I don’t often read fantasy so this was a nice departure from my normal reading patterns. The verdict: I absolutely LOVED this story! It’s action-packed, had some forbidden romance, has a lot of conflict and tension, and on top of that has a strong female lead and a delicious love interest! The downside: now I have to wait for a year for book 2!

I genuinely don’t have words for this book right now. Blew me right out of the park. I found the first few chapters a tad slow but I understand it’s world building and that just comes part and parcel with fantasy books. But let me tell you after the first few chapters I was HOOKED!!

Fast paced. Magic. Shape shifters. Demons. Prophecies. Shadow daddy’s 😉 Slight hunger games ish vibe. Plot heavy. Sass and banter. Spice. Darkness & deception. Everything I love!!

I was laughing, I was crying, I was anxious, excited, scared .. all of the above. What a rollercoaster!!

I struggled in the beginning with some words and phrases used but I got used to this over time! I thought the world building was incredible! So descriptive I felt like I was there with them.

BLURB
Katerina Ivanova is the most powerful Dimi in Iriska. She uses her command over the four elements alongside Niko, her blood-bonded Shadow, to guard the portals to the Underworld and protect their realm from demonic invasion. When the two are recruited to compete to join Iriska’s most elite force, no one suspects their secret: the bond they share goes beyond magic and enters taboo territory. Love between a Dimi and her Shadow isn’t just a bad idea, it’s been prophesied to set an ancient Darkness loose upon the world.

But some forces are too powerful to resist, and despite their best intentions, one night Niko and Katerina surrender to the undeniable pull between them…with devastating results. As they struggle to save Iriska from the forces they’ve unleashed, the last person they expect will risk anything to tear them apart—even make a deal with the Devil.

I rarely rate books 5⭐️ but this one is a must! Full of tension, angst, chemistry and an overwhelming sense of duty! Fans of Romantasy, forbidden love, and supernatural intrigue.. this one’s for you! I cannot wait for book 2!!

2.5 stars! I love how this story draws inspiration from Slavic cultures, but sadly, I didn’t connect with anything else in this book.

“Fate and Fury” claims to be a “romantasy perfect for fans of L.J. Andrews, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J. Maas.” As a fan of the last two authors, I went into this story with high hopes.

Unfortunately, they were not met.

In fact, I had to double-check that I was reading the right book. The description promises forbidden romance, deals with the Devil, and a deadly competition to join an elite force. This premise sounds incredible! What I read was something else.

The competition makes up 5% of the book, if that. It also takes place in those critical opening chapters when readers are trying to orient themselves in a new fantasy world. I was so busy trying to get all the characters straight (most of whom are never mentioned again) that I found it hard to keep up with the story. I actually wondered if this was the second book in a series because of how disjointed everything felt. I understand the author’s desire to create a high-stakes opening, but I don’t think it should have come at the cost of getting to know the characters.

Which brings me to my next point: Katerina. It’s been a while since I’ve disliked a main character this much. Katerina is impulsive, inconsiderate, and narcissistic about her powers. She rarely thinks through her decisions and is quick to blame others when things go wrong. How am I supposed to root for her? I struggled to get through the chapters from her POV, and I didn’t care what happened to her by the end of the story.

I didn’t connect with her love interest, Niko, either. I hated his infidelity (what kind of man leaves his wife for another woman on their wedding night?), and I found his dialogue to be awkward and cringy. I actually laughed during some of his romantic declarations. I know some readers find statements like, “Burn away. I dare you” and “Break me like your promises” hot (and if you’re one of them, I won’t judge), but it killed the romance for me. Overall, I think Niko is a better fit for readers who like a possessive, alpha-male love interest.

Moving on to what I enjoyed, I think the author does a wonderful job incorporating elements from Slavic culture. I haven’t read many books inspired by this region, which makes this story feel unique. I especially love how the author made a religious system that revolves around three different saints. It was cool to see how that faith system shaped the village, from creating prophecies to deciding who a villager could marry. The faith system also established a close-knit community feel, which I love to see in books!

Overall, “Fate and Fury” is a 2.5-star read for me. I like that it draws from Slavic lore, but I struggled to connect with the characters or feel invested in the story. I think this book would be a better fit for readers who enjoy lots of character growth and a possessive, alpha-male love interest. I would still recommend this series—just know it isn’t like the Carissa Broadbent or Sarah J. Maas books it’s compared to.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the author and Netgalley; all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the Slavic inspiration mixed with the fallen angel lore and unique take on witches (who are also warriors) really interesting. The gender reversed Hades & Persephone twist was also quite interesting.

This was quite the emotional rollercoaster for me. The forbidden love between Katerina and Niko hooked me immediately but also pissed me off so bad a lot of the time when it came to Niko and his sense of duty. Maybe that’s what it’s like to be from a culture with arranged marriages and even the thought of pushing back is unheard of? I just can’t imagine actually following through on everything like he does…and I knew I hated Elena for a reason…but she does seem fun in a batshit crazy way now. I still hate her but she is way more entertaining. I’m honestly rooting for her and Underworld Ginge.

I love Katerina. She’s a badass and all those villagers can suck it.

In terms of spice, I’d say there really is none. Maybe a bell pepper’s worth opposed to a chili pepper. There’s kissing and the insinuation that people hook up but nothing is described anywhere. So if you’re looking for a tame/non-sex driven storyline, this is it.

My only real complaint is that I really wish there was a pronunciation guide somewhere. I know nothing about Slavic language/pronunciations so I’ll get hung up on trying to figure out how to pronounce a certain word/name and that’ll take me out of the story.


I’m super invested in this storyline and can;t wait for book two!

This sinisterly charming tale transports readers to a world where Dimis, Shadows, Vilas, Demons, and Humans intersect. Within its pages, you'll discover a realm of darkness, bonds, trials, demons, and devilish pacts, all set against a backdrop of forbidden love and treacherous magic. This book offers a 'fade to black' experience for those who prefer to avoid intimate details on the page.

Description:

Katerina Ivanova is the most powerful Dimi in Iriska, wielding dominion over the four elements. Alongside Niko, her blood-bonded Shadow, she guards the portals to the Underworld, defending their realm from demonic invasion. But their bond is no ordinary connection—it's a forbidden love. In fact, such a relationship between a Dimi and her Shadow has been prophesied to unleash an ancient Darkness upon the world. Now, Katerina and Niko must confront the question: will their love save or destroy everything they hold dear?

Fate and Fury by Emily Colin is the first book in The Boon Moon Duology. This is a forbidden love romantasy and the story of Katerina and Niko.
 
Katerina is the most powerful Dimi witch in all of Irisk and her powers are super unique. She can work with the four elements but is also bound to Niko who is a Shadow. The magic concept was honestly my favorite part in this book. Katerina is a strong and powerful character, and I really liked her.
 
Niko is so protective, and he is the one who falls first. However, he is torn between his duty of marrying Elena and his love for Katerina and that was sometimes a bit back and forth and annoyed me. Sometimes I needed a bit more of his perspective to fully understand him.
 
Katerina and Niko work together to guard this world from demons and other dangers. They are a good team, but their bond goes beyond them working together and they start feeling something for each other which is highly forbidden. One of my favorite scenes was when Katerina could call for Niko just through their love bond. The plot was action-packed and fast-paced and immediately sucked you in and that in combination with the forbidden romance was really good.
 
If you’re looking for a good romantasy with great characters, forbidden love and some Viking vibes, definitely check out Fate and Fury. 4 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

Thank you to Netgally for the ARC, I don’t know if it’s just me but I really struggled with this book even though I had really high hopes for it.

Katerina Ivanova is a witch of the four elements, she is a powerful Dimi and protector of her home Iriska along with her shadow Niko who is Alpha of the black dogs.

It is forbidden for a Dimi fall in love with their shadow however this hasn’t stopped Katerina who has kept this secret for many years.

As they face the challenges of protecting their home from Grigori demons can they figure out if this bond between them is more than a shadow oath

I found that the descriptions of things were way too long with so many adjectives that it actually made it harder to read. I felt the story was very jumpy and didn’t flow between transitions to different plot points.

Sadly I am DNFing at 50%

This romantasy is going to take readers by storm. We've got witches, shapeshifters, demons, prophecy, and so much more. Perfect for those looking for a high fantasy with a forbidden romance and betrayal. Also, please check out those trigger warnings!

Thank you Netgalley, publisher, and author for the ARC.

I fell in love with this book from the very first page!

The twists and turns in the plot kept me completely obsessed. The themes of witches, shifters, demons, magic, prophecies, and forbidden romance made the story feel truly magical.

The book explores the bond between a witch and the shifter who protects her. Their journey to safeguard their dark world is filled with adventure and emotional depth. The well-developed heroes, rich world-building, intriguing villains, and the tension of forbidden love all come together to create a wonderful read.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving me eagerly awaiting the next book.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an eARC!

I Did'nt really know what I was getting my self into, but wow!

A very interesting worldbuilding and strong maincharcters. At some point I hated them all and in the same time, loved them!
Defently an unique magic system with both elements magic, shadows and fate.

And a very captivating story! I enjoyed the twist and turns, and some of the plots I did'nt see coming...
Lot's of action, lot's of Demons, lot's of romantic tension and lot's of magic!

Post on IG January 2025

If you’re anything like me, Fate and Fury will give you serious Fourth Wing vibes—and I mean that in the best way possible.
This book has it all: forbidden love, an “enemy from within” twist, a FMC coming to terms with how powerful she is with AND without her magic, a MMC that will die for her no questions asked, and a storyline that’ll have you reading way past bedtime.
Emily Colin created this tension between her characters who absolutely shouldn’t be together but somehow can't resist each other beautifully. The forbidden romance between the two main characters is written so well that every scene between the two feels charged, and you’re dying to know if they'll finally cross that line or hold back. (I could not put this book down at night, im so tired 🤣)

And let’s talk about that whole “enemy from within” trope. Emily did an incredible job of weaving it into the story, I was constantly wondering who’s really on the Katerina's side throughout the entire book.

I'm going to need this next book here asap. Like tomorrow would be ideal for me.

This book was so-so for me and actually kind of hard to get through, for a few reasons.

I enjoyed the writing style and the concept of the story. It was an idea I hadn’t read before which made it intriguing. However, I read the first chapter and immediately had to check Goodreads to make sure this wasn’t the middle of a series. The way it began felt as if we were in the middle of a scene from a previous book. It took me a few chapters before I was able to grasp who and what the characters were.

After learning more about the magic, world, and characters, it became easier to read and follow. I liked the writing style and the book itself was okay. That being said, I think I will continue this series now that I know what’s going on!

This review will be posted to Amazon December 10.

If you love the Romantasy genre, run and grab this book. I was hooked from page one and couldn't put this story down. I absolutely cannot wait for the second book and will be purchasing for my trophy shelf! The heroes, the world building, the villians, and the forbidden love come together to create a wonderful read. This makes it into my top reads of 2024!

I have DNF’d this. I was so confused when reading this and tried to keep up but my head was not getting around it :((

“If I’m the fire,” she whispered, “then you are the kindling that lights the flame. Mind yourself, Shadow. Fire wants nothing but to burn.”

4.25/5 ⭐️ I loved this book a lot more than I thought I would, it was a little slow to start, but really draws you in. Emily Colin really knows how to draw a slow burn romance out and it was agonising and heartbreaking and I nearly cried at one point.

The story follows Katerina and Niko, Dimi (witch) and Shadow (protector), bonded to one another but also hopelessly in love with each other without the other’s knowledge. Katerina is the strongest Dimi to grace the realm, and the pair are the only forces strong enough to drive back the Darkness that is threatening to destroy the entire realm, included the Underworld where the demons preside. Niko has been promised to another, a Vila (priestess), as the romantic relationship between Shadow and Dimi is forbidden. What ensues is a story of forbidden romance, demons and dark magic, deadly trials, and ancient prophecies. There are twists and turns you won’t expect, and some of them are absolutely gut wrenching. It is a fantastic story that builds and builds, and Emily does an incredible job of bringing you into the story and gripping you without embellished storylines or theatrics or throwing action at you. Minimal spice, more plot in this book; but I did squeal a little inside when Katerina and Niko finally gave into their desire for one another.

This was almost a 5 star read for me, but I dropped it down because the terminology used is a little different than you typically see in a fantasy/magic/bonded pairs book, which is totally fine. But the explanation for a lot of these terms is missing, I didn’t see a glossary of terms page, and the wording wasn’t well explained early on. I pieced it together fine, but it really detracted from that early storyline and world building for me. I also felt that while this book is excellently written and well edited, some of the inner dialogue writing feels immature, and just doesn’t suit the way the characters have been developed and interact with one another.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Emily Colin and Black Orchid Books for the e-ARC of this book 💕

“Fate and Fury,” by Emily Colin

So, I thought this book was good but there were too many things I didn’t like, or thought was confusing. I liked the Slavic lore for sure, the shadows and shifter stuff were interesting. It was a little Christian religious vibe for my taste, but it wasn’t too bad. I felt like a missed a bunch in this book and was confused it was book 2 in the series but it is book 1 so I don’t know why it was written like things were already established. A lot of action and moving part of this book and I didn’t like all of it. I absolutely hated the infidelity stuff, and he waited until after to then listen, and it made me so mad. I wasn’t in love with most of the characters and I just didn’t feel super invested. 3 out of 5 stars.

-Slavic Lore
-Magic
-Demons
-Shifters
-Angels

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

I am destroyed! I am not okay! I LOVED this book!
Witches, shifters, demons, magic, prophecies, forbidden romance….
This is about the bond between a powerful female witch and the shifter male who is devoted to defend her, and their journey to protect their dark world. There is an excellent blend of romance and plot with conflict brewing all over the place. The story telling is remarkably well done, weaving together the stories and situations experienced by a handful of characters written in third person, and we get feelings and experiences from all of them. There’s also just a sprinkle of sarcasm and humor peppered throughout that I appreciate.
This is a really sexy, haunting, forbidden romance that left me emotional and tired, but in such a good way. This book ends on a major cliffhanger and book 2 of this duology is supposed to come out in 2025, and whenever that is, it is not soon enough!

I think this is a decent start for a new forbidden romantasy series. I really liked the the way the author described Iriska. I prefer less descriptive world building because it's easier for me to follow along with.

Fate and Fury by Emily Colin was such a fantastic read! This was amazing and I loved every single second of it. I recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can.

This was a strong start to the Bone Moon Duology series, it had that feel that I was hoping for and enjoyed from the genre. I was invested in the world and how the characters worked in this. Emily Colin has a strong writing style and left me wanting to read more in this series.