Book: The Fated and the Fallen by M.E. Allquist
Reviewed by Nikkisnightreads
“Tell me, Hazel. How does it feel to bring a witch hunter to his knees?”
I just finished The Fated and the Fallen by M.E. Allquist, and I’m still reeling from those final pages. There is something so satisfying about a "Witch x Witch Hunter" dynamic, but this one adds a dark, celestial layer: Slaide isn't just a hunter; he’s a Fallen Angel with a history of secrets that we are only just beginning to peel back.
Opposite him is Hazel, who is easily one of the most refreshing FMCs I’ve read lately. She is stubborn and sassy, but her real strength is her resilience. It was so nice to see a lead who wasn't automatically good at everything. She genuinely struggles with her "dance" lessons and can’t wield a blade to save her life, but she refuses to let that stop her.
A few things that made this a standout read:
The Chemistry: The spark between Hazel and Slaide is electric. Their "enemies-to-almost-lovers" tension kept me hooked, especially since Slaide is clearly holding back so much.
The Scene-Stealers: That orange cat and Phillip the horse are the absolute best side characters. They bring such a great personality to the story.
The Ending: The final pages are full of revelations. It’s a subtle cliffhanger, but it’s done in a way that leaves you deeply curious about what’s coming next rather than just frustrated.
We’ve only just scratched the surface of the secrets in this world, and I’m already impatient for more.