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The End Unseen
From the author of the viral, bestselling #bestofbooktok sensation "Under Your Scars" comes one more tragic tale.
The Angel of Foresight, blind where it mattered.
Val-Theris Angelicus, the Angel-king of Seraveth is burdened with the curse of foresight. Haunted by visions of his own death and the fall of his kingdom, he is torn between crown and prophecy. Val-Theris has led his people into an age of prosperity as Oros the Bloodletter, the king of the neighboring kingdom of Korvath, seeks to conquer all.
In the midst of a war, Val-Theris takes in refugees from the small, neutral land of Lunareth, which has been invaded by Korvath as Oros and his army march toward Seraveth. One such refugee, Jesenia, is a weary, proud, and determined young woman who cares greatly for her people. After warning Val-Theris of an impending political assassination attempt, she slowly captures the heart of the benevolent Angel-king.
What begins as stolen glances and whispered conversations turns into love too dangerous to exist, and Val-Theris learns that the visions he’s plagued with were both prophecy and warning he was too blind to see.
This is a story of yearning and defiance, where a young woman tries to save the last of her people in a city that doesn't want them there, and where even angels cannot escape tragedy.
The Angel of Foresight, blind where it mattered.
Val-Theris Angelicus, the Angel-king of Seraveth is burdened with the curse of foresight. Haunted by visions of his own death and the fall of his kingdom, he is torn between crown and prophecy. Val-Theris has led his people into an age of prosperity as Oros the Bloodletter, the king of the neighboring kingdom of Korvath, seeks to conquer all.
In the midst of a war, Val-Theris takes in refugees from the small, neutral land of Lunareth, which has been invaded by Korvath as Oros and his army march toward Seraveth. One such refugee, Jesenia, is a weary, proud, and determined young woman who cares greatly for her people. After warning Val-Theris of an impending political assassination attempt, she slowly captures the heart of the benevolent Angel-king.
What begins as stolen glances and whispered conversations turns into love too dangerous to exist, and Val-Theris learns that the visions he’s plagued with were both prophecy and warning he was too blind to see.
This is a story of yearning and defiance, where a young woman tries to save the last of her people in a city that doesn't want them there, and where even angels cannot escape tragedy.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
97 people are currently reading
1051 people want to read
About the author
Ariel N. Anderson
8 books2,941 followersAriel Anderson is a native Texan enjoying a simple life with her husband, her cats, and her dog. Ariel graduated from the University of North Texas with a Criminal Justice degree. When she is not putting her characters through soul-crushing trauma, Ariel enjoys playing video games and drinking an unhealthy amount of Mountain Dew.
email: author@arielandersonauthor.com
Agent: Nikki Groom @ SBR Media
email: author@arielandersonauthor.com
Agent: Nikki Groom @ SBR Media
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April 16, 2026Biased Author Review Incoming.
*****& SPOILERS BELOW because I have a lot to say!*****
I haven’t really done an in-depth review of one of my own books since UYS, but I felt like with this one being an entirely different direction from my other books it warranted it.
Firstly, I wanted to say that the romance in this book is secondary to the larger plot, which is why it has always been advertised as a political fantasy first, romantic tragedy second. It’s really a story of corrupt politicians, spineless leaders, and the suffering of innocents FIRST, and a romance second. If you go into it expecting romance first or something romance-forward, you will probably be disappointed--but I also totally understand because I'm literally a romance author! If this confused anyone, I'm sorry.
Why did I choose to make the romance secondary? Well the answer is simply that I thought the heavier themes of the novel deserved the forefront, especially as I watched world conflicts develop in real time as I was writing it. It seemed…inappropriate to leave those themes in the background. I really wanted to focus on how Jesenia and her strength was the real star of the book.
And for those wondering, the reason why I didn’t include any graphic sexual content in this book was because I don’t really like writing smut (if you’ve been around for a while you know that) and because again, it would feel inappropriate given the setting and the true focus of the story.
I also think it’s important to note that another major theme of the novel is the spinelessness of Val-Theris in his attempts to do literally anything to end the suffering of anyone else in the novel. I don’t think Val-Theris is a bad person by any means, but at some point he needed to put his foot down. The fact that I made sure he didn’t was intentional, and one of his defining and most frustrating flaws. Trust me, I get it. A spineless god? He frustrated me too, crafting him. But in truth, his character needed to be that way to get the point across that ACTION is the only way to prove sincerity in his position. Think about how much better the world would have been if he grew a pair???? I also think the fact that Jesenia had to be the one to take on that mental and emotional load while he played king was reflective of the female condition, in how many of us can relate to having to shoulder the burden of everything in life to make everyone else feel better.
Also a side note, as the author, I wrote this book in 3rd person for a particular reason, and that is mainly because I imagine it’s sort of a loose retelling of the fall of Seraveth from Rohannes’ POV. I’m not sure if anyone picked up those vibes, but I’ve noticed I have a tendency to make side characters really loveable so, that’s my shoutout to you, Rohannes. (Yes, his name is inspired by Rohan from Lord of The Rings, and yes, Solmiris is inspired by Minas Tirith, and YES, Sunspire is inspired by Osgiliath.)
Second side note: Val-Theris’ character was heavily inspired by the primarch Sanguinius (RIP my king) from Warhammer 40k with a little dash of Aragorn and Anakin for that yearning we all love.
But in all seriousness, this book was really a love letter to anyone in a losing battle against powers greater than themselves. Whether that’s a small, internal war, or a devastating external war, I hope anyone experiencing those things felt like their struggles were heard and recognized.
And lastly, I hear your concerns about the writing being clunky. But alas, I am just a girl too fond of the comma who only realized she was REALLY too fond of the comma upon listening to the audiobook master files.
That’s all from me, happy reading!
*****& SPOILERS BELOW because I have a lot to say!*****
I haven’t really done an in-depth review of one of my own books since UYS, but I felt like with this one being an entirely different direction from my other books it warranted it.
Firstly, I wanted to say that the romance in this book is secondary to the larger plot, which is why it has always been advertised as a political fantasy first, romantic tragedy second. It’s really a story of corrupt politicians, spineless leaders, and the suffering of innocents FIRST, and a romance second. If you go into it expecting romance first or something romance-forward, you will probably be disappointed--but I also totally understand because I'm literally a romance author! If this confused anyone, I'm sorry.
Why did I choose to make the romance secondary? Well the answer is simply that I thought the heavier themes of the novel deserved the forefront, especially as I watched world conflicts develop in real time as I was writing it. It seemed…inappropriate to leave those themes in the background. I really wanted to focus on how Jesenia and her strength was the real star of the book.
And for those wondering, the reason why I didn’t include any graphic sexual content in this book was because I don’t really like writing smut (if you’ve been around for a while you know that) and because again, it would feel inappropriate given the setting and the true focus of the story.
I also think it’s important to note that another major theme of the novel is the spinelessness of Val-Theris in his attempts to do literally anything to end the suffering of anyone else in the novel. I don’t think Val-Theris is a bad person by any means, but at some point he needed to put his foot down. The fact that I made sure he didn’t was intentional, and one of his defining and most frustrating flaws. Trust me, I get it. A spineless god? He frustrated me too, crafting him. But in truth, his character needed to be that way to get the point across that ACTION is the only way to prove sincerity in his position. Think about how much better the world would have been if he grew a pair???? I also think the fact that Jesenia had to be the one to take on that mental and emotional load while he played king was reflective of the female condition, in how many of us can relate to having to shoulder the burden of everything in life to make everyone else feel better.
Also a side note, as the author, I wrote this book in 3rd person for a particular reason, and that is mainly because I imagine it’s sort of a loose retelling of the fall of Seraveth from Rohannes’ POV. I’m not sure if anyone picked up those vibes, but I’ve noticed I have a tendency to make side characters really loveable so, that’s my shoutout to you, Rohannes. (Yes, his name is inspired by Rohan from Lord of The Rings, and yes, Solmiris is inspired by Minas Tirith, and YES, Sunspire is inspired by Osgiliath.)
Second side note: Val-Theris’ character was heavily inspired by the primarch Sanguinius (RIP my king) from Warhammer 40k with a little dash of Aragorn and Anakin for that yearning we all love.
But in all seriousness, this book was really a love letter to anyone in a losing battle against powers greater than themselves. Whether that’s a small, internal war, or a devastating external war, I hope anyone experiencing those things felt like their struggles were heard and recognized.
And lastly, I hear your concerns about the writing being clunky. But alas, I am just a girl too fond of the comma who only realized she was REALLY too fond of the comma upon listening to the audiobook master files.
That’s all from me, happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ok so I just heard who is going to narrate this book and I CAN'T WAIT! :D
Update:
Thank you for giving me the chance to read this book in advance! ARC Review:
First of all, this novel is bound to become a bestseller, especially thanks to the LADS community (if you know, you know 😉). With Sylus birthday today, I thought it was the perfect time to read it 😂
That said, you might want to have tissues ready when reading an Ariel N. Anderson novel. She has a talent for putting her readers through emotional turmoil, so consider this your warning: this story is quite dark and has no HEA.
Overall, it was a quick read, especially because I couldn’t stop reading until I finished. The story, even though it is fictional, reflects some problems we’re facing in the real world, therefore making it feel all the more realistic. And the way Val-Theris cares for Jesenia is so adorable! The only aspect I am not too fond of is that the story’s politics and its world-building are a little drawn out at times. However, I can‘t really deduct a star for that because I feel like it was necessary for the plot. Also, I got a little emotional toward the end because… read the book and find out yourselves, haha! I can‘t stop thinking about the story after finishing it and I‘m looking forward to listening to the audiobook when it releases in just over a week. Now I know what‘s coming and I can mentally prepare for my heart to be shattered. This time… by Sylus himself 🤌😂
Update:
Thank you for giving me the chance to read this book in advance! ARC Review:
First of all, this novel is bound to become a bestseller, especially thanks to the LADS community (if you know, you know 😉). With Sylus birthday today, I thought it was the perfect time to read it 😂
That said, you might want to have tissues ready when reading an Ariel N. Anderson novel. She has a talent for putting her readers through emotional turmoil, so consider this your warning: this story is quite dark and has no HEA.
Overall, it was a quick read, especially because I couldn’t stop reading until I finished. The story, even though it is fictional, reflects some problems we’re facing in the real world, therefore making it feel all the more realistic. And the way Val-Theris cares for Jesenia is so adorable! The only aspect I am not too fond of is that the story’s politics and its world-building are a little drawn out at times. However, I can‘t really deduct a star for that because I feel like it was necessary for the plot. Also, I got a little emotional toward the end because… read the book and find out yourselves, haha! I can‘t stop thinking about the story after finishing it and I‘m looking forward to listening to the audiobook when it releases in just over a week. Now I know what‘s coming and I can mentally prepare for my heart to be shattered. This time… by Sylus himself 🤌😂
April 25, 2026
ARC Review: Thank you so much to Ariel N Anderson and her team for sending me this ARC. I really enjoyed the book but I feel like it had some flaws. It felt that the pacing of the book was off, there were some parts that were really slow where I feel like the ending was kind of rushed. I really liked the story and the plot though so 4/5 ⭐️
Want to Read
March 1, 2026Pre-read "review": This book will attract LADs fans because of the english narrator for the book. We are excited! Do not mix this book with the game character. It is not fair to the author.
April 29, 2026
Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that was just released on April 28th called, The End Unseen. This is about Jesenia, she is living in poverty when her village is attacked and destroyed. Jesenia and those who survived travel to the nearest kingdom to seek refuge. When they get there the king, Val-Theris, allows them in and as soon as he sees Jesenia he knows she is the woman from his vision. Val-Theris is no ordinary king, he is an angel with the gift of visions. His kingdom is at war with his brother's kingdom and Jesenia's village was collateral damage. But Jesenia and her people are not hateful or bitter, they are kind and appreciative of anything Val-Theris' kingdom can spare for them, even though the people of his kingdom are less than welcoming. When Jesenia earns the king's trust and respect, he starts requesting her presence at the palace but that just further divides their people. Jesenia's selfless nature and kind soul easily capture the king's heart. And despite the different worlds they come from and their people at odds, they can't deny what they feel for each other. But with the king's looming vision of his future, the war with his brother's kingdom, and the people trying to keep them apart... Not everyone always gets a happily ever after.
This was such a beautifully written romantic tragedy. The world building and storytelling of this political fantasy pulled me right in and took me on a journey I won't soon forget. Jesenia is so strong, fearless, and good-hearted. She was always caring for everyone else above herself, even when no one is watching. Val-Theris wasn't bad but he needed her to help him be a better man. Ultimately they were trying to do their best by their people while also wanting to follow their hearts, and sometimes mistakes were made. This was a slow burn tragic love story but the romance is secondary to some heavier topics. I really enjoyed the journey this book took me on. I don't think anyone writes romantic tragedies like Ariel does. I've read every one of her books, if she writes it I will read it. I just love her writing! 🤍📚
Thank you to the author and her team for this ARC of The End Unseen, in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a beautifully written romantic tragedy. The world building and storytelling of this political fantasy pulled me right in and took me on a journey I won't soon forget. Jesenia is so strong, fearless, and good-hearted. She was always caring for everyone else above herself, even when no one is watching. Val-Theris wasn't bad but he needed her to help him be a better man. Ultimately they were trying to do their best by their people while also wanting to follow their hearts, and sometimes mistakes were made. This was a slow burn tragic love story but the romance is secondary to some heavier topics. I really enjoyed the journey this book took me on. I don't think anyone writes romantic tragedies like Ariel does. I've read every one of her books, if she writes it I will read it. I just love her writing! 🤍📚
Thank you to the author and her team for this ARC of The End Unseen, in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review 🤍
First of all, thank you so much to Ariel for allowing me to be part of the first to read this book!
"You are not responsible for my goodness,” he said gently. “You are the proof that goodness still exists in this world, despite it trying so hard to steal it from you.”
Ariel N. Anderson is my “if she wrote it, I’m reading it” author when it comes to romantic tragedies and once again, she didn’t disappoint.
If you’re in the mood to get your heart broken in the best way, with a fast-paced political fantasy, a closed-door romance, and lots of good yearning, you need to read this! Just know it’s a romantic tragedy, so there’s no HEA.
Set in a war-torn world where everything feels like it’s already been written, the story follows Val-Theris, a cursed king who’s forced to watch everything he loves slowly fall apart, and Jesenia, a selfless refugee who keeps putting her people first even when she has nothing left for herself. When their lives cross, they form this forbidden, really emotional bond full of yearning, knowing right from the start that their story is meant to break them.
This book made me feel powerless. It shows you the reality of the world, with its injustice, the suffering of others, and how unfair everything can be.
Even when I knew this story wasn’t going to have a happy ending, I kept convincing myself that everything would somehow be okay just to ease my mind… but I still ended up with my heart completely broken 🥲💔
Tropes:
- Romantic tragedy
- Forbidden romance (king x refugee)
- Yearning
- Strong FMC
- Deeply flawed MMC
- Political fantasy
- No HEA
First of all, thank you so much to Ariel for allowing me to be part of the first to read this book!
"You are not responsible for my goodness,” he said gently. “You are the proof that goodness still exists in this world, despite it trying so hard to steal it from you.”
Ariel N. Anderson is my “if she wrote it, I’m reading it” author when it comes to romantic tragedies and once again, she didn’t disappoint.
If you’re in the mood to get your heart broken in the best way, with a fast-paced political fantasy, a closed-door romance, and lots of good yearning, you need to read this! Just know it’s a romantic tragedy, so there’s no HEA.
Set in a war-torn world where everything feels like it’s already been written, the story follows Val-Theris, a cursed king who’s forced to watch everything he loves slowly fall apart, and Jesenia, a selfless refugee who keeps putting her people first even when she has nothing left for herself. When their lives cross, they form this forbidden, really emotional bond full of yearning, knowing right from the start that their story is meant to break them.
This book made me feel powerless. It shows you the reality of the world, with its injustice, the suffering of others, and how unfair everything can be.
Even when I knew this story wasn’t going to have a happy ending, I kept convincing myself that everything would somehow be okay just to ease my mind… but I still ended up with my heart completely broken 🥲💔
Tropes:
- Romantic tragedy
- Forbidden romance (king x refugee)
- Yearning
- Strong FMC
- Deeply flawed MMC
- Political fantasy
- No HEA
April 30, 2026
I received an e-ARC copy of this book from the author.
I went into this book excepting a political fantasy, but it was 90% political with hardly any fantasy elements. The romance was very unbelievable to me. The girl was basically a perfect saint with no flaws, and the guy love interest had pretty much all flaws. The main plot point was just that the mythical city hates refugees, and there was no real conflict other than that. I would have loved to see some actual action and change in the main characters!
I went into this book excepting a political fantasy, but it was 90% political with hardly any fantasy elements. The romance was very unbelievable to me. The girl was basically a perfect saint with no flaws, and the guy love interest had pretty much all flaws. The main plot point was just that the mythical city hates refugees, and there was no real conflict other than that. I would have loved to see some actual action and change in the main characters!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Anticipating crying my eyes out to a 5 star read…. Ariel does not disappoint.
**********************UPDATE***********************************
This story was so different from Ariel's usual work. I loved how the romance was there but was not the main plot; the political take of Val-Theris was so frustrating. He wanted so much good and change but did nothing to make it happen in fear of becoming just like his brother. His counsel walked all over him and had no respect for him. It truly was infuriating.
Jesenia is such a strong FMC; I loved her. Ariel did so well in showing strength through her. She is the true definition of mercy. Jesenia to me showed the strengths of women; who love unconditionally. The ones that are always there and take on the fights of others above themselves.
Watching a city who was blessed to have the "right" brother lead them become too high and mighty to show grace to others was so sad, and what is even sadder is how relatable it is to our real world.
The lack of smut was also different, if you know Ariel you know she always talks about how she hates writing it, so it was not a complete surprise. I think it was very tasteful due to the plot of the book and the way the storyline flows. The love they have for each other was more than the sexual chemistry.
The ending while expecting a tragedy still took me by surprise. In the end he did predict his life was over but like real life it did not come the way he thought it would and that so was the saddest thing. I did want to know what happens after, maybe one day.
Again ariel, you did SUCH an amazing job. It was an honor to be able to receive an eARC and provide my honest review.
**********************UPDATE***********************************
This story was so different from Ariel's usual work. I loved how the romance was there but was not the main plot; the political take of Val-Theris was so frustrating. He wanted so much good and change but did nothing to make it happen in fear of becoming just like his brother. His counsel walked all over him and had no respect for him. It truly was infuriating.
Jesenia is such a strong FMC; I loved her. Ariel did so well in showing strength through her. She is the true definition of mercy. Jesenia to me showed the strengths of women; who love unconditionally. The ones that are always there and take on the fights of others above themselves.
Watching a city who was blessed to have the "right" brother lead them become too high and mighty to show grace to others was so sad, and what is even sadder is how relatable it is to our real world.
The lack of smut was also different, if you know Ariel you know she always talks about how she hates writing it, so it was not a complete surprise. I think it was very tasteful due to the plot of the book and the way the storyline flows. The love they have for each other was more than the sexual chemistry.
The ending while expecting a tragedy still took me by surprise. In the end he did predict his life was over but like real life it did not come the way he thought it would and that so was the saddest thing. I did want to know what happens after, maybe one day.
Again ariel, you did SUCH an amazing job. It was an honor to be able to receive an eARC and provide my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2026
Review of an eARC from the Author, Ariel Anderson
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to read this eARC
ARC Review: 3 ⭐️
First, I love Ariel Anderson and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to read this ahead of time. If you don't know her, she is the queen of tragic endings and this book did not escape that. With that being said, please do not come into this and expect a HEA because you will not find it.
Anyways here's my two cents...
I enjoyed the book and I believe it has potential. It is in 3rd person POV and it switches back and forth - gives me the vibe of someone with ADHD retelling a story from their experience. Because it seems like I'm jumping from one scene to another. Like the chapters want to flow together but they just don't.
While I enjoyed reading the book and I think it has a lot of potentials, I found myself wishing this book is longer mainly because I found it lacking of world and character building. The story seemed slow with the storyline focused heavily on the same scenarios - meetings, FMC not wanting to be involved, MMC not knowing what to do and wanting to stay neutral but also wanting to protect the FMC.
Also, this book is categorized as political fantasy first and romance tragedy second. So, there is not a lot of romance involved - which is totally fine. However, I did not get the connection that the two main characters are supposed to have. There were too little interactions between the MCs before the MMC decided he can no longer stop how he feels or he did not want to avoid it anymore. Like, is the chemistry in the room with us? Did I miss a big interaction when and where they fell madly in love with each other? Their love story just feels out of place for me. Like I was thrown a curveball from the left field.
I would say though that the tragedy of this story did tug the strings of my black heart. It made me sad and frustrated. It left me hoping that the MCs get to have their HEA but I think that's just the hopeless romantic in me.
Overall, I wish there are more characters and world building in this story rather than feeling rushed and underdeveloped; also less repetition. Maybe it is just me but I want more details. An in-depth world building, back story, and plot.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to read this eARC
ARC Review: 3 ⭐️
First, I love Ariel Anderson and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to read this ahead of time. If you don't know her, she is the queen of tragic endings and this book did not escape that. With that being said, please do not come into this and expect a HEA because you will not find it.
Anyways here's my two cents...
I enjoyed the book and I believe it has potential. It is in 3rd person POV and it switches back and forth - gives me the vibe of someone with ADHD retelling a story from their experience. Because it seems like I'm jumping from one scene to another. Like the chapters want to flow together but they just don't.
While I enjoyed reading the book and I think it has a lot of potentials, I found myself wishing this book is longer mainly because I found it lacking of world and character building. The story seemed slow with the storyline focused heavily on the same scenarios - meetings, FMC not wanting to be involved, MMC not knowing what to do and wanting to stay neutral but also wanting to protect the FMC.
Also, this book is categorized as political fantasy first and romance tragedy second. So, there is not a lot of romance involved - which is totally fine. However, I did not get the connection that the two main characters are supposed to have. There were too little interactions between the MCs before the MMC decided he can no longer stop how he feels or he did not want to avoid it anymore. Like, is the chemistry in the room with us? Did I miss a big interaction when and where they fell madly in love with each other? Their love story just feels out of place for me. Like I was thrown a curveball from the left field.
I would say though that the tragedy of this story did tug the strings of my black heart. It made me sad and frustrated. It left me hoping that the MCs get to have their HEA but I think that's just the hopeless romantic in me.
Overall, I wish there are more characters and world building in this story rather than feeling rushed and underdeveloped; also less repetition. Maybe it is just me but I want more details. An in-depth world building, back story, and plot.
May 5, 2026
Devastated. Absolutely fucking DEVASTATED. I knew what this was going into it
However I was still not prepared. What the actual FUCK
I fear I will never be the same again. This was so short and I desperately needed more. The book warns you of the ending but you spend 200 pages with the wrong assumption and then when the ending is revealed, you're left hollow and aching. You were prepared for one thing but not for the truth. Ariel N Anderson never fails to rip my heart out and slam it on the ground repeatedly until it's just a pile of broken flesh. I will still willingly read everything she writes and thank her for the emotional devastation.
However I was still not prepared. What the actual FUCK
I fear I will never be the same again. This was so short and I desperately needed more. The book warns you of the ending but you spend 200 pages with the wrong assumption and then when the ending is revealed, you're left hollow and aching. You were prepared for one thing but not for the truth. Ariel N Anderson never fails to rip my heart out and slam it on the ground repeatedly until it's just a pile of broken flesh. I will still willingly read everything she writes and thank her for the emotional devastation.
March 31, 2026
ARC reader review:
First off if you don’t know this author, she is the BEST at writing romantic tragedy books. That being said she absolutely nailed it with this one!
The End Unseen is a political fantasy which focuses on subjects like rich vs poor, outsider prejudice, and a strict tradition oriented culture.
Jesenia is so kind, caring and selfless, you can’t help but fall in love with her. Val-Theris however is rough around the edges but also has good morals. Jesenia is very patient with him while she tries to get him to become more open minded and see everyone as an equal even though they are from different social classes.
The plot keeps you engaged and interested until the very end!
Tropes:
*forbidden/ tragic love
*political separation
*intense angst
*love vs duty
*secret marriage
First off if you don’t know this author, she is the BEST at writing romantic tragedy books. That being said she absolutely nailed it with this one!
The End Unseen is a political fantasy which focuses on subjects like rich vs poor, outsider prejudice, and a strict tradition oriented culture.
Jesenia is so kind, caring and selfless, you can’t help but fall in love with her. Val-Theris however is rough around the edges but also has good morals. Jesenia is very patient with him while she tries to get him to become more open minded and see everyone as an equal even though they are from different social classes.
The plot keeps you engaged and interested until the very end!
Tropes:
*forbidden/ tragic love
*political separation
*intense angst
*love vs duty
*secret marriage
May 1, 2026
Disappointed is an understatement.
April 9, 2026
ARC Review:
This is a no HEA romantic tragedy but if you know this author, that’s what she does best! 🥞
We need more Jesenia’s in our world. She is so caring, kind and selfless, taking care of others before herself. When a war they are not a part of takes out their home, they seek out the help of Val-Theris, and they’re met with a lot of hate from his people. But he has a solution, or does he? To know more, read this as soon as it is available on 04/28/26! This was beautifully written, thank you for the chance to read this early!
This is a no HEA romantic tragedy but if you know this author, that’s what she does best! 🥞
We need more Jesenia’s in our world. She is so caring, kind and selfless, taking care of others before herself. When a war they are not a part of takes out their home, they seek out the help of Val-Theris, and they’re met with a lot of hate from his people. But he has a solution, or does he? To know more, read this as soon as it is available on 04/28/26! This was beautifully written, thank you for the chance to read this early!
April 12, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ ARC REVIEW
This one had so much potential for me. The world and characters pulled me in quickly, and I found myself really invested—especially in Jesenia.
One of my favorite elements was the dynamic between the brothers. Being shaped by completely different traits—mercy vs. wrath—created such an interesting contrast in leadership and added a strong layer to the political tension throughout the story.
That said, the ending didn’t fully land for me.
I’m someone who really needs character growth to feel earned by the end, and I kept waiting for certain choices and developments that never quite came. Because of that, the payoff felt more heavy than satisfying for me personally.
At the same time, I can’t ignore how real it felt. The politics, the hesitation, the weight of leadership—it all mirrors real-world dynamics in a way that feels very intentional, even if it wasn’t what I wanted emotionally.
So while it didn’t give me the ending I hoped for, I can absolutely respect what it was trying to do.
If you enjoy morally complex characters, layered political tension, and more bittersweet/realistic outcomes, this might really work for you.
This one had so much potential for me. The world and characters pulled me in quickly, and I found myself really invested—especially in Jesenia.
One of my favorite elements was the dynamic between the brothers. Being shaped by completely different traits—mercy vs. wrath—created such an interesting contrast in leadership and added a strong layer to the political tension throughout the story.
That said, the ending didn’t fully land for me.
I’m someone who really needs character growth to feel earned by the end, and I kept waiting for certain choices and developments that never quite came. Because of that, the payoff felt more heavy than satisfying for me personally.
At the same time, I can’t ignore how real it felt. The politics, the hesitation, the weight of leadership—it all mirrors real-world dynamics in a way that feels very intentional, even if it wasn’t what I wanted emotionally.
So while it didn’t give me the ending I hoped for, I can absolutely respect what it was trying to do.
If you enjoy morally complex characters, layered political tension, and more bittersweet/realistic outcomes, this might really work for you.
April 21, 2026
4.5✨
first off, i want to say thank you to ariel for letting me read this as an ARC!
wowowowowow okay so ariel truly knows how to write tragic romance because what do you mean i cried at the end of ANOTHER one of her books?!!!!
i was painfully waiting for jesenia and val-theris to GET OVER IT AND BE IN LOVE like god DAMN, but i loveeeee slow burns. BUT THEN SLOW BURNS WITH TRAGEDY?! 😫😫😫 just rip my heart out and stomp on it a few more times why dont you?!
screw the people from EVERY OTHER city but lunareth!!! they were all horrible people who treated lunarethians like absolute trash, like why dont you go and see how the korvathians are living?!!! the people of seraveth were LUCKY, idk how val-theris rarely ever yelled or got violent with his people…like PUT YOUR DAMN FOOT DOWN😤😤stop letting your people be pretty much xenophobic SIR!!
anywayyyyy😂this is my first fantasy book with angels/gods to this degree but i loved the idea that there were two sons born from one god to help balance the earth but in reality created a major imbalance. the scene with val-or i just found to be so cool and different!
my only qualm was that i felt there was some repetition throughout the book but for me that isn’t a HUGE issue!
first off, i want to say thank you to ariel for letting me read this as an ARC!
wowowowowow okay so ariel truly knows how to write tragic romance because what do you mean i cried at the end of ANOTHER one of her books?!!!!
i was painfully waiting for jesenia and val-theris to GET OVER IT AND BE IN LOVE like god DAMN, but i loveeeee slow burns. BUT THEN SLOW BURNS WITH TRAGEDY?! 😫😫😫 just rip my heart out and stomp on it a few more times why dont you?!
screw the people from EVERY OTHER city but lunareth!!! they were all horrible people who treated lunarethians like absolute trash, like why dont you go and see how the korvathians are living?!!! the people of seraveth were LUCKY, idk how val-theris rarely ever yelled or got violent with his people…like PUT YOUR DAMN FOOT DOWN😤😤stop letting your people be pretty much xenophobic SIR!!
anywayyyyy😂this is my first fantasy book with angels/gods to this degree but i loved the idea that there were two sons born from one god to help balance the earth but in reality created a major imbalance. the scene with val-or i just found to be so cool and different!
my only qualm was that i felt there was some repetition throughout the book but for me that isn’t a HUGE issue!
April 30, 2026
| rating: 4 ★
I read this primarily for the male narrator, but I am in awe at how beautiful and tragic 250 pages can be. I definitely would recommend listening to the audiobook because both actors do such a fantastic job at conveying the powerful emotions that their characters go through.
This book isn't just a tragic love story, it is also an exploration of humanity. Our female lead Jesenia is displaced from her home due to the violent actions of a god, but she experiences perhaps far harsher cruelty from the human beings around her—politicians who see her and her people as burdens, soldiers who treat them like they are sub-humans. I found that it's also a pretty apt mirror to how first world countries see/treat refugees from countries being torn apart by war. I love how Jesenia continued to stay kind and empathetic, even despite how everyone treated her, and I loved how she stood by her morals, even if it meant briefly losing Val-Theris.
Val-Theris. Wow. I have no words. The audiobook is such an experience because the male narrator is SO GOOD. I am a bit biased, but even I was unprepared for the performance that he gave me. The way he perfectly conveys Val-Theris' anger and his despair and his desperation. Perhaps my favorite scene was when
I read this primarily for the male narrator, but I am in awe at how beautiful and tragic 250 pages can be. I definitely would recommend listening to the audiobook because both actors do such a fantastic job at conveying the powerful emotions that their characters go through.
This book isn't just a tragic love story, it is also an exploration of humanity. Our female lead Jesenia is displaced from her home due to the violent actions of a god, but she experiences perhaps far harsher cruelty from the human beings around her—politicians who see her and her people as burdens, soldiers who treat them like they are sub-humans. I found that it's also a pretty apt mirror to how first world countries see/treat refugees from countries being torn apart by war. I love how Jesenia continued to stay kind and empathetic, even despite how everyone treated her, and I loved how she stood by her morals, even if it meant briefly losing Val-Theris.
Val-Theris. Wow. I have no words. The audiobook is such an experience because the male narrator is SO GOOD. I am a bit biased, but even I was unprepared for the performance that he gave me. The way he perfectly conveys Val-Theris' anger and his despair and his desperation. Perhaps my favorite scene was when
April 21, 2026
Val-Theris and Jesenia: This is a good vs evil, immortal god x human girl, third person POV, multiple POV, political unrest, angel king x refugee, nation in war, forbidden love, fantasy romance.
This book was definitely a very interesting story. Yes this story is about Valerie-Therus and Jesenia but it is more than that. This story is also about two groups of people that have been forced together due to war and the ripple effects that come with it. The political unrest, racism, classism, discrimination, displacement, and all wrong in the world and how people choose to live their lives, either molded by it all or in spite of it.
This story had so many layers and was done really well but I did wish the characters had more dimension and complexity. It’s not that I didn’t like them, I just wanted more.
The narration was done so very well, so much emotion from the voice actors and really brought the story to life. I usually like reading book over audiobooks but I would say this is one of the few books I would prefer as an audiobook.
This book was definitely a very interesting story. Yes this story is about Valerie-Therus and Jesenia but it is more than that. This story is also about two groups of people that have been forced together due to war and the ripple effects that come with it. The political unrest, racism, classism, discrimination, displacement, and all wrong in the world and how people choose to live their lives, either molded by it all or in spite of it.
This story had so many layers and was done really well but I did wish the characters had more dimension and complexity. It’s not that I didn’t like them, I just wanted more.
The narration was done so very well, so much emotion from the voice actors and really brought the story to life. I usually like reading book over audiobooks but I would say this is one of the few books I would prefer as an audiobook.
May 3, 2026
This right here is why I love Ariel Anderson so much. After reading ‘Under Your Scars’ it quickly became my favorite book of all time and nothing has come close to surpassing it. But this…this book is a close 2nd.
Ariel Anderson is the Queen of Tragedy. The way that she can make a tragic story and turn it into a beautiful masterpiece is absolutely incredible. She can open my heart to the characters and storyline and then break it into pieces leaving me speechless and in tears but in the best way. Life doesn’t always have a happy ending and it’s refreshing to see that in fiction novels when it’s executed so perfectly
I found it especially amazing that she was able to pack all that emotion into a considerably shorter novel without sacrificing the personal connection or storyline. I flew through this book and loved every minute of it
Ariel Anderson is the Queen of Tragedy. The way that she can make a tragic story and turn it into a beautiful masterpiece is absolutely incredible. She can open my heart to the characters and storyline and then break it into pieces leaving me speechless and in tears but in the best way. Life doesn’t always have a happy ending and it’s refreshing to see that in fiction novels when it’s executed so perfectly
I found it especially amazing that she was able to pack all that emotion into a considerably shorter novel without sacrificing the personal connection or storyline. I flew through this book and loved every minute of it
April 28, 2026
that hurt
Phew! That was unexpected!
Thank you to Blue Nose Audio for a copy of this audiobook! The narrators did an amazing job bringing this story to life. Honestly don’t think I’d have felt it as much just reading it. They captured the longing, pain and grief so well! And yeah… the end unseen for real! I did not see that coming. I was hoping for something different than the visions Val-Theris saw but wasn’t ready for what did happen.
Only read if you are ready for heartache!
Phew! That was unexpected!
Thank you to Blue Nose Audio for a copy of this audiobook! The narrators did an amazing job bringing this story to life. Honestly don’t think I’d have felt it as much just reading it. They captured the longing, pain and grief so well! And yeah… the end unseen for real! I did not see that coming. I was hoping for something different than the visions Val-Theris saw but wasn’t ready for what did happen.
Only read if you are ready for heartache!
May 1, 2026
I adore Ariel Anderson's writing! She is a master at writing tragic romances!
The adoration that our MMC has for the FMC is beautiful.
The adoration that our MMC has for the FMC is beautiful.
May 3, 2026
4 ⭐
I loved this book and how, in 200 pages, we got everything we needed.
I loved this book and how, in 200 pages, we got everything we needed.
May 1, 2026
ARC review: this book was beautiful. I loved the relationships throughout the book. Jesenia and Val-Theris’ was mmmm… I loved how theirs developed, how he learned that he could love. She is very descriptive as an author.The ending? Not a happy one, but still beautiful. The only thing I wish I knew was what color Val-Theron’s’ eyes are! 😂
Review of advance copy received from Author
I liked this book. I think many people when they read it will love it.It just wasn’t for me.
The premise of the story is good. I Believe that if it was longer and more fleshed out I could have loved it. Everything moved quickly. Months passed in between pages and POV’s just jumped. I loved the symbolism in the book that connects this world of fiction and the real world. It displays the real problem in how people treat immigrants and refugees. It was heart breaking to see how the lunathians were mistreated and weren’t welcomed at all. To a city that was built by a god to protect and bring peace since his crazy brother is seriously unhinged. I felt that the book depicted the battles between politics and morality beautifully and I wish the book expanded on that and included a little more lunathian representation other than the main character who is depicted as a self sacrificing saint. Which makes sense since the king IS an angel.
The FMC is a very sweet and docile. I’m don’t tend to like characters like her but i can respect her way of being because it was how she was raised and it’s connected to her beliefs. My problem stems from her being upset about the injustice and still not wanting to speak up to not cause strife. I hated how she allowed the councilors to bully her into silence and kept giving the excuse that she just didn’t want the king to be a target. While her people kept being targeted and not putting ultimatums.
The love was quick and came out of nowhere. We see the connection from the moment the King has a vision but it was so abrupt that I was left quite confused. I do- believe that the love between them was beautiful. Quick but beautiful. And while the FMC has her faults no one made me angrier than the KING. I have never seen a GOD/ Angel be less that.
He lets HUMANS walk all over him. Control the narrative and stayed quiet while disrespect was happening to him and to the woman he loved. He allowed it until he snapped. Which snapping isn’t the problem but there were steps that could have been taken before he got to that point. Like sending them to his brother so that they could see the life they could be living. He was there not exerting power and being scared to be a king. It was baffling. He was so scared to turn out like his brother that his people didn’t even respect him. In his kingdom he allowed people to starve and be treated like nothing because he didnt want to upset counselors that worked for him. HE created this city and he was letting people talk over him. The fact that his voice was always low and mostly gentle made it worse for me. I was yelling at my book for him to do something and stop I letting them do what they pleased. He who bestows it shall take it away.
So if you I take nothing else from this review just know it will have you on the edge and you will want to finish.It is a good book, just wished it was longer and that the king wasn’t a pushover. If you are looking for spice this is not it. This book is different than Under your scars so please dont go into this thinking the characters are the same or the story. This is different and it’s good in its own way. If you are looking for an HEA this is ALSO not for you. Spice, is a 0. Please read this book and come up with your own rating and thoughts. These are just mine.
I thank the author/ publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I look forward to reading more of her books. She is an amazing author.
The premise of the story is good. I Believe that if it was longer and more fleshed out I could have loved it. Everything moved quickly. Months passed in between pages and POV’s just jumped. I loved the symbolism in the book that connects this world of fiction and the real world. It displays the real problem in how people treat immigrants and refugees. It was heart breaking to see how the lunathians were mistreated and weren’t welcomed at all. To a city that was built by a god to protect and bring peace since his crazy brother is seriously unhinged. I felt that the book depicted the battles between politics and morality beautifully and I wish the book expanded on that and included a little more lunathian representation other than the main character who is depicted as a self sacrificing saint. Which makes sense since the king IS an angel.
The FMC is a very sweet and docile. I’m don’t tend to like characters like her but i can respect her way of being because it was how she was raised and it’s connected to her beliefs. My problem stems from her being upset about the injustice and still not wanting to speak up to not cause strife. I hated how she allowed the councilors to bully her into silence and kept giving the excuse that she just didn’t want the king to be a target. While her people kept being targeted and not putting ultimatums.
The love was quick and came out of nowhere. We see the connection from the moment the King has a vision but it was so abrupt that I was left quite confused. I do- believe that the love between them was beautiful. Quick but beautiful. And while the FMC has her faults no one made me angrier than the KING. I have never seen a GOD/ Angel be less that.
He lets HUMANS walk all over him. Control the narrative and stayed quiet while disrespect was happening to him and to the woman he loved. He allowed it until he snapped. Which snapping isn’t the problem but there were steps that could have been taken before he got to that point. Like sending them to his brother so that they could see the life they could be living. He was there not exerting power and being scared to be a king. It was baffling. He was so scared to turn out like his brother that his people didn’t even respect him. In his kingdom he allowed people to starve and be treated like nothing because he didnt want to upset counselors that worked for him. HE created this city and he was letting people talk over him. The fact that his voice was always low and mostly gentle made it worse for me. I was yelling at my book for him to do something and stop I letting them do what they pleased. He who bestows it shall take it away.
So if you I take nothing else from this review just know it will have you on the edge and you will want to finish.It is a good book, just wished it was longer and that the king wasn’t a pushover. If you are looking for spice this is not it. This book is different than Under your scars so please dont go into this thinking the characters are the same or the story. This is different and it’s good in its own way. If you are looking for an HEA this is ALSO not for you. Spice, is a 0. Please read this book and come up with your own rating and thoughts. These are just mine.
I thank the author/ publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I look forward to reading more of her books. She is an amazing author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Romantic Tradgedy that ripped out my heart! The End UNSEEN is the perfect title for this book because I was not prepared for what happened. I knew this book had a Non-HEA, but the ending I thought would happen... did not. This story finished me and shattered my heart into a million pieces. This book is Political Fantasy, Non-HEA, Romantic Tradgedy. Told in 3rd person POV, which gives you more insight into the characters and what is happening. Please go into it with the understanding that there are some hard topics and you will be left with your heart on the floor. This is also closed door romance, which I felt belonged to this story and the characters...It felt right.
The story follows Jesenia our FMC who is driven from her land/home by Val-Oros, the destructive and unkind one of the two Angel King brothers. The war is devastating and brutal. Jesenia and what is left of her people seek refuge in Val-Theris's (MMC's) Kingdom, the other Angel King who is the opposite of his tyrant brother. Val-Theris shelters her people, but his own kingdom you find isn't as kind as Val-Theris. This is where you start to see the Political strain within the story. Jesenia and her people are shunned to a specific quarter of the city and are given very little to survive, despite Val-Theris's want to help them. He feels the strain of his city council and advisors who warn him the dangers of giving too much and angering his own realm. You see how much of a governing imbalance there truly is and it hits home for how it relates to our own real lives. Jesenia is one of the most kind and selfless FMC's and through everything they had and currently endure, she gives up what she can for her people, even going without food if need be. Val-Theris and Jesenia find connection throughout the struggle of her people and he tries to do the right thing, but is constantly torn by his own advisors and fear of becoming like his tyrant brother.
This story feels so much more than about world building and romance. It showed that things aren't always easy and tied up in a pretty little box when it comes to life and love. The people are complicated, harsh and unforgiving. But then you have the main characters and a few side characters through it all who want to do good but are tied down to the politics of everything, until they decide to allow themselves some happiness in all the chaos. The King didn't have any friends or people he could trust truly except for his right-hand guard "Angelicus Prime" Rohannes. This man surprised me a few times with the absolute devotion and love he had for his King, but also the man behind the crown. Their story felt important to me and I really appreciated that part of it. Rohannes also cared for the people of their city and grew to care for Jesenia and her people as well.
I read this book in 2 days because I simply couldn't put it down. By the end I was emotionally destroyed. While I was fully expecting the NON-HEA, you just never expected THAT. Ariel wrote a beautiful and tragic story of a cruel world with injustices, but through all of that two people who were never meant to be together, found a way even if it wasn't easy. I will never forget this story or it's characters & message.
Thank you, Ariel, for allowing me to receive and early e-ARC of this book. I was so thrilled to be part of your ARC team. This is my honest opinion and review. 🖤✨️
The story follows Jesenia our FMC who is driven from her land/home by Val-Oros, the destructive and unkind one of the two Angel King brothers. The war is devastating and brutal. Jesenia and what is left of her people seek refuge in Val-Theris's (MMC's) Kingdom, the other Angel King who is the opposite of his tyrant brother. Val-Theris shelters her people, but his own kingdom you find isn't as kind as Val-Theris. This is where you start to see the Political strain within the story. Jesenia and her people are shunned to a specific quarter of the city and are given very little to survive, despite Val-Theris's want to help them. He feels the strain of his city council and advisors who warn him the dangers of giving too much and angering his own realm. You see how much of a governing imbalance there truly is and it hits home for how it relates to our own real lives. Jesenia is one of the most kind and selfless FMC's and through everything they had and currently endure, she gives up what she can for her people, even going without food if need be. Val-Theris and Jesenia find connection throughout the struggle of her people and he tries to do the right thing, but is constantly torn by his own advisors and fear of becoming like his tyrant brother.
This story feels so much more than about world building and romance. It showed that things aren't always easy and tied up in a pretty little box when it comes to life and love. The people are complicated, harsh and unforgiving. But then you have the main characters and a few side characters through it all who want to do good but are tied down to the politics of everything, until they decide to allow themselves some happiness in all the chaos. The King didn't have any friends or people he could trust truly except for his right-hand guard "Angelicus Prime" Rohannes. This man surprised me a few times with the absolute devotion and love he had for his King, but also the man behind the crown. Their story felt important to me and I really appreciated that part of it. Rohannes also cared for the people of their city and grew to care for Jesenia and her people as well.
I read this book in 2 days because I simply couldn't put it down. By the end I was emotionally destroyed. While I was fully expecting the NON-HEA, you just never expected THAT. Ariel wrote a beautiful and tragic story of a cruel world with injustices, but through all of that two people who were never meant to be together, found a way even if it wasn't easy. I will never forget this story or it's characters & message.
Thank you, Ariel, for allowing me to receive and early e-ARC of this book. I was so thrilled to be part of your ARC team. This is my honest opinion and review. 🖤✨️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an eARC directly from the author and this is my honest review.
This was a very quick read, finishing it over one morning, done before lunch. The author, Ariel, pitched this as a tragic romance and that is exactly what this is. I know there is a lot of discussion in the book community about the importance of marketing books correctly so readers can choose appropriately. Well, again, Ariel did a great job marketing this book so you can come in with realistic expectations.
I have read Under Your Scars by Ariel and found that book incredibly dark, tragic, and interesting. It was such a toxic, dramatic, spicey complex book that I liked. Therefore, I was excited to come into this book having read another one of Ariel’s tragic romances. Unfortunately, this book did not pack the same intensity. I will describe more below.
Since this book was shorter, it started by diving in immediately. There was war, violence, and fear. The peaceful people that were stuck between two lands that were at war were attacked and killed for it, and those who survived had to seek refuge. Then, the pacing SLOWED down for a good chunk of the book, followed by the end picking back up.
We were given little world building, but were told how the brother angels were made, what lands they ruled, and why they were so different from each other. This book was very political. It called attention to bigotry, xenophobia, racism, lack of humanism, sexism, misogyny, political corruption, abuse, neglect, bullying, and so much more. A lot of this mimicked the current world and it was scary, sad, and devastating.
Although the aforementioned topics intertwined into this book are incredibly important and I am so glad authors are calling attention to these topics, the story was kind of dull and slow. Seems weird to type that sentence since the topics are anything but dull. However, in this book, not a whole lot happened. I started skipping paragraphs because the storyline heavily focused on the same thing: political meetings, the MFC going back on forth on whether she wanted to go to the political meetings or not, and the MMC in a constant battle of what to do. Chapter after chapter having the same thing happening, including meetings after meetings, with very little plot movement I was bored. Now, I totally get that this is what happens in the real world, meetings and meetings with little action; yet, having the plot focus so much on that was not exciting.
Also, within the same chapter, the point of view would change. The transition was so abrupt and jarring. I couldn’t believe it and would have to reread a couple times to make sure I was understanding we were switching from the MMC‘s to the MFC‘s POV within one sentence. Similarly, time would flash by so quickly. One moment we were deep in a conversation with the MFC and MMC. Then the next sentence days to weeks had gone by. This was also incredibly jarring.
I appreciated that the epilogue and prologue connected together because of the story. I also liked the twist at the end, made it even more devastating. The ending also made the title make sense.
Of course to note, there was no HEA. There also was no spice for readers looking for a book with spice.
This was a very quick read, finishing it over one morning, done before lunch. The author, Ariel, pitched this as a tragic romance and that is exactly what this is. I know there is a lot of discussion in the book community about the importance of marketing books correctly so readers can choose appropriately. Well, again, Ariel did a great job marketing this book so you can come in with realistic expectations.
I have read Under Your Scars by Ariel and found that book incredibly dark, tragic, and interesting. It was such a toxic, dramatic, spicey complex book that I liked. Therefore, I was excited to come into this book having read another one of Ariel’s tragic romances. Unfortunately, this book did not pack the same intensity. I will describe more below.
Since this book was shorter, it started by diving in immediately. There was war, violence, and fear. The peaceful people that were stuck between two lands that were at war were attacked and killed for it, and those who survived had to seek refuge. Then, the pacing SLOWED down for a good chunk of the book, followed by the end picking back up.
We were given little world building, but were told how the brother angels were made, what lands they ruled, and why they were so different from each other. This book was very political. It called attention to bigotry, xenophobia, racism, lack of humanism, sexism, misogyny, political corruption, abuse, neglect, bullying, and so much more. A lot of this mimicked the current world and it was scary, sad, and devastating.
Although the aforementioned topics intertwined into this book are incredibly important and I am so glad authors are calling attention to these topics, the story was kind of dull and slow. Seems weird to type that sentence since the topics are anything but dull. However, in this book, not a whole lot happened. I started skipping paragraphs because the storyline heavily focused on the same thing: political meetings, the MFC going back on forth on whether she wanted to go to the political meetings or not, and the MMC in a constant battle of what to do. Chapter after chapter having the same thing happening, including meetings after meetings, with very little plot movement I was bored. Now, I totally get that this is what happens in the real world, meetings and meetings with little action; yet, having the plot focus so much on that was not exciting.
Also, within the same chapter, the point of view would change. The transition was so abrupt and jarring. I couldn’t believe it and would have to reread a couple times to make sure I was understanding we were switching from the MMC‘s to the MFC‘s POV within one sentence. Similarly, time would flash by so quickly. One moment we were deep in a conversation with the MFC and MMC. Then the next sentence days to weeks had gone by. This was also incredibly jarring.
I appreciated that the epilogue and prologue connected together because of the story. I also liked the twist at the end, made it even more devastating. The ending also made the title make sense.
Of course to note, there was no HEA. There also was no spice for readers looking for a book with spice.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What would you do if you could see the end way before happens?
The End Unseen by Ariel Anderson is my first book by this author. I had heard tons about her novel, Under Your Scars, so when I saw the opportunity to apply for an ARC for The End Unseen, I quickly filled out the form, and I’m really glad I did. I was so excited to open my email and see that I had been sent the eARC.
This is a pretty short novel (under 300 pages), but it’s packed with thought provoking topics that give it so much depth. Ariel Anderson doesn’t hold back from addressing real world issues like sexism, corruption, bullying, and xenophobia, weaving them seamlessly into a romantasy centered on the struggle between good and evil. These themes felt especially impactful because of how closely they mirror challenges we face in everyday life. I found myself reflecting often, drawing parallels between the story and the world around me.
At the heart of the story is Jesenia, the FMC, who along with around a hundred of her people is forced from her homeland by Val Oros and his army. They seek refuge in the lands of his brother, Val Theris. While they are technically welcomed, they’re treated as lower class and face constant prejudice. Despite the injustice and hardship, Jesenia never loses hope and consistently puts her people before herself, which makes her incredibly compelling. She never retaliates against those who shun her even when given the opportunity. She always chooses grace and forgiveness above hate driven retaliation.
Val Theris is equally interesting, clearly torn between his duty to his people and his growing feelings for Jesenia. That internal conflict adds emotional weight to the story and highlights the tension between personal desire and responsibility. He says some of the most endearing things to Jesenia. At one point he tells her, "Every time I breathe, with what ever time I have left, Jesenia I choose you." Wow! That would be enough for me to give him a shot! There are lots of quotes I pinned from this book that are very deep and touching.
The pacing is quick, and the story shifts between multiple POVs, so be prepared for that. If you’re looking for a book packed with nonstop action or shocking plot twists, this might not be the one for you. However, if you want a reflective, thought-filled read that challenges you to think about your own role in the world, this absolutely delivers.
Within this short but impactful novel, you’ll find forbidden love, political conflict, prophecy, and even a secret marriage. It’s a story that reminds you that while love can be a beautiful gift, it can also be deeply tragic. And fair warning, if you’re someone who needs a happy ending, you won’t find it here.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am so grateful I had the opportunity to read it early. It’s a powerful, introspective read that lingered with me days after I had finished it. It's a book that doesn't end with the turn of the final page because it keeps your mind thinking about the world around you.
Definitely grab this book and put it on your TBR. You won't regret it!
The End Unseen by Ariel Anderson is my first book by this author. I had heard tons about her novel, Under Your Scars, so when I saw the opportunity to apply for an ARC for The End Unseen, I quickly filled out the form, and I’m really glad I did. I was so excited to open my email and see that I had been sent the eARC.
This is a pretty short novel (under 300 pages), but it’s packed with thought provoking topics that give it so much depth. Ariel Anderson doesn’t hold back from addressing real world issues like sexism, corruption, bullying, and xenophobia, weaving them seamlessly into a romantasy centered on the struggle between good and evil. These themes felt especially impactful because of how closely they mirror challenges we face in everyday life. I found myself reflecting often, drawing parallels between the story and the world around me.
At the heart of the story is Jesenia, the FMC, who along with around a hundred of her people is forced from her homeland by Val Oros and his army. They seek refuge in the lands of his brother, Val Theris. While they are technically welcomed, they’re treated as lower class and face constant prejudice. Despite the injustice and hardship, Jesenia never loses hope and consistently puts her people before herself, which makes her incredibly compelling. She never retaliates against those who shun her even when given the opportunity. She always chooses grace and forgiveness above hate driven retaliation.
Val Theris is equally interesting, clearly torn between his duty to his people and his growing feelings for Jesenia. That internal conflict adds emotional weight to the story and highlights the tension between personal desire and responsibility. He says some of the most endearing things to Jesenia. At one point he tells her, "Every time I breathe, with what ever time I have left, Jesenia I choose you." Wow! That would be enough for me to give him a shot! There are lots of quotes I pinned from this book that are very deep and touching.
The pacing is quick, and the story shifts between multiple POVs, so be prepared for that. If you’re looking for a book packed with nonstop action or shocking plot twists, this might not be the one for you. However, if you want a reflective, thought-filled read that challenges you to think about your own role in the world, this absolutely delivers.
Within this short but impactful novel, you’ll find forbidden love, political conflict, prophecy, and even a secret marriage. It’s a story that reminds you that while love can be a beautiful gift, it can also be deeply tragic. And fair warning, if you’re someone who needs a happy ending, you won’t find it here.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am so grateful I had the opportunity to read it early. It’s a powerful, introspective read that lingered with me days after I had finished it. It's a book that doesn't end with the turn of the final page because it keeps your mind thinking about the world around you.
Definitely grab this book and put it on your TBR. You won't regret it!
April 28, 2026
Title: The End Unseen
Author: Ariel N. Anders0n
Narrators: Lilly Drake and Sebastian Du Pont
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: Closed Door/Fade to Black
Length: 6 hours, 45 minutes
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Tropes: Dual POV, Duet Narration, Forbidden Love, Closed Door/Fade to Black, Opposites Attract, He Falls First
Triggers: No HEA, Violence, misogyny (not MMC), Mistreatment of Immigrants, Poverty, Loss of family, Discrimination of a group of people, War
My thoughts:
I knew going into this audiobook that I was in for a sad and tragic ending. Ariel N. Anderson really does know how to pull at the heartstrings (“Under Your Scars” is still the saddest and most devastating 5 start read for me), so I was looking forward to see how that would transfer to a Fantasy book. I was no disappointed! Although this book is not as sad as “Under Your Scars”, the themes and subject matter gave the who story a tragic and sad feel.
Val-Theris is the Angel King of Solmiris, burdened with vague visions of the future. When war finds the peaceful culture of the Lunatherians and they seek refuge and asylum within the walls of Solmiris, Val-Theris comes face to face with a woman he has seen before. Jesenia, a peaceful and kind woman who only wants her people treated fairly by the Solmirians, is an almost instant obsession of Val-Theris’s. Here kind nature at complete contrast to how her and her people are treated. What follows is a tale of acceptance, love, and tragedy that will make you tear up.
I really enjoyed “The End Unseen”, although it did make me cry. Ariel N. Anderson really has a way of making you feel for her characters and everything that they are going through. Jesenia and Val-Theris are a perfect example of opposites attracting and making each other better. Neither wants to change the other, but implores them to see the world through the others eyes. This makes both characters incredibly compelling in my opinion!
Lilly Drake does a wonderfully beautiful job of bringing Jesenia to life. Jesenia’s soft spoken and sweet nature is beautifully done by Lilly Drake, but she also makes Jesenia’s moments of feistiness and assertiveness incredibly believable. You can tell that Jesenia cares about the people around her and a lot of that care and love is expertly portrayed by Lilly! Sebastian Du Pont was absolutely phenomenal as Val-Theris. The amount of emotion he put into his voice was astounding. Whether Val-Theris was angry, confused, happy, in love, or sad, Sebastian nailed every single one! Honestly, I cannot wait to hear more from both of these narrators!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more from Ariel N Anderson. It feels strange to say that I enjoyed a book that often had me feeling sad, but I really did. It is amazing how much of the current political climate she was able to channel without being preachy or overt about it. I don’t know if I would say I had a good time… but I couldn’t stop listening and had to know what was going to happen next! I think it I worth a read, but with the understanding that there is NO HAPPY ENDING HERE!! Enjoy… and have those tissues and comfort snacks ready for this one!
Author: Ariel N. Anders0n
Narrators: Lilly Drake and Sebastian Du Pont
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: Closed Door/Fade to Black
Length: 6 hours, 45 minutes
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Tropes: Dual POV, Duet Narration, Forbidden Love, Closed Door/Fade to Black, Opposites Attract, He Falls First
Triggers: No HEA, Violence, misogyny (not MMC), Mistreatment of Immigrants, Poverty, Loss of family, Discrimination of a group of people, War
My thoughts:
I knew going into this audiobook that I was in for a sad and tragic ending. Ariel N. Anderson really does know how to pull at the heartstrings (“Under Your Scars” is still the saddest and most devastating 5 start read for me), so I was looking forward to see how that would transfer to a Fantasy book. I was no disappointed! Although this book is not as sad as “Under Your Scars”, the themes and subject matter gave the who story a tragic and sad feel.
Val-Theris is the Angel King of Solmiris, burdened with vague visions of the future. When war finds the peaceful culture of the Lunatherians and they seek refuge and asylum within the walls of Solmiris, Val-Theris comes face to face with a woman he has seen before. Jesenia, a peaceful and kind woman who only wants her people treated fairly by the Solmirians, is an almost instant obsession of Val-Theris’s. Here kind nature at complete contrast to how her and her people are treated. What follows is a tale of acceptance, love, and tragedy that will make you tear up.
I really enjoyed “The End Unseen”, although it did make me cry. Ariel N. Anderson really has a way of making you feel for her characters and everything that they are going through. Jesenia and Val-Theris are a perfect example of opposites attracting and making each other better. Neither wants to change the other, but implores them to see the world through the others eyes. This makes both characters incredibly compelling in my opinion!
Lilly Drake does a wonderfully beautiful job of bringing Jesenia to life. Jesenia’s soft spoken and sweet nature is beautifully done by Lilly Drake, but she also makes Jesenia’s moments of feistiness and assertiveness incredibly believable. You can tell that Jesenia cares about the people around her and a lot of that care and love is expertly portrayed by Lilly! Sebastian Du Pont was absolutely phenomenal as Val-Theris. The amount of emotion he put into his voice was astounding. Whether Val-Theris was angry, confused, happy, in love, or sad, Sebastian nailed every single one! Honestly, I cannot wait to hear more from both of these narrators!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more from Ariel N Anderson. It feels strange to say that I enjoyed a book that often had me feeling sad, but I really did. It is amazing how much of the current political climate she was able to channel without being preachy or overt about it. I don’t know if I would say I had a good time… but I couldn’t stop listening and had to know what was going to happen next! I think it I worth a read, but with the understanding that there is NO HAPPY ENDING HERE!! Enjoy… and have those tissues and comfort snacks ready for this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This beautifully tragic romance by Ariel Anderson is another example of how a story does not need to be lengthy to break your heart. Starting off with the triggers page you are immediately warned that this story does not have a happy ending, yet many of my highlighted passages from my read are of the beautiful scene-setting and dialogue between characters. Though you will not walk away from this story uplifted, you will deeply feel the characters lived experiences and mourn by the end. As happy moments were experienced throughout the text, I as the reader kept bracing myself and waiting for the other shoe to drop given what I know of Ariel’s writing and the trigger warnings at the beginning. Please heed the trigger warnings and take care of your own mental health before reading.
Since the story was short, it thrust you into the thick of war, violence, and tragedy from the opening scenes. I wish there had been more world building and stage-setting to better understand the political dynamics of the realm and the relationships between the brother angels. Though I appreciated that the story didn’t linger on the politics of war to focus on the character’s love story, I wish there had been a little more fleshing out of the world. The world felt a little shallow due to how quickly the reader was rushed through this element of setting design, but it was still sufficient to understand the story and the characters in play. The pacing was inconsistent and the point of view shifted abruptly in some places which caused me to stumble and need to reread parts more slowly, but it was not enough to disrupt my understanding of the characters and their relationship. This is not a ‘spicy’ book, but what intimacy is present is beautifully written and emotionally charged.
Perhaps it’s my own empathy (or my hormones?), but as an American reading Anderson’s story as we tread dangerously close to WWIII, it is easy to insert these characters into reality. This makes the story more relatable, with the elements of bigotry/racism, violence, asylum-seeking, socioeconomic disparities, and apathy skirting too close for comfort to what is happening in the world.
Grab your tissues and prepare to have your heart broken! With all of this said, I will close this with a powerful quote from the FMC that I wish all political leaders would listen to: “’Better a tyrant who feeds the hungry than a king who watches them die!’”
----
I received an advance reader copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.
All thoughts/opinions in this review are my own.
Since the story was short, it thrust you into the thick of war, violence, and tragedy from the opening scenes. I wish there had been more world building and stage-setting to better understand the political dynamics of the realm and the relationships between the brother angels. Though I appreciated that the story didn’t linger on the politics of war to focus on the character’s love story, I wish there had been a little more fleshing out of the world. The world felt a little shallow due to how quickly the reader was rushed through this element of setting design, but it was still sufficient to understand the story and the characters in play. The pacing was inconsistent and the point of view shifted abruptly in some places which caused me to stumble and need to reread parts more slowly, but it was not enough to disrupt my understanding of the characters and their relationship. This is not a ‘spicy’ book, but what intimacy is present is beautifully written and emotionally charged.
Perhaps it’s my own empathy (or my hormones?), but as an American reading Anderson’s story as we tread dangerously close to WWIII, it is easy to insert these characters into reality. This makes the story more relatable, with the elements of bigotry/racism, violence, asylum-seeking, socioeconomic disparities, and apathy skirting too close for comfort to what is happening in the world.
Grab your tissues and prepare to have your heart broken! With all of this said, I will close this with a powerful quote from the FMC that I wish all political leaders would listen to: “’Better a tyrant who feeds the hungry than a king who watches them die!’”
----
I received an advance reader copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.
All thoughts/opinions in this review are my own.
May 1, 2026
Rating: 4.25⭐️
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
“A future where I give you your dreams as you have given me mine, that is what I see when I look at the stars now.”
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
This book had me sobbing so hard I considered punching a wall. The amount of yearning in this book was suffocating, it’s borderline illegal. And no, I don’t mean that in a bad way. I mean it in a this-book-just-emotionally-wrecked-me-and-I’ll-never-be-the-same kind of way. So yes, traumatized. Thank you.
I originally picked this up as an audiobook because of the narrator (and I KNOW we all know why, let’s not pretend), but I did not expect to get this attached to the actual story. The writing is surprisingly deep and emotional. The foreshadowing got me so on edge on EVERY chapter. And to make things worse, I accidentally saw a spoiler saying this is not a happy book, so I went in prepared. Or at least I thought I was. Because I still had absolutely NO idea how it was going to end (which is honestly very on brand with the title).
The political intrigue in this book is so intricate and immersive. I’m usually very picky about world-building, but here it didn’t feel like background, it felt like the backbone of the story. It shows how cruel and unfair life can be, how doing the right thing isn’t always possible when you’re trapped within systems, expectations, and political constraints.
I swear Val-Theris hurt me. It genuinely pains me how he believes he doesn’t deserve happiness, that he’s incapable of feeling joy. He’s a fair, gentle king to his people, but never to himself. And that contradiction is devastating. Also, I need to say this: Sebastian Du Pont absolutely delivered. The way he brought Val-Theris to life was everything. You can feel every ounce of longing, anxiety, and anger in his voice. He’s got INSANE range.
And Jesenia. She’s sunshine personified, but not in a loud or blinding way. She’s warm, gentle, and quietly radiant. The kind of person who brings comfort without even trying. She cares so deeply for her people, and all she wants is to give them peace. And Lilly Drake captured that softness so beautifully, it made Jesenia feel incredibly real and easy to love.
Thank you for all the trauma and tragedy, I will now be taking at least 11 business days to recover.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
“A future where I give you your dreams as you have given me mine, that is what I see when I look at the stars now.”
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
This book had me sobbing so hard I considered punching a wall. The amount of yearning in this book was suffocating, it’s borderline illegal. And no, I don’t mean that in a bad way. I mean it in a this-book-just-emotionally-wrecked-me-and-I’ll-never-be-the-same kind of way. So yes, traumatized. Thank you.
I originally picked this up as an audiobook because of the narrator (and I KNOW we all know why, let’s not pretend), but I did not expect to get this attached to the actual story. The writing is surprisingly deep and emotional. The foreshadowing got me so on edge on EVERY chapter. And to make things worse, I accidentally saw a spoiler saying this is not a happy book, so I went in prepared. Or at least I thought I was. Because I still had absolutely NO idea how it was going to end (which is honestly very on brand with the title).
The political intrigue in this book is so intricate and immersive. I’m usually very picky about world-building, but here it didn’t feel like background, it felt like the backbone of the story. It shows how cruel and unfair life can be, how doing the right thing isn’t always possible when you’re trapped within systems, expectations, and political constraints.
I swear Val-Theris hurt me. It genuinely pains me how he believes he doesn’t deserve happiness, that he’s incapable of feeling joy. He’s a fair, gentle king to his people, but never to himself. And that contradiction is devastating. Also, I need to say this: Sebastian Du Pont absolutely delivered. The way he brought Val-Theris to life was everything. You can feel every ounce of longing, anxiety, and anger in his voice. He’s got INSANE range.
And Jesenia. She’s sunshine personified, but not in a loud or blinding way. She’s warm, gentle, and quietly radiant. The kind of person who brings comfort without even trying. She cares so deeply for her people, and all she wants is to give them peace. And Lilly Drake captured that softness so beautifully, it made Jesenia feel incredibly real and easy to love.
Thank you for all the trauma and tragedy, I will now be taking at least 11 business days to recover.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
First off: thank you to Ariel N. Anderson for sending me an eARC of this book. I am entirely grateful and so excited that I was chosen to be able to read it. <3
I really wanted to like this book. Political romance with two love interests that are very different from one another is right up my alley, but unfortunately, this missed the marked for me. Our two main characters, Jesenia of Lunareth and Val-Theris disappointed me so greatly, I found it difficult to finish the book. While I liked their dynamic at times, a soft, merciful woman who can break through a man's tired, weary exterior to see the softness inside of him, they both lacked the agency for the political aspects that Anderson incorporates into the book. There are events in this book that lead to nothing happening: Jesenia is made to be on the council by Val-Theris, but does not fight for her people. She speaks once, gets ridiculed, Val-Theris does nothing and she does not return to council. It made rooting for them incredibly difficult especially when Jesenia moves into the palace, not living among her people, but actively ridiculing herself and others that her people are starving. She does nothing to help them, not going to council, barely going back to the camps to serve her people all while just sitting around it seems like. Val-Theris is no better by promising her again and again that he WILL help, but time and time again, he says and does nothing due to his fear and judgement of his council. Most of the romantic scenes between Jesenia and Val-Theris are sweet, but repetitive, I felt that I was reading the same scene over again between short chapters, him grazing her cheek, her shawl falling on her shoulders, both of them nearly touching again and again but not quite, all within a few chapters. It felt rushed to me, until suddenly they both just give in. The best scene for me was the denial of the proposal, I love that Jesenia stood her ground, but wish that her same energy here, was used to actively fight for the rights of her people. We know the ending of the book before it starts, they end in tragedy, Jesenia dies due to Val-Theris' lack of understanding with his foresight and everyone pays for it, including himself. This book seemed both rushed, entirely too long, and with not enough political tension for the pay off of the ending for me to really care about the characters.
I really wanted to like this book. Political romance with two love interests that are very different from one another is right up my alley, but unfortunately, this missed the marked for me. Our two main characters, Jesenia of Lunareth and Val-Theris disappointed me so greatly, I found it difficult to finish the book. While I liked their dynamic at times, a soft, merciful woman who can break through a man's tired, weary exterior to see the softness inside of him, they both lacked the agency for the political aspects that Anderson incorporates into the book. There are events in this book that lead to nothing happening: Jesenia is made to be on the council by Val-Theris, but does not fight for her people. She speaks once, gets ridiculed, Val-Theris does nothing and she does not return to council. It made rooting for them incredibly difficult especially when Jesenia moves into the palace, not living among her people, but actively ridiculing herself and others that her people are starving. She does nothing to help them, not going to council, barely going back to the camps to serve her people all while just sitting around it seems like. Val-Theris is no better by promising her again and again that he WILL help, but time and time again, he says and does nothing due to his fear and judgement of his council. Most of the romantic scenes between Jesenia and Val-Theris are sweet, but repetitive, I felt that I was reading the same scene over again between short chapters, him grazing her cheek, her shawl falling on her shoulders, both of them nearly touching again and again but not quite, all within a few chapters. It felt rushed to me, until suddenly they both just give in. The best scene for me was the denial of the proposal, I love that Jesenia stood her ground, but wish that her same energy here, was used to actively fight for the rights of her people. We know the ending of the book before it starts, they end in tragedy, Jesenia dies due to Val-Theris' lack of understanding with his foresight and everyone pays for it, including himself. This book seemed both rushed, entirely too long, and with not enough political tension for the pay off of the ending for me to really care about the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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