This was a phenomenal start to a new romantasy series!
The amazing world building, the characters are wonderful.
This book was absolutely unputdownable!

I completely forgot to leave a review for “A Kiss of Hammer and Flame” when I read it a few months ago, but better late than never! I really enjoyed the storyline; It felt refreshing to read something unique, that stood out from many of the fantasy romance books currently out there (and I’ve read quite a few).

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing this ARC.

I am sorry but I couldn’t finish this. DNFed it at 60%. I’m not sure if I wasn’t in the mood however, the story just didn’t grit me. I didn’t care about the conflict or the characters and I just didn’t wanna waste my time. I do think other people will like this however this book is not for me.

I am sorry but I couldn’t finish this. DNFed it at 60%. I’m not sure if I wasn’t in the mood however, the story just didn’t grit me. I didn’t care about the conflict or the characters and I just didn’t wanna waste my time. I do think other people will like this however this book is not for me.

The dedication to this book gave my heart a little squeeze: "And to every woman living in this timeline, who was told they weren't enough. You contain multitudes, and you are everything."

We follow a young female blacksmith FMC, who changes the course of her life by forging her first sword solo. Cahra must flee the only "home" she's ever known to save her life and the lives of others.

This story touches on anxiety and panic attack representation, multiple secret identities, a world-altering prophecy, a powerful weapon, and strangers to TBD.

Thank you to Canelo & NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of A Kiss of Hammer & Flame by Amy de la Force.

I received a copy of A Kiss of Hammer and Flame by Amy de la Force from NetGalley. This book is a fantasy romance adventure, and it is the first book of the Fated for Hael series. The story follows Cahra, a young blacksmith. She carves an ancient symbol unknowingly, leading to the first omen of an old prophecy. Now, she has to go on the run to find answers and protect herself.
Cahra is a young blacksmith in Kolyath, one of the kingdoms. A young lord commissions a sword and gives Cahra a free hand with its design. Cahra unknowingly incorporates an ancient symbol that is the first omen of a prophecy related to the weapon. This weapon is said to be all-powerful, and all three kingdoms want it. Now, hunted for her creation, she runs away with Lord Terryl, who commissioned the sword. They have to navigate through trouble and learn more about the prophecy and Cahra’s role in it. Meanwhile, Cahra starts seeing someone in her dreams, Hael. He has been imprisoned in the capital of Hael’stromia for centuries. With the first omen, he is awoken, and Cahra and Hael have a connection.
A Kiss of Hammer and Flame by Amy de la Force has a lot of aspects going well for it. I liked the fantasy world related to the story. The blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure keeps the reader engaged. The characters, especially Cahra and Hael, are intriguing and grounded. They make you root for them. Overall, I enjoyed reading this story. I will be waiting for the second book.

This was a really interesting concept, I liked the magic and the lore set up, but it felt really slow and meandrring at times. I did like the way everything unfolded quite a bit, and the way information was revealed was very well done! This, however, would not be considered a romantasy to me, as it is barely present in the overall story, or between the characters. Overall, interesting and I will definitely read the next one!

I wouldn't say i hated this book but i just didn't love it, i just didn't feel like i could connect to it as much as i would of wanted to.

I was enjoying the story and the main FMC but also i don't think it helps that i am not a girlie who likes any kind of why choose situation.

Thank you to netgalley for this early e-arc <3

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

I have really mixed feelings about this book. While the concept had promise and the plot kept me intrigued enough to keep reading, the characters and their relationships fell flat, leaving me disappointed overall.

The main issue for me was the lack of connection with the characters. Cahra, had moments of bravery and selflessness that showed her potential as a strong lead. But just as I started to root for her, she would suddenly shift into sulky and immature behaviour, making it hard to truly connect with her.

I was hoping to grow attached to her—or at least to some of the surrounding cast—but unfortunately, none of the characters left a lasting impression. Their personalities and relationships felt shallow, and their interactions lacked the emotional depth needed to make me care about what happened to them.

As a romantasy, I expected the romance subplot to carry more emotional weight. Instead, the connection between Cahra and Terryl felt very insta-lust driven, which usually isn’t my thing—though it didn’t bother me too much at first. What did throw me was the sudden shift in Cahra’s affections near the end, where she seemingly developed feelings for another character with almost no buildup. I needed more development there to believe in that transition.

Beyond the romance, friendships and conflicts between characters often came out of nowhere, which made it hard to follow motivations and emotional arcs.

The first half of the book showed promise. Relationships were given more space to develop, and I enjoyed the pacing and set-up. Unfortunately, that momentum didn’t last. The second half felt rushed and cluttered, with plot developments that lacked clarity and focus.

The world-building was also a bit confusing at times, which only added to my sense of detachment. It felt like the book had all the right ingredients—but they weren’t blended well enough to create something truly satisfying.

Despite an interesting concept and a storyline that kept me reading just to find out what would happen, I found myself more frustrated than engaged. The lack of character development, emotional depth, and cohesive pacing made it hard to truly enjoy. It had good bones, but the execution didn’t work for me.

A fast-paced fantasy full of action, danger, and intrigue. The world-building is vivid, and the plot moves with a strong momentum that keeps the pages turning.

While there’s no central romance, a few intriguing possibilities are woven in with subtlety, adding depth without overpowering the story.

With a fierce lead and a plot that doesn’t slow down, this is a strong start to what promises to be an exciting series.

Unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations. While the premise initially intrigued me, my overall reading experience was marked by a lack of emotional connection and several structural weaknesses that ultimately detracted from the story’s potential.

At the beginning, I appreciated the swift pacing and found the central concept—particularly the prophecy and the broader world in conflict—promising. However, this early momentum quickly diminished, and the plot began to drag in places where I had hoped for escalation. Despite the high stakes, the tension often fell flat due to underdeveloped character dynamics and a writing style that leaned heavily on exposition rather than immersive storytelling.

The protagonist, Cahra, remained a rather distant figure throughout. Though she is clearly positioned as brave and determined, her emotional responses often felt inconsistent and lacked the depth necessary to make her journey compelling. Her relationship with Terryl, the romantic lead, failed to resonate with me. Their connection felt rushed and superficial, making it difficult to invest in their bond. When emotional revelations occurred, Cahra’s reactions came across as abrupt and, at times, disproportionate, further weakening my empathy for her.

The supporting characters were likewise underutilized. Instead of enriching the narrative, they primarily served to advance the plot, often without receiving enough development to make them memorable. I found myself wanting more insight into their motivations and personal arcs.

While the writing shows ambition, I struggled with the heavy use of names, places, and background details in quick succession—especially in the early chapters. The sheer amount of information introduced all at once was overwhelming, and the transitions into new perspectives often brought even more exposition that could have been more gradually and organically revealed.

That said, I did find the worldbuilding to be one of the book’s strengths. The concept of kingdoms vying for control over a powerful weapon and the implications of Cahra’s involvement in a long-foretold prophecy were engaging and had the potential to carry a more emotionally grounded story. With some refinement, this framework could certainly support a gripping series. I'm giving 1.5 ⭐.

I had to DNF this at 15%

There was nothing inherently bad about the book, I just couldn't get into it. The pacing was slow, and I couldn't really vibe with the style of narrative (it was neither first person nor third person, and that just threw me)

Thankyou to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I enjoyed this alot! It was a great start to a fantasy series, with a mix of romance, unique plot and my all time favourite trope: found family. I didn’t connect to the characters that much, but that didn’t really take away from my enjoyment too much. As the first book in a fantasy series, it was great!

I didn't enjoy this book, unfortunately. The premise was interesting, but I didn't feel any connection towards the story nor the characters.

This book is a fantastic blend of both romance and adventure! It was thrilling to read and a book you struggled to put down. I think for me I wanted a little bit more vivid world building to engage fully into the story. Would definitely consider reading more from this author

An honourable mention for the beautiful cover art!!

This was a good first book in a fantasy series, it had a unique story and I was really intrigued right from the start when the FMC was able to draw something and it come to life, that was really cool. She’s also super tough and can hold her own! The two MMCs are also really intriguing, I’m excited to see where their development will go in the next book. The little hints of romance as well are enough for you to want more! Thank you for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

A fantastic YA fantasy adventure with rich world-building and strong character development. While there’s no romance yet, the groundwork is there, hinting at potential future relationships—especially with the intriguing character Hael, who communicates with the FMC through her subconscious and emerges fully by the end. He’s definitely a character to watch in future installments.

This story takes readers on a gripping journey filled with war, prophecy, and personal growth. The main character, Cahra, a blacksmith’s apprentice with a secret past, finds herself at the center of a 400-year-old prophecy. Her transformation from ex-thief to key figure in a quest to reclaim a long-lost weapon is powerful and emotionally satisfying.

The tropes are well-loved ones: found family, hidden royalty, prophecy, forbidden feelings, and self-discovery—all handled with care and originality. There’s a clear ending with minimal cliffhanger, making it feel complete while still setting the stage for more.

If you enjoy YA fantasy focused on inner strength, epic quests, and rich lore, this one is worth picking up. An impressive and unique debut!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy of this ARC for review. A kiss of hammer and blame had a lot of potential if it wasn’t for the infuriating FMC. It really all felt like it has all been done before and didn’t feel like a fresh take. The book picked up more towards the end so for the pace during the later half its 3*!

Thank you to Amy, NetGalley, and Canelo for the chance to read A Kiss of Hammer and Flame! I absolutely loved the found family element—it was one of the standout parts of the book for me and gave the story so much heart. The “why choose” trope can be hit or miss, but Amy really delivered here. It felt well balanced. This was a fast-paced, fun read with a fierce heroine and a world I’d happily return to.
About 70% into the book the events happen quickly but I am personally not mad about it. Cannot wait for book 2!

A huge thank you goes to Amy de la Force and Net Galley for letting me read an e-ARC of A Kiss of Hammer and Flame! This is the first book in the Fated for Hael series, and is such a breath of fresh air in the romantasy genre. I went in with high hopes for this tale, and I can already tell you that Amy’s writing well and truly exceeded all of them.

A Kiss of Hammer and Flame is a sumptuous, decadent romantasy full of incredible world building, character development and plot. But holy guacamole glitterbugs, let’s talk about Cahra… Because this character is *fierce*. She’s so capable with a sword, and so loyal to those she befriends. I’m a huge fan of her! I honestly think Cahra was a paladin in another life, because her moral compass is unwavering. I really enjoyed travelling with her throughout this romantasy, particularly as she wrestles with the choices laid before her. Should she remain true to herself? Or should she abandon those surrounding her once secrets are revealed? Amy de la Force, *you* are an auto-buy author.

Excuse me, but I do believe we need to put A Kiss of Hammer and Flame on some kind of podium. In first place. With a crown. And roses. Because when you get a story *this* captivating, this haunting with a delicious character like Hael? Where do I sign my name for all of eternity to keep reading a romantic fantasy like this?! Give me a permanent marker right now, I’ll do it! The only question you need to ask yourself is if you want a story featuring a morally grey immortal? And obviously the answer is ‘who wouldn’t’, am I right?!

Within A Kiss of Hammer and Flame we are immersed in a tale of darkness, magic and desperate deeds. At no point is there an easy path for these characters to take, and I honestly love that there isn’t. If you’ve been reading these happiness boosts so far and I still haven’t sold you on this story? That’s on me. Because trust me, you *will* fall in love with Amy’s writing as soon as you dive into it!

A Kiss of Hammer and Flame by Amy de la Force is an exquisite romantasy featuring morally grey characters, forbidden love and an ancient prophecy. This isn’t just a normal story, glitterbugs. Really, it isn’t. It’s an immersive experience which steals your breath from your lungs and your heart from your body. And I am completely okay with that.