Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC!

What an amazing adult debut for this author! I loved this so much and I cannot wait for it to be released to be able to purchase a physical copy for my shelves! I’m sure others will agree upon release that this is a great read!

I have never been more torn over reviewing a book in my life. I love Tricia Levenseller and consider her to be in my top 2 favorite authors. But this book did not feel like her to me. However, I am used to her YA books which are clean.

Let me just say that many would probably call me a prude. I do not enjoy reading explicit scenes so that was a shock for me. While their aren't actually any scenes of full blown intercourse, there are many explicit descriptions of.. I don't know what to call it but foreplay if you will. It is enhanced by the nature of the premise as well. The kingdom we find our main character in has flipped gender roles on its head. The men are oppressed and used and abused as sexual icons which makes sex a common theme throughout the book. I just find this uncomfortable. The premise was also hard for me to read at times because the things women were subjecting men to was just barbaric (though I completely understand that these same things happen/have happened to women in our society which is the point of the book and also barbaric).

The author gives a warning at the beginning of the book about all of this. She states that she does not agree with this type of society either as it's not seeking equality but revenge, and also this is not billed as YA for a reason. She did her due diligence to warn anyone who may have issues with all this.

That being said, while I was uncomfortable with many things, it didn't stop me from staying up very late to finish the book. It held my attention and had me invested like all her books do. I was thinking deeply about not just gender issues but also race as I found some parallels there as well. I honestly think most people will absolutely love this book as it is kind of a secret desire come to life in a safe way, in the form of fiction, that allows those who have been oppressed to almost get that vindication of what would happen if things were reversed.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
2⭐️

A provocative concept that ultimately falters under the weight of its own power dynamics.

What Fury Brings sets out to challenge traditional fantasy tropes with a bold gender-flipped kingdom where women hold power and men are the oppressed. While the concept offers room for sharp moral critique and social commentary, the execution leans heavily into dark romantic tropes and troubling power imbalances that may leave many readers feeling deeply uncomfortable.

The story centers on Olerra, a magically powerful woman who kidnaps Sanos, a man she aims to “tame” into submission, with the goal of making him her husband. What follows is a romance that reads more like Stockholm syndrome than mutual affection. Sanos is physically restrained, humiliated, and emotionally broken down by Olerra, who—despite moments of introspection—largely distances herself from the systemic abuse she perpetuates. The book draws clear parallels to historical injustices women have faced, but in flipping the script, it fails to explore the complexities of creating a more just or equitable future. Instead, it substitutes one form of abuse for another without sufficient critique or reckoning.

The worldbuilding has potential, and Tricia Levenseller’s prose is engaging and easy to read. There are fleeting moments of hope, and some late attempts to suggest a better path forward. However, these gestures feel too little, too late. The thematic message lands muddled—it’s neither a revenge fantasy nor a thoughtful takedown of patriarchal oppression, but rather a dark romance where consent, power, and agency feel murky at best.

Readers hoping for a feminist reimagining or a redemptive arc may find themselves disappointed. This is not an empowering tale—it’s one that provokes discomfort, often without the necessary nuance to support its ambition.

Best suited for readers who enjoy dark romance with extreme power imbalances and are prepared for heavy, morally complex themes. Others may want to approach with caution or skip entirely.

I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. 2.5 stars- rounded up.

Absolutely be mindful of the trigger warnings and the authors note at the beginning. Those will not lead you down the wrong path! Seriously heed the warnings.

There are parts of this book that made me feel wildly uncomfortable to read and I’m not really the type to get uncomfortable even with the triggering stuff. But I can say the patriarchy flipped on its head without being better was a mind boggle.

I really appreciate the highlighting that this type of treatment is unacceptable for both male and females. If we think Stockholm syndrome is something to fantasize about in our normal dark romances why not in gender role reversal. I think everyone’s upset at the concept is due to all the current rhetoric, and the assumption things would not play out like this if it was reversed.

I think maybe this is right book wrong time, more development. The character development was lacking- the instant switch from dislike to love was a little quick for my liking. The ending felt a little rushed, while other parts of the book moved much slower. Pacing was pretty inconsistent. And the twist at the end I saw from a mile away, I don’t enjoy being able to guess what’s going to happen.

I do 100% feel this was marketed incorrectly dark Romantasy would be better- while this has a pretty packaged ending it does have much darker themes.

There was spice but not in the ways I expected, mostly because the power dynamics. This is a huge theme in the book- role reversal.

All in all the concept intrigued me, but I think with more development it could have been better. Not a bad introduction to adult dark Romantasy.

Thank you Macmillan and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review

Tricia Levenseller's "What Fury Brings" throws readers headfirst into a fascinating and cleverly crafted world where the power dynamic between men and women is flipped on its head. In the kingdom of Amarra, a matriarchal society born from rebellion and necessity, women are the warriors, rulers, and, yes, even the kidnappers of husbands. This premise alone is enough to pique interest, but Levenseller elevates it with compelling characters, intricate political maneuvering, and a slow-burn romance that simmers with tension.
Olerra, the ambitious warrior princess, is a force to be reckoned with. She's driven, fiercely loyal, and determined to secure her claim to the throne in a society that demands strength and cunning. Her plan to kidnap the seemingly docile second-born prince of Brutus, a kingdom built on patriarchal values, is a calculated move. However, her perfectly laid plans are immediately thrown into disarray when she unknowingly captures Sanos, the real heir to the Brutian throne.
Sanos, forced into captivity and a role he vehemently despises, initially comes across as arrogant and proud, embodying the rigid masculinity of his culture. His internal struggle to escape and uphold his kingdom's honor is palpable, adding a layer of complexity to his character. As he finds himself drawn to Olerra's strength and the unique culture of Amarra, his preconceived notions begin to crumble, leading to a compelling internal transformation.
The strength of "What Fury Brings" lies in its exploration of cultural clashes and the challenges faced by both Olerra and Sanos as they navigate their conflicting values. Levenseller masterfully explores themes of societal expectations, the burdens of leadership, and the blurred lines between enemies and lovers. The witty banter between Olerra and Sanos is a highlight, filled with subtle jabs, undeniable chemistry, and moments of genuine connection that keep the reader invested in their evolving relationship.
Overall, "What Fury Brings" is a refreshing and entertaining fantasy read. Levenseller delivers a compelling story with well-developed characters, a unique premise, and a satisfying blend of action, intrigue, and romance. It's a book that will leave you pondering the complexities of gender roles and the power of defying expectations, making it a highly recommended choice for fans of fantasy romance with a feminist twist.

this book definitely had an interesting premise that I wasn’t sure about at first: the civilization that the FMC comes from is blessed by the goddess to overpower men, and basically they keep harems of men and punish them but the royals also kidnap men from other places to bring back and break into their husbands? haha just a little intense of a theme honestly. regardless of how crazy it sounds I did still like it. definitely a different fantasy take but I liked the characters together. it was also very 🔥🔥🔥

I’d say 3.5 stars total!

What Fury Brings had a promising premise, but it fell short in execution. It was headed toward a 2-star rating—until the last 10%, which finally delivered some tension, action, and depth that hinted at the book’s potential.

One major issue I struggled with was the Amarra culture. I understand it was intentionally unsettling and part of Olerra’s motivation to bring change, but it was so ick that it made large portions of the story uncomfortable and hard to get through. While the ending helped redeem some of the narrative, the journey there wasn’t as strong or satisfying as I’d hoped.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this gifted ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Tricia Levenseller’s (The Darkness Within Us, The Shadows Between Us) adult debut is bold, powerful, and the ultimate feminine rage book. The women hold all the power here. They have the strength to overpower men, they are the leaders and the warriors. The men are inferior. Throughout our history men have controlled women, and this book flips that entirely and forces us to see control and power through another lens, unlike any I’ve read before. The role reversal may come as a shock actually, and the extremes of it sometimes hard to digest.

The characters and their motivations are deep and well developed. The romance is a slow burn enemies to lovers. The spice is well written and quite seductive.

This author is truly talented at character development, conflict, pacing, evoking emotions, and wrapping up a story in a satisfying ending.

3.5 stars rounded down, light spice. This is unlike any book I've read as the author flips the switch and the women are the dominant sex in the FMC's kingdom, and the men are the ones working in brothels, expected to be obediant to their wives, having to grovel at womens feet. I would not really consider this a dark romantasy, as nothing about the spice is actually 'dark', though there are dark topics addressed in the story. There's really not much fantasy-esque about this book, no dragons or fae, no magic other than the women being stronger than men, and no serious worldbuilding to follow. It's more political than anything -- it made me ponder how gender power imbalances are ingrained in cultures and what we can do to fix that (and I think this is actually exactly what the author wants readers to get out of this book!).

Olerra, our FMC, is a bada$$ general who is powerful, fearless, and assertive, and but also kind and open minded. She knows what she wants and is not afraid to take it/work for it. Sanos comes off a little immature, but I also wonder if that is the authors intent for his character. I did love experiencing Sanos' viewpoints gradually shift and lean into his feelings for Olerra.

I would have liked to know explore what the new kingdom would look like and how Olerra and Sanos would work together. I also think the punishments went a bit far (death for making a woman virgin bleed is a bit extreme). I also would have liked to see Sanos show off his warrior/captain skills more.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fave quotes:
"As if a man should be proud of what his c0ck could do. Losing his spend wasn't difficult. Pleasing a woman in bed was."
"Instead of making your world a better placce, your ancestor flipped it," Sanos said. "Yes, for that is what fury brings."

4.5⭐️ 1.5🌶️

I LOVED this story! I read it in an afternoon, and once I picked it up it was nearly impossible to put down. I can see this book being very popular when it releases!

TROPES
SHE’s morally grey
Society run by women
Touch him and die
Plus size FMC
Slow burn

THE WORLD
The concept of flipping social standards on its head and creating a society where women run the show and a man’s job is to be quiet and look pretty was so great to experience. It puts a lot of things into perspective as we think about our current society and how deep the roots of misogyny truly go. I can feel the rage of the author in the messaging and it really resonates with me a lot.
The magic system was VERY simple to the point where I would barely call it a fantasy. It was really easy to understand and I didn’t have any questions about it, so it was explained in depth enough. I did wonder why there was a shortage of men for a bit when people were still able to birth children of any gender, but that did get covered in the context of the previous few decades.
Details of the world were decent but could have been slightly more descriptive. I would say it was sufficient though!

THE CHARACTERS
I loved Olerra and her lack of a filter! I appreciated morally grey FMC who was willing to kidnap her future husband and “house train him”, while having a soft side and wanting to create a more equitable world for all genders. Her backstory was great, especially as she learned to trust that Sanos would not harm her. I saw a lot of growth in her character as well as she began prioritizing her love over her desire for the throne.
Sanos was a great character, and I liked how this book again reversed the roles of the genders and had him be the naive one who learns information in the new country that changes his perspective on the world. Usually in this genre, this happens to a female-identifying character, so seeing this happen through Sanos was a really refreshing change. His growth was great as his beliefs changed and he worked to make the world a better place.
I wanted a little bit more from the side characters - we had a few side characters with some personalities and involvement in the plot, but not a lot of backstory on them.

THE ROMANCE
I LOVE A SLOW BURN!! Despite the sensual banter, this was definitely a slow burn and when they finally got together it was so satisfying. I loved that the banter was mostly from Olerra and that it would make Sanos blush - the banter was so saucy and fun!
I wanted a little bit more of the scenes where they talked about their lives and their futures (and also a little bit more in the epilogue) so it felt like their love story was a little deeper though. Overall, I was happy with the romance though and found this book impossible to put down!!

QUOTES:
*Note that quotes are from an Advanced Readers Copy. Please refer to the final publication for the finalized quotes*


“It was hard for Olerra not to laugh at the thought of a king on the throne. Men were unfit to rule. They were easy to provoke, and they always thought with their cocks instead of their heads, which was why they were better suited to the bedroom.”

“Now, stand up straight. Flex whenever you notice a woman looking at you. Always smile."
"Flex and smile," he deadpanned.
"That's right."

“Men had to be controlled or else they would seek to control women. Little girls were told horror stories of the way their ancestors had lived under the rule of men.
But there had to be a better way. One she could explore once she was finally queen.”

"The difference, Prince, is that the women of Amarra became this way to counter the way men were treating them. Your sex started this. The current point, however, is that it's ridiculous for you to be offended by the way you're being treated when your own people practice it.
It's just always been in your favor until now."
Her words struck him deeper than he liked.”

"Instead of making the world a better place, your ancestor flipped it," Sanos said
"Yes, for that is what fury brings."

“‘What reason is there for the way the men of your country treat women?’
Because they could.
Because no one had the power to stop them.
So how could he blame the Amarrans for what they'd done to protect themselves? What he'd seen today was no worse than what he'd witnessed in his own country.
The only difference was that the victims were men. It hit harder because it was his own sex being hurt.”

QUOTES: THE BANTER

"Let's get something clear, Prince. I have claimed you.
That means you belong to me now. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. But make no mistake, our fates are bound together from now on. You can fight all you like, but you're not going home. And by the time I'm done with you?"
She crouched next to him, gave him a heated perusal.
"You won't want to."

“The princess leaned down to be at his eye level. She pressed her lips to his ear. "Are we making promises to each other? Unlike yours, I will actually keep mine. Soon, I will have you begging to be inside me. You will worship my curves, and you will love me."

Ok man it’s hard for me to know where to begin with this review. I think this is a book that is going to get people thinking. I also think there is going to be a lot of division between either loving or hating it. Personally I’m kind of in the middle. I can see where the premise of this book, giving a big F you to the patriarchy and letting the rage of that show through could have been cathartic and inspiring. Unfortunately it just missed the mark for me. It was not BAD there was a lot to love about the plot and the characters, and really flipping traditional societal standards on their head and what that could look like. The problem was there was just SO MUCH contradiction. The romance was a little hard to believe and even if you did believe it like ok am I now supporting Stockholm syndrome because well women have the right to fight back after lifetimes upon lifetimes of being mistreated? Am I ok with that? I don’t know some of it just felt a little icky. I did love that we had a curvy fierce headstrong FMC that was able to be lethal and also soft and caring. The MMC Sanos is not going on the top of any book boyfriend list I’m afraid. I didn’t believe he hated Olerra for one second which made the enemies to lovers trope really not hit hard. Did some of the scenes in this book make me think and contemplate societal standards and how far we are behind where we should be? Yes? Did I already know that? Also yes. I think the concept of this book is unique and bold and I thank the author and Macmillan publishing for the ARC copy.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved how the storyline flipped the script a bit with the strong female characters as opposed to solely the men being the strong ones. I thought there were some great themes throughout the book about real strength, dedication and love. Olerra was such a well developed character and I loved her personality and bluntness. I can't say all of the spicy scenes were my particular taste, but I did think they were well written. Would recommend for readers who want a shift from the typical of the genre.

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an early copy of What Fury Brings for review! I am a long time fan of Tricia Levenseller's writing, and was so excited to read her debut adult novel.

What Fury Brings is the idea of what a society might look like if women were in charge. Imagine every atrocity committed against women, had actually happened to men. Women have the ability to overpower men. Women own the property, and rule their kingdom. Men are expected to be obedient. From the very first chapter I had to laugh from sheer surprise because you immediately see the difference in attitude towards men, it was kind of weird to wrap my head around at first.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it in two days because I wanted to know how it would end! We learn a lot about this society, mostly from the nobles perspective. I do wish I could have seen a bit more from the common families, because they seemed more "normal" where the noble families are quite dramatic and flamboyant with their partners, but the story centers around royalty so I understand why we didn't.

One of my favorite things within this kingdom was their form of justice system. They believe the punishment fits the crime in equal measure. (Please be sure to read the trigger warnings, as there are violent and graphic scenes depicted here.) Our FMC does her best to show the MC both the good and ugly sides of her home, which in turn makes him reevaluate some of his own choices in life. Together they share hope for a more equal and SAFE future for all genders.

I rated this book a 4.5/5 stars!
If you're looking for a story where women get to kick butt, this is for you. if you want an enemies to lovers, arranged marriage kind of romance, this is also for you! if you're looking for spice, here it is! 😉

I just want to leave one last reminder to please read the trigger warnings. This wasn't a soft book. it is violent, and brutal. It encapsulates the fury of so many women, and shares that feeling within its pages.

What Fury Brings by Tricia
There are some books that grip you with their world building, some with their characters, and others with the raw emotional pull between two people who shouldn’t work, but somehow do. What Fury Brings gave me all three.

From the moment I was introduced to Olerra, I was hooked. She’s not your typical heroine, she’s powerful in a way that’s both brutal and beautiful. She doesn’t ask for permission. She doesn’t apologize. She leads, she commands, and she thrives in a world that doesn’t soften itself for anyone. It reminded me of ancient Amazonian legends brought to life with a fresh, modern edge.

And then there’s Sanos. He’s not weak by any means, but he’s different. His strength isn’t in dominance, it’s in his ability to bend without breaking. He challenges Olerra, not by overpowering her, but by standing in his truth, by holding his own ground with quiet resilience. Watching the two of them clash fiercely, emotionally, and sometimes destructively, was like watching a wildfire trying to outrun a storm.

Their relationship isn’t an easy one. It’s a slow burning, agonizing mix of tension, mistrust, unspoken understanding, and eventually, a connection that’s impossible to deny. The love and hate dynamic between them was one of the strongest parts of this story. There’s a scene—I won’t spoil it—where they finally let their guard down, and it’s one of the most intimate, raw moments I’ve read in a long time. It’s not just about lust or passion (though there's plenty of that, too). It’s about loyalty, respect, and surrendering to a bond bigger than pride.

Tricia’s world building deserves praise too. The culture, the hierarchies, the sense of place, it all feels so real. There’s something both ancient and futuristic about it. The matriarchal structure was refreshing, and it forced me to reflect on the norms we’re used to in other fantasies or even in real life.

There were moments where I wanted to slow down and understand the broader world, but the story kept pushing forward with emotion and conflict instead.

Still, I walked away from this book feeling deeply satisfied, and even a little bruised in the best way. What Fury Brings isn’t just a story... it’s a battle cry, a love letter to strength in all its forms, and a reminder that sometimes the fiercest love is the one that survives the fire.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Especially if you’re looking for characters who will shake you, challenge you, and stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

This book was a 4 stars the characters were so good I had a blast reading this book I would recommend it to anyone to read it the plot twist was fantastic loved it didn’t see it coming at all

I love dark romance. I love feminine rage. Give me a bodice ripper here and there!

But this was not for me.

I've enjoyed many of Tricia Levenseller's books, and I went in full-aware that her adult debut was going to be different and dark (sign me up!). But something about this book made me feel gross and uncomfortable. I did NOT like the main character, and honestly just felt sorry for Sanos. Their "romance" was not great, the plot was not great. I was all for a "flipped patriarchy" book, but I don't think it was executed well. I have a feeling this book may be a struggle for a lot of readers.

My only highlight is I did appreciate the diverse sexuality spectrum in the worldbuilding.

I guess I'd rather just have my feminine rage, anti-patriarchy books sapphic??

I absolutely loved this book! devoured it rather quickly. Once I started reading, I just couldn't put it down! I was immediately intrigued by a world that completely flips the patriarchy. The matriarchal society was very interesting. Olerra is such a strong character, I thoroughly enjoyed her journey. Plus I adore a good enemies to lovers story and this one did not disappoint. If you like dark fantasy books with great plot and spice then you'll love this book. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Publishing for allowing me to read this book ahead of release in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have never read anything like this. It took the patriarchal narrative and flipped it upside down in a fantasy world. This was brutal and deliciously sexy. An easy 5 star read. For this being the author’s first adult novel, she knocked it out of the park!

First thoughts: Wow. Enchanting, enticing, exquisite…I was completely invested. This was definitely more of a dark romantasy than I had expected, but I LOVED IT.

The politics, the enemies to lovers, the spice, the social conversations. It was all so incredibly thought out and well done. I am in awe at Tricia Levenseller’s ability to weave such a cool story in a unique and authentic way.

Olerra lives in a country where women have the goddess given power to overpower any male. It’s a matriarch society, where the men only exist really to “flex and look pretty”. The women are the rulers of society.

As a warrior princess in competition with her conniving cousin, Olerra decides to make a big statement to sway the noble favor. She believes that in order to win the crown, she must kidnap and train a husband. She chooses to steal a prince from a neighboring country that she has been having border attacks against for a while.

Originally, she had planned to steal the prince who was second in line to the throne; grand enough to make a statement but not too important to cause a full scale war.

Sanos, the heir to the throne, accidentally takes his brother’s place during a drunken night out, and Olerra was unaware. She kidnaps the heir to the throne by accident!

This story follows Olerra and Sanos, who both grow so much throughout the book. Olerra is intelligent and kind, incredibly strong and patient, always giving to others and protecting those she cares about (even at the expense of herself). She grows to love her biggest insecurity, which is a trope I loveeeee. Sanos is a brute who was more passive to the abuse of women around him than he had originally thought, and he learns a lot about himself and what he wants throughout his time with Olerra.

At first, this book was intense to get into, but as you accept and dive into the world building, it pays off so well. I was captivated. It was so refreshing to see a badass, strong and smart FMC right from the start, with a bit of a himbo MMC. Yes, he was strong and skilled which made a good match for Olerra, but he wasn’t on her level of skill.

**I find it important to note what Tricia Levenseller says about how this isn’t about “doing the right thing”, but rather, showing a world where women act the way men do. This book is NOT a feminist work. It’s rage.

A quote from the book:

Sanos, the MMC: “The women of Amarra had made themselves cruel and heartless to retaliate against the abuses of men. Sounded like an excuse to be cruel and heartless. To justify doing bad things.”

Olerra, the FMC: “What reason is there for the way the men of your country treat women?”

*mic drop*

But seriously, this was a work of art. I will be thinking about this book for a while, and cannot wait to own a physical copy when it releases!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read in exchange for an honest review!

What Fury Brings by Tricia Levenseller is a spicy romantasy that is so bingeable. I was intrigued by the premise of this story, it’s an interesting twist on society and it did not disappoint.

Olerra, the FMC, is a warrior princess from the kingdom of Amarra where women rule while men are subservient. Few men are left in Amarra so in order for her to become the front runner for the throne, she must kidnap a husband from a neighboring kingdom which has a very different society from that of Amarra.

Olerra and her kidnapped husband-to-be have chemistry and I enjoyed following their tension filled relationship progression. I also loved that Olerra was such a strong character and leader!

This book is a dark adult romantasy and includes elements of mistaken identity, political intrigue, and an enemies-to-lovers romance with palpable chemistry between the two main characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillian, and FEIWEL for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I was immediately hooked in by the premise of it. I love role reversals and feminist work so I immediately knew I had to read this. I loved the FMC! She is so strong and badass. Characters definitely read as immature. I struggled with the world building and overall just feeling connected to the story. I still would recommend it as it’s a good read and everyone will interpret it in their own ways!