When Fate Is Cruel

A Short Story Collection

What if the villain in every tale is fate itself....

Welcome to a special short story collection from the worlds of LJ Andrews.

Part 1: The Ever Seas

Erik Bloodsinger never wanted to live in a cruel kingdom that was desperate to shape their scarred, young king into someone ruthless.

But fate is cruel sometimes.

Perhaps vengeance for his fallen father is what drives the young Ever King, but there are secrets Bloodsinger and his crew keep in the shadows to survive the cruel twists of fate in the Ever Seas.

Enjoy the backstory of a boy king forced to bear the burden of a crown too soon. This story reveals events from the death of King Thorvald up to the days after the earth and sea fae war.

See more of Bloodsinger, Gavyn, Tidecaller, Heartwalker, Sewell, and even some secret allies in the mists of the sea and the lands where songbirds sing.

Part 2: Broken Souls and Bones

Roark Ashwood rose in power behind the walls of the royal fortress of Stonegate, even as an orphan from the enemy clan. He’s formidable, ruthless, and the only remnant of his lost voice is the scar across his neck.

But what vicious twists of fate brought the Sentry of Stonegate to enemy gates? What was his life before he fell into silence and bloodlust?

Enjoy the backstory of Roark Ashwood in the months leading up to the melder raids that left him bleeding and dying at the gates of Stonegate, only to survive by the mercy of a mischievous prince.

Fall into the Realms of Stìgandr and the dark secrets of Roark Ashwood.

©2026 LJ Andrews (P)2026 LJ Andrews

Great bonus book!

A great bonus book to read while waiting for the next to come out! The voice actors did a really good job. My biggest annoyance was that for a bonus book, they decided to completely ignore the pronunciations of words and names from the other two series..

Ouch.

Wooof. These back stories huuuuurt. But they add such deep context to their respective stories.

Erik Bloodsinger + Roark Ashwood = Two Perfect Novellas

As if I couldn’t love Erik Bloodsinger and Roark Ashwood anymore, LJ Andrews aims to please and gives us what we’ve all been craving since Broken Souls & Bones… more of these two amazing MMC’s and their backstories. I had alreasy fallen in love with Erik and Liv, Roark and Lyra’s characters but seeing their lives unravel from childhood and the events that caused them to become the leading roles we all can’t get enough of was simply 🤌🏼 *chefs kiss*
When Fate is Cruel is the perfect of combination of two novellas to hold me over until the release of Heir of Twisted Lies in just a few weeks.

*these novellas follow The Ever Seas and Broken Souls and Bones series so be sure that you have read those first as these WILL contain spoilers.

What the heck?

Disjointed. Didn’t really understand why the stories were together. Like two separate stories (one a complete retelling with very little new info and a new story that doesn’t compliment at all. It seems like notes put together so we will buy it. Do not recommend.