I was lucky enough to receive this book as an Arc reader through NetGalley. This is the first book in the Bonded to Beasts series. Overall I feel like it was a good introduction to a series but there were parts that could definitely be developed further. For a first book in a series, it felt very long and dragged out. The relationship between two characters felt very forced and I wasn’t necessary rooting for them as a couple. The amount of names/ cultural language which was used made it confusing to follow at times as there wasn’t much context or world building around it, it just felt like we were thrown in and expected to know what all of it meant. It definitely picked up in the second half and became more fast paced. I definitely didn’t expect the ending but would be excited to pick up the second book in the series to see how the story develops! Rating is 3.75 stars 🌟

A real fantasy romance with a strong female lead character who has a lot to learn as she grows into her inheritance. There is a lot of fighting and not enough of the dragons for my liking, but perhaps that will change in the next book, which I can't wait to read. Shows great promise, there is lots to love about this book, intrigue, politics, romance, magic and dragons.

This book was an easy 5 stars for me. I was completely gripped as soon as I started reading it. The FMC Aemrya is such a strong empowering character! We had a fight for a throne, dragons, fire wielding magic and a very strong enemies to lovers story. This is definitely one all the Romantasy lovers need to read!! If you love throne of glass and fourth wing this is definitely the book for you. The ending had me in a chokehold, I was shook! Desperately waiting for the next book in series to come out!!

I'm afraid this book just doesn't do it for me. My favourite characters were the dragons as I found the people a bit insufferable. I thought the pacing of the book was a bit all over the place, and felt it dragged in certain places and rushed through others, there wasn't a consistent pace. Aemyra lacked the maturity of a 26 year old, and felt more like the protagonist of a YA novel, rushing into the same decisions over and over again and never learning from her mistakes, despite them having the result every single time. Honestly it became a bit tedious the third time she ran away by herself and found herself captured.

Yet despite this, I actually found this book really hard to put down and just needed to know what silly mistake she was going to make next. The author definitely has some great story ideas, and I'm glad to see so many people enjoyed the story.

I definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings.

A Fate Forged in Fire by Hazel McBride
3.5 🌟

Definitely read the trigger warnings as there are some darker elements to the story and if those may affect you, be warned.

The characters are quite diverse with LGBTQ+ representation. There is a lot of action at some parts of the story (mainly towards the end) while the first half of the book was a bit slow.

I liked the dragons. Terrea is formidable and you wouldn't want to mess with her, there just wasn't enough of the bond between dragon and bonded human. If there was more of that portrayed I feel it would have enhanced the story.

The tropes are fairly standard in fantasy novels now: Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, forced/arranged marriage, with angst and developing feelings.

What I didn't like so much was FMC. I understand where the author was trying to go when writing Aemyra but I didn't particularly like the character. She is pretty arrogant, childish and makes some really stupid decisions which leave her open to manipulation from other characters.

In terms of the MMC, Fiorean, I would have liked a bit more personality and character growth from him. Maybe a sequal will expand on this

This book has promise, and a sequal might round out the story a bit more with the opportunity for greater world building.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book.

The beginning was rough, lots of info dumping and an excessive amount of Scottish Gaelic. Inconsistent pacing and unlikeable main character which made it hard for me to immerse myself in the story. I would say romance doesn’t start until after 50% and it was underwhelming and lacking development. I also found the plot predictable and worst of all dull.

It has potential but needs better character work and execution. Unfortunately I won't be continuing the series but wish Hazel all the best as an author.

4.25/5

From the dedication and the first line, I was hooked! A Fate Forged in Fire follows Aemyra, our bi-furious FMC as she is thrust into a deadly game of politics while trying to claim her birth right and restore the matriarchy in the territory of Tìr Teine.

I really enjoyed this book - it had everything you could want: deadly politics, dragons, cool magic and enemies-to-lovers! The story is fast-paced and if I had more free time, I probably would have devoured this book in only a couple of days! You can see the House of the Dragon/Game of Thrones inspiration and it is just as brutal (please do read the author’s note and trigger warnings!), but I loved that this was based on a matriarchy!

I loved Aemyra and her female rage - given what is happening to her and women in her territory, I was also absolutely furious while reading! She is a “stab first, ask questions later” kind of person and I love that in a fantasy FMC, though there were definitely a few moments where she did not make the smartest choices and I just wanted to shake some sense into her.

The romance aspect of this book was also good, it’s definitely true enemies-to-lovers! The banter between Fiorean and Aemyra made me laugh out loud on several occasions and there were some moments that just made me giggle as I love some well executed clichès in Romantasy books! In some places I felt that the love story seemed a bit rushed but I think this might have been because the book is on the shorter side for a fantasy book with this level of extensive world building and political games. I do wish that we had gotten a bit more about Fiorean because he did seem a bit flat to me but I hope that we will get a lot more of him in book 2!

Overall, I would recommend this book if you like Romantasy with politics, dragons and a stabby, bi-furious FMC!

Okay so A Fate Forged in Fire was… fine. Like, I didn’t hate it — dragons, elemental powers, chosen one vibes, all the fantasy staples were there — but I just wasn’t obsessed. The pacing was a bit wobbly and I didn’t feel super connected to the characters, which made it hard to fully sink into the story. That said, there were some cool moments and I can see why it’s got fans. Just not one that’ll live rent-free in my head, y’know?

I just finished reading this so still processing but it’s a strong 4 stars for me.

As a fantasy book with a strong bisexual FMC, I enjoyed this a lot. We get a true enemies-lovers plot line as well as a boatload of dragons, magic and politics.

I was definitely surprised by the ending/cliffhanger which leads me to my main thought; the acknowledgment really interested me because the author mentions that she kept being brought back to the writing for this from the planning of future novels (I am assuming in a series that will stem from this), and although it is only the first book it does read like a set-up for more to come. Even without the cliffhanger, there was a lot of different seeds planted to feed in to later plot lines and books.

Now I’m not necessarily mad about this but it will be slightly infuriating waiting on multiple resolutions PLUS that cliffhanger outcome…

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC

I love a strong fmc fighting for what she believes in. The enemies to lovers was done really well. I wish we had seen more of the dragons but I’m hoping for that in the next book. Overall I really enjoyed it

An ARC from NetGalley, some spoilers in this review.
I struggled to get into this book to start with. The characters seeming a little two dimensional and the foreshadowing a little obvious. As the story got going and during Aemyra’s captivity in the caisteal the story really rounded out. I enjoyed the Gaelic aspects woven into the story and the magic system really grabbed me. It was a shame that Fiorean gave me whiplash and took away some of the enjoyment.
Overall a good read and looking forward to see if the throne is ever hers.

🔥 Strong FMC
🐉 Enemies to Lovers
🔥 Dragons

What a treat to receive this e-arc from Net Galley! I do love a romantasy 😍

So this book took me a little while to really get in to but from 60% I was really invested and couldn't wait to see what happened.

Aemyra is our bad ass FMC, she is strong yet vulnerable and I really grew to her as the book went on. She really began growing into who she is meant to be.

Fiorean is the MMC and I must say I just imagining him as Lucian from ACoTAR 😆 auburn hair and a scar over the side of his face, very similar in my brain! (That's totally not a bad thing, I love Lucian!). Fiorean is a bit of a rollercoaster but he fills the role of hot and handsome MMC very well!

I really enjoyed the story and where this is heading, the ending definitely left me wanting more and I can't wait to see what happens! What I did feel was that a lot of the world building in the beginning didn't come together easily, also some of the pacing felt a bit quick in the first half of the book and between the two main characters.

I think for me I would have preferred up to a certain plot point (no spoilers) to be the first book and to have been bulked out a bit more, with the second half of the book as book 2, again with more details.

That doesn't mean this is a bad read, it's fantastic writing and the story is a great romantasy but I just needed it to be a bit more in depth in places.

A good one for romantasy fans with a great Scottish theme running through!

"It will remind me of how good your blood looks on my blade."

"Weak men would rather guilt strong women than become strong themselves."

"Unhand my wife or lose it."

"I hate it when men say whatever they think you want to hear the minute they lose their power."

"Aemyra. Please. Calm down. "I assure you that no woman has ever calmed down after being told those words."

"You clipped my wings for twenty-six years and yet you expect me to know how to fly."

"Aemyra had been forged in fire, but a queen would rise from the ashes."

Unfortunately I was very disappointed by this book.

Characters:
I haven't read a main character that is as insufferable as Aemyra in a long, long time. Maybe ever? For the whole book, she is so full of herself and brags about her birth right and her better-than-anyone-else-magical abilities, yet does nothing. We don't see this great magic and we sure as hell don't see her queen-ly-abilities, instead we get a whiny bitch who hates on other women, makes the dumbest decisions (really, so stupid I got angry at times) like 15 year old and has a mental breakdown once she realizes that she's actually vulnerable? Who would have thought.
Fiorean was bland like a piece of toast. Scarred and burned toast, but that didn't really matter, right?Cause he was hot anyway.
I'm rooting for Andarian, maybe he can turn this shitshow around.

Plot:
Saw all the major plot twists coming, but it had potential overall. The ending is kind of cliffhanger, so now I'm somehow interested in book 2 despite my rating for this one..

Wordbuilding:
Had potential.

Writing:
It felt like a YA, but isn't supposed to be one. Also was kinda choppy at times, dragged for some parts and sped through other parts way too fast. Pacing was just weird overall.

Intrigue & Entertainment:
I was weirdly interested in the plot and entertained throughout the story, DNFing was never an option despite the writing style that annoyed me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this eARC!

I devoured this book. Genuinely, I just did not want to put it down. It has magic, dragons, love, and betrayal.
I thought it was an enjoyable read. I did predict a good portion of what was going to happen, but I enjoyed how the author went about it.
I feel like the FMC Aemyra needed to calm down and think about things before running off trying to execute poorly laid plans. She's full of female rage, and whilst I can understand why, she doesn't exactly help herself.
I will 100% be continuing with this series.

What can I say about this book? I LOVED it. This is a wonderful debut novel from Hazel McBride. It has great characters and such a strong FMC who encountered battles, lies, secrets, betrayal and so much more. I really enjoyed the romance element of this book and thought it was tastefully done. I thought that even though it was filled with action the building of the world was done in a perfectly slow but steady pace - I was hooked.

If you love Dragons, Game of Thrones, Fourth Wing etc I think you will love this one! Highly recommend and can't wait to see what more is to come.

Huge thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Dialogue Books & NetGalley for this ARC.

4⭐ I really enjoyed this.
Interesting concept of the matriarchy and I could tell that Aemyra’s character focused on attempting to be a strong yet compassionate queen that was continuously tested throughout the various situations she was thrown in to.

The Goddess’ vs the ‘Chosen’ premise reminded me of the Game of Thrones sparrows, where one faith is being forced upon a nation which made for an exciting plot.

I loved the relationship development between Aemyra and Fiorean. This felt like a true enemies to lovers where their hatred towards one another and what they stood for was the majority of the plot until a subtle shift that organically grew into love... but then back to enemies?! The ending shift sets up for a great sequel.
I felt there was maybe a slight lack of chemistry at times but probably because I felt we didn’t get enough of Fiorean.

The moment where she’s almost mutilated made me physically sick with fear for her. It was so impactful and the moment Fiorean finally makes it there was heart wrenching.

I also sadly didn’t attach to many of the side characters like I hoped to. Adarian and even Maggie have potential to grow on me though I think.

Finally, my only real qualm was that there were a lot of confusing place names/ characters to remember, even with the help of the glossary and pronunciation guide. I found myself getting stuck!

Thank you NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book, it did take me a while to get into one I was I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the characters in this also. Can’t wait for the next.

A Fate Forged in Fire was one of my most anticipated reads of this year, and I can honestly say the excitement surrounding it is so deserved!

With a formidable FMC and a plot that is full to the brim with romance, magic, dragons and political matters too there really was so much depth to this story!. I adored the fact that our Leading lady showed the world that she could easily do it herself, and following the way in which her character developed from beginning to end was utter perfection.

This is a fantasy read that I would urge everyone to read!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

A smashing debut novel with great characters. Finally, a strong woman who doesn't turn into a simpering wimp at the first sight of a man 😉
The romance element is superbly executed enemies-to-lovers, but the thing I loved most about this story is the total and catastrophic destruction of everything. Really enjoyed the finale, which leads into the promise of a sequel.
Now, how everything will turn out, that's like the million dollar question. And I can't wait to find out.
If you like gritty, dark, sexy, and you are not squeamish.