I don’t know whether I’m sad or glad I didn’t let myself sget wrapped up in all the hype for this book: sad because then I could’ve been on Team Hype but I’m kind of glad because I didn’t feel any pressure to love A Fate Forged in Fire once I started it. No pressure needed, because this book was so much fun I consumed it in an afternoon. 

I’m not the hugest “dragon book” girl. I never have been. I was seduced first by the stunning cover and the awesome title, and then I felt compelled to request and read it by thoughts of a rightful queen hidden among the people working as a blacksmith, fire magic, a Celtic-inspired world, strong political fantasy themes (one of my favorite subgenres), a religious war between monotheism and polytheism, and what was hopefully a true enemies-to-lovers romantasy subplot. 

Believe or not, I got all of that and more. The rightful queen is an awesome blacksmith and swordswoman who has a devoted and loving twin brother. She also has adopted parents and a little brother who mean the world to her. The political aspects of the plot are great, but the religious warfare aspects of the story start to get more terrifying the further into the story you go. The enemies-to-lovers romance? Let me assure you, these two are goals in those regards. 

This book is savage in more than one way and runs at an almost breakneck pace from the very start. The dialogue is sharp and well-written, the characters are very intriguing, and the action scenes all leave more than enough blood on the ground and smoke in the air. It’s just so well done and I can’t wait for the sequel. 5⭐️

I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Action-Adventure/Adult Fantasy/Fantasy/Romantasy/Political Fantasy/Spice Level 1