Week 25 Review: Turns of Fate

From Goodreads:

A young detective investigating crimes of the uncanny will learn that bargains can change your fate—for good or ill—in this darkly enthralling fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Others and the Black Jewels series.

Words have power. Intentions matter.

Most people come to Destiny Park for entertainment. They come to have their cards read to tell them a bit about their future. They come to walk through a beautiful park and to eat at the hotel's restaurant. They come in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Arcana, the paranormal beings who rule the Isle of Wyrd.

But some people come to make a bargain with the Arcana—to change their fate. And some people come for dark purposes.

When Detective Beth Fahey is sent to Destiny Park to inquire about a "ghost gun," she will begin a strange journey on which she must learn to navigate the Arcana's unforgiving laws and dangerous attractions. Her search will draw her into seemingly impossible cases and the secrets of her own past as tensions rise between the Arcana and their human neighbors across the river.

For the Isle of Wyrd is a place where the dead ride trains to their final destinations, predators literally become prey, and seekers' true natures are revealed in the ripples of destiny unknowingly stirred in their wakes.

Who will live? Who will die? And who will be lost in between?

My Review:
I absolutely loved reading this book! I love Anne Bishop's writing, and I was excited to get to know this new world. There is a similar feel to the Others series, where it's a bit urban fantasy, and with powerful beings, and I really enjoyed getting the details! 

There was a lot going on in this book. The character list at the start of the book might have been a tip off, and we are in a variety of perspectives, and it was such a whirlwind! I loved watching as the separate stories started to come together! 

Beth has had a hard childhood, she was left with a family friend who is a religious fanatic, and finds her drawings disturbing, and has tried to wreck Beth's future. Beth was a pretty central part of this story, being a detective with her history, and her affinity with the population of Wyrd. 

We really got a wonderful introduction to this world and these characters. Which has me really excited to see what the future holds for this series, what mysteries it contains, and what threats. I mean, several times, people got what they deserved, what they earned from what they did, and that was really satisfying, both good and bad, and I really enjoyed it! 

This was a fantastic read and I can't wait to continue on with the series! 

Author: Anne Bishop
Series: Isle of Wyrd #1
Read: June 15th, 2025
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded fantastic, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Ace
Expected Publication: November 11th 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars