What It’s About
She’s a barmaid who doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He’s a prince cursed to live one.
Aren Bellamore has no interest in being anyone’s princess. She’s too busy running the Raven’s Beak tavern, fending off unwanted marriage proposals, and dreaming of escape. But when a brush with death and a dangerously handsome stranger upend her life, Aren finds herself bound to a bargain that could change everything.
Prince Dietan has carried the cursed Rings of Fate—ancient weapons of devastating power—since childhood. The magic is killing him, and the enemies are closing in. To make the journey to reverse his curse, he needs a bride to hide his secrets. Aren wants freedom. Pretending to be his fiancée should give them both what they want.
But as their perilous journey pits them against political schemes, monstrous Kilandrar, and a growing attraction neither can deny, the line between make-believe and destiny begins to blur. And the fate of two kingdoms may depend on whether a cynical barmaid and a cursed prince are willing to risk their hearts.
My Take On Rings of Fate
This is probably one of the best romantasies I have read in a long time! From the very first chapter, I was hooked. It is the kind of book you tell yourself you’ll put down after one more page, and then suddenly it’s 2 AM, and you have no regrets. If you are a fan of the genre, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your reading list.
One of the things I loved most about this book was the adventure it took the characters on. The journey never felt stagnant or predictable. There were twists, high-stakes moments, and enough forward momentum to keep the pages turning. Alongside all of that action, the romance grew in a way that felt earned rather than forced. Watching the relationship develop organically through shared hardship and stolen moments made it all the more satisfying to root for.
The banter between the leads was, for the most part, a highlight. It was witty, playful, and added a lightness to some of the heavier scenes. That said, by the time I reached the final act, the constant back-and-forth started to wear on me a little. There comes a point where you want the characters to stop dancing around each other and just be together, and I felt that point arrive a bit before the author did. I was also genuinely hoping for a grand royal wedding to close things out. The kind with sweeping gowns, dramatic vows, and all the pomp you could ask for. We didn’t get that, which was a little disappointing, but honestly, the story still wrapped up in a way I could appreciate, so I’ve made my peace with it. I didn’t see any conflict enough to say that there will be a second book, but a girl can hope right?
In terms of world-building, I’d give this one a solid 3 out of 5. The setting had atmosphere and charm, and the author clearly put thought into the aesthetic of the world. However, the political conflict—specifically the tensions between the warring territories never fully clicked for me. I understood that there was a conflict, but the deeper motivations driving it felt underdeveloped. I wanted more context: the history, the grievances, the stakes on a broader level. Without that foundation, some of the plot’s larger moments didn’t land with quite the weight they were probably meant to carry. It didn’t feel overly fantasy-themed but neither overly romantasy-themed. I will admit I was a bit let down by the lack of constant romance, which I can not get enough of.
Despite those quibbles, this was a genuinely enjoyable read that reminded me why I fell in love with romantasy in the first place. If you don’t mind a little world-building ambiguity and can handle some extended banter, you’re going to have a great time with this one.
Who Should Read This
I would say this is suitable for anyone to read, although it is not PG-13. But less of a Rateed-R, is what I can guarantee you. Ready to read? Grab your copy here!