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The Fractured Veil

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Callum Walker triumphed over the darkest of evils but, in doing so, the veil separating humankind from the magical realm was damaged. To protect humanity, Callum patrols the border to prevent malicious vagrants from wreaking havoc. Realizing his self-assigned task is impossible and, after failing to garner support from his elven allies, Callum sets out to repair the fractured veil…alone.

After the veil’s near collapse, Neola, the goddess of the veil, calls upon her demigod son, Jax Foster, to determine if the responsible one poses any further threat to the barrier. Jax finds Callum and accosts him for answers, seriously injuring him in the process. Learning that they are both protecting the veil, Jax atones by forcing Callum to accept help, and their friendship develops.

Meanwhile, the Harpies resent the warlock’s previous escape from their clutches. They manipulate the goddesses of vengeance and retribution, the Furies, into effecting their revenge. As Callum begins to heal, the Furies abduct and pronounce him guilty of the Harpies’ fabricated crimes. While the warlock endures gruesome tortures, Jax seeks to rescue Callum and risks punishment for past misdeeds.

Callum’s deliverance carries a heavy cost, and his experience leaves him broken. Recovery takes time, but the warlock now has a valuable friend in Jax, and the demigod harbors a hopeful secret for their future.

442 pages, Paperback

Published October 5, 2023

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About the author

J.M. Shaw

4 books18 followers
J. M. Shaw is an award-winning Canadian author who lives in Alberta with her husband and two young children. She’s been writing since childhood, building worlds from raw imagination and quiet observation, but it took years before she found the courage to share them. For Shaw, storytelling has always been more than a hobby; it’s a passion.

In 2019, Shaw was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, a turning point that brought clarity to a lifetime of feeling “too much” or “too different.” Her intense focus, emotional depth, and ability to live inside fictional worlds became not flaws but the superpowers of a neurodivergent mind. These qualities shape her stories, infusing them with realism, heart, and meaning, and giving her the courage to finally share her creative works. Her worlds may be fantastical, but her characters—flawed, searching, and deeply human—resonate on a personal level.

When she’s not writing, Shaw enjoys connecting with nature, curling up with a good book, and dreaming up new worlds. She also finds joy in encouraging young writers to pursue their own passions.

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Chelsey Anderson.
288 reviews1 follower
August 13, 2024
What I've learned from this series is that Callum walker has endured a very hard life, with constant trials and tribulations. Never seeming to catch a break. I'm greatful that he was able to discover his life purpose and see the value his life has to offer.

What frustrates me about this book is that I feel like it's left me with more questions than answers. As of yet this is the last book in the series, however I hope there's at least another book to come to wrap up all the loose ends.

The questions I have that are yet unanswered are:

What happens in regards to the war south of the boarder?

Will Callum ever discover/ experience true love?

What happens to his friends Agus, Titan and Jobella?

What about the veil and the enemies beyond?

Overall the story and adventure that the author takes us through is an enjoyable one, I appreciated the fact that Callum was finally able to trust himself enough to open up to his friends a little more. As always, this book is also full of great wisdom. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:

"It is unhealthy to dwell on your decisions or words after they are dispatched. What happens now is out of your hands." - Orelia

"There will always be good and bad outcomes. Unless you settle on a course of action, you will never know it's aftermath. If your decisions are made in the best interest of your people, then you can accept the consequences, whether good or bad."- Orelia

"Even the most courageous cannot escape their fear. The difference between a hero and an average person is determined by the emotions they choose to follow."- Tess

"Because you cannot change who or what you are, it is wiser to accept your limitations rather than spurn your human condition. If you do not face your shortcomings, you will never rise above them."- Alteco

"If we cannot stand to hear the truth about ourselves then we can never learn from it or change for the better."- Tess

J.M Shaw, if you happen to reprint a revised version of the book here's a list of the following pages I happened to find typos on: 154, 413 & 427. Thank you for sharing this series with me and asking for my honest feedback, it's been a pleasure to meet you and finally read the series! I love the way you describe the scenes and create such a vivid picture to your readers! Keep up the great work!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Scribble's Worth Book Reviews.
241 reviews15 followers
January 15, 2025
Author J.M. Shaw continues Callum’s story in The Fractured Veil. Callum has survived much, but in this continuation of the series, he will learn powerful lessons, and learn a secret that will shock even you.

The Fractured Veil draws the eye of readers with a cover that appears to be lit up in vibrant shades of orange with hints of red. There is an individual, possibly Callum himself, standing in a forest scene with shimmering eddies of magic dancing in front of him. Callum himself appears to be wreathed in a magical aura as he stands with his hands in his pockets. Rising on either side of him are trees with their limbs stretching overhead.

The Fractured Veil continues Callum’s story from book two, The Convergence. If you’ve missed book two, but read book one, you can still pick this book up. Author Shaw will give readers little tidbits of information that tie back to The Convergence, but not a lot so that readers still feel the desire to go back and read it.

Author Shaw gives readers little pieces of insight into what Callum has been through in The Convergence, but this book kicks off a prologue that takes place four months earlier. In this prologue, author Shaw introduces readers to a goddess by the name of Neola. Neola feels the impact of what Callum does in The Convergence. Whatever he’s done it has caused great damage to the Veil that separates the world of magic from the world of humans.

Neola fears what will happen should the Veil fall, so she calls upon her son, Jax Foster, a demi-god. Of course, she has to locate Jax, first and that means her crossing into the human world to call him home. Neola wants Jax to find who damaged the Veil and determine whether they still pose a threat, because from what she has discovered – the Veil cannot take another hit like that...or it will fall. Well, that’s one way to kick off The Fractured Veil!

All of that sounds pretty ominous, right? It will absolutely pique your interest to find out what exactly Callum has done in The Convergence to enact such damage to the Veil, but as you finally get to Callum you learn that he carries an immense amount of guilt for what he’s done. Author Shaw will give readers some small clues as to what happened, but not in detail.

As The Fractured Veil continues to unfold, readers follow Callum’s story. Told from the third person perspective, Callum is trying to act as the Guardian of the Veil on the human side. He’s not alone, as he has a wolf companion by the name of Titan. These two have grown close since meeting and Titan acts as Callum’s companion and guardian.

Readers are going to enjoy Titan’s part in The Fractured Veil. Titan may be an animal, but he’s no ordinary wolf. He is from the magic side of the Veil and so he and Callum are able to communicate with each other telepathically. Titan is going to be one of many who try to assert to Callum that not everything is his fault. However, Callum, being as stubborn as he is (still) refuses to set aside any guilt for anything.

Author Shaw weaves a story that sees Callum facing quite a few dangerous situations. He battles goblins, goes toe-to-toe with Jax, and must face a grueling trial against the Harpies who manage to manipulate the Furies into helping them get revenge on Callum. This book is a whirlwind of activity and drama. It will be really hard to put down.

The Fractured Veil moves at a good pace that is sure to keep readers engaged in what is happening with Callum and his budding friendship with Jax. Of course, author Shaw has these two start off pretty rocky. Jax comes off as a morally gray character. Jax does a lot of claiming he doesn’t want to hurt people, but he’s more than willing to beat people up if they don’t do what he wants or tell him the information he’s looking for.

Jax is an interesting character in who shows up in The Fractured Veil. Jax dances the fine line concerning being viewed as morally gray. He’s viewed by quite a few as a bully, yet author Shaw shows him getting some decent advice from Callum shows Jax growing as a character throughout this story. Unfortunately, he’s the only one who shows any true and major character development.

If only Callum showed major character development as well. As it stands, Callum remains the same character that he was in The Ascension. Callum is still stubborn, quick to anger, and frequently takes on a bitter tone towards others. It tends to lean towards immaturity on his part, but he’s not the only one. However, as the story focuses heavily on Callum his is more showcased than others. Even when certain characters situations are explained to him he shows a severe lack of gratitude or true empathy. It’s disappointing really.

One interesting aspect of this novel is how Jax and Callum come to develop their gradual friendship. It never would have happened if Jax hadn’t been such a brash individual, but all ends up working in both their favor. Jax’s brutality, while wounding Callum severely, allows Callum a chance to rest and heal from his own self-neglect, and opens a door for Jax. Readers will learn that Jax has his own past that he’s been “running” from so to speak, and that he’s been looking for a way back to the one he loves.

Readers who may have been waiting for a romantic spark to kick up in The Fractured Veil will see some hints of it in the early chapters, but that will quickly fizzle out. However, Jax’s side of the story will see it re-emerge, which will be a crucial part of his character development as he works to make amends for past wrongs.

As The Fractured Veil draws to a close, author Shaw has quite a surprise in store for readers. What surprises you ask? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out! It’s quite a shocker really and will bring Callum some answers to questions that he has long been harboring. Of course, this revelation will also dance in readers' minds as to where do things go from here? Well, we’ll simply have to wait and see.

Callum Walker and the Fractured Veil is an engaging novel that, whether you’ve read book two or not, will draw you in quickly. The pacing of this story is well done with just the right amount of detail. There will be some questions that are left unanswered, but there is more to come in the Callum Walker series, so we look forward to what comes next.

Callum Walker and the Fractured Veil is a good book for readers looking for a gripping urban fantasy novel. This novel takes place more in rural areas of the human world, and various locations in the magical realm, but it’s still urban fantasy. A nice cast of characters helps to flesh out this book and really makes it shine. So, if you’ve read any of the Callum Walker series, you wont want to miss out on The Fractured Veil.

Pros:

Engaging storyline

Nice cast of characters

Good character development (Jax)

Good balance of details

Surprise revelations

Cons:

The main character (Callum) needs more growth

Profile Image for Anthony.
Author 29 books232 followers
November 11, 2024
The Review

It's a genuinely haunting and compelling dark fantasy read. The author found a great way to elevate the dangers and threats the protagonist must face while finding unique ways of making the story feel personal and grounded. The natural ebb and flow of the narrative allow the reader to feel immersed in every aspect of the narrative, from the heavy atmosphere as the protagonist endured more hardship than ever before to the elevated sense of camaraderie that came out of this adventure.

The personal growth of Callum as a hero, the mysteries that the author unveiled within this universe, and the backstory of Callum as a character overall made this feel like such an elevated chapter in the Callum Walker universe. The emotional connection and friendship that form between Callum and Jax add depth to Callum’s overall arc, and the shocking revelations about Callum’s origins will stay with readers and leave them wanting more.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, entertaining, and thrilling, author J.M. Shaw’s “The Fractured Veil” is a must-read dark fantasy meets horror novel. The personal nature of Callum’s struggles and overall arc, as well as the unique nature of figures like the Furies or Neola, will add a new layer of mystery and intrigue to an already powerful mythos.
Profile Image for Dani Urban.
Author 12 books170 followers
August 6, 2026
The Fractured Veil by J.M. Shaw is as heart-pounding, dangerous, and just as intense as an Indiana Jones adventure movie. Inside, readers get a world that is darker, and full of supernatural/magical elements. This read is more fantasy than adventure but what a grand adventure it is! It has the grandness of The Odyssey vibe to it. With all the magical beings, the drama, warfare, and betrayal happening the story is one complex read. Like an onion with many layers to peel and figure out. The story begins with a goddess protecting the veil that keeps the supernatural world hidden and separate from the human world. Soon, the veil is being shattered and she recuperates trying to keep it up...in doing so she recruited her son, half human and half Demi-god like to find the troublemaker, a warlock. The warlock himself is wanted and hated by many. Even a queen who offers him love is turned down by him and only causes more trouble for himself. Some are in awe of him but many want him gone. Jax and Callum are two male characters with a lot on their plates and the way they battle each other is interesting too. I found this novel deeply engaging, deadly, and full of humor. J.M. Shaw is indeed a talented writer, and I recommend this novel is his to all readers of scifi, suspense, and fantasy.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,845 followers
January 3, 2025
A spectacular journey into a magical realm!

Canadian author J.M. Shaw understands the spectrum of ADHD and autism and that fact imbues her creative writing of Young Adult fantasy fiction in her Callum Walker series: THE ASCENSION, THE CONVERGENCE, and now THE FRACTURED VEIL.

Reading Shaw’s imaginative novels is an escape into another world. Fantasy fiction succeeds best if the make-believe characters become visual and credible, allowing the strange new worlds’ occupants to enter our imagination and propel a storyline that captures attention from page one to the end. Shaw not only achieves that literary goal: she excels in creating the ongoing fantasy featuring Callum Walker.

In this third episode Callum is committed to repairing the fractured veil that separates humankind from the magical realm, even without the assistance of his elven allies. The operatic grandeur of this journey into an imaginative, richly colorful world, with all of the elves, druids, oracles, Harpies and goddesses of Light and Eternal Darkness, becomes a reading experience that is captivating. This volume is a success on every level. Curtain up on satisfying imagination!
Profile Image for Randi-Lee Bowslaugh.
Author 28 books18 followers
May 25, 2025
Part three of the series delivers many more trials and tribulations. I was hooked and quite interested in what the potentially dangerous character would bring. In the end, she brings mind-blowing information (don't worry, no spoilers). Many books or shows reuse the same storyline, making a series stale. J.M. Shaw ups the game with brand new ideas, expanding the world and introducing new characters. 

My favourite character, Titan, the wolf, had a larger role in this book. However, I would still love more of him! 

Another character who has become a close second is Jax. His struggle to find his place in the world is very relatable. I loved his dialogue; it gave his character a macho older brother vibe. 

The book had two main stories, following Callum and Jax. Both had to go through their own trials. They were quite different yet emotionally similar.

If you enjoy fantasy, pick up the Callum Walker series. I look forward to reading book 4 when it is available.
Profile Image for Melina Lobo.
900 reviews104 followers
September 4, 2026
The Fractured Veil by J.M. Shaw is the third book in the Callum Walker series and, so far, I’m really loving this series. This one felt a lot more intense, with its dark fantasy elements, vivid storytelling and an increasingly dark atmosphere.

The writing is great, and the plot continues to be really engaging, both as an individual book and as part of the wider series. I’d definitely recommend this series if you’re looking for something in the fantasy genre but want something with a darker atmosphere and more vivid storytelling.

I actually happened to read book four before this one, so I’m definitely going to be rereading it now that I’ve caught up properly!
Profile Image for Melodie.
6 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2024
I really enjoyed the 3rd book in this series. I loved seeing the relationship develop between Callum and Jax, and seeing the growth in the characters, especially seeing the softer side of Jax with his beloved Tess.
The torture Callum faced was so well written, and the Furies I especially found interesting because of their neutrality, (I thought they were the baddies of the bad guys for the longest time). I cant wait for the 4th book to come out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
16 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2026
Awesome fantasy

A terrific entry into the Callum Walker saga. Shaw has created a world of terrific characters and developed a narrative which engages, entertains and takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster. Excellent work.
245 reviews
March 7, 2026
Ends by resolving issues and learning to accept friendships and his conscience. A few unsolved issues will probably be addressed in book 4.
431 reviews52 followers
November 6, 2024
J.M. Shaw’s *Callum Walker and the Fractured Veil* is an exhilarating addition to the *Callum Walker* series, blending high fantasy, action, and deep emotional conflicts. The novel takes readers on an intense journey through magical realms, where Callum, a warlock burdened by his past, must confront powerful threats that could tear apart the barrier between worlds.

The story masterfully weaves together intricate world-building and compelling character arcs. Callum, haunted by his previous battles and the scars they left behind, embarks on a mission to mend the fragile veil separating humanity from the magical domain. Along the way, he faces old enemies, new allies, and the growing realization that his choices hold greater consequences than he ever imagined.

Shaw’s writing is rich and immersive, bringing to life a world filled with ancient deities, mystical creatures, and political intrigue. The protagonist’s internal struggles add depth to the narrative, making his journey as much about self-discovery as it is about saving the realms. The introduction of Neola, a powerful goddess, and Titan, a fiercely loyal wolf companion, adds layers of intrigue and emotion to the storyline.

The novel’s pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action seamlessly blending into quieter, introspective scenes. The stakes are high, the magic is enthralling, and the relationships—whether forged in loyalty or conflict—are deeply compelling.

**Final Verdict:** *Callum Walker and the Fractured Veil* is a must-read for fantasy lovers who crave a mix of adventure, magic, and character-driven storytelling. J.M. Shaw delivers an epic tale that keeps readers engaged from start to finish, making it a worthy continuation of the series.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews