Of Forges & Fury: Dark Fates Novels, Book III

by T.C. Kraven

In the timeless realm of the cosmos, a love triangle unfolds amongst Ares, Hephaestus, and Aphrodite. Bound by a cosmic connection, their fractured Bonds echoes across millennia, beckoning to them through the fabric of time. When a dire battle leaves Hephaestus on the brink of destruction, Aphrodite is summoned to mend his wounds, but their neglected Bond exacts a devastating toll.

The cost is brutal, and the God of War is compelled to step away from the battlefield to rush to her aid. As sworn enemies, Hephaestus and Ares are thrust into a series of trials meant to shatter them to their cores, but as animosities collide, unexpected emotions emerge. The boundaries between love and hate begin to blur in the crucible of adversity, and they find an unanticipated solace in each other's presence.

In the divine dance of passion and conflict, Aphrodite, Ares, and Hephaestus grapple with love, war, and the fragile threads that bind them together. Can they navigate the tumultuous paths of passion and redemption, or will their fates be forever entwined in an eternal struggle? Explore the complexities of divine relationships in this enthralling tale of love and war.


Of Forges & Fury is a why choose dark retelling of Ares, Hephaestus and Aphrodite and mature discretion is advised.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Retellings, Mythology

307 pages, ebook

Published February 14, 2023

About the author

T.C. Kraven is three raccoons in a trench coat, writing stories that seek to promote the diverse dynamics she grew up in. You can often find her tucked into a Waffle House booth in New Orleans, frantically chasing a plot thread over a two egg breakfast.

Reviews

[Ashley Mural · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty little smutty book 😝
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

-THE ENDING?! IMM SSOORRY but WHAT?! Genius writing. The emotional whiplash I have from the last 30 pages…..

-Thanking my creator for not making me a God/Goddess because I AM EXHAUSTED. I mean THE STAMINA in this book?! Exhausted.

-That trip to the New Asphodels was W I L D

-2 C O C K S?!!!!!! 🫢

-We pick up days after Minthe met her demise in the Underworld by Persephone

-Heph is the GLUE BABY, my gentle giant

-I want to punt kick Melia

✔️Vicious love triangle
✔️Why choose
✔️Corrupted bonds
✔️M/F
✔️M/M/F
✔️M/M
✔️Mult. POVS
✔️Dom
✔️Praise
✔️Enemies to lovers

-I continue to love how T.C. Kraven writes and the intertwining of these books and how it progresses into the next 🤌🏼

-Check my highlights above for my favorite quotes

This is book 4 in the Dark Fates Novels.

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hephaestus, Ares, + Aphrodite

-greek mythology retelling
-FM/MFM/MM/MMF whychoose
-second chance
-rival enemies to lovers
-broken bonds
-found family

omg these three & their story was seriously heartbreaking!! & that jump scare ending?? i was about to have a mental breakdown i wanted to cry so hard!! but they were so special & all the emotions we had going on was SOOO BEAUTIFUL!!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! Love the enemies to lovers situation going on here. I absolutely love the chemistry between Ares, Hephaestus and Aphrodite. There is quite a bit of spice in this book. At times it takes over the plot but is really well written. I'm looking forward to reading Of fire and fables.

[Hannah The Awkward · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Another absolutely amazing story. As someone who enjoys spicy Greek Mythology—this book is top shelf spicy WITH a concise, interesting plot. I just can’t get enough of T.C. Kraven’s writing. So far one of my favs and that says a lot because I adore Hades and Persephone stories.

Aphrodite. Ares. Hephaestus. The three locked into a vicious cycle of heartbreak, sadness, and jealousy that is told about all over the cosmos. That is until Ares and Hephaestus find themselves to be reluctant allies then things rapidly change, but is it for the better of their corrupted bond or worse?

Tropes/vibes:
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to lovers
❤️‍🔥 MMF/MFM
❤️‍🔥 Light bond@ge
❤️‍🔥 Praise
❤️‍🔥 Greek mythology
❤️‍🔥 Bloodlust/violence
❤️‍🔥 Why choose
❤️‍🔥 Body positive
❤️‍🔥 🏳️‍🌈 positive

[Nerdy.Scientist.Reads || NERDY · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️ 3/5🌶️
What. A. Journey these three have been through. Heph and Ares started out enemies, hating each other for loving the same woman. The same woman who couldn’t choose between her husband or her bonded lover. When they all went their separate ways years ago, they still yearned for one another but was able to keep their distance. That is, until the Bond demanded more of them. In Aphrodite’s attempt to break the bonds between herself and her loves, something shifted between Ares and Heph. (Yes, I shorten his name because I can’t spell it without looking back) Anyway, while fighting a burning lust for each other due to some sex magic, they put aside their differences because Aphrodite NEEDED them. The rest, you will have to read the book for. But let’s just say there is blood magic, sex magic, corrupt bonds, lots of fancy phallus things, a rough lover and a gentle Dom. And in true TC fashion, there would be a story without it being hella spicy and action packed! Need I say more? Read the book.

[Jordynn Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that even though Hades and Persephone aren’t the main characters anymore you still get to continue their story while learning more about Aphrodites story! If the bonds break and Hephaestus and Ares don’t still have a thing I might cry I absolutely love them together. I almost stopped reading when Heph died but continued once he got his second chance but chapter 31 was cruel and broke my heart! But the ending was perfection!💕

[Nena Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this all star cast of narrators and the narration was fabulous. This had me glued to my device. I needed every word lol I was floored by thos audiobook it was like listening to a movie, it was perfect

Thank you so much to RBMedia and net galley for allowing me to listen and review

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite trio

I am so in love with this series!!! I cannot get enough. On to the next book so I can be caught up in time for Of Rage & Ruin!

[Judyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

~2.75

If I didn’t have the fancy physicals of this series, I might have dnfed this. Which also, how were there so many spelling errors, especially in a special edition?
Firstly, there were parts I liked. I was intrigued by the story going in, and the spice was nice. I’m always interested in a threesome book. But also there was definitely a lot of spice taking up time that could have been used for character and relationship development.
One of my issues with this series as a whole, is my disbelief that all of these couples let their relationship just go into a stalemate and fester for over two-thousand years, only to suddenly fix it over a few months in the ‘90s. That just seems both stupid and weirdly coincidental.
My main issue with this book was the rushed chemistry and how quickly the three fell in love, despite the two men claiming they hated each other the last two-thousand years. They jumped into bed and claimed their love so quickly. Also, as someone who generally hates flashbacks to show a relationships history, how were there none in this book? We didn’t get to see how Aphrodite bonded herself to either men, how it was discovered and she was strung along back and forth for centuries, and then the fallout between each of them over the last hundred years. We were told these things happened, but not shown any of it. It made their characters and the relationship feel unbelievable to me, rushed and under developed. I was told things, like how Aphrodite was so strong, but not shown any of it. It almost felt like the author was so quick to get to the spice that they didn’t want to waste time with the backstory. Which also, there was so little time spent on the actual plot, the trials take up like four chapters of the book, and the reasoning behind it was so weak to begin with.
I also think that if you hadn’t read the previous books in this series, some of their relationship would make even less sense. We’re basically given a one-page catch up in a conversation between Aphrodite and Persephone toward the beginning, instead of shown their history.

[Kirsten_BookRants · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

From the beginning of Forged and Fury, I knew this would be my favorite so far. The spice was well written, and a fangirl's dream. But the petty part of me lived for the drama, and the passionate love story that came from it.

Hephaestus, Aphrodite and Ares's story was tragic, pulled at the heartstrings. And TC Kraven's writing was pure perfection, I could feel the emotions flow from the page. And I often lost track of the time while reading.

My friends Hephaestus is a perfect example of why the phrase "it's always the quiet ones" exist. Because homie is an undercover super freak. And I had to compose myself 😂.

My heart bled for Ares, being surrounded by people and feeling alone is the worse.

This is some of the best why choose spice I have read this year. It was passionate, sexy and well spicy. Can't say I'm not jealous 🥴.

"I choose you. I'm not Bonded to you now. I have no reason to lie, and nothing forcing me to stay. But I will. I'll stay for you. Even if she goes. I'll stay." Oh my soul!!! 🤧

TC Kraven created a very ideal world when it comes to gods shunning the standards of mankind. The body positivity in each book brought tears to my eyes.

The bracelets, the 3rd trial, the ending and that epilogue man oh man what a book. I devoured it in a day. It's definitely the one too beat, and I think I have officially acquired a new favorite genre in the trope of "why choose". 😏🤭

[Kora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am never going to emotionally recover from this one.

This author is so poetic in the way she writes.

Minor Spoilers Below
.
.
.Of Forges & Fury: Dark Fates Novels, Book III
I wanted to pick a team, and because I love a morally gray bad boy, Ares was my guy. Or so I thought. This book had me in tears, during the final trials. The plot centers around a love triangle with Ares, Aphrodite and Hephaestus, and it eventually develops into something beautiful and profound. The crazy bit is, I think this was at it's core, Heph and Ares' love story. Yes, Aphrodite was important, the lynch pin between them, but more than that, we knew she loved them already.

This is an enemies to lovers in a way i hadn't experienced before. The way Ares lost his mind and shredded an entire chariot for him? The way he would have sacrificed himself for even one more minute together?

I was sobbing. SOBBING.

I heard on tiktok she was about to write a bunch of short stories with them in it, and I would see my soul to get to watch even a tiny chapter of their romance thriving.

Seriously, these characters GREW.

fifty out of ten stars.

[Breann Fluno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best of the Series so Far!!

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️//⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absoultely loved this polyamorous take on Hephaestus, Ares, and Aphrodite. The spice is there and starts immediately. For those unfamiliar with the worldbuilding and previous plot for the Persephone x Hades it’s ok to jump right into this one but reading the first books in the series really establish the pantheon and other characters. Knocked off half a star each for the beginning and ending. I wanted a little more backstory before we were immediately thrown into the budding feelings between Ares and Hephaestus… enemies to lovers style maybe, or something other than insta love as they were enemies for eons and all of the sudden one ritual with Hecate and they felt for each other constantly? The ending also left me wanting a little more. Especially after being thrown for a loop In Hephaestus’ mind (no spoilers) I wanted a bit more to an epilogue. Other than that loved it and can’t wait to read more of what this author brings!

[Hannah The Awkward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another reread for the books!

As some of you know— I convinced my husband to read Of Prophecies & Pomegranates and now I have created a monster (just like me) 🤣🤣

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Another absolutely amazing story. As someone who enjoys spicy Greek Mythology—this book is top shelf spicy WITH a concise, interesting plot. I just can’t get enough of T.C. Kraven’s writing. So far one of my favs and that says a lot because I adore Hades and Persephone stories. With the rereads— this throuple is still my favorite 😍

Aphrodite. Ares. Hephaestus. The three locked into a vicious cycle of heartbreak, sadness, and jealousy that is told about all over the cosmos. That is until Ares and Hephaestus find themselves to be reluctant allies then things rapidly change, but is it for the better of their corrupted bond or worse?

Tropes/vibes:
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to lovers
❤️‍🔥 MMF/MFM
❤️‍🔥 Light bond@ge
❤️‍🔥 Praise
❤️‍🔥 Greek mythology
❤️‍🔥 Bloodlust/violence
❤️‍🔥 Why choose
❤️‍🔥 Body positive
❤️‍🔥 🏳️‍🌈 positive

[Myrrowyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 in The Dark Fates series is a why-choose contemporary retelling of Aphrodite, Ares, and Hephaestus. While you could technically start here, since the first two books mostly focus on Hades and Persephone, you get a lot of world-building that carries over, so I recommend reading in order for the full experience.

Hephaestus is dying, Aphrodite's attempt to heal him backfires because their Bond has been ignored for centuries, and Ares has to leave a war to save her. Suddenly the two men who've spent millennia hating each other for loving the same goddess are stuck in a series of trials together.

Though it’s a poly romance, the real arc is Ares and Hephaestus learning that rivalry and desire feel awfully similar when you're forced to rely on each other. Their enemies to lovers dynamic land harder than the group scenes.

It's messy, it's horny, and the ending will have you screaming.

Zero skips, I’m seated for book 4.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

[Brittany Montano · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars—Rounded down to 4

Of Forges and Fury absolutely delivered on the spice, tension, and emotional chaos. TC Kraven never leaves me disappointed, and this installment may be one of my favorites in the series so far.

I loved the way this Greek mythology retelling blended divine drama with a nostalgic 90s atmosphere and the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans. The dynamic between Aphrodite, Ares, and Hephaestus was intense, emotional, and incredibly compelling from start to finish. Add in sharp chemistry, a brat, and a soft dom dynamic, and I was hooked almost immediately.

Beyond the heat, I also appreciated the emotional complexity woven throughout the story. The balance between love, resentment, devotion, and healing made the relationships feel layered and impactful rather than surface level.

Overall, this was addictive from start to finish, and I’m already impatiently waiting for the next installment in the Dark Fates series.

Thank you, NetGalley, RBmedia, and TC Kraven for a chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest and fair review.

[Elliot Mennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I take it all back.

I just finished this and I was crying in front of customers at work. They thought someone had died, and I needed to go home.

I can't. I thought this one would hit a little less hard because besides Heph, the characters were fairly new and I wasn't attached to them or so i thought. I think this story just hit home for me because it was messy, it was raw, and I saw alot of myself in Ares and my partner in Heph. The smut was 5/5 peppers, but as hot as it was, it paled in comparison to the actual story. Even in those intimate moments there was such vulnerability, such trust.

"I felt no pain." I can't. I was sobbing.

I hope that we get more of these three in the future. I don't even know how to put into words what I'm feeling right now, so I'll probably come back to this later and do a full dissection for the class, but right now i need some ice cream, a blankey and a nap.

[Janessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most amazing piece of poly-lit that I have come across. This is a true enemies-to-lovers story that focuses on Heph and Ares building a relationship after centuries of playing tug of war with Aphrodite.

Can they heal their corrupted bonds? Can they resolve their differences and both be with Aphrodite? Is Ditey the luckiest damn goddess on the planet?

Yes.

This story made me laugh out loud, yell in dismay, and gasp with horror. If you are ready for a wild ride, grab this book from your TBR and read it STAT.

Side note: There is a Kindle Vella for this bunch, too. Check it out. *fans self*

[Jennifer Wycech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hephaestus x Ares x Aphrodite
Mythology retelling
MMF
Enemies to Lovers
”Choose Us”
Soft Dom/Switch/Brat
Pierced “Sword”
Trials and Love
Multi POV - 1st person

Dual narration - Amy Hall, Ash Beverly & Tor Thom
Great narrators. Each one of these narrators performed this story very well.

This was a dang good time of a listen. A wonderful mythology retelling in a poly relationship and done so well. The characters are likeable and you find yourself rooting for them. This is an addictive and entertaining listen. My first book by TC Kraven and I will be looking for more. The writing is very well developed. I would recommend this book to a friend!

[iesha Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

i dont think this author will ever disappoint with these retelling. i am obsessed with Greek mythology and the spice in these has me in LOVE. i thought i loved hades and persephone but idk now. Aphrodite. Ares. Hephaestus. the viscious cycle of heartache, jealousy, and sadness i may have a new favorite. and OMG the spice i am sooo looking forward to the next one.

Tropes/vibes:
Enemies to lovers
MMF/MFM
Light bond@ge
Praise
Greek mythology
Bloodlust/violence
Why choose
Body positive
🏳️‍🌈 positive

[Roslyn McClain-Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for an ALC of this book.

This is definitely a spicy Greek mythology retelling. It follows an Ares, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus love triangle. In this book you have:
• Enemies to lovers
• Lovers to enemies to lovers
• Why choose
• Spice, spice, spice

I believe this is book 4 in a series and the first one that I have read. The story was an interesting premise, but I cannot say that I loved this book. It was okay. I believe it would have been better to have read the prior books, then I made have had more of connection to the characters/world.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has me rethinking my preferences. I've never really been into MMF but Uhm, I need it now. As long as it's Hephaestus. And Ares. And Ditey.

Real poly representation that isn't just a plot device is so nice. I'm not poly hut my best friend is and I'm making her read this right now. I read out some of the passages and she was shook at how well written and representing it was.

25🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 10.

Two rods? I can't. 🥵

[chellypants_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

We get to finally read about Aphrodite, Hephaestus, and Ares. I love the enemies to lovers aspect in this installment. There is one part in the book that we were done dirty! (You know what I’m talking about…AJ 😢) but it had to be done. I cried, I laughed, and I went oh yea baby! Lol. I cannot wait to read about the revenge plot. He has it coming!! 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻 This was such a fast paced book and I could not put it down. On to book 4!!

[Reina Reina Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY book gods ! honey you better have your seatbelt on because if you don't you will not survive this book! by far my freaking favorite of the bunch so far and I'm saying so far because I cant only imagine whats coming in book 4. the way that this was written the way that I was sucked in and couldn't come out was absolutely illegal. Um Kraven your writing style is superb ..my heart is still recovering and I blame you lol.

[Calley · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I'm gonna say is, I need a complete shower after this whew!
Childe.

There was so much to unpack with this story. The enemies to lovers; the why choose. Seeing the way Ares submits under Heph's capable, capable hands.
It was everything.

I love how the spice just keeps getting so reinvented. There hasn't been one repeat scene in three books and I am READY to see what's next. This may be my new favorite series.

[Jess_feelzinsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gripped my soul!!

I wanted to throw my Kindle but hurry and pick it back up to finish some of these chapters! I loved Aphrodites love for her men! At first, when I read, she wanted to break the bond..my soul hurt for Ares and Heph, but the longer I kept reading, I understood! I also love when a dominating man (or should I say God😉) gets dominated! And the ending of this story..Chefs kiss!!

[Shelby Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The RayView:✨✨✨✨✨
The HeatRay:
How It Be Spicin’?:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
.
This triangle has me 🫠🥵 melting in the heat. I absolutely love how this entire situation between Ares, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus was handled and told. Just. Absolute perfection. Above and beyond anything I’ve read with these three. And so, so, spicy. I could barely put my headphones down with this one.
.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:
Polyamory Rep
Enemies to Lovers
Found Family
Broken Bonds

And these are just SOME of the tropes. This story is following Ares, Hephaestus, and Aphrodite and is just mind blowing. I love the representation in the book and the story line is amazing. There is a fair amount of spice in the book, but the plot is still there. The ending? I just can't even and I'm so ready for book 4!! I love reading retellings and this is a spicy greek mythology retelling.

[Marie Huskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been phenomenal. This book I LITERALLY couldn't put down. I flew through it so fast then was upset with how fast I went through it. One of those you're sad you can't reread for the first time. Heph and Ares are certainly a fiery and passionate pair in this book, leaving you wanting more. It made me cry several times in a good way

[Artemis · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRO.
I think this is the hottest book I've ever read. Ever. And we love men who can put aside their own anger and rage to help save their partner, and I was NOT expecting for Ares to submit like that to quiet, gentle Heph? But it do always be the quiet ones that get ya. NGL, he would have had me on my knees too. (insert cry emoji).

[Camilla Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this Aphrodite x Hephaestus x Ares story. I feel like more than anything it was the love story of Hephaestus x Ares and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Can’t wait for their second book to come out! I also am so glad we still got to see Persephone and Hades all throughout this book and the continuation of their life together!!