2.75/5 stars! The premise of this was great and I have read and enjoyed other books by Kendare Blake, so I had high hopes for this book. It felt like it was missing the sharp-wittedness that many of their other books have. It felt slow and undramatic. I wish it had been edited and tightened up for a more enjoyable reading experience.

This is my first read by Kendare Blake and I'm pleased it won't be my last one.

Reed, orphaned at a young age, was chosen by the Aristene to become an initiate to these female mythical warriors. The Aristene are assigned Heroes to shape, mold, and provide victory giving Glory to their goddess. Fierce Reed undergoes her Hero's trial and discovers the true war between the heart and the head, Faith and Love as she tries to understand her place and future in the Aristene.

I really enjoyed Reed's character and the honest relationships she has with her other initiate sisters. She's fierce, loyal, and big hearted despite the horrors she faced as a young one. While there is a romantic story interwoven, above all, this seemed to be a novel of sisterhood, faith, horses, and human decisions as she choses her path forward towards immortality.

(Reading Champion of Fate gave me the vibes of the Amazon, the Viking, and Greek Mythology; I'm all for it).

A hero's journey...

Reed is eight years old when raiders arrive in her village and kill everyone except her. Her family’s lodge burns and falls down and she’s hidden in the wreckage next to her mother’s body. The raiders find her and take her to be a sacrifice to their god for their safe journey home. Before the raiders leave, two strong women arrive and save Reed and take her to live among their warrior kind, the Aristenes. She’s raised to believe she will become a great warrior and find a hero that will die a glorious death so she can become an Aristene also. Reed learns that life isn’t black and white or easy.

Likes/dislikes: Reed is a strong character who believes in right and wrong. Reed has a great relationship with the two other girls being raised to become Aristene warriors alongside her, Gretchen and Lyonene. The story shows the importance of love, loyalty, strength and friendship.
Mature content: PG for kissing.
Language: PG-13 for 10 swears, no f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for deaths, bloody fighting.
Ethnicity: Ethnicity is mixed with many skin tones. Reed has tan skin.

"Champion of Fate" by Kendare Blake has been praised for its immersive world-building and strong character development, particularly the dynamic between Reed and Hestion. The book's exploration of the Aristene and their role in shaping heroes has also stood out. However I found the pacing slow in places, especially in the middle, and felt certain plot elements were predictable. Overall, it's a solid start to the Heromaker series, offering a compelling mix of fantasy and character-driven storytelling, though it has a few areas that could be improved.

Kendare Blake’s Champion of Fate is a dazzling foray into an intricate world where destiny and duty collide. The novel centres around Reed, a fiercely determined protagonist tasked with navigating the treacherous path of becoming a hero—not just for herself, but as part of an ancient order entrusted with shaping legends.

The world-building in this novel is immersive, with a unique system of mentorship and hero-making that adds depth and originality to the narrative. Blake’s writing shines in her ability to blend fast-paced action with introspection, allowing readers to see the cost of heroism not only on a grand scale but also on a deeply personal level. The side characters, from enigmatic mentors to reluctant allies, add richness to the story, each bringing their own flavour to Reed's journey.

While the pacing at times feels uneven, with some stretches of the story slowing down more than necessary, the overall plot is engaging and filled with enough twists to keep readers hooked. The emotional stakes are high, and the climactic moments pack a punch, delivering on both action and heart.

For fans of stories that question the nature of fate and the sacrifices required for greatness, Champion of Fate offers a compelling narrative that lingers long after the final page. It’s a strong start to what promises to be a thrilling series.

This book is a captivating read that effortlessly draws you in from the first page. The story flows smoothly, with intriguing characters and an unpredictable plot that keeps you hooked. It's the kind of book that makes it hard to put down, with just the right balance of depth and entertainment. A thoroughly enjoyable experience that will keep you engaged until the very end.

"Champion of Fate" immerses readers in a compelling fantasy world where destiny and choice intertwine. Kendare Blake crafts an engaging narrative filled with action, intrigue, and emotional depth. The protagonist's journey of courage and self-discovery resonates strongly, while Blake's unique twists make the story stand out. This novel is a captivating read for fantasy enthusiasts seeking an adventure that challenges fate and personal agency.

3.5 stars
I do enjoy Kendare’s way of writing and this book was no different. The way she weaves a story together is great! I just do not think the plot was totally for me but I did enjoy it!

Let me start by saying Kendare Blake is one of my favourite authors; from the first book of hers I read up to this one, I haven't been disappointed, and for me, that's saying a lot.

Now on to Reed's story; there's so much backstory on Reed that she felt like a real person to me; the depth of her character was amazing, and seeing the good and the bad gave me a real understanding of why she made the decisions she did.

I know the quote is behind every strong man, there's a stronger woman, and this is that in book form; while Hestion is the hero, Reed is the driving force behind him, and it's nice seeing both sides of that dynamic.

The world-building in this book is exemplary; all of the thought and detail that went into this story just went straight to the heart of me, and I enjoyed every page of it.

The only part of this book I didn't love would be the pacing; it just didn't seem consistent, but that could just be me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children's Books for providing a copy of this e-book; I have voluntarily read and reviewed it, and all thoughts are my own.

A beautiful story of glory and fame and the trials that come with friendship. Three women meant to guide heroes take on the hardship of war. The author brings excellent detail and drama to this story. Reed is the kind of heroine we love to root for, the underdog given power and strength to prove herself. She will do anything to serve her sisters, and this loyalty brings her trouble she never expected. I loved the depth of the characters and the story as a whole. I can't wait to read the next book. There is enough foreshadowing and longing in the book to keep the pace steady and leave you questioning what might happen as the books progress.

Kendare Blake is one of my cannot go wrong authors! Like her others this book once again features strong female leads that are empowering and inspiring. A great first book in a duology!

Having read and loved all of Blake's other series, I was really excited for this one--especially once I had read the description and anticipated a sweeping adventure story.

But....it just sort of fell flat. The "big reveal" from the Aristene elders about Reed's so-called destiny, the emotional tension of the relationships and friendships, the characters other than Reed.... there just wasn't enough development of these elements for me to care about them, so the climax held little resonance. I found myself just skimming through the later chapters and not finding that connection to any of the stakes to pull me back in once Reed was assigned her hero.

Not sure if I'll pick up the sequel or not, but it won't be a priority if I do. Disappointing, since I've absolutely torn through her earlier books and can still re-read them with the same investment I did the first time around.

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

Book Name: Champion of Fate
Author: Kendare Blake

ARC
Thank you to NetGalley, Kendare Blake, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Quill Tree Books for the E-Book to review.

Stars: 3

- Thoughts.
- Feminist
- Warrior Women
- SLOW start
- complex world-building
- Complex relationships
- Horses
- Valkyrie vibes
- Entertaining
- Romance wasn’t as sweeping.
- More Adventure Less Romance

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for this review.

Apologies for my delay, I’ve had a very hectic few months.

But this book wasn’t really for me unfortunately. Never got into it enough to really care and don’t remember a whole lot of it. Might give it another chance in the future though, we’ll see.

Absolutely loved this! Cannot go wrong with Kendare Blake! The idea of the woman behind the leader takes a new twist in Champion of Fate. This first book in a duology follows Reed as she trains to be an Aristene, a strong female warrior who leads heroes to their fate. When she meets someone who makes her question everything, Reed must decide where her own path leads. I can’t wait for my students to read this!

This was actually my very first book by this author and now I want to read everything she’s written because I loved this one!

I could not help but turn the pages quickly on this one. I enjoyed Reed as the imperfect main character who has her own doubts, and even her small rebellions. The story is full of action and unique characters - characters that I look forward to reading more of in the next book. I like the idea of women warriors as well who are strong and perform Thier own heroic acts.

"Champion of Fate" by Kendare Blake is a spellbinding tale of courage, sacrifice, and the power of destiny. Set in a world where mythical female warriors known as Aristene shape the fates of heroes, this captivating novel follows the journey of Reed, a young woman on the cusp of her initiation into the revered order.

Orphaned at a young age, Reed has been raised by the Aristene and immersed in the tales of their legendary quests. Now, on the eve of her final test, Reed must prove herself worthy by guiding her first hero, Hestion, to victory on the battlefield. But as their alliance deepens and sparks fly, Reed finds herself torn between her duty to the order and her growing feelings for Hestion.

Blake masterfully weaves together elements of mythology, romance, and adventure to create a gripping narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The bond between Reed and Hestion is palpable, adding a layer of complexity to their journey as they navigate the treacherous path of war and destiny.

At its heart, "Champion of Fate" is a story about identity and the choices we make in the face of adversity. Reed's struggle to reconcile her duty to the order with her own desires is both relatable and poignant, making her journey one that resonates long after the final page is turned.

With its richly imagined world, compelling characters, and pulse-pounding action, "Champion of Fate" is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and adventure. Kendare Blake has crafted a tale that is as thrilling as it is thought-provoking, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in this captivating series.

Kendare Blake has done it again! It took a little while to get into the story but once I did I could not put it down! It is different from Blake's other books. Reed was a relatable character that compliments Hestion. As the start of a duology, it has a lot of potential and I will be counting down the days for its sequel!

This was an okay first book to a series. The first few chapters really hooked me in but then the story started to fall apart.
Some parts of the story and a few characters needed more development.
I didn't have high expectations but I didn't expect it to be so sluggish with it the pacing.