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A review by queer_bookwyrm
A Ruinous Fate by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, blood, human(?)trafficking
A Ruinous Fate by Kaylie Smith is book one in the Heartless Fates series. I went in knowing pretty much nothing about this book, and I wasn't sure about it at first, but it really grew on me.
We follow Calliope Rosewood, a witch with a bad streak of luck and a power she fears. The Fates control her future through witches dice, and Call is only three rolls away from that control. When her ex, Ezra betrays her she's one roll closer to that fate and sends her on a journey to the Neverending Forest with him and a band of chaotic bisexuals. Destiny is a fickle thing.
I loved that all of these characters were complete disaster bisexuals. We have Ezra, Calla's ex who can't seem to get out of his own way, but has a great poker face. Gideon, Ezra's handsome brother who always seems to have a plan. Delphine, the blue skinned beautiful siren with a traumatic past. Hannah, the quiet witch who pines for Delphine. Caspian, the handsome and flirtatious Onyx witch who is our charmer. And Kestrel, the uptight one who is jealous and salty that Gideon broke his heart. So much pining. So much drama. The magic of the Neverending Forest was great with all the dangerous flora and fauna, and the terrifying Witch Eater.
I also really enjoyed watching Calla figure out her abilities that she's been pushing down her whole life. I do wish we had gotten more from Hannah, she just kind of disappeared into the background and didn't do much other than be demure and pine for Delphine. I'm hoping we get more out of her in the next book. That cliffhanger! I definitely want to read book 2!
A Ruinous Fate by Kaylie Smith is book one in the Heartless Fates series. I went in knowing pretty much nothing about this book, and I wasn't sure about it at first, but it really grew on me.
We follow Calliope Rosewood, a witch with a bad streak of luck and a power she fears. The Fates control her future through witches dice, and Call is only three rolls away from that control. When her ex, Ezra betrays her she's one roll closer to that fate and sends her on a journey to the Neverending Forest with him and a band of chaotic bisexuals. Destiny is a fickle thing.
I loved that all of these characters were complete disaster bisexuals. We have Ezra, Calla's ex who can't seem to get out of his own way, but has a great poker face. Gideon, Ezra's handsome brother who always seems to have a plan. Delphine, the blue skinned beautiful siren with a traumatic past. Hannah, the quiet witch who pines for Delphine. Caspian, the handsome and flirtatious Onyx witch who is our charmer. And Kestrel, the uptight one who is jealous and salty that Gideon broke his heart. So much pining. So much drama. The magic of the Neverending Forest was great with all the dangerous flora and fauna, and the terrifying Witch Eater.
I also really enjoyed watching Calla figure out her abilities that she's been pushing down her whole life. I do wish we had gotten more from Hannah, she just kind of disappeared into the background and didn't do much other than be demure and pine for Delphine. I'm hoping we get more out of her in the next book. That cliffhanger! I definitely want to read book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Trafficking