I love Kendare Blake’s previous books, sadly this one didn’t strike the right chord with me, I’m sure many others will enjoy and love this, it’s just personal preference, but a nice story and read, just not for me this one

I've had this book on my tbr since I requested it but have never found myself gravitating towards it sadly.

I've enjoyed Kendare's other books but for some reason this one just no longer appeals completely to me.

I'm so sorry!

Reed's journey from tragedy to the Order of Aristene sets the stage for a slow build towards what promises to be an epic conclusion. While Reed's fate seems marked, the chance encounter with Aster and Veridian adds a twist of fate to her story. However, Reed's character lacks depth, and I found myself more intrigued by the elders and the backstory of Aster and Veridian. The romance between Reed and Hestion feels forced, detracting from the potential depth of the narrative. Despite intriguing worldbuilding around the veil, the pacing struggles to maintain engagement, making it a middling read overall.

Thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this one, including most aspects from the characters to how they and the plot developed. Would absolutely recommend to anyone interested in the genre. Taking all of this into consideration, I am giving it 4/5 stars. Can’t wait to read other works from this author.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

I am a huge fan of Kendare Blake's work, but sometimes that means a new book can be overhyped and disappointing. That was not the case here! Reed's story was so engaging, and she was a worthy and lovable heroine. I felt the rush of each fight and my heart broke along with hers at the end. I highly recommend for fans of action, adventure and fantasy.

I have mixed feelings about this one.

I’d previously read – and really, really loved – Blake’s Three Dark Crowns series, so when I heard that she would be releasing a new fantasy series set in the same world I was really excited! I knew going in that we’d be focusing on entirely different characters and situations, and I was in principle entirely okay with that, even excited for it. So it was a little bit frustrating when, despite my eagerness to explore more of the world, the most interesting character turned out to be the side character who happened to be a former Queen of Fennbirn.

Honestly, I’ve left it longer than I’d like to write this review, and would probably have more to say had I sat down to write this closer to when I actually read it. There are lots of things about this book that didn’t work for me, and some that did, but really I think a large source of my feelings around this book stem from it simply not being for me. If I was given this same exact premise to write my own duology, I’d end this first book very differently than what we got here.

In the end, being intentionally vague, Reed was faced with a choice, with three options, and while I think the personal and emotional fallout of the choice she did make was actually interesting and well handled, I strongly dislike the choice that was made. The book was setting itself up for her to reject being part of a system that confines her and her sisters to the shadows for all eternity, and for her to instead take her own place as a hero. And then she didn’t do that. For me, no amount of well-handled pain resulting from the choice she made could make up for the fact that she didn’t make the choice that rejects this system entirely. It made for a disappointing ending, and one that was all the more disappointing for how solidly built up an ending where she does reject this system was.

Do I think this makes the book inherently bad? No, actually. Those three stars I’ve given it didn’t come from nowhere! The themes of sisterhood and the discussion of what makes someone a hero and whether the cost of being a hero can ever be worth it were super interesting, and I largely enjoyed myself while reading it. But given that this ending didn’t remotely work for me, it’s clear that I’m just not the audience for this book.

If you want a fun fantasy story with a horse girl main character, with strong themes of sisterhood and some discussion on the potential cost of being a hero, then you might get some enjoyment out of this one! I have no idea what book two is going to be about, because there aren’t any obvious loose threads left hanging after this one ends, but at this point I’m uncertain as to whether I’ll be picking it up.

I went into this book with a sense of excitement. I'd read another series by Kendare Blake so surely this must be good as well. Alas, I could not get into it, not the same way as I could get into Three Dark Crowns. Which was a real shame. The writing is still lovely, it's still technically a good book, it's just not for me. And after trying for several weeks to get even further I just gave up... I may try again at a later point

This is probably the most boring book I've read this year. If any book I manage to finish before the year's up one-ups that, I'll be genuinely surprised.

Anyway, the writing, the story, the characters - it's all drawn out and made my eyes sag inside my sockets. How did Blake take an interesting premise and make it not work? Things kept happening, and yet I felt nothing. Reed's parents and settlement got killed by raiders, but all I was thinking was, "Oh, that's it?" It jut felt like the author was checking off a list before forcing the plot forward so not to linger on the emotional parts of such a traumatic event. Similar things were happening throughout the story.

The characters are also flat and uninteresting. Reed had no strong presence as a main character, Hestion even less so (Instalove is so annoying), and the rest don't stand out. There's friends, mentors, and other important Aristene figures that were constantly introduced, but I could not tell you who was who and what they did. Connection is the least of my concerns when I can barely recognize the characters as individual people.

Overall, this was just not for me. I still wanna read Blake's other works, particularly Anna Dressed in Blood. Hopefully, I'll get more enjoyment from there, because I certainly didn't with this book.

Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake is a captivating start to a new fantasy duology that captivated me from the first page. The eternal female warriors, the Aristene, who mould heroes' fates captivated me as a reader. Heromakers and their mysterious order lend mystery to the story.

Reed is a captivating protagonist whose self-discovery gives dimension to the plot. Reed is another powerful, complex female character by Kendare Blake. Her conflict between duty and identity and her maturation throughout the story are compelling. The author masterfully incorporates Reed's actions' effects, making her trip more interesting.

The worldbuilding in Champion of Fate shows Kendare Blake's skill. Expertly constructed fight sequences drive the plot ahead with tension and excitement. The battle is intriguing because of the contrast between human life and Aristene magic. The Aristene's political neutrality and devotion to their deity complicate the plot, leaving readers yearning for the next installment's story arc.

Champion of Fate is a gripping book with sophisticated worldbuilding, intriguing characters, and a well-woven story. Kendare Blake has created an epic fantasy series, and I'm interested to see how this captivating narrative continues.

The writing in this was actually pretty interesting and I absolutely loved the warriors and how everything has a very Arthurian feel. Unfortunately I could not connect to the characters.

In the beginning Reed watches as her mother dies and sees her whole village be destroyed. Then she's essentially kidnapped by the raiders and yet... we see NOTHING of her trauma or her fear or her pain. It truly felt like I was reading from a POV without a heart which honestly would have been fine if that was the point. That really turns me off to the story insanely fast which is a bummer because I was so interesting in the plot and the world building and the warriors themselves.

I might try to pick this up again at some point but for now it's a DNF.

Thank you so much for my e-ARC!

DNF at 30%
Slow pacing, no tension, bland setting and characters, writing seemed more suited to younger readers. Shame because I loved the Three Dark Crowns series.

The first few chapters, I really enjoyed. They were full of action, had great world-building qualities and the main character became very likeable very quickly.

However, I completely lost interest once she grew up… I tried to stick to it and continue with the story, but it felt like a completely different book! The action was gone, the other characters that were introduced were rather dull, and it took soo long for the story to progress further.

I ended up dnf’ing this book which I haven’t done in at least a year! 🫣 I absolutely hate dnf’ing a book because I feel like I’m judging it unfairly, however, I was starting to enter a reading slump so had to do something! 🙈

Interesting world and plot, bogged down by mediocre characters and an unbelievable romance.

I was hoping to fall madly in love with this book as I did Blake's Three Dark Crowns, but alas it wasn't meant to be. I'll admit there's definitely a massive dose of "it's not you, it's me" with this rating – I think others may enjoy this more than I did – but even so I really struggled to get properly invested in the characters and the setting, despite Champion of Fate taking place in the same world. Everything was paced so slowly, I would feel like I read fifty pages but the characters have gone nowhere.

I also didn't buy Reed and Hestion as lovers; they go from strangers to lovers with little build up and little chemistry. Reed has known about Hestion for a long portion of her life, okay, but Hestion has no excuse; Reed practically walks into his life and he immediately fancies himself in love, even willing to propose marriage to her within a matter of weeks.

I did of course enjoy Blake's writing, with a poetic formality that fits the slight medieval setting perfectly, and the world-building was interesting – no one can really say no to a elusive order of immortal female warriors, can they? I would've liked it to tie more to Three Dark Crowns, which was the primary reason I decided to give it a shot.

Ultimately a bit disappointed, but again, I think others would like this more than me.

WILL I READ ON? Probably not.

Packing a punch almost immediately, straight away I was interested to see where Reed’s life would take her. The novel was jam-packed but the pace never felt rushed. It slowly weaved its way through Reed’s journey. The action sequences were exciting but I didn’t feel like Reed was ever in any true jeopardy. This made it all the more shocking when those around her were injured. Nevertheless, I didn’t feel the menace of the villain of the story. The evil king wasn’t afforded nuance. Instead, the ambiguous morality of the Aristene order was examined. I was intrigued by the secrets and motives they were hiding but I still wished the actual villain was given another dimension outside of being a power-hungry king.

The most complex relationship within this novel was Reed’s friendship and rivalry with Lyonene, a fellow wannabe Aristene. I appreciated how their dynamic was about more than simply one-upping the other. Reed and Lyonene pushed each other to constantly improve and earn their victories, but regardless of the ‘winner’, they loved each other deeply.

This novel was billed as a romance but unfortunately I didn’t feel any real connection of love between Reed and Hestion. This dampened the impact of the ending which definitely set the series up to go down an interesting path, one which is sure to surprise. However, I’m not sure I care to continue, as Reed herself failed to capture my heart. I liked her spunk at the beginning but I wish she hadn’t allegedly 'fallen in love’ with Hestion and instead stuck to being a badass warrior.

OVERALL: Packed full of action sequences and moral reckonings, this YA fantasy read like an Arthurian legend. However, I did wish some elements, especially the romance, were further developed.

Unfortunately I found this book to be quite dull and not engaging.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

I’ll start off by saying that I ended the book enjoying it more than I thought I would!

It took me several tries to get in to this book, the beginning just wasn’t holding my attention and I wasn’t an immediate fan of the writing. However, because I received this as an ARC I decided to try and push through for at least a couple of chapters and I’m really glad I did, because I really liked it.

I really love how this book explored the idea of the hero, and what that means. A hero to one person may not be a hero to another. I thought that was a very interesting conversation, and I’m excited to see where that goes and to see it, hopefully, explored in even more depth.

I will say the romance between our main character Reed and Hestion just wasn’t doing it for me, which was a giant letdown. The romance in this book is meant to be a large part of the driving force behind Reed and her decision making and a big source of conflict for her and the life she will choice in the future, and yet . . . There was no chemistry. It was so insta lovey, and I wasn’t really a big fan of Hestion.

I think Blake left a lot of secrets to be uncovered (there’s more to who Reed truly is, I just know it!) and I’m really intrigued to see where it all goes.

I had pretty high hopes for this as I simply loved the Three Dark Crowns series. And I did enjoy it at first. I liked the world-building and the character's sisterhood. However, when the hero's trial began I stopped enjoying it. I would've preferred more individual quests to see the character's strengths better, or more focus on the Aristene and their powers. I still like Kendare's writing but I don't think this series will be for me.

Author: Kendare Blake
Genre: Fantasy
Age Range: Young Adult
Format: E-Book (ARC)
Published: 21st September 2023 (UK)
Pages: 467
Rating: 4.5 Stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Behind every great hero is an Aristene.

Aristene are mythical female warriors, part of a legendary order. Though heroes might be immortalized in stories, it’s the Aristene who guide them to victory. They are the Heromakers.

Ever since she was an orphan taken in by the order, Reed has wanted to be an Aristene. Now, as an initiate, just one challenge stands in her way: she must shepherd her first hero to glory on the battlefield. Succeed, and Reed will take her place beside her sisters. Fail, and she’ll be cast from the only home she’s ever known.

Nothing is going to stop Reed--until she meets her hero. Hestion is fiery and infuriating, but what begins as an alliance becomes more, and as secrets of the order come to light Reed begins to understand what becoming an Aristene may truly cost. Battle looming, she must choose: the order and the life she had planned, or Hestion, and the one she never expected.

Review

Trigger Warning: Violence, Death, Murder, Loss of a Parent, Blood, and Injury.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, however, this in no way influenced my opinion. Thank you to the publisher Rock the Boat for providing me with a copy.

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year as I absolutely loved Kendare Blake’s Three Dark Crowns series – in fact, it’s one of my favourite series of all time. When I saw was this was available on Netgalley I knew I had to request it and I was thrilled when I was approved. I am delighted to say that this absolutely lived up to my expectations and it’s one of my favourites I’ve read this year.

From the very first page of this novel, I was completely sucked into this world and the plot, and I was kept gripped throughout by the engaging plot and trying to guess what would happen next. There were some truly great twists in here, there was one in particular that genuinely left me shocked. One of the things I Ioved about the Three Dark Crowns series was the worldbuilding and Champion of Fate was no different, the worldbuilding in this book is truly fantastic and it’s sprinkled throughout the narrative and not info dumped in big paragraphs. By the end of this book, I felt like I had a really good grip on the world and history thanks to the great worldbuilding throughout the book. Another aspect of Champion of Fate that I loved was the characters – especially our main character Reed she is such a great character, and it was so fun to follow along her journey as she tried to guide her hero Hestion. She grapples a lot throughout the book with different challenges – there was one scene in particular close to the end between her and Hestion that was heart-breaking to read and I’m wondering what will happen next with their characters. I also loved Aster and Veridian and their relationship and I am hoping that they will appear in the sequel. I am very excited to read the sequel which is due to be published next January and find out what happened to Reed next.

Overall, this was a fantastic and gripping YA Fantasy novel with great world-building and a loveable cast of characters. I highly recommend picking this one up!

I always like Kendare Blakes heroines. They are well rounded and believable, the sort of person you would get on with if you met them. A great series starter, can't wait to see what happens next.