Fate of Ruin

by Ireland Lydon

By the threads of fate, a labyrinth of magick is woven, and destinies entwine.

Pavan always wanted to be redeemed for his harrowing past, until he is transported back to the world that stole his family from him. Taking the path to redemption he must tame the magick burning within him, all the while unraveling the web of lies that binds his fate to that of Veilore.

Will Pavan rise above the darkness that threatens to consume him, or will he be forever tied to the realms?

376 pages, Paperback

Published January 30, 2025

About the author

Ireland Lydon is a native of Utah. Having spent the better part of a decade navigating the world of Veilore, she is ready to open those doors and let others inside. When she is not writing, Ireland is going on hikes all across Utah with her husband and three kids, bookbinding, or rewatching Pride and Prejudice for the hundredth time. Fate of Ruin is her debut novel, with seven more on the way.

Reviews

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magick, a link between mortal and faie, and one wild ride. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t spend the first half of the book world-building, and want to be swept away and invested in a story immediately - pick this book up. There is action packed into the first 100 pages, hooking you right away, and making you want to continue into the wee hours of the morning to find out what happens next. A true fantasy, reminiscent of traditional high fantasy. If the rest of the series continues as this installment has - this author will earn a place amongst the greats on my shelves.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like vast fantasy worlds, multiple POVs and story lines that will eventually connect, magic and fae, then this might be for you!

[Tales with Atticus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world feels big, ancient, and already in motion. From page one you’re thrown into Pavan’s turmoil, his magic, and the mystery of why this world refuses to let go of him.

Pavan is the heart of this story, and watching him walk the edge between redemption and ruin is what kept me hooked. He’s carrying a brutal past, he’s overwhelmed by powers he can barely control, and he’s suddenly pulled back to the realm that took everything from him. His whole arc is this tug-of-war between who he used to be, who he wants to be, and what Veilore demands of him, and that tension never really lets up.

This book leans into true fantasy: magic that feels dangerous and alive, lore woven into every corner, and a world where nothing is simple or safe. It’s action early, mystery early, stakes early. If you like being dropped straight into the fire instead of waiting for it to build, this delivers.

The tone has that classic high-fantasy weight, the kind that feels a little old-world and a little brutal. It’s full of fae, realms, tangled destinies, and the sense that everything is connected even if you can’t see how yet. You can feel the threads pulling tighter as the story goes on, like you’re watching a massive tapestry slowly reveal itself.

By the end, you’re not just curious about what’s next and you can feel the setup for something bigger. This is the kind of opener that promises more worlds, more magic, and more consequences, and I’m honestly excited to see where it goes.

What to expect
-Burdened hero seeking redemption
-Powerful magic
-Fae realms & ancient worlds
-Action early, mystery early
-“Past won’t stay buried” storyline

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been trying to read more romantasy lately, and Fate of Ruins ended up being one of those books that reminds you why the genre is so addictive. Pavan and Brendolyn each get their own POV, and the way the book switches between them feels effortless. Every chapter pulls you deeper into their lives, their choices, and the world around them. It’s detailed without ever dragging, and the emotional beats land exactly where they should.

One thing that really stood out to me was how seamlessly the lore is woven in. The elves, the faie, the Ehlfern, the humans — all of it is introduced in a way that feels natural and intuitive. You’re never dumped with info or left scrambling to remember who belongs to what group. The world just unfolds around you, piece by piece, until you suddenly realise you understand it all without even trying. It’s the kind of worldbuilding that feels lived‑in rather than explained.

I was fully invested from the start. There are moments that genuinely hurt, moments that made me smile like an idiot, and one scene later in the book that had me literally clapping and doing a tiny chair‑dance (IYKYK). The writing is rich and immersive, the side characters actually matter, and the whole story feels incredibly well‑built and intentional.

This was such an easy 5‑star read for me. I’m so glad I already have book 2 because I’m diving in immediately. And I can already feel the cliffhanger coming, so I’ll be getting book 3 the second I finish.

If you’re into romantasy with depth, emotion, and worldbuilding that pulls you in completely, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

[E.J Gambles · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first page, your dropped directly into the action and the mystery of Pavane, and his uneasy connection to the world of Veilore. Those seeking the vibe of the golden era of glorious high fantasy, but with a dash of dark contemporary brutality in the mix, can get the best of both worlds in Lydon's works. This is a perfect blend of magic, wonder, and fast paced action adventure balancing multiple spirited POVs, that gradually sets up the events for the sequel Fate of Kings, which is now available to purchase. (why are you waiting!!!)
For those who fall in love with the world of Veilore, there will be several more installments of this series forthcoming, promises prolific writer Ireland Lydon.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful story. I loved the world building and how it just pulls you in right from the beginning. The descriptions were fantastic and the characters were developed so well. I loved the action, the magic and more. The imagery really played out well in my mind and I enjoyed being pulled into this story for awhile.

[Grace White Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and Naughty Nook PR for letting me read and review this arc book. Overall I really enjoyed getting to know each character. I can't wait to find out what happens next.