"Dawn of Fate and Valor," the second book in the Awakened Fates series, continues the captivating journey with a rich blend of fantasy and adventure. The dual narration by Nick Mondelli and Islay Jacobs adds depth, with each bringing unique energy to their characters, enhancing the storytelling experience.

The plot is engaging, filled with twists that keep you on your toes, while character development shines as relationships deepen and evolve. Dark and Grey’s writing creates a vivid world that draws you in, making it easy to lose track of time while listening.

I’d rate this audiobook 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a strong continuation of the series that fans will appreciate. Thank you to NetGalley for my copy; all opinions are my own!

#NetGalley #LucindaDark #RebeccaGrey #DawnOfFateAndValor #DreamscapeMedia

A good continuation from where the first book left off. I ultimately enjoyed but frankly felt that there wasn’t enough of a plot to wanted this series being a whole trilogy. Not too much happened in this installment, and I wonder how much is really left to wrap up in the last book. Still I had a good time listening. The audiobook being as well done as it was certainly helped my opinion of the story, kudos to both voice actors!

Romance with fantasy is becoming my favourite genre and this is book 2 in the series. I love the narration as it was easy and simple. The language used is also easy to understand plus the narrator was amazing. I love listening to the audiobook of this title. The plot was well written along with such an interesting set of characters. I had a great time.

I apologize for the delay on my review for this title. Things have been hectic on my side. I did absolutely love listening to this audio. I truly cannot wait for the next one! Things have progressed with the couple in the story and love where it’s going.

❀•◦𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔+𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔◦•❀
• bodyguard romance
• boy obsessed (and in denial still)
• dark romance vibes
• fated mates
• forbidden romance
• forced proximity
• grumpy x sunshine
• he falls first
• morally grey
• om drama
• romantasy
• slow burn

Wow!

I mean it quite literally that this book started off with a bang!!!

I loved the Tarantino-esque glimpse into the future before going back and showing us how the characters got there! After the brief flash-forward, this book picks up right where Blood and Glass left off, which I love (nothing worse than waiting for a sequel that is disconnected from the first book!)

The development of Devonry and Nasir's relationship felt very natural, even though tension had been building since the first book.

Fate and Valor is well-written and fast-paced. A super fun and engaging read that I could not stop!

I went back and read my review for the first book in the series because, at the start of the second book, I couldn't recall the plot. As I progressed through the book, I started to remember the first story. In comparison to the first book, I enjoyed it less. This is usually the case with the second book in a trilogy or series, where the plot has to be moved forward, and that can be a bit slow. Although we get the characters we liked from the first book, this one took its time to get to the point. In the first book, I wanted more romance, which we get in the second book and we get a few spicy scenes, both real and imagined. Devonry, at our first meeting, was a weak princess who tended to ramble and whine a lot. She was held in her ivory tower as a princess with no worldly experience. Now, she's partially awakened and learning to be strong for her Queendom. By the end of the book, Devonry is pretty much that rock that she will need to be to face her hardest battle. We also see less of Solomon and more in other ways. Solomon will have to battle his inner demon and be a bit more honest with Devonry.

Overall, the book was okay, the world-building is decent, and the villains are very obviously bad. The main characters both showed some growth, and the romance is starting to blossom. Is this the best book series? No, but it is entertaining, and I look forward to the last book.

Reading this book was just so great! I loved the first book, and I was looking forward for this one, and yeah, it was a fantastic sequel! I loved being back in this world with these characters, and boy, did the story continue on in this book!

This book starts as they're arriving at Bartoli, and doesn't end until they are leaving. And boy does a lot happen in this book! Like she came into her own powers, and gained some information, like the fact that she's the reincarnation of a goddess-and Solomon of said goddess's lover. Things that I'm so excited to continue on and finish in the fight!

One thing that really boiled my blood is the way the Bartoli royals treated her, it was utterly horrendous, like their son didn't murder her father and take over her country, they were just so cavalier about it all. It was so immensely frustrating!

Devenry really needed the time in this book. She survived what happened in the first with Solomon's help, but she was pretty helpless. She learns and trains and grows into herself in this book, to the point where she can go back and face Nasir, and I can't wait for that showdown!

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to see how the story is going to wrap up!

Dawn of Fate and Valor was better than book one!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Born a royal heir.
Fallen from grace.

Dawn of Fate and Valor is book two in the Awakened Fates Series. Its filled with action, intrigue and spice!

“Maybe at one point he was my enemy. But now he’s my savior.”

⚔️ Steamy Fantasy Romance
⚔️ Forced Proximity
⚔️ Dual POV
⚔️ Touch Her and Die
⚔️ Fated Mates
⚔️ Bodyguard Romance
⚔️ Slow Burn
⚔️ Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers

I liked the narrators and It is always so nice when the two MCs have different voices.

“If we can never be then why do the gods plague me with this constant need for her?”

𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 (4.5, rounded up to 5)
𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

[I listened to this as an audiobook]

I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I liked it more than the first book in the series.

The dual narration was great for the MCs. While the side characters did have different tones, I felt (as with book one) that the voices weren't hugely different though. Different enough to notice, but maybe not quite enough for me to always know exactly who was talking before their name was brought up.

The secrets, betrayal, and intrigue were perfect! I did have a couple of 'told you so' moments with the FMC, but I also felt she had some great character growth towards the end, which I loved!

The ending was not what I was expecting! I didn't see it coming, but absolutely loved it.

I cannot wait to listen to book three!



💢 𝙏𝙒𝙨: Violence, mild gore, sexual scenes


☆I received an ALC of this book from the authors, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own honest opinions.☆

I found Dawn of Fate and Valor to be very slow for me for the first half to three-quarters of the novel. It took quite a while for me to find something to relate to in either major character and I struggled with the pace of the novel. It just wasn't for me.

I was blessed to get an audio arc for book one and two. - I really love the narrators of this audio! Its been since the summer since I read book 1 but I was able to jump right in to book 2. Overall, I enjoyed book 2 and will likely continue with the last of the series.

As I expected this was a great follow up! I wasn't a fan of Devonry in the first book but I felt her character grew in leaps and bounds! Lots of action and lore growth too!

Similar to how I felt about the first book in this series, I liked Dawn of Fate and Valor, but didn’t quite love it. However, I remain invested in the story and want to see where the series goes.

This book picks right up where the first left off, with Devonry and Solomon fleeing her kingdom to find refuge in the hands of her betrothed. The two and their companions spend this book in the Bartoli empire and palace trying to find a way to get the Bartoli family to help Devonry reclaim her throne from their younger prince who usurped it. The Bartoli’s were definitely a love to hate set of characters that served nicely as the villains. They are pompous, manipulative, and utterly frustrating in their inaction, so it is very easy to feel that Devonry’s exasperation and annoyance at having to rely on their aid is earned.

This series is the slowest of slow burns - Devonry and Solomon didn’t even get together until significantly through the second book, and even then, they aren’t really admitting feelings for one another. I liked Solomon’s character more in this book than I did in the first. Yes, there’s the overprotective bodyguard stereotype and the jealous mate stereotype, but I appreciated little moments of his character where he stood up for Devonry in small ways, like calling her queen when all others refer to her as princess. Ultimately, I still feel like Devonry has a lot of growth to go through to become the queen she’s supposed to be, but I saw glimpses of some character development to come, especially in Devonry’s actions towards the end of the book.

I felt as if the world building that I really enjoyed in the first book didn’t get the same attention in this book despite being in a completely different setting. I wish there had been more focus on reestablishing or expanding upon the magic system in this world (as well as the gods and goddesses since the two are heavily linked) to learn more about what exactly is happening to Devonry as she “awakens”.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this Audiobook!

I have been provided with a review copy of Dawn of Fate and Valor from NetGalley for an impartial review. I just absolutely had so much fun getting to go along on these characters journey. I was just swept away and I just absolutely can’t get enough of this series or its wonderful characters. This author just has a way of drawing you in with her wonderful stories and you just can’t get enough of them. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Sequels are always hard, and as far as second books go this one is pretty darn good! The first half really drug along for me, but I soldiered through.

Solomon, I like Solomon, and I realllly liked his narrator Nick Mondelli. I definitely wanted more POV chapters with his narration.

Islay Jacobs did a great job narrating as well, I just found Devonry a pretty annoying un-relatable character. And quite honestly, I got tired of hearing her name... it is a mouthful! I'm glad she started to have some character development in this one, but I had a hard time getting over her naivety and how long it took her to start piecing things together and really stepping up to be a leader.

I wonder if I just wasn't in the right mood for this second book, but it just didn't hit the spot for me. I think it is a great romantasy, it read a litte more YA for me, and maybe that is why I just wasn't feeling it right now. But I think for others it is easily a 4.5 star fun read. For me, it was just a 3.5 for now. Might revisit in the future.

*Thank you to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley, and the authors for the audiobook. I am always glad to leave my honest opinion!*

If you want YEARNING, like true agonizing, knuckle biting, yearning. This is the book for you.

"Dawn of Fate and Valor" picks up right where "Crown of Blood and Glass" left us. Devonry is still on the run from her former best friend Nasir, searching night and day for a way to free her people from his grasp and regain her freedom and her throne. The ever loyal Solomon is steadfast beside her, pledging himself as her sword forevermore. Together, they are up against more insidious foes than ever before and time is running out. Devonry no longer has the luxury of pacifism; it's do or die.

This book includes:
- pining, yearning, devoted forbidden love
- dual pov - each with their own audiobook narrator
-excruciating slow burn (in a good way)
- internal monologues galore
- "I'm not good enough for her" MMC
- political intrigue in a foreign court
- past lives and gods reborn
- elemental magic
- vampire? kinda
- one horse trope action

This series is criminally underrated. I love Devonry and Solomon and their entire harrowing journey expertly pulls me in any time I reenter their world. I love the way we have been able to see Devonry's growth and maturation throughout each of the conflicts she a Solomon go through. Her character development is fantastic and feels real. Her journey from reliant fear, to bold strength is captivating.

Solomon kills me. I love him and everything he does. His inner monologues can be a bit repetitive, but I don't care because his character remains complex and emotive. He really has gone through so much and you can't help but yearn for his *happy ever after* along with him. There was one conversation between Devonry and Solomon right at the end - IYKYK - and I felt my heart shatter along with his. I can't wait for book 3 because I need a resolution for that.

I can't recommend this series enough. If you love TOG, "Blood & Steel," or "A Fate Inked in Blood," this will be your cup of tea. Also if you're a fan of audiobooks, I highly recommend the format. Both narrator are fantastic, particularly Solomon's voice actor who infuses so much emotion into his voice and really brings Solo's pain to life.

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Lucinda Dark, Rebecca Grey, and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this book. If possible, I would love to be added to your PR list and maybe discuss a collaboration for my BookTok in anticipation for book 3's release.

This review has been posted to GoodReads - check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863

After listening to the first book of this series to be able to listen to this ARC, I noticed criticism of Crown of Blood & Glass on Goodreads. This is my review of that book:

I would give this book 5 ⭐️ if it weren’t for the plagiarism claims I saw on another platform (Goodreads). Those reviews say that this book is copied from the anime Yona of the Dawn. I didn’t know how to handle my review of the book after seeing that so I checked out Yona of the Dawn for myself. What I saw: They changed the FMCs hair from red to white blonde. Scene for scene, I didn’t see any other major differences in episode 1 from the first 25-30% of the book. I stopped there since based on other reviews, it keeps going. I truly don’t know why the authors would do this to themselves. The book is so well written; it’s clear they could have done so much more than make a carbon copy of something else. I do not recommend this book - I do recommend Yona of the Dawn (on Hulu) based on how much I liked the book version of it. 🥺

Due to my originality concerns for book 1, I do not feel comfortable continuing on with the series. I did not listen to Dawn of Fate and Valor.

I found that I liked this book more than the first book. In this book, it feels like we have a little bit of a more stable ground where things are happening. The Princess decides that they (her and Solomon) need to go to her actual Betrothed - the Crown Prince - and his family to get their assistance in removing Nasir and getting her country back. So, that is what happens for most of the book.

We also get some pretty good secondary characters that become part of their group and go along to help them out. We also get more information on Solomon's feelings for the Princess and why he was told he could not act on his feelings. We also start to see her grow up a little and begin to understand the world in a more realistic way.

This book seemed to fly by much faster because I was actually really interested in the events that were happening. The 4 of them seemed to solidify as a group and I enjoyed watching the relationship between Solomon and the Princess finally start to evolve.

Things end with a certain part of the storyline resolved, but the overall story arc is still ongoing. There is still a country to save. I listened to this on audio and the narration was done by Nick Mondelli and Islay Jacobs. I enjoyed the narrators.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

This is the second in a series which can be really difficult to pull off. However, I think Lucinda and Rebecca did a really good job. They maintained the tension between the two main characters while keeping the main story line moving along. I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrators were great. I was thrilled when the narrators were the same as the first audiobook. Nick Mondelli is fast becoming one of my favourite narrators. All up this is a great second book that really paves the way for the 3rd book without being boring or just a line from 1 to 3. Very much looking forward to book 3!

Big thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape media, Lucinda Dark and Rebecca Grey for this early release copy of the audio book in exchange for an honest review.

I received the audiobook version of this via NetGalley and did a combo listen/read:

The voice actors were lovely for this book. The person who voiced Solomon had such such a beautiful, emotive voice and you could hear all of the longing, lust, pain, and devotion that this character has for his Queen.

Quick Summary: The recently Awakened daughter of the Saintess Queen is on a journey to retake her kingdom from the clutches of a friend-turned-enemy. The Person at her side? Her enemy-turned...friend? Or maybe more... As Devonry tries to determine if the Galeanos are friend or foe, she works to develop her powers and decide what kind of queen she'll be. **This book is the second in a series and the first one should be read prior to starting this***

My Thoughts: This series is a slow burn but once it get's going it is HOT. This romance is so worth the wait and had me kicking my feel and squealing in the last 30%. This series has everything that i look for in "romantasy": unique worldbulding and magic, morally gray characters, enemies-to-lovers, and strong side characters. I would give 5 stars to this book just for keeping Argyle and Celine as supporting characters! These two add so much to the story. Now let's get to book 3 and get Devonry her kingdom back!

Why to read/listen to this book in 3 quotes:

"I’ll go hunt down Lord Too-Handsome-To-Be-So-Cranky"
"I’m surrounded by him—by the wild nature of his scent, like fire and wet soil. He invades my every pore, driving out all thought."
"Touch my Queen and you will die."