DNF — 2 star rating as I have not completed the book and therefore cannot provide a definitive rating.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book pre-release. Unfortunately I have had to soft DNF A Fate Forged in Fire at this time despite by sadness at the fact.

As somebody that is Scottish I cannot explain the excitement that I felt surrounding the early premise of this book. I was keen to see accurate representation of Celtic culture within a richly innovative world filled with an enemies to lovers dynamic that I’m typically known to love. I do definitely believe that this was something that was written and expressed very well and therefore I have no critique to provide on this matter.

Explaining why I had to DNF this title is actually quite difficult as I’m struggling to distinguish if it’s a result of the book itself or just very much a ‘me’ problem. I just couldn’t connect to the story or the characters in general for no apparent reason and I struggled to entice myself to pick the book back up any time I tried. I have had some read life circumstances take place that have hindered my ability to read and my ability to find enjoyment in reading overall… so that’s why I’m marking this as a DNF for now with a keenness to try again at a later time. I’m really hoping that I’m the problem because I desperately wish to love this book in the future.

I had a hard time with this one because I started out excited for this (the world and magic systems sound super cool), but I just could not connect to the characters as much as I wanted to. I did enjoy the FMC, but the MMC was just ick for me. I liked a few other characters, but because I did not feel any chemistry between the main love interest and the FMC so it was just hard to get through. I ended up DNFing this one. It had promise, but it just did not pull me in like other books have. Thank you for the chance to review this book.

4.75/5 stars

Summary: In the fallen matriarchal land of Tìr Teine, fire-blessed Aemyra emerges from hiding to claim her throne, only to be thwarted and forced into a dangerous alliance with her rival, Prince Fiorean. As corruption runs deep and their bond grows, Aemyra must risk everything to reclaim her crown.

Review: I should have started this book months ago - gosh dang it! This book has everything I love - slow burn enemies to lovers, dragons, a cool magic system, political and religious intrigue…I could keep going.

A Fate Forged in Fire is more of a high/epic fantasy book with a developed world and magic/religious systems that I found very interesting, but I recognize that some of those more informational pieces could make this harder to get into for some readers. Although Aemyra is a strong female character, she does indeed make some maddening choices, but I didn’t always know where the story was going, which I consider to be a plus.

The one thing that stopped me from making this a full 5-star read is the amount of Gaelic used to create this world. I don’t love books that have pages of pronunciations that I’m most definitely not remembering during my read. The author and her team could have nixed some of the words used to simplify it for readers who can’t or don’t want to continue flipping between the current page and the pronunciation guide.

I can’t wait for the next installment! Thank you so much to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Hazel McBride for allowing me access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed A Fate Forged in Fire by Hazel McBride. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic had a lot of great banter and tension, which is always my weakness in fantasy romance. The world-building pulled me in right away and the pacing kept me turning pages.

That said, I was a little disappointed that this started as a Bi-storyline and then ultimately paired her with a man. I think I was expecting something different there, and it took a bit of the shine off for me. But overall, the romance still worked and the chemistry was solid.

If you like magical drama, sassy back-and-forth, and a bit of heat in your fantasy, this one’s definitely worth picking up

Definitely fills the House of the Dragon shaped hole in my life with it's intense dragon battles, wild family dynamics and falling for your enemy. The world of A Fate Forged In Fire was where the author really shined - the magic system was super interesting and the bonds with these creatures added a lot to it. The story did take a while to get into and while I appreciate taking time to set up the world it felt like we started too early for the sake of exposition. Once this hit the halfway point it really picked up and I couldn't wait to get to the next page.

Aemyra unfortunately was not all that pleasant to read - normally I am very much team unlikeable female characters but with her I couldn't tell if that was what we were going for. She was very childish, arrogant and even while she was promoting her side of the political conflict that was considered more feminist she constantly blamed other women and called them weak. The chemistry with her love interest would wildly vary scene by scene.

Absolutely loved this fantasy story with Irish and Gaelic themes written throughout it. This fantasy was truly unique as it gave me religion that was so solely focused on the matriarchy. The female main character radiated feminine power and was unrelentless in her pursuit to roll the kingdom. She also captured the experience of bisexual women and what felt like an authentic and true way. The main male character was someone you wanted to root for, but was definitely morally gray.

thank you to netgalley for a free arc in exchange for an honest review! this was just okay? I loved the Celtic folklore but I couldn't connect to any of the characters

Overall this was an okay read for me. The world building and some other elements were interesting. But I feel like the characters needed more depth.

I was not connecting with the characters in this one, and that is vital for me. I decided to DNF midway through.

I was really invested in the first 50% of the book, and I was fully expecting a badass plot in the second half but it fell flat for me after that :/ I hated how the plot made Aemyra powerless and barely able to do anything for most of the second half, and I didn't like that the romance happened right at that time. To me the romance came out of nowhere, I didn't really like the MMC, he was literally responsible for the deaths of so many people close to her?

-- got an ARC from Netgalley

Such a promising premise with a Celtic folklore and romantasy blend, however, the story itself fell flat for me. It was difficult to connect to the FMC. At times the characters and tropes felt all too familiar. I did enjoy the dragon elements.

This book was trying to get by on being an enemies to lovers romantasy with dragons, but there wasn’t a story beyond that. I couldn’t follow along with the world building and was so confused wit the motive for everything and this history of the land. This led to the confusion about what was going on with the major plot of Aemyra and her battle for the throne. Then she’s supposed to fall in love with Fiorean but there is no chemistry between them and there was no building of that chemistry. Would’ve been one star if not for the ending that I didn’t predict.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Delacorte Press for an eARC in exchange for a review!

FINALLY a romantasy that has kept my attention and been worth my time. Easily a 4.5 star read for me.

We have dragons, betrayals, a twisting plot line, an arranged marriage trope, and loads of action. By about 15-20% in, I was hooked and binge read the rest of it as fast as I was able. As often happens in books of this genre, the FMC did make a few decisions that were impulsive and unwise, but she's a very passionate character, so some of this is to be expected. I imagine we'll see even more character growth and maturity in book 2.

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. I liked the idea of it (dragons are always fun), but I never connected with the main character. I don't think this was a bad book by any means, but it wasn't the style of fantasy writing that I enjoy. People who like more details in writing might like it though.

I want to acknowledge first that I really love Hazel and follow her on social media. I think this is a good ya novel and great for teens and young adults. It was just a bit too immature for me. Although it wasn’t for me I did like the story and would recommend it to younger readers who are just getting into romantasy! Oh and dragons!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.


You've got dragons, magic, secret queens, and of COURSE the enemies to lovers trope - so I knew that I would be invested in this story early on. Add in a feisty, ANGRY, FMC and I'm in LOVE.. respectfully.

However - while there was a trigger warning of 'grief, child loss, death, and graphic depictions of violence within these pages' I was not expecting to have details of what the children looked like in their passing and the days after their passing. Also keep in mind the grief aspect comes from a parental view, a sibling view, and other family members so it's all over the grief spectrum - not just the typical 'sadness'.

Overall I really enjoyed the book and I will definitely be picking up the next one because I need the answers to my questions!!!

This wants to be a both a gritty fantasy and a Celtic-inspired romantasy, but it doesn’t always deliver on either. There's an intriguing setup with religious oppression, a queendom waiting to be reclaimed, dragon riders... but the execution felt uneven, especially in tone. The book leans into harsh realities, which I think was meant to ground the fantasy in something more real, but at times it veers into discomfort that doesn’t feel necessary in a romantasy.

I really liked Aemyra as a character. She’s a compelling protagonist with real potential for complexity, walking a line between ruthless and resigned. I enjoyed watching her grow, even if she was frustratingly passive at times. But her dynamic with Fiorean was...fine? He was mean to her and not in a bantery or intriguing way. It made sense, but then he completely changes when they're alone, which made no sense because he was a secret good person. That kind of dynamic never works for me, and it really undercut any emotional investment I might’ve had in their romance. Aemyra also seemed to shrink around him, which didn’t match the strength and ruthlessness she shows elsewhere.

The pacing dragged, and while the world had some interesting ideas, it didn’t offer anything I hadn’t seen before in this genre; except for the grim parts, which stood out more for how uncomfortable they made me. Honestly? It was just mid. Not terrible, not memorable, and probably not something I’ll think about again.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

I found it really hard to connect with the main characters. Aemyra seemed to have a chip on her shoulder and wasn’t the kindest to people around her even if they didn’t do anything wrong.

A Fate Forged in Fire promised dragons, destiny, and defiance, but what I found instead was an all-too-familiar echo dulled by cliché and burdened by characters I struggled to care for.

This read like a knockoff of a much stronger dragon saga—borrowed bones without the soul. From the start, the world felt derivative with the plot stitched together from tropes I’ve seen done better elsewhere. The writing leaned heavily on telling rather than showing, with repetition that killed my interest. Words like crescendo and incredulous were wielded so often they lost all meaning.

The dialogue, especially between Aemyra and Fiorean, teetered between stilted and cringeworthy trying to force chemistry where there was none. Aemerya herself felt less like a selfless heir and more like a hollow attempt at a Daenerys Targaryen redux. I wanted to care. I really did. But there was no depth and no vulnerability in any of the characters.

And for a story that proclaims dragons choose their Bonded, the way Aemerya pursued Kolreath felt more like conquest than connection. He read more as a trophy to be claimed than a creature of ancient, sovereign power.

At 35%, I found myself drifting and finally closing the book for good. I wanted fire, political intrigue and substance. What I got was smoke and mirrors.

Some books simply aren’t for every reader. I hope others find magic where I did not.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read and Review A Date Forged in Fire.

Tir Teine, a territory only ruled by queens for centuries, has been ruled by Kings and falling to ruins. The current King on his last days, the true queen, Aemrya, is ready to take her place and rule her people. But she must bond a dragon and defeat her biggest adversaries, Princes Evander and Fiorean.

I gotta tell you, while this sounded promising, I found myself bored. It was so slow and a lot more detailed than necessary.