A Bargain of Smoke and Vines

The Sundered Fates, Book 1

By: J.L. Tomlinson

Narrated by: Jensen Olaya

In the Sundered Kingdoms, we who tend the Grove do not concern ourselves with what lies beyond our borders. Our purpose is to mend and to grow, and as the firstborn daughter, I, Amara Tyne, am princess to our people.

But our lands and earthen powers have fallen under the hungry gaze of a would-be usurper, who demands we bend the knee in his quest to take control of this world. Our only hope for survival is an alliance with the fearsome Mordorin Fae, who rule the Sundered Kingdoms with an iron fist. To keep our freedom and protect the Grove, a bargain must be struck, but there is just one thing the Mordorin want… a bride fit for their wicked crown prince, Daedalus Phaedren.

To save my people from destruction, I must leave the lush green of my home and live out my days in the stronghold of Baev'kalath, serving as wife to a heartless killer. But there are secrets within these castle walls, and the rebel army marches ever closer. If I must fight, then I must place myself where I dread most. At Daed's side.

©2024 Side Eye Publishing (P)2025 Podium Audio

My Compliments to the Chef!!🤌🤌🤌

I don't write many reviews but I see theres only one person on here who commented and it doesn't do the book justice AT ALL.

To start, this book is about 3 books in one. There's separate adventures the FMC goes on but they tie together very well. first it's a gothic romance with a mystery in the middle and romantic war/uprising to finish. I enjoyed every second.

The VA does a very good job. I will say I enjoyed her more when she did female voices vs the male voices. I wasn't a huge fan of her voice for the MC but it still wasn't bad at all.

The story does get a little choppy at times and for it being such a bulky read i do feel like there's too much focus on miniscule things and not enough focus on important stuff. I also have a hard time with the FMC being so forgiving of whats done to her. That being said everyone is different and I don't expect for the characters to be exactly what I would "want." I can't wait for the next one!!!!

Good read

I really enjoyed this book but I hated the ending. I’m looking forward to the second book so I can find out what happens to our hero’s

Waste of time

Narrator- awful.
Story- had potential, but failed.
I was really hoping to enjoy this story, but it wasn't worth the read.