What do you think?
Rate this book
A Fate of Ice and Lies
The stories are true, and they’re nothing like the fairy tales I grew up reading.
An endless winter came for all of us, leaving us at the mercy of dragons and fae who took charge of our world. They say they aren’t our enemies, but their actions prove otherwise.
Except one . . . Elias. He’s a kernel of humanity in someone who isn’t. A flicker of light in our now dying world. His heart calls to mine.
That is, until I learn of his deceptions, and it changes everything.
Where he once risked it all to save me, all I hear are the truths he kept from me. All I feel is the severance of our fated bond.
Elias may be the fae prince of some faraway kingdom, but I’m no damsel in distress who falls in love with the man who lied his way into my heart.
An endless winter came for all of us, leaving us at the mercy of dragons and fae who took charge of our world. They say they aren’t our enemies, but their actions prove otherwise.
Except one . . . Elias. He’s a kernel of humanity in someone who isn’t. A flicker of light in our now dying world. His heart calls to mine.
That is, until I learn of his deceptions, and it changes everything.
Where he once risked it all to save me, all I hear are the truths he kept from me. All I feel is the severance of our fated bond.
Elias may be the fae prince of some faraway kingdom, but I’m no damsel in distress who falls in love with the man who lied his way into my heart.
566 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2025
38 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Y. Maria
5 books34 followersWhile I wasn’t born with a pen or book in my hand, it feels as if I’ve loved to write and read since forever. Now that I live in Texas, my favorite place to do either is in front of my fireplace. When I’m not reading or writing, you can find me hiking or exploring small towns with my husband and kids.
I love anything romance. Seriously, give me all the kissing books. But there’s something magical about diving deep into my imagination where dragons and fae exist. So, I guess you can say I’m in my romantasy era
I love anything romance. Seriously, give me all the kissing books. But there’s something magical about diving deep into my imagination where dragons and fae exist. So, I guess you can say I’m in my romantasy era
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
June 7, 2025
My Rating: 3.75 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Series Rating: TBD but Promising
We Have:
✅ M/F Romance
✅ He Falls First (and hard AF)
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Dragons
✅ Fae
✅ Magic
✅ Dual POV
✅ Found Family
✅ Romantasy Realness
✅ ANGST
✅ Hot Snow Boy Energy
✅ Soul Bond Madness
✅ The Slowest Fucking Burn to Ever Burn (but made up for it with delicious angst)
OKAY. Let me start by saying I was NOT prepared for the emotional chokehold this book put me in. I went in expecting vibes. I got full-blown FEELINGS. This was the kind of book that crept up on me and then roundhouse kicked me in the soul with dragons, drama, and a soul bond that had me screeching.
ELIAS IS FUCKING BAE. Snow-dusted, painfully devoted, healer-warrior-heartbroken-soft-boy CORE. The way this man loves??? Disgusting. I adore him. He deserves therapy, a warm blanket, and maybe six more books of peace and smut.
Now let’s talk about Teddy. Whew. This girl tested me. There were moments I wanted to crawl into the book, grab her by the shoulders, and scream: “BABE. Breathe. Regulate. Please.”
I’m all for emotional processing, but she had a couple scenes where the internal chaos turned into full-blown unhinged lashing and I was like… girl - what ...the.. fuck!!
BUT—credit where it’s due—her redemption arc was solid.
She owned it. She stepped up. By the end, I was rooting for her and proud of her growth, even if she made me want to flip a table on the way there.
And let’s hear it for the RIDE OR FUCKING DIE HUMANS.
Donnie? Sir, I LOVE YOU.
Reyenne? She’s the sassy, fiercely loyal, no-nonsense energy we all need—and low-key the glue in so many scenes. Absolutely part of the Ride or Die Human Crew™ (yep, trademarking that)
Nate? A god damn coffee loving OAK!
They’re all in the trenches, holding their own, standing tall next to fae and dragons, and doing it with nothing but sarcasm and grit.
What worked:
🔥 The worldbuilding was next-level. It wasn’t just impressive—it was intentional. Every detail had weight. The lore, the politics, the Guardians, the veil… it all mattered, and it all came together seamlessly without ever feeling like a lecture. I felt it, not just read it.
🔥 The soul bond? Absolutely unhinged—in the kind of way that makes you want to press a cold washcloth to your forehead and question your emotional stability. It was obsessive, overwhelming, and utterly satisfying.
🔥 The found family dynamics hit hard. I’m talking about the kind that sits in your chest after you close the book. Loyalty, sacrifice, unconditional love... I felt every one of those connections.
🔥 The banter was the perfect mix of sharp, awkward, tender, and real. Their connection developed with intention, and I loved watching every layer of it unfold.
🔥 Even in the middle of chaos, there was this undercurrent of playfulness and emotional intimacy that made their bond feel earned. The quiet moments mattered just as much as the big ones.
🔥 Elias’s crew? Fully fleshed-out characters. Brenton made me laugh when I needed it, Everly gave “I will burn it all down for you” energy, and George added a whole different layer to the tension.
🔥 And let’s give it up for the ride-or-die humans: Donnie, Ryenne, and Nate. No powers. No immortality. Just guts, grit, and loyalty. They held the line and earned my respect a hundred times over.
🔥 The emotional tension was tangible. Lingering stares, unsaid truths, slow-burn devastation—I could feel the charge between Teddy and Elias on every page.
🔥 And bless this author for not handing me a predictable plot. I didn’t guess a damn thing. I had theories. I was wrong. I loved that.
🔥 And let me say this loud: this wasn’t just a good romance—this was a legitimately good fantasy book. Period. Magic, politics, dragons, danger, tension—it gave.
What didn’t totally hit (but still worked in the long run):
⚠️ The burn. Was. SLOW. Like, “do you even like each other or are we just staring longingly for 300 pages?” kind of slow.
BUT—The angst?? Made up for it. Carried it. Put it on its back and said “don’t worry, I got this.”
⚠️ Needed more smut(for me). What we got was solid, but I wanted more. Not fade-to-black. I want melt-the-snow detailed.
⚠️ The ending dragged a bit for me. Not bad—just felt like it was stretching past its natural stopping point. BUT the cliffhanger was respectful. No rage quit, just pure “oh shit… now what?”
No joke—I loved this. I was surprised. I was emotional. I was screaming into my pillow. I already need book two. Like, yesterday.
Seriously, even if I'm lucky enough to be an ARC reader for the next book, I'll still pre-order. This is 100% a book I'll purchase a hard copy.
Thank you to TAA and Y. Maria for letting me ARC this wildly emotional, twisty, dragon-kissed fantasy ride. - This is clearly an honest review!
Series Rating: TBD but Promising
We Have:
✅ M/F Romance
✅ He Falls First (and hard AF)
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Dragons
✅ Fae
✅ Magic
✅ Dual POV
✅ Found Family
✅ Romantasy Realness
✅ ANGST
✅ Hot Snow Boy Energy
✅ Soul Bond Madness
✅ The Slowest Fucking Burn to Ever Burn (but made up for it with delicious angst)
OKAY. Let me start by saying I was NOT prepared for the emotional chokehold this book put me in. I went in expecting vibes. I got full-blown FEELINGS. This was the kind of book that crept up on me and then roundhouse kicked me in the soul with dragons, drama, and a soul bond that had me screeching.
ELIAS IS FUCKING BAE. Snow-dusted, painfully devoted, healer-warrior-heartbroken-soft-boy CORE. The way this man loves??? Disgusting. I adore him. He deserves therapy, a warm blanket, and maybe six more books of peace and smut.
Now let’s talk about Teddy. Whew. This girl tested me. There were moments I wanted to crawl into the book, grab her by the shoulders, and scream: “BABE. Breathe. Regulate. Please.”
I’m all for emotional processing, but she had a couple scenes where the internal chaos turned into full-blown unhinged lashing and I was like… girl - what ...the.. fuck!!
BUT—credit where it’s due—her redemption arc was solid.
She owned it. She stepped up. By the end, I was rooting for her and proud of her growth, even if she made me want to flip a table on the way there.
And let’s hear it for the RIDE OR FUCKING DIE HUMANS.
Donnie? Sir, I LOVE YOU.
Reyenne? She’s the sassy, fiercely loyal, no-nonsense energy we all need—and low-key the glue in so many scenes. Absolutely part of the Ride or Die Human Crew™ (yep, trademarking that)
Nate? A god damn coffee loving OAK!
They’re all in the trenches, holding their own, standing tall next to fae and dragons, and doing it with nothing but sarcasm and grit.
What worked:
🔥 The worldbuilding was next-level. It wasn’t just impressive—it was intentional. Every detail had weight. The lore, the politics, the Guardians, the veil… it all mattered, and it all came together seamlessly without ever feeling like a lecture. I felt it, not just read it.
🔥 The soul bond? Absolutely unhinged—in the kind of way that makes you want to press a cold washcloth to your forehead and question your emotional stability. It was obsessive, overwhelming, and utterly satisfying.
🔥 The found family dynamics hit hard. I’m talking about the kind that sits in your chest after you close the book. Loyalty, sacrifice, unconditional love... I felt every one of those connections.
🔥 The banter was the perfect mix of sharp, awkward, tender, and real. Their connection developed with intention, and I loved watching every layer of it unfold.
🔥 Even in the middle of chaos, there was this undercurrent of playfulness and emotional intimacy that made their bond feel earned. The quiet moments mattered just as much as the big ones.
🔥 Elias’s crew? Fully fleshed-out characters. Brenton made me laugh when I needed it, Everly gave “I will burn it all down for you” energy, and George added a whole different layer to the tension.
🔥 And let’s give it up for the ride-or-die humans: Donnie, Ryenne, and Nate. No powers. No immortality. Just guts, grit, and loyalty. They held the line and earned my respect a hundred times over.
🔥 The emotional tension was tangible. Lingering stares, unsaid truths, slow-burn devastation—I could feel the charge between Teddy and Elias on every page.
🔥 And bless this author for not handing me a predictable plot. I didn’t guess a damn thing. I had theories. I was wrong. I loved that.
🔥 And let me say this loud: this wasn’t just a good romance—this was a legitimately good fantasy book. Period. Magic, politics, dragons, danger, tension—it gave.
What didn’t totally hit (but still worked in the long run):
⚠️ The burn. Was. SLOW. Like, “do you even like each other or are we just staring longingly for 300 pages?” kind of slow.
BUT—The angst?? Made up for it. Carried it. Put it on its back and said “don’t worry, I got this.”
⚠️ Needed more smut(for me). What we got was solid, but I wanted more. Not fade-to-black. I want melt-the-snow detailed.
⚠️ The ending dragged a bit for me. Not bad—just felt like it was stretching past its natural stopping point. BUT the cliffhanger was respectful. No rage quit, just pure “oh shit… now what?”
No joke—I loved this. I was surprised. I was emotional. I was screaming into my pillow. I already need book two. Like, yesterday.
Seriously, even if I'm lucky enough to be an ARC reader for the next book, I'll still pre-order. This is 100% a book I'll purchase a hard copy.
Thank you to TAA and Y. Maria for letting me ARC this wildly emotional, twisty, dragon-kissed fantasy ride. - This is clearly an honest review!
October 24, 2025
4.5⭐️
i have been seeing all of maria's posts on instagram about the snippets of the book and i was so desperately waiting for it to be out, low-key wishing she'll just give me an ARC, which she actually did and OMG i cannot be more grateful because this book met all my expectations.
the tropes in this book?
♡ Fated/ rejected mates
♡ He falls first and HARD
♡ He would (quite literally) tear apart the world for her
♡ Urban setting fantasy romance
♡ Found family
♡ Magic
♡ Dragons
♡ Touch her and I'll kill you
YES PLEASE. GIVE ME ALL THE TROPES.
The highlight of this book was the MMC, Elias.
I was constantly texting the author, y. maria, so she knows how obsessed i was with elias and his thoughts. He was down for her sooo bad and he was so sweet and a character i could actually visualize.
"From the moment I saw her image in my mind’s eye, her hands held my soul. I belonged to her—my heart stolen from my own realm to hers with the beauty of her soft smile."
“It’s a magic potion of sorts?”
“If we’re talking about coffee, yes, it’s magic.”
I scrambled to my feet at the sound of Teddy’s voice. Nervous and scared and maybe a little excited, I shoved my mug toward her.
“You can have my . . . life blood?” I said. “I’ll pour another.”
"She smiled and my heart exploded within my chest. At that moment, I didn’t care what kind of fool I had to make of myself, I’d do and say whatever just to have that smile aimed at me again."
“Do you need anything?” I asked.
His hand found mine. “You.” He took a deep breath. “Just you.”
I found the FMC wrong in some areas (only because i loveeed the MMC) but i think that is justified and shows her human side.
the side characters in this book were so so interesting and loveable. Everly, George, Brenton and even Victoria.
The slow burn between Everly and George? i am living for it.
Nalari is one of my favourite dragon i have read about.
there's a certain character here that has me veryyy intrigued.
i loved the sibling bond between Teddy and Brenton.
He can’t cook,” he added.
“That could be a problem,” she said. “Especially when I’m huge and pregnant with some enormous fae baby that’ll grow to be twice my size.”
Teddy pregnant with my babe. That—that was more than I dared dream for. More than most fae dreamed of, but maybe fate would be kinder to us and would gift us a babe of our own.
“He’d rub your feet, though,” my best friend said. “He’d take care of you, be loyal to you. Pregnant or not, he’d give you anything you asked for. Don’t get me wrong, he has his faults”—he threw a grin in my direction—“but you couldn’t find a better male to spend hundreds of years with.”
But despite all this, can we talk about the writing style? because hello? how can i visualize everything so easily and beautifully?
"Elias sat on the ground and played with the fresh snow he let fall between his fingers. It was mesmerizing to watch, and my knees threatened to buckle with the sudden desire to join him. I probably would have if he hadn’t turned his focus back on me. Then it felt like my lungs had forgotten how to work, so I took a purposeful breath in and out—over and over again until the knot in my chest loosened once again."
i have been seeing all of maria's posts on instagram about the snippets of the book and i was so desperately waiting for it to be out, low-key wishing she'll just give me an ARC, which she actually did and OMG i cannot be more grateful because this book met all my expectations.
the tropes in this book?
♡ Fated/ rejected mates
♡ He falls first and HARD
♡ He would (quite literally) tear apart the world for her
♡ Urban setting fantasy romance
♡ Found family
♡ Magic
♡ Dragons
♡ Touch her and I'll kill you
YES PLEASE. GIVE ME ALL THE TROPES.
The highlight of this book was the MMC, Elias.
I was constantly texting the author, y. maria, so she knows how obsessed i was with elias and his thoughts. He was down for her sooo bad and he was so sweet and a character i could actually visualize.
"From the moment I saw her image in my mind’s eye, her hands held my soul. I belonged to her—my heart stolen from my own realm to hers with the beauty of her soft smile."
“It’s a magic potion of sorts?”
“If we’re talking about coffee, yes, it’s magic.”
I scrambled to my feet at the sound of Teddy’s voice. Nervous and scared and maybe a little excited, I shoved my mug toward her.
“You can have my . . . life blood?” I said. “I’ll pour another.”
"She smiled and my heart exploded within my chest. At that moment, I didn’t care what kind of fool I had to make of myself, I’d do and say whatever just to have that smile aimed at me again."
“Do you need anything?” I asked.
His hand found mine. “You.” He took a deep breath. “Just you.”
I found the FMC wrong in some areas (only because i loveeed the MMC) but i think that is justified and shows her human side.
the side characters in this book were so so interesting and loveable. Everly, George, Brenton and even Victoria.
The slow burn between Everly and George? i am living for it.
Nalari is one of my favourite dragon i have read about.
there's a certain character here that has me veryyy intrigued.
i loved the sibling bond between Teddy and Brenton.
He can’t cook,” he added.
“That could be a problem,” she said. “Especially when I’m huge and pregnant with some enormous fae baby that’ll grow to be twice my size.”
Teddy pregnant with my babe. That—that was more than I dared dream for. More than most fae dreamed of, but maybe fate would be kinder to us and would gift us a babe of our own.
“He’d rub your feet, though,” my best friend said. “He’d take care of you, be loyal to you. Pregnant or not, he’d give you anything you asked for. Don’t get me wrong, he has his faults”—he threw a grin in my direction—“but you couldn’t find a better male to spend hundreds of years with.”
But despite all this, can we talk about the writing style? because hello? how can i visualize everything so easily and beautifully?
"Elias sat on the ground and played with the fresh snow he let fall between his fingers. It was mesmerizing to watch, and my knees threatened to buckle with the sudden desire to join him. I probably would have if he hadn’t turned his focus back on me. Then it felt like my lungs had forgotten how to work, so I took a purposeful breath in and out—over and over again until the knot in my chest loosened once again."
May 6, 2025
This was such a great start to the series!
Elias comes from his Fae world with all sorts of creatures (dragons, thunderbirds, etc) and Teddy lives in modern day Texas. As his mate is in mortal peril, he risks everything in their worlds to rescue her and brings about an eternal winter in our world.
The fae all get sent to our world to help keep the humans alive and in line. It made it seem really dystopian as you watch the world crumble, but with the help of fae magic, at least they didn't lose out on google or instagram! It gave it some really unique aspects and kept me intrigued on how it was going to end and what was going to happen along the way.
I LOVED seeing all the creatures in this book. Some from mythologies and some made up.
The romance between Teddy and Elias was sweet and drawn out. So even though they were fated mates, they really got to know each other and develop that emotional bond first before giving in to the bond and I really liked that.
There were some turns that I did not expect and even a scene that had me holding back tears.
It is a hefty book, which felt a little long at times, but knowing that this is going to be a duology set in a larger series, makes sense that the book would have a lot more going on!
I really got attached to the characters and laughed a lot at their antics. I am looking forward to book 2 and seeing what else happens in this series!
Read if you love:
-Fae x humans
-Fated mates
-Dragons
-Dystopian type modern world
-Portals
-Found family
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy. My thoughts are entirely my own.
Elias comes from his Fae world with all sorts of creatures (dragons, thunderbirds, etc) and Teddy lives in modern day Texas. As his mate is in mortal peril, he risks everything in their worlds to rescue her and brings about an eternal winter in our world.
The fae all get sent to our world to help keep the humans alive and in line. It made it seem really dystopian as you watch the world crumble, but with the help of fae magic, at least they didn't lose out on google or instagram! It gave it some really unique aspects and kept me intrigued on how it was going to end and what was going to happen along the way.
I LOVED seeing all the creatures in this book. Some from mythologies and some made up.
The romance between Teddy and Elias was sweet and drawn out. So even though they were fated mates, they really got to know each other and develop that emotional bond first before giving in to the bond and I really liked that.
There were some turns that I did not expect and even a scene that had me holding back tears.
It is a hefty book, which felt a little long at times, but knowing that this is going to be a duology set in a larger series, makes sense that the book would have a lot more going on!
I really got attached to the characters and laughed a lot at their antics. I am looking forward to book 2 and seeing what else happens in this series!
Read if you love:
-Fae x humans
-Fated mates
-Dragons
-Dystopian type modern world
-Portals
-Found family
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy. My thoughts are entirely my own.
May 21, 2025
A FATE OF ICE AND LIES 💙❄️
Firstly a MASSIVE thank you to Y. Maria for sending me the absolutely, stunning, PR package. It’s honestly so beautiful and I’m utterly grateful to have received one.
There’s no hanging around for the plot when it comes to reading A Fate of Ice and Lies, you’re thrown in there straight away in chapter 1, page 1. And I’m OBSESSED. Introduced to our MMC Elias, who I have come to love and is on my list of top tier list of book boyfriends, he’s emotionally available, he has a badass dragon, Nalari (who is also insanely sassy), he’s over protective and stunning, what’s not to love? Oh and did I mention he’s a prince?
“Dread filled me as the frozen fae crashed to the ground, Ice and blood exploding everywhere” - I mean we HAD DRAMA literally 4 pages in.
I did feel we had a lot of information and world building thrown at us in the beginning but it wasn’t at all confusing, it just made me super excited for what’s to come. This is an urban fantasy setting however, we also have the fae realm aswell so it’s a crossover between the two and obviously develops a huge ammount as you get into the book.
Nalari is Elias’ dragon guardian. The dragons fought the fae war and therefore the fae bow down to them. The Guardians and the ancestors and extremely powerful, their magic killed all the mages and their favoured pets.
Elias has always had visions of a human female with blood red hair however, they have never met. The Veil keeps them apart, however they do have a soul bond. She doesn’t know.
“How could I long for someone I’d never touched or seen in anything more than visions?” “The depth of my yearning was sealed in our distant silence”
I thought this quote was absolutely beautiful.
Teddy is our FMC who volunteers at a food bank, she is human and she is also encountering these visions, of a man with violet eyes. The only downside for me was I didn’t connect with her character as much as I did with Elias, BUT I did love her development as I was reading.
“The bond between soul mates was an immeasurable gift. A path to love and peace between two individuals who were incomplete by themselves. It was pure and only strengthened the other as they got to know each other. A deep connection that would make the stars themselves leave the sky in search of their one true home.”
There’s a lot of twists and turns throughout the plot, absolutely loved Elias and Nalari, if you couldn’t tell already. Side characters we come to love and also hate, cough cough Betrayal. Overall such a good read, and I’m looking forward to book two.
Things I loved
💙 MENTAL BONDS
❄️ UNIQUE MAGIC SYSTEM
💙 URBAN FANTASY SETTING
❄️ ELIAS (over protective MMC)
💙 MYTHICAL CREATURES
❄️ SPICE 🌶️🌶️.5
Thank you so much once again Y. Maria for the ARC.
Firstly a MASSIVE thank you to Y. Maria for sending me the absolutely, stunning, PR package. It’s honestly so beautiful and I’m utterly grateful to have received one.
There’s no hanging around for the plot when it comes to reading A Fate of Ice and Lies, you’re thrown in there straight away in chapter 1, page 1. And I’m OBSESSED. Introduced to our MMC Elias, who I have come to love and is on my list of top tier list of book boyfriends, he’s emotionally available, he has a badass dragon, Nalari (who is also insanely sassy), he’s over protective and stunning, what’s not to love? Oh and did I mention he’s a prince?
“Dread filled me as the frozen fae crashed to the ground, Ice and blood exploding everywhere” - I mean we HAD DRAMA literally 4 pages in.
I did feel we had a lot of information and world building thrown at us in the beginning but it wasn’t at all confusing, it just made me super excited for what’s to come. This is an urban fantasy setting however, we also have the fae realm aswell so it’s a crossover between the two and obviously develops a huge ammount as you get into the book.
Nalari is Elias’ dragon guardian. The dragons fought the fae war and therefore the fae bow down to them. The Guardians and the ancestors and extremely powerful, their magic killed all the mages and their favoured pets.
Elias has always had visions of a human female with blood red hair however, they have never met. The Veil keeps them apart, however they do have a soul bond. She doesn’t know.
“How could I long for someone I’d never touched or seen in anything more than visions?” “The depth of my yearning was sealed in our distant silence”
I thought this quote was absolutely beautiful.
Teddy is our FMC who volunteers at a food bank, she is human and she is also encountering these visions, of a man with violet eyes. The only downside for me was I didn’t connect with her character as much as I did with Elias, BUT I did love her development as I was reading.
“The bond between soul mates was an immeasurable gift. A path to love and peace between two individuals who were incomplete by themselves. It was pure and only strengthened the other as they got to know each other. A deep connection that would make the stars themselves leave the sky in search of their one true home.”
There’s a lot of twists and turns throughout the plot, absolutely loved Elias and Nalari, if you couldn’t tell already. Side characters we come to love and also hate, cough cough Betrayal. Overall such a good read, and I’m looking forward to book two.
Things I loved
💙 MENTAL BONDS
❄️ UNIQUE MAGIC SYSTEM
💙 URBAN FANTASY SETTING
❄️ ELIAS (over protective MMC)
💙 MYTHICAL CREATURES
❄️ SPICE 🌶️🌶️.5
Thank you so much once again Y. Maria for the ARC.
July 25, 2025
3.75 💎
2❤️🔥
ARC Reader ‼️
📘I am going to be honest and say this book was hard to rate. There were moments in this book where my breathe hitched due to the emotion on the page but then there were moments where I was lost.
📘The broader story was intriguing
📘Elias friends were such a great part of this book. Their loyalty, courage and dedication to Elias was felt through the pages ⭐️
📘The beginning was not awesome as there was just a heap of information thrown at you. As you get further in the book pieces start to fall into place.
📘Elias and Teddy were epic and love the struggles they had that built them to be these fully connected couple. The chemistry was great.
📘Brenton was my favourite 🤩 no more to say on him, just read book to find out.
📘Some great big pieces missing at the end so need to read Book 2
🍷“Careful, Nalari, your arrogance is showing, and it’s not a great look.”
🍷“This is too painful for me to witness,” Nalari complained. “Pull yourself together before I put your shame to rest and burn down her house in the name of mercy.”
🍷Then—then she completely undid me by pressing her lips to my bare chest in the most tender kiss.
🍷Plus”—he grinned—“ I can smell you.” He sniffed. “Your arousal is delicious.”
🍷Sometimes love means taking a chance and believing it’ll work out. Believe with me?
❄️Multiple POV
❄️Age gap
❄️Hidden powers
❄️Fae, mages, humans
❄️Dragons
❄️Soul mates
❄️He falls first
❄️Found family
2❤️🔥
ARC Reader ‼️
📘I am going to be honest and say this book was hard to rate. There were moments in this book where my breathe hitched due to the emotion on the page but then there were moments where I was lost.
📘The broader story was intriguing
📘Elias friends were such a great part of this book. Their loyalty, courage and dedication to Elias was felt through the pages ⭐️
📘The beginning was not awesome as there was just a heap of information thrown at you. As you get further in the book pieces start to fall into place.
📘Elias and Teddy were epic and love the struggles they had that built them to be these fully connected couple. The chemistry was great.
📘Brenton was my favourite 🤩 no more to say on him, just read book to find out.
📘Some great big pieces missing at the end so need to read Book 2
🍷“Careful, Nalari, your arrogance is showing, and it’s not a great look.”
🍷“This is too painful for me to witness,” Nalari complained. “Pull yourself together before I put your shame to rest and burn down her house in the name of mercy.”
🍷Then—then she completely undid me by pressing her lips to my bare chest in the most tender kiss.
🍷Plus”—he grinned—“ I can smell you.” He sniffed. “Your arousal is delicious.”
🍷Sometimes love means taking a chance and believing it’ll work out. Believe with me?
❄️Multiple POV
❄️Age gap
❄️Hidden powers
❄️Fae, mages, humans
❄️Dragons
❄️Soul mates
❄️He falls first
❄️Found family
October 12, 2025
If you’ve ever wished that fae and dragons could just magically show up to our world so you could be a part of it, this book proves maybe that’s not something you should actually want. When a fae is bonded to a human woman in our realm, he rips a tear between our realms to save her when she’s in danger but this allows their creatures and fae into our realm and sends the entire planet into forever winter. The FMC human Teddy must learn to work with the Fae who entered her realm and her mate Elias as they work to feed and house her people and protect them from monsters.
This book was full of action and adventure and of course lots of tension from the mate bond that Teddy isn’t sure she wants. I loved the found family aspect and the way teddy takes in and takes care of some of the children who are orphaned during this whole ordeal. There were plenty of twists and reveals throughout to keep this book exciting and me on the edge of my seat and of course a bonded dragon that is sassy! Overall I enjoyed this read and my rating 4.3/5!
Thanks to the author and MTMC Tours for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
This book was full of action and adventure and of course lots of tension from the mate bond that Teddy isn’t sure she wants. I loved the found family aspect and the way teddy takes in and takes care of some of the children who are orphaned during this whole ordeal. There were plenty of twists and reveals throughout to keep this book exciting and me on the edge of my seat and of course a bonded dragon that is sassy! Overall I enjoyed this read and my rating 4.3/5!
Thanks to the author and MTMC Tours for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
December 12, 2025
Normally I hate the miscommunication trope in a book but in this one I didn’t mind it, especially as I already knew they Elias and Teddy were going to have their second chance romance moment. I absolutely loved Elias as an MMC, despite the whole plunging the earth into an eternal winter. He falls first and definitely harder and seems like he’d fight anyone or anything for her. Teddy’s character did frustrate me a little bit at times but she definitely has some character development over the story and I look forward to seeing how that continues into book 2. I also loved the found family vibes of both Elias and Teddy’s separate friendship groups and how loyal all of them are to the people they love.
Thank you so much to the author and MTMC Tours for providing me with a free reader copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts expressed here are my own.
Thank you so much to the author and MTMC Tours for providing me with a free reader copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts expressed here are my own.
August 7, 2025
Fated mates across realms and an accidental winter incident?
This is giving Frozen for adults, and I'm HERE for it.
Humans stuck dealing with a magical winter? Yes, please.
All kinds of creatures, some real and some the author made up? Gimme gimme gimme.
The slow burn is SLOW, but the angst keeps you entertained and wanting more. The side characters are loveable and really tug on your heartstrings.
This is a great start to this series, and I absolutely can't wait to get book 2 after that cliffhanger!
This is giving Frozen for adults, and I'm HERE for it.
Humans stuck dealing with a magical winter? Yes, please.
All kinds of creatures, some real and some the author made up? Gimme gimme gimme.
The slow burn is SLOW, but the angst keeps you entertained and wanting more. The side characters are loveable and really tug on your heartstrings.
This is a great start to this series, and I absolutely can't wait to get book 2 after that cliffhanger!
August 1, 2025
I received an ARC from BookSirens. Thank you to them and Y.Maria for this copy. The review that follows is 100% my own.
Solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
Fantasy is my favorite… give me some mages, dragons, fae and fated mates and I'll eat it up. In Fate of Ice and Lies we have the story of Teddy, a human living in Texas (yee haw) who is a do-gooder working at a food bank and Elias, a warrior fae prince who is soul-bound to her.
While Elias can see her through the veil that divides their realms, he knows he can’t ever go to her because if he pierces the veil, it will send earth into a perpetual winter (cue the Frozen song… Let it Goooooo… let it gooooo).
What cruel twist of fate would bond a human to a fae knowing the desire to protect their mate and the outcome should he try? How unlucky can he be? And of course you know it's going to happen -- when he senses his mate in danger, he does just that cause… he’s impulsive and it’s his gurl (say that in your best Forrest Gump).
Though, there's nothing better than a true #touchheranddie trope fae style.
But uh oh… now he has to fix what he’s done cause us Texans, we don’t do winter. It’s quite a mess cause if we didn’t learn anything from February 2021, it’s that Texas can NOT handle a massive cold snap. (It’s a real thing.. Power outages, broken water lines, frozen water lines, crop loss, dead animals, people using their cars to stay warm, I mean – my city RAN OUT OF WATER)...it was pretty messed up. So think about that then add that at a global level because Mr. Gotta Save My Mate will freeze the world out to save just her. (Thanks a LOT dude.)
Unfortunately and eventually as all girls do, Teddy learns the truth and kicks him to the curb to have her whoa is me pity party because how can she trust some gorgeous prince who merely sensed she was in danger and was ready to go scorched earth for her even at the sake of all of humanity? Bitch please!? Give me that energy and devotion. Ha!
However, we know these two have to come around because.. Hello?! Fated mates. She tries to bring some humanity into this fae. He tries to not lose himself because of her. Together, they have to kick some serious butt while finding a balance between themselves, discover who is haunting her mind, battle some pretty interesting creatures and figure out how to repair the damage to their worlds.
Very… very… extremely slow burn. Like, I was wondering if it would ever happen. Like… ever.
After Elias learns truths he can’t imagine… it’s just pitiful. Everything is broken. You can just hear Sarah McLaughlin singing “... in the arms of an angel, far away from here….” because in his absence, his realm went to crap. When he went to see that, her realm went to crap. So everything is just a big ole heapin heck of a mess. Where to start fixing anything when everything is broken?
Yet it’s one of those you and me against the world, he knows the ways of his past aren't the way of the future and with her by his side they have strength and humanity (oh, and there's magic)… so you know Book 2 is going to do just that! Definitely will be ready for it.
🫤A FEW THINGS THAT WERE A LITTLE MEH🫤
🫤 I wish the feminine names were actually that-- I don’t know what it is about the name situation, but I just felt like characters would be easier to keep in place and check if only their namesakes were a little less non-binary.
🫤 There was a scene with some frosting and the wording about breasts becoming heavy – gave me the ick. The only way breasts become heavy is if you’re lactating. That was so bizarre. Plus wearing two shirts and a hoodie doesn’t allow for easy access. That whole exchange was weird.
🫤 The very “human” situations like a bbq for what… thousands? But they’ll have enough food. That just made no sense. How can he conjure blankets out of thin air and not food? Some of the magic just made no sense.
🫤 Teddy seemed to warp from herself into someone else… I get a character needs to evolve into his/her role but in less than 24 hours what she’s able to do it’s a bit of a stretch
🫤 Why does the dragon have to have someone deliver a message when she’s capable of just going into anyone’s head as she said she was able to because… magic… hello.
🫤 A few sections were quite a bit of a slog…
🫤 The whole conversation with Death was too much like… Neo meeting Morpheus where he’s just all calm and chill with a bit of an expository info dump.
🫤 Her biting him – she doesn’t have fangs so the idea of a human tearing into another’s flesh is just kind of gross….
🗨️ RANDOM THOUGHTS 🗨️
🗨️ I keep wondering what it is really about George that gives her the creeps… is something ELSE going to develop.
🗨️ Whoever the mom is that just abandoned her kid… someone needs to throat punch her.
🗨️ The idea of all the chaos but these protective shields being constructed was… I get it but still just so unfathomable
🗨️ If it's going to impact the whole world... but they only really discuss one little town in Texas... what about the rainforests -- every living creature there would be dead. All the flora and fauna... coffee beans are grown in those climates. Deserts.. covered in snow? I get it's a fantasy book but that whole notion of how big the earth is but this prince not even being able to be responsible for one little spot in Texas that he can't keep warm, fed or anything... I felt you could really have gone into the true dystopian aspect of things. If it's really a dystopian nightmare how are you able to make barters and deals for things that would be wiped out overnight? I don't know. My brain sometimes can't wrap around those types of finalities to let go
💞💞WHAT I LOVED💞💞
💞 Elias’ devotion to the bond
💞 I loved when Elias went full-on primal. #sorrynotsorry
💞 slow burn
💞 Reyenne – she’s hysterical and I hope everyone has had or will have a friend like her.
💞 Found family is another trope I love because we all need to have our crew. Blood doesn’t mean a thing… those who choose you because they DO are the ones you can count on – that’s your real family.
💞 When Elias broke down and showed his weakness and vulnerability. Very tender moment
💞 How Teddy was able to look at what she did wrong and course correct
Solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
Fantasy is my favorite… give me some mages, dragons, fae and fated mates and I'll eat it up. In Fate of Ice and Lies we have the story of Teddy, a human living in Texas (yee haw) who is a do-gooder working at a food bank and Elias, a warrior fae prince who is soul-bound to her.
While Elias can see her through the veil that divides their realms, he knows he can’t ever go to her because if he pierces the veil, it will send earth into a perpetual winter (cue the Frozen song… Let it Goooooo… let it gooooo).
What cruel twist of fate would bond a human to a fae knowing the desire to protect their mate and the outcome should he try? How unlucky can he be? And of course you know it's going to happen -- when he senses his mate in danger, he does just that cause… he’s impulsive and it’s his gurl (say that in your best Forrest Gump).
Though, there's nothing better than a true #touchheranddie trope fae style.
But uh oh… now he has to fix what he’s done cause us Texans, we don’t do winter. It’s quite a mess cause if we didn’t learn anything from February 2021, it’s that Texas can NOT handle a massive cold snap. (It’s a real thing.. Power outages, broken water lines, frozen water lines, crop loss, dead animals, people using their cars to stay warm, I mean – my city RAN OUT OF WATER)...it was pretty messed up. So think about that then add that at a global level because Mr. Gotta Save My Mate will freeze the world out to save just her. (Thanks a LOT dude.)
Unfortunately and eventually as all girls do, Teddy learns the truth and kicks him to the curb to have her whoa is me pity party because how can she trust some gorgeous prince who merely sensed she was in danger and was ready to go scorched earth for her even at the sake of all of humanity? Bitch please!? Give me that energy and devotion. Ha!
However, we know these two have to come around because.. Hello?! Fated mates. She tries to bring some humanity into this fae. He tries to not lose himself because of her. Together, they have to kick some serious butt while finding a balance between themselves, discover who is haunting her mind, battle some pretty interesting creatures and figure out how to repair the damage to their worlds.
Very… very… extremely slow burn. Like, I was wondering if it would ever happen. Like… ever.
After Elias learns truths he can’t imagine… it’s just pitiful. Everything is broken. You can just hear Sarah McLaughlin singing “... in the arms of an angel, far away from here….” because in his absence, his realm went to crap. When he went to see that, her realm went to crap. So everything is just a big ole heapin heck of a mess. Where to start fixing anything when everything is broken?
Yet it’s one of those you and me against the world, he knows the ways of his past aren't the way of the future and with her by his side they have strength and humanity (oh, and there's magic)… so you know Book 2 is going to do just that! Definitely will be ready for it.
🫤A FEW THINGS THAT WERE A LITTLE MEH🫤
🫤 I wish the feminine names were actually that-- I don’t know what it is about the name situation, but I just felt like characters would be easier to keep in place and check if only their namesakes were a little less non-binary.
🫤 There was a scene with some frosting and the wording about breasts becoming heavy – gave me the ick. The only way breasts become heavy is if you’re lactating. That was so bizarre. Plus wearing two shirts and a hoodie doesn’t allow for easy access. That whole exchange was weird.
🫤 The very “human” situations like a bbq for what… thousands? But they’ll have enough food. That just made no sense. How can he conjure blankets out of thin air and not food? Some of the magic just made no sense.
🫤 Teddy seemed to warp from herself into someone else… I get a character needs to evolve into his/her role but in less than 24 hours what she’s able to do it’s a bit of a stretch
🫤 Why does the dragon have to have someone deliver a message when she’s capable of just going into anyone’s head as she said she was able to because… magic… hello.
🫤 A few sections were quite a bit of a slog…
🫤 The whole conversation with Death was too much like… Neo meeting Morpheus where he’s just all calm and chill with a bit of an expository info dump.
🫤 Her biting him – she doesn’t have fangs so the idea of a human tearing into another’s flesh is just kind of gross….
🗨️ RANDOM THOUGHTS 🗨️
🗨️ I keep wondering what it is really about George that gives her the creeps… is something ELSE going to develop.
🗨️ Whoever the mom is that just abandoned her kid… someone needs to throat punch her.
🗨️ The idea of all the chaos but these protective shields being constructed was… I get it but still just so unfathomable
🗨️ If it's going to impact the whole world... but they only really discuss one little town in Texas... what about the rainforests -- every living creature there would be dead. All the flora and fauna... coffee beans are grown in those climates. Deserts.. covered in snow? I get it's a fantasy book but that whole notion of how big the earth is but this prince not even being able to be responsible for one little spot in Texas that he can't keep warm, fed or anything... I felt you could really have gone into the true dystopian aspect of things. If it's really a dystopian nightmare how are you able to make barters and deals for things that would be wiped out overnight? I don't know. My brain sometimes can't wrap around those types of finalities to let go
💞💞WHAT I LOVED💞💞
💞 Elias’ devotion to the bond
💞 I loved when Elias went full-on primal. #sorrynotsorry
💞 slow burn
💞 Reyenne – she’s hysterical and I hope everyone has had or will have a friend like her.
💞 Found family is another trope I love because we all need to have our crew. Blood doesn’t mean a thing… those who choose you because they DO are the ones you can count on – that’s your real family.
💞 When Elias broke down and showed his weakness and vulnerability. Very tender moment
💞 How Teddy was able to look at what she did wrong and course correct
May 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
Arc review
What to expect
🐉dragons
🐉fae royal/ human
🐉soul mate
🐉magical beings
🐉found family
🐉magic
🐉touch her and 💀
You smashed my heart at the beginning and I knew I was in for a wild ride. Oh boy, I was not wrong.
The first time Guardian Dragon Nalari appears? She’s sass incarnate with wings, and yet, always has their back. And HELLO—the Dragons can TALK?! Absolutely love. Absolutely obsessed. The way she slowly warmed up to Teddy? Just a big, fire-breathing, badass cinnamon bun.
The opening action? Thrilling. Heart-pounding. I was locked in. And Elias? The way he described our FMC? Breathtaking. It was like watching someone fall in love through poetry.
And the found family, oh, the found family. It was written with so much heart that you could feel every bond, every moment, every unspoken promise between them. You could feel how deeply they had each other’s backs. Chef’s kiss.
Brenton, our drama queen and chaotic delight. Everly, lovely, strong, steady, fierce. George, our serious teddybear. And Elias, who absolutely dropped everything to help Teddy. A man who sews? 😍 A man who uses his magic to keep her safe, who crafts tiny wooden tools? That man stole my heart, no questions asked. He’s fearless, selfless, gentle, and ferociously protective. Touch her and die vibes? Strong. The man took punishments and is amazing with children?! Please. I’m feral.
The dual POV? Chef’s kiss again. It’s such a gift to see both sides. But girl. GIRL. I was yelling at my book, “OPEN YOUR EYES.” This man is so gone for her it hurts. The scene where he asks for consent just to touch her? My standards have been reset. This mate bond isn’t some trope. It’s built on trust, on love, on growth, and I’m just so proud of them. They were so awkward in the beginning and I loved every second.
Our FMC is so full of heart-flawed, real, strong, and endlessly caring. Her friendship with Donnie and Ryenne was such a breath of fresh air, pure and joyful. When they arrived, I knew we were in for something special.
Elias? That man is whipped. He’s a cinnamon bun in love with Teddy, and he has dimples. I had to physically restrain myself from squealing my house down.
And THE DONKEY. I knew from page one that menace was going to be iconic, and oh, I was so right. He absolutely stole every scene he was in. I am firmly convinced he can smile. I squealed like a full-on hee haw in some scenes, no shame.
Also, I need the blanket Elias gave Teddy. Immediately. 🫡
So now… I’m just going to sit here, tapping my fingers, trying not to cry while desperately waiting for Book 2.
Arc review
What to expect
🐉dragons
🐉fae royal/ human
🐉soul mate
🐉magical beings
🐉found family
🐉magic
🐉touch her and 💀
You smashed my heart at the beginning and I knew I was in for a wild ride. Oh boy, I was not wrong.
The first time Guardian Dragon Nalari appears? She’s sass incarnate with wings, and yet, always has their back. And HELLO—the Dragons can TALK?! Absolutely love. Absolutely obsessed. The way she slowly warmed up to Teddy? Just a big, fire-breathing, badass cinnamon bun.
The opening action? Thrilling. Heart-pounding. I was locked in. And Elias? The way he described our FMC? Breathtaking. It was like watching someone fall in love through poetry.
And the found family, oh, the found family. It was written with so much heart that you could feel every bond, every moment, every unspoken promise between them. You could feel how deeply they had each other’s backs. Chef’s kiss.
Brenton, our drama queen and chaotic delight. Everly, lovely, strong, steady, fierce. George, our serious teddybear. And Elias, who absolutely dropped everything to help Teddy. A man who sews? 😍 A man who uses his magic to keep her safe, who crafts tiny wooden tools? That man stole my heart, no questions asked. He’s fearless, selfless, gentle, and ferociously protective. Touch her and die vibes? Strong. The man took punishments and is amazing with children?! Please. I’m feral.
The dual POV? Chef’s kiss again. It’s such a gift to see both sides. But girl. GIRL. I was yelling at my book, “OPEN YOUR EYES.” This man is so gone for her it hurts. The scene where he asks for consent just to touch her? My standards have been reset. This mate bond isn’t some trope. It’s built on trust, on love, on growth, and I’m just so proud of them. They were so awkward in the beginning and I loved every second.
Our FMC is so full of heart-flawed, real, strong, and endlessly caring. Her friendship with Donnie and Ryenne was such a breath of fresh air, pure and joyful. When they arrived, I knew we were in for something special.
Elias? That man is whipped. He’s a cinnamon bun in love with Teddy, and he has dimples. I had to physically restrain myself from squealing my house down.
And THE DONKEY. I knew from page one that menace was going to be iconic, and oh, I was so right. He absolutely stole every scene he was in. I am firmly convinced he can smile. I squealed like a full-on hee haw in some scenes, no shame.
Also, I need the blanket Elias gave Teddy. Immediately. 🫡
So now… I’m just going to sit here, tapping my fingers, trying not to cry while desperately waiting for Book 2.
April 26, 2025
“𝑀𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑏. 𝐼’𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝐼’𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑟𝑢𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛. 𝐼𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑡𝑒, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑦 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝐼 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠.”
“𝐼 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒.”
“𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑦, 𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑦.”
“𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑚𝑜 𝑒𝑙𝑚𝑎.”
I’ve had my eye on A Fate of Ice and Lies since Y. Maria began sharing early snippets about her debut book. With themes like rejected mates, "touch her and die", and dragons, I was immediately intrigued. The moment ARC sign-ups opened, I was basically shouting “me, me, pick me!”. Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an early copy.
Anyway, I’d just binged a stack of contemporary heartbreaks, so my brain took a minute to adjust to fantasy mode. Thankfully, the author was kind enough to share artworks and help with the mental imagery. Plus, there's a map coming in book 2 and 3! (Excited is an understatement.)
Let me talk about the chatracters, as for the MMC? Grade-A golden retriever. Loyal, sweet, hurting in silence, trying his best while quietly falling apart. He gave me Acker from Metal Slinger meets Luther from Everflame Series vibes. His POV was honestly a treat. I was like: yes king, suffer (but also heal). The FMC? She’s strong, flawed, and yeah… she frustrated me a little. Which brings me to why I usually prefer single POV, because I tend to get more frustrated with the FMC when I already know what the MMC is thinking. Like, girl, he’s down SO bad just look at him. Knowing both sides can sometimes take the tension out of a story for me, but that’s just how my brain works. And honestly, I kind of hate that about myself as a reader. I’m really trying to stay more open and appreciate both perspectives, even when I want to scream, “just talk to each other!”
Now the side characters? Don’t even get me started. The banter, the baggage, the vibes. I'm obsessed! Plus, there’s Hee-Haw (yes, an actual donkey), and a morally grey background character who has me like: sir, what’s your trauma and when can I read about it? I’ve been chatting with the author, and the way I’m already swooning over what’s coming next? I can’t say much yet, but just know I’m holding my breath for books 2 and 3. This world has so much potential, and I’m genuinely excited to see it all unfold.
A Fate of Ice and Lies drops May 21st, so if you're into fae, dragons, magic, dual POV, slow burn, prophecy tension, political stakes, and tropes like “he falls first,” rejected/fated mates, “touch her and die,” and “I’d let the world freeze for you” you’re going to want to check this one out.
Massive thanks again to Y. Maria for the ARC. All thoughts and feelings (and fangirling) are entirely my own.
“𝐼 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒.”
“𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑦, 𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑦.”
“𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑚𝑜 𝑒𝑙𝑚𝑎.”
I’ve had my eye on A Fate of Ice and Lies since Y. Maria began sharing early snippets about her debut book. With themes like rejected mates, "touch her and die", and dragons, I was immediately intrigued. The moment ARC sign-ups opened, I was basically shouting “me, me, pick me!”. Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an early copy.
Anyway, I’d just binged a stack of contemporary heartbreaks, so my brain took a minute to adjust to fantasy mode. Thankfully, the author was kind enough to share artworks and help with the mental imagery. Plus, there's a map coming in book 2 and 3! (Excited is an understatement.)
Let me talk about the chatracters, as for the MMC? Grade-A golden retriever. Loyal, sweet, hurting in silence, trying his best while quietly falling apart. He gave me Acker from Metal Slinger meets Luther from Everflame Series vibes. His POV was honestly a treat. I was like: yes king, suffer (but also heal). The FMC? She’s strong, flawed, and yeah… she frustrated me a little. Which brings me to why I usually prefer single POV, because I tend to get more frustrated with the FMC when I already know what the MMC is thinking. Like, girl, he’s down SO bad just look at him. Knowing both sides can sometimes take the tension out of a story for me, but that’s just how my brain works. And honestly, I kind of hate that about myself as a reader. I’m really trying to stay more open and appreciate both perspectives, even when I want to scream, “just talk to each other!”
Now the side characters? Don’t even get me started. The banter, the baggage, the vibes. I'm obsessed! Plus, there’s Hee-Haw (yes, an actual donkey), and a morally grey background character who has me like: sir, what’s your trauma and when can I read about it? I’ve been chatting with the author, and the way I’m already swooning over what’s coming next? I can’t say much yet, but just know I’m holding my breath for books 2 and 3. This world has so much potential, and I’m genuinely excited to see it all unfold.
A Fate of Ice and Lies drops May 21st, so if you're into fae, dragons, magic, dual POV, slow burn, prophecy tension, political stakes, and tropes like “he falls first,” rejected/fated mates, “touch her and die,” and “I’d let the world freeze for you” you’re going to want to check this one out.
Massive thanks again to Y. Maria for the ARC. All thoughts and feelings (and fangirling) are entirely my own.
May 17, 2025
I don't even know where to begin—this book wrecked me in the best possible way. From the very first page, I was swept into a breathtaking world where fae magic pulses through a kingdom coated by eternal snow, and love has the power to reshape the world as they know it.
The story centers around a fae prince who makes a difficult decision—plunging the human world into eternal ice and the dangers of magical creatures to save the life of his human mate. It sounds tragic (and it is), but it's also achingly beautiful. The way the author builds the emotional tension, the slow-burn romance, the impossible choices… I felt every word. I cried. I raged. I held my breath more times than I can count.
Beyond the romance, the found family aspect hit so deeply. Each side character was fleshed out and vibrant, forming bonds that felt real and vital. The world-building? Absolutely stunning. The attention to detail made every scene feel cinematic.
This book isn’t just a love story—it’s about identity, loyalty, and what we're willing to lose to save the ones we love. If you're into romantasy with heart, depth, and unforgettable characters, this is the one. I’ll be thinking about it for a long, long time.
💥I can’t wait to read book #2!
💫 THANK YOU to Y. María and The Author Agency for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
—————————
Ni siquiera sé por dónde empezar; este libro me destrozó de la mejor manera posible. Desde la primera página, me sumergí en un mundo impresionante donde la magia feérica late en un reino cubierto de nieve eterna, y el amor tiene el poder de transformar el mundo tal como lo conocen.
La historia se centra en un príncipe feérico que toma una decisión difícil: sumergir el mundo humano en hielo eterno y los peligros de unas criaturas mágicas para salvar la vida de su alma gemela humana. Suena trágico (y lo es), pero también es dolorosamente hermoso. La forma en que la autora construye la tensión emocional, el romance a fuego lento, las decisiones imposibles... Sentí cada palabra. Lloré. Me enfureció. Contuve la respiración más veces de las que puedo contar.
Más allá del romance, el aspecto de la familia encontrada me impactó profundamente. Cada personaje secundario estaba bien desarrollado y vibrante, creando vínculos que se sentían reales y vitales. ¿La construcción del mundo? Absolutamente impresionante. La atención al detalle hizo que cada escena pareciera cinematográfica.
Este libro no es solo una historia de amor; trata sobre la identidad, la lealtad y lo que estamos dispuestos a perder para salvar a quienes amamos. Si te gusta el romance conmovedor, profundo y con personajes inolvidables, este es el indicado. Pensaré en él durante mucho tiempo.
💥¡Tengo muchas ganas de leer el segundo libro!
💫 GRACIAS a Y. María y The Author Agency por enviarme este ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta.
The story centers around a fae prince who makes a difficult decision—plunging the human world into eternal ice and the dangers of magical creatures to save the life of his human mate. It sounds tragic (and it is), but it's also achingly beautiful. The way the author builds the emotional tension, the slow-burn romance, the impossible choices… I felt every word. I cried. I raged. I held my breath more times than I can count.
Beyond the romance, the found family aspect hit so deeply. Each side character was fleshed out and vibrant, forming bonds that felt real and vital. The world-building? Absolutely stunning. The attention to detail made every scene feel cinematic.
This book isn’t just a love story—it’s about identity, loyalty, and what we're willing to lose to save the ones we love. If you're into romantasy with heart, depth, and unforgettable characters, this is the one. I’ll be thinking about it for a long, long time.
💥I can’t wait to read book #2!
💫 THANK YOU to Y. María and The Author Agency for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
—————————
Ni siquiera sé por dónde empezar; este libro me destrozó de la mejor manera posible. Desde la primera página, me sumergí en un mundo impresionante donde la magia feérica late en un reino cubierto de nieve eterna, y el amor tiene el poder de transformar el mundo tal como lo conocen.
La historia se centra en un príncipe feérico que toma una decisión difícil: sumergir el mundo humano en hielo eterno y los peligros de unas criaturas mágicas para salvar la vida de su alma gemela humana. Suena trágico (y lo es), pero también es dolorosamente hermoso. La forma en que la autora construye la tensión emocional, el romance a fuego lento, las decisiones imposibles... Sentí cada palabra. Lloré. Me enfureció. Contuve la respiración más veces de las que puedo contar.
Más allá del romance, el aspecto de la familia encontrada me impactó profundamente. Cada personaje secundario estaba bien desarrollado y vibrante, creando vínculos que se sentían reales y vitales. ¿La construcción del mundo? Absolutamente impresionante. La atención al detalle hizo que cada escena pareciera cinematográfica.
Este libro no es solo una historia de amor; trata sobre la identidad, la lealtad y lo que estamos dispuestos a perder para salvar a quienes amamos. Si te gusta el romance conmovedor, profundo y con personajes inolvidables, este es el indicado. Pensaré en él durante mucho tiempo.
💥¡Tengo muchas ganas de leer el segundo libro!
💫 GRACIAS a Y. María y The Author Agency por enviarme este ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta.
May 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Y Maria’s debut novel A Fate of Ice and Lies was a wonderful, intriguing, romantasy that I could not put down! I found myself fully immersed in the world she created in this story and am hooked. Her writing flows so well, her story is perfectly paced, and her character development is amazing. She immediately puts readers in the action of the book and never lets up until the very end. Even then she only lets up because the book ends, but I was left needing her next book immediately.
Elias, our beloved fae prince MMC was fascinating from the beginning. He is emotionally aware, protective, beautifully depicted, and his dragon (Nalari) is wonderfully sassy. He has been having visions of a beautiful redhead for some time. He has never met or seen her as the veil between the fae and human realms keep them apart. The passion he has for his mate before even meeting her is authentic and passion filled. I swooned over this fae prince more than once and absolutely loved his character.
Teddy is our human FMC who is unaware of the adventure she is about to be thrown into. She has been having visions of a violet eyed man, but doesn’t seem to think much of it, as that is the rational thing to do as a human. The growth her character goes through in this book had me intrigued and I loved seeing the development Y Maria took her through. I am excited to see how she continues to develop as this series continues.
Y Maria’s world building was beyond gorgeous in this story and I found it easy to picture myself in the midst of this beautiful world she has created. As with any first book in a series, there is a lot of information given, but Y Maria keeps it easy to follow, clear, and concise. I never had any trouble following along or found myself confused within all the information being read. Any fan of romantasy, this is a must read and an author to keep an eye on!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
👑Fated Mates
❄️Found Family
👑Fae x Human
❄️Enemies to Lovers
👑Dragons
❄️Eternal Winter
👑Forbidden Love
Y Maria’s debut novel A Fate of Ice and Lies was a wonderful, intriguing, romantasy that I could not put down! I found myself fully immersed in the world she created in this story and am hooked. Her writing flows so well, her story is perfectly paced, and her character development is amazing. She immediately puts readers in the action of the book and never lets up until the very end. Even then she only lets up because the book ends, but I was left needing her next book immediately.
Elias, our beloved fae prince MMC was fascinating from the beginning. He is emotionally aware, protective, beautifully depicted, and his dragon (Nalari) is wonderfully sassy. He has been having visions of a beautiful redhead for some time. He has never met or seen her as the veil between the fae and human realms keep them apart. The passion he has for his mate before even meeting her is authentic and passion filled. I swooned over this fae prince more than once and absolutely loved his character.
Teddy is our human FMC who is unaware of the adventure she is about to be thrown into. She has been having visions of a violet eyed man, but doesn’t seem to think much of it, as that is the rational thing to do as a human. The growth her character goes through in this book had me intrigued and I loved seeing the development Y Maria took her through. I am excited to see how she continues to develop as this series continues.
Y Maria’s world building was beyond gorgeous in this story and I found it easy to picture myself in the midst of this beautiful world she has created. As with any first book in a series, there is a lot of information given, but Y Maria keeps it easy to follow, clear, and concise. I never had any trouble following along or found myself confused within all the information being read. Any fan of romantasy, this is a must read and an author to keep an eye on!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
👑Fated Mates
❄️Found Family
👑Fae x Human
❄️Enemies to Lovers
👑Dragons
❄️Eternal Winter
👑Forbidden Love
May 21, 2025
Where do we begin with our thoughts on this plot, its story, and its characters? If we are being honest, we initially struggled with the story. We found ourselves picking up and putting down the book several times as it failed to fully engage us, despite some intriguing elements. However, we did appreciate the cast of characters, particularly the Dragon and Fae bonding dynamic. Elias' loyal friends, whom he considered family, stood by him through thick and thin, showcasing unwavering loyalty and making us love them even more. While the first half of the story may have been challenging to get into, the second half proved to be exciting and captivating, with secrets unraveling, enemies lurking at every corner, and soulmates overcoming obstacles to fall in love.
The characters truly shone in this story, especially Elia's dragon, whose protective love was palpable. The chemistry between Teddy and Elias was powerful and endearing, making them a beautiful couple. Teddy's protectiveness, quick wit, banter, and altruistic nature added depth to her character, while Elias' deadly skills and unwavering devotion to his loved ones made him a compelling protagonist. If you're anything like us, you may find you adding Elias to your list of book boyfriends.
The latter part of the story had us completely engrossed, unable to put the book down. The revelations, truths, and emotional turmoil that the characters faced as the story unfolded were gripping and life-changing. The inclusion of characters from different species added an extra layer of excitement to the narrative.
We eagerly anticipate what comes next, as the ending left us wanting more. While some answers and a semblance of justice were provided, there are still lingering enemies pulling the strings and causing chaos. The unresolved questions of who and why keep us eagerly awaiting the next installment. Until next time ... #StayTuned
The characters truly shone in this story, especially Elia's dragon, whose protective love was palpable. The chemistry between Teddy and Elias was powerful and endearing, making them a beautiful couple. Teddy's protectiveness, quick wit, banter, and altruistic nature added depth to her character, while Elias' deadly skills and unwavering devotion to his loved ones made him a compelling protagonist. If you're anything like us, you may find you adding Elias to your list of book boyfriends.
The latter part of the story had us completely engrossed, unable to put the book down. The revelations, truths, and emotional turmoil that the characters faced as the story unfolded were gripping and life-changing. The inclusion of characters from different species added an extra layer of excitement to the narrative.
We eagerly anticipate what comes next, as the ending left us wanting more. While some answers and a semblance of justice were provided, there are still lingering enemies pulling the strings and causing chaos. The unresolved questions of who and why keep us eagerly awaiting the next installment. Until next time ... #StayTuned
August 19, 2025
ARC Review
Oh my gosh, this book had me hooked right from the first page. The world-building pulled me in so quickly that I wanted to finish it in one sitting. It was easy to picture everything, and I never felt lost or weighed down. The blend of the fae’s old traditions with modern human life was such a fun touch too. The way the fae struggled with technology and Google made me laugh in the best way.
Elias immediately became one of my favorite characters. His unconditional love and loyalty to Teddy, the way he protected her in his own way, and how deeply he cared for his people and friends made him unforgettable. Teddy, on the other hand, was someone I admired because she stayed open-minded despite being thrown into a completely new world, thought I get her fear and anger when the truth was revealed to her. Their love is the kind of slow burn that keeps you turning the pages, and it was so worth it. I loved how she embraced her fate and didn’t close herself off.
The supporting characters added so much depth to the story. I loved Ryenne, Donnie, George, Everly, Brenton, Javier, Victoria, Grandma Richter, and even Hee Haw. Of course, who wouldn't love Nalari. There is one twist in particular that blew me away, and I will definitely not spoil it. I will say this though, my heart nearly dropped when I thought Brenton’s fate was sealed, but I was so relieved it didn’t happen. I also hope we get to see more of a brother-sister type of banter between him and Teddy, especially when it comes to teasing Elias. That would make future books even more fun, and honestly, I’m crossing my fingers that once Elias and Teddy are official, we’ll get to see them start a family.
Overall, A Fate of Ice and Lies was magical, hopeful, and packed with fae, humans, dragons, nyxx, thunderbirds, and mages all sharing the same world. It felt like one hell of a ride from start to finish. I’m already counting down the days until Book 2 comes out.
Oh my gosh, this book had me hooked right from the first page. The world-building pulled me in so quickly that I wanted to finish it in one sitting. It was easy to picture everything, and I never felt lost or weighed down. The blend of the fae’s old traditions with modern human life was such a fun touch too. The way the fae struggled with technology and Google made me laugh in the best way.
Elias immediately became one of my favorite characters. His unconditional love and loyalty to Teddy, the way he protected her in his own way, and how deeply he cared for his people and friends made him unforgettable. Teddy, on the other hand, was someone I admired because she stayed open-minded despite being thrown into a completely new world, thought I get her fear and anger when the truth was revealed to her. Their love is the kind of slow burn that keeps you turning the pages, and it was so worth it. I loved how she embraced her fate and didn’t close herself off.
The supporting characters added so much depth to the story. I loved Ryenne, Donnie, George, Everly, Brenton, Javier, Victoria, Grandma Richter, and even Hee Haw. Of course, who wouldn't love Nalari. There is one twist in particular that blew me away, and I will definitely not spoil it. I will say this though, my heart nearly dropped when I thought Brenton’s fate was sealed, but I was so relieved it didn’t happen. I also hope we get to see more of a brother-sister type of banter between him and Teddy, especially when it comes to teasing Elias. That would make future books even more fun, and honestly, I’m crossing my fingers that once Elias and Teddy are official, we’ll get to see them start a family.
Overall, A Fate of Ice and Lies was magical, hopeful, and packed with fae, humans, dragons, nyxx, thunderbirds, and mages all sharing the same world. It felt like one hell of a ride from start to finish. I’m already counting down the days until Book 2 comes out.
May 21, 2025
Firstly, thank you so much to Y.Maria and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I wasn’t prepared to love this book as much as I did. It had a great mix of emotional depth, solid action, and moments that genuinely made me laugh out loud, in the best way. I didn’t expect to cry, but... here we are.
The love story at the centre of this book had me in a soft chokehold. The MMC is the perfect blend of golden retriever energy and fiercely loyal protector. I adored him, and he’s officially been added to my very long list of book boyfriends. As for the FMC, even when she was frustrating, it made sense. You could feel the internal tug-of-war playing out. I maybe wish one of their key turning points had a bit more build, but I was still invested, especially as their story deepened. I have a love-hate relationship with slow burns, but I really enjoyed this one.
There were two characters I absolutely adored: one warm, funny, chaotic in the best way, and the other full of dry humour and loyalty. It had me wishing they were my friends in real life. There were several moments in this book I was emotionally not prepared for.
The side characters overall were so well done. The kind you remember even if they only appear briefly. Everyone added something. I really hope we get to see and hear more from the favourites, maybe with their own POVs in the next book.
If I had one wish, it’s that the humour, which landed so perfectly when it appeared, had been more present throughout. It might’ve nudged this into five-star territory for me. But that’s just a small note on what is otherwise such an impressive and immersive debut.
The world building is strong: rich, full of fascinating creatures and lore, but never overwhelming. The pacing felt really natural, even as the story grew in intensity.
This is one of those books I want people to read just so I can talk to them about it. It’s heartfelt, funny, sharp, and surprisingly emotional. Definitely recommend.
I wasn’t prepared to love this book as much as I did. It had a great mix of emotional depth, solid action, and moments that genuinely made me laugh out loud, in the best way. I didn’t expect to cry, but... here we are.
The love story at the centre of this book had me in a soft chokehold. The MMC is the perfect blend of golden retriever energy and fiercely loyal protector. I adored him, and he’s officially been added to my very long list of book boyfriends. As for the FMC, even when she was frustrating, it made sense. You could feel the internal tug-of-war playing out. I maybe wish one of their key turning points had a bit more build, but I was still invested, especially as their story deepened. I have a love-hate relationship with slow burns, but I really enjoyed this one.
There were two characters I absolutely adored: one warm, funny, chaotic in the best way, and the other full of dry humour and loyalty. It had me wishing they were my friends in real life. There were several moments in this book I was emotionally not prepared for.
The side characters overall were so well done. The kind you remember even if they only appear briefly. Everyone added something. I really hope we get to see and hear more from the favourites, maybe with their own POVs in the next book.
If I had one wish, it’s that the humour, which landed so perfectly when it appeared, had been more present throughout. It might’ve nudged this into five-star territory for me. But that’s just a small note on what is otherwise such an impressive and immersive debut.
The world building is strong: rich, full of fascinating creatures and lore, but never overwhelming. The pacing felt really natural, even as the story grew in intensity.
This is one of those books I want people to read just so I can talk to them about it. It’s heartfelt, funny, sharp, and surprisingly emotional. Definitely recommend.
May 21, 2025
A Fate Of Ice And Lies - Y Maria
Thank you @ymariawrites and @theauthor.agency for this gifted book!
My Review:
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages: 566
Genre: Fantasy
Tropes:
🔥Fantasy Romance with Urban Fantasy
✨Fae/Human
🔥Prince/Commoner
✨Soul Mates/Rejected Mates
🔥He Falls First
✨Touch Her and
🔥Dragons, Magic, and Abilities
✨Forbidden Love
🔥Realm Crossing
✨Political Intrigue
🔥Morally Gray MMC
✨Found Family
✨Claiming Ritual
🔥Scary Fae with a soft spot for her
✨Unexpected Ally
🔥Betrayal
✨Awakening of Power
🔥Post-Apocalyptic
I have been aching to get back to my love of fantasy for awhile and this book made my heart happy!
This is Elias and Teddy’s story. It literally held me hostage from start to finish. I cannot wait for the next book! It is very well written and with excellent character development. It doesn’t have a cliffhanger but there is a second book.
Elias is a fae prince. Teddy is a human. They live in different realms. Elias guardian is a dragon named Nalari. Elias and Teddy are mates. Despite being soul mates they have never seen each other in person. When Elias senses she is terminally injured he tears through the veil to the human world to save her. Which sets off multiple disasters. Constant snow in the human world which cause multiple disasters such as freezing pipes, loss of crops and livestock.
Out of guilt he stays and uses his magic to provide for the humans and falls ever harder for his human mate.
You’ll have to read the book to find out how the humans feel about him, if Teddy rejects their bond, and what consequences this all sets in motion.
I highly recommend this book!
#fantasy #romantasy #afateoficeandlies #ymaria #theauthor.agency #soulmates
#hefallsfirst
Thank you @ymariawrites and @theauthor.agency for this gifted book!
My Review:
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages: 566
Genre: Fantasy
Tropes:
🔥Fantasy Romance with Urban Fantasy
✨Fae/Human
🔥Prince/Commoner
✨Soul Mates/Rejected Mates
🔥He Falls First
✨Touch Her and
🔥Dragons, Magic, and Abilities
✨Forbidden Love
🔥Realm Crossing
✨Political Intrigue
🔥Morally Gray MMC
✨Found Family
✨Claiming Ritual
🔥Scary Fae with a soft spot for her
✨Unexpected Ally
🔥Betrayal
✨Awakening of Power
🔥Post-Apocalyptic
I have been aching to get back to my love of fantasy for awhile and this book made my heart happy!
This is Elias and Teddy’s story. It literally held me hostage from start to finish. I cannot wait for the next book! It is very well written and with excellent character development. It doesn’t have a cliffhanger but there is a second book.
Elias is a fae prince. Teddy is a human. They live in different realms. Elias guardian is a dragon named Nalari. Elias and Teddy are mates. Despite being soul mates they have never seen each other in person. When Elias senses she is terminally injured he tears through the veil to the human world to save her. Which sets off multiple disasters. Constant snow in the human world which cause multiple disasters such as freezing pipes, loss of crops and livestock.
Out of guilt he stays and uses his magic to provide for the humans and falls ever harder for his human mate.
You’ll have to read the book to find out how the humans feel about him, if Teddy rejects their bond, and what consequences this all sets in motion.
I highly recommend this book!
#fantasy #romantasy #afateoficeandlies #ymaria #theauthor.agency #soulmates
#hefallsfirst
May 23, 2025
Where do we begin with our thoughts on this plot, its story, and its characters? If we are being honest, we initially struggled with the story. We found ourselves picking up and putting down the book several times as it failed to fully engage us, despite some intriguing elements. However, we did appreciate the cast of characters, particularly the Dragon and Fae bonding dynamic. Elias' loyal friends, whom he considered family, stood by him through thick and thin, showcasing unwavering loyalty and making us love them even more. While the first half of the story may have been challenging to get into, the second half proved to be exciting and captivating, with secrets unraveling, enemies lurking at every corner, and soulmates overcoming obstacles to fall in love.
The characters truly shone in this story, especially Elia's dragon, whose protective love was palpable. The chemistry between Teddy and Elias was powerful and endearing, making them a beautiful couple. Teddy's protectiveness, quick wit, banter, and altruistic nature added depth to her character, while Elias' deadly skills and unwavering devotion to his loved ones made him a compelling protagonist. If you're anything like us, you may find you adding Elias to your list of book boyfriends.
The latter part of the story had us completely engrossed, unable to put the book down. The revelations, truths, and emotional turmoil that the characters faced as the story unfolded were gripping and life-changing. The inclusion of characters from different species added an extra layer of excitement to the narrative.
We eagerly anticipate what comes next, as the ending left us wanting more. While some answers and a semblance of justice were provided, there are still lingering enemies pulling the strings and causing chaos. The unresolved questions of who and why keep us eagerly awaiting the next installment. Until next time ... #StayTuned
The characters truly shone in this story, especially Elia's dragon, whose protective love was palpable. The chemistry between Teddy and Elias was powerful and endearing, making them a beautiful couple. Teddy's protectiveness, quick wit, banter, and altruistic nature added depth to her character, while Elias' deadly skills and unwavering devotion to his loved ones made him a compelling protagonist. If you're anything like us, you may find you adding Elias to your list of book boyfriends.
The latter part of the story had us completely engrossed, unable to put the book down. The revelations, truths, and emotional turmoil that the characters faced as the story unfolded were gripping and life-changing. The inclusion of characters from different species added an extra layer of excitement to the narrative.
We eagerly anticipate what comes next, as the ending left us wanting more. While some answers and a semblance of justice were provided, there are still lingering enemies pulling the strings and causing chaos. The unresolved questions of who and why keep us eagerly awaiting the next installment. Until next time ... #StayTuned
October 3, 2025
🤩🤩🤩🤩.5
An Epic, Satisfyingly Slow-Burn Fated Mates Adventure!
What a great start to an epic duology! This book masterfully blends urban fantasy with high-stakes fae court politics, setting up a truly compelling story.
The core premise instantly hooks you: Elias, a Fae prince from a world filled with dragons, thunderbirds, and magic, must venture into our mortal, modern-day Texas to save his fated mate, Teddy. The fate of both their worlds hangs in the balance as an eternal winter threatens to take hold. I absolutely loved how the Fae magic was integrated into Teddy's dystopian-type modern world; it made the crumbling human setting feel fresh and unique.
The world-building is rich and intriguing. The book is dense—it’s a hefty read—and while it felt a little long at times, knowing this is the first part of a duology makes the scale completely justified. The author doesn't rush the foundation, especially when it comes to the creatures. We get a delightful mix of well-known mythological beings and some really unique creations that kept me fascinated.
Now for the romance: It was sweet and incredibly well-paced. Even though Elias and Teddy are fated mates, the romance is a satisfying slow-burn. They truly get the chance to connect, develop an emotional bond, and overcome major hurdles before fully giving in to the magic. I was completely attached to them and their supportive, hilarious found family. Getting to know the characters and laughing at their antics was one of the best parts of the book!
I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a rich fantasy that delivers on both plot and character depth.
Read if you love:
• Fated Mates with a slow-burn build-up
• Fae/Human pairings
• High-stakes fantasy with Dragons
• Stories involving Portals and Found Family
• Blending Dystopian/Modern setting with magic
An Epic, Satisfyingly Slow-Burn Fated Mates Adventure!
What a great start to an epic duology! This book masterfully blends urban fantasy with high-stakes fae court politics, setting up a truly compelling story.
The core premise instantly hooks you: Elias, a Fae prince from a world filled with dragons, thunderbirds, and magic, must venture into our mortal, modern-day Texas to save his fated mate, Teddy. The fate of both their worlds hangs in the balance as an eternal winter threatens to take hold. I absolutely loved how the Fae magic was integrated into Teddy's dystopian-type modern world; it made the crumbling human setting feel fresh and unique.
The world-building is rich and intriguing. The book is dense—it’s a hefty read—and while it felt a little long at times, knowing this is the first part of a duology makes the scale completely justified. The author doesn't rush the foundation, especially when it comes to the creatures. We get a delightful mix of well-known mythological beings and some really unique creations that kept me fascinated.
Now for the romance: It was sweet and incredibly well-paced. Even though Elias and Teddy are fated mates, the romance is a satisfying slow-burn. They truly get the chance to connect, develop an emotional bond, and overcome major hurdles before fully giving in to the magic. I was completely attached to them and their supportive, hilarious found family. Getting to know the characters and laughing at their antics was one of the best parts of the book!
I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a rich fantasy that delivers on both plot and character depth.
Read if you love:
• Fated Mates with a slow-burn build-up
• Fae/Human pairings
• High-stakes fantasy with Dragons
• Stories involving Portals and Found Family
• Blending Dystopian/Modern setting with magic
May 21, 2025
First, let's just gaze upon that gorgeous cover 😍
'I would take a thousand lashings to feel her hands on me again.'
This book isn't just a story; it wrapped itself around my heart and left me beautifully broken. Y. Maria has truly penned a breathtaking world of ice and endless snow, populated with incredible mythical beings, fae, and humans. And there are dragons that absolutely rival Tairn – Yes, I went there!
Her writing is a masterclass in a poetic atmosphere, crafting a world that unfolds in your mind like a film. It engages all your senses, drawing you into every emotion, including some profoundly soul-crushing moments.
The exceptional soul bond between the fae prince and the human girl was a beautiful, heart-wrenching thing to read. I felt it all.
The angst, banter, yearning, and inner dialogue were definitely some of the highlights
'She smiled, and my heart exploded in my
chest.'
The side characters are some of my favorite people/fae. The amazing found family💙 They are flawed but loyal and so relatable. I enjoyed getting to know them and witnessing their growth as the story progressed.
It is such a spellbinding story with everything I truly love in a romantasy. It's a book I didn't know I needed in my life, and now I can't breathe until book 2 is in my hands. 🫠 🥺
♥︎ prince/Commoner
♥︎ I would ruin the world for you
♥︎ soulmates/ rejected mates
♥︎ Found family
♥︎ Touch her and die
♥︎ Forbidden love
♥︎ dragons, magic, abilities
♥︎ betrayal, pinning
Run and order your copy now. You can thank me later. 😊
Thank you, @theauthor.agency and @ymariawrites, for the gifted arc.
'I would take a thousand lashings to feel her hands on me again.'
This book isn't just a story; it wrapped itself around my heart and left me beautifully broken. Y. Maria has truly penned a breathtaking world of ice and endless snow, populated with incredible mythical beings, fae, and humans. And there are dragons that absolutely rival Tairn – Yes, I went there!
Her writing is a masterclass in a poetic atmosphere, crafting a world that unfolds in your mind like a film. It engages all your senses, drawing you into every emotion, including some profoundly soul-crushing moments.
The exceptional soul bond between the fae prince and the human girl was a beautiful, heart-wrenching thing to read. I felt it all.
The angst, banter, yearning, and inner dialogue were definitely some of the highlights
'She smiled, and my heart exploded in my
chest.'
The side characters are some of my favorite people/fae. The amazing found family💙 They are flawed but loyal and so relatable. I enjoyed getting to know them and witnessing their growth as the story progressed.
It is such a spellbinding story with everything I truly love in a romantasy. It's a book I didn't know I needed in my life, and now I can't breathe until book 2 is in my hands. 🫠 🥺
♥︎ prince/Commoner
♥︎ I would ruin the world for you
♥︎ soulmates/ rejected mates
♥︎ Found family
♥︎ Touch her and die
♥︎ Forbidden love
♥︎ dragons, magic, abilities
♥︎ betrayal, pinning
Run and order your copy now. You can thank me later. 😊
Thank you, @theauthor.agency and @ymariawrites, for the gifted arc.
May 22, 2025
This was a great debut for Y. Maria! I’m not usually one for urban fantasies but the dystopian/apocalyptic setting in this was fantastic. It gave me the fantastical setting my escapist heart wants without modern items/vernacular ruining the vibes for me.
Now let’s talk characters: Elias is everything. Obviously he falls hard given the bound aspect but he also shows time and time again he generally likes Teddy on her own merits too. He’s also just an all around good male who cares for others and wants to help everyone. The fact that he’s overprotective and slightly murderous just makes him hotter.
Teddy herself is kindhearted and caring towards others too. She has trust issues at first - who can blame her in these circumstances - and sometimes she unfairly lashes out, but ultimately she’s open minded and willing to give everyone a chance. I think she has good growth in the story.
Their little family is amazing! I love love love Donnie and I’m waiting for him to get his HEA! Reyenne and Nate are adorable and I love the coffee addiction amongst the humans. Very real. I really enjoyed Everly’s character and I think she actually goes through a lot throughout this story as well. It’s just more subtle than Teddy and Elias. George and Brenton were great for adding some tension in the group as well as comic relief. I liked them both and I’m interested in learning more of Brenton’s history.
Lastly, the creatures of this story as fascinating. I’m going to need lots of character/fan art! Maybe a compendium too 😆 After the ending, I find I a most curious about these non-humanoid beings and what happens with them moving forward.
Now let’s talk characters: Elias is everything. Obviously he falls hard given the bound aspect but he also shows time and time again he generally likes Teddy on her own merits too. He’s also just an all around good male who cares for others and wants to help everyone. The fact that he’s overprotective and slightly murderous just makes him hotter.
Teddy herself is kindhearted and caring towards others too. She has trust issues at first - who can blame her in these circumstances - and sometimes she unfairly lashes out, but ultimately she’s open minded and willing to give everyone a chance. I think she has good growth in the story.
Their little family is amazing! I love love love Donnie and I’m waiting for him to get his HEA! Reyenne and Nate are adorable and I love the coffee addiction amongst the humans. Very real. I really enjoyed Everly’s character and I think she actually goes through a lot throughout this story as well. It’s just more subtle than Teddy and Elias. George and Brenton were great for adding some tension in the group as well as comic relief. I liked them both and I’m interested in learning more of Brenton’s history.
Lastly, the creatures of this story as fascinating. I’m going to need lots of character/fan art! Maybe a compendium too 😆 After the ending, I find I a most curious about these non-humanoid beings and what happens with them moving forward.
May 16, 2025
Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Fate has destined Elias and Teddy to be together, but fate will also keep them apart. Elias is a fae while Teddy is a human, and the two live in completely separate realms. Worst of all, if Elias crosses into Teddy's realm, he will doom her world. Elias accepts that he will never be with Teddy until her life is in danger, and he risks everything to save her. Now, the fae must stay among the humans to help them battle the monsters from the fae world and survive an endless winter. Can Teddy ever love the male who brought such destruction to her world?
This book was EPIC and I loved every page! Literally all of my favorite tropes: fated mates, forced proximity, found family, touch her and goodbye--and there is a scene where the characters roast marshmallows. Did I DM the author about this scene because I nearly lost my mind? Yes, obviously. Elias and Teddy are fantastic characters who kept surprising me. Elias is not your average fae, and Teddy is not your average human. If you love dragons, this book has a very sassy one whom I adore. The story is full of action, excitement, and mystery while maintaining lots of emotion. I really felt for both Elias and Teddy and the impossible situation they were put in. There is also just the right amount of spice to keep the romance steamy. I absolutely adored this book and can't wait to read the next one in the series!
Follow me on Instagram @smorebooksplease for more bookish fun!
Fate has destined Elias and Teddy to be together, but fate will also keep them apart. Elias is a fae while Teddy is a human, and the two live in completely separate realms. Worst of all, if Elias crosses into Teddy's realm, he will doom her world. Elias accepts that he will never be with Teddy until her life is in danger, and he risks everything to save her. Now, the fae must stay among the humans to help them battle the monsters from the fae world and survive an endless winter. Can Teddy ever love the male who brought such destruction to her world?
This book was EPIC and I loved every page! Literally all of my favorite tropes: fated mates, forced proximity, found family, touch her and goodbye--and there is a scene where the characters roast marshmallows. Did I DM the author about this scene because I nearly lost my mind? Yes, obviously. Elias and Teddy are fantastic characters who kept surprising me. Elias is not your average fae, and Teddy is not your average human. If you love dragons, this book has a very sassy one whom I adore. The story is full of action, excitement, and mystery while maintaining lots of emotion. I really felt for both Elias and Teddy and the impossible situation they were put in. There is also just the right amount of spice to keep the romance steamy. I absolutely adored this book and can't wait to read the next one in the series!
Follow me on Instagram @smorebooksplease for more bookish fun!
May 24, 2025
Right as soon as you start reading the first page you are immersed into the action of this fantasy world. You quickly learn Elias’ connection to the mystery human girl he keeps seeing visions of must be important despite being forbidden to physically go to her. Their worlds and paths must not cross despite fate linking them together- it is imperative to the survival of her world. But is it for the reason he was taught or something entirely different?! Not everything/everyone is as it seems…
The bond of fated mates in most fantasy stories ties them together in a way that regardless of the consequence the determination to find the mate, love the mate, be with the mate and defend the mate supersedes any/all other rules and priorities. And sometimes that bond reveals secrets that change everything for everyone in their worlds. This story is no different and has created a world that has you immediately itching for the next book and to find out what happens next. It is packed with emotion, action, detailed world building and takes you on a fantasy journey you won’t forget. When it said it had all of the following in this story, it did not disappoint:
🔥Fantasy Romance with Urban Fantasy
✨Fae/Human
🔥Prince/Commoner
✨Soul Mates/Rejected Mates
🔥He Falls First
✨Touch Her and Die
🔥Dragons, Magic, and Abilities
✨Forbidden Love
🔥Realm Crossing
✨Political Intrigue
🔥Morally Gray MMC
✨Found Family
🔥Yearning/pining/longing
✨Claiming Ritual
🔥Scary Fae with a soft spot for her
✨Unexpected Ally
🔥Betrayal
✨Awakening of Power
🔥Post-Apocalyptic
The bond of fated mates in most fantasy stories ties them together in a way that regardless of the consequence the determination to find the mate, love the mate, be with the mate and defend the mate supersedes any/all other rules and priorities. And sometimes that bond reveals secrets that change everything for everyone in their worlds. This story is no different and has created a world that has you immediately itching for the next book and to find out what happens next. It is packed with emotion, action, detailed world building and takes you on a fantasy journey you won’t forget. When it said it had all of the following in this story, it did not disappoint:
🔥Fantasy Romance with Urban Fantasy
✨Fae/Human
🔥Prince/Commoner
✨Soul Mates/Rejected Mates
🔥He Falls First
✨Touch Her and Die
🔥Dragons, Magic, and Abilities
✨Forbidden Love
🔥Realm Crossing
✨Political Intrigue
🔥Morally Gray MMC
✨Found Family
🔥Yearning/pining/longing
✨Claiming Ritual
🔥Scary Fae with a soft spot for her
✨Unexpected Ally
🔥Betrayal
✨Awakening of Power
🔥Post-Apocalyptic
August 6, 2025
A Fate of Ice and Lies by Y. Maria is a gripping romantasy set in a world locked in a merciless winter, ruled by dragons and fae who blur the line between protectors and oppressors. With a blend of simmering romance, political tension, and sharp emotional stakes, it’s a story that hooks you with its premise and keeps you turning the pages to see if love can survive the cold.
The frozen world is vividly realized—harsh, beautiful, and dangerous. The fae and dragons’ dominance adds a constant undertone of tension, with every interaction steeped in mistrust. Amid this, the heroine’s connection with Elias, a fae prince whose compassion sets him apart from his kind, provides a desperately needed warmth. Their early relationship is full of tender moments and unspoken longing, offering a glimmer of hope in a bleak landscape.
But Y. Maria doesn’t shy away from emotional upheaval. When the truth of Elias’s deception comes to light, the bond between them shatters, and the romantic warmth gives way to betrayal, mistrust, and heartbreak. The shift is powerful—it forces both characters to grapple with who they are without the comfort of trust, and whether the bond that once felt unbreakable can withstand such a fracture.
The prose is clean and evocative, and the pacing keeps the tension high, though at times the worldbuilding could have gone deeper—especially regarding the political and magical systems of the fae and dragons. Still, the emotional beats land, and the central romance remains compelling precisely because it refuses to offer easy resolutions.
The frozen world is vividly realized—harsh, beautiful, and dangerous. The fae and dragons’ dominance adds a constant undertone of tension, with every interaction steeped in mistrust. Amid this, the heroine’s connection with Elias, a fae prince whose compassion sets him apart from his kind, provides a desperately needed warmth. Their early relationship is full of tender moments and unspoken longing, offering a glimmer of hope in a bleak landscape.
But Y. Maria doesn’t shy away from emotional upheaval. When the truth of Elias’s deception comes to light, the bond between them shatters, and the romantic warmth gives way to betrayal, mistrust, and heartbreak. The shift is powerful—it forces both characters to grapple with who they are without the comfort of trust, and whether the bond that once felt unbreakable can withstand such a fracture.
The prose is clean and evocative, and the pacing keeps the tension high, though at times the worldbuilding could have gone deeper—especially regarding the political and magical systems of the fae and dragons. Still, the emotional beats land, and the central romance remains compelling precisely because it refuses to offer easy resolutions.
August 9, 2025
This was such an fun book that had me hooked from the beginning. The dystopian, modern day setting blended with fantasy elements really sets it apart.
Elias makes the choice to save his fated mate, Teddy, at the expense of the human realm, consequences be damned. As a result, the human world is plunged into an endless Winter fraught with peril. Elias and his friends are banished from their realm and tasked with helping the humans survive but there’s a fine line between protectors and oppressors.
The humans are far from trusting when it comes to the Fae which adds a layer of tension, but there is also something darker lurking beneath the surface of it all.
Teddy is kind, personable and no nonsense. And Elias? Elias isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and doesn’t shy away from showing his emotions, which is refreshing, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t overprotective and a little bit feral at times when it comes to Teddy.
Despite being fated mates, the slow-burn romance allows them to get to know each other on a deeper level before giving into the bond. However, their relationship isn’t all smooth sailing.
Overall this is a beautifully written story with in-depth world building, high emotional stakes, political intrigue and a slew of magical creatures, including a snarky dragon. The side characters are a lot fun and the relationship building throughout is on point - there’s banter and chaos, so much love and heart. Honestly, this book was an emotional roller coaster and I loved every minute of it.
Elias makes the choice to save his fated mate, Teddy, at the expense of the human realm, consequences be damned. As a result, the human world is plunged into an endless Winter fraught with peril. Elias and his friends are banished from their realm and tasked with helping the humans survive but there’s a fine line between protectors and oppressors.
The humans are far from trusting when it comes to the Fae which adds a layer of tension, but there is also something darker lurking beneath the surface of it all.
Teddy is kind, personable and no nonsense. And Elias? Elias isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and doesn’t shy away from showing his emotions, which is refreshing, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t overprotective and a little bit feral at times when it comes to Teddy.
Despite being fated mates, the slow-burn romance allows them to get to know each other on a deeper level before giving into the bond. However, their relationship isn’t all smooth sailing.
Overall this is a beautifully written story with in-depth world building, high emotional stakes, political intrigue and a slew of magical creatures, including a snarky dragon. The side characters are a lot fun and the relationship building throughout is on point - there’s banter and chaos, so much love and heart. Honestly, this book was an emotional roller coaster and I loved every minute of it.
December 2, 2025
"I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.” A Fate of ice and lies. Elias emerges from his Fae realm, a world teeming with dragons, thunderbirds, and other extraordinary beings while Teddy his fated mate lives an ordinary life in modern day Texas. When Elias discovers his mate is in mortal danger, he risks everything across both worlds to save her, inadvertently triggering an eternal winter on Earth. It’s a gripping premise that immediately sets the stakes sky high. The arrival of the fae in our world, tasked with keeping humanity alive and in line, adds a compelling layer. Watching society teeter on the edge of collapse while fae magic keeps pockets of normalcy alive gives the story a unique flavor. The blend of apocalyptic tension and whimsical magic kept me fully invested, eager to see how everything would unfold. The slow burn romance between Teddy and Elias was beautifully done. Despite being fated mates, their relationship grows through genuine emotional connection before yielding to the bond. Their journey felt heartfelt and earned.
The story also delivered several genuinely surprising twists. Though the book is substantial in length, it makes sense given that it kicks off a duology within a larger series. There’s a lot happening, but it never feels aimless, instead, it builds toward something much bigger.
I’m absolutely craving more and started immediately the second book! This series has completely won me over and is without question a must read for fans of immersive fantasy, heartfelt romance, and richly crafted worlds.💛
The story also delivered several genuinely surprising twists. Though the book is substantial in length, it makes sense given that it kicks off a duology within a larger series. There’s a lot happening, but it never feels aimless, instead, it builds toward something much bigger.
I’m absolutely craving more and started immediately the second book! This series has completely won me over and is without question a must read for fans of immersive fantasy, heartfelt romance, and richly crafted worlds.💛
May 14, 2025
✨Just finished this incredible fae fantasy and I'm absolutely obsessed! In a world gripped by endless winter, where dragons and fae have taken control, Y. Maria weaves an enchanting tale of forbidden love, betrayal, and political intrigue that kept me turning pages well into the night. 🌙❄️
The chemistry between our human protagonist and Elias, the fae prince with secrets of his own, is absolutely electric. Their emotional journey from fated connection to devastating betrayal had me completely invested. The "rejected mates" and "he falls first" tropes are executed brilliantly here!
What truly sets this book apart is the masterful world-building. The post-apocalyptic setting blended with fae mythology creates a unique and atmospheric backdrop that feels both familiar and entirely fresh. And can we talk about those dragons? 🐉✨
Maria's writing style is immersive and engaging, perfectly balancing action, romance, and political machinations. The found family elements and morally gray characters add wonderful depth to this already rich story.
I'm absolutely dying to get my hands on the next book in The Fated Series! The way this story sets up future conflicts while delivering a satisfying arc of its own is *chef's kiss* 👌
TROPES:
📖 Fae/Human Romance
📖 Rejected Mates
📖 Prince/Commoner
📖 Found Family
📖 Political Intrigue
📖 Forbidden Love
Available May 21st! Don't miss this one if you love fae fantasy romance with plenty of yearning and a dash of betrayal! 💫
The chemistry between our human protagonist and Elias, the fae prince with secrets of his own, is absolutely electric. Their emotional journey from fated connection to devastating betrayal had me completely invested. The "rejected mates" and "he falls first" tropes are executed brilliantly here!
What truly sets this book apart is the masterful world-building. The post-apocalyptic setting blended with fae mythology creates a unique and atmospheric backdrop that feels both familiar and entirely fresh. And can we talk about those dragons? 🐉✨
Maria's writing style is immersive and engaging, perfectly balancing action, romance, and political machinations. The found family elements and morally gray characters add wonderful depth to this already rich story.
I'm absolutely dying to get my hands on the next book in The Fated Series! The way this story sets up future conflicts while delivering a satisfying arc of its own is *chef's kiss* 👌
TROPES:
📖 Fae/Human Romance
📖 Rejected Mates
📖 Prince/Commoner
📖 Found Family
📖 Political Intrigue
📖 Forbidden Love
Available May 21st! Don't miss this one if you love fae fantasy romance with plenty of yearning and a dash of betrayal! 💫
May 24, 2025
‘Elias may be the prince of some faraway kingdom, but I’m no damsel in distress who falls in love with the man who lied his way into my heart’
I found this debut to have potential and found myself quite easily drawn into reading it every free moment I had. The author’s writing is quite clear and inviting and will indeed keep you captivated and emotionally tied to the story! Here are my favourite top 3 things about this book:
- found family: This author really brings in force the found family trope and you can tell it’s one of the fuels that drives this story and its characters. I do like a good found family story and we have this two found families merging into one and the love and loyalty they feel for each other is priceless!
- My favourite chapter was chapter 15: I will of course not spoil it but if you do pick this one up, let me explain: I thrive on conflicts between characters and love seeing how they’ll react, if they will surprise me and how will it change them. I find it all very interesting and I think the author nailed this chapter/revelation and Teddy’s feelings and confusion!
- The title: I feel that half the titles are just random or they just sound nice and I think A Fate of Ice and Lies is PERFECT for this book. In a way, it sums the whole book in a good way: we do have ice (which is a very important part of the plot/world building), we have the lies (which again, very important to the plot) and we have fate (we do love a little bit of fate don’t we?)
I found this debut to have potential and found myself quite easily drawn into reading it every free moment I had. The author’s writing is quite clear and inviting and will indeed keep you captivated and emotionally tied to the story! Here are my favourite top 3 things about this book:
- found family: This author really brings in force the found family trope and you can tell it’s one of the fuels that drives this story and its characters. I do like a good found family story and we have this two found families merging into one and the love and loyalty they feel for each other is priceless!
- My favourite chapter was chapter 15: I will of course not spoil it but if you do pick this one up, let me explain: I thrive on conflicts between characters and love seeing how they’ll react, if they will surprise me and how will it change them. I find it all very interesting and I think the author nailed this chapter/revelation and Teddy’s feelings and confusion!
- The title: I feel that half the titles are just random or they just sound nice and I think A Fate of Ice and Lies is PERFECT for this book. In a way, it sums the whole book in a good way: we do have ice (which is a very important part of the plot/world building), we have the lies (which again, very important to the plot) and we have fate (we do love a little bit of fate don’t we?)
August 10, 2025
We follow Elias, a fae prince and heir to the throne, whose soul-bound mate is… a human. He shouldn’t cross the veil into the human world but when he senses she’s in danger, he has no choice but to save her. That one choice unleashes an eternal winter on the human realm, and as punishment, Elias is banished there to help humanity survive the disaster he caused.
Teddy has always had dreams, hallucinations, maybe, of a man more handsome than anyone she’s ever seen. Too perfect, almost storybook-like, with eyes the deepest violet. But when he steps into her reality to save her, everything unravels. Elias is real and dangerous, and after killing a man to protect her, he had no choice but to have her reject their bond and erase her memories.
This book surprised me. I sometimes wanted to shake Teddy, but I also can’t blame her. Elias, though… the yearning, the loyalty, this man would literally damn the world for her. I loved how their romance was slow and drawn out despite being fated mates. They built that emotional connection first before giving in to the bond, which made their love feel more grounded and real.
The worldbuilding is unique, watching humanity adapt to the eternal winter with the help of fae magic was fascinating. There are so many creatures, both mythological and original, and I found myself intrigued.
At times it felt a little long, but knowing this is part of a duology within a larger series makes sense. I’m already looking forward to book two.
Teddy has always had dreams, hallucinations, maybe, of a man more handsome than anyone she’s ever seen. Too perfect, almost storybook-like, with eyes the deepest violet. But when he steps into her reality to save her, everything unravels. Elias is real and dangerous, and after killing a man to protect her, he had no choice but to have her reject their bond and erase her memories.
This book surprised me. I sometimes wanted to shake Teddy, but I also can’t blame her. Elias, though… the yearning, the loyalty, this man would literally damn the world for her. I loved how their romance was slow and drawn out despite being fated mates. They built that emotional connection first before giving in to the bond, which made their love feel more grounded and real.
The worldbuilding is unique, watching humanity adapt to the eternal winter with the help of fae magic was fascinating. There are so many creatures, both mythological and original, and I found myself intrigued.
At times it felt a little long, but knowing this is part of a duology within a larger series makes sense. I’m already looking forward to book two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2025
This is not only a debut novel but a first in a series, and those alone can be daunting, let alone together. Y. Maria handled it so well and has written something that will draw you in from the first page and have you excited for everything that is to come. I loved the concept of the story where the fae world has kind of taken over the modern world. It gives a very dystopian feel to the book because the fae hasn't always been great for the humans. The story centers around Elias, who is fae and Teddy, who is human, and I loved getting to know these two. We get the point of view of both main characters, which I love because I love getting the thoughts of the main male character. It does make it hard at times throughout the story, though, because we know what Elias is feeling and doing, and Teddy is blind to it and doesn't understand why Elias is doing what he's doing. This gives us the tension I love in stories, and it's well done. They are mates, but Teddy isn't going to just lay down and take it. I also loved the secondary characters, and I'm curious to see if we'll get more of them in future books or if they'll get their own! This book is quite long, but I was entertained for the whole ride, and I am very excited for the next book! You definitely need to check this book out because you won't be disappointed!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews