Rings of Fate

Curses and Crowns, Book 1

By: Melissa de la Cruz

Narrated by: Kirsten Leigh, Alexander Cendese

SHE’S A BARMAID WHO DOESN’T BELIEVE IN FAIRY TALES. HE’S A PRINCE CURSED TO LIVE ONE.

Aren Bellamore has no interest in being anyone’s princess. She’s too busy running the Raven’s Beak tavern, fending off unwanted marriage proposals, and dreaming of escape. But when a brush with death and a dangerously handsome stranger upend her life, Aren finds herself bound to a bargain that could change everything.

Prince Dietan has carried the cursed Rings of Fate—ancient weapons of devastating power—since childhood. The magic is killing him, and the enemies are closing in. To make the journey to reverse his curse, he needs a bride to hide his secrets. Aren wants freedom. Pretending to be his fiancée should give them both what they want.

But as their perilous journey pits them against political schemes, monstrous Kilandrar, and a growing attraction neither can deny, the line between make-believe and destiny begins to blur. And the fate of two kingdoms may depend on whether a cynical barmaid and a cursed prince are willing to risk their hearts.

©2026 Melissa de la Cruz (P)2026 Recorded Books

Better than buttered biscuits!

I ate this up like a buttered biscuit straight from the oven (iykyk). Rings of Fate is an epic romantasy that had me so completely engrossed I genuinely did not realize how much time had passed while reading. Melissa De La Cruz delivers a story that is immersive without being overwhelming, striking that perfect balance where the world building is both simple and complex in all the right ways. The rules of the world feel intuitive, yet layered, making it easy to sink into while still feeling rich and intentional.

What truly stands out is how vividly De La Cruz brings her characters to life. Each one feels distinct, emotionally grounded, and purposeful, which is no small feat considering the diversity of personalities and motivations woven throughout the story. Dietan and Aren are pure perfection—hands down one of my favorite romantasy pairings in a while. Their relationship is built on sharp banter, mutual respect, and genuine connection, and I found myself smiling through nearly every interaction they shared.

When you think of romantasy novels, it’s hard not to notice how often we’re given the same archetype: the ultra-lethal, weapon-wielding, untouchable badass FMC. And while Aren is absolutely a badass, she’s not the traditional version we’ve grown used to—and that’s exactly why she shines. Her strength feels grounded, practical, and deeply human. She doesn’t rely on flashy weapons or exaggerated bravado… she uses a skillet, and honestly? That might be my favorite detail in the entire book. It’s refreshing, endearing, and perfectly encapsulates Aren’s character: resourceful, resilient, and powerful in her own way.

Rings of Fate is a standout romantasy that feels both comforting and exciting, familiar yet refreshing. With engaging world building, emotionally resonant characters, and a heroine who proves that strength doesn’t have to look the same in every story, this book is an absolute must-read for romantasy lovers. I devoured it—and I’d happily do it all over again.

Can’t stand the male narrator

The female parts and story are really good. But each time the chapter changes and it’s the male narrator…. It’s so cringe worthy. Part of the time his voice is fine but he seems to mix up voices and makes the female character very nasally/whiny sounding and that’s not her character. He has an odd quiver to his reading that I just couldn’t get over. The story lines entertaining and over I enjoyed the book.

The Male Narrator isn’t that bad

All of these reviews bashing the male narrator I just don’t get. He wasn’t the best but he wasn’t horrible. I just don’t think this was the right role or book. He fed into the YA vibes the whole book gave. Not his fault he was working with what he was given.

Good story, sometimes difficult listen

The story was well written and engaging. However the male narrator was so over the top that I often felt exhausted just listening to him. His female voices were almost insultingly bad and he often used a cadence or accent that didn’t match what he was saying. The female narrator, however, was very good and kept me listening.

No spice

Love the attitude of the barmaid, and the heart of the prince. It’s not a “fairytale” in my opinion. And I was definitely hoping for more romantic elements, but it’s only towards the end of the book🥺