To preface, I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Ballantine Books and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this novel prior to the release date!!

Our female main lead, Aemyra, is every bit a Celtic bad-ass you want in your fiery redheads. She is a woman who cannot be tamed, and it was very fun to live vicariously through her. Her counterpart, Fiorean, brought an intensity to the field that made for a slow-burn I was reluctant to put down. The description of the world was exquisite, and it was very easy for me to get to know our characters. Some of them aren't the smartest of the bunch, but that's why we love the, isn't it?

I can see this book being one of the big releases of 2025! I do urge to you ensure you've read any content warnings prior to reading. I wouldn't say there was anything over the top, and it's passed by quickly.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine for letting me read A Fate Forged in Fire. I wanted to like this more than I did. The plot and world-building were fantastic, but the main character was not an enjoyable head to journey around with. I think she’s supposed to be angry and righteous, but what she ultimately comes around as is just mean, with or without provocation.

Firstly, thank you NetGalley and Random House for the e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I LOVED this! By far the best fantasy romance I've read this year.

I flew through this book in a couple of days (and the last 70% in one sitting). The writing is excellent, as is the pacing. So much happens and there was never a dull moment.

The FMC is a badass and the MMC is very Aemond Targaryan coded in the best way. All the characters are fleshed out and their motivations clearly understood.

I cannot wait for book 2!! Definitely pick this up if any of the following interest you.

- Elemental magic
- Political intrigue
- Religious zealots
- Enemies to lovers
- Dragons

This book started off very slow, but it got better and better as it went on.
I realized this would be a cliff hanger at about 60% and I while I dislike cliff hangers, I am excited for the next book.

This was not as "adult" as I assumed it would be but it was still very good.

thank you for the opportunity to read this.

There are no words to do this book justice except five GLOWING stars. 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is the book I’ve been searching for. It is a COMPLEX action packed romantasy-ish(I wouldn’t say fully romantasy) book.

I instantly felt a connection to the FMC the likes of which I haven’t felt since reading the Throne of Glass series. She is real and far from perfect, but fierce and loyal.

Just do yourself a favor and read this book ASAP. You will NOT regret it.

The biggest thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the pleasure of reading an ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. Started off slow but once it got going it was very enjoyable. As much as I hate a cliffhanger, I am looking forward to the next book. Decent world-building and great romance with a 3rd act twist that was sort of predictable but interesting nonetheless.

This was honestly such a breath of fresh air. While it took me a while to get used to the Gaelic names and the pronunciation, I really enjoyed this and was thankful for the glossary. The world, magic, and politics made this story constantly exciting and never boring, and it always felt high stakes to me. I think a ton of people will find love this!

Wow! It has been a minute since I’ve stayed up late to finish a book. I actually don’t recall the last time my heart was pounding, stressing about characters! This is definitely a book that needs to be added to your TBR for 2025!

I think there’s going to be some indifference about Aemyra’s character, as she is stubborn and makes some bad choices, but I actually thought that’s what I liked most about this book! I love flawed characters and the mistakes she was making really made her feel more real to me. On the flip side, I can see how that would get frustrating.

I also appreciate a real enemies to lovers! These two hate each other - want each other dead, no exceptions and I kinda live for it! I think my only concern that I noticed like half way through the book was .. Are they related? Like distantly because I’m confused about the familial line I suppose?

That aside! I liked it and could not put it down! I will definitely be waiting for the second book, especially after that ending are you JOKING?


Thank you Penguin Random House & NetGalley for early access to this eARC for an honest review!

This book was absolutely amazing! I loved the enemies to lovers and the banter!!!! It's a great fantasy romance. I would definitely recommend giving it a shot you won't be disappointed!!!

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5

I’ve been waiting for this book for what feels like forever and when I finally had it I was scared I’d hyped it up too much in my head. I was right to be scared but for an entirely different reason… this book consumed me in the best way and took over my every waking thought. I loved it from the very first line!

It’s an unbelievable fantasy romance debut. McBride has a really immersive, theatrical and atmospheric writing style that made me forget I was reading (chapter 15 gave me literal chills!). There’s intricate and clever world building without the feeling of a massive info dump but also room to explore more in the coming books. I loved the Celtic inspired world and mythology.

The enemies to lovers romances was GIVING 👏 with edible banter and a slow burn to leave you longing and whilst the romance is more of the sub plot it is not lacking in the slightest. The main plot of Aemyra trying to reclaim her birth right in a crumbling matriarchy, that she’s been groomed and manipulated for her entire life was so intriguing and very Game of Thrones- esque (and by that I mean absolutely no one is safe!) and the twists kept me on my toes until 4am when I finished the book.

As well as the main romance relationship the other characters and relationships felt fleshed out and well rounded. In particular Aemyra and her twin brother Adarian, their relationship felt so real right down to the sibling squabble we get to see. Aemyra is a beautifully flawed FMC making her relatable in so many ways and I adore that she is openly Bi/Queer. She’s stubborn, obstinate and full of rage and watching her learn the art of war and court politics was really endearing!

There’s powerful messages of classism and feminism and honestly the feminist tones of this book made me proud to be a woman in so many ways. Including the awesome midwifery representation 🙌 (given that it’s my profession I was so glad to see it!!)

If my review hasn’t convinced you to read this book then also there’ badass freaking dragons 🐉 and bonding with mythical beasts. What more could you want?!

Saddle up it’s time to return to Dragonheart but this time the women ride at dawn!

Wow! Talk about a book that brings a punch! The female empowerment that comes in this book filled my heart and soul!!! The truth hidden in these pages camouflaged with fantasy and magic makes this reader very happy!

I absolutely loved everything about this book! So many secrets to uncover! All while sitting on the edge of your seat awaiting to see who will fall or be burnt to a crisp!

The authors way of writing grabs you and pulls you in making you invested in the characters! For instance I do not cry at books and there’s a part that ripped my soul and left me in a watery wasteland! I need book 2 immediately!

Enemies to lovers, political war, dragons, slow burn—> give it to me!

Overall engaging and enticing to read. The plot really picked up though towards the last quarter of the book.
Spicy scenes between our 2 main characters were a delight. Because this book is fast paced, the world building and figuring out the motivations behind the characters couldn’t go as in depth as I would have liked.

The BETRAYAL by our boy in the end just when we started to like him! It’s going to be interesting to see how they reconcile in the 2nd book.

Check the Trigger Warnings list before getting to deep in the book🚨

This book sounded amazing (and that cover is stunning!) but I was left quite disappointed. The main character - Aemyra - was annoying and cringey and I didn't like her at all. The world building was lacking - it felt like there were massive bits of information that I was missing, and that made it hard to follow in places. The ending wasn't bad, but it was such a challenge to get there that it really wasn't worth it. Not a series I'll be continuing with.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy to review.

The book isn't even out yet and I immediately need the second one in the series! This was such a good and refreshing read, really focused on character development and quality world building. This is one of my favorite fantasy worlds I've read in a long time.

It’s nice to start a book where the princess in hiding knows she’s a princess. She didn’t just turn eighteen and suddenly enter a world she knows nothing about; no, she knows what’s going on and more than that, she’s going to do something about it. Aemyra and Fiorean had a very nice, tense enemies to reluctant allies vibe going on, filled with doubt, suspicion and a slow growing trust … and all that got thrown out the window for the romance. There was no sense of romance between them, at the time, other than the obligatory “oh, he’s hot, wow, look at his dick” moments (especially with Aemyra’s very open bisexuality), so this sudden passion felt so … forced. So rote, as if it were there because the author didn’t think the readers would bearble to handle the slow burn that was developing.

So, yeah.

The dragons, the magic, the clash of religions, the bias and bigotry having to be reevaluated as Aemyra gets to see and understand both sides of the fight — her father’s lies, the queen’s lies, the fact that society and politics aren’t always black and white — was interesting. The writing is strong, the world building is solid, and the pace is nice and brisk. The plot is well crafted and, overall, I had a good time and will be looking for book two in the series.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for granting me an ARC.

With a well rounded cast of characters, Mcbride's, A Fate Forged in Fire, is an excellent first installment of what I hope is at least a trilogy. With hints of multiple tropes woven beautifully together, the reader is swiftly pulled into Aemyra's life with all of its family drama, secrets, legacies, and magic. While some events seemed expected, there are enough twists and mysteries remaining that it avoids becoming cliche and instead seems like a fresh new fantasy novel. Without giving too much away, know that you will be rooting for Aemyra to gain her rightful place and just maybe you'll be rooting for Fiorean too. The presence of magic and oh yes, dragons, makes A Fate Forged in Fire a thoroughly enjoyable and at times thought provoking read.

Loved reading the mesmerizing and spellbinding paranormal story. When Aemrya, the true queen, is captured, she tries to escape, forced to marry the prince, Fiorian, her enemy, and has her powers taken away from her. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting story. Can't wait for the next story in the series by the fabulous author, Hazel McBride!

Celtics inspired? Dragons? Romantasy? This was the perfect amount of everything. I was captivated from chapter one.

Beautifully written story. I look forward Aemyra’s story. There was hope, heartache, love, grief. All of the emotions were felt when I read this.

Fantasy books are very hit or miss for me. And unfortunately this was a miss, albeit it was a fun miss. I was intrigued by the dragons and romance, but this just felt like other romantasy books that are out there. It felt like an overdone plot line and something I'd already read. I think this has the potential to be a great series, but just not one I was captured by.