Behind every great hero is an Aristene.
Aristene are mythical female warriors, part of a legendary order. Though heroes might be immortalized in stories, it’s the Aristene who guide them to victory. They are the Heromakers.
Ever since she was an orphan taken in by the order, Reed has wanted to be an Aristene. Now, as an initiate, just one challenge stands in her way: she must shepherd her first hero to glory on the battlefield. Succeed, and Reed will take her place beside her sisters. Fail, and she’ll be cast from the only home she’s ever known.
Nothing is going to stop Reed–until she meets her hero. Hestion is fiery and infuriating, but what begins as an alliance becomes more, and as secrets of the order come to light Reed begins to understand what becoming an Aristene may truly cost. Battle looming, she must choose: the order and the life she had planned, or Hestion, and the one she never expected.
To become an Aristene is not to thrust one sword into your heart. It is to thrust the same sword into your heart, over and over, until the end of time.
Kendare Blake. Champion of Fate (Kindle Locations 3014-3015). Kindle Edition.
What a start to this new series by Kendare Blake. Champion of Fate is nothing short of costly glory and a slow-burn romance that will have your heart twisting in your chest.
Reed is left orphaned at a young age and taken in by two Aristene warriors who quickly turn her into their own. At the time of her initiation, she is given a hero whose face she has known for years, however, it may not be the glory she has always hoped for.
I really enjoyed following Reed, Hestion, Veridian, Silco, and the whole cast we meet throughout this story. Reed is all strength in every sense of the word. There were so many times throughout this book that I did not envy her or the choices she needed to make. Yet she came out glorious all the same. Kendare Blake did such an amazing job at introducing us to each of the supporting characters and weaving them effortlessly into the story each with a part to play.
More so, the world-building she created is truly a gem. I love the blended worlds of swords and magic and war. It brings a very older-time feel yet with Wonder Woman vibes throughout. I also really love how she highlighted strength in females.
The ending, although it went along with Reed’s journey, hurt my heart a little. You root for something in the storyline so hard that when it goes up in flames, it grants some disappointment. Overall though, super enjoyable and full of sword-clanging excellence. I will be very curious about where book 2 in the series goes.
Special thank you to Edelweiss and Quill Tree Books for an ARC of this story.
Jotted by Jena 