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Secrets on the Wall
When sixteen-year-old Genevieve Emberlyn brushes her hand against a dusty museum painting, the last thing she expects is to awaken a mythical creature—or stumble into a hidden world lurking in plain sight. Suddenly, she has the power to bring magical beings to life, each one tied to an ancient Clan, trapped for centuries in their painted prisons.
But magic shouldn’t exist in the Twelve Cities, and Genevieve’s newfound ability puts a target on her back. When her best friend, Nox, betrays her, she’s forced to flee for her life—hunted by the King himself, a vengeful tyrant who shattered her family and won’t stop until he destroys her too.
The deeper Genevieve dives into generations of lies, the more she realizes she may be the magical beings’ only hope for freedom. With her fiercely loyal sister Louanne, a mischievous shapeshifting golden retriever named Waffles, and a dangerously alluring stranger hiding secrets of his own, she must race against time to restore the balance between humans and magic—before it's too late.
Secrets on the Wall is a thrilling YA fantasy filled with unexpected allies, unbreakable sisterhood, and a reluctant heroine discovering just how far she’ll go to protect the people she loves.
Magic wasn’t lost.
It was imprisoned.
And she is the key.
But magic shouldn’t exist in the Twelve Cities, and Genevieve’s newfound ability puts a target on her back. When her best friend, Nox, betrays her, she’s forced to flee for her life—hunted by the King himself, a vengeful tyrant who shattered her family and won’t stop until he destroys her too.
The deeper Genevieve dives into generations of lies, the more she realizes she may be the magical beings’ only hope for freedom. With her fiercely loyal sister Louanne, a mischievous shapeshifting golden retriever named Waffles, and a dangerously alluring stranger hiding secrets of his own, she must race against time to restore the balance between humans and magic—before it's too late.
Secrets on the Wall is a thrilling YA fantasy filled with unexpected allies, unbreakable sisterhood, and a reluctant heroine discovering just how far she’ll go to protect the people she loves.
Magic wasn’t lost.
It was imprisoned.
And she is the key.
- GenresFantasy
Paperback
First published March 21, 2025
9 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Iris de Vree
2 books18 followersIris de Vree resides in Bierbeek, Belgium, with her boyfriend and their two loyal golden retrievers, Milo and Teddie. Their adventurous lifestyle is fueled by her boyfriend’s semi-professional poker career, which takes them on exciting journeys around the globe. Each new destination serves as inspiration for the thrilling fantasy realms Iris creates in her books.
Her love for storytelling began at a young age and has been a constant companion throughout her life. While pursuing a degree in journalism, she realized that her true passion lay in crafting fantastical narratives rather than reporting facts.
Now, at thirty-two, she has fulfilled a lifelong dream: seeing her own book on the shelf alongside the authors who inspired her. But her journey doesn’t end there—she hopes to one day read her stories aloud to young readers across the world, bringing her fantasy worlds to life beyond the page.
Her love for storytelling began at a young age and has been a constant companion throughout her life. While pursuing a degree in journalism, she realized that her true passion lay in crafting fantastical narratives rather than reporting facts.
Now, at thirty-two, she has fulfilled a lifelong dream: seeing her own book on the shelf alongside the authors who inspired her. But her journey doesn’t end there—she hopes to one day read her stories aloud to young readers across the world, bringing her fantasy worlds to life beyond the page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 14, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book! It’s unique storyline and magic kept me hooked from page one.
•Genevieve’s power is something I wish was real! How cool would it be to bring paintings to life? A dream, really.
•The Twelve Cities, the Five, Grandma, Louanne.. there is so much about this ARC that I wholeheartedly loved.
•Gen & Lou’s backstory was fun to read. Sometimes flashbacks and time jumps become overwhelming but it was the exact opposite in this book. It made you love & relate to them as characters on a personal level.
The THOUGHT that went into every character, clan, relationship, and world building was incredible. Each clan has its own power/ability, each one unique and powerful. Every character is important and has a clear path throughout the book. Somehow surprisingly, there’s still mystery to certain characters that slowly are revealed. Ones you may not see coming. Adding yet another great addition to an already great story.
If you’re looking for a fantasy that isn’t just another Fae x human story. One that has a one of a kind magic system, a complex set of characters, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, with a dash of mystery & romance… this story is for you!! 😍
•Genevieve’s power is something I wish was real! How cool would it be to bring paintings to life? A dream, really.
•The Twelve Cities, the Five, Grandma, Louanne.. there is so much about this ARC that I wholeheartedly loved.
•Gen & Lou’s backstory was fun to read. Sometimes flashbacks and time jumps become overwhelming but it was the exact opposite in this book. It made you love & relate to them as characters on a personal level.
The THOUGHT that went into every character, clan, relationship, and world building was incredible. Each clan has its own power/ability, each one unique and powerful. Every character is important and has a clear path throughout the book. Somehow surprisingly, there’s still mystery to certain characters that slowly are revealed. Ones you may not see coming. Adding yet another great addition to an already great story.
If you’re looking for a fantasy that isn’t just another Fae x human story. One that has a one of a kind magic system, a complex set of characters, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, with a dash of mystery & romance… this story is for you!! 😍
September 23, 2025
4,5 ⭐️
Dankjewel Iris de Vree voor deze read!
Wat heb ik genoten van dit boek! Ik ging er blind in en wat ben ik daar blij om 😊 Genevieve is zo’n sterke MFC dat ik er stiekem een beetje jaloers op ben 😜 Maar doorheen het verhaal leer je haar steeds beter kennen en merk je dat er toch veel meer schuilt achter dat sterke masker. En dat einde… gewoonweg wow 😮
En natuurlijk een eervolle vermelding voor Waffles! Ik wou dat ik ook een Waffles had 🥺
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Thank you Iris de Vree for this read!
I absolutely loved this book! I went in blind, and I’m so glad I did 😊 Genevieve is such a strong FMC that I can’t help but feel a little jealous 😜 But as the story unfolds, you really get to know her better and see that there’s so much more behind that strong mask. And that ending… just wow 😮
And of course, an honorable mention for Waffles! I wish I had a Waffles too 🥺
Dankjewel Iris de Vree voor deze read!
Wat heb ik genoten van dit boek! Ik ging er blind in en wat ben ik daar blij om 😊 Genevieve is zo’n sterke MFC dat ik er stiekem een beetje jaloers op ben 😜 Maar doorheen het verhaal leer je haar steeds beter kennen en merk je dat er toch veel meer schuilt achter dat sterke masker. En dat einde… gewoonweg wow 😮
En natuurlijk een eervolle vermelding voor Waffles! Ik wou dat ik ook een Waffles had 🥺
-
Thank you Iris de Vree for this read!
I absolutely loved this book! I went in blind, and I’m so glad I did 😊 Genevieve is such a strong FMC that I can’t help but feel a little jealous 😜 But as the story unfolds, you really get to know her better and see that there’s so much more behind that strong mask. And that ending… just wow 😮
And of course, an honorable mention for Waffles! I wish I had a Waffles too 🥺
March 23, 2025
First of all Thank you Iris de Vree for the ARC copy!
I was hooked from the very first pages, the plot and magic system were so creative, I had never read anything like that before!
I liked the flashbacks first I was like ooh no flashbacks but the more the story progressed the more I enjoyed them it gave the characters more depth and gave the story a complete circle feeling.
The bond between Grandma, Genevieve and her younger sister Louanne really tugged on my heart strings! (I love them) and i can’t forget about waffles the animal shapeshifter he is so adorable and has my heart 🥹♥️
that ending really blew me away, I need answers!?😂 This book really deserves all the love! I can’t wait for the next one.
I was hooked from the very first pages, the plot and magic system were so creative, I had never read anything like that before!
I liked the flashbacks first I was like ooh no flashbacks but the more the story progressed the more I enjoyed them it gave the characters more depth and gave the story a complete circle feeling.
The bond between Grandma, Genevieve and her younger sister Louanne really tugged on my heart strings! (I love them) and i can’t forget about waffles the animal shapeshifter he is so adorable and has my heart 🥹♥️
that ending really blew me away, I need answers!?😂 This book really deserves all the love! I can’t wait for the next one.
October 9, 2025
First of all, I would like to thank Iris de Vree for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. The blurb instantly caught my interest, and with great enthusiasm I dove into the story.
In this book, we follow Genevieve, who has the power to awaken characters from paintings. She discovers that there is an entire nation locked away within these paintings, as well as the dark secrets surrounding the current king. With the help of her sister and a few strangers, she sets out on a quest to right past wrongs. But it’s not that easy — the king is determined to capture her for her unique ability. Can she fulfill her mission, or will she be stopped?
"Secrets on the Wall" hooked me from the very first pages. The concept of the story is unique and intriguing, and the execution is just as strong. The mysterious vibe of the first chapter made me crave more. I immediately wanted to learn more about Genevieve and her sister Louanne, as well as about the unique world portrayed in this book.
Genevieve is a character with a lot of baggage, but she’s strong and loyal to the people she loves. However, she struggles to trust new people because of her past. Throughout the story, the timeline switches between the present and the past, which I really liked — it allows us to understand why Genevieve has such deep trust issues. This made it easy for me to connect with her character. Furthermore, I also really liked Louanne; she’s such a kind soul. And of course, I adored Waffles — a shape-shifting golden retriever!
The plot of the story is strong, with some great twists along the way. It quickly becomes clear that not everyone can be trusted. The magic system is fascinating, and I love the idea of the different Clans. Besides the scenes where the characters are discussing their mission, there are moments of action, as well as a few touches of flirting (and some romance!). Throughout the book, there’s a constant sense of tension and suspense that kept me on edge. The ending completely took me by surprise and left me craving the sequel right away!
I highly recommend this book to fantasy readers who enjoy a unique setting and a creative magic system!
In this book, we follow Genevieve, who has the power to awaken characters from paintings. She discovers that there is an entire nation locked away within these paintings, as well as the dark secrets surrounding the current king. With the help of her sister and a few strangers, she sets out on a quest to right past wrongs. But it’s not that easy — the king is determined to capture her for her unique ability. Can she fulfill her mission, or will she be stopped?
"Secrets on the Wall" hooked me from the very first pages. The concept of the story is unique and intriguing, and the execution is just as strong. The mysterious vibe of the first chapter made me crave more. I immediately wanted to learn more about Genevieve and her sister Louanne, as well as about the unique world portrayed in this book.
Genevieve is a character with a lot of baggage, but she’s strong and loyal to the people she loves. However, she struggles to trust new people because of her past. Throughout the story, the timeline switches between the present and the past, which I really liked — it allows us to understand why Genevieve has such deep trust issues. This made it easy for me to connect with her character. Furthermore, I also really liked Louanne; she’s such a kind soul. And of course, I adored Waffles — a shape-shifting golden retriever!
The plot of the story is strong, with some great twists along the way. It quickly becomes clear that not everyone can be trusted. The magic system is fascinating, and I love the idea of the different Clans. Besides the scenes where the characters are discussing their mission, there are moments of action, as well as a few touches of flirting (and some romance!). Throughout the book, there’s a constant sense of tension and suspense that kept me on edge. The ending completely took me by surprise and left me craving the sequel right away!
I highly recommend this book to fantasy readers who enjoy a unique setting and a creative magic system!
November 7, 2025
Book club review
This was a somewhat enjoyable book. World building was interesting, characters were entertaining and most of us are interested where the story is going.
But we do have a gripe with the story however... there are a lot of plot holes. This does make it hard to fully immerse in the book, because you are constantly going: "wait what?"
To give an example (huge spoiler, don't read if you want to read the book):
How does Genevieve NOT know what the king looks like? He is grandma's biggest enemy, that doesn't make sense?
In conclusion: overall a fun read, a lovely sister bond in the main characters, but do mind your footing.
(because of the plot holes, get it?)
This was a somewhat enjoyable book. World building was interesting, characters were entertaining and most of us are interested where the story is going.
But we do have a gripe with the story however... there are a lot of plot holes. This does make it hard to fully immerse in the book, because you are constantly going: "wait what?"
To give an example (huge spoiler, don't read if you want to read the book):
How does Genevieve NOT know what the king looks like? He is grandma's biggest enemy, that doesn't make sense?
In conclusion: overall a fun read, a lovely sister bond in the main characters, but do mind your footing.
(because of the plot holes, get it?)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2025
As a debut, this novel introduces an imaginative fantasy concept with glimpses of originality. However, the execution leaves much to be desired. The worldbuilding is often muddled and inconsistent—set in a seemingly advanced, technological society complete with elevators in mountains and high-speed trains, yet characters still travel by horseback and engage in sword and bow combat. These contradictions make it difficult to understand the logic of the world or to immerse oneself fully in it.
The setting is further weakened by the language and dialogue. Characters who have supposedly been trapped in a painting for centuries emerge speaking modern slang like "Oh man" and "Whatever," which feels jarringly anachronistic and undermines the believability of the story. There is also a heavy reliance on repetitive phrasing—terms like "little girl," "baby sister," and "little captive" are overused to the point of irritation. Similarly, character actions like "cocking her/his head to the side," "a smile pulling at his/her/my lips," and an endless stream of winks quickly become tiresome and predictable.
Plot progression suffers from a lack of tension; obstacles are resolved far too conveniently, often through timely and improbable discoveries. This removes any real sense of danger or stakes. The protagonist is an emotionally inconsistent and immature character, frequently contradicting herself and swinging between moods without clear cause. One particularly troubling scene in Chapter 18 depicts a near one-night stand between the drunken protagonist and a boy she barely knows—who repeatedly calls her "love" despite their limited interaction. It feels implausible at best, and deeply problematic given the lack of clear consent.
Moreover, the cast is portrayed as powerful and formidable, yet their actions tell a different story. They lose fights, get kidnapped multiple times, break down in tears, and constantly make excuses, which creates a stark disconnect between how they are described and how they behave.
The prose itself is hampered by awkward sentence construction and a generally unnatural tone. It's evident that English is not the author's first language, which often results in stilted or forced writing.
That said, the author’s creativity is unmistakable. With clearer worldbuilding, stronger character consistency, and refinement in language use, there is definite potential for compelling storytelling in the future.
The setting is further weakened by the language and dialogue. Characters who have supposedly been trapped in a painting for centuries emerge speaking modern slang like "Oh man" and "Whatever," which feels jarringly anachronistic and undermines the believability of the story. There is also a heavy reliance on repetitive phrasing—terms like "little girl," "baby sister," and "little captive" are overused to the point of irritation. Similarly, character actions like "cocking her/his head to the side," "a smile pulling at his/her/my lips," and an endless stream of winks quickly become tiresome and predictable.
Plot progression suffers from a lack of tension; obstacles are resolved far too conveniently, often through timely and improbable discoveries. This removes any real sense of danger or stakes. The protagonist is an emotionally inconsistent and immature character, frequently contradicting herself and swinging between moods without clear cause. One particularly troubling scene in Chapter 18 depicts a near one-night stand between the drunken protagonist and a boy she barely knows—who repeatedly calls her "love" despite their limited interaction. It feels implausible at best, and deeply problematic given the lack of clear consent.
Moreover, the cast is portrayed as powerful and formidable, yet their actions tell a different story. They lose fights, get kidnapped multiple times, break down in tears, and constantly make excuses, which creates a stark disconnect between how they are described and how they behave.
The prose itself is hampered by awkward sentence construction and a generally unnatural tone. It's evident that English is not the author's first language, which often results in stilted or forced writing.
That said, the author’s creativity is unmistakable. With clearer worldbuilding, stronger character consistency, and refinement in language use, there is definite potential for compelling storytelling in the future.
March 21, 2025
My mind is blown. This story drew me right in. I couldn't put it down. I was not expecting that ending at all. Also, what are they hiding from the FMC. Mind is reeling. Go read this book when it comes out.
January 17, 2026
Ik heb Iris de Vree ontmoet in de winkel waar ik werk toen ze haar book launch party gaf. :) Ondanks dat ik die dag niet moest werken, was ik wel nieuwsgierig en ging ik even langs. :) Ik zag daar inmens enthousiaste mensen en ik heb daar toen wat zitten luistervinken naar de meningen over dit boek. :) Ik was eerst niet van plan om het te lezen omdat ik het fantasy genre niet graag lees in het Engels aangezien ik mij dan moeilijk kan verplaatsen in de wereld die de auteur voorstelt, maar op 1 of andere manier werd ik wel overtuigd en kocht ik haar beide boeken die ze dan ook nog eens allebei gesigneerd heeft. :) Als kers op de taart kregen we dan ook nog eens een fantastische goodiebag waar ik zooo enthousiast van werd! :) Wauw! :) Ik wou het boek dolgraag een kans geven en ik ben blij dat ik dit deel gelezen heb. :)
Het verhaal deed mij in de hele grote lijnen denken aan de Shatter Me reeks van Tahereh Mafi. (Op de vlucht slaan, niet weten wie te vertrouwen is, onderduiken, gevangen genomen worden, martelingen,...) Als je houdt van die reeks en je kan het Engels aan in de fantasy wereld, zou ik dit boek aanraden. :) Het verhaal zit goed in elkaar en het deed me op momenten op het puntje van men stoel zitten omdat het te spannend werd om het boek neer te leggen. :) Er zit ook een heel goed tempo in het verhaal waardoor het niet saai wordt. Ook de wereld werd gedetailleerd omschreven en de interacties tussen de vele personages was met momenten echt hartverwarmend, vooral de zussen liefde. :) Het einde... dat is pas psychologisch! :) Een spannend open einde dat doet verlangen naar deel 2. :)
Waarom gaf ik het boek 3 sterren? Voor mij klopten er bepaalde details niet echt in het verhaal. Na het lezen van dit boek heb ik nog steeds geen flauw idee in welke tijd dit boek zich afspeelt. Dat zorgt een beetje voor frustraties omdat ze het ene moment reizen met een hogesnelheidstrein (wat voor mij ultra modern is), om dan iets verder in het boek te lezen dat ze dagenlang moeten reizen te paard. Huh? Dat snapte ik niet zo goed waardoor de voorstelling van die wereld in mijn hoofd precies niet meer klopte. Er worden personages bevrijdt uit schilderijen, wat ik enorm origineel vond. :) Maar de personages zaten eeuwen vast in die schilderijen en toch zeiden ze 'moderne' woorden? Huh? Hebben ze de wereld dan zien veranderen vanuit hun 'gevangenis'? Soms vond ik het verhaal ook wat ingewikkeld om te volgen. Er komen ook veel personages aan bod en ik kon ze niet altijd uit elkaar houden. :) Maar Waffles... hij/zij zit toch wel in mijn hartje hoor!! :) Ik wil ook een Waffles!! :)
Ik ga deel 2 zeker ook lezen want door het spannende einde wil ik weten hoe het verhaal gaat aflopen. :)
Het verhaal deed mij in de hele grote lijnen denken aan de Shatter Me reeks van Tahereh Mafi. (Op de vlucht slaan, niet weten wie te vertrouwen is, onderduiken, gevangen genomen worden, martelingen,...) Als je houdt van die reeks en je kan het Engels aan in de fantasy wereld, zou ik dit boek aanraden. :) Het verhaal zit goed in elkaar en het deed me op momenten op het puntje van men stoel zitten omdat het te spannend werd om het boek neer te leggen. :) Er zit ook een heel goed tempo in het verhaal waardoor het niet saai wordt. Ook de wereld werd gedetailleerd omschreven en de interacties tussen de vele personages was met momenten echt hartverwarmend, vooral de zussen liefde. :) Het einde... dat is pas psychologisch! :) Een spannend open einde dat doet verlangen naar deel 2. :)
Waarom gaf ik het boek 3 sterren? Voor mij klopten er bepaalde details niet echt in het verhaal. Na het lezen van dit boek heb ik nog steeds geen flauw idee in welke tijd dit boek zich afspeelt. Dat zorgt een beetje voor frustraties omdat ze het ene moment reizen met een hogesnelheidstrein (wat voor mij ultra modern is), om dan iets verder in het boek te lezen dat ze dagenlang moeten reizen te paard. Huh? Dat snapte ik niet zo goed waardoor de voorstelling van die wereld in mijn hoofd precies niet meer klopte. Er worden personages bevrijdt uit schilderijen, wat ik enorm origineel vond. :) Maar de personages zaten eeuwen vast in die schilderijen en toch zeiden ze 'moderne' woorden? Huh? Hebben ze de wereld dan zien veranderen vanuit hun 'gevangenis'? Soms vond ik het verhaal ook wat ingewikkeld om te volgen. Er komen ook veel personages aan bod en ik kon ze niet altijd uit elkaar houden. :) Maar Waffles... hij/zij zit toch wel in mijn hartje hoor!! :) Ik wil ook een Waffles!! :)
Ik ga deel 2 zeker ook lezen want door het spannende einde wil ik weten hoe het verhaal gaat aflopen. :)
October 7, 2025
This story sounded unique and it really was! I love the worldbuilding in this book, I've never read anything like it! Gen was a difficult character to get to know but the flashbacks really helped with that. She really is a bad ass and not a 'little girl' . I'm a sucker for a good found family and that's included as well. I really can't wait to read the next book to see where this fastpaced story will take us next!
April 4, 2025
I loved every single moment of this. And really appreciate the opportunity to be an arc reader for this novel. I stayed up half of the night reading it. Couldn’t put it down. Now I need book 2😭
June 18, 2025
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
This has all the makings of a great story, but sadly, it didn’t quite click for me. 🥺
SIDENOTE >> Thank you Iris De Vree for the opportunity to review your book pre-release. This review is based on the beta version of the ARC, so changes may have occurred in the final version.
Blurb : When Genevieve brushes her fingers against an ancient painting, the last thing she expects is to awaken the magical being within. But when she accidentally releases Caspian, one of the many magical clan leaders trapped in his painting for centuries, her world is turned upside down. As she unravels generations of secrets from friend and foe, races against time and fights for her own freedom, the target on her back only grows. And whether she likes it or not, she is the only one with the power to restore balance to the world. 👩🏼🐦🔥🖼️✨
“To all the older sisters who selflessly protected you, no matter the sacrifices they had to make. And to the younger sisters who may feel overwhelmed by the thought of ever repaying such kindness.”
Review : The world-building was a bit difficult for me to grasp, making it harder to fully immerse myself in the book while reading. At times, it felt like the story was set in a modern-day world with advanced electronic keypads and everyday comforts such as refrigerators, trains, hot showers…
At other moments, it leaned more towards a magical medieval setting featuring horseback travel, potion-making, magic powers and herbal remedies.
From what I gathered, the world even seemed to have a post-apocalyptic or dystopian vibe? Like ‘The Shannara Chronicles’ or ‘Divergent’.
I would have loved a more detailed visual introduction to the main characters.
(especially Gen, Lou, Luke and Caspian)
A clearer description early on could have helped me form a stronger connection with them from the start.
I really enjoyed the flashback chapters! 🫶🏻They became essential not only for understanding the story but also for getting to know Genevieve as a character.
As for the spiced scene around Chapter 18, I honestly didn’t enjoy reading it. Even though Luke plays a big role later in the story, I personally feel this moment wasn’t meant to happen. For scenes like this, readers should get a heads-up before being thrown into them. A slow burn would have had a much greater emotional impact.
I’ll give the sequels a chance because of the big plot twist at the end and further potential of the story. 🧐
Would I recommend this book? At this moment no, but with some tweaks and changes, definitely!
This has all the makings of a great story, but sadly, it didn’t quite click for me. 🥺
SIDENOTE >> Thank you Iris De Vree for the opportunity to review your book pre-release. This review is based on the beta version of the ARC, so changes may have occurred in the final version.
Blurb : When Genevieve brushes her fingers against an ancient painting, the last thing she expects is to awaken the magical being within. But when she accidentally releases Caspian, one of the many magical clan leaders trapped in his painting for centuries, her world is turned upside down. As she unravels generations of secrets from friend and foe, races against time and fights for her own freedom, the target on her back only grows. And whether she likes it or not, she is the only one with the power to restore balance to the world. 👩🏼🐦🔥🖼️✨
“To all the older sisters who selflessly protected you, no matter the sacrifices they had to make. And to the younger sisters who may feel overwhelmed by the thought of ever repaying such kindness.”
Review : The world-building was a bit difficult for me to grasp, making it harder to fully immerse myself in the book while reading. At times, it felt like the story was set in a modern-day world with advanced electronic keypads and everyday comforts such as refrigerators, trains, hot showers…
At other moments, it leaned more towards a magical medieval setting featuring horseback travel, potion-making, magic powers and herbal remedies.
From what I gathered, the world even seemed to have a post-apocalyptic or dystopian vibe? Like ‘The Shannara Chronicles’ or ‘Divergent’.
I would have loved a more detailed visual introduction to the main characters.
(especially Gen, Lou, Luke and Caspian)
A clearer description early on could have helped me form a stronger connection with them from the start.
I really enjoyed the flashback chapters! 🫶🏻They became essential not only for understanding the story but also for getting to know Genevieve as a character.
As for the spiced scene around Chapter 18, I honestly didn’t enjoy reading it. Even though Luke plays a big role later in the story, I personally feel this moment wasn’t meant to happen. For scenes like this, readers should get a heads-up before being thrown into them. A slow burn would have had a much greater emotional impact.
I’ll give the sequels a chance because of the big plot twist at the end and further potential of the story. 🧐
Would I recommend this book? At this moment no, but with some tweaks and changes, definitely!
July 14, 2025
I was looking forward to this ARC. Started with enthusiasm as the magic system is unique: loved it! Also the bit of worldbuilding you get was nice, but sometimes felt incomplete (and some snippets felt inspired by other famous books? A touch of Velaris maybe? ). Maybe I just need to read the next books. Nothing wrong with that. Made me stop and wonder a few times though.
The characters are cute, but not deeply explored. Gen & her younger sister are wee bit young for the adventure, as the name of the shapeshifting compagnon suggests.
.
Read if you...
♡ youngsters on a magical adventure
♡ left in the dark and want to map out possible ways the story can evolve to
♡ A UNIQUE MAGIC SYSTEM
♡ a slightly broody sidekick (i hope he will be the friends2lovers in the next installment 😁)
.
Stay clear if...
¿ youngsters and spice isn't your thing
¿ you enjoy epic fantasy
¿ a quick read (cause this is part 1 of 'A tale of 12 cities'... more books will come! 😄)
.
Maybe it's my prude nature -ahum-, but the spice was a surpise! The plot twist at the end wasn't. So would rate it 3☆|5 because I do see the potential the series can grow into. Go, @irisdevreeauthor ! Thank you for trusting me with your baby ♡
I read as an ARC but the author worked further on the book so maybe my reading experience may be different from yours 🤭.
The characters are cute, but not deeply explored. Gen & her younger sister are wee bit young for the adventure, as the name of the shapeshifting compagnon suggests.
.
Read if you...
♡ youngsters on a magical adventure
♡ left in the dark and want to map out possible ways the story can evolve to
♡ A UNIQUE MAGIC SYSTEM
♡ a slightly broody sidekick (i hope he will be the friends2lovers in the next installment 😁)
.
Stay clear if...
¿ youngsters and spice isn't your thing
¿ you enjoy epic fantasy
¿ a quick read (cause this is part 1 of 'A tale of 12 cities'... more books will come! 😄)
.
Maybe it's my prude nature -ahum-, but the spice was a surpise! The plot twist at the end wasn't. So would rate it 3☆|5 because I do see the potential the series can grow into. Go, @irisdevreeauthor ! Thank you for trusting me with your baby ♡
I read as an ARC but the author worked further on the book so maybe my reading experience may be different from yours 🤭.
March 9, 2025
Thank you de Vree for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review before publication- heads up, this is a long review.
I’ve been told that since this review she has changed several things about the book (as also said on her social media), so i was not reviewing an ARC (finished copy), but instead reviewing a beta copy. I was not told this when applying & receiving & reading- all emails and posts on social media said this was a finished ARC. i do not know what has changed since writing this review (re-write 536 / Feb 7th 2025):
There's a handful of things I liked about this book- there are some lovely passages and insightful quotes about family and time (the ones featured on social media), but there's more things I disliked, which took me out of the immersion completely. I really, truly wanted to like this and be involved in the world, but something wasn’t clicking for me.
Firstly: There are hardly any descriptions of the setting or the characters. I do not have any idea what Genevieve looked like until the fifth chapter where I learnt of just her eye colour. Her hair colour came in the final 1/3 of the book where she dyed it a different colour. Her sister had a similar timeframe, however only being described as 'pale' and 'curly' and 'blonde'. When we meet anyone who is not white (pale), the description is 'dark skinned' (perfectly fine) and then 'chocolate' and 'mocha'. This is not fine at all, when you haven't described anyone else as foods, or in 'indulgent tones'. We are past the point in writing where all black people are chocolate. All of these characters have 'honey eyes' but one of the white characters have 'periwinkle blue'. This annoyed me for the vast majority of the book. All of the characters we meet are curly haired except for one. They are all tall. They all have glowing skin. And if this is not the case, I have had to make it up because there aren't any descriptions of them.
There aren’t many descriptions of the world or when it is set. Immediately I am led to believe we are set in the past in an old city in a small cabin in the mountains. Everyone here travels by foot or horseback, with fires as stoves, and fight with spears and traditional armour, however people can take photos, things such as keypads and elevators exist and the language conveys otherwise. I found most of this book challenging since I didnt know what I was meant to picture, or how big the world is (are we on an island??). There are tunnels connecting each town/city, so why would anyone ever travel above ground?
Secondly: I dont believe any characters in this. It was extremely unclear that Louella was the younger sister when for the first few chapters she is constantly filtering over Genevieve, and often makes more sense than her in situations. The two of them did not feel like sisters at all, with no relationship outside of 'you're my baby sister!!' and 'you baby me too much!!' and this was extremely repetitive. Our supposed MMC Caspian comes up with the pet name 'Little Girl' with is not a pet name if you dont know the person, and felt rather creepy. He is constantly belittling her and gives us no reason to like him, but suddenly is careful around her, and wishes to help, only to turn around again. This was the case with a lot of the characters- hot and cold, not knowing what they wanted, then disappearing until they became needed for the plot again.
Thirdly: the overall plot just felt messy. The flashbacks were so confusing as all they did was explain something we had already been told. Genevieve constantly thinks 'but oh no, that's too dangerous based on what happened last time- i can't tell the others' however that doesn't mean anything because we, the reader don't know!! Why should I care about these secrets that I dont know anything about? If this is from her perspective, then we are supposed to know everything she does but instead it felt like we were just a character being told everything. There's a lot of 'show don't tell' but It really would be nice to have things told. Characters are falling in love at first sight and then not being explored, powers appear and then aren't developed, there was a plot about how the two girls might not be sisters that was immediately closed because 'you'll always be my sister!' but I'm not invested because I know nothing about your powers, where they come from or who your parents are. I don't know why she's being hunted by the king, or why she has these powers, or why she can't awaken everyone at once, or why she feels a need to run away, or why Grandma is hunted underground. Waffles is said to have 'so much power' but then Isn't elaborated on. Why does he get to stay out of a paining, and how come only he can change magical forms?
Having a prologue setting up the king or twelve cities, or Grandmas underground operation, or any of the politics of the world I think was needed, since from Genevieve's perspective, she already knows this- but we don't, so why aren't we in on the know? Any foreshadowing would be nice leading up to the 'twist reveal' at the end but nothing was set up. Everything just happened.
As a final point, the sex scene written into this was extremely confusing and made me uncomfortable. It's as if de Vree forgot that Genevieve was extremely drunk (within a minute) and was completely fine with Luke not knowing this, or taking advantage. It then seriously weirded me out in this setting for her to then pull out a vibrator (that she named) multiple times to think about him and get off. Why? This didn't add anything to the story or our character, since after this chapter it's not thought of again. There were no warnings of this anywhere in the book, or anything content warnings for readers who may wish to avoid topics. I didn’t want to read about a graphic torture scene, but I wasn’t aware it was happening.
After the excitement i had about getting to read this, I am disappointed in its final product. Two stars as I am intrigued by Maximillian, but that would be the only thing keeping me interested in the rest of the series. It felt like there were lots of ideas and wanted to write about all of them, but didn't manage to link them together, so each chapter felt like a new trope (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but not my thing).
This is a book i would happily reread with a few rewrites and a lot more time editing, as I truly loved the idea and premise and the snippets de Vree had shared on social media. I would be more than happy to discuss more about these points I made (and more) to anyone wanting to listen, or to anyone who has read this. If there is a second one, i’ll pick it up in order to see where it goes next, but i’m not as invested as I was at the start.
Thank you for the ARC and an opportunity to give my personal, honest thoughts.
I’ve been told that since this review she has changed several things about the book (as also said on her social media), so i was not reviewing an ARC (finished copy), but instead reviewing a beta copy. I was not told this when applying & receiving & reading- all emails and posts on social media said this was a finished ARC. i do not know what has changed since writing this review (re-write 536 / Feb 7th 2025):
There's a handful of things I liked about this book- there are some lovely passages and insightful quotes about family and time (the ones featured on social media), but there's more things I disliked, which took me out of the immersion completely. I really, truly wanted to like this and be involved in the world, but something wasn’t clicking for me.
Firstly: There are hardly any descriptions of the setting or the characters. I do not have any idea what Genevieve looked like until the fifth chapter where I learnt of just her eye colour. Her hair colour came in the final 1/3 of the book where she dyed it a different colour. Her sister had a similar timeframe, however only being described as 'pale' and 'curly' and 'blonde'. When we meet anyone who is not white (pale), the description is 'dark skinned' (perfectly fine) and then 'chocolate' and 'mocha'. This is not fine at all, when you haven't described anyone else as foods, or in 'indulgent tones'. We are past the point in writing where all black people are chocolate. All of these characters have 'honey eyes' but one of the white characters have 'periwinkle blue'. This annoyed me for the vast majority of the book. All of the characters we meet are curly haired except for one. They are all tall. They all have glowing skin. And if this is not the case, I have had to make it up because there aren't any descriptions of them.
There aren’t many descriptions of the world or when it is set. Immediately I am led to believe we are set in the past in an old city in a small cabin in the mountains. Everyone here travels by foot or horseback, with fires as stoves, and fight with spears and traditional armour, however people can take photos, things such as keypads and elevators exist and the language conveys otherwise. I found most of this book challenging since I didnt know what I was meant to picture, or how big the world is (are we on an island??). There are tunnels connecting each town/city, so why would anyone ever travel above ground?
Secondly: I dont believe any characters in this. It was extremely unclear that Louella was the younger sister when for the first few chapters she is constantly filtering over Genevieve, and often makes more sense than her in situations. The two of them did not feel like sisters at all, with no relationship outside of 'you're my baby sister!!' and 'you baby me too much!!' and this was extremely repetitive. Our supposed MMC Caspian comes up with the pet name 'Little Girl' with is not a pet name if you dont know the person, and felt rather creepy. He is constantly belittling her and gives us no reason to like him, but suddenly is careful around her, and wishes to help, only to turn around again. This was the case with a lot of the characters- hot and cold, not knowing what they wanted, then disappearing until they became needed for the plot again.
Thirdly: the overall plot just felt messy. The flashbacks were so confusing as all they did was explain something we had already been told. Genevieve constantly thinks 'but oh no, that's too dangerous based on what happened last time- i can't tell the others' however that doesn't mean anything because we, the reader don't know!! Why should I care about these secrets that I dont know anything about? If this is from her perspective, then we are supposed to know everything she does but instead it felt like we were just a character being told everything. There's a lot of 'show don't tell' but It really would be nice to have things told. Characters are falling in love at first sight and then not being explored, powers appear and then aren't developed, there was a plot about how the two girls might not be sisters that was immediately closed because 'you'll always be my sister!' but I'm not invested because I know nothing about your powers, where they come from or who your parents are. I don't know why she's being hunted by the king, or why she has these powers, or why she can't awaken everyone at once, or why she feels a need to run away, or why Grandma is hunted underground. Waffles is said to have 'so much power' but then Isn't elaborated on. Why does he get to stay out of a paining, and how come only he can change magical forms?
Having a prologue setting up the king or twelve cities, or Grandmas underground operation, or any of the politics of the world I think was needed, since from Genevieve's perspective, she already knows this- but we don't, so why aren't we in on the know? Any foreshadowing would be nice leading up to the 'twist reveal' at the end but nothing was set up. Everything just happened.
As a final point, the sex scene written into this was extremely confusing and made me uncomfortable. It's as if de Vree forgot that Genevieve was extremely drunk (within a minute) and was completely fine with Luke not knowing this, or taking advantage. It then seriously weirded me out in this setting for her to then pull out a vibrator (that she named) multiple times to think about him and get off. Why? This didn't add anything to the story or our character, since after this chapter it's not thought of again. There were no warnings of this anywhere in the book, or anything content warnings for readers who may wish to avoid topics. I didn’t want to read about a graphic torture scene, but I wasn’t aware it was happening.
After the excitement i had about getting to read this, I am disappointed in its final product. Two stars as I am intrigued by Maximillian, but that would be the only thing keeping me interested in the rest of the series. It felt like there were lots of ideas and wanted to write about all of them, but didn't manage to link them together, so each chapter felt like a new trope (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but not my thing).
This is a book i would happily reread with a few rewrites and a lot more time editing, as I truly loved the idea and premise and the snippets de Vree had shared on social media. I would be more than happy to discuss more about these points I made (and more) to anyone wanting to listen, or to anyone who has read this. If there is a second one, i’ll pick it up in order to see where it goes next, but i’m not as invested as I was at the start.
Thank you for the ARC and an opportunity to give my personal, honest thoughts.
October 4, 2025
✨ Eerst en vooral, dankjewel aan Iris voor dit prachtige boek. Ik had nog niet veel fantasy, gelezen, maar Secrets on the Wall heeft me helemaal overtuigd om meer van het genre te ontdekken!
Op haar 16e verjaardag ontdekt Genevieve dat ze een bijzondere gave heeft: wanneer ze schilderijen aanraakt, komen ze tot leven. Maar met nieuwe krachten komen ook nieuwe gevaren… Dat beseft ze pas echt wanneer haar beste vriend Knox haar verraadt en zich aansluit bij koning Whitefeather.
Samen met haar zus Louanne en haar eerste tot leven gewekte vriend, de cutie shapeshifter Waffles 🧇, moet ze vluchten. Wat volgt is een spannend avontuur vol magie, vriendschap, maar ook pijn en verdriet.
📖 Ik was echt onder de indruk van de schrijfstijl. Genevieve maakt zo’n mooie evolutie door, ondanks alles wat ze meemaakt. En de band met haar jongere zus Louanne? Prachtig. Als de jongste van 4 meisjes voelde ik die liefde zó hard. 💕
Ik las de tweede helft in één ruk uit en na dat intense einde kan ik niet wachten op deel 2, dat komt trouwens binnenkort uit!! Zo leuk 🖼️🐕🤴🏻
•••
✨ First of all, a huge thanks to Iris for this beautiful book. I hadn’t read much fantasy before, but Secrets on the Wall completely convinced me to explore more of the genre!
On her 16th birthday, Genevieve discovers she has a special gift: when she touches paintings, they come to life. But with new powers come new dangers… and she learns that the hard way when her best friend Knox betrays her and joins King Whitefeather.
🧇 Together with her sister Louanne and her first-ever brought-to-life friend, the adorable shapeshifter Waffles, she’s forced to flee. What follows is a thrilling adventure filled with magic, friendship, but also pain and heartbreak.
📖 I was genuinely impressed by the writing style. Genevieve goes through such a beautiful evolution, despite everything she endures. And the bond with her younger sister Louanne? Stunning. As the youngest of four girls myself, I felt that sisterly love so deeply. 💕
I devoured the second half in one sitting, and after that intense ending I seriously can’t wait for book two, which is coming soon, by the way!! So exciting 🖼️🐕🤴🏻
Op haar 16e verjaardag ontdekt Genevieve dat ze een bijzondere gave heeft: wanneer ze schilderijen aanraakt, komen ze tot leven. Maar met nieuwe krachten komen ook nieuwe gevaren… Dat beseft ze pas echt wanneer haar beste vriend Knox haar verraadt en zich aansluit bij koning Whitefeather.
Samen met haar zus Louanne en haar eerste tot leven gewekte vriend, de cutie shapeshifter Waffles 🧇, moet ze vluchten. Wat volgt is een spannend avontuur vol magie, vriendschap, maar ook pijn en verdriet.
📖 Ik was echt onder de indruk van de schrijfstijl. Genevieve maakt zo’n mooie evolutie door, ondanks alles wat ze meemaakt. En de band met haar jongere zus Louanne? Prachtig. Als de jongste van 4 meisjes voelde ik die liefde zó hard. 💕
Ik las de tweede helft in één ruk uit en na dat intense einde kan ik niet wachten op deel 2, dat komt trouwens binnenkort uit!! Zo leuk 🖼️🐕🤴🏻
•••
✨ First of all, a huge thanks to Iris for this beautiful book. I hadn’t read much fantasy before, but Secrets on the Wall completely convinced me to explore more of the genre!
On her 16th birthday, Genevieve discovers she has a special gift: when she touches paintings, they come to life. But with new powers come new dangers… and she learns that the hard way when her best friend Knox betrays her and joins King Whitefeather.
🧇 Together with her sister Louanne and her first-ever brought-to-life friend, the adorable shapeshifter Waffles, she’s forced to flee. What follows is a thrilling adventure filled with magic, friendship, but also pain and heartbreak.
📖 I was genuinely impressed by the writing style. Genevieve goes through such a beautiful evolution, despite everything she endures. And the bond with her younger sister Louanne? Stunning. As the youngest of four girls myself, I felt that sisterly love so deeply. 💕
I devoured the second half in one sitting, and after that intense ending I seriously can’t wait for book two, which is coming soon, by the way!! So exciting 🖼️🐕🤴🏻
March 21, 2025
ARC Book Review: Secrets on the Wall ️ ️(4/5 Stars)
I received this book as an ARC in return for an honest review. Let me start by saying that after reading some of the previous reviews, I can tell the author did a lot of work on the book. I hope she writes book two because she has a really unique magic system that is hard to find now.
This book was such a fun blend of magic, mystery, and sisterhood! The bond between the sisters felt so genuine and heartfelt—I was completely invested in their relationship. And can we take a moment for Waffles? Naming a shapeshifter (who can turn into a literal panther) Waffles was pure genius. He also shifts into a golden retriever, and honestly, I need an entire spin-off dedicated to his chaotic, adorable existence.
The magic system was so unique—paintings coming to life? Total Night at the Museum vibes, and I was obsessed. The different clans and their distinct powers were fascinating, and I kept wanting to know more about them.
The world-building was solid but could have used a little more detail. I wasn't entirely sure if this was set in a contemporary world or something else, and I also found myself wishing for more character descriptions early on. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment, but a bit more clarity would have been nice!
And that ending? Chef’s kiss. I knew something was off throughout the story—things just weren’t adding up. So when the big reveal happened, I was like I knew it! But also… I absolutely did not know it. It surprised me in the best way possible. Now I’m dying to know what’s really going on with Luke in the next book!
If you like:
-YA
-Unique magic
-Sisterly bonds
-Found family
-Shapeshifting fun
-"Night at the Museum" vibes
-Unexpected twists
-Intriguing world-building
-Light Spice
-Fantasy
Then this might be the book for you. :)
I received this book as an ARC in return for an honest review. Let me start by saying that after reading some of the previous reviews, I can tell the author did a lot of work on the book. I hope she writes book two because she has a really unique magic system that is hard to find now.
This book was such a fun blend of magic, mystery, and sisterhood! The bond between the sisters felt so genuine and heartfelt—I was completely invested in their relationship. And can we take a moment for Waffles? Naming a shapeshifter (who can turn into a literal panther) Waffles was pure genius. He also shifts into a golden retriever, and honestly, I need an entire spin-off dedicated to his chaotic, adorable existence.
The magic system was so unique—paintings coming to life? Total Night at the Museum vibes, and I was obsessed. The different clans and their distinct powers were fascinating, and I kept wanting to know more about them.
The world-building was solid but could have used a little more detail. I wasn't entirely sure if this was set in a contemporary world or something else, and I also found myself wishing for more character descriptions early on. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment, but a bit more clarity would have been nice!
And that ending? Chef’s kiss. I knew something was off throughout the story—things just weren’t adding up. So when the big reveal happened, I was like I knew it! But also… I absolutely did not know it. It surprised me in the best way possible. Now I’m dying to know what’s really going on with Luke in the next book!
If you like:
-YA
-Unique magic
-Sisterly bonds
-Found family
-Shapeshifting fun
-"Night at the Museum" vibes
-Unexpected twists
-Intriguing world-building
-Light Spice
-Fantasy
Then this might be the book for you. :)
October 26, 2025
When Genevieve Emberlyn turns 16 her world changes. By touching a painting she awakens a mythical creature, which was hidden in plain sight. When it happens again some time later she discovers it’s not just her head messing with her but there’s a whole world she’s never know, her world but containing so many secrets. She’s the only one who can release these paintings and restore the clans that ever were but has to do this while the king is hunting her.
I went into the book thinking it was a standalone but now I need book 2, fast!
The book switches between the current days and chapters regarding the past of main character Genevieve. This way we get to learn her and her sister’s Louanne past and present throughout the book. Genevieve is a strong female character and is pact with love, power and sass, which made me laugh out loud more than 1 time. Her sister is just the nicest girl who cares for her big sister as much as she can and then we have the cutest pet of all times waffles.
I liked the worldbuilding, how the world and places are described as well as the clans that lived in it, each having their own special kind of magic.
But most of all I loved how the story wasn’t predictable. I had really no idea of what was coming next and where it all would lead. And with the last twist I can’t wait to continue on book 2, luckily that released 2 weeks ago!
An magical story with twists and turns about friendship, sisterhood, betrayal and a magic world that ever existed.
I went into the book thinking it was a standalone but now I need book 2, fast!
The book switches between the current days and chapters regarding the past of main character Genevieve. This way we get to learn her and her sister’s Louanne past and present throughout the book. Genevieve is a strong female character and is pact with love, power and sass, which made me laugh out loud more than 1 time. Her sister is just the nicest girl who cares for her big sister as much as she can and then we have the cutest pet of all times waffles.
I liked the worldbuilding, how the world and places are described as well as the clans that lived in it, each having their own special kind of magic.
But most of all I loved how the story wasn’t predictable. I had really no idea of what was coming next and where it all would lead. And with the last twist I can’t wait to continue on book 2, luckily that released 2 weeks ago!
An magical story with twists and turns about friendship, sisterhood, betrayal and a magic world that ever existed.
October 9, 2025
This YA fantasy had me hooked from the first chapter and left me staring at my eReader like ??? HOW dare you end it there?!
So, we’re following sixteen-year-old Genevieve Emberlyn, who accidentally awakens a literal mythical creature by touching an old painting in a museum (as one does). Turns out, she has this insanely cool power—she can bring painted beings to life. I mean, HELLO?? If I could do that, I’d be bringing my favorite fantasy art to life immediately. That whole concept alone had me obsessed.
The world-building is chef’s kiss — magical clans, hidden cities, secret histories… it all feels so rich and layered. It makes the story super immersive. And the flashbacks? Such a good move. They give us these emotional little windows into the past that make you understand the characters (and their trauma, let’s be honest) so much better.
The characters are also really fun. Genevieve’s sister, Louanne, is a ride-or-die queen, and Waffles (the shapeshifting golden retriever 🐾) fully owns my heart. But I’m still wondering… where did Waffles go during that one part?? Like ma’am, explain yourself.
And don’t even get me started on the ending. The final chapters had me on the EDGE of my seat—plot twists, emotions, chaos—and then it just ENDS.
If you’re into YA fantasy with powerful sibling bonds, a sprinkle of mystery, and a totally original magic system, Secrets on the Wall is 100% for you.
So, we’re following sixteen-year-old Genevieve Emberlyn, who accidentally awakens a literal mythical creature by touching an old painting in a museum (as one does). Turns out, she has this insanely cool power—she can bring painted beings to life. I mean, HELLO?? If I could do that, I’d be bringing my favorite fantasy art to life immediately. That whole concept alone had me obsessed.
The world-building is chef’s kiss — magical clans, hidden cities, secret histories… it all feels so rich and layered. It makes the story super immersive. And the flashbacks? Such a good move. They give us these emotional little windows into the past that make you understand the characters (and their trauma, let’s be honest) so much better.
The characters are also really fun. Genevieve’s sister, Louanne, is a ride-or-die queen, and Waffles (the shapeshifting golden retriever 🐾) fully owns my heart. But I’m still wondering… where did Waffles go during that one part?? Like ma’am, explain yourself.
And don’t even get me started on the ending. The final chapters had me on the EDGE of my seat—plot twists, emotions, chaos—and then it just ENDS.
If you’re into YA fantasy with powerful sibling bonds, a sprinkle of mystery, and a totally original magic system, Secrets on the Wall is 100% for you.
September 17, 2025
Het verhaal gaat over de zestienjarige Genevieve, wanneer zij een oud schilderij in een museum aanraakt, ontwaakt er per ongeluk een mystisch wezen. In de kunstwerken zit al eeuwenlang een magische wereld verborgen en Genevieve is hun sleutel tot bevrijding. Omdat magie verboden is, maakt dit haar ook een doelwit! Ze moet vluchten omdat haar leven op het spel staat en ze achterna wordt gezeten door de koning die haar familie heeft verwoest. Alleen komt ze terecht in een web vol verraad, leugens en geheimen. Is de band met haar zus Louanne sterk genoeg om te overleven? Kunnen zij de balans tussen mens en magie herstellen?
Een duistere fantasy verhaal met magie en een origineel verhaallijn?! Yes please.
Ik lees vaker Engelse boeken, maar dan vooral romans. Het verhaal is goed te volgen en weet je als lezer nieuwsgierig te houden. Naast de beeldende schrijfstijl, zijn er ook sterke dialogen en zit er genoeg diepgang in het verhaal. De dappere zestienjarige Genevieve wordt voor de leeuwen gegooid omdat zij plotseling als heldin moet optreden. Maar dankzij haar oudere zus, Louanne, komen zij een heel eind. In het verhaal gaat het niet alleen om de sterke band tussen de zussen, maar ook over vertrouwen, jezelf ontdekken en magie.
4.0★
Een duistere fantasy verhaal met magie en een origineel verhaallijn?! Yes please.
Ik lees vaker Engelse boeken, maar dan vooral romans. Het verhaal is goed te volgen en weet je als lezer nieuwsgierig te houden. Naast de beeldende schrijfstijl, zijn er ook sterke dialogen en zit er genoeg diepgang in het verhaal. De dappere zestienjarige Genevieve wordt voor de leeuwen gegooid omdat zij plotseling als heldin moet optreden. Maar dankzij haar oudere zus, Louanne, komen zij een heel eind. In het verhaal gaat het niet alleen om de sterke band tussen de zussen, maar ook over vertrouwen, jezelf ontdekken en magie.
4.0★
February 13, 2025
A fun young adult novel with a strong sister bond with trust as a central topic.
The book reads very easily (I finished it over the weekend). By the first chapter, I was already hooked; the world was immediately clear. The setting, with twelve cities and twelve Clans, each with unique traits, is gradually developed.
After meeting the main characters and their recognizable personality traits, there are flashbacks that help explain why Genevieve has trust issues. The bond between the sisters Genevieve and Louanne is beautifully portrayed. I must admit, I’m a bit envious of their relationship, how they silently show that they’d always go through fire for each other and understand each other with just a glance or a touch.
With Luke, I kept wondering what his role in the story was, and I had to wait a long time to understand his connection.
Occasionally, I thought the flashbacks were a bit long, but I understand they contribute to the story.
I would’ve liked to see "more"—more details about the Clans, more about how Genevieve handles her powers, and more about the bond between Caspian and Genevieve. In other words, plenty of material for the sequel! I’m looking forward to it!
The book reads very easily (I finished it over the weekend). By the first chapter, I was already hooked; the world was immediately clear. The setting, with twelve cities and twelve Clans, each with unique traits, is gradually developed.
After meeting the main characters and their recognizable personality traits, there are flashbacks that help explain why Genevieve has trust issues. The bond between the sisters Genevieve and Louanne is beautifully portrayed. I must admit, I’m a bit envious of their relationship, how they silently show that they’d always go through fire for each other and understand each other with just a glance or a touch.
With Luke, I kept wondering what his role in the story was, and I had to wait a long time to understand his connection.
Occasionally, I thought the flashbacks were a bit long, but I understand they contribute to the story.
I would’ve liked to see "more"—more details about the Clans, more about how Genevieve handles her powers, and more about the bond between Caspian and Genevieve. In other words, plenty of material for the sequel! I’m looking forward to it!
February 24, 2025
From the very first pages of Secrets on the Wall, I was hooked. The plot is incredibly creative— unlike anything I’ve read before. I found myself eager to uncover more about the story and its characters, drawn in by the uniqueness of the magic and how it unfolds. I honestly hope there’s more to come.
One thing I really appreciated is that the book never feels overly descriptive. Personally, I tend to lose focus when a story gets too caught up in details—I prefer to shape the world and characters in my own mind. Secrets on the Wall strikes the perfect balance, giving just enough to spark the imagination while keeping the pace engaging.
The flashbacks are such a great touch! They give more depth to the main storyline in a really clever way, making everything feel even more immersive. Oh, and the humor! This book had me laughing at unexpected moments, which made the whole reading experience even more fun.
If you’re looking for a book that’s fresh, fun and full of heart, Secrets on the Wall is definitely worth reading! I can’t wait for more from Iris de Vree!
One thing I really appreciated is that the book never feels overly descriptive. Personally, I tend to lose focus when a story gets too caught up in details—I prefer to shape the world and characters in my own mind. Secrets on the Wall strikes the perfect balance, giving just enough to spark the imagination while keeping the pace engaging.
The flashbacks are such a great touch! They give more depth to the main storyline in a really clever way, making everything feel even more immersive. Oh, and the humor! This book had me laughing at unexpected moments, which made the whole reading experience even more fun.
If you’re looking for a book that’s fresh, fun and full of heart, Secrets on the Wall is definitely worth reading! I can’t wait for more from Iris de Vree!
March 9, 2025
First of all I would like to thank Iris de Vree and her team to give me the opportunity to be an ARC reader.
Secrets on the Wall is an enthralling story about two sisters, Genevieve and Louanne, who would do anything for what they believe in. We read the story through the eyes of the eldest sister Genevieve, who's only a few months away from her 20th birthday. The story is about the love between siblings, learning to open up to other people, and feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. The worldbuilding of this fantasy world comes slowly, is easy to follow, and is again navigated through the eyes of Genevieve.
In my opinion this story has the perfect mix of good vs evil, trauma (be aware for possible triggers), suspense and relief. I honestly can't wait to read the next book as soon as it comes out.
This book is, in my opinion, great for people who love an easy-to-navigate fantasy world, relatable characters, suspense, and not too much spice, in the young-adult/new-adult genre.
Secrets on the Wall is an enthralling story about two sisters, Genevieve and Louanne, who would do anything for what they believe in. We read the story through the eyes of the eldest sister Genevieve, who's only a few months away from her 20th birthday. The story is about the love between siblings, learning to open up to other people, and feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. The worldbuilding of this fantasy world comes slowly, is easy to follow, and is again navigated through the eyes of Genevieve.
In my opinion this story has the perfect mix of good vs evil, trauma (be aware for possible triggers), suspense and relief. I honestly can't wait to read the next book as soon as it comes out.
This book is, in my opinion, great for people who love an easy-to-navigate fantasy world, relatable characters, suspense, and not too much spice, in the young-adult/new-adult genre.
March 14, 2025
Thank you to Iris de Vree for the ARC of Secrets on the Wall!
This is a NA fantasy set in a pretty unique world with a magic system that I cannot wait to learn more about. We learn the general gist of the lore and have a great introduction to the world. We learn that there are 12 clans, each with their own abilities. And then there is Genevieve with her own unique ability and learning what her role in the fate of the world is.
This was a great story of Genevieve learning who she is and where she fits. There are flashbacks throughout that help us learn more about Genevieve's outlook and her issues.
One of the central themes that really pulled at my heartstrings was Genevieve's bond with her young sister Louanne. There is nothing as strong as a sister bond and what they will do for each other, and this was a beautiful relationship to read about.
And that ending! I audibly gasped!
This was a great introduction into this world, and I am really looking forward to where this goes!
This is a NA fantasy set in a pretty unique world with a magic system that I cannot wait to learn more about. We learn the general gist of the lore and have a great introduction to the world. We learn that there are 12 clans, each with their own abilities. And then there is Genevieve with her own unique ability and learning what her role in the fate of the world is.
This was a great story of Genevieve learning who she is and where she fits. There are flashbacks throughout that help us learn more about Genevieve's outlook and her issues.
One of the central themes that really pulled at my heartstrings was Genevieve's bond with her young sister Louanne. There is nothing as strong as a sister bond and what they will do for each other, and this was a beautiful relationship to read about.
And that ending! I audibly gasped!
This was a great introduction into this world, and I am really looking forward to where this goes!
August 13, 2025
Secrets on the Wall is een meeslepende fantasy vol mysterie en sterke personages, maar toch luchtig en toegankelijk geschreven. Vanaf de eerste bladzijde werd ik meegenomen naar een bijzondere wereld waarin mensen gevangen zitten in schilderijen — een origineel idee dat mijn nieuwsgierigheid meteen prikkelde.
Het verhaal leest ontzettend vlot, bijna in één adem, terwijl de spanning langzaam wordt opgebouwd. Vooral richting het einde wordt het echt moeilijk om het boek weg te leggen. De ontknoping is een onverwachte plottwist die mij volledig verraste en meteen mijn honger naar het vervolg aanwakkerde.
Dit is zo’n boek dat je met plezier uitleest en waar je nog even in blijft hangen nadat je de laatste pagina hebt omgeslagen. Een absolute aanrader voor liefhebbers van fantasievolle werelden, intrigerende verhalen en een vleugje onverwacht avontuur.
Het verhaal leest ontzettend vlot, bijna in één adem, terwijl de spanning langzaam wordt opgebouwd. Vooral richting het einde wordt het echt moeilijk om het boek weg te leggen. De ontknoping is een onverwachte plottwist die mij volledig verraste en meteen mijn honger naar het vervolg aanwakkerde.
Dit is zo’n boek dat je met plezier uitleest en waar je nog even in blijft hangen nadat je de laatste pagina hebt omgeslagen. Een absolute aanrader voor liefhebbers van fantasievolle werelden, intrigerende verhalen en een vleugje onverwacht avontuur.
February 12, 2025
I really enjoyed the heart in this book! The female lead’s snippy humor, her bond with her sister and grandma, and the intriguing magic system kept me engaged. Also, Waffles the shapeshifter? Absolutely adorable!
I will say, at times, the worldbuilding felt unclear, with the setting shifting between contemporary and medieval, making it hard to fully visualize some scenes. Some characters also lacked detail, and while I liked the younger sister a lot, she often came across as older than the protagonist, especially early on.
Overall though, a solid story with heart, good banter between the lead and the male character Caspian, and the call to an adventure—I’m looking forward to seeing more of this world in future books!
June 26, 2025
As a fellow member of Schrijvers bij Auryn, I’m really proud of Iris for publishing such a fun and creative debut! You can tell she had a great time writing it, which always makes it more enjoyable to read.
The worldbuilding is full of interesting concepts, and I especially loved the character and clan names. They fit so well! The story had me curious throughout, though I was left with quite a few questions by the end (which I hope will be answered in the sequel!). I’m intrigued to see where things go next! I need answers 😂
Also… the spicy scene? Did not see that coming 😅 so just a heads-up if you’re not expecting it!
Looking forward to part two!
The worldbuilding is full of interesting concepts, and I especially loved the character and clan names. They fit so well! The story had me curious throughout, though I was left with quite a few questions by the end (which I hope will be answered in the sequel!). I’m intrigued to see where things go next! I need answers 😂
Also… the spicy scene? Did not see that coming 😅 so just a heads-up if you’re not expecting it!
Looking forward to part two!
March 28, 2025
A little belated due to some troubles but!
Four and a half!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
I loved this book! It's unique way is fascinating.
At first i had a little trouble getting into the story but the more the page turned the more I was Into it.
I am happy that I have been part of the ARC team. I recommend this book for fantasy lovers, and to have a good read.
The author is kind and lovely which always adds to me to a book.
Absolutely give it a try ^^
Four and a half!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
I loved this book! It's unique way is fascinating.
At first i had a little trouble getting into the story but the more the page turned the more I was Into it.
I am happy that I have been part of the ARC team. I recommend this book for fantasy lovers, and to have a good read.
The author is kind and lovely which always adds to me to a book.
Absolutely give it a try ^^
May 12, 2025
This book completely blew me away! From the first chapter, I was hooked by the mystery and emotional depth. The writing is beautiful, the characters feel so real, and the twists kept me turning pages late into the night. Iris de Vree has such a talent for creating atmosphere and tension. I loved every second of this book. Definitely a new favorite! Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys suspense with heart.
July 16, 2025
I honestly didn’t expect to get that into it, but I really loved this book. The story was super interesting, the characters felt real and unique, and the whole universe had something original that kept me hooked.
What really got me though was the ending 😭 that twist?? Like for real ?! 😭😭, and now I need the next part. Like, you can’t just leave me like that 💀
Totally recommend it if you like stories with mystery, emotions, and unexpected turns.
What really got me though was the ending 😭 that twist?? Like for real ?! 😭😭, and now I need the next part. Like, you can’t just leave me like that 💀
Totally recommend it if you like stories with mystery, emotions, and unexpected turns.
July 18, 2025
I really had a good time reading this book. There’s a really cool magic system, different clans with different powers, a family bond with older sister, younger sister,and grandma. Oh! And a shapeshifter pet named Waffles that could change from a snake to a golden retriever plus some. So adorable!
Their home is underground under an art museum and u really liked the structure of it. I did not see that ending coming and I’ll be waiting for a send book!
Their home is underground under an art museum and u really liked the structure of it. I did not see that ending coming and I’ll be waiting for a send book!
February 9, 2025
This book was everything i hoped it would be!
It was fun.
It was emotional.
It was mysterious.
It was magical.
I loved the characters. The world building. The descriptions of the places and things. I could envision the whole book like a movie in my mind. 😍
Will the green-eyed man leave my mind? NO
Will I be in limbo until book 2? Absolutely!
It was fun.
It was emotional.
It was mysterious.
It was magical.
I loved the characters. The world building. The descriptions of the places and things. I could envision the whole book like a movie in my mind. 😍
Will the green-eyed man leave my mind? NO
Will I be in limbo until book 2? Absolutely!
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