A Fate Forged in Fire - by Hazel McBride (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"A smoldering, magical, beautifully empowering romantasy that will keep you reading late into the night."--Abigail Owen, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Games Gods Play

"Hazel McBride transports us into a world of dragons and scheming rivals. The twisty, action-packed plot and steamy marriage of convenience made it impossible to put down. I absolutely loved it!"--Demi Winters, author of The Road of Bones and Kingdom of Claw

"A Fate Forged in Fire delivers visceral action, dagger-to-throat enemies to lovers, lush worldbuilding, and explosive female rage--everything I could want in a romantasy. McBride's prose is addictive and her storytelling cinematic. Rarely have I been so swept away."--Brigitte Knightley, author of The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy

"Hazel McBride expertly combines all the best ingredients of the romantasy genre to forge this fiery, addictive read. The rich worldbuilding, deadly political schemes, intriguing magic system, and sizzling enemies-to-lovers will surely delight readers, but what I personally love most is the delicious female rage that ignites every page, making this book impossible to put down!"--Rosie Hewlett, author of Medea

"A brutal, breakneck, and blazingly hot new romantasy . . . A Fate Forged in Fire is true enemies-to-lovers in all their most cutthroat (and hot) glory, ruthless dragon riders forging unforgettable bonds with their beasts, and plot twists so intense with feminine rage, I was glued to the pages."--S. A. MacLean, author of The Phoenix Keeper

"A romantic, thrilling journey through a world of dragons and destiny . . . Filled with lore, vivid worldbuilding, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that left me breathless, McBride has crafted an adventure that feels both timeless and utterly unique."--Elizabeth Helen, author of Bonded by Thorns

"With exquisite worldbuilding rooted in Scottish culture and an enemies-to-lovers romance so hot, it sizzles off the page, this book was a nonstop thrill ride."--Elliot Fletcher, author of Whisky Business

About the Author

Hazel McBride is originally from Scotland but lived in the Caribbean, Spain, and France before settling in the Netherlands with her Dutch husband. As a former animal trainer, McBride loves writing about magical and fantastical creatures, and as a bisexual author with anxiety, she focuses on writing queer characters and exploring topics such as mental illness within her work. When she isn't writing, McBride can be found eating chocolate (Galaxy only) and watching shows that fuel her daydreams about morally gray villains. At least until her incessantly energetic border collie forces her to get off the couch.