Shards of Secrecy

Sapphora #1

by N.D. Testa

Disguised as a mortal and robbed of her memory, an Egyptian sorceress is thrust into a daring quest to reclaim her fate or suffer at the hands of those who want her dead.

When a mummy attack at the city museum shatters the illusion of her ordinary life, twenty-year-old Noellia Taviani discovers a shocking truth: her entire life has been a lie. She isn’t a normal adolescent born into a Connecticut family. She is Sapphora, a princess with magical powers from the realm of Avogadro, a parallel universe to Ancient Egypt. Framed for treason against the crown and failure to fulfill a prophecy, she's exiled to the harsh prison of Salutem. There she must relearn her craft to protect herself from those who seek to destroy her.

However, time is running out. The Nefarious Pharoah has escaped the underworld and threatens to not only conquer both realms, but to destroy everyone she loves. To stop him, Sapphora must overcome deadly challenges created by the Ancient Gods to recover a stolen spellbook before her birthday on the Winter Solstice. As she navigates this treacherous path, she's drawn to a forbidden love with an Egyptian god, a dangerous temptation that could be her undoing.

Genres: Fantasy

522 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2024

About the author

N.D. Testa is a fantasy author who conjures immersive worlds filled with magic, mystery, and adventure. With a focus on inspiring hope, her stories transport readers to realms of wonder and possibility. When not lost in the pages of her imagination, she's an avid fitness enthusiast, fashion lover, and animal advocate. From snowboarding the slopes to exploring new cultures, N.D. Testa finds inspiration everywhere. She believes in the power of books to change lives and is committed to crafting tales that resonate with readers of all ages. At night she enjoys being by the fire with a cup of tea in her hands.

Reviews

[Yoana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Writing & Impressions

Sapphora: Shards of Secrecy was exactly the escape I needed. I was looking for a book to completely pull me into its world—and it delivered. The writing is so smooth and immersive that even with a story full of names, places, and terms tied to Egyptian mythology, it felt effortless to follow. The vivid imagery brought every moment to life, and the illustrations sprinkled throughout added a delightful extra touch.

The plot

The story is woven in a very interesting and engrossing way. It’s full of unexpected twists, heart-stopping moments, and revelations that kept me hooked and begging for more. The world-building is phenomenal . Every new detail captivated me and pulled me even deeper into the world of Sapphora. It’s an amazing mix of adventure, mythology, and intrigue.

The characters

Let’s talk about the hot Egyptian god here. Because, wow. He is the swoon-worthy, intoxicating love interest I didn’t know I needed. The tension is unreal , and the slow-burn romance is so delicious it should be illegal. Every time he calls her “Princess”, I’m physically melting, that’s what I’m doing. God, isn’t he a hot fictional man, written by a woman. I couldn’t stop myself from kicking my feet, squealing, and holding my breath every time he showed up.

“His eyes glow with deadly intent.
“Who did this to you?” His voice is filled with fury.”

What else is there to say…

Sapphora, the FMC, is just as captivating. She’s brave, resourceful, fierce, loyal, and devoted. Robbed of her memory and living in the mortal world, she finds another destiny waiting for her—the destiny of an Egyptian sorceress compelled to unravel secrets that could change her fate forever. As I followed her through every twist and turn of her journey, I couldn’t help but feel connected to her. I could relive all the highs and lows right along with her, and that made the story even more captivating.

Incantante and Cairo are the fiercely loyal companions everyone could wish for. Witty, chatty, and refreshingly down-to-earth, they keep Sapphora grounded when she needs it and bring charm and playful banter to the death games and imperious Egyptian gods setting.

This book was the most delicious and addictive kind of a whirlwind. It’s charming, daring, and unexpected. A chef’s kiss. I loved it every step of the way and I don’t say that lightly. Now it’s over and I. Need. Answers. Believe me when I tell you I NEED the next one already.


Favourite quotes:

“A man who is running from his roots would have no idea how to treat you like the princess you are.”

“Since when are we friends with a hot Egyptian God, Saph?”

“He could never give you what you deserve and treat you as the beautiful queen you are.”

“Don’t ever allow yourself to settle for scraps of love when you are worthy of abundance.”


Essentials & Highlights:

✨ Forbidden romance

✨ Alternate realms

✨ Egyptian mythology

✨ Epic quest

✨ “Who did this to you?”

✨ Unique magic system


RELEASE DATE December 18th, 2024

[Hope Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a beta read for the author, and let me tell you, you all are in for a treat! This book has it all, action, intrigue, romance...and you have to wait until later this year to read it. Even though I read a rough draft, this story was amazing and I just know it'll be even better come release day!

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well deserved 4.5⭐️ when I tell you I was HOOKED! I read this book as a beta reader and couldn’t be happier. Greek mythology, please make way for Egyptian mythology. This has everything a romantasy reader needs and then some. I’ll need a few days to accept the fact I won’t know what’s next right away. The chapters just flew by (not without making me gasp a few times in between)

[KMart Vet · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an imaginative story! As someone who loves The Mummy and Marvel's Moon Knight, this felt comfortably familiar, but also fresh. This is a contemporary fantasy steeped in Egyptian mythology, but it is modernized in such a fun and unique way! The unique use of hieroglyphics as magical spells in the magic system was a nice touch. And TWO sentient, snarky items added to the mix was a brilliant touch—they brought so much personality to the story and were my absolute favorite part.

The story’s creativity shines through in unexpected ways, like a prison designed to rehabilitate instead of punish—a clever departure from the traditional “magical school” trope. I also loved the illustrations throughout the book, which was such a wonderful touch. And the romance is sweeter than I expected given who the love interest is. I really enjoyed it.

However, it does feel a bit overstuffed at times. The pacing is relentless, which makes it exciting but also overwhelming, as the plot rarely slows down for reflection or character development. While I enjoyed the amnesia trope and the familiar-yet-unique mythological references, the sheer number of characters and plotlines left some feeling underdeveloped. It reads a little young, but that's because it is a coming-of-age story.

Despite this, Shards of Secrecy offers a fun, adventurous read for fans of fast-paced fantasy and mythology-inspired tales. It balances the familiar with the unexpected, delivering a story that feels both nostalgic and new.

And. That. Ending! Need the next one immediately. How DARE!

Thanks so much to Storygram and the author for the complimentary copy and the opportunity to read and review. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a beta reader and I don’t give five stars easily. I loved this so much! If your fan of the original The Mummy movie this is a must if you like Egyptian mythology this is a must read. There was a perfect balance of mythology and this new magic system was to die for, but that cliffhanger! I can’t wait to see what comes next…

[S Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts off with a bang and dives quickly into the action as we are introduced to our leading character, who quickly discovers that much of the life that she remembers has been a lie. As she discovers her true identity (and slowly recovers pieces of her memory a little bit at a time), we learn that Noellia (actually named Sapphora) is one of the princesses of a realm called Avogadro. That's not all, however; Sapphora has been prophesied as the savior of her realm, said to be the only power who stands a chance against the formidable Nefarious Pharaoh. Things take a turn when Sapphora discovers the darker pieces of her past and she becomes a scapegoat for a series of unfortunate events, and by the halfway point of the story, we are introduced to the death games that Sapphora must work through in order to achieve a key piece in her fight against Nefarious (all the while trying to save her family from other kinds of antagonistic players. Along the way, Sapphora gains friends, makes enemies, and attracts the attention of a god. Girl's got a lot going on!

The concept of this book is incredibly creative, and I found the inclusion of Egyptian mythology fascinating. I really enjoyed the death games and how the different types of lore were woven into the story. Arguably my favorite part of this book was the banter between Cairo (a sentient sword), Incantante (the spellbook she is working to procur), and our leading lady.

This book has a wide cast of supporting characters, and the author ambitiously works to develop the dynamics between all of them and how they relate to Sapphora. With seven sisters, it's no wonder that Sapphora has a lot of names and relationships to relearn. I expect we will see a deeper development in the relationship between Sapphora, her family, and the friends of her past as the series progresses. The build-up with her love interest felt sudden to me at first, but the cliffhangerish ending has me incredibly curious as to how the nature of their relationship will continue.

As always, I enjoy Testa's inclusion of original artwork in her books (created by the author's sister, I believe). In addition to helping the reader picture the items described, it also adds an additional flair to the finished piece (as does the lovely cover).

I look forward to seeing how this series progresses, and I would like to thank the author for providing me with an advanced reader copy of her work; I look forward to seeing where the story progresses as the series continues. Fans of Percy Jackson and those who are intrigued by Egyptian mythology will likely enjoy this one!

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s wild that the author lists Harry Potter several times in her Acknowledgements because the book… is Harry Potter.

There’s a prophecy that the MC will have to be the one to defeat the magical evil villain. Her parents die in the fight to protect her, causing his body to “separate and scatter into pieces”. His followers then recreate his body so his immortal soul can have a physical form. He wants a magical stone— sorry, spell book that will grant him full immortality, so the MC has to reach it first through a series of challenges in a basement level dungeon, one of which is a magical board game!

She doesn’t know anything about this world because her memory has been erased, but she just so happens to be a really talented sorcerer so if she just wants something badly enough, she can come up with a magic spell to make it happen. Sapphora never actually has to think about or learn anything, she always either guesses the right answer, or a magical all-knowing character, or a perfectly timed oracle flashback will explicitly tells her what to do next.

A magical, omniscient book that she’s never seen before communicates with her through her mind and says things like “Girl we need to get you some help for these anger issues you got” and she has a floating magical sword that talks out loud (and can turn into a tattoo on her forearm which was pretty cool actually) and just reminded me a lot of the backpack in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

There were some weird errors that weren’t caught in editing. I think Sapphora was supposed to be in her 20s/college-aged but she comes off as very young and immature. I love Ancient Egypt so I stuck with the whole book, only to find out it ends in the middle of the story, and there are FIVE books planned.

I’ve just read the other reviews and it’s really strange that beta-readers would review a book they never saw the final version of.

[Kim Layman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic, other universes, Egyptian royalty, good versus evil, fulfilling destiny…this novel is all of this, and then some.

In this novel, we follow Noellia on her discovery of who she truly is, and what she was destined to do. She’s not a twenty-year-old college student in Connecticut….she’s an Egyptian princess in the realm of Avogadro. Not only that, she’s hated from supposedly not fulfilling her destiny-the prophecy that determined the downfall of The Nefarious Pharaoh. What’s worse is he’s now regaining strength, and is determined to conquers and destroy everything in his path. The question is: can she relearn her magic, and gain the power she needs to finally defeat him?

This was a fun one to read. As someone who had always been fascinated with ancient Egypt, I knew I wanted to dive into this story. Testa takes our FMC-who is a typical collage student-and morphs her into a brave, caring, and fiercely loyal princess. Noellia has no memory of anything beyond her life in the States, but slowly starts to realize she is Sapphora, and has magical abilities. And as she slowly starts to regain her memories, Testa takes us, and Sapphora, on a journey of danger, pain, and rising above it to protect the ones she (Sapphora) loves. Question is-what will truly be the cost?

N.D. Testa is a new author to me, but I’m glad I came across her. Her writing is engaging, her characters are diverse and memorable, and her storytelling combines mystery, suspense, and romance. If you are a fan of Egyptian-inspired stories, ancient foretellings, and underdog-to-hero leaning stories, this one’s for you. Also, this is book 1 of her series, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Sapphora’s story plays out. 4.25 stars

[Erin Saulpaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm hooked and can't wait for the next book! I honestly forgot I was reading. I got sucked into the book. I want to go back and never come back bye, lol. This book even had illustrations to help visualize, and it was exactly what I was picturing in my head. I highly recommend reading this book.

I've always loved reading about Egyptian mythology. So when I found out that this book was going to have some Egyptian mythology, I jumped at the chance to read this book.

Let's be real. We are all here because of the Egyptian God. And did he live up to every hope I had. He is so hot. He is definitely book boyfriend material. I won't lie while I was reading this. I pretended that he was calling me princess, lol instead of Sapphora.

Sapphora is brave, brilliant, loyal, and strong. Unfortunately, her memory was taken from her in the mortal world. I was able to relate to her, and I felt like I was right there beside her, experiencing all of these things with her. This is another reason why I felt like I was actually in the book.

This book has the perfect blend of adventure and mythology. The illustrations were the cherry on top for me. Honestly, the authors' world building was so good and descriptive that you don't really need the illustrations, but they add a nice touch. I don't want to speak for others, but I know for me the illustrations are nice because I get to see what the author was picturing and see if I was close to their vision. This book will keep you at the edge of your seat. There were some spots that I found myself holding my breath in anticipation.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable experience but I was not amazed by this book.
The overall premise is interesting, with the elements of Egyptian mythology. Yet the delivery wasn't great. One of the things I didn't love was the prison setting, as the whole ordeal of the trial felt quite stunted, considering that people seemed to get into prison just through world of mouth and public belief instead of a fair trial.
And that uncle, I bet my rent money he has some involvement with the evil wizard. I enjoyed the trials Sapphora was put through for their creativity, and the involvement of the tone and the sword. Yet the names throughout the book felt a bit stunted to me, not completely appropriate, especially Noellia. It might be a pronunciation issue for me, but I wasn't a fan.
Also, let's talk Anubis for a sec: 1. All of his appreciation for Sapphora must have a story before the memory loss, otherwise I can't make sense of it. 2. The rule that supposedly nothing could happen between Gods and humans has no foundation besides plot convenience to do something forbidden in my view. The relationship soon developed into some kind of teen crush, highly motivated by how hot and perfect he is, lacking a bit of depth.
Another part that I struggled with was the sisters. I understand that one might feel connected to their siblings, but considering Sapphora has no memory of it it wasn't clear how the connection was motivated. All of the names blurred together and were delivered in a shopping list fashion that made me easily lose track of who was who and the role they played in the story.
Sapphoria's emotions came through a lot as a mixture of annoyance and frustration, taking away from the overall magic, which goes completely unexplained as she is somehow able to do it through muscle memory but cannot determine how.
The villain that we are supposed to be rooting against never even truly appears in the first book, handing over all the misdeeds to a psychopathic ghost. Hopefully, the series will develop for the better and offer more depth and variety in emotions and situations, clarifying what is so far feeling slightly unconclusive.

[Natasha sebuwufu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Sapphora – Shards of Secrecy by N.D. Testa
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

I had the privilege of beta reading Sapphora – Shards of Secrecy, and it did not disappoint! Before diving in, I’d heard it described as Harry Potter meets Percy Jackson, but with a female protagonist, which instantly piqued my interest.

One of the standout elements of this book is its unique magic system. It felt fresh and well-developed, adding depth to the story in a way that kept me engaged. I also appreciated how much I learned about Egyptian gods and traditions—it was seamlessly woven into the plot, making the world feel rich and immersive.

The characters were another highlight. I especially enjoyed the bond between Sapphora and Nava, which felt genuine and heartwarming. The witty banter between the sword and the book had me laughing out loud at times, adding a fun dynamic to the adventure.

Pacing-wise, the book kept me hooked from start to finish. There was always something happening, making it hard to put down. Overall, Sapphora – Shards of Secrecy is a fantastic read for anyone who loves magical adventures with strong world-building and endearing characters. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series!

[Lyndsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Egyptian mythology inspired fantasy and am so glad it's going to be a 5 book series!

The setting is really wonderful, so rich and detailed, I felt like I was there - the author has obviously done a lot of research into the history and culture, and it really showed. It gave me Percy Jackson and Harry Potter vibes (Nefarious is so Voldemort), but with the added layer of portal fantasy and a more mature romance. I loved Anubis, the relationship between Sapphora and him reminded me so much of Alina and the Darkling in Shadow and Bone.

The telepathic/talking book and sword (so good), and the series of trials were really cool elements, and I loved the idea of the guardians. It made me think of Shadowhunters/The Mortal Instruments, especially with the hieroglyphics (like the runes in Mortal Instruments) and the oblitis potion, and her not remembering who she is or anything about the world she comes from.

Basically, Nicole took elements from all my favourite book series and combined them in a completely original way, incorporating an ancient culture that doesn't get referenced enough in fantasy books!

I can't wait for book two!!

[Debbie Delano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read any books prior to this that are about Egyptian culture/history. the absolute detail is amazing. this book follows the main character finding out she's actually a long lost Egyptian princess and the only one capable of defeating the Nefarious Pharoah. only one thing makes it even more frustrating. she has absolutely no idea about her past because she's been given a potion her whole life by the woman who raised her as her daughter and she's having to learn who her family is as she's trying to deal with being accused of ending the lives of her parents and countless others! there's forbidden love, Egyptian Gods/Goddesses, betrayal and all kinds of amazing detail. my absolute favorite quote from this book is "Don't ever allow your heart to bleed for someone who can't see how special you are."

also this book ends on a cliffhanger and I HAVE to know what happens next!

[Literary Cave · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read!

Wow. This book was a wild ride! I loved every second of it! Growing up I was obsessed with Egyptian history, religion, and art. This book revitalized that! @ndtesta immersive writing makes you feel like you are walking beside these characters! The world building and intricacies of this story are incredible! Even with all the world building this story is well paced and I never got bored I couldn’t put this book down!

If you love Egyptian vibes, banter, talking artifacts, found family, team work, forbidden love, betrayal, challenges, this book is 100% for you!

#egyptianread #kindleunlimited #banter #funnysidecharacters #mustread #bookone #darkgod #forbiddenlove #foundfamily #foundfamily #secretidentity

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books where you are completely immersed in the world the author created and I loved every minute of it. I really liked all of the Egyptian mythology and how it tied into the story, especially since I’ve always been fascinated by it.

The author did an excellent job at bringing this world to life and making it easy to follow and understand, even with a lot of Egyptian terms and names.

I also appreciated all of the artwork at the start of each chapter. All of the images seemed to correlate with what was going on in that point in the book and really added to the reading experience.

Read this if you like:
→ Sorcery
→ Slow burn
→ Mystery
→ Egyptian mythology
→ Mythical creatures

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Completely taken aback by how much I got into this. Sapphora is a great character dealing with some amnesia, accused of horrible acts in her real world, Avogadro. Her journey of trying to prove her innocence is intense as each chapter passes. She makes some friends and enemies, even with her new found family. Her forbidden crush on the Egyptian God is intense! I flew through the second half of this book.

If you are into Egyptian mythology, fantasy, or any type of mythology for that matter, check this book out! looking forward to book 2 to continue the story!

Thank you for the ARC copy for my honest review!

[Jessica James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have you burning the midnight oil, you wont be able to put it down. A FMC who's life has been turned upside down and inside out. As she is trying to figure out who she is she continuously in danger because of who she is. When thr worst happens she only has one friend, a talking sword, and a voice in her head. She has to find something that has been hidden by playing deadly games. Throw in a hot Egyptian God, lust, and betrayal. The world and characters that this author has brought to life will keep you in its grips long after you have finished.

[Saynab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was PERFECT and ADDICTIVE. It is endearing, bold, and surprising.
It’s been a while since I’ve been surprised by a book Now that it's finished, I need answers.
It has all these tropes if you are willing to give it a chance

~ Tropes ~

✨unique magic system where hieroglyphics emerge from the hands to cast spells

✨challenges created by the Egyptian Gods

✨illustrations in the book 

✨ Forbidden romance

✨ Alternate realms

✨ Egyptian mythology

✨ Epic quest

✨ “Who did this to you?”

[Chantelle S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review time
Title: Sapphora Shards of Secrecy
Author: @theblueeyedwriter
Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Synopsis:
Disguised as a mortal and robbed of her memories, an Egyptian sorceress is thrust into a daring quest to reclaim her fate or suffer at the hands of those who want her dead.
.
.
.
.
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My mind is absolutely rattled right now, but in a good way. The character development, the world building, the magic system, and *chefs kiss*. Absolutely magical. The depth of betrayal the FMC faces gave me chills. If you love epic quest, forbidden love, and ancient Egypt, go read this book.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god. This was such a wild ride! I love it! Sapphora/Noellia is a beautifully written protagonist and I was actually surprised by how quickly things started. But once it started I HAD to have more! I love that Avagodro is basically like Egypt with the Egyptian gods and all of the mythology that was in this book I loved. I don’t want to give away too much. And my favorite characters have to be Cairo and Incantante!

[Miranda Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal story! Love the Egyptian mythology, the characters are well written and the world building is exquisite. A new favorite 🖤 I can't wait for the rest of this series!
Fall in love with Sapphora and her entire quirky cast of family, friends, and magical objects.
Congrats on the beginning of a super fantastic series, well worth the years of work you have poured into it. Looking forward to so much more from you!

[Waseema · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is on my favourite subject, Egyptian mythology. It is fiction, adventure and magic rolled into one fast paced story.
The book is incredibly well written. All the references to ancient Egypt are well referenced, sprinkled with the most amazing fantasy and magic, which, is what I think of when I imagine the Mummy's and the after life. Its a meaty book with a lot of content, however, you keep reading and are addicted from the first page.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphora reigns as one of favorite novels of 2024 & an amazing start to my 2025 reading list. Well-written, engaging, & entertaining. Testa is an amazing storyteller, weaving history, myth, and fantasy into one fantastic tale. I was captivated from the first lines until the very end. Great characters that are lovable, despicable, and mysterious. The ending leaves you wanting more. I can’t wait for Book 2 in the series.

[Laura Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing. The epic fantasy you didn't know you needed in your life. With a strong female mc who will keep you cheering, world building that makes you feel as if you have stepped right into ancient Egypt, and a truly unique magic system, you won't be able to put this one down once you start.

[Layla El · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book and cannot wait for the next one!!! The plot, characters and twists all came together beautifully and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. I love the way Egyptian mythology is woven into the story so seamlessly especially because it's incredibly rare to find any fictional books with a basis in Egyptian mythology. I cannot recommend this book enough!

[JeanieG · Rating 5 out of 5]

From page one it felt like I was in the scenes. With a lot of books it is hard to picture what you are reading. This is not one of those books. It was like watching a movie. It only took me a day and a half to read it. Well done!

[Jacqueline Carlucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read! Got a little wordy, but overall gets you hooked and wanting to read more

[Jenny Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay! Great job!
Thanks for creating a heroine your readers can get behind. I like your world building and the puzzle concept for Sapphora.
I’m eager to see what happens next.

[Erin Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time. If you love Egyptian mythology but also adventure, this is the book for you!

[Sara Fife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me awhile to complete, but honestly it’s worth the read 💯💯💯

Without giving too much away, LOVE the artwork and the concept with a heroine finding her own through so much against her.