A Kiss of Hammer and Flame

A low-born blacksmith is swept into an adventure against the backdrop of a kingdom torn apart by civil war in de la Force’s entertaining debut romantasy, the first in the Fated for Hael series. When a noble stranger commissions Cahra to design a sword, she inadvertently draws a symbol that is the first omen of an ancient prophecy coming to pass. It awakens Hael, an immortal locked away in the kingdom’s fallen capital, Hael’stromia. But the magic Cahra accessed is forbidden, so she is forced on the run with the sword’s commissioner, Lord Terryl. As they escape into the Wilds , Cahra confronts the traumas of her past and discovers her role in the prophecy. Along the way, Cahra grows closer to both Lord Terryl and Hael, who visits her through dreams. Meanwhile, multiple factions vie to use Hael’s power as a weapon in their wars. De la Force loads the twisty plot with betrayal, court politics, lost history, and magical elements that will appeal to fans of Throne of Glass and the Shadow and Bone series. The pacing is a bit uneven, however: things lag in the middle before an ending that satisfies—and teases things to come—but feels somewhat rushed. Meanwhile, the slow-burning romance takes a back seat to the main action of the story, but de la Force lays a solid foundation for future installments. Romantasy fans will be eager to see where this goes. (Dec.)