Thorns of Fate - A Dark Fantasy Novel by Miranda Howman
When protection shatters, all that’s left is survival
The Gilded Empire expects submission, even if it means letting friends die. But Elora was never taught to obey.
Raised inside the Empire’s prestigious Miros Institute, Elora believed she was untouchable—trained to become an alchemist, sheltered by her mentor, and spared the cruelty every other student endured.
But when she breaks the rules and chooses compassion...
She seals her own fate.
At the Institute, failure isn't corrected.
It's punished.
No longer protected, she is delivered into the hands of Headmaster Thorn, the architect of her unmaking. She is stripped piece by piece: intellect tested, will fractured, empathy exploited. She must learn what she was never taught.
Survival demands that she bleed, endure, and refuse the fate carved for her. Because if she cannot remain who she was… she will become something else entirely.
This is not a story about rescue.
It's about surviving what was meant to break you.
A story of trauma that doesn’t flinch, of a heroine who breaks but keeps choosing herself, and of survival as an act of rebellion.
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Meet the Characters
Elora is a gifted young alchemist, set apart from the other students at the Miros Institute by more than just her talent. Under the protection of Tehvan, a renowned scholar at the Institute, Elora has been shielded from the cruelty and harsh trials that her peers endure. While others are forced to fight for survival, she’s been allowed to focus solely on perfecting her alchemy, giving her an advantage that breeds quiet resentment.
Her privileged position makes her an outsider and resented by many, like the bitter and driven Symond, yet still able to form deep bonds with those who see beyond her status, like her loyal friend Arria. This protection has left Elora feeling untouchable, confident that the walls built around her will never crack.
But her belief in her own invincibility may be her greatest weakness.
Protagonist: Elora
Explore the World
In the shadow of Mahōamorah, the ancient World Tree, magic is more than power, it is life itself.
At the heart of this world lies MahōKi Sap, a rare, golden lifeblood capable of healing, destruction, and bending reality. Coveted and controlled by the ruthless Gilded Empire, its use is strictly guarded, fueling conflict and rebellion.
Here, magic is not born but crafted through Alchemy, a delicate fusion of science and sorcery where the smallest misstep can spell disaster. Alchemists wield this art to forge weapons, heal wounds, and twist the world to their will, balancing creation and ruin.
In this world of fragile power and tightening control, one mistake could ignite a rebellion… or end it.
Learn about the Magic
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Meet the Author
Miranda Howman
From an early age I have loved living in fantasy worlds. I grew up playing World of Warcraft where I spent many years crafting stories for my characters, even having my own personal newspaper for what they were accomplishing. This is where my love of storytelling began and actually where some characters from The Thornforged Chronicles originated from, though they have all changed immensely since then.
My love for fantasy has only grown over the years, especially from other works of literature. My personal favorite are: The Shadow and Bone series / The Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo, The Origin’s Daughter series by Alexandra St. Pierre, and the Artefacts of Ouranos series by Nisha J. Tuli.