Champion of Fate

Written by Kendare Blake

Narrated by Shayna Small

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake is back with an epic duology starter that follows a young woman training to join a fabled order as she attempts to lead a hero to his critical first victory. A must-read for fans of Alexandra Bracken and Victoria Aveyard.

Aristene are an order of mythical female warriors. Though heroes might be immortalized in legends, it’s the Aristene who guide their paths to victory. They are the Heromakers.

Raised by the order after being orphaned, Reed grew up surrounded by her future sisters-in-arms and the incredible stories of their quests. She’s been counting the days until her initiation, and now one final test stands in her way: shepherding her first hero to glory on the battlefield. Succeed, and her place in the order is secured. Fail, and she’ll be cast out of the only home she’s ever known. 

But Reed didn’t count on Hestion, her assigned hero, being both infuriating and intriguing. When their strategic alliance turns into something more, it forces Reed to question the cost of becoming an Aristene. As battle looms and fate hangs in the balance, Reed must make an impossible choice: her hero or her order.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9780063340237

Kendare Blake

Kendare Blake is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series. She holds an MA in creative writing from Middlesex University in northern London. She is also the author of Anna Dressed in Blood, a Cybils Awards finalist; Girl of Nightmares; Antigoddess; Mortal Gods; and Ungodly. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages, have been featured on multiple best-of-year lists, and have received many regional and librarian awards. Kendare lives and writes in Gig Harbor, Washington. Visit her online at www.kendareblake.com.

Reviews for Champion of Fate

[Billie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Champion of Fate
by Kendare Blake
Heromaker #1
YA Fantasy
Scribd Audio
Kindle
Ages 14+

Taken in by the Aristene, a legendary order of female warriors who help the people destined to become heroes become them, orphan Reed grew up wanting to be one. After all of her training, she gets her first hero, and if she succeeds and he becomes a hero, she will become one of the mythical Aristene, but if she fails, she'll be cast out.

But she never expected to have so many feelings for her hero, Hestion, the second born of a king, but when she finds out how she will make him a hero, she wonders if the plans she made for her future may not be those she wants.


Within the first few pages, I was curious about where Reed's life would take her. At a young age, she showed strength, though I feel there needed to be a little more about why the elder of the village shunned her as a child because the woman acted as if Reed was from a different race than her parents.

And while the pacing slowed down while being introduced to Reed's young adult life as an initiate, it picked up again as her quest began, but it slowed down again. That pacing, going from fast to slow, happened a lot. One minute I was in the story, and the next I was looking at words.

One confusing thing was Reed's Aristene's gift'. I wish it had been explained better when first introduced, because it would have made more of an impact.

But I still liked the story, plot, characters, and the intriguing world. Hopefully, the next book in the series, which I am waiting for, will have more details of the Arstene's history, world, and magic.

Almost reached the next star.

3 Stars

[Michelle De Mello · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book. Loved the strong female characters and the horses! Can't wait to read more!