ebookreview | [ 715 ]

Of Fates & Ruin (Kingdom of Shattered Vows #1) by Alaya Wells

Genre:
Fantasy, Romance, NetGalley, Romantasy, High Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance, the Fae, Seelie and Unseelie

Publication Date:
March 1, 2026

Page Numbers:
700

Read/Finished Date:
January 27th, 2026 - January 29th, 2026

Rating:
5/5

Premise:

If The Hunger Games, Fourth Wing, and Quicksilver had a dangerously romantic book baby, this is it.

I infiltrated a rival fae court to hunt my enemy. I didn’t mean to stab their golden-eyed king.

Disguised as a recruit, I cross into the wasteland swamp, searching for the rebels who murdered my sister. But instead of a crumbling outpost, I find a glittering court cloaked in illusion, where brutal trials bind warriors to magical beasts. Unfortunately, the first person my dagger sinks into is their infuriatingly gorgeous king. Instead of seeking revenge, Trewyn smirks, as if getting stabbed was just flirting. When he assumes I’m here to enter the Rite of Bonds, I let him believe it.

If I fail the bonding trials, I’ll be exiled before I uncover the truth. If I succeed, I risk becoming what my kingdom fears most, an untamed magic-wielder dangerously loyal to the wrong side. My court raised me to see the rebels as traitors. Now, I worry I’ll willingly bleed for them…especially for him.

King Trewyn goads me, but my body doesn’t care that he’s forbidden. He watches me like he knows what I’m hiding. Like he’s daring me to break. Like he’s already decided I’m his, and he’s just waiting for me to admit it.

But with a darker enemy rising, one that drains magic and leaves only husks behind, I’ll have to choose: avenge my sister or trust the king who’s become my greatest temptation.

Vengeance is a mask. And mine’s about to shatter.

Of Fates & Ruin is Book 1 of the Kingdom of Shattered Vows Series. Perfect for fans of hidden identity heroines who don’t take sh*t from anyone, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers with a side of emotional torment, brutal magical trials, court intrigue, beast bonding, found family, and slow-burn spice. This romantasy will sink its claws into your heart, and it won’t let go.

Trigger blood, gore, injuries, violence, death, grief, killing attacking creatures and people, on-the-page heat when they finally spice.

Review:

Of Fates and Ruin by Alaya Wells is a brand new romantasy set in a world where magic is forbidden and even given the death penalty to anyone who shows an ounce of it. Princess Amarissa, or Isi, must suppress her own abilities and don a mask to become an angel of death. When her sister is killed, Isi must become part of the recruitment for a rival court. The trials will be rife with dangers, and the animals won't bond with just anyone.

I loved this novel. I loved the characters. I loved the world-building. I think the bones of the story with its magical system were rather interesting. Isi is our lead female and when her sister is killed, she will do anything to find out what happened to her, even if that means infiltrating the rival court. I like that she has a bit of spirit in her and she doesn't back down. I think strong females in romantasy novels are quite rare and to see one was fun.

Then, we have our shadow daddy, Trew. Can we call him Shadow Daddy? xD I loved his possessiveness over her.

The only downside to it was the romance felt a bit insta. Not entirely insta. There was some slow burn. I am really looking forward to seeing book two.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.