The story unfolds with the introduction of Reed, a feisty young girl who endures tragedy and is raised by female warriors whom their goddess blesses to guide heroes. These warriors, or Aristene, are the nearly immortal “Hero-makers,” sent on quests for glory, not for themselves, but to create legendary champions.
Reed graduates from basic training to pass and then strikes out on her first mission as an “initiate” phase of guiding a hero to glory. If she passes, she can join their order of sisters and be a hero-maker. Until then, she is mortal and at risk of physical and emotional danger.

Kendare Blake’s world-building combines similarities to Amazonians, Greek mythology, and epic fantasy. It is not a fluff piece but dives into thought-provoking concepts like overcoming prejudice, choices, and strategy. The pacing and craftmanship shine through as solid work, one of which I highly recommend.

I am delighted to get an advanced reader copy through NetGalley/Harper Collins Publishers (and Kendare Blake) and genuinely look forward to any future stories, 4.5 Stars.

An absolute masterpiece! This book cements Kendare Blake as one of the best fantasy authors writing today. I was enthralled by the world building and cast of characters. Reed’s struggle with her sense of duty and the yearnings of her heart will have readers racing to the end and screaming for the sequel!

I always enjoy reading something from Kendare Blake, it had what I was expecting from previous works. It had great elements going on and I was engaged with what was happening. It had unique elements going on and the fantasy genre. It left me excited to read another book in this series and author.

"It will be fine,” said Reed. “We are all going together. We won’t let you be lost.” “And we’ll cover your mouth, if you start to look poorly,” Lyonene teased. But none of them were looking forward to that part of the journey. Reed had been young when she’d crossed through, but she remembered it all: the way the world tilted in the dark. How it had seemed to go on forever, longer than the night."

Introduction:

Behind every Hero is an Aristene, a legendary female warrior who helps heroes achieve victory. While heroes are celebrated in stories, it is the Aristene who play a crucial role in their success, earning them the title of “Heromakers.”

Reed, an orphan who was adopted by the Aristene order, has always aspired to become an Aristene herself. As an initiate, she has to guide a hero to triumph on the battlefield to prove her worth and secure her place among her sisters. Failure could result in her expulsion from the only home she has ever known.

Determined to succeed, Reed faces her biggest challenge when she meets her assigned hero, Hestion. While initially an alliance, their relationship grows into something more, and as secrets of the order unravel, Reed begins to question the cost of becoming an Aristene. With the battle ahead, Reed must choose between fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming an Aristene or pursuing a new path with Hestion.

Thoughts:

Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake, the first installment of the Heromaker series is a good start to a promising YA Fantasy series. If you know me, you know I am always down for female warrior orders who kick ass and therefore this book appealed to me in so many levels. The concept of Aristene order not taking sides about who become heroes or whether that said hero’s kingdom who they helped to bring to glory, later falls to ruin in order for another hero to succeed was really compelling. The world building was fantastic, the characters were excellently developed, the plot advanced at a good pace and the mystery and intrigue was great too.

Also there were a lot of nuggets of goodness in this book. I appreciated the author’s way of conveying the notion that even if you hold negative feelings towards a particular group or country due to a past experience, it does not necessarily mean that every individual from that group or country shares the same traits or beliefs as the ones you have preconceived about them. Another thing was how authentic affection shared by two individuals need not always result in wedlock. It is plausible to separate from the other person while maintaining a positive and amicable relationship with them, devoid of any feelings of resentment or hostility.

Champion of Fate is a great read, but it’s not without its flaws. While I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the fighting techniques of the Aristenes, I couldn’t help but feel curious about their other areas of study, such as geography and strategy, which were only briefly mentioned. Winning a war requires more than just combat skills, and it would have been great to learn more about the other important elements involved. This lack of attention to said details became evident once Reed and Lyonene actually got to the battlefield along with their heros, Hestion of Glaucia and Alesander of Cerille. The book’s lack of focus on these important details became apparent when the characters, Reed and Lyonene, joined Hestion of Glaucia and Alesander of Cerille on the battlefield. The military campaigns seemed to lack any form of strategy, with no clear hierarchy among the soldiers or war council to coordinate a plan of action. As a result, the second half of the book, which mainly focused on the war, was underwhelming. I feel that a bit more research on medieval warfare, specifically on how sieges are won, would have greatly improved the story.

Reed was a great protagonist. I really enjoyed her story arc and character growth but if I am being honest I loved Gretchen and Lyonene more. I loved how Gretchen’s character was content not to pursue greatness, glory and immortality but to live a simple mortal life to the fullest and Lyonene was absolutely brilliant. She was competitive, independent, wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, was badass but vulnerable at the same time. The three initiates’ friendship was well crafted and relatable. I loved it. I honestly didn’t care much for both Hestion or Alesander. Perhaps it was because the rest of the female cast of characters were such huge personalities and they didn’t really get to shine. I can’t pinpoint what it really was but it is what is, right?

Overall, Champion of Fate is a satisfying book and a good start to a series that could benefit more with a little bit of research about warfare moving forward. Looking forward to reading the next installment and how Machianthe’s story continues.

My heartfelt thanks to Netgally, Harper Collins Publishers and Kendare Blake for providing me this advanced reader copy.

Champion of Fate, the latest novel by Kendare Blake, follows Reed, a young woman training to become an Aristene, an order of female warriors who guide heroes to their victories. Reed has been raised by the order and is eager to prove herself by shepherding her first hero to glory on the battlefield. However, her assigned hero, Hestion, proves to be a challenging partner, and their strategic alliance turns into something more.

Blake has crafted an epic duology starter that will appeal to fans of Alexandra Bracken and Victoria Aveyard. The world-building is immersive, and the lore surrounding the Aristene and their heroic charges is fascinating. Reed is a well-rounded protagonist, and her struggles with her loyalty to the order versus her feelings for Hestion add depth to her character.

The action scenes are well-written and thrilling, and the pacing of the story is well-done, keeping the reader engaged throughout. The romance between Reed and Hestion is slow-burning and satisfying, and their banter and chemistry make them a compelling duo.

Overall, Champion of Fate is a strong start to a new series that is sure to please fans of YA fantasy. Blake's writing is engaging, and the story is well-crafted with interesting characters, immersive world-building, and plenty of action and romance. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new epic fantasy to dive into.