I have survived the world of Men for four and twenty years. Survived even as I go mad, seeing golden eyes watching me from the shadows.
When those shadows come for me, dragging me from the devil I know and into a world somehow darker than that of Men, my mind unravels, unbinds, its threads scattering across the wild and windswept mountains. I cannot survive without the monster who followed me, tormented me, stole me, fought for me. But even if our fates are braided together, I will never see him as anything but my worst nightmare.
Honestly, I'm gutted to say that I genuinely do not understand how this book has any 5 star reviews.
TROPES / TW fated mates Orcs and humans Gambling addiction Death of a parent (in past) Grape Graped while being watched by a group of others Breeding Death And more- check the TW!
First of all, look at the cover - it is NOTHING like the story inside, the cover is a skull, snakes and flowers - the story is about grape and breeding. There's barely anything at all mentioning fate apart from a tiny character appearance at the end, mentioning the odd cryptic comment. However this character is never explained or given much of a back story or like most things in this book- this sub plot just wasn't wrapped up at all leaving the reader with a ton of confusion and more questions than answers sadly.
it's really poorly written, full of repeats even in the same paragraphs and the most annoying is how the fmc needs to 'do this' to save her little sister or how she daren't look at the shadows and her mum died, how she can not trust the mmc or forgive him and she replays and goes on and on about her grape and it's just exhausting! I understand reliving it, but every other page mentioned it again and again!
The plot itself was simple, but the author made it so bland in places, I skim read soooo much trying to just get past the unnecessary padding around every description, and every internal monologue was dragged out. one character was made out to be a bad guy and then his storyline just ended but he was made out to be a hunt you to the end of the earth man so I was dissapointed with how that trailed off. we have human soldiers in the story who hunt the orc and then bet on them graping human women and stand around holding guns to their heads watching and waiting for their turn with whatever is left of the women- I get it's dark and I have no problem with this- but again it's sets the soldiers up to be cruel and they're just dissapointing after this moment.
To sum it up it reads like a first draft that you'd send out to see if you have got something, then it goes through the edits, looses a good 100 pages or gets re written and then made into a book. This could have been so good because the idea behind it is wonderful.
Dissapointed. Truly, I dnf at 85% because I just couldn't take anymore, I got through it and got through the tough bits and then sat back and asked myself why am I 'getting through' it when reading is supposed to be fun!
Epic slow-burn orc romantasy full of twisted deceit, jaw dropping action, and plot twist that keeps you turning the page to see what comes next! Mia and Rhaegor’s story was so much fun to watch unfold! I could not put the book down without reading just one more chapter! Mia has always been the one to put her family’s wellbeing before her own, even if that means being sent into a marriage with a man who is more beast than those he keeps as slaves on his estate. But a shadow has been haunting Mia for years. Always watching, only watching. Until events unfold and hurl her into uncharted territory, where beast roam and her life once again becomes nothing but a chess piece to be used and moved as others choose. I definitely recommend for those who enjoy monster romance with a morally black MMC who will burn the world to protect the woman he loves. These Twisted Fates
These Twisted Fates is a gripping, atmospheric start to Violet Jackson’s Fae and Monsters series—perfect for fans of dark fantasy, morally gray characters, and slow-burn romance.
From the first page, Jackson immerses you in a vivid world where danger lurks behind every bargain and nothing is quite what it seems. The story is filled with tension, twists, and characters who are as complex as they are captivating. You’ll question everyone’s motives and still be surprised.
The romance simmers, the stakes are high, and the world-building is layered and immersive without ever slowing the pace. It’s the kind of book that pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the last page—and even then, you’re left wanting more.
This is an unforgettable introduction to a dark and enchanting series. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Huge thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed reading this book so much! There were disturbing parts, so check your triggers. But overall this was a wonderfully thought out story. This was an absolute page turner. I read it in just a couple days. I would not say it's a feel good story. There are lots of potentially triggering aspects.
I loved that the author created an entire language for the Orcs! Though I did find it hard to follow at times and would just skip over the "Orc talk". The author did provide a language dictionary of sorts in the back but this was tedious on a Kindle.
Spoiler!! I did find it a little odd how the FMC was so incredibly traumatized (rightly so!) and could not even handle the MMC breathing in her general vacinity but then just seemed to snap out of it.
Overall, this story was fantastic and I am looking forward to the second book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I wasn’t prepared for the direction this book took—and I really mean that. From the outside, it looked like something I could handle. But once I got into it… wow. There were scenes that were genuinely disturbing, emotionally intense, and hard to read. Moments that made me pause, take a breath, and wonder if I could keep going.
There were times I thought about putting it down—not because it was bad, but because it hit that hard. But I’m so glad I pushed through. This book was powerful, beautifully written, and raw in a way that demands to be felt.
Please take the trigger warnings seriously. This story touches on things that could be deeply traumatic for some readers, and it doesn’t shy away from the dark.
It’s a tough read, but a meaningful one. And if you’re in the right headspace for it, it’s absolutely worth it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really liked the premise of the story but there were many times when the story fell flat from so much description and detail in between events. The beginning of the book pulled me in with the dark triggers and events happening but after it began to dull out. Again I really liked the premise of the story and what came of it but the writing style was not for me. I also had trouble following the change in language constantly throughout the dialogues. I really wanted to like this story, but it fell a bit flat.
Very early on in the book Violet Jackson grabs your attention with detailed vanacular. Her writing quickly drawing you in and pulling you into her world. The amount of shared apathy you have with her MFC for the orcs is like none other. This isn't for the faint of heart, well written descriptive accounts require checking your trigger warnings! This book is heavy. As someone who has been SA'd this was a tough read. And the way the Author captured the thought process of the aftermath is both haunting and beautiful. It turned out so differently than I thought and I loved where she chose to end the story; so much so that I pre-ordered the following 2 books in the series and I can not wait to read them! I want to thank Violent Jackson for the honor of getting to ARC this first installment of her otherworldly, dark, yet beautiful series!
This story follows Mia, our female lead, as she is married off to a ruthless man. A man that puts her through hell. Only for her to be taken away and over the Wall into the lands of the orcs by a captive orc Rheagor. This book is outside of what I normally read, however I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. Before reading, make sure to check trigger warnings. Some content can be triggering to some. Chapter 10 contents some of this content in its most brutal form. It can be triggering and rough to get through. It is meant to be traumatic for both of our main characters. It is not meant to be take as romantic in any way. Through this trauma we get some great character development between the two main leads. We see both Mia and Rheagor overcome what has happened to them. The world building was enough to fully understand the world of the orcs, their different clans, and the different cultures. It never felt overwhelming. The first half of the book can feel repetitive with some of the story points but it never took me out of the reading experience. The repetitive feeling does tamper off midway through the book. During the second half we are introduced to Rheagor's poverty. This made my reading experience that much more enjoyable. Violet Jackson wrote it in a way that I thought it was going one way and that I didn't like Rheagor's actions. Just to flip the script on me with his pov and actually made it that I adored his character. I really liked this book. I would definitely recommend it as long as the reader is okay with the trigger warnings. I will patiently be waiting for the author's next work.
This was a NEW genre for me. I was hesitant but had scene a post from the author and decided to jump in feet first. Okay let's start with triggers...read them..adhere to them. Mental health matters.. now boy oh boy. The story is about Mia lives at home with her dad, sister and twin brothers. When she looks out into the Forrest she sees a shadow with amber yellow eyes. Yet she doesn't know if she's afraid or intrigued. She wants to go beyond the wall but it's too frightened. Mia father sells her to an awful man and she is to marry him. But because of her defiant nature things happen and when I say things I mean many thing and some will have you upset in tears. Some would probably even frighten you to the core. Mia goes through many things although not all so awful some are. She's resilient and strong beyond measure. I can't say enough without spoilers. But she meets Rhaegor the shadow with yellow amber eyes and things happen as well very bad things. Just again please read triggers. I'm resilient and nosey so I kept reading I NEEDED to find out what happens so I continued. Now let's talk about the author. Violet Jackson absolutely killed the writing. I swore I was watching a movie at the edge of my seat. She had a way of captivating and capturing my attention that I read this book 4 days. I can keep writing about it for days but I won't spoil it.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book dragged me out of a reading slump and tossed me headfirst into a violently magical world I never wanted to leave. If you’re craving something dark, dangerous, and slow-burn delicious—with a story that unfolds like a trap snapping shut—These Twisted Fates is your next obsession.
From the opening line, the atmosphere is thick with dread and allure. Our heroine has survived the brutal world, but the shadows are closing in—and watching. Golden eyes, whispers of magic, and the looming presence of him—Rhaegor.
Yes, he’s an orc. Yes, there’s tension so sharp it might slice you. And yes, it’s absolutely epic.
Mia and Rhaegor’s dynamic is pure slow-burn gold. Their relationship builds with such intensity—through betrayal, violence, and undeniable pull—that when things finally ignite, it’s impossible to look away. Add in the brutal worldbuilding, a twisty plot full of deceit and surprises, and some jaw-dropping action scenes, and you’ve got a book that demands to be devoured.
What you’ll love: 🗡️ Orc romantasy done right 🔥 Slow-burn, high-stakes romance 🖤 A heroine you root for through madness and magic 💣 Plot twists that had me whispering “no way” at 2 a.m. 🌌 A dark fantasy world that feels vast and vicious
This book is unhinged in the best way—bloody, brutal, and unexpectedly tender. Violet Jackson doesn’t hold back, and I’m so glad she didn’t. I’m already desperate for the next installment.
I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this book. First and foremost, take a look at the trigger warning page. It is there for a reason, do not skip. Mia is basically sold off by her father to marry Bartan, a cruel man who slaughtered women, children, and orcs with no regret or shame in the name of peace. Though distraught, her sense of duty and sacrifice for her family and siblings is strong. Rhaegor, an orc, is captured and brought back to the manor with a comrade and while enduring a beating from Bartan, Mia comes out and voices her opinions one too many times. From there it goes downhill for her fast. My warning as a reader is for chapter 10. It is devastating. It sets the tone for so much of the rest of the book. It is also the truest example of the lesser of all evils. And it is evil. The author breaks our souls and steals all hope from us. But then she slowly seeps it back as the story continues. Rhaegor saves Mia in the only way he possibly could have and continues to save her throughout the book. At one point, he says “I will burn the world for you…” and that is definitely one of the strongest themes in this novel. Rhaegor himself goes through hell and back emotionally, mentally, and physically for Mia, to prove himself to her, and though it is in some of the darkest ways possible, his love for her definitely cannot be questioned. And through that, she becomes one again.
“He had broken and remade me, reforged me in blood and love and iron, and made me whole.”
Incredible read!! Slow Burn/Fated Mates/Monster Dark Fantasy Romance! Lots of twists and turns! These Twisted Fates will be your next reading obsession!!! 🖤 Please, please, please check your trigger warnings before diving into this book!!! Mia and Rhaegor's story was incredible….”until the end”! I could not put this book down and was up until 2am and had to make myself put this book down to get some sleep lol! Mia has always been the one to make sacrifices, putting everyone else before herself; even being sent into a marriage with a ruthless man who keeps as slaves (orcs) on his estate. This man puts her through hell. Only for her to be taken away and over the Wall into the lands of the orcs by a captive orc Rhaegor. We see both Mia and Rhaegor overcome their different battles and what has happened to them. Their relationship builds with such intensity-they have such an undeniable pull; through deceit, violence, betrayal, and lots of plot twists! Mia and Rhaegor have such deep character development! Rhaegor will burn the world down for her…until nothing is left. 🥀Monster romantasy ❤️🔥 Slow burn 🔥Some Spice in second half 🪄 A heroine 📚 A page turner you can’t put down 🌟 Dark Twisted Fantasy 🖤A Dark Love A highly recommended read!! Violet Jackson did a phenomenal job executing this story and she did NOT hold back! I am impatiently waiting for the next read!! ❤️🔥
I absolutely loved this book! These Twisted Fates by Violet Jackson was the perfect mixture of fantasy and romance with some dark twists and turns.
Please be advised of all of the trigger warnings before reading this book.
We follow Mia, who is Betrothed to Duke Bartan - a Duke well known for his cruelty and enslavement of orcs. When Mia stands against the cruelty of the orcs, she is then shown just how vicious her new husband and the orcs can be. She is then left to wrestle with the trauma of these events as she embarks on a new life beyond the wall.
I really enjoyed how Violet Jackson writes emotion in all of the characters and lets you see the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of them. There is also another language in the book called blacktongue and although the words are sometimes translated, I really started to feel like I understood most of the language as I moved forward in the book. There is just the right mix of gore, action, romance, political intrigue, and relationship building throughout the book to keep me engaged in the story.
I look forward to reading more of Fae and Monsters Universe!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
These Twisted Fates is a phenomenal read, but please, PLEASE check your triggers. Your mental health matters, too.
This story follows young Mia along her journey of loss, betrayal, and heartbreak. It also follows her growth and destiny and love, above all. She is a strong soul, who goes through so much more than should have happened.
The life that she thought she lost is just the tip of the iceberg. It's an uphill battle for Mia, with a lot of struggles and obstacles, let alone wrestling with her morals. But what she stands to gain in the end, if she can survive this cruel twist of fate? Immeasurable.
Chapter 10 will likely make or break your ability to read this story. No spoilers, but proceed with caution. Past this, all of the hard parts are way more digestible.
I would suggest the readers of this book have a strong like of the Fantasy genre, but also need to enjoy spicy books. There is some intense world building, new language and cultures, fantastical beasts, while also including some VERY graphic adult scenes.
I wish you the best while reading Mia's story. I loved it, immensely.
So I’m gonna try to do this review without spoilers and I just finished this book a few moments ago. CHECK TRIGGERS! It’s like if you combine fantasy/fairy tale vibes with a few Bridgerton hints dunked and fried in GoT with Handmaids level of a heart string pull style of dark. This legitimately is NOT a romance or a romantasy. This book style wise will live rent free in many people’s heads because it fits no mold but one of its own. It’s a love story and a story of struggles and conquering those struggles done so poetically well it left me breathless. It flows so friggen well and the world building… Lord this is the first book that EVER had me hooked on a prologue. You’ll be enchanted and terrified all at the same time when you follow along with the FMC, I know *Only spoiler I’m gonna say* Mia overall as a character will be someone that will make you feel everything right along with her. Check triggers but dive in. This book is so dang worth it. I plan on reading the next one as soon as it’s available and this will definitely be something I have in all formats I can get it. I’ve never been so hooked.
* I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
This book will have you questioning how someone can treat another so badly and not feel bad about it. It will have you trying to see both sides of the main characters' thoughts and actions. Have you hoping that the main characters can over come what has happened to them. You will question motives. You may find moments of contentment and a sliver of happiness. I will be reading book 2 when it comes out.
I would recommend it to anyone who wants a story that is a dark fantasy romance with orcs, has horrible situations that cause PTSD, an eventual HEA, and wants some spicy scenes.
- Check Trigger Warnings!!! - Dark Monster/Fantasy Romance - Orcs - Trauma - Impris0nment/Slav3ry - F0rced Br33ding - Murd3r and Abus3 - Mental Health/PTSD - Pregnancy - Found Family/Reunited Family - Part of interconnected series (Book 1 of the "Of Fae & Monsters" series) - Book 2 is called "This Wounded Earth" and should be out August 2025
Spicy Chapters: 10, 54, 56, 57, 63-64 Number of Spicy Scenes: 5
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is intended to be my constructive feedback as a fellow writer but these are just the opinions of one person.
I really wanted to enjoy this book, and I gave it every chance to pull me in, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me.
The prose was written in a style which may appeal to readers who enjoy flowery, Regency-era dialogue, but for me, it made the narrative feel even more drawn-out and difficult to connect with.
The premise had a lot of potential, a dark fantasy romance with high emotional stakes. However, the execution made it a tough read. The pacing was painfully slow, with large portions of the book dedicated to internal monologue or repetitive thoughts from the FMC, which stalled the momentum and made the story feel much longer than it needed to be.
One of the biggest hurdles for me was the communication, or lack thereof. A large chunk of the book relied on language barriers between characters, with dialogue delivered in broken "common" (English) or untranslated Orcish (Black Tongue), which made it really hard to stay engaged. And while I understand the intention behind including a stuttering maid, that choice, on top of already stilted dialogue, made the reading experience even more awkward.
The emotional tension between the main characters also felt misplaced. The FMC frequently blamed the MMC for actions that were clearly done under duress, despite him explaining multiple times that the consequences would have been far worse otherwise. Her trauma is absolutely valid, but the way it was processed on the page made it difficult to connect with her.
Overall, while I appreciate the unique worldbuilding and the author’s attempt at crafting a morally complex relationship, I think the story would have benefited from tighter pacing, clearer communication between characters, and a stronger emotional arc. I commend the creativity, but this one, sadly, just wasn’t for me.
I liked this book a lot but DO CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNING! Mia lives in a misogynistic and xenophobic society in which Orcs are captured and bred with human women to create a slave caste. Mia, who lives in relative comfort sees it as wrong but is preoccupied with her own troubles. She needs to marry well to save her family. When her father takes away her choice and marries her to a sadistic duke who finds pleasure in hurting both women and orcs. Her world is shattered under his cruelty at the hands of a wild orc, and she must try and put herself back together.
Spoiler⭐️⭐️
This is a dark fantasy with romantic elements. Please know there is SA on the page and it is part of the overall character arc. What I loved best about this story was the world building and the culture building of the Ors.
The prose felt a bit repetitive and the slow burn drawn out but for a debut indie author I am impressed. I am looking forward to the next one.
I was enthralled with this story from the beginning. There was this element of suspense that just drew me in. The growth of the female lead from a meek woman who has great plans at challenging the system but ultimately resigns herself to what is happening to a strong leader that was forged in the fires of her experiences was probably one of my favorite features second to the slow-burn romance between the male and female leads. The author also expertly crafts the complexity of trauma in the female lead as well as how that trauma can affect those around them and their interactions with that person. The character connections even of supporting characters were well crafted. I highly recommend this to any dark romance girlie it will keep you wanting more and I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
Disclaimer: I received this a free copy of this book through Booksprout in exchange for my honest review.
These Twisted Fates sunk its claws into me from the very first line and didn’t let go. Violet Jackson paints a brutal, blood-soaked world where beauty isn’t a blessing it’s a sentence.
This book is raw and merciless: human women forced into Pairings with conquering orcs, a heroine who refuses to bow even as everything around her is built to break her, and an orc “enemy” who is as magnetic as he is terrifying.
The writing is atmospheric and cutting, every page dripping with tension. Lyra’s voice feels like iron and glass: angry, sharp, and impossible to ignore. And the romance? Twisted, slow-burn, dangerous it made my heart race in all the best ways.
I loved how the story asks hard questions about power, consent, and the cost of survival, but still gives you sparks of tenderness in the unlikeliest places.
Dark, violent, and unputdownable. If you like your romantasy feral and full of teeth, you need this book
This is not your dark romance light summer read. This is your heavy world building, dark, under your skin, HEAVY trigger warning novel. Mia, our FMC, and Rhaegor, our main Orc character have twisted fates together. The author does a good job pushing and pulling between the two and adding in outside factors that puts pressure on their relationship. Overall, the book was an interesting read, but not an overall all encompassing, intent to read just one more chapter for me. The plot seems to stall out in a few places, for me. I feel like this would be a great book for those who really love higher fantasy novels that want more spice and romance in their novels.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I could not put this book down! It’s an entirely different read than others. FMC at first kind of annoyed me. She was essentially a free spirit trapped in duty. Chapter 10 hit hard. It is not for anyone who can’t see the bigger story being told. I struggled reading it. But at the end, it made sense. The MMC was sneaky. Moving behind the scenes, like game board pieces. He literally would do anything for the FMC. But not always in a way that she would like. The world building for this was amazing and the language!!! Loved it. Kind of felt like reading Dothraki or Targaryen from Game of Thrones. Don’t worry, there is list at the end that provides translation. Now I need to know what happen to the brother and sister of the FMC. You can say I’m hoping for a second book!!!!
I’m not sure where to start, this book has a little bit of everything all wrapped in a nice package. There were moments I was somewhat unsure which direction the author would take me but in the end there was a HEA. At times the book was hard to follow with the “language” spoken, there is a dictionary at the end however I didn’t realize this till the end since I was reading digital copy. Would have been nice to have a translation right in the storyline. To some it may have triggers so please be aware of those personally I have none. Overall the book was wonderful and I look forward to the 2nd to see a new couple evolve.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is exactly what I've been looking for. I've been in a book hangover for several weeks from the last book I read. I needed something that's fantasy, plot driven and main characters that have incredible chemistry, and this is that book. The writing is top notch, the characters are fleshed out and the lore is expanded on. I think my only wish was that maybe a few plot points were wrapped up a little more, like the plot with Anthony and her brothers but at the same time I don't really feel like it has anywhere to fit without taking away from the story. I loved every part of this book and I'm so so excited for This Wounded Earth
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I chose to DNF the book at 22%. I just couldn’t get in to it.
It is a dark fated mated romance between the FMC and an orc who is the MMC. it’s truly dark and heavy with on page grape, murder, and also a lot of talk of forced breeding.
It drags a bit for me. By chapter 13 the orcs are still speaking an unknown language and story is still focusing on the cruelty of the FMC’s arranged marriage and the only interaction between her and the MMC is him being forced to grape her multiple times. The build up was just too long.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"These Twisted Fates" tells the story of the spirited and strong-willed Mia who's destiny appears to be chosen by her father. Through a "twist of fate", Mia meets Rhaegor in an unorthodoxed way. Set in a fantasy world seemingly with it's own time, Mia and Rhaegor endure hardships, constantly testing their faith and growing love with each other. Violet Jackson's writing style truly brought the characters to life, giving them demension. This book was suspenseful and a page turner. A great read for anyone who likes dark romance, fantasy, and some adventure. Please see all trigger warnings by author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ohhhhh how I love a good dark and twisty romance!!!!! Definitely be sure to read your trigger warnings before reading but if you're like me you dive in blind. Hehehehe
This book brings back some old ways of thinking in how women are treated mixed with spice and orcs. So yes we have a dark twisty fantasy romance with amazing world and character building.
Be sure to buckle up because just as you are thinking you know what the MMC is going to do he changes it up. Our FMC is a bit sheltered to the ways of the world and learns so many lessons right from the start. Happy reading and I hope you loved this book as much as I did.
This was my first read with an orc as the MMC. the story between Mia and Rhaegar was not an easy one to read in some scenes. There is definitely more detailed depictions of harder to read plot points. This made you very sympathetic to Mia, until you get the entire story. As for the writing itself, there were some lines that were just too redundant for my liking and there seemed to be some pacing issues. Drawn out when not as necessary and then just breezing through others. With that being said, I will be watching for book 2.
💝🫶🏼 Please mind your triggers before diving in 🫶🏼💝 Cruelty, brutality, and violence; long list of TWs.
“Nothing was as it should be, between a girl enchanted by the forest and an orc who smelled of pine and snow, who swore to follow her until the end.” This dark fantasy unfolds with vivid story telling, the characters well rounded, the duo of human versus orc worlds cruel for its survivors. Enthralling first installment to this series which I intend to follow!
This was a really special read. It took me through a roller coaster I was not ready for. The care the author took is really seen. Check the triggers. I like the way the world is built. I think that there is. A great deal of work and love that goes into tough topic and how the characters interact with them. I liked the Mmc most he give he a lot of fight that he was going to never let anything keep him from his love.