What happens when gods intervene in the lives of mere mortals? The Fighter by Lisa Fougere is a story about the eternal battle between good and evil. The Goddess of Justice, Dike, persuades her father, Zeus, to let her choose human warriors who will fight to balance the scales of justice. Victoria, a young woman living a humdrum life, suddenly finds herself in possession of a magical amulet that grants her extraordinary powers and steers her toward exacting retribution against wrongdoers. When Victoria struggles to resist Dike's instructions to harm others, she starts investigating the life of the amulet's previous owner, Andrew, and unwittingly embroils herself in the machinations of a violent gang with links to her family. Will she lose herself to the power of the medallion? Or will she be able to retain her humanity?

Packed with suspense, action, and intrigue, The Fighter is an absorbing tale about power, free will, and the complicated nature of right and wrong. With a generous sprinkling of the fantastical, Lisa Fougere has crafted a captivating tale that keeps its hold on you from the first page to the last. The author weaves a fast-paced plot featuring unexpected twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what's going to happen next. The contrast between the POVs of the two main characters, Victoria and Andrew, illustrates how our choices define who we are and dictate the course of our lives. I loved how Dike's will to control the lives of her chosen humans also affected her own psyche. Overall, the book was a joy to read. Fans of fantasy thrillers are in for a treat!

The Fighter by Lisa Fougere is a modern fantasy novel where we’re with Victoria. She’s a cautious and isolated woman whose life is shattered when she intervenes to help a stranger, only to be swept into a realm where ancient deities wage a hidden war. As she undergoes strange changes, both physically and psychologically, Victoria must come to terms with a newfound power that threatens the very foundations of the life she once carefully constructed. Facing gods, monsters, and her own inner darkness, she teeters between reclaiming her humanity and embracing a destiny that may be greater than anything she ever imagined. Fougere crafts a deeply personal tale of transformation, power, and self-discovery within a mythic and high-stakes fantasy world.

Author Lisa Fougere throws readers in at the deep end with this gripping tale packed with emotive descriptions and close, personal narration. This compelling blend of urban fantasy and inner transformation tugs at readers' heartstrings from cover to cover. I loved the character development, and I’d say this work will appeal to fans of strong heroines. Victoria’s journey is both emotionally resonant and thrillingly unpredictable, but there’s strength and confidence in her. This is also mirrored by Fougere herself, who guides readers with smooth, elegant prose through world-building that is imaginative, dark, and immersive. Once deep in this world of gods and monsters, it’s easy to see how the dark attitudes and suspenseful high-stakes drama influence Victoria’s every move and decision realistically, and it makes readers wonder what they’d do in similar situations. Overall, I highly recommend The Fighter as a fresh take on divine conflict with a relatable, human heart that you don’t want to miss.

Lisa Fougère brings us compelling fantasy fiction in The Fighter. Victoria lives a simple life, keeps her head down, and avoids conflict. In a moment of bravery against injustice, Victoria stands up to her boss and consequently loses her job. On her way home during a raging storm, Victoria stops to help a man who has fallen in the street. When he forces her to take an amulet, Victoria begins to doubt her decision to help him. With the amulet around her neck, Victoria experiences physical and mental changes. She didn’t choose this. She never agreed to be pulled into a dark and dangerous world, constantly battling between good and evil. Victoria needs answers, and time is running out, turning her into a ruthless monster she won’t be able to control. All the while, however, this new power is quite intoxicating.

Author Lisa Fougère has created an interesting perspective on the concept of free will. It opens a world of philosophical theories to be discussed and pondered. Written in the first-person narrative from the perspective of an unlikely female protagonist, the character is more believable and relatable. Thought-provoking theories drive the narrative from start to finish. The pace is steady, and, for those who need more action, this book features some intense fighting scenes to keep them entertained. I loved the incorporation of the gods of Olympus into a modern setting. The Fighter is suitable for all fantasy readers. With some swearing and violent scenes, it may not be appropriate for younger readers.

The Fighter by Lisa Fougere melds a contemporary narrative with fantasy and mythology to offer a gripping adventure. Victoria is a young woman trapped in her mundane yet secure life. After a near-death experience involving a lightning strike, she finds herself endowed with the memories and skills of Andrew, a vigilante with ties to the Greek goddess of justice named Dike. The story follows Victoria's internal conflict as she struggles with her newfound abilities and learns to embrace her role as a fighter while trying to find Andrew and understand her connection to him. As her powers grow, she feels helpless and must choose to follow a path designed for her by the gods and lose everything she has ever built.

Victoria has a relatable sense of indecision and self-doubt, which is heightened by the pressures of her family. Andrew is a contrasting character; he represents a man shaped by tragedy and duty, which complicates his relationship with the moral choices he makes as a vigilante. The goddess Dike symbolizes justice and struggles with her frustration and disappointment in humanity. Dike is skillfully rendered, and her need for Andrew’s attention makes her relatable. Lisa Fougere’s rendering of the setting is impeccable, a mix of ordinary locales with an eerie, dreamlike world where supernatural powers operate. The internal conflict dominates the narrative and pulls readers irresistibly into Victoria’s inner world, which is filled with turbulence and conflicting desires. The Fighter evokes a strong sense of pathos; it is skillfully delivered in the first-person to portray the point of view of the heroine and in the third-person to follow the other characters' perspectives. I was fully invested in both the characters and the suspenseful plot.