A Queen Crowned in Flames: The hotly anticipated sequel to the bestselling Celtic feminist romantasy sensation

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, Dragons, Romance, Adult, Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers

470 pages, Kindle Edition

First published 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

[Liana Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

4! I loved this duology! FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW!


Nothing like a perfect mix of fantasy politics and spicy romance.. and BIG dragons. Very excited to be able to read the continuation of A Fate Forged In Fire after that betrayal!




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

Publication date: May 26, 2026

[Salma [inactive]]

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 😭

[naz · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑨𝒆𝒎𝒚𝒓𝒂,” 𝑭𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆. “𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆.”

ENEMIES TO LOVERS TO ENEMIES TO THEN LOVERS heheh I ATE IT UPPP 😮‍💨🔥 I can say with confidence that the constant flip between enemies vs. lovers I devoured it. And not only that, but the feminine rage in this duology for our rightful queen Aemyra to have her throne was STRONG, and I loved every second of it.

I won’t go into spoilers about how the first book ended, but let’s just say this book is a slow burn in both storyline and romance from what we got at the end of book 1. So by the time you get hit with MULTIPLE plot twists, you start to cheer… or read faster… just to get ahead of what’s coming 😭 Then by 80%, you’re already screaming like AHH GIMME THE HAPPINESS, THE CALM, THE CONCLUSION because you just keep getting hit over and over again.

“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕.”

I loved the conclusion of this duology. I do believe I could easily keep reading about this world. I loved our main characters how intertwined their rage and love for one another was in the first book, and then how it evolves into something even more in this series. YES TO ALLLLLL ✨

tropes
🔥 enemies to lovers
🔥 my wife
🔥 dragon bonds
🔥 full on war


⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
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.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Queen Crowned in Flames (Bonded to Beasts #2) by Hazel McBride
Book Blurb: 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.

Rating: ****
Feels: Adventure, Engaged, Worried, Satisfied.
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Dragons, Adult, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Enemies To Lovers
First published May 26, 2026: 480 pages

The duology was high stakes with a lot of action , surprises and fantasy lore. Book two continues Aemyra fighting for her country and her crown. New faces are introduced which I adored and all the old faces came around to wreck havoc. We get to dive more into the lore of the land and briefly into its magic as well. Aemyra continues to travel the length and breathe of her land looking for allies. We get to see if the land will be healed and if followers of the goddess and followers of the savior can ever live in peace. Oh we also get to see a lot more of the dragons. Best part. I really do love the way the humans and beasts bond and each bond is a bit different. The magic system and how it influences politics, the way magic users and non magic users interact, those with bonds are treated in the political climate, makes for a volatile political landscape as you would expect with all the wars going on. Aemyra grows, matures and really comes to shine in this landscape. I really enjoyed her as an FMC.


This book has:
Enemies to Lovers
Animal bonds
Magic system
Stabby FMC
Morally Grey MMC
Forbidden Love
Hidden Identity
Touch her and Die
Forced Proximity
Rebellion
Political Intrigue
One Bed
Dragons, Griffins, and more
Open Door Spice
** Check Trigger Warnings

[Angela | nerdslovebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I'd give this book 4.25 stars. This was a fantastic ending to this duology. It was filled with dragons, political tension, family drama, betrayals, yearning, hope, and so much more. I really enjoyed Aemyra's journey throughout this book, from recovering from the betrayal, to forging new alliances, to finding herself, and to winning back her kingdom. The new (or maybe not new) characters, sorry, it's been a bit since I read book one, and I didn't do a reread before this, were fun to get to know, especially Riya and Thear. I just really loved this duology and how it was centered around Aemyra wanting to unite and protect instead of seeking to destroy so she could rule. SOOOO fucking happy that Fiorean wasn't actually the bad guy. What a relief. I absolutely love their relationship and how they lift each other up.

*Political tension
*Elemental magic vs. religion
*Family drama
*Love and betrayal
*Sacrifice
*Dragons
*Matriarch

Format: ebook

Thank you to NetGalley, Hazel McBride, and Ballantine for the ARC!

[Maaike · Rating 2 out of 5]

After really enjoying book 1, I was so excited to read the end of this duology. There were a few things that I really wanted to see improved in the second book, but I was mostly just so curious about what would happen next.

It sadly became very clear that my issues would continue in this book. My main issue is how Aemyra doesn’t seem to have any growth. She thinks she knows a whole lot but she keeps judging situations wrongly and going into things so impulsively. Even with all this dialogue about how she doesn’t want to create more pain for her people, she still doesn’t take the time to think things through.

There are also so many new characters added and girl I was lost. I couldn’t keep track of who anyone was and what part they had played in the plot so far. But because so much was going on with so many new locations and characters, nothing was really explored well. The only times where I was actually invested was when people from book 1 were involved. Thear was the only exception but that didn’t really feel completed either.

Then a few issues I’ll try to go through quickly:
- the issue of her losing her powers was mentioned so many damn times and then also didn’t really affect anything happening in the book and it was solved in the most infuriating way
- the goddamn promise mark was mentioned over 40 times for absolutely no reason at all
- all the twists were so predictable but also just didn’t impact that much. The book moves on so quickly that even Aemyra forgets to care about it
- the whole plot line surrounding Sorcha was ridiculous. Aemyra was acting jealous when she had absolutely no right to be. She constantly dismissed her thoughts and then was upset when Sorcha acted on her feelings
- all the spicy scenes pulled me out of the book completely but especially the one on top of a damn dragon. A dragon that they were bonded to and later they hint that their hormones are linked when bonded and just absolutely not. That was unhinged and not in a good way

I could keep going lol but there’s one more thing I want to talk about. This book is presented as a feminist book. Love that, always fun. But the execution of it was so weird in this book. There were quite a few comments that really rubbed me the wrong way (Aemyra making comments about their sex to tease her ex while with someone new, Aemyra commenting that her dad would need to be tied up, gagged and blindfolded before a specific woman had a chance of hitting him). Aemyra has some women in her council but they’re not mentioned or talked with much. She suddenly is very desperate to save the princesses even though she didn’t seem to care that much about them in book 1 but now it’s her number 1 priority. Men are very regularly getting into fights about her. I just think it could’ve been explored so much more and in a better way and instead it was so half assed.

I really do think this duology had a lot of potential, but you can just feel how much she struggled with book 2. It sadly was a miss for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Tai · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUCH a satisfying conclusion to this duology for me.

This continued to deliver on basically all the things I loved in the first book:
- dragons
- elemental magic
- political tension
- morally gray decisions
- messy family dynamics
- fierce female rage
- bonds and destiny
- Scottish/Gaelic inspired worldbuilding
- romance wrapped in equal parts yearning and violence

Aemyra remained THAT girl from beginning to end.

What I loved
Aemyra’s arc was probably my favorite part of the entire series. She starts this book shattered, betrayed, traumatized, disconnected from her magic, drowning under the weight of leadership…but watching her slowly reclaim herself was incredibly satisfying.

The emotional themes throughout this one hit hard: grief, guilt, fear, healing, forgiveness, learning how to lead while still being human (the struggle is real). I also REALLY appreciated that healing wasn’t magically instant.

The romance drama??? Incredible.
The Fiorean storyline had me STRESSED. Because once the truth starts unraveling about what actually happened and why he made the choices he did… OOF. The angst in this book absolutely delivered.

And while I did enjoy Thear a LOT (seriously, what a green-flag king), Fiorean and Aemyra just had that chaotic soulmate energy that was impossible for me not to root for.

Thear was honestly one of my favorite parts though. Protective, funny, loyal, emotionally intelligent, and somehow handling this entire love triangle situation with more maturity than basically everyone else. I loved the dynamic between Fiorean and Thear way more than I expected to.

The Scottish/Gaelic influence continued to be one of the strongest aspects of this series for me.

That said… I definitely struggled a little more in this book keeping track of: names, terminology, clans, magical lore, locations, etc. Especially once the political and magical plotlines started expanding.

I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing because the world felt very authentic and fully realized, but there were definitely moments where my brain had to work overtime trying to keep up.

The ending wrapped up this story in a really satisfying way while still leaving enough room for future stories in this world and I am absolutely crossing my fingers we get them someday.

Because there are SO many characters I’d happily read more about.

**Thank you to NetGalley, the Publisher, and Author for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review and early access to dive back into this world.

[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

[Chasing Silhouettes · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I will haunt your nightmares like your own personal shade until you are gone from this world.” (Ch 13)

Celtic-inspired Romantasy | Dragons and Other Ride-able Beasts | Magic | Political Conflict

Book 1 left me raw and broken, I was eager to drag my pieces back into the inferno that was the Bonded to Beasts duology. Forewarning, this is not a standalone, so skip this review if you haven't read book 1.

'No one is born knowing how to rule….' (Ch 2)

Aemyra struggles to rule with authority with the war wearing at her. She also struggles to move past the trauma and betrayal, and the absence of her magic. Anxiety holding onto her like a vice, dangerously interfering and distracting her. And her ability to trust and accept help is just short of lost. But she needs to forge beneficial alliances.

'She desperately needed a light in the darkness and this warrior gleamed like her own personal sun.' (Ch 17)

I like Thear. My first impression of him is that he is a brawny warrior on the outside, like a lion, but perhaps a little too kittenish and gentle on the inside when it comes to Aemyra. He has a carefree, boyish kind of charm, though, and that, paired with patience, kind of infiltrates the toughest armor and grows on you.

'“Not easily impressed, are you?” he asked.
She shrugged. “I’ve seen bigger.”
Thear tilted his head to one side. “It’s all about how you use it.”' (Ch 17)

Aemyra is as fierce as ever, maybe even more so after everything she went through. Her dragon is Aemyra's match in temperment and ferocity. And the battles are just as fierce, epic! They did not disappoint! Then there were the shocking revelations... such a crushing blow.

'Even a broken sword could be mended.' (Ch 17)

I found myself in a state of confliction over the turn of events, wanting one thing, but also wanting another. But alas, I have no say in the direction of the narrative 😂. Despite that, this book was just as captivating as the 1st! With some added devastation!

eARC courtesy of NetGalley | Delacorte Press / Penguin Ramdom House

[Amy | romantasy.myromanempire · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️

I looooved this conclusion to this duology! It was action packed and I couldn’t put it down once I got started! A Queen Crowned in Flames literally picked up right where book one ended so you’re instantly thrust into the action. On the cusp of a huge betrayal, Aemrya is struggling to find her place as Queen. I really loved the mental health rep in this sequel. I related to the anxiety representation and the emotional healing arc was incredibly well executed and gave me all the feels. Aemyra’s character development from book one was excellent, she’s grown a lot and is less brash than she was in book one. I loved seeing her growth!

This book was a roller coaster of emotions. With all of the war and battle there’s the expected loss. The stakes are certainly high and not all of the characters make it to the end. It’s gritty and real and Aemrya faces all of it like a true queen.

I also loved the found family vibes and the friendships formed. Thear was an absolute delight and definitely a new favorite character of mine! I also adored the unexpected friendship made with Katherine — or at least mutual respect. Elizabeth was also an unexpected ally.

As for the romance, I just absolutely loved the bond between Aemyra and Fiorean. They are truly a power couple and after so much grief they deserve a HEA. Their dragons are pretty cool too 😉

The conclusion was satisfying but I feel like there were little hints left open ended and could see the author writing other stories in the same world — I would love some character appearances if so!

Thank you Delecorte press for the gifted arc to read and review!

[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.

[Rianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Dialogue Books & author Hazel McBride for allowing me to read this early!

You know that feeling when a sequel is one of your most anticipated reads of the year because the first book absolutely wrecked you emotionally… and then halfway through you realize the vibes are just… not vibing? Yeah. That was me with A Queen Crowned in Flames.

This sequel picks up immediately after that brutal betrayal at the end of book one, with Aemyra on the run and consumed by rage, grief, and vengeance. On paper? Incredible. Female rage, dragons, political alliances, war for the throne? Sign me UP. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, this story started feeling very different from the one I originally fell in love with.

My first struggle was the sudden introduction of a secondary MMC: Thear. I actually really really liked him as a character, but after everything that happened between Aemyra and Fiorean in book one, I just couldn’t emotionally invest in this new romantic setup.

I also saw most of the plot twists coming from miles away, which is saying something because I’m usually terrible at predicting anything. Instead of feeling shocked, I spent a lot of the book waiting for reveals I’d already guessed.

The biggest issue for me, though, was the emotional core of the story. A large part of the plot revolves around saving the princesses, but it felt disconnected from the Aemyra we knew in book one. Previously, she never seemed especially invested in them, so centering them emotionally here felt off.

I did really like the idea of Aemyra losing access to her powers and having to navigate that vulnerability, because it added an interesting layer to her character. But the resolution felt very sudden to me. She seemed to overcome the block and regain her powers without enough emotional growth or development to fully make that payoff land for me.

And speaking of emotional arcs that didn’t work for me… Aemyra’s father getting a slight redemption arc? Absolutely not, your honor. That man did not earn forgiveness in my book.

That being said, Hazel’s writing is still incredibly cinematic. The dragons remain the undisputed stars of the show, the world still feels vivid and atmospheric, and there are moments where the intensity genuinely gripped me. Aemyra herself continues to be compelling because even though she frustrates me deeply, simultaneously she feels messy and human in her grief. But where the first book had me obsessed with every betrayal and interaction, this one never fully clicked into place for me. The pacing felt uneven, the emotional beats didn’t always land, and by the end I walked away feeling more disappointed than devastated.

Final verdict? A Queen Crowned in Flames wasn’t a bad book by any means, but it sadly never recaptured the magic that made the first installment such an obsession for me. I’m still very curious about the next duology set in this world tho!!

[Davi M · 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.

[Hecate’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4 🌶️2

🔥Religious trauma
🐉Single POV
🔥Dragon bonds
🐉Enemies to lovers

“In order to rule, you have to become what they fear most, and by the Goddess, you will fear me.”

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and Hazel McBride for an ARC of this sequel.

This book picks up right after the cliff hanger at the end of book 1. SO much happened in this book, and I’m torn about a few of them. I also saw both big plot twists coming unfortunately, it was very obvious to me exactly what would happen. I can’t help but be disappointed by how little Aemyra had to do with the trajectory of everything that happened.

Probably very nit picky of me, but the following things did really bug me. There is a good chance they will be fixed for final publication though. Why is the pronunciation guide not in alphabetical order 😢 and some character names are in the world building section? And why are half the places mentioned not on the map??? I looked like a fool zooming in on the map searching for places that I don’t think existed.

small maybe spoilers:
-my man Thear deserved better. If the next spin off in this world isn’t his story I’ll be legit angry.
-new ick unlocked with one of the scenes with the dragon, I won’t give more away

[Loz✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the cliffhanger we were left on after book one i have been absolutely desperate to get into this book. ‘A Fate Forged in Fire’ by Hazel McBride was one of my favourite reads of last year and we’re back with a sequel which is somehow even better!?

Aemyra is the perfect fantasy fmc for me. She is fierce, strong, intelligent and brave but she is also messy, flawed, scared and loves so deeply. Her healing journey throughout this book was beautiful and the way Hazel explores grief and the marks it leaves on us I found so special and relatable.

The world building feels much more expansive as we get into book two but none of it feels overwhelming or hard to follow. Getting to know the rest of Tìr Tiene and peeks at the wider lands of Erisocia were wonderful and I am so excited for further books set in this world.

I could go on and on about how talented a writer Hazel is but it is so clear in the way she has managed to beautifully explore the importance of equality for all people - to quote the book, “regardless of religion, background, or culture” - within a perfectly balanced plot. We get so much action, moments of reflection and political commentary throughout and each moment within this book feels important and pushes the characters, the plot, or the reader.

A Queen Crowned in Flames is out in May, completing this duology and is perfect for fans of Outlander, House of the Dragon and the Kindred’s Curse books ❤️‍🔥

✨Some of my favourite quotes:

“Grief is the price we pay for the blessing of having people to love”

“If the Dùileach weren’t so separated, perhaps they would join their elements and be strong enough to fix it”

“The women of Tìr Tiene will never shrink themselves to be more palatable to men”

🫶🏼 Thank you so much to Dialogue and Netgalley for this arc and of course to Hazel for such an incredible, inspiring story 🧡

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

OH I had SUCH a good time with this one. A Queen Crowned in Flames had me fully into it from start to finish. Aemyra goes THROUGH IT in this book, and watching her pick herself back up, wrestle with heartbreak, rage, duty, and everything being thrown at her? I was so here for it.

The character growth in this one was so satisfying. I loved seeing Aemyra step into her power and her queenhood while still feeling so deeply human in all her grief, anger, and impossible choices. And the emotional conflict?? It was EXQUISITE. Because tell me why I was simultaneously rooting for revenge and emotionally conflicted about everything. It was such a good time!!!

The twists kept me hooked, the action absolutely delivered, and the dragon content was, of course, perfection. I do think the pacing moved a little quickly at times but overall a fantastic read.

Overall, such a satisfying conclusion to this duology, and yes, I was absolutely kicking my feet while reading this one.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ / unfortunately this really dragged for me, worse than book 1 did. I found the FMC overly abrasive and frustrating. the plot was predictable but everything was, at the same time, so incredibly confusing. it had been a while since I read book 1, but honestly so much of the terminology was confusing and seemed like it was just dropped in with very little context. same with characters. the conflict, while it could have felt nuanced, mostly seemed all over the place. (also tell me why they had to fuck on dragonback and she had to grind her clit on his scales????? while both human mates were telepathically connected with the also-mated dragons?? it was fine for me in Fourth Wing when the humans and dragons were fuckin separately but when they're all involved somehow is when ya lose me.)

anyway prob not one i'll be rushing to recommend.

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the eARC!

[Lucy Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a fate forged in fire (book1) again recently to prepare for this book and I loved how it immediately picked up where the first 1 ended!! It delved straight into the warfare, politics, and aftermath of betrayals and battles which I absolutely loved. Aemeyra really goes through a lot in this book and I loved her newfound vulnerability and growth when she comes to terms with what it really means to be queen. She is so multi faceted in terms of she wears her heart on her sleeve for the people she loves and trusts but she can be so fierce and strong that you do not want to cross her which is so beautiful to read. It’s got everything: battles, dragons, magic, love, friendship, betrayal, so would highly recommend to everyone when this comes out!!

[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.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best duologies I've ever read. I am so obsessed with this world and this set of characters. I loved each of these books and I cannot wait for more books in this world, omg.

The feminine rage, pieces of religion and rebellion, and the plot is so fully immersive, I am still thinking about this duology to this day. Loved it so so so much and I cannot wait for more from Hazel!!!

[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.

[Zoë · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent conclusion to Aemyra’s story. I loved that we picked up right where things left off in book one. Without me giving away any spoilers, we get fantastic new characters, more development of the world, battle planning, answers from the last book, and more of the dragons! I loved this. Aemyra battles her grief in this one and I loved seeing that representation of how it can take time to heal while seeing her still be an absolutely fierce warrior. I wish we got to see more of Aemyra’s softer side in this book too. There were also times where parts of the story felt like they went on for too long, but we had plenty of action and things happening that the book overall didn’t feel too long. Overall, I highly recommend this series so far!


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

[Ash Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ripped my heat up and then stitched it back together again (with a little more trauma at the end). A Queen Crowned in Flames is the stunning conclusion to the duology and it truly delivered.

Aemyra is forced to flee when her husband’s betrayal dashes her hopes of securing Àird Lasair. Her army, family and dragon must run if they have any hopes of restoring the matriarchy.

Blinded by rage and fuelled by a need for revenge she needs to rebuild her Army. Wielding political alliances, at a personal cost, in an effort to replenish her troops.
Aemyra must put her people first in hopes of saving them from the True religions tyrannical reign. But War has a cost, and it is always too steep. Aemrya wanted to bring her people peace and freedom, instead she’s brought them war and a new king aligned with the conventors.

Grappling with her exile and her army’s defeat, bounded by a blood oath and lingering distance from her magic, Aemyra doesn’t feel like the queen her people need.
Aemyra will have to give everything she’s got to win this war. The experiences in Àird Lasair have scarred her. Winning this war will be a mental battle as much as physical.

But this war has revealed more than Aemyra bargained for. Not everyone in her Kingdom is treated equally. Those desperate for somewhere to belong will take any hand that reaches for them. Fighting stretches beyond the battlefield, between neighbours, families and loved ones.
Aemyra will have to decide what kind of queen she wants to be and protect all her people. Even those who would side against her. She is forced to confront her naivety and pride. Haunted by her losses but determined to create a better future. Aemyra will restore the matriarchy and unite her fractured people or she will burn trying.

An epic conclusion, full of feminine rage, love, healing, forgiveness and hope. There are some gutting twists and vulnerability and a huge focus on unity and growth. Beautifully executed, I need more stories from this world.

[Michelle (Bamamele.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Ballantine and PRHAudio for the preview. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

I was screaming at anyone that would listen that A Fate Forged in Fire was amazing last year and I was absolutely feral over it. Needless to say A Queen Crowned in Flames was one of my most anticipated books for this year. And thankfully it was a worthy successor to the incredible first book.

We jump right into things, picking up after the INSANE ending from the previous book. Aemyra and her supporters are on the run and in danger, and they need new allies. In this installment, we really expanded the world, meeting new clans, new beasts, and lots of intriguing new characters. And look, I really liked Thear in particular. If Fiorean never existed, I'd have been all over him, but like Aemyra, I couldn't get Fiorean out of my head. The added complexity of their dragon bonds was something I loved (though I was surprised it took the characters so long to figure out what was going on there).

I will say the pacing was a bit slow in the first half, but the second half really picked up with action, reveals, twists, and more. I knew we were going to get a big character death--I just felt it in my bones. When it happened and how it happened--well, the emotions I felt surprised me. I was much more moved than I thought I'd have been.

The end is really great. Throughout these books, Aemrya has made so many mistakes, but she always learns from them, tries to do better, and really does want to be a great queen for all of her people. I am so looking forward to more books in this world! Highly recommend the series. Also I loved the narration from Samara Maclaren. I'd read the first book with my eyes, but getting her accent and correct pronunciations for all the words was fantastic for this book!

[Paige Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Queen Crowned in Flames is a definite improvement on A Fate Forged In Fire delivering a steady, fast pace from the beginning. This book picks up right from the end of the previous one and it didn’t have that 150 page lull that I felt with the first book. As with AFFIF, this one is very fantasy/war heavy with a romance subplot, which I enjoyed.
Aemyra was less impulsive this time and seemed to learn from some of her mistakes while many of the side characters were fleshed out more. There were also one or two surprises that I won’t spoil here, that did have me intrigued.
My main gripe is that sometimes I didn’t always feel the chemistry between Aemyra and Fiorean (I actually think she had more with another person who I won’t name here). There was also a rather tense scene toward the end involving labor (IYKYK) that I found myself cringing at.
But McBride makes up for most of those negatives by describing each scene in pretty vivid detail that helps visualize everything. I was really impressed by her ability to make the war strategy easy enough to understand. If you enjoyed the first book then you’ll most likely like this one even more.
Overall, this duology delivers an intriguing and fast paced plot, with a satisfying ending that I really think most people will appreciate.
3.75 stars
Thank you to Ballantine, Hazel McBride, and NetGalley for the eARC in hopes for an honest review!

[Kelly||sketchbooksandsoftbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Balentine and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

This is a review for book 2, so there may be spoilers for what happens in book 1!

Quick plot:
Aemyra has been betrayed. She must fight to get her kingdom back from the one person she loves. Except, her magic isn’t cooperating. As she navigates running a kingdom, trying to amass more troops, a new political betrothal and some epic battles, she also must learn to cope and grieve people she has lost. Her connection to magic is key to taking back her kingdom and restoring dragon power. Although, some people haven’t been who we thought they were. This alters the choices Aemyra makes and also makes her second guess choices she’s already made!

Thoughts:
This was super fun! I loved having a Scottish dragon time! I think the author has some great pacing and can craft worlds and magic systems in a compelling way. My only feedback is the love triangle that unknowingly transpires felt like I needed more story for it to be fully flushed out. The plot twists and turns had it so Aemyra almost could move on to a new romantic interest, but then it was ripped away and unsettled. I feel left hanging and need more story from Thear!

I really do recommend this duo and I am hopeful there will be more duos set in this world!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Queen Crowned in Flames is a searing, high stakes conclusion to a Celtic inspired duology that proves revenge is a dish best served with dragon fire. If you’re looking for a finale that prioritizes feminine rage and complex, messy loyalties, this is your next obsession.

Following the devastating events of the first book, Aemyra Daercathian is no longer the captive bride; she is a queen on the run. The betrayal by Fiorean, the man she was actually beginning to trust, hits like a physical blow.

Aemyra has lost her most lethal weapon: her fire magic. Watching her navigate a world of elemental wielders (the Dùileach) while feeling "goddess forsaken" adds a layer of vulnerability that makes her eventual rise so much more satisfying. The feminine rage in this installment is palpable. Aemyra isn't just trying to survive; she is reclaiming her identity from the ashes of her old life.

The relationship dynamic in this book is a wild ride. It’s a masterclass in the Enemies ➔ Lovers ➔ Enemies ➔ Lovers cycle. (SIDE NOTE JUSTICE FOR THEARRRR I LOVED HIM)

While the story takes its time to let the characters heal and strategize in the beginning, do not let that fool you. Once the momentum picks up, the narrative starts throwing curveballs that will have you reading at lightning speed just to keep up.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

[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.