Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thrilling battles push warrior women to prove their mettle.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In CHAMPION OF FATE: HEROMAKER, BOOK 1, after 8-year-old Reed sees her whole settlement, including her parents, killed by raiders, she's saved just in time by two female riders. One of the women takes Reed across the Veil to Atropa where immortal women warriors -- Aristenes -- live between hero quests. Reed is granted permission to train and lives at a camp for years with two other hopefuls. The Aristene elders themselves come to watch Reed battle for her place with them. Once she becomes an Initiate the real trial begins. She must make a prince, the son of a king readying for war, a hero. The only problem is that her prince does not want to fight, does not want to be a hero, and certainly does not want Reed's help.
Is It Any Good?
After a slow start, get ready for thrilling battles, curious magic, and a cool Wonder Woman secret island vibe. The Aristenes, like the Amazons, are brilliant fighters living on another plain of existence until they are called to help. The warriors in Champion of Fate give all the glory to their heroes (not always men, but all men in this book) and to their goddess. Couldn't they keep a little for themselves for all their hard work and sacrifice? Perhaps the sisterhood and immortality is enough? It seems to be for Reed in the beginning, but her hero's trial keeps getting more complicated. Men always complicate things, and often lead to impossible decisions. Many readers won't like the direction Reed decides on or that this portion of the story isn't more developed, but if they've read other books by Kendare Blake -- like the series about the triplet queens forced to kill each other off -- they know she's not one for dewy-eyed plot twists. You'll have to make do with the rotting head of a prophet for company. Why it has magic and has turned a king mad, that's a mystery, but it makes the stakes in battle high and thrilling. Who knows where the duology will head next, but more exciting women-led battles are almost a guarantee.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the choices Reed makes in Champion of Fate. Do you agree with them? Would you have done something different? Are there times you feel you know exactly what you want but it doesn't work out? How does it show courage to change course and find a new path?
What do you think about the Aristenes giving all the glory to their goddess and the heroes they help? The author is a woman. Is she saying women shouldn't want glory for themselves? Or that the integrity of what they represent -- the sisterhood -- is better than their own achievement? Or something else?
What do you think is next for Reed in this duology? Will she see Gretchen again? What about the other Aristenes?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Superheroes , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Animals
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Quill Tree Books
- Publication date : September 19, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 480
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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