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A review by xalrynne
What Fury Brings by Tricia Levenseller

challenging dark informative slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I’m pleasantly surprised to inform you that this is one of the best romantasy books I’ve ever read. It’s a standalone novel that’s smart and angry, that turns the patriarchy on its head and shines a light on how women have been treated throughout history. Plus the spicy scenes are not boring for once! 

The kingdom of Amarra is a kingdom of women: women are physically stronger than men; only women can own property, not men; the brothels cater only to women; men must flex and smile if a woman looks at them; and if a man makes a woman bleed, in any way, it’s an immediate death sentence for him. 

Olerra is a strong warrior princess of this matriarchal society who is vying for the throne. In order to make her position stronger, she needs to marry, so she steals a man from the neighboring kingdom to become her husband. 

Sanos is crown prince to the kingdom of Brutus, and he hates the backward ways of Amarran women. So when he ends up kidnapped, chained up on their soil, and informed he’s going to marry the Queen Potential of Amarra, the only thought in his mind is how he’s going to escape. He doesn’t think for a second he’s going to end up enjoying being in Amarra more than in his home country, nor does he ever expect he would fall for Princess Olerra. Oh no, he would never do that. 

The slow burn in this story is believable and well written. I really loved Olerra and Sanos‘s scenes together, and I loved the progression of their character arcs throughout the story, particularly Sanos and how he starts to question everything he’s been taught about women. They slowly began to understand one another and each kingdom’s customs. It was really delightful to read. 

I also loved how violent this book got. When your rage fuels your writing, it can get brutal. For example, this story features a penis guillotine used on rapists, and I’m honestly glad that was included. That needs to become normalized. 

Anyone interested in reading this book needs to read the author’s note at the beginning as it gives context for why she wrote this book and what fueled her rage behind it. 

I very much enjoyed What Fury Brings. It was equal parts romance plot and fantasy plot, and it had lovable characters and a different setting that was needed in the fantasy genre. I’m very happy this book is a standalone because it suits the story perfectly. I think many authors would have dragged this story out to be multiple books, but it works so well by itself and has a satisfying ending that indicates it won’t be a series. 

If you’re a woman who has ever been made to feel lesser than by a man, or you’ve been hurt by a man, or you’ve been ignored or talked over or picked over by a man—this book is for you. What does fury bring? It brings this book. This isn’t a feminist book because feminism is about equality between men and women; this book is a conduit for rage and for showing what the world would look like if women were superior to men in every way. 

I’m not anti-men—I am in fact married to one—but I am really happy this book exists. Even though some people won’t take it seriously because it’s categorized as romantasy, the story is still so important. It highlights many wrongs that women have had to suffer for centuries. No one bats an eye when bad things happen to women, but as soon as men are put in that same position, suddenly it’s an injustice.

“The women of Amarra became this way to counter the way men were treating them. Your sex started this. The current point, however, is that it’s ridiculous for you to be offended by the way you’re being treated when your own people practice it. It’s just always been in your favor until now.” 


I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Quotation taken from early copy and may change prior to publication. 
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