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The First Scar
DYSTOPIAN DARK FAE ROMANTASY COMPLETE TRILOGY
The day the Veil shattered, the world broke—and every soul was marked. Every fae now bears a soulmark. Luminar or Shadowmarked. Revered or enslaved.
But she was born with both.
And he was forged to destroy her.
Some say their bond is prophecy.
Others call it a curse.
Either way—if it completes, it could end the war…
or end the realm.
"One mark decided everything. Where you slept. What you ate. Whether anyone would mourn you when you disappeared. But it was not destiny. It was division weaponized. And we were told to thank the blade that split us."
For fans of Throne of Glass, Six of Crows, Fourth Wing, and ACOTAR.
• The Stabby, High Competence, Powerhouse
• Epic High Fantasy / Dark Fae Romantasy / Dystopian
• Real enemies-to-lovers
• True slow burn
• Fated mates
• Shadow daddy
• Morally gray
• The chosen one
• Found family
• Platonic soulmates & ride-or-die loyalties
• Rebellion & betrayal
• Knife-to-throat banter
• Feminine rage
• Rich thematic layers
• Epic fantasy world
• Emotional damage
• Comic relief
• Dragons — most prominent in book 3
• Battle scenes, action fantasy, fast-paced
• Book-to-book cliffhangers (entire series is released — HEA complete resolution in book 3)
Book One of a complete dark fae romantasy trilogy.
The day the Veil shattered, the world broke—and every soul was marked. Every fae now bears a soulmark. Luminar or Shadowmarked. Revered or enslaved.
But she was born with both.
And he was forged to destroy her.
Some say their bond is prophecy.
Others call it a curse.
Either way—if it completes, it could end the war…
or end the realm.
"One mark decided everything. Where you slept. What you ate. Whether anyone would mourn you when you disappeared. But it was not destiny. It was division weaponized. And we were told to thank the blade that split us."
For fans of Throne of Glass, Six of Crows, Fourth Wing, and ACOTAR.
• The Stabby, High Competence, Powerhouse
• Epic High Fantasy / Dark Fae Romantasy / Dystopian
• Real enemies-to-lovers
• True slow burn
• Fated mates
• Shadow daddy
• Morally gray
• The chosen one
• Found family
• Platonic soulmates & ride-or-die loyalties
• Rebellion & betrayal
• Knife-to-throat banter
• Feminine rage
• Rich thematic layers
• Epic fantasy world
• Emotional damage
• Comic relief
• Dragons — most prominent in book 3
• Battle scenes, action fantasy, fast-paced
• Book-to-book cliffhangers (entire series is released — HEA complete resolution in book 3)
Book One of a complete dark fae romantasy trilogy.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
About the author
Celeanne Dorrington
5 books351 followersTo sum it up for my trope lovers:
Indie author in my villain origin story era. Morally gray FMC energy with a 'knife-to-the-throat' vibe and a “burn the world for the ones I love” devotion.
I'm now choosing sovereignty over compliance daily and I will not apologize for it or ask permission.
To my readers:
“Let them have their villain. I will be theirs and everyone else’s. But never for you.”
— Slade Ravinger
For those who enjoy diving deeper:
I’ll attempt to solidify some of the prominent experiences that contributed to the creation of this series:
Foundationally, I have formal education in the following: creative writing, screenplay writing, visual arts, philosophy, and political science.
Public exposure that has contributed: my experience in the music industry, experience as a professional screenplay writer and associate producer, a published author, and our favorite artistic ingredient: pain and suffering.
Internal world attribution: lineage-based tantra training, lineage-based shamanism guidance, traditional teacher training in Kundalini yoga, and lastly, I’ve landed in my home of Shaktism, with my beloved Kali Maa.
As you can imagine this catastrophic combination of experiences led to being: a full-blooded anarchist, painfully rebellious, a bleeding sensitive heart, magical af, reclusive, with a strong dose of feral.
And lastly, on a personal note: this series represents my coming into sovereignty and my liberation. I fought armies of inner demons to be here with you today.
I welcome you into my realm with open arms and heart offered freely. May you fall in love, may you cry, may you laugh, may your soul be reforged. May we taste unity and liberation for just a moment together as we co-create as reader and writer.
Indie author in my villain origin story era. Morally gray FMC energy with a 'knife-to-the-throat' vibe and a “burn the world for the ones I love” devotion.
I'm now choosing sovereignty over compliance daily and I will not apologize for it or ask permission.
To my readers:
“Let them have their villain. I will be theirs and everyone else’s. But never for you.”
— Slade Ravinger
For those who enjoy diving deeper:
I’ll attempt to solidify some of the prominent experiences that contributed to the creation of this series:
Foundationally, I have formal education in the following: creative writing, screenplay writing, visual arts, philosophy, and political science.
Public exposure that has contributed: my experience in the music industry, experience as a professional screenplay writer and associate producer, a published author, and our favorite artistic ingredient: pain and suffering.
Internal world attribution: lineage-based tantra training, lineage-based shamanism guidance, traditional teacher training in Kundalini yoga, and lastly, I’ve landed in my home of Shaktism, with my beloved Kali Maa.
As you can imagine this catastrophic combination of experiences led to being: a full-blooded anarchist, painfully rebellious, a bleeding sensitive heart, magical af, reclusive, with a strong dose of feral.
And lastly, on a personal note: this series represents my coming into sovereignty and my liberation. I fought armies of inner demons to be here with you today.
I welcome you into my realm with open arms and heart offered freely. May you fall in love, may you cry, may you laugh, may your soul be reforged. May we taste unity and liberation for just a moment together as we co-create as reader and writer.
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Want to Read
March 17, 2026So excited for this drop,the novella was amazing!!✨🌙
Review of advance copy received from Author
Connect with me!
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I need book two immediately. That is the review.
Amaria is out here trying to survive, take care of her little sister, and minding her business. Unfortunately, her magic has other plans. Now there is a massive bounty on her head. The King calls her a threat, but that is not the whole story. She is a girl with power she never asked for and no safe place to hide.
The setup hooked me fast. Orphan sisters on the run, dangerous magic, and a King that is clearly not telling the full truth. The secrets start coming out of the woodwork once the sisters There are trials, alliances, and a leader who knows Amaria is not normal. I was totally engaged when the world starts opening up through details instead of info dumps.
Then we get Maxx, who walks in, reads Amaria like a book, and flirts with her and her sister. Somehow Maxx makes it all feel fun instead of annoying. His nickname for her, Fireheart, is cute. I will not be taking feedback on that.
Eryndor. Let’s talk about him. When he , he tells her, “You’re not hiding as well as you think you are, little fox.” Then, he directs her to stab him with another knife that she has on her body because the one she is reaching for is not close enough. Sir??? Excuse me??? The tension? Incredible. The trust? Questionable at best. Amaria ignoring every red flag? Painful to watch, but I get it.
The magic system is one of my favorite parts. It is not neat or controlled. Amaria’s power does what it wants. That unpredictability raises the stakes in every scene. I knew we were heading somewhere intense when
The pacing picks up hard in the second half and does not let go. Amaria makes a choice that changes everything and I just sat there like… wait. WAIT. I am left staring at my screen wondering where the rest of the book is. What do you mean that is the end?
The writing shows moments where you can tell this is a newer author. The ideas, the twists, and the emotional stakes make up for that. This book gave me everything I wanted. Action, tension, slow burn romance, and a cliffhanger that made me immediately check if book two was out. It's not. I am not okay.
Thank you to Celeanne Dorrington for the Advanced Reading Copy of The First Scar. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph ✏ TikTok ✏ Facebook
I need book two immediately. That is the review.
Amaria is out here trying to survive, take care of her little sister, and minding her business. Unfortunately, her magic has other plans. Now there is a massive bounty on her head. The King calls her a threat, but that is not the whole story. She is a girl with power she never asked for and no safe place to hide.
The setup hooked me fast. Orphan sisters on the run, dangerous magic, and a King that is clearly not telling the full truth. The secrets start coming out of the woodwork once the sisters There are trials, alliances, and a leader who knows Amaria is not normal. I was totally engaged when the world starts opening up through details instead of info dumps.
Then we get Maxx, who walks in, reads Amaria like a book, and flirts with her and her sister. Somehow Maxx makes it all feel fun instead of annoying. His nickname for her, Fireheart, is cute. I will not be taking feedback on that.
Eryndor. Let’s talk about him. When he , he tells her, “You’re not hiding as well as you think you are, little fox.” Then, he directs her to stab him with another knife that she has on her body because the one she is reaching for is not close enough. Sir??? Excuse me??? The tension? Incredible. The trust? Questionable at best. Amaria ignoring every red flag? Painful to watch, but I get it.
The magic system is one of my favorite parts. It is not neat or controlled. Amaria’s power does what it wants. That unpredictability raises the stakes in every scene. I knew we were heading somewhere intense when
The pacing picks up hard in the second half and does not let go. Amaria makes a choice that changes everything and I just sat there like… wait. WAIT. I am left staring at my screen wondering where the rest of the book is. What do you mean that is the end?
The writing shows moments where you can tell this is a newer author. The ideas, the twists, and the emotional stakes make up for that. This book gave me everything I wanted. Action, tension, slow burn romance, and a cliffhanger that made me immediately check if book two was out. It's not. I am not okay.
Thank you to Celeanne Dorrington for the Advanced Reading Copy of The First Scar. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Heirs of the Shattered Veil: The First Scar by Celeanne Dorrington
Heirs of the Shattered Veil: The First Scar by Celeanne Dorrington is a dark and immersive fantasy novel that pulls readers into a fractured world filled with mystery, power, and hidden truths. From the very beginning, the story establishes a haunting tone, reflecting a kingdom shaped by conflict and long-buried secrets.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its world-building. Dorrington creates a layered and complex setting where the “Shattered Veil” feels like a central force—both literal and symbolic. It suggests a divide between worlds or realities, adding tension and intrigue as the story unfolds. The atmosphere is rich and often gothic, perfectly matching the ominous imagery suggested by the title and cover.
The characters are compelling and emotionally driven. Each one carries personal struggles that tie into the broader conflicts of the story. The idea of a “first scar” works effectively as both a physical and emotional concept, symbolizing the moments that shape the characters’ identities and destinies. While some character roles may feel familiar to fantasy readers, Dorrington adds depth through internal conflict and evolving relationships.
The writing style is descriptive and moody, helping to build a strong sense of place. At times, the pacing slows due to detailed world-building, but this also allows readers to fully absorb the complexity of the story. Readers who enjoy richly developed fantasy worlds will likely appreciate this approach.
Heirs of the Shattered Veil: The First Scar by Celeanne Dorrington is a dark and immersive fantasy novel that pulls readers into a fractured world filled with mystery, power, and hidden truths. From the very beginning, the story establishes a haunting tone, reflecting a kingdom shaped by conflict and long-buried secrets.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its world-building. Dorrington creates a layered and complex setting where the “Shattered Veil” feels like a central force—both literal and symbolic. It suggests a divide between worlds or realities, adding tension and intrigue as the story unfolds. The atmosphere is rich and often gothic, perfectly matching the ominous imagery suggested by the title and cover.
The characters are compelling and emotionally driven. Each one carries personal struggles that tie into the broader conflicts of the story. The idea of a “first scar” works effectively as both a physical and emotional concept, symbolizing the moments that shape the characters’ identities and destinies. While some character roles may feel familiar to fantasy readers, Dorrington adds depth through internal conflict and evolving relationships.
The writing style is descriptive and moody, helping to build a strong sense of place. At times, the pacing slows due to detailed world-building, but this also allows readers to fully absorb the complexity of the story. Readers who enjoy richly developed fantasy worlds will likely appreciate this approach.
April 7, 2026
I just finished this book, and I am not okay.
I didn’t see any of it coming. And the ending broke me.
You need to read this. Period.
I didn’t see any of it coming. And the ending broke me.
You need to read this. Period.
May 31, 2026
DNF @ 35%
This started off reasonably well and had enough intrigue to keep me reading for a while, but by 35% there were simply too many issues piling up for me to continue.
My biggest problem was the lack of explanation and worldbuilding. Over a third of the way into the book, I still felt like I knew almost nothing about the FMC. We don't know how old she is, what she looks like, where her incredible combat skills came from, or how she's somehow capable of defeating trained warriors. She's supposedly a head priestess, but what does that actually mean? What does she do day to day? Where is her family? Why does she continue living so close to the king she fears instead of leaving? Every answer seemed to generate three more questions.
The same issue applies to the magic system and the world itself. People have marks that grant them powers, but why? How do they work? The magic often felt as though the FMC simply looked inward and poof - magic happened. The Veil is mentioned repeatedly, yet I never felt I understood what it was, why it existed, or what purpose it served. Perhaps these things are explained later, but by 35% I expected a much stronger foundation.
I also struggled with the plot progression. For what felt like the first 20% of the book, the FMC and her friend are simply running around the city trying one thing after another. They evade enforcers with little explanation, move from location to location, and very little actual storytelling or character development happens. Looking back, it's no surprise I learned so little about the world or its characters.
When the story shifts to the rebel hideout, I hoped things would finally start coming together. Instead, the rebels remained frustratingly vague. They're called "rebels," but who are they? How do they survive in hiding? What's their broader goal beyond helping Shadowmarked people? Where did this underground base come from? Why is the FMC so distrustful of them when, from what I'd seen, they'd just risked themselves to save innocent people?
The FMC's decisions also tested my patience. The obligatory refusal to eat food because it might be poisoned made me roll my eyes, and hiding behind a crate to sleep in an underground rebel hideout while refusing a bed felt absurd. Like girl, you're in their secret base, surrounded by people with magic, I don’t think a broom closet is going to hide you.
The writing itself didn't help. There were so many short, choppy sentences that the prose never seemed to flow. Short sentences can be effective when used sparingly, but when almost every paragraph relies on them, they lose their impact.
That said, it wasn't all bad. Some of the dialogue was genuinely engaging, and I was intrigued by the Crownforged. The tension and dynamic being established there showed promise and was probably the strongest aspect of the book for me.
Ultimately, though, everything felt too surface-level, too unexplained, and too difficult to believe. The interesting ideas weren't enough to overcome the constant questions and lack of development, so this ended up being a DNF for me.
This started off reasonably well and had enough intrigue to keep me reading for a while, but by 35% there were simply too many issues piling up for me to continue.
My biggest problem was the lack of explanation and worldbuilding. Over a third of the way into the book, I still felt like I knew almost nothing about the FMC. We don't know how old she is, what she looks like, where her incredible combat skills came from, or how she's somehow capable of defeating trained warriors. She's supposedly a head priestess, but what does that actually mean? What does she do day to day? Where is her family? Why does she continue living so close to the king she fears instead of leaving? Every answer seemed to generate three more questions.
The same issue applies to the magic system and the world itself. People have marks that grant them powers, but why? How do they work? The magic often felt as though the FMC simply looked inward and poof - magic happened. The Veil is mentioned repeatedly, yet I never felt I understood what it was, why it existed, or what purpose it served. Perhaps these things are explained later, but by 35% I expected a much stronger foundation.
I also struggled with the plot progression. For what felt like the first 20% of the book, the FMC and her friend are simply running around the city trying one thing after another. They evade enforcers with little explanation, move from location to location, and very little actual storytelling or character development happens. Looking back, it's no surprise I learned so little about the world or its characters.
When the story shifts to the rebel hideout, I hoped things would finally start coming together. Instead, the rebels remained frustratingly vague. They're called "rebels," but who are they? How do they survive in hiding? What's their broader goal beyond helping Shadowmarked people? Where did this underground base come from? Why is the FMC so distrustful of them when, from what I'd seen, they'd just risked themselves to save innocent people?
The FMC's decisions also tested my patience. The obligatory refusal to eat food because it might be poisoned made me roll my eyes, and hiding behind a crate to sleep in an underground rebel hideout while refusing a bed felt absurd. Like girl, you're in their secret base, surrounded by people with magic, I don’t think a broom closet is going to hide you.
The writing itself didn't help. There were so many short, choppy sentences that the prose never seemed to flow. Short sentences can be effective when used sparingly, but when almost every paragraph relies on them, they lose their impact.
That said, it wasn't all bad. Some of the dialogue was genuinely engaging, and I was intrigued by the Crownforged. The tension and dynamic being established there showed promise and was probably the strongest aspect of the book for me.
Ultimately, though, everything felt too surface-level, too unexplained, and too difficult to believe. The interesting ideas weren't enough to overcome the constant questions and lack of development, so this ended up being a DNF for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a ride. Celeanne. Ma'am. I'm gonna need book 2 like yesterday. Why would you play with my emotions and heart like that? Amaria is a strong Fmc that isn't afraid to face her fears and grow. Serenya, her chosen sister, and best friend keeps Amaria grounded. Maxx, provides some comedic relief, and Dreadscale is f'ing hot. Brannick was a dang disappointment. I wish we'd have gotten to know Eryndor a little better, but I'm guessing we'll get more in the next book, because I refuse to believe...well no spoilers. I thought the magic system was fleshed out and easy to understand. At no point did this book drag for me. Zero pacing issues, I flew through this book in a day and a half. Thank you to Celeanne Dorrington for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to book two!!
May 15, 2026
OMG this book, I cant even formulate words. Celeanne's world building is top notch. Amaria our FMC is strong, passionate and takes no shit from anyone. Born with Light and Dark marks she's fighting to stay hidden and alive, not knowing she is the savior they all need. The found family was so nice to see form and a great comic relief. The twist oo that twist I KNEW IT my spider senses were going but to read it and the cliffhanger, just jumping into book 2.
April 1, 2026
✨SIX MASSIVE SPARKLING STARS!!!✨ THIS IS NOT A DRILL TELEPORT THIS BOOK TO THE TOP OF YOUR TBR IMMEDIATELY! This is everything I could have ever wished for in an epic fantasy and MORE! What a way to end the month of March folks! The First Scar is the first in the Heirs of the Shattered Veil dark fae fantasy romance trilogy and we get the absolute pleasure of having all three books available AT ONCE on April 15, 2026. Which is amazing because I, too, am shattered right now. And sweating, because the last hour of reading had me sitting straight up with my kindle on my nose. The writing is easy to follow, descriptive without being wordy, wit and banter everywhere, like, actual laugh out loud lines. I felt deep connections with the characters, both loving and hostile. The pace and story will suck you in from the very first chapter and never let you go. Twists that will make you question your life choices. I have never been one to highlight quotes, even on a kindle, but I highlighted like 20 things in here! I cannot say enough good things about this book!
In this fae world, the Veil is torn and the fallout from it is spreading, consuming everything and everyone in its path to fuel the widening chasm. When the Veil broke, all fae were soul marked as either Luminar or Shadowmarked, and segregated by the king to be revered or enslaved. Only one fae, Amaria, was born with both. When she accidentally reveals her Shadowmark and Luminar very publicly, Amaria is labeled an abomination that must be vanquished or captured, so she goes on the run with her best friend and the only person she trusts. The king sends his Crownforged, an assassin, military leader, and super powerful bloodhound, to hunt Amaria and bring her back alive. Turns out, the cold militaristic leader doesn’t really have much of a choice when it comes to how his soul mark reacts to hers.
True, unequivocal, enemies to what looks like potential lovers; found family; chosen one; forced proximity. Binge worthy all the way! Thank you so much from the whole of my being to Celeanne Dorrington and her team for giving me the opportunity to be one of the first to experience this and I cannot WAIT for the remaining two!!!
In this fae world, the Veil is torn and the fallout from it is spreading, consuming everything and everyone in its path to fuel the widening chasm. When the Veil broke, all fae were soul marked as either Luminar or Shadowmarked, and segregated by the king to be revered or enslaved. Only one fae, Amaria, was born with both. When she accidentally reveals her Shadowmark and Luminar very publicly, Amaria is labeled an abomination that must be vanquished or captured, so she goes on the run with her best friend and the only person she trusts. The king sends his Crownforged, an assassin, military leader, and super powerful bloodhound, to hunt Amaria and bring her back alive. Turns out, the cold militaristic leader doesn’t really have much of a choice when it comes to how his soul mark reacts to hers.
True, unequivocal, enemies to what looks like potential lovers; found family; chosen one; forced proximity. Binge worthy all the way! Thank you so much from the whole of my being to Celeanne Dorrington and her team for giving me the opportunity to be one of the first to experience this and I cannot WAIT for the remaining two!!!
April 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
0/🌶 (but it is a slow burn, and will get 🌶 spicyyy 🌶 in further books)
🔥🔥🔥
First, thank you Celeanne for sending me a free copy to be an ARC reader. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! Definitely will be picking up the whole trilogy!
In the world of the fae, your fate is written on your skin. You are either marked by Light or Shadow. For the Light marked, life is safe. For the Shadow marked, it is a one way trip to the Veil Mines, a place where no one survives for long. But then there is Amaria. She is a glitch in the world's design, the only soul dual marked with both Light and Shadow. To some, she is a miracle, but to most, she is a living nightmare with the power to either mend the crumbling Veil or shatter it forever. When Eryndor is sent to hunt her down, he discovers a tether he didn't expect. Their marks are linked, binding them to a destiny where they will either become the world's salvation or its ultimate destruction.
Amaria carries herself with a jagged, protective edge. She is a fortress to the rest of the world, revealing her softer side only to Serenya. Their bond is deeper than friendship, a sisterhood forged in secrets and survival. The only times Amaria is ever vulnerable in the book is with Serenya, and you realize just how special their friendship is. We all need a BFF duo like these two. Amaria's every move is fueled by a fierce devotion to her family, and she is willing to sacrifice her own soul to keep them safe.
I loved watching her slowly evolve throughout her journey. Amaria is stubborn and guarded (rightfully so), but after a lifetime of being hunted, she has learned that trust is a luxury she can't afford. She knows she is living on borrowed time, forcing her to either start to trust those around her, or never be able to help mend the Veil.
Eryndor remains a figure draped in shadows (pun intended as a shadow daddy). We are not given much of his past, though some details are scattered throughout, but he remains overall a mystery. Between him and Amaria, the tension is realllll thick, which is always heightened with some great ✨banter✨. This definitely will keep heating up between the two, so I am excited to see when the tension is finally too much for the both of them. 😏
I do need to make an honorable mention to Maxx (he will appreciate this) and Dreadscale, a duo that perfectly balances all the chaos. Maxx is the quick witted observer who hides behind cheeky remarks, while Dreadscale is the silent, immovable force that no one dares to challenge. Together they are a mismatched pair that somehow holds the line, even when Maxx has to do enough talking for both of them. 😂
If you love a good slow burn, true enemies-to-lovers, and two morally grey MC's, you will want to pick up this up! I would also highly suggest reading The Keeper's Codex World Guide and Dark Fae Novella for a more in depth world understanding, and the backstory on the Veil.
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🩶
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey FMC 🩶
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Banter *chef’s kiss*
✅ Sassy FMC
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Betrayal
✅ Shadow Daddy
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers (enemies all the way through in book 1)
✅ No OW/OM drama
✅ FMC not Virgin
✅ Found Family
✅ 🔥 Slow Burnnnnnnn 🔥
✅ Cliff
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.***
‼️‼️‼️Trigger Warning‼️‼️‼️
I don’t have any specific triggers and was okay reading it without any warnings, but always take care of your mental health before diving in, since this book definitely has triggers.
0/🌶 (but it is a slow burn, and will get 🌶 spicyyy 🌶 in further books)
🔥🔥🔥
First, thank you Celeanne for sending me a free copy to be an ARC reader. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! Definitely will be picking up the whole trilogy!
In the world of the fae, your fate is written on your skin. You are either marked by Light or Shadow. For the Light marked, life is safe. For the Shadow marked, it is a one way trip to the Veil Mines, a place where no one survives for long. But then there is Amaria. She is a glitch in the world's design, the only soul dual marked with both Light and Shadow. To some, she is a miracle, but to most, she is a living nightmare with the power to either mend the crumbling Veil or shatter it forever. When Eryndor is sent to hunt her down, he discovers a tether he didn't expect. Their marks are linked, binding them to a destiny where they will either become the world's salvation or its ultimate destruction.
Amaria carries herself with a jagged, protective edge. She is a fortress to the rest of the world, revealing her softer side only to Serenya. Their bond is deeper than friendship, a sisterhood forged in secrets and survival. The only times Amaria is ever vulnerable in the book is with Serenya, and you realize just how special their friendship is. We all need a BFF duo like these two. Amaria's every move is fueled by a fierce devotion to her family, and she is willing to sacrifice her own soul to keep them safe.
I loved watching her slowly evolve throughout her journey. Amaria is stubborn and guarded (rightfully so), but after a lifetime of being hunted, she has learned that trust is a luxury she can't afford. She knows she is living on borrowed time, forcing her to either start to trust those around her, or never be able to help mend the Veil.
Eryndor remains a figure draped in shadows (pun intended as a shadow daddy). We are not given much of his past, though some details are scattered throughout, but he remains overall a mystery. Between him and Amaria, the tension is realllll thick, which is always heightened with some great ✨banter✨. This definitely will keep heating up between the two, so I am excited to see when the tension is finally too much for the both of them. 😏
I do need to make an honorable mention to Maxx (he will appreciate this) and Dreadscale, a duo that perfectly balances all the chaos. Maxx is the quick witted observer who hides behind cheeky remarks, while Dreadscale is the silent, immovable force that no one dares to challenge. Together they are a mismatched pair that somehow holds the line, even when Maxx has to do enough talking for both of them. 😂
If you love a good slow burn, true enemies-to-lovers, and two morally grey MC's, you will want to pick up this up! I would also highly suggest reading The Keeper's Codex World Guide and Dark Fae Novella for a more in depth world understanding, and the backstory on the Veil.
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🩶
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey FMC 🩶
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Banter *chef’s kiss*
✅ Sassy FMC
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Betrayal
✅ Shadow Daddy
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers (enemies all the way through in book 1)
✅ No OW/OM drama
✅ FMC not Virgin
✅ Found Family
✅ 🔥 Slow Burnnnnnnn 🔥
✅ Cliff
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.***
‼️‼️‼️Trigger Warning‼️‼️‼️
I don’t have any specific triggers and was okay reading it without any warnings, but always take care of your mental health before diving in, since this book definitely has triggers.
August 29, 2026
I never post reviews, but this was so clearly written or edited by AI I feel like I had to say something. The cadence is ChatGPT incarnate, and the over usage of em dashes is very telling. Pretty disappointed because I think the story concept is cool, but reads like a LinkedIn influencers post. Seems like other reviewers have also noticed this as well.
Some quotes (and this is just within 20 pages):
1. I let my vision soften and the pattern came through—not random. Rhythmic.
2. The right eye flickered—my Shadow, leaking through despite every effort to cage it. Both sensors. Both registering.
3. Maxx was ahead of us—two blades, no hesitation, cutting through Enforcers like he'd been born doing it.
4. Removing the key hadn't just deactivated the wards. It had torn something loose. Something that was supposed to stay sealed. We hadn't just stolen a key. We'd picked at a wound that was already bleeding.
Some quotes (and this is just within 20 pages):
1. I let my vision soften and the pattern came through—not random. Rhythmic.
2. The right eye flickered—my Shadow, leaking through despite every effort to cage it. Both sensors. Both registering.
3. Maxx was ahead of us—two blades, no hesitation, cutting through Enforcers like he'd been born doing it.
4. Removing the key hadn't just deactivated the wards. It had torn something loose. Something that was supposed to stay sealed. We hadn't just stolen a key. We'd picked at a wound that was already bleeding.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I originally wrote a good review for this book, and to be honest, if I hadn't seen what I did from this author, my review would still be really good. However. Not only was she less than forthcoming about her practices, her behavior since I found out has been downright shameful.
I attempted to ask the author about her use of AI as what she describes as a "tool" in her process. Her reaction and response were defensive and rude, and not at all appropriate. She sidestepped the questions and instead tried to gaslight me into thinking that my questions were offensive, she told me that because Simon & Schuster agreed to work with her, that should be good enough for me as a reader. She claims to be transparent about her use of AI, but won't directly answer questions posed about how she uses it as a tool and how much impact it has on the books as a whole? That's not transparency, that's dishonesty by omission. She and her followers proceeded to attack me in her discord server, and the situation as a whole led me to ultimately request a cancellation of my order for the special edition books. I followed the cancellation policy and sent my request by email. I was met with an initial refusal and had to threaten to escalate the issue with my bank before they finally agreed to cancel and refund my order. Others had the same issue or worse, some have been unsuccessful at acquiring a cancellation and refund, and at least one person was met with a hostile email response from the author.
I would highly recommend against working with or supporting this author. I can not and will not support or promote an author who can not work with honesty and integrity, nor one who will treat readers the way this one has.
I attempted to ask the author about her use of AI as what she describes as a "tool" in her process. Her reaction and response were defensive and rude, and not at all appropriate. She sidestepped the questions and instead tried to gaslight me into thinking that my questions were offensive, she told me that because Simon & Schuster agreed to work with her, that should be good enough for me as a reader. She claims to be transparent about her use of AI, but won't directly answer questions posed about how she uses it as a tool and how much impact it has on the books as a whole? That's not transparency, that's dishonesty by omission. She and her followers proceeded to attack me in her discord server, and the situation as a whole led me to ultimately request a cancellation of my order for the special edition books. I followed the cancellation policy and sent my request by email. I was met with an initial refusal and had to threaten to escalate the issue with my bank before they finally agreed to cancel and refund my order. Others had the same issue or worse, some have been unsuccessful at acquiring a cancellation and refund, and at least one person was met with a hostile email response from the author.
I would highly recommend against working with or supporting this author. I can not and will not support or promote an author who can not work with honesty and integrity, nor one who will treat readers the way this one has.
March 22, 2026
To preface, I was an ARC reader for this book, but my opinion is that of my own.
WOW!!! I don’t say this lightly, but this is one of the BEST stories that I have read! I am gobsmacked with how much I enjoyed this book, as there hasn’t really been much for romance and no smut. That says a lot for someone who is a smutty romance lover! There have been some potential romances set up for the next book though, so I am hopeful!
Amaria is a badass, but there are so many strong characters: Serenya, Maxx, and Dreadscale (honestly hope some romance gets explored with him because he might be my favorite.)
In terms of writing, grammar, and spelling, I don’t believe that I came across any errors, and if I did, they weren’t noticeable.
The story kept me engaged and the characters had depth. Amaria and Serenya were both strong characters, but not in a try-hard way. As a whole, this book was so different from other fantasy books that I’ve read and I loved every bit of it, except for the cliffhanger of an ending! With that said, I am on the edge of my seat to read book 2!
WOW!!! I don’t say this lightly, but this is one of the BEST stories that I have read! I am gobsmacked with how much I enjoyed this book, as there hasn’t really been much for romance and no smut. That says a lot for someone who is a smutty romance lover! There have been some potential romances set up for the next book though, so I am hopeful!
Amaria is a badass, but there are so many strong characters: Serenya, Maxx, and Dreadscale (honestly hope some romance gets explored with him because he might be my favorite.)
In terms of writing, grammar, and spelling, I don’t believe that I came across any errors, and if I did, they weren’t noticeable.
The story kept me engaged and the characters had depth. Amaria and Serenya were both strong characters, but not in a try-hard way. As a whole, this book was so different from other fantasy books that I’ve read and I loved every bit of it, except for the cliffhanger of an ending! With that said, I am on the edge of my seat to read book 2!
March 22, 2026
This is an honest review in exchange for receiving an ARC, and the opinions are those of my own.
This had me hooked from the first chapter! The world building was easy to follow and characters easy to ride along with. Strong FMC with her best friend at her side, side characters who are hilarious, broody, and someone we don’t know a whole lot about, but I hope we get more in book 2! The banter amongst characters kept it light-hearted at the worst of times. A very slow burn that I hope to see more of. It was a wild ride and I can’t wait to see how the story progresses!
This had me hooked from the first chapter! The world building was easy to follow and characters easy to ride along with. Strong FMC with her best friend at her side, side characters who are hilarious, broody, and someone we don’t know a whole lot about, but I hope we get more in book 2! The banter amongst characters kept it light-hearted at the worst of times. A very slow burn that I hope to see more of. It was a wild ride and I can’t wait to see how the story progresses!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐ Rating: 4 / 5
What a pleasant surprise this book was—wow. That cliffhanger left me anxious, and I need book 2 just to know things will get better 😩
The veil over this realm has shattered, splitting the fae by the marks they bear: light or shadow. The light-marked are assigned roles within society, while the shadow-marked are condemned to the mines as slaves. Amaria (FMC) was born with both—and has spent her life hiding her shadow mark. She’s the only one of her kind.
The king believes she could completely destroy the veil, and Erryndor (MMC) is sent to hunt her down. But is Amaria truly meant to destroy the realm…or is she the key to saving it?
Tropes:
* World-building heavy
* Political tension / high stakes
* Fae
* Enemies → allies → possibly lovers
* Betrayal
* Magic
* Fated mates
* Morally gray shadow daddy
* Chosen one
* Slow burn
This book dives straight into the world-building. The magic system feels unique, and I’m really looking forward to seeing it explored more—especially as Amaria grows into her powers. That said, there’s still quite a bit I don’t fully understand yet.
The pacing sits at a steady middle, with a big surge of action in the final 20%. One thing I noticed was the frequent use of short sentences. I understand it’s meant to create tension, and it does work at times, but occasionally it felt a bit jarring or out of place depending on the scene.
The slow burn between Amaria and Erryndor? Painfully slow (in the best way). They spend most of the book as enemies/reluctant allies, never quite admitting their feelings. There’s no spice yet, but it definitely feels like it’s coming in book 2. If you love tension-filled, drawn-out romance, this will absolutely hit.
Maxx is hands-down my favorite side character in this book. He completely stole the show. I will always fall for a good comedic relief character, and he delivered.
The betrayal and plot twists genuinely caught me off guard, which is always a win. Thankfully, the next two books are coming soon…because I need answers immediately.
⭐ Rating: 4 / 5
What a pleasant surprise this book was—wow. That cliffhanger left me anxious, and I need book 2 just to know things will get better 😩
The veil over this realm has shattered, splitting the fae by the marks they bear: light or shadow. The light-marked are assigned roles within society, while the shadow-marked are condemned to the mines as slaves. Amaria (FMC) was born with both—and has spent her life hiding her shadow mark. She’s the only one of her kind.
The king believes she could completely destroy the veil, and Erryndor (MMC) is sent to hunt her down. But is Amaria truly meant to destroy the realm…or is she the key to saving it?
Tropes:
* World-building heavy
* Political tension / high stakes
* Fae
* Enemies → allies → possibly lovers
* Betrayal
* Magic
* Fated mates
* Morally gray shadow daddy
* Chosen one
* Slow burn
This book dives straight into the world-building. The magic system feels unique, and I’m really looking forward to seeing it explored more—especially as Amaria grows into her powers. That said, there’s still quite a bit I don’t fully understand yet.
The pacing sits at a steady middle, with a big surge of action in the final 20%. One thing I noticed was the frequent use of short sentences. I understand it’s meant to create tension, and it does work at times, but occasionally it felt a bit jarring or out of place depending on the scene.
The slow burn between Amaria and Erryndor? Painfully slow (in the best way). They spend most of the book as enemies/reluctant allies, never quite admitting their feelings. There’s no spice yet, but it definitely feels like it’s coming in book 2. If you love tension-filled, drawn-out romance, this will absolutely hit.
Maxx is hands-down my favorite side character in this book. He completely stole the show. I will always fall for a good comedic relief character, and he delivered.
The betrayal and plot twists genuinely caught me off guard, which is always a win. Thankfully, the next two books are coming soon…because I need answers immediately.
April 17, 2026
I was an ARC reader for this one. I realized after finishing there’s a novella that may have helped, but I struggled to understand the context/magic system from this book alone, which was a little frustrating and I wasn’t invested enough to backtrack and do extra work. It made some of the plot feel very arbitrary? I understood the caste system based on the type of mark you had, but not the overall issue with world stability. And I was pretty lost on how certain characters know xyz thing could be fixed in this precise way, because how could they know it takes 30 seconds of 50 seconds or whatever if the FMC is an anomaly??
Overall, the book was interesting enough that it kept my attention during a tattoo, but not enough that I think I’ll continue the series. Didn’t leave feeling invested in the characters, not worried about who made it to the next book, or whether the FMC and MMC end up happily ever after, etc.
Overall, the book was interesting enough that it kept my attention during a tattoo, but not enough that I think I’ll continue the series. Didn’t leave feeling invested in the characters, not worried about who made it to the next book, or whether the FMC and MMC end up happily ever after, etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received this book from Celaenne Dorrington. I am an ARC reader and have read this book for my HONEST review.. Here goes - The book - O MY this book! The world building of this book was very good and getting to know the characters was just as good! The first chapter had me hooked and now that I am through with book 1 I am ready for book two! I love that Serenya and Amaria started this and spoke of their friendship as you dived in! They stuck together and as they take you on a journey you don't want to end. You meet several more important characters... The other characters! Such as MAxx, Eryndor, and more!. YOU must read and get to know them because so much happens once they become a part of it! Magic - romance - and so much more! Many moments that make you think WHAT just happened? OR why did that happen? All I can say is START READING!
March 20, 2026
ARC REVIEW
OMG what did I just read?!?! I love this book so much! I can't wait to continue with this series! The banter was on point and amazing! And the characters!? The best characters! Maxx who will do anything to protect Serenya! Dreadscale? Yes please! Eryndor, we will see if you can redeem yourself if you survive. I love that Serenya has been by Amaria's side since they were kids. She keeps her together. Amaria, she is such an amazingly strong female who will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves! I cannot get enough of this book!!
OMG what did I just read?!?! I love this book so much! I can't wait to continue with this series! The banter was on point and amazing! And the characters!? The best characters! Maxx who will do anything to protect Serenya! Dreadscale? Yes please! Eryndor, we will see if you can redeem yourself if you survive. I love that Serenya has been by Amaria's side since they were kids. She keeps her together. Amaria, she is such an amazingly strong female who will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves! I cannot get enough of this book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2026
If Dan Abnett was born in an alternate universe where he loved a fantasy setting…you have The First Scar. It’s passionate. It’s gritty. It has the BEST one-liners and “OMG THAT CHARACTER” of anything I’ve read in a long, long time. Leave the frilly dresses and whiny “knights” to other authors - if you want pain, a freaking AMAZING magic system (which, ok, is a little confusing at times…but we’re early on in the journey) & character growth, as well as that often-forgotten character validation, this is your girl.
The FMC, Amaria, is…ok, she’s sometimes annoying. But she’s great. Her best friend is my favorite character, (“that girl slept like a cat; one eye open and an opinion already forming.”) 🤭 though a lot of people will pick the rogue-humor-wit dude, who feels like a real character with a true role rather than just filler. Maxx rocks. Amaria mostly sticks to her bad calls for good reasons, making her a sympathetic character that fleshes out very nicely through a book this length. Did I want to know more earlier? Yes. Was that a great hook that made me miss 2 days of gaming and 3 meals to finish it? Also, yes. 😉 This is one that will make you take a break to recover, in the best way.
The MMC - he’s…
“Not just an enforcer. Something deadlier, made for war, not spectacle. Coiled and commanding, like the whole square existed for his gaze and he knew it.
The air around him thinned.
I stilled, as any prey should before a predator. I didn’t know whether to bare my teeth or bare my throat.
It was threat laced with a tempting, lethal promise. A poison that would hurt me, and then make me beg for more.”
YES PLEASE 🥵 This is the best “the villain is hot” I’ve read in AGES. It’s highlighted in my kindle. With about a million other good quotes.
“The brooding type. Thinks ‘joy’ is a tactical error and wears his conscience like a corset.” 😆
“Healers drifting between them like ghosts who hadn’t realized they’d died yet. This is where hope came to get practical.”
“Cowards dress fear as doctrine.”
“You fight like someone who learned in an alley.” “YOU fight like someone who learned in a cage.”
“From the shadows, I watched a warrior stitch himself closed while everything he refused to let others carry bled out onto the floor around him.” 🖤
Warning - this is a slow burn. VERY SLOW BURN. Explanations of how things happened or how they work are a bit slow burn too - go with it, she’ll explain.
Add this one to your TBR RIGHT NOW and don’t let Maxx break your Kindle. You’re welcome. 🫶🏻
*~*~A MILLION thanks to the author for the ARC. I had a wonderful time and can’t wait to get back to Nhalivar. ~*~*
The FMC, Amaria, is…ok, she’s sometimes annoying. But she’s great. Her best friend is my favorite character, (“that girl slept like a cat; one eye open and an opinion already forming.”) 🤭 though a lot of people will pick the rogue-humor-wit dude, who feels like a real character with a true role rather than just filler. Maxx rocks. Amaria mostly sticks to her bad calls for good reasons, making her a sympathetic character that fleshes out very nicely through a book this length. Did I want to know more earlier? Yes. Was that a great hook that made me miss 2 days of gaming and 3 meals to finish it? Also, yes. 😉 This is one that will make you take a break to recover, in the best way.
The MMC - he’s…
“Not just an enforcer. Something deadlier, made for war, not spectacle. Coiled and commanding, like the whole square existed for his gaze and he knew it.
The air around him thinned.
I stilled, as any prey should before a predator. I didn’t know whether to bare my teeth or bare my throat.
It was threat laced with a tempting, lethal promise. A poison that would hurt me, and then make me beg for more.”
YES PLEASE 🥵 This is the best “the villain is hot” I’ve read in AGES. It’s highlighted in my kindle. With about a million other good quotes.
“The brooding type. Thinks ‘joy’ is a tactical error and wears his conscience like a corset.” 😆
“Healers drifting between them like ghosts who hadn’t realized they’d died yet. This is where hope came to get practical.”
“Cowards dress fear as doctrine.”
“You fight like someone who learned in an alley.” “YOU fight like someone who learned in a cage.”
“From the shadows, I watched a warrior stitch himself closed while everything he refused to let others carry bled out onto the floor around him.” 🖤
Warning - this is a slow burn. VERY SLOW BURN. Explanations of how things happened or how they work are a bit slow burn too - go with it, she’ll explain.
Add this one to your TBR RIGHT NOW and don’t let Maxx break your Kindle. You’re welcome. 🫶🏻
*~*~A MILLION thanks to the author for the ARC. I had a wonderful time and can’t wait to get back to Nhalivar. ~*~*
March 24, 2026
**Review of Advanced Copy from the author. All opinions are my own**
"Love didn't save people. It just told the world where to aim and made damn sure you felt every blow you couldn't stop"
The Heirs of the Shattered Veil is one of the first dystopian-esque stories I've read, and I really enjoyed it. In this world, people are segregated by their soulmark: Luminar or Shadowmarked. The Luminar are given good jobs, while the Shadowmarked are banished to the mines.
Our FMC has a special gift, which she uses for good, and her journey is compelling from the very first page. The story takes off immediately and barely slows down, keeping my interest the whole way through. I did get a little confused at times, but that’s probably just me. Since this is a trilogy, I’m excited to see where book two goes, especially because I want to learn more about the MMC!
"Love didn't save people. It just told the world where to aim and made damn sure you felt every blow you couldn't stop"
The Heirs of the Shattered Veil is one of the first dystopian-esque stories I've read, and I really enjoyed it. In this world, people are segregated by their soulmark: Luminar or Shadowmarked. The Luminar are given good jobs, while the Shadowmarked are banished to the mines.
Our FMC has a special gift, which she uses for good, and her journey is compelling from the very first page. The story takes off immediately and barely slows down, keeping my interest the whole way through. I did get a little confused at times, but that’s probably just me. Since this is a trilogy, I’m excited to see where book two goes, especially because I want to learn more about the MMC!
March 29, 2026
I did receive an eARC but my review is based on my own opinions.
I truly enjoyed this book. I was drawn into the world from the first chapter, the world building pulled me in and kept me hooked. This book has all of the things I love: prophecies, magic, found family, and a strong FMC. Amaria has to learn to trust others as well as her own powers. I loved seeing her relationship with Serenya and how they keep each other grounded. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters: Eryndor, Maxx and Dreadscale. I hope to see more of Eryndor and Dreadscale!!
It is a fast paced book that once started I could not put down! I cannot wait to read the next book!
"I don't fear the end of the world, Amaria." He murmured. "I fear the end of you.”
I truly enjoyed this book. I was drawn into the world from the first chapter, the world building pulled me in and kept me hooked. This book has all of the things I love: prophecies, magic, found family, and a strong FMC. Amaria has to learn to trust others as well as her own powers. I loved seeing her relationship with Serenya and how they keep each other grounded. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters: Eryndor, Maxx and Dreadscale. I hope to see more of Eryndor and Dreadscale!!
It is a fast paced book that once started I could not put down! I cannot wait to read the next book!
"I don't fear the end of the world, Amaria." He murmured. "I fear the end of you.”
June 6, 2026
I'm not an ARC reader and I came across this book organically on Goodreads.
I didn't know at the start this is an AI book but it became glaringly obvious as I was reading it. I kept reading until the end thinking that maybe there will be some kind of pay off but nope.
The plot is very disjointed - there are no reasons/motivations given to explain why the characters do what they do. There is zero world building and we don't get any descriptions of what they look like other than the fact that they all have 'glacial eyes'.
I can go on and list all the issues but why bother when the author didn't bother to actually write it?
I didn't know at the start this is an AI book but it became glaringly obvious as I was reading it. I kept reading until the end thinking that maybe there will be some kind of pay off but nope.
The plot is very disjointed - there are no reasons/motivations given to explain why the characters do what they do. There is zero world building and we don't get any descriptions of what they look like other than the fact that they all have 'glacial eyes'.
I can go on and list all the issues but why bother when the author didn't bother to actually write it?
August 28, 2026
DNF - the choppy writing killed me.
Example: "My dagger flashed—quick, clean, and wicked. Not toward a throat. Toward blazing glory. "
I'm not gonna say this is AI, but it has that same style that I can't stand.
I only got a few pages in. There were so many unnecessary half-sentences, em-dashes, and just short, choppy paragraphs that I gave up. 😑
Example: "My dagger flashed—quick, clean, and wicked. Not toward a throat. Toward blazing glory. "
I'm not gonna say this is AI, but it has that same style that I can't stand.
I only got a few pages in. There were so many unnecessary half-sentences, em-dashes, and just short, choppy paragraphs that I gave up. 😑
April 30, 2026
Thank you Author Celeanne Dorrington for this ARC opportunity!
Heirs of the shattered veil: the first Scar is book one in the series, a dark and immersion fantacy within a fractured world filled with mystery, power, long hidden truths and a haunting tone that pulls the whole story together and reflects the kingdom built on conflict and secrets. The world building for this book is phenomenal 👏 layered and complex that really pulls you in just with that alone! Characters are compelling and emotionally driven which I really liked overall and each one of them has personal struggles that tie into the broader conflicts of the story. Our FMC is Amaria while she isnt my favorite at first but she got better and turned my thoughts around about her the further into the story I got, I'd say she's a 3/5 on my favorite character scale. Now our MMC Max is HOTTTTTTTTTTTTT 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤 definitely daddy material he was so steamy I think my kindle melted that or I turned into a puddle of goo 🫠🫠🫠. Definitely a very very slowww burn romantasy it still very good and definitely worth the read.
Thank you again Author Celeanne Dorrington for this ARC and the opportunity to give my honest opinion and review!
Heirs of the shattered veil: the first Scar is book one in the series, a dark and immersion fantacy within a fractured world filled with mystery, power, long hidden truths and a haunting tone that pulls the whole story together and reflects the kingdom built on conflict and secrets. The world building for this book is phenomenal 👏 layered and complex that really pulls you in just with that alone! Characters are compelling and emotionally driven which I really liked overall and each one of them has personal struggles that tie into the broader conflicts of the story. Our FMC is Amaria while she isnt my favorite at first but she got better and turned my thoughts around about her the further into the story I got, I'd say she's a 3/5 on my favorite character scale. Now our MMC Max is HOTTTTTTTTTTTTT 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤 definitely daddy material he was so steamy I think my kindle melted that or I turned into a puddle of goo 🫠🫠🫠. Definitely a very very slowww burn romantasy it still very good and definitely worth the read.
Thank you again Author Celeanne Dorrington for this ARC and the opportunity to give my honest opinion and review!
April 2, 2026
ARC Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
This book absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible.
From the very first pages, I was hooked. The story throws you straight into conflict, and the pacing never lets up: it’s high stakes, emotionally charged, and completely addictive.
Amaria is THAT girl. A stab first, ask questions later kind of FMC who refuses to be anything but powerful. As the first fae to carry both Luminar and Shadow marks, she’s feared, hunted, and prophesied to either save the realm… or destroy it. Watching her navigate that duality, light vs shadow, savior vs weapon, was one of my favorite parts of the story. The King portrays her as dangerous, monster while the Uncrowned rebels claim she is going to save the realm.
And the men?? I am UNWELL.
Eryndor, the Crownforged, is the definition of morally grey-bound to the king, shaped into a weapon, and constantly fighting between duty and something deeper. And then there’s Dreadscale, who pulls Amaria toward her shadow side in a completely different way. I genuinely don’t know who to root for and I’m not okay about it.
The side characters added so much depth too. Serenya’s quiet strength and loyalty, and Maxx bringing that much-needed humor as the hot, slightly chaotic rebel energy.
The worldbuilding is rich and layered, with a fractured realm divided between light and shadow, power and corruption. Everything feels intentional, from the prophecy to the politics to the emotional stakes.
And that ending?? I’m still recovering. The kind of ending that makes you stare at the wall and question everything. I NEED book two immediately.
If you love powerful FMCs, morally grey characters, and high-stakes fantasy that leaves you emotionally unwell… this is it.
Tropes:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Fated mates
✨ Chosen one / prophecy
✨ Morally grey MMC
✨ Forbidden love
✨ Found family
✨ High stakes fantasy
✨ Betrayal
✨ Stabby FMC
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
This book absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible.
From the very first pages, I was hooked. The story throws you straight into conflict, and the pacing never lets up: it’s high stakes, emotionally charged, and completely addictive.
Amaria is THAT girl. A stab first, ask questions later kind of FMC who refuses to be anything but powerful. As the first fae to carry both Luminar and Shadow marks, she’s feared, hunted, and prophesied to either save the realm… or destroy it. Watching her navigate that duality, light vs shadow, savior vs weapon, was one of my favorite parts of the story. The King portrays her as dangerous, monster while the Uncrowned rebels claim she is going to save the realm.
And the men?? I am UNWELL.
Eryndor, the Crownforged, is the definition of morally grey-bound to the king, shaped into a weapon, and constantly fighting between duty and something deeper. And then there’s Dreadscale, who pulls Amaria toward her shadow side in a completely different way. I genuinely don’t know who to root for and I’m not okay about it.
The side characters added so much depth too. Serenya’s quiet strength and loyalty, and Maxx bringing that much-needed humor as the hot, slightly chaotic rebel energy.
The worldbuilding is rich and layered, with a fractured realm divided between light and shadow, power and corruption. Everything feels intentional, from the prophecy to the politics to the emotional stakes.
And that ending?? I’m still recovering. The kind of ending that makes you stare at the wall and question everything. I NEED book two immediately.
If you love powerful FMCs, morally grey characters, and high-stakes fantasy that leaves you emotionally unwell… this is it.
Tropes:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Fated mates
✨ Chosen one / prophecy
✨ Morally grey MMC
✨ Forbidden love
✨ Found family
✨ High stakes fantasy
✨ Betrayal
✨ Stabby FMC
March 26, 2026
First, I want to thank the author for an ARC of this book!! I am so grateful!!
I went into this ARC sort of blindly. The truth is I thought the covers were really pretty. Sometimes having a bird brain that likes pretty things pays off.. this was a really great read. I still struggle to believe that this is this authors first story and I would definitely say add these books to your TBR!!
You can literally read and feel the love and care that went into every single detail of this story. Her writing style is like nothing I’ve ever read before. And the imagery is incredible. And the one liners. I was able to predict some of the actions of certain characters, but I can say with total honestly that at no point did I know where this story was going. Which was fun in a world of super predictable books.
I can’t wait to read book two! I also immediately preordered those limited first print editions off her website before they sell out!
And that cliffhanger ? Rude.
I went into this ARC sort of blindly. The truth is I thought the covers were really pretty. Sometimes having a bird brain that likes pretty things pays off.. this was a really great read. I still struggle to believe that this is this authors first story and I would definitely say add these books to your TBR!!
You can literally read and feel the love and care that went into every single detail of this story. Her writing style is like nothing I’ve ever read before. And the imagery is incredible. And the one liners. I was able to predict some of the actions of certain characters, but I can say with total honestly that at no point did I know where this story was going. Which was fun in a world of super predictable books.
I can’t wait to read book two! I also immediately preordered those limited first print editions off her website before they sell out!
And that cliffhanger ? Rude.
March 27, 2026
(ARC)
Just… wow. I’m kind of speechless. I literally just finished and my mind is still reeling.
For context, I’m a big fantasy romance (usually on the smuttier side) reader, and while this didn’t really have that, I devoured it anyway. It was action-packed right from the start and never really let up.
Amaria is such a strong FMC, and I loved the banter of some of the side characters. The magic system was interesting, and the world-building was easy to follow—which is always a huge plus for me.
Friendships, betrayals, and many questions that kept me completely hooked. Each character carries their own struggles and scars, but the FMC is facing something on a whole other level.
I’m honestly just… speechless. I need the next book ASAP because I have to know what happens next. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just… wow. I’m kind of speechless. I literally just finished and my mind is still reeling.
For context, I’m a big fantasy romance (usually on the smuttier side) reader, and while this didn’t really have that, I devoured it anyway. It was action-packed right from the start and never really let up.
Amaria is such a strong FMC, and I loved the banter of some of the side characters. The magic system was interesting, and the world-building was easy to follow—which is always a huge plus for me.
Friendships, betrayals, and many questions that kept me completely hooked. Each character carries their own struggles and scars, but the FMC is facing something on a whole other level.
I’m honestly just… speechless. I need the next book ASAP because I have to know what happens next. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 29, 2026
I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The premise for this story is really strong, and the side characters are charming with a lot of potential. That said, this was a tough one for me to get through.
I was confused from the beginning. The magic system is never really explained (though the caste system is easy to figure out). The world itself itself is vague. There's no real explanation about why Eryndor shows up, leaves, or why Amaria starts to fall for him or him for her--especially since they barely interact. How does everyone just *know* what needs to be done to fix things? To be completely honest, even after finishing, I'm not sure I could explain the plot. There were also some glaring errors (misspellings, missed words) that bothered me.
On the other hand, I think the author has a lovely writing style. :)
The premise for this story is really strong, and the side characters are charming with a lot of potential. That said, this was a tough one for me to get through.
I was confused from the beginning. The magic system is never really explained (though the caste system is easy to figure out). The world itself itself is vague. There's no real explanation about why Eryndor shows up, leaves, or why Amaria starts to fall for him or him for her--especially since they barely interact. How does everyone just *know* what needs to be done to fix things? To be completely honest, even after finishing, I'm not sure I could explain the plot. There were also some glaring errors (misspellings, missed words) that bothered me.
On the other hand, I think the author has a lovely writing style. :)
Did Not Finish
August 11, 2026I'm going to DNF at 50%. I just feel like I'm missing so much information on the world that I can't enjoy what's happening because I don't have a good grasp on how we got here. Also, I'm not a fan of sharp prose so it was already an uphill battle for me. The premise is good though and I think anyone looking for a completed fantasy series should give it a shot.
Read
April 20, 2026The First Scar by Celeanne Dorrington is a dark fae fantasy with a lot of intriguing elements, forbidden bonds, prophecy, and a world divided by power and fate.
I want to start by saying I did enjoy this, especially the overall premise and where the story seems to be heading. The idea of Amaria being both Luminar and Shadowmarked is so compelling, and pairing that with a prophecy and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic had me really interested from the start.
That said, I did find myself struggling a bit with the world-building in this first installment. I think because the trilogy is being released all at once, it felt like some foundational details were either rushed or held back for later books. I occasionally felt like I was missing context, especially when it came to geography and logistics, like where key locations sat in relation to each other, and certain character connections that weren’t fully explained yet.
The writing style also took a little getting used to. It leans heavily on very short, punchy sentences, which I understand is meant to create impact, but at times it made the reading feel choppy rather than immersive.
Even with that, I did enjoy the core plot and the direction of the story. The final portion of the book really picked up, it was action-packed and engaging, and definitely left me curious about what happens next. While I didn’t feel fully emotionally connected to the characters yet, I can see the potential for that to develop in the next installments.
Thanks to the author for the review opy, all opinions are my own
I want to start by saying I did enjoy this, especially the overall premise and where the story seems to be heading. The idea of Amaria being both Luminar and Shadowmarked is so compelling, and pairing that with a prophecy and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic had me really interested from the start.
That said, I did find myself struggling a bit with the world-building in this first installment. I think because the trilogy is being released all at once, it felt like some foundational details were either rushed or held back for later books. I occasionally felt like I was missing context, especially when it came to geography and logistics, like where key locations sat in relation to each other, and certain character connections that weren’t fully explained yet.
The writing style also took a little getting used to. It leans heavily on very short, punchy sentences, which I understand is meant to create impact, but at times it made the reading feel choppy rather than immersive.
Even with that, I did enjoy the core plot and the direction of the story. The final portion of the book really picked up, it was action-packed and engaging, and definitely left me curious about what happens next. While I didn’t feel fully emotionally connected to the characters yet, I can see the potential for that to develop in the next installments.
Thanks to the author for the review opy, all opinions are my own
April 9, 2026
I want to start out with the fact that I think the author has something going for her. With that being said a few things could go made it a better experience all together. As a fantasy reader im use to being thrown into large worlds with many different characters and different magic systems.
The magic system - it was never explained and there were so many different types of magic it was super hard to follow all I knew was one person had two different types of powers and that was super rare - I’m not sure exactly what could be done with those powers or how to fully use them after completing the book.
The world - non existent building. They were all stuck in this village yet people lived in the country but I’m not exactly sure where the kings castle was or how it was relevant to the position of this village, super confusing.
All of a sudden we were in the catacombs and then we were somewhere else in the next breath.
They are soul tied? Possible? Magic tied? Within the first 25% of the book. There is no spice but we instantly know who the lover is for the trilogy so I guess so much for enemies to lovers.
Overall it was an easy read and a fun book with a lot of things happening.
The Side character Maxx gets a 5⭐️ from me.
The magic system - it was never explained and there were so many different types of magic it was super hard to follow all I knew was one person had two different types of powers and that was super rare - I’m not sure exactly what could be done with those powers or how to fully use them after completing the book.
The world - non existent building. They were all stuck in this village yet people lived in the country but I’m not exactly sure where the kings castle was or how it was relevant to the position of this village, super confusing.
All of a sudden we were in the catacombs and then we were somewhere else in the next breath.
They are soul tied? Possible? Magic tied? Within the first 25% of the book. There is no spice but we instantly know who the lover is for the trilogy so I guess so much for enemies to lovers.
Overall it was an easy read and a fun book with a lot of things happening.
The Side character Maxx gets a 5⭐️ from me.
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