A Warrior’s Fate by Melissa Kieran is the first book in The Wolves of Morai series, a wolf shifter fantasy romance. It looks like book 2 is due out at the end of July 2023. The female main character, Isla, has no interest in looking for a fated mate, and wants to just focus on her upcoming warrior trial. But, Fate has another plan for her and before the start of the trial she meets her mate Kai (I’m not spoiling, this is all on the book jacket). They agree to ignore the bond and move on without each other. Fate has opinions about that and keeps throwing them back together. Layered against that plot line is political intrigue (and betrayal) and something dark and evil lurking in the kingdom. This is a spicy book for adults only.

The Lovely: I am in love with the development of the relationship between the two main characters, Isla and Kai. You can really feel how much they love each other, and neither are portrayed as subservient to the other. The spice was well written and not overwhelming in terms of the number of spicy scenes.

The Mundane: I felt like some of the secondary characters, in particular the males, were not well fleshed out and felt a bit flat. Sometimes I wasn’t even sure who was who (especially at the beginning) or who was with who.

The Dreadful: I didn’t feel like the tension (plot, not relationship) was consistent throughout the book. Sometimes it was, yes, yes, this is perfect and flowing and other times I started to get bored and needed it to move on. I think part of it was sometimes the scene descriptions (generally physical descriptions or thoughts) got a little long and verbose.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Recommendation: I was unsure going into this book because I’m not normally into a lot of lycan shifter fiction but I was drawn to the tropes listed for this book. And I can confirm all the following are included, and done well: fated mates, protective, found family and slowburn. The slowburn is slowww in the first half. I absolutely cannot wait for book two to come out in two long months. ( )

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🔥🔥🔥/5

"I told you that you have me, and I meant it, to and through eternity "
"You have no idea what you do to me"

One of my FAVORITE reads of the year! Talk about a fantasy book unlike any other that I have read. This was such an original story and it was very refreshing to read. And not once did I get annoyed with the FMC like I usually do. She is a warrior and remained so throughout the entire story. She didn't turn into some helpless dame once the MMC came into play. I had so much anxiety reading this because I was constantly on the edge of my seat. It's in 3rd person POV. It has wolf shifters, magic, witches, and monsters.

Characters
I cannot begin to tell you how much I love each and every one of these characters! Isla is a fearsome Warrior who is loyal to those she loves and the people of the continent. She has a big heart for everyone, even those she probably shouldn't. Kai is my new book boyfriend, I claim him. Mine. Although he has gone through so much more than anyone should, he is still a strong and humble leader that Deimos deserves. He respects Isla's choices, even when it isn't what he wants or needs. He's beyond selfless. Melissa has a talent for making you feel the way that the characters feel with the intended intensity. And I love all of the side characters/ found family! The banter is perfect and entertaining as well.

Plot/Writing
There is so much that happens in this story and it starts from the very beginning. It's exciting and sexy from the start, grabbing you instantly! The plot is intriguing and paced very well. It gives just the right amount of information without it being slow or boring. This is a big book, 676 pages, but every single page is needed because nothing about it felt rushed or missed. The world-building is good but I do think it could use just a bit more in my opinion, however, it was good enough to make this a great story and I am still pleased with it! The spice was very good and worth the antagonizingly slow burn. Be prepared for crazy plot twists!

Tropes:
Fated mates
Forbidden love
Can't touch
Slow burn
Possessive & aggressive
Found family

Ending Type: Cliffhanger

Below are my SPOILER thoughts and reactions:
[
36%: Ooh alpha Kai is her mate 😍 and she's feeling it hard! "Mine" it's my undoing 🫠 And he feels it too, thank goddess. Omg I fucking love this already and I'm not 30 pages in. I LOVE POSSESSIVE AND AGGRESSIVE! He's about to leave... no. I won't have it! "She's nothing to me". Ass. Well he's less of an ass more but I still don't like that they haven't touched and accepted the bond.
I wonder if the magic being messed up has anything to do with the marker being taken. He's so mysterious. Going off and leaving her in a tree. Ezekiel is a fucking dick. Telling her Deimos does need her and they deserve better. Fuck him. YES! She's going to Deimos! Ameera is a bitch! Why tf does she know about Isla and Kai?! Unless she was sent to make sure she came to Deimos... she just left to head there.
67%: Why does everyone in Deimos seem to know her.... AHHH He found her! I'm disappointed they didn't smash their faces together after being reunited. I don't like the idea of Amalie... she feels like a threat. There's a line-up of women for his mate???? HELL NO! What is their damn problem! Everyone wants them to claim each other but they just won't! Stubborn asses! Well they touched accidentally. Not thrilled that it was an accident. I was hoping it would be intentional because they chose each other. And they've finally kissed! Okay I feel like the murderers who are taunting Isla and Kai are someone they know. I don't trust the imperial alpha. They did it! 'Fucking finally' is right! I don't see her coronation going well... I have a feeling something bad is about to happen at the wall.
100%: Omg I know how they were killed! They were cut or stabbed with the venom. The cuts heal quickly but the venom remains. It makes them unable to shift. That's what killed the king and heir. I still think mystery murder man is a fae or witch. They approved the challenge... What is going on?? That girl was possessed by some enchanted necklace so someone could talk to Isla? And now Sebastian is missing, he far the cloaked figure too. Oh her mom is so not dead. They never found her? Yeah she's totally alive. I just know it. The bond didn't break for 2 years after she went missing. That means she was at least taken for that long. Maybe the bond was intentionally broken. Do...do alphas have mind control? Omg. Is the hooded killer her mom? I KNEW IT! AAAHHHH! This witch needs to die. And Ezekiel had been working with her, prick. Kai won and she nearly died. I was not expecting that. I teared up when Malakai gave his blessing for Isla and Kai. "You have her?" "Always" what happened to her mom? She just up and disappeared on the brink of death?? And they left Isla? Why?! He can kill people with his mind and can't control it. Wow. NEXT BOOK NOW PLEASE! ( )