A woman from a matriarchal society steals a prince from a patriarchal society to be her husband. Talk about flipping the table. This book I will have to say challenged me to think so much in regards to patriarchal societies, inequality and the fight to belong even within our own groups. Finding our own strength and remembering to know our own worth.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and what questions it presented to me along with its romance.

Check the triggers! The author is very clear on what’s in this book, so go in prepared.

That being said I’m not sure how I feel about this book. I both enjoyed it and didn’t. I can certainly see what the author was going for with this book - it’s about women’s fury and rage. It’s not about feminism.

What I keep going back to in my mind is that we’ve all read this book before. Loved books like this. Raved about books like this…But the genders are swapped. A lot of what is done to men in this book is what’s done to the FMCs/women in dark romances, and yet that’s okay? Now I’m not big of dark romance to begin with as I don’t like reading about women being treated in these ways, so reading about it being done to men didn’t feel great either (at least I’m consistent??). And the whole kidnap a prince/princess and get them to fall in love with you - hello, basic romantasy plot. We love it when it’s the FMC experiencing essentially Stockholm syndrome yet it feels yucky when it’s the MMC?? Really made me think about what we find acceptable and why.

If we take out all the triggering things, we still have a decent story, which I think is important. Was it a great story? I’m not sure; however, I couldn’t put it down and finished in just over 24hrs. If nothing else, this book really made me think - and maybe that was the whole point?

I really liked this book! It did take me about 30% to really get into it. But it really picked up after that! Some parts are definitely hard to read, I very much didn't like the humiliation scenes but I understand why it was needed in some cases.

In a kingdom where most of the noblemen were killed in an uprising several years ago, it’s become common practice for royalty to kidnap husbands from neighboring kingdoms. Princess Olera is one such royal member. To secure her position in line to the throne, she needs to prove she can tame a proper husband. She’s decided the meek poet prince of a neighboring kingdom is an ideal candidate. But a drunken prank sees the prince swapping places with his brother, and Olera unknowingly ends up with warrior prince Sanos instead. Sanos has to hide his identity long enough to escape - but the more he gets to know his bride-to-be, the less he’s sure of what he wants.

WHAT FURY BRINGS is a bit of a muddled romantasy, caught between trying to be a sultry romance and an exploration of gender dynamics. The author is very clear with her intent on writing this book, starting with the author's note where she bluntly states she's taken cis men and women's normal gender roles and reversed them, so that men are the ones who are supposed to be seen and not heard, look beautiful for their spouse, treated as weak soft things that exist to pleasure the opposite gender. While the female-led kingdom of Amarra is more progressive about sex and gender identities than its neighboring male-led countries, it is not free from cruelty, exploitation, or slavery. Olera vows to make changes to her kingdom to do away with much of this - a fact she tells to the man she literally kidnapped to further her political ambitions.

This premise is definitely targeted at those who like a dominant/submissive relationship, and requires you to be onboard with a kidnapping trope. Female main character Olera is clear that she will not force herself on male lead Sanos, but the fact remains that he spends much of the book imprisoned and in chains until he decides he’s fine to marry this woman. If you find that off-putting, bounce along to the next book. For me, I came fully on board and ready to see what the author did with the premise.

As for the spice, I found it often more explicit than sexy. On the one hand, there’s a freshness to the frank and direct discussion of sex and bodies to be found in this book. The matriarchal society Olera belongs to strips much of the mystique away from sex, a fact which Sanos finds unnerving in his more closeted society. On the other hand, that also meant that the descriptions felt more clinical than seductive. It's perhaps why I felt cold on the romance, not truly feeling the spark that's supposed to be growing between the two characters.

WHAT FURY BRINGS is a book that leaves me perplexed with what to do with it. It is a sledgehammer of commentary by saying "Hey, by reversing normal gender roles, can't we see how terrible this situation is?" It is also using those reversed roles to unabashedly lean into dominant/submissive kink. It both uses the power imbalance to titillate the audience, while also lecturing that the power imbalance is bad. In short, it wants to have its cake and eat it too. Which just leaves me with a bit of whiplash: am I supposed to find this arousing or offputting?

There's no denying that WHAT FURY BRINGS is bingeable candy, a story of light court politics and intrigue that you can read in fairly short order. But WHAT FURY BRINGS also has aspirations of being more than that, and in dealing with weightier themes, the story stumbles. What I came to realize is that just because the societal gender power imbalances are reversed does not mean I now suddenly enjoy the societal power imbalances. I'd rather read a fantasy story without the imbalance at all. Maybe if this had been a story that put the genders on equal footing and then found the pleasure in an imbalance, I would have liked it more. I fully understand the drive that caused the author to write this story, but at the end of the day it just didn't work as a romance for me.

Note: I was provided a free ARC by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.

This a rather brutal tale of 2 battling kingdoms. Our main love interest Sanos is kidnapped on accident by the Queen potential who needs a husband and wants to make a point to the King of the Brutes.

The writing in this story is exceptional. The story told itself and was easy to follow. However, the tale that we are told is brutal and in some portions intolerable with the amount of degradation the men receive. I know this is meant to be reversal of how women have been treated throughout the years, but I feel this took it to the extreme. I was hoping for a book with appropriate feminine rage and a romantic and swoon worthy romance. But, I feel this is a much darker book than I anticipated.

This book would be great for those who are ok with extensive demeaning of characters and a true hate for men and who want a darker romantasy.

I have complicated feelings about this book. It was fun to read for the most part, but a little cringey when it comes to consent. and demeaning people. However, I understand that Levenseller is trying to make a point about how women have been treated in many societies in the past. The world was interesting to learn about, and if you're looking for steamy, the slow build will keep you sweating.

Rating / Recommend
2.5⭐ / 4🌶 / Maybe No?

My Thoughts:
Think of the story where the maiden gets kidnapped and is forced to wed the male. Switch the roles and add every horrific thing you can think of and that’s this book. IMO this isn’t a romance. (Maybe the last 20% is) The majority of this is dark and truly you’re supposed to not like it. It’s supposed to make you uncomfortable and then you realize if the FMC was the captive would I be this stressed?

Personally, this was so wild it had me hooked. I didn’t love it. I can’t even say I really “liked” it but I don’t regret reading it. It was kind of nice to have the roles swapped for a change.

I don’t recommend this book if you’re looking for a Romantasy. If you’re looking for a DARK romance and want to read about the MMC being degraded for a change then go for it! This book should only be read by adults.

Tropes
• Captor x Captive
• Stolen Husband / Reluctant Groom
• Plus Size FMC
• Found Family
• Matriarchal Society
• LBGTQIA+ Rep (not MCs)
• Feminine Rage

Content Warnings
• READ THOSE TRIGGER WARNINGS.
• ADULT ONLY READ.
• Adult language
• Explicit open door scenes
• I am not kidding please read the trigger warnings/authors note before considering this.

Tricia Levenseller's first adult novel is full of romance, political intrigue and a flip on the narrative of gender rolls and life. Her book introduces a world where in the kingdom of Amarra the woman hold all the power. Olerra is trying to earn her place as the heir to the thrown and to do so kidnaps a princess from a rival kingdom, thinking she has stole the spare she nabs the heir. Trying to keep his identity hidden, Sanos trys to go with the flow and act like his poetry loving brother not the soldier that he is. This book is Tricia's fury mixed with her love for romance and writing books that have us wanting more and learning to see the world from a different perspective.

Thank you NetGalley and Tricia Levenseller for this ARC.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is Tricia Levenseller's debut adult fantasy novel, and my first of her work. After reading it, it will definitely not be my last! There is something incredibly satisfying about reading the first few pages of a book and immediately something in your brain sits up and says "oh yes, I'm going to like this!" and then t=every page proves you right. This is one of those books.

What Fury Brings flips the tables to show a new lens through which to view our own history, meaning In Amarra, the WOMEN are IN CHARGE. They lead the armies, they hold property and run the households, they keep harems, they rule kingdoms, they make the rules, they dole out the punishments, they keep the men as playthings and slaves, and everything in between. Amarra is what fury brings.

the story follows the plight of FMC Olerra, a strong warrior general who decides to kidnap and train a husband from a neighboring kingdom in order to beat her cousin Glen and earn her rightful place on the throne of Amarra. She successfully kidnaps the second-born son of the King of Brutus, Andrastus, and attempts to get him in line, much to his dismay, contempt and attempts to escape. But Olerra is keeping 2 dark secrets which will hurt her chances at the throne if anyone found out. Little does she know she accidentally took the wrong son; and actually, has Sanos (the heir) and not Andrastus, which is likely to start a war once found out. So Sanos has to keep that secret to himself. As the training (and the relationship progresses, things start to get tense. Especially when Olerra's cousin Glen starts playing dirty.

This book is harsh and sexy and romantic, and even manages to have both a war and a happily ever after. If you are a woman, and have ever been angry, or wronged by a man, you will probably like this book. I LOVED IT! From the first to the last page; I couldn't read it fast enough! I t was so good. The characters had good chemistry, and I loved that everyone got their "just desserts". No punches were pulled when it came to doling out justice. I really enjoyed the character development and the ending. I really hope there are more books to come!

It was truly and ode to feminine rage!

Definitely check this one out!!

Thank you so much for a chance to read this arc of What Fury Brings my Tricia Levenseller! I already have two copies of this book coming from book boxes I am subscribed to so I went into this book hoping I was really going to love it. The beginning intro of the book had me questioning it but I did finish it. I definitely enjoyed a few parts of the book, but found my expectations (with the intro) may have been swayed to feel more ick than I felt the book really needed. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more had I not read the beginning intro section.
That being said, I definitely found parts of the book very good and enjoyable bringing smirks to my face as I read, but there were parts that had me feeling weird as things were made too literal and unnecessary. I think if the stories timeframe had been extended to include more character filler and giving their relationship time to grow and removing a bit of the cringe parts it would have been a higher rating for me.

First of all, I absolutely loved the world Tricia Levenseller created! We have two drastically different kingdoms at the center of the story, Amarra and Brutus, yet at their core is a very similar dynamic. One gender is held in a higher regard than the other. Brutus is the typical dynamic that often mirrors our own, women are treated as weaker, lesser, and often used as ornaments. Amarra is its antithesis, the goddess from whom the country is named after blessing the women with incredible strength towards men after the former king of the country almost beat to death his wife and daughter. There men are ornamental, living in harems and being consigned to a life solely based on their sex. However even still, I love the nuance that Tricia Levenseller places in the switched gender roles.

The marketing for What Fury Brings really did the book a disservice. I’m sure there’s an audience for this, but there will be a number of readers unpleasantly surprised.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s hard to describe how much I loved this book. I loved meeting the world of Amarra and Brutus and also seeing Sanos and Olerra grow and change throughout the story.

Sanos was such an interesting character to me. His commentary made me laugh, but his inner monologue was always profound and reflective. I loved seeing his relationship with Olerra grow. And seeing them learn to trust each other was everything.

And, while this book had lighthearted, humorous, and romantic moments, it also touched on serious themes, which I found refreshing. A wonderful read.

This book is the political world that we need, this book covers some of the more complex topics that most never wanna discuss. This is the heavy plot with the slow-burn romance that everyone enjoys yet doesn’t lose its importance.

“What Fury Brings,” is a captivating and mind-bending read that flips the script on traditional power dynamics. From the very first page, the pacing is perfect, drawing you into the story so completely that you’ll be enthralled from start to finish. I devoured this book in a single day, a testament to its compelling plot and masterful storytelling.
The novel imagines a world where women rule the country, a matriarchal society born from a goddess's gift 500 years ago, which granted Amarran women the gift to overpower men. However, the first Amarran Queen chose not to create a better world with this gift. Instead, she used it to let her fury reign, leading to a society where women have become cruel and heartless in retaliation for the abuses they once suffered from men. This deeply complex and unsettling backdrop is where readers are thrust, setting the stage for a gripping story.
At the heart of the narrative is Olerra, the formidable General of the Amarran military and Queen potential. I particularly loved that Olerra is described as a larger, voluptuous woman—a refreshing and much-needed departure from the typical fantasy heroine. As a show of strength, she kidnaps Sanos, the crown prince of Brutus. What unfolds is a journey of self-discovery for both characters, as they challenge their preconceived notions and learn that they are not who they thought they were. Through their interactions, Olerra completely changes Sanos’s perspective and who he wants to be, proving that meaningful change is possible even in the most entrenched systems.
"What Fury Brings" is a true testament to the power of feminine rage, but it's also a brilliantly written examination of doing what is right, even when it’s difficult. Levenseller doesn't shy away from the excruciating process of achieving change, making this a much deeper story than a simple revenge fantasy. It is a powerful eye-opener that reflects on how women are still treated poorly in today’s society, making the themes both timely and impactful. The novel is also very LGBTQ+ inclusive, which adds another layer of representation and richness to the world.
While the plot is incredibly strong, a little more world-building and depth for the supporting characters would have been welcome. However, the central narrative is so compelling that these minor points are only noticeable upon reflection. This book is an absolute 5-star read and a must-add to your TBR list, with a release date of September 23, 2025.
Before diving in, be sure to check the full list of trigger warnings. Some of the major ones include:
* Mentions of sexual assault
* Physical and emotional abuse
* Explicit sex
* Mentions of grooming and underage sexual partners
* War themes and military violence

+++I have received this eARC in an exchange for an honest review+++

I want to thank @tricialevenseller @netgalley @and @macmillanusa for allowing me to read this amazing eARC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.

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First line: Given the extreme size of the king’s sword, Olerra felt certain the man was compensating for something.

Summary: In the kingdom of Amarra women rule the land and men are subservient. The potential future queen, Olerra, is trying to secure her ascension to the throne and the one way she believes will help is by stealing a husband from the neighboring kingdom of Brutus. This will show her strength and cunning to her people. Her intended target is the second son of the king of Brutus. He is known for his beauty and docile nature which will help with breaking him to her will.

Sanos, the crown prince of Brutus, has been raised for the throne but it hasn’t been easy. His father is abusive and controlling leading Sanos to do what he can to protect the rest of the family from his wrath. But one night in a drunken prank he takes the place of his brother and gets captured by an Amarran princess. Sanos is determined to escape and return to his kingdom but as he spends more time with the princess in her kingdom he finds the need for escape is slowly going away.

My Thoughts: I had no idea what I was getting into with this book. I have read most of Levenseller’s young adult works and really enjoyed them so I was definitely going to pick up her first adult book. While her YA books could be spicy this took it to a whole other level. She does preface the book with trigger warnings and reasoning behind the writing of this book which I found very insightful. So for this review I also want to let you know that the author’s note is a must read for anyone before starting What Fury Brings.

Now on to the actually review. I did enjoy this and how the world that is built here is something completely different. She turns most fantasy books on their head. This is a female led society and the women have an extra magical strength over men. But they are not the norm in the world they inhabit. It is only the kingdom of Amarra which has these rules. Everywhere else fits into the patriarchal mindset.

Olerra is a strong woman who is trying to do better for her people by winning the throne away from her greedy masochistic cousin. There were times I did not like her but as we learn more about her motives that lessens. The choices she makes are in the hopes of helping her people in the future but to get there she has to fit into some of her societies norms which are rather off putting.

The biggest issue was how quickly the relationship seems to change. I know that several weeks or months have gone by but to the reader it seems like less. When you consider what Olerra has done to Sanos I felt like things came to a conclusion rather fast. But with this being said I felt like the pacing was well done. It did not drag on and the conclusion was swift. This appears to be a standalone but I can see that the author does have a way that they could expand it beyond the first book if she so decides.

I will definitely continue to read Levenseller’s books but now I will be a little more prepared for what she will bring to her adult romantasy in the future.

This was a fascinating exploration of patriarchy through a complete role reversal of power. In the kingdom of Amarra, women hold absolute control, and men's autonomy is stripped away. What struck me most was how the women had adopted the same brutal, dehumanizing behaviors toward men that men historically inflicted upon women. I understand the intent to show the harsh reality of misogyny by flipping it, to make the injustice impossible to ignore. And it was effective in that sense. But I couldn't help feeling sad. I had hoped that, given power, women in this world might build something better, something more just. Instead, it was a reminder that humans are creatures of learned behavior, and without conscious change, cycles of control and cruelty repeat. The romantic chemistry between Olerra and Sanos fell a bit flat for me, but I prefer more of a slow-burn, tension-filled dynamic, and this romance felt quicker and more direct. If you love that, this book is right up your alley. I also have to mention that the audiobook was excellent, with narration that brought the world and its political intrigue to life. The pacing, voices, and tonal shifts elevated the experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan / FEIWEL for the opportunity to review and provide my honest feedback.

What Fury Brings takes a fun, tropey premise and runs with it, a warrior princess in a matriarchal kingdom must kidnap a husband to claim her throne, and she sets her sights on the second-born prince of her greatest enemy. Tricia Levenseller’s adult debut is fast, flirty, and full of banter, with a heroine who is as unapologetic as she is determined.

Olerra and Sanos have sparks from the start, and while the attraction is instant, their push-and-pull dynamic keeps things interesting. I enjoyed the gender role reversal and the way the book leans into the matriarchal setting, even if the politics and worldbuilding take a back seat to the romance. It’s very much a “romance first, fantasy second” story, which worked for me because the chemistry delivers.

If you’re looking for deep lore and complex political intrigue, you might wish there was more, but if you’re here for heat, banter, and a strong female lead, this hits the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Most things about this book made me uncomfortable, but isn't that what makes a book? Something that will stick with you? This book creates so much room for dialogue about patriarchy, oppression, and right wrongs versus getting revenge. Thought provoking and a fast paced story, I am continually impressed by Tricia Levenseller.

Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of its release date 🥰🫶

I’d like to make something very clear first: I read and understood the authors trigger warning list and the authors note at the beginning of the book. I am someone who enjoys dark romance and I do not have triggers. I felt this needed to be said because I saw reviews shaming this book for its dark content in a way that I feel is unfair. If you read the trigger warnings and know it’s not something you can handle then please do not continue. The author did her due diligence in giving the expectations, it’s up to you what you do with it!

With that being said, I really enjoyed this book!! I kinda loved that it’s not a simple “what if women ruled instead of men” kind of book, it was a “what if women ruled instead of men but AS they did.” This was a giant middle finger to the patriarchy and I ate it up!! Don’t misunderstand, this is not an ideal matriarch society with social justice feminism—quite the opposite actually. It was a refreshing take in a way that the “ideal society” that was created is actually quite brutal and evil at its core. I loved how the author tied this together with the title, the reason that this land is ruled how it is is because it truly is “what fury brings,” it’s not about equality or human rights it’s about revenge and damn if that isn’t intriguing!

The characters were very complex - our FMC, Olerra is one of the few in her land that is seeking to reform the brutal practices including the buying/selling of men/boys, the disparity in their rights, etc. I liked this take because it recognizes how problematic this world is and that our FMC is an activist of sorts against it. This gave me someone to root for, a flawed character who is working towards a better life for all. From the beginning she was so open minded and willing to learn from Sanos. She actively heard him when he spoke of his concerns and wanted him to help her enact change. Sanos was a great MMC because he praised her strength and still gave enough fight to challenge her to do better. I look forward to reading more from this world!