Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The book is cute. It reminds me of something I would have been in love with in middle of high school.

I had a very hard time following in the beginning. I wasn’t familiar with the culture and had to constantly look things up. That’s not a bad thing, but at some point I felt like I was studying instead of enjoying it.

It picks up around the quarter mark and it was cute.

Not my cup of tea.

Also there is zero zero spice. Which isn’t bad by any means. I just enjoy atleast a little in my reads.

This book had me enthralled. I absolutely loved the story line and how close the sisters are. I could go on and on about how much I loved it! The only qualm I had with this book was that the writing felt quite stiff at times. It was the one thing that stopped me from truly thinking that I had ended up in the story. I felt like there should be be more *umph* in it...I can't explain it!

I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends when it is released!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own!

ARC review

Story: 2/5 ⭐
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I was somehow expecting more. Plot was fine, nothing to exciting. You have two sisters, one gets kidnapped and sold to vampires, the other goes to rescue the other. The main issue I had with this book was pacing and character development. I felt that the main characters, Aylin and Yara both had such wishy washy feelings for their suitors. It felt like a ping pong match at times, feelings for one then BAM, feelings for another. Tension felt underwhelming. The development was poor and there was no build up, just 0 to 100. I found myself confused and misled. It also was hard to get through the book, I was so close to DNFing, but it did pick up in the last 25-30%, but really, pacing was an issue. The majority of the book could have been cut down, or better developed.
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***I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to the author/publishing company and netgalley for this opportunity!

Loved reading the mesmerizing and spellbinding story. When Aylin's sister, Yara, is kidnapped by vampires, Aylin will do anything to get her sister back. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting story. Can't wait to read the next story in the series!

Let me say first that this book was incredible. It was steeped in mystery, folklore, culture, and dark desires. The beautiful settings of this book, Venice, Turkey, and Romania, were described in great detail that added a dark element to this book I’ve never see before. The sibling relationships were standouts for me. Both Eldar and Volkan, the undead siblings, and Yara and Aylin, the loyal sisters, stole my heart. I absolutely loved that you can almost feel how deeply they love each other. When Yara is taken Aylin never once considers staying back and letting others find her sister. And she Volkan is taken, Eldar makes it his death wish to avenge him, no matter the cost. This book was a wonderful start to a series and I cannot wait to see where it goes. At times, I wished the relationships were more developed. It seemed unlike Yara to forgive Volkan so quickly for mistreating her, and the same goes with Aylin and Domenico. I would love to see how these two women become the strong warriors they were always meant to be, Yara cruel and cunning, Aylin powerful and free. I think this was a beautiful book that sets up its sequel wonderfully and I cannot wait to see where the series goes.

I wanted to like this, but I just can’t get over the writing. It’s so incredibly stilted and awkward. I realize this is a debut, but it feels like this author has never really written anything before. The characterization and plot are there, but are delivered in such a matter-of-fact way that it’s unbearable.

If you don’t mind awkward sentences and formal-feeling writing, I think this is a book you could genuinely enjoy—again, the story and characters are interesting! I just personally couldn’t get over the writing.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

When I started this book I was a little unsure. I felt like a lot happened quickly and I didn’t understand the characters and their world enough. However, part way of the way through I started to get intrigued and by end I couldn’t put it down. I really connected with the characters by the end of the book and was rooting for Yara. I can’t wait to see what she does in the next book.

This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed the characters and the journey they went on. There were heart pounding moments and I loved the plotline. I will be recommending this book to all of my family and friends.

Book TWs: Kidnapping, Sexism, Stockholm Syndrome, Mentions of SA, Inhumane Treatment of people, and Obsessive Personalities

Thank you Netgalley and F.M. Aden for the advanced reader copy. Yara and Aylin could not be any more opposite; Sweet Yara uses her good looks and haunting voice to raise her status in court, whereas wild Aylin wants nothing more than to be free of royal politics and arranged suitors. One day Yara is taken by vampire slave traders to become a blood slave, now far from home and her overprotective sister. She is brought to the Undead Court where she is given to the demonic twins, Eldar and Volken. She quickly realizes this court is much like her own, and uses her talent to become favored by the Undead King, raising her status until she can free herself. After Aylin learns of her sister's disappearance, she quickly sets off into enemy territory, along with her protector Ilyas, to join a group of trained men set on. destroying all of Vampire kind.

Initially, I found the premise very eye-catching, but as I started reading I became bored very easily. Aylin's POV tended to drag and throughout the book she did not do much but talk about how unfair it was she could train with the men and how much she hated Domenico. Up until about the 70% mark that is all that happened. Yara's story, however, was much faster paced and it seemed as if her circumstances were always changing. There was always someone dying or being betrayed or Yara being tormented because she made another misstep. I think her story was much more put together and it kept me on my toes the entire book. I felt sad when the POV would switch back to Aylin because I just wanted to know more about what was happening in the Undead Court.

The last 30% is when the book truly came together and everything got interesting. Aylin began to have real problems and Yara was becoming too much more entangled in court politics than she ever should have. The stakes were raised and I began to truly care for the sisters, worried about what would happen to them next. This is also when the love triangles each began to officially form. So many will they, won't they moments and wondering if certain men even love the girls, or if it's just unhealthy obsession fueling their lust. At first I was not sure if I would even continue to the second book, but if it continues the way this book ended, I will absolutely be picking up the sequel.

“The Court of the Undead” introduces sisters Yara and Aylin, through a series of flashbacks, as they grow into young women of the sultan’s court during the Ottoman empire. Although having grown up on stories of the “vampir” (vampires), the girls are no less prepared to meet these creatures of the night head-on when the younger Yara is kidnapped. Aylin defies her father’s orders to stay put and - with the help and guidance of her longtime childhood friend, Ilyas - goes on a quest to locate her sister and bring her home.

Tucked away in the mountains of Wallachia, Yara is sold by her captor as a blood slave to the Demirci twins at the Court of the Undead. Sweet Yara must quickly learn court politics, as she aims to seek favor among the prominent vamp families, all in an effort to earn her freedom and go home. But Yara is more skilled than most, having been raised at the sultan’s court in Constantinople, diving head first into court games and quickly pitting one family against another. Caught between the obsessive fair-haired Vollkan and his brooding, cruel brother Eldar, Yara may betray both to gain what she wants most.

Meanwhile, Aylin and Ilyas have joined a group of trained vampire hunters called The Silver Cross - all as a means of leveraging their help to find her sister. Aylin must pose as a young male in order to be accepted into this group of hunters. Aylin not only hides her true identity, but also her growing feelings toward Ilyas. Add in antagonistic Domenico to the mix, a grumpy, fellow hunter, who uncovers Aylin’s secret but is possessive with her in ways that’ll make you shiver!

The book climaxes with the ultimate showdown between vampire hunters, fellow vampires against other vampires, and the sisters in the midst of it all - with a plot twist thrown in there for good measure!

While the first part of the book felt heavy and crawled along, I didn’t fully commit until Yara’s arrival at the vampire court - that is where things got interesting! I enjoyed seeing how Yara used her gifts to manipulate her status within the court. And the rising tension between her and the Demirci brothers was spectacular - slow burn that I hope will be further explored and set on fire in the next book!

The ending definitely had me wanting to reach for the next book (if there was one!) I can’t wait to see who Aylin ends up with, if Yara makes it home, and if Eldar will find redemption or damnation as he seeks his own personal gains!

[Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Court of the Undead by F.M. Aden; I am providing a voluntary and honest review.]

I admit, I struggled with getting into the book at first. Around 35% of the way in I got really invested amd decided to keep going. The beginning has a lot of telling and building before it got into a groove. Very common from a debut book though and it's worth finishing. If you're going to give this book a chance keep going to that point.

The vampire plotline was what hooked me. It grabs you early and the tension between one fmc and the twin vampires I LOVED.

The other sister took me much longer to get into. It sort of swung into van helsing vibes at a point though and became much more engaging.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5611252953?type=review#rating_619917250

Although the premise of the book captivated me and the story quite unique in its structure, the vampire lore, the rich historical prospect of the Ottoman Empire, and the politics in between both. It had everything a reader could want, but the character development and romance seemed to be lacking.

The sisters, Aylin and Yara, have been living comfortably in the Ottoman Empire, growing up on tales of the vampire, and always told to beware of what lurks within the shadows. When Yara is kidnapped and taken to Wallachia and the Court of the Undead King, she becomes the obsession of two brothers - Vokan and Eldar Demirci. Drawn into the Vampir Court and its politics, Yara has to not only stay alive but learn how to be just as cunning as the Court itself. Her sister, on the other hand, is determined to find her and bring her home. With Iiyas in tow, Alyin sets out to find her all the while coming across the vampir hunters who know how to kill them.

If I am correct, this book is going to be a series and it still has room to grow. Most first books in a series are bare bones and characters are coming into their own. Although is some speculation that many should already have growth, you need to understand that it does take a bit more time to do so. Stories and world-building are just getting started.

I do understand that authors tend to heavily-laden their imagery and although this is good, it also slows the progress of the story. Again, since this book is the author's first novel, it may be too heavy for the first book. One just needs to establish the mood of both the book and its characters.

Given time and much more fleshing out of the series, I think this series has quite a chance and I really hope the author does take this chance to make any necessary changes and not be discouraged.


*Disclaimer: Thank you to the author, her publishers, and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions of this review are mine and mine alone.

This is an absolute nope from me. I didn't like anything about this and couldn't make it past 40%. Cringe and bad writing, the characters were meh, the details were meh.

Thank you for providing me with an arc through NetGalley.
Not going to lie, the beginning of this was a little boring. I struggled trying to get into it. Not my favourite, but of you enjoy the slow burn of plot you might enjoy this.

I enjoyed a fantasy book after such a long time🥲🙏 I was hooked on this book!!! For the first time, I like the younger brother more lol. We need book 2 asap i want to know who eldar falls from his throne😞🤌

Thank you to the publishers for providing an early copy through NetGalley!

I really struggled with getting into this book, it was incredibly boring and the prose was extremely formal for a book classified as YA. I wish it wasn’t so long winded and the plot never grabbed me. I DNFed a little before the halfway point. I enjoyed the setting where the rise of the Ottoman Empire and the heavy influence of Arabic and African culture. The time period was unique for a fantasy and I appreciated the author making that choice. However, the pacing needs work and perhaps adjusting the prose.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book! The is not my normal read but I really enjoyed this! Yara is truly wonderful and I loved seeing her story unfold. I enjoyed the diversity and the culture of the story and setting. Excited to see what happens next!

The Court of the Undead
By: F.M. Aden
While the cover and the description of the book initially caught my attention, the plot and characters carried the story. After Yara is abducted, her sister Aylin is determined to find her way back to her. There were beautiful descriptions of culture and religion not often seen in fantasy stories that allowed for a greater connection to the characters. At times I found the characters lacking dimension, large emotional, internal, and physical growth could be seen at the end of the book. The plot kept me turning the page wondering if the sisters would ever reunite, about the love interests, and how the politics would play out.

There was some confusion around the love interests, but kept options and plot twists open. The world building's foundation was strong, as I was never confused on where or how something was occurring.

The Court of the Undead flawlessly build a world to become enraptured with, creating characters, though cliche, just as lovable, as well as weaving a fascinating cabal throughout.

The Court of the Undead F. M. Aden
Description: “A stunningly dark, blood-soaked gothic fantasy novel set during the rise of the Ottoman empire. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s Castlevania and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s, From Blood and Ash.”

This is F.M. Aden’s debut novel and unfortunately, this book just did not manage to hook me. The first few chapters felt heavy and historical rather than intriguing. We are first introduced to our main characters through two flashbacks (one to childhood and one as teens), then in the present, the sweet, beautiful, quiet sister (Yara) goes missing and the feisty, tomboy sister (Ailyn) runs away to find her. Yara is taken to the Court of the Undead as a blood-slave, but works to change her station by gaining the favor of opposing families at court. Ailyn is joined by childhood not-so-sweetheart, Ilyas, who infiltrate a group of vampir hunters.

The story is told from third person perspective, but we do get the point of view of Ailyn, Yara, and Eldar.

I found it difficult to connect to the story since I am unfamiliar with much Islam or Turk history or culture. It was a great way to add diversity to my reading with two “African-Turk” FMCs but I think I missed a lot of the nuance because I couldn’t follow all the historical aspects.

The action picks up a bit around 40% and there is a teeny bit of tension between possible love interests, but there is also a lot of “so then X must die” vibes which felt a bit repetitive. I did not feel any connection to the story or characters, so I was not invested in their outcomes. The book did pick up speed with about 20% left, but not enough to fully turn it around for me.

This book has 0 spice - which contributes a great deal to how much I enjoy a book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advanced release copy of this book.

The court of the undead is a captivating young adult fantasy novel which takes place during the rise of the Ottoman empire. The book covers the lives of 2 sisters after the abduction of Yara.

Yara is abducted and sold to 2 twin vampir residing in the court of the undead. Aylin, her sister, travels with Ilyas to find and recover Yara after he abduction.

I absolutely adored Yara's character, and her undying strength and charm. Aylin is a sharp tongued and fiery counterpart to Yara's sweet self. Although we had little interaction between the two in this book, their love for each other is clearly shown. The dual POV in the book allowed me to understand both the characters better, and I really enjoyed seeing both perspectives.

Although the plot was interesting and kept me on my toes, I would have loved for the plot lines to be explored more, as it was a bit hard to keep track of. However it was really interesting to see how all the components played out in the end. The cliffhanger at the end left me wanting for more, and I cannot wait for the next book,

The Court of the Undead is perfect for fans of ACOTAR and for young adult fantasy lovers, it offers a unique story with loveable characters.