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Fractured Glory: Rise of the Dreads Series
There’s a war coming. Six kingdoms struggle for control of the world while wrestling with their demons within. Alliances are formed and lovers betrayed, while leaders plot and scheme. It is a world in which fear germinates like a seed in the ground. But seeds bear fruit. And when the fruit of fear bursts from the ground, everything will change. Six kingdoms. When it’s done, only one will survive to tell the tale.
*** These authors have teamed up to bring you, Fractured Glory , six dark fantasy standalone novellas. Featuring stories from heroes to villains, each tells their version of the lost history of the Rise of the Dreads. Dangerous and exciting, experience one thrill ride after the next, as you find all kinds of morally gray characters living between these pages. Readers are invited to go deep into this fantastic world and experience the heart-pounding account of the Midsummer Festival, the event which will forever change the world! ***
*** These authors have teamed up to bring you, Fractured Glory , six dark fantasy standalone novellas. Featuring stories from heroes to villains, each tells their version of the lost history of the Rise of the Dreads. Dangerous and exciting, experience one thrill ride after the next, as you find all kinds of morally gray characters living between these pages. Readers are invited to go deep into this fantastic world and experience the heart-pounding account of the Midsummer Festival, the event which will forever change the world! ***
- GenresFantasyDark RomanceDark
648 pages, Paperback
Published April 20, 2023
20 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
May 7, 2023
If I could give this book a lower score I would
This book is awful. It is the same “tournament” over and over just told by different view points. The writing style is immature and the spicy scenes are awful, they sound like they were written by a 14 year old boy while having his first fantasy 👎 do not recommend!!
This book is awful. It is the same “tournament” over and over just told by different view points. The writing style is immature and the spicy scenes are awful, they sound like they were written by a 14 year old boy while having his first fantasy 👎 do not recommend!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2023
I’m obsessed! A book with different POV of the same event that kept me invested from the start to finish. You think you love one character until the next one comes along in their own pov, making you fall in love all over again. This book has spice, it has adventure, action, blood and gore. Read this book 😍
April 7, 2023
This book man I tell you what, you won't be disappointed! It brings out every juicy emotion a girl/guy could have! It is so uniquely written and takes you on wild ride every single page. Every character is truly unique and special in their own way. The minds of these authors will blow you away!!! I suggest you read the trigger warnings and be prepared to be shocked and awed! It is a wild wild ladies and gents! Come join our circus 🎪 cause it's gonna be a fun ride!
May 22, 2023
If I’m being honest, I’m still trying to finish this book. I’m not one to dnf. If I have to read one more time someone’s pov about how the game went.. (Which is literally just worded the same way over and over again, but from a different perspective.) It’s just not for me. I appreciate the ARC though!
**edit** after finishing I’ll give this book a 2.5 ⭐️
Ulani’s story was probably the best part of the book. I loved how the story placed her and Hunter together!
**edit** after finishing I’ll give this book a 2.5 ⭐️
Ulani’s story was probably the best part of the book. I loved how the story placed her and Hunter together!
April 25, 2023
Felt like the spicy scenes were written by my high school boyfriend. 👎🏽
An easy read for people just getting into fantasy. It's very simply written.
An easy read for people just getting into fantasy. It's very simply written.
May 17, 2023
I DNF’d this book at 13%. For me, it was just not good. I spent most of the time being confused on what was actually going on and I feel like there was no flow from chapter to chapter.
May 9, 2023
I want to say that when I first heard about the book and read the description, I was ecstatic. It was a mix of the world I had first fallen in love with when I first started loving books, and my now smut consumed bookshelves and I couldn't wait to emerse myself into a potential new favorite.
The moment I started reading it.... I felt everything in me, just deadpan. I hate to say that, I truly do I know there's so much work and effort and time put into each book and project and its never ideal to hear that all that hard work isn't loved as you had come to love it. But I also can't just write this review and say it was the best book I've read or have fallen in love with and that it has all these amazing scenes you'll die if you don't become the characters to relive it.
I was beyond confused the entire way through this book. I tried taking notes, making diagrams to understand how certain things even connected to others previously mentioned, or even how we even got to a certain point. Nothing worked. I even went as far as going through each section for each character and reading the first chapter of each to see just how much detail and time was between the start of the story and when they're thrown into the game...... No, literally, that's exactly how it felt. These characters were thrown into this game they were supposed to fight till death in. The whole start of the book, I barely understood the time frames between events. Then there was the fact that the only form of back story or even hint of world building there was, didn't even start until The Dreaded Hunter. THE SECOND TO LAST SECTION OF THE BOOK. That honestly felt like it should have just been the prologue to the book.
I was honestly angry the whole time I read this because it felt like so much potential for the characters, the world, the story had just gone to waste. Important details were apparently reserved for the spicy scenes because I think I read more detail about Ridley's sword and what he did with it in the first section than I did about what these characters looked like. It wasn't until the very end from Torrin all the way to Ulani that we get a pretty decent amount of anything if I'm being frank.
So with that I'm giving it two stars. It wasn't a completely horrible experience, I understood where they wanted to go with it, but to me, it felt like more thought should have gone into its organization, world building and detail to truly make it the experience and pleasurable read it could have been.
The moment I started reading it.... I felt everything in me, just deadpan. I hate to say that, I truly do I know there's so much work and effort and time put into each book and project and its never ideal to hear that all that hard work isn't loved as you had come to love it. But I also can't just write this review and say it was the best book I've read or have fallen in love with and that it has all these amazing scenes you'll die if you don't become the characters to relive it.
I was beyond confused the entire way through this book. I tried taking notes, making diagrams to understand how certain things even connected to others previously mentioned, or even how we even got to a certain point. Nothing worked. I even went as far as going through each section for each character and reading the first chapter of each to see just how much detail and time was between the start of the story and when they're thrown into the game...... No, literally, that's exactly how it felt. These characters were thrown into this game they were supposed to fight till death in. The whole start of the book, I barely understood the time frames between events. Then there was the fact that the only form of back story or even hint of world building there was, didn't even start until The Dreaded Hunter. THE SECOND TO LAST SECTION OF THE BOOK. That honestly felt like it should have just been the prologue to the book.
I was honestly angry the whole time I read this because it felt like so much potential for the characters, the world, the story had just gone to waste. Important details were apparently reserved for the spicy scenes because I think I read more detail about Ridley's sword and what he did with it in the first section than I did about what these characters looked like. It wasn't until the very end from Torrin all the way to Ulani that we get a pretty decent amount of anything if I'm being frank.
So with that I'm giving it two stars. It wasn't a completely horrible experience, I understood where they wanted to go with it, but to me, it felt like more thought should have gone into its organization, world building and detail to truly make it the experience and pleasurable read it could have been.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2023
This book was wild. In the immortal words of Stefan, “This place book has everything.
As a warning if you don’t read dark romance this one gets way daaarrrkkk in spots, spice level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. So if you’re not a dark romance reader I recommend only diving in if you’re adventurous!
The book is nonstop action with a death match battle from multiple POVs plus a bit about each character’s life and backstory. The characters range from 100% book boyfriend material, to comedian, to absolutely unhinged. There’s someone for everyone.
I spent half my time thinking this person is insane (looking at you John) 😂
And half my time 🥰 (Torrin 🖤)
It’s a fun read and it’s faced paced, overall a good time! I’ll leave you with this clue 🐓 and encourage you to read and figure out what that means! 🤣
4.5/5 ⭐️
As a warning if you don’t read dark romance this one gets way daaarrrkkk in spots, spice level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. So if you’re not a dark romance reader I recommend only diving in if you’re adventurous!
The book is nonstop action with a death match battle from multiple POVs plus a bit about each character’s life and backstory. The characters range from 100% book boyfriend material, to comedian, to absolutely unhinged. There’s someone for everyone.
I spent half my time thinking this person is insane (looking at you John) 😂
And half my time 🥰 (Torrin 🖤)
It’s a fun read and it’s faced paced, overall a good time! I’ll leave you with this clue 🐓 and encourage you to read and figure out what that means! 🤣
4.5/5 ⭐️
April 29, 2023
This was a fun, entertaining, and unique read. A story made up the POVs of the characters of a single event and the moments that lead up to the battle and after. This is dark and gritty while also being twisted and funny. It’s a simple but vast fantasy world where who is the good guy and who’s the bad guy is in the eye of the reader. While you do read the same event from 7 different perspectives it is in no way repetitive because no one person tells the story the same and each new story adds a layer to the events of the day. While also laying the groundwork for all the stories to come. I had a little trouble getting started but once you realize where this is going it’s a race to get to the next story to see what changes, who you believe, and what is really going on. It’s brilliant and I’m excited for everything to come.
May 14, 2023
Let's Get Ready To Rumble
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a dark fantasy with major Hunger Games vibes. There is a war coming and 6 kingdoms struggle for control of the world.
It was fun reading how the authors wrote 6 novellas that all intertwined with one another introducing the characters as well as their inner problems. Heed your Trigger Warnings because there were several especially with John Warwick's story; he was a trigger all within his self.
Alliances are formed, lovers are betrayed and the leaders of the world plot and scheme for their own amusement. This world where you must fight to the death in order to achieve the ultimate power and control over all kingdoms.
In a world where fear of the unknown germinate like seeds on the ground, those seeds will soon bear fruit; but what happens when the fruit bared rises up and choke the weeds that have been destroying their respective kingdoms?
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a dark fantasy with major Hunger Games vibes. There is a war coming and 6 kingdoms struggle for control of the world.
It was fun reading how the authors wrote 6 novellas that all intertwined with one another introducing the characters as well as their inner problems. Heed your Trigger Warnings because there were several especially with John Warwick's story; he was a trigger all within his self.
Alliances are formed, lovers are betrayed and the leaders of the world plot and scheme for their own amusement. This world where you must fight to the death in order to achieve the ultimate power and control over all kingdoms.
In a world where fear of the unknown germinate like seeds on the ground, those seeds will soon bear fruit; but what happens when the fruit bared rises up and choke the weeds that have been destroying their respective kingdoms?
May 6, 2023
A WHOLE VIBE. Fantasy, romance, battles, spice. Fall for the villain. Fall for the hero. You name it, this book has it.
Getting the different perspectives of the same event is a fun way to tell the story of the Midsummer Festival. The characters are fun, entertaining, and a little unhinged. I NEED more.
The authors did a good job at giving each character personality and their own time to shine. Including the retelling of the battle. The details in the POVs are also chef's kiss.
I am a Bhif stan and request we get a chicken pin to represent us all 🤣
Getting the different perspectives of the same event is a fun way to tell the story of the Midsummer Festival. The characters are fun, entertaining, and a little unhinged. I NEED more.
The authors did a good job at giving each character personality and their own time to shine. Including the retelling of the battle. The details in the POVs are also chef's kiss.
I am a Bhif stan and request we get a chicken pin to represent us all 🤣
May 1, 2023
Very action packed! I really loved how each story was about the different characters that came together for the same event. Its almost like being given a backstory for each one, and I love it!! All of them are different but want the same outcome. The spice was good but felt weird at times reading a few. I don't know, but the fight scenes were detailed without it being too much, you know? They gave me a clear image of what was going on from all the POVs. This was really good!
July 26, 2023
Totally Awestruck
I'm amazed at the talented writing style of this author. She has such a great gift of storytelling that pulls you in from the first sentence. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I'm excited to read whatever she brings next. Glad this book was recommended for me to read. Very enjoyable.
I'm amazed at the talented writing style of this author. She has such a great gift of storytelling that pulls you in from the first sentence. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I'm excited to read whatever she brings next. Glad this book was recommended for me to read. Very enjoyable.
May 6, 2023
This book was a wild ride! The POVs just kept me so enthralled! One minute you’re like oh my god this character is *chef’s kiss* and then the next you’re like omg this is the best character!! Spicy, adventurous and gory! Yes please!!!
April 22, 2023
Spoiler free review 💕
Run. Don’t walk RUN if you like battle books, with a touch of *hmmmm* romance. Yeah. We’ll go with that.
This 6 person point of view book has me flipping back and fourth like crazy!!! I don’t want to stop while I’m reading it. This is a “hunger games” type style book with its own way different style! Some of the characters like John. Oh John. He makes me question my morals and is just a misunderstood person okayyy. We’ll leave that there. And Bhif… #fuckthatchicken You shouldn’t have been there :c
But WHOOOO really wonnnnnn???!!!! Man this book is extremely captivating.
There are also trigger warnings at the start of every POV which I LOVE!
If you want to dive into the life of different alpha hole males then run and get this! You won’t be disappointed! Reading every take of their views was absolutely amazing and can’t wait for more of this series!!!
Run. Don’t walk RUN if you like battle books, with a touch of *hmmmm* romance. Yeah. We’ll go with that.
This 6 person point of view book has me flipping back and fourth like crazy!!! I don’t want to stop while I’m reading it. This is a “hunger games” type style book with its own way different style! Some of the characters like John. Oh John. He makes me question my morals and is just a misunderstood person okayyy. We’ll leave that there. And Bhif… #fuckthatchicken You shouldn’t have been there :c
But WHOOOO really wonnnnnn???!!!! Man this book is extremely captivating.
There are also trigger warnings at the start of every POV which I LOVE!
If you want to dive into the life of different alpha hole males then run and get this! You won’t be disappointed! Reading every take of their views was absolutely amazing and can’t wait for more of this series!!!
April 12, 2023
I have gone back and forth on how many stars to give this book. The first 70% of the book was okay. The different view points were interesting but on the same hand a little overwhelming. The last 30% of the book was exceptional. I couldn't read Ulanis' story fast enough. Her growing from little bird to blood raven was a journey I dove head first in to. Overall it was a little confusing at some points, slow in some, and too fast in others but a good book nonetheless.
May 13, 2023
This book was fantastic! The way it is set up and the concept is one of a kind! I have not read anything like this book before and it was a breath of fresh air. I do recommend making sure you look up the trigger warnings if you don’t know what they mean and you’ll notice new trigger warning for every different story section which is unique. These stories are so creative with how they are told and how the world unfolds within the stories makes it really come to life. This is a must read! I have to know though who do you believe?
May 1, 2023
This book just wasn’t for me.
There’s nothing wrong with the writing style etc just the trigger warnings are there for a reason and there for it wasn’t a story I could do.
There’s nothing wrong with the writing style etc just the trigger warnings are there for a reason and there for it wasn’t a story I could do.
May 9, 2023
The first thing of note, this book is not for everyone but it does deliver all it promised and more.
Full disclosure it did take me a while to actually get "into" the book. I am not a fan of first person, I would much prefer third person limited over first person generally but as I read this it did bug me to start, but as I went on I see why the authors made the choice and it makes sense for the book as a whole.
I will say that most of my complaints after finishing it made sense why it was a better choice of the author than I originally thought.
Now I can't explain my full thoughts from here without spoilers so you have been warned.
The story is told from 7 different perspectives (Volume 4 has 2 alternating character perspectives). With that in mind, they all have different motivations, moral alignments, values, and ends. You will like some of them and not like others.
Starting with Ridley he is our "Hero". He wants the end the Midsummer Festival in order to stop the bloodshed that took his brother from his family. He views his path as noble and that he cannot lose. He is our pure "chosen one" character who brings everyone together to save the day. Also as commonly found in our chosen trope his romance doesn't get a lot of screen time, and there is a mentor character in the background that is manipulating him (His father). He also is tied to and is partially to blame for the "villain".
I am convinced because of how closely the trop is adhered to and how it is displayed that way in Ridleys mind because I will explain why that's important later. That the authors know very well what they are doing and setting up, and am excited to see what they do with this later on as they seem to be very self-aware of it.
While I had a lot to say about Ridley that was moderately neutral I will say personally I HATE JOHN. He is a terrible person. I hate him more than the villain. He is though a very well-developed character in the short amount of time that we spend in his head. The foreshadowing of his madness was VERY well written. I really don't have words to explain how effective it is. Just know that it is effective. He wants to end the games to have his own power, as his business is tanking due to the current regime, and never wants a Sepawn to rule again, and sees himself as the hero.
While I did mention my dislike for the first person I do feel like this makes sense after reading Johns's part. A lot of his descent into madness is centered around the self and who he is and is he real. This is pulled off a lot more by the use of a first person, and it's not as if they could not keep it consistent and only use first for his perspective and third for the rest.
I love Bhif but not in a romantic way. His point of view is so unintentionally funny to me. He is very much brain empty. But the man is loyal, and I understand his motivations and his choices. He is very distinct from the previous characters. He wants to end it all to get back to his women. He's not that deep. (I am laughing while writing this part) He also views himself as the hero.
It is now that I realize that Bhif who is not insane has differences in the stories he is telling from Ridley. Which make me confused and will be explained later.
The next portion is split between Torrin and Amira. Torrin was a soldier with a conscience and Amira was the bearer of family trauma while having to do what she had to, to survive. I enjoy both of these archetypes of characters. This dynamic also defines my OTP outside of this book so take that into mind. Torrin sees the games as corrupt and seeks to end them as does Amira, as they were thrown into the games against their wills. Their spicy scenes are also very good. Good girl and princess treatment I'm 100% on board for that. Torrin and Amira are just trying to do their best. Torrin reads a bit more hero during the battle but submits to the queen so ... take from that what you will. Amira also sees herself more as a problem than a hero, so my fellows in self-hatred and guilt welcome to the party.
Hunter. He is deliciously dark. He is the "Villian" to Ridley's "Hero" but his character is so enamoring. Ridley set him free in hopes of upping his chances of winning because he as stated was the "Chosen one" destined to win in his mind. He made a deal with the devil. A seductive ancient man who is all-powerful as he takes for himself the powers of those around him. He was a Sephawn driven by the gaining of power, and the desire to keep it. The confidence of this man will fill any villain kink that you may have. It is also in Hunter that you understand why there are small nuances in the others' stories. Hunter uses precognition and their outlooks affected his view of the future. So all of the other stories can be seen through Hunter's eyes.
Ulani's perspective gives us more fuel for our villain kink. While I am not so much of a fan of her as a person, she is a spoiled, princess who has been locked away all of her life, so it makes sense she would be naive and selfish. Hunter while being our villain is written as justified. He never lies and keeps his promises. He trains Ulani to be a weapon just like he promises, and it is an entertaining story.
The spice scenes also check specific boxes for me as well. Most people with a villain kink know that a good MMC would burn the world for their queen. Hunter would and is capable, my only question is would he do it for another reason and say that he did it for her and convince her that is what she wanted? I can't say fully without hearing his perspective of those events as I do not understand his true motives but he can kill everyone and has no compunction against it. He just also taught her how to as well.
Full disclosure it did take me a while to actually get "into" the book. I am not a fan of first person, I would much prefer third person limited over first person generally but as I read this it did bug me to start, but as I went on I see why the authors made the choice and it makes sense for the book as a whole.
I will say that most of my complaints after finishing it made sense why it was a better choice of the author than I originally thought.
Now I can't explain my full thoughts from here without spoilers so you have been warned.
The story is told from 7 different perspectives (Volume 4 has 2 alternating character perspectives). With that in mind, they all have different motivations, moral alignments, values, and ends. You will like some of them and not like others.
Starting with Ridley he is our "Hero". He wants the end the Midsummer Festival in order to stop the bloodshed that took his brother from his family. He views his path as noble and that he cannot lose. He is our pure "chosen one" character who brings everyone together to save the day. Also as commonly found in our chosen trope his romance doesn't get a lot of screen time, and there is a mentor character in the background that is manipulating him (His father). He also is tied to and is partially to blame for the "villain".
I am convinced because of how closely the trop is adhered to and how it is displayed that way in Ridleys mind because I will explain why that's important later. That the authors know very well what they are doing and setting up, and am excited to see what they do with this later on as they seem to be very self-aware of it.
While I had a lot to say about Ridley that was moderately neutral I will say personally I HATE JOHN. He is a terrible person. I hate him more than the villain. He is though a very well-developed character in the short amount of time that we spend in his head. The foreshadowing of his madness was VERY well written. I really don't have words to explain how effective it is. Just know that it is effective. He wants to end the games to have his own power, as his business is tanking due to the current regime, and never wants a Sepawn to rule again, and sees himself as the hero.
While I did mention my dislike for the first person I do feel like this makes sense after reading Johns's part. A lot of his descent into madness is centered around the self and who he is and is he real. This is pulled off a lot more by the use of a first person, and it's not as if they could not keep it consistent and only use first for his perspective and third for the rest.
I love Bhif but not in a romantic way. His point of view is so unintentionally funny to me. He is very much brain empty. But the man is loyal, and I understand his motivations and his choices. He is very distinct from the previous characters. He wants to end it all to get back to his women. He's not that deep. (I am laughing while writing this part) He also views himself as the hero.
It is now that I realize that Bhif who is not insane has differences in the stories he is telling from Ridley. Which make me confused and will be explained later.
The next portion is split between Torrin and Amira. Torrin was a soldier with a conscience and Amira was the bearer of family trauma while having to do what she had to, to survive. I enjoy both of these archetypes of characters. This dynamic also defines my OTP outside of this book so take that into mind. Torrin sees the games as corrupt and seeks to end them as does Amira, as they were thrown into the games against their wills. Their spicy scenes are also very good. Good girl and princess treatment I'm 100% on board for that. Torrin and Amira are just trying to do their best. Torrin reads a bit more hero during the battle but submits to the queen so ... take from that what you will. Amira also sees herself more as a problem than a hero, so my fellows in self-hatred and guilt welcome to the party.
Hunter. He is deliciously dark. He is the "Villian" to Ridley's "Hero" but his character is so enamoring. Ridley set him free in hopes of upping his chances of winning because he as stated was the "Chosen one" destined to win in his mind. He made a deal with the devil. A seductive ancient man who is all-powerful as he takes for himself the powers of those around him. He was a Sephawn driven by the gaining of power, and the desire to keep it. The confidence of this man will fill any villain kink that you may have. It is also in Hunter that you understand why there are small nuances in the others' stories. Hunter uses precognition and their outlooks affected his view of the future. So all of the other stories can be seen through Hunter's eyes.
Ulani's perspective gives us more fuel for our villain kink. While I am not so much of a fan of her as a person, she is a spoiled, princess who has been locked away all of her life, so it makes sense she would be naive and selfish. Hunter while being our villain is written as justified. He never lies and keeps his promises. He trains Ulani to be a weapon just like he promises, and it is an entertaining story.
The spice scenes also check specific boxes for me as well. Most people with a villain kink know that a good MMC would burn the world for their queen. Hunter would and is capable, my only question is would he do it for another reason and say that he did it for her and convince her that is what she wanted? I can't say fully without hearing his perspective of those events as I do not understand his true motives but he can kill everyone and has no compunction against it. He just also taught her how to as well.
August 16, 2023
I was lucky enough to be apart of this arc team. This one is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. The same story told from different povs in a way that benefits each of the characters. It gives you an insight on who they believe they are and what they believe they’re capable of. It was fun trying to piece together what actually happened at this event.The spice is definitely there but please please please read your trigger warnings. Prepare yourself for an undeniably confusing, funny, bumpy ride, and watch out for John. Happy reading 😁
May 10, 2023
This was the tale of 5 people going against one another in a competition called the Midsummer Festival. It is a competition to the death to crown the next Emperor Supreme (ruler of the world) for the next decade.
At times I felt like parts of the story were missing. Connections behind the reasoning of some of the character’s actions were frail. For the festival to be a “fight ‘til the death” event there was no commotion or deliberation for there to be multiple winners. And for me, John, Hunter, and Auberon were characters whose actions seemed very random.
I first want to preface this next part with I have not found any triggers for me personally and I like dark romance; however, I’m not understanding the two chapters worth of John SA’ing a character. I get that he was racist toward non-powered people but those particular chapters didn’t add anything to the story. The other two characters involved were insignificant and never mentioned again. He supposedly took his anger out on this woman because he assumed she was connected Aramil (who was mentioned briefly in one scene, dismissed, and not brought up again until he brutally violated this woman).
As for the festival…four different ways Hunter was defeated but apparently wasn’t defeated at all. I’m confused.
Even though Ulani came out of nowhere- not interconnected in the previous 5 volumes like the other characters her volume started off interesting but then also left me a bit confused. I’m not entirely sure why Ulani would want to partner with Hunter being as he killed someone very dear to her and his actions also made it possible for her parents to be killed. Also she flip flopped from being attracted Auberon to Hunter but there was no real connection with either of them besides her getting pregnant by Hunter. Also, Auberon was briefly mentioned in the presence of Ulani’s parents but out of nowhere became significant enough for the center of an overthrow plot. I would have liked either Ulani or Auberon to have shown up in one of the previous 5 volumes to connect them to the rest of the story.
The story had potential but there were too many random parts that seemed thrown in. And a good portion of the story was the retelling of the same encounter several times…no real deviation or different dialogue. I wanted to like this book but it didn’t do much for me.
It seems to have connected with many other people by the ratings but for me it was a miss. I much prefer Loren’s other two books that are currently out.
At times I felt like parts of the story were missing. Connections behind the reasoning of some of the character’s actions were frail. For the festival to be a “fight ‘til the death” event there was no commotion or deliberation for there to be multiple winners. And for me, John, Hunter, and Auberon were characters whose actions seemed very random.
I first want to preface this next part with I have not found any triggers for me personally and I like dark romance; however, I’m not understanding the two chapters worth of John SA’ing a character. I get that he was racist toward non-powered people but those particular chapters didn’t add anything to the story. The other two characters involved were insignificant and never mentioned again. He supposedly took his anger out on this woman because he assumed she was connected Aramil (who was mentioned briefly in one scene, dismissed, and not brought up again until he brutally violated this woman).
As for the festival…four different ways Hunter was defeated but apparently wasn’t defeated at all. I’m confused.
Even though Ulani came out of nowhere- not interconnected in the previous 5 volumes like the other characters her volume started off interesting but then also left me a bit confused. I’m not entirely sure why Ulani would want to partner with Hunter being as he killed someone very dear to her and his actions also made it possible for her parents to be killed. Also she flip flopped from being attracted Auberon to Hunter but there was no real connection with either of them besides her getting pregnant by Hunter. Also, Auberon was briefly mentioned in the presence of Ulani’s parents but out of nowhere became significant enough for the center of an overthrow plot. I would have liked either Ulani or Auberon to have shown up in one of the previous 5 volumes to connect them to the rest of the story.
The story had potential but there were too many random parts that seemed thrown in. And a good portion of the story was the retelling of the same encounter several times…no real deviation or different dialogue. I wanted to like this book but it didn’t do much for me.
It seems to have connected with many other people by the ratings but for me it was a miss. I much prefer Loren’s other two books that are currently out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2023
This book was written with 6 book of 7 POVs. All on the same timeline. Each book told the POV of each participant of the Tournament why, or how they were involved with the Tournament/Battle (Midsummer Festival). Each of the participants are from the 6 Kingdom which is vying to rule the world. Usually only one winner stands tall to rule them all. Whoever is the winner gets one wish. But there are a plot twist that no one saw and the winner/s of the Midsummer Festival has just one wish. It shocks everyone.
Ridley Axton- Night Kingdom
John Warwick- Kingdom of Day
Bhif The Liontalon- Giant Empire
Torrin Tattersall- Sepawn
Amira Jax- Intel Dynasty
Hunter- Unknown
Ulani Rensburg- Keeper Nation
Each book/volume will have trigger warning for those who might not be able to handle the reading. I don't have any triggers but when I did read what John Warwick was doing to some of the females I did want to jump in the story to kick his ass if I had magic. LOL.
The Midsummer Festival ends with the Tournament on the last day. I would of like little more action in the battle. But all in all was good. You get to see how they use their magic and or abilities. Most of them did not like the Sepawn because there were people who were not born with magic. It was the Sepawn who was ruling all the nations and lot of the Nations were having social problems that was not taken care of under their rule. Isn't that the problem with each ruling kingdom?!
I give it 4 stars because it did have me turning the pages to see what was happening next. There were some slow spots but not enough to deter my rating. I would recommend this book to friends who like fantasy with some dark content.
DON'T FUCK WITH THE CHICKEN!!!
Ridley Axton- Night Kingdom
John Warwick- Kingdom of Day
Bhif The Liontalon- Giant Empire
Torrin Tattersall- Sepawn
Amira Jax- Intel Dynasty
Hunter- Unknown
Ulani Rensburg- Keeper Nation
Each book/volume will have trigger warning for those who might not be able to handle the reading. I don't have any triggers but when I did read what John Warwick was doing to some of the females I did want to jump in the story to kick his ass if I had magic. LOL.
The Midsummer Festival ends with the Tournament on the last day. I would of like little more action in the battle. But all in all was good. You get to see how they use their magic and or abilities. Most of them did not like the Sepawn because there were people who were not born with magic. It was the Sepawn who was ruling all the nations and lot of the Nations were having social problems that was not taken care of under their rule. Isn't that the problem with each ruling kingdom?!
I give it 4 stars because it did have me turning the pages to see what was happening next. There were some slow spots but not enough to deter my rating. I would recommend this book to friends who like fantasy with some dark content.
DON'T FUCK WITH THE CHICKEN!!!
May 17, 2023
"My name is John Warwick," I hummed. "This pussy will forever belong to me."
-John Warwick
Fractured Glory
Rise of the Dreads Series
By Loren Hart and YD La Mar
500 pages
Currently on KU in the USA.
Publication date May 6, 2023
I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and this is my honest review. Please, watch out for possible spoilers, including but not limited to, TW/CN/Etc.
Possible TW, Tropes, and Genres
Mature, Spicy, Dark Fantasy, Dark Romance, Suspense, Thriller, High Fantasy, Multiple POV, Multiple POVs of the same scene, explicit scenes, forced marriage, dead chickens and things that may be disturbing , revenge, noncon, dubcon, open door spice, anti heroes, kinda racist character, invasion of body, kidnapping, brutal discipline, gore, kinda insane talks to oneself character, bareback, oral, monsters, magic, murder, violence, torture, psychotic break, war, and possibly more.
If you like dark fantasy, this would be one to read. It is the start to a whole series, and I can only imagine where it will go from here.
I really enjoyed the multiple POVs, esp when at times they would go over the same things, but from other points of view. There have been a few books I have read where I sooo wanted that.
There were times where I was laughing a lot, other times where I was like,, um, sir I think you are racist… And maybe a bit psychotic.
I would say that there is a good bit of spice, action and adventure for any romance or fantasy reader. At times things would feel a bit slow, but then I would get into another Volume, and things would feel super fast. So, that seems more based on who you are reading and where their turn for POV it is. Which I found very interesting.
I loved the unique abilities and magic that people had. Um, non magic, no unique abilities, or unpowered humans are considered gross. And in one of the chapters, a character kills one.. During a very… Intimate moment…
I would definitely say that there are more triggers than what I have shared, although I could not find a full list of them from either author. Maybe I missed it somewhere though. There are some courtesy warnings before each volume, but nothing I have found that shows all of it in one list. I didn’t have any issues with the TW that were shared, or other things that come up, but I am a darker, the better kind of reader.
5 / 5
-Destynnee
-John Warwick
Fractured Glory
Rise of the Dreads Series
By Loren Hart and YD La Mar
500 pages
Currently on KU in the USA.
Publication date May 6, 2023
I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and this is my honest review. Please, watch out for possible spoilers, including but not limited to, TW/CN/Etc.
Possible TW, Tropes, and Genres
Mature, Spicy, Dark Fantasy, Dark Romance, Suspense, Thriller, High Fantasy, Multiple POV, Multiple POVs of the same scene, explicit scenes, forced marriage, dead chickens and things that may be disturbing , revenge, noncon, dubcon, open door spice, anti heroes, kinda racist character, invasion of body, kidnapping, brutal discipline, gore, kinda insane talks to oneself character, bareback, oral, monsters, magic, murder, violence, torture, psychotic break, war, and possibly more.
If you like dark fantasy, this would be one to read. It is the start to a whole series, and I can only imagine where it will go from here.
I really enjoyed the multiple POVs, esp when at times they would go over the same things, but from other points of view. There have been a few books I have read where I sooo wanted that.
There were times where I was laughing a lot, other times where I was like,, um, sir I think you are racist… And maybe a bit psychotic.
I would say that there is a good bit of spice, action and adventure for any romance or fantasy reader. At times things would feel a bit slow, but then I would get into another Volume, and things would feel super fast. So, that seems more based on who you are reading and where their turn for POV it is. Which I found very interesting.
I loved the unique abilities and magic that people had. Um, non magic, no unique abilities, or unpowered humans are considered gross. And in one of the chapters, a character kills one.. During a very… Intimate moment…
I would definitely say that there are more triggers than what I have shared, although I could not find a full list of them from either author. Maybe I missed it somewhere though. There are some courtesy warnings before each volume, but nothing I have found that shows all of it in one list. I didn’t have any issues with the TW that were shared, or other things that come up, but I am a darker, the better kind of reader.
5 / 5
-Destynnee
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2025
Here's the thing - I read this literally years ago. It was the first ARC I'd ever received and I was so excited. I'd just gotten my Kindle, I was approved for my very first ARC - I. Was. Ready.
Then I read... this. God, it was bad. So, so bad. I was naive then, so when I received the email with the copy of the book that said, "Any reviews less than 3 stars are not to be posted for at least 2 weeks after publication," I didn't think anything of it. The me of today would recognize that for what it is - A shady way to skew ratings for a crap book. Which this very much is.
You read the same thing over, and over, and over. Honestly, I never even finished the book. I read like, 60% of it and just had enough. It was such a slog to read the same action over and over and over with nothing really impactful during the scenes to separate them. It had the potential to be interesting, but man did they miss the mark. By like, a LOT.
They achieved their goal. Because of their ridiculous stipulation, I forgot to ever come back and review this. But now, now I have a "Shelf of Shame" and this one star ATROCITY is being added to it immediately, and I'm updating to leave a review. While I don't remember a lot about the plot, I do remember WHY I never finished it, I remember I hated it, and I remember that my first ever ARC was this awful, AWFUL book.
I see it has 4-point-something stars and I simply do not believe that many people enjoyed this book that much. I think their ARC tactic worked and the ratings are dummy skewed. This is why ratings should be taken with a grain of salt.
Then I read... this. God, it was bad. So, so bad. I was naive then, so when I received the email with the copy of the book that said, "Any reviews less than 3 stars are not to be posted for at least 2 weeks after publication," I didn't think anything of it. The me of today would recognize that for what it is - A shady way to skew ratings for a crap book. Which this very much is.
You read the same thing over, and over, and over. Honestly, I never even finished the book. I read like, 60% of it and just had enough. It was such a slog to read the same action over and over and over with nothing really impactful during the scenes to separate them. It had the potential to be interesting, but man did they miss the mark. By like, a LOT.
They achieved their goal. Because of their ridiculous stipulation, I forgot to ever come back and review this. But now, now I have a "Shelf of Shame" and this one star ATROCITY is being added to it immediately, and I'm updating to leave a review. While I don't remember a lot about the plot, I do remember WHY I never finished it, I remember I hated it, and I remember that my first ever ARC was this awful, AWFUL book.
I see it has 4-point-something stars and I simply do not believe that many people enjoyed this book that much. I think their ARC tactic worked and the ratings are dummy skewed. This is why ratings should be taken with a grain of salt.
April 29, 2023
Fractured Glory review
I love to see how devoted Ridley is to ending the Midsummer Festival and that he allies himself with contestants that feel the same way. I also need to know how Conrad was really taken down during the previous game, was he really stabbed in the back? Just finished John’s story and that man is twisted! I need to know what caused that man to hate Sepawns the way he does. Also I’ve noticed that Ridley and John both believed they delivered the killing blow to Hunter which honestly I love if this was purposeful because we all know that stories get mixed up depending on who is telling them. Bravo 👏 This keeps getting more interesting with every page turned. In Bhif’s story Gianna was mentioned to own the tavern he was drinking in, could it be Ridley’s Gianna? Bhif definitely makes “Don’t judge a book by its cover” true. One would think he was all brawn and no brain but when it came to the game he’s was quick witted and strategic in his moves. Bhif should hate them chickens.
Torrin screams knight from his ideals to his need to protect his sister but he was hasty. Are all Gerard’s just that OP? Torrin and Amira just trying to protect their loved ones and end up thrown into the game because of someone else’s greed.
Hunter had time, I thought that the story ended once he fell but it seems as if I was mistaken. Ulani was chosen because of how she thought but to bear a child alone? Hunter could’ve stayed.
I love to see how devoted Ridley is to ending the Midsummer Festival and that he allies himself with contestants that feel the same way. I also need to know how Conrad was really taken down during the previous game, was he really stabbed in the back? Just finished John’s story and that man is twisted! I need to know what caused that man to hate Sepawns the way he does. Also I’ve noticed that Ridley and John both believed they delivered the killing blow to Hunter which honestly I love if this was purposeful because we all know that stories get mixed up depending on who is telling them. Bravo 👏 This keeps getting more interesting with every page turned. In Bhif’s story Gianna was mentioned to own the tavern he was drinking in, could it be Ridley’s Gianna? Bhif definitely makes “Don’t judge a book by its cover” true. One would think he was all brawn and no brain but when it came to the game he’s was quick witted and strategic in his moves. Bhif should hate them chickens.
Torrin screams knight from his ideals to his need to protect his sister but he was hasty. Are all Gerard’s just that OP? Torrin and Amira just trying to protect their loved ones and end up thrown into the game because of someone else’s greed.
Hunter had time, I thought that the story ended once he fell but it seems as if I was mistaken. Ulani was chosen because of how she thought but to bear a child alone? Hunter could’ve stayed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2023
I received this book as an ARC and I DNF’d it at chapter 11. A lot of it was because it just isn’t my style. It’s made up of 6 novellas. I don’t tend to enjoy short stories or novellas. The MMC in the first one bugged me. He was arrogant, overpowered, and the attempts to humanize him felt more Jekyll and Hyde than character development. There’s a real disjointed attempt at description at the beginning of chapter 2, and the end made no sense because it simply wasn’t explained. The whole time they set up this “there can only be one winner” thing and then suddenly there are 5 winners and everyone gets their happy ending… what? I feel like this is because of the novella format. I am the kind of reader that needs depth and detail.
I decided to keep going and try the second novella before calling it off. The first chapter of that one opens with spice. Not terrible spice but opening a whole new story with some guy railing some girl looses the desire/lust element that makes me invested. Then he kills her at the end of the chapter for not having powers (mirroring the racism from the first), again with no explanation, and I was just done. Not my bag. Not for me. Not triggered either, just not my kind of storytelling.
I loved Hooked, A Court of Sugar and Spice, and the Desecrated Duet. I read dark smut. This just didn’t do it for me. And clearly I’m the outlier cuz lots of ppl enjoyed it. I just couldn’t do it.
I decided to keep going and try the second novella before calling it off. The first chapter of that one opens with spice. Not terrible spice but opening a whole new story with some guy railing some girl looses the desire/lust element that makes me invested. Then he kills her at the end of the chapter for not having powers (mirroring the racism from the first), again with no explanation, and I was just done. Not my bag. Not for me. Not triggered either, just not my kind of storytelling.
I loved Hooked, A Court of Sugar and Spice, and the Desecrated Duet. I read dark smut. This just didn’t do it for me. And clearly I’m the outlier cuz lots of ppl enjoyed it. I just couldn’t do it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2023
Let me start by saying Loren & YD out did themselves with this book. the descriptive language they used to create not only a world, but multiple different kingdoms is incredible! At first, I was skeptical of whether or not I would be able to track who was who and why, because books with multiple points of view can be confusing. The way these authors broke up the book to volumes for each character with overlap of events was undeniably the correct way. Seeing the midsummer festival from each contestant’s view, as well as the DIFFERENCES in what happened, makes all the characters seem so human! (I would never tell John that though. Haha!)
I will say with confidence, very loudly, READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS! This book contains the perfect mix of smut, violence, and of course incredible plot. This book help set more ridiculous standards, for my real life that I fear for anyone who’s close to me. If you aren’t brave and protective like Torrin, cunning and determined like Ridley, and dedicated to change for yourself and others like Amira and Ulani I don’t need you in my life.
Will I ever look at chickens the same? Probably not. So, if any of this intrigued you go be a good girl and pick up the book. You won’t be disappointed!
I will say with confidence, very loudly, READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS! This book contains the perfect mix of smut, violence, and of course incredible plot. This book help set more ridiculous standards, for my real life that I fear for anyone who’s close to me. If you aren’t brave and protective like Torrin, cunning and determined like Ridley, and dedicated to change for yourself and others like Amira and Ulani I don’t need you in my life.
Will I ever look at chickens the same? Probably not. So, if any of this intrigued you go be a good girl and pick up the book. You won’t be disappointed!
May 12, 2023
Fractured Glory was a unique read for me, and I enjoyed so many aspects of this book! Written in a multiple POV amongst the characters, we are introduced to the deadly Midsummer Festival. Think-- adult hunger games! Each section of this book covers a little of each characters backstory and their perspective of the festival. I've read multi POV before, but I really enjoyed reading it this way in Fractured Glory...although some might find it redundant to hear about the same event every chapter, it kept me intrigued and wondering who's version was THE version. There were characters that were endearing and that I loved, and characters that I loved to hate..which I always think is great to feel that kind of response to a book!
All of that being said, there are trigger warnings one needs to look out for. The book does a good job of outlining the triggers in each section of the book. There is violence, spice, and more violence and
spice! I think anyone who is a lover of dark romance and fantasy will find something to like about this book. The conversation style between characters made it easy to read through. If you're looking for a fun, dark, magical, spicy book....Fractured Glory is definitely one worth checking out!
All of that being said, there are trigger warnings one needs to look out for. The book does a good job of outlining the triggers in each section of the book. There is violence, spice, and more violence and
spice! I think anyone who is a lover of dark romance and fantasy will find something to like about this book. The conversation style between characters made it easy to read through. If you're looking for a fun, dark, magical, spicy book....Fractured Glory is definitely one worth checking out!
May 25, 2023
I really tried to like this book, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t know it until the 2nd story of the book, but it explains the same event from multiple points of view. I wasn’t really a fan of it. Additionally, during the action sequences, the writing seemed disjointed and hard to follow what was going on with which character.
Then there’s the editing that needed done more of. There is one span of about 5 pages that was nothing but dialogue, but no dialogue tags and no indication of who was speaking. I couldn’t even keep it straight. Also, there were several instances where the main character’s name was spelled right and wrong in the same paragraph.
In the second book, the man has replicating powers. You already know this, but he uses his power and then about 5 or so pages later explains how it works. And to me, shouldn’t that be the opposite way? Tell how a power works then show it in action?
There’s also an entire character that refers to himself in third person. Then I stopped reading when I found out there’s an entire story for this character. I could not bring myself to read an entire 10 chapters from this characters point of view.
I did not finish this book. I could not recommend it to anyone.
Then there’s the editing that needed done more of. There is one span of about 5 pages that was nothing but dialogue, but no dialogue tags and no indication of who was speaking. I couldn’t even keep it straight. Also, there were several instances where the main character’s name was spelled right and wrong in the same paragraph.
In the second book, the man has replicating powers. You already know this, but he uses his power and then about 5 or so pages later explains how it works. And to me, shouldn’t that be the opposite way? Tell how a power works then show it in action?
There’s also an entire character that refers to himself in third person. Then I stopped reading when I found out there’s an entire story for this character. I could not bring myself to read an entire 10 chapters from this characters point of view.
I did not finish this book. I could not recommend it to anyone.
May 19, 2023
This is a book that contains a few dark fantasy novellas that are written by different authors. The authors really worked well together making all the stories within connect smoothly and beautifully!
I loved the many POVs and background stories about the characters. My favorites were Hunter and Ulani.
The book was interesting with many different characters that each get their own story which explains how they meet each other and what circumstances brought them together.
We start with all the characters entering the Chaos Games where there should only be one winner who would become the Emperor who rules over everyone. These characters have a different outcome in mind though. They wish to end it all.
We learn that each character has their own specific power and their own childhood trauma that ultimately leads them to where they are now. We get to see a few characters fall in love and we learn who the villains are although that is for you to decide who you think they are.
There is spice and some topics that could bother some so please check the content warnings at the start of each novella within the book.
I loved the many POVs and background stories about the characters. My favorites were Hunter and Ulani.
The book was interesting with many different characters that each get their own story which explains how they meet each other and what circumstances brought them together.
We start with all the characters entering the Chaos Games where there should only be one winner who would become the Emperor who rules over everyone. These characters have a different outcome in mind though. They wish to end it all.
We learn that each character has their own specific power and their own childhood trauma that ultimately leads them to where they are now. We get to see a few characters fall in love and we learn who the villains are although that is for you to decide who you think they are.
There is spice and some topics that could bother some so please check the content warnings at the start of each novella within the book.
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