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The Broken Prism #1
Cave of Nightmares
Hayden spent the first twelve years of his life hearing about the infamous Dark Prism: his corrupted magic, his fractured mind, the towns that were destroyed during his dark experiments, the people he killed….But it wasn’t until Hayden’s childhood home exploded that he learned that the most evil mage in the Nine Lands was actually his father.
Now Hayden is being credited with the Dark Prism’s demise, even though he swears he doesn’t remember anything about the explosion that destroyed his home and killed his mother. All he wants to do is live a normal life, but after being sent to Mizzenwald for formal magical training, it’s obvious that that isn’t going to happen. Hayden tries to find a place for himself in a world left devastated by the Dark Prism, but with enemies around every corner and a defective dragon for an ally, things aren’t looking good.
Surviving his first year of school becomes Hayden’s top priority, but will he have to follow in his father’s footsteps to succeed?
Now Hayden is being credited with the Dark Prism’s demise, even though he swears he doesn’t remember anything about the explosion that destroyed his home and killed his mother. All he wants to do is live a normal life, but after being sent to Mizzenwald for formal magical training, it’s obvious that that isn’t going to happen. Hayden tries to find a place for himself in a world left devastated by the Dark Prism, but with enemies around every corner and a defective dragon for an ally, things aren’t looking good.
Surviving his first year of school becomes Hayden’s top priority, but will he have to follow in his father’s footsteps to succeed?
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2013
39 people are currently reading
1002 people want to read
About the author
V. St. Clair
23 books81 followersV. St. Clair is a chemical engineer by day, writer by night, living in the Louisville, KY area. She is the author of The Chronicles of Icthema trilogy and the Age of Empires duo. Her most recently published works include the fantasy epic Wonderlust, as well as the The Broken Prism series.
Currently she is working on a new trilogy called Origins of Elaria, the first of which was released in 2017.
Currently she is working on a new trilogy called Origins of Elaria, the first of which was released in 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 12, 2015
Similar to Harry Potter, but maybe a little darker with more action...A lot more action - main character (Hayden) is basically the son of Voldemort (called the Dark Prism here), which I love as a premise. Hayden also becomes friends with a boy in his age group who happens to have a bunch of sisters (opposite of the Weasleys, where Ginny was only girl).
Once you're past the HP similarities, this book takes off. The magic system is so much better here then in HP (and other books); in this world there's no hiding magic, people know about though not everyone can use it - there's no hiding from regular people here in this series.
But what I love is the different types of magic available; when using wands, depending on the type of wood the wand is made from and how powerful the spell is, the wand slowly deteriorates, so most carry more then one at a time. Conjuring (summoning) has students using chalk, charms, healing and finally Prisms. I won't get into Prisms as its such a fun system that you have to read it to understand. The system has so much variety that just reading about each subject is great.
Another thing I liked, there's a part where students are trying to summon something. Some fail (as students do when learning) and they end up losing their hands. The students reaction to this was something I loved, there was no laughing, no sniggering..No, these kids just lost a hand and while it can be reattached with no problem, the shock of losing a limb is shown. Kids start freaking out, puking, etc. I appreciated the fact that the author shows us these reactions, one thing I didn't like was how HP students took things in stride. Oh your arms broken? Cool, all good. Whats that, you exploded a potion? Don't worry no harm done, eyebrows a little frizzled.
In the Broken Prism it's more like; oh you blew up a potion? Your face is melting, students are crying, other students are puking because their fellow students face is melting off. I would too, it would be pretty gross to see.
Highly recommended.
Once you're past the HP similarities, this book takes off. The magic system is so much better here then in HP (and other books); in this world there's no hiding magic, people know about though not everyone can use it - there's no hiding from regular people here in this series.
But what I love is the different types of magic available; when using wands, depending on the type of wood the wand is made from and how powerful the spell is, the wand slowly deteriorates, so most carry more then one at a time. Conjuring (summoning) has students using chalk, charms, healing and finally Prisms. I won't get into Prisms as its such a fun system that you have to read it to understand. The system has so much variety that just reading about each subject is great.
Another thing I liked, there's a part where students are trying to summon something. Some fail (as students do when learning) and they end up losing their hands. The students reaction to this was something I loved, there was no laughing, no sniggering..No, these kids just lost a hand and while it can be reattached with no problem, the shock of losing a limb is shown. Kids start freaking out, puking, etc. I appreciated the fact that the author shows us these reactions, one thing I didn't like was how HP students took things in stride. Oh your arms broken? Cool, all good. Whats that, you exploded a potion? Don't worry no harm done, eyebrows a little frizzled.
In the Broken Prism it's more like; oh you blew up a potion? Your face is melting, students are crying, other students are puking because their fellow students face is melting off. I would too, it would be pretty gross to see.
Highly recommended.
June 13, 2016
1.5 stars
Since the part about school started there were too many little things similar to Harry Potter world, and then a girl named Theresa Wesley appears.
The main character is the perfect, boring Gary Stu.
And the worst is the dialogue: plain and impersonal as no true one would ever be. The way the characters talk says nothing about them, who they are and how did they lived.
The Powder teacher being "bad" was too similar to Severus Snape. Please, there's even a trio of bullies, and the "boss" is a bad copy of Malfoy, I mean, even their first encounter happens in a clothing shop.
It's as if the author, while thinking out the story, simply based it on the school of HP (sorry, forgot the school's name) thinking that as long as she changed the bigger things no one would notice. This feels a lot like some fanfic variation, something like: Harry potter as Voldemort's son.
The writer simply took most of the elements, change some of them and rearranged the rest.
It even has a scene similar to when Fred and George grew their beards and hair. Too many coincidences to think it wasn't on purpose.
But apart from these unpleasant details the book is boring, predictable and adults divide in either morons or saints and kind geniuses.
All in all the story is interesting, too bad it was ruined by plot, characters and descriptions.
And drama.
Drama everywhere and for everything. At some point I just started rolling my eyes every few pages: a twelve years old boy does or says something and the reactions he gets are overly exaggerated, something like him asking someone to pass him sugar and everyone panicking thinking that maybe he wants to create a monster with it.
The rest of the time the main character is too busy letting everyone see how awesome he is while denying it with false humility.
Since the part about school started there were too many little things similar to Harry Potter world, and then a girl named Theresa Wesley appears.
The main character is the perfect, boring Gary Stu.
And the worst is the dialogue: plain and impersonal as no true one would ever be. The way the characters talk says nothing about them, who they are and how did they lived.
The Powder teacher being "bad" was too similar to Severus Snape. Please, there's even a trio of bullies, and the "boss" is a bad copy of Malfoy, I mean, even their first encounter happens in a clothing shop.
It's as if the author, while thinking out the story, simply based it on the school of HP (sorry, forgot the school's name) thinking that as long as she changed the bigger things no one would notice. This feels a lot like some fanfic variation, something like: Harry potter as Voldemort's son.
The writer simply took most of the elements, change some of them and rearranged the rest.
It even has a scene similar to when Fred and George grew their beards and hair. Too many coincidences to think it wasn't on purpose.
But apart from these unpleasant details the book is boring, predictable and adults divide in either morons or saints and kind geniuses.
All in all the story is interesting, too bad it was ruined by plot, characters and descriptions.
And drama.
Drama everywhere and for everything. At some point I just started rolling my eyes every few pages: a twelve years old boy does or says something and the reactions he gets are overly exaggerated, something like him asking someone to pass him sugar and everyone panicking thinking that maybe he wants to create a monster with it.
The rest of the time the main character is too busy letting everyone see how awesome he is while denying it with false humility.
July 19, 2015
Lots of people compare this to the Harry Potter series - after all it's about a "famous" teen-ager attending a nationally known school for the magical arts. But imagine how different the Hogwarts series would be if Harry was actually sired by Voldemort. Not the same story, eh? Still a very interesting one though.
August 2, 2023
É um ótimo livro, recomendo pra qualquer um que gosta de sagas e de heróis que começam com eles crianças e tu consegue evoluir com os personagens. Lembra um pouco HP, sim, mas apenas no começo, logo a gente se desprende dessa ideia, porque se continuar comparando, achei a escrita bem superior, mais profunda, com mais complexidade de sentimentos nos personagens. É muito interessante ver como Hayden lida com o fardo que ele carrega, na forma que ele enxerga quem não gosta dele quase com dó e por motivos muito sólidos.
Uma das coisas legais da história, aliás, é isso, todos têm ótimos motivos e dá pra compreender grande parte do que acontece, e a forma que é mostrada como ele convive e sente essas coisas, a falta de uma figura paterna, a falta da mãe dele, é muito bom de ler um mocinho com personalidade, finalmente.
Recomendo bastante, adorei o livro mesmo!
Uma das coisas legais da história, aliás, é isso, todos têm ótimos motivos e dá pra compreender grande parte do que acontece, e a forma que é mostrada como ele convive e sente essas coisas, a falta de uma figura paterna, a falta da mãe dele, é muito bom de ler um mocinho com personalidade, finalmente.
Recomendo bastante, adorei o livro mesmo!
July 12, 2014
Initially i thought it is another sob sob story. But once i get pass the 1st chapter, it get very interesting. Enjoyed it very much and i find that I cannot put the book down until i finished it.
Story is sort of similar scenerio like Harry Porter, except that it is much more entertaining, fast pace and lots of action, not boring and draggy like Harry Porter.
Story is sort of similar scenerio like Harry Porter, except that it is much more entertaining, fast pace and lots of action, not boring and draggy like Harry Porter.
March 4, 2021
This book started off as a Harry Potter clone, but has since then progressed to an individual entity on its own. I read this series at a cost of nothing using my Kindle Unlimited account. So far worth every penny. The series did not have too many plot twists, but was engaging and fast-paced nonetheless. Do not misjudge these books based on my rating, I have read too many fantasy books lately for a book to completely bowl me over! I totally recommend this series to readers who are young or new to fantasy genre.
P.S. The first book of the series is a complete Harry Potter rip-off, but the rest of the books are so much more. I loved the Harry Potter series, so this book was enjoyable and nostalgic in so much sense.
P.S. The first book of the series is a complete Harry Potter rip-off, but the rest of the books are so much more. I loved the Harry Potter series, so this book was enjoyable and nostalgic in so much sense.
January 17, 2024
DNF
I really tried hard to like this but I couldn't. I'm halfway until I couldn't take it anymore.
It's not about the similarity to Harry Potter but it's how plain, flat, monotone and boring every sentences are.
In writing, one of the rules is 'Show don't tell' and this book fail miserably. Even if it does try to describe something, it lack that depth that bring emotions to the writing. It feels being dragged in a dim yellow corridor. It's boring.
The writing didn't feel serious, it's like the author was trying to be funny and just end up with immature writing.
The premise is good, the writing ruin it whole.
I really tried hard to like this but I couldn't. I'm halfway until I couldn't take it anymore.
It's not about the similarity to Harry Potter but it's how plain, flat, monotone and boring every sentences are.
In writing, one of the rules is 'Show don't tell' and this book fail miserably. Even if it does try to describe something, it lack that depth that bring emotions to the writing. It feels being dragged in a dim yellow corridor. It's boring.
The writing didn't feel serious, it's like the author was trying to be funny and just end up with immature writing.
The premise is good, the writing ruin it whole.
June 2, 2022
This book deserves it's five star rating. I can't tell you how happy I am that it was recommended to me by Goodreads. This book is excellent. The world building is top notch, the magic system is well thought out and explained and the characters themselves are very dynamic and well rounded. All in all, this book was amazing and I would definitely recommend it to any fantasy lover. Now I just hope that book 2 is as good :)
March 3, 2024
4.5/5
I really enjoyed this foray into the school trope. My main gripe would be a couple of unnecessary side characters who I struggled to recall and a roommate who disappeared. The prose was solid and the world felt quite open to exploration still. I think things could have been fleshed out more in the setting though, since it is quite generic fantasy without any distinct cultures or traditions or religions or dress codes etc.
On to book two.
I really enjoyed this foray into the school trope. My main gripe would be a couple of unnecessary side characters who I struggled to recall and a roommate who disappeared. The prose was solid and the world felt quite open to exploration still. I think things could have been fleshed out more in the setting though, since it is quite generic fantasy without any distinct cultures or traditions or religions or dress codes etc.
On to book two.
May 6, 2023
Never read Harry Potter so the similarities aren't an issue.
I loved reading every moment in this book. Most of all I love Hayden, Bonk, the magic system and world building. I'm already halfway through the second book and prepping my heart for book 3 That summary has me worried for Hayden, my precious boy. He's only 12/13 . Did I mention I love this series?
I loved reading every moment in this book. Most of all I love Hayden, Bonk, the magic system and world building. I'm already halfway through the second book and prepping my heart for book 3 That summary has me worried for Hayden, my precious boy. He's only 12/13 . Did I mention I love this series?
February 18, 2024
The magic system is interesting but nothing else really was. I read the first four books but couldn't convince myself to read the last one. I think I'd enjoy this a lot more if I was a 10 year old boy.
Bonus star for the magic system and a magic school that had a basic level of organization. (I'm so irritated by incoherent disorganized magic schools.)
Bonus star for the magic system and a magic school that had a basic level of organization. (I'm so irritated by incoherent disorganized magic schools.)
May 11, 2018
Great
Great premise. Best book I could find to put back in the world of a magical school since Harry potter.
Great premise. Best book I could find to put back in the world of a magical school since Harry potter.
October 15, 2020
I really enjoyed it
April 23, 2021
A solid 4 star book. It was really quite good. It just lacked a little in places for pacing and character development. A good start though and am looking forward to reading the next book
March 5, 2023
i loved it. it has lots of surprises. it is so hard to put into words how good it is you just have to read it for yourself to understand I would highly recommend this book
June 10, 2025
sometimes u need to read a harry potter rip off 🙂↕️
June 10, 2017
Too similar to Harry Potter for my taste. Somehow the story did not pull me in like HP did. Its well edited and an easy read nevertheless.
September 15, 2021
I don't normally do review's or post anything (just rate) but these books are truly amazing I can't put them down. They are a must read for any magic lover, I don't like comparing books but these are across between Harry Potter and Brent Weeks Lightbringer series.
The main things I enjoy about the books are the familiars (magical pets) and the different magic system each area of magic is rules and restrictions, they are explained so well it makes it so much more believable, you can tell the author has put a lot of thought into it and not tried to copy other magic systems that exist. There is so much more to explore with each area of magic I just hope by the end of the series all is explained.
So I would just like to say thanks to V. St. Clair for writing a funny (Bonk) and enjoyable series of books and they just keep getting better with each one I pick up.
The main things I enjoy about the books are the familiars (magical pets) and the different magic system each area of magic is rules and restrictions, they are explained so well it makes it so much more believable, you can tell the author has put a lot of thought into it and not tried to copy other magic systems that exist. There is so much more to explore with each area of magic I just hope by the end of the series all is explained.
So I would just like to say thanks to V. St. Clair for writing a funny (Bonk) and enjoyable series of books and they just keep getting better with each one I pick up.
December 19, 2017
This book started off as a Harry Potter clone, but has since then progressed to an individual entity on its own. I read this series at a cost of nothing using my Kindle Unlimited account. So far worth every penny. The series did not have too many plot twists, but was engaging and fast-paced nonetheless. Do not misjudge these books based on my rating, I have read too many fantasy books lately for a book to completely bowl me over! I totally recommend this series to readers who are young or new to fantasy genre.
P.S. The first book of the series is a complete Harry Potter rip-off, but the rest of the books are so much more. I loved the Harry Potter series, so this book was enjoyable and nostalgic in so much sense.
P.S. The first book of the series is a complete Harry Potter rip-off, but the rest of the books are so much more. I loved the Harry Potter series, so this book was enjoyable and nostalgic in so much sense.
June 12, 2016
Great books! Ended up reading the whole series in one sitting, very immersive and enjoyable read.
I was looking for something similar to Harry Potter (a bit obsessed with schools, I'm afraid) and, finally, I found something at its level. Loved the whole magic system and the world setting. Beautifully written, it maintains a steady pace with lots of action but, also, well developed characters that make you feel their pain. Did fall in love with Professor Asher and I was sorry not to see a love interest for him.
Wonderful writer, one to watch. Will definitely keep an eye out for any other books from this author. Recommended for any and all magic and adventure fans!
I was looking for something similar to Harry Potter (a bit obsessed with schools, I'm afraid) and, finally, I found something at its level. Loved the whole magic system and the world setting. Beautifully written, it maintains a steady pace with lots of action but, also, well developed characters that make you feel their pain. Did fall in love with Professor Asher and I was sorry not to see a love interest for him.
Wonderful writer, one to watch. Will definitely keep an eye out for any other books from this author. Recommended for any and all magic and adventure fans!
July 17, 2017
It is strikingly similar to Harry Potter though not in a bad way. In spite of the fact that many situations are almost identical, this book has a different "feel" to it. The action is fast and dialogues are full of witty comments. For now it lacks a more defined plot but I hope that it will become more prominent in further volumes. The first one did a good job of introducing us to a developed magic system. I believe that the characters are well-thought-out, but again, it is still to early to fully judge it, as it has only been lightly hinted that there may be something more underneath the antagonistic or friendly facedes that the teachers are putting up.
January 5, 2024
I had a good laugh with the book. It was funny, easy-going and entertaining. I’m intrigued on what is going to happened in the next one!
I could tell the author probably found inspiration in Harry Potter’s books (there is even a character named Theresa Weasley), but, let me tell you that the word, the magic, and pretty much everything else has nothing to do whit J.K Rowling’s work. The only reason I’m not giving it 5⭐️ is because I found Hayden sometimes to be too self-pity, he is always (and when I say always, i mean ALWAYS) saying that he is going to get the worst score and how bad he is at everything; by the end of the book I was just tired of reading his complainants.
I could tell the author probably found inspiration in Harry Potter’s books (there is even a character named Theresa Weasley), but, let me tell you that the word, the magic, and pretty much everything else has nothing to do whit J.K Rowling’s work. The only reason I’m not giving it 5⭐️ is because I found Hayden sometimes to be too self-pity, he is always (and when I say always, i mean ALWAYS) saying that he is going to get the worst score and how bad he is at everything; by the end of the book I was just tired of reading his complainants.
February 18, 2019
I really like this book. To be honest when my nephew told me he wanted to read it. I about turned it down. I am glad I gave it a try. Now I can not wait till the next one. I want to see what his summer vacation is going to be like. Is he going to have any new bad people after him? And why did the council summoned him? You would think they had better things to do. Well till next time...I can not wait.
Thank you.
Thank you.
September 5, 2015
Loved this book. There are a few similarities with the Harry Potter books, though, it's also very different. It's about the son of a very evil guy that dissappear, somewhat similar to Voldemort, our protagonist survives with no memory of the event when his mother's house is blown up. There is magic, wands, dragons, a school and so much more. I really enjoyed the story and will immediately start reading the next one.
August 9, 2015
Not bad. The magic system is quite good and complicated enough to justify years of study. Altough I can't really understand how magic comes in action in "powders" and "elixirs". The MC isn't bad but could be better.
November 3, 2016
It was ok and it has an interesting magical system. Pretty heavy Harry Potter influences as well.
While I didn't have any major issues with the novel I just couldn't get invested in the characters or the story. I might return to the series at a later date though.
While I didn't have any major issues with the novel I just couldn't get invested in the characters or the story. I might return to the series at a later date though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2021
Excellent YA or middle grade fantasy. inspired by Harry Potter without being a clone of it.
November 30, 2014
Great series. Hoping the author publishes more.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews