Drowning in Fate

by K.T. Carpenter

When Princess Calista is forced to cross the sea for an arranged marriage, she resigns herself to a life she never chose. But when a violent storm shatters her ship and drags her beneath the waves, the nightmare only begins. As the vessel splinters apart, creatures rise from the dark waters. One by one, the crew and those she loves are pulled screaming into the sea, dragged beneath the surface until the water falls silent once more. Surrounded by chaos and death, Calista makes a final, desperate decision to let herself sink, believing everyone, including her father, has already drowned.

Instead, she is found by something far more dangerous.

Tyrian, heir to the throne of Velmara, hunts shipwreck survivors without mercy. A dark creature of the sea, powerful and bound to a ruthless kingdom.

Until he finds her.

The moment their eyes meet, something shifts. The instinct to drown her falters, unraveling beneath a pull he doesn’t understand. Instead of dragging her under like all the others, he saves her.

Taken captive, Calista expects cruelty. Instead, she begins to see the truth behind the monsters she was taught to fear and the creature who spared her life. As weeks pass, tension grows into something deeper, darker, and dangerously forbidden.

But when the impossible happens, her father, whom she believed dead, arrives alongside her fiancé to bring her home, everything changes. Torn from the sea and returned to the life she once tried to escape, Calista is forced to confront the choice she never expected to make.

Now, caught between duty and desire, Calista must the life she has been forced into or the sea that claimed her heart.

541 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 12, 2026

About the author

K.T. Carpenter is a Texas-based author, wife, and mother whose passion for storytelling is as boundless as the worlds she creates. Between balancing her love for her corporate career and the joy of raising a family, she weaves tales of magic, romance, and powerful bonds that linger in the soul.

Her debut series, The Kingdom of Aetherlyn Series, is a spellbinding fantasy romance that follows a princess destined to share her soul with a dragon—her fiercest protector and closest friend. It’s a story that has haunted K.T. since childhood, a dream she’s finally brought to life. With three books planned and the potential for more, she is just beginning to dive into the hearts and minds of her characters, exploring the magic and ancient legacies that pulse through Aetherlyn’s enchanted realm.

K.T. is also set to co-writing with author Danny Burns, delivering a dark fantasy romance that blurs the line between love and power, light and darkness.

When she’s not lost in her fictional worlds, K.T. finds solace in the simple things—cooking, tending to her garden, travelling, and making memories with those she loves. She treasures quiet mornings spent dreaming up her next twist, her next unforgettable character, the next chapter that will linger in the reader’s heart like an unspoken promise.

For K.T., every story is more than words on pages—it’s a spell cast to awaken the heart, a thread woven to bind souls, a doorway to realms where magic breathes and love is worth the risk. And with each new book, she invites readers to step inside, lose themselves, and believe in the extraordinary once more.

Reviews

[Stephanie Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drowning in Fate is like no other book I have read before. Everything about it is very unique! The writing is magical in itself and pulls you into the world as if you are there. Very fast paced and un-put-down-able!

The FMC, Princess Calista has set sail to marry her betrothed Prince Eamon when the ship goes through a devastating storm and it is torn apart sending everyone on it into the sea. The sea is not a safe place to be in. It is full of creatures, including kelpies. The kelpies feed off the humans and gain power from them but, Tyrian, the heir to the Kingdom of Velmara, is instantly pulled to Calista and saves her as a gift to his King.

From beginning to end this book is filled with action. There is never a moment of stalling. I could not turn the page fast enough. So many different magical creatures like, fae, nymphs, kelpies, sirens, mermaids, pixies, shifters and witches. So much tension and angst with yearning, slow burn and love.

Highly recommend to anyone who loves magic, touch-her-and-die, forbidden love, betrayal, torture and HEA.

[Ayrika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yall K.T. Knows how to drag a reader in and put them through all the emotions in a wild span. I got an ARC copy of Drowning In Fate and to say I’m obsessed is an understatement. Such an original fantasy introducing Kelpies as the lead alongside sirens, nymphs and humans. I’ve never read a kelpie fantasy before so this was a super fun new world to dive into. So magical and fantastical with elements of mystery to their world. Brooding MMC, fated mates, divine love story, grounding friendships, epic villains, plot twists and so much more. I enjoyed this so much! Many chest clutching, giggling, feet kicking and WTF moments through out. Highly recommend!!!!!!!

[Cari Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written and like nothing I have ever read!! It felt like I was reading an adult fairytale. You have Princess Calista who is being forced into an arranged marriage to an awful Prince. She unexpectedly meets Tyrian who is a kelpie and who also hates humans. This story will have you not wanting to put it down! The amount of angst it has is perfection! I had all the emotions reading it. I def did not want it to end!! If you love magic, shifters, magical under the sea kingdoms, found family, banter, slow burn…. You will love love this one!!

[Danielle Torrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, I was enthralled by this story. The author's use of descriptions for each character and the world in which she has created is tremendous. She makes sure that the world she creates will be easily visualized in your mind and have you in a state of awe at the beauty of it. Each character becomes someone that you can easily understand, visualize and even relate to in some ways.

Most fantasy novels, at least in my opinion, all revolve around kings, queens, war, dragons, witches, fairies, fae, magic, but KT Carpenter adds another element of creatures not as often used - kelpies, sirens, nymphs. The use of light and water magic. Of course, you have the romance, drama and suspense as well. All of which create a world that you won't want to let go of.

I can promise you, you will want to immerse yourself in the world of Velmara and the lives of Calista and Tyrian.

[kimiwheelielovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5-⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Words I never thought I'd say, I fell for a Kelpie lol And I don't mean the dog breed. I still cannot wrap my head around how K. T. Carpenter's mind works to come up with all these different worlds. All the work and little details that she puts in her stories and characters depth, it makes me forget all my worries in real life. Tyrian is just well, 🫠🫠 and If you're anything like me, Calista will grab a piece of your heart too BUT she'll have you questioning so many things I cannot say because they're spoilers. 😬 So I'll leave you with this, if you love Scottish mythology, kelpie shifters, secret royalty, fated mates, sirens, he falls first, one bed and a HEA?! This book is for you!!

Tropes:
- Kelpies
- Forbidden Love
- Sirens
- Captor x Captive
- Magic
- Tórtúrè
- Fated Mates
- Bétràyàl
- Touch her & ☠️
- Secret Royalty
- Instant Óbséssíóñ
- Shared Magic
- He Falls First
- HEA
- One Bed
- Arranged Marriage

TW's:
- Gràphíc Víóléñce & Déàth
- Drowning and near-drowning scenes
- Bl00d & Góré
- Adúultnapping & Càptívíty
- Physícàl Àssáúlt & àbúsé
- Émótíóñál Máñípülätíöñ & Cóércíóñ
- Threats of Séxüâl Víóléñce
- Implied/off-page Séxüâl Àssáúlt
- Forced Marriage/coercive betrothal
- Tràümà & PTSD-related responses
- Émótíóñál distress
- Tórtúrè & ímprísóñméñt
- Pósséssívè themes & Morally Gray characters
- Éxplícít Séxüâl Content
- Mature Làñgúàgé

[Michellereads87 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about this book from a friend on TikTok and after seeing her talk about it a couple of times, I got fomo and requested for an arc. I was so happy to see I got it. I stayed up well past midnight to read this, bc it was so unique and interesting. I have literally never read a book like this before. It was beautiful! I loved the fmc and mmc. The tension and the yearning. They had me so giddy and kicking my feet. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!
The found family was amazing. The world was truly breathtaking. Check your trigger warnings, this is a dark romantasy. Also this is a standalone!!!!
Add this to your tbr!!!!

[Jojo_Bookish Nurse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a different take on romantasy. The magic system has kelpies, nymphs, fae, sirens, and so much more. KT's writing is so beautifully detailed, that you feel like you are there as you are reading. Her mate bonds are strong and the words they express themselves with touch your very soul.

I loved the found family, how the mmc was willing to drown the entire world for her, and that our fmc was a survivor/fighter, but still showed patience and kindness.

The ending was epic, as her book finales always are. Do not pass this book up. It is so unique and you will be sucked into this world quickly. I cannot wait to dive into whatever she writes next!

[Kelsey Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is WOWWWWW!!!! This book was phenomenal!! It sucked me in from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down!!!! If you love a good Romantasy look no further!! This book is so unique with creatures you never hear about which I absolutely loved!!! The authors story telling is like no other!! Her writing is so beautifully written!!! This is by far my favorite book from KT Carpenter!!! Tyrian is my new man 👏🏻👏🏻 also the plot twists!!! And that ending!???? Ohhhh and the spice 🥵🌶️🔥 run and add it to your tbr now!!!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me from the start. The action and agony was felt right away through the FMC Calista, a princess who is betrothed to a cruel prince named Eamon. Fate, however, has special plans for her. The MMC, Tyrian, is an angry, vengeful, has no problem drowning humans who cross into his territory. He ended up being one of my favorite characters. Tyrian’s character development was well spaced and did not feel rushed. Calista is another great character with tons of growth and you are taken through the motions of it. Great book and highly recommend it.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about this book.... not you Eamon.

Calista and Tyrian's story is one for the books.

I've never read anything like this and I absolutely love it!
If you loved fated mates, kelpies, witches, and all the magic stuff you HAVE to read this one!!!

Oh and it's got some spice, because who doesn't love some spice.

[Jessica_BookishBrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique story with great lore, an easily digestible magic system, lovable characters, tension off the charts, and absolutely hatable villains. The world building was so clear and beautiful. Not to mention the plot! This was just so well rounded. I loved it!

[Tori Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing!! Honestly it’s one of my favorites by this author! Cannot wait to see what else she puts out!

[Lynnmarie542_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely don’t even know where to start with this one because WOW.

First of all… Kelpie shifter romance?? I had never read anything like this before and had no idea what to expect, but this completely pulled me in.

As the alpha reader for this book, getting to experience this story early and watch it come together was such a fun experience. Kat has a way with words that makes you forget you’re reading and just fully disappear into the story. Honestly, she could write a book about eating soup with a fork and somehow make it beautifully written and worthy of five stars.

If you think you’ll like a dark, watery, tension filled Romantasy with a morally gray sea creature love interest and a heroine forced to choose between duty and desire?

Then you’re going to want to read this one.

Get ready to have your mind blown too!
Coming June 2026 🫶🏽