The Gilded Empire expects submission-even when it means watching someone you care about die.
Elora chose compassion anyway.
The Empire does not forgive defiance.
Because of that choice...
she will become something worse.
At the Miros Institute, Elora believed she was untouchable-trained as an alchemist, protected by her mentor, spared the cruelty every other student endured.
Until she isn't.
At the Institute, failure isn't corrected.
It's punished.
Stripped of protection, Elora is delivered into the hands of Headmaster Thorn-the architect of her unmaking.
Her intellect is tested.
Her will fractured.
Her empathy turned against her.
She must learn what she was never taught:
Obedience.
But survival demands something else.
To bleed.
To endure.
To refuse the fate carved for her.
Because if she cannot remain who she was...
she will become something far worse than they intended.
This is not a story about rescue.
It's about erosion.
Of identity.
Of trust.
Of the fragile belief that doing the right thing will save you.
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1st Place - Dark Fantasy
Fall 2025 BookFest Awards
Perfect for readers who loved:
The brutal descent and psychological weight of The Poppy War
The institutional cruelty and survival arc of The Prison Healer
The morally gray tension of The Atlas Six
The rebellion-driven stakes of An Ember in the Ashes
Note for readers:
This series begins with a sheltered protagonist and evolves into a darker, more complex story, where trauma, moral ambiguity, and slowly developing relationships shape the journey.
This novel contains graphic content, including abuse, trauma, SA, and institutional violence. Intended for mature readers (upper YA/adult).
Full content warnings: www.mirandahowman.com
About the Author :
Miranda Howman has been building fantasy worlds since childhood-starting with roleplay campaigns in World of Warcraft and evolving into richly layered, emotionally driven novels. Her love of storytelling began through the characters she created in-game, some of whom became early prototypes for the cast of The Thornforged Chronicles, though they've grown darker and sharper since.When not writing, Miranda can be found designing promotional art, obsessing over alchemical lore, or walking her dog while plotting her next emotionally devastating chapter. Thorns of Fate is her debut novel.
Review :
"Author Miranda Howman writes with an intensity that gets under your skin. I was completely wrapped up in Elora's inner struggle-her refusal to break, her quiet acts of resistance, and her raw emotional journey through fear, betrayal, and defiance. The setting is both magical and monstrous, and the Miros Institute gave me major dark academia vibes with a horror twist. There's a constant tension between who Elora was and who she's being forced to become, and that question-what will you sacrifice to survive?-really stuck with me. The writing is visceral and gritty, and the characters are morally layered in ways that keep you guessing. Overall, Thorns of Fate is a gripping and uncompromising dark fantasy that will speak to readers who love stories about power, trauma, and identity forged in fire." -5 Star review from Readers' Favorite
"With haunting prose and a gripping emotional arc, Miranda Howman delivers a tale of rebellion and the harrowing cost of power in a world where even the strongest are forged through suffering. I was mesmerized by the worldbuilding. It is an impeccable, vividly drawn world of magic and the clash of forces. The conflict is clever as we witness a young heroine struggling to free herself from those who would break and use her. The storytelling is superb, and the gripping narrative voice melds with the exciting dialogue to create an enjoyable read. Thorns of Fate features vivid imagery and well-detailed elements of the setting. You have a strong sense of place, navigating the school of magic with its unique rules. As a fantasy fan, this book utterly captivated me-the intriguing characters, the atmospheric writing, and the ingenious plotting ground the story."
- 5 Star review from Readers' Favorite
