Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 08/04/2026
Published by: ACE
ISBN: 9780593954096
I had high hopes for ‘Turns of Fate,’ but even with its fascinating worldbuilding, the execution made it hard to stay invested.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Having enjoyed Anne Bishop’s The Others series a few years ago, I was excited to dive into this new series. Sadly, the use of third-person perspectives from multiple points of view made it difficult for me to connect with the characters and their journeys. It didn’t help that many characters felt flat and underdeveloped, coming across as either problematic or passive.
What really held my attention was the layered, atmospheric worldbuilding that gradually emerges through the characters’ experiences. However, the scattered focus meant the story lacked the tension and momentum needed to make it gripping. Some experiences also felt underwhelming or repetitive, which made it harder for me to stay engaged. It wasn’t until the last third, when Beth’s journey took centre stage, that I became truly invested, and I wish more of the story had focused on her.
Quotes:
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
If you haven’t read Anne Bishop’s The Others series, that’s a great place to start for a similar read. It has the same tense dynamic of humans coexisting with paranormal beings, which it uses to touch on social issues. Magic Bites by Kate Daniels is another similar read with a gritty urban fantasy setting and mystery.
Q: Who takes the crown for worst character for you?
Bonnie. I hate it when children are mistreated, so I couldn’t stand how Bonnie constantly put Beth down for being different as a child, even though she benefited from having Beth around. When Beth finally set firm boundaries, Bonnie’s attempt to ruin her life showed an outrageous sense of entitlement that made my blood boil!
Q: What do you think of llamas? Have you seen one up close?
I haven’t seen a llama in real life yet, but I’d love to! Their long necks and ears fascinate me, but I wouldn’t want to live around them as Colin does—their spitting is a dealbreaker.
Q: Would you want to be a detective, or have you ever imagined being one before?
Q: Could you handle being part of the Penwych precinct, working with the Arcana?
Q: Which characters did you find most interesting, and why?
Q: Do you sometimes make decisions based on chance, like flipping a coin?
Q: If you had the chance, would you visit the Isle of Wyrd and Destiny Park?
Q: What did you think of the worldbuilding and how the Isle of Wyrd shapes the atmosphere and tension of the story?
Q: What were your thoughts on the Arcana?
Q: Which of the incidents involving the Arcana was the most satisfying?
Q: Did you find the punishments for bad characters fitting or harsh?
Q: If you had to pick one of the transformations in the story, would you rather become a fish, bird, or dog?
Q: Have you ever made a major sacrifice for someone, like Colin Forrester did?
Q: Have you ever had to deal with bullies or a toxic relationship?
Q: What were your thoughts on the social commentary about parenting, responsibility, and entitlement?
Q: How does this world compare to Anne Bishop’s previous series?
Q: Did this book hook you enough to continue with the series?
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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