Thorns of Fate

“a gripping and uncompromising dark fantasy that will speak to readers who love stories about power, trauma, and identity forged in fire.”

Read the first 3 chapters!
Content Warnings

The Gilded Empire expects submission, even if it means letting friends die.
But Elora was never taught to obey.

Raised inside the Empire’s prestigious Miros Institute, Elora believed she was untouchable—trained to become an alchemist, sheltered by her mentor, and spared the cruelty every other student endured.

But when she breaks the rules and chooses compassion...
She seals her own fate.

At the Institute, failure isn't corrected.
It's punished.

No longer protected, she is delivered into the hands of Headmaster Thorn, the architect of her unmaking. She is stripped piece by piece: intellect tested, will fractured, empathy exploited. She must learn what she was never taught.

Survival demands that she bleed, endure, and refuse the fate carved for her. Because if she cannot remain who she was… she will become something else entirely.

This is not a story about rescue.
It's about surviving what was meant to break you.

A story of trauma that doesn’t flinch, of a heroine who breaks but keeps choosing herself, and of survival as an act of rebellion.

Read free with Kindle Unlimited.

1st Place — Dark Fantasy
Fall 2025 BookFest Awards

Perfect for readers who loved:

  • The brutal descent and psychological weight of The Poppy War

  • The institutional cruelty and survival arc of The Prison Healer

  • The morally gray tension of The Atlas Six

  • The rebellion-driven stakes of An Ember in the Ashes

(The Thornforged Chronicles can be considered a Romantasy, but there is no romance in book 1. This first book sets the stage for what comes later.)

Amazon

Available on Kindle Unlimited

  • 🏫 Dark Academia Setting

  • 🎭 Morally Gray Characters

  • ⚔️ Gritty and Unforgiving World

  • 🔥 Rivals with a Deep History

  • 🕯️ Themes of Corruption & Loss of Innocence

  • 🖤 Dark Obsession

  • ⚠️ Trauma & Survival

“The storytelling is superb, and the gripping narrative voice melds with the exciting dialogue to create an enjoyable read… As a fantasy fan, this book utterly captivated me.”

-Readers’ Favorite

“The author doesn’t sensationalize trauma—she shows how it steals your voice, then quietly reminds you that it can be reclaimed.

If you’re looking for a soft, comforting fantasy, this isn’t it. But if you’ve ever been hurt, felt powerless, or wondered if healing was even possible… this book will see you.”

-B&N Review

“It was very difficult to put down. Every chapter made me want to keep going.”

-Amazon Review

“Grounded in its striking universe and compelling character development, Thorns of Fate promises a seamless blend of fantasy and horror that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the rest of the series.”

-Booklife

“The novel’s strength lies in its ability to ground its gritty plot in complex, human characters… My only real disappointment with the novel: the story ended!”

-Goodreads Review