This was a pretty good. Loved the enemies to lovers aspect and the elemental magic. I just wish it wasn’t such a slow burn. It was super slow in places and I got really bored.

The premise of A Fate Forged In Fire is compelling, set in a world with dragons, matriarchal rule, and a hidden queen eager to reclaim the throne. I was immediately intrigued and really enjoyed the opening chapters, especially as Aemyra interacts with her family and friends. I felt that the strongest element of this world was the ideological struggle between those devoted to the goddesses and those who followed the Savior. I felt Aemyra's anger towards the priests and found myself rooting for her mission.

However, as the story progressed, I was struggling to stay engaged. The pacing began to drag, and I had a hard time connecting with the characters. The MMC especially came across as a bully and while the misogynistic society is an intentional part of the world-building, I couldn't get past it.

Additionally, the frequent use of Gaelic terms throughout the book, while adding authenticity to the world, often pulled me out of the narrative as I found myself unsure of how to pronounce them.

Overall, while the world-building was engaging, the characters didn't resonate with me enough to continue to the next book.

2.5 stars!

I'm a bit disappointed in this book because the description sounded SO good and it has dragons, and I see a book with dragons and I wanna read it. Unfortunately, I did not like either of the main characters or understand how they established any level of trust between the two of each other. I think we were also very quick to forgive, and I wanted to feel more of the enemies part of enemies to lovers. It also took me a bit of time to read this book because I did not feel like I cared at all about what was happening for 70% of the book.

That being said, I may still read the sequel? Because the end did really intrigue me, and I'm hoping some of my issues will be flushed out in the second book in the duology.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

1 Star
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this ARC.

I could not get into this book and ended up DNF 26% into it. I did not connect with the characters and it seemed to drag on and oooonnn.

If you're a reader looking for what feels like real and true enemies to lovers, this is the book for you. While Aemeya's magic - and the magic system as a whole - wasn't something new or groundbreaking, the tension was on point. The political intrigue, the dragons & the bonding to those creatures felt much like the elements of a fantasy that I'm familiar with and that I enjoy reading - which helped to make navigating the world much easier. The world building was familiar without being too cookie-cutter, and when I tell you that the enemies to lovers tension between Aemya and Fiorean was peak... trust me. A little bit of knife play in a fantastical setting? YES PLEASE! An arranged marriage that leads to more? HELL YES! This really has everything that a fantasy romance reader would enjoy.

I think its kind of important to note that this book was inspired by House of the Dragon. Just in case anyone spent most of the book going: aren't these two....related? And then finding out that that was kind of the point. Its not nearly so egregious as HotD and I think they kind of wave away HOW related but yes, its definitely a factor and should maybe be a heads up for a lot of readers. Not me obviously, since I like both HotD and this book but yeah, heads up!

A Fate Forged in Fire has dragon bonding and powers the way I thought Fourth Wing should have. I'm a sucker for A) dragons and b) Avatar powers and this book has both so I was sold pretty early.

The book follows Aemrya, a young woman working as a blacksmith with a secret to hide: she has super powerful magic. But that secret hides an even bigger secret: she's the first female heir to the crown in generations. Led by her father after the death of the king, Aemrya takes her first step towards becoming queen but runs into all sorts of problems first. Most caused by her own self.

I think this book succeeded for me in having a really good and terrifying bad guy situation happening. The kingdom has been historically matriarchal but with no female heirs for so long, a patriarchal religion has seeped into the continent and started oppressing women. Please check trigger warnings because there is one of the most upsetting scenes I have read in a book in a long time in here because of the oppression and control that begins.

The romance was fun, if a little color by numbers but they have good tension and good scenes.

I saw a lot of complaints about Amerya as a character being cocky and brash and while she is this, I felt it was refreshing since I read way too many romances and romantasy with shy "im just a girl" energy. Aemrya is there to rule and it was the first time in a while I felt like the main character had the confidence to do it. Yes, she makes dumb choices and consistently gets her but kicked but we are here for her journey to make better choices and kick others butts in the end so I'm hopeful for the next book.

Overall, a really fun dragon ride.

My first ARC DNF. I was so excited for this and it sounded so good but was just so slow getting into, and about 40% of the way through I realized I just really didn’t care about the characters or what is gonna happen. Maybe one day I’ll give this another try but I just couldn’t make myself keep going.

This is easily one of the best books I have read in a while. I was really struggling to pick up books and this one has me devouring books again. The romance is a true enemies to lovers. It’s cute, passionate, vulnerable, and yet they still hold secrets to meet their goals and ends. The main character was what I disliked most about this book. I think it’s great that she’s a strong character and she stands her ground and speaks her mind, but she also seems to purposefully antagonize and pick fights with everyone. Her personality definitely because more tame and palatable as the books progressed however. Lots of twists in this book and despite having an idea they may happen they are surprising and exciting anyway. I am very excited for the second book to come out and see how this story will play out.

I’ve read quite a few fantasy romances, but this one definitely stands out as one of my favorites lately! I really enjoyed the magic system and the political intrigue, and the way that everything was Celtic-inspired.

It has dragons, enemies to lovers, and a queen desperately trying to claim her throne amidst an uprising of a misogynistic religion desperate to repress women with powers. Aemyra was a well-developed character, with strength and softness and a heart for justice. Fiorean, her one time enemy whom she gradually develops feelings for, is intriguing in his own right - and their chemistry together is great.

I will say that I did not realize it was first in a duology, so I expected a resolution and got a cliffhanger instead. But I’ll definitely read book two to see what happens!

I came very close to DNF'ing this book. After the first chapter I put it down and read something else. The first opening line just was a turn off to me. The whole first chapter honestly. As you read on and learn about the religious beliefs that one group has, you kind of understand that background more. But it really bothered me that the FMC (Aemyra ) is all about women standing on their own and not being defined by giving birth and being wives, and yet the first chapter literally tells you this through the Aemyra.

I ended up going back to read it because I've never DNF after one chapter, much less one line. Once things picked up at the 20% mark, I got into it more. I didn't mind Aemyra. I did like her as a character. Her and her brother though were the ONLY characters I liked. I did not like anyone else in this book. I had really high hopes for MMC (Fiorean). I started to like him and his relationship with Aemyra even though there wasn't much depth to Fiorean other than his desire to protect his brother and encourage him to be a good King. I liked the action scenes, I think the battle with the religious zealots were spot on and they were so impactful and worrying. I was so disappointed, and quite honestly mad, at the ending. Everyone just showing their true colors and crapping all over the FMC really just set me off. It made me cheer for Aemyra more, but I swear I never hated so many characters in a book before in my life.

I will read the next book though because I am interested in what happens and what Aemyra would do. But I'm telling you, this is what makes villains, what everyone put her through. I would be so happy if she was a villain in the next installment for 90% of the story, because she deserves to be.

Thank you so much Netgallery/publishing company/author for approving this ARC and allowing me the pleasure to read and review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The enemies to lovers aspect definitely had me from the beginning and the characters along with the world building tied everything together.

I can definitely say I can’t wait for the next book because that ending was something to be left desired, and now I need to know what happens next!

A Fate Forged In Fire by Hazel McBride is an enemies to lovers romance, with steamy chemistry, push and pull, dragons and so much more. Here we have Aemyra who has been hiding her true identity, waiting to claim her birthright. Once the current king dies, she is poised to take her rightful place. What ensues is mayhem, conflict and betrayal. In her way, Prince Fiorean, who is arrogant, stubborn and a fierce dragon rider who yields fire. Aemrya is determined to do right by her people, yet she is young, stubborn and impulsive. She has the right intentions, but who can she trust?

When Aemrya finds herself tied to Fiorean, she must keep him at arm’s length and survive a court that is conspiring against her at every turn. But when lines begin to blur with them, can they form an uneasy alliance? I enjoyed this story and found myself captivated from start to finish and am excited to get my hands on the next book! That ending had me gasping!

Happy reading!

DNF @ 47%

I tried really hard to get into this book. I have been trying since May, got really into the beginning, saw where it was going, then decided to put it down.
A queen in hiding finally taking her rightful throne with dragons and magic? Sounds awesome, right? Our main character Aemyra started out pretty interesting, I was invested in the beginning. But she started to become extremely cocky and aggravating to the point of me not wanting to read more about her.
The writing was good, I just wish the main character was not the way she is. Maybe I could’ve finished and enjoyed this book.

I was provided an ARC for this book by Net Galley. I'm so glad I was. I loved this book and can't wait for the story to continue. There is enemy to lovers, magic, and dragons. Twists enough to make you gasp, with one of them completely blindsiding me. I have recommended this book to friends and family, as well as strangers I've met in a bookstore. Well worth the time I spent immersed in the book. Thank you

Note: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The first 30% or so of this book had me hooked! I was so into the world building and plot. A matriarchal society under attack, following the promised queen being denied her throne, and then you add dragons and queerness in? Sounds like a win!

What first bothered me with the male lead was him being a familial relationship. I was able to personally overlook that when I was able to determine that they were distant cousins at most, but it was definitely off putting at first.

I was then botherer by Aemyra’s refusal to grow up. I am all for the overpowered and headstrong female lead, but the amount of traps and stupid decisions she fell into were mildly infuriating. If she was supposedly trained by her father for this mission her whole life, shouldn’t she be a little bit smarter? And shouldn’t she have a little bit better impulse control after living in the shadows for so long?

Dont get me wrong, I enjoyed this book, but I wished we had more focus on the world and less on the romance, which is honestly a first for me. I will definitely be getting the sequel when it releases, but mostly due to my enjoyment of the world, the dragons, and the overall plot. I hope if we are to follow the romance closely again that it can be fleshed out better and not feel so built on nothing but lust. I rated this book 3.75/5 stars.

This book didn’t hit the mark for me. It was slow and didn’t hold my attention.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

I loved this book! I was hooked from the first page. But damn that cliff hanger at the end?! I need the next book as soon as possible!

A Fate Forged in Fire is a fast-paced, emotional fantasy with strong characters and a rich world. The heroine is fierce and relatable, and the plot blends action, romance, and magic in a satisfying way. The pacing keeps you turning pages, and the twists are well-placed. Some parts may feel familiar if you read a lot of fantasy, but the author's voice makes it fresh. Perfect for fans of strong female leads and slow-burn romance with a supernatural edge.

For the little girls who were told to put their fires out, Burn them all to the fucking ground."

Without a doubt, this will go down in history as my favorite dedication of all time.

Why do I do this to myself? Why do a start a series that I am clearly going to love, to become attached to the characters, when all of the books in the series aren't available? There are multiple romantasy series out there that I'm obsessed with (some even with dragons), but Aemyra speaks to my fiery, dragon-loving heart. No spoilers, but with the way that A Fate Forged in Fire ended, I need to know. The characters, the plot, the world building, the DRAGONS...all of it is just perfection, and I can't wait to go back to Erisocia.

This book had all the foundations of a story of love. Unfortunately, this fell flat for me. The story dragged at the beginning and the FMC was a little too bratty about her position. Once the action started moving along I never managed to feel a connection to the characters.