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Legacy of Avalon #1
Veiled Court
Win a free print copy of this book!
2 days and 00:41:30
1 copies available
U.S. only
Join the Trials. Fake a Romance. Kill the King.
Ex-assassin Syn Malleore hates kings. The last one poisoned her sister, leaving her to slowly die. Now that the monarchy has fallen, Syn can finally leave London and return to the Fey realm to search for a magic cure.
But the Fey nobility are already plotting to restore the monarchy. In a hidden court, aristocrats fight to the death in brutal trials to claim the throne. Syn won’t let another tyrant rise. Disguised as a baroness, she infiltrates the trials as a spy. Her first goal: steal a sacred relic to save her sister. Her second: destroy the monarchy.
But the greatest danger is Rion du Lac, a lethally seductive warlord. When he discovers she’s an imposter, he forces her to pose as his lover to win the crowd’s favor. If he exposes her secrets, she’ll burn for treason. And if she fails, a new tyrant will rise.
Ex-assassin Syn Malleore hates kings. The last one poisoned her sister, leaving her to slowly die. Now that the monarchy has fallen, Syn can finally leave London and return to the Fey realm to search for a magic cure.
But the Fey nobility are already plotting to restore the monarchy. In a hidden court, aristocrats fight to the death in brutal trials to claim the throne. Syn won’t let another tyrant rise. Disguised as a baroness, she infiltrates the trials as a spy. Her first goal: steal a sacred relic to save her sister. Her second: destroy the monarchy.
But the greatest danger is Rion du Lac, a lethally seductive warlord. When he discovers she’s an imposter, he forces her to pose as his lover to win the crowd’s favor. If he exposes her secrets, she’ll burn for treason. And if she fails, a new tyrant will rise.
Paperback
First published May 25, 2026
About the author
C.N. Crawford
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C.N. Crawford are Wall Street Journal bestselling authors of romantasy books, including books with fae, demons, and magical academies.
We write fantasy romance, urban fantasy, and portal romance. Our books often include trials, banter, and enemies to lovers stories.
Note: We are actually two people--a former biologist (Nick) and a former school psychologist (Christine).
Some books are both of us, and some are just Christine!
To join C.N. Crawford's fan group and chat to the authors, Click here.
To stalk on instagram, Click here.
For a free standalone novel, Sign up here.
C.N. Crawford are Wall Street Journal bestselling authors of romantasy books, including books with fae, demons, and magical academies.
We write fantasy romance, urban fantasy, and portal romance. Our books often include trials, banter, and enemies to lovers stories.
Note: We are actually two people--a former biologist (Nick) and a former school psychologist (Christine).
Some books are both of us, and some are just Christine!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 811 reviews
June 8, 2026
This is a 24 hour read if you are in a slump…. CN Crawford’s books are such a fun time.. it was like medieval hunger games!!
May 25, 2026
Sometimes reading a spinoff is the final push it takes to get into an original series, at least that’s my excuse for reading Veiled Court before Avalon Tower. CN Crawford does say that even though they take place in the same world they can be read separately without feeling lost, and I would agree. So If you like the idea of a traditional fey story with dragons, deadly trials, and commoners rebelling against a corrupt monarchy blended with some urban fantasy, this might be your cup of tea.
Biding her time in a post apocalyptic London brought on by fey magic, Syn returns to the fey realm after the monarchy is dismantled by revolutionaries, with the goal of finding a cure for her sister. Forced to assume the identity of a fey aristocrat, she enters a deadly competition to crown a new monarch, adding the goal of dethroning whoever wins, leaving the common people to rule.
There are times I wish I could dive into the mind of an author, sometimes to learn something as simple as what inspired a name. Syn is one of those FMC’s with a troubled past, enough guilt to constantly risk her life in exchange for achieving her goals, and the external facade of a trained assassin. She’s a little prickly, but appreciated her sarcasm at times.
“I’m willing to learn from people I hate. I certainly spent ten years doing it.”
I am always down to support a character who conspires to bring down a corrupt government, and I found Syn to be relatable for the most part. The only time where I really questioned her thought process was her participation in a sort of love triangle. Now I just read another book with one of these, so I might be a little jaded. On one hand she pines after a longtime friend, but she also lusts after a dangerous knight she gets roped into being in a fake relationship with. I just find it hard to relate to the idea of truly loving one person, and having the physical impulse to be with someone else. But this was probably meant to show that she’s in denial about some aspects of her life, and there were times when I wasn’t sure who I wanted to end up on top.
The writing in this story is fairly solid. Mostly straight forward, but also funny with insight and depth. Where it fell somewhat short for me is conveying the darkness and tragedy of Syn’s past. I feel like I was able to understand her anger, but I didn’t fully feel her despair. That might just be a me problem. I believe the original series has a lighter tone, so maybe I’m just digging for too much depth.
Overall I would say this is a well paced, fun and entertaining romantasy. And sometimes that’s really all I want.
Thank you so much to the author for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
————————
Pre: I’ve had Avalon Tower on my TBR forever but apparently I’m starting with the spinoff. I’m here for the 35YO FMC whose plan is to take down the crown and avenge her sister (who is still alive btw) 💜
Biding her time in a post apocalyptic London brought on by fey magic, Syn returns to the fey realm after the monarchy is dismantled by revolutionaries, with the goal of finding a cure for her sister. Forced to assume the identity of a fey aristocrat, she enters a deadly competition to crown a new monarch, adding the goal of dethroning whoever wins, leaving the common people to rule.
There are times I wish I could dive into the mind of an author, sometimes to learn something as simple as what inspired a name. Syn is one of those FMC’s with a troubled past, enough guilt to constantly risk her life in exchange for achieving her goals, and the external facade of a trained assassin. She’s a little prickly, but appreciated her sarcasm at times.
“I’m willing to learn from people I hate. I certainly spent ten years doing it.”
I am always down to support a character who conspires to bring down a corrupt government, and I found Syn to be relatable for the most part. The only time where I really questioned her thought process was her participation in a sort of love triangle. Now I just read another book with one of these, so I might be a little jaded. On one hand she pines after a longtime friend, but she also lusts after a dangerous knight she gets roped into being in a fake relationship with. I just find it hard to relate to the idea of truly loving one person, and having the physical impulse to be with someone else. But this was probably meant to show that she’s in denial about some aspects of her life, and there were times when I wasn’t sure who I wanted to end up on top.
The writing in this story is fairly solid. Mostly straight forward, but also funny with insight and depth. Where it fell somewhat short for me is conveying the darkness and tragedy of Syn’s past. I feel like I was able to understand her anger, but I didn’t fully feel her despair. That might just be a me problem. I believe the original series has a lighter tone, so maybe I’m just digging for too much depth.
Overall I would say this is a well paced, fun and entertaining romantasy. And sometimes that’s really all I want.
Thank you so much to the author for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
————————
Pre: I’ve had Avalon Tower on my TBR forever but apparently I’m starting with the spinoff. I’m here for the 35YO FMC whose plan is to take down the crown and avenge her sister (who is still alive btw) 💜
Want to Read
April 24, 2026He circles me, slowly. “You’re suffocating under your own restraints. Once, we Fey ruled Britain with primal magic in our blood. We hunted, and we claimed what we desired. We took each other hard on the forest moss, and we fucked each other against rowan trunks. Primal magic roared through our veins. We thrived on instinct. But when mortals spread across the kingdom, they flooded us with their words, and then their iron weapons, and machines. You think like a machine.”
My pulse fasters, blood heating. “I’m very much not a machine.”
Rion goes still. His silver eyes bore into me, rooting me in place. “Even mortals know what you’ve lost. Your own stories tried to warn you—the serpent and the garden and the fruit tree. The god who brought fire. A taste of knowledge that separated you from nature, words that warned of your own mortality. That was your fall from grace. Self-awareness breeds dread, and you’re drowning in it.”
“I see. So that’s your thing? You don’t have any knowledge. Just hunting and murdering and fucking like beasts? I’m not sure I’d brag about that, Ruthless Knight.”
My pulse fasters, blood heating. “I’m very much not a machine.”
Rion goes still. His silver eyes bore into me, rooting me in place. “Even mortals know what you’ve lost. Your own stories tried to warn you—the serpent and the garden and the fruit tree. The god who brought fire. A taste of knowledge that separated you from nature, words that warned of your own mortality. That was your fall from grace. Self-awareness breeds dread, and you’re drowning in it.”
“I see. So that’s your thing? You don’t have any knowledge. Just hunting and murdering and fucking like beasts? I’m not sure I’d brag about that, Ruthless Knight.”
May 12, 2026
what a fun, good time!!
thank you to CN Crawford for the early copy!
if you love the avalon tower trilogy, you’re gonna eat this up! i loved the mmc, he’s so mysterious and broody, and the end reveal was honestly shocking.
the only thing i wish we had a little more of was more info on the fmc’s magic, i didn’t quite understand what her power was and how she lost it (not a spoiler bc that’s disclosed very early on in the book).
this was fast paced, action filled, the romance is gonna be SO good in book 2, and the ending left me so excited to see what happens next!!
4 ⭐️
thank you to CN Crawford for the early copy!
if you love the avalon tower trilogy, you’re gonna eat this up! i loved the mmc, he’s so mysterious and broody, and the end reveal was honestly shocking.
the only thing i wish we had a little more of was more info on the fmc’s magic, i didn’t quite understand what her power was and how she lost it (not a spoiler bc that’s disclosed very early on in the book).
this was fast paced, action filled, the romance is gonna be SO good in book 2, and the ending left me so excited to see what happens next!!
4 ⭐️
June 4, 2026
It’s so fun being back in this world! 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for sure! CN Crawford writes just, fun popcorn books that are easy to read & digest & fun to read.
I DO recommend you read Avalon Tower & the rest of the Fey Spy Academy trilogy before reading this. You don’t HAVE to but 1. It’s fun & 2. There are lots of references to stuff.
PLOT
Syn is part fey living & hiding out in London when, because of anti-fey sentiment she plans to portal to the fey realm with her best friend, sister, & boyfriend. But things take an oopsy poopsy turn when she sort of accidentally kills a fey noble & must take her place at the Veiled Court & compete for the crown.
- fun games & trials
- love triangle-ish business; rivals/enemies & also the BFF she’s had a crush on forever
- no spice (yet)
- Camelot lore
PROS
- This is just a good fun time. Easy to binge, easy to digest, easy to enjoy.
- Love a 35 year old FMC!
- I LOVE her & Tristan tbh. Their dynamic is killing meeeeee.
- Buy I’m also v into Rion & his magic is so interesting. Life is hard having 2 hotties. 😭
- Fun side characters
- Being back in Avalon Tower & revisiting some of those characters is VERY fun! Kind of forgot how much I enjoyed them!
- The reveal is VERYYYYY fun & km excited to see how that plays into the greater world overall.
MIDS
- I feel like this is going to go the same route as Avalon Tower where book 1 is fun & sort of the establishing book. & then book 2 has me fiendish. So not a con, just a note!
CONS
- Some things felt a little sudden. Like “oh, we’re discussing this right now?” which took me out for a moment.
Will continue with book 2 when it comes out!
I DO recommend you read Avalon Tower & the rest of the Fey Spy Academy trilogy before reading this. You don’t HAVE to but 1. It’s fun & 2. There are lots of references to stuff.
PLOT
Syn is part fey living & hiding out in London when, because of anti-fey sentiment she plans to portal to the fey realm with her best friend, sister, & boyfriend. But things take an oopsy poopsy turn when she sort of accidentally kills a fey noble & must take her place at the Veiled Court & compete for the crown.
- fun games & trials
- love triangle-ish business; rivals/enemies & also the BFF she’s had a crush on forever
- no spice (yet)
- Camelot lore
PROS
- This is just a good fun time. Easy to binge, easy to digest, easy to enjoy.
- Love a 35 year old FMC!
- I LOVE her & Tristan tbh. Their dynamic is killing meeeeee.
- Buy I’m also v into Rion & his magic is so interesting. Life is hard having 2 hotties. 😭
- Fun side characters
- Being back in Avalon Tower & revisiting some of those characters is VERY fun! Kind of forgot how much I enjoyed them!
- The reveal is VERYYYYY fun & km excited to see how that plays into the greater world overall.
MIDS
- I feel like this is going to go the same route as Avalon Tower where book 1 is fun & sort of the establishing book. & then book 2 has me fiendish. So not a con, just a note!
CONS
- Some things felt a little sudden. Like “oh, we’re discussing this right now?” which took me out for a moment.
Will continue with book 2 when it comes out!
May 17, 2026
This is one of those books that you start reading and before you know it, you’re almost finished with it! I’m already dying for book 2!
If you’ve already read Fey Spy Academy, then you’ll need to pick this up asap! But even if you haven’t, and you’re in the mood for a well paced story, deadly trials, a fake relationship, with a sprinkle of Arthurian lore, and a super slow burn then read this immediately!
Syn, a former assassin, is finally returning to her homeland of the fey. After years away she knows it’s the only place with a hope of curing her sister. But on her way there, she gets herself entangled with fey royals looking to crown a new king. After her life was ruined by the previous king, Syn will do anything to keep the next one off the throne, even if it means entering trials that she surely will not survive. Her only hope is teaming up with a fey royal known to be a ruthless killer.
It’s so refreshing to see an FMC in her 30s! Syn is smart, capable, and mature about her attraction to Tristan and Rion. Sometimes you do want her to be a little reckless with them 😏, but her decisions are also understandable. The slow burn builds throughout the whole book and I can’t wait for her to finally get together with a certain someone!
The pace of the story and world building is really well done. You’re completely enraptured from the very beginning. Having read the Fey Spy Academy series, it was so nice seeing crossovers and mentions from there. It made me want to read the series all over again! However I do not think you need to have read that series to start this one. There are new characters and are in a new place, plus the author does a phenomenal job of orienting the reader to this world.
I will say that the end of this book had me tapping my kindle multiple times because I thought for sure that couldn’t be the ending! And yet, it was. Now comes the wait for book 2. I can only hope it doesn’t take too long!
Many thanks to the author and Nerd Fam for the gifted copy!
If you’ve already read Fey Spy Academy, then you’ll need to pick this up asap! But even if you haven’t, and you’re in the mood for a well paced story, deadly trials, a fake relationship, with a sprinkle of Arthurian lore, and a super slow burn then read this immediately!
Syn, a former assassin, is finally returning to her homeland of the fey. After years away she knows it’s the only place with a hope of curing her sister. But on her way there, she gets herself entangled with fey royals looking to crown a new king. After her life was ruined by the previous king, Syn will do anything to keep the next one off the throne, even if it means entering trials that she surely will not survive. Her only hope is teaming up with a fey royal known to be a ruthless killer.
It’s so refreshing to see an FMC in her 30s! Syn is smart, capable, and mature about her attraction to Tristan and Rion. Sometimes you do want her to be a little reckless with them 😏, but her decisions are also understandable. The slow burn builds throughout the whole book and I can’t wait for her to finally get together with a certain someone!
The pace of the story and world building is really well done. You’re completely enraptured from the very beginning. Having read the Fey Spy Academy series, it was so nice seeing crossovers and mentions from there. It made me want to read the series all over again! However I do not think you need to have read that series to start this one. There are new characters and are in a new place, plus the author does a phenomenal job of orienting the reader to this world.
I will say that the end of this book had me tapping my kindle multiple times because I thought for sure that couldn’t be the ending! And yet, it was. Now comes the wait for book 2. I can only hope it doesn’t take too long!
Many thanks to the author and Nerd Fam for the gifted copy!
May 16, 2026
I have previously enjoyed Fey Spy Academy and am not the least bit surprised that I enjoyed another book in the same world.
I liked having a mid 30's fmc and her end goals are admirable.
I also liked the trials mixed with espionage.
The ending is a cliffhanger that has me anticipating book 2 already.
Thank you nerdfam and CN Crawford for the opportunity to read the eArc and share my opinion.
I liked having a mid 30's fmc and her end goals are admirable.
I also liked the trials mixed with espionage.
The ending is a cliffhanger that has me anticipating book 2 already.
Thank you nerdfam and CN Crawford for the opportunity to read the eArc and share my opinion.
May 20, 2026
No. NO. NONONONO.
Don’t make me leave this world. I don’t wanna go!
Put me back. Put. Me. Back.
I’m not done living in it! I don’t care if the book is done, I AM NOT DONE.
Give me a badass FMC that is over 30 (thank you very much C.N. Crawford), put her in some deadly ass trials, give her a secret and I AM YOURS FOREVER. She is not meek. She’s not cold. She is a badass bitch that GETS IT DONE.
Veiled Court is a spin-off from Crawford’s Avalon Tower series, which you do not have to have read to get lost in this world. Ask me how I know. Go ahead, ask. Do I have that entire series on my shelf? Uh huh. Did I read them before reading this book? Nuh uh. I sure did not. It didn’t make me miss a beat. I got everything I needed to know and then some, so don’t let that hold you back. (I do plan to go back and actually, you know, read them now. I’m sure it will heighten the experience, but it won’t detract from your experience if you don’t.)
This had everything it needed to shine, and let me tell you it lit the sky UP. Syn is the perfect mix of saucy and strong, there’s some very delicious tension (with not one but TWO very pretty people), and the trials are a mile a minute fast and deadly. This was so easy to get lost in, clearly I am fighting my way to get back into it.
Speaking of which…So, uh. C.N.Crawford… there’s gonna be more, right? RIGHT?
Veiled Court hits shelves May 25 and you need to get yourself a copy ASAP. If you’re looking for something that’s going to set your pulse and heart on fire, this is it.
Huge thank you to The Nerd Fam (their book club is amazing, you need to go sign up for it, for real) and to C.N. Crawford for the gifted eARC. This was a delight to read, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Don’t make me leave this world. I don’t wanna go!
Put me back. Put. Me. Back.
I’m not done living in it! I don’t care if the book is done, I AM NOT DONE.
Give me a badass FMC that is over 30 (thank you very much C.N. Crawford), put her in some deadly ass trials, give her a secret and I AM YOURS FOREVER. She is not meek. She’s not cold. She is a badass bitch that GETS IT DONE.
Veiled Court is a spin-off from Crawford’s Avalon Tower series, which you do not have to have read to get lost in this world. Ask me how I know. Go ahead, ask. Do I have that entire series on my shelf? Uh huh. Did I read them before reading this book? Nuh uh. I sure did not. It didn’t make me miss a beat. I got everything I needed to know and then some, so don’t let that hold you back. (I do plan to go back and actually, you know, read them now. I’m sure it will heighten the experience, but it won’t detract from your experience if you don’t.)
This had everything it needed to shine, and let me tell you it lit the sky UP. Syn is the perfect mix of saucy and strong, there’s some very delicious tension (with not one but TWO very pretty people), and the trials are a mile a minute fast and deadly. This was so easy to get lost in, clearly I am fighting my way to get back into it.
Speaking of which…So, uh. C.N.Crawford… there’s gonna be more, right? RIGHT?
Veiled Court hits shelves May 25 and you need to get yourself a copy ASAP. If you’re looking for something that’s going to set your pulse and heart on fire, this is it.
Huge thank you to The Nerd Fam (their book club is amazing, you need to go sign up for it, for real) and to C.N. Crawford for the gifted eARC. This was a delight to read, and all opinions expressed are my own.
May 11, 2026
A great start to a new series
**ARC READ**
4.75⭐️
0.5/5🌶️
Single/first person POV
Book 1 in a trilogy
Format: e-arc
Spoiler free
Thank you to the author & to @thenerdfam Early Reads Book Club for this arc read. What a good time!
Disclaimer: I have read the series this is a spin off of: Fey Academy for Spies (Avalon Tower) trilogy. This new series can be read on its own though.
Let me get this outta the way first: if you enjoyed that series then you will enjoy this just as much if not more. Christine does it again!
This is set a few months after those events & from page one the pacing is fast & insanely fun. The action here is viscous. It’s so comforting to be back with her writing. I love her writing style; it’s never pretentious but simple & easy to understand. That dry humorous tone is back. The world building here feels both familiar but also there’s so many unique new takes. This world continues to get more vast & even more creative. The way this author constructs a setting continues to surprise me.
& Of course we get a fresh new plot line with a 35 year old FMC. & Guess what? She acts like it too. The author knows how to give us a steadfast lead who truly shines & gives MC energy. She’s got such a great mature outlook on life even though, as the book goes on, we get to see the inner layers of the FMC we initially met. She talks like someone/Her inner dialogue is that of her age. Throughout, we get to see her be pragmatic & make both good choices but also bad ones & deal with the consequences.
& Oh all the cameos😉love to see a few old faces make an appearance.
As for the MMC: I see what the author is doing sneaky sneaky 😏interesting to see where this goes. This isn’t spicy but the tension oh boy
The twists: grand. The ending: chef’s kiss. A thorough fabulous time.
Caveat: If you’re fresh to this world, everything will surprise you. But for me, some aspects did get annoying because it seems that quite a few themes are being repeated here from the previous series. I wont share spoilers but I was getting frustrated at times with some recycled elements. But then I remember that I’ll literally read the same thing in a different font over & over & over🤣so all is good
**Publishing 05/25/2026**
**ARC READ**
4.75⭐️
0.5/5🌶️
Single/first person POV
Book 1 in a trilogy
Format: e-arc
Spoiler free
Thank you to the author & to @thenerdfam Early Reads Book Club for this arc read. What a good time!
Disclaimer: I have read the series this is a spin off of: Fey Academy for Spies (Avalon Tower) trilogy. This new series can be read on its own though.
Let me get this outta the way first: if you enjoyed that series then you will enjoy this just as much if not more. Christine does it again!
This is set a few months after those events & from page one the pacing is fast & insanely fun. The action here is viscous. It’s so comforting to be back with her writing. I love her writing style; it’s never pretentious but simple & easy to understand. That dry humorous tone is back. The world building here feels both familiar but also there’s so many unique new takes. This world continues to get more vast & even more creative. The way this author constructs a setting continues to surprise me.
& Of course we get a fresh new plot line with a 35 year old FMC. & Guess what? She acts like it too. The author knows how to give us a steadfast lead who truly shines & gives MC energy. She’s got such a great mature outlook on life even though, as the book goes on, we get to see the inner layers of the FMC we initially met. She talks like someone/Her inner dialogue is that of her age. Throughout, we get to see her be pragmatic & make both good choices but also bad ones & deal with the consequences.
& Oh all the cameos😉love to see a few old faces make an appearance.
As for the MMC: I see what the author is doing sneaky sneaky 😏interesting to see where this goes. This isn’t spicy but the tension oh boy
The twists: grand. The ending: chef’s kiss. A thorough fabulous time.
Caveat: If you’re fresh to this world, everything will surprise you. But for me, some aspects did get annoying because it seems that quite a few themes are being repeated here from the previous series. I wont share spoilers but I was getting frustrated at times with some recycled elements. But then I remember that I’ll literally read the same thing in a different font over & over & over🤣so all is good
**Publishing 05/25/2026**
June 21, 2026
The dialogue is a bit cringe and the plot is a bit thin.
May 26, 2026
4/5 ⭐️ ARC READ
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I got this ARC not knowing it was a spin-off of the Avalon Tower series, which has been sitting on my TBR. Thankfully, you do not have to read Avalon Tower before this book.
TROPES:
-fae
-dragons
-fake relationship
-love triangle
-deadly trials
We start off with the FMC, Syn, catching her boyfriend cheating on her through the window of his apartment. They had planned to leave London and return to the fae realm after fleeing a war, but now London isn’t safe and fae are being hunted and killed.
After killing a fae aristocrat, Syn is forced to assume her identity and accept an invitation to the Veiled Court, where fae compete in deadly trials for a chance to become the next monarch. Syn enters the trials in hopes of finding a cure for her sister, who is dying from a plague caused by contaminated water.
Once inside the Veiled Court, the competitors are sorted into towers before the trials begin. The sorting process gave me major Harry Potter sorting hat vibes. It felt like Harry Potter x Hunger Games, and I loved it. The world-building was immersive, and the author did an amazing job bringing this world to life.
The romance is deliciously complex. Syn still has feelings for her childhood best friend, while also finding herself trapped in a fake relationship with the ruthless knight blackmailing her and threatening to expose her as an imposter. There’s chemistry with both love interests, and I genuinely couldn’t decide which direction I wanted the romance to go. The sexual tension is SO good.
Also, Syn is 30+ years old, which you hardly ever see in romantasy, and I LOVED that. I’m really excited to learn more about her magic, which she lost after a traumatic event we still know very little about.
The writing really shines, and I couldn’t put this book down. I finished it in under 24 hours. The cliffhanger comes at a point where there’s still soooo much story left to tell. I was literally like… wait, THIS is where it ends?! I need answers immediately and can’t wait for the next book.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I got this ARC not knowing it was a spin-off of the Avalon Tower series, which has been sitting on my TBR. Thankfully, you do not have to read Avalon Tower before this book.
TROPES:
-fae
-dragons
-fake relationship
-love triangle
-deadly trials
We start off with the FMC, Syn, catching her boyfriend cheating on her through the window of his apartment. They had planned to leave London and return to the fae realm after fleeing a war, but now London isn’t safe and fae are being hunted and killed.
After killing a fae aristocrat, Syn is forced to assume her identity and accept an invitation to the Veiled Court, where fae compete in deadly trials for a chance to become the next monarch. Syn enters the trials in hopes of finding a cure for her sister, who is dying from a plague caused by contaminated water.
Once inside the Veiled Court, the competitors are sorted into towers before the trials begin. The sorting process gave me major Harry Potter sorting hat vibes. It felt like Harry Potter x Hunger Games, and I loved it. The world-building was immersive, and the author did an amazing job bringing this world to life.
The romance is deliciously complex. Syn still has feelings for her childhood best friend, while also finding herself trapped in a fake relationship with the ruthless knight blackmailing her and threatening to expose her as an imposter. There’s chemistry with both love interests, and I genuinely couldn’t decide which direction I wanted the romance to go. The sexual tension is SO good.
Also, Syn is 30+ years old, which you hardly ever see in romantasy, and I LOVED that. I’m really excited to learn more about her magic, which she lost after a traumatic event we still know very little about.
The writing really shines, and I couldn’t put this book down. I finished it in under 24 hours. The cliffhanger comes at a point where there’s still soooo much story left to tell. I was literally like… wait, THIS is where it ends?! I need answers immediately and can’t wait for the next book.
May 3, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐️ (Rounded up)
What a fantastic spin off from The Fey Spy Academy series! Veiled Court is the first book in the new Legacy of Avalon series. This one gripped me right from the start and that first line of the book had me giggling. #IYKYK
The plot was immersive and detailed to give the reader the lore that is needed. The world building was vibrant yet dangerous and quite mysterious.
Arthurian Legend…yes, please! English monarchy and Shakespearean references…absolute love! The parallels to the English monarchy and the Veiled Court were brilliant!
A hidden court, fake romance (but is it really 👀, enemies to ?? (I can’t wait to see where this goes), deadly trials, nobility summoned to fight for the Fey crown and lots of slow burn angst and tension! All the makings of a great Romantasy.
I loved Syn! She’s feisty and sassy and very relatable. She tends to find trouble wherever she goes yet she handles it like a champ always finding ways to save herself. And her inner monologue was hilarious!
While this can be read without reading the Fey Spy Academy trilogy, some of this story takes place in Avalon Tower with a little bit of character crossover. So I highly recommend reading it first to give you a bit more understanding of the lore, characters and world.
Thank you, CN Crawford, for the very very early e-ARC!
What a fantastic spin off from The Fey Spy Academy series! Veiled Court is the first book in the new Legacy of Avalon series. This one gripped me right from the start and that first line of the book had me giggling. #IYKYK
The plot was immersive and detailed to give the reader the lore that is needed. The world building was vibrant yet dangerous and quite mysterious.
Arthurian Legend…yes, please! English monarchy and Shakespearean references…absolute love! The parallels to the English monarchy and the Veiled Court were brilliant!
A hidden court, fake romance (but is it really 👀, enemies to ?? (I can’t wait to see where this goes), deadly trials, nobility summoned to fight for the Fey crown and lots of slow burn angst and tension! All the makings of a great Romantasy.
I loved Syn! She’s feisty and sassy and very relatable. She tends to find trouble wherever she goes yet she handles it like a champ always finding ways to save herself. And her inner monologue was hilarious!
While this can be read without reading the Fey Spy Academy trilogy, some of this story takes place in Avalon Tower with a little bit of character crossover. So I highly recommend reading it first to give you a bit more understanding of the lore, characters and world.
Thank you, CN Crawford, for the very very early e-ARC!
May 5, 2026
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.
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.
June 19, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
this is everything i loved about avalon tower but with a new cast of characters, new plot line, and the writing style i fell in love with. please do yourself a favor and pick this one up!
this is everything i loved about avalon tower but with a new cast of characters, new plot line, and the writing style i fell in love with. please do yourself a favor and pick this one up!
May 25, 2026
C.N. Crawford does it again…
She makes me fall for a man immediately… and then a second one comes along… and I’m left feeling confused… really confused…
If you have not read the Fey Spy Academy series… that’s ok… I’m mad at you that you haven’t… but it’s ok.
This book takes place in the same world… but it’s a brand new series… but… if you want a deeper understanding and to feel absolutely giddy when you hear a character’s name mentioned here or there… you should definitely read this series first…
Ok so… Our female main character is an ex-assassin…
Her sister was poisoned by the last king and she wants to search for a cure…
Disguised as a baroness, she infiltrates a hidden court where aristocrats are fighting in brutal trials to claim the throne… Her first goal is to steal a sacred relic to save her sister. Her second… is to destroy the monarchy.
But the greatest danger is a lethally seductive warlord..
When he discovers she’s an imposter, he forces her to pose as his lover to win the crowd’s favor…
If he exposes her secrets, she’ll burn for treason. And if she fails, a new tyrant will rise…
YOU GUYS I was giddy… from page one. This story takes off immediately and it does not stop.
I couldn’t believe how fast I flew through this story. The trials were unique, the circumstances were intense. I literally didn’t know who to trust… at any point ever.
I love the female main character. I’m rooting for her so hard. She is confident. She’s such a survivor. But she’s just figuring things out as she goes like all of us are and I just appreciate her so much. I can see myself in her and I can also see her as person I look up to and would like to emulate.
I have a new favorite male main character… I think. Hotties are being thrown at me left and right and it’s hard to concentrate. But this one has a slutty little earring so he earns triple hot points in my book. I’m not even obsessed with him I feel a bit unhinged… I feel a bit feral. And it’s just the tip of the iceberg. We barely know him. He’s like Legolas… we never really know who he is but we’re obsessed all the same.
This book has mystery, magic, lost magic, riddles, history, intrigue, games, high stakes, trials, tension, desire… enough to make me… flustered and upset... in a good way… sort of… a slight… bluish balls moment… may occur.. but it’s good. Sort of. Ok moving on.
The visuals in this world are stunning. The Veiled Court is so beautiful I want to live there. It’s so dreamy. The four elements rule the towers of the court and it’s like a fairytale come to life.
I can’t get enough of this world. I was given everything I wanted and I want so much more. I’m… desperate for book two. Desperate.
She makes me fall for a man immediately… and then a second one comes along… and I’m left feeling confused… really confused…
If you have not read the Fey Spy Academy series… that’s ok… I’m mad at you that you haven’t… but it’s ok.
This book takes place in the same world… but it’s a brand new series… but… if you want a deeper understanding and to feel absolutely giddy when you hear a character’s name mentioned here or there… you should definitely read this series first…
Ok so… Our female main character is an ex-assassin…
Her sister was poisoned by the last king and she wants to search for a cure…
Disguised as a baroness, she infiltrates a hidden court where aristocrats are fighting in brutal trials to claim the throne… Her first goal is to steal a sacred relic to save her sister. Her second… is to destroy the monarchy.
But the greatest danger is a lethally seductive warlord..
When he discovers she’s an imposter, he forces her to pose as his lover to win the crowd’s favor…
If he exposes her secrets, she’ll burn for treason. And if she fails, a new tyrant will rise…
YOU GUYS I was giddy… from page one. This story takes off immediately and it does not stop.
I couldn’t believe how fast I flew through this story. The trials were unique, the circumstances were intense. I literally didn’t know who to trust… at any point ever.
I love the female main character. I’m rooting for her so hard. She is confident. She’s such a survivor. But she’s just figuring things out as she goes like all of us are and I just appreciate her so much. I can see myself in her and I can also see her as person I look up to and would like to emulate.
I have a new favorite male main character… I think. Hotties are being thrown at me left and right and it’s hard to concentrate. But this one has a slutty little earring so he earns triple hot points in my book. I’m not even obsessed with him I feel a bit unhinged… I feel a bit feral. And it’s just the tip of the iceberg. We barely know him. He’s like Legolas… we never really know who he is but we’re obsessed all the same.
This book has mystery, magic, lost magic, riddles, history, intrigue, games, high stakes, trials, tension, desire… enough to make me… flustered and upset... in a good way… sort of… a slight… bluish balls moment… may occur.. but it’s good. Sort of. Ok moving on.
The visuals in this world are stunning. The Veiled Court is so beautiful I want to live there. It’s so dreamy. The four elements rule the towers of the court and it’s like a fairytale come to life.
I can’t get enough of this world. I was given everything I wanted and I want so much more. I’m… desperate for book two. Desperate.
May 21, 2026
This was so fun! If you loved her Avalon tower series then you’ll also love this! Syn is going undercover as an aristocrat into these deadly trials to pick the next monarch. Her goal is to spy but also she wants to unalive the next king! I was honestly entertained the whole time. There is so much more to uncover and we got little mentions here and there of the characters from Avalon tower! You don’t need to read those books before this, it’s just set in the same world. Also the ending!! Loveddddd hehehe!
⚔️single first person POV
⚔️Deadly trials
⚔️spying and secret missions
⚔️35 year old FMC
⚔️fake dating
⚔️fey, demi fey, humans
⚔️dragons
⚔️.5🌶️
Thank you SO much CN Crawford for sending me an ARC 🫶🏻
⚔️single first person POV
⚔️Deadly trials
⚔️spying and secret missions
⚔️35 year old FMC
⚔️fake dating
⚔️fey, demi fey, humans
⚔️dragons
⚔️.5🌶️
Thank you SO much CN Crawford for sending me an ARC 🫶🏻
May 13, 2026
Loved the high stakes trials and the fast pace of this Romantasy! But note, this isn’t a fluffy fairytale. Book has some dark themes with elements of trauma and violence.
⚔️ Deadly trials
🤫 Secret Identities
🤝 Fake relationship
🗡️ Ex-Assassin FMC
👑 Arrogant/Seductive warlord MMC
🏰 Mythology x dark fae politics
🌎 World building
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the arc!
⚔️ Deadly trials
🤫 Secret Identities
🤝 Fake relationship
🗡️ Ex-Assassin FMC
👑 Arrogant/Seductive warlord MMC
🏰 Mythology x dark fae politics
🌎 World building
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the arc!
May 4, 2026
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.
May 24, 2026
Idk what this author puts in her books but once I start them, I’m addicted. What makes this book standout: legit everything!! We have Arthurian lore, fmc over 30, portal magic, secret identities, spying, sneaking around, mystery. There are 2 mmcs- her long time friend and the deadly high lord who she has to pretend to be in a relationship with. TBH i love them both. The ending is a cliffhanger and I’m in need of the next book NOW! Honored to have been an arc reader, thank you CN Crawford 🖤you do not want to miss this book!
June 2, 2026
4 STARS!
This was my first book by C.N. Crawford and it immediately made me want to go pick up her other series (which I have on my neverending physical tbr).
The premise hooked me right away. An ex-assassin infiltrating a deadly competition to choose the next ruler while secretly trying to save her sister and destroy the monarchy? Sign me up.
Syn was probably my favorite part of the book. She's angry, traumatized, morally messy, fiercely loyal, and carrying around enough guilt to crush most people. I loved that beneath all her sharp edges, almost everything she does comes back to protecting the people she loves, especially Vero. Love a good sibling relationship.
And then there's Rion.... LISTEN.
The Ruthless Knight is exactly the kind of morally questionable fantasy man I want. A feared warlord. Monster reputation. Dread magic. Silver hair. Golden tattoos. A dragon that likes him. Completely unbothered by threats. Yes to all.
The chemistry between Syn and Rion was fun. Lots of tension, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers energy, and the constant feeling that neither of them knows if they should kiss each other or kill each other. Sometimes both. I could do either...
I also loved the Arthurian-inspired elements throughout the story. The Veiled Court, the Grail, ancient prophecies, magical trials, dragons, secret histories, hidden identities, and all the political scheming kept me invested the entire time. The atmosphere felt rich, which I dig when it's done right and can keep my attention.
Why 4 stars instead of higher? For me is that there were moments where the worldbuilding and mythology became a little dense. There are a lot of moving pieces, prophecies, secret factions, magical systems, and lore reveals happening at once. I followed the major story just fine, but occasionally I had to stop and remind myself who someone was or why a particular revelation mattered.
That said, I was never bored. Not once.
The ending dropped enough revelations and chaos that I immediately wanted the next book, and that's usually a pretty good sign.
Also, any book that gives me a dangerous dragon, a morally gray warlord, deadly trials, prophecies, political intrigue, and a heroine willing to stab first and ask questions later is probably going to work for me.
Quotes That Got Me
"But you can't break what's already broken. I've got something that none of you do... Nothing left to lose."
"I promised to get you out of here alive, and you will not make a liar out of me."
"I've got you."
"You think you're dangerous? I think the Fey need your fire to burn it all down and start over."
Tropes I Loved
- Enemies to lovers
- Fake relationship
- Deadly trials
- Morally gray MMC
- Ex-assassin FMC
- Hidden identity
- Touch her and die
- Political intrigue
- Arthurian mythology
- Dragons
- Prophecies
- Found family
- Sister motivation
- Forced proximity
- Slow burn tension
- He falls first vibes
- "I can fix him" (you cannot)
- "I can make her worse" (much more likely)
Big thanks to the Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest and chaotic thoughts.
This was my first book by C.N. Crawford and it immediately made me want to go pick up her other series (which I have on my neverending physical tbr).
The premise hooked me right away. An ex-assassin infiltrating a deadly competition to choose the next ruler while secretly trying to save her sister and destroy the monarchy? Sign me up.
Syn was probably my favorite part of the book. She's angry, traumatized, morally messy, fiercely loyal, and carrying around enough guilt to crush most people. I loved that beneath all her sharp edges, almost everything she does comes back to protecting the people she loves, especially Vero. Love a good sibling relationship.
And then there's Rion.... LISTEN.
The Ruthless Knight is exactly the kind of morally questionable fantasy man I want. A feared warlord. Monster reputation. Dread magic. Silver hair. Golden tattoos. A dragon that likes him. Completely unbothered by threats. Yes to all.
The chemistry between Syn and Rion was fun. Lots of tension, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers energy, and the constant feeling that neither of them knows if they should kiss each other or kill each other. Sometimes both. I could do either...
I also loved the Arthurian-inspired elements throughout the story. The Veiled Court, the Grail, ancient prophecies, magical trials, dragons, secret histories, hidden identities, and all the political scheming kept me invested the entire time. The atmosphere felt rich, which I dig when it's done right and can keep my attention.
Why 4 stars instead of higher? For me is that there were moments where the worldbuilding and mythology became a little dense. There are a lot of moving pieces, prophecies, secret factions, magical systems, and lore reveals happening at once. I followed the major story just fine, but occasionally I had to stop and remind myself who someone was or why a particular revelation mattered.
That said, I was never bored. Not once.
The ending dropped enough revelations and chaos that I immediately wanted the next book, and that's usually a pretty good sign.
Also, any book that gives me a dangerous dragon, a morally gray warlord, deadly trials, prophecies, political intrigue, and a heroine willing to stab first and ask questions later is probably going to work for me.
Quotes That Got Me
"But you can't break what's already broken. I've got something that none of you do... Nothing left to lose."
"I promised to get you out of here alive, and you will not make a liar out of me."
"I've got you."
"You think you're dangerous? I think the Fey need your fire to burn it all down and start over."
Tropes I Loved
- Enemies to lovers
- Fake relationship
- Deadly trials
- Morally gray MMC
- Ex-assassin FMC
- Hidden identity
- Touch her and die
- Political intrigue
- Arthurian mythology
- Dragons
- Prophecies
- Found family
- Sister motivation
- Forced proximity
- Slow burn tension
- He falls first vibes
- "I can fix him" (you cannot)
- "I can make her worse" (much more likely)
Big thanks to the Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest and chaotic thoughts.
June 10, 2026
From the opening line, I knew this story was going to be right up my street and I wish I had book 2 like yesterday!! This is one of those books that you sit down to read a few chapters of, but because the writing pulls you in and flows so easily, suddenly it's 4 hours later and you still can't put it down😅
Deadly trials are one of my favourite things to read and these ones were done super well ~ the perfect mix of brutal, exciting and stressful. Add in some fake romance along with a little bit of necromancy for good measure and it was a fun time for everyone! Well... not everyone I guess, but I had fun🤭 I definitely got some Enchantra / Hunger Games vibes with this one, which I loveeeee
I adored Syn and I think it's because her strength and determination, as well as her flaws and quirks, made her so much more relatable! She proved over & over again that she will do anything to achieve her goals and I was rooting for her the entire way through!
The ending had me in a serious chokehold. I just couldn't read the pages fast enough and I totally had that moment where I was like wait.. THAT'S WHERE IT ENDS?! But overall, this book made me feel alll the feels & I can't wait to see what happens next. I'm especially looking forward to a bit more depth in book two, as we spend more time with the characters, especially Rion & Vero!🤞
Huge thanks to the author for my eARC🫶🫶
Deadly trials are one of my favourite things to read and these ones were done super well ~ the perfect mix of brutal, exciting and stressful. Add in some fake romance along with a little bit of necromancy for good measure and it was a fun time for everyone! Well... not everyone I guess, but I had fun🤭 I definitely got some Enchantra / Hunger Games vibes with this one, which I loveeeee
I adored Syn and I think it's because her strength and determination, as well as her flaws and quirks, made her so much more relatable! She proved over & over again that she will do anything to achieve her goals and I was rooting for her the entire way through!
The ending had me in a serious chokehold. I just couldn't read the pages fast enough and I totally had that moment where I was like wait.. THAT'S WHERE IT ENDS?! But overall, this book made me feel alll the feels & I can't wait to see what happens next. I'm especially looking forward to a bit more depth in book two, as we spend more time with the characters, especially Rion & Vero!🤞
Huge thanks to the author for my eARC🫶🫶
May 26, 2026
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
3.75 stars
I know it says this can be read without reading Avalon Tower first but I am wondering if I would have benefited from doing so. I liked Rion and Syn together and would have loved to see more with the tension between them. I do love a stabby enemies to (hopefully) lovers arc though! I am behind Syn 100% when it comes to wanting to bring down a corrupt government though, so I did appreciate that about her. The pacing made this an easy read for me overall but it felt a little flat in parts for me.
3.75 stars
I know it says this can be read without reading Avalon Tower first but I am wondering if I would have benefited from doing so. I liked Rion and Syn together and would have loved to see more with the tension between them. I do love a stabby enemies to (hopefully) lovers arc though! I am behind Syn 100% when it comes to wanting to bring down a corrupt government though, so I did appreciate that about her. The pacing made this an easy read for me overall but it felt a little flat in parts for me.
May 25, 2026
What a great follow-up to Fey Spy Academy. CN Crawford has written another page turner. Veiled Court adds more great characters to the World of Avalon Towers. Although not necessary to read the Fey Spy Academy series, it is fun to have the references.
Syn is such a great FMC, who arrives at the Veiled Court by impersonating a Baroness. Her primary goal is to survive but find a relic to save her sister. Even without her magic, she is a badass. I’m waiting to see if her magic returns in the next book.
Rion is full of mystery and has secrets of his own. He and Syn fake a relationship early in the trials and that saves them by entertaining the Nobles. Now they have to keep up the ruse even though they would rather unalive each other.
Fake dating, deadly trials, secret identities, slow burn romance, enemies to something more, dragon riders. These are just a few of the tropes in Veiled Court. The side characters add another layer to the intrigue. Book 2 cannot get here soon enough!
A big thank you to CN Crawford for the advanced copy. I am honored to be part of those selected to read Veiled Court early.
Syn is such a great FMC, who arrives at the Veiled Court by impersonating a Baroness. Her primary goal is to survive but find a relic to save her sister. Even without her magic, she is a badass. I’m waiting to see if her magic returns in the next book.
Rion is full of mystery and has secrets of his own. He and Syn fake a relationship early in the trials and that saves them by entertaining the Nobles. Now they have to keep up the ruse even though they would rather unalive each other.
Fake dating, deadly trials, secret identities, slow burn romance, enemies to something more, dragon riders. These are just a few of the tropes in Veiled Court. The side characters add another layer to the intrigue. Book 2 cannot get here soon enough!
A big thank you to CN Crawford for the advanced copy. I am honored to be part of those selected to read Veiled Court early.
May 26, 2026
This was my first book by this author.
I loved Syn and Rion's characters. I felt chemistry was well put. I could feel the slow burn and tension.
I am looking forward to the next book to see more story development.
I really liked it. I did get kind of bored in some places.
I loved Syn and Rion's characters. I felt chemistry was well put. I could feel the slow burn and tension.
I am looking forward to the next book to see more story development.
I really liked it. I did get kind of bored in some places.
June 2, 2026
✨ Honest ARC Review ✨
“I don’t even know your name”, he whispers. “Nor you mine. But I can hear how your heart races, and I can feel that you want me and I want to claim you”
📖 : Veiled Court by C.N. Crawford
Before I even knew what Veiled Court was about, I was sold on the character art. I mean, how can you not be? It’s absolutely delicious!
the dedication line had me immediately tearing up. It was such a sweet tribute and I loved the quiet homage.
Syn is such a beautifully written FMC. Not only is she relatable and classless (in the royalty lineage sense) but she can hold her own when put to the test. She is also self-aware and is driven by her love and desire to save her younger sister, Vero. Rion is such a morally grey villain (yes please) with hidden secrets and just enough mystery that you just can’t enough of him- quite literally, I need more of Rion.
The connection that Syn and Rion have is so interesting because they both have hidden agendas but can come together when their goals temporarily align. And when those goals align, angels sing because lordyyyyy the banter is absolutely, deliciously hawtttttt
The ending. I legit gasped and squealed because oh sweet temptation, I cannot be left with that cliffy after all the trials and slow burn between Rion and Syn. I am SO ready for book two- like really, feel free to slide it into my dm right now 🫴🏼 because I am ready!
I cannot thank you enough C.N. Crawford for the opportunity to be part of your ARC team for Veiled Court. It was such an epic journey to read and one I will gladly embark on again!
“I don’t even know your name”, he whispers. “Nor you mine. But I can hear how your heart races, and I can feel that you want me and I want to claim you”
📖 : Veiled Court by C.N. Crawford
Before I even knew what Veiled Court was about, I was sold on the character art. I mean, how can you not be? It’s absolutely delicious!
the dedication line had me immediately tearing up. It was such a sweet tribute and I loved the quiet homage.
Syn is such a beautifully written FMC. Not only is she relatable and classless (in the royalty lineage sense) but she can hold her own when put to the test. She is also self-aware and is driven by her love and desire to save her younger sister, Vero. Rion is such a morally grey villain (yes please) with hidden secrets and just enough mystery that you just can’t enough of him- quite literally, I need more of Rion.
The connection that Syn and Rion have is so interesting because they both have hidden agendas but can come together when their goals temporarily align. And when those goals align, angels sing because lordyyyyy the banter is absolutely, deliciously hawtttttt
The ending. I legit gasped and squealed because oh sweet temptation, I cannot be left with that cliffy after all the trials and slow burn between Rion and Syn. I am SO ready for book two- like really, feel free to slide it into my dm right now 🫴🏼 because I am ready!
I cannot thank you enough C.N. Crawford for the opportunity to be part of your ARC team for Veiled Court. It was such an epic journey to read and one I will gladly embark on again!
May 26, 2026
This was an ARC from The Nerd Family, given for an honest. review.
I was honestly, truly entertained from the very first page to the absolute end. I couldn’t put it down!
Let’s talk about our main girl, Syn. First of all, she is 35 and she is hilarious. It is SO incredibly refreshing to have a mature, clever, genuinely funny FMC who isn't just reacting to the chaos. she’s calculating it. She is on a desperate, high-stakes mission to save her sister, and of course, she gets into trouble immediately. But she pivots like an absolute boss and manages her way into the Veiled Court.
From there, it is a non stop rollercoaster. It’s trial after deadly trial, and the environment is so brutal. There is literally zero room for error, and the tension had my anxiety through the roof! She is juggling dangerous spying, secret missions, and trying to unalive the next king. The stakes could not be higher.
And then, enter Rion
He is mysterious, charming, and just ridiculously handsome. We only get a little bit of his backstory in this book, but the mystery just makes him so much more enticing. I am already feral for book two to learn more about his history!
To survive the court, they end up entangled in a fake dating situation, and the chemistry? The banter? IMMACULATE. It is a slow burn connection that kept me absolutely hooked.
I was honestly, truly entertained from the very first page to the absolute end. I couldn’t put it down!
Let’s talk about our main girl, Syn. First of all, she is 35 and she is hilarious. It is SO incredibly refreshing to have a mature, clever, genuinely funny FMC who isn't just reacting to the chaos. she’s calculating it. She is on a desperate, high-stakes mission to save her sister, and of course, she gets into trouble immediately. But she pivots like an absolute boss and manages her way into the Veiled Court.
From there, it is a non stop rollercoaster. It’s trial after deadly trial, and the environment is so brutal. There is literally zero room for error, and the tension had my anxiety through the roof! She is juggling dangerous spying, secret missions, and trying to unalive the next king. The stakes could not be higher.
And then, enter Rion
He is mysterious, charming, and just ridiculously handsome. We only get a little bit of his backstory in this book, but the mystery just makes him so much more enticing. I am already feral for book two to learn more about his history!
To survive the court, they end up entangled in a fake dating situation, and the chemistry? The banter? IMMACULATE. It is a slow burn connection that kept me absolutely hooked.
May 17, 2026
Rating
5 💎
1 🌶️
Quick Summary
The book hooked me immediately with its intense, fast-paced opening. The story felt fresh and unique, with deadly, high-stakes trials that were absolutely gripping. The relationship between Syn and Tristan was compelling, while the chemistry between Syn and Rion was electric and left me wanting more. This is a true slow burn filled with obstacles, and by the end, you’re left with more questions than answers.
While Reading Thoughts
📔The start of this book was intense and fast paced and I was reeled in
📔The story was unique and and the trials …wow they were deadly and high stakes and brilliant
📔The relationship between Syn & Tristan was soo good.
📔Wow the chemistry I felt with Syn & Rion was electric and I just wanted more and more of them.
📔This is slow burn and there is a lot of obstacles and you will be left with more questions than answers
Words that linger
🍷 So, who do you imagine will be the most ruthless one here? A high lord grown soft on mead and banquets? Or the creature who crawled from the kingdom of bones like the dead rising from the grave to breathe again?”
🍷It’s wrong, I know. Even in my dreams, I know he’s a monster, and I still want to taste the salt of his skin. I want to rake my fingernails down his back, leaving my mark.
🍷I crave him, body and soul, because ever since the Undercroft, he’s been the missing piece of me that I need to live.
Tropes
👑Dread & lust Magic
👑Hot villian
👑Fake relationship
👑Deadly trials
👑30+ FMC
Thank you The Nerd Fam and CN Crawford for the ecopy
5 💎
1 🌶️
Quick Summary
The book hooked me immediately with its intense, fast-paced opening. The story felt fresh and unique, with deadly, high-stakes trials that were absolutely gripping. The relationship between Syn and Tristan was compelling, while the chemistry between Syn and Rion was electric and left me wanting more. This is a true slow burn filled with obstacles, and by the end, you’re left with more questions than answers.
While Reading Thoughts
📔The start of this book was intense and fast paced and I was reeled in
📔The story was unique and and the trials …wow they were deadly and high stakes and brilliant
📔The relationship between Syn & Tristan was soo good.
📔Wow the chemistry I felt with Syn & Rion was electric and I just wanted more and more of them.
📔This is slow burn and there is a lot of obstacles and you will be left with more questions than answers
Words that linger
🍷 So, who do you imagine will be the most ruthless one here? A high lord grown soft on mead and banquets? Or the creature who crawled from the kingdom of bones like the dead rising from the grave to breathe again?”
🍷It’s wrong, I know. Even in my dreams, I know he’s a monster, and I still want to taste the salt of his skin. I want to rake my fingernails down his back, leaving my mark.
🍷I crave him, body and soul, because ever since the Undercroft, he’s been the missing piece of me that I need to live.
Tropes
👑Dread & lust Magic
👑Hot villian
👑Fake relationship
👑Deadly trials
👑30+ FMC
Thank you The Nerd Fam and CN Crawford for the ecopy
June 17, 2026
This was such a fun read! I have to say, I feel a little stupid because I didn't realize this was the same author who wrote Avalon Tower so I kept wondering why that sounded so familiar...
I loved the writing style and pacing of this book, it makes you invested from the first initial chapters. I loved the hunger games esque vibes this book gave off.
I thought the FMC was likable which is always a win because honestly, more often than not, that's not the case. I was also not aware that there’s a little love triangle situation in this book but it’s kind of obvious who’s going to be the real love interest so I didn’t mind it.
The main complaint that I have is that I want more. Like immediately. I need book 2 asap.
I loved the writing style and pacing of this book, it makes you invested from the first initial chapters. I loved the hunger games esque vibes this book gave off.
I thought the FMC was likable which is always a win because honestly, more often than not, that's not the case. I was also not aware that there’s a little love triangle situation in this book but it’s kind of obvious who’s going to be the real love interest so I didn’t mind it.
The main complaint that I have is that I want more. Like immediately. I need book 2 asap.
May 14, 2026
Thank you to C.N. Crawford for the ARC of The Veiled Court!
Avalon Tower has been sitting on my TBR for such a long time, so I was genuinely excited to finally dive into this one. Unfortunately, while I can definitely see the potential in both the story and the world, it just didn’t fully land for me.
The premise is really intriguing, and there are elements of the plot that had me wanting more, but overall I found the pacing quite slow. I completely understood Syn’s motivation to save her sister, Vero, but I felt like we were reminded of it a little too often, to the point where it started to pull me out of the story rather than deepen the emotional impact.
I was especially excited to read about a 35 year old badass FMC, because we don’t often get older heroines in fantasy, but unfortunately Syn didn’t quite deliver that energy for me. I wanted more grit, maturity, from her character, and at times she just didn’t feel as compelling as I’d hoped she would be.
I also wanted so much more from Rion, he seemed like such an interesting character and I really hoped, we would have got alot more from that fake Romance, the tension and chemistry between them could have been built up far more. I kept waiting for the story to really hit that emotional or dramatic peak, but it never quite got there for me.
That said, I am still interested to see where the story goes next because the series definitely has potential. For me, though, this was one of those reads where I kept turning the page expecting a bigger payoff, and it just never fully came. I’m wishing I would of read Avalon tower first, and maybe it would of hit different!
Avalon Tower has been sitting on my TBR for such a long time, so I was genuinely excited to finally dive into this one. Unfortunately, while I can definitely see the potential in both the story and the world, it just didn’t fully land for me.
The premise is really intriguing, and there are elements of the plot that had me wanting more, but overall I found the pacing quite slow. I completely understood Syn’s motivation to save her sister, Vero, but I felt like we were reminded of it a little too often, to the point where it started to pull me out of the story rather than deepen the emotional impact.
I was especially excited to read about a 35 year old badass FMC, because we don’t often get older heroines in fantasy, but unfortunately Syn didn’t quite deliver that energy for me. I wanted more grit, maturity, from her character, and at times she just didn’t feel as compelling as I’d hoped she would be.
I also wanted so much more from Rion, he seemed like such an interesting character and I really hoped, we would have got alot more from that fake Romance, the tension and chemistry between them could have been built up far more. I kept waiting for the story to really hit that emotional or dramatic peak, but it never quite got there for me.
That said, I am still interested to see where the story goes next because the series definitely has potential. For me, though, this was one of those reads where I kept turning the page expecting a bigger payoff, and it just never fully came. I’m wishing I would of read Avalon tower first, and maybe it would of hit different!
June 14, 2026
it was sooo good to be back in this world!!! i LOVED Avalon tower and loved this one as well! the world building was interesting, i found the plot engaging, and I LOVED the fake dating aspect 😍😍
the only thing here is that i didn’t fully understand the relationship between the mmc and fmc.. i feel that the fmc wasn’t interesting enough to grad the attention of the mmc yet here he is, risking his neck to come get her by the end of the book. i mean im glad he did, but i just feel like they didn’t have a ton of relationship development for him to go do that.. but regardless.. i ate this book up and had such a great time
the only thing here is that i didn’t fully understand the relationship between the mmc and fmc.. i feel that the fmc wasn’t interesting enough to grad the attention of the mmc yet here he is, risking his neck to come get her by the end of the book. i mean im glad he did, but i just feel like they didn’t have a ton of relationship development for him to go do that.. but regardless.. i ate this book up and had such a great time
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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