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The Keeper's Codex World Guide and Dark Fae Novella
(Exclusively available on my website celeannedorrington)
A Dark Fae Spicy Novella & World Guide
The companion guide to the up and coming trilogy: The Heirs of The Shattered Veil
The Novella:
Witness the spicy, tragic origin myth from the final days before the veil fractured. A bond that balanced on a knife's edge between saving the world and shattering it. One choice would reveal their true nature. Were they fated lovers, or fated enemies whose only destiny was to be each other's ruin?
Tropes: True enemies-to-lovers, touch her and die, star crossed lovers, fated mates, morally grey FMC &MMC, Spice level 4
The World Guide:
Delve into Serenya's private collection and journey through the war-torn lands of Nhalivar with stunning, full-color illustrations of mythical beasts, detailed character art, and the official map of the continent. Delve into the secret histories of the Fae, the lore of the Shattered Veil, and the ancient magic that both binds and breaks the world.
A Dark Fae Spicy Novella & World Guide
The companion guide to the up and coming trilogy: The Heirs of The Shattered Veil
The Novella:
Witness the spicy, tragic origin myth from the final days before the veil fractured. A bond that balanced on a knife's edge between saving the world and shattering it. One choice would reveal their true nature. Were they fated lovers, or fated enemies whose only destiny was to be each other's ruin?
Tropes: True enemies-to-lovers, touch her and die, star crossed lovers, fated mates, morally grey FMC &MMC, Spice level 4
The World Guide:
Delve into Serenya's private collection and journey through the war-torn lands of Nhalivar with stunning, full-color illustrations of mythical beasts, detailed character art, and the official map of the continent. Delve into the secret histories of the Fae, the lore of the Shattered Veil, and the ancient magic that both binds and breaks the world.
ebook
Published October 16, 2025
9 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Celeanne Dorrington
1 book89 followersTo sum it up for my trope lovers:
Indie author in my villain origin story era. Morally gray FMC energy with a 'knife-to-the-throat' vibe and a “burn the world for the ones I love” devotion.
I'm now choosing sovereignty over compliance daily and I will not apologize for it or ask permission.
If this were a novel, I’d be the unhinged heroine who burns the throne to forge her own crown, falls for the enemy, and reweaves the world out of spite and devotion. A little divine. A little deranged. Entirely in my own lane. Thriving—and feral.
To my readers:
“Let them have their villain. I will be theirs and everyone else’s. But never for you.”
— Slade Ravinger
For those who enjoy diving deeper:
I’ll attempt to solidify some of the prominent experiences that contributed to the creation of this series:
Foundationally, I have formal education in the following: creative writing, screenplay writing, visual arts, philosophy, and political science.
Public exposure that has contributed: my experience in the music industry, experience as a professional screenplay writer and associate producer, a published author, and our favorite artistic ingredient: pain and suffering.
Internal world attribution: lineage-based tantra training, lineage-based shamanism guidance, traditional teacher training in Kundalini yoga, and lastly, I’ve landed in my home of Shaktism, with my beloved Kali Maa.
As you can imagine this catastrophic combination of experiences led to being: a full-blooded anarchist, painfully rebellious, a bleeding heart, magical af, reclusive, with a strong dose of feral.
And lastly, on a personal note: this series represents my coming into sovereignty and my liberation. I fought armies of inner demons to be here with you today.
I welcome you into my realm with open arms and heart offered freely. May you fall in love, may you cry, may you laugh, may your soul be reforged. May we taste unity and liberation for just a moment together as we co-create as reader and writer.
Indie author in my villain origin story era. Morally gray FMC energy with a 'knife-to-the-throat' vibe and a “burn the world for the ones I love” devotion.
I'm now choosing sovereignty over compliance daily and I will not apologize for it or ask permission.
If this were a novel, I’d be the unhinged heroine who burns the throne to forge her own crown, falls for the enemy, and reweaves the world out of spite and devotion. A little divine. A little deranged. Entirely in my own lane. Thriving—and feral.
To my readers:
“Let them have their villain. I will be theirs and everyone else’s. But never for you.”
— Slade Ravinger
For those who enjoy diving deeper:
I’ll attempt to solidify some of the prominent experiences that contributed to the creation of this series:
Foundationally, I have formal education in the following: creative writing, screenplay writing, visual arts, philosophy, and political science.
Public exposure that has contributed: my experience in the music industry, experience as a professional screenplay writer and associate producer, a published author, and our favorite artistic ingredient: pain and suffering.
Internal world attribution: lineage-based tantra training, lineage-based shamanism guidance, traditional teacher training in Kundalini yoga, and lastly, I’ve landed in my home of Shaktism, with my beloved Kali Maa.
As you can imagine this catastrophic combination of experiences led to being: a full-blooded anarchist, painfully rebellious, a bleeding heart, magical af, reclusive, with a strong dose of feral.
And lastly, on a personal note: this series represents my coming into sovereignty and my liberation. I fought armies of inner demons to be here with you today.
I welcome you into my realm with open arms and heart offered freely. May you fall in love, may you cry, may you laugh, may your soul be reforged. May we taste unity and liberation for just a moment together as we co-create as reader and writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
October 1, 2025
The Keeper’s Codex completely surprised me! For a novella, it’s packed with brutal intensity, magnetic chemistry, and an enemies-to-lovers bond that literally begins while they’re trying to kill each other. There’s even a classic “touch her and die” moment that made my dark romance/fantasy heart so happy. Their connection is harsh, brutal, and impossible to look away from which is exactly the kind of tension I love.
The first half of the book is more of a world-building companion guide, and honestly, I adored that. It gave me such a strong sense of the world and characters that I know I’ll be reaching for this book again when I dive into the trilogy. The second half is where the story hits hard. Intense, devastating, and the perfect setup for what’s to come.
If you’re into enemies-to-lovers, devastating twists, and fantasy worlds you can sink into, this is an amazing start. I cannot wait to see where this trilogy goes.
Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC!
The first half of the book is more of a world-building companion guide, and honestly, I adored that. It gave me such a strong sense of the world and characters that I know I’ll be reaching for this book again when I dive into the trilogy. The second half is where the story hits hard. Intense, devastating, and the perfect setup for what’s to come.
If you’re into enemies-to-lovers, devastating twists, and fantasy worlds you can sink into, this is an amazing start. I cannot wait to see where this trilogy goes.
Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC!
October 1, 2025
The Keeper’s Codex is a world guide for The Heirs of the Shattered Veil trilogy. It features a litany of character dossiers and creature descriptions that reads like a journal with beautiful art throughout. Also included is the novella, The Mirrored Pair, and a two chapter preview of The Heirs of the Shattered Veil.
Review of The Mirrored Pair
The wit. The charm. The banter that was laced with threats. From the very first page, I was enthralled.
Three years ago, the covenant between the Light and Shadow factions of the fae was broken and the Veil thus began to unravel without their joint efforts to secure it. Peace between the two sides has been a precarious illusion fueled by obscure threats and fake smiles ever since. And none execute the game so well as Lyra, princess of Light, and Malakor, the Shadow prince. Each a weapon, born and molded within those two opposing factions.
She, his perfect match.
He, her most egregious inconvenience.
Lyra is a downright vicious opponent and I loved her for it. They are so beautifully reflected by one another. But though Lyra is dominant in battle, she is quite submissive as far as the spice is concerned. Poor Malakor was doing all the work. With, admittedly, a bit of help from his shadows.
I wanted desperately for more time with them but as the blurb forewarns—this is tale of tragedy. It is an action packed, true enemies-to-lovers story that features fated mates, morally grey leads with a dual pov, and graphic spice.
This is an ARC review.
Review of The Mirrored Pair
The wit. The charm. The banter that was laced with threats. From the very first page, I was enthralled.
Three years ago, the covenant between the Light and Shadow factions of the fae was broken and the Veil thus began to unravel without their joint efforts to secure it. Peace between the two sides has been a precarious illusion fueled by obscure threats and fake smiles ever since. And none execute the game so well as Lyra, princess of Light, and Malakor, the Shadow prince. Each a weapon, born and molded within those two opposing factions.
She, his perfect match.
He, her most egregious inconvenience.
Lyra is a downright vicious opponent and I loved her for it. They are so beautifully reflected by one another. But though Lyra is dominant in battle, she is quite submissive as far as the spice is concerned. Poor Malakor was doing all the work. With, admittedly, a bit of help from his shadows.
I wanted desperately for more time with them but as the blurb forewarns—this is tale of tragedy. It is an action packed, true enemies-to-lovers story that features fated mates, morally grey leads with a dual pov, and graphic spice.
"You were the only one who fought for me," I said, the truth of it hollow and strange.
"You were the only one left worth fighting for," he answered, and it wasn't a comfort—it was a claim.
This is an ARC review.
October 3, 2025
ARC Review: The Keeper's Codex World
Guide and Dark Fae Novella ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm not even sure how to review this because it's such a unique (to me anyway) style to introduce characters and background info before even starting the series.
The first half of the book is The Keeper's Codex World Guide which is just that, a guide for the series. With characters, creatures, different realms and complex magic. It's written to be entries and stories from the characters themselves. Interesting concept and I ate it UP.
The second half is The Mirrored Pair Novella. A prequel short story that follows Malakor & Lyra (I was investeo from the first pages) who are from enemy factions, Light & Shadow. That then leads into the preview chapters of the first book in the series, The Heirs of the Shattered Veil. The Mirrored Pair was so good! I was giggling, cursing at the book, kicking my feet and then crying. It's wonderful, especially for such a short read. Highly recommend.
I'm so thankful to Celeanne Dorrington for the arc and I cannot wait for The Heirs of the Shattered Veil!
Guide and Dark Fae Novella ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm not even sure how to review this because it's such a unique (to me anyway) style to introduce characters and background info before even starting the series.
The first half of the book is The Keeper's Codex World Guide which is just that, a guide for the series. With characters, creatures, different realms and complex magic. It's written to be entries and stories from the characters themselves. Interesting concept and I ate it UP.
The second half is The Mirrored Pair Novella. A prequel short story that follows Malakor & Lyra (I was investeo from the first pages) who are from enemy factions, Light & Shadow. That then leads into the preview chapters of the first book in the series, The Heirs of the Shattered Veil. The Mirrored Pair was so good! I was giggling, cursing at the book, kicking my feet and then crying. It's wonderful, especially for such a short read. Highly recommend.
I'm so thankful to Celeanne Dorrington for the arc and I cannot wait for The Heirs of the Shattered Veil!
October 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
🔥🔥🔥🔥.5
This novella swept me away with its gorgeous art, fiery romance, and a world that feels impossible not to get lost in.
The beginning is almost entirely world building, giving us a solid introduction to the characters we’ll be seeing throughout the trilogy. Normally, that can feel a little slow for me in fantasy books, but here it worked. Instead of info-dumping, it really filled in all those gaps that usually make new worlds hard to picture. We get a peek into everyone’s personalities (yes, I’m already crushing on Maxx), and it lays down a strong foundation for what’s coming.
✨ And I have to say, the illustrations? Absolutely stunning. Some of the best I’ve seen for visualizing a fantasy world. They don’t just decorate the pages (I mean, yes they do that too), but they actually make the story easier to immerse into. ✨
The novella itself starts after the glossary, and it throws us right into an enemies-to-lovers dynamic that’s pure gold. Princess Lyra, the Light-Born, and Prince Malakor, the Shadowborn, literally try to kill each other at first. But when their blood mixes, it creates a bond neither of them asked for and both are desperate to break. That setup alone had me hooked.
Lyra is such a stabby heroine, sharp, witty, and always playing to win. Malakor never stood a chance against her, even with all his broody, morally grey energy. He is every bit the shadow daddy MMC, and honestly, he fell way harder and faster than she did. The tension between them was deliciously hot, the kind of push and pull that makes you want to scream at the pages. And yes, the spice more than delivered for a short novella.
What I loved most is how quickly their relationship developed into something deeper. They went from trying to kill each other to being the only people they could truly trust. It felt intense but not insta-love at all (even in such a short book), and I easily could have read a full-length book just about them. 😭
As much as I wanted more, this novella is clearly designed as the opening chapter to something bigger. It sets up the Heirs of the Shattered Veil series beautifully, and I think anyone diving into the trilogy should start here. This is the kind of prequel that actually adds depth instead of just being optional background.
Honestly, I do not have a single complaint. Between the gorgeous art, the sharp writing, and the electric dynamic between Lyra and Malakor, this feels like the perfect beginning. If this is just the start, I cannot wait to see what the full trilogy has in store.
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ Shadow Daddy
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🩶
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey FMC 🩶 (she definitely has some shades of grey herself at times)
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Banter *chef’s kiss*
✅ Sassy FMC
✅ Dirty Talk 🥵
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers
✅ No OW/OM drama
✅ FMC not Virgin
✅ He falls first
✅ MINE
***Thank you Celeanne Dorrington for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
🌶🌶🌶
🔥🔥🔥🔥.5
This novella swept me away with its gorgeous art, fiery romance, and a world that feels impossible not to get lost in.
The beginning is almost entirely world building, giving us a solid introduction to the characters we’ll be seeing throughout the trilogy. Normally, that can feel a little slow for me in fantasy books, but here it worked. Instead of info-dumping, it really filled in all those gaps that usually make new worlds hard to picture. We get a peek into everyone’s personalities (yes, I’m already crushing on Maxx), and it lays down a strong foundation for what’s coming.
✨ And I have to say, the illustrations? Absolutely stunning. Some of the best I’ve seen for visualizing a fantasy world. They don’t just decorate the pages (I mean, yes they do that too), but they actually make the story easier to immerse into. ✨
The novella itself starts after the glossary, and it throws us right into an enemies-to-lovers dynamic that’s pure gold. Princess Lyra, the Light-Born, and Prince Malakor, the Shadowborn, literally try to kill each other at first. But when their blood mixes, it creates a bond neither of them asked for and both are desperate to break. That setup alone had me hooked.
Lyra is such a stabby heroine, sharp, witty, and always playing to win. Malakor never stood a chance against her, even with all his broody, morally grey energy. He is every bit the shadow daddy MMC, and honestly, he fell way harder and faster than she did. The tension between them was deliciously hot, the kind of push and pull that makes you want to scream at the pages. And yes, the spice more than delivered for a short novella.
What I loved most is how quickly their relationship developed into something deeper. They went from trying to kill each other to being the only people they could truly trust. It felt intense but not insta-love at all (even in such a short book), and I easily could have read a full-length book just about them. 😭
As much as I wanted more, this novella is clearly designed as the opening chapter to something bigger. It sets up the Heirs of the Shattered Veil series beautifully, and I think anyone diving into the trilogy should start here. This is the kind of prequel that actually adds depth instead of just being optional background.
Honestly, I do not have a single complaint. Between the gorgeous art, the sharp writing, and the electric dynamic between Lyra and Malakor, this feels like the perfect beginning. If this is just the start, I cannot wait to see what the full trilogy has in store.
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ Shadow Daddy
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🩶
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey FMC 🩶 (she definitely has some shades of grey herself at times)
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Banter *chef’s kiss*
✅ Sassy FMC
✅ Dirty Talk 🥵
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers
✅ No OW/OM drama
✅ FMC not Virgin
✅ He falls first
✅ MINE
***Thank you Celeanne Dorrington for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
October 7, 2025
I’ve never encountered a magic system this twisted and original—it doesn’t just pull you in, it wraps around you like a curse, impossible to escape. In just a short read, this story manages to deliver everything I crave in dark fantasy: danger, desire, secrets, and power plays so tense you can feel them under your skin.
The first half almost reads like a haunting guidebook to a world on the brink of ruin—one where power comes at a cost, and survival demands sacrifice. It's rich in atmosphere, full of strange rules, dark rituals, and a mythos that feels both ancient and freshly terrifying. It’s the kind of lore that begs to be unpacked, and I found myself savoring every chilling detail.
But then comes the shift—and with it, a true enemies-to-lovers arc that doesn’t rely on cliché or convenience. It's raw, magnetic, and messy in the best way. The tension between the leads is electric, steeped in mutual disdain and impossible attraction. And just when you think you have a grip on where it's all going, the story twists the knife. That final turn? Absolutely shattering. I had to sit in stunned silence after finishing—already desperate for more.
As a prelude to a trilogy, this book sets the tone flawlessly. It’s brutal, beautiful, and brimming with secrets we’ve only just begun to uncover. If this is only the beginning, I already know I won’t make it out of this series unscarred—and I wouldn’t want it any other way. 🖤⚔️
The first half almost reads like a haunting guidebook to a world on the brink of ruin—one where power comes at a cost, and survival demands sacrifice. It's rich in atmosphere, full of strange rules, dark rituals, and a mythos that feels both ancient and freshly terrifying. It’s the kind of lore that begs to be unpacked, and I found myself savoring every chilling detail.
But then comes the shift—and with it, a true enemies-to-lovers arc that doesn’t rely on cliché or convenience. It's raw, magnetic, and messy in the best way. The tension between the leads is electric, steeped in mutual disdain and impossible attraction. And just when you think you have a grip on where it's all going, the story twists the knife. That final turn? Absolutely shattering. I had to sit in stunned silence after finishing—already desperate for more.
As a prelude to a trilogy, this book sets the tone flawlessly. It’s brutal, beautiful, and brimming with secrets we’ve only just begun to uncover. If this is only the beginning, I already know I won’t make it out of this series unscarred—and I wouldn’t want it any other way. 🖤⚔️
October 11, 2025
Wow... this Codex/Novella was extremely well done! I absolutely enjoyed reading it. The Codex being written from mainly one of the characters in the connected series (as well as some entries supplied by the others) gave us the chance to get a taste of the characters mindsets and personalities as well as the world building and background to things within the world the connected series takes place. The author did a fabulous job at creating the cultures, creatures, terrain, and additional facets to the world they created in such detail that it really came alive for me and i could full immerse into everything and it made me care about it all! The conflict of the realms was also very well explained and even though our characters are on the side of rebellion the POV that the codex was written in really wanted to explain in full truth and search for and delve deep into what the corrupt ruling caste was trying to hide in propaganda, and the author did AMAZING laying it all out. The novella... OMG!!! I loved it so much, it shattered me so deeply. I feel the novella really got me into my emotions of the lore of the world to get me extremely invested it what is going to happen in the connected series. I loved Malakor and Lyra!! They deserved so much... I love the complexity but also simplicity of the story and conflict. I am very very very invested to know more of the world and see what happens to our codex characters going forward. I NEED more of this NOW!
October 15, 2025
ARC Review
HOLY SMOKES
First and foremost, for those who have never experienced a World Guide and then Novella, this is a two part book.
The World Guide. It is so, so, so well written that I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it. I wish I had my fingers on a physical copy so I can spread everything around me and take it all in. Characters, cultures, locations, fawn and fauna, plants, food, political climates, mate bonds (yummy yummy) it had it all. The way it was written out was from the point of view of a character we will get to meet later on and other characters were cleverly interjected. I should say, cleverly interjected themselves. Bloody good format and I cannot rave just how good it was.
After you devour the World Guide, you are then jumping straight into our Novella. I don't want to spoil anything nor drag on and rave about what everyone else has already raved about so I will just say two things. I always give a good and could be better. To the author I'm not saying I disliked any particular thing I just hope the constructive criticism helps them get to legendary status that much faster.
The good. Our leading man and lady are absolutely charming as hell. They have personality, views and beliefs, and intense banter (that leads into some incredibly wet chonies inducing extra circulars). I absolutely love how they are flawed but flawed in a way that just makes them even more likeable. I already can tell that our other characters will be addicting personalities to trope.
The constructive criticism. I got whiplash in some scenes from the novella. I had to go back and reread some parts to make sure I was understanding parts correctly as things transitioned quickly from one point to another point with a sub point in between. IT DOESNT TAKE AWAY FROM THE ENJOYMENT OF READING THIS NOVELLA. I just want to shout that into the void. I still loved reading this novella but that was the only gripe I had. I don't read too many novellas so maybe that's just the territory with novellas and I am an uneducated sack of flour. Forgiiiiiveee meeeee.
Bottom line. Worth every penny. It's beautiful. It's witty. It's spicy. Please read this and add it to your collection.
HOLY SMOKES
First and foremost, for those who have never experienced a World Guide and then Novella, this is a two part book.
The World Guide. It is so, so, so well written that I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it. I wish I had my fingers on a physical copy so I can spread everything around me and take it all in. Characters, cultures, locations, fawn and fauna, plants, food, political climates, mate bonds (yummy yummy) it had it all. The way it was written out was from the point of view of a character we will get to meet later on and other characters were cleverly interjected. I should say, cleverly interjected themselves. Bloody good format and I cannot rave just how good it was.
After you devour the World Guide, you are then jumping straight into our Novella. I don't want to spoil anything nor drag on and rave about what everyone else has already raved about so I will just say two things. I always give a good and could be better. To the author I'm not saying I disliked any particular thing I just hope the constructive criticism helps them get to legendary status that much faster.
The good. Our leading man and lady are absolutely charming as hell. They have personality, views and beliefs, and intense banter (that leads into some incredibly wet chonies inducing extra circulars). I absolutely love how they are flawed but flawed in a way that just makes them even more likeable. I already can tell that our other characters will be addicting personalities to trope.
The constructive criticism. I got whiplash in some scenes from the novella. I had to go back and reread some parts to make sure I was understanding parts correctly as things transitioned quickly from one point to another point with a sub point in between. IT DOESNT TAKE AWAY FROM THE ENJOYMENT OF READING THIS NOVELLA. I just want to shout that into the void. I still loved reading this novella but that was the only gripe I had. I don't read too many novellas so maybe that's just the territory with novellas and I am an uneducated sack of flour. Forgiiiiiveee meeeee.
Bottom line. Worth every penny. It's beautiful. It's witty. It's spicy. Please read this and add it to your collection.
September 29, 2025
Okay.. This is by far the coolest thing I’ve read! Some authors give a little background, description of beasts/races, and a pronunciation guide. But this full lore and World Guide gave so much more background!
Instead of going through the whole first part of a book trying to understand the world building and characters, you can already have a strong foothold in the world before starting the series!
AND! The lore is written from the perspective of who’s writing it and the accounts from other characters. It’s not just like some boring ol’ Wikipedia description.
Also, don’t even get me started on the prequel novella! It was written beautifully and it’s going to give readers a huge understanding of what went on in The Myth of the Mirrored Pair, for when they start the series.
Instead of going through the whole first part of a book trying to understand the world building and characters, you can already have a strong foothold in the world before starting the series!
AND! The lore is written from the perspective of who’s writing it and the accounts from other characters. It’s not just like some boring ol’ Wikipedia description.
Also, don’t even get me started on the prequel novella! It was written beautifully and it’s going to give readers a huge understanding of what went on in The Myth of the Mirrored Pair, for when they start the series.
October 12, 2025
"Sometimes ... I could swear, the strongest medicine is a friends faith in you" — Amaria
I just finished this ARC, and I couldn't feel more honored to have been able to fall in love with this story and these characters before the official release day. I am in complete awe.
CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT DEDICATION?
Amazing! It's absolutely amazing. Kicks it off in the perfectly ominous way that makes you want to dive straight in!
Let me start off with how well written this is. I mean, this book took hold of me from page one and has permanently weaved its way into my very soul, bit by bit, until I was completely obsessed. AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!!
"Do NOT mistake this for a history. History is a story told by the victors, its edges smoothed by time, and its truths curated for comfort. This is not comfortable. This is a collection of fragments gathered in secret, on a road that may have no end" — The Keeper
Can I just say so much of this book is quote worthy. The writing is spectacular.
The magic.
The marks; Luminar or Shadowborn.
The homelands of each character.
Their rituals and celebrations.
"The Grand Tour" explains so much about each land and how different each one is, how its formed its people, and how they've adapted to what they're living in. You could honestly close your eyes and picture each one in your mind. It's almost like a movie playing in your head.
"A Kings map shows only borders and names. It is a document of ownership. But a land is not a possession. It is a memory, a rhythm, a soul. To truly know a place, you must know the people it has forged in its fires and frosts."
Then we have the beasts and creatures of "the Veil-Touched wilds"! Now, this is another part so vividly written that you could picture each creature so clearly in your mind. Of course, the striking illustrations helped, too.
Now, the "Myths and Histories" really put everything into perspective. You get to see how many versions of the same event are spread across the lands.
"The Kings histories are written in straight, clean lines. They are built to be simple, to be believed. But the truth is never a straight line. It is a spiral, an echo, a braid of conflicting threads."
3 different stories about the rise of a kingdom and its king.
3 different stories that tell of things that happened, things to come, and things that could happen if certain choices are made.
First, a story or whisper from the Frozen North.
Second, a story only just learned of a forbidden love so powerful it became the world's undoing.
Third, the Kings own story of his city's rise.
We read all three and must make our decision, which we think is what the truth really is. The way she writes this part is so that we can clearly make our own minds up.
THEN COMES THE NOVELLA!!
HOLY HOTNESS 🥵🥵
This story is our heros only clue is this, a forbidden legend — the story of two lovers from warring factions whose bond may have caused the very fracture they're fighting to mend.
The story of the Mirrored Pair.
The story of Malakor, The Shadow Prince, and Lyra, The Light Princess.
The story of the blood that changed their lives. The choices they made changed everything about their world.
"We were two halves of something broken, bleeding out for each others wounds,"
The confidence. The fighting. The flirting. The SPICE 🥵🥵🥵. The choices they made. It's all so intense, so stunning, so heart-wrenching, and it was so beautifully written. These characters dug their way into my heart in this short Novella with no way out.
I'm so happy to have read this. I'm so ready for the trilogy that's to come. This was my first 5 star read of October, and it'll be hard to beat!!
I just finished this ARC, and I couldn't feel more honored to have been able to fall in love with this story and these characters before the official release day. I am in complete awe.
CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT DEDICATION?
Amazing! It's absolutely amazing. Kicks it off in the perfectly ominous way that makes you want to dive straight in!
Let me start off with how well written this is. I mean, this book took hold of me from page one and has permanently weaved its way into my very soul, bit by bit, until I was completely obsessed. AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!!
"Do NOT mistake this for a history. History is a story told by the victors, its edges smoothed by time, and its truths curated for comfort. This is not comfortable. This is a collection of fragments gathered in secret, on a road that may have no end" — The Keeper
Can I just say so much of this book is quote worthy. The writing is spectacular.
The magic.
The marks; Luminar or Shadowborn.
The homelands of each character.
Their rituals and celebrations.
"The Grand Tour" explains so much about each land and how different each one is, how its formed its people, and how they've adapted to what they're living in. You could honestly close your eyes and picture each one in your mind. It's almost like a movie playing in your head.
"A Kings map shows only borders and names. It is a document of ownership. But a land is not a possession. It is a memory, a rhythm, a soul. To truly know a place, you must know the people it has forged in its fires and frosts."
Then we have the beasts and creatures of "the Veil-Touched wilds"! Now, this is another part so vividly written that you could picture each creature so clearly in your mind. Of course, the striking illustrations helped, too.
Now, the "Myths and Histories" really put everything into perspective. You get to see how many versions of the same event are spread across the lands.
"The Kings histories are written in straight, clean lines. They are built to be simple, to be believed. But the truth is never a straight line. It is a spiral, an echo, a braid of conflicting threads."
3 different stories about the rise of a kingdom and its king.
3 different stories that tell of things that happened, things to come, and things that could happen if certain choices are made.
First, a story or whisper from the Frozen North.
Second, a story only just learned of a forbidden love so powerful it became the world's undoing.
Third, the Kings own story of his city's rise.
We read all three and must make our decision, which we think is what the truth really is. The way she writes this part is so that we can clearly make our own minds up.
THEN COMES THE NOVELLA!!
HOLY HOTNESS 🥵🥵
This story is our heros only clue is this, a forbidden legend — the story of two lovers from warring factions whose bond may have caused the very fracture they're fighting to mend.
The story of the Mirrored Pair.
The story of Malakor, The Shadow Prince, and Lyra, The Light Princess.
The story of the blood that changed their lives. The choices they made changed everything about their world.
"We were two halves of something broken, bleeding out for each others wounds,"
The confidence. The fighting. The flirting. The SPICE 🥵🥵🥵. The choices they made. It's all so intense, so stunning, so heart-wrenching, and it was so beautifully written. These characters dug their way into my heart in this short Novella with no way out.
I'm so happy to have read this. I'm so ready for the trilogy that's to come. This was my first 5 star read of October, and it'll be hard to beat!!
October 9, 2025
This novella was given to me as an ARC by the author herself and I was asked to give my honest opinion. Please note my opinion is just that MINE if you disagree that is prrfectly fine and to ascertain your own feelings and opinions I highly encourage you to read the Novella itself when it is released...that being said it genuinely sounds like it will be an epic fantasy! Thank you for this book!
As a Novella which feels more like a guide to the characters and their history as opposed to an actual Novella which is not a bad thing! I am beyond intrigued to read the books this guide is about! It sounds insanely good and Maxx may already be my favorite lol I love a hot smart mouthed character! I wanna know more about some of these peoples pasts and why they think they are broken or unworthy simply for being different. Oh and the classification of Fae is a new way I have never seen before and tbh I LOVE IT! I hope when a negative opinion comes about the author knows she is writing fiction and just because it was never written like this before does not make it wrong it just makes it new and different and there is nothing wrong with that! This is brilliant oh and a note on the images within...a few of them are a bit hard to read and I believe that may be the font used and I highly encourage Miss Ma'am to reevaluate that before fully publishing this! Maxx's was especially difficult!
As a Novella which feels more like a guide to the characters and their history as opposed to an actual Novella which is not a bad thing! I am beyond intrigued to read the books this guide is about! It sounds insanely good and Maxx may already be my favorite lol I love a hot smart mouthed character! I wanna know more about some of these peoples pasts and why they think they are broken or unworthy simply for being different. Oh and the classification of Fae is a new way I have never seen before and tbh I LOVE IT! I hope when a negative opinion comes about the author knows she is writing fiction and just because it was never written like this before does not make it wrong it just makes it new and different and there is nothing wrong with that! This is brilliant oh and a note on the images within...a few of them are a bit hard to read and I believe that may be the font used and I highly encourage Miss Ma'am to reevaluate that before fully publishing this! Maxx's was especially difficult!
October 12, 2025
When I first saw this story, I was instantly hooked and counting down the days for the ARC! I haven’t been this eager for a book in a long time, and wow… it did not disappoint.
This guide and novella were everything I hoped for and more. Celeanne absolutely nailed the setup for this upcoming trilogy, and now I’m completely obsessed and desperate for book one. The guide itself is packed with fascinating details about the characters, creatures, and world, making it the perfect deep dive into what’s clearly going to be an epic dark fantasy adventure.
And the novella? Pure perfection. It’s got wicked banter, deliciously morally gray characters, and one of the best enemies-to-lovers dynamics I’ve read in ages. The spice is spicing, the tension is unreal, and the emotional damage? Let’s just say I’m still recovering.
I genuinely haven’t been this excited for a new trilogy in a long time. If this is just the beginning, I can’t wait to see what chaos and beauty await in book one!
This guide and novella were everything I hoped for and more. Celeanne absolutely nailed the setup for this upcoming trilogy, and now I’m completely obsessed and desperate for book one. The guide itself is packed with fascinating details about the characters, creatures, and world, making it the perfect deep dive into what’s clearly going to be an epic dark fantasy adventure.
And the novella? Pure perfection. It’s got wicked banter, deliciously morally gray characters, and one of the best enemies-to-lovers dynamics I’ve read in ages. The spice is spicing, the tension is unreal, and the emotional damage? Let’s just say I’m still recovering.
I genuinely haven’t been this excited for a new trilogy in a long time. If this is just the beginning, I can’t wait to see what chaos and beauty await in book one!
October 3, 2025
Thank you so very much for this ARC.
This is two books in one, the first a richly detailed, beautiful written and illustrated guide to the world, its major characters, customs, locations and histories. The second is a short novella, set in the past that tells the story of two true enemies to lovers characters who burned so brightly and whose story ended so tragically.
Doesn't matter which order you read the two books, the novella is spicy, carrying all the hallmarks that Romantasy readers loves. The guide is perfectly laid out, giving you enough historical & present day information and laying little seeds that will no doubt bear fruit once the trilogy is published.
All in all a fantastic debut and I cannot wait to read the main story.
This is two books in one, the first a richly detailed, beautiful written and illustrated guide to the world, its major characters, customs, locations and histories. The second is a short novella, set in the past that tells the story of two true enemies to lovers characters who burned so brightly and whose story ended so tragically.
Doesn't matter which order you read the two books, the novella is spicy, carrying all the hallmarks that Romantasy readers loves. The guide is perfectly laid out, giving you enough historical & present day information and laying little seeds that will no doubt bear fruit once the trilogy is published.
All in all a fantastic debut and I cannot wait to read the main story.
October 7, 2025
Celeanne Dorrington you have changed my opinion about world building books! This was truly beautiful. I already love Maxx and his spin on tales (or more likely the lies he tells). Each part of this book just brought the world to life describing the flora and fauna exceptionally. Of all the creatures the Frost-Crowned Elk were my favorite (along with the dragons of course) to read about. The illustrations were detailed and I could imagine how they would catch the light with their horns. Then you have the novella and a prequel to the next story. The Mirrored Pair novella was perfection. I could just not stop reading about Malakor and Lyra. I’ll be looking for The Heirs of the Shadowed Veil.
October 7, 2025
Amazing entry into this world. the guide to plants, clothes, festivals and rituals for each part of the world and how different they live their lives! everything is so intricate you can really tell how much thought there was to create this unique universe. The Novella was beautiful and heartbreaking. It gave so much feeling in such a short time. i didn'twant it to end! the perfect introduction and set up to the series that I know i am dying to devour!
October 5, 2025
5⭐️
This is such a beautiful well written introduction into the characters, world, and lore! It is so unique as it is done from the perspective of Serenya one of the characters . It’s so well done I consumed it in one sitting!!.
The spicy novella that is included is also beautifully written and gives you insight into what occurred before the start of the upcoming trilogy . Made me want the next book like right now!
This was an arc read with my honest review
This is such a beautiful well written introduction into the characters, world, and lore! It is so unique as it is done from the perspective of Serenya one of the characters . It’s so well done I consumed it in one sitting!!.
The spicy novella that is included is also beautifully written and gives you insight into what occurred before the start of the upcoming trilogy . Made me want the next book like right now!
This was an arc read with my honest review
October 14, 2025
4/5
Review: The Keepers Codex
I had the opportunity to read an ARC of The Keepers Codex, which serves as both a world guide and a dark fae novella. It is a short, fascinating concept that blends lore building with storytelling, though I think it sometimes struggles with balance between the two.
The idea behind this release is something I truly appreciate. I love when authors take the time to build out their worlds beyond the main series, especially in fantasy where small details and bits of history can make a world feel alive. It reminded me of the kind of background compendiums you see with large franchises or even certain video games like Elden Ring, which I have always admired for its deep, interwoven lore.
That said, I think The Keepers Codex works best as something to explore after the main book. On its own, it feels more like a preview than a complete companion. There is interesting information here, but without already knowing the world and characters, it is harder to connect emotionally to the material.
The Codex features excerpts told from different characters describing their regions and histories, and while I liked the concept, I had trouble differentiating their voices. Each narrator sounded almost identical in tone, so even when I tried to imagine them differently, they blended together.
The same goes for the world itself. Each culture was presented as vastly different, yet the tone and themes felt similar across them all. There is a tendency toward extremes, so much contrast that it almost loops back to sameness. In fantasy, I do not mind bold or outlandish details, but here it sometimes made it hard to ground myself in the world. A few subtler distinctions between regions and customs would have made it easier to imagine the setting as real and lived in.
The narrator identifies herself as a Keeper rather than a scholar, and that is a creative touch. Still, the voice comes across as emotional and subjective, which does not fully align with the idea of a codex or guide. I found myself wishing for a more neutral, factual tone, something that read more like a historical record than a reflection.
When I read a codex or lore guide, I expect it to feel somewhat detached, almost academic, so I can interpret the facts and emotions for myself. Here, the Keeper’s personal bias colors much of the writing. It is lyrical and immersive, but it occasionally sacrifices clarity for style.
The novella portion was the part I enjoyed most. The dark fae elements were intriguing, and the tension between factions set up some promising threads for the series. However, I did find myself a bit confused about certain aspects of the conflict. If one group’s goal was essentially eradication, it was hard to understand what a peace summit would realistically look like.
That said, the ending left me curious in the best way. It raises questions about the rift in the veil, about what went wrong, and about what it means for the world moving forward. It feels like a true setup for the series, and I am genuinely interested to see how those threads unfold in the main books.
The Keepers Codex is an ambitious idea that I really admire. It is clear that a lot of love and thought went into creating this world, even if some of the execution did not fully land for me. The voices could have been more distinct, and the tone more grounded for a guide, but the concept itself is something I would love to see more authors attempt.
If the author revisits this Codex after the main series releases, expanding on it or adding more detail, I think it could become a strong and valuable companion. Even now, it succeeds in sparking curiosity, and it definitely made me want to dive deeper into the main story when it arrives.
Review: The Keepers Codex
I had the opportunity to read an ARC of The Keepers Codex, which serves as both a world guide and a dark fae novella. It is a short, fascinating concept that blends lore building with storytelling, though I think it sometimes struggles with balance between the two.
The idea behind this release is something I truly appreciate. I love when authors take the time to build out their worlds beyond the main series, especially in fantasy where small details and bits of history can make a world feel alive. It reminded me of the kind of background compendiums you see with large franchises or even certain video games like Elden Ring, which I have always admired for its deep, interwoven lore.
That said, I think The Keepers Codex works best as something to explore after the main book. On its own, it feels more like a preview than a complete companion. There is interesting information here, but without already knowing the world and characters, it is harder to connect emotionally to the material.
The Codex features excerpts told from different characters describing their regions and histories, and while I liked the concept, I had trouble differentiating their voices. Each narrator sounded almost identical in tone, so even when I tried to imagine them differently, they blended together.
The same goes for the world itself. Each culture was presented as vastly different, yet the tone and themes felt similar across them all. There is a tendency toward extremes, so much contrast that it almost loops back to sameness. In fantasy, I do not mind bold or outlandish details, but here it sometimes made it hard to ground myself in the world. A few subtler distinctions between regions and customs would have made it easier to imagine the setting as real and lived in.
The narrator identifies herself as a Keeper rather than a scholar, and that is a creative touch. Still, the voice comes across as emotional and subjective, which does not fully align with the idea of a codex or guide. I found myself wishing for a more neutral, factual tone, something that read more like a historical record than a reflection.
When I read a codex or lore guide, I expect it to feel somewhat detached, almost academic, so I can interpret the facts and emotions for myself. Here, the Keeper’s personal bias colors much of the writing. It is lyrical and immersive, but it occasionally sacrifices clarity for style.
The novella portion was the part I enjoyed most. The dark fae elements were intriguing, and the tension between factions set up some promising threads for the series. However, I did find myself a bit confused about certain aspects of the conflict. If one group’s goal was essentially eradication, it was hard to understand what a peace summit would realistically look like.
That said, the ending left me curious in the best way. It raises questions about the rift in the veil, about what went wrong, and about what it means for the world moving forward. It feels like a true setup for the series, and I am genuinely interested to see how those threads unfold in the main books.
The Keepers Codex is an ambitious idea that I really admire. It is clear that a lot of love and thought went into creating this world, even if some of the execution did not fully land for me. The voices could have been more distinct, and the tone more grounded for a guide, but the concept itself is something I would love to see more authors attempt.
If the author revisits this Codex after the main series releases, expanding on it or adding more detail, I think it could become a strong and valuable companion. Even now, it succeeds in sparking curiosity, and it definitely made me want to dive deeper into the main story when it arrives.
October 22, 2025
The Keeper’s Codex World Guide and Dark Fae Novella
by Celeanne Dorrington
This was such a treat — a companion world guide paired with a dark, emotional, and spicy novella that together form the perfect foundation for the upcoming Heirs of The Shattered Veil trilogy. This world guide and novella go together beautifully.
The World Guide was absolutely stunning, both visually and narratively. It felt like stepping into a fully immersive video game — every page bursting with history, magic, and haunting detail. I loved the handwritten notes and letters “recovered” from other characters’ perspectives, giving everything a layered and lived-in feel. The lore, the political tensions, the territories… all beautifully detailed. I loved that it read like a scholar’s collection mixed with a travel journal. The immersive tone, little quirks, and snippets of lore made it feel like I was exploring a living, breathing fantasy realm.
Some favorite excerpts that completely captured the tone:
🌸 “Yesterday-flowers: Blooms that open only in darkness, showing visions of the previous day in their petals. Lovers use them to prove faithfulness. Murderers avoid them entirely.”
⚓ “Wearing cloth from the Gold Dawn means ye’re lucky or stupid—that ship sank thirteen times and somehow still sails.”
The novella was short, brutal, emotional, and so spicy. It’s a dark fae origin story filled with tension, heartbreak, and fire — a true enemies-to-lovers tale with that delicious “we might destroy the world, but we’ll do it together” energy.
✨ Tropes:
🖤 True Enemies-to-Lovers
🔥 Touch Her and Die
🌘 Star-Crossed Lovers
🕯 Fated Mates
🌪 Morally Grey FMC & MMC
And of course, those quotes—
⚔️ “The bond may have driven your need this time, but next time, I plan on making you beg for it.”
🩸 “Touch her and die.”
🌑 “But I am not a traitor to the truth, and you are my only truth now.”
⭐ 5 stars 🌶 4 chili peppers
Thank you Celeanne Dorrington for the gifted ARC — all opinions are my own.
This was such a treat — a companion world guide paired with a dark, emotional, and spicy novella that together form the perfect foundation for the upcoming Heirs of The Shattered Veil trilogy. This world guide and novella go together beautifully.
The World Guide was absolutely stunning, both visually and narratively. It felt like stepping into a fully immersive video game — every page bursting with history, magic, and haunting detail. I loved the handwritten notes and letters “recovered” from other characters’ perspectives, giving everything a layered and lived-in feel. The lore, the political tensions, the territories… all beautifully detailed. I loved that it read like a scholar’s collection mixed with a travel journal. The immersive tone, little quirks, and snippets of lore made it feel like I was exploring a living, breathing fantasy realm.
Some favorite excerpts that completely captured the tone:
🌸 “Yesterday-flowers: Blooms that open only in darkness, showing visions of the previous day in their petals. Lovers use them to prove faithfulness. Murderers avoid them entirely.”
⚓ “Wearing cloth from the Gold Dawn means ye’re lucky or stupid—that ship sank thirteen times and somehow still sails.”
The novella was short, brutal, emotional, and so spicy. It’s a dark fae origin story filled with tension, heartbreak, and fire — a true enemies-to-lovers tale with that delicious “we might destroy the world, but we’ll do it together” energy.
✨ Tropes:
🖤 True Enemies-to-Lovers
🔥 Touch Her and Die
🌘 Star-Crossed Lovers
🕯 Fated Mates
🌪 Morally Grey FMC & MMC
And of course, those quotes—
⚔️ “The bond may have driven your need this time, but next time, I plan on making you beg for it.”
🩸 “Touch her and die.”
🌑 “But I am not a traitor to the truth, and you are my only truth now.”
⭐ 5 stars 🌶 4 chili peppers
Thank you Celeanne Dorrington for the gifted ARC — all opinions are my own.
October 27, 2025
Celeanne Dorrington has truly raised the bar for companion books with *The Keeper's Codex World Guide* and *Dark Fae Novella*. These aren't just extra materials. They're must-reads that have made me even more excited for the upcoming trilogy, *The Heirs of The Shattered Veil*.
**The Keeper's Codex (World Guide)**
I absolutely loved having the World Guide included! Before starting the main story, the Codex gives you a rich and immersive experience. Through Serenya's private collection, you get to see beautiful, full-color illustrations of mythical beasts, detailed character art, and the official map of Nhalivar. The lore, from the secret histories of the Fae to the ancient magic of the Shattered Veil, makes the world feel huge and believable. It's the perfect introduction to the complex politics and long-standing conflicts that are likely to arise.
**The Dark Fae Novella: The Mirrored Pair**
The second half of this companion piece, the prequel novella *The Mirrored Pair*, follows Malakor and Lyra, fated lovers caught between enemy factions, Light and Shadow. This short story is absolutely spectacular. The author delivers pitch-perfect enemies-to-lovers dynamics, filled with wit, charm, and banter that is deliciously laced with underlying threats. I was completely invested from the very first page!
The tragic origin myth explores a bond that is destined to be either ruinous or redemptive, and the emotional journey is intense. I found myself experiencing a full range of emotions, from laughing at the snappy dialogue, to cursing the tragic choices, to literally kicking my feet, and finally to tears. It's a powerhouse of spice and emotion, especially for such a short read.
If you are looking for a dark fantasy romance with morally grey protagonists, high-stakes lore, and a tragically romantic "touch her and die" hero, this is a highly recommended must-read. It has completely convinced me that the main trilogy will be spectacular!
**The Keeper's Codex (World Guide)**
I absolutely loved having the World Guide included! Before starting the main story, the Codex gives you a rich and immersive experience. Through Serenya's private collection, you get to see beautiful, full-color illustrations of mythical beasts, detailed character art, and the official map of Nhalivar. The lore, from the secret histories of the Fae to the ancient magic of the Shattered Veil, makes the world feel huge and believable. It's the perfect introduction to the complex politics and long-standing conflicts that are likely to arise.
**The Dark Fae Novella: The Mirrored Pair**
The second half of this companion piece, the prequel novella *The Mirrored Pair*, follows Malakor and Lyra, fated lovers caught between enemy factions, Light and Shadow. This short story is absolutely spectacular. The author delivers pitch-perfect enemies-to-lovers dynamics, filled with wit, charm, and banter that is deliciously laced with underlying threats. I was completely invested from the very first page!
The tragic origin myth explores a bond that is destined to be either ruinous or redemptive, and the emotional journey is intense. I found myself experiencing a full range of emotions, from laughing at the snappy dialogue, to cursing the tragic choices, to literally kicking my feet, and finally to tears. It's a powerhouse of spice and emotion, especially for such a short read.
If you are looking for a dark fantasy romance with morally grey protagonists, high-stakes lore, and a tragically romantic "touch her and die" hero, this is a highly recommended must-read. It has completely convinced me that the main trilogy will be spectacular!
October 2, 2025
I am beyond thrilled to have been chosen as an ARC reader for this book, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier about it! From the very beginning, I knew this was going to be something special.
The opening was such a refreshing surprise - it didn’t just throw out a glossary or a dry list of names and places. Instead, it offered an engaging introduction to all the characters, the different lands, their people, beliefs, and powers in a way that felt immersive yet easy to follow. It was fun to read, not something I skimmed through, and it actually helped me sink right into the world. I especially loved the little character snippets... they were written in such a way that I found myself naturally hearing their voices in my head. The fact that I had already assigned them personalities and tones so quickly just shows how strong and vivid the writing was.
And then came the origin story...wow. It was both heartwrenching and breathtaking. Despite being relatively short, it carried so much emotional weight and depth. I truly fell in love with the characters, their struggles, and their journey. I was especially drawn to the dynamic of enemies realizing that, at their core, they weren’t so different after all. That kind of complexity always hooks me, and this book did it so well.
I can already tell this story is going to stay with me, and I cannot wait to see where the rest of the journey goes. This was such an incredible start, and I feel so lucky to have experienced it early. I’m fully invested - consider me officially sucked in!
ALSO the art inside this book is fantastic and so beautiful. Made my artist heart swoon!
The opening was such a refreshing surprise - it didn’t just throw out a glossary or a dry list of names and places. Instead, it offered an engaging introduction to all the characters, the different lands, their people, beliefs, and powers in a way that felt immersive yet easy to follow. It was fun to read, not something I skimmed through, and it actually helped me sink right into the world. I especially loved the little character snippets... they were written in such a way that I found myself naturally hearing their voices in my head. The fact that I had already assigned them personalities and tones so quickly just shows how strong and vivid the writing was.
And then came the origin story...wow. It was both heartwrenching and breathtaking. Despite being relatively short, it carried so much emotional weight and depth. I truly fell in love with the characters, their struggles, and their journey. I was especially drawn to the dynamic of enemies realizing that, at their core, they weren’t so different after all. That kind of complexity always hooks me, and this book did it so well.
I can already tell this story is going to stay with me, and I cannot wait to see where the rest of the journey goes. This was such an incredible start, and I feel so lucky to have experienced it early. I’m fully invested - consider me officially sucked in!
ALSO the art inside this book is fantastic and so beautiful. Made my artist heart swoon!
October 8, 2025
A stunning world that I could live in forever.
The Keeper's Codex underscores how much love Celeanne Dorrington has poured into the fantasy world she has created. The entries in the World Guide are engaging, innovative, and as instructive as they are downright gorgeous. In reading, I could see how this text could potentially transform into cinema, or into something more immersive, like a video game. The world building is rich and realistic, both familiar and fantastical.
In the Novella, The Mirrored Pair, Dorrington proves her skill in worldbuilding is only second to her strength of writing craft. Lyra and Malakor's passionate love story moves effortlessly from enemies to lovers while they each simultaneously evolve from being a paradigm of their faction into rebels with a righteous cause. It's Romeo and Juliet as fae with wonderful magic, truly delicious banter, and spicy scenes that are earned.
What is most impressive to me is that The Keeper's Codex works both as a prequel to The Heirs of the Shattered Veil, and is perfectly enjoyable to read alone, but I know it will be that much better over time. I'm looking forward to the many fans who will fall in love with this world and the characters in it. This is the type of book I was searching for after finishing ACOTAR and the Empyrean Series and it will satisfy readers looking for something more layered, more complex, more interesting than standard romantasy.
I received an ARC via Celeanne Dorrington in exchange for an honest and fair review. Thank you so much, Celeanne Dorrington, for allowing me to visit your incredible world.
The Keeper's Codex underscores how much love Celeanne Dorrington has poured into the fantasy world she has created. The entries in the World Guide are engaging, innovative, and as instructive as they are downright gorgeous. In reading, I could see how this text could potentially transform into cinema, or into something more immersive, like a video game. The world building is rich and realistic, both familiar and fantastical.
In the Novella, The Mirrored Pair, Dorrington proves her skill in worldbuilding is only second to her strength of writing craft. Lyra and Malakor's passionate love story moves effortlessly from enemies to lovers while they each simultaneously evolve from being a paradigm of their faction into rebels with a righteous cause. It's Romeo and Juliet as fae with wonderful magic, truly delicious banter, and spicy scenes that are earned.
What is most impressive to me is that The Keeper's Codex works both as a prequel to The Heirs of the Shattered Veil, and is perfectly enjoyable to read alone, but I know it will be that much better over time. I'm looking forward to the many fans who will fall in love with this world and the characters in it. This is the type of book I was searching for after finishing ACOTAR and the Empyrean Series and it will satisfy readers looking for something more layered, more complex, more interesting than standard romantasy.
I received an ARC via Celeanne Dorrington in exchange for an honest and fair review. Thank you so much, Celeanne Dorrington, for allowing me to visit your incredible world.
October 13, 2025
This book was honestly amazing, I honestly could not put it down.
The first half of the book is a guide that introduces the characters of her next books and the world along with the creatures in it and customs, as well as some legends. Normally it’s hard for me to get into guides but this one was very interesting rather than reading just a guide about the world it’s written in a story form. The illustrations alone are stunning and an amazing way to see exactly what the author pictured for the books. It has an in depth character section that makes you understand the character on a deeper level rather than just the appearance of the character.
The last half of the book is a novella that is mentioned in the guide as a legend or history that had happened before the main timeline and led up to it. It was a beautiful novella with its own darkness, it’s an enemies to lovers that gave me Romeo and Juliet vibes from the beginning just if Romeo and Juliet were trying to kill each other. They are a fated pair that are perfect for each other even though they wanted nothing to do with each other. The story didn’t feel rushed, you get the vibe that they sort of knew each other before the novella which helps the story progress without feeling rushed.
I’m super excited for “The Heirs of the Shattered Veil” You can tell by reading this book she has put a lot of thought into her trilogy and set it up well from this book and the sample she gave at the end of this book for her next one.
***I want to thank you Celeanne Dorrington for giving me an opportunity to read this book and review it. I absolutely love it.****
The first half of the book is a guide that introduces the characters of her next books and the world along with the creatures in it and customs, as well as some legends. Normally it’s hard for me to get into guides but this one was very interesting rather than reading just a guide about the world it’s written in a story form. The illustrations alone are stunning and an amazing way to see exactly what the author pictured for the books. It has an in depth character section that makes you understand the character on a deeper level rather than just the appearance of the character.
The last half of the book is a novella that is mentioned in the guide as a legend or history that had happened before the main timeline and led up to it. It was a beautiful novella with its own darkness, it’s an enemies to lovers that gave me Romeo and Juliet vibes from the beginning just if Romeo and Juliet were trying to kill each other. They are a fated pair that are perfect for each other even though they wanted nothing to do with each other. The story didn’t feel rushed, you get the vibe that they sort of knew each other before the novella which helps the story progress without feeling rushed.
I’m super excited for “The Heirs of the Shattered Veil” You can tell by reading this book she has put a lot of thought into her trilogy and set it up well from this book and the sample she gave at the end of this book for her next one.
***I want to thank you Celeanne Dorrington for giving me an opportunity to read this book and review it. I absolutely love it.****
October 21, 2025
This book completely surprised me! From the very first page, I was drawn in by the foreword. The author’s reflection on how history is written by the winners instantly hooked me. That single idea set the tone for everything that followed; a story about truth, perception, and the voices that often get silenced in history.
The structure of The Keeper’s Codex is unlike anything I’ve read before. The first half is a beautifully crafted world guide, written as entries and reflections from the characters themselves. This gives it a personal feel, like you’re being trusted with secrets from within the world. The level of detail is incredible: magic systems, cultures, creatures, and the conflict between Light and Shadow all come to life with such depth and care.
And the images throughout the book truly elevated the experience. It’s rare to find a fantasy book that balances written detail and visual storytelling this well.
The second half of the ARC was The Mirrored Pair novella and that’s when I knew I was fully invested. Malakor and Lyra’s story was emotional, tragic, and unforgettable. For such a short novella, it carried real emotional weight. I laughed, got frustrated, and even got teary eyed
This book was a full emotional experience. It makes you think about who gets to tell history and why, while inviting you into a world that feels vast, alive, and heartbreakingly human. I’m counting the days until The Heirs of the Shattered Veil.
#BookReview #TheKeepersCodex #TheMirroredPair #FantasyReads #BlindDateWithABook #BookLover #WorldBuilding #EnemiesToLovers #EpicFantasy #HistoryAndTruth #FantasyArt #IllustratedFantasy #BookishMagic
The structure of The Keeper’s Codex is unlike anything I’ve read before. The first half is a beautifully crafted world guide, written as entries and reflections from the characters themselves. This gives it a personal feel, like you’re being trusted with secrets from within the world. The level of detail is incredible: magic systems, cultures, creatures, and the conflict between Light and Shadow all come to life with such depth and care.
And the images throughout the book truly elevated the experience. It’s rare to find a fantasy book that balances written detail and visual storytelling this well.
The second half of the ARC was The Mirrored Pair novella and that’s when I knew I was fully invested. Malakor and Lyra’s story was emotional, tragic, and unforgettable. For such a short novella, it carried real emotional weight. I laughed, got frustrated, and even got teary eyed
This book was a full emotional experience. It makes you think about who gets to tell history and why, while inviting you into a world that feels vast, alive, and heartbreakingly human. I’m counting the days until The Heirs of the Shattered Veil.
#BookReview #TheKeepersCodex #TheMirroredPair #FantasyReads #BlindDateWithABook #BookLover #WorldBuilding #EnemiesToLovers #EpicFantasy #HistoryAndTruth #FantasyArt #IllustratedFantasy #BookishMagic
October 25, 2025
The Keeper’s Codex is a stunning introduction to the world of Heirs of the Shattered Veil. With a blend of lore, art, and heartache that sets the stage for something truly epic. Part world guide, part novella, it’s the perfect entry point for anyone who loves immersive fantasy realms filled with history, magic, and beautifully flawed characters.
Celeanne Dorrington has created a world that feels alive. From its sweeping landscapes to those who traverse it. The artwork brings every detail into sharper focus, while the writing balances elegance and emotion with ease.
And the romance? It’s the kind of enemies-to-lovers that earns every inch of its tension. Not the soft kind, but the raw, complicated, “we should destroy each other but can’t” kind. It’s both tragic and beautiful, leaving me desperate for more from this world.
A haunting, visually rich experience that promises incredible things for what’s to come in Heirs of the Shattered Veil.
My Favorite Quotes:
“Ally? Is that what we are now?” “Would you prefer ‘temporary non-combatant’?”
“You were the only one who fought for me,” I said, the truth of it hollow and strange.
“You were the only one left worth fighting for,” he answered, and it wasn’t a comfort—it was a claim.
They wanted rituals. My mother was prepared to sacrifice seven children on a holy altar to cleanse the world. My father had sacrificed thousands on this field to defend it. All to protect the lies they told themselves. Fine. Let this be my ritual. Let this field of death be my altar. And let this fall from grace be my ascension.
“You’re the only truth I have trust,” I said, echoing his earlier words.
✨ ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Celeanne Dorrington has created a world that feels alive. From its sweeping landscapes to those who traverse it. The artwork brings every detail into sharper focus, while the writing balances elegance and emotion with ease.
And the romance? It’s the kind of enemies-to-lovers that earns every inch of its tension. Not the soft kind, but the raw, complicated, “we should destroy each other but can’t” kind. It’s both tragic and beautiful, leaving me desperate for more from this world.
A haunting, visually rich experience that promises incredible things for what’s to come in Heirs of the Shattered Veil.
My Favorite Quotes:
“Ally? Is that what we are now?” “Would you prefer ‘temporary non-combatant’?”
“You were the only one who fought for me,” I said, the truth of it hollow and strange.
“You were the only one left worth fighting for,” he answered, and it wasn’t a comfort—it was a claim.
They wanted rituals. My mother was prepared to sacrifice seven children on a holy altar to cleanse the world. My father had sacrificed thousands on this field to defend it. All to protect the lies they told themselves. Fine. Let this be my ritual. Let this field of death be my altar. And let this fall from grace be my ascension.
“You’re the only truth I have trust,” I said, echoing his earlier words.
✨ ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
October 1, 2025
Wow. Where to start?
Let's start with the fact i've never read a book that comes with something that goes over the world. Were talking not only a handful of characters, but their Myths & Histories, Locations, Beasts. Personal stories collected from characters, songs that are sung. In between all of these are beautiful visuals of all the above, hand written notes. I was blown away. I read this off a Kindle that is B&W and still it was stunning to see the beasts that this world has. I did go back to look at the pictures on my computers and omg, I was blown away. These characters are gorgeous, the landscapes are stunning, the beasts are magnificent. I also loved the detail about certain plants and insects. This section had to been my favorite. I'm sorry but more so than the novella. I just loved getting that inner look of the world that is going to be blooming on pages.
The Novella. I loved this read. A look into the world before the story. How things came to be. The two characters were very likeable. I loved them from the beginning. Both smart, sassy and witty. They throw banter between each other and try as they might to keep apart - fate has other things in store. They fought and stood up for each other. Damn the consequences - come what may.
Along with this I got to read a preview of The Heirs of the Shattered Veil Trilogy and I AM READY.
I cannot wait to get into these characters minds, to see what they fight for and who.
10/10 this was and this Codex is defiantly a MUST HAVE for anyone who is thinking of diving into The Heirs of the Shattered Trilogy.
Let's start with the fact i've never read a book that comes with something that goes over the world. Were talking not only a handful of characters, but their Myths & Histories, Locations, Beasts. Personal stories collected from characters, songs that are sung. In between all of these are beautiful visuals of all the above, hand written notes. I was blown away. I read this off a Kindle that is B&W and still it was stunning to see the beasts that this world has. I did go back to look at the pictures on my computers and omg, I was blown away. These characters are gorgeous, the landscapes are stunning, the beasts are magnificent. I also loved the detail about certain plants and insects. This section had to been my favorite. I'm sorry but more so than the novella. I just loved getting that inner look of the world that is going to be blooming on pages.
The Novella. I loved this read. A look into the world before the story. How things came to be. The two characters were very likeable. I loved them from the beginning. Both smart, sassy and witty. They throw banter between each other and try as they might to keep apart - fate has other things in store. They fought and stood up for each other. Damn the consequences - come what may.
Along with this I got to read a preview of The Heirs of the Shattered Veil Trilogy and I AM READY.
I cannot wait to get into these characters minds, to see what they fight for and who.
10/10 this was and this Codex is defiantly a MUST HAVE for anyone who is thinking of diving into The Heirs of the Shattered Trilogy.
October 1, 2025
✨ARC Review✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
This was unlike any other book that I have read. This book was beautifully written, and with so much thought and intention.
This is the novella leading up to the release of The Heirs of the Shattered Veil trilogy. And let me say, it’s so unlike anything that I have ever read. Absolutely amazing!
The first part of the book is the world guide, which explains all things Nhalivar. We learn about the characters and the powers that they possess, the beasts that lurk within their world, and the cities that help to shape this world. The writing is spectacular, and it’s so cool to read parts of the guide written from another’s perspective. Very well executed.
And then we build up to the Novella, a true enemies to lovers story about Princess Lyra and Prince Malakor. She’s of light and he’s so shadow. Fated mates. A forbidden love that could end the war, or destroy the whole realm. The banter was absolutely on point. But when the temperatures began to rise, it was on point 🥵 the spice is there, but in my opinion it was so beautiful to see how Lyra and Malakor intertwine in their powers. I can’t wait to see how this story continues!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
This was unlike any other book that I have read. This book was beautifully written, and with so much thought and intention.
This is the novella leading up to the release of The Heirs of the Shattered Veil trilogy. And let me say, it’s so unlike anything that I have ever read. Absolutely amazing!
The first part of the book is the world guide, which explains all things Nhalivar. We learn about the characters and the powers that they possess, the beasts that lurk within their world, and the cities that help to shape this world. The writing is spectacular, and it’s so cool to read parts of the guide written from another’s perspective. Very well executed.
And then we build up to the Novella, a true enemies to lovers story about Princess Lyra and Prince Malakor. She’s of light and he’s so shadow. Fated mates. A forbidden love that could end the war, or destroy the whole realm. The banter was absolutely on point. But when the temperatures began to rise, it was on point 🥵 the spice is there, but in my opinion it was so beautiful to see how Lyra and Malakor intertwine in their powers. I can’t wait to see how this story continues!
October 16, 2025
This review is really a 2-part review.
The first half of this book is an encyclopedia of characters, creatures, places, etc. The Keepers Codex is going to be something I will come back to for reference when I read the trilogy. The art was beautiful and it was so nice to be able to get information about all the pieces of this world without having to read a 500 page book for the whole picture. That being said, it felt a bit long for some of the descriptions and I found myself skipping over some info. I might feel differently when the trilogy is out and I'm using more of that info.
The second half of the book is a novella. It is a good short story to set you up for the trilogy after reading all the details of this world. The chemistry between Princess Lyra and Prince Malakor was amazing. It was a short, but wonderful read!
-Enemies-to-Lovers
-Morally Grey MMC and FMC
-He falls first
-Dual POV
-3 Chili Spicy
-Shadow vs Light
I can't wait for the trilogy now! I will definitely be reading all of them.
The first half of this book is an encyclopedia of characters, creatures, places, etc. The Keepers Codex is going to be something I will come back to for reference when I read the trilogy. The art was beautiful and it was so nice to be able to get information about all the pieces of this world without having to read a 500 page book for the whole picture. That being said, it felt a bit long for some of the descriptions and I found myself skipping over some info. I might feel differently when the trilogy is out and I'm using more of that info.
The second half of the book is a novella. It is a good short story to set you up for the trilogy after reading all the details of this world. The chemistry between Princess Lyra and Prince Malakor was amazing. It was a short, but wonderful read!
-Enemies-to-Lovers
-Morally Grey MMC and FMC
-He falls first
-Dual POV
-3 Chili Spicy
-Shadow vs Light
I can't wait for the trilogy now! I will definitely be reading all of them.
October 12, 2025
When I stumbled upon Celeanne's sneak-peek of "The Mirrored Pair" novella, I knew I had to get my hands it!
The first half of the codex is Sereyna's collection of lore, delicious secrets of Nhalivar, and STUNNING illustrations. In full color! The way it's written is very-much like how a screenwriter would write a play. It's been a long time since I've read anything of the sort, so I was dusty getting through it, but it was well worth it.
The novella has some of my absolute favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, morally gray main characters, slow burn, and dual POVs. The FMC and MMC's chemistry are off the charts, and I couldn't get enough of them. There were times I was laughing, giggling like a schoolgirl, and crying. My heart!
I *cannot wait* to get my hands on a hard copy of the Codex to reread while I wait for the trilogy, and then to reference during the trilogy. Thank you again for giving me an ARC!
The first half of the codex is Sereyna's collection of lore, delicious secrets of Nhalivar, and STUNNING illustrations. In full color! The way it's written is very-much like how a screenwriter would write a play. It's been a long time since I've read anything of the sort, so I was dusty getting through it, but it was well worth it.
The novella has some of my absolute favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, morally gray main characters, slow burn, and dual POVs. The FMC and MMC's chemistry are off the charts, and I couldn't get enough of them. There were times I was laughing, giggling like a schoolgirl, and crying. My heart!
I *cannot wait* to get my hands on a hard copy of the Codex to reread while I wait for the trilogy, and then to reference during the trilogy. Thank you again for giving me an ARC!
October 16, 2025
The Keeper’s Codex by Celeanne Dorrington is a beautifully crafted dark romance that effortlessly combines rich fantasy world-building with emotional depth and tension.
From the very first page, I was completely immersed in Dorrington’s descriptive prose and the captivating dynamic between the characters. The fated mates and enemies-to-lovers elements are woven together seamlessly, creating a story that feels both passionate and deeply atmospheric.
The inclusion of the world guide was a wonderful touch — it felt personal and intentional, filled with notes and small details that brought the setting to life. Dorrington’s attention to detail and creativity shine through in every aspect of this work.
I truly fell in love with the world she created and am eagerly anticipating the release of the upcoming trilogy. This is an exceptional read for anyone who enjoys dark romance, intricate world-building, and stories that stay with you long after you’ve finished them.
From the very first page, I was completely immersed in Dorrington’s descriptive prose and the captivating dynamic between the characters. The fated mates and enemies-to-lovers elements are woven together seamlessly, creating a story that feels both passionate and deeply atmospheric.
The inclusion of the world guide was a wonderful touch — it felt personal and intentional, filled with notes and small details that brought the setting to life. Dorrington’s attention to detail and creativity shine through in every aspect of this work.
I truly fell in love with the world she created and am eagerly anticipating the release of the upcoming trilogy. This is an exceptional read for anyone who enjoys dark romance, intricate world-building, and stories that stay with you long after you’ve finished them.
October 19, 2025
It’s dark, it’s brutal, and it’s exactly the kind of story that leaves you craving more pain right after it’s over.
The first half reads like stepping into a forbidden archive (which LOVE( old magic, war-torn lands, secrets buried in shadows. I loved getting lost in the myths, the maps, and the whispers of what came before the Veil shattered.
Then the story hits, and it hurts.
Their bond isn’t soft or sweet, it’s fire and ruin. Every look, every fight, every stolen breath is laced with tension that just builds. They were enemies long before they were anything else, but fate didn’t care. That one “touch her and die” moment? Yeah. That did things to me.
It’s raw. Tragic. Addictive.
And the ending… absolutely wrecked me in the best way.
The Heirs of the Shattered Veil trilogy is about to own me. This novella is just the beginning and I can already tell I’m not making it out unscathed.
October 13, 2025
6 star read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this book is setting up for a trilogy that the author is dropping all at once for a satisfying binge-read. If the trilogy is a anything like this book, boy will it be great!
Part 1 of the book:
Priestess/scribe is catalogue-ing people, places, beings, and theories/prophecies for us in the beginning of the book. It reads like a journal entry so that we have background. Added fun…there are diagrams to show us what the people/beings/things look like 😍
Part 2 of the book:
A spicy novella about 2 main characters and how their fates enter-twine, light and dark. ☀️ 🌙 Let’s see what true enemies to lovers looks like when they find out that they are a mated, mirrored-pair!! 🤯
Tropes:
🩶Enemies to Lovers
🩶Shaddow Daddy
🩶Touch her and die
🩶Fated mates
🩶Let the world burn
🩶Tend to each others wounds
Part 1 of the book:
Priestess/scribe is catalogue-ing people, places, beings, and theories/prophecies for us in the beginning of the book. It reads like a journal entry so that we have background. Added fun…there are diagrams to show us what the people/beings/things look like 😍
Part 2 of the book:
A spicy novella about 2 main characters and how their fates enter-twine, light and dark. ☀️ 🌙 Let’s see what true enemies to lovers looks like when they find out that they are a mated, mirrored-pair!! 🤯
Tropes:
🩶Enemies to Lovers
🩶Shaddow Daddy
🩶Touch her and die
🩶Fated mates
🩶Let the world burn
🩶Tend to each others wounds
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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