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The Poisoned Kingdoms #0.5
Hollow and Venom
Fake courtesan. Real feelings. Impossible odds. Some lies are worth dying for.
Neve has spent her life hiding a deadly she's immune to the magical thrall that controls every other human in the Vales. When her defiance catches the attention of Prince Sylvan Everstone—the notorious Soulslayer—she expects torture or death.
Instead, he claims her as his courtesan to save her life.
It's a lie that could get them both killed, but it's also her only protection from a court of sadistic mages who see humans as disposable playthings. Forced into an intimate charade with the realm's most dangerous man, Neve must navigate deadly court politics while hiding the truth about her immunity.
But darker forces are stirring. The mage king has plans that go far beyond simple cruelty, and the ancient ritual that could seal his schemes draws near. As the kingdom hurtles toward catastrophe, Neve faces an impossible choice between the safety of shadows and stepping into a light that could either save her people—or destroy them all.
An enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance featuring a morally gray hero, a fearless heroine with hidden powers, and stakes that could reshape the world.
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Hollow and Venom is a stand-alone novel set in the world of the Poisoned Kingdoms.
Neve has spent her life hiding a deadly she's immune to the magical thrall that controls every other human in the Vales. When her defiance catches the attention of Prince Sylvan Everstone—the notorious Soulslayer—she expects torture or death.
Instead, he claims her as his courtesan to save her life.
It's a lie that could get them both killed, but it's also her only protection from a court of sadistic mages who see humans as disposable playthings. Forced into an intimate charade with the realm's most dangerous man, Neve must navigate deadly court politics while hiding the truth about her immunity.
But darker forces are stirring. The mage king has plans that go far beyond simple cruelty, and the ancient ritual that could seal his schemes draws near. As the kingdom hurtles toward catastrophe, Neve faces an impossible choice between the safety of shadows and stepping into a light that could either save her people—or destroy them all.
An enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance featuring a morally gray hero, a fearless heroine with hidden powers, and stakes that could reshape the world.
–
Hollow and Venom is a stand-alone novel set in the world of the Poisoned Kingdoms.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 30, 2025
42 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 30, 2025
A perfect stand-alone/prequel novella to build the history of the mages and the magic system. A wonderful read as you then dive into Amelia's beautifully written (and my favourite) duology: Winters Fate and Winters Power.
While the first few chapters of the book start out a little slow, you are able to get a feel for the human vs. mage realms, who has what powers and who the current kingdom rulers and heirs are. You're then quickly thrust into magic and action scenes that keep you trying to guess how this delicious short story may end. Sylvan and Neve's chemistry in this book is swoonworthy, and the slow burn is absolutely tantalizing!
So much is packed into this short read that you must devour it in one sitting!
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read Sylvan and Neve's story!
While the first few chapters of the book start out a little slow, you are able to get a feel for the human vs. mage realms, who has what powers and who the current kingdom rulers and heirs are. You're then quickly thrust into magic and action scenes that keep you trying to guess how this delicious short story may end. Sylvan and Neve's chemistry in this book is swoonworthy, and the slow burn is absolutely tantalizing!
So much is packed into this short read that you must devour it in one sitting!
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read Sylvan and Neve's story!
December 4, 2025
Hollow and Venom pulled me in from the very first chapter, and I genuinely could not put it down. Amelia has created such an intriguing world, and I found myself instantly gripped by the divide between humans and mages. Even with the slower start, I actually appreciated how it eased me into the magic system, the rulers, and the high stakes tension of the Vales. By the time things exploded into action, I was fully invested and desperate to know what would happen next.
Neve and Sylvan absolutely made this story for me. Their chemistry! Perfection. The burn between them was so good, slow, sharp, and addictive in all the best ways. I loved how complex and layered they both were, and I found it really easy to understand their motivations. Their dynamic was deliciously tense, and Amelia balanced danger, desire, and emotional depth beautifully. I genuinely felt every moment between them.
The writing itself is stunning, lyrical without ever feeling overdone. Amelia's prose has that "wow" factor that elevates every scene, and it made this short read feel incredibly rich and immersive. I got to grips with the story quickly, and I was hooked straight through to the end. I loved this book so much that I plan to read more of Amelia's stories. A brilliant idea, wonderfully executed, and a novella I’ll definitely be recommending!
Neve and Sylvan absolutely made this story for me. Their chemistry! Perfection. The burn between them was so good, slow, sharp, and addictive in all the best ways. I loved how complex and layered they both were, and I found it really easy to understand their motivations. Their dynamic was deliciously tense, and Amelia balanced danger, desire, and emotional depth beautifully. I genuinely felt every moment between them.
The writing itself is stunning, lyrical without ever feeling overdone. Amelia's prose has that "wow" factor that elevates every scene, and it made this short read feel incredibly rich and immersive. I got to grips with the story quickly, and I was hooked straight through to the end. I loved this book so much that I plan to read more of Amelia's stories. A brilliant idea, wonderfully executed, and a novella I’ll definitely be recommending!
February 28, 2026
Hollow and Venom is actually a prequel story for an existing fantasy series that I have never read, and it stands alone without the series with no issues. It was totally understandable. And now I’m absolutely convinced to read the rest!!
This unique magic system brought it with the tortured human, power hierarchy, evil king vibes.
Neve is a human living in a kingdom ruled by “Mages” who are magical power wielding beings who use their powers to enthrall humans to do whatever they want them to. And some of them make humans do really awful things. Neve has never been able to be enthralled, seemingly immune to mage power. She has a real hatred for the mages knowing the awful things they do to humans. Through a series of events that I won’t spoil, she ends up tied to mage prince Sylvan, the most powerful of the mages. He might actually not be as bad as she thinks. Something evil is brewing in the fortress just as Neve enters court life. Will she choose to fight it?
Quick and entertaining, this is worth the read!
This unique magic system brought it with the tortured human, power hierarchy, evil king vibes.
Neve is a human living in a kingdom ruled by “Mages” who are magical power wielding beings who use their powers to enthrall humans to do whatever they want them to. And some of them make humans do really awful things. Neve has never been able to be enthralled, seemingly immune to mage power. She has a real hatred for the mages knowing the awful things they do to humans. Through a series of events that I won’t spoil, she ends up tied to mage prince Sylvan, the most powerful of the mages. He might actually not be as bad as she thinks. Something evil is brewing in the fortress just as Neve enters court life. Will she choose to fight it?
Quick and entertaining, this is worth the read!
January 31, 2026
Hollow and Venom by Amelia Macleod completely swept me away. Dark magic? Check. A dangerous, layered world? Absolutely. A magic system that keeps you on edge? YES. The characters carry so much tension and mystery that every chapter feels charged, especially with the looming influence of power and control threading through the story.
The folklore elements…hello, the mention of sprites added such a fun, enchanting twist that made the world feel alive and a little mischievous for me (I love anything sprites). And chapter 15? I won’t say why, but it had my heart in a chokehold. Emotional, intimate, and unforgettable in the best way.
Moody, magical, and buzzing with energy—this book sparkles with darkness and emotion, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. ✨🖤📖
The folklore elements…hello, the mention of sprites added such a fun, enchanting twist that made the world feel alive and a little mischievous for me (I love anything sprites). And chapter 15? I won’t say why, but it had my heart in a chokehold. Emotional, intimate, and unforgettable in the best way.
Moody, magical, and buzzing with energy—this book sparkles with darkness and emotion, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. ✨🖤📖
January 27, 2026
Hollow and Venom broke me in the best way.
This book consumed me. The world is dark, dangerous, and beautifully crafted, but it’s the connection between Neve and Sylvan that completely stole my heart. Their tension, their slow-burn trust, the way they’re drawn to each other despite everything working against them—it was intoxicating.
Amelia MacLeod writes with so much emotion that I didn’t just read this story, I felt it. Every page pulsed with longing, fear, and hope. I laughed, I ached, I held my breath through entire chapters.
If you love enemies-to-lovers, morally gray heroes, and fantasy romance that leaves you emotionally wrecked in the best possible way—this one is unforgettable.
This book consumed me. The world is dark, dangerous, and beautifully crafted, but it’s the connection between Neve and Sylvan that completely stole my heart. Their tension, their slow-burn trust, the way they’re drawn to each other despite everything working against them—it was intoxicating.
Amelia MacLeod writes with so much emotion that I didn’t just read this story, I felt it. Every page pulsed with longing, fear, and hope. I laughed, I ached, I held my breath through entire chapters.
If you love enemies-to-lovers, morally gray heroes, and fantasy romance that leaves you emotionally wrecked in the best possible way—this one is unforgettable.
January 1, 2026
I read this prequel after reading book 1 and devoured it in two sittings. Like book 1, I stayed up reading until my eyes were bleary and even my cat objected to the light being on.
The story strengthened the world building in the first book, but since it takes place in the distant past with new characters, they can really be read in any order. I'm a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope, and the romantic tension here is kick-your-feet-back-and-forth good. This one is definitely worth checking out!
The story strengthened the world building in the first book, but since it takes place in the distant past with new characters, they can really be read in any order. I'm a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope, and the romantic tension here is kick-your-feet-back-and-forth good. This one is definitely worth checking out!
January 14, 2026
A wonderful enemies to lovers romance. It’s a prequel but it’s also stand alone. It gives a wonderful feel for the human vs. mage realms. It shows who has what powers and who the current kingdom rulers and heirs are. It’s an action packed story of Sylvan and Neve. The chemistry is amazing and this is a slow burn that is just right. Wonderful world building, great characters, and an all around amazing story.
February 22, 2026
This novella could be read as a stand alone as it built the world within the first few chapters and the character’s personalities develop quickly. I haven’t read the other books and it doesn’t matter since this was a great read. It was steamy and cute at the same time.
The writing was phenomenal and was very carefully structured with purpose behind every word. You can feel the love and time Amelia put into this.
The writing was phenomenal and was very carefully structured with purpose behind every word. You can feel the love and time Amelia put into this.
October 6, 2025
The characters were not very well developed and the relationship between the love interest was too deep and not believable. This was the first book I read in the series, and I understand it was the prequel? But that shouldn’t matter, the characters were just not believable. And it was all very rushed.
December 7, 2025
Loved this book. Such a unique world that was easy to get into. Glad to see there is another connected series to move into and learn more about this world. Loved the connection between the two main characters and their story. This is a must read.
September 13, 2025
oh I loved this prequel so much!
September 23, 2025
I loved this stand-alone prequel so much! I can't wait to get started on the series. Amelia MacLeod is a fantastic story-teller with a wonderful imagination!!
February 9, 2026
I got this book free in a FB ad. And I tired so hard to get into it. But I couldn’t it was just too boring. I DNF at page 47
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews