Genres: Fantasy Romance, Epic Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy | Release Date: 1 November 2024 | Series: Fate Untethered | Series Book: #1 | Pages: 521 | Indie Author | Review
“Over doom or death, I chose hope. I chose you.”
Elisse Hay
Overview:
A huge thank you goes to Haus of Fables and Elisse Hay for letting me read an e-ARC of Untempered! This fantasy romance is the first book in the Fate Untethered trilogy, and it is *brimming* with grim choices and unlikely friendships. Are you intrigued? Of course you are! So let’s give you an overview, shall we?
As the daughter of the Duke of La’Angi, Audrey has long known of her father’s brutality. She’s experienced it first hand. Forever wishing she could escape, but desperate not to abandon her people, Audrey doesn’t know which way to turn. Training in secret with her warrior handmaid, Audrey is soon caught up in events that have no easy solution. There are assassination attempts, tenuous alliances and a deadly tourney which could start a war with the slip of a blade. Couple that with a mysterious plague ravaging everyone in its path? Audrey needs to make her choice: does she stand and fight against her father, or does she escape while she can? And what part does a grumpy knight have to play in all of this?
Happiness Boost:
Within Untempered, we are positively gifted with unique cultures and self-sacrificing characters! This fantasy romance contains a very sinister plot, and I love how all of the threads just get increasingly darker the further we go in. There is no let up in the tragedy of Audrey’s life, no easy way out for her or the Raider’s Ban knight who is now blood sworn to protect her. My mind raced with possibilities, and at no point did I predict what we were facing! How great is that?!
Our ragtag crew are some of the most complex characters I’ve ever come across. All four have so much trauma in their heads and their hearts, I just want their happiness. Is that too much to ask? It’s not, right?! And you know what else Elisse gives us? A woman who is fighting for her autonomy. Nearly every single man tries to tell Audrey what she needs to do. Very few actually ask her for her thoughts. In a world that continues to battle the power of a patriarchal society, I’m so in love with Audrey’s determination for change.
Do we love a reluctant hero? How about slow burn romance and the ever incredible one horse trope? I’m not going to tell you all the tropes glitterbugs, because I want you to enjoy a few surprises. But suffice to say: this is perfect for you if you want a tale of defiance and hope against injustice. I’m just gobsmacked, if I’m being truthful. I love this fantasy romance, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read Untempered.
Downside:
Who could find a downside with this book?! Nobody, that’s who!
Final Thoughts:
Untempered by Elisse Hay is a fantasy romance full of grim choices, forced proximity and so much feminine rage. So of course I’m telling you to read this first instalment in the Fate Untethered trilogy! If you love the fantasy romance genre, I can guarantee you’re going to fall head over heels for this story of Audrey and her ragtag crew. So if you like what you’ve heard from my review? Just click on any of the links below to order your very own copy of Untempered! Happy reading, glitterbugs!
You can order Untempered via these links:
