Julie is amazing when it comes to world-building, prose and storytelling. I loved this book and really got TOG vibes but with more mystical creatures and destruction. Easy 5 stars!

A hint of TOG with more destruction, deathless, and mystical creatures.

I’ve read some of this author’s other series before and while I immensely enjoyed them, I feel like this one is going to be even better. I’ll be sitting on pins and needles waiting to read the next book in the series!

As a fan of Assassins Creed style video games, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would absolutely read a sequel.

I always enjoy Julie Kagawa's stories and this is no different. I'm hoping we get to learn Raithe's real name. I love Halek and his naivety. I can't wait to see where Sparrow and her crew go next.

It’s been a while since I’ve read anything by Julie Kagawa, so it was nice to revisit her writing style! I last read The Iron Fey series when it first came out, and recall really liking that series.

I find with fantasy books, especially, there is a lot of world building needed along with building the character’s personality within this fantasy world. Julie is someone who does well with this in all of her books. The world is well developed and vivid, and I could easily picture it as I read.

Our MC, Sparrow, is part of a guild of thieves and survives doing just that, getting the goods without detection. Even with this, Sparrow feels she needs to prove herself and takes on a challenging and risky job with Vahn. Ultimately, Sparrow is betrayed and ends up working in conjunction with Raithe, in an unexpected twist of events. Given betrayal and how difficult it is for Sparrow to trust people, given her upbringing, should she trust Raithe and help prevent the end of the world?

While it was predictable at times, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and am hopeful for a second book.

*Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the review copy in exchange for my honest review. My review contains my honest thoughts.

The story follows Sparrow, an accomplished thief sent on a mission that only she can complete and one that will change her life and the lives of everyone in the kingdom forever.

I have to say, the world building in this book is fantastic. It’s fast paced right from the beginning and doesn’t slow down at all. It was an overall enjoyable experience and I liked that it payed homage to assassin’s creed.

My only gripe is that it got somewhat repetitive at times, but that’s it!

One of my 2025 reading goals should be to read more books by this author. Her fantasy series are exciting and adventurous. She does an excellent job of incorporating cultural elements into her stories. This one did not have a Japanese feel to it, which I found unusual, but I bet if I looked into it further, she likely chose a different culture to focus on, one I am less familiar with. If she fabricated all of the elements in this story, she's getting extra points for being an imaginative genius. She does use the fairly well-known concept of the fates and weavers that exists across multiple cultures, so it didn't all come out of thin air (or her brain). This isn't a spoiler, but the way this ended had me on the edge of my seat and ready to continue onto the next book (which hasn't been published yet, obviously, since this one hasn't been published yet either).

I would recommend this for anyone that enjoys fantasy, world building, adventure and a side of romance.

I've dreaded this moment but I'm afraid it has finally come- I've outgrown Julie Kagawa's books.

Don't get me wrong I did enjoy reading Fateless. The world was interesting. I loved exploring it and discovering the hidden gems. And I love that Arkyenneh was inspired by Assassin's Creed. I felt the scorching heat and the sand dunes on my feet. I could just imagine how I would hate it in Kovass. I'd rather be cold than sweating.

Not gonna lie my favorite part of Fateless has got to be the beetles. The things they would say if only they could speak. I could just imagine it. I don't know how the author does it. But she comes up with these really cool ideas. And concept. And it's hard not to get lost in her stories.

This was very much YA. If you've been a fan of the author's works for years like me I think you'd know pretty much what to expect. One central aspect to Julie's stories is the found family trope. Which I like. But I can't help comparing Raithe with Ash and Halek with Puck. I don't know. They just give off the same vibes. Unfortunately I don't love Raithe and Halek like I do Ash and Puck. And don't even get me started on the romance. No love triangle, I'm happy to report. But it came out of nowhere. It was so insta-like. On a positive note there were no declarations of love. (But it came close to it.)

I still have a lot of questions about what it really means to be Fateless. So far all we've got is people saying the Fateless hold the fate of the whole world in their hands. Yes, but how? I'm also really curious about Raithe's home. And I still have doubts about him? I'm not fully on Team Raithe just yet. Come to think of it I'm not even on anyone's team. I don't dislike Sparrow, Halek or Raithe. Or even Kysa. But what does it say when the beetles made more of an impression to me than the characters?

I'm happy I finished this one before the year ends. But I'm ninety percent sure I won't be reading the sequel. (Ten percent is my stubborn self refusing to not finish a series I started.)

This was a great book. The story was very well thought out and the world building was amazing. This was a great first book in the series!

This book had a few good interesting moments but then if fell a bit flat. The ending does not make me curious to pick up a sequel. I am not sure if the author did that not knowing if a sequel would be written. This book felt slow and dragged on. I tried to finish chapters of it and would skip some of the details of the fighting with the scrabs for I lost interest completely. Reviewed on good reads

The world building for this new series is a 10/10! Sparrow is a great main character and grows a lot in her identity and connection to other people This was surprising given this is only the first book. I loved the imagery of the desert lands and how the world functions in that kind of environment. The other characters are really well written and offer glimpses into other people groups of the world. I can't wait for the sequel!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this free advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved getting swept into this story! Sparrow’s world, filled with thieves, assassins, and a fascinating magic system tied to Fate, was everything I needed for a good escape. The forgotten city of the Deathless King is so vividly described that I could almost feel the danger lurking around every corner. The tension was constant, and I was hooked as Sparrow and her team faced challenges that tested not only their skills but also their loyalty and courage.

Sparrow herself is such a great character—brave, resourceful, and easy to root for. I really enjoyed the dynamics between her and Raithe, the mysterious assassin she’s forced to work with. Their partnership is intriguing, and I can’t wait to see how it develops in future books. The supporting cast was just as memorable: Kysa is fierce and fearless, and Halek’s humor had me laughing at just the right moments.

The story is action-packed and so easy to get lost in, but what really stood out to me was the world-building. Julie Kagawa has a way of creating places that feel alive, and the way she weaves in the concept of Fate and the Fateless is fascinating. It feels like there’s so much more to uncover, and I’m already looking forward to what’s next in the series.

While the book ends with some questions unanswered, it’s a strong start to what I know will be an amazing adventure. If you love heists, action, and a dash of magic, Fateless is definitely worth reading. It gave me everything I love about Julie Kagawa’s writing—a rich world, compelling characters, and a story that’s hard to put down.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Absolutely loved this book! What a fun and intriguing plot compared to others in the genre. Only issue is some areas were action packed while others lacked furthering the plot and dragged a bit. All in all I really enjoyed this book!

Most books, as of late, haven't picked up for me until about 50% through. I was only about 6 or 7 chapters in before I could barely put it down. I fell in love with the heartwrenching story of loss, betrayal, and finally friendship. I look forward to the continuation.

This was my first Kagawa book, and I was so impressed with how beautifully each word flowed from one to the next. I felt deeply pulled into the world and really enjoyed that I had no idea where the plot was going.

The Prince of Persia x Assassin's Creed.

Sparrow’s life is meant for the Guildmaster, Vahn, who raised her. She’s then given a secretive mission by what they call The Circle, which would do two things: Prove her worth and the meaning of life or death for her caretaker, Vahn. Amongst this mission, Sparrow is pursued by Raithe who’s purpose is to prevent the return of whom they call the Deathless King. Sparrow is faced is betrayals from those she’s known her entire life and soon finds herself on a quest to prevent the destruction of the world.

The world–
Definitely gives you hot, scorching desert settings given there are two suns. There is a system of Fate thats held within the world and then there’s dynamics between the Fate and the Fateless which is intriguing. I did want more out of the magic and maybe more depth about the dreams interacting; but there is a mystical air to it that I sort of want to see flourish from the other books that are planned for this series.

Characters—
The characters will be the highlight I would say. Sparrow is thief, Raithe is an assassin, and then you meet a Fatechaser, Halek and a Scarab Clan warrior named Kysa. They each had something I liked about them which I think is worth reading about.

It was a nice, shorter read for me—less than 300 pages. Solid YA Fantasy. Kagawa gives multiple nods to fans of Assassin’s Creed throughout Fateless. Perfect for those who like guilds, betrayals, thieves & assassins, mythical beasts, and defying fate.

Thank you Netgalley & HarperCollins for the opportunity to read the ARC for an honest review

Julie Kagawa always excels at crafting fantasy worlds, and Fateless is no exception. This is the same fast paced YA reading you've come to love from her if you've read the Iron Fey series. (Some of the insect creatures here even remind me of that series and her writing there!) I love the concept of Fate in this and how it applies, or doesn't, to our main characters and the world at large.

Personally, I'd like to see a little more plot for our MCs. It does move fast and there's tons of action, but when you look at the overall plot of this first book in the trilogy, not too much happens for them from start to finish. It's more about establishing the world, characters, and motivations. Given that, I think the plot will progress in the coming books. I'm just sorry I have to wait so long to be able to read them!

(I know nothing about Assassin's Creed so I didn't pick up on the nods throughout that are mentioned in the author's note, but it definitely wasn't necessary to have this knowledge in order to enjoy the story.)

Fateless is a clear example of why I love YA fantasy - immersive world building, a diverse found family cast, and a creative plot line. Although the ending felt a little abrupt, it did make me very excited for a potential sequel. I loved the main character for how honestly she perceives her identity and morality. The longing and yearning in the romance sub plot was just what I needed.

**Review of Fateless by Julie Kagawa**

Julie Kagawa has outdone herself with *Fateless*, delivering a fast-paced, thrilling fantasy that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With her signature blend of high stakes, intriguing characters, and a world brimming with danger and mystery, Kagawa has created a story that’s impossible to put down.

Sparrow is a standout heroine—strong-willed, resourceful, and fiercely loyal to her cause. From the moment she joins the Thieves Guild, you feel her commitment to the mission, even when the path ahead is full of uncertainty and peril. Her determination to prove herself adds a personal layer to the story, making her journey even more compelling. And then there's Raithe, the enigmatic assassin forced into her orbit. Their relationship is electric, with plenty of tension and chemistry that keeps you hooked from their first encounter. Watching them navigate their growing bond, amidst betrayal and shifting alliances, adds so much depth to the narrative.

Kagawa’s world-building is top-notch. The forgotten city of the Deathless Kings is dark, ancient, and full of secrets. Each corner of the city feels alive with hidden dangers, as Sparrow and her team face both physical challenges and the heavy weight of fate itself. The high stakes are clear, but the deeper philosophical question of whether they can truly control their destinies adds an emotional layer to the action-packed adventure.

Fans of authors like Alexandra Bracken and Sabaa Tahir will find themselves right at home in this gripping new world. Kagawa doesn’t just deliver pulse-pounding action, she also crafts a story with heart. The stakes are high, the twists are unexpected, and every character feels real, making it impossible not to root for them as they fight for survival—and for their futures.

If you’re looking for a fantasy that blends heart, adventure, and a touch of romance, *Fateless* is an absolute must-read. I couldn’t put it down, and now I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. If this is just the beginning, I can only imagine what incredible twists Kagawa has in store for us next!

I've read one of this authors series before, the Iron Fey series and I really really enjoyed that one so requesting this arc was a no brainer. It was fun, fast, and the perfect easy read i needed, and helped me out of my killer reading slump. Overall, a solid 4 stars, and I'll keep an eye out for whatever the author writes next!!