A true natural progression of enemies to lovers. It's evident that this book was thoroughly researched. The world-building and pacing were excellent. The feminine rage and burn it all down emotions were fantastic. I'm excited to see what happens next!

-Fantasy Romance
-Enemies to Lovers
-Hidden Heir
-Slow Burn
-Sassy FMC
-Political Intrigue
-"My Wife"

This was not for me, but I could definitely see fans of A Fate Inked in Blood, Fourth Wing, or A Court of Wings and Ruin enjoying it.

This is generally an easy read, with minimal world building that needs to be understood (magic from goddesses, bonding with animals, evil outside church crusaders from the handmaid's tale). The plot line felt straight out of a YA fantasy novel, with a lot of coming of age type aspects and a character that acts rashly, without thinking, and without diplomacy or strategy, so I was shocking to discover that the main character was 26. However, it is definitely an adult book, with lots of swearing, violence, and sex scenes.

Unfortunately, one of my big pet peeves was present here, which is when a character is fighting hard to be a ruler but repeatedly acts like a very poor leader. Our FMC is brash, running off without thinking, unable to keep herself from insulting those in power and constantly turning to violence to resolve every issue. As a queen, those traits would make her an unstable tyrant. She lacks any diplomatic skills and is more akin to a sullen teenager than a head of state, despite having years to prepare herself.

And don't get me started on the (harmful) stereotype of a bisexual character who makes sexual innuendo towards everyone who walks, or the very one-dimensional evil characters. Even the romance made no sense to me (also, is that her cousin? I feel like they are cousins. What does "clan member" mean in this context?), though I am sure that the enemies-to-lovers trope lovers will enjoy the literal knife-to-the-throat scenes complete with jokes about knife play.

Anyway. I absolutely think this will find its audience and I actually would be surprised if it weren't quite popular. It just was not for me.

A Fate Forged in Fire will be your next romantasy obsession if you love the tropes included and you aren’t going to feel overdone with them! This is a true enemies to lovers romance, a lost heir reclaiming her throne, strong badass FMC, and dragon bonding type of story! The celtic influences into the world building also make the story very interesting!

I really enjoyed my time with this one! I thought Aemyra was a fun FMC to follow. Sure she could be stubborn, and very prideful, but she was also smart, courageous ans ultimately regardless of whether or not she is Queen, she just wants the best for her people! She not only has to fight the ruling family who is also part of her clan, but she has to deal with a very religious and misogynistic group who basically control the country. Aemyra finds herself being forced into an arranged marriage with Fiorean, one of the crown princes.

This book has a lot of elements going for it - very descriptive world, House of the Dragon vibes with 2 royal lines fighting for the crown, dragons, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, a bit of a uncovering for a murder mystery subplot and lots of politics! I found the book to be pretty fast paced and I honestly flew thru this one rather quickly. The ending was absolutely insane and I love how things were left between Fiorean and Amerya! Just makes things even more exciting and urgent for book 2!

Thank you so much Hazel McBride, Penguin Random House, and Random House for the eARC of A Fate Forged in Fire. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I feel like I just took a ride on the back of a dragon and am now trying to catch my breath! A Fate Forged in Fire is perfect for readers who are looking for a romantasy that features feminine rage, intense political scheming, spice, and shocking twists. It’s also perfect for readers who are looking for something a bit darker than your average romantic fantasy.

I think a lot of readers will really connect with FMC, Aemyra. She’s strong, unapologetically herself, angry, and has a mind for political maneuvering. She’s also soft towards the people she loves, but can be ruthless towards those who threaten her. Aemyra isn’t the stereotypical “fragile and tiny” FMC we see so often in romantic fantasy and it was honestly refreshing to read about a more intense female lead.

Oh, and that ending! I’m going to need to go back and read a few scenes again in order to figure out how we got here because my mind is blown. I absolutely cannot wait to see how the events in the next installment will play out.

*Disclaimer: A few scenes in the book may be difficult for some readers. Please check the trigger warnings on this one before you begin reading.

In the pages, you will find:

🐉Dragons
🤫Hidden identities
👑Royalty
💪A strong FMC
☠️”Touch her and ☠️ vibes
🪢Complicated family dynamics
🌈Bisexual representation
🌶️Spice
🤯Shocking twists
📖An ending that will leave you breathless!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of A Fate Forged in Fire in exchange for my honest review.

Tìr Teine, once a matriarchal land, has weakened under the rule of ineffectual kings controlled by an oppressive, anti-magic religion. Our FMC, born to rule and blessed with fire, emerges from hiding to claim her throne after the king’s death—only to be ensnared in a web of courtly intrigue. Her greatest rival is our MMC, a powerful fire-wielder and loyalist to the corrupt regime. As political tensions rise, the two form a reluctant alliance that turns into a dangerous romance, forcing our FMC to confront the depth of the kingdom's corruption and the cost of reclaiming her power.

While the story takes its time to gain momentum—truly finding its stride around the 30% mark—the payoff is well worth the wait. This novel distinguishes itself with a refreshingly original concept that sets it apart from the familiar patterns often seen in the fantasy romance genre. As the story unfolds, it builds steadily in both depth and intrigue, offering a rewarding and immersive reading experience.

For readers who feel tired of formulaic plots and predictable tropes, this book offers a compelling alternative. Its world-building, character dynamics, and inventive plot deliver a sense of novelty. Despite a slow start, the novel evolves into a captivating journey that feels both fresh and genuinely enjoyable. Highly recommended for those seeking something unique in their fantasy reads.

I genuinely enjoyed this book, and cannot wait to read more by Hazel McBride!

DNF at 8%
I am sincerely sorry for not finishing this book. But as some things are mentioned that I am opposed to, I was unable to continue it.
Some people find it very inhumane and offensive for being against it, so I’d rather not tell what exactly it is.
The writing was a bit off for me, too, if I might add.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Aemyra has remained hidden for her 26 years of life waiting for her chance to take the throne that is rightfully hers by rule of the goddess. But because..men..we get very game of thrones esque political moves, some I found to be predictable but still enjoyed this read. This magical world offers bonding with animals - think familiars - to enhance powers and there are only 3 dragons left in this world. I will definitely continue on in the series.

The story had a lot of potential dragons are in the brick of extinction, a girl fighting for her right to rule, evil forces taking over kingdoms and almost inmune to magic the enemies to lovers drama…

I enjoyed immensely see these characters battling and injuring each other for real. That is what I’m talking about when it comes to enemies to lovers trope. And the sex was explosive it learns towards a darker side so check for triggers.

But the world was not much explained the pacing was bad something happened at the beginning and nothing happened for a while until almost the end though the battle scenes that did happen were good I must admit I wish there has been more of this. The dragons in the story had much potential and it was just wasted.

In addition to the pace I was not much of a fan of both main characters Aemyra was too arrogant from the very first scene she rubbed me the wrong way 🥴 and then we had Fiorean he was just a puppet I could not believe how this guy let everyone pull his strings he was such a weak character even until the end.

I didn’t like the names in this story they were very frustrating the way they were written every time any name appeared I will just skipped my brain could not compute with those names. And lastly I don’t enjoy when the victims in books have to be kids why kids. Books can still have an impact without using kids as a bait in a story.

Loved the dragons and the FMC. Other than her dad, who I knew was going to be evil, the side characters aren’t that memorable. There was decent world building but the book moved incredibly slow

I don’t know whether I’m sad or glad I didn’t let myself sget wrapped up in all the hype for this book: sad because then I could’ve been on Team Hype but I’m kind of glad because I didn’t feel any pressure to love A Fate Forged in Fire once I started it. No pressure needed, because this book was so much fun I consumed it in an afternoon.

I’m not the hugest “dragon book” girl. I never have been. I was seduced first by the stunning cover and the awesome title, and then I felt compelled to request and read it by thoughts of a rightful queen hidden among the people working as a blacksmith, fire magic, a Celtic-inspired world, strong political fantasy themes (one of my favorite subgenres), a religious war between monotheism and polytheism, and what was hopefully a true enemies-to-lovers romantasy subplot.

Believe or not, I got all of that and more. The rightful queen is an awesome blacksmith and swordswoman who has a devoted and loving twin brother. She also has adopted parents and a little brother who mean the world to her. The political aspects of the plot are great, but the religious warfare aspects of the story start to get more terrifying the further into the story you go. The enemies-to-lovers romance? Let me assure you, these two are goals in those regards.

This book is savage in more than one way and runs at an almost breakneck pace from the very start. The dialogue is sharp and well-written, the characters are very intriguing, and the action scenes all leave more than enough blood on the ground and smoke in the air. It’s just so well done and I can’t wait for the sequel. 5⭐️


I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Action-Adventure/Adult Fantasy/Fantasy/Romantasy/Political Fantasy/Spice Level 1

I have to be honest, this book is not for me. I think the magic system is clever and there are some good characters in it. My challenge honestly was in having a bisexual main character in a smutty book. For me as a reader, I want to be able to relate to the romance. For the same reason I don’t want to read a male character thinking about a woman’s “spectacular breasts,” I didn’t want to read this female character doing the same. Like I said — isn’t for me. Could work for others.

I tried for two weeks, but I am resigning here at 42%

There are books that pull you in so completely, you forget you’re even reading. Then there are books like this where I am aware of every agonizing moment.

The concept had real potential. Unfortunately, the writing just didn’t live up to that promise. A lot of the story felt like it was just stringing together moments the book REALLY wanted to have, whether it made sense or not. The plot bent around those scenes instead of them coming naturally. Characters would suddenly act completely differently just to make something happen and it threw me off. So many big, key scenes didn’t hold up if you thought about it for more than a second. Also, some of the (I assume) Gaelic felt a bit jarring at times. The names and places were fine but words like “caisteal” and “breithday” didn’t blend naturally. They felt more like a list of vocab words that had to be crammed in somewhere even if it disrupted the flow of the story. I feel like there’s a right way to do it, but this wasn’t an example of one.

A big part of the problem for me, though, was Aemyra. I can usually hang on if I love, or at least am intrigued by, the main character, even in a bad book. But I couldn’t stand Aemyra. On top of that, she was all over the place. Sometimes brave and reckless, other times just standing there in a poofy gown while people talked around her. And coming from a fellow cry baby, she cried sooo much. Girl, get a grip.

I’m sure someone out there will see this as a five-star masterpiece. I’ll be over here stuck at 42% and kind of relieved I’m never seeing the cousins get together.

Hazel McBride has crafted something truly extraordinary with “A Fate Forged in Fire”, a dazzling, heart-pounding tale that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. This is not just a book; it’s a full-body experience of magic, courage, and emotional depth that burns bright long after the final chapter.

From the very first sentence, McBride draws you into a world so vivid and visceral that it feels real, and utterly impossible to leave. Her prose is sharp and lyrical, her pacing masterful, and her character work impeccable. The heroine is fierce, vulnerable, and refreshingly real, navigating a journey that is as emotionally wrenching as it is empowering.

The world-building is layered and rich, striking a perfect balance between epic fantasy and intimate personal stakes. And the romance? It smolders. The chemistry leaps off the page, but what makes it sing is the way McBride roots it in trust, growth, and mutual respect.

But what elevates this book to unforgettable status is its emotional core. “A Fate Forged in Fire” is about more than magic or destiny, it’s about resilience, identity, and the fire we forge within ourselves when the world tries to break us.

Hazel McBride has solidified her place as a powerhouse voice in fantasy. “A Fate Forged in Fire” is not just a five-star read, it’s a blazing triumph.

ARC Review of “A Fate Forged in Fire” by Hazel McBride

⭐ 4/5

“A Fate Forged in Fire” by Hazel McBride is a fast-paced, Celtic-inspired fantasy romance featuring a headstrong fire-wielding blacksmith, a forbidden throne, and an enemies-to-lovers romance with a dragon-riding prince. This book was a fun blend of political intrigue and slow-burning tension in a world steeped in dragon lore and goddesses. It’s the first in a duology, and it sets the stage for what promises to be an intense journey toward power and self-discovery.

This book swept me up in its lush, mythology-rooted setting and left me eager to know what’s next. I found myself captivated by the complex court politics, dragons, and the magic system, even if the dense worldbuilding and Aemyra’s often impulsive choices occasionally made her a challenging heroine to root for. That said, I appreciated how unapologetically fiery she was - flaws and all - and I’m curious to see how she grows in the next installment. The dynamic between Aemyra and Fiorean was strongest in their adversarial moments, and I’m hopeful for deeper emotional development in book two. Supporting characters like Terrea added warmth and humor, and I absolutely want more of her in the sequel. This was my first Hazel McBride novel, but I’m intrigued and impressed enough to explore more of her work - and I’ll definitely be continuing this series.

I was generously provided an e-ARC by Delacorte Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own ♡

Review posted on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7238289782
And StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/f2a69361-58c8-42c6-94a5-d4d87dc5c23d

DNF @ 23%

This writing style just isn't for me. I knew that early on but I was intrigued enough with the story to try and push past it. I felt like I was having to force myself to pick this up and then getting distracted easily.

The writing is very atmospheric and repetitive and that just isn't my vibe all the time. I read 23% and I fell like Aemyra's 'chest tightened' 100 times. I was so excited about this book and really wanted to love it, but it just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine, Delacorte Press, and Random House Publishing Group for this advanced copy. You can pick up A Fate Forged in Fire on May 27, 2025.

Normally, I'm all for an enemies-to-lovers, dragon-filled fantasy book. But I fear something was missing from A Fate Forged in Fire to sell me completely. It might have been the MMC, who had zero dimension and meh chemistry with the lead. It could be the lead herself, who felt like a regurgitation of so many other romantasy heroines. The world was somewhat interesting, but it could have been explained a bit better in the beginning. Even within the first chapter, we're thrown in with terms and characters that are a bit difficult to keep track of.

Overall, there's definitely an audience for this book, but I fear it isn't for me.

💥💥Book Review 💥💥

A Fate Forged in Fire
By Hazel McBride
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

“A Fate Forged in Fire “ is an amazing enemies to lovers Romantasy that is set in an epic fantasy world that captivates the reader on every page. I absolutely devoured this book because it was soo good! The lush world building that Hazel McBride brings to the book with it being rooted in Celtic mythology brings a fresh look to the novel. I felt so captivated and invested in the characters. I loved the way dragons and magic are intricately woven into the story. I can’t wait to read the next book!

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

A week after finishing this book and I still cannot stop thinking about the ending. The book hasn't even released, and I already need the second book in this series.

Starting this book, I was unsure if it was going to be for me, as it felt a but dull but quickly picked up with a bar fight. The marriage of convivence between Aemyra, the bi-sexual FMC, and Fiorean, the MMC ties the characters together. The progression from enemies to lovers was very well done. I loved the witty banter between the two, laughing out loud. Hazel McBride made me hate Fiorean, love him, and then left me stunned at his actions.

Once this officially releases, I am going to buy the Audio book to listen to the narrator read the Scottish Gaelic words as it was hard to keep flipping back and forth in the e-book from the pronunciation guide and back to my spot.

I received an Uncorrected Proof ARC from NetGalley.

Rounded up to 4.5⭐️

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing for the eARC!

A Fate Forged in Fire is a Scottish, Game of Thrones vibes Romantasy with a strong-willed (to a fault sometimes) FMC and tons of political intrigue. There’s forced proximity and a marriage of convenience and an enemies to lovers to…enemies?!?

Ameyra has an interesting story arc. So unusual to most FMC plot lines where they don’t know they’re royal or that they have powers, she knows her right to the throne and is willing to do anything to take it.

I really enjoyed this aspect of the story and her overall badassery! She definitely reminded me of Daenerys from GoT, and she was my fave, so I think that connected me more to her story. She did have moments of “wtf are you doing?? That’s so dumb”, but she’s young and her bad choices in this book will hopefully help her make better choices in the next book!

The New Religion has me FUMING the entire time, I absolutely felt Ameyra’s rage against them. Alfred can burn in Hela and I hope he and his extremist religion get what’s coming to them in the next books.

Fiorian has me sooooo hot and confused cause what the actual fuck was that ending?!? Like, I knew it was coming, but still mad about it. Not sure how things can get better for them romance-wise, but I can’t wait to see how our MC’s reconcile the insanity that was the last few chapters. 🫠

If you love dragons and a Scottish setting with true enemies to lovers…read this book!

SO excited for the next one! 🐉🔥

Hazel McBride’s A Fate Forged in Fire introduces readers to a richly imagined Celtic-inspired fantasy world where fire magic, political intrigue, and dragon bonding collide. The story follows Aemyra, a blacksmith blessed with fire magic, as she attempts to reclaim her rightful place as queen in a kingdom corrupted by patriarchal rule and religious oppression. McBride crafts a compelling narrative that blends high-stakes rebellion with personal growth, as Aemyra navigates betrayal, shifting alliances, and the burden of leadership. The world-building is immersive, and the themes of power, legacy, and resistance are thoughtfully explored, making this a solid entry into the romantasy genre.

However, while the plot is engaging and the stakes feel real, the romantic chemistry between Aemyra and her adversary-turned-ally, Prince Fiorean, falls short of its potential. Their enemies-to-lovers arc, though central to the story, often feels forced rather than organically developed. The emotional beats sometimes lack the depth needed to make their connection truly resonate, which can be disappointing given the intensity of the surrounding narrative. For readers who prioritize authentic romantic tension, this may leave something to be desired. Overall, A Fate Forged in Fire earns a respectable 3 out of 5 stars—an enjoyable read with strong world-building and themes, but one that could have soared higher with more natural romantic development.