Friday, August 7, 2015

Review: Fated by Sarah Fine


Fated by Sarah Fine
Book Three of the Servants of Fate series
Publisher: 47North
Publication Date: September 29, 2015
Rating: 5 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

Aislin Ferry and Jason Moros have only days until they will be called to account before the Keepers of the Afterlife. Yet as they race to restore order and make their case, their worlds fall into total disarray.

Mutiny within the fractured Ferry family threatens Aislin’s hold on power and role as Charon. Meanwhile, the fearsome Lord of the Kere has family trouble of his own. Someone is unraveling the fabric of fate, and Moros suspects one of his supernatural siblings is behind the terrible bid to unleash Chaos.

Now unlikely allies, Aislin and Moros each need the other to escape the wrath of the Keepers. As the stakes rise, it becomes clear that protecting their respective empires is not the endgame. With the fate of all humanity dangling by a thread, Aislin and Moros must surrender completely to one another if they are to fight their common enemy. And as time runs out, someone must make the ultimate sacrifice.

What I Liked:

What is this, my NINTH Sarah Fine novel read? Nine of ten published (although technically this book is not yet published). I haven't read Burn, but I've read all of her other published novels. Sarah Fine has yet to let me down! I read Marked in June, Claimed in July, and Fated in August! Each book has been my Pili-Pushed book for each month, so this one is August's Pili-Pushed novel!

Aislinn Ferry has quite the mess to clean up - and figure out. As the new Charon, she is struggling to hold her power and keep the other Ferrys from overthrowing her. She and Jason Moros will be meeting with the Keepers of the Afterlife about the current situation. Rogue Kere, creatures they've never encountered, the reappearance of Rylan Ferry... there is a lot going on, and a lot that Aislinn and Moros don't know. Moros and Aislinn fight protect the Ferrys, the Kere, and the world, from a fate worse than death,

Best. Book. Of. The. Series. Quite possibly Sarah's best book. Of Dreams and Rust was really, really good, and it's probably my favorite YA book of hers. Fated is my favorite adult one of Sarah's. That seems fair. This book broke my heart several times, but in the best, most painful, but best way! Not like Firewalker by Josephine Angelini (which I recently reviewed, hence the comparison).

I'll start with Aislinn. I have to be honest, I wasn't her biggest fan in Marked or Claimed. I didn't hate her, but I didn't immediately like her. She wasn't the nicest to Cacy or Galena or Eli, so I wasn't sure I would like her in Fated. However, getting to read her perspective of things was so helpful. She can be seen as cold, but it makes sense, given the pressure of being Charon, saving the world, etc. I really like Aislinn! She can compartmentalize like a pro, and she is intelligent and prepared for everything, even when she's not. If that makes sense.

Jason Moros! Thousands of years old, yet his Kere (and the world) are slipping through his fingertips, and everyone wants to blame him. I love this guy! He is a bit flirtatious, condescending, hilarious, determined, brave, and fair. Everyone wants to misjudge him and throw the blame on him, but he is a good guy, trapped in a scheme like everyone else.

Aislinn and Moros tentatively decide to work together, and it is a good thing that they do. Aislinn finds herself in incredible danger, in the hands of people that Moros knows well. Moros finds that he cannot help but try to protect Aislinn - something in him needs her to be okay. The two of them are drawn to each other without realizing it, and when realizing. They have good instincts for sensing things, which includes each other.

Which leads me to the romance. While I thought Eli and Cacy would be my favorite pair... I don't know. I think Moros and Aislinn are my favorite pair! I LOVE their interactions, alone or otherwise. They have chemistry from the start, and it's not long before it seems to have turned into something deeper, a deeper connection. Keep in mind, Moros and Aislinn have known each other for years, and have been... interested in each other for years. Maybe not intimately, but they've always intrigued each other. Very different from Eli and Cacy, who meet each other in the beginning of Marked.

The romance is slow-burn and carefully developed, yet red-hot and sizzling at times. I think it's the perfect amount of chemistry, "chase"/anticipation, and intimate scenes, coupled with a high-stakes, high action plot. The romance and chemistry delivers, as readers will find it easy to fall in love with Aislinn and Moros (especially Moros), and root for them until the end.

The plot is quite the roller-coaster! Moros and Aislinn never, ever catch a break. There was one point in the book when I had to put the book down, because there was something sad happening. Sarah Fine knows exactly how to break my heart yet keep me coming back. No matter how heartbreaking one scene was, the next one would have my heart racing. Seriously though, if you ever reach a point in the book where you're like no, this is too much - keep going! The plot is very fast-paced, but not overwhelmingly so. More so in a way in which you can't stop reading, the pages won't flip fast enough!

Speaking of overwhelming... that ending though. It totally came at me like a ton of bricks. Or a ton of cake. Cake is nicer than bricks. I totally saw one part of the end coming! The ending is soooo not what I expected specifically, but I couldn't see it any other way. Sarah Fine totally blindsided me with who was behind the corruption of the Kere and Rylan Ferry and whatnot! Great job! The ending was overwhelming in a book hangover kind of way - a very satisfying ending, not bittersweet! Trust me, you will love the ending, regardless of what type of ending you prefer!

What I Did Not Like:

I can't think of many dislikes! Perhaps I should mention that one rough spot I hit and had to put the book down for about twenty minutes - but then I picked it right back up. It was about a third in, so just be warned that while you might struggle with this part, like I did, keep going! It got better, and quickly.

Would I Recommend It:

I would recommend this book, especially out of all the Servants of Fate books! Not that I don't recommend Marked or Claimed. But I really, REALLY recommend this one. Adult romance readers, urban fantasy readers, Sarah Fine readers, anyone looking for a fun, heart-pounding, sexy read... this is a good one!

Rating:

5 stars. A rare five stars from me! Though I think I've rated two romance novels with a five-star rating in the past month or so! That's a lot for me. But this one (and When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare) is a really great one! Sarah Fine never lets me down. When is her next adult romance novel scheduled to be published?! I need more!


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

16 comments:

  1. YES!! This was a brilliant read and I just devoured it and could stop reading although like you I had to take a breather now and then! (moments used to go to the bathroom or eat something!). It's such a rollercoaster and such an addictive read! So happy this is your first Pili Pushed 5 stars too!! =D

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    1. Soooo good! I'm glad we sorta buddy-read it! Definitely my favorite Pili-Pushed novel to date ;)

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  2. YAYYY! I loved this one so much too! I have to agree with you. I think this is my favorite book in the series too. And yes, it was a non-stop roller coaster of a book. I really loved the romance as well. There was this quiet beauty to it and how it developed. Seriously, Sarah Fine is amazing at writing these super swoony romances. She's planning another UF series and I can't wait to hear more!
    Great review, Alyssa!

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    1. Woohoo! I am so happy that this book was satisfying for both of us! I hope she keeps writing amazing romances ;) Another UF series is definitely fine by me! :D

      Thank you, Nick!

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  3. I definitely need in on this series! I need to go check out book 1 now ;)

    Have a great weekend Alyssa!!

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    1. Um, YES, Eileen! Definitely do so! ^_^

      Thanks and you too! <3

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  4. That's cool that you were able to change your mind about the heroine. I still need to read my first Sarah Fine book and I feel like I've missed out the way you describe her stuff.

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    1. Right? It's great when that happens! You are totes missing out, Sophia! Get on this bandwagon! ;D

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  5. Yess :D So glad that you loved this one sweetie. <3 Loving books is the best feeling :) And aw, you have read so many books by this author :D THAT IS AWESOME. And so happy that you aren't disappointed by her books yet, hih :) Not a book for me, but you make me so curious. Sounds awesome :) Thank you for sharing. <3

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    1. She's written a lot! And they are all really great. Check out her YA books for sure, Carina!

      Thank you!

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  6. Oh my! Another five star review? I got book one because you loved it, so it seems that I must read it sooner rather than later. Great review!

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    1. Right???? This one was super great! You better read this series, Liza - or at the very least, this one! >:)

      Thank you!

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  7. Nick made me read her other YA series and I loved it, I have these books ready to go on my audible app too so I'm glad you liked it too.

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    1. She has so many great YA series! I'd recommend any of her books, but especially her duology (YA)! :D

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  8. Okay, I've totally been banking on Eli and Cacy remaining my favorite pairing but now I'm even more excited for Fated. I keep hearing how amazing the romance is in this! I'm glad you feel the same way. Aislinn hasn't been my favorite character either, but I'm really intrigued by her and also the dynamic she has going on with Jason.

    Lovely review, Alyssa! I have loved this series so much.

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    1. I've mulled over the thought and Aislinn and Moros are definitely my favorite pair! You will LOVE this one, Danielle! Just remember, the characters really have to work for what they want, believe me...

      Thank you, Danielle!

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