Jennie's Reads

“If only they could see me as I saw myself: just an ordinary girl put into an extraordinary position.”

⭐️ 3
🌶 0
🌩 He Falls First
🌩 Sorta Enemies to Lovers?
🌩 Court Intrigue
🌩 Love Triangle
🌩 Back Stabby Villians
🌩 YA Fiction

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Just a heads up that I am reviewing this through a Young Adult lens, not my usual-unhinged-ridiculousness lens. I was suggested this book through BookSirens as my first ARC read for the platform, so I gave it a shot. And yeah, she’s very much a YA Fantasy book. No spice, a surface level conversation, emotional whirs of young adults… that kind of thing. I have a couple irks and quirks, but over all I do think The Concealed is a fun read for a younger audience.

Blurb/Synopsis

Sometimes destiny is written. Hers was concealed.

When Cate travels from Oregon to university in England, she expects her gravest dilemma to be finding coffee instead of tea, but she’s got bigger problems—much bigger. At Staton University, nothing is quite what it seems. Even her own identity. Unbeknownst to Cate, a prophecy deems her as destined to defeat a ruthless enemy in a magical land, placing a target squarely on her back. Now, someone on campus is stalking her, and a narrow escape sends her through a mysterious portal, assisted by two irresistible boys. Yet the fantastical new world is even more treacherous with rival kingdoms and imminent war.

Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan, but what’s a girl to do? A fresh start was all she wanted—a few new friends in the dorms with a trusty latte in hand—not war, an estranged biological father who is king, or a star-crossed love straight out of Romeo and Juliet (hopefully without the dying part).

As the battle looms, Cate must solve the mystery of the prophecy and decide who in her circle is trustworthy before the place she now calls home is destroyed.

What I Enjoyed

Character and Place Names: We so often see authors make up the most intense names for their countries/kingdoms/characters (just like Michael in this reel) and SK Horton named all people/places with seemingly more “real” names ie. Daniel, Lucas – with setting names rooted in Latin ie. Caelum, Terra. This was nice because my brain didn’t go into a hissy fit spasm every time the people/places were referenced.

Intermediate World Building: So, this book has more of an intermediate level of world building. It’s no Shadow Hunters universe- but there’s enough for you to get a nice rounded idea of what the setting and scene is. The fact that SK build upon 3 elemental magical powers and creates a wonderful little world based upon just that was entertaining. We typically see all 4/5 elemental powers used, so it can get a little messy. But magical system created here was a great balance. The Concealed is also a wonderful little blend of Old England, magical kingdoms, and modern tech. I would have loved to see a little more of the world, but with what we are shown, it was interesting!

Entertaining Banter: I loved the dialogue between Cate and Lucas! Lucas has a wonderful sense of humor, even if it might be rooted in self-flattery and the opinion that he is “The Best”. Cate does a great job and entertaining him as well as bringing him down a notch. Their friendship is one that I really enjoyed watching blossom.

Queen Lila: The Queen of Terra is depicted and presented exactly how I would expect royalty to be. She’s so well spoken, described as beautiful, has her heart in the right place it seems. The way her dialogue with Cate goes, it’s just beautiful. She saved the second half of the book for me.

What I Didn’t Like

Cate Trusts Too Easily: Call it Naiveté or what you may, but there is no way in the world an 18 year old girl who just traveled half way across the world to go to college just up and full fledged trusts two boys who seemingly have already attached themselves to her. Early in the book I highlight and note “things are just progressing rapidly, and Cate seems totally unphased- I’m weirded out.” So, this is a common theme and it’s strange, I would have had way more push back at learning that I’m a magical being from a different realm and there are enemies out to kill me because I’m destined to bring about a big change.

Daniel… that’s all: This guy. Like, he starts off as a sort of ass, then he softens up- claiming his undying love. But then like… there are parts in the book where it seems like he’s gaslighting Cate or just being untruthful, and it’s just ick. Super icked out by the dude. He falls first, obviously- but still… ick.

Random throwing in of Dragons: I personally think SK threw in dragons simply because a fantasy book *should have dragons*. There wasn’t really a rhyme or reason to them, they were supposed to be this all powerful ally but naaaaaah- so easily over come. Like… ok. I just think the story could have done without.

Notable Quotes

“He’s partly mad because you chose me over him. I’m not blind- I see how he looks at you.” – Daniel

“I hadn’t realized nor come to terms with how much I wanted love and acceptance from my father until this moment.” – Cate

“Your father likes me. He’ll get over it. I’ll spend the ween in the dungeon with moldy bread and water, then I’ll be back in his good graces.” – Lucas

“…sudden shyness came over me, an uncertainty, like I’m an imposter. I’m just an ordinary girl trying to be more, like those people long ago.” – Cate

Theme Song

Over All Thoughts

Aside from the fact that this is a more surface level young adult novel, the story was fun. We do love a little love triangle, and warring kingdoms who band together to fight a common enemy though. The conversation was a little juvenile for me, the immediate trust in these two strange boys by Cate has me concerned… If you know of a Young Adult who is just getting into fantasy, this might be a fun read- or if you like a breezy sort of thrown together trope story, this’ll work. Over all- it was an interesting ARC read. I probably won’t read the next book though.

The book releases on June 11th, if you’re interested in giving it a try.

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