A Fate Forged in Fire had all the ingredients for a gripping fantasy—dragons, political intrigue, and a heroine fighting for her rightful throne. Unfortunately, the execution left me more frustrated than enthralled.

Aemyra, the supposed “fiery” FMC, was less of a fierce leader and more of an arrogant, insufferable character who constantly belittled others while making reckless decisions. Her personality felt forced, like the author was trying too hard to make her a badass without giving her any real depth. Meanwhile, Fiorean, the rival-turned-love-interest, was as bland as they come. Their chemistry? Practically nonexistent. For a romance that was supposed to be charged with tension and high stakes, their dynamic fell completely flat.

The world-building was another weak point. Instead of immersing me in Tìr Teine’s political turmoil, I was left drowning in a sea of names, concepts, and rushed developments with little to ground them. The fast pacing didn’t help—rather than keeping me engaged, it made everything feel underdeveloped and hard to follow.

I’ll give credit where it’s due—the dragon fights had some cool moments, and the ending was almost redeeming. But overall, this book was a struggle to get through. Not for me.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I liked this book. It felt different, although it was influenced by Game of Thrones (the good parts).

The plot is great and it was a fun read. I loved the fact that this is a matriarchal system and that the religion is based on the goddess. It was very interesting seeing how this new True Religion is trying to make things less focused on women and how the men that are part of that religion treat women in a very different way. Women's rage is a center of this story, where the main character (Aemyra), a bisexual woman, was born with special powers and a destiny to accomplish. Fiorean (the MMC) is a pretty flat character at the beginning, but I liked how he evolved in the book, although there is a lot I want to see in the next book from him. Transition from enemies to lovers felt rushed , I would have expect a little bit more of slow burn

At the beginning, it was pretty difficult to follow the Gaelic names, and the huge amount of information shared in the first two chapters were a bit too much at first, but once you get into the world, it is an incredible world, full of magic, dragons, and interesting societies and religions. The second part of the book flew by, and I could not put it down.

I like the evolution of the character, and although the love story was totally expected, I really liked how it developed. This book contains spicy but it has the right amount of spiciness for me.

There is an unexpected plot twist and the book ends in a pretty interesting situation. I will 100% sure read the next book in this series!

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

A Fate Forged in Fire tells the story of Aemyra and her efforts to claim her rightful throne as the first queen born in centuries.
This was such an anticipated read for me. I tend to love celtic based Fantasy worlds and especially ones with dragons. But I found our main character incredibly frustrating. The point was to take back her crown from the corrupt patriarchal leaders and yet she was unable to make even the smallest of decisions without looking to her father, brother, or even Fiorian for approval.
I did find myself completely shocked at the ending and will read the final book in the duology because I must know how this plays out.

Side Note : Be aware that there is an assault on a female character in an attempt at forced sterilization that is quite graphic.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the gifted copy.

4.25⭐️ Really entertaining read. I could not put this down.

Fans of GOT and Fourth Wing. Similar political intrigue as House of the Dragon, with a sassy FMC like Violet, this book kept me hooked from start to finish.

Loved the journey Aemyra goes through, both personally and fighting for her right to the thrown. I started off not really liking her as a main character but she quickly grew on me.

The love interest was meh 🫤 lol. I wanted more from him! He just missed the mark for me. It was easy to see him as the enemy, but the transition to lover seemed kind of glossed over and was unrealistic.

That cliffhanger though! I don’t know how any of the characters are going to come back from that ending 🙈.

Hello enemies-to-lovers romantasy! I think the author did a good job of illustrating the contempt Aemyra has for the ruling king and his fa,iky as well as how loyal Fiorean is to his family and their beliefs. While this an enemies to lovers story, I was glad that the author made it a slow burn instead of an insta-love caused by the forced proximity. I think the author did angood job of creating and developing Aemyra, and I liked then idea of her being a strong, capable blacksmith instead of the fragile lost princess we usually see in books, She isn't written as a sit back and wait for someone to solve her problems type of FMC, and that made this story even more enjoyable. Fiorean is well-developed too so their banter felt genuine/believable in a way that helped them balance each other out. The world building was amazing and immersive. I think the author did a good job of giving up details but doing so in a way that kept me engaged with the story. This will definitely be many peoples top reads of 2025.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

The plot was interesting but the beginning was very hard for me to get into, so much information and so many names that I couldn’t figure out how to pronounce. I really struggled to enjoy the political/religious aspect of the world building but ultimately it fell very flat for me.

The FMC, Aemyra was not my favorite. She was constantly making rash decisions and acting childish in my opinion.

The ending was a bit better for me, but I still felt like “ I need to power through” the majority of this book versus reading for enjoyment. I really wanted to like this book, but I don’t think it was for me.

From the first sentence, yes I literally mean the first sentence, until the last, I was hooked and entranced in the world that Hazel McBride built and let flow. The stubbornness and pride that elevated Aemyra’s character made her stand out to me in a competition of FMCs, and is currently high on my list. She not only takes no crap from anyone, but she is also unapologetically herself. The world building was captivating, though confusing at times, and left you in a breathtaking world of dragons, magic, and unyielding politics. In terms of character development, we saw a lot of just Aemyra and I wished that other characters had more of a chance to be fleshed out. We were only getting this surface level feel to them and I know there is much more to be explored. The themes relating to the political climate had me wanting to hurl my kindle to the floor multiple times. You could feel the struggles through the pages and give way to the tension that pushed this story forward. I am anxious to see how the rest of this story unfolds after the ending.

“Until I met you, my life was free from torment. Free from your hateful face across a table, free from the anguish of hearing your voice in my halls. Warring against my better judgment every time my blood was set alight by a simple brush of your skin.”

I can’t get over A Fate Forged in Fire!!!! This fantasy romance is true enemies to lovers where they are both going to unalive each other for the throne. I literally could not put this down. Aemyra is one of the most fierce characters I’ve read. In a world where men rule, she is the true queen. What held me captive the most is the special bond between a dragon and their warrior, I might have cried. You want dragons and fire power, this is it.

“I am the only female born of Clan Daercathian in the last hundred years, blessed by Brigid herself, and my claim to the throne supersedes yours.”

“I hate it when men say whatever they think you want to hear the minute they lose their power.”

“However, a woman is so much more than just a mother. She is an individual with her own passions and desires far beyond those of her husband. Just because we possess a womb doesn’t mean that we don’t also have a brain.”

Enemies to lovers fantasy with dragons and a blacksmith that has fire magic. It was interesting and exciting first book of a duology (which is a type of series I love). Will definitely read the next one. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this advanced copy.

Intense world building. I was invested in the characters from the start. Wonderful slow burn romance. Wow,

This book made me realize I have GOT to stop reading unfinished series, but I just can't help myself. I need book 2 immediately.

If you're looking for a dragon-forward fantasy with Celtic roots, look no further.

Blending court intrigue, fire magic, and a slow-burning enemies-to-lovers romance, this Celtic-inspired fantasy is impossible to put down. At the heart of the story is Aemyra, a blacksmith born to rule but forced into hiding, waiting for the perfect moment to reclaim her kingdom. When the corrupt king finally dies, she’s ready to bond with his dragon and take her rightful place on the throne... until her plan crumbles, and she’s thrown into a ruthless battle for power.

Aemyra is the kind of protagonist you can’t help but root for. She's bold, determined, and fiercely loyal to her people. But, she's up against Prince Fiorean: a dragon warrior who’s as infuriating as he is powerful, standing firmly in the way of her destiny. Their dynamic is electric, filled with witty banter, tension, and just the right amount of slow-burn heat. Watching their relationship shift from rivalry to reluctant alliance (and more???) is one of the best parts of this book.

Beyond the romance, the world-building is rich and immersive. The kingdom of Tir Teine is steeped in history, from its matriarchal past to the growing grip of the True Religion, which seeks to stamp out magic altogether.

With its blend of magic, dragons, and high-stakes romance, this book is perfect for fans of fierce heroines, morally-complex love interests, and fantasy worlds brimming with danger. The tension never lets up, the chemistry burns bright, and by the time the last page turns, you’ll be desperate for the sequel. I know I am!!! *Sigh* Please write faster, Hazel McBride.

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“You are descended from ancient queens. Fire runs through your veins. Embrace it.”

Now this is the way Fourth Wing should’ve been, with a fierce and loyal to her kingdom FMC that parallels to Throne of Glass and will do anything for her kingdom.

A Fate Forged in Fire is a Celtic-inspired fantasy-romance duology that introduces us to Aemyra, a fiery and badass, female lost heir who needs to reclaim her rightful place and overthrow the corrupt powers that have taken over her kingdom, including a dragon-rider prince devoted to his family’s rule, while navigating a political court filled with betrayal and deceit that shows her struggles in staying true to her vision of being a True Queen to her people.

The author immediately transports you to a new take on a medieval fantasy world while distinctly introducing elements reflecting Celtic culture that gives the novel character while making it flow easily in a plot filled with political intrigue, betrayal, and plot twists that will have you hooked and rushing to uncover what happens next.

I found the book to be fast-paced but with enough clarity that you can see how all of the elements seamlessly connect and work towards the final battle, along with a cliff hanger you don’t see coming. I loved the take on Aemyra and her journey as she deals with family, power, and coming to terms with her growing attraction to the prince with a powerful ancestry backing her. Her interactions with the prince are always emotionally-charged and intense as they both reveal their complex flaws with a fiery-heat between them that reflects their powerful elemental magic. The take on dragons was unique and reflected how the bonded relationship between rider and dragon connects on a deep, emotional level. Overall, this dangerous and passionate romance mixed with constant plotting, hidden agendas, and war elements with dragons makes readers root for our FMC to regain her crown and a fantasy novel to remember.

If you like enemies to lovers, dragons, and a feud for a throne, you’ll love this book. Aemyra is the rightful queen of her matriarchal kingdom - the first woman born in her clan in generations, but the current king took measures to ensure the line of succession stayed within his own male offspring. When the king dies and Aemyra declares herself, it starts a battle between to sides of the same clan each backed by their own religion. Aemyra has to try to bond the dead king’s dragon before his eldest son does to turn the tides of war.

I thought one of the strong points of this book was the religious aspect. The use of these two warring religions - one matriarchal and one “patriarchal” (I use the term loosely because rather than just revering men it actively subjugates women) - in the battle for the throne made for a fascinating juxtaposition. The book was a bit slow to start but ultimately became something I couldn’t put down. At times predictable, at other’s definitely not, once I got into the book, I was hooked. I can’t wait for the second in the series!

TW: SA

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Hazel McBride for the ARC of this book!

This was such a disappointing read. I tried rlly hard to like it as well. The fantasy aspect was very flimsy and the chemistry between the main characters was nonexistent.

There was one point in the book where it caught my attention (I think it was about at the halfway mark) and I thought okay we’re finally getting somewhere but then it lost me even faster lol 😭

The fmc irritated me and the mmc was blander than plain bread. There was nothing new or exciting about them.

The cast of characters were so 1 dimensional and the plot was sleep inducing (no actually I fell asleep for a good 7 hrs)

Overall, it had a lot of potential but fell rlly flat.

ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once I got past the first part of this book, it really shined. I really love how the author used some of our favorite fantasy/romantasy tropes but gave her own spin on it. I also love the Gaelic influences as that hits my need for historical allusions just wonderfully.

The enemies to lovers is amazing and deliciously slow burn. The strong FMC who stands up for who she is, is a total highlight. The connection I felt to Aemyra is also what kept me reading. She is flawed and going through it and I think we can all relate to that struggle on many levels. She's a force to be reckoned with and I'm here for it.

This book really has something for everyone: representation, slow burn, dragons and elemental magic, action-packed and a massive cliffhanger for the ending.

I can't wait to see where this story goes in the future. :)

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

3.5 ⭐

Oh lordy I did not expect this enemies to lovers to enemies trope OKAY!!!! 😭🔥 For me, it always throws me off when fantasy books take inspiration or direct translations from Scottish Gaelic, so I think that's why it slightly affected my rating overall. BUT DON'T LET THIS DISCOURAGE YOU OKAY?! 😅 Because the plot and the vibes were GIVINGGGGG 😮‍💨🔥

I was in the mood to have me screaming at the pages, and I got exactly that. Some people would say that experience makes it a low-rating book, but honestly, when I get frustrated with how the characters act in their surroundings (cause duh we all know is on purposes) that’s what I call a good time 😂 (should I.. fix that? eh, let's not think about that right now lmao)

I totally got frustrated with Aemyra 😵‍💫 because like... SHE WAS BORN TO RULE, but was raised as a low commoner and forger of her town, so she was "taught" to make royal decisions... but MAN SHE DUMB DUMB LMAOOOO 🤣 I was literally screaming at her throughout the book. 😂

Another aspect I LOVED about this book was the society/world-building being centered around a matriarchy. LIKE YESSSSS 👏 WHO RUNS THE WORLD??? WOMEN. PERIOD. 💅👑

Anyway, I GOT HOOKED around 40% which is why my rating is 3.5⭐ rounding up because even though it took me a while and me side eyeing Aemyra's choices, I definitely wanted to keep going. AND as soon as Prince Fiorean came into the picture, OHHH LORDDD 😮‍💨🔥 it was delicious. The chemistry??? THE ANGST???? 🤌 SPOT ON.

As a reader and it being 3rd person POV, you definitely get a higher understanding of what’s happening before the characters do, so it gave me major Game of Thrones vibes 👀 ANDDDD it has dragons 🐉 sooooo you already know it’s giving. Like Aemyra’s over here like “I’m meant to rule” and the kingdom basically said “yea you thought.” 💀😂

⚠️ Warning this book has a CLIFFHANGER that will HURT YOUR SOUL 💔 but thankfully it's just a duology (for now LOL we can never be sure) so hopefully the wait isn't too long. Manifesting fast releases 🙏

ALSO, I STILL DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO TO TRUST IN THIS BOOK!!!! 😭 LIKE WHO IS THE ENEMY WHO IS THE FRIEND I'M STRESSED.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊 💕

The cover is really eye catching and the writing is well done, but I just didn’t like the main character Aemrya. Female main characters having ultra feminist rage is just not appealing. She is said to be 26, which I think is a pretty mature age, but she does not act like it. Also not like other girls/only wear pants is a recurring theme in fantasy and is getting way too played out now. Part of the story just seems like a rant about the author’s politics. Not something I like to read for fun. I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to love this book. The premise sounds so fresh and different, but the execution is just kind of meh. I had a hard time getting through the book, but ultimately glad that I finished it. Others may love it more, but it’s not quite my cup of tea.

This had such a promising start but it petered out halfway through and I just could not continue on. Part of the issue is that the main character is almost unbearably annoying - she is so sure that she is "special" but seems determined to get herself into the dumbest possible situations. This wanted to be Daenerys round 2, but you gotta give the FMC some brains if you want to achieve that!

I couldn’t put the book down! Initially the Gaelic was slowing me down but once I got the flow of it I was hooked from beginning till end. It was intense and spicy with phenomenal inner dialogue, and entertaining plot and changer development. I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this book