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J.E. Larson
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A Trial of Fate (Valdor Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by J.E. Larson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 738 ratings

Our world is dying.

Skylar Cathal is a twenty-two-year-old half-human, half-shifter with a curious mind and knack for bending the rules. Gilen Warrick, Skylar’s childhood friend and the next Alpha of the Solace pack, wants more than just her friendship– but fate has a will of its own.

When Skylar is marked as the shifter champion, she must overcome her darkest fears to leave her home and those she loves behind. Daxton Aegaeon, High Fae Prince of Silver Meadows, has sworn to protect Skylar as his ward, but only she can protect her heart.

One night can change your life... one decision can change everything.

A Trial of Fate is the first book in the Valdor Series, an epic romantic fantasy that follows a "spitfire" heroine who defies her darkest fears in order to save those she loves. This book will appeal to fans of character-driven adventurous romantasy tails such as Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, and A Ruin of Roses.

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Valdor Series
  2. Print length
    553 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    24 May 2024
  6. File size
    4.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 2 books in this series.
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  1. “You mean to tell me … that the female shifter over there managed to strike you with an iron arrow to the heart? The Silver Shadow of the Inner Kingdom was almost slain … unintentionally?” His body convulsed, doubling over in laughter.
    Highlighted by 53 Kindle readers
  2. “Anything you want or need, I will see it done. I’m here for you, Skylar. You are not alone.”
    Highlighted by 53 Kindle readers
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Product description

Review

WHAT. A. WILD. RIDE! (5/5 Stars)

From the very beginning, Larson does a wonder of world-building and imagery. The FMC is so easy to relate to, and her banter with nearly every character made me wish for my own self-confidence to be greater. Tropes: -Strong FMC -Touch her and die -Forbidden love -Fate My only complaint is that this ended on a cliffhanger, and I cannot WAIT for the next one! This is a seriously great debut series for Larson, and I can't wait to re-enter the world of Valdor.


] "I will always find you, Spitfire. We will always find each other." is the new "Feyre Darling," "Kitten," or what have you... Make room for "Dax" on your lists! Exciting beginnings!


It was a new take on fae and shifters and I loved it.

Skylar is strong, independent, and brave while also not perfect. She doesn't back down and uses her strengths to try and protect those she loves....The shock at the end makes me really want book 2 right now.


(5/5 Stars) It was absolutely magical!!

The author gives us the perfect mix of twists and turns, romance, connection & scenes that make your jaw drop. I actually caught myself holding my breath at certain times. I feel so connected to the characters & cannot wait to see how the story continues. WELL DONE!!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D2J6NHTH
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ J.E. Larson
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 24 May 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 553 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ Valdor Series
  • Best Sellers Rank: 95,102 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 738 ratings

About the author

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J.E. Larson

J.E. Larson

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"Alaska Grown," with a passion for creating my own worlds, which comes in handy when I live in a uniquely beautiful place such as my home state. I started writing in middle school with a good old-fashioned pencil and paper. Jotting down ideas of characters, adventures, and different worlds. In my thirties, with the encouragement of my husband, I began writing... and writing... until I finally created my first trilogy(yet to be released).

After the birth of our two daughters and work, I had to find the quiet 5 am mornings and the secluded nights after bedtime to finally give voice to my ideas. My greatest wish was to write my stories and to have others read and enjoy them with me.

So please enjoy what I have created.

And thank you for taking a leap of faith into my world.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
738 global ratings

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Fiona McGurk
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 October 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was definitely an interesting read. I truly loved the characters and storyline. I would love to have an imagination worthy of this story.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ioanna Papageorgiou
    4.0 out of 5 stars Loved it! 😍 Addictive, and impossible to put down.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 June 2024
    I received an Advanced Review Copy on Reedsy Discovery and what begun as a seemingly unoriginal YA Epic Fantasy Romance, promptly subverted expectations, became addictive, and impossible to put down.

    If you, like me, are into Epic Fantasy Romance and its Young Adult various renditions, you will feel right in familiar territory from the first few pages, if not words, of this story.

    A feisty, unruly, extraordinary female hero/narrator, ridiculously detailed descriptions of male handsomeness, fantastical creatures (shifters, high fae, and gifted or otherwise humans) at odds, a possible love triangle, repetitive epithets ("deadly", "deathly", "meticulous") or exclamations ("Gods!", "Gods be damned" and the f word) for emphasis, and of course an intoxicating, slow burning romance. All the tropes of the genre are here. And yet...

    J. E. Larson is an unmistakably well-versed fan of Fantasy and all its sub-genres. A fact communicated first obviously by making her endearing hero, Skylar, an ever-curious bookworm herself, seeking escape, but also knowledge and inspiration. And then in more subtle ways, via many allusions to everything from Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy) and Stephenie Meyer (Twilight), to Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games) and E.L. James (Fifty Shades of Grey, which started out as Twilight fan fiction), even J. R. R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings) and beyond.

    But as soon as you make the connection and get the reference, Larson unsettles it. And so, propels her story into twists and turns that defy expectations, all the while building a relentless, inescapable suspense that hits the ground running from the first few chapters and doesn't pause till the final, jaw dropping, cascade of events.

    Yes, the high fae can easily be mistaken, either for vampires or for Tolkienesque elves, but they are very much alive and flawed to be neither the immortal former nor the almost divine latter. The love triangle development is anything but predictable, and (spoiler alert!) can instead be read as a shrewd interrogation of toxic, manipulative masculinity versus a healthy, respectful relationship.

    The adoring descriptions of the male body, the emphatic epithets and exclamations and the few but explicit, irresistibly juicy, and imaginative sex scenes may bring to mind Fifty Shades, but only fleetingly as they are better deployed, in a more balanced and effective way, readily interpreted as the raw, honest voice/confession of the young, spirited protagonist. And although Larson's world building (complete with a hand-drawn map of Valdor) is potentially, surprisingly, as rich and deep as Tolkien's, hers has a distinctively female point of view.

    Unsurprisingly, this is only book 1 of the Valdor series. It culminates in a thrilling cliffhanger, which leaves a lot of intriguing questions, both about this world, its history, and origins, as well as Skylar, her hybrid nature, powers, and complicated romance, unresolved. And Gods be damned, book 2, A Trial of the Heart, feels too far away!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Andreia S.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love at 1st read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 September 2024
    I absolutely LOVED this book! If you don't read anything else, please just go immediately to kindle and download it. Just go, did you go? If so you can carry on reading but I cannot promise a no spoilers review.

    We follow Skylar, a half human half shifter with a strong, stubborn, fiery personality (I love her). She's living her best pack life when the High Fae arrive to take a shifter to the trials; when the Queen picks her "sister", she volunteers (that's the only hunger games vibe).
    Gilen, her childhood best friend, turned somewhat lover (3rd base) goes "insane" and tries to stop her, he wants to tame her and take her as his mate, Sky wants nothing of the sort! I quite despised Gilen I'm some scenes but I think there will be more to him and I hope they will end up friends, they always been there for each other growing up and I think it's a shame if that's wasted.

    After the drama of Sky volunteering, she is abducted by human "supervilans", the Mage tortures her for over a week, slashing and healing, slashing and healing. Until finally her pack and Dax find her..

    ..who is Dax you ask? Oh Dax, be my mate (as I'm sure you are Sky hihi), he is a High Fae prince, I love that is not one of them characters who is trying to hide what he feels, he may not verbalise word for word but it's clear that he is protecting Sky not out of duty, but out of love.

    The last bit of the book is their entrance in the High Fae realm, they are ambushed and fight for their lives, and the book ends on a bombshell.

    So we are one book in and haven't even been to the High court! But doesn't feel dragged at all, the world building is amazing without being overwhelming.
    Cannot wait for the 1st trial!
    Cannot wait for Dax and Sky to dance the horizontal mambo 🤣
    Cannot wait for Sky to shift! And need to wait 3 trials for that? I'm gonna die!

    So in conclusion..read this book and WHEN IS THE SECOND COMING?

    PS this was written in June when I 1st read it, I've know purchased the hardcover (was waiting for a special edition but just really wanted to have the hard cover physically now!), and the 2nd is coming soon 😍
    One person found this helpful
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  • DojBookDragon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story.. cant wait for the next part
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2024
    Amazing book.. gripping story.. omg I can't wait for book two !!
    Skylar, a half human, half shifter, grows up as an orphan.. he father, the Alpha was killed and her mother was unknown.. Raised by her uncle, the packs current Beta Skylar has the makings of being an outstanding healer.. probable mate to the up and coming Alpha.. until suddenly, 3 High Fae turn up asking the pack for a champion.. to save their world.. save everyone's world... could Skylars fate be different from what she'd always envisioned?

    The world building in the story is amazing.. as is the character depth and growth.. I can't wait for the rest of the series ♡

    Rating 5 stars
    Read Time 7 hours 42 minutes
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Katarina P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! can't wait for the next part
    Reviewed in Germany on 29 July 2024
    Verified Purchase
    ☆☆☆☆☆
    "A Trial of Fate" by J.E. Larson is a coptivating book about a Skylar Cathal, a half-human, half-shifter who is marked as the shifter champion to safe the fate of fae, shifters, and humans

    This book had me hooked from the start.
    The plot is filled with unexpected twists, making it hard to put down.
    Themes of destiny and choice are deeply explored, adding a philosophical layer.
    The writing is fluid and vivid, bringing the story and characters to life. It's a wonderful and visual worldbuilding with great characters.
    Skylar is one of those main characters that you fall in love with immediately!
    Daxton is also pretty dreamy. To make it short, let's just say that I'm also looking forward to learning more about these and the other characters in the next novel.
    Also the action and romance have a great balance and the ending leaves you hoping for the next book.
    Some actions in the book have a parallel to for example Katnis (hunger games).
    But the story is so unique and captivating that you only read more.

    I finished A Trail of Fate in 2 sittings and loved it. This is going to be a fantastic series! I hope she writes faster🤗🫣I need to know what happens in Valdor!

    A Trial of Fate is the first book in the Valdor Series, an epic romantic fantasy that follows a "spitfire" heroine who defies her darkest fears in order to save those she loves. This book will appeal to fans of character-driven adventurous romantasy tails such as Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, and A Ruin of Roses.
    Customer image
    Katarina P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Fantastic! can't wait for the next part

    Reviewed in Germany on 29 July 2024
    ☆☆☆☆☆
    "A Trial of Fate" by J.E. Larson is a coptivating book about a Skylar Cathal, a half-human, half-shifter who is marked as the shifter champion to safe the fate of fae, shifters, and humans

    This book had me hooked from the start.
    The plot is filled with unexpected twists, making it hard to put down.
    Themes of destiny and choice are deeply explored, adding a philosophical layer.
    The writing is fluid and vivid, bringing the story and characters to life. It's a wonderful and visual worldbuilding with great characters.
    Skylar is one of those main characters that you fall in love with immediately!
    Daxton is also pretty dreamy. To make it short, let's just say that I'm also looking forward to learning more about these and the other characters in the next novel.
    Also the action and romance have a great balance and the ending leaves you hoping for the next book.
    Some actions in the book have a parallel to for example Katnis (hunger games).
    But the story is so unique and captivating that you only read more.

    I finished A Trail of Fate in 2 sittings and loved it. This is going to be a fantastic series! I hope she writes faster🤗🫣I need to know what happens in Valdor!

    A Trial of Fate is the first book in the Valdor Series, an epic romantic fantasy that follows a "spitfire" heroine who defies her darkest fears in order to save those she loves. This book will appeal to fans of character-driven adventurous romantasy tails such as Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, and A Ruin of Roses.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Slow burn saga
    Reviewed in Australia on 13 June 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyed this first instalment. Strong character development, respectful intimacy development and detailed world building. Can't wait for the next book. A cut above the usual offerings in this genre.
    Report
  • Ray S
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great find!
    Reviewed in the United States on 2 July 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is a jewel and I loved every moment of it. I like all the characters especially the two main characters and their humor and their spark. It's all a great find! I can't wait to read more.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Solid story
    Reviewed in Australia on 20 June 2025
    Verified Purchase
    An easy read with a solid storyline, the variety of shifters was appreciated, and the complexity created by the three factions of the world adds a nice layer to the story.
    Could have done with more editing before going to print, but all in all a decent casual read and a step above many other such tales in the genre.
    Report
  • K. Wichert
    4.0 out of 5 stars Glad I gave the book a whirl.
    Reviewed in Canada on 24 March 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A trail of Fate was a surprise read. Larson created believable characters who helped create a story that was engaging. The storyline is a refreshing change from the usual Fae repertoire. I was surprised more folks have not tried this series yet. Can’t wait to see what this author produces in her next series.
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