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The Elder Series #1
The Hidden Kingdom
"Her cage had become gilded, and she knew that given the first chance, it would suffocate her if she let it."
Allora Gale has been hidden away, forbidden from ever seeing the outside world. Though she is nothing more than a human and the daughter of a lower-ranking lord, her father's paranoia keeps her trapped within the confines of their home. All for something no one even knows.
Her engagement to the Fae King of the West Kingdom.
A man she hates despite never having met him.
Desperate to have any form of control of her life, Allora finds herself making an escape into the city at night to entertain someone far less noble.
Masked, dark, cocky. Silver Night is no vigilante despite the rumors going around. He is someone looking for an escape, and he has found that with Allora.
When a late night rendezvous turns dangerous, Allora begins to wonder if her engagement to the king is the real reason behind her upbringing. Or if there is more to who -or what- she is.
What happens when she begins to question the only thing they have ever known? Or when the man she's sworn to always hate insists on righting his wrongs and making her fall in love with him?
The West Kingdom is waiting for you.
Will you make the journey?
Allora Gale has been hidden away, forbidden from ever seeing the outside world. Though she is nothing more than a human and the daughter of a lower-ranking lord, her father's paranoia keeps her trapped within the confines of their home. All for something no one even knows.
Her engagement to the Fae King of the West Kingdom.
A man she hates despite never having met him.
Desperate to have any form of control of her life, Allora finds herself making an escape into the city at night to entertain someone far less noble.
Masked, dark, cocky. Silver Night is no vigilante despite the rumors going around. He is someone looking for an escape, and he has found that with Allora.
When a late night rendezvous turns dangerous, Allora begins to wonder if her engagement to the king is the real reason behind her upbringing. Or if there is more to who -or what- she is.
What happens when she begins to question the only thing they have ever known? Or when the man she's sworn to always hate insists on righting his wrongs and making her fall in love with him?
The West Kingdom is waiting for you.
Will you make the journey?
362 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 2026
About the author
Jazmine Corey
2 books8 followersJazmine Corey has always adored anything romance and fantasy. With a heart for creating stories and worlds, it was no surprise when she began writing books at a young age.
When she isn’t cooking up a new book idea, she can be found enjoying time with her dog and cats, crafting, or exploring new areas.
Though born and raised in South Dakota, she currently resides in South Carolina with her husband.
Follow along for exciting new book updates on Instagram & TikTok: @authorjazminecorey
Photography by StoryTeller Media Co
When she isn’t cooking up a new book idea, she can be found enjoying time with her dog and cats, crafting, or exploring new areas.
Though born and raised in South Dakota, she currently resides in South Carolina with her husband.
Follow along for exciting new book updates on Instagram & TikTok: @authorjazminecorey
Photography by StoryTeller Media Co
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 31, 2026
Thank you to the author for opportunity to read this arc. Here is my honest review.
I absolutely devoured this book. It was such an easy book to get into and within a few pages I was hooked. There's high stakes, found family, magic, arranged marriage, and even a love triangle.
I enjoyed following our FMC as she uncovered more about herself, though I do still have a ton of questions!
There isn't a ton of world building, but the characters and their growth more than make up for it. I truly adored Captain Gord. He is one of my favorites in the book. He protects our FMC and is such a fatherly figure to her. And Casara? She brings such a fun comedic, snarky atmosphere that helps liven up some parts if the story 💜
That cliffhanger at the end though was NOT fair. I really dont know how im supposed to wait to see what happens after THAT ending.
Overall 4.5 ⭐️ read for me. Will definitely be recommending to my friends!
I absolutely devoured this book. It was such an easy book to get into and within a few pages I was hooked. There's high stakes, found family, magic, arranged marriage, and even a love triangle.
I enjoyed following our FMC as she uncovered more about herself, though I do still have a ton of questions!
There isn't a ton of world building, but the characters and their growth more than make up for it. I truly adored Captain Gord. He is one of my favorites in the book. He protects our FMC and is such a fatherly figure to her. And Casara? She brings such a fun comedic, snarky atmosphere that helps liven up some parts if the story 💜
That cliffhanger at the end though was NOT fair. I really dont know how im supposed to wait to see what happens after THAT ending.
Overall 4.5 ⭐️ read for me. Will definitely be recommending to my friends!
August 4, 2026
This was such a great story. I loved Allora, although I wish she had a little more depth to her character. But overall I loved the storyline, her being betrothed to the Fae king. The world building was done so well. I loved the description throughout. I was completely enamored with this story and hope to read more soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⚠️ Soft Spoiler Alert ⚠️
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I landed somewhere around the 2.5-star mark with this one. There were enough mysteries and unanswered questions to keep me turning the pages, and the pacing was probably the book's strongest feature, but ultimately I never felt particularly invested in either the characters or the romance.
My biggest struggle was believability.
Allora is presented as someone who has been so heavily sheltered that she knows almost nothing about the world, its history, politics, or even aspects of fae culture. Yet that same character is regularly sneaking out into the city, drinking in taverns, deceiving her family, and navigating situations that seem completely at odds with the level of naivety we're told she possesses. The character often felt as though she was whatever the plot needed her to be in a given moment, rather than a fully realised person with a consistent worldview.
The romance also didn't work for me. It felt very much like a case of being told two characters had a deep connection rather than actually seeing that connection develop on the page. Allora's feelings seemed to shift from hatred to devotion incredibly quickly, and I never really bought into the emotional journey that supposedly got her there. I found myself repeatedly wanting more showing and less telling.
Part of the issue was the Silver Night storyline. The book positions it as though there's tension between Allora's engagement to Willem and her growing attachment to Silver Night, but I found the reveal so obvious from their earliest interactions that it never felt like a genuine mystery or love triangle. Instead, I spent most of the book waiting for Allora to catch up to information that felt immediately apparent to the reader.
Once Willem (SPOILER: As the Silver Night) knows exactly who Allora is, the dynamic became even more uncomfortable for me. He's withholding crucial information about his identity while simultaneously pursuing a physical and emotional relationship with her, and I found myself questioning how much agency Allora truly had in those interactions. Rather than feeling romantic, parts of their relationship felt manipulative, particularly because she was making decisions without access to information that fundamentally affected her ability to consent to the relationship as it actually existed.
Willem himself was also a difficult character for me to connect with. The story repeatedly insists that he sees extraordinary depth in Allora and is completely devoted to her, but I never felt I was shown enough of that development to understand why. Much of his dialogue felt idealised rather than authentic, and by the end the romance leaned heavily into tropes that I personally don't enjoy, which made it even harder for me to invest in their relationship.
There were also a number of moments where character reactions, dialogue, and worldbuilding felt underdeveloped or glossed over. Potentially interesting ideas about magic, fae culture, social hierarchies, and prejudice were introduced but rarely explored in much depth. Conversations that felt like they should have sparked curiosity or further investigation often just faded away, leaving me with more questions than answers.
That said, I didn't hate reading this. The pacing kept things moving, there were enough reveals to maintain some momentum, and I can see the foundation of an interesting story underneath it all. Unfortunately, the inconsistencies in characterisation, the underdeveloped worldbuilding, and the romance ultimately prevented me from becoming emotionally invested and I won't be continuing with the series.
For readers who enjoy fated mates, devoted love interests, and romantasy that prioritises romance over deep worldbuilding, this may work much better than it did for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I landed somewhere around the 2.5-star mark with this one. There were enough mysteries and unanswered questions to keep me turning the pages, and the pacing was probably the book's strongest feature, but ultimately I never felt particularly invested in either the characters or the romance.
My biggest struggle was believability.
Allora is presented as someone who has been so heavily sheltered that she knows almost nothing about the world, its history, politics, or even aspects of fae culture. Yet that same character is regularly sneaking out into the city, drinking in taverns, deceiving her family, and navigating situations that seem completely at odds with the level of naivety we're told she possesses. The character often felt as though she was whatever the plot needed her to be in a given moment, rather than a fully realised person with a consistent worldview.
The romance also didn't work for me. It felt very much like a case of being told two characters had a deep connection rather than actually seeing that connection develop on the page. Allora's feelings seemed to shift from hatred to devotion incredibly quickly, and I never really bought into the emotional journey that supposedly got her there. I found myself repeatedly wanting more showing and less telling.
Part of the issue was the Silver Night storyline. The book positions it as though there's tension between Allora's engagement to Willem and her growing attachment to Silver Night, but I found the reveal so obvious from their earliest interactions that it never felt like a genuine mystery or love triangle. Instead, I spent most of the book waiting for Allora to catch up to information that felt immediately apparent to the reader.
Once Willem (SPOILER: As the Silver Night) knows exactly who Allora is, the dynamic became even more uncomfortable for me. He's withholding crucial information about his identity while simultaneously pursuing a physical and emotional relationship with her, and I found myself questioning how much agency Allora truly had in those interactions. Rather than feeling romantic, parts of their relationship felt manipulative, particularly because she was making decisions without access to information that fundamentally affected her ability to consent to the relationship as it actually existed.
Willem himself was also a difficult character for me to connect with. The story repeatedly insists that he sees extraordinary depth in Allora and is completely devoted to her, but I never felt I was shown enough of that development to understand why. Much of his dialogue felt idealised rather than authentic, and by the end the romance leaned heavily into tropes that I personally don't enjoy, which made it even harder for me to invest in their relationship.
There were also a number of moments where character reactions, dialogue, and worldbuilding felt underdeveloped or glossed over. Potentially interesting ideas about magic, fae culture, social hierarchies, and prejudice were introduced but rarely explored in much depth. Conversations that felt like they should have sparked curiosity or further investigation often just faded away, leaving me with more questions than answers.
That said, I didn't hate reading this. The pacing kept things moving, there were enough reveals to maintain some momentum, and I can see the foundation of an interesting story underneath it all. Unfortunately, the inconsistencies in characterisation, the underdeveloped worldbuilding, and the romance ultimately prevented me from becoming emotionally invested and I won't be continuing with the series.
For readers who enjoy fated mates, devoted love interests, and romantasy that prioritises romance over deep worldbuilding, this may work much better than it did for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Firstly thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC version of this book.
We follow Allora in the world of Elunota. She is pampered & concealed away, protected & sheltered from the outside world. We slowly find out the reason for this, seemingly over-the-top secretiveness surrounding her.
She is throughout her life made to be perfect, for a Fae King: Willem. (As they are meant to wed. A human & a Fae). She despises Willem. She sees him as the reason she has lead a cloistered life & having never met him she builds up ugly versions of him in her minds eye. Despite all this, she navigates her way to freedom most nights & meets up with her brash friend to see what life is like in the local town. There she meets a mysterious stanger, who goes by the name of Silver Night, they enjoy their time together but she feels her small amount of freedom slipping away as her future marriage nears.
Once at the King's castle, things start to unravel, mysteries surface & questions are answered. Allora's past isn't what it seems & whilst she & Willem get closer there are trust issues that need rectifying.
The story, as you can see, has a good plot, but it felt off. It went quickly into spice, no sooner has she met Silver Night they are spicing-it -up. There is not enough build up with Allora & seeing the world through her eyes & very little world-building in general. It is almost like the author just wanted to write spice pretty much straight away with no substance. I found it extremely hard to feel for the characters as we are basically told how we are meant to be feeling at any given moment, instead of feeling it ourselves. Even though the pacing was good & there was always something going on, I felt everything happens at such a fast pace, that is lacks essence.
I can't say I felt for Allora as a FMC & neither did I get drawn in with her relationship with either Silver Night or with Willem. I felt there was a lot of potential especially with her feelings being stuck between two men, but I just didn't feel anything & then the big reveal was obvious & because of that, very annoying. (From the beginning of the interaction between Allora & Silver Night it was painfully obvious).
The side characters were typical ones: the brash arrogant friend. The overprotective Father-like protector. The suspicious best-friend.
The character of Allora is meant to be innocent & sheltered to the world & that is how she comes across, but she also sneaks out into the local town with her friend & they go drinking & somehow still remains unworldly. She also manages to somehow remain undetected by all the guards stationed around her. She has been taught since birth that she's going to be a Fae King's bride & yet knows nothing of Fae culture & how to actually be a Queen... it just didn't gel.
Unfortunately I didn't feel excited to read this book, I made it to the end to be welcomed by the last chapter being from Willem's POV, which, I actually enjoyed more. Perhaps if there was more from his side there may have been a better focus on their relationship.
3🌶
2.5 ⭐️
We follow Allora in the world of Elunota. She is pampered & concealed away, protected & sheltered from the outside world. We slowly find out the reason for this, seemingly over-the-top secretiveness surrounding her.
She is throughout her life made to be perfect, for a Fae King: Willem. (As they are meant to wed. A human & a Fae). She despises Willem. She sees him as the reason she has lead a cloistered life & having never met him she builds up ugly versions of him in her minds eye. Despite all this, she navigates her way to freedom most nights & meets up with her brash friend to see what life is like in the local town. There she meets a mysterious stanger, who goes by the name of Silver Night, they enjoy their time together but she feels her small amount of freedom slipping away as her future marriage nears.
Once at the King's castle, things start to unravel, mysteries surface & questions are answered. Allora's past isn't what it seems & whilst she & Willem get closer there are trust issues that need rectifying.
The story, as you can see, has a good plot, but it felt off. It went quickly into spice, no sooner has she met Silver Night they are spicing-it -up. There is not enough build up with Allora & seeing the world through her eyes & very little world-building in general. It is almost like the author just wanted to write spice pretty much straight away with no substance. I found it extremely hard to feel for the characters as we are basically told how we are meant to be feeling at any given moment, instead of feeling it ourselves. Even though the pacing was good & there was always something going on, I felt everything happens at such a fast pace, that is lacks essence.
I can't say I felt for Allora as a FMC & neither did I get drawn in with her relationship with either Silver Night or with Willem. I felt there was a lot of potential especially with her feelings being stuck between two men, but I just didn't feel anything & then the big reveal was obvious & because of that, very annoying. (From the beginning of the interaction between Allora & Silver Night it was painfully obvious).
The side characters were typical ones: the brash arrogant friend. The overprotective Father-like protector. The suspicious best-friend.
The character of Allora is meant to be innocent & sheltered to the world & that is how she comes across, but she also sneaks out into the local town with her friend & they go drinking & somehow still remains unworldly. She also manages to somehow remain undetected by all the guards stationed around her. She has been taught since birth that she's going to be a Fae King's bride & yet knows nothing of Fae culture & how to actually be a Queen... it just didn't gel.
Unfortunately I didn't feel excited to read this book, I made it to the end to be welcomed by the last chapter being from Willem's POV, which, I actually enjoyed more. Perhaps if there was more from his side there may have been a better focus on their relationship.
3🌶
2.5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The ending, W**! Massive cliffhanger. In your list of books with cliffhanger endings, here’s your next one to add. No there are no dragons and there is no military academy, but the ending had me reeling and desperate for the next book in the Elder Series like I was at the end of Iron Flame. Word to the wise, definitely read the last bit in one sitting because there are a few things that happen which you will NOT want to pause for.
This was an easy light read to get into. It felt like a fairytale romantasy with a love triangle and unique fae vs. human lore nicely embedded as the plot progressed. I think Jazmine Corey did a wonderful job slowly sprinkling in new questions and unraveling details that kept the plot moving and the book engaging.
If you like hidden identities and arranged marriage in a court setting, this book will hit top marks with you.
I found Allora so funny to read with her constant sarcasm and for me was very likable. She was an FMC who didn’t take sh** from anyone, but not in that ‘I have a chip on my shoulder’ sort of way.
Now there is a love triangle which I definitely enjoyed reading and found myself preferring one over the other earlier on and I think this may have been because when Allora was with one it felt like we went a bit longer than I would have liked in seeing the other one and vice versa.
But there was something so tender and sweet (honestly with both, but especially with one) that made me so giddy at times and this is coming from a book I’m rating as 3 spice.
I especially enjoyed the smaller details of being in this world, like how there were phrases in the world’s language (not just a language other than English disguised as unique to the world, but an actual new language) Jazmine created a new one unique to this world! and when there is a unique take on our modern expressions, like there was here! Because of this it felt a bit jarring when there were a few uses of modern sayings. I found myself wishing that Jazmine would have used that same in world treatment in those instances as well.
I so enjoyed my time in Elunota and I will be continuing on to Book 2!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The ending, W**! Massive cliffhanger. In your list of books with cliffhanger endings, here’s your next one to add. No there are no dragons and there is no military academy, but the ending had me reeling and desperate for the next book in the Elder Series like I was at the end of Iron Flame. Word to the wise, definitely read the last bit in one sitting because there are a few things that happen which you will NOT want to pause for.
This was an easy light read to get into. It felt like a fairytale romantasy with a love triangle and unique fae vs. human lore nicely embedded as the plot progressed. I think Jazmine Corey did a wonderful job slowly sprinkling in new questions and unraveling details that kept the plot moving and the book engaging.
If you like hidden identities and arranged marriage in a court setting, this book will hit top marks with you.
I found Allora so funny to read with her constant sarcasm and for me was very likable. She was an FMC who didn’t take sh** from anyone, but not in that ‘I have a chip on my shoulder’ sort of way.
Now there is a love triangle which I definitely enjoyed reading and found myself preferring one over the other earlier on and I think this may have been because when Allora was with one it felt like we went a bit longer than I would have liked in seeing the other one and vice versa.
But there was something so tender and sweet (honestly with both, but especially with one) that made me so giddy at times and this is coming from a book I’m rating as 3 spice.
I especially enjoyed the smaller details of being in this world, like how there were phrases in the world’s language (not just a language other than English disguised as unique to the world, but an actual new language) Jazmine created a new one unique to this world! and when there is a unique take on our modern expressions, like there was here! Because of this it felt a bit jarring when there were a few uses of modern sayings. I found myself wishing that Jazmine would have used that same in world treatment in those instances as well.
I so enjoyed my time in Elunota and I will be continuing on to Book 2!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Hidden Kingdom had so many elements that should have made it a favorite for me. I love romantasy, arranged marriage, hidden identities, and mysterious masked love interests, so I went into this book expecting to love it. There is a lot of potential here, and I genuinely think the author has the foundation for a really compelling series.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t quite land for me.
My biggest struggle was that the story often focused on details that didn’t move the plot or deepen the characters, while glossing over the moments that would have made the relationships and world feel more organic. I found myself wanting fewer descriptions of everyday interactions and more meaningful conversations, character development, and exploration of the fae world.
I also had a difficult time connecting with Allora. She’s portrayed as someone who has spent her entire life isolated from the outside world, yet she’s able to repeatedly sneak into the city and navigate situations that didn’t seem to match the level of innocence we were told she possessed. That inconsistency made it difficult for me to fully believe her character.
The romance was another area where I struggled. I never felt the emotional connection between Allora and Willem fully developed on the page. Their relationship seemed to progress because the story needed it to rather than because I could see those feelings naturally growing. The reveal surrounding Silver Night also felt fairly obvious early on, so much of the tension was lost for me.
That being said, I never felt like this was a bad book. The pacing kept me reading, and I genuinely wanted answers to the mysteries surrounding Allora’s past. There are some really interesting ideas here, and I think with stronger character development and more intentional worldbuilding, this author’s future books could be fantastic.
While this one wasn’t quite the right fit for me, I’ll definitely keep an eye out for what the author writes next.
The Hidden Kingdom had so many elements that should have made it a favorite for me. I love romantasy, arranged marriage, hidden identities, and mysterious masked love interests, so I went into this book expecting to love it. There is a lot of potential here, and I genuinely think the author has the foundation for a really compelling series.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t quite land for me.
My biggest struggle was that the story often focused on details that didn’t move the plot or deepen the characters, while glossing over the moments that would have made the relationships and world feel more organic. I found myself wanting fewer descriptions of everyday interactions and more meaningful conversations, character development, and exploration of the fae world.
I also had a difficult time connecting with Allora. She’s portrayed as someone who has spent her entire life isolated from the outside world, yet she’s able to repeatedly sneak into the city and navigate situations that didn’t seem to match the level of innocence we were told she possessed. That inconsistency made it difficult for me to fully believe her character.
The romance was another area where I struggled. I never felt the emotional connection between Allora and Willem fully developed on the page. Their relationship seemed to progress because the story needed it to rather than because I could see those feelings naturally growing. The reveal surrounding Silver Night also felt fairly obvious early on, so much of the tension was lost for me.
That being said, I never felt like this was a bad book. The pacing kept me reading, and I genuinely wanted answers to the mysteries surrounding Allora’s past. There are some really interesting ideas here, and I think with stronger character development and more intentional worldbuilding, this author’s future books could be fantastic.
While this one wasn’t quite the right fit for me, I’ll definitely keep an eye out for what the author writes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW ✨ (contains spoilers)
First of all thank you Jazmine for accepting me for my first ever arc!
3 ⭐️
Overall, I enjoyed the story that unfolded with The Hidden Kingdom, but it came with many things that lowered the score.
Starting with the negatives, and with this first point I understand it’s an arc, but there were quite a few spelling errors or punctuation mistakes, and even some sentences that repeated. Hopefully this will be edited before the official release but it did break the immersion.
The next point would be the romance between our two main characters Allora and Willem. It felt a little too jarring how quickly Allora went from absolutely hating him to loving him so much. It felt like there was not much that happened for her to suddenly switch. Then there is Willem who has shown disinterest with her the whole time leading up to their engagement, then is suddenly super devoted to her. I just wish there was a little more to the build up of them falling for each other.
This leads to the issue with Silver Night. At first I thought he would be a good second ML, someone who was there for Allora in her dark times and helped her be who she wants to be and learn to appreciate herself, but then it became a little obvious (at least for me) that this was our dear King Willem in disguise. Then every moment they had together while she was at the castle just felt wrong. It also just made it awkward as a reader for every conversation she had with each of them, while knowing they were the same person.
Now for some positives, I did enjoy reading the overall story and how the mystery’s unfolded. The pacing of the overall story was good, slowly revealing more and more which keeps you interested. The ending was something I did not see coming, and I am curious to see just how it will unfold.
I hope the second book can learn from this one and continue the story in an even better way! I can’t wait to see how Jazmine blooms!
First of all thank you Jazmine for accepting me for my first ever arc!
3 ⭐️
Overall, I enjoyed the story that unfolded with The Hidden Kingdom, but it came with many things that lowered the score.
Starting with the negatives, and with this first point I understand it’s an arc, but there were quite a few spelling errors or punctuation mistakes, and even some sentences that repeated. Hopefully this will be edited before the official release but it did break the immersion.
The next point would be the romance between our two main characters Allora and Willem. It felt a little too jarring how quickly Allora went from absolutely hating him to loving him so much. It felt like there was not much that happened for her to suddenly switch. Then there is Willem who has shown disinterest with her the whole time leading up to their engagement, then is suddenly super devoted to her. I just wish there was a little more to the build up of them falling for each other.
This leads to the issue with Silver Night. At first I thought he would be a good second ML, someone who was there for Allora in her dark times and helped her be who she wants to be and learn to appreciate herself, but then it became a little obvious (at least for me) that this was our dear King Willem in disguise. Then every moment they had together while she was at the castle just felt wrong. It also just made it awkward as a reader for every conversation she had with each of them, while knowing they were the same person.
Now for some positives, I did enjoy reading the overall story and how the mystery’s unfolded. The pacing of the overall story was good, slowly revealing more and more which keeps you interested. The ending was something I did not see coming, and I am curious to see just how it will unfold.
I hope the second book can learn from this one and continue the story in an even better way! I can’t wait to see how Jazmine blooms!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2026
First I would like to thank the author for allowing me to read this as an ARC! This book originally peeked my interest off of tiktok, while this was my first ever arc I really appreciated the storyline and the premise of the plot. During my read I found the writing to be descriptive and thought provoking, this is something that is done very well throughout the events of the story. The writing is consistent and almost lyrical in a sense. Now sometimes I did find sentences that I thought could be a bit shorter, but it honestly didn't bother me. This is a very solid technique to have especially with your first novel. As the plot progressed I found myself wishing that Allora was a bit more stern. I do understand that she was sheltered by her father, but I wanted her to demand respect from people like Casara or the Captain, especially after what she goes through with them. Her father is also someone I would include in that matter. And after being in the dark for so long(including her betrothal) I found it hard to believe that she was as forgiving as she appeared. I did ultimately enjoy the relationship between her and Willem, I think I just wanted more of them as a couple. I did also find the story to be slightly repetitive in the aspect that he was always leaving and she was staying or she had to be saved because she wasn't sure of her powers or her abilities. I think I just wished for more growth from her in the aspect of her becoming queen besides her mannerisms. I did also find the ending to be slightly rushed in my opinion. It included a lot of time skips of important events that I felt could've influenced the storyline a bit more in regards to her coronation. Overall I did enjoy the story and this is a solid debut novel with great writing technique! I would also like to say that putting your work out there is honestly a huge accomplishment. I hope to also be in that position, to one day share my stories and be able to collect different reviews!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a 2.5-3 star book for me. The story has good bones - there's a lot going for it - the pacing was good, the overall premise interesting and enough intrigue to keep you invested. With some polishing and editing I think I could have given this 4 stars.
I had some issues. My biggest problem was that I couldn't get invested in most of the characters. This is something I'm seeing a lot in romantasy lately: in an attempt to make Allora come off as feisty and gutsy she's pretty unfailingly unpleasant to her betrothed and others. Somehow despite this the king purportedly falls deeply in love with her, seeing her as a kind and strong woman with leadership qualities though she really doesn't demonstrate anything consistent with this. Their romance comes off as fairly unbelievable, mostly you're told that they are falling in love rather than being shown this happening. The telling rather than showing is a persistent problem.
I also found I struggled with how Allora's upbringing is portrayed. On the one hand, we're told that she's been groomed since birth for her future role as queen, with strict, likely abusive, tutors and training. However, she's totally unprepared for her role in court, doesn't know anything about Fae history/culture despite the plan to marry a Fae king & struggles mightily in her interactions with members of the court. Supposedly she's been trained to be "perfect" but every time she interacts with a lord she's rude or awkward. It just didn't work for me. Lastly, at times there were overly convenient devices used to move the plot along (Kel, I'm looking at you).
I enjoyed quite a bit of the book and the character Casara was hilarious. I appreciate the opportunity to read this debut. This author has a lot of potential
and I look forward to see what she writes in the future.
I had some issues. My biggest problem was that I couldn't get invested in most of the characters. This is something I'm seeing a lot in romantasy lately: in an attempt to make Allora come off as feisty and gutsy she's pretty unfailingly unpleasant to her betrothed and others. Somehow despite this the king purportedly falls deeply in love with her, seeing her as a kind and strong woman with leadership qualities though she really doesn't demonstrate anything consistent with this. Their romance comes off as fairly unbelievable, mostly you're told that they are falling in love rather than being shown this happening. The telling rather than showing is a persistent problem.
I also found I struggled with how Allora's upbringing is portrayed. On the one hand, we're told that she's been groomed since birth for her future role as queen, with strict, likely abusive, tutors and training. However, she's totally unprepared for her role in court, doesn't know anything about Fae history/culture despite the plan to marry a Fae king & struggles mightily in her interactions with members of the court. Supposedly she's been trained to be "perfect" but every time she interacts with a lord she's rude or awkward. It just didn't work for me. Lastly, at times there were overly convenient devices used to move the plot along (Kel, I'm looking at you).
I enjoyed quite a bit of the book and the character Casara was hilarious. I appreciate the opportunity to read this debut. This author has a lot of potential
and I look forward to see what she writes in the future.
June 12, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This book completely pulled me in from the start and never let go.
Allora was such an easy protagonist to root for. She’s witty, stubborn, compassionate, and constantly takes an active role in her own story. I loved watching her grow into her power while uncovering the many secrets surrounding her family, her magic, and her kingdom.
One of my favorite things about this book was how well the fantasy plot stood on its own. The mystery of the Consumed, the history of the Elders, the political intrigue, and the secrets hidden throughout the kingdom kept me just as invested as the romance.
The supporting cast was fantastic, especially Casara, who quickly became a favorite. Every character felt distinct and memorable.
The romance had me kicking my feet more than once, and the reveal surrounding the Silver Knight was incredibly satisfying. Even when I suspected where things were heading, I still loved every second of it.
The emotional moments hit hard, the pacing kept me turning pages, and the ending left me desperate for book two.
If you enjoy fantasy romance with hidden identities, fated mates, court politics, magical mysteries, and strong character development, I highly recommend this one.
“She mourned her garden, the life she had worked to flourish within it. How its death felt much like her own.”
“Potential pain was worth the risk of being loved.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This book completely pulled me in from the start and never let go.
Allora was such an easy protagonist to root for. She’s witty, stubborn, compassionate, and constantly takes an active role in her own story. I loved watching her grow into her power while uncovering the many secrets surrounding her family, her magic, and her kingdom.
One of my favorite things about this book was how well the fantasy plot stood on its own. The mystery of the Consumed, the history of the Elders, the political intrigue, and the secrets hidden throughout the kingdom kept me just as invested as the romance.
The supporting cast was fantastic, especially Casara, who quickly became a favorite. Every character felt distinct and memorable.
The romance had me kicking my feet more than once, and the reveal surrounding the Silver Knight was incredibly satisfying. Even when I suspected where things were heading, I still loved every second of it.
The emotional moments hit hard, the pacing kept me turning pages, and the ending left me desperate for book two.
If you enjoy fantasy romance with hidden identities, fated mates, court politics, magical mysteries, and strong character development, I highly recommend this one.
“She mourned her garden, the life she had worked to flourish within it. How its death felt much like her own.”
“Potential pain was worth the risk of being loved.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Hidden Kingdom, follows Allora, who is set to marry King Willem in an arranged marriage. After spending more than a decade hidden away within the castle walls, she's desperate for a little freedom. Of course, our girl doesn't exactly stick to the rules and sneaks off into the city, where she comes face to face with a masked, cocky, and very intriguing stranger known as the Silver Knight.
I won't lie, Willem was a tough character for me to warm up to at first. He really didn't make a great first impression. He skips their engagement celebration, avoids spending time with Allora, and makes very little effort to actually get to know her. I spent a good chunk of the book wanting to shake some sense into him. But looking back, I think that was probably the point. His character has a lot of room to grow, and it was interesting watching that happen throughout the story.
What I loved most was how the romance developed. It wasn't an instant love situation. Instead, their relationship slowly grew through trust, communication, and understanding, which made the connection feel much more believable and rewarding.
The supporting characters were also fantastic. I especially loved the banter between Captain Gord and Casara. Their interactions were some of my favourite moments and added a lot of fun to the story.
The pacing kept me flying through the pages, the emotional moments hit hard, and that ending? Absolutely cruel in the best way. This book ends on a cliffhanger and had me immediately wanting book two.
I won't lie, Willem was a tough character for me to warm up to at first. He really didn't make a great first impression. He skips their engagement celebration, avoids spending time with Allora, and makes very little effort to actually get to know her. I spent a good chunk of the book wanting to shake some sense into him. But looking back, I think that was probably the point. His character has a lot of room to grow, and it was interesting watching that happen throughout the story.
What I loved most was how the romance developed. It wasn't an instant love situation. Instead, their relationship slowly grew through trust, communication, and understanding, which made the connection feel much more believable and rewarding.
The supporting characters were also fantastic. I especially loved the banter between Captain Gord and Casara. Their interactions were some of my favourite moments and added a lot of fun to the story.
The pacing kept me flying through the pages, the emotional moments hit hard, and that ending? Absolutely cruel in the best way. This book ends on a cliffhanger and had me immediately wanting book two.
Review of advance copy
hidden magic. buried truths. and a kingdom that was never as lost as it seemed.
The Hidden Kingdom opens The Elder Series with a strong sense of mystery and promise, immediately pulling readers into a world layered with secrets, ancient power, and quiet danger lurking beneath the surface. From the start, there’s a feeling that nothing in this kingdom is quite what it appears to be—and that sense of uncertainty drives the story forward.
The worldbuilding is one of the standout elements here. There’s a clear effort to build a magical system and political structure that feels grounded while still leaving plenty of room for intrigue. The lore is revealed gradually, which keeps the pacing engaging and encourages you to piece things together alongside the characters.
The protagonist’s journey feels very much like an introduction not just to the world, but to their place within it. There’s a steady evolution rather than instant transformation, which suits the “book one” energy well. The stakes begin to rise slowly, hinting at much larger conflicts still to come.
Relationships and character dynamics add another layer of tension, especially as trust becomes increasingly uncertain. There’s a constant undercurrent of “who can actually be trusted here?”, which works well for this type of fantasy setup.
The pacing leans more towards build-up than action, but it feels intentional—setting the foundation for what is clearly a larger unfolding story. By the end, there’s a strong sense that everything is only just beginning.
The Hidden Kingdom opens The Elder Series with a strong sense of mystery and promise, immediately pulling readers into a world layered with secrets, ancient power, and quiet danger lurking beneath the surface. From the start, there’s a feeling that nothing in this kingdom is quite what it appears to be—and that sense of uncertainty drives the story forward.
The worldbuilding is one of the standout elements here. There’s a clear effort to build a magical system and political structure that feels grounded while still leaving plenty of room for intrigue. The lore is revealed gradually, which keeps the pacing engaging and encourages you to piece things together alongside the characters.
The protagonist’s journey feels very much like an introduction not just to the world, but to their place within it. There’s a steady evolution rather than instant transformation, which suits the “book one” energy well. The stakes begin to rise slowly, hinting at much larger conflicts still to come.
Relationships and character dynamics add another layer of tension, especially as trust becomes increasingly uncertain. There’s a constant undercurrent of “who can actually be trusted here?”, which works well for this type of fantasy setup.
The pacing leans more towards build-up than action, but it feels intentional—setting the foundation for what is clearly a larger unfolding story. By the end, there’s a strong sense that everything is only just beginning.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5/5
Big thank you to Jazmine Corey (@authorjazminecorey) for providing me with an ARC copy of The Hidden Kingdom.
I enjoyed the overall concept of The Hidden Kingdom, the fantasy elements, and the tropes it involved such as the fae, arranged marriage, mystery, and the political intrigue.
Our FMC is Allora. She has spent most of her life in this gilded cage, she has been sheltered, naive to how the fae world around her works, and was mostly known as the human engaged to the king. Her character and circumstances were interesting, but I do wish we got a deeper look into her. I would have liked to see more of her thoughts, motivations, or the little experiences that helped to shape and build her.
Our MMC is Willem, or also known as the fae king. And honestly I was not sure what to think of him first. I do feel as though he was not distant, but he was also not fully there. I also wished we got to see more of him, I would have loved to see more of his thoughts or POV in certain chapters, especially when it seemed it was focused on him and his actions.
World building is always my favorite part, and I believe this world was beautifully done. The magic elements and the overall premise of the setting and story were great..
But I will say that I wanted more plot itself. There were moments where I wished the story had slowed down, taking time to give more details what was going on in those scenes.
Overall I did enjoy and appreciate the foundation for The Hidden Kingdom. I believe readers who enjoy the fantasy, fae, and arrange marriages with mystery will enjoy this book.
Big thank you to Jazmine Corey (@authorjazminecorey) for providing me with an ARC copy of The Hidden Kingdom.
I enjoyed the overall concept of The Hidden Kingdom, the fantasy elements, and the tropes it involved such as the fae, arranged marriage, mystery, and the political intrigue.
Our FMC is Allora. She has spent most of her life in this gilded cage, she has been sheltered, naive to how the fae world around her works, and was mostly known as the human engaged to the king. Her character and circumstances were interesting, but I do wish we got a deeper look into her. I would have liked to see more of her thoughts, motivations, or the little experiences that helped to shape and build her.
Our MMC is Willem, or also known as the fae king. And honestly I was not sure what to think of him first. I do feel as though he was not distant, but he was also not fully there. I also wished we got to see more of him, I would have loved to see more of his thoughts or POV in certain chapters, especially when it seemed it was focused on him and his actions.
World building is always my favorite part, and I believe this world was beautifully done. The magic elements and the overall premise of the setting and story were great..
But I will say that I wanted more plot itself. There were moments where I wished the story had slowed down, taking time to give more details what was going on in those scenes.
Overall I did enjoy and appreciate the foundation for The Hidden Kingdom. I believe readers who enjoy the fantasy, fae, and arrange marriages with mystery will enjoy this book.
June 10, 2026
ARC Review!
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
The Hidden Kingdom is a high fantasy romantasy featuring a human with magic, dark forces hunting her, an arranged marriage to a Fae King, and a mysterious Silver Knight who is far more than he appears.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and ended up finishing it in just 24 hours.
⭐️ 4/5 Stars
🌶️ 3/5 Spice
The world was intriguing, the romance kept me invested, and there were enough mysteries sprinkled throughout the story to keep me turning pages. My only reason for giving it a 4 instead of a 5 is that I think the story would have benefited from dual POVs. There is so much happening behind the scenes, and I often found myself wanting to know what other characters were thinking. That said, it definitely left me excited to see where Book 2 goes.
Allora has spent more than a decade sheltered within castle walls, and while that shows in some of her decisions, I’m looking forward to seeing her grow and gain confidence throughout the series.
Cassara was easily one of my favorite characters. Every fantasy heroine deserves a sassy bodyguard/best friend, and she delivered. As for Willem, the Fae King, he’s giving cinnamon roll MMC energy with an edge and I am here for it.
If you enjoy:
✨ High Fantasy Romantasy
👑 Arranged Marriage
🖤 Fae Kings
⚔️ Mysterious Masked Knights
🔮 Hidden Magic
🔥 Slow-Build Romance
🌶️ Open Door Spice
then The Hidden Kingdom is worth adding to your TBR.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
The Hidden Kingdom is a high fantasy romantasy featuring a human with magic, dark forces hunting her, an arranged marriage to a Fae King, and a mysterious Silver Knight who is far more than he appears.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and ended up finishing it in just 24 hours.
⭐️ 4/5 Stars
🌶️ 3/5 Spice
The world was intriguing, the romance kept me invested, and there were enough mysteries sprinkled throughout the story to keep me turning pages. My only reason for giving it a 4 instead of a 5 is that I think the story would have benefited from dual POVs. There is so much happening behind the scenes, and I often found myself wanting to know what other characters were thinking. That said, it definitely left me excited to see where Book 2 goes.
Allora has spent more than a decade sheltered within castle walls, and while that shows in some of her decisions, I’m looking forward to seeing her grow and gain confidence throughout the series.
Cassara was easily one of my favorite characters. Every fantasy heroine deserves a sassy bodyguard/best friend, and she delivered. As for Willem, the Fae King, he’s giving cinnamon roll MMC energy with an edge and I am here for it.
If you enjoy:
✨ High Fantasy Romantasy
👑 Arranged Marriage
🖤 Fae Kings
⚔️ Mysterious Masked Knights
🔮 Hidden Magic
🔥 Slow-Build Romance
🌶️ Open Door Spice
then The Hidden Kingdom is worth adding to your TBR.
June 4, 2026
3 Stars ⭐️
Thank you for the ARC NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Jazmine Corey!
So at first, I wasn’t sure about this book. The premise wasn’t anything crazy but I was interested in reading it. When the book started, it took me a few pages to get used to the writing and to get my head into the story.
Our main lead is feisty and strong willed, and I liked how she stood up for herself even when others put her down. I appreciated her resilience and her pursuit in understanding herself and her situation better.
Pros: interesting characters, interesting magic, and a story that unfolds slowly with good promise
Cons: there was a lot of telling and less showing. I felt sometimes that I had to reread a few lines to fully understand what was being said or who was talking. There seemed to be some insta-love and insta-smut but I get it from the perspective of her finding herself in someone that actually sees and hears her.
Overall though, I’m really interested to see where things go and how the relationships further unfold. I think for this being the first book I read from this author, I’m excited to see how they further develop the world.
I’m interested to see where things go from here and to see the rest of the story unfold.
Thank you!
Thank you for the ARC NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Jazmine Corey!
So at first, I wasn’t sure about this book. The premise wasn’t anything crazy but I was interested in reading it. When the book started, it took me a few pages to get used to the writing and to get my head into the story.
Our main lead is feisty and strong willed, and I liked how she stood up for herself even when others put her down. I appreciated her resilience and her pursuit in understanding herself and her situation better.
Pros: interesting characters, interesting magic, and a story that unfolds slowly with good promise
Cons: there was a lot of telling and less showing. I felt sometimes that I had to reread a few lines to fully understand what was being said or who was talking. There seemed to be some insta-love and insta-smut but I get it from the perspective of her finding herself in someone that actually sees and hears her.
Overall though, I’m really interested to see where things go and how the relationships further unfold. I think for this being the first book I read from this author, I’m excited to see how they further develop the world.
I’m interested to see where things go from here and to see the rest of the story unfold.
Thank you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Jazmine for this wonderful opportunity to read this ARC!
--
It took me 8h to read through this book, according to my eReader.
In human hours, I stayed up until 2AM just to read about this Masked man.
Ugh.
I just *had* to find out who he was.
To get you all back to start, this story follows young Allora. Her life was all but adventurous, due to her father's paranoia.
To make things worse - she is also engaged to the Fae King of the West Kingdom.
Of course, Allora will disobey this gilded cage, and venture to the city, where she will meet - you guessed it - Silver Night - THE Masked Man.
--
I enjoyed reading this story, even if it has spice in it, which is a bit out of my comfort zone - but I didn't regret it at all.
The need to find out who the Masked Man was had me turning page after page.
As first book in its series, as well as debut novel of this author, I enjoyed traveling through the West Kingdom; and I look forward to sequel.
--
What you can expect in this:
spice,
human with magic,
love triangle,
forbidden love,
arranged marriage,
humans,
faes,
pretty dope Captain,
snarky fae friend.
Expected release is on July 28th 2026, so hop on author's page to find out more.
--
It took me 8h to read through this book, according to my eReader.
In human hours, I stayed up until 2AM just to read about this Masked man.
Ugh.
I just *had* to find out who he was.
To get you all back to start, this story follows young Allora. Her life was all but adventurous, due to her father's paranoia.
To make things worse - she is also engaged to the Fae King of the West Kingdom.
Of course, Allora will disobey this gilded cage, and venture to the city, where she will meet - you guessed it - Silver Night - THE Masked Man.
--
I enjoyed reading this story, even if it has spice in it, which is a bit out of my comfort zone - but I didn't regret it at all.
The need to find out who the Masked Man was had me turning page after page.
As first book in its series, as well as debut novel of this author, I enjoyed traveling through the West Kingdom; and I look forward to sequel.
--
What you can expect in this:
spice,
human with magic,
love triangle,
forbidden love,
arranged marriage,
humans,
faes,
pretty dope Captain,
snarky fae friend.
Expected release is on July 28th 2026, so hop on author's page to find out more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I honestly at first had a hard time getting into the book and the storyline. It intrigued from the get-go but not the kind of intriguing to not be able to put a book down.
With that being said, as the story developed I became more and more invested. There were certain parts (without any spoilers) that had me wanting to keep going in the chapter and there were parts that I truly was not able to put it down.
Jazmine has a beautiful way of getting you to fall in love with the characters and yes there were some moments that I wanted to pull my hair out in frustration because of the author's decision regarding said characters, particularly the end of the book.
Overall, I really enjoyed the plotline. I thought it was written with determination, compassion and love for the characters and story. I am excited to see where and if the story goes on! So I do recommend this book to anyone looking to fall in love with a storyline and the characters.
With that being said, as the story developed I became more and more invested. There were certain parts (without any spoilers) that had me wanting to keep going in the chapter and there were parts that I truly was not able to put it down.
Jazmine has a beautiful way of getting you to fall in love with the characters and yes there were some moments that I wanted to pull my hair out in frustration because of the author's decision regarding said characters, particularly the end of the book.
Overall, I really enjoyed the plotline. I thought it was written with determination, compassion and love for the characters and story. I am excited to see where and if the story goes on! So I do recommend this book to anyone looking to fall in love with a storyline and the characters.
July 10, 2026
NETGALLEY ARC REVIEW:
I really enjoyed The Hidden Kingdom! Even though I feel like there’s a few things that probably could have been changed or explained to make the story better, it was still a very enjoyable read for me.
I personally loved the connection between Willem and Allora. In my opinion, it was giving Rhys and Feyra when their relationship started and I’m here for it. I did totally call the big secret reveal before it even happened but no biggie.
Silver Night wasn’t entirely a likable character for me with the hidden identity so the fact we won’t be seeing him again, has no real affect on me. I will say I’m a little confused as to where the title comes in, “The Hidden Kingdom”. Normally, while reading, you’d find a meaning behind the title or a reason why the book has that title but I couldn’t find one.
I’m hoping in the next book, we will see Allora dive more into her powers and get trained in combat!
I really enjoyed The Hidden Kingdom! Even though I feel like there’s a few things that probably could have been changed or explained to make the story better, it was still a very enjoyable read for me.
I personally loved the connection between Willem and Allora. In my opinion, it was giving Rhys and Feyra when their relationship started and I’m here for it. I did totally call the big secret reveal before it even happened but no biggie.
Silver Night wasn’t entirely a likable character for me with the hidden identity so the fact we won’t be seeing him again, has no real affect on me. I will say I’m a little confused as to where the title comes in, “The Hidden Kingdom”. Normally, while reading, you’d find a meaning behind the title or a reason why the book has that title but I couldn’t find one.
I’m hoping in the next book, we will see Allora dive more into her powers and get trained in combat!
July 20, 2026
I honestly feel like this should just be adapted into a Disney Princess style movie/series rather than an adult fantasy romance novel. Maybe it is the 3rd person narration, yet the voice seemed more on the border to their POV-yet wasn't. Should have taken the tone of "Once upon a time...". After reading a story I always circle back to the Title which is perplexing as how does it truly fit? The story albeit interesting and easy enough to read, was rather 'flat', anticlimactic, and almost cringeworthy in the way the ending did what it did. The love part was like trying to convince the reader of this truly magnificent style love which like previously indicated would have best been suited to the confines of 'Disney Princess" style love story rather than trying to have it expressed in an adult spice kind of way.
I wanted to like this more than the level of like I have for this. I might still be compelled to continue with this series; I shall see if it sticks in my mind hereafter.
I wanted to like this more than the level of like I have for this. I might still be compelled to continue with this series; I shall see if it sticks in my mind hereafter.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC copy of this book directly from the author and am providing an honest review.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and how the characters connected. I loved how Allora worked on gaining her independence and hope she continues to find growth. I appreciated the plot drive which was to resolve all these twists, turns, and loose ends.
I will say, I am hoping the magic system is detailed more in the second book because I have no idea what powers exist and who has them and why or how. I also hope Allora gets herself together- at one point Willem told her to start her training so she’d never be defenseless again…rooting for our girl!
I love a golden retriever MMC with a mysterious edge and was not disappointed.
If you love a FMC who is finding herself, found family, fae ruled worlds, and the big scary monster that is currently unstoppable (cliffhanger 😖), check this one out!!
Overall, I enjoyed the story and how the characters connected. I loved how Allora worked on gaining her independence and hope she continues to find growth. I appreciated the plot drive which was to resolve all these twists, turns, and loose ends.
I will say, I am hoping the magic system is detailed more in the second book because I have no idea what powers exist and who has them and why or how. I also hope Allora gets herself together- at one point Willem told her to start her training so she’d never be defenseless again…rooting for our girl!
I love a golden retriever MMC with a mysterious edge and was not disappointed.
If you love a FMC who is finding herself, found family, fae ruled worlds, and the big scary monster that is currently unstoppable (cliffhanger 😖), check this one out!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc review! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!
The Hidden Kingdom was a great read. This book sucked me in from the first chapter and I couldn’t put it down. I loved seeing how the FMC, Allora, blossomed and became strong willed and assertive as the story went on. I enjoyed that the MMC wasn’t immediately a lovable character but as he developed through the story, it’s hard not to love Willem. I’m normally not one to pick up a fantasy book, but this one really had me hooked. This story does end in a cliffhanger and has you wanting more! I can’t wait to see what is in store for Allora and Willem in the future! I highly recommend picking this up if you are wanting to start reading fantasy!
The Hidden Kingdom was a great read. This book sucked me in from the first chapter and I couldn’t put it down. I loved seeing how the FMC, Allora, blossomed and became strong willed and assertive as the story went on. I enjoyed that the MMC wasn’t immediately a lovable character but as he developed through the story, it’s hard not to love Willem. I’m normally not one to pick up a fantasy book, but this one really had me hooked. This story does end in a cliffhanger and has you wanting more! I can’t wait to see what is in store for Allora and Willem in the future! I highly recommend picking this up if you are wanting to start reading fantasy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF at 52% - Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of Hidden Kingdom. I was intrigued by the premise and kept hoping the story would click for me, but by the halfway point I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The pacing wasn’t enough to keep me invested, and the overall story felt a bit flat.
My biggest issue was the constant withholding of crucial information from the main character. Instead of creating mystery or tension, it became frustrating and made it difficult for me to connect with both the plot and the characters. I wanted more transparency and development to help me understand the stakes and motivations. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the right fit for me, and I decided to DNF at 52%.
My biggest issue was the constant withholding of crucial information from the main character. Instead of creating mystery or tension, it became frustrating and made it difficult for me to connect with both the plot and the characters. I wanted more transparency and development to help me understand the stakes and motivations. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the right fit for me, and I decided to DNF at 52%.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am so glad that the author gave me an ARC of this book. The foreshadowing was great and the plot twists hit the way they should! I love how flushed out the characters and world feel. The villain is extremely hateable and the FMC makes you want to root for her. I can relate in some ways to Allora, and certain parts hit home in a way I wasn't expecting.
The love interests are handsome and daring with hearts you want to delve into alongside the heroine. Silver Night is definitely for those mask loving, bad boy types. And truthfully every girl could use a bold but loyal bestie like Cassara, kicking butt and passing barbs no matter what the occasion. Wherever this series goes, it's sure to be an intriguing ride.
The love interests are handsome and daring with hearts you want to delve into alongside the heroine. Silver Night is definitely for those mask loving, bad boy types. And truthfully every girl could use a bold but loyal bestie like Cassara, kicking butt and passing barbs no matter what the occasion. Wherever this series goes, it's sure to be an intriguing ride.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Hidden Kingdom exceeded any expectations I had when I started the book.
We start the book with Allora basically trapped in her house, waiting to be betrothed to a man she has never met. She finds herself on a long journey from a trapped girl to the strong woman she is by the end of the book. I loved her dedication to becoming who she needed to be.
I loved when she meets King Willem and we get to watch them get to know each other. It's horrid at first, but by the end I truly ADORED the two of them together.
I genuinely loved reading this book, even if the author decided to leave me dangling on the largest cliff ever! Book two cannot come soon enough. I 1000% need to know what happens.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for letting me read this arc and share my opinions
We start the book with Allora basically trapped in her house, waiting to be betrothed to a man she has never met. She finds herself on a long journey from a trapped girl to the strong woman she is by the end of the book. I loved her dedication to becoming who she needed to be.
I loved when she meets King Willem and we get to watch them get to know each other. It's horrid at first, but by the end I truly ADORED the two of them together.
I genuinely loved reading this book, even if the author decided to leave me dangling on the largest cliff ever! Book two cannot come soon enough. I 1000% need to know what happens.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for letting me read this arc and share my opinions
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a free ARC of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’d give this a 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️. The idea behind the story was good but the execution left a lot to be desired. The FMC Allora starts out as meek and accepting of her gilded cage for the first part of the book and then it’s like from one chapter to the next she’s pushing boundaries and being assertive. One of the big twists at the end you could easily see coming. The MMC Willem sucks at the start - not showing up at their engagement party, not showing up to dinner with her for weeks, no attempt to talk to her. And then she just poof so easily forgives him. I just didn’t buy the love story part of it.
I’d give this a 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️. The idea behind the story was good but the execution left a lot to be desired. The FMC Allora starts out as meek and accepting of her gilded cage for the first part of the book and then it’s like from one chapter to the next she’s pushing boundaries and being assertive. One of the big twists at the end you could easily see coming. The MMC Willem sucks at the start - not showing up at their engagement party, not showing up to dinner with her for weeks, no attempt to talk to her. And then she just poof so easily forgives him. I just didn’t buy the love story part of it.
August 2, 2026
I had a lot of high hopes going into this story. The premise had me very interested. The book started off a little slow for me. After a few chapters I was asking myself "Where is this book going?" The story did end up picking up.
I think the "love triangle" wasn't that much of a triangle. There was interaction and spice with guy number one. Then there was a little overlap. Then there was interaction and spice with guy number two.
I did find myself laughing at some of the parts that were funny. And gasping at some of the more dramatic scenes.
Overall, I'd give this book 3.5 stars. I'm interested to see where the story goes in book 2.
I think the "love triangle" wasn't that much of a triangle. There was interaction and spice with guy number one. Then there was a little overlap. Then there was interaction and spice with guy number two.
I did find myself laughing at some of the parts that were funny. And gasping at some of the more dramatic scenes.
Overall, I'd give this book 3.5 stars. I'm interested to see where the story goes in book 2.
August 3, 2026
Isolated by an overprotective Father after her Mother died. How is a girl supposed to grow into a woman?! How can relationships be formed when even friends are removed from the household? No wonder she escapes to the local bar scene just to find some kind of love and life. All the while trying to forget about being engaged, since birth, to a man she’s never met. Will Allora’s life ever come together? Will she ever be happy? Will she ever taste freedom or will she remain in her semi-gilded cage her father calls home. This book has spice, slow burn, fae magic, hidden identities and a pull that will make you counting the days until book two comes out!! @authorjazminecorey
August 5, 2026
wow, what a book! i would give this book 4.5 ⭐️ as my official rating. so much heart was poured into this book and crafted in a way that you are experiencing the feelings/events alongside the characters. i really enjoyed the development of Allora’s and Willem’s relationship — i loved the implementation of empathy and respect as foundational in their relationship. i also LOVED that Allora was crafted as such a strong female main character that has struggles, but stands up for herself and wishes to do right by her future people. just so many amazing elements that came together to illustrate a great story!
Note: I was an ARC reader and all opinions herein are entirely voluntary and honest.
Note: I was an ARC reader and all opinions herein are entirely voluntary and honest.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Hidden Kingdom by Jazmine Corey was an amazing and exciting read. I really enjoyed following Allora and Willem throughout the story, and their chemistry made it hard to put the book down. The mystery surrounding Allora’s past and the secrets that were slowly revealed kept me interested the entire time. I loved how the story blended romance, adventure, and unexpected twists. The characters were easy to connect with, and the relationship between Allora and Willem felt natural and engaging. Overall, this was a captivating fantasy romance that kept me invested from beginning to end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay this was a really hard one for me to rate. For the first half of the book I found myself struggling and feeling worried that I couldn't connect with this story.
But the pay off from when Allora moves into the palace is totally worth it. The story picks up pace, we get to see magic, and the ending. The ending is so worth it.
Oh now I need the next book. I have some theories on where this is going and I can't wait to see if I'm right or not.
The only big disappointment is that Silver Night's identity is pretty obvious right from the off.
But the pay off from when Allora moves into the palace is totally worth it. The story picks up pace, we get to see magic, and the ending. The ending is so worth it.
Oh now I need the next book. I have some theories on where this is going and I can't wait to see if I'm right or not.
The only big disappointment is that Silver Night's identity is pretty obvious right from the off.
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