Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop Narrator: Jesse Vilinsky
Series: Isle of Wyrd #1
Published by Ace, Penguin Audio on November 11, 2025
Genres: Science Fiction Fantasy
Pages: 528
Length: 17 hours, 46 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Words have power. Intentions matter.
Most people come to Destiny Park for entertainment. They come to have their cards read to tell them a bit about their future. They come to walk through a beautiful park and to eat at the hotel’s restaurant. They come in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Arcana, the paranormal beings who rule the Isle of Wyrd.
But some people come to make a bargain with the Arcana—to change their fate. And some people come for dark purposes.
When Detective Beth Fahey is sent to Destiny Park to inquire about a “ghost gun,” she will begin a strange journey on which she must learn to navigate the Arcana’s unforgiving laws and dangerous attractions. Her search will draw her into seemingly impossible cases and the secrets of her own past as tensions rise between the Arcana and their human neighbors across the river.
I completely love The Others series and the continuation in the World of the Others books, telling us about various outlying communities has the same setup. Now we have the Isle of Wyrd and I couldn’t be happier. Well only if this series was about the blood prophets which I still think would make an awesome series.
Turns of Fate has the same kind of feel as the earlier series. It’s creepy but not horror. Humans are not presented in an attractive light mostly and I’m here for it. I love the compassion and strict judgement the Others impose. I am oddly on the side of the Others in all these series. In this series, they are called Arcana rather than Others.
The main character is Beth Fahey. She’s a detective in the precinct that deals with the Isle of Wyrd from across the river. Her boss, Charles Forrester is a reasonable and smart guy. He understand what it means to deal with the Arcana. Other precincts and even other county police units come to this one for answers.
Forrester did not want to take Beth to the Isle but when he does, the Arcana are very solicitous to her which is unusual. She ends up being the one they want to deal with. There are various humans who go to the Wyrd and misbehave. There are others who go there to seek sanctuary from bad humans. There are also those who “boldly go where no man has gone before,” to learn about a new culture and world. Some of these also become key characters.
While it is long, I read easily and eagerly enjoying the stories. I am completely excited for more in this world.
Narration:
I easily recognize the narrator Jesse Vilinsky but it turns out this is the first time I have listened to one of her works. I really enjoyed her narration. The tones and emotions fit the characters well, and it kept me in the story. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Jesse Vilinsky
A trained actress from the USC School of Dramatic Arts, alumnus of the prestigious British American Drama Academy, and accomplished voiceover actress lending her talents to numerous film and television productions, Jesse now brings your stories off the page with nuance and grace, and now and again – the appropriate dose of humor.
Jesse specializes in realistic teen and children’s voices, as well as a proficiency in many accents, including: New York, Boston, Southern, British, Irish, Russian, German and Italian.
About Anne Bishop
Anne Bishop lives in upstate New York where she enjoys gardening, music, and writing dark, romantic stories. She is the author of fourteen novels, including the award-winning Black Jewels Trilogy. Her most recent novel, Twilight’s Dawn, made the New York Times bestseller list. She is currently working on a new series, which is an urban dark fantasy with a bit of a twist.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 25-Audio
- 25-COYER
I have just started this and will continue soon. I’m reading a couple of books at once. So happy you loved it!
I hope you love it too!
So glad to see you loved this too. I decided to do a re-listen of the Others trilogy because of it…lol
Thanks Kimberly. I hope to do an Others Read-along in a year or so, 2027 needs to be one I haven’t read yet.
One of these days I’ll start The Others series. Glad to see this one is a hit, too. Great review, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. This one isn’t in the Others world I guess but it feels like it. I may do an Others Readalong in 2028 if you still haven’t read them.
Yes, this had the flavor of The Others, but a fun macabre new world and characters. I can’t wait for more. 🙂
Agree! I liked this story very much obviously.
I really enjoyed this one. Even though I loved The Others, I like the differences and look forward to more from this world!
yes there are differences which were also interesting. But I have to say I also love the similarity of how I ended up siding morally with the Arcana and some of the humans seemed kind of petty.
I’m looking forward to reading this one. I loved the Others series and her Black Jewels series (which should come with a lot of warnings but really worked for me)
If you enjoyed the Others, you will probably like this too.
I was in the side of The Others too! I have this one on hold at my library. I didn’t request it because I didn’t know if I could cover it with my schedule. So happy to see your 5 stars. On a layover at Heathrow airport, London. Then onto home! Next flight 11.5 hours! Taking a few minutes to catch up with some posts. 😊
Safe travels Rachel. I’m sure you will enjoy this one if you loved the Others as I did.
I’ll read this one day!! It sounds so dang good!!
It’s definitely good and creepy!