A slow-burn fantasy with Fey politics, mature romance, deadly trials and a 35-year-old heroine who actually has common sense.

Ladies, We Might Have a New Obsession

Are you bored of senseless, one note female protagonists who swoon and obsess over the first floppy haired morally grey man to cross their paths? Well, good news.

I genuinely think romantasy readers are about to latch onto Veiled Court in the same way they did Throne of Glass and ACOTAR.

Finally, a Heroine With Common Sense

Veiled Court is an action filled slow burn romantasy with a highly capable (and sensibly driven) 35 year old female lead. It has Fey. It has magic. It has fighting, empowerment and autonomy. It has mild spice without being distracting. It’s actually bloody brilliant.

Battle Royale, but Make It Fey

After a Fey/Human war in Britain leads to gangs of violent humans hunting Fey, Syn finds herself fleeing back to the Fey realm with her sick sister. Through sheer accident, she ends up invited to take part in a battle royal style contest at the veiled court, a contest to choose the next monarch of the kingdom. Good thing she was a trained child assassin eh? Posing as a noble lady, Syn has to navigate trials, social interactions and a rebellion while hunting the Holy Grail.

Easy right?

It’s a cross between Throne of Glass and Hunger Games, and I am here for it.

The History Nerd in Me Loved This

My favorite feature of the book is the real world history laced through the story. The author uses medieval history and stories about the Tower of London to flesh out the world, while lacing in Fey involvement. It gives the book delicious depth which my inner History buff loves.

What genuinely surprised me was how refreshing the character dynamics felt. Syn is thirty-five. She’s lived, failed, survived and made difficult choices long before the romantic plot enters the picture, and it changes the tone of the entire story for the better. She isn’t naive, impulsive or instantly consumed by attraction. She has priorities, responsibilities and actual perspective.

Respectful Men in Romantasy? Miracles Happen

Even better, the romantic dynamics themselves feel mature. The love interests are respectful, measured and genuinely interested in Syn as a person rather than immediately possessive or overbearing. In a genre that often mistakes aggression for chemistry, Veiled Court lets the slow burn actually breathe. The tension builds naturally because the characters behave like adults.

Let’s Talk About That Ending (spoiler free)

This next bit talks about the ending of the book a bit while not talking about the plot. Skip a paragraph if you don’t want to know…

Now, I have to be fair. I recently docked stars from a book because it landed me with an open end, and without spoiling anything I will note that Veiled Court has been written as part 1 of a series. This said, unlike my previous gripe, this book does end on a low pulse. The major drama that drove this book’s arc resolves enough that we as the readers are not left frustrated, just hungry for more.

Final Verdict

Veiled Court reminded me why I fell in love with romantasy in the first place. Magic, danger, tension, political games and a heroine with actual life experience? Inject it directly into my veins.

Respectful love interests, rich historical inspiration and a genuinely addictive slow burn made this one incredibly hard to put down.

⭐️ 4.5/5 stars. I will absolutely be back for book two.

Author Links

Instagram: @CN_Crawford
Website: Click here (includes opening chapters!)

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