so many words being used but nothing of substance. Also, it was too repetitive. We were made to read the same argument, same sentences, same words multiple times a chapter and throughout the book. For a 242 page book, this surely felt like the author dragged out a 70 page novella.
Dacre and Verena were so immature for 55% of the book. Tho I gotta say, Dacre has the upper hand in the book. He is independent, stood up to his father, sacrificed his whole life to be with her and groveled. I loved the character growth. Verena on the other hand, who should have also groveled imo given the lies she told him. She is very codependent to others to save her. She is not fierce, hardly takes a stand and am sure she's going to be used as a puppet and a pushover in the next book 🤦♀️ I need real growth from her.
The book starts getting good around 60% but spice is not enough to save the rest of the tedious journey we go through to get there. Romance and emotional connection started to get better but the book ended abruptly. The reader will be able to make out that the author didn't have much to do with this book and it's so weakly executed.
Anyway, suffice to say am disappointed. Will read the next book but won't be an anticipated read 🤷♀️
Thanks to beautiful Lindsey, who made this reading experience wholesome 💗
It was a completely different reading experience compared to book one. While book one was more happening, more action packed, had more substance; this one had nothing of that.
The writing was so problematic for me. It was so unnecessarily descriptive, and slow paced. There were so many words being used but nothing of substance. Also, it was too repetitive. We were made to read the same argument, same sentences, same words multiple times a chapter and throughout the book. For a 242 page book, this surely felt like the author dragged out a 70 page novella.
Dacre and Verena were so immature for 55% of the book. Tho I gotta say, Dacre has the upper hand in the book. He is independent, stood up to his father, sacrificed his whole life to be with her and groveled. I loved the character growth. Verena on the other hand, who should have also groveled imo given the lies she told him. She is very codependent to others to save her. She is not fierce, hardly takes a stand and am sure she's going to be used as a puppet and a pushover in the next book 🤦♀️ I need real growth from her.
The book starts getting good around 60% but spice is not enough to save the rest of the tedious journey we go through to get there. Romance and emotional connection started to get better but the book ended abruptly. The reader will be able to make out that the author didn't have much to do with this book and it's so weakly executed.
Anyway, suffice to say am disappointed. Will read the next book but won't be an anticipated read 🤷♀️
Thanks to beautiful Lindsey, who made this reading experience wholesome 💗
December 6, 2024
nothing and everything happened all at once
Want to read
May 18, 2024ya’ll i better see this mf called dacre on his knees begging for forgiveness, what a d!ckhead.
September 20, 2024
What did I just read? This can not be from the same author or series as the first book I just read. This book literally consisted of a lot of descriptive writing to fill up the book, throw in some spice scenes, and some pretty quotes to make the writing pretty. Literally, nothing even happened in this book and then the ending was rushed and this was just bad. I am sorry but I have no other words besides I was disappointed and this was just simply bad.
We lost the side characters that contributed to the first book. The banter and tension from the first book was gone. There was still no world-building and no character development. Ummm I am just confused on where this came from.
Thank you SK bby for the buddy read. First book was great but this one was a serious struggle for us!
Pre-Read Review.✨❤️Continuing the buddy read with my SK bby!❤️✨
After the way the first one ended, we absolutely had to jump right into the second.
We lost the side characters that contributed to the first book. The banter and tension from the first book was gone. There was still no world-building and no character development. Ummm I am just confused on where this came from.
Thank you SK bby for the buddy read. First book was great but this one was a serious struggle for us!
Pre-Read Review.✨❤️Continuing the buddy read with my SK bby!❤️✨
After the way the first one ended, we absolutely had to jump right into the second.
August 23, 2024
This could’ve been an email.
September 23, 2024
Absolutely not
November 2, 2024
★┊𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠!
╰┈➤ 𝚈𝚎𝚊𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝’𝚜 𝚒𝚝 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕 𝙱𝚈𝙴𝙴𝙴 𝚠𝚝𝚏 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 😭 𝚅𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚊 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚐𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚏𝚒𝚎𝚍 𝚍𝚒𝚖𝚠𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙳𝚊𝚌𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚖𝚙 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚐𝚘 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢.
╰┈➤ 𝚈𝚎𝚊𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝’𝚜 𝚒𝚝 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕 𝙱𝚈𝙴𝙴𝙴 𝚠𝚝𝚏 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 😭 𝚅𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚊 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚐𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚏𝚒𝚎𝚍 𝚍𝚒𝚖𝚠𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙳𝚊𝚌𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚖𝚙 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚐𝚘 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢.
August 20, 2024
Not sure if this was even written by the same author as book 1???? The characters have completely different personalities and also this is the most bland copy paste predictable vanilla storyline of all time WHAT HAPPENED!?
They ran away through a forest, stayed in an inn with one bed and got captured before they could flee? That’s literally it, goodbye 😭
They ran away through a forest, stayed in an inn with one bed and got captured before they could flee? That’s literally it, goodbye 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2025
✩ 2.45 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Enemies-to-Lovers
➼ Forbidden Romance
➼ Only One Bed
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Fated Mates
➼ Possessive MMC
➼ “You are mine.”
➼ On the Run
➼ Short Read 242 Pages
➼ Duet Narration
➼ Dual First Person POV
Book one had a brutal ending where the MMC betrayed the FMC in a truly heinous way, so I really needed this book to include some major groveling and clearly mapped out reparations. Sadly, I can’t say this book delivered on that. The MMC almost immediately regrets his choice, but by then she is already long gone and both the King and his father are on the hunt for her. Predictably, the MMC makes plans to find and protect her, but when he inevitably locates her, I was shocked by how quickly she forgave him. I would have needed significantly more time to forgive him and even longer for him to earn back my trust. As I suspected, they are mates, but that fact alone doesn’t absolve him.
At the end of the day, maybe this book was simply too short. I honestly feel like the author should have just combined the first two books and delayed their reconciliation to the next book. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but not every book needs spice. 🤷🏼♀️
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Squeezing in one more book before the end of the month! This one is really short so it should be easy peasy. 🫛✌🏻😌
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
What to Expect:
➼ Enemies-to-Lovers
➼ Forbidden Romance
➼ Only One Bed
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Fated Mates
➼ Possessive MMC
➼ “You are mine.”
➼ On the Run
➼ Short Read 242 Pages
➼ Duet Narration
➼ Dual First Person POV
Book one had a brutal ending where the MMC betrayed the FMC in a truly heinous way, so I really needed this book to include some major groveling and clearly mapped out reparations. Sadly, I can’t say this book delivered on that. The MMC almost immediately regrets his choice, but by then she is already long gone and both the King and his father are on the hunt for her. Predictably, the MMC makes plans to find and protect her, but when he inevitably locates her, I was shocked by how quickly she forgave him. I would have needed significantly more time to forgive him and even longer for him to earn back my trust. As I suspected, they are mates, but that fact alone doesn’t absolve him.
At the end of the day, maybe this book was simply too short. I honestly feel like the author should have just combined the first two books and delayed their reconciliation to the next book. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but not every book needs spice. 🤷🏼♀️
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Squeezing in one more book before the end of the month! This one is really short so it should be easy peasy. 🫛✌🏻😌
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
October 12, 2024
ummm…. i think this fantasy style is just not for me …
August 10, 2024
EXCUSE ME, I NEED MORE!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
No really, when do we get more? 😂😂 I read the last page and said OMG NO THAT’S IT? So… now we wait *patiently* for more daddy Dacre. It’s ok, we’ll be ok.
The ending made me want to blue skidoo into the book and punch a specific someone in the throat, NBD 🙃
ALSO THE MIRROR SCENE 🥵🥵🥵 JESUSSS
Like I said, can’t wait for more!
Highlights:
“I am yours, Verena. In this kingdom and the next, wherever the tides take you, I am yours.”
“Every inch of her was like an intoxicating drug, and I was hopelessly addicted.”
“Watch us. Don’t let your eyes leave that mirror”
“Bend over. You let go and I stop”
No really, when do we get more? 😂😂 I read the last page and said OMG NO THAT’S IT? So… now we wait *patiently* for more daddy Dacre. It’s ok, we’ll be ok.
The ending made me want to blue skidoo into the book and punch a specific someone in the throat, NBD 🙃
ALSO THE MIRROR SCENE 🥵🥵🥵 JESUSSS
Like I said, can’t wait for more!
Highlights:
“I am yours, Verena. In this kingdom and the next, wherever the tides take you, I am yours.”
“Every inch of her was like an intoxicating drug, and I was hopelessly addicted.”
“Watch us. Don’t let your eyes leave that mirror”
“Bend over. You let go and I stop”
December 31, 2024
Dacre, baby, what happened?! 😭😭 You were so evil, and I knew you had a soft heart, but I didn’t expect to see it so soon! I was hoping for some groveling and maybe a couple more mistakes... I didn’t expect you to get punched in the face and suddenly be like, “I regret it”
Don’t get me wrong, I finished the book and vibed with it. I’m definitely continuing the series because I see the potential, but this book had almost no development 😭 I’m trying not to spoil anything, but legit, the whole "being hunted" plot lasted like nada. Then they got together, spiced things up, and boom .. the book ended after one scene where I was like FINALLY SOMETHING 😩😩😩
Maybe this was supposed to be a filler book, but I’m really hoping the next one has more action. Mama needs more action! 😖😖
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ mommy im scared but i miss Dacre so wish me luck
Don’t get me wrong, I finished the book and vibed with it. I’m definitely continuing the series because I see the potential, but this book had almost no development 😭 I’m trying not to spoil anything, but legit, the whole "being hunted" plot lasted like nada. Then they got together, spiced things up, and boom .. the book ended after one scene where I was like FINALLY SOMETHING 😩😩😩
Maybe this was supposed to be a filler book, but I’m really hoping the next one has more action. Mama needs more action! 😖😖
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ mommy im scared but i miss Dacre so wish me luck
September 3, 2024
How she just going to push back the release like July wasn’t already too far away. Now August 😭
Review: My anticipation for this read was not warranted. I did not enjoy this as much as the first one. Ugh
Review: My anticipation for this read was not warranted. I did not enjoy this as much as the first one. Ugh
August 10, 2024
4.5 🌟
“𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚. 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙥𝙤𝙣. 𝙈𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣.”
The Hunted Heir picks up right where The Veiled Kingdom left off. Verena is on the run, not only from her father the king but now also the rebellion who is determined to use her as leverage. Unsure of who to trust, and still reeling from Dacre’s betrayal Verena must ensure a path to her survival no matter what that looks like. Dacre is at war with his sense of duty and his feelings for Verana. What he does know however, is that he will not let anyone hurt her even if that means he might have to betray the rebellion to do so.
This book was definitely shorter than I had expected it to be, but I’m honestly not upset about it. I really appreciate that Holly kept the plot moving, and didn’t add in fluff or unnecessary scenes for the sake of a higher page and/or word count. Hollys writing style had me the edge of my seat the entire time, terrified for Verena. I could not put the book down because I absolutely 𝗛𝗔𝗗 to know what happened.
The dual POV of this book was seamless and definitely added to the tension you felt building between Verena and Dacre the entire book. The tension was borderline torturous because there was no instant forgiveness from either Verena or Dacre. Their relationship is truly endearing because it does have a more realistic factor to it that you miss in some romantasy books.
“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚. 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪��𝙙 𝙣𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙖𝙯𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙠𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
Holly is fantastic with building you up, and just when you think something might just be okay at the end of this journey, the rug is pulled out from under you. THAT ENDING? Literally screaming, crying and throwing up. 🥲 I know this book hasn’t technically been released yet, but how am I suppose to just exist and wait for the next one after that?!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘗𝘙 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 🫶🏻
“𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚. 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙥𝙤𝙣. 𝙈𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣.”
The Hunted Heir picks up right where The Veiled Kingdom left off. Verena is on the run, not only from her father the king but now also the rebellion who is determined to use her as leverage. Unsure of who to trust, and still reeling from Dacre’s betrayal Verena must ensure a path to her survival no matter what that looks like. Dacre is at war with his sense of duty and his feelings for Verana. What he does know however, is that he will not let anyone hurt her even if that means he might have to betray the rebellion to do so.
This book was definitely shorter than I had expected it to be, but I’m honestly not upset about it. I really appreciate that Holly kept the plot moving, and didn’t add in fluff or unnecessary scenes for the sake of a higher page and/or word count. Hollys writing style had me the edge of my seat the entire time, terrified for Verena. I could not put the book down because I absolutely 𝗛𝗔𝗗 to know what happened.
The dual POV of this book was seamless and definitely added to the tension you felt building between Verena and Dacre the entire book. The tension was borderline torturous because there was no instant forgiveness from either Verena or Dacre. Their relationship is truly endearing because it does have a more realistic factor to it that you miss in some romantasy books.
“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚. 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪��𝙙 𝙣𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙖𝙯𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙠𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
Holly is fantastic with building you up, and just when you think something might just be okay at the end of this journey, the rug is pulled out from under you. THAT ENDING? Literally screaming, crying and throwing up. 🥲 I know this book hasn’t technically been released yet, but how am I suppose to just exist and wait for the next one after that?!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘗𝘙 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 🫶🏻
August 11, 2024
“At 211 pages, it’s less of a novel and more of a brochure”
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Series: The Veiled Kingdom #2
Series Type: Series
Genre: Fantasy
Sub Genre: Dark themes, Fantasy Romance/Romantasy,
Tropes:
- Possessive MMC
- Unknown Powers
- One bed
- Mirror 🌶️
- Stabby
Other:
- Fantasy Species: Fae (even tho it was not mentioned once lol)
- Plot/Character Driven: Character
- Pacing: fast
- POV: Duel POV
- Narration type: 1st person
- Magic Type: I don’t even KNOW!
- Comparison titles: 🗑️
- Spicy chapters: Ch16(m), ch19, ch20
👨👧Characters
Our Female Main Character (FMC) had the singular talent of amnesia when it came to Dacre’s treatment, coupled with a incessant for “I lied” internal monolouge. I’ve seen pebbles with more depth.
As for Dacre, he’s been sanitized from a spicy rebel to a bland yes-man. Last we checked, he had a mouth that would make a sailor blush and an attitude to match. Now? He’s all simper and no swagger.
🌎World building & Magic for fantasy
It’s as if the author decided to spice up the narrative with a magic kit they found at a garage sale – instructions not included.
♥️What I loved
There was a brief moment where Dacre and our FMC turned up the heat in a classic “one bed” scenario. It was a fleeting ten-second sizzle before the fire extinguished.
💔What I didn’t like
Dacre lacked any personality that made him an interesting hot-as-heck character before. Gone was his attitude, gone was his dirty mouth. I understand he was trying to suck up to the FMC, but why take away everything that made us love him? He was an actual simp, and it wasn’t hot.
And our FMC? Captured twice in a world so small, it might as well be a sandbox. The angst and the tension just weren’t there.
at 211 pages, it’s less of a novel and more of a brochure. I’m even more annoyed that I’ll read the next book because I want to know what flipping happens. It’s like a alcohol you know its bad for you but you still drink it.
📝Over all thoughts
I'm Pissed!
ALSO wewent from crawling to basic bitch SPICE..........????? da FUCK
Thank you Valentine PR for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Series: The Veiled Kingdom #2
Series Type: Series
Genre: Fantasy
Sub Genre: Dark themes, Fantasy Romance/Romantasy,
Tropes:
- Possessive MMC
- Unknown Powers
- One bed
- Mirror 🌶️
- Stabby
Other:
- Fantasy Species: Fae (even tho it was not mentioned once lol)
- Plot/Character Driven: Character
- Pacing: fast
- POV: Duel POV
- Narration type: 1st person
- Magic Type: I don’t even KNOW!
- Comparison titles: 🗑️
- Spicy chapters: Ch16(m), ch19, ch20
👨👧Characters
Our Female Main Character (FMC) had the singular talent of amnesia when it came to Dacre’s treatment, coupled with a incessant for “I lied” internal monolouge. I’ve seen pebbles with more depth.
As for Dacre, he’s been sanitized from a spicy rebel to a bland yes-man. Last we checked, he had a mouth that would make a sailor blush and an attitude to match. Now? He’s all simper and no swagger.
🌎World building & Magic for fantasy
It’s as if the author decided to spice up the narrative with a magic kit they found at a garage sale – instructions not included.
♥️What I loved
There was a brief moment where Dacre and our FMC turned up the heat in a classic “one bed” scenario. It was a fleeting ten-second sizzle before the fire extinguished.
💔What I didn’t like
Dacre lacked any personality that made him an interesting hot-as-heck character before. Gone was his attitude, gone was his dirty mouth. I understand he was trying to suck up to the FMC, but why take away everything that made us love him? He was an actual simp, and it wasn’t hot.
And our FMC? Captured twice in a world so small, it might as well be a sandbox. The angst and the tension just weren’t there.
at 211 pages, it’s less of a novel and more of a brochure. I’m even more annoyed that I’ll read the next book because I want to know what flipping happens. It’s like a alcohol you know its bad for you but you still drink it.
📝Over all thoughts
I'm Pissed!
ALSO wewent from crawling to basic bitch SPICE..........????? da FUCK
Thank you Valentine PR for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2024
Thank you to Valentine PR for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
2.5-2.75⭐️ Rounded up
I had very high hopes for this book but was unfortunately left wanting for lots of elements and disappointed by others. I expected this book to provide more answers/ details regarding the world-building, magic system, etc. and we were simply not given that. It was extremely short (211 pages for fantasy?). It honestly felt like a book that has been cut in half to extend out a series and as a reader, that's very frustrating.
In terms of the characters- I was expecting a LOT more out of Dacre seeking forgiveness. I hated how the first book ended with his behavior and felt there should have been much more buildup here. Overall this felt rushed and a bit bland, I found myself skimming certain areas and it did not provide the same kind of rush that the Veiled Kingdom did.
Not sure if I will be continuing with the series at this time. It has so much potential but needs a lot more development to stand out in the Romantasy genre right now in my opinion.
2.5-2.75⭐️ Rounded up
I had very high hopes for this book but was unfortunately left wanting for lots of elements and disappointed by others. I expected this book to provide more answers/ details regarding the world-building, magic system, etc. and we were simply not given that. It was extremely short (211 pages for fantasy?). It honestly felt like a book that has been cut in half to extend out a series and as a reader, that's very frustrating.
In terms of the characters- I was expecting a LOT more out of Dacre seeking forgiveness. I hated how the first book ended with his behavior and felt there should have been much more buildup here. Overall this felt rushed and a bit bland, I found myself skimming certain areas and it did not provide the same kind of rush that the Veiled Kingdom did.
Not sure if I will be continuing with the series at this time. It has so much potential but needs a lot more development to stand out in the Romantasy genre right now in my opinion.
October 24, 2024
˖ ࣪ ⟡˚ 2 stars ˚⟡ ࣪ ˖
this series isn’t a literary masterpiece by any means, but it is entertaining. it feels like a palette cleanser.
this book was way more plot forward than the previous one and the main characters actually had some character development this time around.
ᝰ world-building ⊹.˚
the world-building wasn’t great, but at least it actually existed. in the previous book nothing was explained, so i guess that’s progress. a win is a win.
ᝰ characters ⊹.˚
⭒ Verena, i liked how we got to see a bit more of her personality in this book. thankfully, she also wasn’t super boy-obsessed like in the previous one, and more focused on how she’s gonna survive.
⭒ Dacre, he actually wasn’t an asshole for most of this book (shocking, i know). in the 2nd chunk of the book he became super dedicated to Verena and would do anything for her. he’s still meh, but in comparison to how we was in the previous book, this is huge progress.
ᝰ tropes ⊹.˚
⭒ forced proximity
⭒ runaway princess
⭒ cat & mouse
⭒ betrayal
⭒ secret powers
⭒ fated mates
⭒ dual 1st person POV
⤷ spice level: 🌶️🌶️.5
ᝰ final thoughts ⊹.˚
this wasn’t great, but will i continue it when the next book comes out? probably yes.
i’m simply curious how the story will go after that ending.
this series isn’t a literary masterpiece by any means, but it is entertaining. it feels like a palette cleanser.
this book was way more plot forward than the previous one and the main characters actually had some character development this time around.
ᝰ world-building ⊹.˚
the world-building wasn’t great, but at least it actually existed. in the previous book nothing was explained, so i guess that’s progress. a win is a win.
ᝰ characters ⊹.˚
⭒ Verena, i liked how we got to see a bit more of her personality in this book. thankfully, she also wasn’t super boy-obsessed like in the previous one, and more focused on how she’s gonna survive.
⭒ Dacre, he actually wasn’t an asshole for most of this book (shocking, i know). in the 2nd chunk of the book he became super dedicated to Verena and would do anything for her. he’s still meh, but in comparison to how we was in the previous book, this is huge progress.
ᝰ tropes ⊹.˚
⭒ forced proximity
⭒ runaway princess
⭒ cat & mouse
⭒ betrayal
⭒ secret powers
⭒ fated mates
⭒ dual 1st person POV
⤷ spice level: 🌶️🌶️.5
ᝰ final thoughts ⊹.˚
this wasn’t great, but will i continue it when the next book comes out? probably yes.
i’m simply curious how the story will go after that ending.
August 11, 2024
“She was mine, and I would find her” 3.5⭐️
There are only 2 books I’ve ever finished within a day…The Veiled Kingdom & The Hunter Heir, Holly’s writing style is SO DAMN addictive!
After the jaw dropping betrayal in The Veiled Kingdom I went into this book with one requirement, Dacre needed to be grovelling on his knees, we got it 👏🏼
“Please let me fall to my knees before you and prove my devotion…”
I got to the last page and thought surely not?! I’m not going to lie…208 pages is on the short side which was disappointing. I need book 3 immediately!
Thank you Valentine PR for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are only 2 books I’ve ever finished within a day…The Veiled Kingdom & The Hunter Heir, Holly’s writing style is SO DAMN addictive!
After the jaw dropping betrayal in The Veiled Kingdom I went into this book with one requirement, Dacre needed to be grovelling on his knees, we got it 👏🏼
“Please let me fall to my knees before you and prove my devotion…”
I got to the last page and thought surely not?! I’m not going to lie…208 pages is on the short side which was disappointing. I need book 3 immediately!
Thank you Valentine PR for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2024
I loovveddd The Veiled Kingdom and was GUTTED by that ending. So I was so excited and highly anticipating the sequel to that story. I have to say, when I saw this was only 200 pages, I was a bit worried. I don't think that's enough to fully carry a story, continue to flesh out and build and fantasy world, and give us some answers we need. Through this book, it didn't feel like too much happened both plot and world building-wise. I still know nothing about this magic system or anyone's powers beyond some healing powers and that others have "magic." The relationship dynamic seemed to completely change from book one and I was missing that hate/lust-filled romance from book one. Dacre didn't really do any groveling- he was just in love and wanting to do anything for our heroine. I wanted that angsty dynamic to carry on some more. The ending, also, wasn't too surprising considering where the plot was heading already, so it didn't really hit me nearly as much as the ending of the first book. Overall, there just wasn't enough time spent on the relationship, magic, or plot in this book and I was left wanting so much more. I'm still excited for book three because I really hope we get the answers we want, but this one just left me wanting more.
March 19, 2025
I love a man in misery.
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year after being absolutely obsessed with The Veiled Kingdom (VK). I was sooo excited that HH (Hunted Heir) picked up right where VK left off - especially after that shocking ending.
HH continues with so much of what I originally loved from VK - the banter, tension, & danger. This book is so fast paced and wastes no time jumping right back into the story.
I’ve gotta keep this review spoiler free until release day so I can’t talk about everything that I want to - but I’m making notes on my phone to add them in when the book releases!!
4.5 ⭐️
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year after being absolutely obsessed with The Veiled Kingdom (VK). I was sooo excited that HH (Hunted Heir) picked up right where VK left off - especially after that shocking ending.
HH continues with so much of what I originally loved from VK - the banter, tension, & danger. This book is so fast paced and wastes no time jumping right back into the story.
I’ve gotta keep this review spoiler free until release day so I can’t talk about everything that I want to - but I’m making notes on my phone to add them in when the book releases!!
4.5 ⭐️
November 19, 2024
this could’ve been an email
August 24, 2024
4⭐️ This book was hotttt🔥 never getting over “my little traitor” 😏 my biggest complaint was that I wish it was 2x longer. I need more Dacre & Verena ASAP. Despite it being super short I actually enjoyed the pacing of the book. This is not a romantasy that is heavy on world building and really does focus heavily on the romance which I actually enjoy. Makes for a super easy read that hooks you from the jump. There definitely could have been a lot more that went in to the plot but overall I loved the romance story arc and the spice was a 10/10 for me. Excited to read the next one.
Want to read
March 17, 2024WE HAVE A NAME!!!
I NEED ANSWERS RIGH NOOOOW 🫠
I NEED ANSWERS RIGH NOOOOW 🫠
August 20, 2024
I was so excited to see where this sequel landed and this was SO disappointing
August 21, 2024
I found this series just in time for book two 💖
August 21, 2024
Why was this book even released? It was 200 measly pages and ended on another unfulfilling cliffhanger. The author could have combined this with the first book or delayed the release until it was finished. This was underwhelming and I’ll be DNFing this series and author.
August 25, 2024
3.5 Tumultuous Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5
I was so excited for this, and I can't help but be a little disappointed. I feel like I've been edged to the worst extreme by the book and the cliffhanger. Holly teased and played with me and my emotions and while there was some relief, the book ended way too soon… leaving me wanting. Wanting more book, wanting more plot, wanting more Dacre, wanting more action... just wanting MORE!!!!
NOTE: This is a sequel to The Veiled Kingdom and cannot be read out of order, so there might be spoilers for book one in here. If you don't want to see them, please stop reading. If you do it's either because you do not care about spoilers or you have already read book 1... either way if you spoil something for yourself from book 1 - I did warn you....
This kicks off directly after the events at the end of The Veiled Kingdom. After being thoroughly used by Dacre and her identity revealed, Verena is on the run. She is desperate to get South to finally escape the Kingdom. BUT She is being hunted, as the name suggests she is being hunted by the king's men, who somehow now know she's on the run. And she's being hunted by Dacre and his father. Dacre's father desperately wants to get his hands on Verena to use her as a bargaining chip against the King. As a result, Dacre needs to deal with the dilemma of does he support his father's cause (which we know from book 1 was ALREADY on a rocky slope) or follow his heart and protect Verena at all costs - he only has to get her to forgive him first...
Look, this was a filler book and it's blatantly clear that is what it is... The pacing of this was a little off. 50% was tooo slow with not much happening except "travelling" and then it rushed through the end as everything kicked up into overdrive and went a little whack. The next thing I knew I was at 80% and I was dreading the end because as much as not much had happened, I was enjoying the crap out of myself. I didn't want it to end because then it would be over and I'd have to wait months again for the next book. Months for my next fix of Verena... MONTHS OF WAITING FOR MORE OF DACRES DIRTY MOUTH.
Holly Renee did say that the book is short, but I remember The Veiled Kingdom being pretty short as well and she managed to pack a serious punch in that story with plot, world-building, characterisation and vibes. This one was lacking on all of these... the characters didn't seem to grow much in this and Dacre lost a bit of his spark from book 1. He had such a deliciously dirty mouth in book 1 and turned generic in this... I could have plucked his dirty talk out of any book with smut... I expected more grovelling and a little more "fight" from Verena based on how her heart was stepped on and abused at the end of book 1. The only character that grew was Dacre's dad and he grew into an even bigger asshole than before and should suffer a very painful death!
I battled a little bit with the world-building and how the world is made up. I don't understand the magic system as it's something that was never really gone into detail to explain. The world also felt the size of a shoebox. "News" travels too quickly and she encounters her pursuers way too frequently and quickly for someone who is alone and can easily slink into miles of forest.
But I have to give it to Holly Renee, she knows how to entertain. I devoured this book - inhaled the pages and I thoroughly enjoyed being back in the world and seeing these characters again. I think the fact that she made me love them so much in Book 1, is why I was slightly disappointed in book 2...because I have to now wait for book 3.
The Tropes and Microtropes to look forward to are:
▶ Second Chance Enemies to Lovers
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Touch Her/Him You Die
▶ View is Amazing (Looking at Her)
▶ She Stabs Him
▶ One Bed
▶ Spicy/Steamy Bath Scene
▶ Cages her with his arms
▶ Hand Necklaces
Basically, READ THIS... While it's short, it's entertaining and if you loved The Veiled Kingdom this is a great little read to whet your appetite for the ultimate epic conclusion coming in book 3!!!
STAR WORD FACT: Holly Renee used TUMULTUOUS 5 times in this book...
Thank you to Holly Renee and Valentine PR for my gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5
I was so excited for this, and I can't help but be a little disappointed. I feel like I've been edged to the worst extreme by the book and the cliffhanger. Holly teased and played with me and my emotions and while there was some relief, the book ended way too soon… leaving me wanting. Wanting more book, wanting more plot, wanting more Dacre, wanting more action... just wanting MORE!!!!
NOTE: This is a sequel to The Veiled Kingdom and cannot be read out of order, so there might be spoilers for book one in here. If you don't want to see them, please stop reading. If you do it's either because you do not care about spoilers or you have already read book 1... either way if you spoil something for yourself from book 1 - I did warn you....
This kicks off directly after the events at the end of The Veiled Kingdom. After being thoroughly used by Dacre and her identity revealed, Verena is on the run. She is desperate to get South to finally escape the Kingdom. BUT She is being hunted, as the name suggests she is being hunted by the king's men, who somehow now know she's on the run. And she's being hunted by Dacre and his father. Dacre's father desperately wants to get his hands on Verena to use her as a bargaining chip against the King. As a result, Dacre needs to deal with the dilemma of does he support his father's cause (which we know from book 1 was ALREADY on a rocky slope) or follow his heart and protect Verena at all costs - he only has to get her to forgive him first...
Look, this was a filler book and it's blatantly clear that is what it is... The pacing of this was a little off. 50% was tooo slow with not much happening except "travelling" and then it rushed through the end as everything kicked up into overdrive and went a little whack. The next thing I knew I was at 80% and I was dreading the end because as much as not much had happened, I was enjoying the crap out of myself. I didn't want it to end because then it would be over and I'd have to wait months again for the next book. Months for my next fix of Verena... MONTHS OF WAITING FOR MORE OF DACRES DIRTY MOUTH.
Holly Renee did say that the book is short, but I remember The Veiled Kingdom being pretty short as well and she managed to pack a serious punch in that story with plot, world-building, characterisation and vibes. This one was lacking on all of these... the characters didn't seem to grow much in this and Dacre lost a bit of his spark from book 1. He had such a deliciously dirty mouth in book 1 and turned generic in this... I could have plucked his dirty talk out of any book with smut... I expected more grovelling and a little more "fight" from Verena based on how her heart was stepped on and abused at the end of book 1. The only character that grew was Dacre's dad and he grew into an even bigger asshole than before and should suffer a very painful death!
I battled a little bit with the world-building and how the world is made up. I don't understand the magic system as it's something that was never really gone into detail to explain. The world also felt the size of a shoebox. "News" travels too quickly and she encounters her pursuers way too frequently and quickly for someone who is alone and can easily slink into miles of forest.
But I have to give it to Holly Renee, she knows how to entertain. I devoured this book - inhaled the pages and I thoroughly enjoyed being back in the world and seeing these characters again. I think the fact that she made me love them so much in Book 1, is why I was slightly disappointed in book 2...because I have to now wait for book 3.
The Tropes and Microtropes to look forward to are:
▶ Second Chance Enemies to Lovers
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Touch Her/Him You Die
▶ View is Amazing (Looking at Her)
▶ She Stabs Him
▶ One Bed
▶ Spicy/Steamy Bath Scene
▶ Cages her with his arms
▶ Hand Necklaces
Basically, READ THIS... While it's short, it's entertaining and if you loved The Veiled Kingdom this is a great little read to whet your appetite for the ultimate epic conclusion coming in book 3!!!
STAR WORD FACT: Holly Renee used TUMULTUOUS 5 times in this book...
Thank you to Holly Renee and Valentine PR for my gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 9, 2024
I had the pleasure of alpha & beta reading this (can not wait for my ARC bc you bet your 🍑 I’m reading it again) and I absolutely loved this book.
I will start off by saying I’m biased as I love Holly and all her books but I do believe this is her best book yet. The plot is plotting, the spice is spicing, she put her whole thang into it.
I will start off by saying I’m biased as I love Holly and all her books but I do believe this is her best book yet. The plot is plotting, the spice is spicing, she put her whole thang into it.
August 11, 2024
Very quick and addictive Romantasy! The cliffhanger in book 1 was already agonising and now this……. How long until we can have daddy Dacre back? 😫
December 31, 2024
3.75⭐️✨
As we all know i was OBSESSED with the Veiled Kingdom. Going into this book i was extremely excited.
If you are looking for a short romantasy this book is for you! The cat and mouse aspect does keep you on your toes, but i just wish Dacre & Verena found each other a little sooner /: Dacre does grovel in this book YAY but i wish he was the same morally gray unapologetic man he was in the first book. I feel like his demeanor changed massively and he was more golden retriever if anything. I miss the dirty mouth and the way the smut was written in VK😭 It was lacking the banter and tension VK had. Why did we have to make him a cinnamon roll?!? Verena had all of the same hilarious witty remarks but i feel the growth she made throughout the first book didn’t really show here. What we do get to see though is her magic come through more later on in the book and that had me so excited!!! I just really wanted to see more world/magic building & someone go find Dacre he’s lost 😭
That being said the ending sets up this book beautifully for book 3 & I am excited to see what Holly does!
#daddydacrestanforlife
As we all know i was OBSESSED with the Veiled Kingdom. Going into this book i was extremely excited.
If you are looking for a short romantasy this book is for you! The cat and mouse aspect does keep you on your toes, but i just wish Dacre & Verena found each other a little sooner /: Dacre does grovel in this book YAY but i wish he was the same morally gray unapologetic man he was in the first book. I feel like his demeanor changed massively and he was more golden retriever if anything. I miss the dirty mouth and the way the smut was written in VK😭 It was lacking the banter and tension VK had. Why did we have to make him a cinnamon roll?!? Verena had all of the same hilarious witty remarks but i feel the growth she made throughout the first book didn’t really show here. What we do get to see though is her magic come through more later on in the book and that had me so excited!!! I just really wanted to see more world/magic building & someone go find Dacre he’s lost 😭
That being said the ending sets up this book beautifully for book 3 & I am excited to see what Holly does!
#daddydacrestanforlife
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