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Fated to the Hollow King
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Expected 1 Sep 26Win a free kindle copy of this book!
6 days and 17:31:58
100 copies available
U.S. only
Gazelle dances to keep the city safe.
As the lead Rift Dancer of the Sacred Palace, she has spent her life performing the ritual that keeps the demons sealed below, the same demons blamed for slaughtering her family. But the dance is stealing her soul and each performance leaves her weaker.
Then a single misstep opens a passage in the catacombs.
In the dark, Gazelle finds the Hollow King, beautiful as a nightmare and far too dangerous to trust. He rules a decaying kingdom beneath the Palace, surrounded by creatures her people call demons, although he calls them something else. He knows secrets about her bloodline and the ritual that is killing her.
And he claims her dance was never saving anyone.
When Gazelle returns to the surface, there’s been a murder among her people, and her absence makes her the prime suspect. Then more bodies appear, each one drawing suspicion closer.
To clear her name, Gazelle must turn to the Hollow King. But he may be the only one telling her the truth, or the one spinning the most beautiful lie. Every bargain pulls her deeper into his world. Every touch makes him harder to resist. And every answer binds her closer to a king powerful enough to take what he wants.
Because Airen is not just a danger to her city.
He is a danger to her heart.
A dark gothic romantasy filled with fated mates, murder mystery, deadly dance magic, and a morally gray king. Perfect for readers who love Phantom of the Opera vibes, the tension of Rebecca, and the obsession of Black Swan.
FATED TO THE HOLLOW KING is one of nine books in the Fated to the Enemy series, a set of steamy romantasy standalones, brimming with epic adventure, sizzling banter, and angsty yearning between enemies who have no desire to fall in love.
As the lead Rift Dancer of the Sacred Palace, she has spent her life performing the ritual that keeps the demons sealed below, the same demons blamed for slaughtering her family. But the dance is stealing her soul and each performance leaves her weaker.
Then a single misstep opens a passage in the catacombs.
In the dark, Gazelle finds the Hollow King, beautiful as a nightmare and far too dangerous to trust. He rules a decaying kingdom beneath the Palace, surrounded by creatures her people call demons, although he calls them something else. He knows secrets about her bloodline and the ritual that is killing her.
And he claims her dance was never saving anyone.
When Gazelle returns to the surface, there’s been a murder among her people, and her absence makes her the prime suspect. Then more bodies appear, each one drawing suspicion closer.
To clear her name, Gazelle must turn to the Hollow King. But he may be the only one telling her the truth, or the one spinning the most beautiful lie. Every bargain pulls her deeper into his world. Every touch makes him harder to resist. And every answer binds her closer to a king powerful enough to take what he wants.
Because Airen is not just a danger to her city.
He is a danger to her heart.
A dark gothic romantasy filled with fated mates, murder mystery, deadly dance magic, and a morally gray king. Perfect for readers who love Phantom of the Opera vibes, the tension of Rebecca, and the obsession of Black Swan.
FATED TO THE HOLLOW KING is one of nine books in the Fated to the Enemy series, a set of steamy romantasy standalones, brimming with epic adventure, sizzling banter, and angsty yearning between enemies who have no desire to fall in love.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
About the author
Angela J. Ford
54 books1,101 followersAngela J. Ford is a bestselling fantasy romance author who writes mortal × immortal forbidden romance featuring Black heroines in worlds where gothic cinema meets fantasy.
Angela's standalone novels deliver steamy yearning, atmospheric world-building, and complete emotional satisfaction in one book. No cliffhangers. No waiting years for sequels. No series commitment required.
Perfect for readers who love the ache of mortal/immortal romance, want meaningful Black representation in fantasy, and prefer complete standalone stories over multi-book series commitments.
When she's not crafting fantasy romance worlds, Angela can be found with her nose in a book, curating romantasy book boxes for readers, or exploring new ways to bring her stories to life through signed editions and immersive book experiences.
Visit her website (angelajford.com) for signed hardcovers, exclusive book boxes and luxe bookish candles.
Angela's standalone novels deliver steamy yearning, atmospheric world-building, and complete emotional satisfaction in one book. No cliffhangers. No waiting years for sequels. No series commitment required.
Perfect for readers who love the ache of mortal/immortal romance, want meaningful Black representation in fantasy, and prefer complete standalone stories over multi-book series commitments.
When she's not crafting fantasy romance worlds, Angela can be found with her nose in a book, curating romantasy book boxes for readers, or exploring new ways to bring her stories to life through signed editions and immersive book experiences.
Visit her website (angelajford.com) for signed hardcovers, exclusive book boxes and luxe bookish candles.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was sceptical at first when I started reading it I have to confess, but soon it became an intriguing and fun read. The first thing I noticed that I absolutely LOVED the descripions. they gave such vivid pictures about scenery and vibes, especially the city and the pools.
Gazelle and Airen met so early on I was afraid the author might hurried things, but fortunately their pacing was just right. I got sucked into the story pretty quickly, the focus was as much on the plot as much on the romance if not more, it matches my taste. The pacing was okay too. Sometimes it got a bit slow, especially towards the end there was a part I wanted to get through quickly. And there was no explicit smut which I appreceated, nowadays its so rare. The book’s lenght is short too, it’s a quick read.
The mystery itself was interesting, some things I could see coming, some things I could’t. The author did a good job keeping us second guessing what the actual fork was going on, who’s with who and who can and can’t we trust, meanwhile sharing important stories of the lore. I had some solid close guesses throughout. The concept itself that a dancing ritual keeps out the demons from the city was a bit weird at first, but then it grew on me and I appreaciated the uniqueness.
Gazelle’s inner conflict about old beliefs and new information was consistent however annoying it was sometimes, it was absolutely understandble. She has a very short temper tho and a bit dumb at times.
Airen was a good character too, a few times he snapped but other than that he was patient, calm and non-toxic lol. Which was refreshing to see. He had some personality as well, but now that i think about it not that much, we didn’t really got to know him that much but maybe just enough..? I mean I still kinda felt their connection and chemistry but it would've been nice to get to know them more and feel more connected to them.
The villain in the story was so repelling, I liked that. I genuinly got frustrated and angry at some scenes, what needed to be unsettling, was unsettling.
There wasn't really a mating bond tho, it wasn't expolred at all, it was more of an intense attraction and desire.
Towards the 2/3 of the book, when you woukd think the story soon ends, it doesn’t. at one point it got a bit slow but not for too long, and when you would think, okay, now truly, surely thi is it, it’s not. The final plot was so good, I started guessing a while now based on the clues, but could not guess. It was an exciting surprise for me. I honestly loved that.
The negative thing I would say was some conversations between Gazelle and Airen. A few times they sounded unnatural and/or reapted. Plus the style of writing made me think of fanfiction for some reasons i can’t pinpoint. And I also have to mention the FMC’s name. Gazelle… I’m sorry but most of the time a saw the name and i couldn’t think of anything but an antilope. It was pretty distracting but that might be just a me problem. Overall I enjoyed reading it for the plot. (the actual plot not ’the plot’ iykwim)
Gazelle and Airen met so early on I was afraid the author might hurried things, but fortunately their pacing was just right. I got sucked into the story pretty quickly, the focus was as much on the plot as much on the romance if not more, it matches my taste. The pacing was okay too. Sometimes it got a bit slow, especially towards the end there was a part I wanted to get through quickly. And there was no explicit smut which I appreceated, nowadays its so rare. The book’s lenght is short too, it’s a quick read.
The mystery itself was interesting, some things I could see coming, some things I could’t. The author did a good job keeping us second guessing what the actual fork was going on, who’s with who and who can and can’t we trust, meanwhile sharing important stories of the lore. I had some solid close guesses throughout. The concept itself that a dancing ritual keeps out the demons from the city was a bit weird at first, but then it grew on me and I appreaciated the uniqueness.
Gazelle’s inner conflict about old beliefs and new information was consistent however annoying it was sometimes, it was absolutely understandble. She has a very short temper tho and a bit dumb at times.
Airen was a good character too, a few times he snapped but other than that he was patient, calm and non-toxic lol. Which was refreshing to see. He had some personality as well, but now that i think about it not that much, we didn’t really got to know him that much but maybe just enough..? I mean I still kinda felt their connection and chemistry but it would've been nice to get to know them more and feel more connected to them.
The villain in the story was so repelling, I liked that. I genuinly got frustrated and angry at some scenes, what needed to be unsettling, was unsettling.
There wasn't really a mating bond tho, it wasn't expolred at all, it was more of an intense attraction and desire.
Towards the 2/3 of the book, when you woukd think the story soon ends, it doesn’t. at one point it got a bit slow but not for too long, and when you would think, okay, now truly, surely thi is it, it’s not. The final plot was so good, I started guessing a while now based on the clues, but could not guess. It was an exciting surprise for me. I honestly loved that.
The negative thing I would say was some conversations between Gazelle and Airen. A few times they sounded unnatural and/or reapted. Plus the style of writing made me think of fanfiction for some reasons i can’t pinpoint. And I also have to mention the FMC’s name. Gazelle… I’m sorry but most of the time a saw the name and i couldn’t think of anything but an antilope. It was pretty distracting but that might be just a me problem. Overall I enjoyed reading it for the plot. (the actual plot not ’the plot’ iykwim)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Your true love might be trapped just beneath your feet…
This book tells the story of Gazelle, the lead dancer in a world where her dance keeps her people safe and the demons away. Or does it? Gazelle goes through an enormous change when she discovers that maybe, just maybe, things aren’t what they seemed to be at first.
The story is told from Gazelle’s perspective and accompanies her while one hundred things seem to happen simultaneously. She’s caught in the middle of a murder mystery that fuels fear among her people, while a certain King, with every encounter, seems to make her see more clearly that something isn’t quite right with the rite she’s been dancing her whole life.
Gazelle was a really strong character. She went through some horrible situations and still managed to rise above them. I liked how brave she was and how she kept fighting for what she came to believe was right. I was glad that, in the end, she and Airen were able to accomplish what they wanted: freedom for the Hollow Court and protection for the humans.
The book has a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and a bit of magic. Personally, I thought that a lot of questions raised throughout the story were left unanswered, and some parts felt a little repetitive, but the overall story was nice. The ending really surprised me because I was not expecting anything close to that. Since we saw everything from Gazelle’s point of view, it made sense that some things only came to light once all the turmoil and threats ended for good.
The story progressed quickly, and I felt like we didn’t get to really know the characters well enough for me to really connect with them. It sometimes felt like the story was happening around them and they were simply there in the middle, without going deep into who they were. The romance also felt a little sudden, with nothing other than a “feeling” to explain their connection. They didn’t really know that much about one another, at least from what I got from the book, so it didn’t consume me as romances normally do.
Overall, it was an enjoyable story with a final twist I definitely didn’t see coming. While I wish we had gotten more development of the characters and their relationship and answers to some of the questions raised throughout the book, I still thought the story was very interesting!
If you enjoy a bit of The Phantom of the Opera mixed with Black Swan, this book might be for you!
This book tells the story of Gazelle, the lead dancer in a world where her dance keeps her people safe and the demons away. Or does it? Gazelle goes through an enormous change when she discovers that maybe, just maybe, things aren’t what they seemed to be at first.
The story is told from Gazelle’s perspective and accompanies her while one hundred things seem to happen simultaneously. She’s caught in the middle of a murder mystery that fuels fear among her people, while a certain King, with every encounter, seems to make her see more clearly that something isn’t quite right with the rite she’s been dancing her whole life.
Gazelle was a really strong character. She went through some horrible situations and still managed to rise above them. I liked how brave she was and how she kept fighting for what she came to believe was right. I was glad that, in the end, she and Airen were able to accomplish what they wanted: freedom for the Hollow Court and protection for the humans.
The book has a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and a bit of magic. Personally, I thought that a lot of questions raised throughout the story were left unanswered, and some parts felt a little repetitive, but the overall story was nice. The ending really surprised me because I was not expecting anything close to that. Since we saw everything from Gazelle’s point of view, it made sense that some things only came to light once all the turmoil and threats ended for good.
The story progressed quickly, and I felt like we didn’t get to really know the characters well enough for me to really connect with them. It sometimes felt like the story was happening around them and they were simply there in the middle, without going deep into who they were. The romance also felt a little sudden, with nothing other than a “feeling” to explain their connection. They didn’t really know that much about one another, at least from what I got from the book, so it didn’t consume me as romances normally do.
Overall, it was an enjoyable story with a final twist I definitely didn’t see coming. While I wish we had gotten more development of the characters and their relationship and answers to some of the questions raised throughout the book, I still thought the story was very interesting!
If you enjoy a bit of The Phantom of the Opera mixed with Black Swan, this book might be for you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Gazelle Dakari dances to seal the demons below. She has been the lead Rift Dancer for years, sacrificing parts of her soul to keep her world safe. But the price is steep and one slip-up during the ceremony opened a door she doesn't know how to close. In the depths, she meets the Hollow King, a man who swears the ritual she performs is not what it seems. In the light, a monster murders those closest to Gazelle, placing her under scrutiny and suspicion. As she tries to find answers, she only returns with more questions. Questions that the Hollow King will answer… for a price. Is there truth in this king’s promise? Or has she made a bargain with someone far worse than the demons she fears?
“Fated to the Hollow King” by Angela J. Ford is the first novel of the “Fated to the Enemy” Collection.
A series of standalones, each book will follow a pair of enemies that unwillingly find themselves bound together by fate, fascination, or flirtation. This particular novel is a murder is a mystery inspired by “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Black Swan”. Gazelle was one of the most intriguing gothic heroines I've read, working to solve the mystery she is ensnared by while her own body seemingly works against her. As for Airen? How he draws her in, tempts, and is tempted by Gazelle is absolutely swoony. Every single one of their interactions is a tense scene that leaves even you the reader dizzy. I was so excited for this novel that I could hardly stop myself from reading it; in fact, it cut ahead of several books on my tbr. And I don't regret it!
With plot twists as winding as a dark maze, “Fated to the Hollow King” will leave your jaw on the floor (😂). Even I, a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast with a penchant for guessing the end of a movie 10 minutes in, could not get to the bottom of this mystery before the last page. When all was said and done, I was surprised and delighted by the resolution. Now, I highly recommend you grab your own copy and enter the Sacred Palace. Nothing is what it seems and you'll be left haunting the halls long after it is over.
“Fated to the Hollow King” by Angela J. Ford is the first novel of the “Fated to the Enemy” Collection.
A series of standalones, each book will follow a pair of enemies that unwillingly find themselves bound together by fate, fascination, or flirtation. This particular novel is a murder is a mystery inspired by “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Black Swan”. Gazelle was one of the most intriguing gothic heroines I've read, working to solve the mystery she is ensnared by while her own body seemingly works against her. As for Airen? How he draws her in, tempts, and is tempted by Gazelle is absolutely swoony. Every single one of their interactions is a tense scene that leaves even you the reader dizzy. I was so excited for this novel that I could hardly stop myself from reading it; in fact, it cut ahead of several books on my tbr. And I don't regret it!
With plot twists as winding as a dark maze, “Fated to the Hollow King” will leave your jaw on the floor (😂). Even I, a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast with a penchant for guessing the end of a movie 10 minutes in, could not get to the bottom of this mystery before the last page. When all was said and done, I was surprised and delighted by the resolution. Now, I highly recommend you grab your own copy and enter the Sacred Palace. Nothing is what it seems and you'll be left haunting the halls long after it is over.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“And at last, I understood what he’d been trying totell me through the dance. I’d been broken. Ruined. My soul stolen,but the dance, him, he was healing me.”
Summary:
Gazelle protects her city as the Lead Rift Dancer by dancing a special dance on the full moon to keep the demons trapped. But, she’s slowly becoming weak and sick, which causes her to accidentally misstep during one of their ritual dances. Drawn to the catacombs after the dance, she discovers her misstep may have released something—something who claims to be not a demon, but someone called the Hollow King. Gazelle feels drawn to him, but doesn’t trust him—especially when she discovers her mentor’s dead body the following morning. Can she trust the Hollow King? And how does she continue to protect her city?
Likes:
I was really surprised at how quickly this book pulled me in. Something about the writing style really clicked with me. I felt that Ford did a fantastic job of quickly immersing you into Gazelle’s world and the world of the Hollow Ones. And the atmospheric darkness of the world was really on point. Additionally, Ford did a fantastic job of building Gazelle as a character. I thought her actions really reflected the character and helped make me invested in her character.
Dislikes:
My biggest issue with this book was the pacing in the second half. I feel like the action needed to be slowed down and built out a little more. I feel like it would have helped flesh out some of the revelations at the end a little better. It also would have been nice to see more of the romance plot. Towards the end of the book it started to almost feel like an afterthought.
Notes:
This is the first book to be released in a multi-author collaboration of standalone books called Fated to the Enemy. These are all supposed to be at least somewhat spicy romantasy books. Personally, I definitely plan to read more of Angela J. Fords work after this one—it was something I decided not long after starting this one! Thanks to the Author for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Summary:
Gazelle protects her city as the Lead Rift Dancer by dancing a special dance on the full moon to keep the demons trapped. But, she’s slowly becoming weak and sick, which causes her to accidentally misstep during one of their ritual dances. Drawn to the catacombs after the dance, she discovers her misstep may have released something—something who claims to be not a demon, but someone called the Hollow King. Gazelle feels drawn to him, but doesn’t trust him—especially when she discovers her mentor’s dead body the following morning. Can she trust the Hollow King? And how does she continue to protect her city?
Likes:
I was really surprised at how quickly this book pulled me in. Something about the writing style really clicked with me. I felt that Ford did a fantastic job of quickly immersing you into Gazelle’s world and the world of the Hollow Ones. And the atmospheric darkness of the world was really on point. Additionally, Ford did a fantastic job of building Gazelle as a character. I thought her actions really reflected the character and helped make me invested in her character.
Dislikes:
My biggest issue with this book was the pacing in the second half. I feel like the action needed to be slowed down and built out a little more. I feel like it would have helped flesh out some of the revelations at the end a little better. It also would have been nice to see more of the romance plot. Towards the end of the book it started to almost feel like an afterthought.
Notes:
This is the first book to be released in a multi-author collaboration of standalone books called Fated to the Enemy. These are all supposed to be at least somewhat spicy romantasy books. Personally, I definitely plan to read more of Angela J. Fords work after this one—it was something I decided not long after starting this one! Thanks to the Author for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into this one, but I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would. The whole idea of Gazelle dancing to keep the demons away was different and honestly a little strange at first, but once I got into the story I really liked how everything came together.
I loved the darker gothic feel of the book and the mystery was probably one of my favorite parts. There were quite a few times where I thought I had figured out what was actually going on, only for something else to happen and make me question it again. The ending surprised me and I liked that I didn’t have everything completely figured out beforehand.
I also really liked Gazelle and Airen together. Their connection was there pretty much from the beginning, and I liked the back and forth between them and watching Gazelle slowly realize that everything she had believed her whole life might not actually be true. Airen was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book too.
I do wish we had gotten a little more time with the characters and their relationship because I wanted to feel more connected to them. Some parts also slowed down a little for me, but never enough that I wanted to stop reading.
This was a really interesting romantasy with mystery, magic, romance, secrets, and plenty of twists. It was different from a lot of the fantasy romance books I’ve read lately, which I appreciated. I think this is a good one for anyone who likes darker fantasy romance with a mystery mixed in.
I loved the darker gothic feel of the book and the mystery was probably one of my favorite parts. There were quite a few times where I thought I had figured out what was actually going on, only for something else to happen and make me question it again. The ending surprised me and I liked that I didn’t have everything completely figured out beforehand.
I also really liked Gazelle and Airen together. Their connection was there pretty much from the beginning, and I liked the back and forth between them and watching Gazelle slowly realize that everything she had believed her whole life might not actually be true. Airen was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book too.
I do wish we had gotten a little more time with the characters and their relationship because I wanted to feel more connected to them. Some parts also slowed down a little for me, but never enough that I wanted to stop reading.
This was a really interesting romantasy with mystery, magic, romance, secrets, and plenty of twists. It was different from a lot of the fantasy romance books I’ve read lately, which I appreciated. I think this is a good one for anyone who likes darker fantasy romance with a mystery mixed in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC COPY!
Omg! I really loved this book. ❤️
I had been in a pretty serious reading slump for over a month, so sometimes I had to practically convince myself to keep reading. And then, completely by chance, I found this author. I'm so glad I did.
This story has everything I usually look for in a good fantasy with a strong romantic storyline. It gave me Black Swan vibes mixed with The Phantom of the Opera, but with dancers, shadows, and a murder mystery. Honestly, what more could I ask for?
While I was deep into the story, I also started wondering if the author had been inspired by The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I definitely felt some similarities, and I loved how all those different elements came together.
And one of the things I loved most? The FMC is Black. I wanted to hug her. Literally. It was so refreshing to see a Black heroine in this kind of fantasy world, and I immediately became emotionally attached to her.
I read the entire book in just three hours. THREE. HOURS. After I finished, I didn't even want to pick up another book because I wasn't ready to leave this story behind.
There were a few moments when I was skeptical, especially when it came to how Airen ended up in the shadows. Even though it was part of the storyline, I kept wanting more from his side of the story. I wanted to understand his experience and what happened to him a little more deeply.
But despite that, this book completely pulled me out of my reading slump, and for that alone, I'm incredibly grateful I randomly stumbled across this author. ❤️
Omg! I really loved this book. ❤️
I had been in a pretty serious reading slump for over a month, so sometimes I had to practically convince myself to keep reading. And then, completely by chance, I found this author. I'm so glad I did.
This story has everything I usually look for in a good fantasy with a strong romantic storyline. It gave me Black Swan vibes mixed with The Phantom of the Opera, but with dancers, shadows, and a murder mystery. Honestly, what more could I ask for?
While I was deep into the story, I also started wondering if the author had been inspired by The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I definitely felt some similarities, and I loved how all those different elements came together.
And one of the things I loved most? The FMC is Black. I wanted to hug her. Literally. It was so refreshing to see a Black heroine in this kind of fantasy world, and I immediately became emotionally attached to her.
I read the entire book in just three hours. THREE. HOURS. After I finished, I didn't even want to pick up another book because I wasn't ready to leave this story behind.
There were a few moments when I was skeptical, especially when it came to how Airen ended up in the shadows. Even though it was part of the storyline, I kept wanting more from his side of the story. I wanted to understand his experience and what happened to him a little more deeply.
But despite that, this book completely pulled me out of my reading slump, and for that alone, I'm incredibly grateful I randomly stumbled across this author. ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book ended up really impressing me! I usually avoid anything that's labeled as 'dark', but I'm glad I gave this a chance! The book definitely set out with the goal of giving the reader a distinct feeling, and yes, that feeling is on the darker end, but without feeling heavy and depressing. It permeates the book, and leaves you sitting with it for a while afterward as well. I found it to be impressively deep, somber, and a little twisted but not so dark that it weighs heavily on you. (Speaking as someone with chronic anxiety and depression.)
Gazelle being a dancer is huge to the book, and interestingly, as I read I felt like the plot and writing moved along methodically/rhythmically, like a dance, itself. The spice was more of just steamy yearning, with 2-3 brief and non-descriptive scenes that are easily skippable but generally won't be needed, since it's alluded to so simply and briefly.
The FMC felt generic to me at first, but by the end...wow. Let's just say she was actually quite unique! Also, the plot twist at the end was INSANE. Definitely something I've never seen before. (If you see something that seems contradictory or not make sense, just keep reading! It's not an author mistake!)
I devoured this book in one sitting, and it's lingered with me into the next day. Again, I am very impressed by this book and the author's writing! I received an advance copy and am leaving my honest review.
Gazelle being a dancer is huge to the book, and interestingly, as I read I felt like the plot and writing moved along methodically/rhythmically, like a dance, itself. The spice was more of just steamy yearning, with 2-3 brief and non-descriptive scenes that are easily skippable but generally won't be needed, since it's alluded to so simply and briefly.
The FMC felt generic to me at first, but by the end...wow. Let's just say she was actually quite unique! Also, the plot twist at the end was INSANE. Definitely something I've never seen before. (If you see something that seems contradictory or not make sense, just keep reading! It's not an author mistake!)
I devoured this book in one sitting, and it's lingered with me into the next day. Again, I am very impressed by this book and the author's writing! I received an advance copy and am leaving my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of Advanced Copy from Author,
I'd like to start off with thanking the author for the E-Arc.
Moving on, I usually don't well not read I always thought books who use the like 'Fated to—' or like some iteration of that was just like, Why spoil your book with the title?
They just never caught my attention is what I'm really trying to say, but I signed up for the Arc and I am so glad I did.
In general I did enjoy the book, the plot was very intriguing and unique and the characters to me at least were pretty well done.
Albeit the plot was a little predictable in some parts but thats pretty normal for all books.
The plot twist did twist though.
The plot twist I didn't hate it but I didn't like it, it was more just like meh though.
The ending chapter to me did feel a bit rushed but thats normal since the book was less than 300pgs.
I did like the slow burn though, I thought that was really well done.
I honestly didn't realize this book was YA till the spice if I'm being honest. I have nothing against YA, I'll read YA books if the plot is interesting was just surprised well not surprised more just 'huh, wow, okay.'
Sorry that this review is all over the place, I'm trying very hard to not spoil. My review would be more in depth though, so if I remember I'll come back when the book is officially released and write more.
Anyways,
3/5 ⭐️
I'd like to start off with thanking the author for the E-Arc.
Moving on, I usually don't well not read I always thought books who use the like 'Fated to—' or like some iteration of that was just like, Why spoil your book with the title?
They just never caught my attention is what I'm really trying to say, but I signed up for the Arc and I am so glad I did.
In general I did enjoy the book, the plot was very intriguing and unique and the characters to me at least were pretty well done.
Albeit the plot was a little predictable in some parts but thats pretty normal for all books.
The plot twist did twist though.
The plot twist I didn't hate it but I didn't like it, it was more just like meh though.
The ending chapter to me did feel a bit rushed but thats normal since the book was less than 300pgs.
I did like the slow burn though, I thought that was really well done.
I honestly didn't realize this book was YA till the spice if I'm being honest. I have nothing against YA, I'll read YA books if the plot is interesting was just surprised well not surprised more just 'huh, wow, okay.'
Sorry that this review is all over the place, I'm trying very hard to not spoil. My review would be more in depth though, so if I remember I'll come back when the book is officially released and write more.
Anyways,
3/5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fated to the Hollow King.
This is a great story with an intriguing premise. It's well written with just the perfect amount of detail. The pace was spot on - the story never felt like it dragged. I really liked the chemistry of the main characters and how their connection, and pull toward each other, was clear from the start. The trepidation the characters felt - wanting to trust but nervous of being hurt or betrayed - will resonate with readers as these are very real emotions. I quite enjoyed the underlying theme of healing through dance. The love scenes were artfully written and came across as a natural extension of their dancing together. The scenes were tasteful and demonstrated the love growing between the characters without being explicit. There is no foul language and I would recommend this book to all audiences including YA audiences.
This is a great story with an intriguing premise. It's well written with just the perfect amount of detail. The pace was spot on - the story never felt like it dragged. I really liked the chemistry of the main characters and how their connection, and pull toward each other, was clear from the start. The trepidation the characters felt - wanting to trust but nervous of being hurt or betrayed - will resonate with readers as these are very real emotions. I quite enjoyed the underlying theme of healing through dance. The love scenes were artfully written and came across as a natural extension of their dancing together. The scenes were tasteful and demonstrated the love growing between the characters without being explicit. There is no foul language and I would recommend this book to all audiences including YA audiences.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is a dark romantasy involving murder, an unreliable narrator, and psychological thriller elements. The action starts right off the bat, and does not let up throughout, leading to an unexpected twist at the end.
I prefer a more character-driven book, and would have liked to have developed more of a connection to the characters before the action started. There are some elements that are a bit repetitive, which kind of pulled me out of the story.
The settings were beautifully described and perfectly set up a lush, gothic atmosphere. The tension between the main characters was well-executed.
Overall, this book was entertaining, and I definitely did not anticipate the ending. This would be a good fit for those who enjoy a plot-driven story that immediately drops you into the action.
August 25, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ but I rounded up!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the eARC! ❤️
I enjoyed this one! I went into it expecting something a little different based on the cover, so I was surprised to realize it leaned more YA than I expected. I was expecting a bit more spice 👀… and while I don't need every book to be spicy, I definitely thought this one was going to be. 😂
That said, I really enjoyed the plot and the Phantom of the Opera vibes! There was something really intriguing about the atmosphere and the mystery surrounding the characters, and I thought the plot twist was really well done.
It was also a quick, easy read, which I appreciated. I stayed interested throughout and definitely wanted to see how everything would play out.
Overall, I liked this one! I just found myself wishing there was a little more depth in some areas. (That sounds terrible, haha)
Still, a fun read! 🖤🎭
Thank you to the author and publisher for the eARC! ❤️
I enjoyed this one! I went into it expecting something a little different based on the cover, so I was surprised to realize it leaned more YA than I expected. I was expecting a bit more spice 👀… and while I don't need every book to be spicy, I definitely thought this one was going to be. 😂
That said, I really enjoyed the plot and the Phantom of the Opera vibes! There was something really intriguing about the atmosphere and the mystery surrounding the characters, and I thought the plot twist was really well done.
It was also a quick, easy read, which I appreciated. I stayed interested throughout and definitely wanted to see how everything would play out.
Overall, I liked this one! I just found myself wishing there was a little more depth in some areas. (That sounds terrible, haha)
Still, a fun read! 🖤🎭
Review of advance copy received from Author
Huh, huh, HUH? How about that random psychological twist at about 90% that almost came out of no where? Like there were maybe hints that something was amiss but apparently our main character is an unreliable narrator, so don’t believe everything she says.
This felt like I wasn’t given enough information until the end of the book; it definitely felt more like a novella than a full length novel (at just over 200 pages on my kindle, it really is more of a novella compared to the length of books I normally read)
Spiciness was mostly closed door-ish, no descriptions of anything really.
If the book were longer/had more showing than telling I could see myself rating it higher as it was a unique story.
This felt like I wasn’t given enough information until the end of the book; it definitely felt more like a novella than a full length novel (at just over 200 pages on my kindle, it really is more of a novella compared to the length of books I normally read)
Spiciness was mostly closed door-ish, no descriptions of anything really.
If the book were longer/had more showing than telling I could see myself rating it higher as it was a unique story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.75 ⭐
Thank you to Angela J. Ford for an ARC.
I did really enjoy this book even though my rating isn't higher.
The story was very interesting but I would've liked it more if we had more development of the characters/events. It just felt a little flat in some places.
I did enjoy the pull and push between our Mc's.
The twist, I didn't expect it at that point. But by saying at the start of the book there would be a twist, I was just waiting for it to happen (that's on me!).
Thank you to Angela J. Ford for an ARC.
I did really enjoy this book even though my rating isn't higher.
The story was very interesting but I would've liked it more if we had more development of the characters/events. It just felt a little flat in some places.
I did enjoy the pull and push between our Mc's.
The twist, I didn't expect it at that point. But by saying at the start of the book there would be a twist, I was just waiting for it to happen (that's on me!).
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a great fall time, spooky book. If you love gothic themes, mystery, and magic you need to read this book. I enjoyed how dancing was the magic in this book and kept the city "safe". Gazelle was independent, trying to find answers to her questions about what was happening throughout the book. I liked how Airen was there to support Gazelle during the hard times. There were so many plot twists I had a hard time putting the book down. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Closer to 3.25-3.5 stars... The author's description of this book is a "cross between Black Swan & The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and I would say that this is the best descriptive phrase for this book. The FMC is a dancer named Gazelle and the MMC is a hot mystery man that she stumbles upon down in some tunnels. This isn't a super long read, but I feel like it moves a bit slow. I did enjoy the concept and the FMC.
August 20, 2026
I have read a few books like this one before. There seems to be quite a lot of them about at the moment, this one was good it had good world building and dynamics. The characters were pretty interesting and the overall plot was quite good. On the whole a decent read.
August 19, 2026
Somethings were predictable.
There is no mate bond to speak of.
Now the story, the magic, the rites, the passion, the ending? Chef’s kiss! 10/10 would recommend.
There is no mate bond to speak of.
Now the story, the magic, the rites, the passion, the ending? Chef’s kiss! 10/10 would recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fated to the Hollow King has a good little story to it! It was interesting, I liked the world created, and the characters. The twist at the end took me by surprise, and I loved it!
Review of advance copy
I wrote review front different profile 🎨
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