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Shattered Crystal: Book One of the Crystal Fae
Shattered Crystal
Book One of the Crystal Fae
Written by M.T. Syler
Growing up, Melancholy Brown faced a series of hardships that tested her resolve. However, her dreams offered her an escape, as she found solace in a magical world filled with Fae. In this world, she watches the adventures of Kleptis Klein, a skilled assassin employed by the Thieves Guild in Jelaria, and his sister Mystic. Despite facing difficulties in the real world, Melancholy finds herself feeling more at home in this dream world and longs to stay there permanently. Although she acknowledges that the world she escapes to might just be a figment of her imagination, she doesn't mind. To her, it's a much-needed escape from reality. All my life I’ve always tried to roll with the punches, learning to keep myself calm when everything around me was going to shit. I’d learned a long time ago that fighting back against your fate only made things worse. Sometimes you just had to take what life gave you and make shitty lemonade out of it. Even if the lemons it gave you were moldy and full of worms. Jelaria is my escape, a world that I visit only in my dreams. It feels more real to me than my actual reality, and I long to stay there permanently. The fact that it may not be real does not matter to me, for it could just as easily be a fantasy created by a lonely child. All I know is that I want to stay there forever.
Book One of the Crystal Fae
Written by M.T. Syler
Growing up, Melancholy Brown faced a series of hardships that tested her resolve. However, her dreams offered her an escape, as she found solace in a magical world filled with Fae. In this world, she watches the adventures of Kleptis Klein, a skilled assassin employed by the Thieves Guild in Jelaria, and his sister Mystic. Despite facing difficulties in the real world, Melancholy finds herself feeling more at home in this dream world and longs to stay there permanently. Although she acknowledges that the world she escapes to might just be a figment of her imagination, she doesn't mind. To her, it's a much-needed escape from reality. All my life I’ve always tried to roll with the punches, learning to keep myself calm when everything around me was going to shit. I’d learned a long time ago that fighting back against your fate only made things worse. Sometimes you just had to take what life gave you and make shitty lemonade out of it. Even if the lemons it gave you were moldy and full of worms. Jelaria is my escape, a world that I visit only in my dreams. It feels more real to me than my actual reality, and I long to stay there permanently. The fact that it may not be real does not matter to me, for it could just as easily be a fantasy created by a lonely child. All I know is that I want to stay there forever.
362 pages, Paperback
Published July 3, 2023
1 person is currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
M.T. Syler
6 books9 followersFantasy, spice, and everything nice!
Forever a dreamer, M.T. has been writing books and poems since she was a child, but things didn’t really start to click until 2020 when she found herself with the time to pursue her dreams.
Where can you find M.T.? She can always be found with a book in hand and a cat in her lap. She lives in the western United States.
In addition to being an author, M.T. is a hairstylist and a proud mother to a beautiful daughter. Her family has been her unwavering support system, encouraging her to pursue her passions and dreams. Without their love and support, writing would not be possible.
Forever a dreamer, M.T. has been writing books and poems since she was a child, but things didn’t really start to click until 2020 when she found herself with the time to pursue her dreams.
Where can you find M.T.? She can always be found with a book in hand and a cat in her lap. She lives in the western United States.
In addition to being an author, M.T. is a hairstylist and a proud mother to a beautiful daughter. Her family has been her unwavering support system, encouraging her to pursue her passions and dreams. Without their love and support, writing would not be possible.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 8, 2025
Definitely a different type of fantasy book than I have ever read! I can't wait to dive into book 2!
May 19, 2025
I really loved this book ! I feel like some Romantasy’s can be very similar but this was refreshing ! ❤️
November 15, 2024
Listened to this one audiobook and it was..EXCELLENT! The story gripped me from the start and honestly… I am still thinking about that ending 👀
September 13, 2024
I got to give this a 5. Picked it up on tiktok shop when the author was showing off the hardcovers for books 1 & 2 which have GORGEOUS character art. Tbh, the original cover art for both kinda gives me the creeps with the hands... So I'm really glad for those hardcovers cause otherwise I would not have given this series a try.
I'm giving this a 5 because the author accomplished something that can be very difficult to pull off successfully, and I feel it would be a disservice to rate it less. For the entirety of the book, there were two parallel storylines that were completely separate. This could have been incredibly jarring, but instead I found myself easily bouncing back in forth between the "real" world and Jelaria. It was fascinating how the themes of freedom/belonging mirrored each other in both stories. The choice to keep one in first person while the other in third, was actually genius because it kept it compartmentalized in my brain. I felt like I was reading two different books and enjoying both of them. The start of each chapter had me feeling like Mel when she goes to sleep, excited to jump back to the other story line to see what was happening now. The almost episodic feel to the chapters left me satisfied with how each was progressing in turn.
On that note, this read very much like a prequel season of a show (which I suppose it kind of is). It did feel at times like the overarching plot / purpose driving each storyline was more so convenient to get them where they needed to be for the next book. There seemed to be a lot of setup, but that's kind of expected when there's two completely separate worlds to build. But by the time I started to wonder when it would start to ramp up plot wise, it didn't matter much anyways because I cared SO MUCH about the characters. I desperately wanted happiness for Mel and loved seeing the change and growth as she comes into her own.
Overall, I'm interested to see how this transforms into the next book with what happened at the end. And, if it's anything like this book, I'll be patiently waiting to purchase book 3 (as soon as the character cover art hardcover editions come out ofc 😅)
I'm giving this a 5 because the author accomplished something that can be very difficult to pull off successfully, and I feel it would be a disservice to rate it less. For the entirety of the book, there were two parallel storylines that were completely separate. This could have been incredibly jarring, but instead I found myself easily bouncing back in forth between the "real" world and Jelaria. It was fascinating how the themes of freedom/belonging mirrored each other in both stories. The choice to keep one in first person while the other in third, was actually genius because it kept it compartmentalized in my brain. I felt like I was reading two different books and enjoying both of them. The start of each chapter had me feeling like Mel when she goes to sleep, excited to jump back to the other story line to see what was happening now. The almost episodic feel to the chapters left me satisfied with how each was progressing in turn.
On that note, this read very much like a prequel season of a show (which I suppose it kind of is). It did feel at times like the overarching plot / purpose driving each storyline was more so convenient to get them where they needed to be for the next book. There seemed to be a lot of setup, but that's kind of expected when there's two completely separate worlds to build. But by the time I started to wonder when it would start to ramp up plot wise, it didn't matter much anyways because I cared SO MUCH about the characters. I desperately wanted happiness for Mel and loved seeing the change and growth as she comes into her own.
Overall, I'm interested to see how this transforms into the next book with what happened at the end. And, if it's anything like this book, I'll be patiently waiting to purchase book 3 (as soon as the character cover art hardcover editions come out ofc 😅)
November 30, 2024
I really loved watching these two worlds collide in the portal fantasy Shattered Crystal. Watching as Mel does her best to escape her gritty, traumatic life and make it on her own while also enjoying the epic journey of Klein and Mystic on the heist of a lifetime as you wait for the point of contact was exciting and heart wrenching in all the right places. Absolutely love all the quirky fun side characters and the raw, real life themes. The ending has you on the edge of your seat needing more. Can not wait to dive into book two to continue this story!
March 29, 2025
Let me start by saying WOW. This book was absolutely amazing in every way possible. As you’re reading each chapter, going from Mel to Jelaria, it’s like you’re reading two different books at once!! (You will understand why at the end.) Melancholy (Mel, Colly) is such a beautiful character. Alex?!!! ALEX!!?!! WHY!!!! WHY!!! WHY!!! 😭😭 They deserved to be loved by each other for longer than what they had, I am distraught over the ending. What a well written book, and I can not wait to dive into Broken Gates!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2024
I loved this book. I didn't know too much about the book when I started. The world building, character development everything was amazing. I loved both stories and couldn't decide which I liked better. Mel's story was sad at times, but also lovely. The other world was so interesting and I couldn't wait to hear more on what they were doing. I can't wait to get into the next book and see what happens. If you love fantasy and romance this book is for you.
July 2, 2025
Love this book so much the retelling and the character building just amazing. The cover art is so pretty too. You can tell the author puts care into the characters. I kept getting pulled in wanting to know what lies next. Care for your mental health when diving in but this series is so good. Cant just have one book get them all.
March 21, 2024
Loved this book from start to finish. The duel stories were both so captivating and the characters were well developed. The characters were also very diverse and all lovable in their own way. Could not put this book down
September 7, 2023
I loved this story! I wasn't sure what to expect, but it had me from the very beginning and I can't wait to see what happens next!
April 2, 2024
This book is amazing. Some parts definitely broke me but amazing!!
July 11, 2024
I adored this book! If you like portal fantasy, you will like this one. Mind the cliff.
November 12, 2024
Blooming amazing read the characters are so clear and amazing and loveable and the adventure they had I just couldn't put it down what a pair x
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2025
Shattered Mirror by M.T Syler was an amazing start for today. I couldn’t even stop listening long enough to focus on anything else. I’m pretty sure I agreed to write another proposal for work. Book drops you into a strip club then ends in a different world that she had only dreamed of. I was desperately wanting more and dove straight into book two without any thought. You will eat this book up!
September 16, 2024
I just want to hug Mel.
The duo pov in different world was a really cool idea. Kinda gave me multiversity type vibes.
I'm guessing she's very much apart of that other world.
I love Klein and Mystics dynamic, an can't wait to see how the romance will blossom between Klein and Mel. Though I have a feeling Mel will have alot to work through before it does.
The duo pov in different world was a really cool idea. Kinda gave me multiversity type vibes.
I'm guessing she's very much apart of that other world.
I love Klein and Mystics dynamic, an can't wait to see how the romance will blossom between Klein and Mel. Though I have a feeling Mel will have alot to work through before it does.
May 5, 2024
I loved this story. This is the first book by M.T. Syler and I gotta say they hit it out of the park. Mel's story is heartbreaking at times, as she tries to navigate her broken world. Her friendships are all that really holds her together. Meanwhile in a duel timeline/ dream world adventure awaits! I loved this aspect of the book. I would recommend this book to people who like the writing style of C.N. Crawford, Niki St. Crow, Raven Kennedy, SJM, and Epic Romantic fantasy. I cant wait to read the next book!
May 8, 2024
This book is so freaking interesting! 2 worlds come together in the BEST way and I love the character development that happened! This is the first book like this that I’ve ever read but I am HOOKED!! The dream realm, the real world, the life problems that Mel goes through and overcomes…..it’s just freaking AMAZING!! 10/10 read! It’s so worth it!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews