Tricia Levenseller has crafted something extraordinary with What Fury Brings, her first venture into adult romantasy that feels both revolutionary and deeply personal. This isn’t just another enemies-to-lovers tale wrapped in fantasy trappings—it’s a deliberate, unflinching examination of power structures through the lens of complete reversal.
The kingdom of Amarra exists in a world where traditional gender dynamics have been flipped entirely. Women hold all the power, while men are considered the “weaker sex,” unable to own property, often married off for political alliances, and expected to be ornamental rather than influential. It’s a premise that could easily feel heavy-handed, but Levenseller wields it with surgical precision, creating a mirror that reflects our own world’s inequalities with uncomfortable clarity.
The Warrior Princess and Her Reluctant Prize
Princess Olerra Corasene stands as one of the most compelling protagonists in recent romantasy. A warrior general vying for the throne of Amarra, she carries the weight of proving her worth in a society that values strength above all else—especially when she harbors a devastating secret that could destroy her claim to power. Levenseller has created a character who is simultaneously fierce and vulnerable, confident yet plagued by deep-seated insecurities about her place in the world.
The decision to kidnap Prince Andrastus (who is actually Sanos, the crown prince of Brutus, in a case of mistaken identity) isn’t born from cruelty but from political necessity. Olerra needs to demonstrate her dominance to secure her position against her treacherous cousin Glenaerys, and capturing the supposedly docile second son of their greatest enemy seems like the perfect solution.
What follows is a masterclass in character development. Sanos, raised in a brutal patriarchal society where he’s been trained to fight and lead, finds himself stripped of power and agency. The psychological complexity of his situation—maintaining his false identity while grappling with his growing attraction to his captor—creates genuine tension that goes far beyond simple romantic conflict.
The Dance of Power and Vulnerability
The romance between Olerra and Sanos unfolds with delicious complexity. Their relationship begins with clear power imbalances, but Levenseller skillfully demonstrates how true connection requires mutual respect and equality. Olerra’s journey from seeing Sanos as a political tool to recognizing him as an equal partner mirrors the broader themes of the novel about the corruption of unchecked power.
The intimate scenes crackle with tension precisely because they’re built on a foundation of genuine emotional connection. Levenseller doesn’t shy away from exploring how their reversed social roles affect their physical relationship, creating moments that are both sensual and thought-provoking. The delayed gratification as both characters work through their emotional barriers adds weight to their eventual union.
Sanos’s character arc proves particularly compelling as he confronts his own prejudices about women in power while simultaneously discovering aspects of himself he never knew existed. His struggle with maintaining his false identity while falling for Olerra creates internal conflict that drives much of the narrative tension.
Worldbuilding With Purpose
Levenseller has constructed Amarra with meticulous attention to detail, creating a society that feels both fantastical and grounded in recognizable human behavior. The matriarchal system isn’t presented as utopian—the author clearly demonstrates that any society can become corrupt when power becomes concentrated. Olerra’s cousin Glenaerys embodies the worst aspects of privileged authority, willing to betray her own people for personal gain.
The contrast between Amarra and Brutus provides rich material for exploring themes of power, tradition, and social change. King Atalius represents toxic masculinity taken to its extreme, while the Amarran court shows how women might wield power when given the chance—sometimes benevolently, sometimes ruthlessly.
Technical Mastery Meets Emotional Depth
Levenseller’s prose has evolved significantly from her YA work. The writing is more sophisticated, the character development deeper, and the themes more complex. She balances action sequences—particularly Olerra’s masterful use of the whipblade—with quieter character moments that reveal the emotional stakes beneath the political maneuvering.
The pacing maintains excellent momentum throughout, building tension through both external conflicts (the threat of war, court intrigue) and internal struggles (identity crises, romantic tension). The reveals are well-timed, particularly Sanos’s true identity, which recontextualizes everything that came before while raising the stakes for everything that follows.
Minor Flaws in an Otherwise Stellar Execution
While What Fury Brings largely succeeds in its ambitious goals, there are moments where the world-building feels slightly forced. Certain aspects of the reversed society occasionally read more like direct inversions of our world rather than organic cultural developments. Additionally, some secondary characters could benefit from more development—particularly members of Olerra’s court who sometimes feel more like plot devices than fully realized people.
The resolution, while satisfying, comes together perhaps too neatly. The political machinations resolve in ways that feel slightly convenient, though the emotional arcs of the main characters remain compelling throughout.
A Series With Serious Potential
As the opening volume of the Wrath and Fury series, this novel establishes a rich foundation for future installments. The merger of Amarra and Brutus creates fascinating possibilities for exploring how societies change and evolve. The supporting characters—particularly Ydra and the various princes of Brutus—offer plenty of material for their own romantic storylines.
The Verdict: A Powerful Statement Wrapped in Addictive Romance
What Fury Brings succeeds brilliantly at being both an entertaining romantasy and a meaningful exploration of power dynamics. Levenseller has created something special here—a novel that entertains while it challenges, that provides escapism while holding up a mirror to our own world’s inequities.
The book works on multiple levels: as a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance, as an action-packed fantasy adventure, and as social commentary on gender roles and power structures. It’s the kind of book that will satisfy readers looking for their next romantic obsession while also providing substance for those who appreciate deeper themes in their fantasy fiction.
For readers of Levenseller’s previous work, this represents a significant evolution in her storytelling abilities. For newcomers, it serves as an excellent introduction to an author who isn’t afraid to tackle complex themes while delivering the romantic satisfaction readers crave.
Perfect For Fans Of
- Jennifer L. Armentrout’s adult fantasy novels
- Scarlett St. Clair’s modern mythology retellings
- C.L. Wilson’s high-fantasy romances
- Sarah J. Maas’s adult fantasy series
- Raven Kennedy’s morally complex fantasy worlds
What Makes This Stand Out
What Fury Brings distinguishes itself through its unflinching commitment to exploring the implications of its premise. This isn’t simply a world where women happen to be in charge—it’s a carefully constructed society that examines how power corrupts regardless of who wields it. The romance emerges organically from this foundation, creating a love story that feels both epic and intimate.
Levenseller has proven that she can successfully transition from YA to adult fantasy while maintaining the compelling character development and emotional depth that made her earlier work so beloved. This is romantasy with something important to say, delivered through characters readers will genuinely care about.
Whether you’re drawn by the political intrigue, the steamy romance, or the thought-provoking themes, What Fury Brings delivers on all fronts. It’s a book that respects its readers’ intelligence while providing the emotional satisfaction that makes romantasy such an addictive genre.