A FATE FORGED IN FIRE is set in a dystopian world called Erisocia. The author is off to a great start setting the stage for this story by weaving the cultures of the various regions of Erisocia with the backstory of the heroine, Aemyra. I loved the map at the beginning of the book which shows the proximity of the different regions to one another so the reader gets a pictorial view of the character's movements throughout the story. I would have preferred that the pronunciation guides were also at the beginning of the book instead of the end (the good news is I now know at least a few Scottish Gaelic words). The first few chapters move a bit slowly, but fortunately, the action picks up quickly as the true roles of the main female character, Aemrya and her twin Adarian are slowly revealed. The story is an adequate mix of fantasy (with sentient creatures from dragons to chimera), romance, adventure, and intense action.
Aemyra, the main female character is a force to be reckoned with from the very beginning of the story. It is clear that as soon as Fiorean crosses paths with Aemyra, she may have just possibly met her match. The main characters as well as the supporting characters are well developed, with more layers being revealed as the story unfolds. I appreciate that there are supporting characters that fall into the ‘morally grey’ category (being neither totally good nor totally evil). The reader will have to wait for future books in the series to find out what happens with these characters. The connection between many of the characters in the book and their Beathach adds an interesting element wherein the personalities of humans and beasts are so similar it’s hard to distinguish between the two.
In addition to the hate-love-hate relationship between the heroine, Aemyra, and her biggest adversary, Fiorean, is the rising hate and persecution of anyone who still has magic from a growing contingency of zealots calling themselves the 'True Religion'. The 'True Religion' is also hell-bent on stripping the rights of all females in Erisocia. The conflict between those with magic and those who are vehemently anti-magic serves as a cautionary tale of the devastating results of intolerance of the beliefs and culture of others within a society. There is constant conflict and violent clashes between those with magic and those without.
While I enjoyed the story for its characters and interconnected plots, I want to know how the story will end. If you are the type of reader who thrives on delayed gratification, A FATE FORGED IN FIRE is the book for you. Will the people of Tir Teine be saved? Will all of Erisocia succumb to the 'True Religion'? Stay tuned for the next book in this new series.
To become the first queen in centuries, a powerfully blessed blacksmith must use her wits and fire magic to overthrow the corrupt powers ruling her kingdom—while also fighting her growing desire for one of her dragon-riding adversaries—in the first book of a sizzling Celtic-inspired fantasy romance duology.
Once a territory built on matriarchal rule and values, Tìr Teine has since grown frail from a long line of fruitless kings. The most recent of which have ruled under the influence of the True Religion, an oppressive group who have steadily poisoned the region with their anti-magic teachings.
Born to rule and blessed by fire, Aemyra has begrudgingly lived in hiding rather than risk her life in court, waiting in anticipation for the current king’s death so she can bond to his dragon, claim her throne, and protect her people. But when the king dies and Aemyra is ready to take what is rightfully hers, her ambitious plan is foiled and she is thrust into a game of vicious politics and plots.
Her biggest adversary is Prince Fiorean, a dragon-rider and one of the most powerful fire wielders in the territory. Cold, arrogant, and blindly supportive of his corrupt family, he is everything Aemyra despises. But as chaos engulfs the court, they find themselves reluctantly entwined, forced to forge an uneasy alliance—one that quickly ignites into something more dangerous than either of them expected.
Behind enemy lines and slowly falling for her so-called adversary, Aemyra uncovers just how far the rot of corruption has spread, and what she may have to sacrifice to claim her throne.
© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy