What do you think?
Rate this book
Fate War: Alliance
Prince Cole meets Samantha when she walks down the aisle. Though she seems like the polished women he is familiar with, there is something different. She is complicated and full of mystery. Her dowry comes with a promise of air ships and mech capable of defense against their common enemy and for his country to survive, he must unravel her secrets. It is only when each accepts their destinies can they save their people from the plans of the Fate Sovereign.
If you’re looking for a steamy romance, a strong, smart heroine and interesting gadgets, this is the book for you! Fate War is a swords and guns, love and war, Steampunk inspired story that is sure to get your pistons pumping.
If you’re looking for a steamy romance, a strong, smart heroine and interesting gadgets, this is the book for you! Fate War is a swords and guns, love and war, Steampunk inspired story that is sure to get your pistons pumping.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2013
12 people are currently reading
748 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 20, 2013
Some of the reviews have already included a summary, so I'll skip it.
The cons first to get them out of the way: There are some minor bumps in the plot, but nothing terrible. Some of the characters are a little vague and the threat of the Fate is not really explained and you only felt it on the last chapters(why "Fate"? this is unclear). Also, there are some typos in the edition I own, which is distracting.
That said, I really really really enjoyed this one.
The author shows a very much appreciated respect and love for the words. The dialogue is frank and direct, and the narrator's voice does not intrude. The story flows naturally, and when a cliche seems to appear it is swiflty resolved or used to misguide.
I loved Sam. Such a complex, rich, frank, intelligent character! Well presented and well developed. Cole is an acquired taste, though, but as the story goes on you understand (as Sam does) that it is not only warmth what he provides. His strength is in his understanding, compassion and patience. He is open and true, and he falls in love with her brain first!
There is a deceptively simply constructed world, to wich we are introduced by means of the conflict itself. The romance and the gadgets actually add to the story. There are layers upon layers, feints within feints (yeah it reminded me a bit of Herbert's Dune sometimes).
There are a lot of loose ends, which is understandable (albeit frustrating) since this is the beginning of a saga. Cant wait for the next book!
This is a good, intriguing, well told story with romance, action and adventure, gadgets and fantasy. Enjoy!
The cons first to get them out of the way: There are some minor bumps in the plot, but nothing terrible. Some of the characters are a little vague and the threat of the Fate is not really explained and you only felt it on the last chapters(why "Fate"? this is unclear). Also, there are some typos in the edition I own, which is distracting.
That said, I really really really enjoyed this one.
The author shows a very much appreciated respect and love for the words. The dialogue is frank and direct, and the narrator's voice does not intrude. The story flows naturally, and when a cliche seems to appear it is swiflty resolved or used to misguide.
I loved Sam. Such a complex, rich, frank, intelligent character! Well presented and well developed. Cole is an acquired taste, though, but as the story goes on you understand (as Sam does) that it is not only warmth what he provides. His strength is in his understanding, compassion and patience. He is open and true, and he falls in love with her brain first!
There is a deceptively simply constructed world, to wich we are introduced by means of the conflict itself. The romance and the gadgets actually add to the story. There are layers upon layers, feints within feints (yeah it reminded me a bit of Herbert's Dune sometimes).
There are a lot of loose ends, which is understandable (albeit frustrating) since this is the beginning of a saga. Cant wait for the next book!
This is a good, intriguing, well told story with romance, action and adventure, gadgets and fantasy. Enjoy!
March 2, 2014
It's taken me a long time to sit down and write this review. I spent a while dithering over the star rating I would give the book. If I were basing my rating solely on how enjoyable the story is and how much potential it has, I would have given it four stars, but I can't ignore the flaws that hindered my enjoyment and brought it down to a three star rating.
The story (a steampunk romance set to a backdrop of an impending war) is well crafted. The writer has taken the time to research certain aspects necessary to create her fictional steampunk world, but more in-depth descriptions and explanations of certain devices would have made for a richer novel. The same can be said for the characters, some of whom could have been developed further and perhaps have contributed to the sub-plot, which was under-developed. I hope that some of the characters will return in subsequent Fate War novels, because I'd like the chance to get to know them.
I will admit that romance is not my genre of choice. I won this book through a blog competition, which was a sort of ‘pot luck’ giveaway of steampunk books from various authors. I was one of the lucky winners and I received an e-mail from the author to say I had won an eBook copy of her book, Fate War: Alliance. I rarely read romances, but the steampunk nature of this book appealed to me enough for me to give it a go. Samantha is not the typical heroine that springs to mind when I think of romance novels. She is not helpless or vapid. She doesn't swoon. She's an intriguing character and even at the end of the novel the mysteries surrounding her are not fully unravelled – another reason I would like to read the sequel. Prince Cole is a little more the typical dashing, unorthodox prince who shirks his responsibilities in favour of learning about herbs and healing, but he's still fairly well rounded and likeable.
The few sexual scenes in the book weren't cringeworthy, as I've found such scenes in other novels I've read over the years. They're well written and pretty classy. The 'Verification' scene, which one reviewer on here has described as rape, is a difficult one to read, however I didn't see it as a rape scene and I do feel it was well written and in keeping with the tone and themes of the novel.
My enjoyment of the novel was marred by several things. The most glaring thing was that the author has clearly not had the manuscript professionally proofread. The errors were numerous and distracting. Misplaced commas, missing commas, errant capitalisation, misspellings and use of the wrong word ('chaffing' instead of 'chafing' is my personal pet hate, unfortunately, and occurred several times) all yanked my attention away from the story. After a while I found that I was paying more attention to the errors than the story, which almost caused me to give up on the book. I'm glad I persevered because it is a good story filled with exciting and touching moments. The lack of editing was also evident, and although I'm sure the author had beta readers, I feel that if the she had worked with an experienced copy-editor it could have been a great novel. Finally, the eBook version I read has beautiful chapter headings, adorned with cogs, which helps the overall steampunk feel of the book and is a lovely touch. However, paragraph indents are missing and it leaves the book feeling slightly unfinished.
Although I won this book, I’m under no obligation to review it and have done so because I wanted to share my opinions.
I would love to read the next book in the Fate War series and will download a preview when it becomes available, but I will be reluctant to spend money to buy the book if the preview contains as many spelling errors as Fate War: Alliance.
The story (a steampunk romance set to a backdrop of an impending war) is well crafted. The writer has taken the time to research certain aspects necessary to create her fictional steampunk world, but more in-depth descriptions and explanations of certain devices would have made for a richer novel. The same can be said for the characters, some of whom could have been developed further and perhaps have contributed to the sub-plot, which was under-developed. I hope that some of the characters will return in subsequent Fate War novels, because I'd like the chance to get to know them.
I will admit that romance is not my genre of choice. I won this book through a blog competition, which was a sort of ‘pot luck’ giveaway of steampunk books from various authors. I was one of the lucky winners and I received an e-mail from the author to say I had won an eBook copy of her book, Fate War: Alliance. I rarely read romances, but the steampunk nature of this book appealed to me enough for me to give it a go. Samantha is not the typical heroine that springs to mind when I think of romance novels. She is not helpless or vapid. She doesn't swoon. She's an intriguing character and even at the end of the novel the mysteries surrounding her are not fully unravelled – another reason I would like to read the sequel. Prince Cole is a little more the typical dashing, unorthodox prince who shirks his responsibilities in favour of learning about herbs and healing, but he's still fairly well rounded and likeable.
The few sexual scenes in the book weren't cringeworthy, as I've found such scenes in other novels I've read over the years. They're well written and pretty classy. The 'Verification' scene, which one reviewer on here has described as rape, is a difficult one to read, however I didn't see it as a rape scene and I do feel it was well written and in keeping with the tone and themes of the novel.
My enjoyment of the novel was marred by several things. The most glaring thing was that the author has clearly not had the manuscript professionally proofread. The errors were numerous and distracting. Misplaced commas, missing commas, errant capitalisation, misspellings and use of the wrong word ('chaffing' instead of 'chafing' is my personal pet hate, unfortunately, and occurred several times) all yanked my attention away from the story. After a while I found that I was paying more attention to the errors than the story, which almost caused me to give up on the book. I'm glad I persevered because it is a good story filled with exciting and touching moments. The lack of editing was also evident, and although I'm sure the author had beta readers, I feel that if the she had worked with an experienced copy-editor it could have been a great novel. Finally, the eBook version I read has beautiful chapter headings, adorned with cogs, which helps the overall steampunk feel of the book and is a lovely touch. However, paragraph indents are missing and it leaves the book feeling slightly unfinished.
Although I won this book, I’m under no obligation to review it and have done so because I wanted to share my opinions.
I would love to read the next book in the Fate War series and will download a preview when it becomes available, but I will be reluctant to spend money to buy the book if the preview contains as many spelling errors as Fate War: Alliance.
March 30, 2013
Review of Fate War: Alliance
5 stars
It’s not often I encounter fantasy interwoven with my beloved sub-genre Steampunk, but here it is, and it works amazingly well. Crown Prince Cole of the Kingdom of Arborea is a rather headstrong, iconoclastic individual, who much prefers to do his own bidding, which is NOT to ascend to the throne. He and his father King Arnold at totally and always at cross-purposes. Cole certainly does not wish to wed unseen, simply because his Kingdom and the Island of Perspicia should be united. In this case, at this time, it is not so much simply politics, as it is necessity: the Fate Army advances. The Arboreal Lands need the mechanistic provenance of Perspicia, and to further that aim, Prince Cole and Lady Samantha will now marry—sight unseen.
Samantha, too, has long been schooled in the knowledge of her destiny. Running away, or trying to, didn’t solve the individualistic idealism which kept her chafing at the reins of the confinements of “should, ought to, must” common to noble and royal families. Now comes the momentous event; will it happen, or will Cole and Samantha refuse, and let both lands fall to the Fate Army?
Kudos to author E. M. Havens for interweaving disparate genres and making it work, and work well; and leaving readers craving for a sequel.
5 stars
It’s not often I encounter fantasy interwoven with my beloved sub-genre Steampunk, but here it is, and it works amazingly well. Crown Prince Cole of the Kingdom of Arborea is a rather headstrong, iconoclastic individual, who much prefers to do his own bidding, which is NOT to ascend to the throne. He and his father King Arnold at totally and always at cross-purposes. Cole certainly does not wish to wed unseen, simply because his Kingdom and the Island of Perspicia should be united. In this case, at this time, it is not so much simply politics, as it is necessity: the Fate Army advances. The Arboreal Lands need the mechanistic provenance of Perspicia, and to further that aim, Prince Cole and Lady Samantha will now marry—sight unseen.
Samantha, too, has long been schooled in the knowledge of her destiny. Running away, or trying to, didn’t solve the individualistic idealism which kept her chafing at the reins of the confinements of “should, ought to, must” common to noble and royal families. Now comes the momentous event; will it happen, or will Cole and Samantha refuse, and let both lands fall to the Fate Army?
Kudos to author E. M. Havens for interweaving disparate genres and making it work, and work well; and leaving readers craving for a sequel.
April 10, 2013
This book is the best of two worlds.... steampunk and romance all in one fabulous tale. Havens creates all the hallmarks of a great romance, but without making it seem like a "Hallmark" romance. The reason for the story being so interesting is the unique aspect that the lovely princess character has to her personality. Add in the steampunk world that the story is set in with detailed features like.... airships, mechanical arms, a wicked brooch, and Mechmen, and you have a fantasy that knocks you out of this world. Steampunk involves an aspect of writing that I know I cannot begin to compete in, science. I have zero scientific knowledge and would be lost trying to make something seem believable. Havens doesn't lack for this talent and provides so many levels of talent that I was blown away by the amount of detail given in descriptions of hollistic medicine, mechanics, engineering and so much more. Additionally, she blends it so seemlessly into the story that you will not get bored in the least. As many call Jules Verne & H.P. Lovecraft the founders of Steampunk, let me say that Havens has earned her rank in the genre. She has also ranked very high on my Romance author radar. Definitely a must read, for romance and steampunk lovers alike.
April 23, 2013
My thoughts:
I was impressed with this book from the first page. The author makes magnificent word choices. The story flows seemlessly. If there had been nothing else I would have still enjoyed the book for that one reason alone, but there is so very much more to this story than the brilliance of the language telling it. The characters are incredible. They are well made, vividly described and complete with flawed personalities and emotions that make them real to the reader and easy to invest in. The story is clever, creative and well paced. The author doesn't shy from using tough situations or hide the bad. She lays it all out there while the characters live it so it becomes the readers temporary reality and the pages turn. I couldn't put it down. Don't miss this one.
I was impressed with this book from the first page. The author makes magnificent word choices. The story flows seemlessly. If there had been nothing else I would have still enjoyed the book for that one reason alone, but there is so very much more to this story than the brilliance of the language telling it. The characters are incredible. They are well made, vividly described and complete with flawed personalities and emotions that make them real to the reader and easy to invest in. The story is clever, creative and well paced. The author doesn't shy from using tough situations or hide the bad. She lays it all out there while the characters live it so it becomes the readers temporary reality and the pages turn. I couldn't put it down. Don't miss this one.
June 25, 2013
I was very lucky to win this book as a good reads give away. This was my first book in the world of steam punk and I really liked it. I enjoyed the steam pink aspect, but also enjoyed the romance part of the story as well. I am a sucker for romance. It was in a way "the best of both worlds." There was a great balance between the story and romance. I really liked the characters as well. Sam and Cole were well fleshed out and the relationship between them had me hooked. However, there was a pet peeve of mine. While the author had great diction choices there were a few mispellings that simply annoyed me, but did not affect the story. A solid read
April 19, 2013
The following review can be found on my blog here. There is also a giveaway, closing 24/04/2013. My review is based on a copy I got for the blog tour of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I had no clear idea what to expect when I started reading Fate War: Alliance, I was just hoping for a great steampunk read and that was the main reason why I signed up to be part of the tour. While the steampunk elements are there and well-done, the book very much focuses on the romance and on how Samantha and Cole eventually grow closer to one another despite severe obstacles. I’m not a fan of cheesy romance, so you’ll be happy to know that I loved the way it was handled here! The emotional connection between the characters is well-forged and believable, which made the steamy (terrible pun, I know) scenes so much more meaningful and enjoyable.
The book begins with a prologue where we get to know Princess Sam, then aged 11, and Prince Cole, aged 18. Then it skips ten years ahead to the actual events of the book. I’m mentioning this because the fierce Sam we meet then, and the Sam we re-meet seen through Cole’s eyes ten years later when she’s about to marry him are vastly different! Neither of the two spouses really wants this marriage, but it is needed to forge an alliance between their countries against the Fate army. Neither kingdom can stand against their technologically advanced soldiers alone, so they need to unite their forces and combine the mechanic knowledge of Sam’s people with the force of Cole’s father’s army.
The story is narrated in the third person and switches between Cole and Sam. I really enjoyed being in both of their heads, and their character-voices are clearly distinguished and well-drawn! I never felt distant from them simply because the novel is not told in the first person. Both characters have secrets and dark pasts, and it is immediately clear that something has happened to Sam that completely broke her will. She has been taught to do anything her husband will desire of her and completely submit to him, suppressing her own nature. When Cole encourages her to speak for herself and share her opinion, she believes he is testing her and setting her up to fail, while Cole is frustrated that his wife appears to be a vapid, artificial airhead. Not an easy obstacle to overcome, especially after a scene in the beginning that was very hard to read and might upset some people.
A great part of the novel is about Cole trying to find new ways to get through to Sam and rekindle her spirit. He wants to make this marriage work, and unlike most nobles, he actually wants a smart wife at his side as an equal. He is the outsider at court, never adhering to its strict rules. He used to shun responsibility for anything, and I really enjoyed seeing him grow into a more focused, determined person. Once he and Sam understand one another better, the two of them are an amazing team and a force to be reckoned with. Their dialogue is honest and fun, and their bedroom scenes are well-written, but I need to point out that they very much fall into the Adult category, so younger readers… you heard me. Now proceed at your own discretion ;)
As for Sam, she remains a bit of an enigma for a long time. She skirts away from certain trains of thought, so she remains a mystery to the reader nearly as much as to Cole. The distribution of information in this novel was critical, and E.M. Havens managed to pull it off extremely well! Despite the reader’s lack of knowledge, Sam’s character is clearly graspable and fleshed-out, as the broken pieces of her slowly begin to heal and come back together and her full potential unfolds. I felt so sorry for her at many points!
So yes, as you gathered from above, there is definitely no insta-love here! The romance is slow-building and wonderful. The first part of the book is definitely more character-focused, with the war that led to Sam and Cole’s union slipping mostly into the background. That is my minor point of critique: how much of a threat the Fate Army posed was never really felt by me until much closer to the end. We were told about it, but not shown for quite a while. I think incorporating a couple more action scenes to drive that threat home earlier would have been good – even though I liked the slow romance and coming to care about the characters, there is a tiny drag in that part of the book, though I never lost interest. I promise, in the final third or so you will not want to put it down as mysteries unravel and twist and everything the characters hold dear is at stake!
Now, on to the steampunk elements. I think this novel is great for both people who are familiar with the genre as well as those who are not. The gadgets and tinkering in the book are awesome, but not overwhelming. There are not page-long descriptions of mechanisms or a ton of new words to learn, so fear not, rookies! The technology actually makes sense and really adds to the plot, both the action and the emotional part. The world building was great in general, there was enough to ground the reader in the beginning, but no big info-dump! Everything came in gradually and has to be inferred, the reader is never spoon-fed or belittled but also not left floundering in unfamiliar territory.
So, overall? A novel with wonderfully fleshed-out characters that surprise you, great world-building, a slow but passionate romance, a couple twists that will make your jaw drop, and gadgets you will want to own for yourself. The action curve is a little low at the beginning but skyrockets near the end, with multiple plot-twists, airship battles, and anything else your little steampunk heart could desire. Most things are nicely tied-up, but there are also subplots I still want answers for and that will make for a great sequel. Fans of both High Fantasy and Steampunk with quirky, strong characters will definitely enjoy this!
P.S.: by the way, this is one of the most beautifully-designed ebooks I’ve read so far! The chapter headings were so beautiful, with a cogs-and-wheels type design! A minor detail, but definitely one I loved :)
I had no clear idea what to expect when I started reading Fate War: Alliance, I was just hoping for a great steampunk read and that was the main reason why I signed up to be part of the tour. While the steampunk elements are there and well-done, the book very much focuses on the romance and on how Samantha and Cole eventually grow closer to one another despite severe obstacles. I’m not a fan of cheesy romance, so you’ll be happy to know that I loved the way it was handled here! The emotional connection between the characters is well-forged and believable, which made the steamy (terrible pun, I know) scenes so much more meaningful and enjoyable.
The book begins with a prologue where we get to know Princess Sam, then aged 11, and Prince Cole, aged 18. Then it skips ten years ahead to the actual events of the book. I’m mentioning this because the fierce Sam we meet then, and the Sam we re-meet seen through Cole’s eyes ten years later when she’s about to marry him are vastly different! Neither of the two spouses really wants this marriage, but it is needed to forge an alliance between their countries against the Fate army. Neither kingdom can stand against their technologically advanced soldiers alone, so they need to unite their forces and combine the mechanic knowledge of Sam’s people with the force of Cole’s father’s army.
The story is narrated in the third person and switches between Cole and Sam. I really enjoyed being in both of their heads, and their character-voices are clearly distinguished and well-drawn! I never felt distant from them simply because the novel is not told in the first person. Both characters have secrets and dark pasts, and it is immediately clear that something has happened to Sam that completely broke her will. She has been taught to do anything her husband will desire of her and completely submit to him, suppressing her own nature. When Cole encourages her to speak for herself and share her opinion, she believes he is testing her and setting her up to fail, while Cole is frustrated that his wife appears to be a vapid, artificial airhead. Not an easy obstacle to overcome, especially after a scene in the beginning that was very hard to read and might upset some people.
A great part of the novel is about Cole trying to find new ways to get through to Sam and rekindle her spirit. He wants to make this marriage work, and unlike most nobles, he actually wants a smart wife at his side as an equal. He is the outsider at court, never adhering to its strict rules. He used to shun responsibility for anything, and I really enjoyed seeing him grow into a more focused, determined person. Once he and Sam understand one another better, the two of them are an amazing team and a force to be reckoned with. Their dialogue is honest and fun, and their bedroom scenes are well-written, but I need to point out that they very much fall into the Adult category, so younger readers… you heard me. Now proceed at your own discretion ;)
As for Sam, she remains a bit of an enigma for a long time. She skirts away from certain trains of thought, so she remains a mystery to the reader nearly as much as to Cole. The distribution of information in this novel was critical, and E.M. Havens managed to pull it off extremely well! Despite the reader’s lack of knowledge, Sam’s character is clearly graspable and fleshed-out, as the broken pieces of her slowly begin to heal and come back together and her full potential unfolds. I felt so sorry for her at many points!
So yes, as you gathered from above, there is definitely no insta-love here! The romance is slow-building and wonderful. The first part of the book is definitely more character-focused, with the war that led to Sam and Cole’s union slipping mostly into the background. That is my minor point of critique: how much of a threat the Fate Army posed was never really felt by me until much closer to the end. We were told about it, but not shown for quite a while. I think incorporating a couple more action scenes to drive that threat home earlier would have been good – even though I liked the slow romance and coming to care about the characters, there is a tiny drag in that part of the book, though I never lost interest. I promise, in the final third or so you will not want to put it down as mysteries unravel and twist and everything the characters hold dear is at stake!
Now, on to the steampunk elements. I think this novel is great for both people who are familiar with the genre as well as those who are not. The gadgets and tinkering in the book are awesome, but not overwhelming. There are not page-long descriptions of mechanisms or a ton of new words to learn, so fear not, rookies! The technology actually makes sense and really adds to the plot, both the action and the emotional part. The world building was great in general, there was enough to ground the reader in the beginning, but no big info-dump! Everything came in gradually and has to be inferred, the reader is never spoon-fed or belittled but also not left floundering in unfamiliar territory.
So, overall? A novel with wonderfully fleshed-out characters that surprise you, great world-building, a slow but passionate romance, a couple twists that will make your jaw drop, and gadgets you will want to own for yourself. The action curve is a little low at the beginning but skyrockets near the end, with multiple plot-twists, airship battles, and anything else your little steampunk heart could desire. Most things are nicely tied-up, but there are also subplots I still want answers for and that will make for a great sequel. Fans of both High Fantasy and Steampunk with quirky, strong characters will definitely enjoy this!
P.S.: by the way, this is one of the most beautifully-designed ebooks I’ve read so far! The chapter headings were so beautiful, with a cogs-and-wheels type design! A minor detail, but definitely one I loved :)
August 26, 2013
An arranged marriage between Prince Cole and Princess Samantha provides the alliance needed to defeat the Fate Army.
Prince Cole is your basic playboy-not-interested-in-being-King. Princess Samantha is anything but basic. When Cole’s brother is killed, Cole is forced to step into his place as next-in-line to the throne, but he doesn’t exactly go willingly. Sam wants to escape palace life, but before she can, her parents send her to a “finishing” school and wipe out her uniqueness and free will.
After being forced to wed and then consummate the marriage in front of a room full of strangers, Cole and Samantha get off to a bit of a rocky start. He wants to get to know her, but all she wants to do is please him, and the two wants don’t exactly compute. Eventually, Cole is able to coax out pieces of the true Samantha: she’s a fast reader who retains everything she’s read, she loves horses, dessert is her favorite part of a meal. But Samantha is constantly at war with herself, having been “taught” in the finishing school what a true lady is and Cole’s behavior won’t let her follow her what she’s “learned.”
When it is finally revealed that Samantha’s mother repressed her daughter’s genius in order to hide her paternity, Sam finally accepts herself for who she is and allows her true self to come to the surface. Cole gifts her a tinker shop and she shows aptitude for battle. When the Fate army begins closing in, she proves herself capable of of much more than building trinkets by leading the Alliance army to victory against the Fate.
This was my first foray into the steampunk genre and I quite liked it! Because the world is based on something I was already familiar with, Victorian England (with some medieval elements), the world-building didn’t throw me. It intrigued me. Havens does an excellent job of dropping in phrases and technologies unique to her world while giving the reader the context clues needed to figure out what those references mean.
The heat between Cole and Samantha was ABSOLUTELY FANFREAKINGTASTIC. Havens teases the characters and the readers and when things finally happen, it is well-worth the wait. It’s sweet, it’s sensual, it’s loving. And then, to top it off, the reader can tell the characters genuinely like and care for each other, beyond lust and love.
Character Development: **** 4.5 out of 5 stars. Samantha is one of the most complex characters I’ve ever read. Her constant internal battle is not only well-written and believable, it is also so unique. She merges the two stereotypical female characters we’ve come to expect in Princess stories: the weak, damsel-in-distress, needing her Prince to be her Savior, with the strong, bad-assed, take-no-crap-from-anyone warrior, and she does it in a way that is not stereotypical at all. I don’t think I’m explaining this correctly, but read it, and I think you’ll get what I’m saying. I loved Samantha, because to tell the truth, I’m a little sick of female characters who are strong only because it is un-PC to write a female character who isn’t strong. Samantha is weak AND strong. Insecure AND confidant. Subversive AND dominant. But she’s not all obnoxious about it.
The other characters were also really well-written. Cole started out a little cliche, but he grew on me, especially in his good intentions towards Samantha. Zeb was amazingly well-done, and he was only featured in a few scenes, so I imagine he’ll have a larger role in the next installment. Then there’s Jasper. Oh Jasper. For a character who appeared only once and who didn’t technically say anything, he was incredibly interesting. There’s mystery surrounding him – we don’t know if he’s good or evil, we don’t know why he joined the Fate army, we don’t know if he’s somehow controlling Samantha in her dark periods. So many questions, but good ones! I didn’t feel unsatisfied not knowing the answers to them, it just made me ready to read the next book.
Plot: **** 4 out of 5 stars. A lot happens in this book. We meet Cole and Samantha, they begin their married life, and Cole begins Samantha’s “re-education.” Then there is the discovery of Samantha’s true self. They fall in love. Samantha finally enables herself to trust Cole and become intimate with him. The Fate army draws near. Samantha proves she’s more than just a pretty face by leading their army. The progression of the plot is steady, the tension between Cole and Samantha perfect. There were a few scenes of conflict between Sam and Cole that felt a little forced/contrived to me, which caused me to remove one star, but for the most part, it was beautifully plotted.
Writing Style/ Voice of the Author: **** 4 out of 5 stars. Havens keeps it simple, which I really like. The story was easy to read, the dialogue flowed well and felt natural. The book is a breeze. There were a few awkward scene jumps, but for the most part, I liked the pacing. The author’s voice never intruded. I said it in my review of Gone Girl, and I’ll say it again: nothing ruins the flow of a book like the author’s voice intruding. Havens showed her story beautifully .
Favorite Lines:
“Although he had managed to cooperate as little as possible over the years with his father, King Arnold, his duties as Prince could no longer be ignored. Duty. He just couldn’t understand how societies so technologically advanced, and continuing to advance, could hold on to such archaic and simply barbaric traditions.”
“Sprocket Defend!”
“Sam found it wasn’t just warmth that soaked into her body from his touch, strength seeped in, too.”
Prince Cole is your basic playboy-not-interested-in-being-King. Princess Samantha is anything but basic. When Cole’s brother is killed, Cole is forced to step into his place as next-in-line to the throne, but he doesn’t exactly go willingly. Sam wants to escape palace life, but before she can, her parents send her to a “finishing” school and wipe out her uniqueness and free will.
After being forced to wed and then consummate the marriage in front of a room full of strangers, Cole and Samantha get off to a bit of a rocky start. He wants to get to know her, but all she wants to do is please him, and the two wants don’t exactly compute. Eventually, Cole is able to coax out pieces of the true Samantha: she’s a fast reader who retains everything she’s read, she loves horses, dessert is her favorite part of a meal. But Samantha is constantly at war with herself, having been “taught” in the finishing school what a true lady is and Cole’s behavior won’t let her follow her what she’s “learned.”
When it is finally revealed that Samantha’s mother repressed her daughter’s genius in order to hide her paternity, Sam finally accepts herself for who she is and allows her true self to come to the surface. Cole gifts her a tinker shop and she shows aptitude for battle. When the Fate army begins closing in, she proves herself capable of of much more than building trinkets by leading the Alliance army to victory against the Fate.
This was my first foray into the steampunk genre and I quite liked it! Because the world is based on something I was already familiar with, Victorian England (with some medieval elements), the world-building didn’t throw me. It intrigued me. Havens does an excellent job of dropping in phrases and technologies unique to her world while giving the reader the context clues needed to figure out what those references mean.
The heat between Cole and Samantha was ABSOLUTELY FANFREAKINGTASTIC. Havens teases the characters and the readers and when things finally happen, it is well-worth the wait. It’s sweet, it’s sensual, it’s loving. And then, to top it off, the reader can tell the characters genuinely like and care for each other, beyond lust and love.
Character Development: **** 4.5 out of 5 stars. Samantha is one of the most complex characters I’ve ever read. Her constant internal battle is not only well-written and believable, it is also so unique. She merges the two stereotypical female characters we’ve come to expect in Princess stories: the weak, damsel-in-distress, needing her Prince to be her Savior, with the strong, bad-assed, take-no-crap-from-anyone warrior, and she does it in a way that is not stereotypical at all. I don’t think I’m explaining this correctly, but read it, and I think you’ll get what I’m saying. I loved Samantha, because to tell the truth, I’m a little sick of female characters who are strong only because it is un-PC to write a female character who isn’t strong. Samantha is weak AND strong. Insecure AND confidant. Subversive AND dominant. But she’s not all obnoxious about it.
The other characters were also really well-written. Cole started out a little cliche, but he grew on me, especially in his good intentions towards Samantha. Zeb was amazingly well-done, and he was only featured in a few scenes, so I imagine he’ll have a larger role in the next installment. Then there’s Jasper. Oh Jasper. For a character who appeared only once and who didn’t technically say anything, he was incredibly interesting. There’s mystery surrounding him – we don’t know if he’s good or evil, we don’t know why he joined the Fate army, we don’t know if he’s somehow controlling Samantha in her dark periods. So many questions, but good ones! I didn’t feel unsatisfied not knowing the answers to them, it just made me ready to read the next book.
Plot: **** 4 out of 5 stars. A lot happens in this book. We meet Cole and Samantha, they begin their married life, and Cole begins Samantha’s “re-education.” Then there is the discovery of Samantha’s true self. They fall in love. Samantha finally enables herself to trust Cole and become intimate with him. The Fate army draws near. Samantha proves she’s more than just a pretty face by leading their army. The progression of the plot is steady, the tension between Cole and Samantha perfect. There were a few scenes of conflict between Sam and Cole that felt a little forced/contrived to me, which caused me to remove one star, but for the most part, it was beautifully plotted.
Writing Style/ Voice of the Author: **** 4 out of 5 stars. Havens keeps it simple, which I really like. The story was easy to read, the dialogue flowed well and felt natural. The book is a breeze. There were a few awkward scene jumps, but for the most part, I liked the pacing. The author’s voice never intruded. I said it in my review of Gone Girl, and I’ll say it again: nothing ruins the flow of a book like the author’s voice intruding. Havens showed her story beautifully .
Favorite Lines:
“Although he had managed to cooperate as little as possible over the years with his father, King Arnold, his duties as Prince could no longer be ignored. Duty. He just couldn’t understand how societies so technologically advanced, and continuing to advance, could hold on to such archaic and simply barbaric traditions.”
“Sprocket Defend!”
“Sam found it wasn’t just warmth that soaked into her body from his touch, strength seeped in, too.”
July 27, 2016
Fate War: Alliance is a short novel packed full of all the fascinating and wonderful things that make a book memorable. Steampunk, romance and drama are combined to give you a fascinating read that is over much too quickly!
The setting. Alliance can be classified as steampunk. While many of the books in this genre tend to be set in an alternative historical setting, Alliance is more of a fantasy setting. This story takes place in the low tech country of Arborea, neighbor of the high tech Perspicians. Emerging technology is becoming more commonplace, but is understood by few.
There is the romance between the unique young princess from Perspicia and the prince of Arborea who does not want to be king. They first meet at their wedding. The antiquated and repressive customs of the wedding day both frighten and repel the bride and the groom, Samantha and Cole. Their union starts shakily and they must learn to trust each other if they want to make the marriage into something they can live with. I found this aspect of the story to be sweet, emotional and very romantic. It was also the basis for the character development of the heroine and hero.
The romance was a major element of the story, but the conflict with the Fate was the impetus for the entire story. The threat from the highly mechanized Fate army is what caused the brokering of the union of Arborea and Pespicia and the marriage of Sam and Cole. The Fate techology far exceeds anything seen previously and there is no one who knows what must be done to stop it. Even the Alliance may not be enough. It is unclear what the motivation of the Fate Sovereign is, which makes the maniacal Fate war machine something dark and grotesque.
It is not a standalone story. Though certain aspects are resolved, I was far from satisfied with the ending. I do plan to read the next book in the series when it comes out. Soon, I hope!
I haven't decided if Alliance is a romance set against a conflict on a technologically and socially evolving world. Or is it the story of the of the malevolent Fate, raining down their scourge an on the world, with only a few amazing heros and heroines to prevent the end of the world. Either way, I really enjoyed it!
The setting. Alliance can be classified as steampunk. While many of the books in this genre tend to be set in an alternative historical setting, Alliance is more of a fantasy setting. This story takes place in the low tech country of Arborea, neighbor of the high tech Perspicians. Emerging technology is becoming more commonplace, but is understood by few.
There is the romance between the unique young princess from Perspicia and the prince of Arborea who does not want to be king. They first meet at their wedding. The antiquated and repressive customs of the wedding day both frighten and repel the bride and the groom, Samantha and Cole. Their union starts shakily and they must learn to trust each other if they want to make the marriage into something they can live with. I found this aspect of the story to be sweet, emotional and very romantic. It was also the basis for the character development of the heroine and hero.
The romance was a major element of the story, but the conflict with the Fate was the impetus for the entire story. The threat from the highly mechanized Fate army is what caused the brokering of the union of Arborea and Pespicia and the marriage of Sam and Cole. The Fate techology far exceeds anything seen previously and there is no one who knows what must be done to stop it. Even the Alliance may not be enough. It is unclear what the motivation of the Fate Sovereign is, which makes the maniacal Fate war machine something dark and grotesque.
It is not a standalone story. Though certain aspects are resolved, I was far from satisfied with the ending. I do plan to read the next book in the series when it comes out. Soon, I hope!
I haven't decided if Alliance is a romance set against a conflict on a technologically and socially evolving world. Or is it the story of the of the malevolent Fate, raining down their scourge an on the world, with only a few amazing heros and heroines to prevent the end of the world. Either way, I really enjoyed it!
April 13, 2013
Fate War Alliance was my first journey into the world of steampunk, and I was pleasantly surprised by it. I was expecting the steampunk aspect to be overwhelming with the description of cogs, widgets, and other creative machinery to leave the story feeling muddled and confusing. Thankfully, this is far from the experience that I had with Fate War! Instead, I found an entertaining story, well-developed characters with the steampunk aspect just serving as an accent to the story.
Samantha and Cole's marriage has been arranged in order to bring their two kingdoms into a stronger alliance in effort to strengthen their joint standing against the rogue Fate militia. While Samantha seems like the epidemy of young royalty, Cole soon realizes that it is just a mask she wears to fulfill her duties. But who is she at heart? And will she let Cole close enough to see the real Samantha?
Due to some of the content, I have to put Fate War in the new adult category and suggest it for older audiences. While it does describe the typical activities of newly-weds, these scenes help move the story along, they are not there without purpose.
Fate War exceeded my expectations. There is a lot of action and details of the background politics that help bring the story to life. I was so happy to have the text-to-voice function on my Kindle for this book so I didn't have to put it down during my commute to and from work each day.
Samantha and Cole's marriage has been arranged in order to bring their two kingdoms into a stronger alliance in effort to strengthen their joint standing against the rogue Fate militia. While Samantha seems like the epidemy of young royalty, Cole soon realizes that it is just a mask she wears to fulfill her duties. But who is she at heart? And will she let Cole close enough to see the real Samantha?
Due to some of the content, I have to put Fate War in the new adult category and suggest it for older audiences. While it does describe the typical activities of newly-weds, these scenes help move the story along, they are not there without purpose.
Fate War exceeded my expectations. There is a lot of action and details of the background politics that help bring the story to life. I was so happy to have the text-to-voice function on my Kindle for this book so I didn't have to put it down during my commute to and from work each day.
August 17, 2013
Having only read the term steampunk on occasion and not understanding what it meant, it was clear I needed to diversify. Intrigued by the rave reviews I delved into an alternate world of gadgets and tinkers and what an intriguing world it was.
Two Kingdoms form a political alliance through the marriage of Prince Cole, heir to the throne and Samantha who brings her own mech dowry to battle against a superior and technologically advanced foe.
Cole is a reluctant future King who at first comes across as a petulant man-boy without direction and he certainly didn’t want to marry an emaciated woman who at first impression cannot seem to think for herself but gradually and with a kind guiding hand Cole will learn some shocking truths about his beautiful wife and in those revelations find something far greater than mere duty.
Not exactly a cliffhanger but a few loose ends particularly the twist at the end left it open for a sequel perhaps.
I really liked it, it was different and while I certainly got into the steampunk aspect of it, the romance is always first and foremost in my mind and this one though I wasn't a fan of the Verification Cloth part, was well paced and thoroughly enjoyable.
Some explicit sex scenes but the emphasis for a large part of this novel was focused primarily on the sexual tension. Nice.
April 19, 2013
I very much enjoyed this steampunk romance novel. The plot line of the independent untraditional prince who finds an independent untraditional princess tugged at my heart. I became so involved in the relationship between Sam and Cole that I cannot wait for the second book!
I am a reader who is really annoyed by spelling issues, and there were quite a few in this book. They wouldn't interfere with most people's enjoyment of the book, and they certainly don't get in the way of understanding the story, but it does mar the professionalism of the book.
Many books with a sequel don't feel complete at the end of the first one, but this one does. A lot of mysterious hints are dropped about secrets in Sam's past that threaten to tear apart the fragile peace that is established by the end, creating avid interest in the sequel, but the action with regard to the marriage and first battle of the Fate War is complete by the end of book one. Nicely done.
I am a reader who is really annoyed by spelling issues, and there were quite a few in this book. They wouldn't interfere with most people's enjoyment of the book, and they certainly don't get in the way of understanding the story, but it does mar the professionalism of the book.
Many books with a sequel don't feel complete at the end of the first one, but this one does. A lot of mysterious hints are dropped about secrets in Sam's past that threaten to tear apart the fragile peace that is established by the end, creating avid interest in the sequel, but the action with regard to the marriage and first battle of the Fate War is complete by the end of book one. Nicely done.
December 17, 2013
Great book! A great mix of action, kingdoms, romance, new adult, and steampunk.
I also very much appreciated the honest struggles of the main characters. Dealing with ones own past traumas, decisions, expectations, and trying to be yourself as you are trying to fit into a marriage. Also, that with all these conflicts there are often two steps forward and one step back.
Although the story was unique, it reminded me of two other series I also enjoyed Poison Study (young adult) and The Second Son (adult).
Based on the excerpt at the end of the book, I am anxious to read the next book in the series.
I also very much appreciated the honest struggles of the main characters. Dealing with ones own past traumas, decisions, expectations, and trying to be yourself as you are trying to fit into a marriage. Also, that with all these conflicts there are often two steps forward and one step back.
Although the story was unique, it reminded me of two other series I also enjoyed Poison Study (young adult) and The Second Son (adult).
Based on the excerpt at the end of the book, I am anxious to read the next book in the series.
May 13, 2013
Fantastic! I loved this book. You don't have to be a steampunk fan to enjoy this story. I think other fantasy, sci-fi, and even historical romance fans will take to it as well. There wasn't a single scene that lagged, and the characters were complex and interesting. The romance between the hero and heroine was a journey with lots of twists and turns. It was great to see how they developed as individuals and grew closer together throughout the book. And of course there was the suspense and action of battle with the Fate to keep things interesting, too. There was a sprinkling of editing issues scattered throughout the book, but they did not distract from the story line. I definitely recommend this book.
March 12, 2013
Readers of romance will recognize a classic plotline here--the forced marriage where a distressed damsel meets what at first appears to be an insensitive man. But from here Havens breaks from tradition. There's a lot more to Samantha and Cole than what first meets the eye, and there's a lot more at stake between their union. The story is light-hearted and fun but at the same time delves into some darker issues of abusive families and brain washing. The steampunk and fantasy elements just add to what is a rich world with its own history and traditions. A very enjoyable read!
April 18, 2013
E.M. Havens pens "Fate War: Alliance" in a fascinating and intriguing plot that won't let you go until your finished. Ms. Havens characters are very well developed, believable and will have you thinking about them long after you've finished the book. A great classic love story that should be on all romance fan TBR list!
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.
December 1, 2013
'Fate War: Alliance' is a well crafted story, that will keep you reading from the beginning to the end. The characters are well developed and interesting. The plot is complex enough to keep you guessing and interested. This story has just the right amount of intrigue and romance. The female lead (Samantha) is a complicated character with strength and a vulnerability that makes her believable. The male lead (Cole) is just the right amount of strength and comparison, without becoming a pushover.
February 26, 2013
This book opened my eyes to the world of steampunk. I don't know if other authors in this genre are as gifted at drawing a reader into their world, but Havens has that ability in spades. The characters are all strong and intriguing and captured my heart. It's the kind of book that made me not want to waste time sleeping. I can't wait for the sequel.
March 10, 2013
Great book! First fiction that has kept me awake past my bedtime in a long time. Romance, adventure, science fiction... three of my favorite things! Only warning is that it is pretty steamy in places, so my recommendation would be for the happily married reader. :). Can't wait to read the next one!
March 7, 2013
A must read love story for lovers everywhere. Against the steampunk backdrop of war, young Cole and Samantha defy the traditions of their nations to slowly discover each other's true self. In so doing they manage not only to save each other, but their world as well. DEFINITELY BOTH THUMBS UP!
July 5, 2013
Fate War was my first experience reading Steam Punk. I gotta say, Ms. Havens' book has made me a fan. The action and romance share center stage and I loved both. I highly recommend this book. Such a nice mixture of past and present.
August 7, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I am never sure what I will get with the free Kindle titles, but this one was GREAT! I finished it and went to amazon looking for the next one (which is unfortunately not published yet).
February 27, 2013
Unputdownable! Great romance, great mystery, great setting, great gadgets! Havens is a master storyteller. Thoroughly enjoyable. I finished it in two days straight!
March 10, 2013
One of the greatest comming of age stories I've read! And Futuristic, and steampunk, Miss Havens truly created a cast of great characters. A great read!
July 14, 2013
I enjoyed it a lot but I want a sequel or three!
August 13, 2016
Fun story! Great Steampunk read with a some romance. Very interested to see what happens next, will be keeping my eyes out for the sequel!
May 12, 2015
Such an awesome book! Loved the steampunk world, and the characters, it was a really fantastic read!
March 26, 2015
Absolutely, heart-stoppingly amazing!!
September 29, 2018
3 stars.
June 18, 2022
Only wish there had been a sequel
Wish there was a sequel to this, if there is, I could not find it. Still it was a good read.
Wish there was a sequel to this, if there is, I could not find it. Still it was a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews