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The First Scar
He's sworn to the Crown. She's sworn to destroy it. A forbidden bond and a prophecy that could mend their world or tear it apart.
The day the Veil shattered, the world broke, and every soul was marked. Every fae now bears a soulmark. Luminar or Shadowmarked. Revered or enslaved.
Our fae heroine, Amaria, was born with both. Eryndor was forged to destroy her. Some say their bond is prophecy. Others call it a curse. Either way, if it completes, it could end the war or the realm.
Dark fae trilogy
Real enemies-to-lovers
Slow burn
Fated mates
Morally gray
Shadow daddy
The chosen one
Found family
Unhinged banter
Stabby FMC
Creature companion
Touch starved
Level 3 spice
Deep themes
Epic fantasy world
The day the Veil shattered, the world broke, and every soul was marked. Every fae now bears a soulmark. Luminar or Shadowmarked. Revered or enslaved.
Our fae heroine, Amaria, was born with both. Eryndor was forged to destroy her. Some say their bond is prophecy. Others call it a curse. Either way, if it completes, it could end the war or the realm.
Dark fae trilogy
Real enemies-to-lovers
Slow burn
Fated mates
Morally gray
Shadow daddy
The chosen one
Found family
Unhinged banter
Stabby FMC
Creature companion
Touch starved
Level 3 spice
Deep themes
Epic fantasy world
411 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2026
123 people are currently reading
687 people want to read
About the author
Celeanne Dorrington
4 books276 followersTo sum it up for my trope lovers:
Indie author in my villain origin story era. Morally gray FMC energy with a 'knife-to-the-throat' vibe and a “burn the world for the ones I love” devotion.
I'm now choosing sovereignty over compliance daily and I will not apologize for it or ask permission.
To my readers:
“Let them have their villain. I will be theirs and everyone else’s. But never for you.”
— Slade Ravinger
For those who enjoy diving deeper:
I’ll attempt to solidify some of the prominent experiences that contributed to the creation of this series:
Foundationally, I have formal education in the following: creative writing, screenplay writing, visual arts, philosophy, and political science.
Public exposure that has contributed: my experience in the music industry, experience as a professional screenplay writer and associate producer, a published author, and our favorite artistic ingredient: pain and suffering.
Internal world attribution: lineage-based tantra training, lineage-based shamanism guidance, traditional teacher training in Kundalini yoga, and lastly, I’ve landed in my home of Shaktism, with my beloved Kali Maa.
As you can imagine this catastrophic combination of experiences led to being: a full-blooded anarchist, painfully rebellious, a bleeding sensitive heart, magical af, reclusive, with a strong dose of feral.
And lastly, on a personal note: this series represents my coming into sovereignty and my liberation. I fought armies of inner demons to be here with you today.
I welcome you into my realm with open arms and heart offered freely. May you fall in love, may you cry, may you laugh, may your soul be reforged. May we taste unity and liberation for just a moment together as we co-create as reader and writer.
Indie author in my villain origin story era. Morally gray FMC energy with a 'knife-to-the-throat' vibe and a “burn the world for the ones I love” devotion.
I'm now choosing sovereignty over compliance daily and I will not apologize for it or ask permission.
To my readers:
“Let them have their villain. I will be theirs and everyone else’s. But never for you.”
— Slade Ravinger
For those who enjoy diving deeper:
I’ll attempt to solidify some of the prominent experiences that contributed to the creation of this series:
Foundationally, I have formal education in the following: creative writing, screenplay writing, visual arts, philosophy, and political science.
Public exposure that has contributed: my experience in the music industry, experience as a professional screenplay writer and associate producer, a published author, and our favorite artistic ingredient: pain and suffering.
Internal world attribution: lineage-based tantra training, lineage-based shamanism guidance, traditional teacher training in Kundalini yoga, and lastly, I’ve landed in my home of Shaktism, with my beloved Kali Maa.
As you can imagine this catastrophic combination of experiences led to being: a full-blooded anarchist, painfully rebellious, a bleeding sensitive heart, magical af, reclusive, with a strong dose of feral.
And lastly, on a personal note: this series represents my coming into sovereignty and my liberation. I fought armies of inner demons to be here with you today.
I welcome you into my realm with open arms and heart offered freely. May you fall in love, may you cry, may you laugh, may your soul be reforged. May we taste unity and liberation for just a moment together as we co-create as reader and writer.
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Want to Read
March 17, 2026So excited for this drop,the novella was amazing!!✨🌙
April 7, 2026
I just finished this book, and I am not okay.
I didn’t see any of it coming. And the ending broke me.
You need to read this. Period.
I didn’t see any of it coming. And the ending broke me.
You need to read this. Period.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Heirs of the Shattered Veil: The First Scar by Celeanne Dorrington
Heirs of the Shattered Veil: The First Scar by Celeanne Dorrington is a dark and immersive fantasy novel that pulls readers into a fractured world filled with mystery, power, and hidden truths. From the very beginning, the story establishes a haunting tone, reflecting a kingdom shaped by conflict and long-buried secrets.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its world-building. Dorrington creates a layered and complex setting where the “Shattered Veil” feels like a central force—both literal and symbolic. It suggests a divide between worlds or realities, adding tension and intrigue as the story unfolds. The atmosphere is rich and often gothic, perfectly matching the ominous imagery suggested by the title and cover.
The characters are compelling and emotionally driven. Each one carries personal struggles that tie into the broader conflicts of the story. The idea of a “first scar” works effectively as both a physical and emotional concept, symbolizing the moments that shape the characters’ identities and destinies. While some character roles may feel familiar to fantasy readers, Dorrington adds depth through internal conflict and evolving relationships.
The writing style is descriptive and moody, helping to build a strong sense of place. At times, the pacing slows due to detailed world-building, but this also allows readers to fully absorb the complexity of the story. Readers who enjoy richly developed fantasy worlds will likely appreciate this approach.
Heirs of the Shattered Veil: The First Scar by Celeanne Dorrington is a dark and immersive fantasy novel that pulls readers into a fractured world filled with mystery, power, and hidden truths. From the very beginning, the story establishes a haunting tone, reflecting a kingdom shaped by conflict and long-buried secrets.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its world-building. Dorrington creates a layered and complex setting where the “Shattered Veil” feels like a central force—both literal and symbolic. It suggests a divide between worlds or realities, adding tension and intrigue as the story unfolds. The atmosphere is rich and often gothic, perfectly matching the ominous imagery suggested by the title and cover.
The characters are compelling and emotionally driven. Each one carries personal struggles that tie into the broader conflicts of the story. The idea of a “first scar” works effectively as both a physical and emotional concept, symbolizing the moments that shape the characters’ identities and destinies. While some character roles may feel familiar to fantasy readers, Dorrington adds depth through internal conflict and evolving relationships.
The writing style is descriptive and moody, helping to build a strong sense of place. At times, the pacing slows due to detailed world-building, but this also allows readers to fully absorb the complexity of the story. Readers who enjoy richly developed fantasy worlds will likely appreciate this approach.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a ride. Celeanne. Ma'am. I'm gonna need book 2 like yesterday. Why would you play with my emotions and heart like that? Amaria is a strong Fmc that isn't afraid to face her fears and grow. Serenya, her chosen sister, and best friend keeps Amaria grounded. Maxx, provides some comedic relief, and Dreadscale is f'ing hot. Brannick was a dang disappointment. I wish we'd have gotten to know Eryndor a little better, but I'm guessing we'll get more in the next book, because I refuse to believe...well no spoilers. I thought the magic system was fleshed out and easy to understand. At no point did this book drag for me. Zero pacing issues, I flew through this book in a day and a half. Thank you to Celeanne Dorrington for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to book two!!
April 1, 2026
✨SIX MASSIVE SPARKLING STARS!!!✨ THIS IS NOT A DRILL TELEPORT THIS BOOK TO THE TOP OF YOUR TBR IMMEDIATELY! This is everything I could have ever wished for in an epic fantasy and MORE! What a way to end the month of March folks! The First Scar is the first in the Heirs of the Shattered Veil dark fae fantasy romance trilogy and we get the absolute pleasure of having all three books available AT ONCE on April 15, 2026. Which is amazing because I, too, am shattered right now. And sweating, because the last hour of reading had me sitting straight up with my kindle on my nose. The writing is easy to follow, descriptive without being wordy, wit and banter everywhere, like, actual laugh out loud lines. I felt deep connections with the characters, both loving and hostile. The pace and story will suck you in from the very first chapter and never let you go. Twists that will make you question your life choices. I have never been one to highlight quotes, even on a kindle, but I highlighted like 20 things in here! I cannot say enough good things about this book!
In this fae world, the Veil is torn and the fallout from it is spreading, consuming everything and everyone in its path to fuel the widening chasm. When the Veil broke, all fae were soul marked as either Luminar or Shadowmarked, and segregated by the king to be revered or enslaved. Only one fae, Amaria, was born with both. When she accidentally reveals her Shadowmark and Luminar very publicly, Amaria is labeled an abomination that must be vanquished or captured, so she goes on the run with her best friend and the only person she trusts. The king sends his Crownforged, an assassin, military leader, and super powerful bloodhound, to hunt Amaria and bring her back alive. Turns out, the cold militaristic leader doesn’t really have much of a choice when it comes to how his soul mark reacts to hers.
True, unequivocal, enemies to what looks like potential lovers; found family; chosen one; forced proximity. Binge worthy all the way! Thank you so much from the whole of my being to Celeanne Dorrington and her team for giving me the opportunity to be one of the first to experience this and I cannot WAIT for the remaining two!!!
In this fae world, the Veil is torn and the fallout from it is spreading, consuming everything and everyone in its path to fuel the widening chasm. When the Veil broke, all fae were soul marked as either Luminar or Shadowmarked, and segregated by the king to be revered or enslaved. Only one fae, Amaria, was born with both. When she accidentally reveals her Shadowmark and Luminar very publicly, Amaria is labeled an abomination that must be vanquished or captured, so she goes on the run with her best friend and the only person she trusts. The king sends his Crownforged, an assassin, military leader, and super powerful bloodhound, to hunt Amaria and bring her back alive. Turns out, the cold militaristic leader doesn’t really have much of a choice when it comes to how his soul mark reacts to hers.
True, unequivocal, enemies to what looks like potential lovers; found family; chosen one; forced proximity. Binge worthy all the way! Thank you so much from the whole of my being to Celeanne Dorrington and her team for giving me the opportunity to be one of the first to experience this and I cannot WAIT for the remaining two!!!
April 11, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
0/🌶 (but it is a slow burn, and will get 🌶 spicyyy 🌶 in further books)
🔥🔥🔥
First, thank you Celeanne for sending me a free copy to be an ARC reader. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! Definitely will be picking up the whole trilogy!
In the world of the fae, your fate is written on your skin. You are either marked by Light or Shadow. For the Light marked, life is safe. For the Shadow marked, it is a one way trip to the Veil Mines, a place where no one survives for long. But then there is Amaria. She is a glitch in the world's design, the only soul dual marked with both Light and Shadow. To some, she is a miracle, but to most, she is a living nightmare with the power to either mend the crumbling Veil or shatter it forever. When Eryndor is sent to hunt her down, he discovers a tether he didn't expect. Their marks are linked, binding them to a destiny where they will either become the world's salvation or its ultimate destruction.
Amaria carries herself with a jagged, protective edge. She is a fortress to the rest of the world, revealing her softer side only to Serenya. Their bond is deeper than friendship, a sisterhood forged in secrets and survival. The only times Amaria is ever vulnerable in the book is with Serenya, and you realize just how special their friendship is. We all need a BFF duo like these two. Amaria's every move is fueled by a fierce devotion to her family, and she is willing to sacrifice her own soul to keep them safe.
I loved watching her slowly evolve throughout her journey. Amaria is stubborn and guarded (rightfully so), but after a lifetime of being hunted, she has learned that trust is a luxury she can't afford. She knows she is living on borrowed time, forcing her to either start to trust those around her, or never be able to help mend the Veil.
Eryndor remains a figure draped in shadows (pun intended as a shadow daddy). We are not given much of his past, though some details are scattered throughout, but he remains overall a mystery. Between him and Amaria, the tension is realllll thick, which is always heightened with some great ✨banter✨. This definitely will keep heating up between the two, so I am excited to see when the tension is finally too much for the both of them. 😏
I do need to make an honorable mention to Maxx (he will appreciate this) and Dreadscale, a duo that perfectly balances all the chaos. Maxx is the quick witted observer who hides behind cheeky remarks, while Dreadscale is the silent, immovable force that no one dares to challenge. Together they are a mismatched pair that somehow holds the line, even when Maxx has to do enough talking for both of them. 😂
If you love a good slow burn, true enemies-to-lovers, and two morally grey MC's, you will want to pick up this up! I would also highly suggest reading The Keeper's Codex World Guide and Dark Fae Novella for a more in depth world understanding, and the backstory on the Veil.
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🩶
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey FMC 🩶
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Banter *chef’s kiss*
✅ Sassy FMC
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Betrayal
✅ Shadow Daddy
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers (enemies all the way through in book 1)
✅ No OW/OM drama
✅ FMC not Virgin
✅ Found Family
✅ 🔥 Slow Burnnnnnnn 🔥
✅ Cliff
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.***
‼️‼️‼️Trigger Warning‼️‼️‼️
I don’t have any specific triggers and was okay reading it without any warnings, but always take care of your mental health before diving in, since this book definitely has triggers.
0/🌶 (but it is a slow burn, and will get 🌶 spicyyy 🌶 in further books)
🔥🔥🔥
First, thank you Celeanne for sending me a free copy to be an ARC reader. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! Definitely will be picking up the whole trilogy!
In the world of the fae, your fate is written on your skin. You are either marked by Light or Shadow. For the Light marked, life is safe. For the Shadow marked, it is a one way trip to the Veil Mines, a place where no one survives for long. But then there is Amaria. She is a glitch in the world's design, the only soul dual marked with both Light and Shadow. To some, she is a miracle, but to most, she is a living nightmare with the power to either mend the crumbling Veil or shatter it forever. When Eryndor is sent to hunt her down, he discovers a tether he didn't expect. Their marks are linked, binding them to a destiny where they will either become the world's salvation or its ultimate destruction.
Amaria carries herself with a jagged, protective edge. She is a fortress to the rest of the world, revealing her softer side only to Serenya. Their bond is deeper than friendship, a sisterhood forged in secrets and survival. The only times Amaria is ever vulnerable in the book is with Serenya, and you realize just how special their friendship is. We all need a BFF duo like these two. Amaria's every move is fueled by a fierce devotion to her family, and she is willing to sacrifice her own soul to keep them safe.
I loved watching her slowly evolve throughout her journey. Amaria is stubborn and guarded (rightfully so), but after a lifetime of being hunted, she has learned that trust is a luxury she can't afford. She knows she is living on borrowed time, forcing her to either start to trust those around her, or never be able to help mend the Veil.
Eryndor remains a figure draped in shadows (pun intended as a shadow daddy). We are not given much of his past, though some details are scattered throughout, but he remains overall a mystery. Between him and Amaria, the tension is realllll thick, which is always heightened with some great ✨banter✨. This definitely will keep heating up between the two, so I am excited to see when the tension is finally too much for the both of them. 😏
I do need to make an honorable mention to Maxx (he will appreciate this) and Dreadscale, a duo that perfectly balances all the chaos. Maxx is the quick witted observer who hides behind cheeky remarks, while Dreadscale is the silent, immovable force that no one dares to challenge. Together they are a mismatched pair that somehow holds the line, even when Maxx has to do enough talking for both of them. 😂
If you love a good slow burn, true enemies-to-lovers, and two morally grey MC's, you will want to pick up this up! I would also highly suggest reading The Keeper's Codex World Guide and Dark Fae Novella for a more in depth world understanding, and the backstory on the Veil.
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🩶
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey FMC 🩶
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Banter *chef’s kiss*
✅ Sassy FMC
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Betrayal
✅ Shadow Daddy
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers (enemies all the way through in book 1)
✅ No OW/OM drama
✅ FMC not Virgin
✅ Found Family
✅ 🔥 Slow Burnnnnnnn 🔥
✅ Cliff
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.***
‼️‼️‼️Trigger Warning‼️‼️‼️
I don’t have any specific triggers and was okay reading it without any warnings, but always take care of your mental health before diving in, since this book definitely has triggers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received this book from Celaenne Dorrington. I am an ARC reader and have read this book for my HONEST review.. Here goes - The book - O MY this book! The world building of this book was very good and getting to know the characters was just as good! The first chapter had me hooked and now that I am through with book 1 I am ready for book two! I love that Serenya and Amaria started this and spoke of their friendship as you dived in! They stuck together and as they take you on a journey you don't want to end. You meet several more important characters... The other characters! Such as MAxx, Eryndor, and more!. YOU must read and get to know them because so much happens once they become a part of it! Magic - romance - and so much more! Many moments that make you think WHAT just happened? OR why did that happen? All I can say is START READING!
March 26, 2026
To preface, I was an ARC reader for this book, but my opinion is that of my own.
WOW!!! I don’t say this lightly, but this is one of the BEST stories that I have read! I am gobsmacked with how much I enjoyed this book, as there hasn’t really been much for romance and no smut. That says a lot for someone who is a smutty romance lover! There have been some potential romances set up for the next book though, so I am hopeful!
Amaria is a badass, but there are so many strong characters: Serenya, Maxx, and Dreadscale (honestly hope some romance gets explored with him because he might be my favorite.)
In terms of writing, grammar, and spelling, I don’t believe that I came across any errors, and if I did, they weren’t noticeable.
The story kept me engaged and the characters had depth. Amaria and Serenya were both strong characters, but not in a try-hard way. As a whole, this book was so different from other fantasy books that I’ve read and I loved every bit of it, except for the cliffhanger of an ending! With that said, I am on the edge of my seat to read book 2!
WOW!!! I don’t say this lightly, but this is one of the BEST stories that I have read! I am gobsmacked with how much I enjoyed this book, as there hasn’t really been much for romance and no smut. That says a lot for someone who is a smutty romance lover! There have been some potential romances set up for the next book though, so I am hopeful!
Amaria is a badass, but there are so many strong characters: Serenya, Maxx, and Dreadscale (honestly hope some romance gets explored with him because he might be my favorite.)
In terms of writing, grammar, and spelling, I don’t believe that I came across any errors, and if I did, they weren’t noticeable.
The story kept me engaged and the characters had depth. Amaria and Serenya were both strong characters, but not in a try-hard way. As a whole, this book was so different from other fantasy books that I’ve read and I loved every bit of it, except for the cliffhanger of an ending! With that said, I am on the edge of my seat to read book 2!
March 22, 2026
This is an honest review in exchange for receiving an ARC, and the opinions are those of my own.
This had me hooked from the first chapter! The world building was easy to follow and characters easy to ride along with. Strong FMC with her best friend at her side, side characters who are hilarious, broody, and someone we don’t know a whole lot about, but I hope we get more in book 2! The banter amongst characters kept it light-hearted at the worst of times. A very slow burn that I hope to see more of. It was a wild ride and I can’t wait to see how the story progresses!
This had me hooked from the first chapter! The world building was easy to follow and characters easy to ride along with. Strong FMC with her best friend at her side, side characters who are hilarious, broody, and someone we don’t know a whole lot about, but I hope we get more in book 2! The banter amongst characters kept it light-hearted at the worst of times. A very slow burn that I hope to see more of. It was a wild ride and I can’t wait to see how the story progresses!
March 20, 2026
ARC REVIEW
OMG what did I just read?!?! I love this book so much! I can't wait to continue with this series! The banter was on point and amazing! And the characters!? The best characters! Maxx who will do anything to protect Serenya! Dreadscale? Yes please! Eryndor, we will see if you can redeem yourself if you survive. I love that Serenya has been by Amaria's side since they were kids. She keeps her together. Amaria, she is such an amazingly strong female who will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves! I cannot get enough of this book!!
OMG what did I just read?!?! I love this book so much! I can't wait to continue with this series! The banter was on point and amazing! And the characters!? The best characters! Maxx who will do anything to protect Serenya! Dreadscale? Yes please! Eryndor, we will see if you can redeem yourself if you survive. I love that Serenya has been by Amaria's side since they were kids. She keeps her together. Amaria, she is such an amazingly strong female who will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves! I cannot get enough of this book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2026
If Dan Abnett was born in an alternate universe where he loved a fantasy setting…you have The First Scar. It’s passionate. It’s gritty. It has the BEST one-liners and “OMG THAT CHARACTER” of anything I’ve read in a long, long time. Leave the frilly dresses and whiny “knights” to other authors - if you want pain, a freaking AMAZING magic system (which, ok, is a little confusing at times…but we’re early on in the journey) & character growth, as well as that often-forgotten character validation, this is your girl.
The FMC, Amaria, is…ok, she’s sometimes annoying. But she’s great. Her best friend is my favorite character, (“that girl slept like a cat; one eye open and an opinion already forming.”) 🤭 though a lot of people will pick the rogue-humor-wit dude, who feels like a real character with a true role rather than just filler. Maxx rocks. Amaria mostly sticks to her bad calls for good reasons, making her a sympathetic character that fleshes out very nicely through a book this length. Did I want to know more earlier? Yes. Was that a great hook that made me miss 2 days of gaming and 3 meals to finish it? Also, yes. 😉 This is one that will make you take a break to recover, in the best way.
The MMC - he’s…
“Not just an enforcer. Something deadlier, made for war, not spectacle. Coiled and commanding, like the whole square existed for his gaze and he knew it.
The air around him thinned.
I stilled, as any prey should before a predator. I didn’t know whether to bare my teeth or bare my throat.
It was threat laced with a tempting, lethal promise. A poison that would hurt me, and then make me beg for more.”
YES PLEASE 🥵 This is the best “the villain is hot” I’ve read in AGES. It’s highlighted in my kindle. With about a million other good quotes.
“The brooding type. Thinks ‘joy’ is a tactical error and wears his conscience like a corset.” 😆
“Healers drifting between them like ghosts who hadn’t realized they’d died yet. This is where hope came to get practical.”
“Cowards dress fear as doctrine.”
“You fight like someone who learned in an alley.” “YOU fight like someone who learned in a cage.”
“From the shadows, I watched a warrior stitch himself closed while everything he refused to let others carry bled out onto the floor around him.” 🖤
Warning - this is a slow burn. VERY SLOW BURN. Explanations of how things happened or how they work are a bit slow burn too - go with it, she’ll explain.
Add this one to your TBR RIGHT NOW and don’t let Maxx break your Kindle. You’re welcome. 🫶🏻
*~*~A MILLION thanks to the author for the ARC. I had a wonderful time and can’t wait to get back to Nhalivar. ~*~*
The FMC, Amaria, is…ok, she’s sometimes annoying. But she’s great. Her best friend is my favorite character, (“that girl slept like a cat; one eye open and an opinion already forming.”) 🤭 though a lot of people will pick the rogue-humor-wit dude, who feels like a real character with a true role rather than just filler. Maxx rocks. Amaria mostly sticks to her bad calls for good reasons, making her a sympathetic character that fleshes out very nicely through a book this length. Did I want to know more earlier? Yes. Was that a great hook that made me miss 2 days of gaming and 3 meals to finish it? Also, yes. 😉 This is one that will make you take a break to recover, in the best way.
The MMC - he’s…
“Not just an enforcer. Something deadlier, made for war, not spectacle. Coiled and commanding, like the whole square existed for his gaze and he knew it.
The air around him thinned.
I stilled, as any prey should before a predator. I didn’t know whether to bare my teeth or bare my throat.
It was threat laced with a tempting, lethal promise. A poison that would hurt me, and then make me beg for more.”
YES PLEASE 🥵 This is the best “the villain is hot” I’ve read in AGES. It’s highlighted in my kindle. With about a million other good quotes.
“The brooding type. Thinks ‘joy’ is a tactical error and wears his conscience like a corset.” 😆
“Healers drifting between them like ghosts who hadn’t realized they’d died yet. This is where hope came to get practical.”
“Cowards dress fear as doctrine.”
“You fight like someone who learned in an alley.” “YOU fight like someone who learned in a cage.”
“From the shadows, I watched a warrior stitch himself closed while everything he refused to let others carry bled out onto the floor around him.” 🖤
Warning - this is a slow burn. VERY SLOW BURN. Explanations of how things happened or how they work are a bit slow burn too - go with it, she’ll explain.
Add this one to your TBR RIGHT NOW and don’t let Maxx break your Kindle. You’re welcome. 🫶🏻
*~*~A MILLION thanks to the author for the ARC. I had a wonderful time and can’t wait to get back to Nhalivar. ~*~*
March 24, 2026
**Review of Advanced Copy from the author. All opinions are my own**
"Love didn't save people. It just told the world where to aim and made damn sure you felt every blow you couldn't stop"
The Heirs of the Shattered Veil is one of the first dystopian-esque stories I've read, and I really enjoyed it. In this world, people are segregated by their soulmark: Luminar or Shadowmarked. The Luminar are given good jobs, while the Shadowmarked are banished to the mines.
Our FMC has a special gift, which she uses for good, and her journey is compelling from the very first page. The story takes off immediately and barely slows down, keeping my interest the whole way through. I did get a little confused at times, but that’s probably just me. Since this is a trilogy, I’m excited to see where book two goes, especially because I want to learn more about the MMC!
"Love didn't save people. It just told the world where to aim and made damn sure you felt every blow you couldn't stop"
The Heirs of the Shattered Veil is one of the first dystopian-esque stories I've read, and I really enjoyed it. In this world, people are segregated by their soulmark: Luminar or Shadowmarked. The Luminar are given good jobs, while the Shadowmarked are banished to the mines.
Our FMC has a special gift, which she uses for good, and her journey is compelling from the very first page. The story takes off immediately and barely slows down, keeping my interest the whole way through. I did get a little confused at times, but that’s probably just me. Since this is a trilogy, I’m excited to see where book two goes, especially because I want to learn more about the MMC!
March 29, 2026
I did receive an eARC but my review is based on my own opinions.
I truly enjoyed this book. I was drawn into the world from the first chapter, the world building pulled me in and kept me hooked. This book has all of the things I love: prophecies, magic, found family, and a strong FMC. Amaria has to learn to trust others as well as her own powers. I loved seeing her relationship with Serenya and how they keep each other grounded. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters: Eryndor, Maxx and Dreadscale. I hope to see more of Eryndor and Dreadscale!!
It is a fast paced book that once started I could not put down! I cannot wait to read the next book!
"I don't fear the end of the world, Amaria." He murmured. "I fear the end of you.”
I truly enjoyed this book. I was drawn into the world from the first chapter, the world building pulled me in and kept me hooked. This book has all of the things I love: prophecies, magic, found family, and a strong FMC. Amaria has to learn to trust others as well as her own powers. I loved seeing her relationship with Serenya and how they keep each other grounded. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters: Eryndor, Maxx and Dreadscale. I hope to see more of Eryndor and Dreadscale!!
It is a fast paced book that once started I could not put down! I cannot wait to read the next book!
"I don't fear the end of the world, Amaria." He murmured. "I fear the end of you.”
April 30, 2026
Thank you Author Celeanne Dorrington for this ARC opportunity!
Heirs of the shattered veil: the first Scar is book one in the series, a dark and immersion fantacy within a fractured world filled with mystery, power, long hidden truths and a haunting tone that pulls the whole story together and reflects the kingdom built on conflict and secrets. The world building for this book is phenomenal 👏 layered and complex that really pulls you in just with that alone! Characters are compelling and emotionally driven which I really liked overall and each one of them has personal struggles that tie into the broader conflicts of the story. Our FMC is Amaria while she isnt my favorite at first but she got better and turned my thoughts around about her the further into the story I got, I'd say she's a 3/5 on my favorite character scale. Now our MMC Max is HOTTTTTTTTTTTTT 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤 definitely daddy material he was so steamy I think my kindle melted that or I turned into a puddle of goo 🫠🫠🫠. Definitely a very very slowww burn romantasy it still very good and definitely worth the read.
Thank you again Author Celeanne Dorrington for this ARC and the opportunity to give my honest opinion and review!
Heirs of the shattered veil: the first Scar is book one in the series, a dark and immersion fantacy within a fractured world filled with mystery, power, long hidden truths and a haunting tone that pulls the whole story together and reflects the kingdom built on conflict and secrets. The world building for this book is phenomenal 👏 layered and complex that really pulls you in just with that alone! Characters are compelling and emotionally driven which I really liked overall and each one of them has personal struggles that tie into the broader conflicts of the story. Our FMC is Amaria while she isnt my favorite at first but she got better and turned my thoughts around about her the further into the story I got, I'd say she's a 3/5 on my favorite character scale. Now our MMC Max is HOTTTTTTTTTTTTT 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤 definitely daddy material he was so steamy I think my kindle melted that or I turned into a puddle of goo 🫠🫠🫠. Definitely a very very slowww burn romantasy it still very good and definitely worth the read.
Thank you again Author Celeanne Dorrington for this ARC and the opportunity to give my honest opinion and review!
April 3, 2026
ARC Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
This book absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible.
From the very first pages, I was hooked. The story throws you straight into conflict, and the pacing never lets up: it’s high stakes, emotionally charged, and completely addictive.
Amaria is THAT girl. A stab first, ask questions later kind of FMC who refuses to be anything but powerful. As the first fae to carry both Luminar and Shadow marks, she’s feared, hunted, and prophesied to either save the realm… or destroy it. Watching her navigate that duality, light vs shadow, savior vs weapon, was one of my favorite parts of the story. The King portrays her as dangerous, monster while the Uncrowned rebels claim she is going to save the realm.
And the men?? I am UNWELL.
Eryndor, the Crownforged, is the definition of morally grey-bound to the king, shaped into a weapon, and constantly fighting between duty and something deeper. And then there’s Dreadscale, who pulls Amaria toward her shadow side in a completely different way. I genuinely don’t know who to root for and I’m not okay about it.
The side characters added so much depth too. Serenya’s quiet strength and loyalty, and Maxx bringing that much-needed humor as the hot, slightly chaotic rebel energy.
The worldbuilding is rich and layered, with a fractured realm divided between light and shadow, power and corruption. Everything feels intentional, from the prophecy to the politics to the emotional stakes.
And that ending?? I’m still recovering. The kind of ending that makes you stare at the wall and question everything. I NEED book two immediately.
If you love powerful FMCs, morally grey characters, and high-stakes fantasy that leaves you emotionally unwell… this is it.
Tropes:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Fated mates
✨ Chosen one / prophecy
✨ Morally grey MMC
✨ Forbidden love
✨ Found family
✨ High stakes fantasy
✨ Betrayal
✨ Stabby FMC
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
This book absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible.
From the very first pages, I was hooked. The story throws you straight into conflict, and the pacing never lets up: it’s high stakes, emotionally charged, and completely addictive.
Amaria is THAT girl. A stab first, ask questions later kind of FMC who refuses to be anything but powerful. As the first fae to carry both Luminar and Shadow marks, she’s feared, hunted, and prophesied to either save the realm… or destroy it. Watching her navigate that duality, light vs shadow, savior vs weapon, was one of my favorite parts of the story. The King portrays her as dangerous, monster while the Uncrowned rebels claim she is going to save the realm.
And the men?? I am UNWELL.
Eryndor, the Crownforged, is the definition of morally grey-bound to the king, shaped into a weapon, and constantly fighting between duty and something deeper. And then there’s Dreadscale, who pulls Amaria toward her shadow side in a completely different way. I genuinely don’t know who to root for and I’m not okay about it.
The side characters added so much depth too. Serenya’s quiet strength and loyalty, and Maxx bringing that much-needed humor as the hot, slightly chaotic rebel energy.
The worldbuilding is rich and layered, with a fractured realm divided between light and shadow, power and corruption. Everything feels intentional, from the prophecy to the politics to the emotional stakes.
And that ending?? I’m still recovering. The kind of ending that makes you stare at the wall and question everything. I NEED book two immediately.
If you love powerful FMCs, morally grey characters, and high-stakes fantasy that leaves you emotionally unwell… this is it.
Tropes:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Fated mates
✨ Chosen one / prophecy
✨ Morally grey MMC
✨ Forbidden love
✨ Found family
✨ High stakes fantasy
✨ Betrayal
✨ Stabby FMC
March 27, 2026
First, I want to thank the author for an ARC of this book!! I am so grateful!!
I went into this ARC sort of blindly. The truth is I thought the covers were really pretty. Sometimes having a bird brain that likes pretty things pays off.. this was a really great read. I still struggle to believe that this is this authors first story and I would definitely say add these books to your TBR!!
You can literally read and feel the love and care that went into every single detail of this story. Her writing style is like nothing I’ve ever read before. And the imagery is incredible. And the one liners. I was able to predict some of the actions of certain characters, but I can say with total honestly that at no point did I know where this story was going. Which was fun in a world of super predictable books.
I can’t wait to read book two! I also immediately preordered those limited first print editions off her website before they sell out!
And that cliffhanger ? Rude.
I went into this ARC sort of blindly. The truth is I thought the covers were really pretty. Sometimes having a bird brain that likes pretty things pays off.. this was a really great read. I still struggle to believe that this is this authors first story and I would definitely say add these books to your TBR!!
You can literally read and feel the love and care that went into every single detail of this story. Her writing style is like nothing I’ve ever read before. And the imagery is incredible. And the one liners. I was able to predict some of the actions of certain characters, but I can say with total honestly that at no point did I know where this story was going. Which was fun in a world of super predictable books.
I can’t wait to read book two! I also immediately preordered those limited first print editions off her website before they sell out!
And that cliffhanger ? Rude.
March 27, 2026
(ARC)
Just… wow. I’m kind of speechless. I literally just finished and my mind is still reeling.
For context, I’m a big fantasy romance (usually on the smuttier side) reader, and while this didn’t really have that, I devoured it anyway. It was action-packed right from the start and never really let up.
Amaria is such a strong FMC, and I loved the banter of some of the side characters. The magic system was interesting, and the world-building was easy to follow—which is always a huge plus for me.
Friendships, betrayals, and many questions that kept me completely hooked. Each character carries their own struggles and scars, but the FMC is facing something on a whole other level.
I’m honestly just… speechless. I need the next book ASAP because I have to know what happens next. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just… wow. I’m kind of speechless. I literally just finished and my mind is still reeling.
For context, I’m a big fantasy romance (usually on the smuttier side) reader, and while this didn’t really have that, I devoured it anyway. It was action-packed right from the start and never really let up.
Amaria is such a strong FMC, and I loved the banter of some of the side characters. The magic system was interesting, and the world-building was easy to follow—which is always a huge plus for me.
Friendships, betrayals, and many questions that kept me completely hooked. Each character carries their own struggles and scars, but the FMC is facing something on a whole other level.
I’m honestly just… speechless. I need the next book ASAP because I have to know what happens next. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 18, 2026
I was an ARC reader for this one. I realized after finishing there’s a novella that may have helped, but I struggled to understand the context/magic system from this book alone, which was a little frustrating and I wasn’t invested enough to backtrack and do extra work. It made some of the plot feel very arbitrary? I understood the caste system based on the type of mark you had, but not the overall issue with world stability. And I was pretty lost on how certain characters know xyz thing could be fixed in this precise way, because how could they know it takes 30 seconds of 50 seconds or whatever if the FMC is an anomaly??
Overall, the book was interesting enough that it kept my attention during a tattoo, but not enough that I think I’ll continue the series. Didn’t leave feeling invested in the characters, not worried about who made it to the next book, or whether the FMC and MMC end up happily ever after, etc.
Overall, the book was interesting enough that it kept my attention during a tattoo, but not enough that I think I’ll continue the series. Didn’t leave feeling invested in the characters, not worried about who made it to the next book, or whether the FMC and MMC end up happily ever after, etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2026
Wow! What an INCREDIBLE BOOK! I couldn’t put it down! You will want to get book 2 right after you finish book 1. OMG!! This book had my heart racing, I couldn’t stop because I had to know what happened next. This is definitely a 6 ⭐️ read.
This series follows Amaria, in the world of Nhalivar. World is split between the Luminar and the Shadow marked. The shadow marked are taken by enforcers and enslave to work it the mines. The world building was easy to follow and flowed well through the series.
Amaria is not just luminary but she is also shadow marked. Because of this, she is the target of the King and considered a Rupture or Glitch. Amaria also has her wonderful bestie Serenya who is always at her side and always had her back. The ladies are in hiding because of Amaria’s shadow mark but while they are in hiding, They try to hide the Shadow marks on children to keep them from enslavement. Thats when we meet Enyndor, the Crownforged. The King placed him in charge of hunting Amaria down.
I really loved many of the side characters. Maxx is so funny, but Dreadscale!!!! Dreadscale, oh the male that you are. He’s my Favorite.
Im really excited to Jump into book two, the cliffhanger had me staring at the wall. I really think there is so much more to this world than the first book leads us to believe.
Celeanne Dorrington is a very talented writer. She honestly seems like a sweetheart.
Thank you Celeanne for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Format: ARC ebook
This series follows Amaria, in the world of Nhalivar. World is split between the Luminar and the Shadow marked. The shadow marked are taken by enforcers and enslave to work it the mines. The world building was easy to follow and flowed well through the series.
Amaria is not just luminary but she is also shadow marked. Because of this, she is the target of the King and considered a Rupture or Glitch. Amaria also has her wonderful bestie Serenya who is always at her side and always had her back. The ladies are in hiding because of Amaria’s shadow mark but while they are in hiding, They try to hide the Shadow marks on children to keep them from enslavement. Thats when we meet Enyndor, the Crownforged. The King placed him in charge of hunting Amaria down.
I really loved many of the side characters. Maxx is so funny, but Dreadscale!!!! Dreadscale, oh the male that you are. He’s my Favorite.
Im really excited to Jump into book two, the cliffhanger had me staring at the wall. I really think there is so much more to this world than the first book leads us to believe.
Celeanne Dorrington is a very talented writer. She honestly seems like a sweetheart.
Thank you Celeanne for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Format: ARC ebook
April 9, 2026
I want to start out with the fact that I think the author has something going for her. With that being said a few things could go made it a better experience all together. As a fantasy reader im use to being thrown into large worlds with many different characters and different magic systems.
The magic system - it was never explained and there were so many different types of magic it was super hard to follow all I knew was one person had two different types of powers and that was super rare - I’m not sure exactly what could be done with those powers or how to fully use them after completing the book.
The world - non existent building. They were all stuck in this village yet people lived in the country but I’m not exactly sure where the kings castle was or how it was relevant to the position of this village, super confusing.
All of a sudden we were in the catacombs and then we were somewhere else in the next breath.
They are soul tied? Possible? Magic tied? Within the first 25% of the book. There is no spice but we instantly know who the lover is for the trilogy so I guess so much for enemies to lovers.
Overall it was an easy read and a fun book with a lot of things happening.
The Side character Maxx gets a 5⭐️ from me.
The magic system - it was never explained and there were so many different types of magic it was super hard to follow all I knew was one person had two different types of powers and that was super rare - I’m not sure exactly what could be done with those powers or how to fully use them after completing the book.
The world - non existent building. They were all stuck in this village yet people lived in the country but I’m not exactly sure where the kings castle was or how it was relevant to the position of this village, super confusing.
All of a sudden we were in the catacombs and then we were somewhere else in the next breath.
They are soul tied? Possible? Magic tied? Within the first 25% of the book. There is no spice but we instantly know who the lover is for the trilogy so I guess so much for enemies to lovers.
Overall it was an easy read and a fun book with a lot of things happening.
The Side character Maxx gets a 5⭐️ from me.
April 20, 2026
First, this book is ranking in my top 10 for cliffhangers. I literally stared at a candle for a while after finishing it. One of the most WTF endings in the best way.
Ok, overall this was a solidly good read. I really enjoyed it and the character growth for Amaria. There were several surprises and everything is not as it seems. This is very plot forward, which was nice, and has an interesting magic system.
The story follows Amaria, a fae who is dual marked with light and shadow magic. Those with shadow magic are hunted and persecuted by the crown. When she is exposed as a dual wielder, her world changes dramatically and she becomes enemy number 1.
Eryndor is a soldier for the king tasked with hunting her down. Things don’t go exactly as planned for anyone really. This was a wild ride with some big twists and wonderful characters.
Ratings:
4.5/5 stars: I liked it a lot and would read it again.
1.5/5 spice: there really weren’t any sex scenes but there was some descriptive imagining and lots of yearning.
4/5 violence: there are battles and fights with vivid descriptions, there is persecution of specific groups and violence against innocents.
5/5 cliffhanger: it ends with A LOT of unanswered questions and the characters in peril. I need the next book now!
Ok, overall this was a solidly good read. I really enjoyed it and the character growth for Amaria. There were several surprises and everything is not as it seems. This is very plot forward, which was nice, and has an interesting magic system.
The story follows Amaria, a fae who is dual marked with light and shadow magic. Those with shadow magic are hunted and persecuted by the crown. When she is exposed as a dual wielder, her world changes dramatically and she becomes enemy number 1.
Eryndor is a soldier for the king tasked with hunting her down. Things don’t go exactly as planned for anyone really. This was a wild ride with some big twists and wonderful characters.
Ratings:
4.5/5 stars: I liked it a lot and would read it again.
1.5/5 spice: there really weren’t any sex scenes but there was some descriptive imagining and lots of yearning.
4/5 violence: there are battles and fights with vivid descriptions, there is persecution of specific groups and violence against innocents.
5/5 cliffhanger: it ends with A LOT of unanswered questions and the characters in peril. I need the next book now!
May 4, 2026
*Read as an ARC*
I don’t get surprised very easily. I’m one of those “life’s too short to read bad books” types - this book surprised me.
When I signed up to be an ARC reader, I had gone into it thinking it would be similar to all the other fae romantasy stories we’ve all come to know and love. What Celeanne has created is NOT that. It’s REFRESHING!
The characters are complex, the conflict is treacherous, the romance is absolutely not where you expect it to be. This book kept me on my toes and every time I thought of a theory or thought I could predict what happened next, it was nothing what I expected. I was fighting sleep to keep reading, I fell in love with a character who ended up being a f**king traitorous a-hole, I laughed at the comedic relief that seemed to be perfectly timed. And? And! It was relatable. It’s a fae story with magic and dragons and I felt like I fit right in.
I’m ready to jump into book 2 with both feet!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A completely immersing new fantasy world with characters that stand on their own. I could not put this down! I did read The Keepers Codex before, which I highly recommend. The friendships, found family, flirtatious banter, and true slow burn put this romantasy on my top read list for the year. The world building it so well thought out that I truly felt like I was right in the middle of what was happening on each page. I cannot wait to continue this series, and you should definitely at this to your tbr!!!
Thank you, Celeanne, for this eARC. My opinions are my own.
Thank you, Celeanne, for this eARC. My opinions are my own.
April 14, 2026
First of all thank you Celeanne for this Advanced Reader Copy!
Now this book… WTF
This book is probably THE MOST exhilarating read I have ever experienced!
I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. If I didn’t have responsibilities I would have devoured this within hours but seriously!
When they fast-paced, life or death, enemies to lovers, found family. celeanne means it.
I have no words besides I NEED the next book like yesterday
Now this book… WTF
This book is probably THE MOST exhilarating read I have ever experienced!
I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. If I didn’t have responsibilities I would have devoured this within hours but seriously!
When they fast-paced, life or death, enemies to lovers, found family. celeanne means it.
I have no words besides I NEED the next book like yesterday
April 4, 2026
Maybe 3-1/2 start
Review of ARC to come
Review of ARC to come
April 8, 2026
This was such a thrilling story! The storyline was so different and interesting. Worlds where you can be condemned just by the mark you have, hidden magic, forced proximity, lies, deceit. And that ending!! I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book throws you into the fray from the start. I can see how that can be overwhelming for some but I enjoyed the fast pace of the story telling. It felt more real to me; experiencing things as the FMC does, having things come to light as she learns them herself. A lot of the world is a mystery to the inhabitants themselves so it makes sense that we won't have this super in depth understanding of what is going on immediately.
There are quite a few characters introduced and they obviously have their secrets. I am hoping to learn more about their pasts and motives in the coming books, especially Maxx and Eryndor.
Our FMC was not nearly as insufferable to me as many are in the beginning of their stories and I am very thankful for that! She has her guard up, and rightfully so. But it was really beautiful to see her finally learn to trust others and herself, even when it means trusting the wrong people at times in order to figure it out. I loved the healing journey shown during her training sessions with a certain Dragonborn. The ending destroyed me and I need book 2 immediately to heal my soul.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I can't wait to read the rest!
There are quite a few characters introduced and they obviously have their secrets. I am hoping to learn more about their pasts and motives in the coming books, especially Maxx and Eryndor.
Our FMC was not nearly as insufferable to me as many are in the beginning of their stories and I am very thankful for that! She has her guard up, and rightfully so. But it was really beautiful to see her finally learn to trust others and herself, even when it means trusting the wrong people at times in order to figure it out. I loved the healing journey shown during her training sessions with a certain Dragonborn. The ending destroyed me and I need book 2 immediately to heal my soul.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I can't wait to read the rest!
March 28, 2026
4 ⭐️- I received an ARC for this book and am giving an honesty review.
If you’re looking for a highly detailed dark immersive fantasy romance with morally grey characters, a slow burn and found family check this out.
The FMC is dynamic, the MMCs (I say multiple) were all interesting to read about. I personally would like more Dreadscale and hope we see him more in the next book, which I feel I need to read as soon as possible.
I enjoyed the story and the depth of the world and magic system but would have loved more backstory on the FMC and the MMC. Honestly more on all the gang. The side characters, I really liked as well (some not as much in the end). The cliffhanger ending, cruel.. so cruel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had such a good time with The First Scar. After reading The Keeper’s Codex first, it was so fun spotting the similarities between these characters and the ones in The Mirrored Pair. There was a feeling of history repeating itself, which made the whole reading experience even better. It also absolutely stands on its own as a seriously addictive start to a dark fae fantasy series full of tension, danger, messy loyalties, slow-burn yearning, a heroine on the edge of becoming something huge, and a cast of side characters I was either obsessed with or aggressively side-eyeing at all times.
The writing was one of the first things that drew me back in. It had the same lyrical, polished style that I loved in The Keeper’s Codex, but it never got into that overly dense fantasy writing territory where you have to re-read every sentence three times to work out what’s happening. It still felt rich and immersive, but in a way that pulled me in rather than shut me out.
I really liked Amaria as our FMC. As the first dual-marked fae, carrying both Luminar and Shadowmarked powers immediately puts her in an impossible position where her entire existence goes against the system. This idea is summed up so well in: “One mark decided everything. Where you slept. What you are. Whether anyone would mourn you when you disappeared. But it was not destiny. It was division weaponized.” That line captures the story’s heart for me. Beneath the magic, prophecy, and rebellion, there’s something sharp here about power, oppression, and sorting people by their worth or disposability.
One of the strongest parts of the book for me was Amaria and Serenya’s friendship. In a world full of prophecy, danger, betrayal, and chaos, their bond felt grounding. You could really feel the love, loyalty, and trust between them, which was so important in a world trying to strip those away. Lines like “One night. We both sleep. Tomorrow, we can take turns. Tomorrow, you can build us a fortress out of paranoia and pointed objects. But tonight, you rest…” just made my heart melt. And then two seconds later, they’re giving us,
Serenya had some of my favourite lines in the whole book:
Then there’s Eryndor, who brought broody, morally grey, not entirely trustworthy energy from the start. Which, obviously, is my brand. I liked that the story never made him easy to read. Even as his bond with Amaria develops, there’s still this question of whether you can trust his motives. That made their dynamic more interesting to read because it never felt simple. Their chemistry had that enemies-to-lovers bite.
But for all the heavier themes and tension, Maxx was absolutely there doing the lord’s work by bringing banter and light relief. I always love the side character who keeps things from becoming too emotionally suffocating, and boy, oh, boy, did he deliver.
I also had a great time being suspicious of basically everyone. Brannick and Kaelen, in particular, had me constantly narrowing my eyes at the page. This book does a good job of making loyalties feel slippery, and that worked really well for the rebels’ setting. Kaelen, especially, had a very controlled, unsettling energy that made him intriguing. “I don’t cage people, Amaria. Cages require maintenance.” Like, excuse me? That is not a normal thing to say...
Plot-wise, I was hooked. Amaria is forced into hiding with the Uncrowned to master unique powers and retrieve the Codex and its keys, all while navigating a looming prophecy. The story’s strong momentum always pulled me forward. She starts out surviving in a world that wants her small, quiet, and easy to control, but by the end, you feel her pushing back. “Everything about surviving in this kingdom came down to making yourself smaller. I was getting tired of being small.” YES!! That’s the stuff I love!!! I also loved that her journey was about learning to shape her own power.
The found family element was effective. The moment with “They came” hit exactly like it was supposed to. And “Hey, starlight. Next time you get kidnapped, leave better directions.” I’m sorry, I adore them.
And the ending? Yeah, no... I’ll be needing book two immediately, thanks. Because after all that build-up, all those shifting loyalties, all that tension and prophecy and chaos, to leave me there was actually rude. Especially with lines like, “I don’t fear the end of the world, Amaria. I fear the end of you. If this place has to break for you to survive, then let it break.”
I was impressed by The First Scar’s lyrical writing and compelling world-building. The story has high stakes, a sharp heroine, morally grey characters, found family, unhinged banter, and a romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat. But more than that, it has heart. Between Amaria’s journey, her friendship with Serenya, the chaos of the Uncrowned, and that ending that personally attacked me, this was an easy five stars.
In short, I had fun, I was invested, and I didn’t trust half the cast. Maxx made me laugh, Serenya stole my heart, I’d lay my life on the line for Dreadscale, and Eryndor was acting all broody and dangerous. Now I’m over here, stuck waiting for book two like a victim.
The writing was one of the first things that drew me back in. It had the same lyrical, polished style that I loved in The Keeper’s Codex, but it never got into that overly dense fantasy writing territory where you have to re-read every sentence three times to work out what’s happening. It still felt rich and immersive, but in a way that pulled me in rather than shut me out.
I really liked Amaria as our FMC. As the first dual-marked fae, carrying both Luminar and Shadowmarked powers immediately puts her in an impossible position where her entire existence goes against the system. This idea is summed up so well in: “One mark decided everything. Where you slept. What you are. Whether anyone would mourn you when you disappeared. But it was not destiny. It was division weaponized.” That line captures the story’s heart for me. Beneath the magic, prophecy, and rebellion, there’s something sharp here about power, oppression, and sorting people by their worth or disposability.
One of the strongest parts of the book for me was Amaria and Serenya’s friendship. In a world full of prophecy, danger, betrayal, and chaos, their bond felt grounding. You could really feel the love, loyalty, and trust between them, which was so important in a world trying to strip those away. Lines like “One night. We both sleep. Tomorrow, we can take turns. Tomorrow, you can build us a fortress out of paranoia and pointed objects. But tonight, you rest…” just made my heart melt. And then two seconds later, they’re giving us,
“I’m going to kill him.”which is exactly the kind of friendship dynamic I will always adore.
“Eat first. Then murder.”
Serenya had some of my favourite lines in the whole book:
“The world doesn't see a savior, Amaria. They see a scapegoat. That does not mean you let them make you one.”Like okayyyy, drag her but also save her.
Then there’s Eryndor, who brought broody, morally grey, not entirely trustworthy energy from the start. Which, obviously, is my brand. I liked that the story never made him easy to read. Even as his bond with Amaria develops, there’s still this question of whether you can trust his motives. That made their dynamic more interesting to read because it never felt simple. Their chemistry had that enemies-to-lovers bite.
"I said, ‘Yield.’”Yeah, inject that directly into my veins, actually.
“Make me.”
“You have no idea how badly I want to.”
But for all the heavier themes and tension, Maxx was absolutely there doing the lord’s work by bringing banter and light relief. I always love the side character who keeps things from becoming too emotionally suffocating, and boy, oh, boy, did he deliver.
“I’m armed.”and
“So am I, Flameheart. Difference is, I’m also charming.”
“Noted. Filed. Completely ignored.”had me grinning. Also,
“You look like the last page of a tragedy. The kind where everyone dies and the dog doesn't make it either.”I’m sorry, but he was an absolute menace, and I loved him for it!! Even Amaria’s descriptions of him were gold. “That too-pretty face belonged on a wanted poster for crimes against modesty.” Exactly.
I also had a great time being suspicious of basically everyone. Brannick and Kaelen, in particular, had me constantly narrowing my eyes at the page. This book does a good job of making loyalties feel slippery, and that worked really well for the rebels’ setting. Kaelen, especially, had a very controlled, unsettling energy that made him intriguing. “I don’t cage people, Amaria. Cages require maintenance.” Like, excuse me? That is not a normal thing to say...
Plot-wise, I was hooked. Amaria is forced into hiding with the Uncrowned to master unique powers and retrieve the Codex and its keys, all while navigating a looming prophecy. The story’s strong momentum always pulled me forward. She starts out surviving in a world that wants her small, quiet, and easy to control, but by the end, you feel her pushing back. “Everything about surviving in this kingdom came down to making yourself smaller. I was getting tired of being small.” YES!! That’s the stuff I love!!! I also loved that her journey was about learning to shape her own power.
“Teach me to wield them properly. If I’m going to be dangerous, I want to be dangerous on purpose.”That is exactly the kind of line that makes me feral.
The found family element was effective. The moment with “They came” hit exactly like it was supposed to. And “Hey, starlight. Next time you get kidnapped, leave better directions.” I’m sorry, I adore them.
And the ending? Yeah, no... I’ll be needing book two immediately, thanks. Because after all that build-up, all those shifting loyalties, all that tension and prophecy and chaos, to leave me there was actually rude. Especially with lines like, “I don’t fear the end of the world, Amaria. I fear the end of you. If this place has to break for you to survive, then let it break.”
I was impressed by The First Scar’s lyrical writing and compelling world-building. The story has high stakes, a sharp heroine, morally grey characters, found family, unhinged banter, and a romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat. But more than that, it has heart. Between Amaria’s journey, her friendship with Serenya, the chaos of the Uncrowned, and that ending that personally attacked me, this was an easy five stars.
In short, I had fun, I was invested, and I didn’t trust half the cast. Maxx made me laugh, Serenya stole my heart, I’d lay my life on the line for Dreadscale, and Eryndor was acting all broody and dangerous. Now I’m over here, stuck waiting for book two like a victim.
April 28, 2026
This was a very challenging read for me. The premise itself has potential, but the execution was a bit of a mess. There was a profound lack of foundation that left me beyond confused for the entire book. So reading this book felt like jumping into an advanced language class without ever taking the beginner course. I'll do my best to describe the story and characters, but know that my grasp on this world and magic system is shaky at best.
Plot: In this world, there is something called "the Veil." It is described as "the membrane tethering our realm to reality," which sounds important, but it doesn't get any clearer than that. At some point in the past, this Veil fractured and ever since people with magic are born with either a light (Luminar) mark or a dark mark (Shadowmarked). It's unknown how powers differ between the two marks. As far as I could tell, everyone's power was unique. But for unexplained reasons, the Shadowmarked are considered bad, and those who have that mark are shipped off to a place called the Veil Mines. Unsure if this is a prison or actually a mine where they are basically indentured. Again, unexplained. Amaria, our FMC, has both a light and a dark mark. Apparently, this is end-of-the-world bad, because her existence is making the fracture in “the Veil” worsen and thereby cause the world to malfunction. Like random distortions and weird time hiccups. I personally kept thinking of Vanellope von Schweetz (aka "the Glitch") from Wreck it Ralph whenever the Veil was acting up.
Anyway, Amaria has been hiding her dark mark her whole life, though we do not know how old she is or how she managed that. She gets exposed almost immediately (a death sentence), then runs off to join a rebel group and spends most of the book hiding out with them while the evil king hunts her. While there, she trains to fix the Veil. This somehow involves combining her powers into a physical form and throwing them at the fracture in the Veil. Fixing the Veil will supposedly stop the glitches and basically the world from breaking, yet a lot of people are trying to stop her because... I guess they want the world as they know it to end?
Writing Style: The writing is very choppy, with lots of one or two word sentences.
My breath fogged once. Then didn't. The air shifted. Thickened. Watching. My skin prickled. A rhythm has changed. I didn't know what. But my body moved on instinct. Rhian. The boy. The mark. The risk. I held them firm and kept moving.
---
A shoulder slammed mine - solid and unforgiving. I staggered a step. Caught myself. Snarled. Let them bruise. I had worse to outrun.
I understand that this is a stylistic choice that may work for some readers. It just did not work for me, though eventually I settled into the equivalent of nose blindness to it.
Amaria: She's the FMC, yet I know almost nothing about her. The lack of backstory makes it difficult to understand her motivations or appreciate any emotional journey she may have had. It made it hard to like her, and, ultimately, I didn't.
Eryndor: I know even less about him.
Romance: This is meant to be a slow burn, and it is SLOW. This is not a criticism, I enjoy a good slow burn, though I would have liked some more interaction between the two. They did not have much page time together, so I didn't feel like there was any real tension or payoff. If you care about spice, just to set expectations: the spiciest this book got was some dancing, and it wasn’t even between the two love interests.
World Building & Magic System: This is where I felt things really fell apart. There is almost no explanation of the world or the magic system. People are divided into light (Luminar) and dark (Shadowmarked) marks, but we are never told why shadowmarks are bad or what that even really means. I didn't pick up on anything obviously nefarious about shadowmarked magic, and every ability otherwise appears to be unique, so the distinction feels arbitrary. The FMC’s powers are called Unravel (light) and Griefweaver (dark). Unravel detects and untangles lies. Griefweaver isn’t really explained, but based on context it “absorbs” negative emotions (panic, fear, shame, grief) of others, leaving them calm and happy. It seemed simple enough, but then things got hairy. In order to repair the Veil, she needs to combine her powers and spends the majority of book training to do this. She accomplished this by manifesting them as a physical light (luminar) and dark threads (shadowmark) and then spiraling them together. What I find confusing is that she is not actually using her defined abilities in this process, she just seems to be creating a light show. She also at some point uses this combined power to give herself super-strength and rip open a cell door.
I stretched for my Shadow. My light.
Light and Shadow roared to life, tangling together, wild and furious and starving. They had been caged too long - and now they wanted out.
I yanked - one savage motion, muscles screaming, power surging. The entire cell door ripped free with a shriek of tortured metal. I hurled it aside like it weighed nothing.
How does lie detection plus emotion absorption equal explosive force?
Overall Impression: I appreciate the author's imagination and effort that went into crafting this story, but it wasn't for me. I was confused from beginning to end, and I was reading it just to finish it instead of enjoying it. It feels like the author was so focused on avoiding info dumping that she overcorrected and explained nothing at all. So while I did finish this book, I won't be continuing with the rest of the series.
Plot: In this world, there is something called "the Veil." It is described as "the membrane tethering our realm to reality," which sounds important, but it doesn't get any clearer than that. At some point in the past, this Veil fractured and ever since people with magic are born with either a light (Luminar) mark or a dark mark (Shadowmarked). It's unknown how powers differ between the two marks. As far as I could tell, everyone's power was unique. But for unexplained reasons, the Shadowmarked are considered bad, and those who have that mark are shipped off to a place called the Veil Mines. Unsure if this is a prison or actually a mine where they are basically indentured. Again, unexplained. Amaria, our FMC, has both a light and a dark mark. Apparently, this is end-of-the-world bad, because her existence is making the fracture in “the Veil” worsen and thereby cause the world to malfunction. Like random distortions and weird time hiccups. I personally kept thinking of Vanellope von Schweetz (aka "the Glitch") from Wreck it Ralph whenever the Veil was acting up.
Anyway, Amaria has been hiding her dark mark her whole life, though we do not know how old she is or how she managed that. She gets exposed almost immediately (a death sentence), then runs off to join a rebel group and spends most of the book hiding out with them while the evil king hunts her. While there, she trains to fix the Veil. This somehow involves combining her powers into a physical form and throwing them at the fracture in the Veil. Fixing the Veil will supposedly stop the glitches and basically the world from breaking, yet a lot of people are trying to stop her because... I guess they want the world as they know it to end?
Writing Style: The writing is very choppy, with lots of one or two word sentences.
My breath fogged once. Then didn't. The air shifted. Thickened. Watching. My skin prickled. A rhythm has changed. I didn't know what. But my body moved on instinct. Rhian. The boy. The mark. The risk. I held them firm and kept moving.
---
A shoulder slammed mine - solid and unforgiving. I staggered a step. Caught myself. Snarled. Let them bruise. I had worse to outrun.
I understand that this is a stylistic choice that may work for some readers. It just did not work for me, though eventually I settled into the equivalent of nose blindness to it.
Amaria: She's the FMC, yet I know almost nothing about her. The lack of backstory makes it difficult to understand her motivations or appreciate any emotional journey she may have had. It made it hard to like her, and, ultimately, I didn't.
Eryndor: I know even less about him.
Romance: This is meant to be a slow burn, and it is SLOW. This is not a criticism, I enjoy a good slow burn, though I would have liked some more interaction between the two. They did not have much page time together, so I didn't feel like there was any real tension or payoff. If you care about spice, just to set expectations: the spiciest this book got was some dancing, and it wasn’t even between the two love interests.
World Building & Magic System: This is where I felt things really fell apart. There is almost no explanation of the world or the magic system. People are divided into light (Luminar) and dark (Shadowmarked) marks, but we are never told why shadowmarks are bad or what that even really means. I didn't pick up on anything obviously nefarious about shadowmarked magic, and every ability otherwise appears to be unique, so the distinction feels arbitrary. The FMC’s powers are called Unravel (light) and Griefweaver (dark). Unravel detects and untangles lies. Griefweaver isn’t really explained, but based on context it “absorbs” negative emotions (panic, fear, shame, grief) of others, leaving them calm and happy. It seemed simple enough, but then things got hairy. In order to repair the Veil, she needs to combine her powers and spends the majority of book training to do this. She accomplished this by manifesting them as a physical light (luminar) and dark threads (shadowmark) and then spiraling them together. What I find confusing is that she is not actually using her defined abilities in this process, she just seems to be creating a light show. She also at some point uses this combined power to give herself super-strength and rip open a cell door.
I stretched for my Shadow. My light.
Light and Shadow roared to life, tangling together, wild and furious and starving. They had been caged too long - and now they wanted out.
I yanked - one savage motion, muscles screaming, power surging. The entire cell door ripped free with a shriek of tortured metal. I hurled it aside like it weighed nothing.
How does lie detection plus emotion absorption equal explosive force?
Overall Impression: I appreciate the author's imagination and effort that went into crafting this story, but it wasn't for me. I was confused from beginning to end, and I was reading it just to finish it instead of enjoying it. It feels like the author was so focused on avoiding info dumping that she overcorrected and explained nothing at all. So while I did finish this book, I won't be continuing with the rest of the series.
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