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Alaya Wells delivers a high-stakes, masterfully woven romantasy in Of Fates and Ruin, a thrilling introduction to the Kingdom of Shattered Vows duology. Narrated with gripping energy by Piper GoodEve and Theo Sinclair, the story feels like the dangerously romantic love child of The Hunger Games, Fourth Wing, and Quicksilver.
Book Description
If The Hunger Games, Fourth Wing, and Quicksilver had a dangerously romantic book baby, this is it.
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.
About Alaya Wells
Alaya Wells is a romantic fantasy author who loves spinning tales about brooding heroes falling for fierce, independent heroines. Expect spicy romance, touch her and I’ll hurt you heroes, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
A romantic at heart, Alaya loves walking on the beach and sipping expensive tequila, sometimes at the same time!
My Thoughts
Alaya Wells delivers a high-stakes, masterfully woven romantasy in Of Fates and Ruin, a thrilling introduction to the Kingdom of Shattered Vows duology. Narrated with gripping energy by Piper GoodEve and Theo Sinclair, the story feels like the dangerously romantic love child of The Hunger Games, Fourth Wing, and Quicksilver.
The plot follows Princess Amarissa, a royal heir who once wore a "mask of mercy" while presiding over the execution of those discovered with magic. In her world, power is a death sentence, but Amarissa harbors a secret of her own—one that becomes a catalyst for vengeance when her younger sister is murdered.
Adopting the alias Isi, she infiltrates a rival kingdom she once viewed as a wasteland of rebels, only to find a glittering court cloaked in illusion. Here, magic is woven into the fabric of daily life rather than feared. Her mission is simple: find the killer. However, the path to the truth requires her to survive the Rite of Bonds—brutal trials where warriors must connect with magical beasts.
The stakes are raised instantly when the first person her dagger sinks into is the infuriatingly gorgeous King Trewyn. Instead of seeking retribution, the enigmatic Trewyn meets her steel with a smirk, sparking a connection that sizzles with immediate chemistry. Their "slow-burn" tension fills the pages, building a magnetic pull that is hard to ignore.
The world-building is immersive and rich, grounded by a "found family" dynamic that makes the reader feel deeply connected to every character. As Isi is thrust into a leadership role among her fellow recruits, she must navigate the critical, knowing gaze of Trewyn. He watches her as if he already knows her secrets, creating a layer of intrigue that keeps the reader guessing.
Their relationship is a major highlight; Trewyn is a refreshing, non-toxic lead who trusts in Isi’s strength. This allows their romance to feel like a slow, deliberate dance rather than just a quick flash of fire. While their connection is palpable from the start, the actual romantic payoff is a steady build that makes the eventual spice feel earned and explosive.
Beneath the banter and the yearning, the story remains grounded in emotional brutality. Alaya Wells isn’t afraid to tear the rug out from under the reader, placing beloved characters in genuine peril and ensuring the tension remains high until the final, cliffhanger ending.
As a darker enemy emerges—one that drains magic and leaves only husks behind—Isi is forced to decide if her quest for revenge is worth sacrificing a new life of freedom. It is a seamless blend of court intrigue, animal companions, and heart-wrenching growth that will leave readers desperate for the next installment.
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