What do you think?
Rate this book
Fates Defiant
The only way out is death.
In the Arena, appearances are everything, and Cyrus has mastered the art. Trained since his youth to annihilate opponents for the entertainment of the masses, he’s become known as a legend who cannot be beaten—but when the dust settles, he’s no less a prisoner than the criminals he faces, and his usefulness to his masters only lasts as long as the money keeps coming in.
Bastian Lytos has no interest in fame or fortune. Sentenced to the Arena after disobeying orders on the field of battle, he’s determined only to defy his masters for as long as possible before his inevitable demise. When fate throws him into the path of the Arena champion, he’s shocked to find that even the most elite fighters are just as trapped as he is.
A new alliance forms when the two combatants unexpectedly come face to face, but in order to survive long enough to see freedom, they’ll have to fight.
For honor. For glory. To the death.
In the Arena, appearances are everything, and Cyrus has mastered the art. Trained since his youth to annihilate opponents for the entertainment of the masses, he’s become known as a legend who cannot be beaten—but when the dust settles, he’s no less a prisoner than the criminals he faces, and his usefulness to his masters only lasts as long as the money keeps coming in.
Bastian Lytos has no interest in fame or fortune. Sentenced to the Arena after disobeying orders on the field of battle, he’s determined only to defy his masters for as long as possible before his inevitable demise. When fate throws him into the path of the Arena champion, he’s shocked to find that even the most elite fighters are just as trapped as he is.
A new alliance forms when the two combatants unexpectedly come face to face, but in order to survive long enough to see freedom, they’ll have to fight.
For honor. For glory. To the death.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2025
4 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Banschbach
15 books124 followersC.M. Banschbach is a native Texan and would make an excellent Hobbit if she weren’t so tall. She’s a pizza addict, a multi-faceted fangirl, and a firm believer in being authentic—even if it means acting like a dork sometimes! When not writing fantasy stories packed full of adventure and snark, she works as a pediatric physical therapist where she happily embraces the fact that she never actually has to grow up.
She also writesYA/MG fantasy-adventure as Claire M. Banschbach.
She also writesYA/MG fantasy-adventure as Claire M. Banschbach.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Read
September 10, 2025I suppose it's time.
I wrote this book—well, half of it. I'm the one behind the Golden Sun, the Arena champion who's too reckless for anyone's good. The other author is much cooler than me. (She'll do her best to deflect this, but it's true.) This book was a labor of love, many sleepless nights, and sarcasm... and I love it as much now as I did two years ago when it first appeared in my head.
But that's not entirely why you're here. You'd like to know what /I/ think of this book. Well, they say write the book you want to read, because you'll read it many times over...and I have. I cry each time.
Fates Defiant is a story with a lot of blood spilled and a lot of broken things redeemed. It's a story for those yearning to be seen as they are—not as who they believe themselves to be. It's a story for those broken by circumstances, and those who cling to hope in the darkness. It's for the disillusioned, the tired, the lonely, the ones with monsters still to fight. At its core, this is a story of two heroes who defy the odds, rely on each other, and emerge triumphant from a place hell-bent on consuming them both. It's yours now, and I pass it on with this assurance. No matter how dark things are, Someone sees.
Now come along. Put on your helmet—it's not going to trap you—and take my hand. It's time to defy the odds.
I wrote this book—well, half of it. I'm the one behind the Golden Sun, the Arena champion who's too reckless for anyone's good. The other author is much cooler than me. (She'll do her best to deflect this, but it's true.) This book was a labor of love, many sleepless nights, and sarcasm... and I love it as much now as I did two years ago when it first appeared in my head.
But that's not entirely why you're here. You'd like to know what /I/ think of this book. Well, they say write the book you want to read, because you'll read it many times over...and I have. I cry each time.
Fates Defiant is a story with a lot of blood spilled and a lot of broken things redeemed. It's a story for those yearning to be seen as they are—not as who they believe themselves to be. It's a story for those broken by circumstances, and those who cling to hope in the darkness. It's for the disillusioned, the tired, the lonely, the ones with monsters still to fight. At its core, this is a story of two heroes who defy the odds, rely on each other, and emerge triumphant from a place hell-bent on consuming them both. It's yours now, and I pass it on with this assurance. No matter how dark things are, Someone sees.
Now come along. Put on your helmet—it's not going to trap you—and take my hand. It's time to defy the odds.
December 30, 2025
All right well, after a mad dash 3.5 hour read of an ebook, with only short breaks to run around the house to work off readerish excited energy… wow. Wow.
I was speechless for a bit so I had to go wash some dishes and collect my thoughts.
Frankly I’ve been wanting to read this book for three months now. Shipping issues via Amazon had led to me purchasing it as an ebook (first ebook I actually paid money for). Especially once I heard it dealt with trafficking and sex abuse not from a female prospective… but male. Which is a desperately smothered voice when it comes to sex abuse portrayal both in fiction and real life and one that I have a heart for. It’s hard to know what authors to trust when it comes to such topics, but having read Brigitte Cromey’s The Shattered Ones earlier that year, I trusted her enough— paired with a glowing review from a friend— to believe that the topic would be well handled.
I was not disappointed.
I was truly scared for these characters. Not just them, but the families around them. Especially Lyra, so scared something was gonna happen to her. But I adored them all and they had very distinct voices in my head and I enjoyed every second of this whirlwind story. The injuries and deaths had such punch as you rarely find in fiction and I was squeaking much and breathing less.
Plot and pacing were on par. There was never a second of boredom or wasted scenes. At times I felt sick for them and considered putting the book down for the sake of avoiding triggers but no, it was all wonderfully handled and there was healing in the end. I do kind of want another book to see more of such healing, because seeing the aftermath of such things is uncommon, but since the plot itself did not require it, I can forgive it not being present.
(Also I love Bastian and Cyrus and the bro dynamics. I want “wisp” to be Bas’s recurring nickname for Cyrus)
Definitely a book I wish to have in print. And a lovely debut for Borderlands Publishing!
Content Warnings: Portrayals of after trauma of sexual abuse. Strong insinuations of sex trafficking. Several uses of b*****d. Two uses of d—-. Mildly graphic injuries and deaths.
I was speechless for a bit so I had to go wash some dishes and collect my thoughts.
Frankly I’ve been wanting to read this book for three months now. Shipping issues via Amazon had led to me purchasing it as an ebook (first ebook I actually paid money for). Especially once I heard it dealt with trafficking and sex abuse not from a female prospective… but male. Which is a desperately smothered voice when it comes to sex abuse portrayal both in fiction and real life and one that I have a heart for. It’s hard to know what authors to trust when it comes to such topics, but having read Brigitte Cromey’s The Shattered Ones earlier that year, I trusted her enough— paired with a glowing review from a friend— to believe that the topic would be well handled.
I was not disappointed.
I was truly scared for these characters. Not just them, but the families around them. Especially Lyra, so scared something was gonna happen to her. But I adored them all and they had very distinct voices in my head and I enjoyed every second of this whirlwind story. The injuries and deaths had such punch as you rarely find in fiction and I was squeaking much and breathing less.
Plot and pacing were on par. There was never a second of boredom or wasted scenes. At times I felt sick for them and considered putting the book down for the sake of avoiding triggers but no, it was all wonderfully handled and there was healing in the end. I do kind of want another book to see more of such healing, because seeing the aftermath of such things is uncommon, but since the plot itself did not require it, I can forgive it not being present.
(Also I love Bastian and Cyrus and the bro dynamics. I want “wisp” to be Bas’s recurring nickname for Cyrus)
Definitely a book I wish to have in print. And a lovely debut for Borderlands Publishing!
Content Warnings: Portrayals of after trauma of sexual abuse. Strong insinuations of sex trafficking. Several uses of b*****d. Two uses of d—-. Mildly graphic injuries and deaths.
September 11, 2025
Review will come once I can see the gosh darn keyboard through my tears. Phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal.
To be honest, I’ve been trying to write a review for the past few days but words seem to be eluding me. Not because I have nothing to say, but because I have too much.
This is a book of courage, of hope, of facing the darkness and firmly declaring ‘not today’ even when it feels like darkness has already taken the day as its own.
It’s a book I want to hug close to my heart while simultaneously shouting READ THIS to anyone who will listen.
Yes there’s gladiatorial combat and brotherhood and monsters of men and beast alike. But it’s also so, so much more than that.
I sincerely hope you give this book a read. I think you’ll find something you’ve been looking for.
To be honest, I’ve been trying to write a review for the past few days but words seem to be eluding me. Not because I have nothing to say, but because I have too much.
This is a book of courage, of hope, of facing the darkness and firmly declaring ‘not today’ even when it feels like darkness has already taken the day as its own.
It’s a book I want to hug close to my heart while simultaneously shouting READ THIS to anyone who will listen.
Yes there’s gladiatorial combat and brotherhood and monsters of men and beast alike. But it’s also so, so much more than that.
I sincerely hope you give this book a read. I think you’ll find something you’ve been looking for.
October 26, 2025
This one’s got it all 😍
Ancient Rome was a deep love of mine in my younger days, and boy did this deliver all the right vibes and nostalgia for that! The cowriting was seamless and unnoticeable—the authors’ styles blend so well!
But I hardly even know how to express the way this book made me feel! It’s deep. It’s so, so good, and so real, and painful, and heart-breaking and heart-healing, all at once. There’s tender moments, and deep hurt, and soft snark, and I love it all. And snaking through it all, the truth that Someone always sees, even in our darkest hidden moments. The gospel parallels in this are so subtle, but so powerful 😭
The found family in this is just next level! I love both these men so much, and especially the people that make them feel safe and happy, even if only for an instant.
The fights were both heart stopping and heart pounding. I might have developed a heart condition from this…
There are a few people I’d like to end unpleasantly. Some of them may or may not have gotten their dues 😈
There might be enough hugs in this book. Maybe not though… 😉 Never hurts to have another one for these poor boys.
And Atticus. Atticus is the BEST. That is all.
Ancient Rome was a deep love of mine in my younger days, and boy did this deliver all the right vibes and nostalgia for that! The cowriting was seamless and unnoticeable—the authors’ styles blend so well!
But I hardly even know how to express the way this book made me feel! It’s deep. It’s so, so good, and so real, and painful, and heart-breaking and heart-healing, all at once. There’s tender moments, and deep hurt, and soft snark, and I love it all. And snaking through it all, the truth that Someone always sees, even in our darkest hidden moments. The gospel parallels in this are so subtle, but so powerful 😭
The found family in this is just next level! I love both these men so much, and especially the people that make them feel safe and happy, even if only for an instant.
The fights were both heart stopping and heart pounding. I might have developed a heart condition from this…
There are a few people I’d like to end unpleasantly. Some of them may or may not have gotten their dues 😈
There might be enough hugs in this book. Maybe not though… 😉 Never hurts to have another one for these poor boys.
And Atticus. Atticus is the BEST. That is all.
September 11, 2025
I loved this book. It was the kind of book that I read much faster than anticipated, and bookmarked a lot too. Comparing this story to Gladiator isn't wrong, but it's much more than that. The story of brotherhood, while not my normal wheelhouse, really was amazing. There was a touch of romance, and there were also some deep themes that I kept thinking about even after I finished reading this book. That was my favorite part. (And Atticus.)
July 31, 2025
Oh my... How can I summarize my love for this story in a simple review? It was... perfect, honestly. Every element came together in just the right way to deliver heart-stopping action and tension while still achieving heartwarming moments in between the tragedy. Light shining through the broken cracks, as it were.
Something that amazes me about Claire's and Brigitte's writing is their ability to tell a gut wrenching story--I mean, one that really makes my heart ACHE--and yet heals me at the same time. Deeply human. Deeply tragic. And yet, doggedly hopeful. For isn't hope a thing with teeth and claws, fighting its way out of the darkness despite every odd against it?
Cyrus and Bastian's stories drew me in from the start, but once they met and started their forbidden and ill-fated alliance, I was well and truly hooked. Their dynamic is everything I love to see in brotherhood stories, and the layers of mentorship, with Atticus looking out for them both, and Bastian serving as an older brother to Cyrus, made it even more impactful.
Side note, I would die for Atticus. I love him to pieces. He's my literary dad now.
The plot itself is so full of agonizing twists and turns!! And at the climax, my heart was pounding! The stakes were high, the odds impossible, and yet -- well, you'll have to read the book.
As for content, the violence and gore is pretty minimal considering the context. Nothing felt gruesome or unnecessarily graphic, but every battle made me feel right in the middle of the action! As a writer, I know how much skill it takes to pull off a fight that's both exciting and easy to follow, so props again to Claire and Brigitte! The romance is a subplot and very, very sweet. I loved the addition of a married couple romance, because I just can't get enough of those.
One thing that I had slight qualms about was the pantheon in the fantasy Rome-equivalent world. The characters all come to trust the First God, whose attributes undeniably align with the true God of the Bible, but no references to Him are capitalized and He's considered part of a pantheon, not the only god. This being said, it perfectly fits the world and story, since it's a match for ancient Rome, and the faith elements were authentic and powerful.
All this to say, READ THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY. I accidentally broke my July Book Buying Ban because I had to pre-order this as soon as it was available, and YOU SHOULD TOO!!!
This review is entirely my own opinion, shared willingly and eagerly as a recipient of an ARC gifted to me by the authors.
Something that amazes me about Claire's and Brigitte's writing is their ability to tell a gut wrenching story--I mean, one that really makes my heart ACHE--and yet heals me at the same time. Deeply human. Deeply tragic. And yet, doggedly hopeful. For isn't hope a thing with teeth and claws, fighting its way out of the darkness despite every odd against it?
Cyrus and Bastian's stories drew me in from the start, but once they met and started their forbidden and ill-fated alliance, I was well and truly hooked. Their dynamic is everything I love to see in brotherhood stories, and the layers of mentorship, with Atticus looking out for them both, and Bastian serving as an older brother to Cyrus, made it even more impactful.
Side note, I would die for Atticus. I love him to pieces. He's my literary dad now.
The plot itself is so full of agonizing twists and turns!! And at the climax, my heart was pounding! The stakes were high, the odds impossible, and yet -- well, you'll have to read the book.
As for content, the violence and gore is pretty minimal considering the context. Nothing felt gruesome or unnecessarily graphic, but every battle made me feel right in the middle of the action! As a writer, I know how much skill it takes to pull off a fight that's both exciting and easy to follow, so props again to Claire and Brigitte! The romance is a subplot and very, very sweet. I loved the addition of a married couple romance, because I just can't get enough of those.
One thing that I had slight qualms about was the pantheon in the fantasy Rome-equivalent world. The characters all come to trust the First God, whose attributes undeniably align with the true God of the Bible, but no references to Him are capitalized and He's considered part of a pantheon, not the only god. This being said, it perfectly fits the world and story, since it's a match for ancient Rome, and the faith elements were authentic and powerful.
All this to say, READ THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY. I accidentally broke my July Book Buying Ban because I had to pre-order this as soon as it was available, and YOU SHOULD TOO!!!
This review is entirely my own opinion, shared willingly and eagerly as a recipient of an ARC gifted to me by the authors.
September 8, 2025
Knew this was a 5 star read when I hit the introductory page… also because of the authors who penned it.
It’s 1:30am and I just finished sobbing, in case you were wondering how this book is going to leave you.
I can’t review this book yet, I find thatthe best books need days and weeks of reflections afterwards, make you think about life, yourself in a whole new way…
This book has left me in that space, a little more vulnerable and a little more aware of my own brokenness but gosh, it also puts a strong wind under wings so that you don’t feel like you’re free falling anymore.
If you’re broken, even in ways you don’t realize yet, I recommend this book.
If you’re whole, but know someone who’s gone through hell, I recommend this book.
If you’re just want to read a really good, emotionally charged, pretty freakin cool, intense book about dudes???
I highly recommend this book!
Also, if you’re looking for a book with every single type of relationship, not ones that are perfect; they’re marred and tentative just like the characters themselves, but they’re perfect in their imperfections… then I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.
Oh! PLUS. I loved every single character, and every single character felt like they were there for a reason, every single one HAD character… even the “villains” man, they were terrible but like… they were SO good at being terrible..!
Octavian? Sign me up… do I hate him? YUS. Was he fantastic at his job… which just so happened to be torturing my boys??? Also YES 😅 but GOSH DARN IT HE WAS FANTASTIC AT IT!! (Kudos to the authors for this alone, because having impactful side characters doesn’t always show, but these ones did!)
I’ll have more words when I have time to reflect on it more, probably after a reread to really soak it all in.
Thank you, Brigitte, for being brave, and penning this.
And Claire, for joining her.
(I’ll have posts on instagram at some point because I’ll have to absolutely RANT about these two characters 😭)
I’m going to bed now, and remind myself I’m an adult that has work in the morning… but first I’ll curl up in my bed and sob again.
It’s 1:30am and I just finished sobbing, in case you were wondering how this book is going to leave you.
I can’t review this book yet, I find thatthe best books need days and weeks of reflections afterwards, make you think about life, yourself in a whole new way…
This book has left me in that space, a little more vulnerable and a little more aware of my own brokenness but gosh, it also puts a strong wind under wings so that you don’t feel like you’re free falling anymore.
If you’re broken, even in ways you don’t realize yet, I recommend this book.
If you’re whole, but know someone who’s gone through hell, I recommend this book.
If you’re just want to read a really good, emotionally charged, pretty freakin cool, intense book about dudes???
I highly recommend this book!
Also, if you’re looking for a book with every single type of relationship, not ones that are perfect; they’re marred and tentative just like the characters themselves, but they’re perfect in their imperfections… then I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.
Oh! PLUS. I loved every single character, and every single character felt like they were there for a reason, every single one HAD character… even the “villains” man, they were terrible but like… they were SO good at being terrible..!
Octavian? Sign me up… do I hate him? YUS. Was he fantastic at his job… which just so happened to be torturing my boys??? Also YES 😅 but GOSH DARN IT HE WAS FANTASTIC AT IT!! (Kudos to the authors for this alone, because having impactful side characters doesn’t always show, but these ones did!)
I’ll have more words when I have time to reflect on it more, probably after a reread to really soak it all in.
Thank you, Brigitte, for being brave, and penning this.
And Claire, for joining her.
(I’ll have posts on instagram at some point because I’ll have to absolutely RANT about these two characters 😭)
I’m going to bed now, and remind myself I’m an adult that has work in the morning… but first I’ll curl up in my bed and sob again.
September 10, 2025
“For hope, then.”
What. A. Wild. And. Crazy. Ride.
Fates Defiant is like The Hunger Games trilogy and Gladiator, boasting rivals to unexpected wingmen, noble and protective men, impossible odds in brutal circumstances, and shreds of hope gleaming like the sun and moon. (And a healthy dose of snark sneaks into the bargain, too. Because of course.)
I love how you can pick out each author’s voice in the chapters and POVs. Their styles blend seamlessly yet remain distinct at the same time. Their partnership truly shines in this book, and it’s wonderful.
The worldbuilding blends facets of the Roman Empire with the mythical ingredients of gryphons, Arena monsters, and characters’ initial perceptions of the gods. (Speaking of the Arena, the crowd in the stands also makes for a fascinating part of the characters and setting.) When details are given, you know they’re given purposefully, and every motif, piece of symbolism, and spark of foreshadowing is brilliant.
The pacing is insane, too. The try-fail cycles, the grim march toward the inveitable climax, and the unwavering undercurrent of tension dragged me back to the pages after every time I had to (very reluctantly) set the book down. Throughout the climax, my heartbeat slammed my ribcage as I curled up on my couch, reading as fast as I possibly could.
It’s been a while since I’ve felt such sharp, fierce anger over the things these characters suffer. The villains are…fiends. To say the least. So very depraved. Plenty of times I caught myself thinking, “They can’t possibly get worse, can they?” Oh, yes. Things could get much worse.
That opposition, though, (cough, like from a certain trainer) only serves to heighten the stakes and illuminate the light. Bastian, Cyrus, and their allies blaze in the shadows of their decorated prison, good and evil clashing as they battle the darkness of the Arena.
Bastian is a good man, and he helps Cyrus become a good man as well.
There are also hugs. I am here for the hugs.
And Atticus is a legend.
This is a story of honor, fidelity, leadership, resilience, trust, steadfastness, and defiance when it’s right. It’s a story about how to hold on to personhood, nobility, and ethics in a bitter and threatening world. How to construct a true worldview when everything you think you know is thrown into darkness and disorientation. How to stubbornly rise, keep living, and keep fighting in the face of soul weariness. How to spot the theological underpinnings written into reality and love the providence that redeems darkness and horror.
It’s a heavy story a lot of the time. But that heaviness doesn’t in the least snuff out the healing and hope to be found, the stubbornness and courage to be grasped because of the God who sees us.
For a tale of questioning, fighting, and overcoming, look no further than Fates Defiant. It’s a story to make one brave.
To echo the authors in their note at the beginning of the book, I’ll give a heads-up for some brutal violence, very occasional “mild” language, and mostly offscreen yet gut-twisting prostitution. Though the characters’ circumstances are weighty and brutal, these heavy subjects are admirably handled with care and without gratuitousness.
☀️ Thank you so much to the authors and publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed here are completely my own. 🌙
September 1, 2025
Honestly, I have a really hard time rating this book in particular. It feels like it’s outside of a rating system to me. Like it’s important and needs to be read without limitation to a certain number of stars.
This is my kind of book: heroic men put in a corner and forced to rise above the darkness of their circumstances with grit and steal. The two reminded me much of Hector and Achilles at first: one down to earth and bound by duty, the other a golden-haired sun god bent on glory. There’s much more to them as you go, and I can easily empathize with both of them in different ways. There’s also a BA healer that I adore, and a few female characters that are soft and feminine, but I certainly wouldn’t want to cross.
The world-building is believable, the pacing increases exponentially as you go, but never to the point that you’re not sure why you care. Theres some sweet monsters (if I say so myself), and it does shine a light on some of the historical aspects of gladiators that are often overlooked.
I also just think this is an important story. There’s a lot of cozy fantasy, or whimsical and wholesome books. Then there’s the grimdark life sucks books. This one threads the middle: life can suck, but that doesn’t have to determine who you are…and I love watching ordinary characters with unyielding determination. This book is full of those.
I received an ARC copy, was a Beta reader, and supplied several illustrations. As such, yes, I’m biased.
This is my kind of book: heroic men put in a corner and forced to rise above the darkness of their circumstances with grit and steal. The two reminded me much of Hector and Achilles at first: one down to earth and bound by duty, the other a golden-haired sun god bent on glory. There’s much more to them as you go, and I can easily empathize with both of them in different ways. There’s also a BA healer that I adore, and a few female characters that are soft and feminine, but I certainly wouldn’t want to cross.
The world-building is believable, the pacing increases exponentially as you go, but never to the point that you’re not sure why you care. Theres some sweet monsters (if I say so myself), and it does shine a light on some of the historical aspects of gladiators that are often overlooked.
I also just think this is an important story. There’s a lot of cozy fantasy, or whimsical and wholesome books. Then there’s the grimdark life sucks books. This one threads the middle: life can suck, but that doesn’t have to determine who you are…and I love watching ordinary characters with unyielding determination. This book is full of those.
I received an ARC copy, was a Beta reader, and supplied several illustrations. As such, yes, I’m biased.
September 10, 2025
Cinematic and soul-filled, Fates Defiant is a gladiator story where battles are fought on the sands and off them. This is a story where hope is a quiet, almost distant thing, but its clutched in a bloody, determined fist. You want to steal my hope? Fight me.
Fans of Epic the musical should read this book: “Everyone here becomes a monster in the end.”
Fates Defiant has so much of what I love in a story. Amazing characters to love and awful characters to hate. Friendship and a pinch of romance. Characters being seen and loved. Talk about God and suffering. Epic action, emotions, courage, monsters, and heroes.
I love that this book was written by two of my favorite authors yet it reads so effortlessly cohesive that I never would have guessed that it was written by more than one person. Brigitte and Claire put their writing magic into this book and together (as wingmates/friends) they wrote a legend.
As the heroes rise to defy the odds against them, readers rise with them: courage to face their own monsters and a reminder that sometimes we are to hesitate... and be a shield to someone needing a friend.
Fans of Epic the musical should read this book: “Everyone here becomes a monster in the end.”
Fates Defiant has so much of what I love in a story. Amazing characters to love and awful characters to hate. Friendship and a pinch of romance. Characters being seen and loved. Talk about God and suffering. Epic action, emotions, courage, monsters, and heroes.
I love that this book was written by two of my favorite authors yet it reads so effortlessly cohesive that I never would have guessed that it was written by more than one person. Brigitte and Claire put their writing magic into this book and together (as wingmates/friends) they wrote a legend.
As the heroes rise to defy the odds against them, readers rise with them: courage to face their own monsters and a reminder that sometimes we are to hesitate... and be a shield to someone needing a friend.
October 9, 2025
Rivals to brothers has to be a new favorite trope for me! I loved seeing the two protagonists' individual struggles in similar situations and watching them find and make each other better. Stellar work from Banschbach as always, and now I REALLY need to read another Cromey book (this was my first). These two authors did a great job with both character arcs and blending them together into a beautiful story of brotherhood and defying the odds.
Content Note: due to awful arena wounds and SA (off-page, but we see the drugging and sale of a man for his "services"), I recommend this for more mature audiences.
Content Note: due to awful arena wounds and SA (off-page, but we see the drugging and sale of a man for his "services"), I recommend this for more mature audiences.
August 1, 2025
Cyrus, the golden champion of the Arena, and Bastian, the stubborn former soldier, are endearing characters you immediately want to root for, both trapped as slaves in a brutal gladiator world. But as they fight for survival, the odds are stacked against them—and the stakes only get higher, because both fighters carry secrets that can be wielded against them.
Be warned: this book deals with sensitive topics, and the authors put their characters through the WRINGER, so I suggest giving yourself time to recover before going to bed XD.
That said, this book is full of hope, and light unexpectedly shines out of dark corners. The plot is full of twists, and though there's frequent violence (these are gladiators, after all), it's not unnecessarily graphic. I especially loved the gorgeous Mediterranean worldbuilding, which made the setting come to life in vivid color, scent, and sound. And the hard-earned ending is beautiful and 0h-so-satisfying.
If you love enemies to brothers (possibly my favorite trope), Greco-Roman epic fantasy, and high-stakes tension, you will ADORE this book.
Be warned: this book deals with sensitive topics, and the authors put their characters through the WRINGER, so I suggest giving yourself time to recover before going to bed XD.
That said, this book is full of hope, and light unexpectedly shines out of dark corners. The plot is full of twists, and though there's frequent violence (these are gladiators, after all), it's not unnecessarily graphic. I especially loved the gorgeous Mediterranean worldbuilding, which made the setting come to life in vivid color, scent, and sound. And the hard-earned ending is beautiful and 0h-so-satisfying.
If you love enemies to brothers (possibly my favorite trope), Greco-Roman epic fantasy, and high-stakes tension, you will ADORE this book.
August 16, 2025
I had the honor of receiving an ARC copy of this book, and am offering my free and unbiased review!
*deep breath*
*screams*
THIS IS SO BLASTED GOOD
I should have realized that a book by these two authors would do this to me. Every book of theirs that I've read, I've been literally unable to put down. So putting the two of them together? It was inevitable that I'd love it. And also read it all in one day
This book is just MAGNIFICENT. The super cool world building with GRYPHON RIDERS??? HELLO??
Bastian and Cyrus are both such incredible characters. The way their relationship develops is just BEAUTIFUL and made me cry MULTIPLE TIMES. The way they protect each other? I can't handle it. I also love both of their respective romances—Callista is the sweetest, most caring person I've ever met, and Lyra is a stubborn legend who I would die for. Speaking of which, Atticus was AMAZING
There were so many good reveals and twists and beautiful moments. I laughed AND cried in equal measure, and the spiritual side of things was truly beautiful. They called God The One Who Sees and that just hits DIFFERENT. The emphasis on the fact that He DOES see us, even in the darkness that these two had to deal with, is so perfect for this story. I don't think I'm EVER going to be over this book.
Buy it. You will regret nothing.
*deep breath*
*screams*
THIS IS SO BLASTED GOOD
I should have realized that a book by these two authors would do this to me. Every book of theirs that I've read, I've been literally unable to put down. So putting the two of them together? It was inevitable that I'd love it. And also read it all in one day
This book is just MAGNIFICENT. The super cool world building with GRYPHON RIDERS??? HELLO??
Bastian and Cyrus are both such incredible characters. The way their relationship develops is just BEAUTIFUL and made me cry MULTIPLE TIMES. The way they protect each other? I can't handle it. I also love both of their respective romances—Callista is the sweetest, most caring person I've ever met, and Lyra is a stubborn legend who I would die for. Speaking of which, Atticus was AMAZING
There were so many good reveals and twists and beautiful moments. I laughed AND cried in equal measure, and the spiritual side of things was truly beautiful. They called God The One Who Sees and that just hits DIFFERENT. The emphasis on the fact that He DOES see us, even in the darkness that these two had to deal with, is so perfect for this story. I don't think I'm EVER going to be over this book.
Buy it. You will regret nothing.
August 2, 2025
Finishing this book promotes shuddering sighs—and perhaps some soothing tea for a sore throat, because getting to the end causes some yelling. It did for me, anyway! I’m certain that by now my cat is convinced I’ve lost my mind, after what he witnessed while I tore through that last half.
Y’all, even after letting the story settle for a little bit, I’m still struggling to find adequate words to express all that this book is without rambling. Put simply, Fates Defiant is God-touched. Of that I am sure. Because it’s more than a fantastically imagined adventure of brittle heroes in a gritty world of gladiatorial combat, twisted glory, cinematic action, and mythical creatures. It’s a story of battered hearts that still beat in a broken world. Of pain that is deep and raw, of darkness that isn’t sugarcoated or downplayed, of light that shines from the pit of that darkness into a purer and brighter hope. Something that is intrinsically true even if it isn’t wholly real (in the literal sense).
After finishing the ARC, I told Briggite that I wasn’t sure if readers would appreciate the term ‘viscerally moving’, but that is precisely what this book is. Briggite Cromey and C.M. Banschbach have a unique knack for telling stories that can be depressingly grim and heartachingly triumphant simultaneously. Unafraid of calling out evil for what it is but never leaving you there, always offering that hope and healing that is very real (in the literal sense).
Apart from these reasons, I loved this book for the characters. Their fierce loyalty, justice, and kindness. The rock-solid marriage of Bastian and Lyra. The steadfast faithfulness of dear, sweet Callista. And Atticus. Pretty much everything about Atticus.
Friends, the First God sees, and cares, and is already at work.
Y’all, even after letting the story settle for a little bit, I’m still struggling to find adequate words to express all that this book is without rambling. Put simply, Fates Defiant is God-touched. Of that I am sure. Because it’s more than a fantastically imagined adventure of brittle heroes in a gritty world of gladiatorial combat, twisted glory, cinematic action, and mythical creatures. It’s a story of battered hearts that still beat in a broken world. Of pain that is deep and raw, of darkness that isn’t sugarcoated or downplayed, of light that shines from the pit of that darkness into a purer and brighter hope. Something that is intrinsically true even if it isn’t wholly real (in the literal sense).
After finishing the ARC, I told Briggite that I wasn’t sure if readers would appreciate the term ‘viscerally moving’, but that is precisely what this book is. Briggite Cromey and C.M. Banschbach have a unique knack for telling stories that can be depressingly grim and heartachingly triumphant simultaneously. Unafraid of calling out evil for what it is but never leaving you there, always offering that hope and healing that is very real (in the literal sense).
Apart from these reasons, I loved this book for the characters. Their fierce loyalty, justice, and kindness. The rock-solid marriage of Bastian and Lyra. The steadfast faithfulness of dear, sweet Callista. And Atticus. Pretty much everything about Atticus.
Friends, the First God sees, and cares, and is already at work.
August 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this. I loved the dual POV, but from two different authors! The voices of Cyrus and Bastian were different even when there was no dialogue. They have different ways to approaching danger, or problems in general.
The worldbuilding was super cool! It all basically takes place in one location, but even that one location is RICH with its own "culture." Colosseum vibes hang everywhere, and the way the matches are set up to be showy/dramatic is a little terrifying. But I loved even the "politics" of the Arena, how scheming they could be. The details in that and in the physical appearance of the place combined made it feel like its own character.
I liked the softer faith undertones. Too often I feel like books with a Christian message can feel very... blatant and obvious. But this wasn't so much in my face (I'm a Christian, so I don't mind the obvious messages, but I do like it when they're not declaring themselves so loud). It was a gentler theme, not preachy, and it fit nicely into the worldbuilding/religion of the world. I enjoyed that.
The plot itself felt like it moved a little slow, taking its time to get to each beat, but things definitely start moving fast the further you read. It makes you start rooting and really caring for Cyrus and Bastian before hitting you with "and now we will dangle them BOTH over a brutal fate."
I was TERRIFIED
But I LOVED the boys. Cyrus is full of energy, thriving on the adrenaline and always moving (that was a super cute trait of his, I loved that!). But also he had his vulnerable moments where his past experiences came to light.
Ahh, but Bastian. <3 His stubborn determination to not break was beautiful, even when it had everyone worrying for him. XD I loved though how both boys started worrying each other with how stubborn they could each be. Trying to outdo the other sometimes and I loved it XD
The worldbuilding was super cool! It all basically takes place in one location, but even that one location is RICH with its own "culture." Colosseum vibes hang everywhere, and the way the matches are set up to be showy/dramatic is a little terrifying. But I loved even the "politics" of the Arena, how scheming they could be. The details in that and in the physical appearance of the place combined made it feel like its own character.
I liked the softer faith undertones. Too often I feel like books with a Christian message can feel very... blatant and obvious. But this wasn't so much in my face (I'm a Christian, so I don't mind the obvious messages, but I do like it when they're not declaring themselves so loud). It was a gentler theme, not preachy, and it fit nicely into the worldbuilding/religion of the world. I enjoyed that.
The plot itself felt like it moved a little slow, taking its time to get to each beat, but things definitely start moving fast the further you read. It makes you start rooting and really caring for Cyrus and Bastian before hitting you with "and now we will dangle them BOTH over a brutal fate."
I was TERRIFIED
But I LOVED the boys. Cyrus is full of energy, thriving on the adrenaline and always moving (that was a super cute trait of his, I loved that!). But also he had his vulnerable moments where his past experiences came to light.
Ahh, but Bastian. <3 His stubborn determination to not break was beautiful, even when it had everyone worrying for him. XD I loved though how both boys started worrying each other with how stubborn they could each be. Trying to outdo the other sometimes and I loved it XD
August 6, 2025
Oh my stars, this book was INSANELY GOOD. Cyrus and Bastian are SUCH good characters!!!! The way they're so different, but similar, and they work together SO well!?!?! UGH I LOVE THEM. Also Atticus. He's AMAZING
The arena setting was so cool, as was ALL the world building!! I especially loved the creatures, they were so cool!!!!
There were some more adult themes, but I feel like they were handled really well!
In conclusion, I received a free copy for a review, and I'm leaving my thoughts voluntarily. Also, now I want a gryphon
The arena setting was so cool, as was ALL the world building!! I especially loved the creatures, they were so cool!!!!
There were some more adult themes, but I feel like they were handled really well!
In conclusion, I received a free copy for a review, and I'm leaving my thoughts voluntarily. Also, now I want a gryphon
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
Holy crud where to start.
First off, this book was a blast and I stayed up far too late reading it. And then I immediately reread it. 100000/10 recommend.
Do be warned it is NOT YA (I would personally peg it at like, NA?), and there are some heavy themes in this book that, while not explicit and were handled very well, are not for minors.
Okay onto the good stuff.
I’ve had a soft spot for Roman inspired books for a long time (you can blame G.A. Henty and H. Rider Haggard for that), and this book scratched that itch so well. I loved the familiarity of the Coliseum in the Arena, while also made fresh and new with the magical creatures intermingled.
I am also an extreme simp for bro stories (you can blame Claire, Brigitte, Mr. Henty, and many other authors for that too), and Cyrus and Bastian were like the perfect blend of older/younger brother, mentor/mentee, and bromance all in one. Bruh, I might not recover from this one.
Bastian and his drive to get back to his family had me cheering and nearly crying at points, and I could swear I heard some Gladiator soundtrack somewhere in those pages.
Cyrus… don’t even get me started on Cyrus. Bro is one of my favourite character types in the history of ever: traumatized bean that grows and heals. Mmm, best emotional damage.
I want to murder the entirety of the Arena officials/trainers, just let me know when to roll up. I’ll be there. It takes a special kind of depraved person to do what they did to Bas and Cyrus (ESPECIALLY CYRUS), and I just feel like if they did a lil mosey into the ring for a bit their opinion might change somewhat (or maybe they’d get eaten by a wyvern, win win either way).
TL;DR: if you like historical fiction based in Rome with a bit of a magical twist, this is your book. If you like bro-bond stories where they become each other’s closest friend and brother, this is your book. If you like hating antagonists and want to watch them suffer complete and utter humiliation because characters refuse to bend to their whims, this is your book.
Go read it.
(I’m not sure if this is needed or not in the review, but I was given an ARC to read with the understanding I would be reviewing it pre-publication. However, the flailing is 100% me XD)
First off, this book was a blast and I stayed up far too late reading it. And then I immediately reread it. 100000/10 recommend.
Do be warned it is NOT YA (I would personally peg it at like, NA?), and there are some heavy themes in this book that, while not explicit and were handled very well, are not for minors.
Okay onto the good stuff.
I’ve had a soft spot for Roman inspired books for a long time (you can blame G.A. Henty and H. Rider Haggard for that), and this book scratched that itch so well. I loved the familiarity of the Coliseum in the Arena, while also made fresh and new with the magical creatures intermingled.
I am also an extreme simp for bro stories (you can blame Claire, Brigitte, Mr. Henty, and many other authors for that too), and Cyrus and Bastian were like the perfect blend of older/younger brother, mentor/mentee, and bromance all in one. Bruh, I might not recover from this one.
Bastian and his drive to get back to his family had me cheering and nearly crying at points, and I could swear I heard some Gladiator soundtrack somewhere in those pages.
Cyrus… don’t even get me started on Cyrus. Bro is one of my favourite character types in the history of ever: traumatized bean that grows and heals. Mmm, best emotional damage.
I want to murder the entirety of the Arena officials/trainers, just let me know when to roll up. I’ll be there. It takes a special kind of depraved person to do what they did to Bas and Cyrus (ESPECIALLY CYRUS), and I just feel like if they did a lil mosey into the ring for a bit their opinion might change somewhat (or maybe they’d get eaten by a wyvern, win win either way).
TL;DR: if you like historical fiction based in Rome with a bit of a magical twist, this is your book. If you like bro-bond stories where they become each other’s closest friend and brother, this is your book. If you like hating antagonists and want to watch them suffer complete and utter humiliation because characters refuse to bend to their whims, this is your book.
Go read it.
(I’m not sure if this is needed or not in the review, but I was given an ARC to read with the understanding I would be reviewing it pre-publication. However, the flailing is 100% me XD)
August 9, 2025
This book! Ahh! Tension, violence, mercilessly fraught with brutal action, but balanced by tender moments of vulnerability and lightened by ride-or-die friendship.
Reading it was more like watching my heart bleed out in the sands of the Arena than a walk through the library.
In this gladiator-inspired story that gives me Ben-hur vibes, I witnessed resilience of character and the harsh truth of a world long past but which seems to haunt us still today. There are hard themes of slavery, battle, death, and more, but the authors handle it all with great care.
I recommend Fates Defiant to adult readers of fantasy fiction planted firmly in a Roman-inspired historical context, full of amazing beasts, and lacking magic. Beware! There is much battle, but there is much fight for freedom too.
Thank you, authors and publisher, for letting me read this action-packed, heart-filled gladiators-turned-brothers epic early! This is my honest review for looking back and sharing things I love with like-minded readers.
Reading it was more like watching my heart bleed out in the sands of the Arena than a walk through the library.
In this gladiator-inspired story that gives me Ben-hur vibes, I witnessed resilience of character and the harsh truth of a world long past but which seems to haunt us still today. There are hard themes of slavery, battle, death, and more, but the authors handle it all with great care.
I recommend Fates Defiant to adult readers of fantasy fiction planted firmly in a Roman-inspired historical context, full of amazing beasts, and lacking magic. Beware! There is much battle, but there is much fight for freedom too.
Thank you, authors and publisher, for letting me read this action-packed, heart-filled gladiators-turned-brothers epic early! This is my honest review for looking back and sharing things I love with like-minded readers.
September 11, 2025
Fates Defiant is an exciting read that will keep you flipping pages well into the night. It's filled with great characters, interesting world building, and a captivating plot. I was sucked in from page one and wanted to keep reading!
Cyrus and Bastian were interesting, multidimensional protagonists, and it was exciting to read about their odd-defying journey. It was great to see how they went from enemies to wingmates.
🚨Light, unspecific spoilers🚨 There were a few things that bothered me a little in the book, such as how some characters would very often be beaten and hurt and then be expected to fight to the death and win (and then they WOULD win…) It just seemed a bit unrealistic and repetitive.
But overall, Fates Defiant was a great, inspiring read about defying fate, overcoming impossible odds, and finding friends in the most unlikely of places.
I was given an ARC of Fates Defiant. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Cyrus and Bastian were interesting, multidimensional protagonists, and it was exciting to read about their odd-defying journey. It was great to see how they went from enemies to wingmates.
🚨Light, unspecific spoilers🚨 There were a few things that bothered me a little in the book, such as how some characters would very often be beaten and hurt and then be expected to fight to the death and win (and then they WOULD win…) It just seemed a bit unrealistic and repetitive.
But overall, Fates Defiant was a great, inspiring read about defying fate, overcoming impossible odds, and finding friends in the most unlikely of places.
I was given an ARC of Fates Defiant. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 14, 2026
Well, this book legit became my entire thought life over the past few days. I'm obsessed, and even though I only finished it last night, I want to read it again. IT WAS SO GOOD!!!! I'm demanding all my friends read it because Fates Defiant deserves ALL the attention. Gah. It's going to take me a while to recover from this story...and in the best way possible. It was Gladiator + Band of Brothers + Troy all wrapped up into an incredible tale of unlikely brotherhood, sacrifice, and love.
I'm having trouble describing it because I'm legit speechless. It. Was. Amazing.
Go read it. Like...now.
I'm having trouble describing it because I'm legit speechless. It. Was. Amazing.
Go read it. Like...now.
August 12, 2025
This book is relentless and captivating and I couldn't get enough of it.
I read this in one day, which would have been one sitting if I'd been able. It's been a while since I finished a book this fast.
The characters were compelling, and I can't quite decide if Cyrus or Bastian was my favourite of the two narrators, I loved them both so much.
I do know for certain that Atticus was my absolute favorite character, I loved him all the way through. Octavius was a loathesome villain and I was (silently) screaming every time he showed up.
The plot and pacing was very tight, to the point where every time I went "well it's slowing down now, I'll take a break", I'd end up reading again within an hour, sucked back into the "just one more chapter" vortex. Despite the fast pacing, it never felt rushed. There was still enough time for the characters and relationships to bloom and develop.
It very much delivers on the premise. It does exactly what it says on the box, though some of the plot developments did catch me off-guard, in a good way.
The setting wasn't as elaborate or fleshed out as I would have expected. 90% of the book takes place in the arena and nearby buildings. It felt suffocating, like the characters couldn't escape. Which is exactly the case, so I'd count it as a win, even if I would have liked a change of scenery.
I'd say the prose is the weakest part of the story, only because everything else was so strong. It's... Fine. It wasn't bad enough that I was seriously bothered by it, and the dialogue was good, but sometimes the sentences got kind of tangled, or I'd be thrown off by an odd word choice.
The book has an author's note, which warns of some darker and more sensitive topics the book will tackle. These warnings are well placed, the topics definitely had a significant place in the story. They were not played for shock value or overly graphic although they did have me shocked and somewhat nauseated, out of empathy for the characters. All in all, I thought it was handled delicately and appropriately for the target audience.
In short, I LOVED this book, and I plan on getting a copy so I can have it on my shelf.
I was provided with an ARC by the publisher, for an honest review. All opinions stated are my own.
I read this in one day, which would have been one sitting if I'd been able. It's been a while since I finished a book this fast.
The characters were compelling, and I can't quite decide if Cyrus or Bastian was my favourite of the two narrators, I loved them both so much.
I do know for certain that Atticus was my absolute favorite character, I loved him all the way through. Octavius was a loathesome villain and I was (silently) screaming every time he showed up.
The plot and pacing was very tight, to the point where every time I went "well it's slowing down now, I'll take a break", I'd end up reading again within an hour, sucked back into the "just one more chapter" vortex. Despite the fast pacing, it never felt rushed. There was still enough time for the characters and relationships to bloom and develop.
It very much delivers on the premise. It does exactly what it says on the box, though some of the plot developments did catch me off-guard, in a good way.
The setting wasn't as elaborate or fleshed out as I would have expected. 90% of the book takes place in the arena and nearby buildings. It felt suffocating, like the characters couldn't escape. Which is exactly the case, so I'd count it as a win, even if I would have liked a change of scenery.
I'd say the prose is the weakest part of the story, only because everything else was so strong. It's... Fine. It wasn't bad enough that I was seriously bothered by it, and the dialogue was good, but sometimes the sentences got kind of tangled, or I'd be thrown off by an odd word choice.
The book has an author's note, which warns of some darker and more sensitive topics the book will tackle. These warnings are well placed, the topics definitely had a significant place in the story. They were not played for shock value or overly graphic although they did have me shocked and somewhat nauseated, out of empathy for the characters. All in all, I thought it was handled delicately and appropriately for the target audience.
In short, I LOVED this book, and I plan on getting a copy so I can have it on my shelf.
I was provided with an ARC by the publisher, for an honest review. All opinions stated are my own.
November 19, 2025
I loved everything about this book except for the idol to the God-figure. I had to keep telling myself, "this is like Paul saying here you have this idol to the unknown god, let me tell you who he really is." And I was glad when the story moved on from them presenting offerings at this idol. But I wished the characters had cursed less often like "gods, ..." when they began to believe in the First God. Otherwise, the story was great. I enjoyed the characters and the tension and pacing. I liked the arena setting. I'll probably read it again.
September 11, 2025
Given that this book was written by two of my favorite authors, I had some strong expectations going in. I expected Fates Defiant to make me cry, laugh, and want to give the main characters a REALLY big hug, and did it EVER deliver!! I read this book in about two sittings, and probably have read it cover to cover at least twice already (and it was just as fantastic each time, in case you were wondering!).
To break it down...
The characters? 10/10. Cyrus and Bastian (and their significant others) were so cool, and I loved their dynamic with each other. They both need lots of hugs! The bad guys were genuinely unpleasant, and I appreciated having semi-straightforward villains in the story. There's such an abundance now of "relatable" bad guys in popular fiction, so it was nice to find some characters that I could just dislike without feeling guilty about it. And last but not least, I absolutely loved Atticus! The wise words and snark he provides along with some much-needed medical care were such an integral part of the story.
Plot? I said two sittings, didn't I? Granted, that was mainly because I got to care about the characters so much, but there were plenty of twists and turns to keep things interesting. I won't spoil it here, but the ending was SO perfect!
The worldbuilding was solid and immersive without being overly-detailed. It was a cool setting, but that wasn't the main focus of this book. The events that happened had an impact on the bigger picture, but the story itself was very character-focused and all the world details were integral to the character journeys and the plot. I loved the Roman-gladiator vibes, and the fantasy beasties that showed up were so cool!
Content-wise, I appreciated how the authors handled the sensitive issues covered in the story. The Christian themes were subtle but poignant, and so, so relatable! That said, I wouldn't recommend this book to younger readers, at least without parent/guardian involvement. I love fiction that isn't afraid to be honest with some of the darker things in life, as long as it's not glorifying evil and its purpose is to demonstrate how hope, light, and Truth can change lives and situations, and this book is a great example of that. It respectfully touches on some darker aspects of the gladiator fights and slavery in general. Its honesty about these things is part of what makes it such a good read, but it is also why I'd advise caution for a younger reader looking to try it. Some language, but nothing inappropriate for the target audience.
To sum up, Fates Defiant is everything I could hope for from Brigitte Cromey and C.M. Banschbach teaming up! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more books from Borderlands Publishing (and will probably re-read Fates Defiant another 2-5x in the meantime!).
To break it down...
The characters? 10/10. Cyrus and Bastian (and their significant others) were so cool, and I loved their dynamic with each other. They both need lots of hugs! The bad guys were genuinely unpleasant, and I appreciated having semi-straightforward villains in the story. There's such an abundance now of "relatable" bad guys in popular fiction, so it was nice to find some characters that I could just dislike without feeling guilty about it. And last but not least, I absolutely loved Atticus! The wise words and snark he provides along with some much-needed medical care were such an integral part of the story.
Plot? I said two sittings, didn't I? Granted, that was mainly because I got to care about the characters so much, but there were plenty of twists and turns to keep things interesting. I won't spoil it here, but the ending was SO perfect!
The worldbuilding was solid and immersive without being overly-detailed. It was a cool setting, but that wasn't the main focus of this book. The events that happened had an impact on the bigger picture, but the story itself was very character-focused and all the world details were integral to the character journeys and the plot. I loved the Roman-gladiator vibes, and the fantasy beasties that showed up were so cool!
Content-wise, I appreciated how the authors handled the sensitive issues covered in the story. The Christian themes were subtle but poignant, and so, so relatable! That said, I wouldn't recommend this book to younger readers, at least without parent/guardian involvement. I love fiction that isn't afraid to be honest with some of the darker things in life, as long as it's not glorifying evil and its purpose is to demonstrate how hope, light, and Truth can change lives and situations, and this book is a great example of that. It respectfully touches on some darker aspects of the gladiator fights and slavery in general. Its honesty about these things is part of what makes it such a good read, but it is also why I'd advise caution for a younger reader looking to try it. Some language, but nothing inappropriate for the target audience.
To sum up, Fates Defiant is everything I could hope for from Brigitte Cromey and C.M. Banschbach teaming up! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more books from Borderlands Publishing (and will probably re-read Fates Defiant another 2-5x in the meantime!).
September 6, 2025
Summary
Cyrus is both the golden boy of the arena and it's slave. It's a role he navigates with skill, carefully hiding relentless unease. Bastian, on the other hand, is a newcomer who refuses to anything the easy way. He lands in the arena after refusing to obey orders as a soldier, and he's nowhere close to being done with defying commands. They're meant to be rivals--lethal ones--but the God Who Sees might have plans for them to defy all odds.
My Thoughts
This was a story couched in brutality and darkness that chose to fixate on neither. I came into the book knowing I'd love the characters. I've not read anything with Banschbach's name on it that I haven't fallen in love with the characters. In this books, we get one character that initially comes off as pitiable but also potential annoying in his arrogance, but don't he fooled...it's just the very outside layer of a very layered onion. Out other lead character is more obviously honorable out of the gate. I loved blend of relentless stubbornness combined with impecable dad vibes. I also loved getting a lead character already in a stable, loving, will-move-heaven-and-earth-to-get-back-to-you marriage.
Content Warning
Everything is understated and underplayed (about as far from gratituous as you can get) but there's plenty of violence and injury in this book as well as sexual exploitation. I appreciated the author's attempt to acknowledge some of the darkest places without diverting the focus from light and hope.
Cyrus is both the golden boy of the arena and it's slave. It's a role he navigates with skill, carefully hiding relentless unease. Bastian, on the other hand, is a newcomer who refuses to anything the easy way. He lands in the arena after refusing to obey orders as a soldier, and he's nowhere close to being done with defying commands. They're meant to be rivals--lethal ones--but the God Who Sees might have plans for them to defy all odds.
My Thoughts
This was a story couched in brutality and darkness that chose to fixate on neither. I came into the book knowing I'd love the characters. I've not read anything with Banschbach's name on it that I haven't fallen in love with the characters. In this books, we get one character that initially comes off as pitiable but also potential annoying in his arrogance, but don't he fooled...it's just the very outside layer of a very layered onion. Out other lead character is more obviously honorable out of the gate. I loved blend of relentless stubbornness combined with impecable dad vibes. I also loved getting a lead character already in a stable, loving, will-move-heaven-and-earth-to-get-back-to-you marriage.
Content Warning
Everything is understated and underplayed (about as far from gratituous as you can get) but there's plenty of violence and injury in this book as well as sexual exploitation. I appreciated the author's attempt to acknowledge some of the darkest places without diverting the focus from light and hope.
September 6, 2025
I had never read a book quite like this before, and I’m grateful to have it on my shelves now. The story is bold and unafraid to delve into darker subjects without relinquishing hope, no matter how difficult it is to hold on to. It takes its time building up the two main characters, Cyrus and Bastian, and the Arena only to take off running for the rest of the book. If you’re looking for a story with intense action and strong heart told within a Roman-inspired world, check out Fates Defiant.
Defiance can mean fighting when expected to surrender. Staying a sword when expected to strike. Holding on to love when it would be easier to let go. Praying even in the midst of crushing defeat. In an Arena where everyone is fighting for their own life, Fates Defiant asks what it would look like to fight for someone else.
This is a story well told. There was a great rhythm between the two POV’s, building up to the actual collision of their stories with constant tension between perception and reality. The creatures were detailed, alive, and terrifying, I swear I could feel it every time a gryphon was on the page. This is an amazing first release from the publisher, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Defiance can mean fighting when expected to surrender. Staying a sword when expected to strike. Holding on to love when it would be easier to let go. Praying even in the midst of crushing defeat. In an Arena where everyone is fighting for their own life, Fates Defiant asks what it would look like to fight for someone else.
This is a story well told. There was a great rhythm between the two POV’s, building up to the actual collision of their stories with constant tension between perception and reality. The creatures were detailed, alive, and terrifying, I swear I could feel it every time a gryphon was on the page. This is an amazing first release from the publisher, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
August 19, 2025
Rounded up from 4.5 stars.
This novel was quite simply a great read! It was fast-paced, action-packed, and full of beautiful themes, including friendship, sacrifice, fighting for what’s right, and more. Cyrus and Bastian were heroes to truly root for, and the way their friendship developed was so touching.
This was a different type of read for me - with more of the focus on brotherhood versus romance. But I absolutely loved it. I also loved the Roman-esque setting!
Engaging, dark, raw, and full of hope, “Fates Defiant” is definitely worth the read!!
Thank you to the publishers for this ARC. All thoughts expressed are my own. This is my honest review!
This novel was quite simply a great read! It was fast-paced, action-packed, and full of beautiful themes, including friendship, sacrifice, fighting for what’s right, and more. Cyrus and Bastian were heroes to truly root for, and the way their friendship developed was so touching.
This was a different type of read for me - with more of the focus on brotherhood versus romance. But I absolutely loved it. I also loved the Roman-esque setting!
Engaging, dark, raw, and full of hope, “Fates Defiant” is definitely worth the read!!
Thank you to the publishers for this ARC. All thoughts expressed are my own. This is my honest review!
October 22, 2025
I am so glad I didn't wait too long to read this book. It was everything and fed my fangirl heart. Honestly. I think there needs to be more romanesque-fantasy stories. They're just so much fun!
Also, can we talk about how two of my favorite authors teamed to write this book? EPIC. Epic, I tell you!
Beautiful prose, wonderful themes that didn't shy away from darkness and brought in light like a sunburst through a stormcloud, and amazing characters who deserve the world.
10/10 would recommend.
Also, can we talk about how two of my favorite authors teamed to write this book? EPIC. Epic, I tell you!
Beautiful prose, wonderful themes that didn't shy away from darkness and brought in light like a sunburst through a stormcloud, and amazing characters who deserve the world.
10/10 would recommend.
September 17, 2025
This was incredible and I absolutely loved it!!
September 1, 2025
4.5 stars.
RTC
RTC
August 12, 2025
"A gladiator brotherhood story in a fantastical Greco-Roman setting?" I repeated. "That's exactly the kind of story I'm craving right now."
Fact is, I'm always craving gladiator stories that aren't TOO graphic and have a triumphant ending.
Do you know how many gladiator stories aren't TOO graphic and have a triumphant ending? Yeah. Not really a huge selection there.
That's why I AM SO SO HAPPY to announce this book was EXACTLY what I was looking for.
This story is a great example of co-authorship, written by Brigitte Cromey and C.M. Banschbach (who I already know as an excellent source of brotherhood books). I never felt like I was switching who was writing the story, though both Cyrus and Bastian had a clear, distinct voice and approach to life.
Cyrus, a “career” gladiator who has been part of the arena since becoming an orphaned child. His pretense of glamour and satisfaction just barely masks his desperation to please unforgiving masters and to escape this horrific game. (Yes, the Finnick comparison was deserved, and yes, this boy gets a much better ending.)
Bastian, a no-nonsense soldier, with an admirable balance of ruthlessness and restraint, now sent to die for his sense of honor. I had expected not to connect with him as much as Cyrus, but actually, Bastian was EPIC, and I was impressed by his character in every chapter.
Then, of course, our girls – the sweet Callista, a slavegirl in the healing house for the gladiators. Her loving heart for Cyrus was quite relatable. And then we have Lyra, Bastian’s wife, and she’s a really cool lady. It’s not easy being a single mom while your husband is away at war, and it’s even less easy when you find out he’s actually been moved to a death arena. But her determination to get her husband free was awesome.
But. We come to the star of the book. The unexpected, brilliant star. Atticus, the healer. A mysterious aged man who has CHOSEN to work in such an awful environment, even though it wears at him every day. His frustration and disgust is palatable, but so is his compassion. AND THANK GOSH he is there, because this would be a VERY DIFFERENT AND VERY SAD STORY without Atticus. He’s the literal hero of this book, and I am so grateful.
Plus, there was a bit at the end that made me cry. If you know, you know. It was good tears, all good tears.
Violent Content: You know, I found it remarkably restrained. Yes, death was constantly present, and our heroes have no qualms about killing someone trying to kill them, but overall, I found the descriptions tasteful. TENSE. But not too graphic or gory. Yet I was still on the edge of my seat through the fights. And that is a hard balance to achieve. That being said, there is some animal death to be aware of for the very sensitive. Wyverns and chimeras are TERRIFYING in this, and while of course they are part of the sad system, it is hard to feel sympathy for the creatures when the character you're rooting for has been thrown into a pit with something out of Jurassic Park. In contrast, a character is grieved in having to fight a gryphon, a type of creature he has fond history with. That being said, again, sentiment is hard to keep in the perspective of survival, so the authors did a good job of not making the scene as sad as it could have been.
Sexual Content: We ARE dealing with gladiators, so you can guess the subject that's coming. Yes, there are mentions of Cyrus having been sold through his "career", and it's mentioned that he found some appeal to this at the start, but having since fallen in love with the devout and pure-hearted Callista, he's been trying his best to keep the money coming in for his masters ONLY through the performance of his battles. Likewise, Bastian soon discovers this aspect of the gladiator life as his possible future, something he is utterly against as a faithful and very much married man. Threats are made as to take away their choice of compliance in the matter via drugging.
Similarly, Callista as a healer girl in a gladiator setting also has the potential for danger, but fortunately she is under the protection of Atticus, who is both respected and feared. While she does come under physical assault at one point, she is swiftly saved before the situation could get worse
Language Our protagonists are men of rough background, soldiers and slaves and all that. Swearing is mentioned often, but the only thing I recall being written was b----rd.
Faith Element
A pantheon of gods, but faith for our characters gets centered on the First god whose worship has been neglected due to people chasing after new shiny idols. The parallel for this loving god of creation is evident.
Fact is, I'm always craving gladiator stories that aren't TOO graphic and have a triumphant ending.
Do you know how many gladiator stories aren't TOO graphic and have a triumphant ending? Yeah. Not really a huge selection there.
That's why I AM SO SO HAPPY to announce this book was EXACTLY what I was looking for.
This story is a great example of co-authorship, written by Brigitte Cromey and C.M. Banschbach (who I already know as an excellent source of brotherhood books). I never felt like I was switching who was writing the story, though both Cyrus and Bastian had a clear, distinct voice and approach to life.
Cyrus, a “career” gladiator who has been part of the arena since becoming an orphaned child. His pretense of glamour and satisfaction just barely masks his desperation to please unforgiving masters and to escape this horrific game. (Yes, the Finnick comparison was deserved, and yes, this boy gets a much better ending.)
Bastian, a no-nonsense soldier, with an admirable balance of ruthlessness and restraint, now sent to die for his sense of honor. I had expected not to connect with him as much as Cyrus, but actually, Bastian was EPIC, and I was impressed by his character in every chapter.
Then, of course, our girls – the sweet Callista, a slavegirl in the healing house for the gladiators. Her loving heart for Cyrus was quite relatable. And then we have Lyra, Bastian’s wife, and she’s a really cool lady. It’s not easy being a single mom while your husband is away at war, and it’s even less easy when you find out he’s actually been moved to a death arena. But her determination to get her husband free was awesome.
But. We come to the star of the book. The unexpected, brilliant star. Atticus, the healer. A mysterious aged man who has CHOSEN to work in such an awful environment, even though it wears at him every day. His frustration and disgust is palatable, but so is his compassion. AND THANK GOSH he is there, because this would be a VERY DIFFERENT AND VERY SAD STORY without Atticus. He’s the literal hero of this book, and I am so grateful.
Plus, there was a bit at the end that made me cry. If you know, you know. It was good tears, all good tears.
Violent Content: You know, I found it remarkably restrained. Yes, death was constantly present, and our heroes have no qualms about killing someone trying to kill them, but overall, I found the descriptions tasteful. TENSE. But not too graphic or gory. Yet I was still on the edge of my seat through the fights. And that is a hard balance to achieve. That being said, there is some animal death to be aware of for the very sensitive. Wyverns and chimeras are TERRIFYING in this, and while of course they are part of the sad system, it is hard to feel sympathy for the creatures when the character you're rooting for has been thrown into a pit with something out of Jurassic Park. In contrast, a character is grieved in having to fight a gryphon, a type of creature he has fond history with. That being said, again, sentiment is hard to keep in the perspective of survival, so the authors did a good job of not making the scene as sad as it could have been.
Sexual Content: We ARE dealing with gladiators, so you can guess the subject that's coming. Yes, there are mentions of Cyrus having been sold through his "career", and it's mentioned that he found some appeal to this at the start, but having since fallen in love with the devout and pure-hearted Callista, he's been trying his best to keep the money coming in for his masters ONLY through the performance of his battles. Likewise, Bastian soon discovers this aspect of the gladiator life as his possible future, something he is utterly against as a faithful and very much married man. Threats are made as to take away their choice of compliance in the matter via drugging.
Similarly, Callista as a healer girl in a gladiator setting also has the potential for danger, but fortunately she is under the protection of Atticus, who is both respected and feared. While she does come under physical assault at one point, she is swiftly saved before the situation could get worse
Language Our protagonists are men of rough background, soldiers and slaves and all that. Swearing is mentioned often, but the only thing I recall being written was b----rd.
Faith Element
A pantheon of gods, but faith for our characters gets centered on the First god whose worship has been neglected due to people chasing after new shiny idols. The parallel for this loving god of creation is evident.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews