A Fate Forged in Fire by Hazel McBride

“Born to rule. Blessed by fire. Broken by desire.”

From the fiery dedication to the brutal final pages, A Fate Forged in Fire hooked me. This is the kind of fantasy that doesn’t ease you in gently—it throws you straight into a world of political unrest, religious control, and dragons bound to royalty, and it works.

This is very much Aemyra’s story. A blacksmith, midwife, and heir to a long-lost matriarchy, she’s been raised in the shadows, taught she’s destined to rule—but given none of the tools to do so. She’s powerful but untested, determined yet uncertain. At times her choices frustrated me, but I always understood where they were coming from. Her internal struggle felt real, shaped by years of forced silence and buried strength.

While romance is present, it isn’t the focus. The connection between Aemyra and Fiorean simmers beneath the surface of shifting loyalties and dangerous alliances. He’s scarred, sharp-edged, and loyal to a corrupt crown—everything she’s fighting against. But when their guarded truce begins to spark, the payoff is worth the slow build.

There’s a lot happening in this book, but the pacing and structure kept everything clear. The Celtic-inspired worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming, and the use of Scottish Gaelic adds a layer of authenticity. Even with a large cast of characters, the narrative stays focused and easy to follow.

One of my favorite parts? The dragons. Their bond to the ruling class adds depth to both the political structure and the magic system, and I’m hoping the next installment dives even deeper into that mythology. Yes, it ends on a cliffhanger. And yes, I need the sequel immediately.

If you like your fantasy layered, your heroines flawed but fiery, and your enemies-to-lovers dynamic sharpened with actual stakes, this one’s worth picking up.

Content Warnings: Misogyny, religious oppression, SA (on page), violence

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