Bookseller Reviews
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It’s dragon time!!
First of all, fire magic AND dragons… what more could I ask for???
Wow this was a wild journey, I think I went through every emotion possible while read... READ MORE
True enemies to lovers, dragons and a claim to the throne!
I took my time reading this book as I simply didn't want it to end the world building was excellent and in depth but still a strong fast start and I was in... READ MORE
A solid debut
I went into this one with such high expectations and I don't know if it was just that I've been reading too much fantasy lately but this one missed the mar... READ MORE
Burning my heart through the words!!
A heart racing romantasy focusing on Celtic mythology with a powerful female lead hellbent on claiming her rightful throne but is forced into an uneasy all... READ MORE
Synopsis
How much is she willing to sacrifice to claim her throne?
A powerfully blessed blacksmith must use her wits and fire magic to overthrow the corrupt powers ruling the kingdom, while also fighting her desire for a certain dragon-riding adversary in this sizzling Celtic-inspired romantasy, perfect for fans of House of the Dragon and Fourth Wing.
Once a territory built on matriarchal rule, Tìr Teine has been without a female heir for centuries. Through a long line of corrupt kings, an oppressive anti-magic teaching has infected the land - leading to the tragic decline of the dragons.
Aemyra was born to lead, gifted with fire magic from the Goddess Brigid. For years she has hidden in the shadows, waiting for the king to die so she can bond to his dragon, claim her birthright and protect her people.
When her carefully laid plans are foiled, Aemyra is thrust into a deadly game of politics and plots. Her greatest enemy? Prince Fiorean - the dragon-riding, fire-wielding royal whose icy arrogance and raw power thwart her every step. But as chaos engulfs the court, Aemyra and Prince Fiorean are forced to forge an uneasy alliance to survive. And in the heat of battle, their mutual hatred ignites something neither of them can control.
Behind enemy lines and slowly falling for the only man that stands between her and the throne, Aemyra begins to uncover the true weight of the crown. Will she ignite the flames of change for her people - or will love burn her alive?
Publisher information
- Publisher: John Murray Press
- ISBN: 9781408749081
- Number of pages: 416
- Dimensions: 236 x 160 x 38 mm
- Weight: 626g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allAwful
This book is genuinely terrible, do not waste your time or money on it! The FMC is the most insufferable, immature and frustrating character ever. The worl... READ MORE
Feminine rage and dragons, what more could you want
I thoroughly enjoyed A Fate Forged in Fire! Hazel McBride delivers a fierce, fire-wielding heroine in Aemyra - a blacksmith blessed by the Goddess, caught ... READ MORE
Most anticipated read!!!
The fact that this book is still months off and I think about it on a near daily basis is insane. It's literally all my favorite things wrapped up into a w... READ MORE
I ran to preorder
I cannot WAIT to read this book. 2025 cannot come soon enough!!!
Can't wait!!
Fantasy, romance, enemies to lovers AND dragons???
I've been following the author for years , and the anticipation for this book is real! With it's enti... READ MORE
Fantastic
It sounded fun, but wasn't
2.5
“A Fate Forged in Fire” has a very strong opening line and a fine enough last 20%.
To get to the (more or less) good part, you do have to work through ... READ MORE
A Fiery, Fierce, and Fantastically Feminist Fantasy
Thank you NetGalley and Dialogue Books for this eCopy to review
From the moment I opened A Fate Forged in Fire, I was completely swept away. McBride has... READ MORE
A fiery, feminist fantasy with a battle for a crown
This book is a very slow burn, made a little more difficult with lots of world building and Celtic wording. However, once the story gets going, the reader... READ MORE
Cliched
Gifted with the Goddess’s fire magic, Aemyra has always known she was destined to rule. But Tir Teine has been without a female heir for a century and the ... READ MORE
Disappointing
After reading two mediocre books in succession I was really looking forward to reading this. The synopsis , along with the rave reviews on the back from o... READ MORE
Magical, funny, sexy and twisty turny.
I imagined every man as Jamie Fraser and there are dragons. What more do you want?
Aemyra is living in hiding, a young woman gifted in fire magic who s... READ MORE
a gritty, intense plot and a powerful feminist fantasy
I thought Hazel McBride's writing was beautifully crafted with a gritty, intense plot and a powerful feminist message at the heart of her story, which is a... READ MORE
Holy Smokes.. literally!
I was lucky enough to receive a proof copy from the publisher and this book was everything I had hoped it to be.
The FMC is angsty, powerful and just a bo... READ MORE
Easiest 5 star - an absolute banger of a read
I adored this book. From the very first chapter, it had me in a chokehold and never let go. And somehow, it just kept getting better.
I don’t even have ... READ MORE
The next BIG fantasy series!!
Firstly a huge thank you to Hazel and Dialogue Publishing for allowing me to experience this early. I am extremely grateful (and slightly frustrated as I d... READ MORE
Such a bratty fmc and I absolutely love it!
From the first line to the last, this book had me hooked. What surprised me the most was that McBride managed to squeeze so much world building, character ... READ MORE
An absolute masterpiece!
Thank you to Hazel McBride, Dialogue Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this eARC of A Fate Forged in Fire.
A Fate F... READ MORE
Fire, goddesses, dragons and a matriarchy
We follow bratty and mouthy Aemyra as she is more than just a healer and a blacksmith. Did I say she's bratty? She sure is and it took me a bit to dial int... READ MORE
Love the FMC!
This fantasy romance is set in a Celtic-inspired world and full of intricate political dynamics. Aemyra is a refreshing and formidable female protagonist. ... READ MORE
One of my most anticipated releases this year.
Following Hazel’s writing journey, I was excited for this book from the beginning and when I got my ARC from NetGalley I squealed with excitement.
It tho... READ MORE
EPIC debut with impeccable storytelling
Some fantasy books ease you into their world, gently guiding you through the lore and politics like a courteous host. A Fate Forged in Fire is not one of t... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Love a dragon book….!
Oh my goodness what a book!
I love a dragon book, and I wondered how this was going to be different from the rest. It was totally original. It was amaz... READ MORE
Bi-Furious FMC and dragons
I loved this book. I am so grateful to have read an ARC and now not sure what to do with myself now that I'll have an even longer wait for the second one.
... READ MORE
LOVEEEEEEE
Took a little while to get through the world building at the beginning (which was fantastic - Celtic lore ) but once I got into it I loved it. Enemies to l... READ MORE
A great book!
Thank you for letting me read and review this book on Netgalley.
This book was so good. I loved the balance of fantasy romance in this and it's perfect... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Very hyped book!
Firstly thankyou to Hazel, the publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
The TikTok hype on this book prior to rel... READ MORE
A heroine who embodies rage, strength and evolution
Rollercoaster
The worldbuilding here is great , the character development and the twists, and then the pinch of spice . And Dragons, need i say more?!
A true enemies-to-lovers, with incredible history and world building rooted in Celtic mythology
This is a very captivating and brilliant example of taking popular tropes but putting a new or different spin on them - we’ve all read books where the FMC ... READ MORE
Fantastical escapism
Dragons, magical abilities, religious conflict, political machinations, a quest to claim a rightful place on the throne – a fantastical adventure with som... READ MORE
Feminine rage against religious & misogynistic powerplays!
I came for the feminine rage and the dragons and I stayed for the political intrigue, religious trauma and enemies to lovers. What was even better? A Sco... READ MORE
A fiery, feminist fantasy with a battle for a crown
This book is a very slow burn, made a little more difficult with lots of world building and Celtic wording. However, once the story gets going, the reader... READ MORE
An Enemies to Lovers Fantasy Packed with Political Intrigue, Feminine Rage and DRAGONS!
So if you’re looking for a new book with dragons look no further, there’s an abundance of dragon bonding woven with Scottish mythology and a healthy dose o... READ MORE
A Must Fantasy Read
I absolutely loved this book! It has everything you would want in a fantasy book! Forced Proximity, Slow Burn Romance, Magic, Dragons, Touch her and die th... READ MORE
Can’t wait for the next book
4.5 ⭐️
First of all thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Dialogue Books for allowing me to read this ARC.
Hazel created such a vividly immersive... READ MORE
Scottish Fantasy Perfection
This is everything I could have ever hoped for from Scottish inspired fantasy! Ugh, I swear, the imagery of that first close up with Kolreath will haunt me... READ MORE
Fire and Spice
Hazel McBride breathes fire into a dragon story that takes flight. This epic tale weaves together a history of a matriarchal society based on magic gifted ... READ MORE
A solid debut with potential, but highly predictable, and missing the emotional depth I was hoping for.
I went into A Fate Forged in Fire expecting a Gaelic-inspired romantasy with dragons—what I got felt more like House of the Dragon fanfiction, with every n... READ MORE
Hard to get into but it really picks up and has great potential!
✶✶✶.75 / 5
The next big fantasy romance
HOLY cow, this book was so good.
angsty FMCs, dragons, court politics, and enemies to lovers? all of my favorite plot devices wrapped up into one epic story. i haven’t been this invested i... READ MORE
Scottish historical fantasy with dragons!
Scottish historical fantasy with dragons!
Scottish historical fantasy with dragons!
If the The Lost Queen and Throne of Glass had a child, it would be AFFIF! I loved the historical setting, which is reminiscent of Scotland upon the arrival... READ MORE
Sadly not a winner
I was so excited to receive this book after preordering it. It sounded right up my street with the Scottish influence, dragons and proper enemies to lovers... READ MORE
Amazing story!
This book was full of action, magic, political intrigue, and rivalry. If you like dragons bonds, enemies to lovers, and warrior FMCs then this is the perfe... READ MORE
Good, but unoriginal
I had mixed feelings about this book. The story started off promising, with a matriarchal society and a WLW romance; but in the end, it lost its originalit... READ MORE
From the first 3 pages, I was hooked.
The world-building and pacing is so natural, I felt like I was right there alongside the characters. The blend of action, fantasy, romance, and plot twists... READ MORE
Peak enemies to lovers, and amazing worldbuilding
Not a lot I can say without spoilers, but this book is absolutely cementing Hazel McBride as one of my all time favorite authors. I have been reading AFFIF... READ MORE
MUST READ!
A Fate Forged in Fire was an absolutely captivating read. I adored the fierce protectiveness and playful banter between Amera and her twin brother, Adarian... READ MORE
Incredible debut from start to finish
Summary
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Spicy rating:
An epic fantasy with the romance supporting a very strong plot.
I had expected this book to be a classic romantasy which are usually heavier on the romance and lighter on the world building, however, it was a breath of ... READ MORE
Loved it
First of all i want to thank Netgalley and publishers Dialogue Books for the opportunity to read an arc of this book.
Omg i enjoyed this book so much defi... READ MORE
UNLIMITED STARS
One of my favourite reads of 2025. The world-building was immaculate, the characters were fierce, and the tension was TENSIONING! (Not so) patiently waitin... READ MORE
A dark, addictive fantasy that burns with tension, emotion, and unforgettable character chemistry.
4.5 stars.
A fate Forged in Fire is a gripping, atmospheric fantasy that sinks its claws into you from the very first chapter. Hazel McBride delivers a ... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
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