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Fateless #1

Fateless

Not yet published
Expected 15 Jul 25
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Deep in the forgotten city of the Deathless Kings, an ancient relic of untold power waits—for one bold enough to steal it.

When seventeen-year-old Sparrow joined the Thieves Guild she made a vow of binding loyalty to their cause. So when a mission comes along from The Circle, a group of mysterious, dangerous beings who control the Thieves Guild from the shadows, Sparrow is determined to cement her place in the guild.

What ensues is a death-defying adventure that has Sparrow and her band of thieves venturing into the heart of the forgotten city of the Deathless King. The fate of Sparrow, her companions, and Raithe, the enigmatic yet alluring assassin Sparrow is forced to join forces with during their quest, all hang in the balance as they find themselves battling ancient forces within the tombs and facing the unwavering hold of fate.

Perfect for fans of Alexandra Bracken and Sabaa Tahir, this new fantasy trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Julie Kagawa will sweep readers into a bold and exciting new world, where a twisted game of destiny has far-reaching consequences.

384 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 15, 2025

About the author

Julie Kagawa

82 books25.4k followers

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5 stars
10 (29%)
4 stars
19 (55%)
3 stars
3 (8%)
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2 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Shannon K G.
102 reviews5 followers
November 19, 2024
I received a copy through harpercollins/netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story was spectacular. It took no time to take off and kept an intense pace to the end.

The world building is so descriptive and well done. You can see it, smell it (though not always a pleasant thought), and feel it.

If you're looking for:

Betrayals
An unlikely bond of friendships
Intense pace
Thieves and assassins
Mythical beasts
A chance to defy fate and prophecies

Then this is a read for you.
Profile Image for christi.
38 reviews
November 26, 2024
This book was underwhelming, although I appreciated the nod to Assassin’s Creed throughout. I personally didn’t feel any connection to the FMC and felt that the storyline just generally fell flat. It was fast paced but almost too much (a lot of action but simultaneous I felt like not much happened).

I like the overall concept of the book (reminds me a little of Divergent) but I’m not sure what to expect in the remaining books. Unfortunately, for me, this book was just okay.
Profile Image for Allie Lueck.
134 reviews22 followers
December 7, 2024
thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Very well thought out plot line with great world building. I felt immersed in the world the entire time, and I loved the cast of characters. The ending felt a little abrupt, but it also made me excited for the prospect of a second book. Overall, it had all the qualities I love about a YA fantasy with a very creative plot.
Profile Image for MoonlightCupOfCocoa.
71 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2025
(Actual Rating: 4.5/5 stars)

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC. As always all opinions are my own.

This was my first Julie Kagawa book and I am hooked!

As a huge fan of the Assassin's Creed series from the very first game (how in the world is the series 18 years old!?), when I read the author notes I got both excited and a tiny bit scared. I had seen some books being compared to the AC series before but ultimately failing to deliver. But I am glad to report back that, yes, Fateless more than delivers.

The series explores a rich, immersive, albeit harsh fantastical universe that lives in the shadows of the now dead Deathless Kings. We follow Sparrow, a young thief who'd spent her entire life working for and living with the Thieves guild. Her fate seems sealed until she receives a curious mission from the Circle, the mysterious group of individuals that seems to control the Thieves Guild from the shadows. And that's when all hell breaks loose.

I really enjoyed the world-building here. The attention to detail was evident, from the varying cultural and religious interpretations of "Fate' to the weather and impact of the harsh changing ecosystem and environments as a consequence of the death of said Deathless Kings. The writing is very atmospheric that I could practically see, feel and even smell, what the characters are being exposed to. Which wasn't always pleasant for the poor souls, let me tell you.

The characters are fun. I appreciate that the FMC actually showed vulnerability. In fact, her character development was done so well, I cheered for her aloud while reading towards the end. "FINALLY YOU GET IT!" In a very good way, haha. Her growth made sense and was handled very carefully and tastefully, in my opinion.

There are some spots where I felt the pacing was a bit slower, but this was usually followed with epic fast-paced action-packed scenes right after that they didn't really make me lost interest or anything. Especially that those scenes were important for character growth across the board.

Overall, I am very excited to read the sequel and I know I'll be recommending this to so many people in my life.
Profile Image for Jen.
1,417 reviews18 followers
November 28, 2024
When a thief is given a mission to steal an ancient relic, she unknowingly sets into motion fateful events that impact the survival of the world in Julie Kagawa’s Fateless.

To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.

As a member of the Thieves Guild, Sparrow has known only a life loyal to their cause and the Guildmaster, Vahn who raised her, as well as the uncanny luck she seems to have in acquiring goods and escaping the notice of guards that has contributed to her steady rise within the Guild. Given a secretive mission from The Circle, the mysterious group in control of the Guild, Sparrow is determined to prove her worth and place; with the stakes high, meaning life or death for her and Vahn, and the seemingly impossible task they’ve set for her, Sparrow feels as if she cannot fail. Pursued by an assassin, Raithe, whom Sparrow finds equal parts enigmatically frustrating, dangerous, and alluring, whose purpose it is to prevent the return of the Deathless King, she soon finds herself aligned with him after a rapid succession of betrayals from those she’s known her whole life. On a quest to prevent the utter destruction of the entire world, Sparrow and Raithe are joined by a charming Fatechaser, Halek, and a Scarab Clan warrior, Kysa, as they journey toward Raithe’s home to meet with his queen to learn the complete details of the disturbing and disastrous fate they’re trying to avert.

The world is imaginative and depicted well, with the searing heat from the two suns and resulting parching dryness that the characters and their surroundings experience translating easily and vividly from the page, as well as a thoroughly thought-out and presented belief system of Fate and history surrounding the Deathless Kings and the First Kingdom that further shapes the world and how it functions. The premise and dynamic regarding Fate and the Fateless is intriguing, and having that paired with magic and dreams interacting offers an eerie, otherworldly opportunity of emotional exploration between bouts of traveling and battle-laden action. With trust not a natural inclination for Sparrow given how she was raised and the nature of her profession, and an even more tenuous proposition given the series of betrayals she experienced in rapid succession, she exhibits a stuttering and believable growth by gradually placing her confidence and trust in her small group of unlikely companions of Raithe, Halek, and Kysa, demonstrating the strength and depth of her character and her ability to adapt, even if the betrayals and those she now calls allies were predictable turns of events to progress the narrative forward toward what awaits in the next installment.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Erica Jackson.
Author 2 books3 followers
December 24, 2024
I was very happy receiving an ARC of this book. The setting and world building immediately draw you in. The mixture of middle eastern and fantasy are balanced nicely. I can't imagine living somewhere with 2 suns that get so deathly hot when they're at their peak that it's known as Demon Hour.

While the FMC has moments where she's fearless and confident, the story takes a wild turn as her world is rocked by a murderous cult and their godlike ruler, leaving her doubting who she is and what she is actually capable of. My favorite character has to be her love interest and MMC Raithe. He's an honorable assassin who falls for Sparrow as she is, and believes deeply in who she can become. I'm really looking forward to see what else there is to his backstory in the books to come. I suspect things in his homeland are not as they appear. I also really appreciated that the author didn't turn Sparrow's relationship with Halek into a love triangle with Raithe. Her having a close friendship with him is refreshing in a young adult novel.

Overall, the suspense, relationships and their complications, and the plot were intriguing and leave you wanting to read more. One of my biggest complaints was the fluff at the beginning of the story. For some reason there were moments where things would be drawn out, where the author would essentially say the same exact thing but in a slightly different way. It broke the immersion instantly, but thankfully it stops before the quarter-way mark. Not sure if that was just because I had an early copy before the final edits, but that's one of the main reasons it didn't get 5 stars from me. Still highly recommend this book. A satisfyingly quick read that keeps you wanting to unravel the mysteries of the world and root for the main heroine and her determined friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jenny.
388 reviews427 followers
December 13, 2024
I absolutely loved getting swept into this story! Sparrow’s world, filled with thieves, assassins, and a fascinating magic system tied to Fate, was everything I needed for a good escape. The forgotten city of the Deathless King is so vividly described that I could almost feel the danger lurking around every corner. The tension was constant, and I was hooked as Sparrow and her team faced challenges that tested not only their skills but also their loyalty and courage.

Sparrow herself is such a great character—brave, resourceful, and easy to root for. I really enjoyed the dynamics between her and Raithe, the mysterious assassin she’s forced to work with. Their partnership is intriguing, and I can’t wait to see how it develops in future books. The supporting cast was just as memorable: Kysa is fierce and fearless, and Halek’s humor had me laughing at just the right moments.

The story is action-packed and so easy to get lost in, but what really stood out to me was the world-building. Julie Kagawa has a way of creating places that feel alive, and the way she weaves in the concept of Fate and the Fateless is fascinating. It feels like there’s so much more to uncover, and I’m already looking forward to what’s next in the series.

While the book ends with some questions unanswered, it’s a strong start to what I know will be an amazing adventure. If you love heists, action, and a dash of magic, Fateless is definitely worth reading. It gave me everything I love about Julie Kagawa’s writing��a rich world, compelling characters, and a story that’s hard to put down.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Chii ✨.
72 reviews
December 8, 2024
The Prince of Persia x Assassin's Creed.

Sparrow’s life is meant for the Guildmaster, Vahn, who raised her. She’s then given a secretive mission by what they call The Circle, which would do two things: Prove her worth but also the meaning of life or death for her caretaker, Vahn. Amongst this mission, Sparrow is pursued by Raithe who’s purpose is to prevent the return of whom they call the Deathless King. Sparrow is faced is betrayals from those she’s known her entire life and soon finds herself on a quest to prevent the destruction of the world.

The world–
Definitely gives you hot, scorching desert settings given there are two suns. There is a system of Fate thats held within the world and then there’s dynamics between the Fate and the Fateless which is intriguing. I did want more out of the magic and maybe more depth about the dreams interacting; but there is a mystical air to it that I sort of want to see flourish from the other books that are planned for this series.

Characters—
The characters will be the highlight I would say. Sparrow is thief, Raithe is an assassin, and then you meet a Fatechaser, Halek and a Scarab Clan warrior named Kysa. They each had something I liked about them which I think is worth reading about.

It was a nice, shorter read for me. Less than 300 pages. Solid YA Fantasy. Kagawa gives multiple nods to fans of Assassin’s Creed throughout Fateless. Perfect for those who like guilds, betrayals, thieves & assassins, mythical beasts and defying fate.

Solid 4/5

Thank you Netgalley & HarperCollins for an opportunity to read the ARC for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bethany.
128 reviews13 followers
January 24, 2025
I was a freshman in high school when I started reading Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey and then followed up with her Immortal Rules series and LOVED them both. While adult me is struggling where to rate this, I think freshman me would love it.

Kagawa has created a scorched sand desert land full of ancient lore that is being brought literally to the surface by our main thief Sparrow. As a Tom Raider and Assassin's Creed girly, I loved the ancient cities and tomb diving that we get in the first part of the book. Hidden places and ancient artifacts are always my jam and so I loved that. There are also so many cool and strange creatures that exist, mainly insect style, many are creepy and like to eat humans.

After the first section where we meet a few characters that stay with us, the pacing(though action is regularly happening) starts to feel off. I would catch myself skimming to get to the next piece that would catch my interest. It also felt like an exposition dump in some places, which felt unnecessary especially when it came to the characters.
Speaking of the characters, I could not unsee the resemblance between her Iron Fey characters and this new series. Raithe reminded me of Ash and Halek reminded me of Puck. While it doesn't seem to be love triangle-y which is great, it still did feel a bit like insta-like/love.

Overall, 3.5 stars to satisfy my teenage and adult self.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for this new release in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Maryam ❥ tomesandtravels.
53 reviews49 followers
January 25, 2025
Fateless is the kind of story that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. It’s intense, fast-paced, and full of tension, with twists that keep you second-guessing every character and every choice. Sparrow’s journey is one of survival, trust, and defiance, and I couldn’t help but root for her every step of the way. She’s resourceful and sharp, but what stood out to me was her emotional depth—her struggles feel raw and relatable in a world that’s harsh and unforgiving.

The world-building is vivid and immersive. The heat of the twin suns, the mysterious ruins of the Deathless King, and the ever-present grip of Fate create a backdrop that feels alive and dangerous. The lore surrounding Fate and the Fateless is intriguing without being overexplained, leaving just enough mystery to keep me wanting more.

The character dynamics truly shine. Sparrow’s reluctant alliances and tension-filled relationships are layered and compelling without ever feeling forced. Each character brings something unique to the story, balancing action, humor, and emotional stakes.

What I loved most about this book is how it explores choice and destiny without losing its sense of adventure. It’s a thrilling, tightly written story with a lot of heart. While it’s packed with action, it also leaves you with plenty to think about. If you’re a fan of high-stakes fantasy with rich world-building and complex characters, this one’s worth picking up.
Profile Image for Annabelle.
361 reviews2 followers
November 15, 2024
Getting swept up into a desert city of thieves and assassins full of action and adventure in a fantastical world with a character that does not yet know of her magical power sounded like just the escape I was looking for. The world building is amazing and felt very much like an immersive video gaming experience (I only read the author's note afterward and realized that gaming was an inspiration to this story). Fateless is seventeen-year-old Sparrow's story and the adventure she didn't sign up for. The story is told in first-person from Sparrow's pov in an easy to read and follow narration. From working for the thieves' guild to running from the big bad that she inadvertently helped unleash, Sparrow's story takes some interesting twists and turns. The tale is packed with action, the character's she meets along the way are captivating, and the plot is engrossing. This read was just the break from reality that I needed and I can't wait for the next part of the story. This book is a great fit for anyone who enjoys heist stories, full of action and adventure.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, HarperCollins Children's Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
133 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2025
It’s been a while since I’ve read anything by Julie Kagawa, so it was nice to revisit her writing style! I last read The Iron Fey series when it first came out, and recall really liking that series.

I find with fantasy books, especially, there is a lot of world building needed along with building the character’s personality within this fantasy world. Julie is someone who does well with this in all of her books. The world is well developed and vivid, and I could easily picture it as I read.

Our MC, Sparrow, is part of a guild of thieves and survives doing just that, getting the goods without detection. Even with this, Sparrow feels she needs to prove herself and takes on a challenging and risky job with Vahn. Ultimately, Sparrow is betrayed and ends up working in conjunction with Raithe, in an unexpected twist of events. Given betrayal and how difficult it is for Sparrow to trust people, given her upbringing, should she trust Raithe and help prevent the end of the world?

While it was predictable at times, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and am hopeful for a second book.

*Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the review copy in exchange for my honest review. My review contains my honest thoughts.




Profile Image for Vanessa.
577 reviews23 followers
December 31, 2024
One of my 2025 reading goals should be to read more books by this author. Her fantasy series are exciting and adventurous. She does an excellent job of incorporating cultural elements into her stories. This one did not have a Japanese feel to it, which I found unusual, but I bet if I looked into it further, she likely chose a different culture to focus on, one I am less familiar with. If she fabricated all of the elements in this story, she's getting extra points for being an imaginative genius. She does use the fairly well-known concept of the fates and weavers that exists across multiple cultures, so it didn't all come out of thin air (or her brain). This isn't a spoiler, but the way this ended had me on the edge of my seat and ready to continue onto the next book (which hasn't been published yet, obviously, since this one hasn't been published yet either).

I would recommend this for anyone that enjoys fantasy, world building, adventure and a side of romance.

I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Katie.
11 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2025
Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC.

Fateless I give this book 4 stars! There's a little enemies to hopefully lovers plot, crazy creatures, and magic...

I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the series to continue. The beginning was a little slow which is why I gave the book 4 starts , but once you get to the middle it starts to get really good. The MFC grows on you as shes starts to find herself in this book, but the friends she makes along the way make the book so much better. Team Halek all the way. I love that the book has great supporting characters that add so much to the story. I think this will be a really great series and fellow fantasy readers like myself will really enjoy this book!
Profile Image for Liz.
99 reviews4 followers
November 20, 2024
4.5 ⭐️

Julie Kagawa gets it every time!! I loved the storyline and the world building, it was so unique and captivating. I feel like the plot is just starting, so I’m excited to see where the rest of the series goes. The Prince of Persia/Assassin’s Creed/Dune vibes were literal perfection, I enjoyed reading every minute of this book.

I also loved the variety of characters! Sparrow was incredibly brave, Raithe is still mysterious, Kysa is a freaking badass, and Halek just cracks me up! I can’t wait to see what comes next in their journey!

Thank you so much for the ARC!
January 4, 2025
The story follows Sparrow, an accomplished thief sent on a mission that only she can complete and one that will change her life and the lives of everyone in the kingdom forever.

I have to say, the world building in this book is fantastic. It’s fast paced right from the beginning and doesn’t slow down at all. It was an overall enjoyable experience and I liked that it payed homage to assassin’s creed.

My only gripe is that it got somewhat repetitive at times, but that’s it!
Profile Image for Jennifer S.
82 reviews
December 25, 2024
This book had a few good interesting moments but then if fell a bit flat. The ending does not make me curious to pick up a sequel. I am not sure if the author did that not knowing if a sequel would be written. This book felt slow and dragged on. I tried to finish chapters of it and would skip some of the details of the fighting with the scrabs for I lost interest completely.
Profile Image for Debbie Delano.
54 reviews
December 10, 2024
Most books, as of late, haven't picked up for me until about 50% through. I was only about 6 or 7 chapters in before I could barely put it down. I fell in love with the heartwrenching story of loss, betrayal, and finally friendship. I look forward to the continuation.
22 reviews
January 12, 2025
A hint of TOG with more destruction, deathless, and mystical creatures.

I’ve read some of this author’s other series before and while I immensely enjoyed them, I feel like this one is going to be even better. I’ll be sitting on pins and needles waiting to read the next book in the series!
11 reviews
January 7, 2025
As a fan of Assassins Creed style video games, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would absolutely read a sequel.
Profile Image for Kamilah Cole.
Author 5 books659 followers
January 16, 2025
I can't remember the last time I read a book this quickly. Love, love, love!
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