What do you think?
Rate this book
Curses and Crowns #1
Rings of Fate
She’s a barmaid who doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He’s a prince cursed to live one.
Aren Bellamore has no interest in being anyone’s princess. She’s too busy running the Raven’s Beak tavern, fending off unwanted marriage proposals, and dreaming of escape. But when a brush with death and a dangerously handsome stranger upend her life, Aren finds herself bound to a bargain that could change everything.
Prince Dietan has carried the cursed Rings of Fate ancient weapons of devastating power since childhood. The magic is killing him, and the enemies are closing in. To make the journey to reverse his curse, he needs a bride to hide his secrets. Aren wants freedom. Pretending to be his fiancée should give them both what they want.
But as their perilous journey pits them against political schemes, monstrous Kilandrar, and a growing attraction neither can deny, the line between make-believe and destiny begins to blur. And the fate of two kingdoms may depend on whether a cynical barmaid and a cursed prince are willing to risk their hearts.
Aren Bellamore has no interest in being anyone’s princess. She’s too busy running the Raven’s Beak tavern, fending off unwanted marriage proposals, and dreaming of escape. But when a brush with death and a dangerously handsome stranger upend her life, Aren finds herself bound to a bargain that could change everything.
Prince Dietan has carried the cursed Rings of Fate ancient weapons of devastating power since childhood. The magic is killing him, and the enemies are closing in. To make the journey to reverse his curse, he needs a bride to hide his secrets. Aren wants freedom. Pretending to be his fiancée should give them both what they want.
But as their perilous journey pits them against political schemes, monstrous Kilandrar, and a growing attraction neither can deny, the line between make-believe and destiny begins to blur. And the fate of two kingdoms may depend on whether a cynical barmaid and a cursed prince are willing to risk their hearts.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2026
2399 people are currently reading
39411 people want to read
About the author
Melissa de la Cruz
163 books16k followersMelissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.
Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.
She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.
Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).
She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.
Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.
She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.
Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).
She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 984 reviews
January 22, 2026
2.5 ★— How pretty is this cover? How cool is that title? How enticing is that blurb?
It’s a shame, then, that this book ended up feeling so bland and uninteresting to me. Rings of Fate is an easygoing fantasy romance with a light, humorous tone that wants you to bask in its unserious vibes. You follow Aren, a barmaid who enters into a fake engagement with the prince of her kingdom and is then swept off on an adventure that promises the excitement she’s always craved.
With a book this light and clearly aiming to be fun, what could go wrong? A lot, unfortunately. First off, the romance felt like pure insta-love. The leads are almost immediately into each other because Aren is Not Like Other Girls™ and doesn’t care about being a princess or marrying him, which, of course, instantly intrigues him… yeah, no. There was no solid chemistry established, in my opinion, despite the book insisting they’re both completely smitten with each other. Even their supposed banter and bickering never really worked for me or felt particularly fun.
I do think my previous exposure to A.K. Caggiano’s books, which manage to be fun, humorous fantasy romances with actual tension and engaging exchanges, might have ruined me a bit here. But even setting that aside, the bigger issue is that outside of Aren and the prince’s dynamic, this book’s overarching plot is incredibly predictable, cookie-cutter, and bland. The journey Aren and Prince Dietan go on should’ve been a perfect opportunity for bonding and development between them, but instead it felt genuinely boring. It didn’t help that the side characters they meet along the way were just as uncompelling, and I found myself forcing my way through certain sections.
In the end, I can’t rate this any higher than the two stars I’ve given here. This feels like the kind of book that might work better as a lighthearted audiobook you half-listen to while doing something else, but as an actual read, it wasn’t worth it for me.
It’s a shame, then, that this book ended up feeling so bland and uninteresting to me. Rings of Fate is an easygoing fantasy romance with a light, humorous tone that wants you to bask in its unserious vibes. You follow Aren, a barmaid who enters into a fake engagement with the prince of her kingdom and is then swept off on an adventure that promises the excitement she’s always craved.
With a book this light and clearly aiming to be fun, what could go wrong? A lot, unfortunately. First off, the romance felt like pure insta-love. The leads are almost immediately into each other because Aren is Not Like Other Girls™ and doesn’t care about being a princess or marrying him, which, of course, instantly intrigues him… yeah, no. There was no solid chemistry established, in my opinion, despite the book insisting they’re both completely smitten with each other. Even their supposed banter and bickering never really worked for me or felt particularly fun.
I do think my previous exposure to A.K. Caggiano’s books, which manage to be fun, humorous fantasy romances with actual tension and engaging exchanges, might have ruined me a bit here. But even setting that aside, the bigger issue is that outside of Aren and the prince’s dynamic, this book’s overarching plot is incredibly predictable, cookie-cutter, and bland. The journey Aren and Prince Dietan go on should’ve been a perfect opportunity for bonding and development between them, but instead it felt genuinely boring. It didn’t help that the side characters they meet along the way were just as uncompelling, and I found myself forcing my way through certain sections.
In the end, I can’t rate this any higher than the two stars I’ve given here. This feels like the kind of book that might work better as a lighthearted audiobook you half-listen to while doing something else, but as an actual read, it wasn’t worth it for me.
February 4, 2026
NO. Just NO.
I’ve found my ultimate deal breaker. I used to think it was excessive swearing, but I can tolerate that if the book is interesting enough or if it matches the tone and setting of the book. What I can’t handle is slang and colloquial language used in lieu of proper writing. That is my limit.
I’ve noticed this a lot in newer fantasy and romantasy releases. In my opinion, It doesn’t make the characters more relatable, nor does it broaden their appeal. It’s just lazy writing. I haven’t DNFed or skimmed a book in years but this book broke my resolve (DNFed at 56%). It has both colloquial language and poor writing. It’s such a pity because the premise was amazing.
The family jewels? The hell? I’ll leave it at that.
Updates while reading ༄˖°.☕️.ೃ࿔📚*:･
There is something I don't like about this book...I can't place it 🤔
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･༄˖°.🍂.ೃ࿔*:･
Someone said fake dating?
I’ve found my ultimate deal breaker. I used to think it was excessive swearing, but I can tolerate that if the book is interesting enough or if it matches the tone and setting of the book. What I can’t handle is slang and colloquial language used in lieu of proper writing. That is my limit.
I’ve noticed this a lot in newer fantasy and romantasy releases. In my opinion, It doesn’t make the characters more relatable, nor does it broaden their appeal. It’s just lazy writing. I haven’t DNFed or skimmed a book in years but this book broke my resolve (DNFed at 56%). It has both colloquial language and poor writing. It’s such a pity because the premise was amazing.
“Ugh, why do I feel so womanly looking up at him?”
“Without looking at the geezer, I fold my rag and set it neatly on the bar…”
“The night was shitty, but by morning I’ve recovered from the effects of the poison…”
“I drive my knee up and kick him straight in the family jewels. ”
The family jewels? The hell? I’ll leave it at that.
Updates while reading ༄˖°.☕️.ೃ࿔📚*:･
There is something I don't like about this book...I can't place it 🤔
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･༄˖°.🍂.ೃ࿔*:･
Someone said fake dating?
Review of advance copy
What could possibly go wrong when a snarky, sharped tongue barmaid meets a handsome, cursed prince? Absolutely everything that you could think of.
This was exactly as I expected—fast paced, light, not too heavy on magic or world building. It’s perfect for those who are looking for something that reads like a fairytale, but one where he needs to be saved vs the damsel in distress. This is a slow burn with good but silly banter done in a perfect comedic timing.
Full RTF :)
This was my BOTM pick!
Publication date: January 6, 2025!
This was exactly as I expected—fast paced, light, not too heavy on magic or world building. It’s perfect for those who are looking for something that reads like a fairytale, but one where he needs to be saved vs the damsel in distress. This is a slow burn with good but silly banter done in a perfect comedic timing.
Full RTF :)
This was my BOTM pick!
Publication date: January 6, 2025!
December 16, 2025
Review of Rings of Fate by Melissa de la Cruz
Rings of Fate by Melissa de la Cruz is an enchanting romantasy about a witty barmaid and a cursed prince who agree to a pretend engagement to survive deadly magic and tangled political schemes in a vividly imagined fantasy world. From the smoky warmth of the Raven’s Beak tavern to the perilous landscapes where ancient magic pulses and danger lurks, this story wraps you in a romance that feels both tender and thrilling.
From the moment I met Aren Bellamore, I was drawn to her rugged humor and fierce independence, a heroine who refuses to bow to expectation even when fate pushes hard against her will. Aren’s voice felt so alive to me: sharp, resilient, and deeply human even amid swordplay and curses. Prince Dietan, bound to the destructive Rings of Fate and increasingly worn by their magic, is both vulnerable and magnetic, his struggle to save himself and his kingdom giving real emotional weight to his banter with Aren. Their chemistry simmered with sparks that surprised me again and again as they journeyed through political treachery, ancient threats like the monstrous Kilandrar, and moments where danger brought them closer. The pacing is lively, and the fantasy elements are rich without overwhelming the growing connection between these two very different souls. Some scenes made me laugh aloud, others softened my chest with longing, and all of them made me root for Aren’s freedom and Dietan’s redemption. Fans of Princess Bride vibes with a modern romantasy twist will find themselves enchanted by this tale’s blend of danger, heart, and wit.
I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 because its emotional core and clever dialogue carried me through the story with genuine joy, even as the worldbuilding and stakes kept me turning pages. The relationship felt grounded, the fantasy felt imaginative, and Aren’s growth is something I will remember long after finishing. If you love characters whose journeys teach them about courage, belonging, and the surprising forms that love can take, this book offers a generous and satisfying experience.
Rings of Fate by Melissa de la Cruz is an enchanting romantasy about a witty barmaid and a cursed prince who agree to a pretend engagement to survive deadly magic and tangled political schemes in a vividly imagined fantasy world. From the smoky warmth of the Raven’s Beak tavern to the perilous landscapes where ancient magic pulses and danger lurks, this story wraps you in a romance that feels both tender and thrilling.
From the moment I met Aren Bellamore, I was drawn to her rugged humor and fierce independence, a heroine who refuses to bow to expectation even when fate pushes hard against her will. Aren’s voice felt so alive to me: sharp, resilient, and deeply human even amid swordplay and curses. Prince Dietan, bound to the destructive Rings of Fate and increasingly worn by their magic, is both vulnerable and magnetic, his struggle to save himself and his kingdom giving real emotional weight to his banter with Aren. Their chemistry simmered with sparks that surprised me again and again as they journeyed through political treachery, ancient threats like the monstrous Kilandrar, and moments where danger brought them closer. The pacing is lively, and the fantasy elements are rich without overwhelming the growing connection between these two very different souls. Some scenes made me laugh aloud, others softened my chest with longing, and all of them made me root for Aren’s freedom and Dietan’s redemption. Fans of Princess Bride vibes with a modern romantasy twist will find themselves enchanted by this tale’s blend of danger, heart, and wit.
I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 because its emotional core and clever dialogue carried me through the story with genuine joy, even as the worldbuilding and stakes kept me turning pages. The relationship felt grounded, the fantasy felt imaginative, and Aren’s growth is something I will remember long after finishing. If you love characters whose journeys teach them about courage, belonging, and the surprising forms that love can take, this book offers a generous and satisfying experience.
February 7, 2026
This was a fun, easy, not too deep tale. And with out of this world biscuits.
dnf
November 22, 2025DNF at 31%
Thank you to Entangled and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book early. Unfortunately, this was not a book for me. All of the below is my own opinion.
There is a line in the summary, “And when Aren accidentally triggers [a Ring], she gets tied to the curse too. If he dies, so does the Kingdom. If she walks away, she will take the magic - and half the realm - with her.” At 31% into this book… this plot point has NOT happened yet. ☠️ Maybe it’s worded incorrectly and this never literally happens? I’m very frustrated about this and think it’s misleading… but if it’s in your summary, it needs to happen before 1/3 of the book!
This book was pitched as The Princess Bride meets Wheel of Time. There are VERY small details that are a tiny bit similar to both of these books but ultimately, I don’t think the comparisons measure up. There is a tiny bit of sass similar to The Princess Bride and it’s a sort-of gender bent version of the romance, but if you come looking for the hilarity and ingenuity the Princess Bride gives… you’ll be disappointed. As for WoT… it’s a lot to fill Robert Jordan’s shoes. There are certain plot points that kind of line up to WoT (an evil villain who controls creatures who attack people and the chosen one male who can’t control magic) - but the world-building is severely lacking and the magic system is now where near as cool.
The characters are very… bland in my opinion. We have the typical snarky female with a self-assured, kind of pompous prince. I’ve seen it done so many times, I’m just tired of it. Neither one brings any new elements to romantasy. I’m just bored with them. Their “banter” is typical and just… there.
He likes her immediately, says he’s “never met any girl like her” the moment he lays eyes on her. She says he’s so tall that he “makes her feel so womanly looking up at him.” No thank you. 🙂↔️
The writing style is surprisingly… stark? It’s not beautiful prose; it doesn’t enhance the experience of reading. It is a means to an end and that saddens me. This is the first book I’ve read by de la Cruz and I’m not excited to read more. (Unfortunately I have another ARC of hers. 😭)
I hope that others will like this book more than I do. I am deeply saddened that I did not like this as I thought I would with the comp titles. If you want a book that’s much more akin to The Princess Bride (and has a sassy female dragon, a cinnamon roll monk, and a feisty female who is not boring), try The Knight of the Trove by Holly Rose.
Thank you to Entangled and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book early. Unfortunately, this was not a book for me. All of the below is my own opinion.
There is a line in the summary, “And when Aren accidentally triggers [a Ring], she gets tied to the curse too. If he dies, so does the Kingdom. If she walks away, she will take the magic - and half the realm - with her.” At 31% into this book… this plot point has NOT happened yet. ☠️ Maybe it’s worded incorrectly and this never literally happens? I’m very frustrated about this and think it’s misleading… but if it’s in your summary, it needs to happen before 1/3 of the book!
This book was pitched as The Princess Bride meets Wheel of Time. There are VERY small details that are a tiny bit similar to both of these books but ultimately, I don’t think the comparisons measure up. There is a tiny bit of sass similar to The Princess Bride and it’s a sort-of gender bent version of the romance, but if you come looking for the hilarity and ingenuity the Princess Bride gives… you’ll be disappointed. As for WoT… it’s a lot to fill Robert Jordan’s shoes. There are certain plot points that kind of line up to WoT (an evil villain who controls creatures who attack people and the chosen one male who can’t control magic) - but the world-building is severely lacking and the magic system is now where near as cool.
The characters are very… bland in my opinion. We have the typical snarky female with a self-assured, kind of pompous prince. I’ve seen it done so many times, I’m just tired of it. Neither one brings any new elements to romantasy. I’m just bored with them. Their “banter” is typical and just… there.
He likes her immediately, says he’s “never met any girl like her” the moment he lays eyes on her. She says he’s so tall that he “makes her feel so womanly looking up at him.” No thank you. 🙂↔️
The writing style is surprisingly… stark? It’s not beautiful prose; it doesn’t enhance the experience of reading. It is a means to an end and that saddens me. This is the first book I’ve read by de la Cruz and I’m not excited to read more. (Unfortunately I have another ARC of hers. 😭)
I hope that others will like this book more than I do. I am deeply saddened that I did not like this as I thought I would with the comp titles. If you want a book that’s much more akin to The Princess Bride (and has a sassy female dragon, a cinnamon roll monk, and a feisty female who is not boring), try The Knight of the Trove by Holly Rose.
January 10, 2026
Man I’ve gotta stop falling for pretty covers with edges when I choose my book of the month. They’re just disappointment after disappointment.
The biggest problem tho was our main character, Aren. She just… wasn’t likable. She argued for the sake of arguing. She “wasn’t like other girls.” She frequently would go BuT iM jUsT a BaRmAiD and then be mad about it. She spent the first quarter of the book going “I can’t wait to get out of this town” and then when offered the chance goes “no I don’t want to.” She was 25 but had never been kissed (and kept getting pissed about not being kissed but then refusing kisses) but suddenly was a sex goddess after touching 1 zucchini.
I think this might work as a good “bridge” to more adult romantasies if you’re like, just coming off YA stuff, but for me, my quest for a great fantasy romance to consume my heart continues.
The biggest problem tho was our main character, Aren. She just… wasn’t likable. She argued for the sake of arguing. She “wasn’t like other girls.” She frequently would go BuT iM jUsT a BaRmAiD and then be mad about it. She spent the first quarter of the book going “I can’t wait to get out of this town” and then when offered the chance goes “no I don’t want to.” She was 25 but had never been kissed (and kept getting pissed about not being kissed but then refusing kisses) but suddenly was a sex goddess after touching 1 zucchini.
I think this might work as a good “bridge” to more adult romantasies if you’re like, just coming off YA stuff, but for me, my quest for a great fantasy romance to consume my heart continues.
January 11, 2026
I'm not sure what Book of the Month was thinking with this choice for January. This book was very poorly written. It had very juvenile language and insecure characters. The world building was non-existent. The side characters weren't fleshed out. The main plot points were written on almost every page to remind us that they were in a fake relationship, the reason they were in it, and the fact that they don't have real feelings for each other (but we know they do). The tropes were troping, and one thing I will never understand is why authors make their MFC so hateful toward the MMC who hasn't been mean or disrespectful to her in any way, and yet, she continues to call him horrible names and treats him like garbage. I rushed and skipped most of my through this.
January 26, 2026
2.75/5
harvest mother... HARVEST MOTHER
when this was announced as one of the january book of the month picks i kinda got intrigued, i've been in a fantasy mood lately and i am very quick to pick up semi interesting fantasies. thankfully i didn't waste my credit on this story though, lost lambs for the win (i don't actually know i haven't read it yet). following dietan and aren as they travel through the kingdom to find a man who is going to help with the rings of fate is the basic plot of the book... i think. the reasons for the fake marriage and for the long trip to the great waste is kinda lost on me, i was so out of the story though so thats on me.
aren is a barmaid who basically hates her job but she really cares for her sisters so she's doing what she can for them to have good lives. the time in the story that was spent in her hometown, evandale i think, was really good. the buildup for the relationship was pretty simple but that first thirty percent was the best part of the book. dietan, the prince, is so boring. he had no personality and i truly did not care about the journey he was on. i thought i'd care more about the whole rings of fate thing but i was only interested in it when we were in the woods with that old lady, justice for her, more her would've been better.
the writing was really odd to me, i could never really place what time period or setting we were in. i should have maybe done more research into this book before picking it up but it was on kindle unlimited and i got a bit too overzealous. if you have any fast paced fantasies on ku that you love, let me know. i need something good because this is my ninth book this year and i'm still craving a great book...
harvest mother... HARVEST MOTHER
when this was announced as one of the january book of the month picks i kinda got intrigued, i've been in a fantasy mood lately and i am very quick to pick up semi interesting fantasies. thankfully i didn't waste my credit on this story though, lost lambs for the win (i don't actually know i haven't read it yet). following dietan and aren as they travel through the kingdom to find a man who is going to help with the rings of fate is the basic plot of the book... i think. the reasons for the fake marriage and for the long trip to the great waste is kinda lost on me, i was so out of the story though so thats on me.
aren is a barmaid who basically hates her job but she really cares for her sisters so she's doing what she can for them to have good lives. the time in the story that was spent in her hometown, evandale i think, was really good. the buildup for the relationship was pretty simple but that first thirty percent was the best part of the book. dietan, the prince, is so boring. he had no personality and i truly did not care about the journey he was on. i thought i'd care more about the whole rings of fate thing but i was only interested in it when we were in the woods with that old lady, justice for her, more her would've been better.
the writing was really odd to me, i could never really place what time period or setting we were in. i should have maybe done more research into this book before picking it up but it was on kindle unlimited and i got a bit too overzealous. if you have any fast paced fantasies on ku that you love, let me know. i need something good because this is my ninth book this year and i'm still craving a great book...
January 10, 2026
So bummed about this one. I was really excited to read, but the writing was stilted, plot holes galore, flat characters, lots of editorial mistakes, and just one long miscommunication trope. I finished it but only because I’m a completionist
dnf
January 27, 2026DNF at 60%
I tried! :( I was really intrigued during the first quarter; it was fun, charming and fast-paced, but it started to really lose me after that. I struggled to connect to the characters and lacked investment in the story. Plus the writing started to feel quite repetitive and just wasn't holding my attention.
I tried! :( I was really intrigued during the first quarter; it was fun, charming and fast-paced, but it started to really lose me after that. I struggled to connect to the characters and lacked investment in the story. Plus the writing started to feel quite repetitive and just wasn't holding my attention.
November 29, 2025
Ok so I have LITERALLY just finished this book…the last 30% was so much better than the first part of the book, I have to admit I nearly DNF as I just found the beginning of the book so all over the place and jumpy and just very, very random. There didn’t seem to be a lot of character introduction or development and it was more just like oh yes these people are now in love! I think it would’ve been great if the side characters would’ve had some more page time too, Dietans mates seemed fun and also Arens sisters, would have been nice to get to know their relationship a bit more too. HOWEVER, I am very glad I stuck with this book because like I said, it got a lot better towards the end it was just a shame it was such a slog to get there! 3.5 stars from me, I would like to read book 2 if there is going to be one where we can hopefully get some more character development and back story.
January 7, 2026
DNF 15%
I feel bad for giving a book i just started 1 star, but honestly, this is bad.
Poorly executed info dumping, full of clichés...ain't no time for this in 2026.
I feel bad for giving a book i just started 1 star, but honestly, this is bad.
Poorly executed info dumping, full of clichés...ain't no time for this in 2026.
November 13, 2025
I read the physical ARC of this from the publisher and I flew through it. Abigail Owen's blurb for this book is "The Princess Bride for the romantasy era." Enough said for me. I enjoy Melissa de la Cruz and I enjoyed this book as well. This is adult romantasy. We have a prince who needs a bride so their countries will be allies. He settles on Aren, a barmaid, but it is all a ruse. He has a secret that is killing him and he needs Aren's help. She wants out of her small town life and agrees to go with the prince. They both know it could be a dangerous adventure but they do not realize just how dangerous it will be. Prince Dietan tries to get Aren to turn back multiple times when things get really bad, but she is in it for the long haul. They have fun enemies to lovers banter, and of course they fall in love while on their journey. This is the first book in a series and I am excited to continue the story with the next book.
-My plan could get us all killed, but isn't it better to die trying to do the right thing than live the rest of our lives in terror.
-My plan could get us all killed, but isn't it better to die trying to do the right thing than live the rest of our lives in terror.
January 18, 2026
I'm...actually kind of speechless. This book sounded so interesting. And that cover! Are you kidding me!
And yet. Inside was just an...unpolished, bland, repetitive, coma-inducing, juvenile story that doesn't stand out in any way from the sea of other unpolished, bland, repetitive, coma-inducing, juvenile romantasies that exist in our present reality.
I'm just going to list my grievances.
- The map is friggin' useless. I genuinely think it was created either by someone who'd never read the story - or it was drawn before the story was written. Because book descriptions don't at all match up with what's shown in the picture. You might as well be looking at a map of Westeros or Middle Earth for all of the sense it makes.
- I don't know if this is just my copy or what - but there are words straight up missing in this story. For instance,
"I don't know much you saw, or heard..." HOW...I don't know HOW much you saw or heard.
That's a benign example - but there are others where the missing word actually sort of impedes understanding of the sentence or paragraph. It really doesn't appear that this book was passed across an editor's desk at all, if I'm honest.
I can let a lot of things slide (if the story's good). But there were SO MANY typos and missing words in this story that it legitimately began to affect my ability to read it.
I had the book of the month copy of this book, if that's of any relevance.
- The winking this man does. It's so awkward. Even Aren's like "what's up with this dude, has he got something in his eye?" And, fair enough, because Dietan keeps doing it and it's not clever or cute or sexy it's just...cringy in a big way.
- Aren has one singular personality trait: Haggard. She's just... altogether aggravated. By everyone and everything. Exhausted by life. She's TIRED.
🎶Tired of being admired
Tired of love uninspired 🎶
Sorry, I've gone off topic.
Anyway, Aren's wry, done-with-everybody's-shit attitude was kind of funny for the first 50 pages...and then she began to get on my nerves.
Because she only really had one setting - cantankerous. And while that might have worked in the bar setting when she was fending off drunken proposals, it doesn't fit EVERY scenario. She's just crabby - for no reason. And even her sisters call her out on it.
- In fact, you should know that sense-making is not one of Aren's strong suits. She's kind of a hypocrite in the most infuriating way.
She's constantly going on about how she wants to travel the world - but when she's handed the golden opportunity, she says no.
She's 25 with zero romantic experience - but yet is tired of men (the amount of times she disparages men, Dietan in particular, got so old so fast. If I have to read the phrase "infuriating men/man" ONE MORE TIME I might gouge my eyes out). She's never been kissed, and is MAD about it - but then refuses kisses whenever Dietan tries to kiss her ?????
Like girl what the hell do you even want?
- She also carts a frying pan around like the Tangled wannabe she is. It's such a stupid thing to be mad at. But honestly - you're meant to be writing an ADULT fantasy. And you're pulling inspiration from a children's DISNEY movie??????
- Dietan (is a stupid name, but whatever, he's also got like 15 more which is also dumb) is described as a blond. Haven't authors learned by now? We don't like blonds.
I usually don't follow this rule - but added to the way he acts and talks, all I kept picturing was this guy:
And I'm sorry - it just didn't do it for me.
- There were things in this book that just read as ludicrous. Like Jared proposing to Aren's sister Ophelia 3 days after meeting her. After EXPLICITLY STATING he never wanted to get married, and joking that the country bumpkin women all probably had hooves.
- I didn't really see the need for the two of them (Aren and Dietan) to team up? Like he's gotta travel across the map to find some dark magic wielding wizard guy - and he needs her because he was on a wedding tour and he wants her to pose as his fake fiancé? Ehhhhh. She couldn't have any other use besides that? ANYONE could have done that job. We didn't have to pick the crotchety crabapple.
If you're expecting there to be some kind of clandestine reason the two are drawn together, you're gonna be disappointed. It's just because, apparently Dietan has a degradation kink and Aren's REALLY good at landing blows to his ego. (Because there are many times where the banter reads more as Aren just being a bitch to Dietan for no reason, not gonna lie)
- Which leads me to the book's blurb. It's is a bit misleading in this way - see we're told that, SOMEHOW, Aren ends up tied to Dietan through the rings embedded in his back. That she's somehow triggered the magic or some such thing ... but this never explicitly happens. SURELY, you'd think, that before she agrees to join him as his fake fiancé on this dangerous quest across the realms, that they'd be linked and she'd feel some kinda way about it? No? We're just vibing then? Cool cool cool.
- I did find the wind-magic stuff interesting and unique (at least he's not another shadow daddy! Hurrah!), but I feel like there wasn't enough really done with it to give me a great idea about how it works and what it can do and where it came from. This COULD be remedied in future books, though, so I'm not going to complain tooooo much about this.
- Miscommunication trope for no reason. Just freakin' talk to each other, damnit! You literally have nothing else to do.
- The spice. Egads. Okay - so maybe not the act itself. That's pretty vanilla stuff to be honest. Written very plainly and sort of vague.
But the conversation they have before, during, and after?
Stilted and campy is an understatement.
- The climax of the story felt rushed - it's all dumped on us in just a few chapters at the end of the story, after hundreds and hundreds of pages of ... nothing. And the way this book is written, it's like De La Cruz is afraid we're going to miss something. Every single plot point and twist is spelled out in the most patronizing, juvenile way because she clearly doesn't trust the reader to put the puzzle pieces together for themselves. We're TOLD a lot more than we're shown - which completely ruined the tension that was meant to be building.
- It became very obvious very quickly that this author has done a LOT of YA writing. And that's totally fine! But, perhaps, she should have stuck with YA. Take the swearing and the 1 and a half sex scenes out of this book and just make this YA. It would have been SO much better if these characters weren't in their mid 20s.
All in all, I'm sad to say this just wasn't for me. Nobody's sadder about it than I am.
2.5 stars, and I'm being generous.
And yet. Inside was just an...unpolished, bland, repetitive, coma-inducing, juvenile story that doesn't stand out in any way from the sea of other unpolished, bland, repetitive, coma-inducing, juvenile romantasies that exist in our present reality.
I'm just going to list my grievances.
- The map is friggin' useless. I genuinely think it was created either by someone who'd never read the story - or it was drawn before the story was written. Because book descriptions don't at all match up with what's shown in the picture. You might as well be looking at a map of Westeros or Middle Earth for all of the sense it makes.
- I don't know if this is just my copy or what - but there are words straight up missing in this story. For instance,
"I don't know much you saw, or heard..." HOW...I don't know HOW much you saw or heard.
That's a benign example - but there are others where the missing word actually sort of impedes understanding of the sentence or paragraph. It really doesn't appear that this book was passed across an editor's desk at all, if I'm honest.
I can let a lot of things slide (if the story's good). But there were SO MANY typos and missing words in this story that it legitimately began to affect my ability to read it.
I had the book of the month copy of this book, if that's of any relevance.
- The winking this man does. It's so awkward. Even Aren's like "what's up with this dude, has he got something in his eye?" And, fair enough, because Dietan keeps doing it and it's not clever or cute or sexy it's just...cringy in a big way.
- Aren has one singular personality trait: Haggard. She's just... altogether aggravated. By everyone and everything. Exhausted by life. She's TIRED.
🎶Tired of being admired
Tired of love uninspired 🎶
Sorry, I've gone off topic.
Anyway, Aren's wry, done-with-everybody's-shit attitude was kind of funny for the first 50 pages...and then she began to get on my nerves.
Because she only really had one setting - cantankerous. And while that might have worked in the bar setting when she was fending off drunken proposals, it doesn't fit EVERY scenario. She's just crabby - for no reason. And even her sisters call her out on it.
- In fact, you should know that sense-making is not one of Aren's strong suits. She's kind of a hypocrite in the most infuriating way.
She's constantly going on about how she wants to travel the world - but when she's handed the golden opportunity, she says no.
She's 25 with zero romantic experience - but yet is tired of men (the amount of times she disparages men, Dietan in particular, got so old so fast. If I have to read the phrase "infuriating men/man" ONE MORE TIME I might gouge my eyes out). She's never been kissed, and is MAD about it - but then refuses kisses whenever Dietan tries to kiss her ?????
Like girl what the hell do you even want?
- She also carts a frying pan around like the Tangled wannabe she is. It's such a stupid thing to be mad at. But honestly - you're meant to be writing an ADULT fantasy. And you're pulling inspiration from a children's DISNEY movie??????
- Dietan (is a stupid name, but whatever, he's also got like 15 more which is also dumb) is described as a blond. Haven't authors learned by now? We don't like blonds.
I usually don't follow this rule - but added to the way he acts and talks, all I kept picturing was this guy:
And I'm sorry - it just didn't do it for me.
- There were things in this book that just read as ludicrous. Like Jared proposing to Aren's sister Ophelia 3 days after meeting her. After EXPLICITLY STATING he never wanted to get married, and joking that the country bumpkin women all probably had hooves.
- I didn't really see the need for the two of them (Aren and Dietan) to team up? Like he's gotta travel across the map to find some dark magic wielding wizard guy - and he needs her because he was on a wedding tour and he wants her to pose as his fake fiancé? Ehhhhh. She couldn't have any other use besides that? ANYONE could have done that job. We didn't have to pick the crotchety crabapple.
If you're expecting there to be some kind of clandestine reason the two are drawn together, you're gonna be disappointed. It's just because, apparently Dietan has a degradation kink and Aren's REALLY good at landing blows to his ego. (Because there are many times where the banter reads more as Aren just being a bitch to Dietan for no reason, not gonna lie)
- Which leads me to the book's blurb. It's is a bit misleading in this way - see we're told that, SOMEHOW, Aren ends up tied to Dietan through the rings embedded in his back. That she's somehow triggered the magic or some such thing ... but this never explicitly happens. SURELY, you'd think, that before she agrees to join him as his fake fiancé on this dangerous quest across the realms, that they'd be linked and she'd feel some kinda way about it? No? We're just vibing then? Cool cool cool.
- I did find the wind-magic stuff interesting and unique (at least he's not another shadow daddy! Hurrah!), but I feel like there wasn't enough really done with it to give me a great idea about how it works and what it can do and where it came from. This COULD be remedied in future books, though, so I'm not going to complain tooooo much about this.
- Miscommunication trope for no reason. Just freakin' talk to each other, damnit! You literally have nothing else to do.
- The spice. Egads. Okay - so maybe not the act itself. That's pretty vanilla stuff to be honest. Written very plainly and sort of vague.
But the conversation they have before, during, and after?
Stilted and campy is an understatement.
- The climax of the story felt rushed - it's all dumped on us in just a few chapters at the end of the story, after hundreds and hundreds of pages of ... nothing. And the way this book is written, it's like De La Cruz is afraid we're going to miss something. Every single plot point and twist is spelled out in the most patronizing, juvenile way because she clearly doesn't trust the reader to put the puzzle pieces together for themselves. We're TOLD a lot more than we're shown - which completely ruined the tension that was meant to be building.
- It became very obvious very quickly that this author has done a LOT of YA writing. And that's totally fine! But, perhaps, she should have stuck with YA. Take the swearing and the 1 and a half sex scenes out of this book and just make this YA. It would have been SO much better if these characters weren't in their mid 20s.
All in all, I'm sad to say this just wasn't for me. Nobody's sadder about it than I am.
2.5 stars, and I'm being generous.
January 28, 2026
Rings of Fate is a fun, highly romantic adventure that tells the tale of a prince and fiesty fierce barmaid that will do anything for the people she loves. Dietan, the prince, whisks Aren, our barmaid on a grand adventure across the desert to defeat an evil ruler who threatens their world.
Aren is so lovable. She's beautiful, kind, skilled, wild, and untamed. I love her juxtaposition of a life lived with hard work and responsibility to Dietans lifetime of luxury and opulence. The two not only have amazing banter but tons of chemistry. The romance is romancing. Watching these two very different people fall in love was so enjoyable.
I enjoyed every bit of this exciting adventure. This is peak romantasy. Not a moment is wasted or drags. This perfectly paced story will have you dying for a second book.
Aren is so lovable. She's beautiful, kind, skilled, wild, and untamed. I love her juxtaposition of a life lived with hard work and responsibility to Dietans lifetime of luxury and opulence. The two not only have amazing banter but tons of chemistry. The romance is romancing. Watching these two very different people fall in love was so enjoyable.
I enjoyed every bit of this exciting adventure. This is peak romantasy. Not a moment is wasted or drags. This perfectly paced story will have you dying for a second book.
January 14, 2026
DNF at 40%. Hated the audiobook of it and there was no chemistry between the main couple
January 9, 2026
2.5 stars
idk why I keep trying with Red Tower Books
idk why I keep trying with Red Tower Books
January 7, 2026
Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that was just released today called, Rings of Fate. This is about Aren, she is stuck in life; running the family bar, taking care of her father and sisters, and fending off unwanted marriage proposals from the local drunks. Then one day Prince Dietan comes to their town, looking for a bride. She makes sure her sisters are perfect to meet the prince and hopefully catch his eye, but she's the one who catches his eye instead. And before she knows it, she is being proposed to again, and this time by a prince who wants to make a deal with her. Prince Dietan is cursed, he has had the Rings of Fate trapped under his skin since he was a kid and they're killing him, he needs to be free of them. He needs a cover for traveling town to town to try and find someone to help rid him of the Rings, which is why he was "looking for a bride". He makes a deal with Aren, pretend to be his fiancé while he searches for someone to help him, and he will pay her enough she can finally be free to live whatever life she wants. But nothing is ever that simple or goes according to plan. Not with their travels, not with their deal, and not with them not catching real feelings for each other.
This romantasy was such an entertaining journey! The magic and world building was easy to understand and follow along with. The storyline was well thought out and it had me not wanting to put the book down. The characters felt authentic; they were complex, determined, and brave. I loved the banter and the attraction they didn't want to admit that was between Aren and Dietan throughout the book! This story also ended well which I always appreciate, there was no cliffhanger or high suspense moment where it ended. I really enjoyed this story! 🤍📚
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for this ARC of Rings of Fate, in exchange for an honest review.
This romantasy was such an entertaining journey! The magic and world building was easy to understand and follow along with. The storyline was well thought out and it had me not wanting to put the book down. The characters felt authentic; they were complex, determined, and brave. I loved the banter and the attraction they didn't want to admit that was between Aren and Dietan throughout the book! This story also ended well which I always appreciate, there was no cliffhanger or high suspense moment where it ended. I really enjoyed this story! 🤍📚
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for this ARC of Rings of Fate, in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2026
Oof. If I ever get paid to review a book I'm gonna be honest no matter what. I really wanted to like this and I just couldn't. it had its moments sure and overall it was fine I suppose which feels generous.... I finished it because I always do even if I don't like it... but meh.
I don't even know how to pinpoint it - it's just so cheesy and if they described her by explaining her broad strong back one more time I was going to smack myself, and then they went on and described her that way 50 million more times. I truly can't even picture what she looks like... dark hair, pretty eyes and a beefy broad back thats strong and brut 🤣 I just dont know.
The prince and his two best friends were the saving grace in this book since she was distrusting and independent not in an endearing way... more like an annoying whiny strong backed brute way. Clearly I cant get over her broad back.
Also... the princes name is "Dietan Cornwallis Arthur William Maximillian Conrad Barclay-Bruce Armandale-Macrae, Crown prince of Loegria" .... I just cant. Save thi for an older teenager it will be fine for them.
I don't even know how to pinpoint it - it's just so cheesy and if they described her by explaining her broad strong back one more time I was going to smack myself, and then they went on and described her that way 50 million more times. I truly can't even picture what she looks like... dark hair, pretty eyes and a beefy broad back thats strong and brut 🤣 I just dont know.
The prince and his two best friends were the saving grace in this book since she was distrusting and independent not in an endearing way... more like an annoying whiny strong backed brute way. Clearly I cant get over her broad back.
Also... the princes name is "Dietan Cornwallis Arthur William Maximillian Conrad Barclay-Bruce Armandale-Macrae, Crown prince of Loegria" .... I just cant. Save thi for an older teenager it will be fine for them.
January 10, 2026
I have never read a book by this author, but looking at her previous books I see she did a lot of YA before cranking this out. I can see that. I can also see how his is a mixture of Wheel Time + Princess Bride.
I liked the angle of a prince who seems perfect but isn't due to a set of magical rings embedded in his skin making him wary of love and true connection. I liked the idea of a barmaid instead of a noble or a princess being his love interest. I liked that he was on a quest to get rid of the rings from his skin and use them to defeat some evil sorcerer who has returned to reek havoc on the lands.
... but that was it. I just liked the book.
The reason I could come up with is that I felt I read all these major plot elements in better books (Lord of the Rings, Princess Bride) that seeing them in a book not on that same level was a little jarring. It also felt very trope-y at times, where I could predict the outcome of certain reveals (probably, again, cause I seen them used in other books).
SO yeah. I am left with a book that I can honestly recommend if you're new to fantasy and looking to dip your feet into the water of what to read if you never read Wheel of Time, Lord of the Rings, and Princess Bride. Will I read book two? No. The characters really don't have any strong qualities besides being low-budget knock offs.
I liked the angle of a prince who seems perfect but isn't due to a set of magical rings embedded in his skin making him wary of love and true connection. I liked the idea of a barmaid instead of a noble or a princess being his love interest. I liked that he was on a quest to get rid of the rings from his skin and use them to defeat some evil sorcerer who has returned to reek havoc on the lands.
... but that was it. I just liked the book.
The reason I could come up with is that I felt I read all these major plot elements in better books (Lord of the Rings, Princess Bride) that seeing them in a book not on that same level was a little jarring. It also felt very trope-y at times, where I could predict the outcome of certain reveals (probably, again, cause I seen them used in other books).
SO yeah. I am left with a book that I can honestly recommend if you're new to fantasy and looking to dip your feet into the water of what to read if you never read Wheel of Time, Lord of the Rings, and Princess Bride. Will I read book two? No. The characters really don't have any strong qualities besides being low-budget knock offs.
January 8, 2026
DNF 140 pages in. the villain sends tornadoes with faces....she defeats the first one with an iron skillet...I just can't. that combined with the choppy storytelling just didn't work for me. had high hopes but this was so disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"This woman is unlike any other I've met and I need to know more."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
What you'll find in this book:
• Fake Engagement
• Enemies to Lovers
• Cursed Hero
• Forced Proximity
• Feisty Barmaid x Cursed Prince
• Humour & Banter
• High Stakes Magic
• Swoon-Worthy Romantasy
This book was definitely the perfect choice to start of my 2026 reading journey. I mean what more could you want than a fantasy book featuring a barmaid, a prince, a fake engagement and a chaotic journey across the kingdom to defeat a great evil and stave off an impending war. The banter in this story is absolutely top tier, but underneath this layer of humour and comedy there is a more emotional side to the story that tugged at my heart strings. This book truly captures every factor that makes a traditional fantasy story so moreish, a tale that is as gripping as it is fun, where we journey with the characters across a fantastical land battling an evil threatening to enjoy the peace and magic that thrives in the land. I was gripped in this books grasp from the beginning to the end, there's romance, humour and a unique magical system to keep you hooked.
Aren Bellamore, hard working barmaid who doesn't believe in fairytales, keeps herself busy running the Raven's Beak tavern, dreaming of an eventual escape and fending off unwanted marriage proposals. However, when a dangerous handsome stranger comes to her rescue during a deadly situation Aren finds herself becoming a part of a bargain that is going to turn her world upside down. Prince Dietan, a cursed prince dreaming of a fairytale solution, has carried the powerful but cursed Rings of Fate within his body since a childhood accident put them there. Slowly, but surely his enemies are closing in and with his magic more likely to kill him than help him he is running out of time. In order to make the journey and reverse his curse, he needs a bridge in order to make him inconspicuous. With Aren wanting her freedom, Dietan sees a way to help them both with her pretending to be his wife. However, it quickly becomes clear that this journey will be a dangerous one for them both, with monsters chasing them and an undeniable growing attraction they must fight to risk their hearts for the sake of not just one kingdom but two.
Having two main characters that hold the majority of the story like it did in this one allows us to get to know Dietan and Aren to the fullest possible extent throughout the story. Their strengths, their flaws, their emotions and their character as it changes throughout the course of the story and how this is impacted by the actions they take and the hurdles they overcome. Aren is sassy in the best sent of the word, I love how when we meet her she knows exactly who she is and what she wants, but during the course of the story Aren comes to realise that what she had wasn't all that bad in the first place and at the same time the new future that is so close yet at the same time feels so far. Aren uses sarcasm as her biggest defence when it comes to putting others before herself, and I adore how this sarcasm goes up against Dietan's sarcasm. There is a sprinkle of the grumpy versus sunshine personalities which I really enjoyed and how this flips between the two main characters as the story progresses. Dietan comes so far during the course of the story, we initially meet a Prince who just wants to get rid of the power he has been cursed with, but as the he progresses on his journey to save himself and his kingdom we begin to see the determined strong man underneath the pretentious womanising princeling. It is not only us that realises this but also Aren as she falls hopelessly in love with the man underneath the mask, and as this happens Dietan falls for the girl who doesn't want him for the prince of for his power but for exactly who he is.
We travel far and wide across this fantastical world throughout the story, and this just goes go show the richly described world that Melissa has created. Every new area we travel to is clearly described making it so very easy to picture in the minds eye adding yet another aspect to an amazing story. The fake engagement aspect of this story was most definitely my favourite part, I am obsessed with this trope and it works perfectly as part of this story with these characters who couldn't be from more different circumstances if they tried. Oh and don't even get me started on the moments involving a frying pan that becomes infamous, absolutely hilarious and one of the highlights of this story for me. The slow developing romance that gently begins to grow into a raging fire is was a perfect fit to the story, there is something so satisfying about this and how it pans out between these characters. Honestly, if you love fantasy this is a must read that will sweep you up and carry you along for one heck of a ride.
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an e-ARC to read and review early.
Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Series: Curses and Crowns
Publisher: Red Tower Books
Release Date: January 8th, 2026
Pages: 396
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
What you'll find in this book:
• Fake Engagement
• Enemies to Lovers
• Cursed Hero
• Forced Proximity
• Feisty Barmaid x Cursed Prince
• Humour & Banter
• High Stakes Magic
• Swoon-Worthy Romantasy
This book was definitely the perfect choice to start of my 2026 reading journey. I mean what more could you want than a fantasy book featuring a barmaid, a prince, a fake engagement and a chaotic journey across the kingdom to defeat a great evil and stave off an impending war. The banter in this story is absolutely top tier, but underneath this layer of humour and comedy there is a more emotional side to the story that tugged at my heart strings. This book truly captures every factor that makes a traditional fantasy story so moreish, a tale that is as gripping as it is fun, where we journey with the characters across a fantastical land battling an evil threatening to enjoy the peace and magic that thrives in the land. I was gripped in this books grasp from the beginning to the end, there's romance, humour and a unique magical system to keep you hooked.
Aren Bellamore, hard working barmaid who doesn't believe in fairytales, keeps herself busy running the Raven's Beak tavern, dreaming of an eventual escape and fending off unwanted marriage proposals. However, when a dangerous handsome stranger comes to her rescue during a deadly situation Aren finds herself becoming a part of a bargain that is going to turn her world upside down. Prince Dietan, a cursed prince dreaming of a fairytale solution, has carried the powerful but cursed Rings of Fate within his body since a childhood accident put them there. Slowly, but surely his enemies are closing in and with his magic more likely to kill him than help him he is running out of time. In order to make the journey and reverse his curse, he needs a bridge in order to make him inconspicuous. With Aren wanting her freedom, Dietan sees a way to help them both with her pretending to be his wife. However, it quickly becomes clear that this journey will be a dangerous one for them both, with monsters chasing them and an undeniable growing attraction they must fight to risk their hearts for the sake of not just one kingdom but two.
Having two main characters that hold the majority of the story like it did in this one allows us to get to know Dietan and Aren to the fullest possible extent throughout the story. Their strengths, their flaws, their emotions and their character as it changes throughout the course of the story and how this is impacted by the actions they take and the hurdles they overcome. Aren is sassy in the best sent of the word, I love how when we meet her she knows exactly who she is and what she wants, but during the course of the story Aren comes to realise that what she had wasn't all that bad in the first place and at the same time the new future that is so close yet at the same time feels so far. Aren uses sarcasm as her biggest defence when it comes to putting others before herself, and I adore how this sarcasm goes up against Dietan's sarcasm. There is a sprinkle of the grumpy versus sunshine personalities which I really enjoyed and how this flips between the two main characters as the story progresses. Dietan comes so far during the course of the story, we initially meet a Prince who just wants to get rid of the power he has been cursed with, but as the he progresses on his journey to save himself and his kingdom we begin to see the determined strong man underneath the pretentious womanising princeling. It is not only us that realises this but also Aren as she falls hopelessly in love with the man underneath the mask, and as this happens Dietan falls for the girl who doesn't want him for the prince of for his power but for exactly who he is.
We travel far and wide across this fantastical world throughout the story, and this just goes go show the richly described world that Melissa has created. Every new area we travel to is clearly described making it so very easy to picture in the minds eye adding yet another aspect to an amazing story. The fake engagement aspect of this story was most definitely my favourite part, I am obsessed with this trope and it works perfectly as part of this story with these characters who couldn't be from more different circumstances if they tried. Oh and don't even get me started on the moments involving a frying pan that becomes infamous, absolutely hilarious and one of the highlights of this story for me. The slow developing romance that gently begins to grow into a raging fire is was a perfect fit to the story, there is something so satisfying about this and how it pans out between these characters. Honestly, if you love fantasy this is a must read that will sweep you up and carry you along for one heck of a ride.
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an e-ARC to read and review early.
Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Series: Curses and Crowns
Publisher: Red Tower Books
Release Date: January 8th, 2026
Pages: 396
January 18, 2026
Rings of Fate Is A Spellbinding, High‑Drama Fantasy That Delivers Everything I Wanted
Rings of Fate is Melissa de la Cruz at her most addictive. This book sweeps you into a world of prophecy, power, and tangled destinies, and it never loosens its grip. From the very first chapter, the story pulses with tension, the kind of immersive, high-stakes fantasy that keeps you reading long after you meant to stop.
What makes this such a standout is how deftly de la Cruz blends court intrigue, forbidden romance, and mythic worldbuilding. Every scene feels cinematic, every twist lands with purpose, and the characters are flawed, ambitious, and achingly human, and it just pulls you deeper into the storytelling. The emotional beats hit just as hard as the action, creating a perfect balance of heart and meaty plot. Some characters are a little self-deprecating but easily overlooked with such an amazing cast.
The pacing is razor-sharp, the lore is rich without ever feeling heavy, and the relationships, both alliances and rivalries, crackle with energy. By the time the final chapters rolled around, I was fully invested in every choice, every sacrifice, every revelation.
If you love fantasy that’s lush, dramatic, and brimming with destiny-driven tension, Oh, and did I mention the BANTER, Rings of Fate is absolutely the book for you. Melissa de la Cruz delivers a story that feels both classic and fresh, and I’m already eager for whatever comes next in this world.
Rings of Fate is Melissa de la Cruz at her most addictive. This book sweeps you into a world of prophecy, power, and tangled destinies, and it never loosens its grip. From the very first chapter, the story pulses with tension, the kind of immersive, high-stakes fantasy that keeps you reading long after you meant to stop.
What makes this such a standout is how deftly de la Cruz blends court intrigue, forbidden romance, and mythic worldbuilding. Every scene feels cinematic, every twist lands with purpose, and the characters are flawed, ambitious, and achingly human, and it just pulls you deeper into the storytelling. The emotional beats hit just as hard as the action, creating a perfect balance of heart and meaty plot. Some characters are a little self-deprecating but easily overlooked with such an amazing cast.
The pacing is razor-sharp, the lore is rich without ever feeling heavy, and the relationships, both alliances and rivalries, crackle with energy. By the time the final chapters rolled around, I was fully invested in every choice, every sacrifice, every revelation.
If you love fantasy that’s lush, dramatic, and brimming with destiny-driven tension, Oh, and did I mention the BANTER, Rings of Fate is absolutely the book for you. Melissa de la Cruz delivers a story that feels both classic and fresh, and I’m already eager for whatever comes next in this world.
January 30, 2026
With tropes like fake engagement and forced proxmity, cursed princes, and political intrigue, Rings of Fate should have checked all the boxes for me. Unfortunately, it just didn't hit the mark.
Not that Rings of Fate is awful by any means, I quite enjoyed the bickering and banter between Aren and Dietan, and the high stakes quest these two go on... It was just missing something.
Overall, fantastic concept but weak execution.
Not that Rings of Fate is awful by any means, I quite enjoyed the bickering and banter between Aren and Dietan, and the high stakes quest these two go on... It was just missing something.
Overall, fantastic concept but weak execution.
January 18, 2026
Not your average fairytale! I'd have to say that my favorite character is Aren, I loved how bitchy she was, lol. I cannot wait for the next book to come out so I continue the story! I was actually sad when the story ended, I became invested in Aren and Dietan's stories. Well done Melissa de la Cruz!
January 9, 2026
There is a limit to how often one can read “but I’m just a simple barmaid!”
February 1, 2026
❀ 𝔸𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕣𝕖𝕖 ❀
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙
👑≋🐎≋🍺 𝓡𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓕𝓪𝓽𝓮 🍺≋🐎≋👑
╰┈➤ Stars: 5 ⭐!
╰┈➤ Pov: Dual first-person
╰┈➤ Spice: 2 / 5
╰┈➤ Content: Swearing; themes of death and grief; torture (including whipping); violence; sexual harassment (NOT MCs); two spicy scenes, one detailed open-door and one closed-door
🩶 𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 🩶
꒰ 𝐿𝒾𝓀𝑒𝓈 ➛ If you like a good-old-fashioned-fantasy-adventure-to-save-the-world plot, here you go! Like the advertising, Rings of Fate is a modern romantasy spin on that classic story type we all love. Filled with lots of traveling montages, stops at exotic locales, and lots of dangerous scenarios, it made sure to tick all the boxes that give the vibes of nostalgic fantasy movies!Says the person who hasn't even seen The Princess Bride I know I know, but I've seen others
But wait, it didn't forget the romantasy! Specifically the sass, banter, and touch-him/her-and-you-die (yes it goes both ways). All in all just a fun quest!
꒰ 𝒟𝒾𝓈𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒𝓈 ➛ Okay, so if there's something I didn't like, it's the pacing. Not terrible, before you get any ideas! But the middle in particular dragged a little, and the romance felt a tiny bit rushed from 🙄 We gotta keep up this fake engagement 🙄 to 🥰 Oh wait actually we're in love! 🥰 NO INSTA-LOVE THOUGH
💛 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 💛
ˋ°•* 𝒜𝓇𝑒𝓃 ➳ The sassy barmaid FMC of this tale. I always like a hard-working independent woman, and she sure is! I repeat: She is not a damsel in distress. This lady uses a skillet as a weapon (XD) and she bonks more than a few creatures (and humans) with it. Never has a skillet been so fearsome. But she's also quite vulnerable on the inside, especially wondering if a prince would really care for a barmaid like her. Gee I wonder.He falls first 👀. And can I just say I love how she wasn't clueless? She actually suspects that Dietan might have feelings for her. How rare is that?
ˋ°•* 𝒟𝒾𝑒𝓉𝒶𝓃 ➳ I still don't know whether his name is pronounced "die-tun" or "die-eh-tun", but I stuck with the first for the book. Anyway, here we have a fine example of a well-rounded MMC! Sometimes charming and princely, sometimes teasing, sometimes stubborn, but always with his heart in the right place. Duty-driven and occasionally self-sacrificing to a fault, he's the type to capture the hearts of all readers alike, and you can't change my mind. (Oh and did I mention he's a pretty boy, with blonde hair and blue-green eyes, and a rare case of being younger than the FMC?)
ˋ°•* 𝒪𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝓈 ➳ It can't be an adventure without side characters, some we see once or twice, and some that stick around for longer. The main ones are Jared and Marcus, good friends of Dietan's, and the camaraderie the three have with each other makes you smile ^v^ I also thought that Jared and Marcus both falling for Ophelia and Sonja, Aren's younger twin sisters, was such a cute little side thing!
🤎 𝓡𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮 🤎
Like I said above, their romance takes a VERY quick development, but there's lots of denial from Aren at first, so don't fret if you like that phase of love. Once they're together though, they're so great as a pair. Watching each others' backs, bantering and laughing, listening to each other with trust, the whole deal. Alone they're jewels, together they're golden. There's a third-act breakup, which I normally hate, but it actually makes SENSE here?? YES
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙
𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷: I knew I had a good feeling about this, and my instincts were correct! I had a good time reading Rings of Fate, breathing in that fantasy quest aesthetic like a scent of fresh air. But the evil hasn't been quelled yet, so I can't wait for the sequel!
❀ 𝔸𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟: 𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕒𝕨, 𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘! ❀
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙
👑≋🐎≋🍺 𝓡𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓕𝓪𝓽𝓮 🍺≋🐎≋👑
╰┈➤ Stars: 5 ⭐!
╰┈➤ Pov: Dual first-person
╰┈➤ Spice: 2 / 5
╰┈➤ Content: Swearing; themes of death and grief; torture (including whipping); violence; sexual harassment (NOT MCs); two spicy scenes, one detailed open-door and one closed-door
🩶 𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 🩶
꒰ 𝐿𝒾𝓀𝑒𝓈 ➛ If you like a good-old-fashioned-fantasy-adventure-to-save-the-world plot, here you go! Like the advertising, Rings of Fate is a modern romantasy spin on that classic story type we all love. Filled with lots of traveling montages, stops at exotic locales, and lots of dangerous scenarios, it made sure to tick all the boxes that give the vibes of nostalgic fantasy movies!
But wait, it didn't forget the romantasy! Specifically the sass, banter, and touch-him/her-and-you-die (yes it goes both ways). All in all just a fun quest!
꒰ 𝒟𝒾𝓈𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒𝓈 ➛ Okay, so if there's something I didn't like, it's the pacing. Not terrible, before you get any ideas! But the middle in particular dragged a little, and the romance felt a tiny bit rushed from 🙄 We gotta keep up this fake engagement 🙄 to 🥰 Oh wait actually we're in love! 🥰 NO INSTA-LOVE THOUGH
💛 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 💛
ˋ°•* 𝒜𝓇𝑒𝓃 ➳ The sassy barmaid FMC of this tale. I always like a hard-working independent woman, and she sure is! I repeat: She is not a damsel in distress. This lady uses a skillet as a weapon (XD) and she bonks more than a few creatures (and humans) with it. Never has a skillet been so fearsome. But she's also quite vulnerable on the inside, especially wondering if a prince would really care for a barmaid like her. Gee I wonder.
ˋ°•* 𝒟𝒾𝑒𝓉𝒶𝓃 ➳ I still don't know whether his name is pronounced "die-tun" or "die-eh-tun", but I stuck with the first for the book. Anyway, here we have a fine example of a well-rounded MMC! Sometimes charming and princely, sometimes teasing, sometimes stubborn, but always with his heart in the right place. Duty-driven and occasionally self-sacrificing to a fault, he's the type to capture the hearts of all readers alike, and you can't change my mind. (Oh and did I mention he's a pretty boy, with blonde hair and blue-green eyes, and a rare case of being younger than the FMC?)
ˋ°•* 𝒪𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝓈 ➳ It can't be an adventure without side characters, some we see once or twice, and some that stick around for longer. The main ones are Jared and Marcus, good friends of Dietan's, and the camaraderie the three have with each other makes you smile ^v^ I also thought that Jared and Marcus both falling for Ophelia and Sonja, Aren's younger twin sisters, was such a cute little side thing!
🤎 𝓡𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮 🤎
Like I said above, their romance takes a VERY quick development, but there's lots of denial from Aren at first, so don't fret if you like that phase of love. Once they're together though, they're so great as a pair. Watching each others' backs, bantering and laughing, listening to each other with trust, the whole deal. Alone they're jewels, together they're golden. There's a third-act breakup, which I normally hate, but it actually makes SENSE here?? YES
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳✮⋆˙
𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷: I knew I had a good feeling about this, and my instincts were correct! I had a good time reading Rings of Fate, breathing in that fantasy quest aesthetic like a scent of fresh air. But the evil hasn't been quelled yet, so I can't wait for the sequel!
❀ 𝔸𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟: 𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕒𝕨, 𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘! ❀
January 23, 2026
Rings of Fate
Curses and Crowns #1
by Melissa de la Cruz
🎧 Performed in dual narration by Kirsten Leigh & Alexander Cendese
There is honestly not a single thing I didn’t enjoy about this story or the audiobook. If I really had to be picky, I would’ve loved a duet narration instead of dual, but that’s purely a personal preference and in no way takes away from the experience. My enjoyment level was a solid 10/10.
I loved the banter, the adventure, and especially the classic “man trying to resist his feelings” energy. Aren was such a strong FMC, grounded, steady, and unapologetically herself. I really appreciated that she never lost who she was, even as her world expanded and the stakes grew higher.
This story gave me everything: laugh-out-loud moments, genuine tension, swoony romance, and a journey that felt both magical and earned. The chemistry built naturally, the danger kept things moving, and the emotional beats landed exactly where they needed to.
The narration elevated the story even more. Both Kirsten Leigh and Alexander Cendese
did a fantastic job bringing Aren and Dietan to life, and I was fully immersed from start to finish. I think Kirsten was absolutely flawless in her performance and i’f like to listen more narrated by her.
I am so ready to see where this series goes next and I’ll absolutely be listening to book two the moment it’s available.
⭐️ 4.5 stars
🌶️ 1 chili pepper
Thank you so much libro.fm for the review copy, all opinions are my own.
Curses and Crowns #1
by Melissa de la Cruz
🎧 Performed in dual narration by Kirsten Leigh & Alexander Cendese
There is honestly not a single thing I didn’t enjoy about this story or the audiobook. If I really had to be picky, I would’ve loved a duet narration instead of dual, but that’s purely a personal preference and in no way takes away from the experience. My enjoyment level was a solid 10/10.
I loved the banter, the adventure, and especially the classic “man trying to resist his feelings” energy. Aren was such a strong FMC, grounded, steady, and unapologetically herself. I really appreciated that she never lost who she was, even as her world expanded and the stakes grew higher.
This story gave me everything: laugh-out-loud moments, genuine tension, swoony romance, and a journey that felt both magical and earned. The chemistry built naturally, the danger kept things moving, and the emotional beats landed exactly where they needed to.
The narration elevated the story even more. Both Kirsten Leigh and Alexander Cendese
did a fantastic job bringing Aren and Dietan to life, and I was fully immersed from start to finish. I think Kirsten was absolutely flawless in her performance and i’f like to listen more narrated by her.
I am so ready to see where this series goes next and I’ll absolutely be listening to book two the moment it’s available.
⭐️ 4.5 stars
🌶️ 1 chili pepper
Thank you so much libro.fm for the review copy, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5. The first 30% of this I binged, couldn't put it down. It was giving me some kind of magical My Lady Jane/Princess Bride/Cinderella mash-up and I was having a great time. A fun and easy fantasy with a sweet romance at the heart of it.
I really enjoyed Aren, the FMC and Dietan, the MMC, and their dynamic together. The plot was interesting. I did find that the pace slowed quite a bit in the middle of the book, not much was happening, or at least not much which gripped my attention the way the first third of the book did. I also thought some aspects of the magic and world could have been made clearer. That being said, I will definitely pick up the next book, and I think we'll be able to settle in to the world and magic system a bit more in that one. I'm looking forward to where Dietan and Aren's story goes next.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
I really enjoyed Aren, the FMC and Dietan, the MMC, and their dynamic together. The plot was interesting. I did find that the pace slowed quite a bit in the middle of the book, not much was happening, or at least not much which gripped my attention the way the first third of the book did. I also thought some aspects of the magic and world could have been made clearer. That being said, I will definitely pick up the next book, and I think we'll be able to settle in to the world and magic system a bit more in that one. I'm looking forward to where Dietan and Aren's story goes next.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 984 reviews