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A Destiny Wrought in Woe
A soul weaver and a demon warrior are compelled to join forces in this slow burn fantasy romance.
To be magical is to be taken. Trained. Reborn in the image of a guildmember.
For years, Caris’ life hasn’t been her own. Trapped in an underwater city, she’s dreamed of nothing but making it through graduation and escaping to the mainland. Her freedom arrives, only to be stolen on the wings of prophecy.
Fickle Fate has Her own designs.
An unholy terror ravages the nation. The dead rise to attack the living, but seers have foreseen an end on the horizon—a sacrifice, an exchange of souls.
Death beckons with a cruel hand.
Another life on his conscience is the last thing Alsynian wants. He’s tired of being a puppet controlled by the hands of another, but keeping his distance from Caris proves to be impossible.
One way or another, the prophecy must be fulfilled.
The Scourge must be stopped.
To be magical is to be taken. Trained. Reborn in the image of a guildmember.
For years, Caris’ life hasn’t been her own. Trapped in an underwater city, she’s dreamed of nothing but making it through graduation and escaping to the mainland. Her freedom arrives, only to be stolen on the wings of prophecy.
Fickle Fate has Her own designs.
An unholy terror ravages the nation. The dead rise to attack the living, but seers have foreseen an end on the horizon—a sacrifice, an exchange of souls.
Death beckons with a cruel hand.
Another life on his conscience is the last thing Alsynian wants. He’s tired of being a puppet controlled by the hands of another, but keeping his distance from Caris proves to be impossible.
One way or another, the prophecy must be fulfilled.
The Scourge must be stopped.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2025
4 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
R.K. Devon
1 book12 followersR.K. Devon has been in love with romance novels ever since her older sister "accidentally" slipped one into her reading pile when she was in middle school. Now that she's achieved her own storybook romance, she delights in writing happily ever afters for her characters (after making them work for it, of course).
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 28, 2025
This book was so much fun to read! I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers and this book delivered! I feel like I can usually guess the twists that are coming in a lot of books, but I was completely surprised by the twist at the end of book 1. Can't wait to see where this story goes next!
September 11, 2025
ok, I am not gonna lie I sat there for like 10 minutes after I finished this book trying to figure out my thoughts, opinions, and rating. I am settling on 4 stars. While reading I thought this would be a solid 3 star for me, which for my ratings is still good. I usually rate around 3 stars when I enjoyed the book but its not going to be something I think about much after reading it. Here is what wasn't my favorite
I did not think the spice was necessary in this book. It wasn't much by any means, maybe 3 or 4 scenes throughout, but I felt it didn't add anything to the characters' relationship and felt a little bit out of place for me. Now, to clarify, I am not afraid of a spicy book. I think the character's tension in this book, for me, would have been better if there had been closed-door spice, but that's just my opinion. I also had a hard time at points focusing on this book, which to be fair is probably more of a me thing in that sometimes I just cannot focus. However, there were times in the story that I wasn't all that in it in like the 30%-40% and again in the 70%-80% range.
HOWEVER, THE ENDING... jaw on the floor. This is what really bumped it up for me in terms of rating. I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT PLOT TWIST. Maybe I am just a bit dull, but I figured the main villian was going to be someone who the crew had met, but I was not at all expecting it to be who it ended up being. I really enjoyed the fact we did not know who the villian's real identity was until the very end. I teared up a bit too because a sacrifice will always get me. Also, even though the romance wasn't the best I have ever read, it was very well done. I felt the characters went from dislike to lusting pretty quick, but I also understand that it is hard to fit this slow-burn love story as well as in depth world building and everthing else that goes into a romantasy into a 333 page book. Overall I think the romance was very well done, and I liked both the characters. I really like Alsynians character developement, and my heart goes out to him for all he went through. I didn't feel as much character developement from Caris, but I still loved her. THE BANTER...gassed. I was chuckling so much throughout this book not only because of the main characters but because of the side characters as well. The found family was amazing and I just love them all
Overall, you should 10000000000% read this book. Its a standalone romantasy, and a super quick read. At least I am pretty sure its a standalone, I haven't seen anything that suggests there will be a sequel, but who knows what the future holds. The plot is interesting and engaging and the romance is done well. Read it!
I did not think the spice was necessary in this book. It wasn't much by any means, maybe 3 or 4 scenes throughout, but I felt it didn't add anything to the characters' relationship and felt a little bit out of place for me. Now, to clarify, I am not afraid of a spicy book. I think the character's tension in this book, for me, would have been better if there had been closed-door spice, but that's just my opinion. I also had a hard time at points focusing on this book, which to be fair is probably more of a me thing in that sometimes I just cannot focus. However, there were times in the story that I wasn't all that in it in like the 30%-40% and again in the 70%-80% range.
HOWEVER, THE ENDING... jaw on the floor. This is what really bumped it up for me in terms of rating. I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT PLOT TWIST. Maybe I am just a bit dull, but I figured the main villian was going to be someone who the crew had met, but I was not at all expecting it to be who it ended up being. I really enjoyed the fact we did not know who the villian's real identity was until the very end. I teared up a bit too because a sacrifice will always get me. Also, even though the romance wasn't the best I have ever read, it was very well done. I felt the characters went from dislike to lusting pretty quick, but I also understand that it is hard to fit this slow-burn love story as well as in depth world building and everthing else that goes into a romantasy into a 333 page book. Overall I think the romance was very well done, and I liked both the characters. I really like Alsynians character developement, and my heart goes out to him for all he went through. I didn't feel as much character developement from Caris, but I still loved her. THE BANTER...gassed. I was chuckling so much throughout this book not only because of the main characters but because of the side characters as well. The found family was amazing and I just love them all
Overall, you should 10000000000% read this book. Its a standalone romantasy, and a super quick read. At least I am pretty sure its a standalone, I haven't seen anything that suggests there will be a sequel, but who knows what the future holds. The plot is interesting and engaging and the romance is done well. Read it!
April 4, 2025
happy release dayyyy
i knew what i was going into reading this, but i was heartbroken and sobbing by the end of this anyway. god, i fell in love with the characters and the world. if you like found family, she falls first but he falls harder or he hates everyone especially her, this is the book for you!
i think for fantasy because of the world building and having to introduce the world, it always takes a minute for me to start enjoying it. once we met the mmc i was locked in. i love alsynian so much, my poor tortured soul. the way he blamed himself for so much and carried so much on his shoulders, i felt for him. and my girl caris, she just wanted to be free to do what she wanted to do, not what the gods intended. caris and alysnian were meant to find each other.
also i love when the fmc and mmc meet and they’re good but then information is revealed about one and the other proceeds to hate them on a preconceived notion. poor alsynian, he had his reasons and he was so closed off. i’m so happy he was able to bring his walls down for the family he was able to make along his journey.
i thought caris was hilarious when she would get all her sayings wrong, it reminded me of my sister. also when alysian warned them about pickpockets and then gets pickpocketed immediately after i was dying laughing.
and the ending???? plssss i had a feeling, but also it was completely different than i thought. (sorry evan)
i’m going to miss them so much and i can’t wait to get my hands on book 2!!!!
“take happiness where you can find it”
*** thank you netgalley for the arc
i knew what i was going into reading this, but i was heartbroken and sobbing by the end of this anyway. god, i fell in love with the characters and the world. if you like found family, she falls first but he falls harder or he hates everyone especially her, this is the book for you!
i think for fantasy because of the world building and having to introduce the world, it always takes a minute for me to start enjoying it. once we met the mmc i was locked in. i love alsynian so much, my poor tortured soul. the way he blamed himself for so much and carried so much on his shoulders, i felt for him. and my girl caris, she just wanted to be free to do what she wanted to do, not what the gods intended. caris and alysnian were meant to find each other.
also i love when the fmc and mmc meet and they’re good but then information is revealed about one and the other proceeds to hate them on a preconceived notion. poor alsynian, he had his reasons and he was so closed off. i’m so happy he was able to bring his walls down for the family he was able to make along his journey.
i thought caris was hilarious when she would get all her sayings wrong, it reminded me of my sister. also when alysian warned them about pickpockets and then gets pickpocketed immediately after i was dying laughing.
and the ending???? plssss i had a feeling, but also it was completely different than i thought. (sorry evan)
i’m going to miss them so much and i can’t wait to get my hands on book 2!!!!
“take happiness where you can find it”
*** thank you netgalley for the arc
April 1, 2025
As an avid fantasy reader, I didn’t really expect this book to elicit a strong reaction from me. Fantasy, romance, enemies to lovers, spice, “been there done that” I thought. How happy was I to have been proven wrong! 🤩
This first book of the series follows Carin, a Soul Weaver, and the prophecy that foretells her looming death in order to save her nation and its innocents from the clutches of the dark Hound.
As she finds her tribe along the way, I couldn’t help but sympathise for her plight. Along with the goofball Evan (my favourite! 🤩) and her warrior/protector Alsynian, her journey to love, friendship, and eventual fate kept me glued to the book.
With traumatised characters with a back story that lends depth to their actions and a gradual evolution of their relationships with each other, this book has all the ingredients to support the nicely paced plot and enrich the story.
Without giving any spoilers, I can safely say that I did NOT see certain twists coming🫣, and I thoroughly enjoyed being surprised after a long time! Can’t wait for book 2 😩
✅ Found family
✅ Magic and prophecy
✅ Forced proximity
✅ Open door spice
✅ Contains a map
Absolutely love the dedication:
“𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒙𝒆𝒅. 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
This first book of the series follows Carin, a Soul Weaver, and the prophecy that foretells her looming death in order to save her nation and its innocents from the clutches of the dark Hound.
As she finds her tribe along the way, I couldn’t help but sympathise for her plight. Along with the goofball Evan (my favourite! 🤩) and her warrior/protector Alsynian, her journey to love, friendship, and eventual fate kept me glued to the book.
With traumatised characters with a back story that lends depth to their actions and a gradual evolution of their relationships with each other, this book has all the ingredients to support the nicely paced plot and enrich the story.
Without giving any spoilers, I can safely say that I did NOT see certain twists coming🫣, and I thoroughly enjoyed being surprised after a long time! Can’t wait for book 2 😩
✅ Found family
✅ Magic and prophecy
✅ Forced proximity
✅ Open door spice
✅ Contains a map
Absolutely love the dedication:
“𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒙𝒆𝒅. 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
April 8, 2025
🌶️🌶️.5
This book was so good! The story was well thought-out, and the characters were interesting. I loved Even’s playful nature that belies how powerful he truly is. I really liked how Alsynian is dark and broody, but also protective and caring - especially towards his companions or anyone who might not be able to protect themselves. I also loved Caris’ quiet strength. She isn’t a badass FMC who can fight and keep up with the males, but has strength in other ways that sometimes feel even more important than physical abilities. Not to mention one of my favorite things about the book - Caris totally botching well-known sayings. 🤣 I ate it up!
If you love a good found family trope, a protective/broody MMC, a perilous quest to save the world, characters who will make you laugh and probably shed a tear or two, a slow burn romance with all the romantic tension, a very unique and intriguing magic system, and paranormal being galore…this is your book!! You do not want to sleep on this one! 😉
April 2, 2025
A Destiny Wrought in Woe Review 📚📋
To be magical is to be taken. Trained. Reborn in the image of a guildmember.
My Review💭😁✅📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book! This adventure is full of unique fantasy world building. The main character Caris
is a Soul Weaver, who is forced to go on an adventure to save her realm from the evil, Dark Hound! The tension between Caris and Alsynian (her protector) is definitely something that’ll get you and your book club giggling. They have this whole back and forth banter and *kinda* hated each other from the beginnings so it’s definitely giving frenemies to lovers vibes. Then you have Evan the goofy and friendly third wheel on this adventure because all stories include a silly friend that tags along. What a great Indie Debut for R.K. Devon!
tropes:
forced proximity
chosen ones
found family
To be magical is to be taken. Trained. Reborn in the image of a guildmember.
My Review💭😁✅📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book! This adventure is full of unique fantasy world building. The main character Caris
is a Soul Weaver, who is forced to go on an adventure to save her realm from the evil, Dark Hound! The tension between Caris and Alsynian (her protector) is definitely something that’ll get you and your book club giggling. They have this whole back and forth banter and *kinda* hated each other from the beginnings so it’s definitely giving frenemies to lovers vibes. Then you have Evan the goofy and friendly third wheel on this adventure because all stories include a silly friend that tags along. What a great Indie Debut for R.K. Devon!
tropes:
forced proximity
chosen ones
found family
April 4, 2025
I was an ARC for this book and I am so excited to read more!
A Destiny Wrought in Woe is a beautifully written high-fantasy romance everyone should have on their shelves now! Caris is our feisty main; fresh from the Culling, she is joined by Evan. Let’s just say he is your soon-to-be favorite demon mage. Both are on their way to the elves to join the battle against the Hound of Corruption~ They must take their place beside the chosen warrior professed to take down the Hound! As well as come to terms that their fate is not in their control…if you are looking for fantastic magic, a HUGE and diverse world, and an angry love interest who’s horns grow when he’s very…emotional…Then this book is for you!!
A Destiny Wrought in Woe is a beautifully written high-fantasy romance everyone should have on their shelves now! Caris is our feisty main; fresh from the Culling, she is joined by Evan. Let’s just say he is your soon-to-be favorite demon mage. Both are on their way to the elves to join the battle against the Hound of Corruption~ They must take their place beside the chosen warrior professed to take down the Hound! As well as come to terms that their fate is not in their control…if you are looking for fantastic magic, a HUGE and diverse world, and an angry love interest who’s horns grow when he’s very…emotional…Then this book is for you!!
March 8, 2025
There are not enough words to express the emotional rollercoaster I just experienced in this amazing book. If you enjoy Throne of Glass vibes you will fall right into love with this adventurous tale the God of Fate sends Alsynian and Caris on. A broody warrior demon who is fated to save the world, and a soul weaver fated to give her soul in the process travel around building an army to defeat the wretched evil that’s poisoning the dead. You’ll never even see the plot twist coming! Don’t skip over this one if you love a slow burn, broody male demons, ravishing powerful women, and touch her and die vibes, you will be consumed by this book like I was!
April 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Disclaimer: I had the opportunity to read this book as an ARC and this book was so much fun! I loved this story so so much! The found family, enemies to lovers, world building, the magic system and omg the betrayal and plot twists? It was amazing I was immediately hooked and I lovee Caris and Alsynian! The writing style is also very easy to read and it just gets you hooked! I would definitely recommend this book especially if you like Throne of Glass or fast paced books. I need book 2 ASAP!!
🌶️🌶️
Disclaimer: I had the opportunity to read this book as an ARC and this book was so much fun! I loved this story so so much! The found family, enemies to lovers, world building, the magic system and omg the betrayal and plot twists? It was amazing I was immediately hooked and I lovee Caris and Alsynian! The writing style is also very easy to read and it just gets you hooked! I would definitely recommend this book especially if you like Throne of Glass or fast paced books. I need book 2 ASAP!!
April 7, 2025
Absolutely loved and I need more ASAP! An independent, strong and feisty female lead, a hot demon mage, and amazing magic in a fantasy world. What more can you ask for?
Caris and her soon to be love interest Alsynian embark on a journey to join the chosen warriors to take down the Hounds of Corruption, but what will they discover along the way of this journey and will they overcome these challenges? Dive into A Destiny Wrought in Woe to find out!
So if you love a good high-fantasy romance with some tension then I highly recommend this! Absolutely phenomenal job R.K Devon! I cannot wait for book 2. Your writing is absolutely amazing and I can't wait to see what the future brings. 🫶🏻
Caris and her soon to be love interest Alsynian embark on a journey to join the chosen warriors to take down the Hounds of Corruption, but what will they discover along the way of this journey and will they overcome these challenges? Dive into A Destiny Wrought in Woe to find out!
So if you love a good high-fantasy romance with some tension then I highly recommend this! Absolutely phenomenal job R.K Devon! I cannot wait for book 2. Your writing is absolutely amazing and I can't wait to see what the future brings. 🫶🏻
October 7, 2025
This book felt like I was reading a D&D campaign. It was so much fun, from beginning to end. The world is so fully realized and lived in, filled with a beautiful and diverse cast of characters. I loved the journey and the self discovery along the way. And Caris and Alsynian. What can I say. Watching them grow closer and fall in love was amazing. And then.... That ending. I'm definitely gonna need the next book.
March 22, 2025
*I received this book as an ARC*
What the heck?!?! When is the second book coming out?? I need more of this story. I can’t believe what I just read!!! WHAT EVEN?!?!?!!!! Thank you so much R.K. Devon for this beautifully tragic story!! I’m addicted and can’t wait for book 2!!
What the heck?!?! When is the second book coming out?? I need more of this story. I can’t believe what I just read!!! WHAT EVEN?!?!?!!!! Thank you so much R.K. Devon for this beautifully tragic story!! I’m addicted and can’t wait for book 2!!
April 5, 2025
The emotions that were ripped out of me while reading this were strong! I enjoyed this book so much! I can't wait to read what will come in the next book and if it will be as emotional! Every aspect of this was incredible!
July 12, 2025
The slow start was worth it for the incredible character interactions. The main characters' banter had me laughing out loud, and their personal growth was so well-written. The plot wraps up nicely while still leaving you wanting more with a killer cliffhanger. Bring on book two!
March 27, 2025
UMM EXUSE ME !!!!????
I need more right now.i lovvvveed it soo much but now I need book 2 like this second I can’t wait to see what happens next
I did receive this as an Arc ❤️❤️
I need more right now.i lovvvveed it soo much but now I need book 2 like this second I can’t wait to see what happens next
I did receive this as an Arc ❤️❤️
October 20, 2025
So good!
The prose is amazing, the story very well tied up, and the final twist.... Is twisting!! I have been groveling for 2 days after I finished it - and that's a good thing
Recommend 100%
The prose is amazing, the story very well tied up, and the final twist.... Is twisting!! I have been groveling for 2 days after I finished it - and that's a good thing
Recommend 100%
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews