A romantic fantasy where the story is always in motion.
For decades, Mystics have been executed. Now the King is sparing them. Gisela Valor should be relieved, but mercy has never come without a cost. The Life Stones that sustain the villages of Mystralos have been seized, and the plants she depends on to heal her people are withering. With her own Mystic mark concealed, Gisela learns that silence is no longer safety—it’s surrender. When she joins forces with Thorne Alderose, her childhood adversary and unexpected ally, they set out to uncover the truth behind the King’s decree and awaken a power that is no ordinary magic. It’s alive. Sentient. And it awakens only to those who are willing. As old grudges give way to a pull they can’t resist, they encounter four other Mystics with pasts more entangled than they realize. The land falters, the veil between realms thins, and it becomes clear the King is not the only threat. Once the truth is exposed, there will be no returning to the world Mystralos once was.
Michelle Kirby is the author of Veil of Kings. When she isn’t hallucinating her next story to music, she’s juggling four kids, two dogs, and her husband (who she insists helps with the juggling). She studied psychology at the University of South Florida and now talks about books and writing on Instagram and TikTok. When she’s not reading or gaming, she’s watering her plants and staying in sweatpants as long as possible.
Gisela Valor, a simple girl who runs her family’s herbalist shop, has a big heart, cares for her community and serves as their healer. Everything seems to be improving in her little village now that her father has become the Lord, she should feel happy and free with her new social status, except she’s not. Gisela is hiding a secret, she’s a Mystic. Mystics are feared throughout the kingdom, so much so the King has issued an edict for their immediate execution upon discovery. When the King removes the Life Stones from her village she realizes things are getting bad very fast. Plants are dying and strange creatures start appearing. Gisela knows she must keep her identity as a Mystic hidden, but she also knows she can’t sit by and watch her village deteriorate. Gisela must find a way to save her village and the people she loves before the King destroys everything. But at what cost?
Veil of Kings is an immersive world with a very developed unique magic system. I found myself lost in the story and couldn’t put it down. There are multiple characters who are all very well developed and their stories are all woven intricately throughout. Some conversations between the characters seemed cut and left the flow/development abruptly stopped. Many of which were revisited and expanded upon later. Veil of Kings gave me similar feelings to Spark of the Everflame and Fourth Wing. This is a story of self-discovery, trust, friendship, love, forgiveness, confidence, and family.
Thank you to the author, Michelle Kirby for my eARC in return of my honest review. Can’t wait for book 2!!
I am grateful to have been sent an ARC from the author Michelle Kirby for this book “Veil of Kings”! I love that right off the bat we get a map & a pronunciation guide 👌I am really bad with names in books so this helps. I was able to read this as if I was watching a movie in my head and it doesn’t happen with all books for me. Descriptions of what’s happening like “shadows twisted between the trunks, rustle of leaves made her pulse jump, tears competing with raindrops streaking down her face”. I loved all of it. I also fear that now instead of saying “oh my gosh”, I will be saying “For the love of the six” 🙈
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Thank you @MichelleKirby for the ARC of #VeilofKings. I loved this book! For a debut novel the creation of this world was awesome. Bringing to life a place that your mind created and entwined into a massive story. Well done Michelle. So vivid and exciting. The magic was unique and how the main characters developed was great. The Trees and different villages and elements was great foundations to creating a well developed world. Thorne and Gisela.. loved them and the bond.. love.. The ending was WOW and can't stop thinking about what is going to happen next. It could have been a little longer to allow some of the character iteractions and their journey to go for a little longer but the story kept me enthralled and finished it over the weekend as I wanted to know what was next. Looking forward to Book 2 :-)
I absolutely devoured, inhaled and ravaged this story.
Mystics are executed.
That is, until the King makes the sudden choice to spare them, while also removing the Life Stones that sustain the land, as he has ulterior motives on the horizon.
Veil of Kings follows Gisela Valor and Thorne Alderose as they become unexpected allies (and more 😉) when they decide to go through the Trials of Kharos to awaken their Mystic powers and save their villages.
Gisela and Thorne encounter other Mystics which create a sense of found family between the characters as they embark on a journey to save Mystralos from not only the King’s grasp and ruinous plans, but something else lurking.
The magic in this book is so unique with the Primals. I LOVE the Primals — such a fun experience as a reader!
Veil of Kings is written by a debut/indie author and it is every bit as addicting as it is beautifully written. It is fast paced with plenty of details to keep you engaged and needing to know what comes next. The attention to detail is immaculate, and the villages and characters are brought to life brilliantly.
There’s definitely potential here. You can tell the author is talented. My main issue wasn’t with the story or the characters, but with the execution. The pacing felt awkward at times, and I kept noticing back-to-back sentences that started the same way. Key moments and revelations lacked proper buildup or emotional reaction from the characters and ended up being brushed through. A more careful round of edits would have made a huge difference.
Gisela Valor is a brilliant young woman who is fierce. She is the female main character in Veil of Kings. She is trying to save her world from ruin and an evil King. Mystics are those with magic and once their marks are revealed as young men and women they are executed in the village square. One day the executions stop, but the unveiling of why takes the reader on a thrilling adventure across the land of Mystralos. I loved the interaction of found family and the task they must accomplish. The ending was suspenseful and left me wanted more of the story and these wonderful characters.
I was able to read this early thanks to receiving the ARC, thank y'all so much for helping me find a new world to dive in and enjoy!
From the onset of the story, i was of the mind that it was very 2000's coded. there were similar themes and almost scenes that reminded me of other books i read back in high school, and if that was intentional, well done because i was sucked in from that point and then the story really starts to kick off. Based on a few preconceived notions i had from the original description i received, i was thinking this would be focusing more on the trials, finding love in the bully/boy next door and realizing the power was in us all along rather than the banding of hurt hero's, secret legacies, and the destruction of a country/world they know.
the occasional change in point of view was different and appreciated as many times you are left out on other character POV in somewhat crucial moments. Gisela and Thorne make a rather adorable couple as things move forward, which actually went through at a pace i thought was realistic for what they were experiencing even before their s********d status hits (yea, i self-censored there, find out yourself) oh and did i mention the elemental aspect? because, yes, that is a thing and each elemental had a corresponding name without being overly similar to another's outside of it being within the bounds of the element.
I greatly look forward to the next book in this series.
4 stars because the handful of plot holes bothered me.
also will probably edit this a bit more when i am not brain deprived from reading/hearing 5 different books/stories in a day :)
This story is told in third-person. Despite the two MCs being young (early 20s), I appreciated that they’re mature and actually discuss their thoughts and feelings with one another. No miscommunication trope here, which is a win to me.
For spice, I rate it 🌶️🌶️/5. There’s one open-door scene, and lots of tender moments between the two MCs, but the story mainly focuses on their journey together and their intimate connection, as opposed to being mostly about what they do in the bedroom. You can truly feel their love for each other.
Gisella is smart, independent, and tough. She’s a healer, and she doesn’t need to know how to wield a sword to be useful. Thorne is a cinnamon roll who acknowledges his failures and strives to be a better person. It’s a nice change of pace from the more common “stabby FMC” and “morally grey MMC.”
This book is very fast-paced and skips over some big areas, for example, multiple days spent traveling or the intricacies of training with new magic. Some readers might find those details mundane and appreciate the skip, while others might regret missing the transition that comes with those slower moments. Jumping from one scene to the next can give you a bit of whiplash; but Michelle Kirby does an excellent job of world building and providing context. You can tell that she knew where she wanted the story to go from the very beginning.
Overall, an excellent first book by Michelle Kirby!
**Received a copy as an ARC reviewer** Veil of Kings is an easy, engaging fantasy that blends romance, friendship, and quiet bravery into a gentle, enjoyable story. The plot is simple and smooth to follow, making it perfect if you want something immersive without being overwhelming. At the center is a soft enemies-to-lovers relationship that feels more playful tension than true hostility. The love interest begins guarded and distant, but slowly reveals a warmer, protective side. Their connection grows through small, tender moments—shared looks, hesitant trust, and sweet, understated affection. The story shines most in its themes of chosen family and doing what is right. The characters build strong bonds beyond blood ties, showing how friendship and loyalty can shape who we become. There’s a quiet message throughout about choosing kindness and courage, even when it’s difficult. The writing is light and descriptive, with lovely little details that bring the world to life without slowing the pace. It has a soft, romantic atmosphere, with just enough magic and emotion to keep you turning the pages. Overall, Veil of Kings is a warm, comforting fantasy—simple, sweet, and filled with love, friendship, and gentle romance.
Thank you @MichelleKirby for the ARC of #VeilofKings. I really enjoyed it! For a debut novel the pacing was well done, the characters were immediately likeable, and the world building so well developed. And the use of magic felt so unique. I won't spoil but it just felt so different to me - loved, loved, loved. Veil of Kings was intriguing in it's use of this magic to the world, as well as how it is not coveted but feared. The storyline never faltered. I could not stop reading. Being introduced to these characters, Gisela and Thorne, and their found family, then feeling their stories unfold from the beginning was like testing the water and then diving in because the water is fine. The book kept pulling me in deeper and deeper until I was completely submerged in the story and this world. I loved how fragile Thorne could be and loved his character arc. I immediately appreciated Gisela for her fierce determination and tenderness (being the oldest sibling in my fam, she felt relatable.) And did I mention the magic? And the ending... Yes! and What?! 🫨 I can't wait to see where this story goes.
I recieved the #VeilofKings as an ARC-reader from #MichelleKirby and I was really looking forward to reading this book. English is not my native language, so I was a bit nervous upfront how well I would be able to read it, BUT I read the book in two sittings, front to back. I was hooked from the very first chapter.
Michelle did such a good job to bringing this new world to life. Every step Gisela and her friends took, I could vividly see how it looked like - almost like I was there with them. The story follows mostly from Gisela and Thorne's POV, but they connect and change in a organic way. I didn't need to think twice about which person the storyline followed, and I loved that about this book.
Michelle introduced a new way of magic with her book and that in itself gave me goosebumps everytime she gave new details what the characters could do. I was sitting on the edge of my seat, wanting to keep reading what happened next.
I had the time of my life with this book. For me personally, it felt like a mixture of LOTR, Fourth Wing and Elemental (pixar movie).
And that ending... wow! I cannot wait for book 2 (no pressure though haha).
✨Found Family ✨Quest ✨Forced Proximity ✨Protective MMC ✨Reluctant Allies to Lovers ✨Forbidden Elemental Magic
Wow, I’m officially obsessed! For a debut, Veil of Kings blew me away. I was hooked from page one. The plot had me flipping pages way past my bedtime because I had to know what happened next. The author really brought these characters to life. Gisela is a refreshing main female character, she was strong but still soft at the same time. Thorne’s yearning just wrecked me…in the best way! The romance was so sweet and had that perfect tension I can’t get enough of. And that ending?? I need book 2 now! If you’re looking for a fantasy with lovable characters, found family, heartfelt romance, and a story that grabs you right away, this is it!
Thank you, Michelle Kirby, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I received this ARC from the author and both the premise was great, and the cover was gorgeous. I struggled with the book itself, it was a tumble down a hill where everything happened so quickly, from plot, to relationships, to character intros. It was a bit of a whiplash. More tension and buildup would have made this much easier. I think this was meant to be enemies to lovers, but it was very quickly not so. Thorne just was never convincing as an emotionally damaged morally grey MMC. The topics and situations were presented as heavy, but the resolutions were so fast and almost easy. Overall, I guess it just felt rushed.
With its beautiful cover and intriguing premise, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this book. However, as soon as the characters were introduced, who were quite dull, might I add, that sparkle died. The fast pace of the story made it a bit of a struggle to adjust and fully get into the story. Not to mention, that a lot of the revelations and twists were sorted through too quickly and easily. Initially, I was entertained, but then it quickly became boring. I pushed through, hoping it would improve, but sadly it didn't. This really had so much potential, but it wasn't developed enough.
Elemental Mark, Mystic's are getting killed because of it. Gisela with her mark needs to hide to stay alive.
After the proclamation of King Revenor to stop the killing and gather the stone, the land began to deteriorate. Making a decision to know the truth she started a mission, now joint with Throne as he was a Mystic as well (a little different from anyone else).
Now facing trials, discovering allies, their soulbonds, and the truth of each other's lineage, they will need to form a plan to discover the real intentions of the new King Zero! Can't wait for the next installment!!! @michellekirby
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received this book as an ARC from the author. There was a lot that I loved, and at the same time some things that didn’t really work for me as a reader. The worldbuilding and overall premise were great and I loved getting sucked in Mystralos! But the romance moved too fast for my taste, and there were too many tropes we have seen in many romantasy books in the past few years, so that made the plot seem predictable at times.
Overall I enjoyed this book and I’m glad I got to be among the first people to get my hands on it!
1st and foremost Im honored to have been an ARC reader. I didn't want to put it down. Honestly it never felt dull or like you had to get through a Chapter to get to the good bits. All of it was good bits. The slow burn of childhood enemies turning into so much more. With definite room to grow even further with more books. Tasteful shapers with a dark edge. The perfect spark of romance. Ready for the next book. ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
I wanted to the like this story… the premise was intriguing and the promo drew me in. I struggled to continue and eventually got bored. Everything felt rushed. The characters, relationships and storylines were kinda just sped through and not well developed. I think it had potential to be a good story but needed to be hashed out better.
This is her first book? Can’t even tell! I devoured this book over the weekend and I’m already sad that book 2 isn’t ready(yes I realize book 1 isn’t released). You’ll understand when you get it because anyone who says they like to read NEEEEEDS IT. Between the epic world building, the relatable characters, the suspense the magic and THE DRAGONS. Just pre order it today. Just do it.
ARC Review: This was such a fun book to read! Following Gisella and Thorne's journey together as they found new connections and learned to understand their magic more involved really in depth character building. The pace of the book was great as well. Nothing felt rushed yet so much was in each chapter.
Thank you to the author, Michelle Kirby, for the eARC of this book! This book had a lot of good elements - interesting magic, mystery, romance, trials, but everything was so rushed. From beginning to end it was all nonstop without a lot of expansion on big moments or characters, so it all just kind of jumbled together.