Champion of Fate: Heromaker, Book 1 Kendare Blake – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Champion of Fate: Heromaker, Book 1 Kendare Blake

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2023

62%

WISE Score

4.1

Amazon

Female warriors who make heroes legendary—but at what cost? Dark, inventive fantasy that flips the script on who really wins wars.

Champion of Fate: Heromaker, Book 1 Kendare Blake

book

2023

62%

WISE Score

4.1

Amazon

Female warriors who make heroes legendary—but at what cost? Dark, inventive fantasy that flips the script on who really wins wars.

4.1

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Screenwise Verdict

Blake delivers an inventive twist on hero mythology that actually feels fresh—the idea that legendary heroes are guided by an order of magical women who do the real work is clever and timely. The world-building is solid, the pacing is tight, and the central moral dilemma (your dreams versus your heart) has real weight.

But this is dark. Not gratuitously so, but consistently. The violence isn't just flavor text—it's baked into Reed's entire world from chapter one. Common Sense Media doesn't throw around 'for mature teens' lightly, and they're right here. This isn't a book you hand to a 12-year-old who liked Percy Jackson.

For the right reader—a 15 or 16-year-old who wants meaty fantasy with strong female characters and moral complexity—this is a solid pick. It's entertaining without being fluff, and it asks real questions about what we sacrifice for belonging. Just know what you're getting into: this is Blake's dark fantasy lane, not a cozy adventure.

Age Fit

This is squarely for mature teens 15+ who are ready for dark fantasy with consistent violence and heavy emotional themes. The complexity and darkness would overwhelm younger readers, but older teens who loved Blake's Three Dark Crowns series or similar dark YA will eat this up.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The book centers on female warriors and mentorship within an order, which provides positive role models of strength and dedication. However, Common Sense Media notes it's 'dark' with young women trained in battle and 'sacrificing everything.' The world is described as 'violent from the first chapter.' The romantic subplot between Reed and her hero adds emotional complexity but also creates moral tension around duty versus personal desire. The tone is mature and intense rather than emotionally nurturing.

Imaginative

Blake creates an original mythology around the Aristene—female warriors who guide heroes to victory but remain uncredited in legends. The premise flips traditional hero narratives by centering the women behind the scenes. The world-building combines Greek mythology elements with Arthurian legend in a fresh way. Reviewers praise the 'jaw dropping' plot and 'high stakes' storytelling. The concept of Heromakers is genuinely inventive and invites readers to think differently about classic hero tales.

Safe

This is explicitly noted as dark and violent fantasy for mature teens. Common Sense Media emphasizes it's 'dark and for mature teens' with battle training and magic requiring sacrifice. The violence starts immediately ('violent from the first chapter') and is central to the story's world. While books have more latitude than visual media, the intensity and mature themes mean younger readers encountering this unexpectedly would face inappropriate content. No gore details provided, but the war/battle focus and dark tone warrant caution.

Enriching

The book tackles meaningful themes: the cost of duty versus personal desire, women's invisible labor in supporting 'great men,' sacrifice and identity, and questioning institutional authority. Reed's journey forces readers to examine what we give up for belonging and whether systems that demand everything are worth preserving. The female warrior order provides strong representation. The moral complexity—choosing between her hero and her order—offers genuine ethical weight. However, it's primarily entertaining fantasy rather than deeply instructive.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely original premise that centers the women behind legendary heroes instead of the heroes themselves
Strong female warrior culture and mentorship without being preachy about it
Tackles real moral complexity: duty versus love, institutional loyalty versus personal truth
Fast-paced with high stakes and plot twists that reviewers call 'jaw dropping'
Blake is a bestselling author who knows how to craft compelling YA fantasy

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What to Watch For

Violent from page one—battle training and warfare are central, not background elements
Dark tone throughout; Common Sense Media specifically calls this out as mature
Themes of sacrifice and 'giving up everything' can be emotionally heavy
Romance adds complexity but also creates tension around manipulation and duty

Conversation Starters

"Reed has to choose between her hero and her order—what would you do if your dream required giving up someone you cared about?"
"The Aristene guide heroes but never get credit in the legends. Do you think that's fair? Why do you think history remembers some people and not others?"
"What do you think about an organization that asks you to sacrifice everything for belonging? When is that worth it and when isn't it?"
"If you could have magic powers but it meant following strict rules forever, would you take that deal?"

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