Thorns of Fate

by Miranda Howman

FBT review:

When survival is the only magic left…

Thorns of Fate is a dark fantasy indie debut set in the brutal halls of the Miros Institute, where alchemy is forged in blood and obedience. When sheltered prodigy Elora falls into the hands of the ruthless Headmaster Thorn, every lesson becomes a weapon—and every failure, a punishment. To endure, she must resist being remade into the Empire’s perfect monster.

Perfect for readers searching beyond mainstream bestseller lists, this gripping ebook delivers:

- A brutal magic academy
- Dark mentor / captor dynamic
- Slow-burn rebellion and morally gray choices
- Zero romance, all survival

Fans of The Poppy War, The Prison Healer, and The Atlas Six will find their next obsession in Thorns of Fate.

Publisher Description:

When protection shatters, all that’s left is survival.

Raised inside the Empire’s prestigious Miros Institute, Elora believed she was safe—shielded by her mentor, Tehvan, and trained to become an alchemist in service to the Crown. But when that shield breaks, Elora is thrust into the brutal hands of Headmaster Thorn, a man who’s waited years to reshape her in his image.

Her body. Her mind. Her will. Nothing is off-limits.

To survive, Elora must do more than endure—she must resist erasure. But fighting back means walking the line between who she was… and what she’s being forced to become.

Dark alchemy. Gut-wrenching obedience. A protagonist who refuses to kneel.

Thorns of Fate is a searing dark fantasy debut perfect for readers who crave brutal magic systems, morally gray choices, and a heroine forged in the fire of her own ruin.

Tropes:
Brutal magic academy
Dark mentor / captor dynamic
Slow-burn rebellion
Found strength through trauma
Dark alchemy & blood-bound magic
Survival over heroism
No romance (Book 1)

For fans of:
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

This novel contains graphic content, including abuse, trauma, and institutional violence. For a mature audience. Please review the full content warning before reading. www.mirandahowman.com/tof-content-warnings