Holes in the Veil

The Goblets Immortal #2

by Beth Overmyer

"Packed full of adventure and ending with a cliffhanger that leaves readers anxiously awaiting a sequel." -- Booklist on The Goblets Immortal, Book 1 in the series.

Having killed his lifelong enemy, Aidan Ingledark finds himself in possession of a map to the Questing Goblet, one of the Goblets Immortal that gives the drinker luck beyond measure. Meraude seeks this Goblet to wipe out magic-kind. Aidan and his traveling companion are determined to find it first but they must battle through illusion and doubt.

Jinn’s a Sightful seeking the Summoner. She wants to kill her mother, but her foresight ends in darkness. Can she enlist Aidan's help and change her fate?

The threat of Meraude and her dominion are imminent in this sequel to The Goblets Immortal.

FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.

Genres: Fantasy

231 pages, Paperback

Published February 16, 2021

About the author

A fantasy author/literary writer/humorist walks into a bar. This isn’t a joke. (Save me.)

Reviews

[Jypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Random Things. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Holes In The Veil
By: Beth Overmyer

REVIEW ☆☆☆☆

Beth Overmyer is a new to me author, and Holes In The Veil is the first of her books I've read. This story is a fantasy and a quest. Three main characters are on a journey to find an object of importance. It's been a minute since I've tackled this genre, so the experience was interesting. In the big picture, their journey was balanced with bits of both fortuitous moments and downturns of luck. I was entertained and intrigued enough to keep reading. The characters were developed nicely with their own motives, flaws and quirks.

I do intend to go back, and read the first book of the series. I advise reading in order because the plot will be easier to comprehend that way. All in all, I would recommend Beth Overmyer's fantastical book for all of the adventuresome readers!

[Keith Chawgo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holes in the Veil is a science fiction fantasy novel which offers the reader into a new world with interesting characters that keeps the plot going at a very good pace.

Overmyer’s novel is very much character lead and reads like a fantasy novel although it is more science fiction. This alternative reality is a new world that Overmyer has excellently been able to establish whilst keeping the characters within a realistic mode.

The characters are very well established and react accordingly to the situations that they face themselves in. Although the main character of Aiden has the personality of a bit of a cad, the reader can not help but get on board with him as he goes on his journey to find the immortal goblet. This is an interesting devise used because on the surface, Aiden shouldn’t be very likable but Overmyer delicately stays on this thin line to give a winning hero. The supporting characters are very well written and establish.

The plot is very well written and keeps the reader involved. Personally, I’m not very good with the fantasy aspects as I find myself tripping over the characters names and they are often phonetically hard to pronounce but Overmyer has over conquered this for me and gave me a read which I don’t spend hours trying to figure out what the characters are supposed to be called. Thank you Overmyer for helping me with this.

This is a very good read but it does end on a cliffhanger which will make some readers rip out their hair in frustration awaiting the next instalment. She has however, tied up some strings to give some conclusion to the plot but enough is open that it does feel that to get an absolute satisfaction from the novel, one will have to wait for the next instalment which is not a bad thing. Overall this is a very good read and one that I surprisingly enjoyed. How long is the wait?

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holes In The Veil by Beth Overmyer is the sequel to The Goblets Immortal. I absolutely love Beth Overmyer’s writing and this sequel, it just gets better.

It’s no secret that my favorite genre is fantasy. Beth Overmyer creates a world that is easy to dive into. I was captivated by the world building.

The plot is full of suspense. I couldn’t put this book down. The characters are so well written, it felt as though I was watching them through their journey.
I love when book two is just as great as book one. This is a great read and I highly recommend it.

*I received a free copy of this book from Random Things Tours to review honestly on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*

[Traveling Cloak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first came across this series last year when I reviewed The Goblets Immortal (book 1 of the series) for a book tour. What immediately stands out to me about that review is that, while I liked the book, I did have a few criticisms. But, here is the deal: I thought it was a standalone novel. It was not until later that a conversation with Beth Overmyer did I learn this series is actually going to be trilogy. I thought the plot was somewhat flimsy for a standalone, and I disapproved of the ending. That all changes now that I know it is a series and have read the second book, because Holes in the Veil epitomizes the classic middle book of a series: it expands the world and introduces some new characters and a bit of a mini-narrative while continuing with overall narrative for the main protagonists, as well. That is not to say it is boring or overly trope-y, because it is not. Holes in the Veil takes The Goblets Immortal series to a new level, and I was very happy in the direction of story.

I think what I like most about this series is that it is an adventure fantasy (and I do love me some adventure fantasy). I hear the word “quest” and my hears perk up, and despite everything else going on that is the main theme: find the Goblets, save the world (Peter Petrelli, anyone?). But what really brings this narrative to a head is that Aidan is searching for the Goblets against his will. He is being compelled by an evil mage by the name of Meraude, who vows to give his family back once she has possession of the Goblets. Aidan is not sure what the mage wants with the Goblets, but he fears she wants to destroy magic or magic users. This puts Aidan in quite a predicament: get her the Goblets and potentially ruin the lives of others or never see his family, again. As expected, Aidan agrees but spends most of his time trying to find a way out. Can he somehow use the Goblets against Meraude? That is his thought process, and that is from where the bulk of the tension-creates emanate.

Even more suspension is built from Aiden’s relationship with his sidekick, Slaine. Slaine is compelled to help Aiden due to a curse put on her as a child, but their relationship grows quite a bit during the course of the first two books. It is clear from the first pages they have become quite fond of each other, and that creates some sexual tension. I always approach romantic situations in fantasy with skepticism. How necessary is it? I often ask myself. I think that as a society we have been to expect two people who are spending time together to fall in love. It has come to be an expectation as everything gets Disnified, and that fact is often used as a crutch in stories to force the characters into awkward situations where they do not belong; but, I like the fact that it exists in Holes in the Veil. I am not sure if “love” is the right word, but what I do really like is just how innocent it feels. And sloooooooooooow. The author did avoid some of the romance tropes such as putting them in a room with one bed (and actually seemed to make fun of this trope a little by making it seem as though that is where a scene was going, but then doing a 180 at the last second), though they did fall and land on each other a couple times. So, I guess not all cliches can be avoided.

I want to stress that this all seems to be part of Overmyer’s grand plan. It is witty, thoughtful writing, faking out one way then running it straight up the middle the next. As a reader, I like it when a story keeps me on my toes, and that is part of the appeal of Holes in the Veil. Everything felt just off of center enough that I never knew exactly where things were going next.

Speaking of off center, I did mention there were new characters introduced in this book. Jinn and Quick are also Blest (magic users, like Aiden), but where Aiden’s gift is to be able to push and pull items into another dimension (think weapons, food, waterskins, etc) these two can get glimpses into the future (not a spoiler, we find this out very early on). This, of course, influences their own quest quite significantly, and points intermingles with Aiden’s and Slaine’s, as well. I am not going to get into that too much here, because I do want to avoid spoiling that part of the narrative. I really just want to point out this is yet another added layer to this story that was already pretty highly pressurized. I love the addition of these characters and the storyline that comes along with them.

Holes in the Veil is a really good second book in The Goblets Immortal series. It is witty and adventurous, and I loved all the tension-building elements. My only question is: how is Overmyer going to pull of the final book in the trilogy? Seems like there is a lot of story to go. Regardless, I recommend this book and series for fans of fantasy, and especially those who like adventure fantasy. I suspect you will not be disappointed.

[Aiden Merchant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview: Holes in the Veil continues the journey of Aidan Ingledark and his pursuit of the Goblets Immortal. Now in possession of a map leading to the whereabouts of the Questing Goblet, Aidan and his companion have returned to the cover of the woods. However, something is following them from a distance, ever changing. Elsewhere, there is a Sightful named Jinn in search of the Summoner. Joined by her twin brother, Quick, she looks to defeat her mother and change her fate. All are in danger of Meraude, who seeks to end all magic with the Goblets Immortal.

The Good: The use of the new company, Jinn and Quick, helps move the story along during a patch of travel that could have proven incredibly boring. Better yet, their place in the grand scheme of things adds additional layers to the mystery of Meraude and those that stand against her. Not surprisingly, these two characters appear more likable and full of promise than Aidan.

The Bad: Though the writing seems tighter in this sequel, the story drags along in too many areas. By the time I’d reached the final third of the novel, I was no longer interested in what was happening on the page. Looking back at my review of book one in this series, it seems that most of my complaints still remain; the journey hardly progresses in several hundred pages, you’re given more questions than answers along the way, and the entire books boils doing to several key points that could have been reached in less time.

The Takeaway: Now that I’ve given this series two chances, I think it’s safe to say I will not be continuing Ingledark’s journey any further. Even with the addition of Jinn and her brother to spice things up, I found Holes in the Veil a little too boring to keep me hooked for yet another book. By all appearances, there could be still be a stack of titles to follow, and I just don’t have it in me to see this one to the end.
~
File Under: Fantasy and Adventure
Also See: The Goblets Immortal
~
 Snow- Capped Press (www.snowcappedpress.com / Issue 01 Expected Spring 2021)
 Review by Aiden Merchant (Closed to review requests at time of posting / Refer to social media accounts or website for changes to availability)
 Reviewer’s Information: (e) contact@aidenmerchant.com / (w) www.aidenmerchant.com

[Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Beth Overmyer has a special gift for writing Fantasy, making it appealing and endearing even to those readers who generally avoid this genre. Her writing is talented and her characterizations make readers engrossed and involved with the the lives of her characters. Plotting is suspenseful and tension-suffused. HOLES IN THE VEIL is Book 2 of THE GOBLETS IMMORTAL Series, focusing on The Questing Goblet.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holes in the Veil is the second in a Fantasy series. Following on from The Goblets Immortal, we enter a world of fairies and goblins combined with a strong magic system, where blood-magic prevails. People there with the right ancestry, who are Blest, can Summon objects to themselves and Dismiss them back again at will.

This is quite a useful skill although as with the best magic, it has its limits. Distance is a limit, and iron can be used for punishment and imprisonment, should the holder be able to wield it. Items can be stored ready for use in The Nothing, a sort-of alternate realm where time & space are different. It also allows some people with the talent to hide there as well, even when time spent there is both disorientating and unpredictable. Generally magic is something to be feared rather than respected by most common folk.

Enter our hero - Aidan Ingledark, having survived the first book by killing his enemy and gaining the Summoning Goblet, now has a map to find the Questing Goblet, one of the five that together make the Goblets Immortal and give unlimited power to those who possess them. His quest therefore in this book is to find the aforementioned Goblet, for it gives luck beyond measure to whoever drinks from it.

And he’ll need it, for challenging him and Slaine, his ex-slave-girl friend, is Meraude, an evil mage who also killed Aidan’s parents. Now with a vendetta against Aidan, she is determined to get the Goblet back and so begin a Great War for which she is determined to be the victor. In turn Aidan wishes to gain revenge on Meraude for killing his parents and Slaine wishes her dead because she has been cursed. xxx.

Generally, it’s nicely done, if undemanding. We have here a book that can be read by both adults and teens, and has a narrative with few unnecessary diversions, basic characterisation and a fast-moving plot. The dialogue is pleasingly sparky and we get to know enough about the characters to make them interesting, if a little clichéd. There’s a touch of romance in the ‘will they – won’t they’ relationship between Aidan and Slaine, and of course the revengeful bad-mage Meraude is appropriately hissable.

Holes in the Veil is clearly not the first in the series, but it is straightforward enough to follow, with enough backstory to ensure new readers get what’s going on. It is undeniably comfort reading in that the reader pretty much gets what they expect, but many will enjoy the path trodden to the end.

The ending tells us that there’s more to follow in the quest for the remaining Goblets Immortal, although this story has a pleasing symmetry about it. It is a charmingly persuasive read.

[Saf ST · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded to 4 stars

Love the title! I first chose the book because "Holes in the Veil" sounds so beautiful. And I loved the image more when I finally understood the meaning.

Pros:
* The author creates a fascinating new world with different magic and powers all tied to Goblets Immortal. The mythical creatures are so well described! And the settings made me think I was there, in the woods and towns.
* I liked the main characters. I can imagine all of them, each one with a strong voice and personality. My favorite was Jinn, and her relationship with her twin brother left me teary-eyed at times. The author does a very good job of describing their emotions and dilemmas.
* The pacing is fast most of the time. I liked the action and the entire quest. I really felt I was the one going on the adventure and seeking the Goblet.

Cons:
* To fill us in about the first novel in the series, there is a lot of explanation about what happened before in Aidan's side of the story, and it felt like a constant summary of the first book. Too much and not enough information at the same time bothered me as it took me out of the intriguing read.
* Although the story answers the main question, there are still one or two I wished were answered in this second book. As it is, it seemed a lot has been thrown my way but when I got to the end of the book, it still felt like a lot of information was missing. I understand it's a series, but this second book follows two separate pairs of characters whose destinies are linked, and the final meeting falls flat (or non-existent?). I wish there were fewer descriptions throughout and a more satisfying encounter or answers at the end.

Overall:
A very good read!! My interest was piqued the entire time, and the characters grew on me. I wanted more! :)

*** Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Flame Tree Press. ***

[Sara (thebookwebb) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew from the first couple of pages that I was going to enjoy this book, however what I had not realised before picking it up is that it was a sequel. Sensing that I was going to really enjoy this book and would therefore want to read the whole series, I stopped reading immediately and purchased the previous book. While this book does go over some of what happened in the first, I was glad that I went back to the beginning of the series so that I had a better understanding of the journey that the characters had been on. Both books were an enjoyable read with great characters, magic, and adventure. They are not long books, therefore the world building is not heavy and drawn out which make these books are a great introduction to those new to the fantasy genre, or for those wanting to read something that is not so deep and complicated yet still has all the elements that make a great fantasy story. Overall a fun read that ended with me hoping for a third book very soon.

This was a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Henry Lazarus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beth Overmyer continues her tale of The Goblets Immortal (paper). Five wizards ruled the world until they were killed and their blood was used to make six goblets that give abilities for short periods. However, a cult was formed that used the goblets by pregnant women to produce children with these ability. Unfortunately there are Holes in the Veil (Hard from Flame Tree Press) as two sets of adventurers seek the Questing Goblet. One group has Aidan Ingledark, who can call objects to him and store non-living things in nothingness, and Slaín who can fly and is cursed not to leave her master. They have a map. Jin and her less intelligent twin Quick can foresee futures and are hunting for Aiden. This part of the story brings to two groups together, ready for what promises to be a fun conclusion. I can’t wait.

[Lel Budge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holes In The Veil is a fantasy tale, set in a new world of magic, friends and enemies.

Here, Aidan has teamed up with Jinn and Quick and they have a map showing where to find the Questing Goblet. But they are not the only ones looking for it as Meraude wants it too.

Something is following Aidan and his friends!

With its well developed characters, a tension packed plot and fantastic world building this is a marvellous adventure of magic and fantasy. I’m already looking forward to book 3.

Thank you to Random Things Tours for the opportunity to be part of this blog tour, for the promotional material and an ARC of Holes In The Veil.

[Josef Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok read but one that never fully caught my attention.

For a full review, please go to https://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/... and follow me on Twitter @josenher

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of the first book in this series but I liked this one.
The story kept me hooked and I liked the world building and the character development.
I will read other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Megan McMillen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm only giving it a 3 because I wanted to like it. They upset me with turning Slaine into some kinda evil person! If they were gonna do that they should have done it sooner. I love a twist always, but this was a twist that made me sad, not happy.

[Alfred Nobile · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd part of a trilogy. More on the blog tour

[Rosemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun YA fantasy, but it would probably help to read the first book before this one.

[Bat-Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I loved the magic, the adventure, the suspense, and the addition of the two, new characters. This story is so exciting, and I can’t wait for the next one!