Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoy a good YA Romantasy every once in a while and this really scratched that itch for me. I read it in less than 24 hours. It was fun and fast-paced. I did not find it predictable at all. I appreciated the anxiety representation. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2!

Tropes:
💙Love triangle
💙Secret identity
💙Prophecy
💙Hidden Magic
💙Portals
💙Hate to love
💙Dragons
💙Court intrigue

This was an interesting set up, with Cate being human and going off to college, where she meets Lucas and Daniel. Nothing is as it seems when Cate is attacked, and Daniel and Lucas seem to know more than they've met on.

As Cate deals with more attacks, Lucas and Daniel decide they need to try and explain things and get her to go through the portal. The daughter of a king, embodiment of a prophecy to save a kingdom, and completely unsure of what she's even doing, Cate finds out she is, in fact, a princess.

In a battle between the Embers, Terra, and Caelum, Cate must figure out what her powers are and how on earth, or not, she will manage to save them. With secrets and betrayal, Cate's hope for a new start art dashed, and she must decide how to move forward.

3.5 stars rounded up
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.

When Cate swaps Oregon for an English university, she expects cultural differences, not a prophecy thrusting her into a magical realm's battle, where romance and betrayal blur lines, forcing her to save her new world from destruction.
The premise had me hooked from the start, though I found myself wishing for a bit more magic in the execution. The characters were likable enough, but the story didn't quite reach the heights I was hoping for.

DNF at 33%. I really struggled to get into and stay in this book. I think young people will ilke this book, but it was not for me.

Every once in a while, even the most dark and twisty, thriller-loving bookstagrammer needs a good YA book to freshen things up! Solidly in the “romantasy” category, The Concealed follows Cate, a young woman who travels from Oregon to England to attend university. While there, she experiences multiple attempts on her life before learning that she is, in fact, the long-lost princess of a magical realm destined to fulfill a prophecy and unite two rival kingdoms. She is brought back to her homeland by two young men tasked with seeing her there safely, each from one of the kingdoms. She didn’t exactly sign up for romance, danger, or powers beyond her comprehension… but it all finds her anyway.


This book was a great concept, but definitely heavy on the tropes. If you like bodyguard, damsel in distress, forced close proximity, love triangle, unexpected heir, and betrayal, this would be a great pick for you! It would also be a great book for young readers, and agreeable for parents as the romance involved was solidly PG/PG-13.

The book fell a little flat for me, it felt very rushed and the writing was very simple, which isn't a bad thing as it made for a quick read and teens will enjoy I think. The romance was very rushed and the description says she's assisted by two irresistible boys so I was expecting a love triangle but honestly it was clear immediately which one Cate was drawn to and I just couldn't connect with them. The characters felt very young to me and I couldn't connect, I do think the worldbuilding was interesting and I think for it's target audience it will do well! The cliffhanger has me intrigued enough that I want to continue with the series, I just need to go into it remembering it's meant for young adults.

11 out of 5 stars. Is that enough? Probably not. I freaking loved this book. Absolutely devoured it.

Cate (the fmc) is so relatable as she finds herself navigating a role and a world she knows nothing about. She feels all her feelings, pushes through when she can, and eats bread and cheese alone in her room when she needs to. We'd be besties. I'm always a fan of two love interests, I knew my choice early on! But there's a part of me that doesn't fully trust authors not to bait and switch me (looking at you sjm) so I'm anxious to see how Cate's love story plays out!

This portal aspect reminded me of a recent read, The Lost Story, and there are aspects that remind me of Map of the Otherlands, and even at times Throne of Glass.

My only baby complaint is that the large battle at the end goes so quickly - but truly I loved this book and I cannot wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

2 🌟 and honestly sometimes I wanted to rate it lower. This writing style did not work for me at all - it felt more like middle grade writing instead of new adult. It’s a “tell you instead of show you” kind of book. Our FMC was insufferable and the insta-loviness of it made me cringe. Also, there were so many things that happened in this book and none of them had the proper description and time devoted to pulling the reader into the story. I really did not enjoy it and won’t be recommending it.

This was a very interesting, and entertaining book. The characters are relatable at times, and at other times the FMC was kind of bratty. There could have been more character development. It is very easy to follow if you are new to fantasy. I was not a fan of how the timeline was done. It felt like some things had an overabundance of details while others were lacking. Was a quick paced read, and would like to see where the story goes from here.

Thanks to NetGalley, Aethon Books and S.K. Horton for the ARC in return for an honest review.

3,5/5 stars.

At first I wasn't sure whether I would like this book or not. But there was something about it that kept my attention. The Concealed was very easy to read, the pacing was great and the world is interesting without being too overwhelming. The politics are intriguing and I really hope that the next book(s?) in the series will expand on that. I was especially (positively!) on edge when it came to trying to figure out who can be trusted and who cannot. Daniel and Lucas are both captivating love interests, although I have to say that I am team Daniel. (But can we trust him? I don't know!) Without saying too much, I am blown away by everything about his powers.

What I especially adored about the characters and the story is that nobody is perfect. None of the characters have "everything under control". The marketing team of this book said that the "MCs [...] don't have it all together" and I think that fits perfectly. And that makes the characters all the more likable and realistic. Cate has just turned 18 at the start of the book and yes, she feels like a freshly 18 year old. She tries to have everything under control, but she doesn't. She struggles with her powers and with adhering to this new world. And while of course that sometimes might make the reader roll their eyes at Cate's naiveté, it also makes her all the more relatable.

I feel like this book can become the next great thing for young adults where every book in the series gets better and better. It certainly has the potential! I will definitely continue reading the series to see how it will go.

The Concealed for me was a cute YA Fantasy with dragons, love and magic! As we go along on this adventure with Cate it is filled with excitement and wonder. Knowing that she is a princess in another realm as well in danger from the circumstances, I really enjoyed this book as well as recommend it. The story moved along well and kept me interested wanting to know more.

"The Concealed" by S. K. Horton offers an engaging blend of fantasy and adventure, centered around Cate, an American student who discovers her destiny in a magical realm. The story kicks off with Cate’s arrival at Staton University in England, expecting to face typical college challenges. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she learns about a prophecy marking her as the key to defeating a powerful enemy. Horton's world-building is commendable, vividly depicting both the university and the fantastical lands Cate must navigate, adding a rich, immersive quality to the narrative.

Cate’s journey is filled with twists and turns, keeping the reader intrigued. Her interactions with two charming boys who assist her through a mysterious portal introduce a romantic subplot that, while familiar, adds emotional depth to her quest. However, the romance sometimes feels forced, and the love triangle trope can overshadow the story's unique aspects. Despite this, Cate remains a relatable protagonist, balancing her newfound responsibilities with personal growth and discovery, even if her swift acceptance of the magical world occasionally stretches plausibility.

While the novel excels in creating an exciting, fast-paced plot, it sometimes falters in character development and originality. The supporting characters, though interesting, often fall into predictable roles, and the narrative could benefit from more nuanced portrayals. Nonetheless, "The Concealed" is a solid read for fans of young adult fantasy, delivering an adventure that, despite its clichés, keeps readers entertained. Horton's exploration of themes like identity, trust, and destiny adds a compelling layer to the story, earning it a respectable three-star rating.

To be completely honest, I was not impressed with this. Sure, we had a continuous plotline which was good - and our characters had personalities that didn't chop and change at will. But we didn't have enough detail in anything!
This book was just under 300 pages, and tries to cover a lot in that time. Our fmc crosses continents to start an elite boarding school, is swept into a hidden world, and fights in a prophesised war all in that time. I just felt too much like the story was listing plot points one after another like in a first draft, rather than crafting a narrative. I do think though, that with some tightening up and some more developed writing the underlying story had potential!
My only other caveat is with our fmc who was almost insufferably 'not like other girls', and who promptly forgot her parents and her brother when she crossed worlds (who she specifically said was incredibly important to her right at the start of the book). I think maybe either you should mention them and they be important to character development, or just not mention them at all.

4 stars!
Title: Concealed Destiny by S.K. Horton - A Review

In "Concealed Destiny" by S.K. Horton, readers are transported from the familiar landscapes of Oregon to the enchanting realms of England and beyond. The story revolves around Cate, whose journey from mundane college life to a destiny filled with magic, prophecy, and love is as captivating as it is unpredictable.

From the outset, Horton deftly weaves a narrative that blends the ordinary with the extraordinary. Cate's relatable struggles with university life take a sharp turn when she discovers a hidden prophecy that casts her as the key to defeating a formidable enemy in a magical land. This revelation sets the stage for a whirlwind adventure filled with mystery, danger, and unexpected romance.

What sets "Concealed Destiny" apart is its seamless fusion of genres. At its core, it's a young adult romantic fantasy, but it also incorporates elements of mystery, adventure, and court intrigue. Horton masterfully balances these various threads, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover the secrets lurking within the pages.

The characters in "Concealed Destiny" are another highlight of the book. Cate is a relatable protagonist whose journey of self-discovery is both compelling and empowering. The supporting cast, including the charming boys who assist her on her quest, adds depth and complexity to the story, ensuring that every interaction crackles with tension and emotion.

Furthermore, Horton's world-building is immersive and richly detailed. From the bustling campus of Staton University to the fantastical realms beyond the portal, each setting is vividly rendered, allowing readers to lose themselves in the story's magical landscapes.

At its heart, "Concealed Destiny" is a tale of courage, friendship, and the power of destiny. As Cate navigates the challenges that lie ahead, she must confront not only external threats but also the internal doubts and fears that threaten to hold her back. It's a journey that will resonate with readers of all ages, reminding them that sometimes, the greatest adventures begin with a single step into the unknown.

In conclusion, "Concealed Destiny" is a spellbinding debut from S.K. Horton that seamlessly blends romance, fantasy, and adventure. With its engaging characters, intricate plot, and immersive world-building, it's a must-read for fans of young adult fiction and lovers of fantastical tales.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for sending me this Advanced Readers Copy of The Concealed!

When Cate leaves home to go to college in England, she is expecting her life to change. But when strange things start happening to her around campus, the people closest to her reveal that she is the fulfillment of a prophecy in a magical land that she must return to. With all of this new information, Cate has to decide if she is strong enough to leave the life she has always known in the human world to create peace in the world she belongs in.


While the plot of this book is good, I think there were a lot of elements of the book that made me struggle with it.
The first real struggle I had was with the timing of the book.
This book is fast paced and slow paced at the same time and I think a lot of that comes down to the writing style. There are moments where details and internal dialogue drag out the scene for pages and pages, letting the reader get lost in the fantasy world that has been created. But in the very next sentence the author has skipped days of activities and fills the reader in on what happened in a single sentence. When I first read this, I thought it would be a one off situation, but I continued to see it over and over again. As a reader, the whiplash of finally getting lost in the book just to be taken out of it with a time jump in the next sentence was really hard to recover from. I struggled to stay present in the book because I was waiting for the gaps in the timeline to show up and confuse me.
The second thing I struggled with was the main character.
This book is supposed to follow an 18 year old girl who is going to college. While there are times when the main character reads as the age she is intended to be, I struggled with her most of the book because she came off as very young. There were moments in the book where I forgot the age of Cate because of her actions and reactions to those around her. She was very very quick to fly off the handle and pout about situations that she was warned about or against. When it came to the love triangle, I feel like she felt a lot of guilt and very little connection to either Daniel or Lucas, which made the love triangle less effective. When it came to her father, she was very quick to write him off while acting like she was the one in the right when she very clearly was holding a grudge over something she knew nothing about.
I really struggled to connect with her character through most of the book, and at the end, she suddenly decided to mature without really pursuing any sort of growth throughout the rest of the book.

All in all, this is a very good beginners fantasy. The world that was created is easy to get into and connect to. Love triangles make the stakes higher in any situation. The conflict between the three people groups is engaging and their elemental magic is consistent and fun. I am excited to see where this series goes from here and I wish the author the best of luck as she continues writing!

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book! While the plot is fairly straightforward, the characters are witty and well written and I enjoyed getting to know the world. I will definitely keep an eye out for a sequel announcement.

The plot follows Catherine (Cate) as she moved across the world from Oregon to England, and after some sketchy situations learns that everything, including herself, is not as it appears. We then follow along as Cate, led by Lucas and Daniel, makes her way through a portal to her kingdom.

I felt like this was a fantastic beginning but because it is shorter than a lot of fantasy books I have read, left me wanting more. I’m not sure what the author has planned in expanding the story, but it is a very promising start!

The Concealed is a YA book about Cate who recently traveled to England to go to college. She finds out that she is a princess in another realm and that she is in danger. I personally really loved this book and can't wait to continue to explore this fantasy world and story. I recommend reading this book if you love dragons, magic, love triangles, or prophecy books.

Stars: 4/5

Thank you to SK Horton, Aethon Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an
honest review.

"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. 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. "

I feel the main character was a bit boring. She saw herself as a bit of a wallflower and she ended up coming off like that.

I did not enjoy the romance; I just feel that sometimes characters prioritise romance over what realistically they would be prioritising...like the impending threat to their life. Additionally, I'm a bit over the cliche of always choosing the dark, mysterious brooding one over the wholesome one.

The world building was exciting, we got to learn alongside the main character. The worlds were so beautifully described but I do feel this book ended a bit too soon and it felt like a weird end point.

Okay...so Cate is the center of a prophecy, but she is certainly not really treated as such, she gets treated more like an inconvenient object. But once again i return to the fact she doesn't seem all that concerned about the prophecy, she seems more interested in getting a boy to like her and dealing with those problems.

Also, for something that seems to have an impending kind of threat to everyone in this world, seems kinda bizarre that Cate's training feels super slow, inconsistent and not really prioritised. Which unfortunately doesn't bring any kind of feelings of urgency to the book.

Lucas was by far my favourite character; he brought this vibe of joy and sunshine to the page whenever he was present. I also really enjoyed the awkwardness of an estranged father and daughter trying to find common ground and learning to like each other.

I would recommend this book for young adults and up who enjoy romantic fantasy books. Unfortunately, I didn't overly love this book. I found the Cate boring, and just wanted her to develop a bit more, I also found Daniel a bit boring. For me I just can't stand the pick me vibes of "I'm plain old jane" and then having everyone immediately in love with you. I think playing into more of that love triangle might have made it more interesting. I do think it has a lot of potential and I do believe it will only expand and become more interesting as the series continues.

A cute YA story with a lot of classic tropes. Cate goes from Oregon to England to attend her dream college. Upon getting there, she is sucked into the magical world where, it turns out, she was born. No one knows what Cate’s magic is, only that she is the subject of a prophecy that claims she will save the kingdoms of this realm. I found it a bit predictable with all of the tropes you would expect in a YA romantasy, and Cate was a bit naive, but overall this was an enjoyable read.

I am so excited for the next book in the Heir of Earth and Sky series. I desperately want to see Cate learn more about herself and the world she has found herself in. I adored the character relationships and found myself multiple times unsure of who would be a friend, and who would be a foe. I am hopeful that Cate will be able to build more stable alliances and find her place as the series progresses. This story did drag a little at the start, asking more questions than it was answering, but once the pace picked up I couldn't get enough! I loved the world building and am excited to see more of Terra and Caelum as well as the magic of this world. Overall, this is a really good book, and sets up beautifully for the next book, with questions being answered, and even more being asked!

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