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.

I have read high fantasy before. Of course the first pages of the first book in the series are meant to be confusing, but it shouldn't be annoyingly confusing. Take author G for example, I was awed when I read his prologue the first time, confused but satisfied at the opening of the story. But this book angers me more than anything. Aemyra is so insufferable I can't stand being in her thoughts. Perhaps this book just isn't for me, though I believe it will find the right audience just fine out there.

It is a great debut novel for Hazel McBride, it did take some while to fully immersed myself into the book. But once I was invested the overall plot was very addictive. If you are a fan of game of thrones this would be a great blind buy nonetheless!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this e-arc!

I'd seen this book around bookstagram so much and so grateful to receive a review copy through Netgalley. It is worth ALL the hype.

What to expect:
Enemies to Lovers
Dragons
Elemental Magic
Animal Bonds
War

This book was super action packed, after a slow start with the worldbuilding it really picked up at 30%, and I was hooked.
Aemyra was an amazing FMC, strong willed and powerful but also empathetic and kind. Her journey is one of lies, betrayals, battles and secrets and I really felt for her the whole time. In this book we see her struggle to rise as the true Queen, blessed by the goddesses to rule, but on both sides she is used as a pawn and undermined.
The religion aspect in this book was fascinating, and the war between both sides. A religion has risen up hating powerful magic users and women and I really hope in the next book Aemyra gets to crush them all.
I heard this was a HOTD/GOT fan fic before and I definitely see those vibes.
Fiorean was a great MMC, I loved his character arc, but that ending!!!! We NEED the next book immediately. The cliffhanger really leaves us with not knowing who to trust!

The Dragons were excellent and the bonding was fascinating and I really hope we get more moments of them together in the next book.

Overall if you loved GOT, Fourth Wing etc then you'll love this book! It's out 27th of May and I highly recommend picking up a copy!

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to Hazel McBride and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC,

I thought this was brilliant for a debut fantasy writer, the set up and plot took a while to get going but became very engrossing. Its a matriarchal society in her Erisocia world (or should be) and Had some great, but harrowing scenes that felt relevant for issues faced today.
I do love a strong female character and could see what Hazel was accomplishing here, but I think there were occasional times the main character felt a bit obnoxious. But I would still prefer this to cookie cutter characters.
Overall, I still loved the Celtic background, the elemental magic , the world building and most of the characters and hope to get to know them all better in the sequel ( which feels very far away and after that cliff-hanger). The last third of the book is particularly well written.
I've bought the physical copy also as cover is beautiful!

I went into A Fate Forged in Fire expecting a Gaelic-inspired romantasy with dragons—what I got felt more like House of the Dragon fanfiction, with every name swapped for a Gaelic equivalent and the signature white hair conveniently turned ginger.

Plot & Pacing
The storyline was predictable, every single one of my predictions came true. Because it borrowed so heavily from Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, there were no real surprises. Even before I realized it was essentially a fanfic rework, I kept thinking, this feels oddly familiar…, and once I put my finger on it, it became even harder to stay immersed. The first 200–250 pages dragged, and while I eventually got into it, the ending lacked impact and left me underwhelmed.

Worldbuilding & Writing Style
Even as a Scot, I found the heavy use of Gaelic names, places, and terminology overwhelming. A pronunciation guide was included, but an additional glossary might have helped. Instead of adding depth, the abundance of Gaelic elements felt excessive and, at times, distracting.

Characters & Emotional Depth
I struggled to form a strong emotional connection with the characters. They could have been developed further to make their arcs more compelling. Aemyra, the FMC, had fantastic banter, but her characterisation wavered, she often came across as very immature for a 26-year-old. When deaths occurred, I didn’t feel the gut-punch I expected.

Romance & Female Rage
This was not a romantasy. The romantic subplot lacked development, jumping straight from enemies to instant love with no tension or slow burn. I was here for the female rage, which was enjoyable at times, but the romance felt underwhelming. When we finally got to the smut, it was disappointingly basic, with the only redeeming factor being that it was at least consensual, unlike the misogynistic trends of other characters in the book.

Final Thoughts
Ultimately, this book had so much potential, and I still believe in that potential. The characters could have been fleshed out more, and the major plot points needed better execution to truly deliver on the stakes the story set up. As a debut, there’s room for growth, and I have no doubt Hazel’s storytelling will improve. If she leans into her own unique voice rather than derivative worldbuilding, her future works could be something truly special.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A solid debut with potential, but highly predictable, and missing the emotional depth I was hoping for.