Thorns of Fate - A Dark Fantasy Novel by Miranda Howman
When protection shatters, all that’s left is survival
He promised to protect her. But fate had crueler plans.
At the Institute, Elora trained in alchemy and trusted the man who raised her to keep her safe. Until the day he could no longer stand between her and Headmaster Thorn.
Now, survival means submission.
Her body, her mind, her will—nothing is off-limits in Thorn’s vision of what she should become. To survive, Elora must resist more than pain. She must resist erasure.
But Thorn will learn—she was never taught to kneel.
Dark magic. Forced obedience. Raw survival.
Thorns of Fate is a gut-punch of a dark fantasy debut. Perfect for readers who crave brutal magic systems, morally gray choices, and a protagonist that falls before they rise.
Meet the Characters
Elora is a gifted young alchemist, set apart from the other students at the Miros Institute by more than just her talent. Under the protection of Tehvan, a renowned scholar at the Institute, Elora has been shielded from the cruelty and harsh trials that her peers endure. While others are forced to fight for survival, she’s been allowed to focus solely on perfecting her alchemy, giving her an advantage that breeds quiet resentment.
Her privileged position makes her an outsider and resented by many, like the bitter and driven Symond, yet still able to form deep bonds with those who see beyond her status, like her loyal friend Arria. This protection has left Elora feeling untouchable, confident that the walls built around her will never crack.
But her belief in her own invincibility may be her greatest weakness.
Protagonist: Elora
Meet More Characters Here
Explore the World
In the shadow of MahĹŤamorah, the ancient World Tree, magic is more than power, it is life itself.
At the heart of this world lies MahĹŤKi Sap, a rare, golden lifeblood capable of healing, destruction, and bending reality. Coveted and controlled by the ruthless Gilded Empire, its use is strictly guarded, fueling conflict and rebellion.
Here, magic is not born but crafted through Alchemy, a delicate fusion of science and sorcery where the smallest misstep can spell disaster. Alchemists wield this art to forge weapons, heal wounds, and twist the world to their will, balancing creation and ruin.
In this world of fragile power and tightening control, one mistake could ignite a rebellion… or end it.
Learn about the Magic
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Meet the Author
Miranda Howman
From an early age I have loved living in fantasy worlds. I grew up playing World of Warcraft where I spent many years crafting stories for my characters, even having my own personal newspaper for what they were accomplishing. This is where my love of storytelling began and actually where some characters from The Thornforged Chronicles originated from, though they have all changed immensely since then.
My love for fantasy has only grown over the years, especially from other works of literature. My personal favorite are: The Shadow and Bone series / The Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo, The Origin’s Daughter series by Alexandra St. Pierre, and the Artefacts of Ouranos series by Nisha J. Tuli.