Vampires? Slow burn? Love triangles? Sign me up.

Without giving too much away, anyone who enjoys dark fantasy with multiple POVs, vampires, and a dash of spice, this book is for you. When it comes to theme and tropes, this book includes BIPOC rep, Muslim rep, corruption x redemption, enemies to lovers, political intrigue, and more.

Thank you to the author, F.M. Aden, and Northern Light Press for an ARC of The Court of the Undead!

Just not into it. While I think people will love it, it's not my style. Not even sure why I requested the ARC... Maybe because it said vampires...

Sad to report that this fell flat for me. I think it failed to distinguish itself from the deluge of romantasy books that have taken over the marketplace.

I really liked this book. Paranormal fantasy books are always so entertaining, and imeddiatley after starting this book I was hooked. I genuinely had such a fun time reading this. There was an insane ammount of representation (which always rocks): it had a diverse anmount of characters that were, queer, of many other ethnicities, and a plus size mc. i thought this rep supported the plot with so much energy, expansive characterization and character motivation. It truly made the book great, since characters are such an important part of any story.
The author's ability to forge such an atmospheric setting within the vampir court adds depth to the tale, creating a sense of foreboding, suspension, and fascination.
There was a huge ammount of TW in this book which I personally think should've gotten this book labeled as something a bit higher than a YA. Some examples are: kidnapping, slavery, SA, murder, attempted murder, torture, blackmail,
Other than the last TW part I think this book was a great hit, I will definitely be reading more books from this author.

The Court of the UnDead welcomes you into another dark-fantasy world filled with longing and dark-romance, and will leave you craving more!

The Court of the Undead had potential, but it didn’t fully meet my expectations. Yara’s storyline in the vampire court was the most engaging, as she relied on wit and political strategy rather than physical strength, but Aylin’s hunter journey felt weaker in comparison. The pacing was quick, but I wanted more depth, especially from the vampire brothers, who had an interesting dynamic but weren’t fully explored. I also expected more of a new adult tone, but the book leaned closer to YA, which left the darker elements feeling restrained. While it wasn’t a bad read, it lacked the intensity and complexity I was hoping for.

*The Court of the Undead* offers a unique twist on the paranormal genre, blending dark fantasy, intrigue, and romance. F.M. Aden’s world-building is rich, creating an eerie and immersive atmosphere that draws readers into the Court of the Undead. The protagonist is a strong and resourceful character, and the plot has potential with its mix of political drama and supernatural elements.

However, while the premise is intriguing, the pacing at times can feel uneven, and the story takes a little while to pick up momentum. Some of the character development feels rushed, and a few key relationships lack the depth needed to truly make them engaging. The romance angle, while present, doesn’t quite hit the emotional beats it aims for. Overall, *The Court of the Undead* has promise, but it could benefit from more character exploration and a tighter narrative to elevate the overall experience. It’s a solid read for fans of dark fantasy but doesn’t quite stand out in a crowded genre.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the representation in this! I love to see it.

Let me tell you something, let me tell you something!! I am a ride of die enemies to lovers girlie and this book delivered! The TENSION. Wooooo.

Am i a bit burnt out from vampire novels? Absolutely. But i loved how this book tackled vampire politics in such an interesting way i haven't read before. I found myself really liking the political aspect of this. Do i love court politics filled with drama and back stabbing? YES YES AND YES.

It’s about politics, power, and a whole lot of drama. F.M. Aden’s world-building is eerie and immersive, and the characters, from scheming ghosts to mysterious royals, are absolutely captivating. I loved the history she went into.

The pacing is fast, the twists keep you guessing, and the atmosphere is deliciously dark. If you love supernatural intrigue and undead high drama, this book is an absolute must-read!

I was unfortunately not able to get into this and had to dnf about half way through. thank you for the opportunity to read it!

The writing is good but it does not seen unique at all. It uses several common tropes and really nothing new. I was bored very quickly. This is part of a popular trend but does not stand out. I would not suggest this for library purchase.

This was an absolute gem. My complete review is on GoodReads but this was a take on vampirism in its essence as evil creatures by nature.

What stuck with me most though was the good use of cultures that are not western and relatively accurate anecdotes. Lovely work waiting for thr next one.

I was absolutely mesmerized by this dark and gothic story that centered around Aylin learning of her sister being kidnapped by Vampires and stopping at nothing to get her safely returned. It was a wonderfully written story with a spellbinding cast of characters that made the plot all that much more rich and riveting!

Not my book, unfortunately. I dnf'd it at 45%. I think other people could like it, but the flowy and flowery language was something that I couldn't get behind and kept pulling me out of the vampire story.

In a genre saturated with predictable tropes and recycled narratives, F. M. Aden's "The Court of the Undead" emerges as a compelling fusion of Ottoman historical fantasy and vampire fiction. Set against the rich backdrop of the rising Ottoman Empire, this dark fantasy novel breathes new life into familiar vampire romance conventions through its unique cultural perspective and morally complex characters.

What sets this novel apart is its seamless integration of Ottoman and African Turkish culture into the vampire genre. Unlike many contemporary fantasies that tackle diversity through superficial inclusion, Aden weaves cultural elements organically into the narrative's fabric. The story features Muslim main characters and explores their traditions and values without reducing them to mere cultural tokens, offering a refreshing departure from typical Western-centric vampire tales.

The novel follows two distinct yet interconnected storylines through sisters Yara and Aylin. Yara's narrative – the more compelling of the two – plunges readers into the treacherous politics of a vampire court where she navigates manipulation and danger as a human caught between twin vampire brothers. Her arc explores themes of corruption, survival, and moral compromise, reminiscent of the best elements from "And I Darken" and "The Vampire Diaries."

Aylin's parallel story, while more straightforward, offers a classic adventure narrative that grounds the novel in its Ottoman setting and provides a counterpoint to the dark court intrigue. Her journey with vampire hunters adds depth to the world-building while exploring themes of family loyalty and personal growth.

The author excels at crafting morally grey characters who evolve throughout the story. The transformation of both sisters – Yara from a proper Ottoman lady to a survivor navigating dangerous political waters, and Aylin from a rebellious tomboy to a determined hunter – feels earned and authentic. The vampire characters, particularly the contrasting twin brothers Volkan and Eldar, are deliciously complex antagonists whose true motives remain compellingly ambiguous.

Unlike many contemporary romantasy novels that rush into relationships, "The Court of the Undead" takes its time developing romantic tensions. The love triangles are skillfully crafted, avoiding the predictable patterns that plague the genre. Aden maintains genuine uncertainty about the romantic outcomes, making the relationships feel more authentic and the stakes higher.

The novel isn't without flaws. The final quarter of the book occasionally succumbs to young adult romantasy conventions, and Aylin's storyline, while enjoyable, doesn't quite reach the compelling heights of Yara's court intrigue. However, these minor issues don't significantly detract from the overall reading experience.

"The Court of the Undead" is a remarkable addition to the vampire fantasy genre, offering a fresh perspective through its Ottoman setting and diverse representation. It's particularly recommended for fans of:

Complex political intrigue in supernatural settings
Slow-burn romance with genuine stakes
Morally ambiguous characters and court politics
Diverse fantasy with authentic cultural representation
Strong sibling relationships

The novel successfully balances cultural authenticity, complex character development, and engaging romance while avoiding many of the pitfalls common to the genre. F. M. Aden has created a promising start to what could be a significant new voice in diverse fantasy fiction.

Intriguing story but was not one that I fell in love with. I enjoyed the characters and the story but hard a hard time jumping into it with the POV it was written in

Really loved this book! The ending caught me off guard! In a good way. Definitely would recommend to my Fantasy lovers!

The Court of the Undead is a thrilling YA dark fantasy romance that immerses readers in a world filled with vampires and paranormal intrigue. The tension throughout the story is palpable, and I loved watching the relationships evolve and shift as the plot progressed. Each character, even the loathsome ones, left a mark on me, and I’m eager to see what happens next in the sequel.

The writing is fluid and engaging, complemented by a fast-paced narrative. If you’re looking for a captivating read filled with twists and dynamic characters, I wholeheartedly recommend The Court of the Undead!

This book has so much going for it. While reading it, I found myself captivated in the world and it being a book that I typically read made it all that better. Some parts I did have to reread again, but I think it was a more personal thing over the author's doing. I would love to see where this series goes. I did love Yara and Aylin, I could read about them for a while!

When Yara is stolen from her home and purchased by the trueborn vampirs, her sister Aylin does not hesitate to give chase. She joins a band of hunters with the hope of finding her sister (Yara) However, Yara is drawn in to the vampir count and begins to weave a web of manipulation around the vampires, making promises to whoever will grant her freedom. Both sisters need to decide who they can trust and who they will need to betray if they ever want to find one another, or make it back home, again.

I thought there was an excellent mix of likeable and unlikeable characters in the book and honestly that's what kept me interested. The unique. non-Western setting gave the perfect flair to the story and the author handled it so well. I am looking forward to reading more in this world.

Thank you to the author and netgalley for allowing me access to the e-galley for The Court of the Undead.

Unfortunately, this ended up as a DNF for me. While the premise of the story is interesting and promising, the author's style of "telling not showing" caused my interest to seriously decline. The plot pacing felt choppy and the character POVs would keep randomly swapping, which would jar me out the story. Around 15%, I decided this book just isn't for me.

I do appreciate the world-building the author has done, focusing around the Ottoman Empire and the diversity of that region. It gave the story a unique take that I haven't seen before in a vampire tale. However, the writing just wasn't enough to keep my interested.