Veiled Court

I loved Avalon Tower but dare I say this series is shaping up to be even better!
We have an assassin, a ruthless warlord, more dragons, trials and so much more. The action starts from page 1 and doesn't stop.
All Syn wants is to save her sister and make sure no king is put on the throne.
The trials are lethal, the competition unforgiving and her reluctant alliance with Rion, dangerous. It seems everyone is keeping secrets and it's only a nature of time before they are exposed.
If you like deadly trials, secret identities, and missions with a bit of mystery you will love this.
I received an advance review copy but these thoughts are my own.

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coley

116 reviews4 followers

Thank you so much to Christine for this arc! She is absolutely one of my “if she writes it, I’ll read it” authors. This book absolutely lived up to the hype. We’re set in the world of the Avalon Tower series, but following different characters. I absolutely loved getting to know Syn and Rion (and Elizabeth, what a beautiful dedication). You’re going to want to add this one to your TBR, I’m already counting down til book two.

Julie Banks

120 reviews15 followers

4⭐️ -

You don’t have to read The Fey Academy for Spies series before, but it is really neat seeing the crossovers with some of the characters from the series.

I really liked our FMC and MMC. I definitely want to see where this story goes! I feel like I have my theories and I feel like some betrayals are destined to happen. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!!

The banter had me laughing out loud and the tension was so good!! I loved that this book didn’t have any spice moments yet, it’s a true enemies to lovers/slow burn 🔥 with so many secrets and trust issues. 🤌🏻

CN Crawford does such an amazing job at creating a binge worthy series and I can’t wait for more! ❤️‍🔥

Tropes:

🐦‍⬛ Touch Her & 💀
🐦‍⬛ Secret Missions
🐦‍⬛ Villain MMC
🐦‍⬛ He Heals Her
🐦‍⬛ Dragons
🐦‍⬛ Portal Fantasy
🐦‍⬛ 30+ aged FMC

Rebecca ~ readinginNZ

110 reviews32 followers

“You’ll be in danger every moment you’re there. A traitor among enemies… if they found out who you are, they’ll make you regret the day you were born.”

✨ Fake relationship
✨ Trials
✨ FMC 30+
✨ Fey spy mission
✨ Hidden identity
✨ Forced proximity

Veiled Court was such a fun ride. Syn is out here pretending to be a baroness, infiltrating a lethal Fey tournament, running a covert spy op, and fake dating Rion, a warlord who absolutely knows she is lying through her teeth.

It’s fast paced, high stakes, and somehow still funny in that “I should not be laughing but here we are” way. The crossover moments with Avalon Tower had me feral, and the little Easter eggs sprinkled everywhere made it even better.

“We’ve all heard the stories about the high lord who tortures people to death as entertainment for his depraved party guests.”

The trials themselves are wild enough, but the whole fake relationship dynamic gives it that extra chaotic kick. The tension is great, the danger feels real, and the whole hidden identity plot keeps everything nicely sharp.

“Why are you calling me love when I can end your life at any moment?”

Syn being over 30 was such a refreshing change too. She’s competent, messy, traumatised, sarcastic, and genuinely interesting to follow.

“Rion could destroy me with just a word, and now I’m putting my life in the hands of a man universally known for his cruelty.”

And that ending sets up book two so well. Like… immediately please.

Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.

Mae

47 reviews2 followers

May 6, 2026

I’ve been following this author for a while based on how much I enjoyed another series. I’m sad to say, I haven’t read anything other than the Shadow Fae series. I was extremely lucky and honored to be chosen to read this as an ARC reader. I started off making little notes and swiftly got caught up in the story to the point I no longer made notes and just zoomed through. I want the next book asap! But off I go, to read all the other series now!

I loved the descriptions of things like the animals. I can almost see them prowling in their enclosures. The simple yet effective way the author describes them allows for a seamless transition from what the FMC is seeing through what is happening next. The story was intriguing and the FMC’s drive to save her sister was not forgotten for a moment. It was powerful, that her love pushed her forward.

Partway theough the brutal battle of the first trial (chapter 26) I realize my face feels funny… I’m grinning like an idiot! The standoff at the end of the chapter was…delicious.

75% through:
“Is this how peasants seduce each other? With threats of maiming?” New favorite quote.

Just really enjoyed this read. I’m not a very eloquent reviewer and I don’t use little images and emojis and I certainly won’t insult your intelligence by adding a useless synopsis in a review, but I like what I like. CN Crawford did it again with a great story with awesome characters and a world you can just see.

6 reviews

Received as an ARC!

This is was one of the best ARC’s I have read. I loved the characters and the story. It has trials, which helped build the story, but they are not the primary source of action. The plot is unique (to anything I’ve read) and I’m genuinely so excited to read the next one! It’s a true slow burn between the FMC and MMC, so there’s not much spice in this first book, but I appreciated that the plot had time to develop first.

Highly recommend reading this as a romantasy lover!

Teodora Afram

3 reviews

If you loved Fey Academy for Spies series you will love this too, but what’s good about this book is that you don’t have to have read Fey Academy for Spies to enjoy and understand it. Great characters, funny and I just couldn’t put this book down. This book got me hooked from the first chapter, can’t wait to continue this series!

Emma Westbury

77 reviews1 follower

Fun read, especially if you’ve read the Avalon tower series. It just adds to it and you already know the world. I’m dying for more w Rion! Agh I was sad when it ended before all the juicy stuff😂😭

Amanda Gratia

25 reviews

Welcome to the Veiled Court! This is my ARC review - I am so honored to be chosen to read this before it is published.

Syn hates kings. So when she accidentally finds herself in the secretive Veiled Court, competing with a bunch of deadly fae nobility who all want to become the next monarch, she knows she has to do: destroy the monarchy. Thus sets her plan into motion - infiltrate the trials, report her findings back to the Avalon Tower (yes, THAT tower!), win the relic that will save her sister from the poison that is slowly killing her, destroy the monarchy, in that order. Enter the thorn in her side - Rion du Lac, an arrogant fae warlord who discovers her treachery and forces her to pose as his new lover in order to win favor with the nobility - in exchange for keeping her treasonous secrets. For now.

One thing I adore is when a book comes in and grips me from the very first sentence. Think Nisha J Tuli in Trial of the Sun Queen. Veiled Court did exactly this, and kept me absolutely enthralled til the very last page! Who doesn't love a good, historic window, am I right?

I've been a pretty avid reader of CN Crawford's work since around 2018 when Covert Fae first came out, and I've got to say I think this is my favorite book yet! It's written so well, steadily paced throughout and kept me guessing and intrigued from start to finish. Veiled Court is set in the same world as the Fey Spy Academy series, as I mentioned above, which up until this book was my favorite series - and we even get a little bit of a crossover, which is so fun. Our characters - from the main characters to the side characters - are so well written and compelling. I absolutely love Syn. She reminds me a bit of Nia, but perhaps a little more *fierce*. The glimpses we get into her past show that she's flawed, she's damaged, but she isn't broken. We didn't get too much of a glimpse into Rion's past, but we do know that he is smoking hot and really good at turning Syn into a ball of mush. And the TENSION between those two.... SWOON!!! I also adore Elizabeth, and think she is absolutely living up to her namesake. Niniane even reminds me a bit of a certain priestess in another book we all love to hate, and I fully expect that to continue in the next one. The dialogue, banter, emotions and storyline are so fluid and engaging. It's a well executed first book of a romantasy series that leaves us not-so-patiently waiting for the next one. I would (and will!!!) absolutely recommend this to anyone.

Oh, and did I mention there are dragons?

5/5⭐
1.5/5🌶️
10000000/10 would recommend

Amy

23 reviews

May 6, 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yes. Yes. YES!! Veiled Court by C.N. Crawford was absolutely everything I wanted it to be—and more. This book delivers on all fronts: dangerous games and trials, a delicious slow-burn romance, a fake relationship trope done right, and (my personal favorite) a 30+ FMC who actually feels like she’s lived a life.

While this story exists in the same world as the Avalon Tower series, it stands firmly on its own with new characters and settings. That said, having read Avalon Tower added a little extra sparkle with some fun Easter eggs—but it’s definitely not required to enjoy this story.

The story follows Syn, a sharp-witted and battle-hardened woman navigating a dangerous, magical court filled with secrets, deadly trials, and shifting alliances. When she’s pulled into a high-stakes game involving power, deception, and survival, she must rely on her intelligence, resilience, and a carefully crafted fake relationship to stay alive. But as tensions rise and truths unravel, the lines between strategy and real emotion begin to blur—especially with two very different, equally compelling men at her side.

And let’s talk about Syn—because I am obsessed. She is everything I want in a main character: witty, strong, independent, and genuinely fun to follow. Her internal monologue? Gold. Her banter? Even better. It’s been a long time since I’ve connected this deeply with an FMC, and the fact that she’s 30+, carrying real scars from heartbreak and betrayal, just made her feel that much more real and powerful.

Then we have the MMCs—yes, plural—and wow, they both deliver. Tristan, her best friend, is the ultimate “German Shepherd” energy: loyal, protective, and impossible not to love. And then there’s Rion… dark, mysterious, morally gray (okay, maybe morally black), and utterly irresistible. He’s the perfect contrast to Syn and adds so much tension and intrigue to the story.
I genuinely could not put this book down. It takes everything that worked in Avalon Tower and elevates it—darker, steamier, more intense. The tension is chef’s kiss, and that ending? Perfectly wrapped while still leaving me desperate for the next installment.

If you love fantasy romance with bite, layered characters, and addictive tension, this one is an absolute must-read.

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Charl Ormond

126 reviews

Thank you so much to Christine for letting me read this early. I applied for this arc as soon as I saw it due to absolutely loving Avalon tower…. Team Talon forever 💜

This story follows Syn who lives in the human world but is more fey, with her sister who is sick from something auberon in the last one has done. She is trying to keep her sister safe and cure her when she accidentally gets landed in the veiled court battling to be the new monarch.

She is strong willed, an absolute badass and someone who is so smart and cunning which follows on perfectly from the last books. Yes this is a different storyline but I absolutely loved mixing characters and the story lines from the first series as they were some of my favourites.

We follow her through the different trials and political drama throughout the court throwing in some enemies… some twists… secrets and things to still work out and then throw in

Our Villian MMC Rion who is just so so so bad but so so good ( I clearly have a type) he is secretive in his own way but also ruthless and strong and so so sarky which just makes him perfect. His relationship with Syn is to be used in his favour to hopefully become the leading monarch.

Honestly this book was addicting… so so good. I’m absolutely invested in this world and having a new follow on story has just made this so much more interesting and making me more intrigued to what is going to be going on in the next one. Especially with the villian mc and the linking into Avalon tower after the aftermath of the first series.

And the ending how could you do this to meeeee I neeeed more…. Incredible just incredible

Tisha Lawrence

18 reviews2 followers

From the very beginning, it pulls you into a world that feels dangerous, layered, and full of secrets. The whole concept of hidden trials and fighting for the crown had me hooked, but what really kept me reading was Syn. She’s not your typical FMC—she’s sharp, guarded, and carries a past that actually feels real. You can tell she’s been through things, and I loved how that shaped every decision she made.

The tension in this book? So good. The fake relationship trope is done in a way that actually builds—there’s mistrust, power plays, and just enough chemistry to keep you questioning everything. Rion is one of those characters you’re not sure if you should trust or run from, and that made every scene with him even better.

I also loved how the story balances action with emotion. The trials are intense and high-stakes, but there are quieter moments that really deepen the characters and the world. It never felt rushed, and the details made everything feel vivid without being overwhelming.

If you’re into enemies-to-something-more, hidden identities, dangerous courts, and slow-burning tension, this is definitely one to pick up. It’s the kind of book that keeps you thinking about what’s coming next.

Overall, such a strong start to this series and I’m already excited to see where it goes next.

Mary-Ann I

87 reviews5 followers

“Join the Trials. Fake a Romance. Kill the King.”…. And while we’re at it let’s “Steal a relic to save her sister. Destroy the monarchy.”
I was hooked from the first line and gripped until the last. There were secret identities, fake relationships , betrayals, deadly trials , political maneuvering, magics , Arthurian legends, dragons, Fey , Demi-Fey and a healthy dose of angst. I loved how the plot wove in past experiences to expand the characters . The descriptions and scenery were beautiful.
Syn the 35 yr old FMC , formally trained assassin , is resilient, strong and snarky. This woman has been through it, yet adapts on the fly. She has had mistakes and regrets but seems to own both, her maturity really evident . She has an ally named Elizabeth (and this characters tribute to Elizabeth Briggs is all strength and enduring light). Really all the side characters add so much depth and vibrancy to the storyline.
There are two MMC’s: the best friend who has always been there and Rion her enemy/fake lover/sometimes savior. Basically that’s complicated but trust me that banter and simmer are scorching. There’s also an ex but he might just be the safe character to hate on.
This was set in the same world as “Fey Spy Academy” and we got some cameos and insight into some of those characters. It will be very interesting to see how those overlaps weave as this series continues .
All around intriguing start and a great time . If you enjoyed the first series I think you will totally love this as well.

Lynz M

34 reviews

4.5 stars (rounding up to 5).

Veiled Court by C.N. Crawford is a doing off of the Fey Academy for Spies series. I didn’t realize that before starting Veiled Court, so it was a nice surprise! You don’t have to read Fey Academy for Spies before reading Veiled Court, but you will recognize some characters from Avalon Tower if you have. C.N. Crawford does an amazing job world building in this book, and it’s easy to love our FMC, Syn.

The book begins with Syn finding her boyfriend sleeping with another woman and then breaking up. They are fleeing London after the end of the war between fey and humans, as fey are no longer welcome in the human realm. She helps her sister, Vero, cross to the fey lands and hustles to return the portal key so she can join Vero. One thing leads to another, and what begins as an act of kindness to save another fey quickly lands Syn in deep water. She is forced to take over the identity of Baroness Alis of Listenoise and join the perilous trials to choose a new king or queen. There are trials to the death murder, and a dash of romance.

While there are two possible MMCs, and I’m eager to see how things play out between Syn and Rion. I feel like there is so much we don’t know about his history, and I truly hope they work together to bring down the monarchy and aren’t true enemies in the next book. With the plot twist at the end, it’s hard to tell true motives.

Alexis

33 reviews

dark deadly-trials morally-grey

If you love dark fantasy packed with morally grey characters, Veiled Court by C.N. Crawford should be at the top of your TBR! The story thrusts you into a world of dangerous Fae courts, shifting alliances, and forbidden magic. Our protagonist must navigate deadly intrigues, treacherous bargains, and the ever-present threat of betrayal as she’s drawn deeper into the mysteries of the Veiled Court.

Tropes you’ll find in this book:

Morally grey characters
Fake dating (if you can call it that)
Enemies to lovers
Deadly trials
Court intrigue
Hidden magic
Snarky banter

What truly made this book stand out for me were all the Fae characters and their glorious bluntness. The court politics are rightfully wrong, and the dialogue is refreshingly honest (and often hilarious). Jasper was by far my favorite character—his lewd quips and shameless humor had me laughing every time he appeared, even if his scenes were too brief. Rion Du Lac comes in second for all the wrong reasons…but you’ll just have to read to find out why!

If you’re craving a dark, twisty fantasy with addictively complex characters and Fae drama galore, Veiled Court is an absolute must-read! And I can't wait for the second book!

Nicola Reynoldson (nics_timetoread)

46 reviews1 follower

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

I absolutely loved returning to this world in The Veiled Court by C.N. Crawford. From the very first page, I was pulled right back into the rich, immersive setting that Crawford crafts so effortlessly—every detail feels vivid and almost magical in its execution.

The story follows Syn, a 35-year-old FMC who was once trained by King Auberon before escaping with her friend Tristan. Now living in London and caring for her sick sister, Vero, Syn is suddenly thrown back into the dangerous and enchanting world she left behind. A twist of fate lands her in the Veiled Court, where she must endure deadly trials to determine the next monarch.

Enter Rion—a knight with a brutal past and an air of mystery that keeps you guessing. Watching Syn and Rion reluctantly team up to survive the trials was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their dynamic is layered, tense, and incredibly engaging.

The writing is simply fantastic. C.N. Crawford has a way of building worlds that feel both grand and intimate at the same time. I especially loved the fresh twist on the world of Camelot—it felt familiar yet completely reimagined in a way that kept me hooked.

If you loved the Fae Academy of Spies series, this is an absolute must-read. It feels like a natural and exciting next chapter in that universe.

I didn’t want this book to end—and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

Kricketland

929 reviews29 followers

WHAT TO EXPECT:
🗡️ Fake relationship
🗡️Enemies to reluctant allies
🗡️Trauma
🗡️Assassin heroine
🗡️Villain MMC
🗡️35 Year OldFMC
🗡️Touch her and 💀
🗡️Slow burn tension
🗡️Deadly Trials
🗡️Banter
🗡️Tension & Yearning
🗡️Fey Spy Mission

⚠️ Check trigger warnings; this dark content is for +18 readers

I really enjoyed the Avalon Tower series, so I was happy to hear that Veiled Court takes place in the same world. This new series is off to a strong start. Syn is doing everything she can to take care of her ailing sister, including getting her out of the human world and back to the Fae realm. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned, forcing Syn to help her friend Tristan by becoming a participant in a deadly trial. The competition is fierce, with the next ruler selected from the participants. While there, she encounters Rion, who is her completion; he has also been invading her dreams for some time.

I found the storyline easily grabbed my attention with the tension of the completions and not knowing who to trust. The ending was one I did not see coming. I look forward to seeing where the story goes next in book two. I am giving Veiled Court a rating of 4.5/5 stars.

Amanda Chance

24 reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5* Veiled Court ARC

Veiled Court is exactly the kind of book that reminds me why I adore CN Crawford’s worlds. It’s sharp, funny, immersive, and effortlessly magical. As a longtime fan of the Fae Spy Academy series, I was thrilled to slip back into a world that already feels like home, and this book delivers that same addictive blend of danger, charm, and urban‑romantasy energy.

Crawford’s signature humor and banter are in full force. The dialogue snaps, the chemistry crackles, and the characters feel so real you could swear they’re living somewhere in our modern world—just slightly out of sight. That’s one of my favorite things about Crawford’s writing: the magic never feels far away.

The story is fast, fun, and packed with that delicious “just one more chapter” momentum. From the opening, what is this betrayal moment to the final pages that left me wanting more (no spoilers!), I was hooked the entire way. I’m absolutely continuing the series and already impatient for the next installment.

A huge thank you to CN Crawford for sending me an ARC copy. Veiled Court was an absolute delight to read as a longtime fan of Crawford’s work.

arc arthurian fae

Sam Dolan

284 reviews1 follower

May 3, 2026

4.5 stars. NOOOOOOO!!! I AM NOT READY FOR IT TO BE FINISHED.

Thank you so much for this ARC, I absolutely devoured it in two sittings.

I have read the Fey spies trilogy but this is a book you can enjoy without it. There are delicious details in the world building in both London and the Veiled Court that are intensely immersive. I understood the stakes, the history of the characters and what they were all fighting for.

I LOVED not being able to choose between the MMC's. They are both entirely distracting and I look forward to finding out more about them.

The pacing made it clear this is a series and I really hope the next book is done already. I would have leapt right in.

The only thing that made it 4.5 and not 5 for me is I didn't feel the characters were their ages. Syn is 35 but if you told me she was 19 I would have believed you. The plot is also easily digestible and we get a lot of repeated information which trends towards a younger reader for me. But none of that will stop me recommending this book or stalking the author for book two!

Bunni

26 reviews

May 3, 2026

Veiled Court is a fantastic return to the Avalon universe, but readers should brace themselves for a distinctly darker journey this time around. C.N. Crawford has crafted a gripping and heavy narrative that dives deep into the psychological toll of the characters' pasts. The character development is phenomenal, and the stakes feel higher and more dangerous, making for a compelling read that is hard to put down.

Because of that darker tone, I do want to expand on the content/trigger warnings. The author's official warnings include sexual scenes, swearing, violence, suicide by hanging, and execution by burning. However, readers should also be aware that this book contains heavily detailed themes of severe psychological abuse, childhood starvation, and vivid, recurring hallucinations of family deaths. Additionally, please be warned that there are scenes depicting things that might upset me (prolonged physical punishment), as well as triggers/dubious consent resulting from magical deception.

If you are prepared for the heavier emotional themes, this is an incredibly strong, 5-star addition to the series that adds incredible depth to the world.

Megan Thomas

136 reviews

arc giveaway kindle-ebook

4.5 ⭐️

I finished this in 24 hours and can't wait for the next book! I need to know how this story ends.
I like how the FMC Syn has been through some hard times, not just in the fey world but also the human world. You can relate to her human world problems for sure. She is a 35 year old that basically lives in a closet with a crap job but accidentally stumbles into a chance to save her sister and possibly the fey world. (also, I love that this book is not teenagers but actually adults!)
So we have two MMCs, one being her BFF she has gone through so much with and then you have Rion, who is a very powerful, scary but handsome fey. They are forced into an alliance during a hunger games style set of trials but he is very intriguing. Maybe it's just me but I love a villian lol. Now to see where it goes?!?!?

Kylieisreading

120 reviews206 followers

I am speechless!! Christine has done it yet again ✨ Firstly, this is set in the same world as Fey Academy for Spies - you don’t have to read it to understand Veiled Court - but it is an amazing series so i recommend you do. Now to the good stuff.. The Veiled Court is a slow burn romantasy with suspense, fake relationships, trials, heart warming friendships, and a mysterious cunning mmc. This book kept me on my toes and itching to to learn more about each character and their motives. Our fmc is yes yes over 25 !!! I will have a full review once this releases but please don’t miss out on this ✨🧚🐉🤍

“I appreciate that you’re not stabbing me this time”
“In my dreams, you destroy the world”

Katrina Rathbone

248 reviews2 followers

May 8, 2026

This one was really fun!! I was legit pumped to be picked for an ARC reader for this one and it didn’t let me down.

This story is set in the same world as Avalon Tower (a trilogy which I absolutely LOVED) so the nods to the story and characters we’ve already met were a nice little treat.

The FMC Syn is strong but flawed, growing up in poverty, trying to make up for past mistakes by saving her sister. Her hunky BFF Tristan is there for the assist when she needs it, but nevermind that guy. We all know it’s about the Ruthless Knight who is soft with only her and out for blood with everyone else.

Great set-up for the rest of this series and can’t wait to see where it goes from here!

Penny

3,244 reviews89 followers

May 9, 2026

I have to be truthful and say that I’m mostly over all the books being published as romantasy, but of course since I love this author, I had to read it. After having finished it, this is the romantasy I am more than down for. We are introduced to Syn/Alis and Rion, challengers for the new throne. I was captivated from the first page, and I loved getting a glimpse into the universe from another series. This book is exactly the great writing I’ve come to expect from this author, and I can’t wait to see what’s coming next in the series. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Nathalie Santos

10 reviews

4.5/5 ⭐️ Thank you to the team for allowing me to read this arc before it’s release on May 25th! I really really enjoyed this book. I was eating up the crumb scenes with Rion. I desperately want more of them. I was also eating up every scene w. tristan and want to see where they are going? friends or not???? This book gave me heart palpitations throughout the whole time I was reading it. It kept me intrigued and I loved the whole story line. Now I desperately need book 2, because that ending?????? always with the diabolical endings 🥲

Kylee Ball

11 reviews3 followers