This was a dark and intriguing start to the Canen Dera series. The worldbuilding was gritty and layered, immediately pulling me into a setting where survival feels uncertain and every choice has weight. The main character’s arc was compelling, raw, flawed, and human in a way that made me invested in their journey. The story balanced action with moments of introspection, keeping the tension steady throughout.

Pros: Gritty, immersive worldbuilding; a flawed yet engaging protagonist; steady pacing with plenty of action; strong series setup.

Cons: At times the prose leaned heavy, and some secondary characters could have been fleshed out more.

Overall, a promising and atmospheric first book that left me eager to see where the series goes next. A solid 4 stars!

I want to first thank Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. But, unfortunately, this book isn’t for me because I felt the plot was overwhelming and the characters weren’t interesting.

Rowan Wolf’s Hanged by Fate (Canen Dera, Book 1) introduces a sweeping epic fantasy filled with prophecy, family secrets, and a world stained by pain and destiny. The setup is powerful: siblings foretold to bring about the downfall of humanity are taken from their home as children. Their family, broken, hunted, and living in the shadows, must fight to reclaim them while grappling with fear, superstition, and power that may or may not be theirs to wield.

One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its premise. The prophecy vs. free will question looms large — Are these siblings truly destined to bring ruin, or are they being shaped by those who believe in the prophecy? That kind of moral ambiguity adds richness. Also, Wolf seems adept at creating emotional tension: the separation of family, their varying upbringings, and the fear surrounding them generate empathy. The worldbuilding promises complexity, with political intrigue, zealotry, and superstition entwined with magic and power. Scenes hint at heart‑wrenching sacrifice, internal conflict, and moral choices, which are exactly what I want in a fantasy that deals with fate.

However, since this is an early‑release title (publishing Oct 21, 2025) and a first in a series, there are inevitable growing pains. Some elements feel familiar: prophecy, siblings with doomed destinies, families torn apart — tropes that fantasy readers have seen many times. The challenge will be in how distinct Wolf can make her characters and stakes. Will these siblings feel unique, or will they fall into prophecy archetypes? Also, with its large cast, multiple settings (captivity, family pursuits, looming external threats), there’s the risk of pacing issues: info dumps, backstory that slows forward movement, or emotional arcs that lag while world‑details are set.

Another possible weakness is in balancing the layers of tension. The emotional weight (siblings taken, family hunted, prophecy) is huge; if the narrative leans too much toward despair or introspection without enough action or progression, it could feel heavy. Also, with prophecy stories, there’s always the danger of predictability or characters being constrained by the prophecy in a way that reduces agency — I’ll be watching whether the characters feel trapped or whether they push back meaningfully.

Verdict: Hanged by Fate is shaping up to be a compelling start to a series. It has strong emotional stakes, a morally grey core, and an atmosphere of danger that promises both heartbreak and hope. While it leans on familiar fantasy tropes, there is enough in the premise and early tension to suggest it can rise above. I give it four stars: highly promising, definitely one to read, though not yet perfect — I’m excited to see how the next books develop character depth, pace, and surprises.

This was such an interesting read.
The premise really grabbed onto me and the book did the same.
The writing is good, the characters are complex, and the world building is full of detail.

It leaves you with your own questions about fate and destiny, and I truly believe every story should leave you feeling something. This one does that with ease