A Queen Crowned In Flames

Bonded to Beasts #2

by Hazel McBride

The rightful queen and her fire-breathing dragon must fight against corruption and overcome the betrayal of the man she loved in the searing conclusion to the Celtic-inspired fantasy romance duology that began with A Fate Forged in Fire.

Aemyra Daercathian is a queen on the run. Having failed to take Àird Lasair and betrayed by her husband-whom she grew to trust and 'and was beginning to fall for during her time in captivity-Aemyra is forced to retreat with a raging desire for revenge. But before she can settle the score and fulfill a sacred promise to kill Fiorean, her forces must rest and replenish their strength.

No one can know the truth.

Even though Aemyra has a fierce dragon and a large army of elemental wielders called Dùileach standing behind her, she has lost what's most important to her-her fire magic. Haunted by her love for her enemy, and unsure if she is even goddess-blessed anymore, Aemyra vows to do right by her people. Even if that means she must make a new kind of alliance, one that could mean winning back her kingdom. At a cost to her heart...

From the ashes, Aemyra must emerge a new kind of queen, but will she be the dawn for her people or the fire that burns everything to the ground?

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Dragons, Adult, Fiction, Romance

480 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 26, 2026

About the author

Hazel McBride is a Scottish author currently living in The Netherlands.

Book one in her upcoming adult fantasy romance duology, A FATE FORGED IN FIRE is being published in early 2025 by Renegade books UK and Dell US with pre-empt deals with Aufbau in German and NeoN Libri in Italian

After gaining her BSc in Psychology at the University of Glasgow, she moved to the Dominican Republic. Switching the laid-back Caribbean for the sun-drenched Canary Islands a year later, she then moved to the South of France and is now fluent in three languages. As a bisexual author, having queer characters feature prominently in her novels, alongside her Scottish heritage is hugely important to her.

Reviews

[Salma [HIATUS]]

Sooo...funny story, I want to be an ARC reader, and I just applied for a bunch of ARCs, while certain I'll never get them.

Guess what? I got the ARC for this, and I didn't even read book 1 😭

[Liana Gold]

Very excited to be able to read the continuation of A Fate Forged In Fire!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine/Delacorte Press and the author, Hazel McBride for the early eARC!

Publication date: May 26, 2026

[naz]

𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ꪆৎ ˚⋅ book 1 ended in cliffhanger, now I got the arc to see what happens (thank the lord for duologies)!!!!! if you want to read my review of A Fate Forged in Fire<-- here you go.

[Romy · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

A huge thank you to the amazing author herself, Hazel McBride, for gifting me an ARC of A Queen Crowned in Flames!! I really enjoyed this book! I wasn’t sure which direction the story would go in after the devastating cliffhanger from book one, but I was pleasantly surprised! I won’t give anything away, but I love when a book can subvert my expectations/predictions! I will also always love a world inspired by Scotland, although I wouldn’t have minded a little more! More world building, more from the side characters, and more from the dragons/dragon bonds! I know there will be more books in this universe, so here’s to hoping we will go even deeper into the lore of Erisocia and its people!

[Ali]

need this book like i need air to breathe

[Davi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I was so happy to be an ARC reader for this book!

A Fate Forged in Fire was one of my 5-star reads of 2025, and this sequel is a fantastic follow-up. A Queen Crowned in Flames was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I will definitely be buying a physical copy. If you read and enjoyed book one, this second installment is well worth your time.

This story is a direct continuation of the first book and picks up shortly after the previous conclusion. The plot follows Aemyra as she processes the trauma she endured in book one and explores how those experiences have shaped her outlook on the war and her relationships with her allies. Religious oppression and the weight of making sacrifices for loved ones are two major themes throughout the story. New characters are introduced, old ones are fleshed out more, and the world building is expanded upon significantly.

My only qualm, and the reason I deducted 0.5 stars, was the pacing. While book one was consistently fast-paced and impossible to put down, the momentum in this book felt like it dropped off during the second quarter. However, many of my lingering questions from the first book were finally answered, and the battle sequences were easily some of my favorite scenes. All in all, this is a satisfying conclusion to the duology.

[louise ʚଓ · Rating 4 out of 5]

| rating: 4 stars

i love seeing authors grow and improve their craft. this was an incredible read.

full review to come!

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House for the e-ARC!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

Great conclusion to duology that addressed nearly all my issues from first book.

First thank you to Ballantine, Delacorte Press, NetGalley, and Hazel McBride for the eARC, all opinions my own.

This book picks up exactly where A Fate Forged in Fire left off with Aemyra fleeing for her (and her army’s) lives following defeat in battle for Tir Tiene. Aemyra must fight her grief and betrayal (and the loss of her fire magic) to rally allies to fight and take her rightful place as Queen.

I really enjoyed this one and while I do have some issues it was fun, emotional ride. Aemyra’s battle against her anger, grief, confusion, love, and how to be a just ruler, is center stage here and I really enjoyed the overall arc it took. In book 1 I had gotten annoyed with Aemyra’s lack of foresight/impulsivity but after reading this book it does good job working that into how she has changed since her betrayal/defeat.

I also had been frustrated in book 1 that many of the side characters felt one dimensional and that was remedied here. New characters like Thear and Riya add depth to Aemyra’s arc and returning ones like Maeve, Sorcha, and even the dragons played larger, and moving, roles in the story. Adarian was still fairly one note but that was ok. The bonds between magic wielders, their magic, and their beasts continued to play large role and was really great.

If I had to complain one thing would be that I think this could have actually been a trilogy instead of duology (or maybe just slightly longer book). I think some of the lore/events could have done with bit more room to breathe and then might seem little less convenient. Similarly the final large battle against Alfred’s forces happens mainly off page. However, overall I think it’s not huge issue.

Also (and I stress that this might just be an eARC issue so please disregard if changed in final version) if places are going to be referenced so frequently they need to be labeled on the map. I spent lot of time looking for places mentioned only to find them missing. But still that’s minor issue.

Overall very enjoyable duology that leaves open lot of potential exploration within the world that I would be very excited to return to.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book as much as the first one, but it suffered from the same (very) slow start among a number of additional new issues. Overall, I still mostly enjoyed it, but I wouldn't really recommend it.

A Queen Crowned in Flames centers on Queen Aemrya's struggle to regain her kingdom from Alfred and her husband, Fiorean, who recently betrayed her. The main struggle (beyond just endless battles) is that Alfred has created a chemical that blocks the magic of the magic-wielders in Aemrya's army. A major subplot follows Aemrya and her twin's struggle to create an antidote. The second major subplot is focused on Aemrya agreeing to marry the son of one of the other lords in exchange for his allegiance and support in her war.

Aemrya herself doesn't do very much in this book. The antidote is mostly her twin's project and she mostly serves as a vessel for the deus ex machina that makes it work. While she participates in the battles, her actions have very little effect on the outcome of the battles. She spends most of the book caught up in her own head about her magic, while suddenly throwing her trust at the one new character instead of all of her friends and companions from the previous book.

And on top of that, all of the plot suffers from being hugely predictable. The antidote doesn't work until it suddenly does. And of course you can guess what happens with Aemyra and Fioren, given that we know what sort of romance book this is. (Sorry Thear, I did think you were great).

The pacing is also not quite right. The beginning was incredibly slow, and worsened by the fact that there was no recap of the previous book or any attempt to remind you who some of these characters are or why they are important. While the book does get faster after this point, the pacing is still all over the place. It jumps from high energy drawn out battle scenes to sudden time skips where apparently nothing happens to random rituals which don't really progress the plot.

This book does set up a really interesting dichotomy between the 'normal' or non-duileach and the magic-wielding, animal-bonded duileach. There is real growth in recognizing that the non-duileach have a justified reason to be angry at being powerless and looked-down upon. Aemrya's journey to understanding her people was actually very interesting and satisfying to see.

A few other random thoughts:
- There's a lot of causal anti-men sentiment, just lots of 'fucking men' and repeated allusions to men being stubborn and unreasonable. I would normally ignore this, but there was just so much of it that it did make me slightly uncomfortable.
- The battles are won and lost for reasons outside of Aemyra's control, which weakens the plot and her purpose in the story.
- The secret to good mental health is apparently drug induced hallucinations
- The super cool dragons mostly seem like a combination of inanimate vehicles, an excuse for mind magic, and status symbols. Other than causing problems, the dragon bonds don't actually do? anything? I would've loved to see a deeper connection between Aemyra's and Terrea that actually amounted to something more.

Overall, this book is fine. It's got a healthy amount of spice and the writing itself is generally pretty good. However, it has a few too many plot holes and just-so moments for me to give it 5 stars.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a duology!

Thank you Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

We dive back into our world where oppression reigns, unless we can get Aemyra to sit on golden throne. Her promise mark burning and her dragon Terrea ready to unleash their feminine rage and the battle carries on.

She travels to gain aide from the Chimeras and we get golden retriever Thear. Whom soothes Aemyra’s heart and teaches her much about herself along with Riya.
I enjoyed all of the side characters and depth they provided to Aemyra’s growth.
They believe in her, just like her father Draevan.

She has such a passion for her people. She proclaimed in this quote:
“All would be welcome in Tir Teine, regardless of religion, background, or culture. It would be a peaceful home for all.
And their queen would fight with flame and fury to ensure it remained so.”

I again experienced alllll the emotions.
This book didn’t traumatize me like book 1, but it still gave emotional damage.
Hazel McBride really has a way with descriptive feelings and she set the stage for them so well.

My favorite bit is that the dragons(all mythical creatures) that are bonded don’t speak directly to you in words but in images and emotions.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 | 4.25 stars rounded down

A Fate Forged in Fire is one of my all-time favorite romantasy books, and A Queen Crowned in Flames picked up right where AFFIF left off.

Aemyra's struggles with grief, guilt, betrayal, rage, and so much more are portrayed in a very raw and meaningful way throughout this book. I really enjoyed seeing her grapple with the cost of leadership. The side characters are really well fleshed out and stand on their own.

The emotional impact of this book is HIGH, and I felt characters' pain as though it was my own. The world building is rich and vivid, and I LOVE the Celtic elements throughout.

The pace was a bit inconsistent at times and I missed the political scheming of the first book, but this was still an excellent read. I wanted just a *tad* more from Aemyra and Fiorean's reunion, too, considering how much they both went through.

I also really appreciated the pronunciation guide at the start of the book.

Overall, a fantastic conclusion to this duology, which has made me extra excited for the next two duologies in this universe.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine | Delacorte Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Sennehs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This feminist fantasy is a decisively adventurous follow up to “A Fate Forged in Fire”. I was hooked by Aemyra’s story and anxiously awaiting the second installment.

In this book we follow Aemyra’s continued quest for the golden throne. While faltering at times she mostly held her own. She had to make more strategic decisions which sometimes came at the risk of making her character look weak and indecisive. I don’t know if that was the author’s intention.

The book was fast paced, but it had A LOT going on which diluted the storyline some. Were there thrilling surprises, twists, and return characters I didn’t anticipate (I don’t want to give any spoilers)? Absolutely! That made it an exciting read. But, it was also sometimes exhausting (not in a good way). The characters, the locations, etc. made it more convoluted than strictly necessary. While the pace was on point it was still a slog to get through at times.

I didn’t think this was as successful as the initial book in the series, and the ending which proposed there may be more to come was unfortunate. The author has exhausted this tale and I hope they don’t spin it off into another story.

[Amy Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ is generous because this was a complete bust for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the arc of A Queen Crowned in Flames. After reading book 1, this was an anticipated new release for me in 2026.

Unfortunately, I really struggled with this book.
I’m truly disappointed that this book wasn’t a success story for me. I still urge you to read and decide for yourself. Especially if you loved book one.

Pros:
✔️ extensive pronunciation guide, which you will need if that kind of thing matters to you.
✔️ dragons
✔️ the story picks up exactly where it left. There are no time leaps.
✔️ The last 20% saved this book.
✔️ It does wrap up nicely with a satisfying conclusion.

Cons:
❌ It was incredibly slow for 80% and then suddenly rushed. The plot felt disjointed. I couldn’t make sense of how we got from one step to the next. The battle scenes and world building did not feel complete.
❌ The relationship development didn’t make sense, between any of them. The characters weren’t likable (except Thear) and the romance wasn’t believable.
❌ The magic thrown in at the end needed further exploration.
❌ Also, the biggest ick over the use of a dragon to aid in self gratification/pleasure.

[Darth C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy flying f*ck balls…. we were warned. We were gently, lovingly, ominously warned about the trauma. And yet??? I still walked into this book like a fool with hope in my pocket.

Book one ruined my life.
Book two set it on fire, crowned itself in the flames, and made me watch. And I liked it.

This sequel is whiplash central. The emotional damage hits deeper, sharper, and with intent. The twists are absolutely here (and yes, if you’re paying attention you know what’s coming), but that does not make it any less feral, devastating, or satisfying when it finally drops. If anything, the dread marination makes it worse (complimentary).

Hazel McBride said: stakes higher, knives sharper, feelings illegal.
And I ate it up.

By the end, Hazel has officially secured auto-buy author status for me. No questions. No blurbs needed. I will simply show up, emotionally unprepared, every single time. I cannot wait to see what comes next in this universe, even if we’re no longer seeing it through Aems’ eyes (though I would absolutely let her ruin me again).

This book is power claimed, trauma embraced, and crowns earned the hard way.
Burn it all down. I’ll be seated. 🔥👑

PS: That Cho 39 scene???
🥵🥵🥵
Absolutely uncalled for. Completely feral. Next. Level. 🐉

[Rhianne Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was everything I wanted from a finale and more. Just like the first book, A Queen Crowned in Flames had me completely hooked from start to finish. I laughed, I cried, I gasped out loud at several moments, and by the time I reached the end I felt both emotionally wrecked and deeply satisfied. It was the perfect conclusion to this duology.

At the heart of the story is Aemyra’s healing and reckoning with her past, and Hazel handles it with so much care. Her journey is messy, painful, and powerful, and it never feels rushed or simplified. The female rage in this book is raw and earned, but it’s balanced beautifully with growth, forgiveness, and learning how to live with what you’ve survived rather than letting it define you. Watching Aemyra truly come into her power was incredibly rewarding.

The pacing is excellent, the battle scenes are vivid and cinematic, and the twists kept me on edge. The dragons remain a standout, adding both spectacle and emotional depth, and the supporting cast only made me love this world more. By the final pages, I was an emotional mess in the best possible way.

A stunning, fiery, and heartfelt ending that solidified this duology as a favourite. Hazel McBride is officially an auto-buy author for me.

[Brenda Yager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed being back in Tir Tiene and watching as
Aemyra fought battles in everyone else’s view but also internally. Her struggles of being a queen, the grief of loosing so many important people to her and Adarian was raw and very emotional at times. Female Rage is evident in this book but also a little bit of a young girl who wasn’t trained properly on how to lead and figuring it out on her own is present.

Losing Fiorean in A Fate Forged in Fire has Aemyra cursing all men for the first ½ of the book but their reunion was bittersweet and the reasons for the reconciliation are eye opening to a lot that happened in Book 1.

This was a great conclusion (maybe) to the duology and I can’t wait to see what Hazel has up her sleave next for us readers.

Thank you NetGalley, Ballantine/Delacorte Press and the author, Hazel McBride for the early eARC.

[Kalynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC.

This book had me holding my breath, just like A Fate Forged in Fire. The pacing is just right, and the way Hazel McBride writes combat is so vividly done that I could see every movement clearly in my mind.

At the heart of this story is Aemyra being forced to truly reckon with what happened to her at Caisteal Lasair, and that healing journey felt painfully real. Healing isn’t linear or pretty — it’s messy, uncomfortable, and often tangled up in self-doubt and insecurity. This book doesn’t shy away from that. Watching Aemyra confront her trauma while learning how to stand in her power was one of the most impactful parts of the story for me.

The female rage here is unmatched. It’s raw, justified, and deeply earned — the kind that makes you want to stand up and scream alongside her. But what makes it even stronger is how that rage is balanced with growth. Aemyra doesn’t just burn; she learns, reflects, and rebuilds herself in the process.

The characters introduced are rich and full of life, and the dragons deserve a special mention — fierce, loyal, and impossible not to love. Their presence adds both emotional weight and wonder to the story in a way that never feels like an afterthought.

This book absolutely tore me to shreds. By the end, I was a puddle. While a few moments were predictable, there were plenty of twists and deceptions along the way that kept me emotionally invested (and occasionally frustrated with Aemyra, in the best way). The humor and banter brought some lightness to heavy moments — it pulled me out briefly at times, but it also felt human, especially in a story so rooted in trauma and healing.

I can’t wait to read more from Hazel McBride. Both A Queen Born in Flames and A Fate Forged in Fire kept me holding my breath from start to finish.

[Alexis Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me on a roller coaster. I knew it would be a lot to take and it was. I could not wait for this book and so thankful that I did not have to wait super long bc of the blessings bestowed by Netgalley once again sending an absolute banger my way. This FMC is strength personified even when facing issues that withhold her magic. I mean she picks a guy up and carries him down the stairs, kind of strong, not just mentally strong in handling the madness that Hazel McBride wants to put us all through. Oh my goddess, do we go through it in this book. It hurts, won't lie. But we get it all in this book. The pain, the love, the bonds, the healing, the dragons, the spice and lots of fire, naturally. This was a very detailed duology that took me for a fabulous ride on dragon back. I friggin love this FMC. That is all. Now I have to search for another fabulous book on netgalley to cure the book hangover.........

[Kara DeLorey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Queen Crowned in Flames is a powerful conclusion to a phenomenal duology. I loved Aemyra in the A Fate Forged in Fire but she absolutely SHINED in this book; watching her come into her own was such a cool experience to witness.

Ugh, I can't believe it's over.

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review,

[Grace Goldberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a long time since I felt fully consumed by a series but I truly couldn’t put this book down. There’s not much missing..yearning, battles, and dragons!? This was the perfect conclusion to the duology!! Can’t recommend enough and will look forward to reading more by Hazel McBride !!

[Zoë · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC 5/12/26 per publisher request :)

~ I received this eARC free from NetGalley. Thank you to Ballantine/Delacorte Press and Hazel McBride! My opinions are my own and voluntarily given~

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a perfect conclusion to this story, even though it absolutely emotionally wrecked me. The twists and turns just kept coming, and somehow none of them felt cheap or there just for shock value. I kept thinking I knew where things were going, and then wrong again. This book hurt my feelings on multiple occasions, so obviously I loved it.

Aemyra’s character development was a real highlight for me. Watching her move through grief, trauma, and anxiety while still being forced to lead and make impossible choices felt painfully real and not at all sanitized. Her growth is messy and slow and human, and I loved that the book didn’t rush her healing. I also really appreciated getting more of the dragons and their story woven in, which added depth to the world. And Thear. I need more of Thear immediately, please and thank you. This felt like such a satisfying stopping point while still leaving me wanting for more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathryn Quintero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you so much to Hazel McBride, NetGalley, Delacorte Press and Ballantine for allowing me to read an ARC copy of “A Queen Crowned in Flames”

When I tell yall I devoured her first book, A Fate Forged in Fire, I couldn’t imagine it getting better…. And yet it did.

This book had me feeling ALL the feels, and I worry I may never recover. But that’s okay, because this book has changed me, for good😭

To future readers, be sure to have tissues on standby and get ready for a beautiful, heartbreaking, badass sequel🔥

#AQueenCrownedinFlames #NetGalley

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

TRUE RATING: 3.3 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a difficult review to write because really I wanted to love this book as much as I loved "A Fate Forged in Fire." It was my favorite read of 2025 and I recommended it to every fantasy reader that I know. I talked about it for WEEKS. I was so thrilled to receive an opportunity to read an eArc of "A Queen Crowned in Flames." Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped.

The ARC of "A Fate Forged in Fire" was so much more polished than this one. In truth, this eARC almost read like a first draft. It almost doesn't feel right to review it in its current state. However, I was allowed to read it for the purpose of reviewing it, so I will do so without delving deeply enough to spoil anything. I plan to reread it after publication at some point, so that I can properly judge it when it's finished. I will write a much more in-depth review then.

Worldbilding continues to be McBride's strength. Erisocia grows and becomes more filled in throughout the book. The magic system is becoming more detailed, and the lore behind Dùileach bonds with mythical creatures becomes more fascinating and more thoroughly explored, in some ways to the detriment of the book. Some of the romantic scenes became mighty uncomfortable, at least for me.

The flaws in character building really shows in this book. Aemrya's characterization is inconsistent at best, sometimes to the point of being frustratingly antithetical to who she is as a character and what she stands for. Fiorean is reduced to essentially a dark romance caricature made up only of tropes and has some truly eyeroll worthy moments. The side-characters, old and new, continue to suffer from lack of development and depth. They are all one-dimensional plot devices who exist purely to guide or serve Aemrya. At the same time, as I write this, I remind myself that not every story is meant to have an ensemble cast and the purpose of the side-character is to move the plot and support the protagonist. It's just... the people closest to Aemrya have nothing to them and to feel for her, I need to be able to feel for them. I want to feel afraid for more than one character in battle sequences. I want character deaths to make me feel something. I want Adarian to be treated as more than Aemrya's punching bag. She might be the queen, but he is her twin. The person she claims to love most in the world. It'd be fantastic if she treated him like it so that WE can care about him.

That "House of the Dragon" and "Game of Thrones" were sources of inspiration for this series is heavily apparent to anyone who has seen either. This didn't bother me about the first book, because while it was obvious, the book still stood on its own. However, because it was so obvious, the fact that she directly quotes "Game of Thrones" multiple times in this book rubs me the wrong way. Based on recent reactions to "Throne of Glass," pickier readers would say that she has already been toeing the line of directly copying "House of the Dragon," so directly quoting "GOT" multiple times is a touch too far.

I didn't hate this book, despite my gripes. That is why I am eager to reread a completed version. The plot is exciting. The tension between battles is built masterfully, the stakes feel incredibly high, and the battle sequences themselves are wonderful. I love the overarching plot. It's exciting. It's fun. All of my gripes come down to writing that may well be improved on in the published version. I urge everyone who reads this to read it for yourself. Opinions are subjective and based on personal preference. My opinions are not yours. So pick this book up and let yourself be swept into the cool world and the exciting plot and make up your own mind.

It's worth it. It might not have been perfect for me, but I'm so glad I read it anyway.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. This novel was everything that I had been hoping for and more from the resolution of the Bonded to Beasts Duology. Warning: I usually try to keep my reviews spoiler free, but I enjoyed this book so much that I want to be able to talk freely about its many merits. This review will contain spoilers for this novel.

This story was the absolute perfect ending to this world that McBride has built. There is so much character development between our main characters. We see more of Aemyra's kingdom as she calls on the different Lords to help her fight for her throne. We learn more about the dragons and get to witness the hope of a possible return of dragons to the kingdom in time. There were deaths that felt like my chest tore in two, and a second love interest that was altogether too well written for my own peace of mind. ;) We see Aemyra really start to come into herself as queen, and that was a beautiful journey to get to go on.

I do want to say that I felt pretty strongly that the whole 'Fiorean has turned traitor on Aemyra the second she leaves' thing was just a ruse, and that Fiorean was definitely still on the side of the Daercathians. The problem was that Thear was SO well-written that I definitely found myself rooting for him and Aemyra as a couple, even though I knew that Fiorean was likely hard at some plan behind the scenes to help Aemyra. It gave me a lot of guilt, but I loved Thear as a lead male character so much that I found myself rooting for this to become a 'why choose' novel at one point. Thankfully, Fiorean reminded me quickly why I do in fact love him with Aemyra once he was back in the picture.

This book isn't what I would consider super spicy in number of romance scenes, but for the quality of those scenes I would consider this a pretty spicy novel. The amount of tension and build up that we get is *chef's kiss* and the scenes themselves are hot enough to set the pages they're written on ablaze. And HOLY. COW. I never realized how much we needed the 'sex on dragon back' microtrope until I read it in this book. 20/10 stars, no notes.

I loved this book not only for the gorgeous male leads, but also for the character development that we see all through the novel. The experiences that we see of Aemyra working through the trauma that she's experienced since coming out as Queen are authentic feeling and really help us see how all of these things are going to shape Aemyra into the queen that she's going to be when she gets to step up and rule. We also get to see Aemyra's relationships evolve with many other characters, my favorite of which includes her father, Prince of Penryth Draevan Daercathian. That pivotal relationship change really made the ending of this novel super emotional for me. At the same time it destroyed me, it is yet another reason why I also loved this book so hard - we really get to see Aemyra's relationships in her life.

I loved all the characters of this novel so much, I really hate to see them go. I saw the hint that perhaps we may not have to say goodbye to this universe entirely and I so hope that means we get to see stories for some of the other characters like Adarian, Thear, Eilidh, or the members of Aemyra's queen's guard.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine | Delacourt Press, and Hazel McBride for the eARC to review.

[Jackie Lowrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an eARC from netgalley. Thank you Ballantine/Delacorte Press for this early copy and to the author Hazel McBride for writing one of my all time favorite duologies.

I cannot praise this author enough for her debut duology being an absolute home run. She nailed it!

This duology is the epitome of Fantasy Romance.

This is high fantasy with mythical creatures and elemental magic. Hazel has a way of writing with a beautiful descriptive prose.

There are so many things I wish I could note but they are unfortunately spoilers and I’m keeping this spoiler free since the book doesn’t come out until May. This book leaves off after the cliff hanger book 1 ends on… it is a rollercoaster of emotions to say the least.

If you loved the Disney movie Brave, the tv series House of the Dragon, the tv series Game of Thrones, and the book Fourth Wing then you will love this duology.


Aemyra has been through it and there are lots of themes of grief and anxiety in this book that were interesting to see Aemyra navigate. She meets new people that help her on her journey and there are loveable side characters that captured my heart immediately. I’m hoping a certain male is in future books by Hazel.

You can never have enough dragons in fantasy and the dragons in this duology are everything.

All I will say is, THE DRAGON SCENE!! HAZEL!! Never have I ever read anything like it before. And I was screaming and kicking my feet 😂❤️‍🔥

My heart had whiplash from this book and I loved every second of it!


My favorite quote from the book:
“Just like this bow, you just learn to bend instead of break”




I may add to this review as I gather my thoughts.

I put my glossary of Scottish Gaelic words I had to look up in my book 1 review so I decided to add to it and put it here as well.

Glossary:

A caraid- my friend
A chuisle- my pulse
A ghràidh- my love
Aird Caolas- raised point of land overlooking or jutting into a narrow stretch of water. Narrow sea passages between land masses.
Bannocks- round flat bread
Beathach/beathaichean - beast/ dragon
Breithday- birthday
Cailleach- goddess
Caisteal - castle
Caisteal cloiche- castle of stone
Caisteal lasair- castle of flame
Cèilidh- “Kay-lee” social gathering
Clan Leòmhann- lion
Clan lolairean- eagle
Copar- copper
Cuith- “koo-uh” group of people or army?
Dreich- gloomy, dreary
Dorchadas- darkness
Duileach- elemental
Fearsolais- light bringer
Feileadh- kilt
Gealach- the moon
Giogag- a bit of mischief
Gorse- wild shrub with yellow flowers with coconut like scent
Hamlet- small settlement/ tiny village
Jetty- similar to a dock
Laird- lord
Leuthanach- lazy
Loch- freshwater body of water or sea inlet
Luidsean- pathetic, weakling
Macanta- honest,sincere,genuine
Mo chridhe- my heart, my love
Mo luaidt- my beloved/ my treasure
Nigh- almost
Omar- amber color
Porticullis- heavy, iron/wood, vertical gate, slides up and down.
Slàinte mhath- good health/cheers!
Sleekit- sneaky, clever
Sgian-dubh- Scottish knife
Sgillinn- shilling, pence, penny
Simurgh- large mythical bird
Tartan- plaid pattern
Terrea- earth
Trodach - warriors/soldiers

[Megan Bajorek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazel McBride is a talent that everyone MUST know about. 


I was fortunate to gain access to an ARC copy of A Queen Crowned in Flames thanks to NetGalley. Prior to reading, I did a quick reread of the previous book in the duology, A Fate Forged in Fire. 


This is a wonderful conclusion to Aemyra and Fiorean's story and the beginning new age of Erisocia. Picking up quickly after the previous book ended, this second book is full of perfectly time flashbacks, different POVs but through a unique structure and the focus on healing despite the fantasy backdrop. When the novel begins, Aemyra is not in a good place and honestly how can she be? She has been betrayed and has also lost connection to herself through absolutely painful to read (due to empathy) trauma. McBride weaves together Aemyra's journey back to herself with the help of new characters, who readily become favorites, intimate internal moments for both main characters and a unique description and implementation of the healing benefits of mediation. 


Aemyra is a wonderful FMC because she balances ego, power, confidence with insecurity, fear and self-doubt. She asks the questions and says the things everyone needs to hear. Aemyra's journey to healing and happiness was enjoyable to witness. I can see and empathize with Aemyra especially in moments or hesitancy and "dumbness" due to fear or anxiety.


Fiorean has become a top level MC for me. His cold exterior hides a depth of love, dispair, passion, and sacrifice that was devastating to read but so excellently written. I felt so deeply for him but also can admit when he was being "dumb" and was thrilled to see him realize it too. 


I really enjoyed the development of other surrounding characters and the introduction of new ones. Thear and Riya are wonderful and I would love to see their relationship with Aemyra in the coming years. Draevan showed his vulnerability while also remaining fierce, which to me perfectly captured the balancing act of fatherhood. Adarian is the best brother and I will not change my mind; even forgetting that he and Aemyra are twins, their bond and love for each other is really beautiful and never once is their jealousy or betrayal. Sorche, Sorche, Sorche... I had high hopes for you but as the book continued, it became clear she was too hurt and bitter to thrive. Despite this, the conclusion of her story arch did catch me off guard a bit but in looking back, none of it was a surprised. I also loved the evolution of Katherine, Elizabeth and Maggie as the war raged on and hoe they with Aemyra came to understanding and friendship. 


I'm sure I have much more to say about this amazing book but I need more time to process the grief of the duology being over. I cannot wait to find out what is in store for the next duology within the Bonded to Beasts series. I have loved the wild ride Hazel McBride has taken me on and she has further solidified me being a life long fan and her being an autobuy/auto read author! 


Look out for A Queen Crowned in Flames, Out May 26th, 2026.

[Llbean · Rating 4 out of 5]

~Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this e-ARC!!~

I must be honest, I enjoyed A Fate Forged in Fire but it was just ok, not great. A Queen Crowned in Flames however, was spectacular. In Hazel McBride's second book in the Bonded to Beasts series we reunite with our FMC Aemyra who is recovering from a betrayal she never saw coming that makes the path to reclaiming her throne even more tortuous. She finds herself without her goddess blessed powers, and in desperate need of allies. As she battles her way back to her crown she learns to accept and forgive herself, what it means to sacrifice, and to finally trust in others.

I truly felt more connected to Aemyra in this book. We get greater insight into her insecurities, due in large part to her ego taking an enormous hit + endless self-doubt and guilt. Her growth and selflessness drew me in, and I could relate to her emotional turmoil. Her journey to forgive herself was a long one, but was a poignant reminder that even with the greatest intentions no one is perfect.

I was on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster regarding our MMC Fiorean. Of course with the end of the last book I anticipated and eagerly awaited his death at the hands of our Queen, but I didn't actually expect it to happen... Then with the appearance of Thear I was almost convinced Fiorean was actually dead. With Fioreans revival I found myself letting out a breath of relief I didn't know I was holding. With the misunderstandings finally revealed and the subsequent rebirth of their romance we finally are blessed with SPICE.

The intimate scenes in this book, as with the first are open door and appropriately interspersed without overshadowing the major plot points. The scene on the dragon...I have mixed feelings about. Maybe re-reading it a few times will give me better perspective.

And finally the writing and major plot of the book. McBride's writing paints a clear picture to the reader of what the world and its creatures look like. I was halfway through the book and truly was gagged at how much had already happened. The pacing was *chef's kiss* and I never found myself bored or drifting away from the book. Surprise surprise there was more betrayal, grief/loss, and trauma! However, it is also filled with hope, perseverance, and healing. Beyond that every plot line had a satisfying resolution. Though I do wish Sorcha's death had been drawn out a little more.

My one and only major gripe with this book is the phrase "Brenna's tits". Dear lord if we could remove this phrase from the vernacular of romance books. It is so tacky and gave me immediate ick. There is nothing wrong with classic curse words, or even Scottish turn of phrases that are commonly said in moments of exasperation/dread!!

Overall would definitely recommend others pick this book up once it comes out!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

After receiving an ARC of A Fate Forged in Fire, I was incredibly excited to continue the story with the next book in the Bonded to Beasts series: A Queen Crowned in Flames.

Aemyra Daercathian is on the run with her army after Fiorean’s betrayal during the battle of Áird Lasair. Despite her large, newfound army of Dùileach, elemental magic wielders, and her powerful bonded dragon, Terrea, Aemyra is significantly weakened by the loss of the one thing she has always prided herself on: her strong fire magic. Battling grief, betrayal, and self-doubt, Aemyra must find a way to rally her allies, take back her throne, and take revenge on those who have wronged her - with or without her magic.

Almost all of my qualms with the first book have been addressed in this installment and I could not be more enthused with how much more I enjoyed A Queen Crowned in Flames.

Aemyra has come so far. When we meet her in A Fate Forged in Fire, she’s impulsive to a fault and comes across as incredibly entitled for insisting on her suitability to rule despite all evidence to the contrary. I struggled significantly to relate to her when it seemed as though her problems were almost entirely self-inflicted. However, in A Queen Crowned in Flames, she really grapples with herself and her prior flaws. She grows to be more compassionate toward others, and to reflect on herself and seek ways she can improve as a ruler, without losing the passionate rage that keeps her going. I really loved the introspection in this story - there was still plenty of action but the strategic nature of the war allowed Aemyra to really come into herself before attempting to take back Áird Lasair.

Besides Aemyra, many of the side characters also got to see more interesting development in this installment and we meet new characters, like Thear, who add so much more to the worldbuilding. Though I had always thought the world of Erisocia was very interesting, we didn’t learn much about anywhere other than where Aemyra was - in this book, the world is much expanded and Aemyra makes a point of learning more about others in order to better herself. We keep the excellent pacing, interesting twists, and vivid battle scenes of the first book, all while adding so much more.

If I have any qualms at all, it would be that it did feel like, for a time, nothing was carrying Aemyra's relationship with Fiorean other than lust, but I appreciated their relationship by the end of the book and enjoyed how everything wrapped up. The conclusion really highlighted Aemyra’s growth and I really enjoyed her as a protagonist in this book.

✨ 4.5 stars! ✨

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine | Delacorte Press for providing an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Sequoia Cron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Ballantine, Delacorte Press, and Dell Romance for gifting me an e-arc to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

" To all the women who were forced to dim their light. Blind the f*ckers."

There may be spoilers. Please proceed with caution.

Wow! Wow, wow, wow. I'm still speechless after reading Hazel McBride's last chapter and the possibility of something more on the horizon.

A Queen Crowned in Flames is the explosive and bittersweet conclusion to A Fate Forged in Fire. Aemyra's journey starts right where A Fate Forged in Fire left readers, like me, reeling and in utter shock. Aemyra's powers have escaped her grasp after being dealt with traumatic experiences by Alfred, the Savior worshiper and leader of the Covenanters, and the betrayal caused by her husband Fiorean. Months have passed, and she is plagued with nightmares and visions, unforgiving sadness, and the weight of a lost throne on her shoulders. She must figure out a new path to her destiny, create new alliances, and forge forward when she feels like she can not.

" She would learn to bear the weight of her grief and her crown. Her magic would return, and with it, the true queen. Tir Teine was the land of fire, and Aemyra would make sure they remembered that before the end."

I was completely enthralled the entire time by Hazel McBride's ability to ensnare a reader's attention and hold you there like a prisoner, but in the best possible way. These characters put me in such a chokehold. I enjoyed every bit of it. I appreciate the way the author handles and develops Aemyra's grief and anxiety. Her panic attacks had felt real and relatable. The support she has from her family is done well, too. I loved the new addition of Thear, who I hope we will see in the future if there is a possibility of more books in this world.

I highly recommend reading A Fate Forged in Fire. The enemies-to-lovers-enemies romance is probably one of my favorites. I'm always looking for more enemies to lover romances where the leads actually hate each other, and they are at each other's throats constantly in violent and pleasurable ways. The story has so much heart, bravery, and fight. I love the world-building, the dragons, and the different elements of magic.

After completing this duology, I know I'll be on the lookout for more from this author.

5 stars