Forged by Magic by Jenna Wolfhart is a book that’s cozy, intense, and a testimony to everything good about romantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed taking a trip to Hearthaven. In fact, I loved the mystical island so much that I imagined myself living there among the variety of charming villagers. Forged by Magic offered a lush world with stakes that were very real, but definitely a break from the epic fantasies that can sometimes leave you with an overly racing heart. Daella and Rivelin were characters that were comforting and reflective, and if you’re looking for a read that will make you believe in love again, look no further! Let’s dive into this spoiler-free review.
Forged by Magic — A Premise to Die For
Daella is an orc that has no reason to believe that love will find her. Controlled by the ice giant emperor who can put her to death at any moment, she has to complete dangerous quests for him. This includes hunting down the Draugr, a people who have made pacts with dragons.
Rivelin, on the other hand, is a handsome yet grumpy elf who lives on the island of Hearthaven. Rivelin is a talented blacksmith, and he loves every inhabitant of the island—in fact, he’s sworn to be the island’s protector. But, he’s hiding a secret about his home… one that is guarded by the villagers.
Daella washes up on the shore of Hearthaven after a dangerous run-in with a storm. Meeting Rivelin immediately, she sees the grumpy side—they definitely get off on the wrong foot, with threats and an immediate desire to strangle each other.
At the same time, Daella wants to uncover the mystery of the island. Rivelin offers her shelter—for a price. Turns out, it’s harder than expected to keep your enemies close. Especially when wanting to fight at any given moment.
And for the price of freedom, Daella might just betray what becomes a desire of her heart.
Forged by Magic — A Romantic Escape
First of all, I love the characters—the two main ones especially, which I guess is the point of a dual-POV book. But, it rarely happens that I fall in love with the two main characters equally. They are written well, and their motivations make so much sense. More than anything, their desire for love—which they thought they snuffed out long ago—comes alive in the presence of an unexpecting rival. The desire is clear, but so is the hatred that threatens to rise. After all, Rivelin and Daella want very different things. Rivelin wants protection for the island, while Daella values her freedom above all else.
Let’s start with Daella. She is a strong person with the instinct of a killer. At the same time, a reader might identify with her. She knows what it’s like to be in captivity, to be locked up without any hope for true freedom. My heart hurt so much for Daella, and I unceasingly wished that she could be like the free-spirited inhabitants at Hearthaven.
And Rivelin. He is such a handsome guy from the get-go! But he isn’t a character without flaws. In fact, his distrust of Daella, along with his biases, made me a bit wary of him. However… Daella does emphasize how immensely attractive and caring he is.
The author definitely knows how to ramp up a romance. I am all for a good enemies to lovers. But sometimes, the enemies part doesn’t make sense completely—or it’s ridden away too easily. In Forged by Magic, it very much makes sense why Daella and Rivelin would despise each other. The author navigates this change from enemies to lovers beautifully, with scenes that change the hearts of both the reader and the two main characters.
Hearthaven is a beautiful escape as I mentioned. It makes me think about what’s possible for society, a place free of violence where people can pursue their passions and open up little shops without fear of being stolen from. Even though the picturesque place holds a secret, I found myself like Daella most of the time—wishing I could stay on the island forever.
What Makes the Book Iconic. And Should You Read It?
Daella and Rivelin are the main selling points, of course. But Forged by Magic might be attractive to people who love a good game of tricks and magic. Without giving too much away, Daella and Rivelin have to put aside their differences and work together. This leads to them wanting to throttle each other. But… their teamwork might just be the key to eventually risking their hearts.
Daella and Rivelin are reluctant. But you’ll see why they eventually fall. Well, there is the physical attraction that leaps off the page, but there are vulnerabilities and insecurities and desires that every reader can relate to—no need to be an elf or an orc!
I couldn’t stop reading to find out when the two characters would admit their true feelings. I will warn you that there is a hint of spice, so please keep an eye out for a few scenes if you’d like to skip them.
But—unlikely couples are my joy of being a reader. Sure, I don’t know what it’s like to be an orc or elf. At the same time, I know what it’s like to be locked away in different ways, to long for freedom. And like Rivelin, I know what it’s like to give up on love, to think that you’ll never find the person you’re meant for.
I recommend Forged by Magic for the reader wanting to escape to a cozier love story with still a spark of danger and adventure. This novel is perfect if you’re recovering from a heavier read, or if you just want an intro to romantasy—perhaps something lighter with not a ton of emphasis on world and magic systems.
Visit me on my blog again next week! Will you check out Forged by Magic? If you’ve read it, let me know what you think! Continue being a reader who never stops seeing the magic in words!