Fate & Fury is a spellbinding Slavic-inspired romantasy that weaves elemental magic, forbidden love, and ancient prophecies into a gripping tale. From the first page, Emily Colin immerses readers in the world of Iriska, where Katerina Ivanova—a powerful elemental Dimi—and her Shadow, Niko, guard the portals to the Underworld. Together, they form an unbreakable bond that transcends tradition, threatening to unravel a destiny long foretold.

The story masterfully explores the tension between duty and desire, with Katerina and Niko walking the delicate line between duty and succumbing to a connection that could bring them all to ruin. The stakes intensify as their forbidden love awakens an ancient Darkness, forcing them to confront not only external dangers but also the limits of their bond. When the story takes a shocking turn halfway through, it redefines everything you think you know, keeping you glued to the pages as the plot spirals into chaos and suspense.

While the dynamic between Katerina and Niko is electric, Elena's character brings an intriguing layer of complexity. Her devoutness, innocence, and naivety clash with the jealous choices she makes, leading to devastating consequences that left me conflicted. It’s a testament to Colin’s skill in crafting morally layered characters.

The vivid world-building—complete with demons, witches, and gods—creates a lush backdrop for this tale of love, power, and sacrifice. At times, the magic system and the shifting motives of the characters can feel a bit confusing. While the complexity adds depth, it occasionally detracts from the flow, requiring extra attention to piece together the intricacies of the plot and character decisions. Despite this, the story’s twists, and emotional depth more than make up for it.

If you love elemental magic and powerful female protagonists navigating prophecy-laden destinies, Fate & Fury delivers on all fronts. Be prepared for an intense ride through love, betrayal, and the delicate balance between dire consequences and deadly desire.

It's my first book by Emily and it won't be my last.
I loved the pacing of the book and the world building.
I did have a little bit of a tough time following along but i did see the publisher note that a glossary was added, I think that's perfect and a huge help for readers!

Goodreads Review:

This book is easily one of my top reads of the year. I was hesitant at first—similar to ACOTAR, it made me nervous—but wow, was I wrong. From the first page, it threw me straight into the deep end and refused to let go. The pacing is fast, the world-building is immersive, and the story grips you relentlessly. If you're a fan of intricate fantasy worlds and engaging plots, this is a must-read.

It has the dark allure of One Dark Window, the magic and character dynamics of ACOTAR, and the intensity of Fourth Wing—yet it stands strong with its own unique voice. The Slavic-inspired fantasy elements added a fresh and enchanting touch, making it a perfect read for me. My only complaint? The brutal cliffhanger. Now I’m left desperately waiting for Emily to release the next book in this duology.

This book made me cry, gasp, hold my breath, and even kick my feet in delight. While I usually prefer more explicit romance, the fade-to-black approach worked beautifully here—it still delivered tension and heat while keeping the focus on the story. I’d still classify it as having spice because of the emotional intensity and action-packed scenes.

An absolute masterpiece. 10/10. I’ll recommend it to everyone I know.

Hi publishers, this is my ARC review - not the review I will be publishing elsewhere. I have _opinions_ to say the least so let's go,.. I will list out all of my suggestions to tidy things up at the end.

Plot:
Not great. With the Adam / Eve Book of Enoch retelling in mind, I think that not all historical tales should be retold faithfully but rather adapted to be the best story the author can tell. And the plot imo needs work.

There is one main driver plot, plot A, and two sub plots, plots B and C. By the time we get to Ch 27 things get so messy, So OUABH messy that I nearly stopped there. I started trying to track the plots and realized okay we're now in a true adam and eve retelling and that's why things are so silly and messy.

Characters:
Good character voices, the only character who seemed to be lacking a truly unique voice was Gadreel. I loved the dynamic between characters, I loved how easy it is to hate on certain characters and how nuanced they are despite their evil nature.

Pacing:
Pacing starts off so well, then we get to certain chapters where things slow down and the author is delivering behind the scenes glimpses. I especially disliked Ch 27-30 and did not find it useful to advance the plot or lead us to major discovery. I think we could have gotten a glimpse of our two Watchers in a different way.

Spice:
The spice to violence ratio was so so weird. Here is my main issue: we're retelling Adam and Eve through a romantic fantasy lens. The audience is female. Do we for a second think the audience wants Stephanie Garber style glimpses of the MC sleeping together? I doubt it.

Suggestions:
1. Plots: I would love to see the plot trimmed down to only one main plot and one subplot but I doubt that is doable given the ending
2. Chapter titles: I would love to see each chapter have the person's POV written under it
3. Spice: I think to set this book firmly in 5 star spice territory just have them do abstinence style stuff and not sleep together until book 2. Yes Elena will still be driven by anger and fury in the I saw you two scene. She'll still see them kiss, See them on the bed. But it will be more angsty and way more slow burn if the two MC don't actually sleep together. And why include more graphic violence than explicit spice?

Overall it was the messy middle, the graphic violence but no explicit spice, the many plots - and introduction of new characters so late that made me hard pivot from wow this is a 5 star read to a 3 star read. Sure I will read part 2 but I don't know if I will finish it actually.

So, I see the potential in this book but it’s a no for me right now.

“Katerina Ivanova is the most powerful Dimi in Iriska. She uses her command over the four elements alongside Niko, her blood-bonded Shadow, to guard the portals to the Underworld and protect their realm from demonic invasion. When the two are recruited to compete to join Iriska’s most elite force, no one suspects their secret: the bond they share goes beyond magic and enters taboo territory. Love between a Dimi and her Shadow isn’t just a bad idea, it’s been prophesied to set an ancient Darkness loose upon the world.”

The flow from the very beginning was just way off for me. I don’t know why certain things were happening and it moved from plot point to plot point with no explanation of the last. There was no correlation between paragraphs and I got lost between very long descriptions that didn’t need to be long.

I might give this book another try but I DNFed after Chapter 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and Black Orchid Books for granting me an eARC of Fate and Fury to review and provide feedback.

*ARC review from NetGalley*

This book was like a breath of fresh air in terms of world building and romance. The Slavic inspired lore was a new genre for me and although it was a little bit difficult to understand, it was a nice change from what I typically read. The author jumps right into the world building and some of it I was able to connect and piece together but at some points I was thinking maybe we should have more answers for the first book in a duology. The MCs were cute together and I personally appreciated the fact that the spicy scenes weren’t smutty and it was more so about their love for each other. The book ends on a huge cliffhanger and I’m so excited to read the second one when it comes out next year!

I honestly don’t even know where to start because Fate and Fury completely knocked me off my feet. This book is an absolute masterpiece of dark fantasy and forbidden romance, and it’s one of those rare stories that grabs hold of your heart and refuses to let go. Emily Colin has created a world and characters that are as breathtaking as they are devastating, and I am OBSESSED.

The kingdom of Iriska is unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s dark, beautiful, and steeped in magic and danger. Colin draws on Slavic folklore to create a world that feels ancient and alive, with layers of history, rituals, and prophecy that are woven seamlessly into the story. The details like the portals to the Underworld, the blood-bonded Shadow system, and the elemental magic are so vivid that you can practically feel the power thrumming in the air. This isn’t just a backdrop for the story.. it’s a living, breathing world that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

Katerina is one of my favorite heroines of all time. She’s a Dimi, capable of commanding the four elements, and she’s fiercely loyal to her people. But she’s not just defined by her power she’s complex, flawed, and carrying the weight of so much responsibility. You can feel the conflict inside her as she tries to balance her duty with her own desires, especially when it comes to Niko.

Then there is Niko. He’s her Shadow, bound to protect her by blood and magic, and he’s completely devoted to her. But it’s not just loyalty it’s love. Deep, soul-crushing, forbidden love. The prophecy that their love will bring about the return of an ancient Darkness hangs over every interaction they have, and it makes their connection so much more intense. Every glance, every touch, every moment they share is packed with tension and heartbreak. You can feel how much they care about each other, but you also know the consequences if they give in.

The story itself is a whirlwind. There’s action, betrayal, political intrigue, and so many twists that I was constantly on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had things figured out, something completely unexpected would happen, and I’d be left reeling. Colin does an incredible job of keeping the stakes high, not just for the characters but for the entire world of Iriska. The prophecy, the looming darkness, and the constant threat of betrayal make this one of the most gripping reads I’ve picked up in a long time.

The villains in this book are another standout. They’re not just one dimensional bad guys, they’re layered, dangerous, and so well-written that you can’t help but be fascinated by them. The challenges Katerina and Niko face feel insurmountable at times, but that just makes their determination all the more powerful.

Emily Colin’s writing is absolutely gorgeous. She has this way of painting scenes so vividly that you feel like you’re right there with the characters. The descriptions are lush without being overwhelming, and the emotions she captures love, fear, longing, anger are so raw and real that they practically leap off the page. The pacing is perfect, balancing intense action with quieter, more emotional moments that give the story so much depth.

The ending... I knew it was going to be intense, but nothing could have prepared me for how gut-wrenching it would be. Colin delivers a cliffhanger that is equal parts devastating and thrilling, and I’m honestly still trying to process it. It’s the kind of ending that makes you desperate for the next book because you NEED to know what happens next.

Fate and Fury is everything I want in a fantasy novel. The world-building is rich and immersive, the characters are complex and unforgettable, and the story is packed with tension, action, and emotion. Katerina and Niko’s forbidden romance is one of the most beautifully tragic love stories I’ve ever read, and I’m already counting down the days until the next book in The Bone Moon Duology.

If you love dark fantasy with epic stakes, lush writing, and a romance that will completely wreck you, this is the book for you. Emily Colin has created something truly magical, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up, you won’t regret it. But fair warning: you’re going to want book two immediately!

Ahh.. Forbidden love at it's finest.

At the beginning of this book I was a bit skeptical. It had to re-read the first two chapters to make sure I got the names and villages right. But even through that I knew I wanted to keep reading. The Demi and her shadow bond are forbidden from falling for each other. But the Demi has long harbored feelings for her shadow. While they traverse the complicated feelings between them and the Vila that the shadow is bonded to, other dark forces are killing their land and their friends. I am definitely looking forward to the second installment in this series.

Thank you Emily Colin, Black Orchid Press, & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

Fate and Fury 5:5 stars this book was absolutely fantastic and it kept me compelled the entire way through. Gosh it grips you and takes you on a wild intense adventure. Forbidden love, intrigue, unexpected twists and turns. Elemental magic. Shadows(shifters) but not like any shifters you have ever experienced. One of the best reads for me this year. I love reading something that takes me away to a place I’ve never experienced before. I can’t wait to see what happens next with this amazingly strong FMC and what her light shows us next! -Kerin

eARC copy provided by NetGalley.

Overall the plot of this book is interesting, and I think that people who enjoy Emily Colin's writing will really enjoy this book. However, I personally did not find as much enjoyment in this book as others might. The book drops you in on what feels like the middle of the story, but with so much explanation of the world that I found myself lost just a few pages in on what the world is like. While forbidden love stories are often great, and the love between a witch and her familiar, or Dimi and Shadow as it is in this book, will make some readers enjoy what they are reading, the way the world is presented is not for me.

I would suggest this novel to those who enjoy YA romantasy and those that want to take a break from the typical fae novels out there. And in that regard, reading about a viking-esque inspired world was great.

This one took me on a hell of a ride. The characters, the world building, the forbidden love, the slow burn - *chef's kiss* I was in my feelings the entire time and I have no regrets. Absolutely loved every second. You'll be hooked from page one.

First, I’d like to thank the author and NetGalley for approving this ARC for me. I was so excited to get the chance to read it. It was really fun to go into a book without having heard anything about it (vs seeing a hundred tiktoks about it beforehand). It was refreshing, to say the least!

Overall, this book read as a romance novel set in a fantasy setting. I was so invested in the relationship between the FMC and MMC. They were completely swoon worthy and I could have read a much longer book if it included more of their relationship. I loved how the author wrote their story. There are so many ends not tied up that make me excited to see where things will go in book two.

The only critique I had (and not really a critique) was that the book sort of drops you right in the middle of a seemingly developed story right off the bat. I was a bit thrown off by that and had to re-read the beginning a few times to make sure I was understanding it. The first 50 pages almost felt like a different book. A lot of characters are introduced and then not spoken of for the rest of the book. I imagine they may come back around in book two. To play devil’s advocate with myself (😆), it was interesting to have a book start in such a different way than a lot of the romantasy books I’ve read lately.

All in all, this book deserves high praise and I hope it makes its way around the masses! I know it will be well-loved! I’m looking forward to reading book two.

Fate and Fury by Emily Colin blends elements of forbidden love, dark magic, and high-stakes conflict. The story centers on Katerina Ivanova, a powerful Dimi with elemental abilities, and her Shadow, Niko. Their bond both a source of strength and forbidden love forms the core of the story. Together, they guard portals to the Underworld while navigating the dangers of their relationship. The novel’s world-building has immersive Slavic folklore influences, weaving a rich tapestry of elemental magic, rituals, and myths. Themes of fate, sacrifice, and prophecy are deeply entwined, creating a narrative full of tension and moral complexity. Fate and Fury it stands out with its unique lore and emphasis on duty versus desire. For fans of star-crossed lovers this book is a great pick, just be sure to have the tissues ready!

“The Dark will fall. The Shadow will rise.”

My god, Emily, you destroyed me. 🥹
The book gave me the feeling I was in a new different world. I was hooked from the very first page! 🖤
I’ve had every emotion that I could have. I’ve laughed, loved and cried when reading this book. I just couldn’t put the book away. And then it ended with a huge cliffhanger. So I need to know how it ends. Emily, if you read this, I really want to read the second book.

I loved the worldbuilding and had the feeling I was also in the written world. The charachters, god I loved Katerina and Niko. They were written really good. The writing style, chapters and story gave me Sarah J Maas vibes. It was one of the best books I’ve read this year!

Put 10th Dec 2024 on you calender! Because this is a book you need to read if you love Romantasy!

Katerina Ivanova is the most powerful Dimi in her world. She can command the four elements. Her Shadow, Niko, is bounded by blood, and they guard the portlas of the underworld. But they have a secret: the bond they share goes deeper than that. Love between a Dimi and a Shadow is not allowed. It can set an ancient Darkness loose upon the world. But they surrender to the feelings they have and have to struggle with to save Iriska from the Dark.

So I definitly recommend this book! 🖤

I wish I read the book the higher reviews below me did because I have never been so lost.

“Fate and Fury” find the most powerful Dimi and her Shadow up against demons who want her company in bed and the darkness ravaging nearby towns and if that’s not enough a long held prophecy forbidding the relationship between the pair threatens more than just their lives.

I found this to be very messy.

I don’t know what I expected from this book so when it began I thought we were getting a book told by trials to show off the magic that seemed to be the driving force of Katerina’s character only for that to quickly fizzle. Then I thought maybe we were going to get into the prophecy that dooms star crossed lovers with the fallout of that being what Carrie’s us through to the end only not really? Finally we get some Greek mythology inspo that kind of worked I’d it wasn’t for the quick rework of characters that had the potential to be great if it wasn’t so hastily done.

I don’t know anything about these characters. I know Katerina is powerful and her Shadow Niko loyal and that’s about it. We are told of her greatness but spend more time talking about her being in high demand as a sex object but when it comes to being useful to fight one of the many big bada here her power is muted if relevant at all. Niko is bland which is a shame because I feel like we could have leaned into the emotional torture of things before taking the word more literally but his betrothed Elena is one that really puzzled me. She was a wallflower but in just seven days with a defanged Devil she really made things happen but if you’re going to give us madness I want to see the fight and spiral with sanity and we just never had that.

I’m let down by this book but it’s forgetful enough that the burn of it won’t last long though I am curious how much of a Vampire Diaries fan the author may be given the names and characterizations I feel like I would have had more grave to it reading it as fan fiction than as it’s own original piece.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

I'm absolutely here for a book about a witch with elemental powers in a Slavic folkloric setting, and Fate and Fury by Emily Colin delivers on that front. It started so strong, because I personally love a story that throws you straight into the action and expects you to catch up and figure it out along the way. I was having a good time with the magic and the trials, meeting the other witches, and then suddenly, we're spending super long sentences and paragraphs describing things that don't need that much attention and it slows the book way down. Even though there's action, it's almost too descriptive in parts and seems to take forever. I also didn't love the characters, which made it hard to love this truly character driven book. I like plot over anything else and if it's going to be a character arc book, you have to deliver. And I just didn't like the female MC. I like a grumpy witch, and understand why she's angry, but she's just too selfish and never takes the blame for her own actions, which cause a majority of the problems. Her love interest is pretty standard, so if you like the currently trendy, to quote SJM, 'alphahole' male MCs, you'll be fine with him. But he lacks depth. Overall a fine romantasy read, but I wanted more with such a great start and magic system.

4.5 🌟

Gripping tale of forbidden love, a prophesy of demise, and unbreakable bonds.

You have your

Dimis
Shadows
Demons
Elemental magic
Light vs dark
Betrayals
Loves
Trials

Great first half of a duology.

I don’t often read fantasy so this was a nice departure from my normal reading patterns. The verdict: I absolutely LOVED this story! It’s action-packed, had some forbidden romance, has a lot of conflict and tension, and on top of that has a strong female lead and a delicious love interest! The downside: now I have to wait for a year for book 2!

I genuinely don’t have words for this book right now. Blew me right out of the park. I found the first few chapters a tad slow but I understand it’s world building and that just comes part and parcel with fantasy books. But let me tell you after the first few chapters I was HOOKED!!

Fast paced. Magic. Shape shifters. Demons. Prophecies. Shadow daddy’s 😉 Slight hunger games ish vibe. Plot heavy. Sass and banter. Spice. Darkness & deception. Everything I love!!

I was laughing, I was crying, I was anxious, excited, scared .. all of the above. What a rollercoaster!!

I struggled in the beginning with some words and phrases used but I got used to this over time! I thought the world building was incredible! So descriptive I felt like I was there with them.

BLURB
Katerina Ivanova is the most powerful Dimi in Iriska. She uses her command over the four elements alongside Niko, her blood-bonded Shadow, to guard the portals to the Underworld and protect their realm from demonic invasion. When the two are recruited to compete to join Iriska’s most elite force, no one suspects their secret: the bond they share goes beyond magic and enters taboo territory. Love between a Dimi and her Shadow isn’t just a bad idea, it’s been prophesied to set an ancient Darkness loose upon the world.

But some forces are too powerful to resist, and despite their best intentions, one night Niko and Katerina surrender to the undeniable pull between them…with devastating results. As they struggle to save Iriska from the forces they’ve unleashed, the last person they expect will risk anything to tear them apart—even make a deal with the Devil.

I rarely rate books 5⭐️ but this one is a must! Full of tension, angst, chemistry and an overwhelming sense of duty! Fans of Romantasy, forbidden love, and supernatural intrigue.. this one’s for you! I cannot wait for book 2!!

2.5 stars! I love how this story draws inspiration from Slavic cultures, but sadly, I didn’t connect with anything else in this book.

“Fate and Fury” claims to be a “romantasy perfect for fans of L.J. Andrews, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J. Maas.” As a fan of the last two authors, I went into this story with high hopes.

Unfortunately, they were not met.

In fact, I had to double-check that I was reading the right book. The description promises forbidden romance, deals with the Devil, and a deadly competition to join an elite force. This premise sounds incredible! What I read was something else.

The competition makes up 5% of the book, if that. It also takes place in those critical opening chapters when readers are trying to orient themselves in a new fantasy world. I was so busy trying to get all the characters straight (most of whom are never mentioned again) that I found it hard to keep up with the story. I actually wondered if this was the second book in a series because of how disjointed everything felt. I understand the author’s desire to create a high-stakes opening, but I don’t think it should have come at the cost of getting to know the characters.

Which brings me to my next point: Katerina. It’s been a while since I’ve disliked a main character this much. Katerina is impulsive, inconsiderate, and narcissistic about her powers. She rarely thinks through her decisions and is quick to blame others when things go wrong. How am I supposed to root for her? I struggled to get through the chapters from her POV, and I didn’t care what happened to her by the end of the story.

I didn’t connect with her love interest, Niko, either. I hated his infidelity (what kind of man leaves his wife for another woman on their wedding night?), and I found his dialogue to be awkward and cringy. I actually laughed during some of his romantic declarations. I know some readers find statements like, “Burn away. I dare you” and “Break me like your promises” hot (and if you’re one of them, I won’t judge), but it killed the romance for me. Overall, I think Niko is a better fit for readers who like a possessive, alpha-male love interest.

Moving on to what I enjoyed, I think the author does a wonderful job incorporating elements from Slavic culture. I haven’t read many books inspired by this region, which makes this story feel unique. I especially love how the author made a religious system that revolves around three different saints. It was cool to see how that faith system shaped the village, from creating prophecies to deciding who a villager could marry. The faith system also established a close-knit community feel, which I love to see in books!

Overall, “Fate and Fury” is a 2.5-star read for me. I like that it draws from Slavic lore, but I struggled to connect with the characters or feel invested in the story. I think this book would be a better fit for readers who enjoy lots of character growth and a possessive, alpha-male love interest. I would still recommend this series—just know it isn’t like the Carissa Broadbent or Sarah J. Maas books it’s compared to.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the author and Netgalley; all opinions are my own.