A Fate Forged In Fire
A Novel
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- Pre-Order
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- Expected May 27, 2025
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A queen promises an end to patriarchy in this familiar romantasy duology opener from McBride (the Ocean's Daughter series). Under its original matriarchy, Tir Teine thrived, but for the past century, kings have sat on its throne, running the country into the ground and weakening its magic. Aemyra Daercathian, daughter of Tir Teine's exiled Prince Draevan, is the rightful heir to Tir Teine's throne. When the current king dies, she seizes the opportunity to bond with his dragon and so claim his crown. She almost succeeds, but the patriarchal reigning clan, led by Prince Fiorean, disputes her legitimacy and overthrows her nascent court. She flees, leaving behind her younger brother, Lachlann, who is killed by Fiorean's army. Fierce, grieving Aemyra marches right back into the castle to avenge him—but instead she's kidnapped and forced to marry Fiorean, igniting a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance that moves rather too quickly. Though there's little original about the plot, McBride builds a promising universe and populates it with a fascinating cast, and the feminist themes are welcome. Plus, the angsty ending sets things up nicely for book two. Fans of Sarah J. Maas will be pleased. Correction: A previous version of this review mischaracterized the circumstances around Lachlann's death.
