I really enjoyed this book, it’s my first book by Emily Colin and I am excited to read more of her books and anxiously await book 2 in this series!

The world building was a bit slow at first but over all great and I can see how it’s setting up for multiple books. I always love a dual POV. The tension in this book had me obsessed and it was full of all my favorite tropes.

I love this Slavic fairytale setting of forbidden romance! The book starts with action straight away, and then you're heading into a story of magic, world building and history. The story is emotional and impactful.

Unfortunately I have DNF’d at 15%, sadly this one just isn’t for me, and that’s not because I think it’s bad, I just really struggled with it.

I’ve seen that newer copies of this ARC have a pronunciation guide and a glossary which I genuinely think would have made a big difference for me because it got to the point where I felt like I couldn’t pronounce every other word. However, that being said, I don’t want to have to keep flicking to a pronunciation guide that often! I felt like the names of people and places were just a bit too complicated. But maybe for people who are more familiar with Slavic-style fantasy this wouldn’t have been an issues.

I did feel like a lot of it was a little repetitive, like I was reading the same lines over and over, and the same descriptive words over and over, such as ‘slate-gray’.

The book did feel pretty unique however, I haven’t read anything particularly like it (minus the earth, wind, fire, water power being like WTMH) and the concept of having a bonded Shadow that you’re obviously going to fall in love with, but can’t be with, is perfect for the ‘forbidden romance’ trope lovers!

Definitely feel like they’ll be plenty of people who will love this book!

What a great adult romantasy! While the world building/background was a bit slow, the rest of the book I couldn't put down! I absolutely loved the forbidden romance and the development between the two characters. Would definitely recommend and can see this one being popular in the romantasy genre!

This was such a great read! These characters have so much chemistry and the tension absolutely jumps off the page.

I adored this book. It gave me everything I wanted going in.

The magic systems felt different, and this was a big point in me enjoying the book. I loved the storyline, it felt really unique, especially the characters too. The Villains?? Extremely well written, as a reader, you’re left wondering about their motives and I LOVE that in a book.

I thought the pacing was very good, not too slow, not too fast, it kept me engaged throughout.

However, there were times that the characters came off a bit teenager-y, and it kind of pulled my focus from the story itself. And while the book is described as an adult Romantasy, the spice was minimal and I didn’t mind this, there was enough “adult” topics throughout the books that I was okay with it, but I know other readers may have an issue with this as adult = spice for some.

Also. Where is Nikos POV? We got perspectives of the other main characters, so why none for him? His absence felt like a giant missed opportunity.

Overall the book kept my attention and I’ll be on the look out for the next one.

I cannot wait for book two.


** thank you to NetGalley and Emily Colin for the ARC. All opinions are my own.**

Katerina and Niko are great together, I really enjoyed their forbidden love.

Although I thought there was too much description and detail where it wasn't really needed. I wish the book was slower and involved more tension between Katerina and Niko. I also wish it focused more on them and it took longer for them to give into each other.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2/5 🌶️🌶️

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What to Expect:
💜Forbidden Love
🖤Elemental Magic
💜Soulbound Tattoo
🖤Shape Shifters
💜Hawtttt Demons w/ Attitude
🖤Morally Grey
💜Sassy-Kickass FMC
🖤Touch Her and 💀💀
💜Fade to Black Spice

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Where do I even begin? Fate and Fury is the kind of romantasy that grabs you by the heart and refuses to let go. Emily Colin weaves an atmospheric Slavic-inspired world brimming with elemental magic, forbidden love, and heart-pounding stakes. From the first page, I was immersed in the story of Katerina, a fiercely powerful Dimi with control over Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire elements, and her Shadow, Niko—a loyal protector bound to her by blood but off-limits (love interesttttt!!!) by the laws of their world. The romantic tension between them was electric, and the stakes surrounding their love, tied to a deadly prophecy, had me HOLDING MY BREATH CONSTANTLY!

The world-building in Fate and Fury was nothing short of stunning. From the haunting land of Iriska, nestled between realms, to the constant threat of soul-devouring Grigori demons, every detail was rich and immersive. I especially loved how the magic system was tied so deeply to the characters’ identities—Katerina’s UNMATCHED POWER!! (Wahooo… love me a good powerful FMC!) and Niko’s animal-shifting abilities created such a dynamic (and well scripted) partnership. But it was their emotional bond that truly shone. Their chemistry had me SCREAMING and ROOTING for them to defy the rules, but also bracing myself for the inevitable heartbreak destruction we all know would happen (or does it? hmmm…). And let me just say: the twists in this book? Mind-blowing. The cliffhanger had me screaming for more!!!

If you’re a fan of forbidden love, elemental magic, and the kind of storytelling that leaves you emotionally wrecked in the best way, this book is for you. The tension, the trials, the romance—it’s all beautifully written. Thank you to Emily Colin and the publisher for the ARC. I’m counting down the days until book two because I NEED to know how Katerina and Niko’s story plays out. If you haven’t added this to your TBR yet, do it now—you won’t regret it!

I couldn’t get into this unfortunately, DNF. Too heavy on the world building in the beginning so I just couldn’t settle in sadly.

Break me like your promises”
“One for the fire, two for the storm, three for the black dog that guards against harm…”

I absolutely loved every moment of this emotional adventure of a story! I loved the tie ins with Slavic folklore and the whole angels and demons angle. I loved the nod to a certain Greek mythology that I won’t name because of spoilers. The relationship between Katerina and Niko was amazing and I loved their banter. I enjoyed how dedicated they were to each other and protecting their town. Really, every character was dynamic, even if I didn’t like Elaina from the start. She was interesting at least. Emily Colin managed to make me feel like I was actually there and I gasped out loud at several scenes and was sobbing my eyes out at a few more. The trials had me on the edge of my seat. I was stressed out for them during the trials and a few other times. Emily took me on an incredible journey and my only complaint is that I can’t dive right into the next book!

I am not the demographic for this book and I'm not sure who it would be for. This is a terrible book with elements of ACOTAR and "forbidden love" and I honestly couldn't get past the first couple of chapters. The angst between the protagonist and antagonist is really juvenile and never explained fully or adequately enough to string me along.

Really cool magic system coupled with a forbidden romance!

While it's almost 500 pages, the pacing was quite good and I didn't feel like it was a drag to get through.

The character development for Katerina and Niko are wonderfully well done. Even the villains have great storylines and character arcs.

I was expecting a bit more romance given how it was advertised but for fans of slow burn and fade-to-black, this one is for you.

I had a bit of a hard time following the Dimis, Shadows, and Vilas concept at the beginning but the world building quickly filled in those gaps.

*Fate and Fury* by Emily Colin is an absolutely thrilling, heart-pounding read that will sweep you off your feet! From the very first page, Colin hooks you with a captivating mix of romance, suspense, and intrigue. The story follows a powerful connection between two characters bound by fate, but with so many twists and turns, you never quite know what’s coming next.

Colin’s writing is rich and evocative, bringing the characters and their world to life in such a vivid way. The chemistry between the leads is electric, and their emotional journey is both raw and beautiful. The stakes are high, the tension is palpable, and the pacing never lets up, making it impossible to put the book down.

With a perfect blend of passion, mystery, and a dash of fate, *Fate and Fury* is a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves a gripping, unforgettable story that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end!

“One for the fire, two for the storm.” 🤍

Magic, prophecies, forbidden love and a darkness threatening to destroy everything - sounds like quite the adventure, right?

Reading Fate and Fury was like going on an unexpected journey without knowing what awaits when you get there. The description might prepare you for a few plot points but it doesn't prepare you for the feelings of anguish and pure internal (and external, depending on the situation) torment that Katerina and Niko experience throughout the story. The depiction of said feelings was vivid and you could almost feel what they were feeling. It was PAINFUL at times like give them a break please 😭.

The writing in this book was beautiful. It's descriptive in nature, so I will say it might not be for everyone. However, when it comes to fantasy - even more so, fantasy with rich lore as its basis - I find myself enjoying and almost craving vivid descriptions, the writing which will make me feel jealous I am not actively part of this world. Not that I'm asking to come face-to-face with the ever-growing Darkness... I think I'll leave that in the capable hands of Katerina and Niko. The descriptions are not burdening the book, in fact they enrich this world and paint it with beautiful colours.

"No matter where she was, he was home."

I enjoyed the multiple perspectives! This is one of the few cases where we , aside from the main character's perspective, we get POVs of the villain(s) of the story whose intentions/actions/thoughts are not a predictable black & white hue. Even the villains of the story had their own reasonings - some were more twisted than others but you do get exposed to their side of things. One of the revealed villains though I could do without....thanks! Selfish purposes.

The lore and backstory of this world were so interesting to read about - saints, prophecies, different roles for each character. We get exposed to pieces of this backstory slowly throughout the book and each time it added a bit more to what we knew.

I would have liked, perhaps due to the description of this book, to spend more time at the actual trials. I found fascinating the political side of this story - when our two main characters attended the trials and they interacted with the ruling figures/establishment. I thought they would play a larger role; however, it was in the beginning and didn't take up much time. It was such a promising point, which I was looking forward to, and there was not enough time spent there. Obviously, the plot ventured towards a different direction - which IS hinted at - but the trials were a personal preference of mine.

Overall, such an enjoyable first instalment in this duology! Given THAT cliffhanger... could the second book please magically appear in front of me?? Because what do you MEAN we have to wait??

A massive thank you to NetGalley, Emily Colin, and Black Orchid Books for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review - all the aforementioned opinions are my own.

Go read this! 🤍

A page-turning, fantasy romance set in a unique, immersive world with elemental magic, forbidden romance, and possibly realm shattering consequences. 4 🌟s

- If a Dimi and Shadow lay together, demon-infested Darkness would fall upon Iriska and overtake the realm. The prophecy was sacred. Defying it was unthinkable.

Pledged to protect the realm of Iriska from demonic invasion alongside her blood-sworn Shadow, Katerina Ivanova is the strongest Dimi in three centuries and one of few in history to wield command over all four elements. Katerina and Niko do their best to go unnoticed by the political ruler of Iriska, protect their village, and ignore the forbidden desires that burn between them. As Katerina and Niko are forced to compete in the Bone Moon trials and darkness threatens their world in ways never seen before, Dimi and Shadow are forced to confront their feelings for one another and the dire reverberations that result.

“Break me, then.,” she said, a challenge. “Break me like your promises.”

Fate and Fury quickly seizes the reader into an emotional whirlwind that does not halt. It opens mid-action and immediately thrusts the reader into the story. The world building and mythos is intricate and layered. It starts off very dense. I found it slow going at first but once the story starts moving, the lore becomes much easier to follow.

I absolutely loved the tension and build-up between Katrina and Niko. There is so much longing, angst, and just raw emotion that builds and builds. Katrina is fierce and determined. She is intuitive but comes across as arrogant at times. Niko is a loyal protector and tries to do what is just and fair.

“It was a beautiful night to burn, and a ridiculous one to die.”

The true antagonist was so very well crafted. I detested them from the beginning. I also enjoyed the complexities of many of the side characters and the alternate POVs. I do wish the story would have included scenes from Niko’s POV though.

I cannot wait to read the second book in the The Bone Moon Duology and you can bet that I’ll be picking it up as soon as it is released!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Emily Colin for the opportunity to read this in advance. This is my honest review.

Tropes:
-elemental magic/witches
-Slavic-inspired but also contains fallen angel lore
-magical trails & combat
-prophecy
-forbidden romance
-low spice/fade to black
-childhood best friends

In Fate and Fury, Emily Colin delivers a captivating blend of elemental magic, forbidden love, and a world inspired by Slavic legends. This rich and immersive tale draws readers into Iriska, a land where ancient prophecies, fierce warriors, and demonic forces collide.
Katerina Ivanova is a Dimi, a warrior with command over all four elements. Alongside her Shadow, Niko, she protects Iriska’s portals to the Underworld. Their blood-bond is sacred, but their love is forbidden—a love that could unleash an ancient darkness foretold by prophecy. When they’re recruited to compete for a place in Iriska’s elite force, their connection is tested like never before, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The Slavic-inspired setting added a unique and enchanting depth to the story, with its mythology and traditions woven seamlessly into the plot. Katerina is a powerful, determined protagonist, and the concept of Dimis as warrior women bonded to Shadows was both original and empowering.
The romance between Katerina and Niko was emotional and forbidden in the best way, adding layers of tension to every scene (closed door/fade to black). The multiple perspectives, especially the villain’s, added complexity and kept me reading.

While the story is compelling, the rivalry between Elena and Katerina felt unnecessary. I wished the focus had remained on celebrating the strength of these women rather than pitting them against each other.

Still, Fate and Fury was a thrilling read through a richly imagined world with high-stakes conflict, a unique magic system, and a heartbreaking love story. The ending left me eager to see what’s next for book 2.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I really enjoyed the unique world-building and intriguing power system. While it was a bit confusing at first, it didn’t take long to understand the distinctions between Dimis, Shadows, and Vilas. Katerina was an incredible FMC, and I admired her determination to fight for Niko. I wasn’t entirely a fan of the possessive language like 'you’re mine' and 'you belong to me,' but within the context of this world, it made sense for the characters. I’m excited to read the next installment and will definitely keep an eye out for the continuation of this story!

I absolutely enjoyed this book! The storyline felt unique and the characters amazing. I had a bit of an issue with some of the side characters once in a while, but besides that I enjoyed it!

I liked the pacing of the writing as well a the twists and turns. I absolutely recommend reading this book! Cant wait for more.

Katerina Ivanova has many secrets, but two of them could get her killed. Firstly, in a world where nature dictates that magic users only have power over one element, Katerina can control all four. Secondly, despite being bound to her by magic, her feelings for her Shadow, Niko, goes far beyond what is allowed for their relationship. With more and more unexplained events erupting around the two of them, Katerina has to discover what -or who- is putting those around her in such danger.

The magic in this book was one of its highlights, and I liked that there was a lot that it did differently from other recent books in its genre. In particular, I liked Katerina and Niko a lot as characters, and I thought that the villains that the book set up were creative and engaging. The high stakes and deep worldbuilding made for a good balance of action and exposition, and I thought that the tension was well-paced. There was enough to keep me reading, but not so much that it was difficult to keep up with.

The concept of having two people with a connection so deep that it transcends any marriage the other party enters into is fine, but expecting me to believe that no one has ever taken things further simply because romantic relationships with their counterparts are forbidden? Despite the attempted rationalization in the story, I just don’t think it’s realistic. I also thought that the ending came on very suddenly, and finished at an awkward place in the story. Those points aside, I did enjoy this book very much, and I will most definitely be reading the sequel. Many thanks to NetGalley and Black Orchid Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

4/5 Beautifully written, action-heavy, and delightfully twisty.

Fate and Fury was a very fun read set in a magical world. The characters were engaging and the romance was enough to be believable but not overdone or forced, creating one hell of an emotional roller coaster. One thing I would have loved was more of an exploration of what Dimis, Shadows, and Vilas actually are and why they are different, as I feel that I lacked understanding of the concepts throughout the whole book beyond that one has magic, one has a dog form, and the other just exists to be a wife. Other than this, I really did love the book. It was fast paced in a good way and very enjoyable to read.

Thank you to Emily Collin and Black Orchid Books for this ARC