
Member Reviews

I absolutely loved getting swept into this story! Sparrow’s world, filled with thieves, assassins, and a fascinating magic system tied to Fate, was everything I needed for a good escape. The forgotten city of the Deathless King is so vividly described that I could almost feel the danger lurking around every corner. The tension was constant, and I was hooked as Sparrow and her team faced challenges that tested not only their skills but also their loyalty and courage.
Sparrow herself is such a great character—brave, resourceful, and easy to root for. I really enjoyed the dynamics between her and Raithe, the mysterious assassin she’s forced to work with. Their partnership is intriguing, and I can’t wait to see how it develops in future books. The supporting cast was just as memorable: Kysa is fierce and fearless, and Halek’s humor had me laughing at just the right moments.
The story is action-packed and so easy to get lost in, but what really stood out to me was the world-building. Julie Kagawa has a way of creating places that feel alive, and the way she weaves in the concept of Fate and the Fateless is fascinating. It feels like there’s so much more to uncover, and I’m already looking forward to what’s next in the series.
While the book ends with some questions unanswered, it’s a strong start to what I know will be an amazing adventure. If you love heists, action, and a dash of magic, Fateless is definitely worth reading. It gave me everything I love about Julie Kagawa’s writing—a rich world, compelling characters, and a story that’s hard to put down.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Absolutely loved this book! What a fun and intriguing plot compared to others in the genre. Only issue is some areas were action packed while others lacked furthering the plot and dragged a bit. All in all I really enjoyed this book!

Most books, as of late, haven't picked up for me until about 50% through. I was only about 6 or 7 chapters in before I could barely put it down. I fell in love with the heartwrenching story of loss, betrayal, and finally friendship. I look forward to the continuation.

This was my first Kagawa book, and I was so impressed with how beautifully each word flowed from one to the next. I felt deeply pulled into the world and really enjoyed that I had no idea where the plot was going.

The Prince of Persia x Assassin's Creed.
Sparrow’s life is meant for the Guildmaster, Vahn, who raised her. She’s then given a secretive mission by what they call The Circle, which would do two things: Prove her worth and the meaning of life or death for her caretaker, Vahn. Amongst this mission, Sparrow is pursued by Raithe who’s purpose is to prevent the return of whom they call the Deathless King. Sparrow is faced is betrayals from those she’s known her entire life and soon finds herself on a quest to prevent the destruction of the world.
The world–
Definitely gives you hot, scorching desert settings given there are two suns. There is a system of Fate thats held within the world and then there’s dynamics between the Fate and the Fateless which is intriguing. I did want more out of the magic and maybe more depth about the dreams interacting; but there is a mystical air to it that I sort of want to see flourish from the other books that are planned for this series.
Characters—
The characters will be the highlight I would say. Sparrow is thief, Raithe is an assassin, and then you meet a Fatechaser, Halek and a Scarab Clan warrior named Kysa. They each had something I liked about them which I think is worth reading about.
It was a nice, shorter read for me—less than 300 pages. Solid YA Fantasy. Kagawa gives multiple nods to fans of Assassin’s Creed throughout Fateless. Perfect for those who like guilds, betrayals, thieves & assassins, mythical beasts, and defying fate.
Thank you Netgalley & HarperCollins for the opportunity to read the ARC for an honest review

Julie Kagawa always excels at crafting fantasy worlds, and Fateless is no exception. This is the same fast paced YA reading you've come to love from her if you've read the Iron Fey series. (Some of the insect creatures here even remind me of that series and her writing there!) I love the concept of Fate in this and how it applies, or doesn't, to our main characters and the world at large.
Personally, I'd like to see a little more plot for our MCs. It does move fast and there's tons of action, but when you look at the overall plot of this first book in the trilogy, not too much happens for them from start to finish. It's more about establishing the world, characters, and motivations. Given that, I think the plot will progress in the coming books. I'm just sorry I have to wait so long to be able to read them!
(I know nothing about Assassin's Creed so I didn't pick up on the nods throughout that are mentioned in the author's note, but it definitely wasn't necessary to have this knowledge in order to enjoy the story.)

Fateless is a clear example of why I love YA fantasy - immersive world building, a diverse found family cast, and a creative plot line. Although the ending felt a little abrupt, it did make me very excited for a potential sequel. I loved the main character for how honestly she perceives her identity and morality. The longing and yearning in the romance sub plot was just what I needed.

**Review of Fateless by Julie Kagawa**
Julie Kagawa has outdone herself with *Fateless*, delivering a fast-paced, thrilling fantasy that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With her signature blend of high stakes, intriguing characters, and a world brimming with danger and mystery, Kagawa has created a story that’s impossible to put down.
Sparrow is a standout heroine—strong-willed, resourceful, and fiercely loyal to her cause. From the moment she joins the Thieves Guild, you feel her commitment to the mission, even when the path ahead is full of uncertainty and peril. Her determination to prove herself adds a personal layer to the story, making her journey even more compelling. And then there's Raithe, the enigmatic assassin forced into her orbit. Their relationship is electric, with plenty of tension and chemistry that keeps you hooked from their first encounter. Watching them navigate their growing bond, amidst betrayal and shifting alliances, adds so much depth to the narrative.
Kagawa’s world-building is top-notch. The forgotten city of the Deathless Kings is dark, ancient, and full of secrets. Each corner of the city feels alive with hidden dangers, as Sparrow and her team face both physical challenges and the heavy weight of fate itself. The high stakes are clear, but the deeper philosophical question of whether they can truly control their destinies adds an emotional layer to the action-packed adventure.
Fans of authors like Alexandra Bracken and Sabaa Tahir will find themselves right at home in this gripping new world. Kagawa doesn’t just deliver pulse-pounding action, she also crafts a story with heart. The stakes are high, the twists are unexpected, and every character feels real, making it impossible not to root for them as they fight for survival—and for their futures.
If you’re looking for a fantasy that blends heart, adventure, and a touch of romance, *Fateless* is an absolute must-read. I couldn’t put it down, and now I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. If this is just the beginning, I can only imagine what incredible twists Kagawa has in store for us next!

I've read one of this authors series before, the Iron Fey series and I really really enjoyed that one so requesting this arc was a no brainer. It was fun, fast, and the perfect easy read i needed, and helped me out of my killer reading slump. Overall, a solid 4 stars, and I'll keep an eye out for whatever the author writes next!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!
This was a really cool world with great world building that I’ve come to expect from Julie Kagawa. Action packed fantasy with Dune vibes. Check it out!

Fantasy at its finest and the written word in a beautiful format... live Julie's worlds that she pulls us into more and more

I just adore Julie Kagawa's stories. I fell in love with her characters and it makes me want to read even more! Too bad I have to wait... Highly recommend!

A new series where your place in the world is ruled by fate, or is it? Join Sparrow on her quest as she discovers she could be more than a thief.
This book had a darker element to it than I expected, and more giant bugs than I'd like to meet in real life. I appreciated Sparrow's growth as a character, and the overall idea that we are often capable of more than we believe ourselves to be, and with the right people encouraging us, we can come to believe in ourselves, too.

This book was underwhelming, although I appreciated the nod to Assassin’s Creed throughout. I personally didn’t feel any connection to the FMC and felt that the storyline just generally fell flat. It was fast paced but almost too much (a lot of action but simultaneous I felt like not much happened).
I like the overall concept of the book (reminds me a little of Divergent) but I’m not sure what to expect in the remaining books. Unfortunately, for me, this book was just okay.

Exciting fantasy with strong worldbuilding and equally strong characters! This is a fun and engaging read, and highly recommended to any fans of Julie Kagawa's other works!

4.5 ⭐️
Julie Kagawa gets it every time!! I loved the storyline and the world building, it was so unique and captivating. I feel like the plot is just starting, so I’m excited to see where the rest of the series goes. The Prince of Persia/Assassin’s Creed/Dune vibes were literal perfection, I enjoyed reading every minute of this book.
I also loved the variety of characters! Sparrow was incredibly brave, Raithe is still mysterious, Kysa is a freaking badass, and Halek just cracks me up! I can’t wait to see what comes next in their journey!
Thank you so much for the ARC!

"Fateless" is a young adult fantasy novel by Julie Kagawa. The first of a series set in a Prince of Persia style desert empire, In a world where many people believe that one's fate is set by the weaver goddess in her giant tapestry, Sparrow is a member of the thieves' guild who often seems to have the best luck. She is tasked with stealing a piece of the weaver's tapestry and is successful. The secret leaders of her guild, the Circle, then task her with an even greater challenge: go down beneath the city to the sunken city of the Deathless King and steal a relic. What Sparrow doesn't know is that this will set chaos in motion. The world building is well done and the characters are interesting, though the romance feels a bit forced.
A suggested purchase for YA fantasy collections, especially where Kagawa's previous books are popular.

When a thief is given a mission to steal an ancient relic, she unknowingly sets into motion fateful events that impact the survival of the world in Julie Kagawa’s Fateless.
As a member of the Thieves Guild, Sparrow has known only a life loyal to their cause and the Guildmaster, Vahn who raised her, as well as the uncanny luck she seems to have in acquiring goods and escaping the notice of guards that has contributed to her steady rise within the Guild. Given a secretive mission from The Circle, the mysterious group in control of the Guild, Sparrow is determined to prove her worth and place; with the stakes high, meaning life or death for her and Vahn, and the seemingly impossible task they’ve set for her, Sparrow feels as if she cannot fail. Pursued by an assassin, Raithe, whom Sparrow finds equal parts enigmatically frustrating, dangerous, and alluring, whose purpose it is to prevent the return of the Deathless King, she soon finds herself aligned with him after a rapid succession of betrayals from those she’s known her whole life. On a quest to prevent the utter destruction of the entire world, Sparrow and Raithe are joined by a charming Fatechaser, Halek, and a Scarab Clan warrior, Kysa, as they journey toward Raithe’s home to meet with his queen to learn the complete details of the disturbing and disastrous fate they’re trying to avert.
The world is imaginative and depicted well, with the searing heat from the two suns and resulting parching dryness that the characters and their surroundings experience translating easily and vividly from the page, as well as a thoroughly thought-out and presented belief system of Fate and history surrounding the Deathless Kings and the First Kingdom that further shapes the world and how it functions. The premise and dynamic regarding Fate and the Fateless is intriguing, and having that paired with magic and dreams interacting offers an eerie, otherworldly opportunity of emotional exploration between bouts of traveling and battle-laden action. With trust not a natural inclination for Sparrow given how she was raised and the nature of her profession, and an even more tenuous proposition given the series of betrayals she experienced in rapid succession, she exhibits a stuttering and believable growth by gradually placing her confidence and trust in her small group of unlikely companions of Raithe, Halek, and Kysa, demonstrating the strength and depth of her character and her ability to adapt, even if the betrayals and those she now calls allies were predictable turns of events to progress the narrative forward toward what awaits in the next installment.
Overall, I’d give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have always loved Julie’s books. This one is no exception! Excellent as always!!! I loved it!
I thought it was a very interesting story and I can not wait to read more.

This story was spectacular. It took no time to take off and kept an intense pace to the end.
The world building is so descriptive and well done. You can see it, smell it (though not always a pleasant thought), and feel it.
If you're looking for:
Betrayals
An unlikely bond of friendships
Intense pace
Thieves and assassins
Mythical beasts
A chance to defy fate and prophecies
Then this is a read for you.