Plot: 2/5
Characters: 2/5
Writing: 3/5

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for an eARC!

TLDR: Wasn't for me, couldn't connect with the characters and wasn't invested in the plot as much as I would have wanted to be.

I really wanted to love A Fate Forged in Fire. The premise—blending mythology with a slow-burning romance—sounded like exactly my kind of read. Unfortunately, while the story had potential, the execution left a lot to be desired. As mentioned in some of the other reviews for this book, to me the romantasy genre feels oversaturated with a bunch of books with similar premises being published currently. I've also been on a high fantasy kick so this may be biased against romantasy, but I don't think this is the genre for me. This book reminded me a lot of Fourth Wing and the problems I had with that book as well. The FMC is just insufferable and has little personality to make me want to root for her. There was little that was original and I felt that the twists were predictable and tired.

The pacing dragged for large portions of the book, with repetitive inner monologues and scenes that didn’t seem to move the plot forward. The protagonist’s decisions often felt inconsistent or unmotivated, making it hard to stay invested in her journey. There were moments of emotional depth, but they were too few and far between to balance the rest of the narrative.

The worldbuilding had flashes of originality, but it was underdeveloped, and I often found myself wanting more clarity or texture. I appreciate the themes Hazel McBride tried to explore, especially around identity and belonging, but the writing didn’t quite carry the weight of those ideas.

Overall, A Fate Forged in Fire had the bones of a strong fantasy tale, but I struggled to stay engaged. With tighter editing and deeper character development, this could’ve been a much stronger read.

Hazel created a beautiful world and the tension! The Dragons scenes were amazing and wish there was more! Love the Bond!


My only criticism was with the actual characters. The FMC was a bit over the top for me and the MMC was lacking….like we needed more of him.

I think I’ll continue the series when the next book releases.

This book, yall are not ready 😩 This is a book for TRUE enemies to lovers, lots of court politics, warring kingdoms and an anti-feminist religious cult that’s giving The Handmaids Tale vibes. OH AND DRAGONS 🙌🏼 This book reads like high fantasy with the romance being more of a subplot. It’s so much more than a romantasy novel.

The world building was phenomenal, the use of Scottish lore was super well done. I loved seeing all of the nods of Scottish culture woven throughout. I mean, men in tartan and dragons? Please ✋ We need nothing less.

Aemyra has been a secret royal in hiding for a decade, waiting for her chance to take back the throne and bring their kingdom back to the matriarchy it once was. She is headstrong and brash at times, acting before thinking, but she really cares about her people first and foremost.

Fiorean, the MMC, and a dragon rider, would do anything to protect his family and keep them on the throne. When these two collide, it is fire 🔥 (literally, because they have fire magic 😮‍💨). The banter and tension between them was so well done, I was devouring any moments they had together.

This book is action PACKED! The stakes are high and Aemyra really experiences some heartbreaking, traumatizing moments. I could not put this book down - I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. And the ending?! Omg I’m just at a loss for words! Hazel really threw in that insane twist and cliffhanger to keep her readers needing more! I just know book 2 is going to be another action filled masterpiece.

I was really excited about this book. Based on the synopses, it just sounded really epic. It had magic, dragons, political intrigue, and enemies to lovers. However, even though there were elements of the story I enjoyed, there were also aspects of the story that were really confusing and a struggle to get through.

World Building

The world building was really interesting. I like how each different territory/clan is ruled by a specific elemental magic and its respective magical creatures. I did find Tir Teine history fascinating, especially how the survival of dragons depends on the strength of the ancient queens. I just wished it was written in a way that wasn’t confusing. I felt more information could have provided, especially about the magic system, the connection between the dragon and the royal female heir, and the bonding with the magical creatures. You would think the bond would be a mutual partnership and sharing of magic and souls. At least that is how it was described in the beginning, but you find out later, that is not always the case, which then brings up the question, what does it mean to bond? The author also uses a lot of Scottish Gaelic language throughout the story without really explaining the meaning of the word. There is a pronunciation guide, but I feel this book would really benefit from a glossary.

Plot

Honestly, I am confused with some of the motivations and reasons behind certain plot lines. Again, it relates back to not enough information was provided in this story. I don’t fully understand why the Chosen (people without magic) from the True Religion hates the Bonded (people with magic) so intensely. It is never really explained. We would meet side characters like Sir Nairn, who are completely devoted to the True Religion, but we don’t know where this devotion stem from, because their stories were never explored. In terms of the fight for the throne, I am confused why they don’t want a queen on the throne. I mean I understand the current ruler doesn’t want to give up their power. However, knowing that the dragons are slowly being extinct, and their survival is connected to having a female heir as queen, why are we trying so hard to kill the only female heir?

Characters

I have mixed feelings about Aemyra. I love her loyalty and how strong and talented she is as a warrior. However, it is so hard for me to see her as a ruler. She is reckless and emotionally driven. She cannot strategize for the life of her. She is basically a pawn in this chess game between her father and Fiorean. Perhaps that is what the author was going for, to have her epically fail, so that she can grow in the next book. However, it was so frustrating to read. Surprisingly, I liked Fiorean character. He is not what he seems, and every decision he makes there is always a hidden purpose.

Romance

The enemy part of enemies- to-lovers was so well done. There was no mercy as they tried to kill each other before being forced into a marriage of convenience. It was a lot of fun to read, because you can feel the undeniable attraction as they went for each other’s throats. Sadly though, wasn’t a big fan of the lover portion. Felt the transition was a little too sudden. However, the ending did pique my interest. I am slightly curious to know where this relationship is heading.

Overall, I'm on the fence about this story. On one hand, this story was a struggle to read. I really wanted to be engaged in the plot, but having to pause and find contextual meaning to a word or trying to make sense of a certain plot line, really took me out of the story. On the other hand, I am curious to see how the author explains the magic, the impact of the aftermath on Aemyra’s relationships, and the direction she will take with the romance. I think my curiosity is slowly winning out, so we shall see.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

This one was hard to get into but the dragons and fantasy elements were cool. It was a bit cliche in some areas but overall a weird read

3.5 stars

A Fate Forged in Fire is a fun start to a new romantasy series with dragons, elemental magic, enemies to lovers romance, and political intrigue. Aemyra is our rightful queen in hiding FMC and Fiorean is a prince of the royal family she’s trying to overthrow who she ends up forced into marriage with.

I obviously enjoyed the dragons and there are similarities to Fourth Wing in the way they Bond with their riders and gain access to more magic. The plotting and battling were exciting and there are some emotional and heartbreaking moments. While I didn’t always feel super connected to the main characters, I enjoyed the tension between them and the ending made things a lot more interesting. I likely will read the next one!

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

This book is true enemies to lovers. They legit are trying to kill each other for at least half of the book and it is just amazing. I love this world and the power struggle that is happening in it. The rightful Queen needs to overthrow the wrongful rulers and a whole entire new religion. It was just insane and I couldn't put it down. I love the romance in this book and the ending was absolutely insane. I need more right now.

I really really really wanted to enjoy this one. I mean, I adore dragons, Celtic mythology and more wrapped up in a romantasy novel?! Sign me up.

BUT...it was so hard to connect with any of the characters. The FMC really had a bratty attitude...I honestly felt myself rooting AGAINST her. She was quite entitled and did not have the makings of a protagonist worth rooting for. The writing was also very repetitive/cyclical. Like you would read the same sentence but in different variations multiple times within a chapter. I mean, we get it, you didn't want to get off of the dragon the first time you bonded to her...but you don't have to tell me nearly four times that is how you are feeling.

I will not be posting my review on other retail sites or socials out of respect to the people who were a part of this book, but hopefully A Fate Forged In Fire finds its audience and the love it more than I did! I wish it the best of luck.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for and ARC of this book.

I have really been craving a fantasy romance book, and this definitely scratched the itch. I've never read a Celtic-inspired fantasy, and I loved the history and intricacies. Aemrya and Adarian are twins who have both been blessed with fire magic, but they live in a kingdom that is increasingly hostile to magic users. Of course, as in any good fantasy romance, our protagonist Aemrya has a hidden heritage - she's the hidden heir to the throne. When the king dies, Aemyra seizes her chance, but things get messy immediately.

This isn't the world's most original fantasy romance, but it is a really fun, fast-paced book. Aemyra is a classic heroine, but I appreciated that unlike other fantasy romance books I've read, she's not completely infallible and all-knowing. The way the magic works is interesting, and the dragons make sense within the world. The side characters could definitely be more fleshed out, but the characters we care about are consistent and dynamic. The spice is quite good and doesn't feel forced or shallow, and the enemies-to-lovers really works. Overall, a fun read and I'm excited for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

A Fate Forged in Fire is a romantasy which follows would-be queen Aemyra as her attempt to claim her throne is foiled by dragon-riding Prince Fiorean and his corrupt family.

A Fate Forged in Fire really lacked depth for me, and that is my biggest beef with it. I think a lot of the concepts had promise -- the Celtic-inspired world, the dragons!!!. the magic system, the politics wrapped up in religious zealotry -- but pretty much none of them felt sufficiently explored or fleshed out. Though I prefer depth in my fantasy worlds, in romantasy, I'm okay with a certain lack of details if at least the romance manages to sweep me away. Unfortunately, there was not a second where I felt swept away by the romance between Aemyra and Fiorean. To me, it felt like a switch was flipped at a certain point; like suddenly we were at the part of the book where they had to be kissing so, without a meaningful foundation, they were suddenly into each other. I might have believed in them more if they were both sufficiently fleshed out, but, much like the world, the characters were pretty flat and certainly not realized to their full potential either. I think this will be a hit for some romantasy readers, but in the end it was just too underdeveloped for me.

I wanted to like this book but I strongly disliked the FMC’s attitude and “greater than everyone” personality… I love a confident Fmc but she was arrogant and judgmental.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me this eARC!

"𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐈 𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬."

This book had a lot of typical fantasy aspects that I do enjoy, such as dragons, found family, arranged marriage and of course, enemies to lovers. I found myself super engaged at times, and a bit less engaged during others. I really enjoyed the dragon fights and the bonding. I found myself also wanting a lot more world lore. I am hoping we get to discover more of that in the next installment.

"𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞."

I will say, I struggled with a lot of different aspects with this book. I did not find myself attached to any of the characters and I felt they lacked a lot of depth. I think the FMC repeated herself saying “I am the queen” a hundred times, but then it went nowhere?...
Now, she definitely had the “badass” mindset, but her actions always said otherwise which was a bit frustrating. I felt the characters to be really one dimensional. I also struggled with the pacing… It was a lot of back and forth, and I felt like the same thing kept happening. I did enjoy some of the banter between the FMC and MMC, but I found their interactions more awkward than anything. Overall, I won’t say I “loved” this one, but I am hoping things get fleshed out more in the next installment in order for me to continue this one.

"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞," 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝, 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐚𝐰. "𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐭."

⭐️ 2.5/5

Definitely recommend reading if you enjoy the following:
✨ Found Family
✨ Arranged Marriage/Forced proximity
✨ Dragons
✨ Elemental Magic
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Courts and Political Intrigue

The FMC kind of ruined this book for me, the way she oversexualized other women and talked down about “weak women” I really didn’t enjoy. This story is also super heavy on different terms and names that I personally found confusing at times with no context.
Overall this book just wasn’t for me and that’s okay, I do think people who love a STRONG and somewhat arrogant FMC will love this book, also fans of House of Dragon!
Thank you Random House for the arc!

This book had a strong setup, there were mentions of and sometimes on page dragons, found family, and a hint of mystery that kept me engaged—at least for the first 60%. I wish there was more on the dragons.

The pacing early on was solid, I enjoyed the tension and visual storytelling. It made the world easy to imagine. I appreciated that the main character was flawed and made mistakes. She's 27, so writing wise, it could have gone either way but I felt it leaned more new adult than adult. Aemyra's arc didn’t stay consistent. I thought she shifted dramatically in the second half, and her motivations didn’t always track or make any sense. The magic system was also confusing.

I struggled to connect with the romance. The male lead Fiorean felt underdeveloped, and while the dynamic was very “mine/my wife” heavy, I didn’t fully buy the chemistry. It felt more proximity than partnership. Also, the vengeance subplot didn’t have the weight or clarity I was hoping for—and a few plot developments felt like they happened off-page.

⚠️ Content warnings: The book opens with a clear CW page, which I appreciated. There’s frequent womb-focused dialogue, and a scene of body disfigurement is depicted on page.

This reminded me a lot of popular romantasy titles with dragons and emotionally scarred leads. At times I was reminded of books like Fourth Wing or Outlander. I still interested enough to continue with book two.

Thank you Random House for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! The world Hazel McBride created is super interesting, especially the magic system—it felt fresh without being too confusing. The main character was easy to root for, and I liked how real and flawed she felt. There were some emotional moments that really hit me, and the story kept me hooked the whole way through. If you’re into fantasy with a bit of action, mystery, and heart, this is definitely worth checking out.

I will not be posting my review on my social media due to not enjoying the book, and because I do not want to give the book bad press. The world building was often confusing to me and the chemistry between the main characters felt very forced. I didn’t feel like I cared about any of the characters in the end sadly.

Thank you for this earc. Fantasy romance is my favorite genre and this story had a lot of the aspects that I enjoy of this genre. It had unknown heir, political intrigue, banter and slow burn. It had an unlikeable fmc which i typically enjoy reading but not in this story. Unfortunately, it was a little hard to get into. I just fell like it didnt come together in a cohesive way.

3.75/5. Releases 5/27/25.

The Vibes:

—enemies to lovers (no for real)

—dragons

—Celtic-inspired fantasy

—grrrrrl power

Heat Index: 6.5/10

The Basics:

The secret heir to a matriarchal ruling family that has since been taken over by men, Aemyra seizes the moment to take over—and claim a dragon. But staking her claim is one thing; making it a reality is another, especially when she's forced to behind enemy lines and get much closer to her enemy, Prince Fiorean, than she ever imagined.

The Review:

Oh, I'm torn on this one.

To be clear: I was compelled and into this story pretty much the entire time (the ending dragged a bit until it didn't) and I'm definitely going to read the next book. The place we left on left me wanting more, and that in itself is an accomplishment.

I liked a world inspired by Celtic history and mythology, and I liked the idea of a matriarchy. I will confess! I liked the idea of a matriarchy more when I thought the matriarchy was actually in power and not being opposed by patriarchal leaders and religious figures, but. That's just me.

And I guess that's where one of my biggest critiques comes from—I'd love to read a fantasy romance where... it's not even that sexism doesn't exist, I guess. I'm thinking a world wherein it's a given that the rulers are queens, the heirs are princesses, and it's just kind of accepted. The matriarchy is the system, it has been the system, and it's not the story.

The question of whether or not Aemyra can ascend to the throne and defeat the patriarchy in multiple forms (principally the current ruling family and the True Religion, a cult that is pretty much Catholicism and has come onto the scene to supersede goddess-worship) is the story here. Or most of the story. And while I'm not saying I don't get it, and while I'm not saying that's a bad thing, it is... a thing I've seen a lot of in every form of media as of late.

Aemyra is a Capital G Grrrrrl Power heroine, and while sometimes the feminism hits the mark and makes me go "fuck yeah get it", sometimes... it was soapbox-y. Aemyra, headstrong and assertive and tough and good at fighting and not comfortable in pretty dresses, is clearly meant to be The Right Kind of Woman. The feminine women who've been subjugated by the patriarchy are The Wrong Kind of Women, even when they're allowed a degree of pity. I mean, for the most part they just don't have voices, which I found very frustrating.

Women like Aemyra and [spoiler and like, it's debatable]: Good.

Women who wear pretty dresses and get pregnant and raise babies: Sad or bad.

I'm very of the mind that feminism isn't one kind of thing, and in this book, it kinda felt like it was one kind of thing. Except... Aemyra does some real dumb shit. She's not perfect. She's arrogant, she's naive, she shoots before she thinks, she can be rather narrow-minded. And when the story recognizes that while allowing her to grow, it's good. It just needs to kind of reassure me a little more that it's fully aware that Aemyra is, in fact, wrong about some things, right about others, and in way over her head. Because that's the case.

There's also a subtle through-line of Aemyra, despite being the rightful female heir to a matriarchy and surface-level strong, is still being dominated and manipulated by men who appear to support her cause. Like I said, there really aren't many women with actual roles on the page aside from Aemyra (we need to fix that in the next book). It's a sausage fest, overall, and in this book that felt kind of intentional...? Aemyra needs more women in her life, and she needs more women who KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

Aemyra's sort of... girlbossitude at points made it difficult for me to like her. I mean, she was never boring. But I was honestly more intrigued by snakey (or is he?) Prince Fiorean. What can I say? I like a manipulative strategist. I mean, I'd be lying if I said that part of my engagement in the next book isn't really just "I WANT MORE FIOREAN".

Now, on to the romance. It's a bit slow slow slow bOOM FAST FAST FAST. Aemyra and Fiorean are true enemies to lovers. Not "oh I don't like you :(". Like, try to kill each other fairly early on in the book enemies. And when their story takes the turn it does, I was ABOUT IT. Because they do have chemistry, and I did appreciate that Fiorean is kinda like... a morally ambiguous pretty boy.

That said, because that turn happens about halfway through the book, the romance itself has to hurry up and go in order for the book's ending (which I was into, though I'm gonna need McBride to follow through on what felt like another "Aemyra needs to grow up and get the complexities happening here" moment). The chemistry is there, the pacing could use some work.

But again—I'm invested. I have my critiques, but I really did like Fiorean and Aemyra's interactions. And I like the base here. I just think it needs some work to steer away from "grrl boss Dragon Show Lite". It can get there, though! I see the vision.

That said, I do also feel the need to say: There is a really intense sexual assault scene here. It's not gratuitous, and it's not more graphic than it needs to be, BUT I do hope we get some followup there.

The Sex:

There isn't a LOT of sex in this, but what we get is good. Especially the second scene. Want some blood play in your books? WELL. Check this shit out.

I also really liked the fact that Aemyra's bisexuality is right there on the page, and that she actually often has a preference for women. Bi people are not usually 50/50! What a concept!

This was a bit rocky, but entertaining, and the bones are there. I just hope that the second book expands and improves upon what's good here, and goes through with the risks it needs to take in order to really set itself apart from the crowded fantasy romance/dragons landscape.

Thanks to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars ⭐️ I received this book before it releases on May 27th from NetGalley as an eARC. Thank you so much NetGalley, Ballantine Publishing, and Hazel McBride. This book was fantastic!
This Celtic-inspired fantasy with a touch of romance is part of a duology and seriously exceeded my expectations! This was truly Celtic-inspired and used all the verbiage necessary to bring the culture to life. Aemyra is not your typical fiery FMC she really is strong and fierce, but also has a touch of a soft side that makes her fit to be a queen. Our morally gray MMC, Fiorean, has two sides to him that I think readers will enjoy.
The book had a slow start but definitely picked up around 20%. I was hooked and entertained consistently. The minimal spice was a great touch but not overpowering or cringy in my opinion. The story line and plot was well thought out. The political and religious concepts incorporated made more realistic and not just about the fantasy of dragons and the romance.
I give this 4.5 starts because I feel as if something was missing, possibly the amount of time Aemyra spent in the castle? Maybe the small role her twin brother played? Maybe that the twist at the end was very expected? Maybe I wanted the dragons to be more involved? I also don’t like how Aemyra experienced something very traumatic then had a moment soon after that you would think not happen after experiencing the trauma she endured. So definitely check your TWs before reading.
Some tropes I loved!:
- fake marriage
- forced proximity
- one bed
- morally gray MMC
- lost queen
- dragon riders

Overall this was a great time to read and cannot wait for the next book to come out!

A Fate Forged in Fire (Bonded to Beasts #1) by Hazel McBride

To become the first queen in centuries, a powerfully blessed blacksmith must use her wits and fire magic to overthrow the corrupt powers ruling her kingdom—while also fighting her growing desire for one of her dragon-riding adversaries—in the first book of a sizzling Celtic-inspired fantasy romance duology.

Rating: ****
Feels: Admiration, Bravery, Joy, Surprise
Style: Fantasy, Adult Fantasy, Romantasy, Dragons, Enemies to Lovers, Fantasy Romance
First published May 27, 2025 by Delacorte Press : 416 pages, Kindle

This book was a very intense fun read. I suggest reading the trigger warnings as there are some scenes which really pull you in. The writing was vivid, imagination catching and fantasy inducing. Soo much feminine rage it was glorious. I loved how they incorporated in the bonding of the spirit animals to the magic users in this series. Its not just about dragons (although of course dragons are my favorite.) This is true enemies to lovers in the most glorious of ways as in I don't even know if they really are lovers it was that intense !! The family dynamics made me want to stab people many many times in the book. Talk about overbearing parents, and Aemrya just keeps collecting drama and trauma as she goes. The strength she has is magnificent to see as the story progresses and I can not wait to see what she does with what life has given her.

Favorite quote: "So how can I be fire? If the only thing that makes me burn ... is you."

This book has:
Stabby FMC
Morally Grey MMC
Enemies to Lovers
Forbidden Love
Hidden Identity
Touch her and Die
Forced Proximity
Rebellion
Unique Magic System
Political Intrigue
One Bed
Dragons
Open Door Spice
** Check Trigger Warnings