Court of Fiends

by Tamsin Hawthorn

Cecily Leighton has lost everyone she ever loved. Awash with grief and destitute, she arrives in London at the home of her uncle, the eccentric Baron Hyssop, who grants her a dowry and a single Season in Town to find a suitable husband. If she fails, she faces an uncertain life as an unwanted burden. But the beau monde is uninterested in a young woman with a questionable background, no matter how lovely.

Julius Darkwood is gentry only by virtue of his vast fortune. An enigma of a man with a poor reputation, he rarely turns up in the gilded mansions of London’s elite. But a chance encounter with a woman of rare magickal talent has him skulking through the ballroom, trying to secure an introduction to Lord Hyssop’s orphaned niece.

The glittering city rests uneasy. Strange beings stalk the gaslit streets. And now, the Baron has disappeared without a trace.

And somehow Mr. Darkwood is at the center of it all. On the ballroom floor. Dancing with Cecily.

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 1, 2026

About the author

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortamsi...

Tamsin is an author and designer living in the marshlands of coastal South Carolina with her husband Mr. Hawthorn, a reclusive and enigmatic genius. When not creating, she enjoys reading, witching around, and visiting new places. The Spell Caster is her first published novel.

Reviews

[theshadyivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🫦

My lovely Tamsin has done it again — and I am enchanted. ✨🖤

This story pulled me in from the very first page and didn't let go for a single second. 😮‍💨

We're introduced to Cecily — a young woman who has lost everything, and now navigates the glittering, cutthroat world of London's High Society with one singular mission: find the perfect husband and keep up appearances. 💔 I have never felt such a complicated mix of heartache and relief that her life is not mine. 😅 The pressure, the pretense, the performance of it all — Tamsin captures it so vividly it almost suffocates you. In the best possible way.

And then Mr. Darkwood arrives. 😏🖤

The moment he stepped onto the page I knew. Everything was about to shift — and oh, how beautifully it did. 😮‍💨✨

What makes this story truly magical is Tamsin's extraordinary command of language. She doesn't just set the scene — she transports you. Straight into the heart of the Regency era, with all its sharp wit, its unspoken rules, and its delicious tensions. 📖🕯️ And woven through all of it — folklore, magic, and something wonderfully dark simmering just beneath the surface. 🌿🖤

Magnificent is truly the only word. 🥹

Go read this if you love:

🧚 Fae x Human
💔 Yearning
🕯️ Regency Fantasy Romance
🌑 Gothic Folklore
🚪 Closed Door
⭐ Star Crossed Lovers
📖 3rd POV

Tamsin, you absolute sorceress. Never stop. 🖤✨

74/26

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️I am so grateful to have received this ARC from the author⭐️

This was my first experience reading the work of Tamsin Hawthorn, and it absolutely did not disappoint.

I was completely blown away by *Court of Fiends*. I’ve never read a regency fantasy before, and Tamsin’s ability to transport you into that era was honestly mind-blowing. The atmosphere, the etiquette, the tension of London High Society—it all felt so vivid and immersive.

Cecily is our FMC, a young woman who has lost everything and is suddenly forced to navigate the pressures of London society while grieving the loss of her father. Watching her balance expectations, appearances, and heartbreak while discovering that there are beings beyond her world made her such a compelling character to follow.

Then we meet our MMC, Mr. Julius Darkwood. The moment he saves Cecily, everything changes. Their chemistry was one of my favorite parts of this story. The banter between them was so enjoyable, but it was the yearning, the protectiveness, and the way Julius truly understood Cecily that made me fall in love with him. The romance felt emotional and genuine. The spice is minimal, which honestly worked perfectly for their story and was such a refreshing change. The character growth for both of them was beautifully done.

And the Court of Fiends itself? Absolutely fascinating. Experiencing it through Cecily’s perspective and seeing the fiends described in such haunting, vivid detail made the world feel even more immersive. The folklore, magic, and gothic storytelling were beautifully woven together throughout the entire book.

My only complaint? That it wasn't longer. I genuinely wanted more.

So if you enjoy:
✨️Yearning
✨️Fae x Human
✨️Regency Fantasy Romance
✨️Gothic Folklore
✨️Closed Door Romance
✨️3rd Person POV
✨️Star-Crossed Lovers

…then this is definitely a book you’ll want to pick up.

I already know I’ll be reading more from Tamsin Hawthorn in the future ❤️

[Samantha Kasten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so grateful to have received an ARC for this one, this story is sweet and wrapped me up in its magical adventure right from the beginning! It follows the story of Cecily as she tackles London society in the wake of a tragedy. The twists and turns of her life bring her glimpses of the existence of magic, and straight into the arms of Mr. Darkwood, himself. Her inner strength and beautiful heart, despite battling her demons (figurative AND literal), drive her actions in a way that makes you root for her from the very beginning. Mr. Darkwood is the perfect gentleman, so it seems, but is brimming with secrets that leave you itching to figure him out.

Tamsin gives us everything: forbidden love, star-crossed lovers, redemption, a bold FMC who’s not scared to risk it all, a broody MMC with a soft heart. She delivers this story in a highly detailed, true to the time-period way of writing that truly is magic in itself, in the way it transports you into the story with the characters. The plot moves quickly, but I never felt as if it was unbelievable or hard to follow. There were moments I could have sunk into a little deeper, leading to my one and only complaint: that this book isn’t longer! I would have swam through 200 more pages to be more immersed in their story and allow the build up to sink its teeth in.

Tamsin is an eloquent author with an immense skill of detailing a world that truly brings it to life before her readers eyes. Her characters are lovable, and clever, and determined, making them so easy to mold into your heart so you feel their every win and loss.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for: a quick but meaningful read, a period piece with a magical twist, a battle of good versus evil, a great story that keeps you eager for the next paragraph until the very end!

[Shelby Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this story and am beyond grateful for the opportunity to be apart of the team.

A Court of Fiends is a compelling read that immediately draws you in with its rich and immersive world-building. From the very first pages, the setting feels vivid and carefully constructed, making it easy to picture every detail and lose yourself in the atmosphere the author has created. The depth of the world adds a strong foundation to the story, giving it a sense of realism even within its more fantastical elements.


The characters are another standout aspect of the book. Each one is well-described, not just physically but emotionally and psychologically, which makes them feel real and relatable. More importantly, they’re genuinely intriguing—each character has layers that unfold as the story progresses, keeping you invested in their journeys and motivations. You’re not just reading about them; you’re trying to understand them.


The storyline itself is well-written and flows smoothly from beginning to end. There’s a natural progression to the plot that makes it easy to follow while still maintaining a sense of anticipation. Nothing feels rushed or out of place, and the pacing allows key moments to have the impact they deserve.


What truly elevates A Court of Fiends, though, is the care and dedication that the author has clearly poured into it. You can tell this wasn’t written hastily—the attention to detail, the consistency in tone, and the thoughtful development of both plot and characters all point to a writer who invested significant time and heart into the story. That level of effort shows on every page, making the book not just enjoyable, but memorable.


Overall, it’s a beautifully crafted story with strong characters, an engaging plot, and a world that feels alive long after you’ve turned the last page.

[Crysta Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author for the opportunity to read. I never take that ability lightly.
My review is based on a ARC from the Author. These are my personal and honest thoughts on the story.

2.5 stars. Minimal spoilers but I do talk about a few.

This book was not for me. I do think there may be some who enjoy the dancing, the quick pass at intimacy and “lady fashion” and etiquette. And the shorter story.
But it was just all around not for me.

I went into the book thinking fiend would be more of a darker play into the romantasy or fantasy world. Instead I was reminded each chapter of the MMC green eyes and grey skin. The proper way a lady should be and the endless balls. I stuck with it toward the end when we got to meet the court of fiends in hopes of more excitement but was just not intrigued. I felt lost to what exactly the plot was and unsure of where we were going.

Over all a book that would normally take me a day to read took me 5 because I just could not stay engaged.

If you like regency, light .5 🌶️ and dancing in a short quick story this could be enjoyable. Sadly this just wasn’t for me. It was lack luster in the tropes I was expecting. Star crossed lovers? No. Yearning? No. Only he understands her? Kind of. I’m not even sure I understood her.

Also around 85% of the way through the book we learned Magic was starting to blossom in the FMC but in the end I just didn’t see the full potential of that.

I appreciated the opportunity, but would not recommend or read again personally.

[Arielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️4.5.
🌶 1.5 of 5 - two intimate scenes with vague descriptions.
No strong language.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC of your book! This review is based on my own opinions of the book and I was not compensated in any way.

I loved this book! I was drawn in from the very beginning. Think Bridgerton, The Rose Bargain/ The Thorn Queen vibes. We have Reagency era London, Elfs, wicked creatures from another realm and a sprinkle of magic!

The world building was creative and the descriptions of the Court of Fiends and their world was enchanting. I loved the variety of creatures. I enjoyed the aspect of alchemy and magic and how they could be combined.

Our FMC was very endearing and finally not an assassin! She spoke her mind but not in snarky way. I felt like she was growing into her self confidence. I really loved our MMC. He was more subdued rather than grumpy and I liked that. Once he came around to our FMC he was a golden retriever. My only complaint is that his character seemed a little watered down at the end compared to how he was when we met him.

The spice was minimal and vague. The scenes were very tasteful. I do wish that there had been more build up to their courting so we could have had a little more swoon.

Overall, it was a fun read. This was a great standalone story. I wish it had been longer because I loved the world and the characters! The ending could have been drawn out a little more, it seemed a little rushed.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book 4.75 stars ⭐

I had the absolute pleasure of reading Court of Fiends early as an ARC, but if I hadn't, this is a book I would have picked up if I found it in a book store or a library. The premise is very interesting and the vibes are impeccable! Think Bridgerton meets The Cruel Prince, and you've got a good sense for the vibes of this story. 

 The author did an amazing job of blending the fantasy and regency genres together in a way that doesn't break the immersion of the story. I love the way that settings and outfits are described in detail, and despite this being a shorter book than most of the ones I read (approx. 200 pages) I never felt like the story was being rushed through or progressing too quickly. Pacing is something I often dislike with shorter books, but that wasn't the case at all with Court of Fiends, which was very impressive for me. The one and only complaint I have was that the beginning of the story felt rather abrupt to me, like it could have benefited from a prologue to help ease me in, but that was very quickly forgotten as I was gripped by the rest of the story. 

This whole story feels like a whirlwind of ballrooms and magic, topped off with a sweet romance, which is exactly what I hoped it would be! I would highly recommend reading Court of Fiends if you are a fan of regency romance and fantasy, it was done really well and I can't wait to go back and read more of Tamsin Hawthorn's catalogue now! 

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author/publisher for the advance copy.
Court of Fiends delivered an intriguing story with rich world-building, detailed settings, and characters that felt like a blend of Bridgerton elegance with fantasy court politics. I was especially invested in Cecily’s journey as she navigated grief after losing her family while enduring life under the control of her cruel aunt, who viewed her as nothing more than a marriage arrangement.
Cecily was easy to root for: intelligent, witty, and quietly resilient. Her emotional growth was one of the strongest parts of the book.
Julius Darkwood (Ilias) was a refreshing male lead. Rather than the typical brooding fantasy hero, he was thoughtful and gentlemanly. His backstory, particularly giving up his throne after his sister undermined him, added depth to his character. I did wish the conflict between him and his sister had been explored with more intensity, as it sometimes felt more like bitter sibling rivalry than the sharper political betrayal it could have been.
The romance was slower and softer, with lower spice, but the connection between them felt sincere and believable.
The pacing was strong through most of the novel, allowing the relationship and survival elements to develop naturally. However, the final chapters felt somewhat rushed compared to the careful build-up that came before.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fantasy romance with heart, atmosphere, and a heroine worth cheering for.

[Leah Hankins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Court of Fiends by Tamslin Hawthorn was such a sweet and atmospheric fantasy romance, and I’m so grateful to have received an ARC of this story!
Set in London during the spring social season, the story follows Cecily Leighton as she navigates overwhelming grief after the loss of her family while trying to survive under the care of her cold and distant aunt. Cecily’s loneliness and vulnerability felt so real, which made her journey even more emotional and compelling.
Everything changes when she comes face to face with something not quite of her world — and Julius Darkwood steps in to save her. Julius was one of the kind of romantic leads I love reading about: mysterious, protective, and the only person who truly understands Cecily. Their relationship was filled with so much yearning and tension, and the star-crossed lovers aspect made every interaction between them feel meaningful and emotional.
The atmosphere of this book was one of my favorite parts. It perfectly blended historical London society with fantasy elements in a way that felt magical without losing the charm of the story. The romance develops with a softness and ache that kept me completely invested in Cecily and Julius from beginning to end.
If you love cozy Romantasys with emotional depth, yearning, and a touch of danger and mystery, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book had me HOOKED from the very beginning — the mystery, the tension, the constant need to know what’s going on… I couldn’t put it down 😩📖

There were so many moments where I was just like ??? 👀 in the BEST way. Every reveal had me more invested, and I loved slowly uncovering the secrets alongside Cecily ✨

And the ROMANCE?? The tension was painful (you know the kind 😭) — I was fully yelling “just kiss already!!” for half the book 💀💋 But the slow burn was absolutely worth it. The chemistry, the longing, the yearning… obsessed.

Cecily is such an intriguing main character, and I really enjoyed watching her grow into herself as the story unfolded. And the MMC?? Protective, intense, and very easy to fall for 🫠❤️

There’s also just enough danger and chaos woven through the story to keep you on edge — I was genuinely stressed at times 😭 but it made the sweeter moments hit even harder 🥹

Tropes you’ll love:
💍 Marriage of convenience
🔥 Slow burn romance
🖤 Protective, slightly morally grey MMC
✨ Secrets & hidden truths
😈 Family drama
💞 “Touch her and you die” vibes

This was an ARC received from the author, and I honestly loved it — I’ll definitely be thinking about this one for a while 🖤✨

[BookDragon_ KSC · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I liked this one! If you're looking for fast paced, action packed, edge of your seat fantasy...This won't be the book for you. But if you like dark and Gothic, and the slower pace of a historical fiction, that is emotionally charged, this fits that vibe perfectly! I've been reading a lot of high stakes fantasy so this was a great stand alone change of pace. I really loved that it focuses a lot on the traditional view of the fae rather than a more modern take. In this story the fae are tricky, and petty, and really probably should be avoided. And I LOVED that! And there is a side character that is giving side character energy!!! The only thing that's keeping this story from being a five star read for me is it just needs more. There were places where the story just skimmed over events. I wanted to know more details about the magic system because it's really interesting. I wanted to know more about the motivations behind what the fae are up too. I want to learn WITH Cecily when she makes discoveries rather that hear about it after the fact. I feel like it's more of a novella than a novel and if I look at it that way, it's a perfect novella. And if you're looking for a quick read that's a standalone Gothic vibe, I recommend it.

[Heather Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Court of Fiends by Tamsin Hawthorn was such a beautifully written and immersive read—and one I didn’t want to put down.

From the very beginning, I was completely drawn in by the language and tone. There’s a refined, almost “proper” elegance to the writing that immediately reminded me of Pride and Prejudice—but layered with magic, intrigue, and a darker edge that keeps you turning the pages.

The storytelling flows so effortlessly, pulling you deeper into a world where social expectations, hidden truths, and something more dangerous beneath the surface all collide. I found myself constantly wanting just one more chapter… and then another.

What stood out most to me was how the story balances that classic, almost Regency-style atmosphere with tension, mystery, and emotional depth. It feels familiar in the best way—yet still completely its own.

I can honestly say it left me wanting more. The characters, the world, the slow unfolding of everything… it all lingers with you.

If you love elegant writing, layered storytelling, and a touch of darkness wrapped in a “proper” world—you’re going to fall in love with this one.

[escapepassage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from Author

This book was short, sweet and full of magic. I was obsessed with the regency setting and while in the midst of my Bridgerton withdrawals, this was a balm. The author has a unique ability to connect you with the characters immediately and so you are immersed in the story from the start.

We are introduced to our FMC, Cecily, after she has lost everything and has arrived in London to attend the season with her uncle and his family. While her grieving heart is navigating the cutthroat spring social season, we are introduced to our MMC, Mr. Darkwood, who intrigues our FMC and has a great many secrets of his own. He isn’t the typical MMC we often see in fantasy, he isn’t angry or cruel, more, reserved but protective, would probably be the best way to describe him.

This is a cozy romantasy with SO many amazing tropes. If you love:

🗝️ Regency Fantasy Romance
🗝️ Fae x Human
🗝️ Gothic Folklore
🗝️ Star-Crossed Lovers
🗝️ Yearning (alllll the yearning)

Put this one on your list. I do sincerely wish this had been longer, I didn’t want it to end!

[Laura La · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this expecting something darker because of the fae element, but this turned out to be a much softer, sweeter story that worked really well. The whole book has that polished, high-society feel. There’s tension, but it never overwhelms the tone.

One thing I really appreciated was the writing style. It keeps that older, Regency-inspired language, but it’s still very easy to follow. It feels elevated without ever becoming hard to read, which makes a big difference.

The romance is also on the softer side. The love scenes are there, but they’re written in a more delicate, implied way rather than being explicit, which fits the overall tone of the story.

It’s also a shorter read at around 220 pages, which worked in its favor. It doesn’t get lost in unnecessary details or overly heavy world building.

If you’re going in expecting something dark, this isn’t that. But if you’re in the mood for something sweet, atmospheric, and easy to get lost in, this one delivers.

ARC

[Eternity's Raven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you again to Tamsin Hawthorn for having me on her ARC team, I did really appreciate the chance to read this early. I am leaving this review for free and completely of my own thoughts and opinions.

Sadly, this didn't really vibe with me.

While I thought this book nailed the Regency period with its balls, dialogue and general atmosphere, I found the characters very bland and the romance extremely dry and unbelievable.

This is a very short book at 215 pages, and because of this we don't get much time to sit with the characters or for them to properly learn each other, or us to learn them. It lead to everything feeling very rushed.

The actual Fae element of the book was interesting but the magic wasn't really explored very well and the FMC just seemed to stumble into learning how to do it, through sheer will? Great aptitude? Copious trial and error? IIt wasn't really explained. Which was a shame.

I think this book will work for those who don't mind instant love connections and like quicker reads. It just wasn't for me personally.

[eclecticbychoicereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delight Tamsin's Court of Fiends was! A true, utter delight. A novel to sweeten your days and brighten your night. A tale of loss, pain, and hurt, but also a tale of understanding, love, and devotion. Tamsin wove a story of a love found in the most unexpected way, even though it took place during London's Season.

Cecily thought she knew her fate. Thought she knew what awaited her. But she never knew the destiny would come in the form of an enigma of a man trailed by his poor reputation, Julius Darkwood. And Mr. Darkwood never could have imagined where his life on the run would bring him, and who it would bring him to.

These two individuals both felt lost, scorned, and haunted. Both searching for something they didn't know they were missing, and both finding it in one another. A home and a sense of finally belonging.

Thank you, Tamsin, for gifting us this magical story.

And thank you for having me as your ARC reader once again. It's a true honor.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was such a fun mix of mystery, romance, and historical intrigue. Cecily is thrown into the complicated world of London courtiers while strange things lurk in the shadows around her. Add in a broody, less-than-favored male lead who always seems to appear at the perfect moment, and the tension builds beautifully throughout the story. I especially loved watching Cecily discover alchemy — something completely forbidden for women in this time — which added another layer of danger and excitement to the plot.
As the mystery deepens, so does the slow-burn pining, and I found myself completely invested in where the story would go next. I’ve seen people compare this to Bridgerton, though I’ve never watched it myself. Personally, it gave me strong Pride and Prejudice meets Clue vibes — witty banter, simmering romance, and a mystery that kept me guessing until the end. Definitely an entertaining ride from start to finish.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️/5

I have to say my only complaint about this book is how short it is!!! I want a whole series, 215 pages isn't nearly enough! Cecily is so cool and gives weird girl energy in the best way possible. Mr. Darkwood is giving shadow daddy and the 'touch her and die' and 'my wife' energy is off the charts. For being so short there is so much story packed in! There's adventure, and romance, and magic, and it's all balanced so well. The time we spend in Regency London is so atmospheric and feels like Bridgerton with a spooky and magical fog over it. I've never been a big fan of historical fiction, but this book did such a fantastic job of blending fantasy within it that it felt more like those old folk tales of fair folk from the era. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a shorter action packed read, anyone who likes both the Modern Faerie Takes series by Holly Black and Bridgerton, and to anyone who's felt like they just didn't fit in this world.

[Letica Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest review!! I had a bit of trouble getting into this book. About the 6 chapter I started to like it more. The more I read the better it got. I love Mr. Darkwoods and Cecily relationship. Their relationship grows throughout the whole book into something special. He’s very protective of Cecily. The whole time I was reading the first half of this book I thought the mean aunt had a hand in releasing the “nightmares” and making the uncle disappear. Cecily is a very strong willed woman. She doesn’t back down from anything. Through out the book I was either kicking my feet in excitement or worried Cecily was going to lose her love. This book is well written. I think it has the potential to be more than one book. Cecily and Mr. Darkwood could have a lot of adventures together and those books would be fun to read. If you struggle in the beginning of this book don’t stop reading!!! It gets really good the farther in you get.

[Nikki Merrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Tamsin Hawthorne for the ARC copy!
***ARC for an honest review****
Where to even begin?! Court of Fiends is a fantastic regency romance set in London. Our introduction to Cecily amidst the splendor of a ball shows us the side of London's pageantry that tries to stay hidden much like the fiends of the court. Enter Julian Blackwood, devilishly good looking with a devilish secret. I understand Cecily's attraction to the forbidden, her draw toward a man that should send you running for the hills as fast as your corseted self could. What starts as a slow burn builds to absolutely delightful chaos that hooks its fangs into you and demands you finish what you started!
Well done Tamsin! I would love to see a continuation and find what happens after the events in Court of Fiends.

[Ilsa Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this ARC to be such a fun change in pace! It was a nice, short read that was very interesting!

I really liked how the plot picked up right away! From the first 2 chapters, we’ve met our main characters and are drawn right into the story! I really enjoyed learning more about the demons and monsters. The ending itself was also satisfying if a bit predictable.

The characters were great! Both Cecily and Mr. Darkwood were captivating! It was especially interesting to see how Cecily’s relationship with her family changed as she discovered more. Mr. Darkwood has quite the interesting backstory as well!

In conclusion, this is an excellent read if you’re looking for a short fantasy-romance with a cool setting, solid romantic arc, and and a fun plot!

[Ruxi Avram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Tamsin Hawthorn, for accepting me in your ARCteam for Court of Fiends! Such a delightful story!
The beginning presents Cecily, a young orphaned woman, left in the care of her uncle, her aunt and cousin, members of the ton in Regency London. She tries to navigate the high society (and her aunt's expectations and ire) and almost fails, due to her attraction toward Mr Darkwood.
By a curious turn of events, London is ravaged by nightmares and we find ourselves in the middle of a story book, with fairies, demons, different creatures from a different land, and nightmares.
This whole book is a storytale, in a magic realm and leaves the reader with a happy feeling of childhood dreams.

I have received this book as ARC from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Court of Fiends is not your typical romantasy book. In fact I would hardly classify it in that category. It is an unconventional period romance. Set mostly in London in a time where women were set to make good matches we meet the sad Cecily, after an interesting first encounter with a very mysterious Mr.Darkwood things veer from the regency style to some paranormal/fantasy style. The author kept an amazing pace on this. I didn't feel lile it dragged at all. When I got to the part where everything was okay I was thinking oh man whats going to go wrong, wait how much is left? Only 5%? Just so you know they finished this off perfect. I really felt like it was a complete story and the author delivered it well.

[Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Tamsin Hawthorn, for sending me this e-arc 🖤 All opinions are my own.

Court of Fiends is a standalone novel with gothic Bridgerton vibes, magic and, yes, fiends. The beautifully written story was romantic as well as melancholic. The spice was not explicit, you knew what was happening, which was fine as the overall energy of the book is rooted in yearning.

A couple of my favorite quotes 🥀
“My grief is my privilege to carry, for it means that I loved deeply. That my dear ones will not be forgotten.”

She could not make her mind form a response to his desperate confession beyond his name. “[redacted],” she breathed. She did not know if it was a spell, a prayer, or both.

[Jasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for a copy for a review.

I was instantly drawn in cause of the blurb. I love regency time period. But to me the story was lacking world building and the characters were flat to me. I feel like if it was a longer story there would be more world and character building and not feel so rushed. Some parts felt like they were skipped over and that made it confusing. I felt like chemistry between some of the characters were nonexistent. There were tons of parties and that didn’t contribute much to the overall plot for me.

I did enjoy some of the side characters. The mentioning of magic close to the end i felt like should’ve been said sooner so there could be more of it.

[Sidney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you Tamsin Hawthorne for the ARC copy!


I was drawn in by the blurb from a sponsored instagram ad promising Bridgerton/regency meets Fae and at a very surface level I suppose that was true. However, there was absolutely no substance here. The characters were flat, the world building nonexistent, the romance lacked chemistry, and there was no true explanation of the magic system. This would have been a DNF for me if the book itself hadn’t been so short.

I gave it one star just because the base idea was intriguing, however it needs to go back into the oven and bake for quite a while longer.

[Lily & Carolyn Book Bar Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

At only about 220 pages, this bite-sized book was a fun read. Sure, more time could’ve been spent building the romance, deepening the plot. But honestly, I didn’t need more! Part of the appeal is the brevity - it’s a perfect little dip into a fantastical, regency era story.

If you loved the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie but also want hidden magic and dangers, this one is for you! The regency era-style yearning and dialogue were spot on. The writing was era appropriate while still light and approachable. Above all, you can tell the story was lovingly crafted.

If you want an immersive, darkly whimsical, quick read - pick this up on Kindle Unlimited starting June 1!

[Dalia M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Tamsin for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC before release 🥰

This was such a cute short read. Think Brigerton but with paranormal elements.
Our FMC, Cecily Leighton isn't one who has experience in the ton. She's dealing with grievance as well as everyone looking down on her for her inexperience. Her experience in London isn't the greatest and she longs for something more. I dont want to spoil it for you all but  Mr. Darkwood is the epitome of yearning. The way he protects Cecily and yearns for her is 🤌🏽🤌🏽 SWOOON!!!
although they come from different worlds, the way they connect is immaculate. 
I kinda wish the story was a bit longer to give us more world building but overall, it was a wonderful cute cozy read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

A beautifully written romantasy with a hint of spice.
I was so excited to read a Regency-era fae romance, and Court of Fiends did not disappoint. It didn’t feel like reading a modern story with a Regency backdrop; it felt like reading a fantasy written by Jane Austen.
I only wish it were longer and went into more depth about the Court itself and the magic of the land. The characters, even those who were only briefly in the story, were introduced well, and I was able to connect with them quickly. The pace of the story worked well for the length of the book, but I could have devoured 100 more pages if it meant learning more about the abilities of the magic and how they differ between the Fiends and Cecily.
I really hope Court of Fiends is the first in a series because this felt like an appetizer before an incredible meal.

[Shayne Alsup · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in less than 24 hrs. I DID NOT want to put it down.

If you love reading Regency London style books and also love wicked Fae this is the book for you.

A fast paced, star crossed lovers romantasy with language to make you feel like you are in historic London, you will fall in love with Cecily and this world.

I wish this would be more than a standalone as i would love more from this world. The story was engaging and sweet. The spice is minimal but well placed, id say 1.5 peppers.

Thank you Tamsin Hawthorn for the opportunity to love this book before the world got to see it.