The Circle is Broken: Wrapped in the Rays of the Sun Volume II

by Sara Ellie MacKenzie

In her Lopetish exile, Nora navigates through the tricky court webs. She has married Prince Charlemagne and secured the promised aid to return to Klenard. Upon arrival in her kingdom, she will have to address her uncle's claims of incompetence and tame the Tommel Army eastward. Next, it will be to overthrow Jayne. Finally, she would have to establish herself on the throne.

When the mixed forces land on the Klenard shores and move forth, they are met with joyous support from the Klenard people and experience several resounding victories. One town after another falls to them and order is slowly recovered. Tommel is chased out of the kingdom and the Klenard rebels are put to trial. Youth, marriage and motherhood remain on Nora's side. Soon, she recaptures her capital and claims her Crown from Jayne. Klenard is hers.

Even as Queen of Klenard, though, Nora faces more than the endless cycles of abuse her father and sister left. The economy required a complete restructuring. The towns needed to be rebuilt. Food was scarce without supplies and farming lands had to be sowed anew. The armies had to be compensated and reorganized. A new regime had to be trusted. Nora's head is spun in many directions that the one woman who haunted her life remained in the shadows, ready to strike when the moment was right.

For Nora, it is the will of God that she take up the Crown and become Queen. For Jayne, it is another opportunity to reclaim what she thought is rightfully hers. One wrong step and it will be the loss of one of their heads. Another might mean Klenard will return into its chaotic cycle. The circle had to be broken...but by which sister?

718 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2021

About the author

Sara Ellie MacKenzie has been creating stories, poems, political commentary and more since she was a child. In her spare time, she helps other indie authors through her organization, Connecticut Authors Partnership and experiences life to the fullest with her family. She currently lives in New Britain, Connecticut with her husband Brian, son Calvin, and fur babies, cats Skaara and Rory and dog Tips. You can visit her website for more information on events, books and news.

Reviews

[Royalty Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute triumph! The continuation of Nora's journey is rich with political intrigue, emotional depth, and epic battles that kept me turning the pages late into the night. Watching Nora rise from exile to claim her throne—only to be met with even greater challenges as queen—was both inspiring and heart-wrenching. The dynamic between Nora and Jayne is brilliantly written, capturing the delicate line between sisterhood and rivalry.

The author masterfully blends themes of faith, resilience, and leadership into a gripping narrative. From reclaiming a kingdom to rebuilding a broken land, every step of Nora’s path feels earned and powerful. If you enjoy strong female leads, court drama, and high-stakes storytelling, this book delivers it all. A must-read for fans of fantasy and historical drama alike!

[Simon Calloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripping continuation of Nora’s journey is nothing short of phenomenal. The story masterfully blends political intrigue, emotional struggle, and the weight of leadership as Nora rises from exile to power. Her resilience, strategic mind, and unyielding spirit shine through every challenge, whether it's reclaiming her crown, rebuilding a kingdom, or confronting the ghost of her past.

The writing is rich, vivid, and emotionally charged, immersing you in every scene from battlefields to court chambers. The tension between Nora and Jayne adds layers of drama and suspense that keep you hooked until the final page. This is not just a tale of reclaiming power, but one of identity, duty, and the courage it takes to break a toxic legacy.

An empowering read with depth, action, and heart. Highly recommended for fans of strong female protagonists and intricate world-building!

[Cilo Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an emotional and political rollercoaster that delivers from beginning to end. Nora’s transformation from exiled royal to powerful queen is nothing short of inspiring. Her strength, wisdom, and resilience are tested in every chapter, making her one of the most compelling heroines I’ve read in a long time.

The author does an incredible job weaving intrigue, war, and personal growth into a powerful story that keeps you hooked. The conflict between Nora and Jayne is layered with betrayal, pain, and ambition, making it impossible to know how things will end until the final pages.

If you enjoy stories about reclaiming power, complex family dynamics, and the cost of leadership, this book is a must-read. Brilliantly written, emotionally charged, and deeply satisfying.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely captivating from the very first page! The author masterfully weaves a tale of courage, ambition, and divine destiny through the eyes of Nora, a queen whose strength and grace command every scene. The political intrigue, emotional depth, and vivid worldbuilding make Klenard feel alive and real. Every victory, every betrayal, and every moment of resolve kept me hooked.

The dynamic between Nora and Jayne is nothing short of brilliant ,a powerful exploration of sisterhood, rivalry, and the cost of power. The pacing is perfect, the writing elegant, and the story deeply inspiring. It’s rare to find a novel that blends heart, strategy, and faith so seamlessly.

[Luna Parfford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follow-up dives even deeper into Nora’s strength and resilience. Her journey from exile to queen is filled with incredible highs and heartbreaking lows. The battles feel real, the politics are sharp, and Nora’s personal growth is inspiring. The emotional weight of rebuilding a kingdom while facing betrayal, trauma, and uncertainty was beautifully portrayed. A must-read for fans of political fantasy and strong female leads!

[Korbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story pulled me in from the first page. Nora is a phenomenal character, smart, flawed, and full of fight. The sibling conflict with Jayne adds deep emotional tension, and the rebuilding of Klenard brings satisfying layers of realism. This book balances action, emotion, and world-building perfectly. A thrilling read that stays with you long after the final page!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has everything betrayal, redemption, faith, and the unbreakable bond (and rivalry) between sisters. I loved how Nora’s leadership wasn’t just about power, but purpose. Every struggle she faced felt real, every victory deserved. Jayne is the perfect foil flawed, desperate, and hauntingly human. The ending left me breathless. A masterpiece of emotion and courage.

[Victoria Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world of Klenard feels so alive full of history, politics, and passion. Nora’s evolution from exile to queen was both heartbreaking and triumphant. I loved the subtle spiritual undertones and the realism of rebuilding a broken kingdom. My only wish is that Jayne’s motives were explored a bit more deeply, but overall, this was a rich and rewarding read.

[Lyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down! Nora’s courage reminded me of real-life queens who shaped history. The writing is poetic without losing intensity, and the moral questions about destiny and leadership were profound. The scenes of her reclaiming the throne were cinematic. I felt every ounce of her determination. A must-read for anyone who loves strong heroines and stories about divine purpose.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel everything. From the hope of Nora’s return to Klenard to the pain of betrayal by family, I was completely invested. I especially loved how motherhood and duty were portrayed not as weaknesses, but as sources of power. The themes of forgiveness and faith really touched me. I finished it in two sittings and I’m still thinking about it.

[Mane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot is strong and the characters are complex, but there were moments when I felt lost in the political details. I wanted more emotional reflection and a bit less focus on the logistics of rebuilding. That said, Nora is a fantastic protagonist, and her conflict with Jayne kept me turning the pages. It’s clear the author poured heart and depth into this world.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a powerful journey Nora’s return, her trials, and her faith driven mission were captivating. The descriptions were vivid, and I could feel the tension between the sisters. My only small gripe is that the ending felt a bit rushed; I wanted to linger in Nora’s victory and see more of what came after. Still, a fantastic read that stayed with me long after I closed the book.

[Elvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart in ways I didn’t expect. Nora’s rise from exile to queen is told with such emotion and purpose that I found myself cheering for her out loud. The faith elements were handled beautifully never preachy, just powerful. Every chapter was like a prayer and a battle rolled into one. Truly a masterpiece of storytelling and soul.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every bit of this novel! It’s rare to find a story that balances royal intrigue, emotional depth, and divine purpose so perfectly. The relationship between Nora and Jayne is riveting sisters divided by ambition but bound by blood. The author’s writing is lush and vivid; I could see every battlefield, every tear, every crown jewel. A book I’ll be recommending for a long time.

[Jean3zog5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventures of Nora continue as she seeks to quell the disruption in Klenard. Navigating international politics, as she seeks help from other kingdoms, our heroine once again continues the careful navigation of a diverse political climate to restore order and peace to Klenard.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I love in fantasy: strong female leads, complex family dynamics, and high-stakes power struggles. Nora’s journey from exile to queen was so satisfying to watch unfold. I was fully invested from the first chapter to the last!

[Talia Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the political drama and the emotional layers of Nora’s journey. The pacing slowed a bit in the middle, but the final chapters were worth it. The sibling rivalry, especially, gave the story real heart and tension.

[Adams Sales · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story had great potential and strong themes of resilience. However, I found some parts dense with detail, which made the flow uneven for me. Still, Nora is a character worth rooting for and the world-building is strong.

[Tyler Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

From battles to betrayal, this book had me hooked! I loved how Nora wasn’t just fighting for a crown, but for the soul of her kingdom. The emotional depth made it more than just a fantasy, it’s a story of survival, growth, and hope.

[Daniella James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid read with a great balance of action, politics, and emotion. Nora’s strength and vulnerability made her a relatable queen. I would have loved a little more development for the side characters, but overall, it was a very enjoyable read!

[April Twist · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend, Emily does it again! Continuing right where we left off in the first book, “The Circle is Broken” follows Nora’s journey to being the rightful queen of Klenard. She faces much trials, betrayal, love and understands the value of family, God and country in her tale. I loved this book more than the first. The legacy of the crown and the actions taken to get there will be full of surprises, devastation and death; probably the only way to get to the crown in medieval times. There were many spots where again I could not stop reading.
In this second book, we see more character development from those we got to know in the first, especially Nora. I anticipate that as the saga on, we’ll get more clarity and a full understanding of not only her but the nation of Klenard.

The nation of Klenard is depending on you to read its story. Do not disappoint!