Sword and Veil

by A.J. Chase

Cast by fate to opposite sides of a longstanding conflict, Evalynn Katz and Elijah Danon both serve their nations with honor. But the longer they stand amongst the ranks, the more the lines of understanding blur. With the cause of the war long forgotten, too many questions remain to leave the past undisturbed.

Eva, a skilled warrior of the Aniyan Legion, seeks to end the bloodshed. But in pursuing peace, she uncovers truths of an ancient science that challenges her allegiance and awakens wounds long buried.

Eli, chosen to be trained as a Guardian within the Zentari Citadel, stands as a symbol of power and promise. Yet as he grows closer to finding his magic, whispers and riddles within the war college begin to unravel everything he held to be true—even the very identity of his people.

As their fates inevitably intertwine, Evalynn and Elijah seek answers intentionally buried by generations of deceit. They begin to question what lies between right and wrong—between light and shadow—where the enemy may hold the only truth worth believing.

605 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2025

About the author

AJ Chase is a self-published fantasy author and practicing Family Medicine PA-C in Minnesota. Active in his local church and community, AJ considers his faith in Jesus to be the cornerstone of his life and the heart behind his writing. A husband and father of three, AJ is also a cancer survivor and lifelong storyteller who finds joy in life both real and imagined. When he’s not writing, he can be found reading, playing board games, out on the frisbee golf course, or practicing his hide-and-seek skills with his boys.

Reviews

[Bailey Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, this book pulled me in. Every character feels alive, layered and achingly real, with arcs that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. The dialogue snaps with wit and heart…by the end of the book I was wholly invested in the characters and felt like I knew them personally.

The world-building is breathtaking: vivid, original and full of depth. I also loved how the multiple POVs weave together to form a complete, ever-shifting picture of the world and its politics.

The romance is BEYOND…relatable, complex and deeply moving. There’s a purity to it that feels rare in fantasy: It’s a love story that deepens the characters and complicates the plot, rather than feeling like a “B” storyline. You feel every beat of it, and the way it unfolds makes you love the characters that much more.

And that ending…wow. Completely unpredictable, bold and brilliant. It’s one of those twists that doesn’t just shock you, it redefines the entire story. BOOK TWO CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH!

If you’re a fan of immersive fantasy with unforgettable characters, witty dialogue, sharp writing and an ending you’ll never see coming, you need to read this.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! Recommend highly by my friend Ellie, I was very interested to see how it would be.

The world and the characters were great, they felt very human and didn’t feel unrealistic like a lot of other fantasy characters. I also loved the writing style and the plot.

The plot was INSANE. The last few hundred pages of the book were riddled with plot twists, that I did NOT see coming. Being a big reader, I can predict a lot of plot twists, but this book surprised me a lot! I would HIGHLY recommend to everyone who loves a good fantasy with good character development and funny side characters! Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Taborah Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve started a book excited and finished it feeling let down. Sword and Veil is NOT one of those books. It has all the things I love in a fantasy: magic, world-building, romance, character development, beautiful word pictures, and wit. You would expect AJ Chase’s first published work to be subpar, but somehow he has surpassed all expectations of a debut author. This is a GOOD READ.

[Madison Neale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Great plot that made it hard to put down. Can’t wait for book 2.

[Steven J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was one of the privileged few who was given the opportunity to preview this fantastic new series! I’m picky about what I read and I get bored easily if a story seems to drag….this one never even came close to losing my interest! Seriously!!! I couldn’t stop reading it! By the fourth chapter I was so thoroughly engrossed and it had me guessing what might become of our characters. The twists and turns never let me down and I can’t wait to read the entire trilogy!

The character development was fantastic and drew my feelings into their stories. It’s like the Hunger Games meets Narnia meets Star Wars (in the sense of character development and twists)! I have high expectations for the sophomore book…don’t let me down A J Chase!!!

[Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book enough! From the very beginning AJ Chase’s writing draws you in and has you wishing you were part of this world. You immediately become immersed in the lives of the characters and will find yourself experiencing the emotions alongside them. With every twist and turn I could not put the book down and am already planning to reread it! I can’t wait to follow along with this trilogy, I’m addicted!

[Brittany Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional debut fantasy book from a new author. AJ Chase delivers what fantasy readers crave--a beautiful world of magic, two cultures at war, and a cast of characters who bring Adiel to life. Chase's storytelling is reminiscent of Tolkien, Sanderson and (imho) Sarah Maas. Chase has created beautiful, complex characters on a journey of friendship, love, loss, and loyalty. No spice in this series, making it a wonderful option for younger readers as well! 5/5, highly recommend!

[Natasha McCullers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new favorite! This book has romance, drama, war, mystery, and so much more! I could not put it down. I have never read another book like it and that says a lot because I have read a lot of books in my time. I highly recommend this book to honestly anyone because it’s just that good.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! The characters are well developed through out and there are so many little details that really help form a picture in your mind. I found my jaw dropping through out the book. If you’re a fan of fantasy with a side of romance this is the book for you. It’s very intriguing and you aren’t going to want to miss it!

[Danielle Evers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very beginning. The character development is engaging and the plot kept me guessing and had reaching for the next page! 10/10 highly recommend!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read before even published and it was a great read from the start 👍

[D.J. Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on my toes the entire way through! 10/10 recommend.

I am so excited to narrate this masterpiece :D

[KayLani Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good world building, interesting layering in of an ancient language that is clearly a clue towards a deeper conflict. Characters were well constructed with good motivations even if the FMC was slightly annoying at times with her need to not follow orders. While her past trauma was not her fault, she could’ve been a better decorated warrior if she just did what she was told. I mean she did join the military on purpose. Yet somehow she can manage to follow all the rules when she’s infiltrating as a spy. No matter, that is not a complaint about the book, just a reason to beat her about the head with a newspaper. The twist was grade A, very good and not expected. I feel sorry for Eli, who fought this whole time to defend his sister who was dead the whole time anyway. Poor guy. Anywho, I am interested to see where the next book goes. Good job, AJ Chase.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casual reader or seasoned book enthusiast? Sword and Veil has something for both. As the opening to the Everstone Series, AJ Chase captures the essence of the start to a hero’s journey with striking clarity. The story pulls you in effortlessly, immersing you in Adiel’s world while keeping you turning pages.

Don’t let the “debut novel” label scare you away. Sword and Veil reads with the polish and confidence of a seasoned author.

I had the privilege of serving as a beta reader for this novel, and even before the final edits were complete, I was blown away. The depth, pacing, and emotional pull were already remarkable. As a writer myself, I can confidently say that this book is worth every page turned. FIVE STARS.

Strap in, you’re in for a treat.

[Brian Doorak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't ever leave reviews on anything, books movies or otherwise. But I created an account here to ensure this book gets the attention it deserves, being it is an independently published work. The storyline was amazing and kept me guessing the entire time. The twist stayed with me for days, and the author's imagination brought the world to life. I really hope this gets picked up to be a movie, because it would be incredible. I had such a difficult time putting this book down, it was easily my favorite read of the year. If you're on the fence about this book, don't wait another moment! I await the sequels with terrible anticipation.

[Braelyn Mayfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Fourth wing, The Hunger Games, or any romantacy with high stakes, this is the book for you. It has mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, slow burn romance that enthralls you to the very end, and characters that are so well written you'll forget they aren't real. I truly loved this book with all my heart and had the hardest time putting it down even to eat or attend classes. Every twist had me gasping, and every event had me leaning in. This book is worth the read, and as an extra bonus it is self published meaning this book has fought far harder than that of a published read to be seen.

[Luke Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The world is set up well and you continue to learn more and more throughout it. I’m excited to see how it continues to build in the upcoming books.

I think what I enjoyed most from the book is how the relationships were built. It seemed real and interesting and complex. It wasn’t forced but just seemed to work.

The whole book is enjoyable with my favorite parts being the Citadel and challenges there. The ending of this book was fantastic and leaves you excited to jump into the next one immediately.

I heavily recommend Sword & Veil.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was one of the lucky few that got to be an advanced reader of this. It is absolutely amazing!! It reads unlike a lot of other books I have read in the past. The attention to detail and description make it easy to see it in your mind. I can’t wait for the next two books! I can’t recommend this book enough. My daughter says it reads like the author was there and was just writing what he was seeing.

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, thought-provoking fantasy. This story blends rich world-building, emotional depth, and moral complexity as two warriors on opposing sides question everything they’ve been taught. Compelling characters, hidden truths, and a powerful exploration of light, shadow, and identity make this a gripping and memorable read.

[Ashley Opitz Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Wow. Just wow. Sword and Veil completely sucked me in from page one. AJ Chase has a brilliant writing style. I love that it's clean, but it never feels toned down or lacking. This book was incredibly sharp and immersive, and the characters have the best wit and chemistry. And oh my lanta... THAT TWIST?! I am so upset that I finished this before the next book is out. An easy 5 stars!

[Dimi Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

600 pages of pure goodness.

I could not get enough of the characters, the banter, the story. With plot that keeps you at the edge of your seat at all times.

And don't get me started on the twist.

The world, the mystery, the writing - perfection.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! The story was exciting and captivating. It pulled me back into reading after a slump. The twists kept me from putting the book down. The blend of action and fantasy was perfect and didn't rely on being vulgar or obscene. I would recommend this book to everyone!

[Elodie Kammoun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book ! Everything from the characters, to the plot and the world building was well written, you couldn't put the book down. I was really invested in the characters and their story and really can't wait for the next book in the series !

[Brianna Kooiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So. Good. I knew I should’ve waited to read it until all three books were out. So here I am, eagerly awaiting the publication of the remaining two.

[Terry Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fantasy novel is so fun from start to finish. It's the first fantasy I've ever read, and I found myself captivated by the mystery, magic, and thrilling adventure between its pages. I found this book to be a great way to end my stressful days. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, a brilliant twist flipped everything I thought I knew on its head. If you're looking for a story with intriguing characters (some you'll want to hug, some you'll want to slug) and compelling suspense, this is a must-read. Highly recommend!

[Sandy Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person who doesn’t read anything but my Bible, I read this book as a favor and I’m so glad I did! It got me interested right away with interesting characters and energy. It kept me intrigued with the action and imagery. I read the whole book in 3 days! I couldn’t put it down! It’s a must read!