NetGalley Review: A Fate Forged in Fire by Hazel McBride
Hey all, Sam here.
Okay, I was doing good for about a week there with getting regular reviews up (especially since I have so many waiting for me to type up the review post), but then I ended up taking a break to recover from all the traveling I did for my vacation. I’m going to try and get another few reviews up this week, so we’ll see if I can keep up with this lofty yet achievable goal.
I actually wanted to have today’s post up last week, because I wanted it up more than a couple days before release day, but that didn’t happen. Anyway, today’s review comes out in just a couple more days, on May 27 (for the US), so you won’t have to wait long to get your own copy—mine was pre-ordered months ago.
All right, let’s dive on into the review already.
My Thoughts
To become the first queen in centuries, a powerfully blessed blacksmith must use her wits and fire magic to overthrow the corrupt powers ruling her kingdom—while also fighting her growing desire for one of her dragon-riding adversaries—in the first book of a sizzling Celtic-inspired fantasy romance duology.
Once a territory built on matriarchal rule and values, Tìr Teine has since grown frail from a long line of fruitless kings. The most recent of which have ruled under the influence of the True Religion, an oppressive group who have steadily poisoned the region with their anti-magic teachings.
Born to rule and blessed by fire, Aemyra has begrudgingly lived in hiding rather than risk her life in court, waiting in anticipation for the current king’s death so she can bond to his dragon, claim her throne, and protect her people. But when the king dies and Aemyra is ready to take what is rightfully hers, her ambitious plan is foiled and she is thrust into a game of vicious politics and plots.
Her biggest adversary is Prince Fiorean, a dragon-rider and one of the most powerful fire wielders in the territory. Cold, arrogant, and blindly supportive of his corrupt family, he is everything Aemyra despises. But as chaos engulfs the court, they find themselves reluctantly entwined, forced to forge an uneasy alliance—one that quickly ignites into something more dangerous than either of them expected.
Behind enemy lines and slowly falling for her so-called adversary, Aemyra uncovers just how far the rot of corruption has spread, and what she may have to sacrifice to claim her throne.
Rating: 4.5 stars
The number of books I’ve read this year that have had many moments that mirror real world events or feelings has been numerous, and yet they are more palatable in fiction. This is because in fiction we know that the protagonists, the “heroes”, the “good guys”, are going to find a way to fix things (or begin to fix things) and save the world.
What did we have in this book? Well corruption, religious conversion (which also deteriorates the magic because this is a fantasy realm), a weakening of women’s rights. Oh, and a good chunk of the magic/lore/naming of this world is based on or inspired by Irish and Scottish culture and language.
Honestly, I was swept away into this story pretty quickly, and had to make myself slow down just a smidge so I could savor it a little longer. But I admit that it was nice for me to have a book that I didn’t really want to put down (thanks work for making it to where I had no choice and had to put the book down–yes, that’s sarcasm, because I didn’t want to stop reading).
Were some of the reveals predictable? Kind of, but I always find that to be the case because I have been a fantasy reader for around 30 years now, which means I’ve seen a lot of these tropes and ideas play out in various combinations.
I loved Aemyra and her family, and Prince Fiorean was certainly interesting. For a little while he had me semi-fooled as I hoped for a better way forward with their forced alliance. The push-pull of the enemies-to-allies-to-?? relationship, as well as all the historical and magical revelations kept me fascinated and flying through the pages.
Also, I’m a sucker for court politics and political intrigue type stories, especially when balanced with a world filled with magic and magical creatures, and intriguing interpersonal relationships.
I’m definitely looking forward to the sequel, and I can’t wait to have the finished copy of this one on my shelves.
Well, that’s all from me for today. Thank you so much for stopping by, and I’ll be back soon with more geeky content.
