This was one of those books where the first half dragged, but the second half more than made up for it. The FMC, Aemyra, took a little getting used to, but overall I loved her unapologetic arrogance and passion. She was not the typical weak-but-becomes-powerful-FMC that Romantsy tends to throw at us; instead, she knew exactly who she was and what she stood for, and had no problem being as self-assured and self-confident as a man.

I loved the themes of feminism that were thrown in, and I truly LOVED the way McBride employed the enemies-to-lovers trope in this book; lately, enemies-to-lovers isn't really enemies-to-lovers- it's more like adversaries turned instalove. In A Fate Forged in Fire, though, the main characters TRULY are enemies and their relationship changes and progresses at a much more believable (and satisfying) pace.

Also, DRAGONS!

When does the next book release? I need it now!

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the idea of this book, but it was so hard to read. I felt there wasn't enough worldbuilding. Aspects of the world would just be thrown out without explanation and I struggled to keep up. I didn't finish the book for this reason, coupled with the annoying main character.

I really wanted to love this book—it had such an amazing premise! But unfortunately, the execution just didn’t hit the mark for me. For the first 75% of the story, I found myself struggling to stay engaged, and by the time I reached the end, it felt like all that effort didn’t really pay off.

That said, there were definitely some strong points! This was a TRUE enemies-to-lovers story, which is always fun and full of tension, and I absolutely loved the Celtic representation. It added a unique and rich cultural backdrop to the story, which was refreshing and beautifully done.

However, I had a hard time connecting with the characters—they didn’t feel relatable or fleshed out enough for me to truly care about their journeys. And while I appreciate strong feminist themes in stories, it felt like the message was being over-delivered in a way that detracted from the plot. It was almost like the narrative was trying a little too hard to make a point instead of letting it flow naturally.

Overall, while this book had its moments and some interesting elements, it didn’t quite live up to its potential for me. But if you’re a fan of Celtic mythology and love a serious enemies-to-lovers arc, it might still be worth checking out—you never know what might click for you!

3.5/5 stars 2/5 spice
I definitely struggled through this book, and at times it felt so daunting to finish a chapter that I took long breaks. The world-building in this book is dense, and I mean that in every sense of the word, and pair that with very difficult-to-pronounce names (there is a pronunciation guide, thank goodness). It wasn't so much the names being difficult to pronounce (they are Scottish Gaelic, so it makes sense); I just struggle with keeping everything straight. Honestly, I could have used a chart connecting clans. With the world-building, there is so much political intrigue (reads animosity) among the clans, and keeping those straight along with the places had my eyes crossing. I almost felt like I had to take notes and reread passages to remind myself of what was happening. The best way I can describe it is how I felt the first time I read Shakespeare, like I know this is English, but I have to really focus. It was about the 60% mark when I really started to get pulled into the storyline because most of the foundation had been laid at that point, so the story got to progress nicely. There was a “My wife” moment, and honestly, that kept me going. The last 20% was when I became fully invested; I definitely dragged my feet, but the dragons, tension, and enemies-to-lovers vibe kept me trudging through. I loved the clan fights and politics that were happening; although confusing at times, it was a very interesting plot point, and the betrayals that were peppered into this book had me second-guessing characters motives all along. That ending, though, is what made me like the book; I swear I stared at my Kindle screen, like, what the heck just happened? At the end it is utter chaos, and I found myself rereading the last chapter just to make sure that I caught on to all that had happened. I am super intrigued to see what will happen next, and I feel like book two will be able to go into the plot quicker seeing as so much groundwork was laid out in book one. Overall I thought the book was good, albeit tough to digest at points. I did love the matriarchy that was supposed to occur, the dragons and their fighting, the banter, and even better spice, as well as all the betrayal. If you are a fantasy lover who is prepared to put in some heavy world-building, this is the book for you. 

Tropes:
Dragons
Magic
Enemies to lovers
Strong FMC
Banter, political intrigue

Read if you: are looking for something to hold you over until House of the Dragon S3, have been searching for a female main character older than 20, or want a version of the 'battles of the sexes' that pits the patriarchy against a matriarchy.

Aemyra, the hidden heir to the kingdom of Tir Teine, works as a blacksmith and midwife, biding her time until the current king dies and she can stake her claim as the next in line for the throne. Once a matriarchal kingdom of dragon riders and fire-wielders, Tir Teine has been deteriorating under a succession of kings, worsened by a mission of foreign priests intent on restructuring the kingdom into a patriarchy that outlaws magic. To protect her kingdom and her family, she must claim her throne, bond with a dragon, and defeat the (very handsome) sons of the current line of kings who also lay claim to the right to rule.

I finished this book in one sitting and was shocked, slightly confused, and in need of book two to explain what the heck happened. The story is fast-paced, featuring a very angsty FMC and a slowly likable MMC. It filled me with cold dread over the various ways men control women while simultaneously offering hope for how women can reclaim their power. I didn't rate it five stars because I found the development of the main characters' romance and the related throne intrigue a bit rushed towards the end of the book.

Note: be sure to check trigger warnings before reading this one, as there are parts that are really graphic.

Rating: 4

Thank you to Random House for providing me with an advanced e-copy!

DNF

First, thank you for to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book in return for an honest review.

I know a lot of people are enjoying this book and I so wanted to, but it just wasn’t for me. I could not connect with the FMC and the side characters fell a little short in their development for my liking. For me, the FMC was hard to like. She was a strong independent woman, but maybe too much so?? She came across as rude and insensitive, holding herself way above anyone else.

A bit of a slow start to the book with world building, which can be expected, but I found myself sometimes a bit confused and would have to reread. There were quite a bit of terms that I didn’t know, and with little contextual clues, it continued to pulled me out of the story.

I was fully along for the ride on this one, and I had difficulty putting out down to go to bed!

On the surface it was an excellent tale about the fight for a throne (with dragons!), but it was also a treatise on currently relevant social constructs. I don’t know if that was intentional, or just the author’s choice for world building, but it spoke to me. Specifically with regard to women’s issues such as our positions in society, power, or lack thereof, and autonomy over our bodies. It also explored far right ideals about what is deemed proper, and how there’s a calculated agenda against conflicting beliefs. All of this without being stuffy or overly opinionated.

Aemyra shined as the female main character. She was confident, and cunning, but also self-doubting and a bit naive. It was a believable mix of emotions for a complicated character. I loved that she bonded to a female dragon, especially one as notorious as The Terror. It was giving real “girl power” vibes and I dug it.

Fiorean’s character arc was believable, as was his relationship with Aemyra. I enjoyed that the enemies-to-lovers aspect had a natural feeling development, instead of the author forcing it within just a few chapters of them meeting. But that twist twisted me!

Draevan’s lust for power was palpable. He was sneaky, and calculating, and I liked not liking him.

Overall a satisfying read, and I’m eager for the next installment.

I think this story had me intrigued, it was a good book. I did, however, really like the plot compared to the characters. I am always game for a book with dragons, and I really enjoyed their role in this one! I think I would have liked to bond with the characters more than I felt like I was able to. I was not very connected to the main fmc, but that may have come down to that she was very set in her goal and we just didn’t have time to dive into her more. She was meant to be queen and I got that’s what she wanted, but it wasn’t driven home for me. I suppose I really wanted more background and bonding time with our characters!! From some of my perspective our fmc seemed quite arrogant even though we were told ‘I just want what’s best for my people’ she is still just thinking about having the crown… I think if I’d been able to feel for her more based on her background it would have changed the game! Still, I wanted to read this book it kept me intrigued and I think that’s what we want at the end of the day!! I had the opportunity to read this early and I am so glad I was able to!! It’s filled with fire magic, a corrupt kingdom, dragons, and romance!!

I love the world building in this book and the thought of a MC being tough as nails and has a secret power and a deaire to bond with a dragon!
What fell flat for me was the pacing and often times the MC was so arrogant and often snide that I couldn't connect with her.
The romance didn't feel real to me either.

Thank you, Netgalley for the ARC!

Ok I loved this book. I would add this one to my collection beside other books like the Fourth Wing series and Throne of Glass series. It was great action and suspense. I had a lot of anxious moments trying to figure out how they would destroy the enemy. It does end on quite a cliffhanger so I will definitely be looking out for book 2. Good job!

I’m sorry but I had to DNF… the names of everything made it hard for me to focus on the story because I kept trying to make sense of them. I’ve never been so frustrated while reading a book.

I enjoyed the premise of this book and story! I felt like the fmc was difficult to like while reading some scenes. The romance was just okay.

This book was so good! I loved the plot, the characters, the writing, all of it. I gasped, I teared up, and I laughed out loud.
This is one you won't want to put down. I'll just be over here desperately waiting to read the next part of Aemrya's story.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the characters! I struggled through the beginning a little bit because i felt confused but I pushed thru and it got so good!!

A solid 4/5. I very much enjoyed this. It started off maybe a touch confusing, but by 40% in, I was hooked. By 60% I couldn’t put it down.

✅ Enemies to lovers
✅ Dragons
✅ Badass, female main character

There are definitely some trigger warnings in this book, and I highly recommend you read the authors note before proceeding.

Would definitely recommend and excited for the next book in the series. It definitely ended on a cliffhanger!


Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was a slow start, but once it got going, wow I was invested. I will read anything inspired by Celtic folklore, being half Irish myself. This world was so immersive and I could feel every place we went. Aemrya is such a strong female lead, I can’t WAIT for the next one! Purchasing immediately!

I (like a lot of people) love a good true slow burn enemies to lovers. Throw in dragons and magic and I’m sold. This was one of my favorite reads of the year. The female rage in this book is just fantastic as well as the world building. The reckless bad decisions the FMC makes were frustrating but hey. Sometimes in life we make bad decisions. And at least it is noted as a character flaw in the book. I do hope we get more in depth with the world itself throughout the series but I can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

This was a very interesting read. I enjoyed it so much Would recommend it to everyone
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read it

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC copy of this book.

While the magic system and world building in this book is great, and the overall plot makes you want to keep on reading, the rest of the book reads like almost every other fantasy romance with well-known and semi-overdone tropes. It's a semi-fast paced book, and readers who enjoy angry female main characters fighting against a sexist world would enjoy every minute of this book. However, I could not get into the book.

I absolutely loved this book, even more so than anticipated. In so many Romantasy series you have to read an entire first book to discover the lost heir at the end - this one jumps right into the lost heir taking her rightful throne and I relished it.

The FMC is powerful but makes understandable mistakes as she grasps with her new role while the MMC is broody and matches her angst.

Trope checks:
✅ true enemies to lovers
✅ dragons
✅ feminine rage (I lived for this trope in the book)
✅ magic wielders
✅ religious intrigue
✅ did I mention dragons?

Thank you NetGalley and Hazel McBride for the opportunity to read this ARC ❤️