I’m extremely excited to pick up a physical copy of this book! This was a quick read. Hidden royalty, enemies to lovers, and dragons. It was a good read to keep my mind off the world burning outside.

The initial worldbuilding and characterization felt clumsy, less immersive and more like a a water hose, at times battering us and at others just a trickle. Aemyra is one of those fierce powerful fmc’s forced to hide her gifts, but she seems to have no sense of self preservation and in what I read it the impulsivity veered toward TSTL. I was determined to give this book a chance, but then she ridiculed her brother in front of a customer at the forge and later made a homophobic joke at his expense. I tried to keep going but ultimately DNF-ed because casual jokes insulting men by implying they are gay are not the way to make me give something I already wasn’t vibing with a chance

Aemyra was born into a world where magic is dying. With no Goddess blessed queen in more than a century, Tir Teine's magical people are becoming less powerful with each generation. A new, insidious religion is also on the rise, preaching g that Magic is evil and those who carry it are cursed and need to be cleansed. They also do not tolerate the matriarchy but prefer the rule of kings. Aemyra is the last woman to be born to the noble bloodline of Clan Daercathian in the last century. She and her twin brother have lived in secrecy their entire lives, always hiding who they truly are. When the mad king finally dies, it is time for Aemyra to claim her rightful throne. During the coup, Aemyra is blessed by the Goddess Brigid as the rightful queen, but the king's family, especially Prince Fiorean, refuses to accept her claim. The coup does not go to plan due to the royal family's unexpected reinforcements from the new religion, and Aemyra must flee and regroup.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I devoured it. I loved the world building and the magic of this story. I love how fierce and unapologetic Aemyra is. She has a dream of a better life for her people and the drive to accomplish it. Fiorean has a lot to work through. He loves his family, but that love has blinded him to many things. This book was absolutely epic, and I can't wait for book two!

Thank you @netgalley, @randomhouse, and @hazelmcbrideauthor for the gifted eARC.

Thank you to Hazel McBride, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of A Fate Forged in Fire. All opinions are my own.

This was an engaging fantasy for those who enjoyed Game of Thrones and Throne of Glass, full of intrigue and magic and strong female characters. I definitely enjoyed the action, as well as the political maneuverings, love story, and background in Scottish Gaelic lore, and thought they provided a strong basis for the story.

Things I disliked a bit more included how impulsively it seemed even “skilled” warriors acted, basically throwing themselves into multiple obvious traps. I also feel like the religious aspect on Aemyra’s side was lacking compared to the level of detail we got from the royal family and the Chosen.

Overall, a good read, and looking forward to what comes next.

POV: singular third person

You can expect: magic, dragons, creatures, rebellion, enemies to lovers, forced marriage, forced proximity, “touch her and die”, “you’re mine”, betrayal.

Rep: queer FMC (implied bisexual), panic attack.

Spice: 2/5

CW: sexism, murder of family, violence, kidnapping, attempted forced sterilization

As debates around the lines between fantasy and romantasy become increasingly fraught, A Fate Forged in Fire is an interesting case as it blends classic fantasy elements, a flawed heroine, folklore, religion, and a toxic romance. It's simultaneously stressful and sexy, frustrating and fascinating—but in a way that kept me turning the pages.

While the plot beats and twists follow classic fantasy storytelling tropes, making it so that certain reveals throughout are easy to guess if you're an avid reader, the story is well-done, setting up a world on the verge of a war driven by zealotry, the clash of a matriarchal versus patriarchal worldview, and the fear of those with gifts from the gods. The main character, Aemyra, is deeply flawed—reckless, too trusting, and often short=sighted—but in a way that should set her up for incredible character growth as the series continues. However, it can be hard as a reader to want to invest in her journey because she often makes decisions that will have you going, "Don't do it, girl"—but of course, she does it anyway.

While this book lays a lot of groundwork for what seems to be an epic story and exciting series, this first one can be difficult to get through—in addition to Aemyra being a frustrating herone, the dialogue is sometimes cliché or cringey. But, I'm interested to see where Hazel McBride takes this series, what exactly she's going to do with Florian, Aemyra's duplicitous love interest, and how she plans to develop Aemyra as a main character. The series has promise, that's for sure—and I hope it delivers.

This one was a challenging read for me. Possibly just not a good fit for me personally.

This seems very Targaryen-inspired in a lot of ways *ahem* and includes dragons and other bonded creatures, magic, a matriarchal society with goddesses, and a fight for the crown. Lots of reveals and some sickening betrayal. It had all the right elements, and there were some really good moments, but overall it didn’t connect for me.

I found most of the characters to be unlikable or just a little off in their behavior or felt like we hardly got to know them at all in the case of most side characters. The romance felt rushed. I’m as feminist as they come, but the matriarchy aspect felt like serving us the point with a sledgehammer.

I really do feel like this had great bones but just needs a little more time spent on character development in the next one.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc opportunity!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, & Hazel McBride for this e-ARC!

★ ★ ★ ★

This book kept me fully engrossed and thoroughly entertained from start to finish!
The beginning did hold a learning curve due to the amount of Scottish Gaelic names/terminology used. I love that the author wanted to keep a lot in the U.S. translation, but I was heavily using the reference guide for a good chunk of this read.
I loved (most of) the characters & was so excited to have a new dragon book! The romance was everything I didn’t know I needed. It was written so tastefully, and it also served as respite from all the politics, family drama, and world building we get in this book.
Towards the end I could feel my emotional attachment to both the FMC & MMC growing, and then, like all good fantasy books… I was devastated. wrecked. crushed. I have questions. I need the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review. I got the EARC and also received the physical arc from a giveaway on Instagram.

I want to say I started out really loving this book. We had a bad ass, strong willed FMC and it was shaping up to be an awesome story.
The main thing I didn’t like was the lack of nuance in the world building. A lot of the world building was just spit out in inner monologue or in non sequitur conversation.
Also, it seemed like every trope from every romantasy ever was forced into this book.

All together it was a decent read, but not my favorite.

This was not for me. I didn’t finish this book, so I really can’t say if it was well done or not. I got about a quarter of the way through before I decided to stop.

The premise of a matriarchy striving to regain control from a patriarchy that had ousted it was interesting. The fire magic and world was fine (what I saw of it). But I did not care for the characters or writing style and it took me MONTHS to drag myself through just 25%. I think this was just not for me.


I received an arc of this through NetGalley—thank you NetGalley and Delacorte for the opportunity!

I really enjoyed this one !! It was so hard to put down once I got sucked into the story. There was a lot of politics and word building and a some romantasy elements later on. I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the series plays out. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a new enemies to lovers romantasy.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

If you like
-enemies to lovers
-chimeras, dragons, and phoenixes
-magic system strengthened by being bound to dragons
-hidden royal
-arranged marriage
-strong female character
-matriarch ruling
This book could be for you
Trigger warnings
-patriarch and religion taking over
-forced medical procedures
-death of children
-war
-murder
-female mutilation

Thank you to Delacorte Press for this ARC.

The premise of A Fate Forged in Fire had me from the get-go: Celtic-inspired fantasy romance with dragons and a hidden heir? Let’s go! 😍🔥 Unfortunately, this one was a mixed bag for me; I loved parts of it and found others frustrating. 😬

🔥 What did you love the most?
The dragons and the magical bonding system were hands down the best parts of this book. I genuinely wish the author had spent more time on these elements; they felt fresh, interesting, and full of potential. 😍

🔥 What to expect:
🗣️ Celtic terminology & worldbuilding
🗡️ Enemies to lovers romance
🐉 Dragon bonds
💍 Forbidden romance tropes

🔥 Steam level: Open-door with moderate detail

🔥 How was the romance?
This is where the book lost me. The FMC is supposed to be strong and powerful, but she treats other women (who are in the same exact situation) like garbage. 🙄 That hypocrisy was hard to get past. And the MMC? He barely got any real development, which made their connection feel flat. 😕

🔥 Do you recommend this book?
This is a tough one. I can definitely see a lot of fantasy romance lovers enjoying this book, especially those who are drawn to dragons and magic-heavy plots. 💗 But I personally needed a more consistent, self-aware heroine and a deeper emotional connection between the leads. Maybe Book 2 will deliver on the promise. 🐉🤞

🔥 Mood: 🐲 Fiery | 🗡️ Intense | 😬 Emotionally uneven

🔥 Read if you like:
🐉 Dragons and magical bonds
🖤 Anti-heroine leads (even messy ones)
💥 High-stakes enemies-to-lovers romance
📚 Fantasy with a touch of spice

"A Fate Forged in Fire" is a compelling story that requires a degree of patience with its protagonist. Aemyra, the FMC, initially comes across as strikingly immature. However, as the story unfolds, a nuanced understanding emerges: her immaturity isn't merely a character flaw, but a direct consequence of her upbringing and the profound lack of preparation for the weighty role she is destined to inherit. Related, the family dynamics, particularly between Aemyra and her father, form a fascinating core of the narrative. Aemyra's father is an exiled prince. The shadow of his past failed coup looms large, and his current endeavor to lead a second rebellion, ostensibly "for her," adds layers of complexity to their relationship.

The romance subplot, an enemies-to-lovers trope, offers a familiar yet engaging arc with a bittersweet twist. However, the character of Fiorean, Aemyra's romantic interest, feels underdeveloped. He serves his purpose within the plot, but a deeper exploration of his motivations, background, and inner world would have enriched the romantic dynamic and the overall narrative considerably.

In all, the book could have done with significantly more of that deeper exploration. There's a missed opportunity to fully immerse the reader in the intricacies of Aemyra's journey with her army and her learning of courtly ways. Instead of witnessing her strategic growth and political maneuvering, the narrative leans more towards impulsive actions and suggestive banter. Expanding on the political landscape, the cultural nuances, and the broader implications of the coup would have provided a richer, more immersive experience, allowing the reader to truly grasp the stakes and the world Aemyra is fighting for.

Thank you Hazel McBride and Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own

This book was ‘okay’. I know I have a bunch of negative thoughts on the book, but I’m still giving it a 3 star rating. Once I finally sat myself down to read, it took me less than a day to finish. There was plenty of action and I didn’t predict every twist and turn (some, but not all). Not a bad book, but I had been hoping for more.

It took me a bit to get into the story as there were a bunch of new words/terms being introduced early on (see below for my thoughts on that). I’m all for complex world building but most of what we were given didn’t seem all that relevant as the story went on.

I wasn’t able to really connect with any of the characters and the FMC annoyed me. She was arrogant and condescending to other women, but condemned her enemies/men for having those same traits/actions/opinions. She was supposed to be super powerful and fierce, yet when it came down to it, she caved and didn’t fight back tooth and nail. The connection between the FMC and MMC felt forced and almost like it just ‘happened’. As for being “enemies to lovers”? The hate felt childish and immature and they both “fell” way too easily.

The pronunciation guide was nice, but I would’ve also liked a glossary. With there being unfamiliar words sprinkled throughout the book, especially early on, it would have been nice to just look up what they meant - yeah, you eventually figure it out with context clues but it continually took me out of the story to have to stop and think “what does this word mean?”.

2.89
I was very lost in the beginning because it jumped right into the story with Gaelic words and meanings. I wish the glossary was placed in the beginning and I wish understood what all the Clans meant and that there was more backstory. At first I liked the FMC because she was feisty but then it turned into arrogance and she started to irritate me with all of her choices. The romance in her seemed forced because as soon as she found out it wasn’t the MMC that killed her family she immediately almost through herself at him. It started to get very fake and I didn’t feel myself loving them together. The ending just further proved that it didn’t seem right either. The FMC was kind of hypocritical especially when she found out what the wives go through. One minute she feels for them and sees them as abused and the next she calls them weak and pathetic which is just so mean. There was definitely strong feminist support in this book that was represented well at certain points but I think it became overwhelming and felt like that was the only main part of the story.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC💕

This book had me hooked from the very beginning. I loved the story line and character relationships, but I found the world building/power structure/religion a little hard to follow at times. I enjoyed the "queen hidden in plain sight" and the romance plots.

This book is great for readers who love Romantasy and also readers who are always looking for books with new perspectives. I love that this book takes inspiration from Celtic mythology/history. Please read content and trigger warnings before beginning the book.

Fire magic and dragons!

Aemyra was hiding in plain sight of the enemy’s castle working as a blacksmith using her fire magic while her father planned how Aemyra would bond with the current king’s dragon after his death and take the throne. But her father’s plan fails when politics and religion cause problems in Tìr Teine.

I really liked the premise of A Fate Forged In Fire where a queen has to take the throne that has been denied her but I struggled to read the story. I didn’t like Aemyra and Prince Fiorean because in a romantic fantasy you have to want them to succeed in the quest.

I wanted more but not every book fits every reader.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Holy moley this was AMAZING!
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!!!
5/5 stars.
Throne of Glass vibes with a unique magic system.
Enemies to lovers- yes. Marriage of convenience- yes. Dragons- yes. Chosen one- yes. Magical powers- yes. So so so much YES. I loved every part of this story. The characters were written so well- they we're only good or only bad, they had depth and feelings and hopes and desires. You really got to see the grays of war meaning you got to see things from different perspectives. I also liked that this book was messy- what I mean by that is the MC makes mistakes and there are repercussions instead of everything going exactly as planned and no one dying at all in a war and everyone lives happily ever after. If that is what you're looking for then probably look elsewhere, BUT if you're looking for a real and raw and feminine story with an imperfect MC who is just doing her best, then this is for you. This book truly celebrates femininity, shows the disgusting side of the patriarchy while maintaining that some men are still decent human beings. And....the ending of the book...OMG...I'm not going to give any spoilers, but let me just say that I CANNOT WAIT for the next book. I will be checking the author's socials every 5 minutes waiting for an update. Just kidding. (Kind of.)

This book is very action-packed and plot-driven. Since it jumps into the action right away, there is a lack of foundation in terms of caring for the FMC or even understanding the world. It's a kind of go with the flow read and don't question anything. It's hard to really care about or root for the FMC and her family's uprising when you don't really know them or the background very well. The dragon bonding is not really explained either. It feels superficial when reading since it is primarily action with no rhyme or reason.