Genres: Fantasy Romance, NA Fantasy, Fantasy | Release Date: 1 February 2023 | Series: The Veil | Series Book: #1 | Pages: 414 | Indie Author | Review
“The dark is listening.”
Ivy Brannon
Overview:
A huge thank you has to go to both the author and Book Sirens for giving me an e-ARC of The Veil to review! Ivy Brannon has crafted an amazing debut NA fantasy romance, and I devoured this story in just one sitting. Let me tell you all of the reasons why…
Lina Calder has escaped to the forest on a hunting party with her brothers, to get away from the horrible Lord Olin. But unbeknownst to them, the legend of the veil between the human and fae realms lifting on Samhain is true. And when her youngest brother is stolen away by monsters from across the divide, Lina will do anything to get him back. But some rules are set in stone, and have been since the dawn of time. Can one human really go up against this power, to save her brother from being a Changeling? Or will this start a war that’s been brewing for centuries? Lina needs to find her courage, because the creatures that stalk the land are coming for her…
Happiness Boost:
This story made my heart hurt. You might think that’s a weird happiness boost, but only the best authors can inflict this kind of heartache on me. Lina is dealing with both grief and uncertainty, but she never stops trying her best. And I *love* that. Does she make mistakes? Of course! She’s only human (and yes that was a deliberate pun). But when she only wishes for quiet at one point, I forgave her all her foibles. I know what that’s like, to desperately wish for silence so you can just sit and breathe. It’s such good writing, and giving us this realism in The Veil is a genius move on Ivy’s part.
If there’s one trope that I absolutely adore above all others, it’s ragtag team. And let me tell you, this one is definitely that! There are friends, allies and frenemies in amongst this group and it makes for a truly delicious and delightful mixture. And at the heart of it all? A young woman who just wants her brother back, no matter what it takes. Most of us can attest to how powerful family connections can be, and I’m always going to cheer for a story involving this plotline!
I know I’m just talking about the characters in my happiness boosts, so let me reassure you, this story has it *all*. But these characters have left an impression on me, and I might actually explode if I don’t talk about them. If this story doesn’t break you with anything else going on, it will when you meet Hale. This male knows what it’s like to be an outsider; he’s despised, feared, and hated for just *breathing*. And I swear, he’s the most noble one out of the whole lot of them. His name needs to be mentioned here. And when you read this story? You’ll know why.
Downside:
I did question Lina over her anger regarding something, but I’ve reminded myself she’s human. It’s a given, that none of us are perfect… So it’s a bit harsh of me to hold her up to an impossible standard! Aside from that? This has been a truly wonderful read.
Final Thoughts:
The Veil by Ivy Brannon is a superb NA fantasy romance debut, full of the perils of Faerie and family heartache. I think if you love books by Holly Black, Chloe Hodge and Leife Shallcross? You need to read this gem. It will have you on the edge of your seat, and that’s *always* a good thing. Love what you’ve heard from my review? Click on the link below and pre-order this amazing book! Happy reading, glitterbugs!
You can pre-order The Veil via this link: Amazon
