I somewhat resent the summary of this book. Let’s just say that it was not spoiler-free. Though to be fair, I could see the trainwreck coming from a long way off, as all the pieces fell into place. (This is not to say that Fate’s Bane is derivative. This is to say that C.L. Clark knows how to build tension and create a sense of doom. And oh, there is so much doom.)
Agnir Clan Fein is a hostage who grows up beside the children of the Clan Chief of Aradoc. She falls in love with Hadhnri, the chief’s daughter. Unfortunately for Agnir, Hadhnri’s father has other plans for his daughter and doesn’t approve of the match. (Or really, Agnir even being friends with Hadhnri. This is somewhat understandable. As a hostage, Agnir’s life is literally on the line if the peace breaks.) This leads to a increasing number of plot-driven complications that threatens to drag the clans into war. Again, the doom is approaching full speed ahead and you the reader are tied to the train tracks.
Another aspect of the story is the witch of the fens (also called the “luck-hound”), a being who was slain by a culture hero among the clans. During the course of the story it becomes clear that both Agnir and Hadhnri have the same gift as that possessed by the legendary witch of the fens. This becomes another source of conflict between Hadhnri and Agnir, and adds to the purely mundane and political conflict between Clan Fein and Clan Aradoc.
In the end, Agnir and Hadhnri try to use their magic to force a peace between their warring clans. Whether they were successful or not, is up for debate debate. This is because Fate’s Bane is in part a story about stories…and stories have regional variations. This is made clear in the ending of the novel, though some readers (Me. I’m talking about me.) may be a little frustrated because the ending is multiple choice.
The romantic aspects of the story are well written. Both heroines are fully realized characters with their own wants and motivations. I liked both Agnir and Hadhnri and they seemed to fit well together as a couple. The plot is well written with a nice build of tension. I recommend it for anyone who likes their romance sad and sapphic.
This review is based on a galley received from NetGalley.
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