NA fantasy romance for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Laura Thalassa, and Holly Black.Sometimes fate has other plans… A creature that, on some nights, becomes a rampaging monster.
Rhona and her village are under a sinister leader’s control. He took Rhona from the man she loves, stripped away her water ability, then forces her to retrieve a coveted prism that will increase his powers.
When Tavarra and Rhona cross paths, they agree to help each other succeed. They then embark on separate missions in hopes of breaking Tavarra’s curse and saving Rhona’s loved ones. But with an untamable beast inside Tavarra, and Rhona having to wander through a dangerous forest with a man who sparks her desire, nothing is certain…
Veiled By Desire is the epic NA companion sequel filled with magic, sizzling friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, and a unique fae world that will make you wish you had a direct portal to.
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Veiled By Desire is the 2nd book in the Laith series by Candace Robinson. This book will be published in November 2019 by Parliament Press, but I got my hands on an early copy since I loved the first in the series so much. Jealous? You should be (sorry!) because it’s fantastic and you really don’t want to wait. Don’t worry, I’m sure karma will get me back for those words.
Though connected by a few threads, this is a different story than the last. At first, I was puzzled in a good way. Robinson alternates chapters by telling the tale of two different sets of characters, neither seemingly related to the ones I treasured in Clouded By Envy. As the story unfolds, I found myself guessing who was related to whom between the books, but remember, this is a fantasy novel, so there are other ways of connections being made that won’t be obvious at first… and then, we learn the fate of our beloved bats from yesteryear. The timeline is different, which means we have a different cast, and of course, nature has taken its course. Dynamite!
It’s hard to choose which characters I loved the most in this installment. Tavarra is probably the most memorable and appealing – the mix of beauty and anger is phenomenal. Character creation is probably Robinson’s biggest talent, at least to me. She’s a fantastic writer, and her plots and settings are equally strong; however, I adore the creatures she creates and find myself rooting for them to succeed in meeting their goals. It’s usually someone struggling to find their voice or escape a horror they’re trapped within. While no different this time, there is a whole new level between the parallel stories and eventual collision… one that will grip you tightly and never let you relax.
Robinson crushed me. I must say, I only stopped reading the book to cook dinner and to cease gritting my teeth in frustration (the positive kind). She created such an imaginative and powerful story, my heart raced and my emotions fluttered through the entire mid-section as little secrets and truths kept popping up, and then boom… splat… pow. Think of those cartoon bubbles from our superheroes — only not funny! Hard to take. Made me sad. Essential to the story, but wow… I needed a breather for maybe ten minutes just to catch myself from screaming.
I jumped back in to finish the last 15% and yikes… she clobbered me again! This time, I was slightly prepared but still shocked. Good writers know how to do that to you. I can’t give this anything less than five stars, but trust me, they are five angry, emotional, hopeful, concerned, and powerful stars to match the strength of this story. The climax scenes are outstanding, and at the end, I’m left with so much on my mind… but most of all is how much I really don’t think I can wait until sometime in 2020 for the third release in this series. Please let me have an early holiday present? See… I told you karma would come around to bite me soon.
THIS IS THE MOST CREATIVE, UNIQUE, TOUCHING, FULL OF HEART STORY!!!!!!! This Author just keeps writing these books that I love. Most people who read my reviews, blog, social media, etc know that one of my favorite books is Clouded By Envy! Well, Veiled By Desire takes place in the same world that two of the main characters from Clouded come from, the world of Laith. Although it is a standalone. No need to have read Clouded By Envy, but it will have added to the enjoyment.
The author does such a great job with world building in this book. The world of Laith is filled with different and strange things. Woods that bleed, and that come alive, people with powers, four leaf clover that has power, and there’s even a werewolf in this one. The details In the world building are so well described, that you can picture it like you’re there in Laith yourself. She leaves just enough to the imagination to keep us engaged. It’s perfection on the page.
The characters…this author always writes her characters well. She writes dialogue so seamlessly that the characters become real, and you become wrapped up in them. I fell so in love with these characters, that I still find it hard to choose a favorite. Every time I try I end up with a bunch, lol! Eza, Tavarra, Perin, Quil & Rhona. They are all such great characters, I can’t say enough about. I feel like I could write a paragraph for each of them. But I won’t. I will leave it up to you to read the book and learn how AMAZING, how BRILLIANT this cast of characters really is!!!!
Don’t miss this AMAZING book!!! I highly, highly recommend it to all!!! INFINITY OF STARS for this one!!
Awesome dark fantasy! Exciting and intense. Amazing characters…
Loving how unique this series is! Interesting creatures and a cool world setting. We have 2 POV’s, Rhona and Tavarra. Both storylines drew me in; both ladies have some fun characteristics, loved the magical elements to Rhona, and Tavarra’s origins and curse. Tavarra is a bit unhinged at times because she’s dealing with something she can’t control, but loved her tenacity and heart. Rhona kicks butt and will go out on a limb for those she loves. Both ladies storylines have some heartbreaking elements, but they are both strong. They both have to go through a lot to combat the evil in their world. It’s an adventure!
Rhona and her friend Perin are on a quest to find a magical prism. Along the way they run into a male from Rhona’s past; there’s a connection there, but there’s some things that stand between them. There’s a strong evil out to do nefarious things.
Tavarra gave up her home for love, but that love proved untrue. She’s been cursed with a terrible affliction, so along with her talking bat friend, Eza, she’s on a quest for a magical source that will help her.
Overall, a wonderful, engrossing story! Loved it!
I want to start off by saying thank you to the author for giving me ebook arc copy to read. In return for my honest thoughts and review. I have not one bad thing I didn’t like about this book or characters I didn’t like. I really enjoyed each character in the story. I enjoy reading Candace books because they are so very different. I enjoyed the characters a lot in this second book. How they came together regardless of how they came together and how they helped each other. The two female character’s admired them and felt for them in some kind way. Writing never disappointed me I wasn’t bored or felt like I wasn’t getting into the story. I felt apart of it. Got sad and happy while reading. Highly recommend this book curses, secrets, coming together, love, new find friendships. This book comes out November 19, 2019 preordered now or get when it comes out. I will buying my own copy.
About Book-
Cursed Tavarra forced to chain herself up at night. To control the monster that lives within her and only comes out at night but she never knows when the beast is going to come unleashed. Determined to find away to break the curse with a little help from her bat friend. Rhona a young woman who only wants to help her village and her mother. Crossing paths together Tavarra and Rhona learn to help each other along with their friends. No matter how different or how many secrets they end up sharing. Loving and caring for each other. Again highly recommend this book.
This is book 2 in a trilogy and it’s not my first time I’ve started not reading the first BUT the thing is, with Veiled, you can. The story is a companion to Clouded by Envy and while the world and creatures are similar, you’ll really dig the differences. I read them out of order and still loved them!
There is a beautiful and heartbreaking parallel drawn between a youthful story of love that’s in its beginning stages and one that has already ended in misery and hard lessons learned.
Veiled by Desire speaks of human nature, of the animal within us – and of hope, second chances, and love conquering all. While a happy ending may be hard to fathom in Laith, throughout the read my heart kept hoping for one!! (And I won’t spoil if it comes or not )
This is a story that can be read on its own or following Clouded. and I HIGHLY recommend you read it. With beautiful prose and honesty, the author brings back to life the old adage of “don’t judge a book by its cover” because nothing in this story is what it seems.
The romance is beautiful, the trials are heartbreaking but through it all lingers a sense of hope… Of more to come. And my favourite character in this, Tavarra, is a force to be reckoned with! The world comes alive within the pages and reads like a movie, one that’ll stay vivid in your mind for a while after you’re done reading it!
Absolute enthralling read from start to finish!
Tavarra is a beautiful sea dweller cursed for life, forced to be a beast when the moon is bright. Rhona is a girl with the ability to control water, and her friend, Perin, is a warrior who bears a dark secret. Quil is a boy with an easy laugh and a penchant for music. Finally Eza rounds out the main cast of characters as a bat-like creature with a sharp wit and a big heart.
Together they must seek out the dark pyramid to rescue their village and find the mercurial Stone of Desire who may or may not grant a wish. This tale is filled with action, love, heartache, and mystery with a flair for the surreal and fantastic that I’ve come to love in Robinson’s work. The characters in this story are so lovable and flawed that I couldn’t help but fall in love with them.
But first, I have a confession to make.
I have a weak spot for werewolves. They show up a LOT in my books, even when I try not to let them appear. Tavarra is one of the most original werewolves I’ve read about. Her desire to go on land and leave behind the sea, staying out too long and bearing a horrible curse, and forced to roam the land with only her friend, Eza, at her side. Even her description with her bright orange hair and orange fur down her arms makes her unique.
The magic in this story is really fascinating too, mixing science with the fantastic in a way that had me very intrigued. I loved the dark forest, and how even when everything seemed safe, nothing really was.
I really loved this one because it felt so horrific, and it was refreshing to be in a completely fantastic world. Robinson knows how to keep you reading too, and at the end I had trouble putting it down! I honestly can’t wait to read Book 3 in her Laith series!
“Veiled by Desire” is the second installment in the “Laith” series by Candace Robinson. The book, while connected loosely with the first installment in the series (Clouded by Envy), tell an independent story, set directly in Laith (the Fae world) and centers on the characters of Tavarra and Rhona, telling their story in alternate chapter from their both POV.
Tavarra is a sea creature, with the ability to lose her tail (a seahorse tail), when the Laith moon’s rise high in the sky. Tavarra has forever longed to live on the land, but once her wish is granted it comes with a stiff payment attached. As she remains on the land, she is turned into a sharp fanged clawed beast, that goes on a blood rampage through the night. Rhona is a bat (a kind of fairy) living in the human world under the brutal rule of the village leader (Belen), who stole her from her true love and ripped her water magic away, and uses her to get hold of an artifact that would give him incommensurable powers.
Tavarra and Rhona paths meet eventually, and they decide to help each other by taking care of their problems and free themselves from the curse and the evil Belen, embarking in a quest that bears dangers of its own.
Candace Robinson’s Laith is rich in description, allowing the readers to immerse themselves into the world and become part of the story. The plot is carefully built, with very interesting and strong female main characters, and a vast variety of multidimensional secondary characters that add to story and help to create a wonderful credible and captivating world. A wonderful story, original (all reminiscences of well-know fairytales such as ‘the little mermaid’ or ‘the beauty of the beast’ are just that reminiscences, Robinson’s story goes much further and presents a more complex tale, in which every character has a role to play and whose development shows a wide intricated web of social interaction, that makes the story all the more credible and relatable.
ONE WICKED THRILL RIDE
Blazing buzzards boo! Candace knocked the brakes off this incredibly thrilling joy ride, divvying out some close calls, near misses and head on’s whipping this jewel out to a beat of its own with this unique twist, packing a punch and bringing it home, launching this gem to staggering heights. Unpredictable mishaps and stunning events descend in a bevy of riveting drama, gripping intrigue, underlying currents, mounting danger, electrifying suspense, torturous situations and brutal lessons, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. Leaping hurdles and jumping hoops showcase the deadly struggles and challenging triumphs while the dramatic twists and perilous turns unfold, allies are forged and battle lines are drawn, revving up the exuberance and vigor, jetting this jewel to life brilliantly. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Candace, thanks for sharing this amazing thrill with us.
Tavarra lived under the sea, but never felt at home. She visited the beach often, dreaming of walking the Laith and living on land. Then she hears that she can change for one day, get legs and walk the land, but she has to return to the sea after one day or she will be cursed. The first night she spends with the guy she liked and the next day her sister shows her who he really is. They stay too long and in she transforms into a beast, with fangs and fur and claws and goes on a rampage. Since then some night she transforms into a beast. When she awakes she remembers nothing. Her days are filled with anger. She has one friend, a bat and she is my favorite character in the book. 🙂
Rhona lives in a village. When she was younger she has met a boy outside of the village. They spend their days together, until the leader of the village took that away, along with her abilities. Now she and her friend from the village are forced to go on a dangerous mission to retrieve a dark prism, to save the village from a maniac.
Tavarra’s and Rhona’s paths soon cross. Tavarra knows when the prism is and Rhona’s friend knows how to help Tavarra. On the way, she is reunited with her old love. More time they spend together, more in love they are. It’s such a beautifully written romance, subtle and sweet, but it doesn’t overtake the storyline.
By the end of the book, I was in tears. The setting is very well done, I loved little snippets, that connected the story to the first one (Clouded by Envy).
I loved reading the story and read it in one sitting. It’s the perfect mixture of the fantasy, unique take on shapeshifters, sweet romance & action. And the writing style is one of a kind-I love it. 🙂
I highly recommend it!
Another lovely fantasy novel by author Candace Robinson. I so admire her ability to build worlds filled with mystic and such interesting characters. And I especially appreciate how this book subtly links with Clouded by Envy (book 1), which isn’t required to read before this one but I HIGHLY recommend it! If you want to be taken away to a magical world with original characters and a roller coaster of emotions, definitely give this one a read.