Mazikeen: Hands of Fate

Child of the Veil #1

by M. Pettengill

Mazikeen is the Fae world's most renowned assassin, the Reaper. Trained for 500 years after the death of her mate, she serves as the boogeyman of The Mer Council. When her past and present collide, Mazikeen discovers the tangled web of secrets and lies that surround her. With everyone lying and no one to trust, Mazikeen goes looking for answers, and finds more than she bargained for. Now, unrest stirs in the kingdoms again- and it may all come to rest on Mazikeen's shoulders. Through it all will Mazikeen finally break free of the chains that bind her to the Mer council? Mazikeen is the first in a new trilogy featuring fated mates, mermaids, shifters, Fae Royals, a strong willed, smart mouthed assassin.

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Fantasy Romance, Romantasy, Romance

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

I am an avid reader of all things magical, fantastical and everything in between. Somewhere between imagining I was the feisty main characters I read about, and dreaming up scenarios where things went differently than they did on paper I decided to create my own stories. Now that I have breathed life into a world, universe of my own I have a much bigger appreciation for all of the stories I read and loved along the way.


When I'm not writing, I am a wife and mom to two beautiful girls, and spend my days in between the trees of New York with my dogs daydreaming about the possibility of a magical world.

Find me on socials!
@author.mpettengill

Reviews

[Sarah S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong Female Character, Sexy Fae Prince, and Delectable Spice Scenes, OH MY! Booktok you have proven yourself worthy again!

Mazikeen is a fierce bisexual character that lives her life to the fullest. She is the ultimate strong female lead that I desperately crave. I enjoyed her witty banter and how obsessed she was with Pizza, I mean who isn't!? I can highly relate to her "running away" tendencies, as it is always too easy to think of the worst outcomes. Her relationships are few but are exciting and I totally had my favorite throughout the book. The spice is peppered throughout and adds to the overall romance story.

M. Pettengill's world is full of magick and creativity. This is NOT a typical "little mermaid" world, it is full of the fae, shifters, kelpies, and mer. It has darkness and a romance that is demanding and beautiful. Maz's mer form was absolutely stunning to picture, well done on casting such a gorgeous image. I really want to live on Mazikeen's island, it sounds so wonderful.

Mazikeen had my attention the whole time as M. Pettengill kept dropping hints about the many unsolved mysteries. The twists and turns had me gasping and ready for more! I cannot wait for Stormborn, the second book in this trilogy to come out!

Also, M. Pettengill's playlist for her novel is amazingly accurate. Each chapter is named after a song that inspired the scene. It's such a small touch that gives us a deeper look into what the characters are feeling. Just like movies, a soundtrack can make a HUGE difference in connecting to the scenes. I highly recommend as you read, you listen to the playlist!

[Allyson Reagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book!! Maz is a strong, badass FMC & I love that she’s actually thousands of years old, not freshly 18. This book got even more compelling when Daemon appeared on the scene. I will forever love an unhinged Fae Prince, especially one with Chaos magic. He alone bumped this book up from a 3-3.5 star range to a 4. I’m very excited to see where the series goes from here.

[faeriekeeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mazikeen, she’s a bisexual fearless badass! This book was sexy and full of adventure and secrets. I cannot wait for the next book!!!

[Kayla Hurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It was a quick and easy read, that kept you guessing. I never guessed what was coming. I cannot wait for Stormborn to be released! I highly recommend this book!

[bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A fantastic adult fantasy story with an unforgettable FMC! I love Mazikeen and all the things we learned about her in the first book of this trilogy. Having Rose Cowel bring her and the other characters to life only enhanced the experience I had with this book! I can’t wait to see how things progress in books 2 and 3 for all of the characters we’ve met.

Things I loved:
🧜🏽‍♀️Fierce FMC
🧜🏽‍♀️Shifter fantasy
🧜🏽‍♀️Kings & Queens
🧜🏽‍♀️Mates
🧜🏽‍♀️Modern world & fantasy worlds collide

[Niki D · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was an ARC read, albeit my first one. For my ignorance on how the editing process goes and where my copy falls within that process, I did not downgrade on some of the slightly bothersome things like weird grammar choices and seemingly unfinished/uncoordinated thoughts. I’m assuming those will be fleshed out in final versions!

That being said; I absolutely loved the MFC. She has her flaws and vices, but that doesn’t stop her from completely kicking ass. I love the rawness that Maz portrays as it makes her relatable and I really can’t wait to see her get down to business in the next books. The love interests are crushworthy! Spicy scenes are 🤌🏾 (although I need more from Daemon because the tension is killer).

The world the author has built is very intriguing - although I will say I wanted more detail and clarity. There were some moments where I had to back track or read again because I just didn’t have enough information to clearly paint a picture. It was enough for me to be excited about the next books! The twists that kept coming out ultimately made for a very exciting read.

[Ketty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review that I am leaving voluntarily.

- Fae, Shifters, Dragons, Mer, all the delicious fantasy creatures and then some.
- Spicy
- Assassin and gore
- Check your triggers please
- Drug use, just the green kind, but still there

This book is more like 3.5 but rounded up to 4. It was hard to rate this book for me because I wanted to DNF it. I usually give books until about the 30% mark before I DNF, this book (because it was an ARC) got 50%, and that's probably a good thing because nothing really good happened until around 44%. Then I almost stopped it again because I got lost and confused, I needed clarification and luckily for me the author is a lovely human and answered my question. I had no clue when this book was taking place, it was pitched as contemporary, which I take to mean in the "right now". So when the book had a flashback that went back four-hundred years talking about planes and radios, I was pained. Thanks to the author I know it now takes place roughly four-hundred years in the future! Which I feel needs to be said somewhere if it's going to be marketed as "contemporary". So to me this sort of makes this a speculation-fantasy or a sci-fi-fantasy as it's not a dystopian which implies future.

Once I got over my little hiccups and things actually started going, I was pretty sucked in. Mazikeen is a badass! She is a girl who knows how to do her job and she does it very well. Which is another issue I had at the beginning, I only knew she was an assassin because the blurb says it. Once we see her actually working though, girl is deadly and sexy as hell while she does it. Which leads into her just being sexy as hell. Mazikeen is a book girlfriend I would love to take home, not to mother, but home. She is unapologetic in who she is, which I love so much! Her pizza addiction is far superior to the other one, which isn't really an addiction, just a habit that I felt could have been left out but that's just me and it doesn't affect my rating. Her emotional support pizza is by far the best thing I have read so far this year.

Speaking of book relationships, Daemon...oh my goodness where's the fan. I love him. I could have done without Arlan and Shai; that whole thing felt pointless, even with the little bits of connecting it did with other things at the end it felt unnecessary. But then again, the ending itself was a toss up, I loved it but hated being spoonfed information. It felt like an afterthought, why the magic led her to Arlan in the first place and who sold Mazikeen out in the first place. I didn't see it coming, the pieces weren't really there and I honestly didn't thing much about it until the information was regurgitated at the end.

Overall, the book itself is a solid one and I did end up enjoying it despite all the little things that were sort of meh to me. I hope the release copy fixes the weird formatting issues the ARC had; like the awkward quote tags where I wasn't entirely sure who was talking at times or the spaced out possessive apostrophe. Those things don't affect my rating either, grammar and such is never important. I am intrigued to see what happens next and since this is a debut author, I know it can only get better from here.

[Carly Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

🧜🏽‍♀️ Mazikeen… the Dr. Pepper drinking, pizza-loving, sexually liberated, fierce, strong, passionate, witty, smart-mouthed, unapologetic, fiery fae mermaid you didn't know you needed in your life.

Mazikeen is not your typical fae. She’s a mermaid with killer instincts, a smart mouth, and a serious craving for Dr Pepper and pizza. As an elite assassin with a past tangled in secrets, she lives her life on her own terms. That is, until fate quite literally grabs her by the throat and throws her into the path of a dangerously seductive fae prince and a mission that could change everything.

In a world teeming with magical creatures… fae, shifters, kelpies, and mer, Mazikeen is forced to decide if she’ll keep running from her past or take a stand and face the chaos that follows her like a shadow. With steamy tension, brutal power plays, and sizzling chemistry, this is a fantasy you won't want to put down.

Okay. Let me just start with this, Mazikeen is that girl. She's fierce, powerful, and doesn’t apologize for who she is or what she wants. I absolutely loved how bold and fiery she is. She’s witty, confident, and gives zero cares about playing nice, and honestly, I was rooting for her from page one.

The fact that she's a fae mermaid assassin who snacks on pizza and guzzles Dr Pepper? Yes please. This is the kind of main character who pulls you in with her sass and keeps you hooked with her strength. The banter? Top tier. The spice? Whew. Let's just say things get steamy and intense in the best ways.

M. Pettengill built a world that’s dripping with danger, beauty, and magic. From fae courts to mythical shifters, kelpies, and more, this universe is rich and immersive. It’s dark fantasy done right, with a whole lot of heat and a splash of humor to balance it out.

Also, I cannot get over the dynamic between Mazikeen and a certain fae prince. The tension, the teasing, the everything. You’ll know when you know. I ate it up.

By the end of book one, I was practically clawing for more. That cliffhanger? I’m still dangling. Someone send help or book two.

The Vibes It Brings:
🧜‍♀️ Fae-mermaid assassin energy
🔥 Spicy scenes that bring the heat
👑 Fae prince with serious charm
💋 Banter and sexual tension for days
🩸 Found family with a dark twist
🍕 Pizza and Dr Pepper cravings
🌊 Mythical creatures galore
🖤 Morally gray vibes
⚔️ Fantasy action and emotional depth
📚 Cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more

Rose Cowel absolutely nailed this performance. Her voice is sultry, commanding, and honestly feels like Mazikeen was written just for her. This is my first time hearing Rose, and now I’m on the hunt for more audiobooks she’s narrated. She brought Mazikeen to life with such depth and attitude. From the snarky quips to the softer, steamier moments—she didn’t miss a beat. Total perfection in every way.

Mazikeen: Hands of Fate was a wild, spicy, fast-paced ride through a lush fantasy world full of power struggles, magic, and mouthy mermaids. If you're into fierce women, magical chaos, and morally complex characters with an edge of seduction—this one's for you.

I had an absolute blast listening and can’t wait for book two. I received a free copy of this audiobook. These are my own opinions.

[Kealsi Fanter · Rating 4 out of 5]

i received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
If you like dragons, fae, and bisexual mermaids, then this book is for you. Mazikeen is a mer who finds out she is not who she thought she was. What starts as a unwanted adventure to a fun, sexy weekend with her come back from the dead ex and his fiance, turns into a search into who she really is and an unexpected mate turning up, just another thing turning her world upside down. This book had everything, magic, hurt, betrayal, fun light moments, witty banter, and of course a healthy amount of spice.

I loved the overall world building, the plot twists as well as the plot of the story as a whole. Mazikeen is the type of badass female main character we all want. I loved her insatiable cravings for pizza and how much she doesn't care about pretty much everything. I loved her sassy banter and the descriptions the author gives of her and pretty much everything are really great.
I also loved that she named her chapters after song titles. I squealed with glee when I recognized some Bad Omens and Halsey songs. I rarely see a glossary in the front of books and was so happy when I noticed that the author did this. I think it helps a lot when you do a world build such as this. The trigger warning was also a nice touch.

There were a few things with the book as a whole that I thought could be worked on. One being the flow of the writing. Some of it felt rushed or unfinished. The flow of time wasn't made too clear in some parts. I also think this makes mazikeens relationships seem a little rushed. Some of the dialogue seemed to just sort of drop off.
I think the author could have dropped a a few more hints as to who the 'other' bad guy was.. While I love twists that make you go wtf, I just thought there could have been 1 or 2
more hints other than them being a sorcerer.

Over all I enjoyed this book. I can't wait to see what Mazikeen gets up to next!

[Hannah Shumpert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice Level: 5/5
(there are a lot of on page scenes- read at your own risk)

-Please note that a free copy was provided in exchange for this review. I will also have a small content notice/warning at the bottom of this review-

The idea of a mermaid assassin and a morally grey Fae prince pulled me in from the start, and I wasn't disappointed by them either. Mazikeen is a burning fire being contained by the mer council, and Daemon can't wait to see that fire burning free. The parts with Arlan and Shai did feel like they were just there to make it extremely spicy and I could have done without them. I would have preferred more tension with our chaotic Prince over the pair of shifters. As far as favorite relationships go, her relationship with the kelpies is by far my favorite.

There is so much I cannot wait to learn about this world and these characters. We have so much left to see of our wild child mermaid.


tropes:
-hidden heir
-grumpy x sunshine
-Slow burn
-magic
-morally grey characters
-multiple lovers throughout the book. (Sometimes at once)


--Content Notice--
-contains some scenes of mentioning off-page SA and forced childbearing.
also contains scenes of drug intake.

[Ariana Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off rough for me. I couldn’t figure out where the story was going.

And Mazikeen as a whole seemed to be all over the place. BA assassin, party girl, grumpy, full of life? It was like she was bouncing all over the place.

Then she is pulled by magic to a coastline and meets Arlen and Shaiden. There is an inexplicable pull towards them. But I didn’t get good vibes for the storyline. And Arlen and Shaiden seemed to have their own HEA brewing.

Mazikeen leaves and connects with Daemon, when Arlen come to try to win her back. When she connects with Daemon is when the book really starts picking up.

The tension between them, learning more about Mazikeen’s history and power, uncovering new secrets. All of it really builds. And then you think ok…. I might get some answers.
But it’s more questions and a huge cliffhanger.

I am looking forward to the next book. I am hooked on the storyline and want to know what happens next. But if you don’t like a wishy washy FMC, who doesn’t quite hit the mark for the BA character she’s supposed to be then take that into consideration.

I received an ARC of this book. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

“Oh I’d do anything for you with that wicked smile on your mouth, Mazikeen.”

AHHHHH! I absolutely ADORE Mazikeen. She is such a fiercely independent bisexual FMC, and I love it! The banter was soooo good! Also, the world building is incredible. There are so many Fae books out there, but I feel like M. Pettengill really made it her own with the different Fae and their magic! Mazikeen also had an amazing library with a secret entrance hehe Plus, I love reading books with Mer because it's not one I read as frequently as I'd like. There was a dragon too!!! I also liked how fireflies were considered Fae, and the inclusion of kelpies was really cool because I don't read many books with them. And the spice?? OMG DELICIOUS! Those FFM scenes and Daemon's dirty mouth? I could not get enough! I also really liked the chapter titles! I feel like more authors should do them. The plot twists were crazy! I did not seen them coming! I also liked how there were a few chapters sprinkled in from other POVs, but I NEED more of Daemon's POV!! I can't wait to jump into book two! And have you see the omnibus cover? Stunning!

[A.H. Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buckle up for a magical rollercoaster, because this book took me on a WILD ride! 🌊💫 Mazikeen, our fierce and dangerous Mer, is the seductive minx you didn’t know you needed. Her strength? Unmatched. Her allure? Irresistible. They don’t call her Reaper for nothing 👀

The side characters? ALL in love with Mazikeen (who wouldn’t be?!). 😍 Shaiden and Arlen? Oh, the TENSION between them and Mazikeen was so perfectly delicious. Even after YEARS, Arlen’s still head over heels, but Mazikeen was searching for something more… and then Daemon entered the scene. 😏🔥

Daemon was EVERYTHING. Their bond? So special, so real, and the way he honored her? I’m swooning! 🖤

And let’s talk about those TWISTS!!! 😱 Just when I thought I had it all figured out, BAM! Plot twists galore, and everything came together perfectly. M. Pettengill, you’ve created a fantasy world that I loooove! Onto the next one🤭

* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Chantay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fully invested in this story by the end, and I cannot wait for the next installment because I need to know how this all ends. Maz is a fabulous FMC and I feel like the character is very well fleshed out. I wish there was a little more character building for some of the other prominent characters, but perhaps that will come in later installment. This is self published and there are still some grammatical issues, but I am sure those will eventually get fixed and were minor enough that it didn't stop me from reading this whole book in one sitting.

I give it 🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 5. Semi spoiler...This does start out with multiple partners of both sexes, but is not RH, and does not end that way.

If you like fantasy, fated mates, a strong badass female mc, topped with a sprinkling of spice I think you would highly enjoy this.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read if you enjoy:
Magical Races (Dragons, Fae, Mer)
Strong Headed Assassin FMC
Fated Mates

This book is full of adventure, badass characters, and spice. I loved the FMC. She was relatable and had a very witty inner monologue that really added to the story. It took me a while to get through the first half of this book. The story pace was a little slower than what I generally read, but the second half of the book really picked up and brought context to a lot of the first half of the story. Full of plot twists, tension, and a cliffhanger ending that left me excited to read the next book in the series.

Thank you, M. Pettengill, for providing me with a free copy of Mazikeen: Hands of Fate in exchange for an honest review

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story focused on a world of Fae, Mer, Shifters and more. I really enjoyed the way small details tied together later in the book and gave several "I knew it mattered" moments.

The series is focused on Mazikeen who seems to be a Mer daughter to one of their Council Members, trying to navigate a world on her own with some romantic twists and turns along the way. I don't want to say too much more without spoiling the book.

I was really happy with the world building and history, and loved how she was able to be who she was sexually without any questions or major issues. The book has some steamy moments, but overall is a slow burn.

[Ashley Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good not great. I liked the FMC in the beginning and the spice is nice, but it's all very predictable... it also feels kind of like a knockoff of SJM, if you are familiar with her series, with similar sayings "like calls to like", similar character names Beron (shocker he's a bad guy), and even the world building structure reminds me a lot of how Crescent City is set up. However, it wasn't a bad read. If you are more of a "vibes" reader, then give it a shot! It is a fast-paced urban fantasy.

It's not good enough for me to do a re-read, and I'm not chomping at the bit to read the next. But it's on kindle unlimited so maybe.

[Julie Camino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands of fate

Such a cool world and story. I could not put it down. I love the world building and the lore for this world that is hidden in plain sight.

I really enjoyed the fact that yes she mourn her chosen mate when he died. But she also raged, raged so much that she avenged his death by helping the humans win.
But then when Daemon came into the picture, I knew just by the fact that he calmed her that he was his actual mate.
Of course drama and some really messed up stuff happens to her, along with some plot twists and some more surprises that leave her heart broken....yeah we are left on a cliffhanger, so now to book 2 👋🏻

[Lyra Asher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shiznitttttt do I have a new book girlfriend and her name is Mazikeen 🥵
This book had everything a girl like me could ask the stars for! A funny and brutal FMC who not only loves dr.pepper but also slashing people up with knives? Ugh, a woman after my own heart💚
We had all the spicy spice!!! I’m talking scene after scene after scene of all the goodness 🌶️🌶️🌶️
There was betrayals and secrets and what the actual fuck is going on moments that had me wanting more!
And the best of all, VENGEANCE!!! 😈
I cannot wait to see what we have in store for book 2!

[Gray Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read with a little bit of everything! The story feels a little gritty with flashes of wholesomeness and light throughout. The characters are easy to love, but all have flaws in the best way.

It’s also HAWT! Like level three (😉)spice hitting hot and heavy. The spice also doesn’t take away from the plot, but adds fun little cherries on top

The reason I’m rating 4 stars is because I wanted more. The story felt rushed in some places. I wanted to know more and get to know the characters better, but I guess that’s why there is a book 2😉

[Kyra Ekre · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a 3.5 star read for me!

Things I loved about this book were it’s unconventional female main character, the world the story takes place in, and the fact readers get their dose of mermaids and fae! (And theres mention of other creatures like dragons and kelpies.)

The way that the beginning of the book sets up the world was amazing! And I loved how certain things came into play later on in the book. This book definitely sets itself up for a sequel because I have questions that must be answered! Like what other powers is Mazikeen going to realize she has? What is going to happen between the different kingdoms? And how is the world’s history going to play out in the next book?!

[Chelle D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book at no cost in exchange for my unbiased review. This started a little slow for me , but did pick up after about half a chapter. I found myself liking Maz quite a lot and rooting for her to get her shit together. The sex scenes are spicy enough to allow the images to build your head but not to the point of enough already. I am anxiously awaiting the new book to see where this take our couple and Maz herself. Hoping the hints at the end about Maz's history bring some clarity to her and us the reader.

[argyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all Mer,Fae, Dragons, shifters, prince, kelpies, and many others. Book one is all about Mazikeen learning there is so much to her background then she could have ever imagined. She meets a lost love, a new love, her father and learns her origin story. She thinks she’s only 500(ish) years old but learns she way, way older than that!
I absolutely loved this book I fell in love with the FMC and the MMC, I mean I did read the whole book in a day. It written really well, the characters are well delivered and the spice is spicy!!

[Sabina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a good concept, I had really high hopes for this book. Unfortunately I don’t think it was executed very well. Mazikeen was just annoying; she got mad at every little thing and acted like she had the worst lot in the world when frankly she had little to complain about. The plot, however, was probably the biggest downside to this book. It was honestly a shock when I got to the end because like what had happened??

This book had soooo much potential but just needed a more thought out, exciting plot and a less Mazikeen-y main character.

[Taylor Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book with a sassy, strong and powerful female main character, this is the book for you! Maz is a 500 year old morally gray badass assassin who doesn't take any shit from anyone! This book is full of spicy scenes, romance, action and adventure, as well as some cool creatures! It's well written and funny and you can tell the author really put her heart and soul into it! 5 stars from me. YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK. Can't wait for the second book!!

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This story was intense but has moments of light and love. Let’s just say Maz cannot catch a break. When I thought there wasn’t going to be new information to take in, their would be another surprise thrown in. By the end, I was shocked and I cannot wait to find out what happens in book 2.

[A. Miracle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in a day!

This goes to show that life is messy no matter how old you are! I loved this book and will recommend it to anyone. It has the perfect amount of spice, and drama. I truly cannot wait for the 2nd book!

[Ashlin]

First I would like to say thank you for the free ebook of this, but the writing style just wasn’t for me and I just couldn’t get into it so I dnfed 25% through, I’m sure many other people would love and do love this book tho.

[Southernbookdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mer and Fae what else could you want?

I love Mazikeen! Her fire and passion are like no other! Her smart mouth and wit is perfection! I can't wait to see what she gets into next book! I'm also really glad she didn't want that dragon! Daemon is much better for her!!

[Read.and.Blossom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this audiobook!! Mazikeen is sooo cool😍😍
Learning about her with her at the same time is so interesting. She learns many secrets about herself. That ending was wild!

Onto the next book to get more answers