Review: The Mortal Fates Prequel Novellas

The Scepter (The Mortal Fates #0.1)
By J Bree

Publication Date: February 12, 2023
Date Read: March 18, 2024
Genre: Adult – High Fantasy
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Format: E-Book
Pages: 87

From Goodreads:
The witches of my coven burned.

The Favored Children of the forest were abandoned by the magic that had protected them since time immemorial. Only my brother and I escaped the massacre. Now we’re the last two living Ravenswyrd witches in the Southern Lands.

We must leave before word of our survival reaches our attackers, but first, we have to make the treacherous trip up Augur Mountain to meet with the Seer and discover my fate.

We’ve never ventured this far from home.

Can we avoid the ravenous beasts that stalk us along the dark path?

Will I ever learn to wield my mother’s scepter and take on the mantle I was born to?

And can I trust the man who whispers secrets to me in my dreams?

* The Scepter is a MF PNR short-story prequel with material that may be difficult for some readers. It’s recommended for 18+ due to language and sexual situations. It is the prequel to a three-book series coming in 2023.

The Scepter is the first novella in The Mortal Fates series by J Bree. Prior to this I hadn’t read anything by J Bree before as she mainly writes dark, reverse harem books and RH books are just not my jam. However, when I heard that she was writing a fantasy series, I definitely wanted to give it a go. Add that to the fact that she is attending 2 book cons that I am this year, I felt like I definitely needed to read it before I went and I decided to read the two prequel novellas before diving into the first book. I’m so glad I did as I feel like The Scepter really gave me such a great insight into our main character.

The Scepter is set a good 200 years before the events of the first book in the series and it tells the backstory of Rooke as she sets off on her journey to the Seer to find out her fate. I really enjoyed this short story. It’s only about 80-90 pages so it’s a very quick read and it’s super fast paced. I loved learning about who Rooke was as a young girl and her journey with her brother following the tragic end of their coven. There’s not a lot of plot going on but I feel like it really gives you some good character development for our main character. Prior to me reading this novella I was in such a big book slump and despite this only being a novella it definitely got my out of the slump. I definitely recommend reading this before going into the first book of The Mortal Fates series.

The Sword (The Mortal Fates #0.2)
By J Bree

Publication Date: February 1, 2023
Date Read: March 19, 2024
Genre: Adult – High Fantasy
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Format: E-Book
Pages: 90

From Goodreads:
The high fae are waging a war.

After the witches murdered the king and the queen of the Unseelie Court, the Southern Lands were left without a rightful heir on the throne. The law states I cannot be crowned until I marry my Fates-blessed mate, but the Seer has been clear about what I’m to do.

Wait.

As a pretender king rules, the War of the Witches rages on, taking no prisoners as my kingdom withers away.

The high faes’ days are numbered, but the Unseelie Court refuses to accept the danger we’re in. Instead, they drink fairy wine and dance their way to our demise. I cannot sit by and watch my people lose themselves to their own delusions of grandeur.

Our enemy may wear finery and dance amongst the Unseelie Court.

Who is involved in the plots to keep me from my throne and brand me a savage beyond repair?

Will I ever find the mate the Fates have promised me?

Or will I remain the Savage Prince, a cold and ruthless sword knowing nothing but bloodshed and ruin?

*The Sword is a MF PNR short-story prequel with material that may be difficult for some readers. It’s recommended for 18+ due to language and sexual situations. It is the prequel to a three-book series coming in 2023.

Where The Scepter was our introduction to Rooke’s backstory, The Sword is our glimpse of our male main character’s backstory. Prince Soren, otherwise known as The Savage Prince has been waiting hundreds of years for his mate and he is getting impatient. He needs to meet her and marry her so he can save his people from the rule of his uncle and he cannot wait till the day arrives.

I really liked this novella and it made me really like Soren. I have read some reviews of The Crown of Oaths and Curses and how unlikeable he is in the main book so I am very glad that I read this first, as it’s really given me an insight into his wants and needs for people and his kingdom. I can’t wait to see what happens when he meets Rooke. I’m sure fireworks will fly… and I cannot wait! This was a great insight into his character, and I highly recommend reading this one before you go into the main series.