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Veiled in Shadow
Not yet published
Expected 1 Dec 26An enchanted train. A forbidden love. And a deadly secret that could derail an entire kingdom.
Princess Delana will do anything to save her kingdom—even marry a stranger. With her realm’s memory magic fading and her grieving father using the last of his powers to relive the past, Delana agrees to a political union with a rival prince. She boards a lavish, enchanted wedding train bound for her new future and surrounded by his court, secrets, and expectations.
She didn’t expect Bastian. Once her childhood friend, now her brooding, fiercely loyal bodyguard, Bastian awakens everything Del must suppress, even as she dances in her fiancé’s arms. But when her handmaiden is murdered on the night of the first ball, Del is revealed to be the true target. Now she and Bastian race to uncover the assassin before the train reaches its final stop.
As danger closes in and forbidden desire ignites, Del must What will she risk for Bastian—and what might it cost the kingdom? Because their passion may be more lethal than the killer
Princess Delana will do anything to save her kingdom—even marry a stranger. With her realm’s memory magic fading and her grieving father using the last of his powers to relive the past, Delana agrees to a political union with a rival prince. She boards a lavish, enchanted wedding train bound for her new future and surrounded by his court, secrets, and expectations.
She didn’t expect Bastian. Once her childhood friend, now her brooding, fiercely loyal bodyguard, Bastian awakens everything Del must suppress, even as she dances in her fiancé’s arms. But when her handmaiden is murdered on the night of the first ball, Del is revealed to be the true target. Now she and Bastian race to uncover the assassin before the train reaches its final stop.
As danger closes in and forbidden desire ignites, Del must What will she risk for Bastian—and what might it cost the kingdom? Because their passion may be more lethal than the killer
Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 7, 2026
A perfect blend of magic and murder, VEILED IN SHADOW welcomes you to an enchanting world of forbidden love, deep desires, and angsty yearning. I was completely captivated!
August 9, 2026
Firstly thank you Random House Children's Books and NetGalley for the ARC
I have a lot of conflicting feelings. I loved the story but there are also some things that made me feel uncomfortable.
The pacing was definitely slow for me in the beginning. It took a while to get into the story and understand everything that was happening, but once I hit the halfway point, I was hooked. From there, I couldn’t put it down. The plot became increasingly addictive, and I was constantly trying to figure out what was actually going on.
I really liked Delana as our FMC. She isn’t the perfect person. She was complex, funny, flawed, and genuinely human. I loved getting to know her and seeing all of the different sides of her personality. And Bastian?? I loved him too. Their romance was really developed good and really sexy BUT I could never completely shake the feeling that their romance was crossing into cheating territory. Delana is betrothed to someone else, and even though the circumstances are complicated, that aspect of the romance made it difficult for me to fully get myself in it. I had a little voice in the back of my head going, “girl… aren't you engaged?” 😭
While I really enjoyed the overall plot, but I was confused at times, especially when it came to the magic system and some of the worldbuilding. Like if I’m being honest I still don’t understand exactly how the Chrona Larks really work. I feel like there were moments where I was trying to piece together how everything worked instead of just enjoying the story. I think this is a standalone so idk, but I definitely wanted a little more clarity. And I have to mention the train murder because… HOW was everyone so chill about that fr 😭 A literal murder happens on the train and somehow everyone is just carrying on?? I know there are bigger things happening in the story, but that reaction felt so unrealistic to me. I don’t want to go into more spoilers but there are a lot of other things that didn’t really make sense (?)
Another thing that surprised me was how lustful some of the writing could be. The book isn't explicit or anything, but there were moments where it was overly descriptive. And honestly, this made me question how this is marked YA. And I can’t wrap my head around a 12,13,14,15 year old reading this. The author should have just made it Adult instead of Young Adult.
The writing was really good, loved the FMC and MMC, the mystery was good, the tension was delicious but there aspects that made me question how I felt about this book. But for now it is a 4 stars
I have a lot of conflicting feelings. I loved the story but there are also some things that made me feel uncomfortable.
The pacing was definitely slow for me in the beginning. It took a while to get into the story and understand everything that was happening, but once I hit the halfway point, I was hooked. From there, I couldn’t put it down. The plot became increasingly addictive, and I was constantly trying to figure out what was actually going on.
I really liked Delana as our FMC. She isn’t the perfect person. She was complex, funny, flawed, and genuinely human. I loved getting to know her and seeing all of the different sides of her personality. And Bastian?? I loved him too. Their romance was really developed good and really sexy BUT I could never completely shake the feeling that their romance was crossing into cheating territory. Delana is betrothed to someone else, and even though the circumstances are complicated, that aspect of the romance made it difficult for me to fully get myself in it. I had a little voice in the back of my head going, “girl… aren't you engaged?” 😭
While I really enjoyed the overall plot, but I was confused at times, especially when it came to the magic system and some of the worldbuilding. Like if I’m being honest I still don’t understand exactly how the Chrona Larks really work. I feel like there were moments where I was trying to piece together how everything worked instead of just enjoying the story. I think this is a standalone so idk, but I definitely wanted a little more clarity. And I have to mention the train murder because… HOW was everyone so chill about that fr 😭 A literal murder happens on the train and somehow everyone is just carrying on?? I know there are bigger things happening in the story, but that reaction felt so unrealistic to me. I don’t want to go into more spoilers but there are a lot of other things that didn’t really make sense (?)
Another thing that surprised me was how lustful some of the writing could be. The book isn't explicit or anything, but there were moments where it was overly descriptive. And honestly, this made me question how this is marked YA. And I can’t wrap my head around a 12,13,14,15 year old reading this. The author should have just made it Adult instead of Young Adult.
The writing was really good, loved the FMC and MMC, the mystery was good, the tension was delicious but there aspects that made me question how I felt about this book. But for now it is a 4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a copy via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Veiled in Shadow was a solid 4.8 book that I happily round up to 5 stars. The characters are engaging, the plot hits that "just right" level of complexity, and the world sets a good backdrop for the semi-isolated murder mystery setting of the train.
Delana was a great POV character, and I enjoyed both her strength of character and will as well as her flaws, and especially the way she had to deal with those flaws as part of the story. It all helped her both grow as a character as well as fed into the plot as she worked to resolve all of the reasons behind the suspicious behavior around her. Bastian was an excellent counterpoint to her, solid and steadfast in his affections and determination to do what he believed in. I enjoyed them both as individuals and as a pair throughout the book. I also enjoyed the rest of the supporting cast - Ayala, Sable, Elias, and Thalia particularly, and each felt like an individual with their own story and reasons for the things that they do.
The pacing and the story were solid - nothing was too slow or too fast, and as Del was piecing together the answer and trying to resolve the mystery, I felt like I was keeping up on also being able to solve it - the solution is mostly there in front of you (like my favorite kinds of detective fiction where you CAN solve it if you pay attention, even if you may miss some of the clues or motives).
I really enjoyed the extravagance of the wedding train - it was such a unique take on the train mystery setting, and was a great use of the magic of the world - both leaning into and helping build the world with the details. The illusionists' magic was my favorite, and the way the magic was used in the world was interesting - especially to get multiple perspectives on the same kinds of magic.
I really appreciated that the author also included disability assistance visibility in the sign language interpreters that showed up in the large productions held on the train. I thought that was a really great thing to include, both for general visibility and normalization.
All in all I really enjoyed this book, and I think anyone looking for a murder mystery with a side of bodyguard romance would find this to be a good read. Add it to your TBR today!
Veiled in Shadow was a solid 4.8 book that I happily round up to 5 stars. The characters are engaging, the plot hits that "just right" level of complexity, and the world sets a good backdrop for the semi-isolated murder mystery setting of the train.
Delana was a great POV character, and I enjoyed both her strength of character and will as well as her flaws, and especially the way she had to deal with those flaws as part of the story. It all helped her both grow as a character as well as fed into the plot as she worked to resolve all of the reasons behind the suspicious behavior around her. Bastian was an excellent counterpoint to her, solid and steadfast in his affections and determination to do what he believed in. I enjoyed them both as individuals and as a pair throughout the book. I also enjoyed the rest of the supporting cast - Ayala, Sable, Elias, and Thalia particularly, and each felt like an individual with their own story and reasons for the things that they do.
The pacing and the story were solid - nothing was too slow or too fast, and as Del was piecing together the answer and trying to resolve the mystery, I felt like I was keeping up on also being able to solve it - the solution is mostly there in front of you (like my favorite kinds of detective fiction where you CAN solve it if you pay attention, even if you may miss some of the clues or motives).
I really enjoyed the extravagance of the wedding train - it was such a unique take on the train mystery setting, and was a great use of the magic of the world - both leaning into and helping build the world with the details. The illusionists' magic was my favorite, and the way the magic was used in the world was interesting - especially to get multiple perspectives on the same kinds of magic.
I really appreciated that the author also included disability assistance visibility in the sign language interpreters that showed up in the large productions held on the train. I thought that was a really great thing to include, both for general visibility and normalization.
All in all I really enjoyed this book, and I think anyone looking for a murder mystery with a side of bodyguard romance would find this to be a good read. Add it to your TBR today!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
VEILED IN SHADOW is an interesting standalone romantasy novel that follows Princess Delana as she prepares for her contractual wedding to the prince of an ally country. Part of this wedding is a ritual journey that takes the wedding party (and many of their subjects) from one country to the other on a magical, enchanted train. however, the setting soon becomes the setting of a dark scheme, which begins with the death of Delana’s handmaiden.
meanwhile, Del is also trying to get to know her future husband, who she must marry to save her country and bring magic back to her realm. however, he is not exactly what she suspected. and she can’t seem to look away from her new bodyguard, who was her closest childhood friend.
I didn’t realize this was a standalone novel for quite a while, but I was impressed by how immersive the story was within this limited storytelling. the pacing was pretty well-executed for a standalone with this detailed of a world! the characters, schemes, and setting all felt easy to follow and captivating.
I still don’t really know how the magical train works or is set up, but that could definitely be my own limitations on understanding such grand unfamiliar settings. I wish a few of the twists would have been a bit more integrated throughout the story with some foreshadowing, but overall it was very interesting and pretty unique!
meanwhile, Del is also trying to get to know her future husband, who she must marry to save her country and bring magic back to her realm. however, he is not exactly what she suspected. and she can’t seem to look away from her new bodyguard, who was her closest childhood friend.
I didn’t realize this was a standalone novel for quite a while, but I was impressed by how immersive the story was within this limited storytelling. the pacing was pretty well-executed for a standalone with this detailed of a world! the characters, schemes, and setting all felt easy to follow and captivating.
I still don’t really know how the magical train works or is set up, but that could definitely be my own limitations on understanding such grand unfamiliar settings. I wish a few of the twists would have been a bit more integrated throughout the story with some foreshadowing, but overall it was very interesting and pretty unique!
August 21, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
NetGalley E-ARC
A YA Mystery with a touch of romance. This overall wasn’t a terrible read. The story takes place on a train which is new for me and was fun! I feel as though the beginning was very slow and then rushed at the end of the book. There were definitely things that I was not expecting and other aspects that were super predictable. When things really started coming out and everything was tying itself together it was a rush to the end. There was all this build up for what felt like maybe a chapter of climax and ending.
As far as the characters go, Del our FMC was kind of a bore but grew into something else by the end and I am proud of her growth. Prince Marc, never liked him honestly, and the people he surrounded himself with mmm no thanks had bad feelings from the start. Bastian, Dels bonded guard, broody but that relationship was incredibly predictable. Thalia, I’m going to be totally honest was probably my favorite character. And Aster… meh. Sable, at first I really thought she was going to play a larger role but then she just turned out to be incredibly disappointing, I wanted more from her!
I very much got that this is a stand alone and it makes sense because everything is tied up in a pretty bow at the end.
NetGalley E-ARC
A YA Mystery with a touch of romance. This overall wasn’t a terrible read. The story takes place on a train which is new for me and was fun! I feel as though the beginning was very slow and then rushed at the end of the book. There were definitely things that I was not expecting and other aspects that were super predictable. When things really started coming out and everything was tying itself together it was a rush to the end. There was all this build up for what felt like maybe a chapter of climax and ending.
As far as the characters go, Del our FMC was kind of a bore but grew into something else by the end and I am proud of her growth. Prince Marc, never liked him honestly, and the people he surrounded himself with mmm no thanks had bad feelings from the start. Bastian, Dels bonded guard, broody but that relationship was incredibly predictable. Thalia, I’m going to be totally honest was probably my favorite character. And Aster… meh. Sable, at first I really thought she was going to play a larger role but then she just turned out to be incredibly disappointing, I wanted more from her!
I very much got that this is a stand alone and it makes sense because everything is tied up in a pretty bow at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2026
A fast paced YA tale with a murder mystery, arranged marriages and forbidden romance all taking place on a train. This book was full of great concepts and ideas. However, they never quite made sense to me. The magic system is unique but I never fully got a grasp on it. I found the story a bit predictable.
The constant flashback of memories in the middle of a chapter/scene was a bit annoying and repetitive. I would prefer it have its own spot before the chapter instead of interrupting the current one. What kept me reading was the romance. It was probably my favorite part of the story. A childhood best friend turned bodyguard is a trope I didn’t know I needed. The murder mystery also kept me engaged. I don’t have much to say about this one. It just was kind of a middle ground book for me.
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*
The constant flashback of memories in the middle of a chapter/scene was a bit annoying and repetitive. I would prefer it have its own spot before the chapter instead of interrupting the current one. What kept me reading was the romance. It was probably my favorite part of the story. A childhood best friend turned bodyguard is a trope I didn’t know I needed. The murder mystery also kept me engaged. I don’t have much to say about this one. It just was kind of a middle ground book for me.
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Veiled in Shadow had a really intriguing mystery at its core that kept me wanting answers, and honestly, Del and Basatin were the highlights of the story for me. Their dynamic brought the most engaging moments, and I found myself much more invested whenever they were on page together.
That said, I struggled with the pacing throughout. The story felt slower than I wanted at times, which made it harder for me to stay fully immersed. I also never fully connected with the prince as a character, and because of that, some of the emotional beats didn’t land as strongly for me.
Overall, while it wasn’t a perfect fit for me, the mystery elements and standout characters kept me turning the pages, and I think readers who enjoy slower-burn fantasy mysteries may still really enjoy this one.
That said, I struggled with the pacing throughout. The story felt slower than I wanted at times, which made it harder for me to stay fully immersed. I also never fully connected with the prince as a character, and because of that, some of the emotional beats didn’t land as strongly for me.
Overall, while it wasn’t a perfect fit for me, the mystery elements and standout characters kept me turning the pages, and I think readers who enjoy slower-burn fantasy mysteries may still really enjoy this one.
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June 18, 2026I received this as an ARC. I really enjoyed this book. The magic system is unique as is the setting. It remined me of Murder on the Orient Express, but add magic. The world building is quick and organic. I didn't feel like I was being bogged down with too much information too soon and the plot took off right away. The murders felt unrelated from each other, like there was a lot more going on, but no clear view to the reader as to what was actually happening. The mystery is revealed and I did not see it coming! I'm hoping the published version has a map of this magical train. It definitely has some TARDIS magic behind it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley.
Del is a princess who is engaged to a prince, Marc, she has never met from a neighboring kingdom. She boards a train with her bodyguard and people from both kingdoms as they celebrate their upcoming union. She has to marry Marc because the magic that her kingdom needs is controlled by birds that have migrated to Marc's kingdom. Del can't help but be attracted to her bodyguard, Bastian, whom she has known since childhood. As things begin to go badly, Del and Bastian get pulled into a web of intrigue.
Truly my biggest problem was how predictable and cliche this story was. I would have DNF'd but I wanted to be able to write a review...
Del is a princess who is engaged to a prince, Marc, she has never met from a neighboring kingdom. She boards a train with her bodyguard and people from both kingdoms as they celebrate their upcoming union. She has to marry Marc because the magic that her kingdom needs is controlled by birds that have migrated to Marc's kingdom. Del can't help but be attracted to her bodyguard, Bastian, whom she has known since childhood. As things begin to go badly, Del and Bastian get pulled into a web of intrigue.
Truly my biggest problem was how predictable and cliche this story was. I would have DNF'd but I wanted to be able to write a review...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dropping this book immediately into the hands of all Emily J. Taylor fans! The opulent setting (a lavish train sprinkled with magic) and the rich descriptions were such standouts, as were the reflections on grief and love, trust and power, allowing me to sink into the world completely. Once there, watching the mystery unfold and the romance sparkle led me on a journey from one kingdom to another—and ultimately to a surprising and hugely satisfying ending.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is perfect blend of romantasy and mystery! I especially loved the chemistry and banter between Del and Bastian. The world-building of the train was unique and delightful, and the mystery reveal at the end was satisfying. I wish there were more adventures in this world, I could spend a lot more time here!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Intrigue and murder in this fast paced romantasy that captured my attention from the first beautifully written sentence. The love story was pure magic and such an enjoyable read!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC review
This was a unique story with a good mix with a variety of elements. Gave the vibes of Murder on the Orient Express. Overall a good story and refreshing to have a standalone book.
This was a unique story with a good mix with a variety of elements. Gave the vibes of Murder on the Orient Express. Overall a good story and refreshing to have a standalone book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fun fantasy with Agatha Christie feels. A mystery on a train, who is trying to kill the future ruler, why is their magic shifting. There are so many fun moving parts to this book. Ya appropriate.
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