3.9 (65 ratings)

A Kiss of Hammer and Flame: The must-read, sizzling romantasy debut for fans of Throne of Glass (Fated for Hael)

Name: A Kiss of Hammer and Flame: The must-read, sizzling romantasy debut for fans of Throne of Glass (Fated for Hael)
Rating: 3.9 (65 reviews)
Author: Amy de la Force
ISBN: B0FBWB6MTH

by Amy de la Force

witches

About this book

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PRAISE FOR A Kiss of Hammer and Flame

'An epic start to what promises to be an incandescent trilogy.' – Shalini Abeysekara, 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of This Monster of Mine

'Everything I love in romantasy and more!' – Maria Z. Medina, author of Mistress of Bones

'Filled with action, adventure, and political intrigue' – Charlotte Ingham, author of A Match Made in Hell

'It's the perfect read for fans of Sarah J. Maas' books.' The Express

'Brilliant world-building, high emotional stakes, and a heroine you'll root for with your whole heart.' – The Debut Digest

An immortal bound in darkness. A shattered empire at war. And a blacksmith whose heart could tip the scales of fate.

When young blacksmith Cahra is commissioned to forge a sword, she uses her imagination to design its crest. But this symbol unwittingly invokes an age-old prophecy and awakens Hael an immortal with the power to shape or shatter worlds sealed away for hundreds of years in a chamber deep in Hael'stromia, the lost capital at the heart of a civil war between three kingdoms.

Now hunted for the sword, Cahra must flee with the very stranger who commissioned it. But can she trust the handsome and charming noble, Terryl?

On the run through the darkly magical Wilds, she is drawn ever closer to Hael, who visits and beguiles her in dreams. With tyrant kings vying to capture and wield him as a weapon, she alone stands between Hael and their deadly ambitions.

A sizzling, action-packed romantasy, perfect for fans of The North Wind, Throne of Glass and The Book of Azrael.

Tropes: (Physically) strong female lead Love triangle Slow burn Forbidden love Hades x Persephone Who hurt you? Fated mates Age gap (just a couple hundred years...) Found family

What readers are saying:

'I couldn't put it down'

'Spellbinding'

'Alive with magic and danger'

'Nothing short of spectacular'

'A breathtaking adventure'

'This feels like it is going to be the next best romantasy series'

'Cahra's transformation from a blacksmith into a reluctant hero gripped me'

'I started it late last night. Never did I anticipate I would be staying up until 1am to finish it. So darn good!'

'Cahra is not your usual FMC she isn't dainty, she isn't tiny and she doesn't need saving. She is capable and tough It was an absolute joy to read her story'

'This was such a great book I loved the strong female lead'

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: B0FBWB6MTH

Reader Reviews

FMC Blacksmith? Yes Please!

February 16, 2026

“For when the the Seers reappear, When the Key has been bestowed, When the mark walks the path to enter the Nether in life, Then shall Hael rise again” A Kiss if Hammer and Flame was such a fun read. This is a high stakes fantasy that is very much focused on the plot with a slow-burn romance. Cahra is a strong female lead that does not hesitate to do what is right and stand up for those in need. She is bound by an ancient prophecy that leads her on a journey to find out who she really is and to...

Great Start to a New Series

February 24, 2026

A Kiss of Hammer and Flame was a great start to a new series. The story drew me in from the start, and I was invested in what would happen next. Cahra grew up on the streets until she was arrested, when the kingdom's blacksmith rescued her and taught her the craft. She has become well-known and is commissioned by a Lord to make him a sword. She is allowed to make the sword however she wants; unfortunately, what she creates sets off a whole adventure because it triggers an age-old prophecy. She...

Great world building

December 12, 2025

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Cahra, a low-born blacksmith, is thrust into a prophecy that uproots everything she knows and takes her across several realms and kingdoms. I really appreciated the strong female lead, the slow burn romance, and the vivid world building. Terryl (aka Thierre) was a standout for me. I loved his attitude and how he treated everyone around him. I also enjoyed Hael's character. He was scary but caring at the same time. On the flip side, I struggled with Cahra’s constant self-doubt and...

Four Strikes and I'm Out

April 24, 2026

Updated review 4/24/2026: This magically reappeared on my NetGalley reading app, so I decided to reread it - the whole thing this time - so I could fulfill my obligation to review the entire book. Unfortunately, I kind of wish I had left well enough alone, because the last 23% did not work for me. At all. I'm still #teamhael (who wouldn't be?), but this book ultimately had four big strikes against it: 1) Instalove (x2) (and not nearly enough organic romantic development to feel believable in...

Fiery and Stubborn = Lethal!

December 21, 2025

A blacksmith FMC? Sign me up!!! I really liked that Cahra was a take no bull kind of girl! This was a typical romantasy where a young girl has a destiny thrust onto her and she has to rise to the challenge; that being said I still really enjoyed this book. I liked that the world building was sprinkled in throughout the entire book instead of front loading it! I really enjoyed the banter between the characters as well! At the mention of fangs I was totally and completely enthralled and knew who...