Thorns of Fate

<p><strong>The Gilded Empire expects submission-even when it means watching someone you care about die.</strong></p><p>Elora chose compassion anyway.</p><p>The Empire does not forgive defiance.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Because of that choice...</p><p><strong>she will become something worse.</strong></p><p></p><p></p><p>At the Miros Institute Elora believed she was untouchable-trained as an alchemist protected by her mentor spared the cruelty every other student endured.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Until she isn't.</p><p></p><p>At the Institute failure isn't corrected.</p><p><strong>It's punished</strong>.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Stripped of protection Elora is delivered into the hands of Headmaster Thorn-the architect of her unmaking.</p><p></p><p>Her intellect is tested.</p><p>Her will fractured.</p><p>Her empathy turned against her.</p><p></p><p></p><p>She must learn what she was never taught:</p><p>Obedience.</p><p></p><p></p><p>But survival demands something else.</p><p></p><p>To bleed.</p><p>To endure.</p><p>To refuse the fate carved for her.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Because if she cannot remain who she was...</p><p><strong>she will become something far worse than they intended.</strong></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>This is not a story about rescue.</strong></p><p><strong>It's about erosion.</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Of identity.</strong></p><p><strong>Of trust.</strong></p><p><strong>Of the fragile belief that doing the right thing will save you.</strong></p><p></p><p></p><p>Read free with Kindle Unlimited.</p><p></p><p>1st Place - Dark Fantasy</p><p>Fall 2025 BookFest Awards</p><p></p><p><strong>Perfect for readers who loved:</strong></p><p></p><p>The brutal descent and psychological weight of The Poppy War</p><p>The institutional cruelty and survival arc of The Prison Healer</p><p>The morally gray tension of The Atlas Six</p><p>The rebellion-driven stakes of An Ember in the Ashes</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Note for readers:</strong></p><p>This series begins with a sheltered protagonist and evolves into a darker more complex story where trauma moral ambiguity and slowly developing relationships shape the journey.</p><p></p><p><strong>This novel contains graphic content including abuse trauma SA and institutional violence. Intended for mature readers (upper YA/adult).</strong></p><p><strong>Full content warnings: www.mirandahowman.com</strong></p>