Book: Forged in Fading by Madeline Haiston
Reviewed by Anonymous
Rating: 5/5
Firstly a big thank you to the writer Madeline Haiston (I am now a big fan), NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Forged in Fading completely won me over. It took so many tropes that I personally feel annoyed at and made me love them.
This is one of those rare books that genuinely got better with every chapter. By the end, I was close to tears, and the ending was such a beautifully earned emotional payoff.
Alvara and Boden have become one of my favourite fantasy characters. Their dynamic is built on friendship, trust and honest communication, which made every moment feel authentic. I especially appreciated that the author never relied on unnecessary misunderstandings or manufactured drama to create tension. It was such a refreshing change.
Alvara is one of the strongest FMCs I've read in a long time. She's self-aware, makes believable mistakes and grows because of them rather than repeating the same conflicts. Boden is equally memorable—kind, dependable and emotionally mature. He's the definition of a green-flag MMC. I thought the only MMC that could work for me was a certain type of morally grey MMC but Boden blew that misconception of mine out the water. I was worried in the beginning that he was going to be too good to be believable, but not once did I feel like this while reading the book.
For me the exploration of grief was one of the book's greatest strengths. It showed how differently people experience loss and how grief can both fracture relationships and bring people together. It felt honest, nuanced and deeply human (although I suppose it was also deeply elf?).
The world-building was immersive without ever becoming overwhelming, allowing the characters and their relationships to remain at the heart of the story.
My one critique may be that the side characters could have had a bit more of their own stories, but I am secretly hoping that some of the things I am left pondering about will be addressed and used in Book 2.
If you enjoy character-driven fantasy, found family, thoughtful explorations of grief, and a romance that grows naturally from friendship rather than forced drama, Forged in Fading deserves a place on your TBR.