3.5 Stars rounded up

A Fate So Cold is a young adult fantasy about magic and sorcery. In Alderland, there are 2 seasons: Summer and Winter. Summer is a peaceful time fertile lands, while Winter is 6 weeks of despair, with monsters and snow storms. One wand in particular is known for its power and ability to help fight Winter, Valmordion, and its wielders go down as some of the greatest in history. We follow Domenic and Ellery, two students who find they have a lot in common despite being polar opposites. Although Domenic never wanted fame, he is chosen by the great summer wand, while Ellery creates a winter wand, something completely unheard of. A Fate So Cold follows Ellery and Dom on their journey to fight Winter, and their attraction to each other, before time runs out.

I ended up enjoying this one more than I thought I would! I found that the concept of this book was very interesting, and the magic system with the seasons was unique. I had a bit of trouble relating to Ellery, but I think Dom made up for that, because he’s a character that’s very easy to like. Ellery and Dom’s relationship almost has a “puppy love” vibe to it in my opinion, even though Dom is supposed to be the misunderstood one who hooks up with everybody. The writing as well as the world building was solid, very immersive. I do wish the ending had been a bit different, especially because it felt like a very predictable ending, but I still plan on reading the next book.

Features-
- YA
- Academia
- Winter vs. Summer
- Sorcery/Wands
- Fantasy/romance
- Dual POV
- 3rd Person

I genuinely enjoyed this book. 3.5 stars. The beginning was exciting but about 30% through there was a lull. Thankfully things picked back up and led to a dramatic ending.

Things I liked: The magic and world are so different and new compared to anything I’ve read lately, and the authors don’t just dump everything in the first few pages. You slowly learn things which only makes you want more and more. I also enjoyed the depth and relationships of all of the characters. I especially liked Domenic and Hanna.

Things I didn’t like: Ellery's character (hoping she has some growth in book 2). Pacing was a little off in the first half of the book. Part of me wanted to stop reading at about the 30% mark because it seemed like nothing was happening, but I’m so glad I didn’t.

Overall it was a great read and I can’t wait for book 2

A Fate So Cold definitely isn't my usual read, but I've been trying to branch out more and so glad that I did!

It was a fresh take on magic and wands with good world building. I do wish there was a bit more history on why things are the way they are now though. Domenic and his flaws were absolutely great. The chemistry, the banter? 10/10.

It wasn't my favorite read ever, but it was enough that I enjoyed being immersed in this world and would definitely come back for more. Well done!

I saw this little gem on NetGalley and thought it sounded interesting and angsty and I was all for it, so I requested a copy and received one, what follows is my thoughts and feelings (all of which are reeling at the moment)

With most books that end on any kind of cliffhanger, I don’t find myself desperately needing the sequel immediately BUT only because I need to time to get over this!!!! What was this, seriously?! I am NOT well, not even a teeny tiny bit. This thing ripped my heart out stomped on it, ripped it to shreds, pulverized it to almost nothing and then set it on fire. Like without the epilogue, this could have been a standalone, a sad standalone, but sometimes that’s okay. The journey through this book was something else. I loved the fantasy of it, the magic system, the mystery thrown it. Top notch book, definitely recommend and can’t wait to see what comes next, maybe after my heart heals a little more though.

An interesting book that is magical but unnerving. Two teenagers become chosen by powerful wands. One has always been legendary. Its summer magic is extraordinary. The second, a new wand just created, the only of its kind, a winter wand. Together the two must fight off a cataclysm that will destroy the world.

I enjoyed this novel. It had a fresh new take on wands and magic.
I loved Dominic and his flaws. I didn’t love Ellery but I think it was a me thing.
The world building was decent and I never was confused about the land or its magic. I do wish we had some more history of what happened in the past though.
I thought the chemistry was good, the angst well done. The banter was A+.
I didn’t love the ending but again that’s me. I’m sure most will throughly enjoy it. It does set up well for a sequel.
Will I read the sequel? Yes, I will. The magic and world make me want to come back and be immersed again.

Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the arc.

This is a weird one because there were parts of this book I really loved, but I just really struggled to get into the world/characters. Everything just moved too fast, and these big magical things happened with little to no explanation that just didn't seem to fit into the magic/ worldbuilding that had already been introduced. The villains were almost a little comical in their villainy which always puts me off... and I'm so disappointed I didn't love this one because I adored the authors previous duology. DNF at 25%

Thanks for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Amanda Foody and C. L. Herman do not disappoint. A Fate So Cold is devastatingly romantic, and wonderfully atmospheric. I found the pacing in the first half a bit slow, with all the important information seemingly falling into Ellery's and Domenic's laps. But by the second half, the pacing had ramped up and things were starting to make sense. I think were this book really shined was with the characters. Domenic and Ellery both were well fleshed out, well developed characters. Their banter was an entertaining addition that kept me enthralled throughout the book. And this character building did slack off for the supporting characters either. I found every one of them just as entertaining as the Chosen Two (Hanna will probably be on my list of favorite character for a long time). The ending left me desperately wishing for the next book.

A Fate So Cold by Amanda Foody and CL Herman

4 Stars

432 Pages
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group, Tor Teen
Release Date: November 4, 2025

Fiction, Teens, Young Adult, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Romance

The country of Alderlands is about to begin its winter season. The Order of Magicians is concerned that the storms are becoming worse and the upcoming season will be the worst to come. The magicians in the Order are each bound to a Living Wand. When an important Living wand begins to thaw waiting to be bound to a person, they know it could be catastrophic. Domenic Barrow, an underachiever, was chosen by the want. Ellery Caldwell, upset that the wand did not chose her, goes out to the great alban tree. When she was a child and used her magic for the first time, the alban tree gave her a seed. Now the tree senses the seed and produced the first Living wand created in modern times.

Domenic is the summer champion hailed to save the Alderlands from winter. With Ellery having a winter wand, she is now the winter champion. They must work together to save their world and find the saboteur. If you like fantasy young adult stories, you will enjoy this book.

These authors delivered a frosty gut punch with A Fate So Cold, an atmospheric, emotionally charged fantasy that gripped me from the first page and didn’t let go until the final devastating twist.
The premise alone promised high stakes: a land torn between relentless seasonal magic, two Chosen Ones wielding opposing forces, and a prophecy demanding blood. But what really made the story shine was how personal it all felt. Domenic Barrow, the reluctant hero, and Ellery Caldwell, the perfectionist haunted by her own power, were two sides of the same coin—flawed, determined, and desperately trying to do the right thing in a world where that might not be possible.
Their dynamic crackled with tension, not just magical but emotional. It wasn’t a love story, exactly—but it was intimate, aching, and intensely human. Watching them unravel their destinies together, knowing the inevitable end might pit them against each other, added a level of tragic suspense that had me holding my breath more than once.
The pacing occasionally stuttered in the middle, especially as the world-building leaned a bit heavy, but it more than made up for it in the climax, which was both heart-wrenching and utterly satisfying.
This wasn’t just a fantasy epic; it was a haunting meditation on choice, fate, and the fine line between enemies and something far more complicated. I’ll be counting down the days until the sequel—because after that ending, how could I not?
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you so much for the chance to read A FATE SO COLD!

Much of what I’ve come to love about this writing duo is the snappy quality of the writing. It really shines here, especially anytime Dom and El can flex their flirty banter. I think I’d find it very, very easy to fall in love with Dom Barrow in real life! While I enjoyed both MCs, I thought Dom brought a fresh perspective to the Chosen One trope, and just a unique voice as far as male fantasy leads go.

Another thing I loved from this book was the entire lore around the living wands. I love how they were all unique, some creepy, and felt, well…living! It was neat to read a book where magic was so intrinsically physical—every time a spell was used it truly felt like they were calling it from their blood/heart/soul. The sky is the limit for magic as long as you can take it. I did wonder what exactly they learned at the academy though. There was a lack of detail about the study of magic in general, which would be okay except the entire concept of the school.

The ending was satisfactory. I actually wasn’t sure whether Dom or El would come out on top until the end. In terms of leaving me wanting the next book…it didn’t give me that breathless, “need it now” feeling. I actually think it could have been fine just as a standalone, but I’m willing to see where it goes next in case it surprises me!

I only have one major gripe, and it doesn’t have to do with the book itself. Rather, the blurb:
“Until they discover the unthinkable truth. The Chosen Two aren’t fated allies, but eternal rivals, and the only way to save their home is for one of them to slay the other.”
I honestly think this should be REMOVED from the official blurb. The discovery of them being fated to kill the other doesn’t happen until 75% of the way through. It felt like it should have been a twist, but because it was in the blurb I’d spent the entire book waiting for this revelation—so when it finally came it felt strange, and almost flat. When I recommend this book to people it will be with the caveat to go in blind, because I think knowing about the “eternal rivals” twist is a disservice to the plot.

Overall, a good read! Some very high points throughout, and Dom will go down as a forever favourite MC.