I went into this one a little bit blind. Never read these co-authors, but I liked the beautiful cover and the synopsis sounded like something I'd like. But unfortunately, I found it kind of formulaic and tedious.

"A Fate So Cold" is the story of playboy and notorious underachiever Domenic, and Ellery, star student and overachiever, who are looking to bond with Living Wands to graduate and work for the Order as magicians. Then Domenic bonds with an all-powerful wand that marks him as a Chosen One hero to save Alderland, a Summer wand, and Ellery bonds with a Winter wand of her own creation. The two become a Chosen Two super duo, have some cute flirty banter and a rivals-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance.

I found the story to be like Harry Potter meets the MCU meets The Boys and thus not really my thing. I may have found Domenic more believable if he were bi, but I didn't buy his whole playboy reputation. He struck me as an anxious yapper and procrastinator instead. I also didn't believe in their romance. I would have rather seen them have a friendship. I also felt like I was knocked over the head with Chosen One this, Chosen One that... a little too on the nose.

So sadly this just did not work for me. Just too tropey and unoriginal for my tastes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you Tor and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Such an adventure! In Alderland Summer reigns supreme except for those six weeks out of the year that winter wreaks havoc and destroys everything. So help lower the tragedy magicians bond with Summer wands. Domenic Barrow doesn’t want to bond with a wand. In fact he’s known for being the least suited for that task. But the world has other plans, the most powerful Summer wand has awakened and its chosen Domenic as its wielder. Ellery Caldwell has tried to be the perfect Summer magician, but she secret fears her powers. Fears that might just be true when she creates the first ever Winter wand. As the two work together to save their land, they’ll soon start to realize that they may just be developing feelings as well. But fate is fickle and can be cruel, because they’ll learn that the only way to save their home is for one of them to end the other. Can they do it? Or will their love be the downfall of their home? I loved the magic system in this one! Plus who doesn’t love a good tragic lovers story! Exciting, thrilling, heartbreaking, and incredibly romantic! Amanda Foody and C.L. Herman have written another beautiful magical world that I can’t wait to read more of!! A chilling must read romantasy!

Thank you Net Galley and Tor publishing group for the opportunity to read a digital arc of this book.

I loved the premise starting out and the different take on magic with the different types of wands. But that’s where it ended for me, unfortunately, I had a really hard time continuing to read the story. I just couldn’t get into the characters or the story. I felt a lot of the plot pieces were glossed over and the story fell flat for me.

It took me a long time to force myself to read it.

Foody and Herman are back at it with a romantasy that’s as sharp as an icicle through the heart and as hot as a Summer wand lighting up the battlefield. This book is feral, tragic, swoony, and so, so doomed—in the best way.

A Fate So Cold asks: What happens when your epic fantasy soulmate is also your inevitable undoing? Domenic Barrow, reluctant hero and accidental Chosen One, is handed the most powerful Summer wand of the century—despite being, frankly, a disaster in a robe. Enter Ellery Caldwell: powerful, driven, haunted, and newly bonded to the first Winter wand in history. They're supposed to be allies. They're definitely catching feelings. But Fate? Fate is a little bitch.

Foody and Herman build a lush, dangerous world with stakes so high you’ll need a breathing spell. It’s got the tragic tension of The Cruel Prince, the narrative gut punches of All of Us Villains, and the icy ache of a love that cannot survive—but dares to try anyway.

This is not a love story.
It’s a war story with kissing.
And I am deeply obsessed.

I really enjoyed the start of the book - the world as magical and exciting! I also loved the idea of the different types of wands. The characters were interesting and I felt connected to Ellery and Domenic early on. Loved the first 50% of the book it was exciting and interesting. From 50% on though I had a tough time continuing on and I found it just wasn’t grabbing my attention. I had a tough time connecting with Ellery and Dom as the book continued. Pace picked up a bit at the end but the ending didn’t have me blown away as it felt very predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc - all thoughts are my own.

This was such a good read full of complicated characters, a unique magic system, and a slow love full of longing. Ellery and Domenic made such heartbreaking main characters as reluctant chosen ones in a world of opposing magical forces and prophecies they never asked for. It was such a good balance of learning about their pasts as individuals while they were also being thrown together in the present so that they truly were the only ones who could understand each other.

The plot kept me on my toes and it was so interesting to see the magic system develop further and further. I kept describing this book to friends as Frozen meets Harry Potter meets modern day? The descriptions of the world and magic were so well done and I was able to picture every terrifying detail of this frozen world.

Each chapter got slightly more emotionally devastating and I’m currently working hard to move on from that ending while pretending that’s not what I just read. And the epilogue?? I can’t take any more of this pain. Overall another wonderful book by these authors! I love how they can write such beautiful, sad stories with morally grey characters forced to walk difficult paths while also creating such unique magic and worlds.

The start of the book is a little slow, but it definitely picks up and was enjoyable. If you enjoy lots of world building, this novel may be for you! I liked both main characters and am definitely interested in reading the next book! Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader!

This was fascinating! I went into this having read the All of Us Villains duology and really didn't know what to expect with such a drastically different premise. Their writing styles are so incredibly strong, even in this different setting, and the romance is just as brutal and tragic. They are masters of writing teens whose choices are taken from them--but not their strength. Very interested to see what happens in the final book.

DNF @ 22%

Things I liked:
- academy setting/vibes
- wandlore and unique magic system
- well-written
- dual POV
- chosen one trope

I'm sad to have DNFed this book, because the concept had me really excited. I love unique magic systems, and stories that feature wandlore have always interested me. Unfortunately, I really couldn't get into this book.

The book is well-written, don't get me wrong. However, for whatever reason, I just wasn't enjoying it. I was debating DNFing for a while, and realized at that point I was only reading for the sake of getting it done. I decided it probably just wasn't for me, and I was better off moving on. I wasn't really interested in the characters, and I felt it focused too much on the main characters over the plot for me. If you are someone who likes a book that focuses heavily on the characters and their development, then this book may be for you! I know there are readers out there who are going to love this 💖


Thank you Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for the chance to read the ARC! All opinions are honest and my own.

(Review posted to goodreads and storygraph without rating)

I found this title be an enjoyable YA fantasy. The two main characters were well-drawn. In fact, the characterization was stronger than the plotting which seemed to rely on coincidence and abrupt shifts in motivation.

I had to DNF it just couldn’t get into the story, characters or dialogue
The premise behind this book was good but absolutely nothing at all happened in the first 30% and it was hard to read

thank you to amanda foody & netgalley for an arc of this book. all opinions are my own. ♡

₊˚⊹⋆ first thoughts: a new romantasy on my radar!!! cant wait to start this duology. the tag line gave me goosebumps - "this is no love story. it's a tragedy." SCREAMING

I'm sad I read this so early because that means I have to wait ages for the next book! The Chosen One is a favorite trope of mine so I was delighted that this book features two Chosen Ones. I liked both of the main characters but wanted a little bit more description when it came to the magic system. This one is a little more romance forward and angsty than the All of Us Villains Duology but still has plenty of magic, monsters, and action. I also liked that this book reads like a full story arc with a satisfying end. There is an almost cliffhanger that gives you a taste of what's to come in the next installment. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for my eARC. Can't wait for the next book!

The world-building in this was so good—tons of magic and mystery, and the whole vibe was super atmospheric and a little eerie in the best way. It was a fast, exciting read with a really unique magic system and enough twists to keep me totally hooked. I loved how the stakes kept getting higher, and the world just felt so rich and layered. The characters were great too, especially the morally gray ones—I’m a sucker for complicated decisions and all the messy emotions that come with them.

Review is also posted to Goodreads.

The magic system in this story is so refreshing. It took me a while to invest in Ellery but we got there eventually. This book is an unwilling chosen one teamed up with, and sometimes pitted against, a self-proclaimed chosen one, and that dynamic is so enticing. The end wasn’t something I expected, and sets up for the second book perfectly because I am FULL OF QUESTIONS!

the world building and magic was so intriguing but unfortunately had to DNF because connecting with the characters was difficult. there is also plot inconsistencies that kept getting in the way of me immersing myself.

This book swept me up into a world of chilling magic and quiet desperation. The heroine is brave yet vulnerable as she fights to protect the fragile hope she still holds. The slow burning connection with a mysterious ally felt raw and real, each whispered secret bringing them closer. The atmosphere is gripping icy forests, ancient powers, and stakes that tighten around your heart. Every twist felt earned and emotional, and the final payoff hit me deep.

If you crave character driven fantasy with frostbitten magic, emotional depth, and a romance that warms like a spark in the cold, this will stick with you long after the last page.

RATING: 2/5 STARS

Maybe I should have let this one cook a little longer but I couldn't get into it. Sadly was flat and dragged on for me.

The season concept is really unique, especially with the magic. I enjoyed the alternating perspectives with the chapters and the characters are likeable, if not a bit relatable with their traumas. Also enjoyed the twisty bits.

I really enjoyed this book! The world and magic system were very interesting.

Dom is a slack-off playboy whose reputation precedes him, but underneath that, he's really just a boy unsure of his place in life. Ellery is the school's top student and everyone's pick for the Chosen One, but fears what she may be capable of. Following their journeys as they learned to accept themselves and step into the roles destiny set out for them, all while growing closer to each other, was such a treat. And the BANTER. Truly had me kicking my feet and giggling. I loved how they leaned on each other throughout the book, knowing they were the only ones who could truly understand what the other was feeling.

This book also offers interesting discussions on topics like the role propaganda plays in society, destiny vs free will, and managing the pressure of others' expectations.

It could be slow at times, and some of Ellery's decisions toward the end were...shocking, but overall it was a solid read.