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The Art of Weaving Fate: A Fateweaver Novel
690 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2026
About the author
M. S. Dippel
1 book7 followersMy name is Max, and I’m a part-time author from Germany who discovered my passion for storytelling early on in my life. Writing anything from fantasy to sci-fi, from whimsical to apocalyptic, I try to deliver immersive worlds with crisp, believable character interactions. My native language is German, but I chose English for my stories to challenge myself and reach a broader audience, including my family and friends in the USA.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 7, 2026
I originally read this fantasy epic when it was posted on Royal Road, and I devoured the entire book chapter-by-chapter as it released because it hooked me that much.
Every aspect of this book converges in a satisfying, gripping way. The characters are believable and easy to root for. The magic system is interesting. The worldbuilding is contained enough to allow for additional focus. The plot is the kind of promised slow burn that rewards attention and dedication. The writing style is polished and error-free.
There’s a very prominent and well-developed philosophical undertone serving as the narrative’s backbone, and thematically the book was spot on. The entire magic system of fateweaving is called into question and used as the framework for the author and characters to explore how the art of writing down everyone’s fates into fate tomes can be abused and misinterpreted. If everyone’s lives are already laid out for them by the Fateweaver Order, then is there free will? Is everyone destined to do exactly as the Fateweavers (and the God of Fate) dictate? Are the Fateweavers misusing this information? Is it possible that they are writing down the fates they want for people, and not the fates they actually divine? Will we end up with a Minority Report situation, where people can be punished for crimes their fate tomes claim they will commit in the future? All of these questions, and many more, were discussed through the perspective of the main trio, and by the end of the book I can comfortably say that I see both sides of the argument. You as the reader are left to make your own decision about whether you root for the Fateweavers or the Fateless, and nothing is ever spoon-fed. Information is conveyed adeptly through the narrative, and the ball is very much in the court of the reader about what they decide to do with what they learn.
The magic system itself was also incredibly engaging and intriguing. The first chapter, where we watch as Zerath teaches siblings Kaelen and Elara the basics of fateweaving and what happens when it goes wrong, is probably one of the best openings I’ve read in a book. The stakes surrounding fateweaving were immediately established, and we glean a general idea of how it all works. As the story progresses, we learn more alongside Kaelen and Elara, and alongside them are forced to question our assumptions. Are they even being taught the truth? Can they trust anything?
The characters themselves were realistic and complex. Kaelen and Elara’s sibling bond is bound to strike a chord in anyone with siblings themselves, as they balanced the occasional exasperation with each other with genuine protectiveness and familial love. They also both felt very much like students forced out of their depth. At times they stumbled through situations, but this is believable because how else would a pair of sheltered young adults navigate conflict when they’ve never needed to defend themselves before? There’s also a pervasive sense of optimism to them both, at least at first. They’re idealistic. They believe in their Order’s ideals and want to see the best in everyone. Of course, as things devolve, they’re given no choice but to adapt to the harsher reality of the world, and it was an engaging journey to be on alongside them.
Nyu and Senya, two Fateless sisters, present a sort of antithetical sibling relationship. Without padding too close to spoiler territory, the sisters do not share the same close bond as Kaelen and Elara, and it will cause problems later down the line. But the devolution of that relationship felt nuanced and tragically real. The catalyst for their fall out was devastating, and in the aftermath we find ourselves sympathising with Senya even as she becomes crueller and more callous. It’s quite a feat, making the reader root for someone who is essentially a villain, but this author manages it. Even by the end, when the dust settles, I still sat back and realised that I understood Senya. I understood the Fateless. Hell, I even understood Malvorn, who for all intents and purposes serves as one of the plot’s big bads.
Other secondary characters were also gripping in their own way. Vaelorian, Kaelen and Elara’s father, was a gloriously hateable bastard. Nerina, a Fateweaver master, was bold and reckless. Zerath was kindly and paternal. Sylvaris was enigmatic and maybe slightly unhinged. They all came together to form the network of a strong supporting cast.
On the note of the plot, I have to say that it does not go in the direction I anticipated. There are multiple plot twists that unfold from the second act onwards, and I wasn’t expecting any of them XD. Expect to have the rug ripped from under your feet and for everything you think you know to become skewed. I love unpredictable stories, and this was easily one of the most unpredictable in terms of how its third act unfurled.
The writing itself, mechanically, was great. It flowed. It was descriptive where needed and fast-paced where appropriate. It read as fluent and polished, and it’s evident the author has spent a lot of time on this craft and in this world.
This book is such an easy 5 stars. I’m looking forward to where the author takes the story in the sequel because, although the main threads were wrapped up quite neatly, there are still a few unanswered questions and opportunities for expansion going forward.
Every aspect of this book converges in a satisfying, gripping way. The characters are believable and easy to root for. The magic system is interesting. The worldbuilding is contained enough to allow for additional focus. The plot is the kind of promised slow burn that rewards attention and dedication. The writing style is polished and error-free.
There’s a very prominent and well-developed philosophical undertone serving as the narrative’s backbone, and thematically the book was spot on. The entire magic system of fateweaving is called into question and used as the framework for the author and characters to explore how the art of writing down everyone’s fates into fate tomes can be abused and misinterpreted. If everyone’s lives are already laid out for them by the Fateweaver Order, then is there free will? Is everyone destined to do exactly as the Fateweavers (and the God of Fate) dictate? Are the Fateweavers misusing this information? Is it possible that they are writing down the fates they want for people, and not the fates they actually divine? Will we end up with a Minority Report situation, where people can be punished for crimes their fate tomes claim they will commit in the future? All of these questions, and many more, were discussed through the perspective of the main trio, and by the end of the book I can comfortably say that I see both sides of the argument. You as the reader are left to make your own decision about whether you root for the Fateweavers or the Fateless, and nothing is ever spoon-fed. Information is conveyed adeptly through the narrative, and the ball is very much in the court of the reader about what they decide to do with what they learn.
The magic system itself was also incredibly engaging and intriguing. The first chapter, where we watch as Zerath teaches siblings Kaelen and Elara the basics of fateweaving and what happens when it goes wrong, is probably one of the best openings I’ve read in a book. The stakes surrounding fateweaving were immediately established, and we glean a general idea of how it all works. As the story progresses, we learn more alongside Kaelen and Elara, and alongside them are forced to question our assumptions. Are they even being taught the truth? Can they trust anything?
The characters themselves were realistic and complex. Kaelen and Elara’s sibling bond is bound to strike a chord in anyone with siblings themselves, as they balanced the occasional exasperation with each other with genuine protectiveness and familial love. They also both felt very much like students forced out of their depth. At times they stumbled through situations, but this is believable because how else would a pair of sheltered young adults navigate conflict when they’ve never needed to defend themselves before? There’s also a pervasive sense of optimism to them both, at least at first. They’re idealistic. They believe in their Order’s ideals and want to see the best in everyone. Of course, as things devolve, they’re given no choice but to adapt to the harsher reality of the world, and it was an engaging journey to be on alongside them.
Nyu and Senya, two Fateless sisters, present a sort of antithetical sibling relationship. Without padding too close to spoiler territory, the sisters do not share the same close bond as Kaelen and Elara, and it will cause problems later down the line. But the devolution of that relationship felt nuanced and tragically real. The catalyst for their fall out was devastating, and in the aftermath we find ourselves sympathising with Senya even as she becomes crueller and more callous. It’s quite a feat, making the reader root for someone who is essentially a villain, but this author manages it. Even by the end, when the dust settles, I still sat back and realised that I understood Senya. I understood the Fateless. Hell, I even understood Malvorn, who for all intents and purposes serves as one of the plot’s big bads.
Other secondary characters were also gripping in their own way. Vaelorian, Kaelen and Elara’s father, was a gloriously hateable bastard. Nerina, a Fateweaver master, was bold and reckless. Zerath was kindly and paternal. Sylvaris was enigmatic and maybe slightly unhinged. They all came together to form the network of a strong supporting cast.
On the note of the plot, I have to say that it does not go in the direction I anticipated. There are multiple plot twists that unfold from the second act onwards, and I wasn’t expecting any of them XD. Expect to have the rug ripped from under your feet and for everything you think you know to become skewed. I love unpredictable stories, and this was easily one of the most unpredictable in terms of how its third act unfurled.
The writing itself, mechanically, was great. It flowed. It was descriptive where needed and fast-paced where appropriate. It read as fluent and polished, and it’s evident the author has spent a lot of time on this craft and in this world.
This book is such an easy 5 stars. I’m looking forward to where the author takes the story in the sequel because, although the main threads were wrapped up quite neatly, there are still a few unanswered questions and opportunities for expansion going forward.
June 23, 2026
I read the majority part of this book on a road-trip in Sweden and I can only recommend it when you’re looking for that good fantasy world again to get yourself lost in.
First, the concept of the fate tombs and fateweavers I found intriguing and the author did a good job in finding at least satisfying hints for the obvious logical questions that arise around the topic in the first chapters. But then the characters started capturing me, especially Elara, Kaelen and of course Nyu. All characters are wonderfully grey and the big question of the story - who are the good and who are the bad - kept me on the hook for the entire length of this novel. So don’t get intimidated by the heavy outer impression of this page-turner!
Some characters resemble more or less obvious some of my favorite characters from other stories but it never felt copied or bothered me instead i perceived it as subtle homages that made me smile. The storytelling and language is beautiful and let’s you easily submerge into the fateweavers and fateless world. As this review does not contain spoilers but should rather encourage you to get reading i will say only one thing about the story and the ending: the title hopefully is serious about this being the first of more fateweaver novels, because I can’t wait!
First, the concept of the fate tombs and fateweavers I found intriguing and the author did a good job in finding at least satisfying hints for the obvious logical questions that arise around the topic in the first chapters. But then the characters started capturing me, especially Elara, Kaelen and of course Nyu. All characters are wonderfully grey and the big question of the story - who are the good and who are the bad - kept me on the hook for the entire length of this novel. So don’t get intimidated by the heavy outer impression of this page-turner!
Some characters resemble more or less obvious some of my favorite characters from other stories but it never felt copied or bothered me instead i perceived it as subtle homages that made me smile. The storytelling and language is beautiful and let’s you easily submerge into the fateweavers and fateless world. As this review does not contain spoilers but should rather encourage you to get reading i will say only one thing about the story and the ending: the title hopefully is serious about this being the first of more fateweaver novels, because I can’t wait!
June 4, 2026
An excellent debut novel. I can see the potential of this author to only get so much better! This book took me on such a wild ride! There were so many twists and turns and an ending that was devastating in the best of ways. The characters were all so interesting! But, my favorite part was all of the rich descriptions. I felt fully immersed in this world from start to finish, something I feel is lacking in a lot of mainstream novels nowadays. Loved the imagery and the expansiveness of all the settings! I can't wait to see more books from this author.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews