Blades of Fate
by Morrigan Crowe
Released: Jan 27, 2026
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Why this book and why now?
I started writing Blades of Fate in 2018 while studying Ancient Near Eastern mythology. I’ve always been fascinated by ancient history and the stories of the gods and legends that shaped early civilizations. This series grew out of that fascination—blending mythology, adventure, and a sapphic love story at its heart.
At its heart, Blades of Fate is the story of two women who find each other across lifetimes—choosing each other despite curses, war, and the shifting fate of the gods.
As for why it’s being published now, the answer is mostly life. I was working full time and studying while writing the series, so progress was steady but slow. I completed Book One in early 2025, but I wanted to have Book Two well underway before releasing the first.
Book Two, Claiming the Goddess Within, is already close to completion, and I’m hoping to release it later this month.
The journey has just begun.
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
One of the biggest surprises is that Blades of Fate was never originally meant to be a time travel story. When I first began writing, I imagined it as a more straightforward fantasy set in the modern world. But within the first few chapters, the story began to evolve. Moving between timelines allowed those ancient places and myths to come alive.
Another surprise was that I originally thought the story would be a standalone novel. But once I finished the first draft, I had such a “book hangover” that I couldn’t leave the characters behind. The world kept expanding in my mind, and inspiration for Book Two and Book Three quickly followed.
Would you and your main character(s) get along?
That’s a tough question. My characters come from a world of gods, magic, and ancient wars, so they might think my ordinary life pales in comparison to their world of epic stakes.
Do your character names have special significance or meaning?
Many of the names in the story come from ancient mythology and historical sources from the Near East, which helped ground the fantasy world in real history.
It might also have a little to do with my wife’s name, Nat—you can draw your own conclusions.
Did any real-life events or personal experiences influence the story?
Part of the inspiration for the relationship between Anat and Alison actually comes from my own love story—just with fewer immortal enemies, fewer divine curses, and a lot less collateral damage.
How does it feel to finally share this book with readers?
Amazing, terrifying, and a little unbelievable all at once. But more than anything, it’s about finally sharing the characters and story I’ve spent years creating with readers.
Stories like this would have meant a lot to me growing up, and I wanted to contribute something to a space that still needs more representation—stories where the central romance is unapologetically lesbian and proudly celebrates a love outside the usual Hollywood tropes.
What 3 things would your main character want with them if they got stranded away from civilization, and why?
Anat would simply want Alison, her sword, and a bed. Rescue would not be necessary.
One of your main characters is planning a romantic night. Tell us about it.
Babylon. I can’t say too much about why without giving away part of Book Two, but let’s just say Anat would choose somewhere legendary.
There would be wine, music drifting through the night air, and the warm glow of lanterns over the ancient city… not to mention a temple and a locked door.
Why Babylon? You’ll have to wait for Book Two to find out.
Were there any scenes or characters that surprised you as you wrote?
Alison. She’s an archaeologist, she uses humor to deflect serious situations, and she only has eyes for one person—Nat… I mean Anat.
What song does your character put on to start your book launch party?
Anat would choose The Story by Brandi Carlile. It’s a song about love that survives everything, and that feels very fitting for two people who keep finding each other across lifetimes.
Alison would probably tease her about the dramatic choice—but she’d still be the first one on the dance floor.
Do you outline your books in detail, or do you prefer to discover the story as you write?
When an idea strikes, I usually start frantically pacing up and down with excitement, letting the story play out in my head. My mind tends to run through the major plot points and eventually arrives at the conclusion before I even begin writing.
Once I have that framework, I sketch out the key ideas and start filling in the gaps. From there, I let the story develop naturally as I write. Sometimes I need to tweak a few things along the way, but the core story is usually already outlined in my head before I start typing.
Who are your biggest literary influences?
I’ve always loved reading. Early influences included authors like Wilbur Smith and his Egyptian series, as well as Dan Brown and The Da Vinci Code. I loved the sense of history, mystery, and adventure in those stories—but something always felt a little empty.
Then I discovered authors like Ruby Roe, Jae, E.J. Noyes, Emily Noon, and Brittney Jackson, to name just a few. Seeing powerful stories where queer characters and relationships were at the center was incredibly inspiring.
Their work gave me the push I needed to move forward, finish my book, and finally share my own characters with the world.
What are you currently reading?
Architecti – Ruby Roe
If you could have dinner with any author, living or dead, who would it be?
Honestly, I’d be happy to have dinner with any of the authors I mentioned above. They all inspired me in different ways, and being able to thank them for helping push me to finish my own book would be pretty special.
