Author: C.L. Clark
Publisher: Tor.com
Released: September 30, 2025
Received: NetGalley
Find it on Storygraph | More Fantasy
Book Summary:
We’ve all heard tales of warring clans and the tragedies that soon follow. There are times of peace and times of war. This tale begins with peace, thanks to the clans using wards (hostages).
Agnir is one such ward. She was raised by a clan not her own, and her heart found its home within this clan. She fell for the chieftain’s daughter, even knowing she would never be allowed to openly love her. This is where their story begins, as clan plots and schemes get in the way of love and life.
My Review:
I knew before I began that this book would break my heart. After all, Fate’s Bane promised to be a sapphic tragedy. Despite that, I deluded myself into hoping that Agnir, her clan, and her love would somehow find a happy ending. That’s just the type of reader I am, I guess.
Fate’s Bane is everything I hoped it would be, and more. It’s lyrical, tragic, and ethereal all in one. C.L. Clark has a way of writing, and this fantastical novella is no exception. It feels at home in storytelling legends of clan warfare of old.
The story begins with a rooted feeling; Agnir’s status is clearly defined and openly stated. However, as the story progresses, it begins to feel intentionally less clear. The romance develops smoothly, but then things take one turn after another.
It’s the conclusion that truly roots Fate’s Bane in that ethereal feeling and storytelling style. It feels like a cyclical story with various endings. Every storyteller has a favorite ending, and these endings compete with the truth.
Highlights:
- Sapphic Tragedy
- High Fantasy
- Warring Clans
- LGBTQ+
Thanks to Tor.com and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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