A Promise So Bold and Broken

Compelling Fates Saga, Book 2

De: Sophia St. Germain

Narrado por: Abigail Reno, Anthony Palmini

After saving her rebel friends on the final day of the election, Elessia is on the run.

But the danger is far from over.

As she fights her guilt for betraying Loche, the man she foolishly believed could mend her broken soul, and wrestles with the unexpected emotions stirring within her for Merrick, her fiercely loyal guard, Elessia learns of the rebels' true plans—plans that threaten every loved one she's left behind.

But it's the even greater peril looming on the horizon—the one that could shatter the very foundations of their world—that forces her to decide whether she is willing to embrace her birthright to the Rantzier name and, with the help of Merrick and his band of unwilling warriors, lead the journey to unite the warring factions of Havlands before it's too late…

Or before the Fae king and human regent find her.

Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.

©2025 Sophia St. Germain (P)2025 Podium Audio

Don’t be misled.

I’m obsessed with this series. It’s absolutely phenomenal. BUT the male voices are done by the female narrator. Anthony Palmini isn’t used until the voice of Merrick in last chapter. I’m quite disappointed. I wish they would stop doing this in audiobooks. If you have a male narrator, why not use them for all male voices? It makes no sense.

Good

I liked the beginning of the book. I would have liked a stronger drama for the expected revelation of the love story plot between Merrick and Elessia, as well as for Elessia's family story. The plan hatched against the king was also not convincing, I would have liked a different implementation than a bluff.

But I believe the next part of the series will again grab me with action and politics, maybe we'll see gods there too....

Good balance

Loved the balance between plot and romance! Great story. Can’t wait to read the next one!

Anthony Palmini is only in the last 5 minutes of the book

Even though book one had pretty bad reviews, I read the books because I saw a book 2 had Anthony Palmini as the male narrator. The entire book was read by the female narrator and Anthony Palmini was only in the last five minutes of the book that is such a bait and switch tactic. Very disappointed books were just OK.

Boring and cheesy

I didn’t like the first book but I thought it would maybe get better in the second book. It didn’t….

Misleading

So I loved the first book and immediately went to pre-order this one after I finished it. I was super excited to see Anthony Palmini listed as a narrator.

He is only used for the last chapter so like the last few minutes of the audiobook. I loved this book. I don’t really have an issue with female narrators doing male parts. I do think having him listed set an expectation that he is going to be taking the male parts or at least Merrick’s dialogue though.

My point is simply that I would have purchased this book either way. I enjoyed this book either way, but why have him at all if you’re not going to utilize him. For people who are excited or maybe purchasing this book because of him it kind of was a misrepresentation of what this was.

Filler

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

This one felt like a filler book. Very little world-building, mostly romance fluff. The romance was sweet, but it didn’t add much to the overall story.

Biggest disappointment was the narration—Anthony Palmini doesn’t come in until the last chapter, and I really don’t enjoy when the female narrator does all the male voices. It was misleading after book one.

One funny highlight: the drunk dancing/petting scene made me chuckle. But overall, I saw the “ending” coming since the first book.

Book one was a solid 4.5⭐️ for me, but this one is only 3⭐️. Still intrigued enough to continue with book three.

Ok, again.

While better than book 1, this story just doesn’t quite “get there”. I can’t count how many times the FMC “stepped back into a hard chest”. So repetitive. Premise is good but there’s just too much back and forth. She’s in prison, out of prison, in prison, out again, then back in… just frustrating.

Romantic Storyline

Not enough world building. Don’t understand why such powerful faye would back her and then let her be in charge of the plans when they’re All honed warriors. Doesn’t add up