I cannot wait to get a physical copy of this book in my hands, the cover is beautiful! I was pre approved for this advanced copy from NetGalley, I knew nothing about it but the fact that it had dragons on the cover so I was immediately sold! I cannot say enough how thankful I am for that because I loved this book! This is sort of like House of the Dragon meets the TV show Reign in my opinion.

I read that this is a duology and honestly I’m terrified knowing that, because of everything that happened in book one I feel like book two is going to knock me off my feet. The emotional rollercoaster this book takes you on is unreal! I definitely recommend this for fans of George R.R. Martin!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing an early copy of A Fate Forged in Fire in exchange for my honest review.

This book was simply not for me.

I struggled to stay engaged with this book. The world-building felt underdeveloped, and the characters lacked depth, coming across as two-dimensional.

The use of modern language clashed with the 1700s setting, which pulled me out of the story. When I pick up a fantasy book, I anticipate a more immersive “fantasy timeline” feel, which this didn’t deliver.

There was also a lack of high stakes throughout the story, which made it hard to feel invested in the outcome. Additionally, the dragons—a potentially fascinating aspect—were underexplored, with not enough backstory or lore to make them truly captivating.

The absence of a glossary or pronunciation guide made it difficult to grasp certain names and terms, causing me to skim over them. Combined with the slow pacing, there just wasn’t enough to hold my interest or keep me engaged.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC - opinions are my own. 4.5/5 stars!

As the first woman born to her clan in generations, Aemyra is the rightful heir to the throne, but upon the death of the king, his widow and his male heir fight her claim, setting up a conflict between the values of the traditional matriarchical society and the misogynistic and oppressive views of the new faith, which holds that women are lesser and that those gifted with magic are evil. Aemyra must gather allies (including a dragon!) to fight for her throne.

I knew I was going to love this book from the dedication at the beginning - "For the little girls who were told to put their fires out. Burn them all to the fucking ground." If you're looking for Female Rage: The Romantasy version, this is the book for you. This is the first book of a duology and I am already excited to read the second!

Rating 3.5 stars rounded up!

First, a big thank you to NetGalley and Hazel McBride for the ARC! This review is unpaid and 100% my honest thoughts.

Let’s talk about A Fate Forged in Fire: Yes, the world-building starts off slow, but once I powered through those early chapters I was hooked and couldn't put it down.

Our FMC, Aemyra, is the definition of a hidden heir with serious main-character energy. She’s powerful and vengeful, which is great, but oh boy, she’s also got an ego the size of a dragon. Arrogant? Check. Convinced she’s better than everyone else? Double check. But honestly, I’m here for it—her thirst for vengeance makes her journey all the more compelling bur please grow up in the next book.

Now, let’s get to the romance—or should I say, the bloodthirsty battle disguised as romance? This is peak enemies-to-lovers territory. Aemyra and Fiorean absolutely despise each other at the start. And by despise, I mean there’s attempted murder involved. Multiple times. By both of them. Fiorean shows no mercy, and Aemyra? Let’s just say she’s not exactly handing out olive branches. While I won’t be adding Fiorean to my book boyfriend list (sorry, dude), I enjoyed their story.

And did I mention the dragons? DRAGONS. Plus, hidden royalty, a religious cult, and enough romantic tension to light up a city.

Sure, the first half of the book felt a bit tedious, and I still have some lingering questions, but this romantasy is worth adding to your TBR. If you’re into slow-burn beginnings that explode into chaos, romance with razor-sharp edges, and a world full of magic and intrigue, A Fate Forged in Fire is your next read.

I devoured this book! Love the Celtic mythology and the author did a wonderful job world building which takes talent to pull off. The book definitely has spice to it but also plenty of action and twist to balance it out. Can’t wait for book 2

This was a great ride. Blacksmith trying to take her rightful place on the throne, forbidden romance with an enemy prince. What could go wrong?

Dragons. Betrayal. Hot MMC. Bi MFC.

I loved the world building in this book, and the Celtic mythology that was also brought into this. For lovers of GOT and HOD! This book will be perfect!

I really wanted to like this one. It had some fantastic fantasy elements. I loved the world building and the dragons were a great touch. It was centered on a kingdom that was about female power. The kingdom however, had been ruled by a long line of male rulers. A new religious group called the Covenant, had come to the kingdom and were trying to stop all magic and women having power. They thought men should have everything and women are there just to be subservient and have babies. Aemyra has been waiting to become the next queen. She has been in hiding with her family and plans to take over the kingdom as soon as the old king dies. She just has to bond with his dragon. Things go horribly wrong and now Aemyra has to fight not just to become queen but to save those she loves.

I loved the idea about reading about a kingdom where women actually had power, alas that was not the case in this novel. The more I read, the more frustrated I became because Aemyra even though she was supposed to have all this untapped power and was capable of amazing things constantly needed rescuing. Just once I would have liked her to be the one to rescue herself. This is a duology so the book unfortunately did not have a resolution because you have to wait for the second book. There were definitely some steamy moments and I did like the romance until the end of the book. Again, I was frustrated with so many of the characters and the outcomes of their choices. I do want to know what happens so I will probably read the next novel.

Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

What a debut! Bravo, Hazel McBride, this book was stunning!

As an avid fantasy romance reader, this book was a breath of fresh air! I loved the Scottish themes, something you don’t get very often in these types of books. A Fate Forged in Fire gave me a good mix of Outlander meets House of the Dragons, and it was everything I didn’t know I needed!

I loved Aemyra as our FMC, and enjoyed navigating this world and learning her new role right alongside her. She was confident and sure of herself, but also a product of her upbringing being naive to the intricacies of court life and how to navigate war. She knew only what her estranged father taught her, which was biased and one sided. Watching her come into her own and realize her own desires and ideas on how to rule her people was such a fun ride.

I do wish we would have gotten a more fleshed out description of the bond between Aemyra and her dragon. While I could tell the bond was supposed to be life changing and deep between human and dragon, the importance and depth of the bond was glazed over and quickly written. I felt it odd that Aemyra was tutoring Fiorean on how to build a deeper connection, when as the reader we did not get a good sense of the connection between her and Terrea.

My other critique would be to put the glossary at the beginning of the book! I had no idea it existed until I finished the book, and it would have been so helpful for pronunciation and overall understanding of the world that was being built. While not crucial, as I still fell in love with the world Hazel McBride created, it would have been nice to know how to pronounce names and places!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and cannot wait until the next installment in the duology. The cliffhanger was a real one, and while I’m confident our characters will eventually reach their HEA, I am anxious to see how they get there!!!

This book has many familiar romantasy elements, but it also manages to introduce some new ones. The concept is interesting, but I found the FMC unlikable. I can definitely see an audience for this book, however, and the fast pacing will endear it to romantasy fans.

An arrogant rough-around-the-edges blacksmith (that’s actually the heir to the kingdom) has been hiding her true identity for years until the death of the king allows her to reveal her bright red hair and make her claim to the throne.
The Kingdom is trying to be taken by an uber religious cult that’s infiltrated the royal family and Aemyra needs to bond to a dragon asap and overthrow the rule.

It took me a long time to warm up to the FMC, Aemyra. Her haughtiness and arrogance was a lot to take in, especially when she continued to do rash and unintelligent things but stubbornly refused to believe she’s not the best? Definitely a frustrating character but by the end I liked her more.

The pacing of the book starts out slow as it world builds and then picks up at the end when all the action happens. It was a little too slow for me at the beginning but I understand trying to set up the world and magic system.

The world was fun; I love any fantasy world involving dragons.

The tropes made the plot predictable. Even with the “shocking ending” I feel like I’ve seen it so many times before I can already predict what’s going to happen in the next book.
With that said, I’m still excited to read whatever comes next and watch it all unfold, even if it is overused and predictable. I’ll still eat it up.

Overall I enjoyed this! It was a fun enemies to lovers romantasy with dragons.

This one took me a bit to get into, but once I did it was going! A true enemies to lovers, romantasy that brings a great new storyline. My only main complaint was the language dialect, I wish there was a guide to help readers keep track a little more seamlessly.

"A Fate Forged In Fire" is a captivating and entertaining read that will leave you wanting more. McBride's masterful storytelling and the compelling characters make this a must-read for fans of fantasy fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for letting me receive an uncorrected proof of one my favorite romantasy reads of the year!

Blurb:

“To become the first queen in centuries, a powerfully blessed blacksmith must use her wits and fire magic to overthrow the corrupt powers ruling her kingdom—while also fighting her growing desire for one of her dragon-riding adversaries—in the first book of a sizzling Celtic-inspired fantasy romance duology.”

I had so much fun reading this book and felt so lucky to receive this arc so early before its release next year. I loved the FMC Aemyra, she is strong, and bold and doesn’t take no for an answer. I loved her family, the politics, THE DRAGONS! FIOREAN is so witty I loved his banter with Aemyra.

I very much love the author put a lot of thought in this from her Scottish heritage and it shows. I AM A HUGE OUTLANDER FAN and I love learning about the Scottish/Celtic culture and use of Gaelic in her book you can see the love and thought she brought into it. There are themes of sex and misogyny so please read the trigger warnings. The book releases next year May 27, 2025 and I can’t wait for book 2!!

My Instagram is @ephemeralbooksss and my TIKTOK is EphemeralBooks

If you need more dragons in your bookish world this is gold! Great for fans of Fourth Wing who can’t get enough dragons. There are so many unique elements to the dragons and their riders. The Celtic inspiration throughout the story is beautifully done.

I enjoyed the FMC, Aemyra, who is a fire wielder. The story follows her on her journey to claim her rightful throne. There’s action, drama, and fantasy lore that doesn’t stop.

The enemies to lovers is delectable and as slow burn. There is some spice but more plot than spice.

The cliffhanger is brutal at the end but left me wanting to read more immediately. I need to know what happens with these characters and dragons.

“What did queens or kings matter in a world where dragons existed?”

This book has the potential to be the next big romantasy hit! Hazel McBride has created a lovely Gaelic inspired tale where a secret heir to the throne attempts to reinstate the matriarchal society of the past. Our FMC, Aemyra, is frustrating at times and makes some poor decisions, but she is dedicated to eradicating the Covenant, a patriarchal religion keen on taking over Tìr Teine. We follow Aemyra through her quest to gain her rightful place on the throne and all of the setbacks she faces along the way.

If you like enemies to lovers, forced marriage, and strong feminist characters, this story will keep you engaged throughout. Hazel did a wonderful job of creating such an enticing story that I could not put down! I will absolutely be recommending this book to friends.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for access to the eARC!

I loved this book so much! The characters, the plot, the twists and turns. I was hooked from the start. I loved that this book is a coming of age with a bit more experienced FMC. It allowed for a different take on the enemies to lovers trope. Aemryn and Florian’s story so far has been fraught with scheming politics and betrayal. I can’t wait to see what happens when they are united - I am more than ready to see the rot in this world burn.

I can’t wait until the next book is out! Definitely the start of an amazing series!

A queen’s quest to reclaim her birth and reign as the queen she was always meant to be. With possible love/hate romance with a man who’s family is currently occupying her throne..and Dragons
Tropes:
* Enemies to Lovers
* One bed. Oh no we have to share
* Political Intrigue
Overall this book for sure bypassed my expectations. I loved the main character Aemyra with fiery demeanor and “I’ll stab you” attitude. The storyline progressed at a great pace that sometimes didn’t leave me room to breath. Which I need out of a book.
There was a scene that came out of left field that gutted me. (If you know you know) and I was in rage and baying for justice. And boy did we get it.
And that final betrayal at the end. Girl. I need part 2 of this duology and knowing I’m going to be waiting 2 years minimum for it makes me wanna throw myself on the bed and flail lol
For sure would recommend and can’t wait for this. lol to be out in the world.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for a ARC of this book. I am so appreciative.
My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.

This was definitely interesting and a pretty good start to the series. there was some parts in the story that honestly confused me and i feel like i didnt get anything to clear that confusion up. It is definitely a slow burn thats for sure. im sure i will pick up the next book since i want to see what happens next.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Adult fantasy with “true” enemies-to-lovers, matriarchal society, and a bisexual FMC? Sign me up!

It was good. For those who eat up the romantasy genre, I think you’ll be satisfied. Aemyra is a very headstrong main character, Fiorean is hot (literally), and there’s dragons! Who doesn’t love dragons!

I went in with high hopes and was actually very pleased in the beginning. While I think the world building could do with a little more explanation, I was happy that there was an actual fantasy world to really base the story off of, and it wasn’t just “flimsy fantasy as a backdrop to straight romance” like some other books in the genre. I was really hoping for a Game of Thrones-esque plot that was romantic, sure, but had substance.

The book started to fall flat for me when Aemyra finds herself in her main predicament, “behind enemy lines.” I feel as though the writing then becomes unoriginal and typical for the genre. I even guessed the main plot twist.

I also wanted the writing to feel more flushed out and “adult.” Even the spicy scenes have cringy dialogue. It ended up reading YA in a not-good sense, which is a shame for me, because Aemyra is 26! She’s an actual adult!

I will read the eventual second book because I am invested in how Aemyra keeps the promise she makes at the end. Is it bad I hope it comes true?

Overall, I think it’s a good book for the romatasy genre. I was just hoping for something a little more flushed out and polished.