DNF @ 18%

Unfortunately this one is not for me. The FMC is just unlikeable and no matter how much I try, I can’t seem to want to root for her.

That’s a problem……

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for this ARC to read and review. This book will be out for publication on May 27, 2025.
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This an absolute must read for 2025. Released on May 27th, @hazelmcbrideauthor did an amazing job with this book. I was hooked from the start and had to keep reading. The twists and turns, betrayal, everything just keeps you reading to find out what happens next. I hated the ending only because the book ended and my heart was beating out of my chest. What a cliff hanger! I'm devastated that I have to wait for the next book to learn more. Please read this book!

This book reminded me a little of that quote from “10 Things I Hate About You”. “I know you can be overwhelmed and underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?” Because I was whelmed. It was fine. I didn’t mind it. But it’s not like it is going to live rent free in my head.

A Celtic world with vampires sounds so intriguing. And it was…fine. I liked some of the plot points and I will always love a slow burn (and this was a SLOW burn with a capital S). Also if you like REAL enemies to lovers, this is right up your alley.

While this book wasn’t entirely for me, it might be just your thing!

This was definitely for fans of
🧛SLOW burn
🧛Real enemies to loves
🧛Celtic worlds
🧛Elemental Magic

A very special thank you to NetGalley and Dell for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Feminine rage plus dragons? Yes, so much YES.

Aemyra is a skilled blacksmith who has hidden her fire-yielding gifts and true identity, until it is time to take her place as the rightful heir of a matriarchal society. But standing in her way is the current patriarchal ruling clan, backed by religious zealots and lead by a dragon-riding Prince Fiorean. This is real enemies to lovers. Not, “I can’t stand you” or “you’re annoying, but I’m into you,” this is an actual, sworn enemy dynamic that puts off so much heat. Need more convincing? The male lead, Fiorean, gives off Daemon Targaryen energy and we are here for it.

Hazel McBride carves a spot for herself in the romantasy genre with this debut. I loved the atmosphere of House of the Dragon meets female rage, and the blending of Celtic mythology makes the world she’s crafted even more layered and unique. And there’s an epic ending that has yet to leave my mind. Let the countdown for the next book begin!

Overall 3.5

A Fate Forged in Fire is a Celtic-inspired romantasy. I was stoked to read this as the premise sounded very unique and fun. And who doesn’t like dragons and magic.

Honestly, I wanted to love this book more than I did. It sounded promising but it just is too similar to other fantasy that I’ve read that it didn’t really stand apart and shine through.

I do love that we have a kick azz FMC that doesn’t take any crap from a man tho I also found her to be extremely annoying through the book. I didn’t feel the connection that Aemyra and Prince Fiorean were supposed to have. This is an enemies to lovers but there wasn’t enough enemies… or lovers, to it. It was just an alright book IMO. I feel it could have the potential to reach a 4 easily with some modifications and more world building. I don’t think I will be reading the second book as this just wasn’t memorable for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC copy. I also tandem read with the audiobook and I didn’t feel a connection with the narrator to the character, read by Samara MacLaren.

I found this book a bit slow to start, but I got pretty into it around the 30% mark! I thought the plot and the concept were very interesting, but I just didn't really connect with the characters at all. The romance was way too insta-love for me, but the ending was really interesting, so I'll probably read the sequel as well!

A Fate Forged in Fire is the first book in the Bonded to Beasts duology. This fierce Celtic-inspired fantasy will be the next big thing, though it should come with a content warning for sexual assault.
Once a territory built on matriarchal rule and values, Tìr Teine has since grown frail as men have taken control, and an outside religion has gained a foothold in the royal family. True Religion, an oppressive group who have steadily poisoned the region with their anti-magic teachings, which are a key part of the territory’s religion and hierarchy. Born to rule and blessed by fire, Aemyra has begrudgingly lived in hiding, waiting in anticipation for the current king’s death so she can bond to his dragon, claim her throne, and protect her people. But when the king dies, her plan is foiled and she is thrust into a game of vicious politics with Prince Fiorean, the late king’s second son. Cold, arrogant, and blindly supportive of his corrupt family, he is everything Aemyra despises. But as innocents on both sides are being killed, the two come together to save their lives and learn that neither one of them truly knows what is actually going on.
I was drawn into this book from the dedication to the very last page. This is a book about a woman who is fierce and strong, though she’s not great at planning. Aemyre has been taught to fight and stoke her magical fire, but was never taught to strategize; as you read the book, all becomes clear as to why. She is an opinionated bisexual redhead who has no time for the new religion taking over her land. She knows what her fate is, and she embraces it. She is not perfect and has flaws, making her a rounded character. I loved her so much. She makes me want to let my fire burn. I know she will inspire other women and girls, too.
Hazel McBride creates a world where the matriarchy is fighting to come back after being ground to ash. There is some world-building, including a map of the world, but only a few areas are fleshed out in this novel. I would like to know more about the world and more specifics about Tir Teine and other important areas. I can forgive this, and the story becomes more complex: madness from dragon bonds, poisoning of the royal heirs, and a love/hate marriage. Aemyra starts to learn that things are not always as they seem. McBride balances multiple ideas of what is right while still allowing the reader to cheer the heroine on.
A Fate Forged by Fire ends with a complete arc but requires the next book to truly tell the saga. I look forward to seeing Aemyra setting them all on fire.

The premise really grabbed me—I was excited to dive into a Celtic-inspired romantasy, especially since it's not a subgenre I’ve explored much before. I had high hopes going in, but unfortunately, the story didn’t quite live up to its potential.

The world-building felt disjointed and underdeveloped. Instead of being woven naturally into the narrative, it often left me confused and wanting more clarity. I also struggled to connect with Aemyra as a main character. Her arc lacked depth, and it felt like she didn’t really grow or achieve anything meaningful by the end.

Overall, while the concept was promising, the execution fell flat for me. It had the potential to be something rich and immersive, but it just didn’t quite get there.

A really fun read filled with political intrigue, dragons, tension-filled enemies-to-lovers, and my personal favorite forced proximity.

Perfect for fantasy fans looking for an uncomplicated setting with a romance subplot.

Thank you to Delacorte Press for an advanced reader's copy.

Aemyra believes she is the rightful queen and lays in wait for her chance to reclaim the throne. The "True Religion" has snaked its way into the Royal Court and taken over while the mad king rules. There's only a handful of dragons left in the world and Aemyra must bond with one to come to her full power to fight back against a tyrannical, misogynistic ruler. The royal line used to consist of Queens and a matriarchal society, but with the Chosen closing in their control on the current royal family, society is shifting. Aemyra cares for her people and must combat the previous Royal Family's claim to the throne, as well as the patriarchal religion that is rapidly spreading. This captivating story traverses the struggle of living under a misogynistic rule (especially as a woman) and gives us a genuine enemies to lovers you've never seen before. While the first half of the book felt very formulaic of the romantasy trope, I was delighted to find more so a fantasy romance. The romance and spice is integral to the ending of the story and THAT ENDING. OMG.

*Check trigger warnings! There are scenes that could be hard for some to read.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was unfortunately not for me. It took so long for it to go anywhere interesting, literally around the 90% mark. There was not much world building done throughout this story nor character building, which really took me out of the story. You expect magic and dragons, especially when you read the synopsis and see that cover. However, you barely get much of either. The story was mainly stuck on the political intrigue, but even this was very simplistic.

Though this is a romantasy, I feel like the romance was completely off and unnecessary, and I'm not one for smut in the first place, but this book it really felt unnecessary. I struggled to finish it, but I did, and I'm wishing I would have just DNF'd as this is making me not want to pick up more romantasy at the moment.

If you enjoy:

- Morally grey main characters
- True enemies-to-lovers dynamics (with plenty of tension)
- Dragons
- Celtic-inspired lore and language
- Elemental magic
- Religious and political conflict
- Struggles for the throne (matriarchal vs. patriarchal)
- Overthrowing kingdoms
- A romance subplot (with some spice)
- A “touch her and die” mentality
- Heavily traumatic themes
- Forced proximity
- Themes of love and betrayal
- Female rage
- Plenty of twists
- Strong familial and dragon bonds

Then *A Fate Forged in Fire* by Hazel McBride is for you.

This debut novel is the first installment of a planned duology, offering a gut-wrenching tale from beginning to end. It's said to evoke *Game of Thrones* and *House of the Dragon* vibes, but as I haven't watched either, I can’t confirm that. I've been misled by book marketing before, so take this comparison with a grain of salt.

The story starts off slowly due to its heavy world-building, deeply rooted in Celtic culture, lore, and language. While this backdrop is fascinating, the pacing took time to pick up, leading to moments of boredom for me. It’s one of those books you need to read thoroughly to fully grasp the world-building and lore, as many of your questions won’t be answered until later on.

There are numerous storylines happening simultaneously, which sometimes made the plot feel chaotic. I often found myself confused about the significance of certain plot points—what purpose they served and why they mattered. Perhaps the reasons will become clearer in the second book.

The narrative is rich with religious and political intrigue, with romance serving as a subplot. The romance features a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic that is filled with tension (considering they are frequently trying to kill each other, each encounter is fraught with intensity). While the spice is minimal, when it does appear, it’s scorching and primal.

The female main character (FMC) is badass, but I found her arrogant and impulsive, making poor decisions without considering the consequences. I think her decision-making diminishes her role as a figurehead. Although she cares deeply for her people and wants to do right by them and her family, she rarely attempts to forge alliances or get to know the individuals she's fighting for, mostly keeping to her core group. I wish she had branched out; it would have showcased her growth as a queen and provided insight into why her people have unwavering faith in her. Towards the end, she does become more humbled regarding her path to the crown, reflecting on her mistakes, but she doesn't make visible corrections to her previous actions—she simply moves on to start anew. Her primary claim to the throne seems to hinge on her being the matriarchal line of succession, having been wrongfully usurped by a patriarchal society and a fanatical religious group. This lack of substance regarding her motives for claiming the throne made her feel one-dimensional.

As for the male main character (MMC), I felt he was slightly more developed than the FMC, yet still rather flat. He prioritizes family loyalty above all else, often ignoring the consequences of his family's arrogance and ignorance. He is portrayed as exceptionally powerful, but the narrative doesn't provide insight into why that is the case. He is calculating, always planning three steps ahead and convinced that whatever he does is justified by his loyalty to his family, even if it involves questionable actions. I wanted to find him compelling, but unfortunately, he did not resonate with me.

The romance in this book? Flimsy at best.

After all the built-up tension of their enemies-to-lovers dynamic, which is present throughout the book, the transition to romance felt abrupt and unconvincing. Around three-quarters into the story, they become reluctant allies, and suddenly, without much development, they are in love. The progression of their relationship seemed too fast, lacking the gradual buildup I anticipated.

Whenever there WERE moments that hinted at their growing connection, I did enjoy them. These moments suggested a passionate love, with an intense emotional bond between the two characters. There was a sense of familiarity and understanding in their intimacy, tempered by a carnal passion. However, these glimpses of deep affection were rare, making their sudden shift to love feel implausible.

That said, these deep moments of affection were still rare and seemed to occur at the flip of a switch. The romance needed more details and greater emphasis on its development, so readers could truly understand and believe in their feelings for one another, creating a more significant impact.

The only other two relationships I appreciated were between the female main character (FMC) and her twin, as well as her bond with her dragon. Although the relationship with her dragon could have been developed further, you could still sense a deep soul connection between them, just like the bond she shares with her twin. Even with minimal representation of their relationship, it managed to convey a level of deep understanding and love.

And by the way, the FMC’s dragon was the real MVP of this book!

Prepare yourself for a soul-crushing cliffhanger—one that I’m not entirely surprised about. It’s still heartbreaking, nonetheless.

I’m contemplating whether to read the next book. I’m leaning towards yes because I want to find out what happens to our female main character and whether there is hope for her and the male main character, or if it will end in a truly gut-wrenching way. While I may not have fully connected with this book, I know that many readers will absolutely love it.

** Thank you NetGalley, Radom House, and Author Hazel McBride for this eARC in exchange for an honest review **

Aemyra grew up as the secret heir to the throne but when the King dies she will have to overcome many challenges to take and be accepted as the fated queen including bonding with a dragon and dealing with her enemy Prince Fioran who may be her fatal attraction. His brother has been slotted as her competitor for the crown. It took me a little bit to get into it but then I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait for the next as the relationship between her and Fioran is multi-dimensional, intriguing and steamy at times! Thank you to Random House for this advanced reader copy. #afateforgedinfire

I’m always going to be a sucker for dragons and enemies to lovers. Throw in some feminine rage and I’m there. Aemyra was an interesting main character. Shes strong, but not perfect. She wants better for her country and is willing to do a lot to see that happen. We do get an arranged marriage with an enemy that has Aemyra and Fiorean questioning a lot of things.The characters aren’t perfect, but I don’t see how anyone could be in their circumstances. I cannot wait to see more of the dragons and after that ending I need to see what Hazel has in store!

now this is how you do enemies to lovers !!

I LOVED this! The political intrigue , dragons! Scottish lore and setting! This was amazing. It is a slow burn which I love. Give me a strong badass fmc any day!

I will definitely be stocking A fate Forged in fire in my store asap!

This is a must-read for fantasy romance lovers! Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this early!

Aemyra is blacksmith's daughter who has always had to hide her powerful fire gifts. As the first daughter born to the ruling clan in generations, she is the rightful heir to the throne of this matriarchal society. With gifts blessed by the Goddess Brigid, she sets out to overthrow the pretender-king.

I had high hopes for this novel, and they were exceeded. This is true enemies to lovers. The world-building is excellent. There are so many Scottish and Gaelic aspects and the politics are intriguing. And did I mention dragons?? They are powerful, they are deadly, and they are close to extinct.

The romance in this book is a slow burn, enemies to lovers. And the ending will leave you in shock.

I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook and can recommend both whole-heartedly. The audio is great for learning those Gaelic words, but the author also includes a pronunciation guide in the text.

SO MUCH RAGE!!!! If you throw Shadow and Bone, Handmaids Tale, Forth Wing, Silver Elite, and Throne of Glass into a blender, you would have A Fate Forged in Fire. I was so angry for a majority of this book. “Is this play about us?!” F*ck all men. But damn if I didn’t enjoy the ride of emotions this story put me through. The way I am screaming burn it all down. I can’t wait for the next book.

Aemyra, a skilled blacksmith who wields fire magic, is destined to claim the throne and restore her kingdom. However, political scheming and a powerful dragon-riding adversary obstruct her path. Prince Fiorean, cold and arrogant, embodies everything Aemyra despises; yet, their forced alliance ignites a sizzling enemies-to-lovers dynamic that kept me hooked. The plot brims with political intrigue, betrayal, and deep corruption, making for an intense read. I loved Aemyra’s strength, resilience, and determination to protect her people, and the romance between her and Fiorean was filled with tension and depth. With dragons and a fierce heroine, this book sets the stage for an exciting duology. I can't wait to see what comes next.

Hazel McBride's A Fate Forged in Fire delivers an action-packed, slow-burn romantasy that will leave you begging for book two. The book is Game of Thrones and House of Dragons meets Reign and I am 100% here for it!

Aemyra was born to an exiled prince, who decided to hide her and her twin brother's existence until the time is right for her to claim her throne and return Tir Teine to matriarchal rule and a community that does not turn its back on magic. However, her climb to the top is not without trials and tribulations in the form of mad kings, creepy priests, an arrogant lover, and so much more. Aemyra is headstrong, passionate, and blessed with fire and will stop at nothing to become queen. Along Aemyra's journey, she crosses her biggest adversary, Prince Fiorean, and trust me, this is when things get really interesting. Aemyra must decide what she will give up and how far she will go in order to fulfill her destiny.

I'm officially in my romantasy phase and this book just further cemented that phase. I loved the family dynamics--both Aemyra's and Fiorean's--in the story as it helped develop their characters and made them more than just pawns in the game for the crown. I also love enemies to lovers and Hazel definitely delivered on that trope in a subtle way that made me love it even more. And the betrayal at the end, left me gasping because I didn't see it coming. There are a couple of heavier scenes throughout the book, so please check the trigger warnings the beginning.

Thank you to Delacorte for the e-ARC!

A Fate Forged in Fire by Hazel McBride is a captivating fantasy filled with emotional depth, slow-burn romance, and a richly built world that draws you in from the first page. McBride’s writing strikes a lovely balance between lyrical and accessible, and the character development—especially the heroine’s journey of resilience and self-discovery—is a standout. The pacing occasionally falters in the middle, but the payoff is worth it, with stakes that feel real and a conclusion that satisfies while leaving room for more. A strong and immersive read for fans of character-driven fantasy with heart.