This story straight-up owns my soul now. I went in expecting a fun fantasy escape and came out emotionally wrecked (in the best way). From page one, the energy was unhinged in the best way — court politics, betrayal, sexual tension so thick you could slice it, and two main characters who radiate “touch her and die” energy without ever saying it out loud.

The FMC Aemyra is fierce without being obnoxious, smart without being perfect, and I loved watching her take back power piece by piece. And don’t even get me started on Fiorean— he’s morally grey, sharp-tongued, secretly soft, and just the right amount of dangerous. Their chemistry? Top tier slow burn with just enough angst to ruin your sleep schedule.

Also, the writing? Sharp. The pacing? Zero drag. The plot? Had me on edge every time I thought I had it figured out. And the ending?? Ma’am. That was a declaration of war on my sanity. I need the sequel like yesterday. If you’re into power struggles, spicy tension, and characters who are beautifully, gloriously messy — read this immediately.

A Fate Forged in Fire by Hazel McBride is out May 27th, 2025! A big thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for this advanced digital copy!

Rating: 4⭐️ 1.5🌶️
Tropes: Elemental Magic, Matriarchal, Enemies to Lovers, Dragons, Oppressive Rule/Religion, Forced Proximity, War, Hidden Identity.

Thoughts 💭: The book dove right in. Aemyra is a headstrong FMC living under a mad king’s rule, fighting against an intense religious organization, and will do whatever it takes to reach her lifelong goals. We learn very early on that there’s more to her than there seems, and a wild and emotional adventure ensues. This book was an absolute rollercoaster, and after that ending… I can’t wait for book two in the duology.

This book had me flip-flopping the entire time. World-building? Confusing. Aemyra? Cocky. Female power? Supposedly there… until she constantly needed rescuing. I wanted a badass queen moment and got “damsel with potential” instead. Romance? Steamy, sure, but undercooked. Plot? Lacking a strong villain and stakes felt... meh. But despite my frustration with the characters (and some of their wild choices), I’ll probably still read book two because I’m hooked just enough. Ugh.

I struggled through the first half of this book. Aemyra made so many juvenile decisions. The second half was more fast paced and calculating. Her growth into a herself as a healer and the true queen reflected how much she loved her people. That cliffhanger at the end though, I was not prepared for the betrayal! Overall I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the next one, I need to know if she keeps her promise.

This book was interesting in that I really didn't vibe with the fmc but I still enjoyed the rest of the book at least enough to finish it? She was so childish and mean spirited that I really just found myself not clicking with her at all. The romance was nothing great and there just wasn't anything for me to root for. I would put this closer to 2.5 but but quite a 2*. I think it has the potential to be good but I'm currently unsure about continuing the series.
Thank you to the Netgalley and Random House

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the E ARC of this book!!

I went into this really excited because 1. dragons and 2. as someone with Irish heritage, I was really excited for the Gaelic inspiration. However, the writing and plot felt like every other romantasy out there. I was truly hoping for something new and unique, something I haven't ready already.

This is a Romantasy with TRUE enemies to lovers and it was executed perfectly, This story is packed with emotion, magic, romance, and characters that are easy to love with an epic plot twist at the end. If you like magic, dragon, and romance with tension, angst and spice, then you will love this book. 

The main character, Aemyra, is a blacksmith blessed with fire magic who is waiting to bond with the last dragon and claim her throne. I really liked Aemyra; however, she was definitely hot-headed at times. I am excited to see her character arc and where she goes from here. I think that is really hard to write a strong FMC and I think that Hazel McBride did a good job of writing a character with both strength and vulnerability.

I loved the world building in this book and all the politics within. I feel like there was a lot of set up for the next book, and I am really excited to (hopefully) see ofter parts of the world. The politics of this book was also really interesting. I am really excited for the next book to see how this all plays out.

Overall I think that this book was very well done. I was invested in Aemrya’s character arc, the romance, and the politics.

Thank you Netgally for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. .

Aemyra has lived in hiding out of obligation while waiting for the king's death so she can join him as his dragon. She will be the first queen in several centuries. A powerfully blessed blacksmith must use her ingenuity and fire magic to overthrow the corrupt powers that rule her kingdom. While fighting her growing desire for one of her dragon-riding adversaries, Aemyra finds herself caught up in a political game that won't let her continue with her plan.

Opinion: Honestly, I couldn't connect with the story at all. From the beginning, there's a lot of information that was difficult for me to process. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't continue, or I'd have reader's block.

If you're starting to read in English, I don't recommend it, as it's already quite advanced and complicated.


Thanks to Dell Romance for choosing me to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

To become the first queen in centuries, as the gods meant it to be, a gifted blacksmith must use her fire magic and life-long plans to overthrow the corrupt male rulers of her kingdom—while battling her growing attraction to one of her dragon-riding rivals. Tropes include Enemies-to-lovers, Slow-burn, Forced proximity, Forced Marriage, Medieval vibes, Celtic-Gaelic cultures, Dragons, Rare magic, and Female Gods.

Once a land of gods-loving matriarchal rule, Tìr Teine has weakened under the influence of the male rulers and True Religion, an anti-magic (anti-female) group that’s poisoned the kingdom with their beliefs. Aemyra, born to rule and blessed by god-given fire, has hidden away with her twin brother, waiting for the mad king’s death to make her move and claim her throne and protect her people. But when the king dies, her plans to claim her birthright go sideways, and she’s pulled into a web of politics, secrets, and betrayal. She tries everything to avoid more death but she has no real control.

Her greatest enemy is Prince Fiorean, a dragon-rider prince and powerful fire wielder, who stands firmly with his corrupt family. Even though they have fire magic they have long been influenced by priests of True Religion. Cold, arrogant, and more powerful than her, Fiorean is everything Aemyra despises. But as political chaos unfolds, they’re forced into a reluctant alliance that sparks a dangerous attraction neither expected. His brother has stepped into the role as king and appears to be as mad as his father.

As she navigates enemy lines, attempts revenge, and falls for her adversary, Aemyra uncovers the true extent of the kingdom’s corruption—and the sacrifices she must make to claim her throne. In the end we are left with a cliffhanger and heartache. She has already lost so much, what is next? I really hope we get to see some actual action from Aemyra’s gods to back up her beliefs. Otherwise, I think they can’t be used as her leverage for her claims that her birthright, being a woman etc., entitles her to her throne.

Thank you NetGalley for this wonderful eARC!

I unfortunately could not finish this book. I was immediately put off by the main character and her general attitude and demeanor while she is supposed to be helping a woman through labor and a 4 plus page scene of said woman giving birth. There is no way past it for me no matter how intrigued I was by the summary of this story.

DNF at 12% for me! I had really high hopes after the first chapter, but it quickly spun into info dumps and so many character names. I struggled to follow everything that was happening.

A young woman waiting for the right time to take the throne owed to her by birthright from the royals that want her gone. Trying to make her way through court politics within her own family and the enemies.

Things that I loved about the book, the dragons! I am a sucker for a story with dragons working with people. I also loved the relationship she had with her brother. It took me awhile to love the main character, but by the end I did like her and wanted to see where the story went. I liked the overall story and the political aspect of the book. The magic system was interesting, though could have been expanded on a tad bit more.

During the first part of the book Aemyra acted a tad immature for how old she was supposed to be. I did like that it was addressed later on in the story. Additionally, I wish there would have been a bit more of the falling in love portion. It felt a tad instant. 
I think anyone who loves fantasy books with some romance, and a stabby main character would enjoy this book.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one. I think anyone who likes fantasy with dragons and court politics would enjoy it.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Little bit of a slow read, as it took my majority of the book to get into it. I enjoyed the slow burn aspect.

This book had me hooked from the very beginning! The dragons, enemies to lovers and feminine rage 🔥 i ate it up! I enjoyed the slow burn and that ending blew me away!

This book had a very slow start. Aemyra doesn't start out as a very likeable character, rather egotistical and self-absorbed, but I guess you have to have somewhere to start to have some growth, right ? That said, she was pretty irritating throughout, with dumb decisions left right and center. Her brother is a delight, however, and the rest of her family seem lovely. (The "chosen one" trope. )
I found it difficult with all the different names, accents, etc, and ended up just glossing over most place names because they were (to me ) unpronounceable.
There was quite a bit of action throughout, sometimes "off screen" and we found out about the actions afterwards. Certain deaths occur, and Aemyra immediately does the stupid thing, against all advice, and gets caught ( next trope incoming) She ends up in the enemy's court, trying to battle for her life. The religious faction that is trying to take over the country and subjugate the women has a strong hold in the enemy's court, and they do NOT like Aemyra, upstart young female that she is. She does develop some insight through this period, and becomes a little more likeable.
The last quarter of the book moved much more quickly, and all of a sudden there was a battle. I was a little uneasy towards the last 50 pages, because it didn't seem like it was going to wind up, and there is no mention anywhere that there will be another book. Nail biter !!

I want to first thank NetGalley and Hazel McBride for allowing me the pleasure of receiving this ARC. Then I want to try and give an honest spoiler free review that will hook you in and make you want to be invested like I was.

I will say the book started off a little difficult with all the Scottish Gaelic names. Hop to the end to get the pronunciation guide. Once I got the names down pat it was a wild ride I didn’t want to put down. I believe this can give Fourthwing a run for its money!

True enemies to lovers and perhaps back to enemies but the ending had me wanting book 2 immediately. It’s almost criminal I’ll have to wait so long for book 2.

I feel a little torn, I loved many components that made up the book but I kept getting stuck on smaller details.
Firstly, I enjoyed that it was not predictable plot wise, being able to be caught off guard is a feeling I chase when reading. I did struggle with the pacing a bit, I wouldn’t say it was rambling slow but I had to take a few breaks.
The FMC annoyed me bad, she felt arrogant and presumptive. I will say that was not the case for the entire duration of the story, it was felt in moments.
Nonetheless, it was refreshing to read a book with matriarchal views and I would recommend to others.

Really loved the detailed world building, tension filled romance, and the fierce FMC. Game of Thrones + House of Dragon vibes with some fresh energy and highest of high stakes.

Engrossing high fantasy with a single-minded female protagonist, a strong Gaelic flair...and dragons! Great for fans of Iron Flame and Game of Thrones.

Wow! I loved it! Such an exciting read from beginning to end. I loved the magic system and how the riders bond with their dragons. I really loved the romance throughout the book because it constantly kept me on my toes. And the ending was a huge surprise! I did not expect that to happen the way that it did. And now I am super nervous and excited about the next book and what will happen. If you love romantasy, this needs to be on your TBR.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of this book.