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Fates So Fatal #2
A Reign So Ruinous
- GenresRomance
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Rachel Tork
7 books101 followersRachel Tork is the author of fantasy romance and contemporary romance books, including the Evening Star Saga. She adores rainy days, Reylo, and early mornings snuggled on her couch.
She writes quick-paced fantasy with snarky, yet flawed, characters, as well as deeply emotional romance that proves love really can conquer all.
You can follow Rachel on Instagram and TikTok at @racheltorkauthor
She writes quick-paced fantasy with snarky, yet flawed, characters, as well as deeply emotional romance that proves love really can conquer all.
You can follow Rachel on Instagram and TikTok at @racheltorkauthor
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
'Show me then,' she whispered, finding his wild eyes. 'Show me you are mind and than I am no one's but yours.'
A forced marriage. Friends to enemies to lovers. Dragons, elemental magic, reincarnation, gods and goddesses. Nya and Morgen, share a history and connection, having met years prior to him kidnapping her. He took her to an unknown land, forced her into marriage, was using her for his own gain.
We have glimpses into their past, how they met, how their relationship started. Nya fell in love with Morgen, but never told him. He didn't want her to touch him, even though we could feel the tension between them.
Slowly their barriers lower, their connected too strong. I couldn't get enough of these two, I wish the book was longer, I wanted so much more of their story. For it being a short book, I was completely wrapped up in the story, I was crying at different points. I loved that Morgen was a virgin, so often we see the MMC having a lot of experience in the bedroom. The chemistry between the two of them was very well done.
If this book had been a bit longer, it would have been a 5 star read for sure. It felt like things were not always explained leaving me to fill in the blanks. I was a bit confused at times with the different gods and goddesses and how they were related. It would have been helpful to have a chart at the beginning of the book showing their names/powers/relations.
'Show me then,' she whispered, finding his wild eyes. 'Show me you are mind and than I am no one's but yours.'
A forced marriage. Friends to enemies to lovers. Dragons, elemental magic, reincarnation, gods and goddesses. Nya and Morgen, share a history and connection, having met years prior to him kidnapping her. He took her to an unknown land, forced her into marriage, was using her for his own gain.
We have glimpses into their past, how they met, how their relationship started. Nya fell in love with Morgen, but never told him. He didn't want her to touch him, even though we could feel the tension between them.
Slowly their barriers lower, their connected too strong. I couldn't get enough of these two, I wish the book was longer, I wanted so much more of their story. For it being a short book, I was completely wrapped up in the story, I was crying at different points. I loved that Morgen was a virgin, so often we see the MMC having a lot of experience in the bedroom. The chemistry between the two of them was very well done.
If this book had been a bit longer, it would have been a 5 star read for sure. It felt like things were not always explained leaving me to fill in the blanks. I was a bit confused at times with the different gods and goddesses and how they were related. It would have been helpful to have a chart at the beginning of the book showing their names/powers/relations.
April 20, 2026
I loved To Kill a Goddess, so was very excited to receive the e-arc for A Reign So Ruinous. Although you can read A Reign So Ruinous without reading To Kill a Goddess, it does provide helpful context and world building and honestly makes all the characters easier to keep track of and less confusing (in my opinion).
“She found the simplest, oddest things to be worth her attention. He found he involuntarily begun to see things he hadn’t seen before. Sometimes he heard her voice in his head when he was alone, commenting on a bird song or a tree… He viewed life through black and white for years. She was a vivid burst of color.” - Morgen.
This romantasy follows Nya and Morgen. It has dragons, Greek mythology inspired gods/goddesses, and lots of references to fate and overcoming pain. I love the throughline and the theme of breaking the cycle of generational trauma with love that Tork carries throughout all her stories. I definitely enjoyed this visit back to Arcadia, and look forward to Tork’s next installment!
✨3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for this e-arc. A Reign So Ruinous comes out April 21, 2026.
“She found the simplest, oddest things to be worth her attention. He found he involuntarily begun to see things he hadn’t seen before. Sometimes he heard her voice in his head when he was alone, commenting on a bird song or a tree… He viewed life through black and white for years. She was a vivid burst of color.” - Morgen.
This romantasy follows Nya and Morgen. It has dragons, Greek mythology inspired gods/goddesses, and lots of references to fate and overcoming pain. I love the throughline and the theme of breaking the cycle of generational trauma with love that Tork carries throughout all her stories. I definitely enjoyed this visit back to Arcadia, and look forward to Tork’s next installment!
✨3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for this e-arc. A Reign So Ruinous comes out April 21, 2026.
April 28, 2026
3.5/5 rounded down to a 3/5
Despite the higher quality writing, I didn’t like this book as much as the first one.
While the MMC was tragic, he wasn’t likable. Neither was the FMC. Their relationship was also unlikable for the most part. I don’t quite understand why she was so attached to him, considering how rude and obnoxious he was to her in the past.
The conflict and overall story felt disjointed and not well thought out. Things just sort of… happened, with little preamble or sense. And the actual conflict itself was poorly described, confusing, and the major plot twist 3/4th of the way through the story didn’t have a lot of foreshadowing. Nor did it make much sense for Sora and Vane to have behaved the way they did when it came to not explaining magic to their daughter.
Also, the ending annoyed me quite a bit. While I love a HEA as much as the next person, the plot line of “oh! The destined child of the two MC’s from the previous book!” is starting to wear a bit thin.
Also, Ana was a good character in the first book. She was annoying and infuriating in this one. None of her actions made sense whatsoever.
Despite the higher quality writing, I didn’t like this book as much as the first one.
While the MMC was tragic, he wasn’t likable. Neither was the FMC. Their relationship was also unlikable for the most part. I don’t quite understand why she was so attached to him, considering how rude and obnoxious he was to her in the past.
The conflict and overall story felt disjointed and not well thought out. Things just sort of… happened, with little preamble or sense. And the actual conflict itself was poorly described, confusing, and the major plot twist 3/4th of the way through the story didn’t have a lot of foreshadowing. Nor did it make much sense for Sora and Vane to have behaved the way they did when it came to not explaining magic to their daughter.
Also, the ending annoyed me quite a bit. While I love a HEA as much as the next person, the plot line of “oh! The destined child of the two MC’s from the previous book!” is starting to wear a bit thin.
Also, Ana was a good character in the first book. She was annoying and infuriating in this one. None of her actions made sense whatsoever.
May 6, 2026
This was an interesting read. Can’t say it was the best but it did keep me intrigued enough to keep reading. I did feel an emotional connection to the FMC and MMC. They had a history that was revealed slowly throughout the book that I think really added to the depth of the story.
This is one of the few books I had read where the MMC is the *unexperienced* one of the couple so that added a different element to the story.
There are dragons so that is always a plus. The MMC and FMC share a unique bond with one dragon so that was a unique part of the story.
This is the second book in a series and I had not read the first book but I found it easy to catch up on the story and the author provided enough backstory that I did not feel the need to read the first book. I do agree with some of the other reviewers that sometimes I felt a bit lost in all the gods and world building so maybe reading the first book might have cleared up some of that?
Overall, I would read this author again. The story was good enough to keep me hooked just not enough that I felt the need to stay up all night to finish.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
This is one of the few books I had read where the MMC is the *unexperienced* one of the couple so that added a different element to the story.
There are dragons so that is always a plus. The MMC and FMC share a unique bond with one dragon so that was a unique part of the story.
This is the second book in a series and I had not read the first book but I found it easy to catch up on the story and the author provided enough backstory that I did not feel the need to read the first book. I do agree with some of the other reviewers that sometimes I felt a bit lost in all the gods and world building so maybe reading the first book might have cleared up some of that?
Overall, I would read this author again. The story was good enough to keep me hooked just not enough that I felt the need to stay up all night to finish.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
April 21, 2026
A Reign So Ruinous delivers a dark fantasy romance premise with plenty of potential in its ruined kingdoms, treacherous courts, and tangled power plays that hint at epic conflicts ahead. Rachel Tork sets up an atmospheric world filled with intrigue, betrayal, and tension, creating a moody backdrop that draws you into the story's shadowy heart from the opening chapters.
Certain moments truly captured my interest, especially the emotional stakes and complex dynamics between characters—those simmering rivalries and reluctant alliances added real intrigue amid the chaos. The romantic undercurrents wove through the political maneuvering nicely, providing enough pull to keep me turning pages even during slower stretches, and I appreciated the glimpses of deeper lore that promise more in future books.
Overall, it was a good 3-star read with brooding vibes and solid worldbuilding potential, though it didn't fully hook me emotionally or with its pacing. Still enjoyable for fans of dark fantasy romance setups that build toward bigger storms.
Certain moments truly captured my interest, especially the emotional stakes and complex dynamics between characters—those simmering rivalries and reluctant alliances added real intrigue amid the chaos. The romantic undercurrents wove through the political maneuvering nicely, providing enough pull to keep me turning pages even during slower stretches, and I appreciated the glimpses of deeper lore that promise more in future books.
Overall, it was a good 3-star read with brooding vibes and solid worldbuilding potential, though it didn't fully hook me emotionally or with its pacing. Still enjoyable for fans of dark fantasy romance setups that build toward bigger storms.
April 22, 2026
✨ 3.5⭐️ (rounded up)
Dragons, gods, fate, past lives… and a romance that hurts before it heals.
A Reign So Ruinous had a lot going on, but honestly? In a way I kind of loved. Nya and Morgen carry this story hard—their history is messy (forced marriage, tangled past, very blurred lines), and the tension is there from the start. Watching them slowly break down each other’s walls and shift into something softer felt earned… even if it put me through it a little.
The vibes? Dark, emotional, a little chaotic. The themes around breaking cycles and choosing love over pain really hit.
That said, I did get a bit lost at times with the gods/world-building, and I really wish this had been longer to give everything more space to breathe.
But overall—strong chemistry, aching tension, and just enough angst to keep me hooked. I wanted more… and that’s always a good sign.
🐉 Forced marriage
🐉 Friends → enemies → lovers
🐉 Fate & reincarnation
🐉 Touch her & die
🐉 Slow burn, emotional payoff
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this in exchange for my honest review!
Dragons, gods, fate, past lives… and a romance that hurts before it heals.
A Reign So Ruinous had a lot going on, but honestly? In a way I kind of loved. Nya and Morgen carry this story hard—their history is messy (forced marriage, tangled past, very blurred lines), and the tension is there from the start. Watching them slowly break down each other’s walls and shift into something softer felt earned… even if it put me through it a little.
The vibes? Dark, emotional, a little chaotic. The themes around breaking cycles and choosing love over pain really hit.
That said, I did get a bit lost at times with the gods/world-building, and I really wish this had been longer to give everything more space to breathe.
But overall—strong chemistry, aching tension, and just enough angst to keep me hooked. I wanted more… and that’s always a good sign.
🐉 Forced marriage
🐉 Friends → enemies → lovers
🐉 Fate & reincarnation
🐉 Touch her & die
🐉 Slow burn, emotional payoff
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Morgen, son of Kronos, the cruel king of gods, seeks out Nya, the carefully sheltered granddaughter of night, death, and fire, who is nonetheless drawn to the void to use her in a political gamble, but they have met before…add a dragon.
This installment can be read as a stand-alone, though reading the first book adds useful context and depth. That said, this one clearly improves on it. The pacing is tighter, the emotional development more convincing, and the overall story arc feels balanced and purposeful, leading to a satisfying HEA.
The characters, especially Morgen and Nya, benefit from more nuanced development, and the interplay between their backgrounds and motivations carries the story well without dragging. The world-building remains engaging without becoming overwhelming.
No special MMC scent noted.
A solid 4-star read for me.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the free e-arc, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This installment can be read as a stand-alone, though reading the first book adds useful context and depth. That said, this one clearly improves on it. The pacing is tighter, the emotional development more convincing, and the overall story arc feels balanced and purposeful, leading to a satisfying HEA.
The characters, especially Morgen and Nya, benefit from more nuanced development, and the interplay between their backgrounds and motivations carries the story well without dragging. The world-building remains engaging without becoming overwhelming.
No special MMC scent noted.
A solid 4-star read for me.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the free e-arc, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 26, 2026
3.5/5
I enjoyed how the demigods, principals, and their world were connected. But with so many details being thrown at me at once, it got a bit confusing. So many nuances to be taking note of in addition to the concept of reincarnation. While the world-building was clear, I felt like it could have been deeper. In my opinion, the most interesting part was the romance between Nya and Morgren—from friends to maybe kind of lovers to enemies, and finally, lovers. Their longing felt so real on the pages, pulling you into their story and making you feel one with all their little sorrows. I wish there had been more character development and a closer look at the intricacies of their relationships. It was a great read, but the ending felt a bit sudden. The buildup was intense, but it just didn’t quite land for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this ARC.
I enjoyed how the demigods, principals, and their world were connected. But with so many details being thrown at me at once, it got a bit confusing. So many nuances to be taking note of in addition to the concept of reincarnation. While the world-building was clear, I felt like it could have been deeper. In my opinion, the most interesting part was the romance between Nya and Morgren—from friends to maybe kind of lovers to enemies, and finally, lovers. Their longing felt so real on the pages, pulling you into their story and making you feel one with all their little sorrows. I wish there had been more character development and a closer look at the intricacies of their relationships. It was a great read, but the ending felt a bit sudden. The buildup was intense, but it just didn’t quite land for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this ARC.
April 25, 2026
I mean this book had a lot going on. It jumped between past and present and the action started right away. It was great. I loved it. It leaves you wanting more and more It It just screams that there is so much more to discover in the future books. I really liked it. BRAVO!
May 10, 2026
See the plot is there and super interesting, but her writing is kinda of vague and hard to follow. It feels like a little all over the place
May 15, 2026
3.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
so so so good! the build up to morgen and nya’s love and all they had to endure to reach their HEA was beautifully written. tears were definitely shed and i can’t wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews