By Jim Mcleod 
In essence, The Forsaken and the Fated proves there is lasting appeal in polishing a familiar mould with genuine depth of character and inclusive warmth. It is an engaging read that prioritises heart over groundbreaking horror.
The Forsaken and the Fated by Camilla Raines: A Gothic Romance Review
For readers deeply familiar with Gothic horror and paranormal YA, the book’s foundation is built on classic, well-worn tropes, which it executes with sincerity rather than seeks to subvert. The story revolves around a psychic protagonist, a seer love interest, a century-old family feud, a lingering death curse, and a haunted grimoire, all set within a classic atmospheric small town.
The book handles these elements competently. The cursed Warren and Hawthorne families fuel the plot in a way reminiscent of foundational genre stories, while the “haunted” protagonists internalise the Gothic tradition by grappling with psychic visions and a literal death curse.
A sinister, whispering grimoire serves as a key plot device, fulfilling its classic role as a source of forbidden knowledge. Where the story feels most fresh to contemporary readers is in its central “disaster LGBTQ+ romance,” framing the familiar rivals-to-lovers arc through a specific and warmly received queer dynamic. Furthermore, the book is consistently praised for its excellent cast of side characters, whose found-family relationships often become the emotional core that readers connect with more than the supernatural plot mechanics.
“The Forsaken and the Fated” plunges its young heroes into a desperate race against time and dark magic. When Gabriel Hawthorne goes missing at the start of the book, his maybe-boyfriend and rival family member, psychic Miles Warren, is thrown into a frantic search. Their mission is to break the deadly curse on Gabriel’s family and prevent the death premonition hanging over him from coming true.
Armed only with a dangerous, whispering grimoire and aided by friends like the formidable Charlee, they must untangle the century-old feud between the Warren and Hawthorne families to find a solution. This urgent paranormal investigation, however, is expertly woven into the fabric of ordinary teenage life—squeezed between homework, soccer practice, family dinners, and navigating furious parents who are in the dark about the supernatural stakes.
At its heart, the book is a compelling character study of its two “disaster gays,” Miles and Gabriel. Their dynamic is the quintessential and beloved “grumpy x sunshine” pairing, evolving from rivals to lovers without losing the humorous, authentic bickering that defines their relationship. Miles, with his relatable chronic anxiety, serves as the hopeful, determined centre of the story, while the brooding, cursed Gabriel struggles with normalcy.
Their quest forces them to confront complex family legacies and their own terrifying feelings, building a romance that balances heartfelt yearning with genuine humour. They are surrounded by a vibrant, fully realised supporting cast, including the scene-stealing Charlee and others like Emily and Nadia, who provide both crucial backup and a powerful sense of found family. This rich character work ensures that the emotional and romantic stakes feel just as urgent and compelling as the life-or-death supernatural mystery.
Your appreciation for this book will largely depend on what you seek from your Gothic and paranormal reads. It functions as a sincere love letter to genre influences like The Raven Cycle, Cemetery Boys, and Lockwood & Co.
If you are the type of reader who cherishes character-driven stories with authentic queer representation, a satisfying romantic arc, and a supernatural mystery that leans charming rather than terrifying, you will likely find it a deeply enjoyable read. You would be reading for the character moments and the heartwarming payoff.
Conversely, if you are searching for the profound psychological dread of The Haunting of Hill House, the moral ambiguity of grimdark fantasy, or a fiercely original plot that dismantles tropes, you may find it too familiar. The book is more comforting than challenging.
For comparison, if you loved The Raven Cycle for its atmospheric quests and quirky friend groups, you’ll find similar found-family vibes here. Fans of Cemetery Boys will recognise the blend of LGBTQ+ romance and ghostly magic with a deadline. It shares with Lockwood & Co. the motif of brave teenagers managing hauntings. However, it is crucial to distinguish it from a work like Mexican Gothic, which is a subversive, socially conscious adult horror. Raines’ book is a more traditional, comforting take on similar family-curse tropes for a YA audience.
In essence, The Forsaken and the Fated proves there is lasting appeal in polishing a familiar mould with genuine depth of character and inclusive warmth. It is an engaging read that prioritises heart over groundbreaking horror.
The Forsaken and the Fated by Camilla Raines
In this thrilling sequel to The Hollow and the Haunted, the web of dark magic around two rival families becomes ever more difficult to untangle. Time is running out, and the dead are hungry…
Perfect for fans of atmospheric queer fantasy romance, including The Raven Cycle, Cemetery Boys and Love at Second Sight.
Gabriel Hawthorne is missing, and Miles Warren—psychic, co-conspirator, and aspiring boyfriend—is terrified. All their efforts so far have failed. The prophecy stands unbroken; if the future remains unchanged, Gabriel will die. Armed with Florence’s grimoire, they might stand a chance of breaking the Hawthorne curse and preventing Gabriel’s murder—but only if Miles can find him.
Meanwhile, Miles’s parents are still furious that he’s been helping Gabriel at all—and they don’t even know the half of it. The mystery of the century-long feud between their two families continues to deepen, but Miles is certain that healing the rift is key to lifting the curse and saving Gabriel’s life. Plus, he’d like his parents to give the boy he’s maybe, sort-of dating a chance.
With new premonitions changing everything and the dark power of the grimoire whispering in their ears, Miles and Gabriel are running out of time. Both their lives are on the line, and danger lives closer to home than they know…
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Damascus Mincemeyer