Publishers Weekly
11/28/2022
The Witch Queens of Illustros must win a war against the Fates to keep their magic and immortality in Smith’s alluring if patchy fantasy debut, a series launch. Though every witch gets six Rolls of Fate with Witch’s Dice, a half-dozen witches are destined to roll all sixes, marking them as Blood Warriors forced to fight against their kin in service of the Fates; the rest are magically bound to serve the Witch Queens. After Calla Rosewood rolls her fourth six, she contemplates going on the run with her two friends, fearing she may fall victim to the Witch Queens, who seek to assassinate potential Blood Warriors. But Gideon—the brother of Ezra, Calla’s crush—has also rolled four sixes, and suggests an alternative: an expedition into the deadly Neverending Forest to find the Witch Eater, who can erase their Rolls and change their destinies—for a price. Haphazard worldbuilding and an underdeveloped premise undermine the story’s tension and stakes, but Calla’s struggles toward self-acceptance regarding her abilities adds heart and emotional depth. Playfully antagonistic group dynamics and a kaleidoscopic third-person narrative provides bustling pacing. Calla cues as white; some characters have blue or brown skin. Ages 14–up. Agent: Emily Forney, Bookends Literary. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
"A page turning debut that’s sure to delight, A Ruinous Fate is a whimsical, action-packed thrillride. Kaylie Smith’s richly imagined world and lively cast of characters will leave readers transported and begging for the sequel."—Adrienne Tooley, author of Sweet & Bitter Magic
“A Ruinous Fate is filled with fantasy tropes you know and love, made all the richer with a diverse cast of magical beings. A story about the power of defying fate and fighting for the ones you love, this action-packed fantasy adventure and high stakes roll of the dice is like playing Dungeons Dragons with your best friends! I’m at the edge of my seat until book two!”—Aiden Thomas, New York Times best-selling author of Cemetery Boys and Lost in the Never Woods
“A spellbinding debut brimming with adventure, romance, and loveable characters you’ll gladly follow into the shadows of their vivid world. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the twists are as unpredictable as a roll of the dice.”—Alexandra Bracken, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Lore
“With an unforgettable cast and stratospherically high stakes, A Ruinous Fate is a lush debut that explores what it means to take control of your own destiny despite the cards, or dice, you’ve been given. Smith expertly weaves swoon-worthy romance into an action-packed plot, and readers will root for Calla to choose herself and change her fate."—Andrea Hannah, author of Where Darkness Blooms
School Library Journal
09/29/2023
Gr 9 Up—Calliope "Calla" Rosewood is on the run. She is a witch that was cursed with bad luck. When her coven finds out that she is prophesied to end all magic and the world as it is, she doesn't stick around to find out what they have in store for her. Calla isn't on her own though. She takes her two best friends with her and they live as fugitives. On the run, they are caught up in a nightmare made of bad luck. Calla must find a way to get rid of her bad luck and change the future, and there is only one being able to help her. Unfortunately, she must go into the Neverending Forest to find this being, and just her luck, she has to do it with her ex and his brother. She must decide whether altering her fate is worth the consequences that always seem to follow her around. Smith has woven a magical tale similar in feel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and The NeverEnding Story. The writing is fast paced and full of magic and adventure. Smith builds her world so that readers will feel they are right there with the characters. There are magical beings of every shape and color with loads of fun powers. VERDICT Any avid reader of fantasy, fairy tales, and adventure stories will enjoy reading this novel.—Rena Gibson
Kirkus Reviews
2022-10-11
Calla struggles with her cursed luck as the Fates turn against her.
In Illustros, a land of witches, Valkyries, sirens, and other fantastical creatures, Calliope Rosewood hides her cursed Siphon magic, having already fled her home numerous times out of fear of discovery. Not only must Calla glamour her mismatched Siphon eyes, one violet and one honey colored, but even when they were in a relationship she kept some distance from Ezra, lest he discover the unlucky Rolls of Fate from Witch’s Dice magically tattooed onto her arm. After a gambling bet goes wrong and Calla rolls another cursed six, making her the Blood Warrior for the Fates, she goes on a quest to the Neverending Forest to find the Witch Eater who can erase her rolls. She’s accompanied by Ezra and his brother, Gideon; Onyx witches Kestrel and Caspian; and her friends, siren Delphine and Rouge witch Hannah. While the exploration of powerful godly Fates and the possibility of self-determination are intriguing, the book gets bogged down in clichés, clunky worldbuilding, and awkward descriptions of fight scenes. Calla’s witty narration and ongoing friendships with Delphine and Hannah are positive and empowering, but they become overwhelmed by complicated relationship drama. Calla’s internal battle between her socially acceptable Rouge magic and suppressed Siphon powers is well depicted, covering the importance of self-acceptance as well as the limitations of binary frameworks. Calla reads White; the remaining cast mostly appears fantasy diverse.
An intriguing premise that fails to soar. (map) (Fantasy. 12-17)
