Whisper of Fate

by Molly Crowe

In this gripping sequel to Shadow of Hope, love destiny, and loyalty collide as Kalista fights for her kingdom—and her life.

As Kalista takes on the mantle of queen, the weight of her choices grows heavier. Threats rise within her kingdom and beyond, and tales of suffering in the Krasiv Isles push her toward a daring mission that could change everything.

Guided by ancient Spirits, Kalista must face assassins, uncover secrets, and confront the looming menace of Lord Mahan. At her side are the two men tied to her in ways she cannot ignore—Raine, the assassin haunted by his past who holds her heart, and Luke, her loyal general whose destiny may be greater than anyone imagined.

As alliances falter and sacrifices grow inevitable, Kalista must decide how much she's willing to risk for love.

Enter a world of shadows and light perfect for fans of Stephanie Gerber and Rebecca Ross. Read Whisper of Fate today to discover the strength it takes to stand against the darkness.

400 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

Molly Crowe is a young adult fantasy author who grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a child, she was rarely herself, always pretending and playing out the stories she created in her mind. As a teenager, she spent her time filling up journals and daydreaming, and now sneaks her writing in during the early mornings before her husband and two boys wake up and take over her world. Molly loves a hot cup of coffee any time of day, both teaching and practicing yoga, and spending time in the mountains.

Reviews

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow! I did NOT see all of this coming. This book is absolutely packed with twists and turns, romance, suspense, and mystery. I don’t think anything could’ve prepared me for everything that unfolded within these pages. And now that I’ve finished, I’m eagerly counting down the days until the next installment in the series!

This story picks up where Shadow of Hope left off, so I’ll avoid spoilers... But the battle between good and evil rages on. The stakes are high as Kalista and Avalyn’s safety remains uncertain, and we continue to watch how Luke and Raine fit into this intense fight. The ongoing love triangle between Kalista, Luke, and Raine is still very much present... but will it stay that way?!! As all three characters begin to follow the lead of the Sol Defenders, it becomes clear that each has a greater purpose...one that’s just starting to be revealed!!!

This was a page turner for me...and that ending? Wow! Molly has crafted such a powerful, engaging series that keeps getting better with each book.

Content Note: While the series is marketed as having Christian themes, which are definitely present. it also includes fade-to-black romance, a few steamy kisses, and some strong language. Just a heads-up for readers who like to know about that ahead of time. Personally, I’m hoping these elements (language and intimacy) are toned down as the series progresses, since they don’t seem to add much to the overall story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and this review is my honest opinion.

[Nicola Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This as a great read and an enjoyable continuation to the series. The premise remains strong and the whole world is immersive.

I thought the cover for this book was eye catching but understated. It's like the characters are inviting us to join them again. I liked this! Again the use of colour is beautiful.

The book is well written and flows nicely. It's descriptive. The continued world building is exceptional! Molly you're doing a fantastic job with this.

The characters were fantastic. They all worked so well together in the overall picture of the story. Raine, Kalista and Luke are still characters I enjoy. I enjoy how their stories are developing.

The book is written in first person. From multiple POVs  including Raine, Kalista and Luke's. It worked well in the story's continuation.

I recommend this book.  It was a good read and an continuation to the story!

[Je'vache · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

This was a really lovely series I stumbled upon. The summary of the book had me scourging the internet to find the first and when that had me locked in I ran to this one. The characters had me bound as I found myself seeing them as people with literal flaws yet likable enough that I wanted to know more about them. The world building was so intriguing I wished to read history books as though I were a child growing up in the lands. And the plot points had me wrapped around the author's finger. I lost track of time as I devoured each word wondering where the characters would take us. It's safe to say this will definitely be a series and author I will be looking out for.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whisper of Fate by Molly Crowe.
Sol defenders book 2.
I really did enjoy this book. I am enjoying this series. I love the cover and blurb of this book. I like Kalista, Raine, and Luke from Shadow of Hope. I read in two sittings. I couldn't put it down. I loved the writing style and the story. This book is very well written. Oh wow. I was with the ending. I am really looking forward to the next book. I would most definitely recommend this series.

[CoffeeLovinRi · Rating 5 out of 5]

(ARC)

Rating / Recommend:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 🌶 / YES

My Thoughts
I loved this book. The characters’ individual stories are amazingly done and also somehow perfectly intertwined. They somehow go through the most difficult experiences yet the Spirits have everything planned out perfectly. Everything was so well done.

This is for everyone who enjoys YA Fantasy or Romance!
It has little to no spice, multiple POVs, Spiritual vibes, Angst and longing, along with a HEA ending.

I loved all the main characters. And Luke! 😭 I can’t wait to read more of his story. That chapter from Nova’s POV was 🔥


CW: Grief, loss of loved ones, Violence/Murder, minimal spice: kissing only.

[Phantom_Shadow · Rating 4 out of 5]

AHHHHHH LAWD the will they won’t they had me going for a while but the epilogue was chefs kiss for sure!

I saw the author, Molly Crowe talking about this book series on the news and it was definitely worth the read!! :)

[Hayley Moonbeam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell in love with the first book of this series, and the second book, Whisper of Fate, deepened that love. It is such a breath of fresh air in the genre. It has everything a good book should have. Tension, love, beauty, heartbreak, and happy endings that are bittersweet.

Molly is a wonderful storyteller. Her prose is clear, straightforward, and easy to read, which is something I really appreciate in a book.

Without giving too much away, I love the characters in this story. I was able to connect with them and feel their pain and their joy. I felt like I knew them, which means I’ll miss them while waiting for the next book😭

I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 because there were a few moments where the plot felt slightly guided by convenience rather than unfolding naturally. For example, having a Queen’s guard who is clumsy and absent-minded pulled me out of the story a bit. I couldn’t quite imagine Luke assigning someone that inept to protect Kalista, especially when she’s under threat.

There are a couple of other instances (which I won’t mention to avoid spoilers), where outcomes felt a bit predictable. That said, these moments didn’t ruin my enjoyment—the emotional core and character dynamics kept me fully invested.

I highly recommend Whisper of Fate if you are looking for something emotional, transformative, with underlying hope throughout.

Thanks so much to Book Sirens and Molly Crowe for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marie Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely fantastic sequel! the main storyline really didn't take me by surprise, but I loved the journey to get there. Luke really grew on me during this book (I wasn't his biggest fan in book 1), and I really liked a few of the new characters introduced here as well. I'm super excited about the new POV near the end of this and what tying in their story will do for the rest of the world here. Overall, it's a great read and I've already recommended it to a few people.

[Lisa Killingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much and cannot wait for the next one!

[Kacy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great continuation of the story. I LOVE these characters and can’t wait to see where the third one goes! Especially with characters that are introduced at the end!

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whisper of Fate picks up in the aftermath of chaos—kingdoms in mourning, secrets buried with the dead, and hearts just trying to keep beating. Kalista, now queen, is navigating grief, leadership, and the not-so-tidy wreckage of her love life. Luke, still nursing a bruised ego and a broken heart, tries to wear his general’s title while avoiding the emotional landmines left behind. Meanwhile, Raine (the assassin) is off on his own quest that may or may not involve saving the realm and still being hopelessly in love with Kalista. It’s the second book in the Sol Defenders series, and wow, it does not slow down for a second.

I fell hard for this book in the first few chapters. The emotional tension between Kalista and Luke is so real, it’s like reading a slow-motion car crash—messy, painful, but you can’t look away. There’s this moment I enjoyed at the funeral of Luke’s father where Kalista wraps her arms around him and he actually cries. The layers of love, betrayal, and unresolved feelings were giving major enemies-to-lovers energy—if the “lovers” part ever gets another chance. And don’t even get me started on the scene where they stare at the map of the kingdoms together, talking shop about strategy while also sidestepping all the unresolved tension between them.

What really got me, though, was how grief and loyalty are so tightly wound into everything. Kalista visiting the mother of a fallen soldier, trying to find comfort in helping others when she can’t even hold herself together was emotional. And Raine—ugh, Raine—sneaking around enemy territory, aching for a girl he thinks he can never have while trying to track down the monster who made them all suffer? Classic tortured hero vibes. The writing isn’t trying too hard to be poetic—it just is. Emotional. Simple. And sometimes, devastating. And Crowe pulls it off while still weaving in danger, court politics, and a bit of awkward guard banter (Paulsen, you adorable disaster).

Whisper of Fate is for anyone who loves fantasy with serious heart. There’s romance, but it’s buried in grief and longing and so much quiet hope it kind of sneaks up on you. If you like Throne of Glass with less sass and more raw emotion, this is your book. Perfect for fans of character-driven stories where no one is entirely okay but everyone’s trying. I’m already counting the days until book three.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second installment in a romantasy saga series. I really enjoyed the first one – minus a bit of content and swearing – and I grew to like this one as well. We start off with all of our main characters separated in spirit, if not in body. That led to a bit of a slowness for me getting into this book. However, I did get into it as I continued to read and I enjoyed the different places it took us and the different twists and turns. Some of them I anticipated and others I did not. This book takes care of the love triangle well and gives us hints and clues as to where the series may take us next. This book has Christian themes, and I really enjoy those. We have the fruits of the spirit as actual spirits that are active in the world.

I was disappointed to find “behind closed doors” activities implied between main side characters within the first few chapters. There is also a fade-to-black scene between the main characters later on. This was especially a disappointment for me in that I expect my Christian books - of which I have read hundreds in the last year alone – to be free of specific things. Unfortunately, the closed door content in this book is closed door, fade-to-black rather than just kisses. It is free from any explicit content, but you know things are happening off page. There was also swearing. In the first book we had about 12 swear words and this book had 25. That also frustrated me, especially as we are in a fantasy world where many authors would just make up new languages and creative swears to go with the fantasy world. I feel that fade-to-black content and swearing are both unnecessary and unneeded in writing and my rating reflects that.

Content Warnings:
Closed Door activity implied for side characters
Fade to Black scene between the MCs
Swearing - 25 instances

I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Brianna Wickham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whisper of Fate Review Notes

Book Review Time! Thank you Booksirens and Molly Crowe for the ARC.

⭐️ Overall Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
⸻
Tropes you’ll find:
• Friends to lovers 💞
• Sweet cinnamon roll MMC 🍰
• Jealousy & self-doubt 😤🤷‍♂️
• Some love triangle energy 🔺
• Strong female lead ⚔️👑
• Found family vibes 🫶🏽🏡

⸻

Quick Thoughts:
Binging this series back-to-back? Highly recommend!

Things flowed smoothly and I enjoyed the plot, though I did prefer book one overall.

One downside? The romance similar to book one reads very young/first love with all the usual insecurities, and it also pushed the actual storyline into the background while it was taking its course.

If you’re looking for a more new adult/mature romance, this won’t hit the mark, but if you set your expectations clearly from the beginning then this series can be an enjoyable read for both YA and adults.

⸻

Characters I Love:
• Raine: Sweet and soft instead of broody though his nagging insecurities got slightly annoying.

• Luke: Loved that he was more of a jokester and provided some much needed lighthearted vibes. I preferred his relationship with Kalista in book 2 over book 1 because it felt more natural and authentic for the two of them.

The relationships were cute, but overall very similar to book one with a few new elements.

⸻

Without major spoilers, we are left in a bit of limbo after this book, and now I’m just here, waiting and hoping for more! Not sure if this is a trilogy or duology, guess we will find out soon!

Would I recommend it?
Yes—especially if you enjoyed the first book and love character-driven stories with a heavy romance arc!

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book continues right after the first book. Wondering whether our protagonists are going to be okay or not.

I really enjoy the story concept and the world. I’m not a fan of love triangles and so the romance isn’t my favorite, however, I really like the idea of the world and the story. I didn’t necessarily dislike the book, I just think I struggled with the writing and the speech. The speech was rather modern and from our world, not its own, they spoke very casually and informal with one another despite one being a princess/queen, etc. Everyone acted a bit immature, which was odd when most were older than teenagers(I think). It was the same in the first book, but I enjoyed the story enough that I didn’t allow it to bother me.

The reason the speech, etc, bothered me this time is because the second book for me was a bit unnecessarily long. I think if the first book had just been a standalone and everything was resolved in the first book, that would have made the story much more enjoyable for me. The second book dragged out the romance and the drama and the plot was severely lacking. Nothing truly happened until 70% into the book, then a lot happened.

I did enjoy the addition of August. He is hilarious and sassy and witty and I just loved his character!

The ending was very fast and epic, and implied another book to come. I’m unsure if I’ll continue. I think this series is just not quite for me. I did enjoy the first book, I just don’t know if it needed to continue into a series. Or if the focus was simply just on the romance rather than try to shove a plot into the book, that may have appealed to me more.

Thank you to BookSirens and the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ashley Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually an avid reader, but Shadow of Hope rekindled my love for a genre I had long forgotten. It tugged at my heart and brought back the emotions of young, fragile relationships. Then came Whisper of Fate, and it deepened that connection even further.

This second installment pulled me in from the very first page. I found myself mourning and celebrating alongside the characters as they stepped into new roles within a shifting kingdom. Their emotional journeys—filled with self-discovery, doubt, and resilience—gave me a deep sense of hope, a feeling that, despite the turmoil, "the kids are going to be okay."

The story doesn’t shy away from heartbreak or frustration. Several characters wrestle with feelings of inadequacy, which made their growth all the more powerful. With the arrival of new faces and shifting alliances, I was constantly second-guessing who to trust. That suspense, combined with the characters’ ongoing search for identity, kept me reading late into the night.

I’ve been telling everyone I know about this series, and I can’t wait for the third book to arrive. Whisper of Fate is a moving, surprising, and deeply human story that stays with you long after you close the cover.

[hopenpuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

❝But in time, wounds heal. Forgiveness comes. Love will always win, Kalista. ❞

Whispers of Fate was intense in a very best way possible: action-packed, political intrigue at here and there, found family. It has everything you want in a fantasy book. This series had me in their palm. I'm attached and in love with everything about it. Throughout the story, i kind of pick some of the clues to where the plot would go, but then again Molly Crowe always had something to surprise me.

Finishing this book is such a bitterweet: while I'm eager to know what happened after Shadow of Hope, I'm not ready to say goodbye to the crew (well, at least until the next book comes out). It had me on the edge of my seat all the time. The angst, the longing, and acceptance for what Sol Defenders have written for them. We get to see a lot of development from each character. This book gave us a huge shift and it's thrilling in its on way. Honestly I was not ready for the ending, for letting some of characters go just felt weird. But again, the author did such a good job on setting the bigger picture and made us giddy for what comes next. I AM giddy for what comes next, can't wait for the sequel!

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Valri Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series and was anxious for this next book. It's not that I was disappointed, but I wasn't as drawn into it like the first one. It took me almost a week to read this one where the first one I read in about a day! I couldn't put it down! This one seemed to drag for me and didn't have the suspense throughout. It left everything until the last few chapters but took a while to get there! I loved the characters except that in this book, Kalista drove me a little crazy. While she still loved Raine with her whole heart, she just kept turning too much to Luke in other ways. It felt like a love triangle, and I am not a fan of that. I could very much see why Raine was frustrated! That said, there was love, danger, suspense, betrayal, devotion and a whole host of other emotions in this story.

I see that there is another book in the series, but I don't think I will continue. This one was enough for me! It wrapped up what I was interested in and I don't want to go further, especially with how much time this book took me to read! It just didn't move fast enough! I did enjoy the introduction of August's character though. He was fantastic!

[Lumie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Book Sirens and Molly Crowe for the ARC.

Plot 4/5
Characters 4.5/5
Ending 4/5
Interest 4.25/5

Overall 4/5

-Binging this series was definitely a good thing for me. I easily forget what happens in a previous book and always need a reminder. But having the first book fresh in my mind made things easy for me to dive into this sequel. Things followed nicely and I definitely enjoyed the plot, even though I preferred the first book. I did feel like the romance was a very prominent story line in the book and that the rest of the actual plot line took a backseat and waited for that to be resolved which was a shame in my eyes.

-I still really like these characters. They’re great. Raine did sometimes irritate me saying that he doesn’t think he deserves Kalista but I do understand where he is coming from. I do still love him though, I love him being a sweet guy instead of the rough brooding one. Luke was interesting as a friend instead of a love interest. I liked him being the joking guy at times. The relationships were different but also kind of the same thing. So there were some new elements but it was still sort of a repeat of book 1.

-The ending was confusing in the sense that I don’t know what to expect of a sequel. It seems like there will be (with Luke perhaps) but I have no clue what to expect of it. There wasn’t too much of epic ending and enough of conclusion for the books to stand as a duology. There is just the one chapter that teases a sequel.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was a nice read, though a bit predictable with the outcomes. The novel mainly is from the points of view of Kalista, Raine, and Luke. It starts where the first novel ended, where Raine is searching for the king of the Krasiv Isles, and a gateway to the Sol Defenders. Luke and Kalista have to work through their issues, going from being betrothed to queen/general and what they always were, friends. Kalista and Raine need to work past their own troubles, due to Raine's position as the Shadow. Luckily, they have some good friends to help them. They each go on their own adventures, for each has a role to play, and they must "listen" to the Sol Defenders, who have had a hand in this from before they were born. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Oana Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished the second book in the Sol Defenders series, Whisper of Fate by Molly Crowe, and it completely lived up to my expectations. I had a lot of theories before diving into this volume, and many of them actually came true. That didn’t bother me at all—some parts of the plot were predictable, yes, but the ending opened up a whole new wave of questions and theories that kept me hooked.

I honestly didn’t expect there to be another book, but it looks like the battle against darkness is far from over. I’m genuinely excited to see what’s next, especially when it comes to the two new couples I think might be forming in the third installment. I have a strong feeling that one of them will take center stage next time.

I wholeheartedly recommend continuing Raine, Kalista, and Luke’s story—this sequel did not disappoint.

[The Book and Bubble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whisper of Fate picks up with Kalista officially crowned as queen of Avalyn, and things aren’t exactly peaceful. The kingdom’s struggling, tensions are high, and Kalista’s struggling with emotions between two men: Luke, her loyal general carrying some heavy secrets about his father, and Raine, the brooding assassin who’s disappeared on a mission to hunt down the person behind all the kingdom’s suffering.

You can really feel the love, hurt, and tension between Kalista and Luke — there’s so much unsaid between them. (It hurts in the best way.) At the same time, Raine’s out there fighting his own battles, missing Kalista like crazy, but still loving her from afar.

This book is packed with emotions, hard choices, and a great story. It’s about loyalty, sacrifice, and what it means to lead when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a compelling continuation of the Sol Defenders series. We follow along as Kalista navigates the complexities of leadership, love, and looming threats to her kingdom. And of course Raine and Luke are still right there with her. The character building in this series so far has been wonderful! I have absolutely loved getting to know each of them and to see their connections grow and change and it's going to be interesting to see where everyone ends up! If you like character driven fantasy romance stories about destiny, loyalty and the struggle between light and darkness you should definitely give this one a try! Thank you Love Book Tours, Molly Crowe and Yorkshire Publishing for sharing this book with me!

[Carol Demmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. This starts with Raine chasing Mahan and Luke seeking recruits for the castle while Kalista is heartbroken over the men and destruction of her kingdom. Luke has withdrawn his hand and their relationship has him adjusting to his new posistion as general. When Raine returns after failing in finding Mahan, he is insistant that he will not be accepted as king, even as he steps up to being her protector and more. They all will have to work together to find Mahan and the lost gateway. The book is full of drama, danger, emotions that draw you in, and a happy ending for all three of them. I enjoyed reading this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sandraa Ohara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this so much. The way everyone in this book just grows is amazing. I'm so happy that Raine finally found his place and started trusting himself. Also he was so sweet in this book and I love that Kalista respected her wishes and found herself without a man. Honestly also very proud of Luke, I just knew that that was his destiny and can't wait to see him happy in the next book and also what he does. I was also (kinda) shipping these two people and really hope they are together in the next book.

[Danielle Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. There was so much going on, in the best way. I really enjoyed the multiple view points (you get 3 in this book) and there was never a dull moment. The pull between what they're supposed to do and what they know they want and should do grips the reader. I couldn't put this down. The politics, the mystery, the suspense, the love triangle and all the anxiety inducing events made this a great addition to the series. I absolutely loved all the characters. and the ending... oh my goodness. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

[Pippilotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

With so much dark and gritty romantasy out there, I enjoyed this hopeful YA fantasy romance. I honestly think this one was even better than the first book!
I really liked Luke's storyline, and the character who was introduced in the end made me super curious for the next book! But I won't give any spoilers.
If you like fantasy, love triangles, reluctant assassins, fierce fighter female main characters, overprotective love interests, and happy endings, this book is for you!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the second part of this series. I love how the author makes the reader understand the emotions of the characters and the realistic reactions they have on different events. Sometimes I did think that Kalista and Luke seem to "need" each other too much, but that didn't make the story less better.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Looking forward to the story of Luke and Nova:)

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kalista, Raine, and Luke were all in this adventure together one way or another. Kalista and Luke were promised to each other from a young age, but Kalista only saw Luke as her best friend. Raine came in the picture, and Kalista was drawn to him. In this journey, they have to find their way to their destiny even if that means changing a thing or two. Join these 3 main characters fight their way to their pain, and get to the destiny the Sol Defenders had planned for them.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed following the characters in this book and where Molly took the story. Often in fantasy books I don’t feel as connected to the characters as they tend to be more light on adding depth to the characters. Not the case with Kalista, Luke and Raine. When you can see yourself and your struggles in the characters, it makes it hard to out the book down. I was hooked from chapter one! Loved reading this ARC, and looking forward to book three!

[Diana Menshikova · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it! a great second book. So many emotions were felt throughout this book. I even cried a little. I love the character so much, and feel like I know them. Also, the action in this book was very entertaining, had me on the edge of my seat. Looking forward to book 3!

Why wasn't it 5 stars? a petty reason but I don't want to spoil it so I guess you'll never know

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.