What do you think?
Rate this book
Haunted Hearts
Ritual of the Broken
A ritualistic killer is stealing the souls of innocent people.
For years, Ollie lived as an outcast mage because an ancestor made a stupid decision to play around with dark magic. Now he just wants to run his mother’s magic shop in peace. But a vision from a ghost—the soul being pulled from a man by a dark entity—says that’s not going to happen.
A lone werewolf in the big city assigned to a case involving mages—and he hates mages.
Homicide detective Adrian Keller is assigned to a case that stinks of magic. With the scars of the last time he dealt with a mage too deep, he’s all too familiar with the dangers of magic. So, when a nosy mage, Ollie, shows up at his crime scene, Adrian is about to go fur and claws.
But this mage has answers, and though he doesn’t like it, Adrian knows where magic is concerned, he’s out of his league.
A shaky alliance causes sparks to fly—in more ways than just magic.
The body count rises, and their uneasy alliance is tested. This is more than just a serial killer hunting souls—something much darker is happening in Chicago. Stealing souls is just the beginning. If they don’t find a way to stop it, things are going from bad to worse.
Ollie and Adrian are forced to confront the dark specter of their pasts and a much larger conspiracy working within the magic community—even as they face the undeniable attraction they have for each other.
The Ritual of the Broken could break them all.
Ritual of the Broken is a gay urban fantasy story packed with a ghost, mages, a usually angry werewolf, spells and curses, demons, and a chance at love between two guys not that well made for one another.
For years, Ollie lived as an outcast mage because an ancestor made a stupid decision to play around with dark magic. Now he just wants to run his mother’s magic shop in peace. But a vision from a ghost—the soul being pulled from a man by a dark entity—says that’s not going to happen.
A lone werewolf in the big city assigned to a case involving mages—and he hates mages.
Homicide detective Adrian Keller is assigned to a case that stinks of magic. With the scars of the last time he dealt with a mage too deep, he’s all too familiar with the dangers of magic. So, when a nosy mage, Ollie, shows up at his crime scene, Adrian is about to go fur and claws.
But this mage has answers, and though he doesn’t like it, Adrian knows where magic is concerned, he’s out of his league.
A shaky alliance causes sparks to fly—in more ways than just magic.
The body count rises, and their uneasy alliance is tested. This is more than just a serial killer hunting souls—something much darker is happening in Chicago. Stealing souls is just the beginning. If they don’t find a way to stop it, things are going from bad to worse.
Ollie and Adrian are forced to confront the dark specter of their pasts and a much larger conspiracy working within the magic community—even as they face the undeniable attraction they have for each other.
The Ritual of the Broken could break them all.
Ritual of the Broken is a gay urban fantasy story packed with a ghost, mages, a usually angry werewolf, spells and curses, demons, and a chance at love between two guys not that well made for one another.
452 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2024
9 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 14, 2024
Carter's urban fantasy mage/wolf romance crackles with all the right energy, side-stepping overly familiar beats and embracing darkness in it's chaotic wake with memorable characters and a twisted plot.
October 16, 2024
Fighting Evil . . .
Ollie Hartley’s shop has been haunted by a ghost that arrived 2 years ago after his mother’s death. He was told his mother died in a plane crash, but when he saw her body, he knew something “other” had gotten to her. He couldn’t communicate with this ghost dressed in clothes from the Georgian era, but she stared at him silently. Her pendant indicated she was also a mage. When a customer walked in, the ghost seemed to turn her head to look at the man, which she had never done before. The customer ignored the crystals that fell from the shelf as the ghost rattled it, so Ollie used his own magic to stop her. He warned her quietly to cease what she was doing, but she continued to stare at the man and ignored Ollie. He turned to the man who said he needed a stone to stop negative spirits. The man sounded knowledgeable but Ollie felt no magic in him. He appeared totally mundane. He asked to see a unique expensive Astraeus stone believed to enhance intuition, dream recall, and astral travel, also rumored to have come from a meteorite which gave it power. That is the one the man wanted. His credit card showed his name was Dr. Clarence Montebaum, doctor of physics, not medicine. He left after the purchase as Ollie was closing the shop. But when Ollie turned around, the ghost was now only inches from him, and she suddenly screamed as he became dizzy and he was transported out of his shop to witness something horrible and dark!
Zachary O’Brien walked out of a bar. He had finally decided to give up drinking completely. He was at the bar to apologize and make amends to everyone and now started walking home. The street was quiet, but he was uneasy. Was he being watched? Was he being hunted by something? Then he was attacked and thrown onto his back. All he saw was a huge creature above him reach into his chest and pulling out a flickering flame, consuming his soul. And Ollie witnessed all of it before he woke up on the floor of his shop! When Ollie returns to the scene, will he partner with the werewolf Homicide detective, Adrian Keller, who is working this case? Adrian doesn’t like mages, but he needs answers that only a mage can provide and he somehow trusts Ollie. They know the deaths won’t stop unless they can figure this out. This goes far beyond a serial killer on the loose. This could bring an end to everything. Or perhaps lead to something more for them if they survive and succeed in this ultimate challenge. (This is an incredibly good story that you won’t want to stop reading!)
Ollie Hartley’s shop has been haunted by a ghost that arrived 2 years ago after his mother’s death. He was told his mother died in a plane crash, but when he saw her body, he knew something “other” had gotten to her. He couldn’t communicate with this ghost dressed in clothes from the Georgian era, but she stared at him silently. Her pendant indicated she was also a mage. When a customer walked in, the ghost seemed to turn her head to look at the man, which she had never done before. The customer ignored the crystals that fell from the shelf as the ghost rattled it, so Ollie used his own magic to stop her. He warned her quietly to cease what she was doing, but she continued to stare at the man and ignored Ollie. He turned to the man who said he needed a stone to stop negative spirits. The man sounded knowledgeable but Ollie felt no magic in him. He appeared totally mundane. He asked to see a unique expensive Astraeus stone believed to enhance intuition, dream recall, and astral travel, also rumored to have come from a meteorite which gave it power. That is the one the man wanted. His credit card showed his name was Dr. Clarence Montebaum, doctor of physics, not medicine. He left after the purchase as Ollie was closing the shop. But when Ollie turned around, the ghost was now only inches from him, and she suddenly screamed as he became dizzy and he was transported out of his shop to witness something horrible and dark!
Zachary O’Brien walked out of a bar. He had finally decided to give up drinking completely. He was at the bar to apologize and make amends to everyone and now started walking home. The street was quiet, but he was uneasy. Was he being watched? Was he being hunted by something? Then he was attacked and thrown onto his back. All he saw was a huge creature above him reach into his chest and pulling out a flickering flame, consuming his soul. And Ollie witnessed all of it before he woke up on the floor of his shop! When Ollie returns to the scene, will he partner with the werewolf Homicide detective, Adrian Keller, who is working this case? Adrian doesn’t like mages, but he needs answers that only a mage can provide and he somehow trusts Ollie. They know the deaths won’t stop unless they can figure this out. This goes far beyond a serial killer on the loose. This could bring an end to everything. Or perhaps lead to something more for them if they survive and succeed in this ultimate challenge. (This is an incredibly good story that you won’t want to stop reading!)
October 3, 2024
Wow! As soon as I read the blurb my curiosity was piqued, and once I started this book I was immediately sucked into Ollie and Adrian's intense story. From the start I was immersed into this magic filled world full of curses, soul sucking monsters, werewolves, mysteries, and familial disputes.
Ollie captured my heart within the first few chapters, he was shunned by his fellow magic users because of something his ancestor did. Aside from everyone judging him because of that, they also mess with him because his magic isn't 'normal', he's treated as an outcast in his magical world. When Ollie starts having visions predicting when someone is about to meet their demise he knows he needs to help put a stop to it. Even if that means teaming up with the grumpy werewolf.
Oh Adrian, grumpy, slightly moody, protective, Adrian. His character is.. cute. You may think that's a weird way to describe a grumpy character but it's true! He puts up this front around others, but once Ollie got to know him more, Adrian's true persona shone through. I sympathized with him struggling being around Ollie at first, he was clearly struggling being surrounded by magic but he was trying his best to push past his painful memories.
Here's what really blew me away... This book stands out on its own because of it's uniqueness. It's not just a romance book, or just a murder mystery, or just a paranormal romance, it's a beautiful mix of all of those genres coming together to create an absolutely magnificent story! I don't think I've read a murder mystery book before where we actually get to read the perspective of one of the murder victims. And I personally found that to be really cool! We got to know exactly what the 'first' victim was thinking, feeling, and where he was last. It was such a cool addition!!
The characters were exceptional! Adrian and Ollie both had such distinct personalities that clashed at times, but also melded together so well. All of the side characters served their purpose to the story, each one provided more context clues, along with providing dialogue that helped further the storyline. The background and world building had so many intricate details that were being described so vividly, I was blown away by the writing of this story.
Ollie captured my heart within the first few chapters, he was shunned by his fellow magic users because of something his ancestor did. Aside from everyone judging him because of that, they also mess with him because his magic isn't 'normal', he's treated as an outcast in his magical world. When Ollie starts having visions predicting when someone is about to meet their demise he knows he needs to help put a stop to it. Even if that means teaming up with the grumpy werewolf.
Oh Adrian, grumpy, slightly moody, protective, Adrian. His character is.. cute. You may think that's a weird way to describe a grumpy character but it's true! He puts up this front around others, but once Ollie got to know him more, Adrian's true persona shone through. I sympathized with him struggling being around Ollie at first, he was clearly struggling being surrounded by magic but he was trying his best to push past his painful memories.
Here's what really blew me away... This book stands out on its own because of it's uniqueness. It's not just a romance book, or just a murder mystery, or just a paranormal romance, it's a beautiful mix of all of those genres coming together to create an absolutely magnificent story! I don't think I've read a murder mystery book before where we actually get to read the perspective of one of the murder victims. And I personally found that to be really cool! We got to know exactly what the 'first' victim was thinking, feeling, and where he was last. It was such a cool addition!!
The characters were exceptional! Adrian and Ollie both had such distinct personalities that clashed at times, but also melded together so well. All of the side characters served their purpose to the story, each one provided more context clues, along with providing dialogue that helped further the storyline. The background and world building had so many intricate details that were being described so vividly, I was blown away by the writing of this story.
October 5, 2024
The Ritual of the Broken is book two of the Haunted Hearts series that is filled with the paranormal and happily ever afters. It is the story of a grumpy werewolf who reluctantly teams up with a mage to solve a series of murders that have occurred in the city of Chicago.
Ollie is an upbeat mage who has been with a habit of talking in order to fill the silence and just so happens to be haunted by a ghost that may or may not be sending him visions of individuals having their souls removed. Adrian is a detective who just also happens to be a werewolf with a disliking of mages, whip explains his frustration at having to work with Ollie to solve the mystery surrounding the murders.
The world building in this book is amazing and you are drawn in immedietly. The characters are lovable with a great dynamic and witty banter between one another, and the plot is fantastic. I really enjoyed that there was a good combination to character focus and plot. The book ends with the characters having a HEA, and in my opinion if feels like it is open to the possibility of there being a second book, however it is not necessary.
10/10 would recommend to anyone who is a fan or mm romance and paranormal aspects in their books.
Ollie is an upbeat mage who has been with a habit of talking in order to fill the silence and just so happens to be haunted by a ghost that may or may not be sending him visions of individuals having their souls removed. Adrian is a detective who just also happens to be a werewolf with a disliking of mages, whip explains his frustration at having to work with Ollie to solve the mystery surrounding the murders.
The world building in this book is amazing and you are drawn in immedietly. The characters are lovable with a great dynamic and witty banter between one another, and the plot is fantastic. I really enjoyed that there was a good combination to character focus and plot. The book ends with the characters having a HEA, and in my opinion if feels like it is open to the possibility of there being a second book, however it is not necessary.
10/10 would recommend to anyone who is a fan or mm romance and paranormal aspects in their books.
October 2, 2024
Buddy, it’s hands on SIGHT (metaphorically, of course). Y’all play too much😩😒 The hole I almost made in my wall… this phone ain’t made for that.
I stayed mad the entire time I was reading this book because real life and being a grown up are the worst and kept getting in my way. I pouted and whined and said some pretty rude things to Nacho, and let me tell you about his bad mood yesterday… I did not make it better.
And then you give me this solid fucking gold, that top tier PNR perfection, only to cliffhanger me??! The disrespect. The audacity.
Harsh, my guy. I really just do not think y’all get how obnoxious a 37 year-old can be when they try hard enough. GIMMIE THE REST OF THE STORY I AM WAY TOO INVESTED AND I CANNOT WAIT.
5/5. So anyway, between the characters and the story and the world building and the DETAIL… I have been ensnared. It took me longer than I feel happy about to finish because reality still happens around me, even when I’m reading. It’s rude, but it is what it is, and I will be sitting in my angy corner until I can come back to this world and these MCs and finish what was started. If a reader magnet was what you were going for, you succeeded. I have been magnet-ed. I cannot be un-magnet-ed. Please don’t keep doing this to me. I am dumb and just really need the rest of the good-good. AND THERE WAS SO MUCH GOOD-GOOD!
**[I received an ARC from the author. All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own. ]**
I stayed mad the entire time I was reading this book because real life and being a grown up are the worst and kept getting in my way. I pouted and whined and said some pretty rude things to Nacho, and let me tell you about his bad mood yesterday… I did not make it better.
And then you give me this solid fucking gold, that top tier PNR perfection, only to cliffhanger me??! The disrespect. The audacity.
Harsh, my guy. I really just do not think y’all get how obnoxious a 37 year-old can be when they try hard enough. GIMMIE THE REST OF THE STORY I AM WAY TOO INVESTED AND I CANNOT WAIT.
5/5. So anyway, between the characters and the story and the world building and the DETAIL… I have been ensnared. It took me longer than I feel happy about to finish because reality still happens around me, even when I’m reading. It’s rude, but it is what it is, and I will be sitting in my angy corner until I can come back to this world and these MCs and finish what was started. If a reader magnet was what you were going for, you succeeded. I have been magnet-ed. I cannot be un-magnet-ed. Please don’t keep doing this to me. I am dumb and just really need the rest of the good-good. AND THERE WAS SO MUCH GOOD-GOOD!
**[I received an ARC from the author. All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own. ]**
September 29, 2024
Ollie is a mage whose family had been persecuted and hunted to extinction. In a vision, he sees something kill a man and take his soul. Adrian is the werewolf detective in charge of the homicide and he doesn't like mages. This was my first Seb book and I loved it! Fresh, original, absorbing and action packed, Light on the burn but when the guys do get together, they did it in style. It ends in a HFN so there better be another book coming! I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion.
October 1, 2024
Interesting, looking forward to part 2 I hope!
This book has fantastic world building and character development. It’s interesting and ended in a HFN that I hope means more is to come.
This book has fantastic world building and character development. It’s interesting and ended in a HFN that I hope means more is to come.
October 17, 2024
The Ritual of the Broken by Seb L. Carter is a thrilling start to the Ritual of the Broken series, blending urban fantasy, magic, and romance. The story follows Ollie, a mage trying to keep his head down after being outcast due to his ancestor’s dark magic, and Adrian, a werewolf homicide detective who despises mages. Their worlds collide when Adrian’s latest case involves a serial killer stealing souls, a crime only a mage could help solve. Ollie and Adrian’s tense partnership is full of sharp tension, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry, even as they’re drawn deeper into a conspiracy that threatens not just the magical community, but the entire city. The novel mixes supernatural intrigue, spells, and a slow-burn romance, creating a story packed with danger and passion. Fans of urban fantasy and MM romance will enjoy the intense action, emotional depth, and paranormal elements, making this a gripping read that leaves you eager for the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2024
Oh my god, oh my god, OH MY GOD! This book was INCREDIBLE! Start to finish it was filled with great characters, amazing story writing and a few twists that had my jaw dropping to the floor! It kinda ends on a cliffhanger and I sure hope there is a second one planned! I need to know what happens!!!
October 25, 2024
this was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the way this world worked overall. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoying how well they were written. It was a strong start to the Ritual of the Broken series and left me wanting to read more in this series. Seb L. Carter has a great writing style and am excited for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 14, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Ritual of the Broken is part of a multi-author Haunted Hearts collection, where each book is a standalone with the theme of a haunting seemingly tying them together. It also seems to be the first in a new series by Carter, as the book ends with a promise for more. Carter is a new-to-me author, and I was quick to pick this one up on the blurb alone. I was immediately sucked into the story and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Though not without its issues for me, this was a really solid read.
The pacing was pretty well done, and the MCs engaging and well drawn. The world building was spot on and really served the story. If you’re a fan of urban fantasy, then I definitely suggest picking this up. And I really hope there is more to come for these characters.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Ritual of the Broken is part of a multi-author Haunted Hearts collection, where each book is a standalone with the theme of a haunting seemingly tying them together. It also seems to be the first in a new series by Carter, as the book ends with a promise for more. Carter is a new-to-me author, and I was quick to pick this one up on the blurb alone. I was immediately sucked into the story and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Though not without its issues for me, this was a really solid read.
The pacing was pretty well done, and the MCs engaging and well drawn. The world building was spot on and really served the story. If you’re a fan of urban fantasy, then I definitely suggest picking this up. And I really hope there is more to come for these characters.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
November 30, 2024
An action-packed and fun story, if not a little insta-lovey. The farther I got into it though, the more inconsistencies I noticed, and the more I just wanted it to hurry up and end. Technically a HFN to be continued plot, but I don’t care enough to read the rest.
October 17, 2024
I loved this story. There was mystery, surprises, dry humour and some spice thrown in. I liked the relationship that developed between Adrian and Ollie, and the mystery aspect of the plot keeps you turning the page. The way the story ended suggested it might continue as a series. I'll be looking forward to the next book if it does.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 9, 2024
Excellent world building with some original elements. New to me author with a really enjoyable writing style. It did take me a little while to get into the story at the beginning. Lots of plot twists and the addition of the ghostly help was great. This story needs a sequel that the characters deserve to have.
October 3, 2024
Ollie & Adrian
This one took me a little while to get into. I'm glad that I kept going with it though. Ollie and Adrian's story really was very entertaining and interesting to read.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
This one took me a little while to get into. I'm glad that I kept going with it though. Ollie and Adrian's story really was very entertaining and interesting to read.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
November 13, 2024
"The Ritual of the Broken" es una joya literaria que me ha cautivado por completo. Su intrigante mezcla de magia y realidad crea un mundo fascinante donde lo sobrenatural se esconde a plena vista. La trama es una montaña rusa de emociones, con giros inesperados que te mantienen al borde del asiento.
Ollie, el protagonista, es un personaje complejo y entrañable. Su evolución a lo largo de la novela es palpable, y su relación con Adrian, el enigmático hombre lobo, es una de las más hermosas que he leído. Adrian rompe con todos los clichés del género, presentando una figura masculina sensible y protectora.
El mundo mágico creado por el autor es rico en detalles y lleno de misterios. La forma en que se entrelaza con el mundo real es ingeniosa y crea una atmósfera única. Además, los personajes secundarios están muy bien desarrollados y aportan profundidad a la historia.
Si eres fan de la fantasía urbana y buscas una historia llena de magia, romance y misterio, "The Ritual of the Broken" es una lectura obligada. Te aseguro que no te arrepentirás de sumergirte en este mundo tan cautivador.
_______________________
"The Ritual of the Broken" is a literary gem that has completely captivated me. Its intriguing mix of magic and reality creates a fascinating world where the supernatural hides in plain sight. The plot is a rollercoaster of emotions, with unexpected twists that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Ollie, the protagonist, is a complex and endearing character. His evolution throughout the novel is palpable, and his relationship with Adrian, the enigmatic werewolf, is one of the most beautiful I have ever read. Adrian breaks all the clichés of the genre, presenting a sensitive and protective male figure.
The author's magical world is rich in detail and full of mysteries. The way it intertwines with the natural world is ingenious and creates a unique atmosphere. In addition, the secondary characters are very well-developed and add depth to the story.
If you are a fan of urban fantasy and are looking for a story full of magic, romance and mystery, "The Ritual of the Broken" is a must-read. I assure you that you will not regret immersing yourself in this captivating world.
Ollie, el protagonista, es un personaje complejo y entrañable. Su evolución a lo largo de la novela es palpable, y su relación con Adrian, el enigmático hombre lobo, es una de las más hermosas que he leído. Adrian rompe con todos los clichés del género, presentando una figura masculina sensible y protectora.
El mundo mágico creado por el autor es rico en detalles y lleno de misterios. La forma en que se entrelaza con el mundo real es ingeniosa y crea una atmósfera única. Además, los personajes secundarios están muy bien desarrollados y aportan profundidad a la historia.
Si eres fan de la fantasía urbana y buscas una historia llena de magia, romance y misterio, "The Ritual of the Broken" es una lectura obligada. Te aseguro que no te arrepentirás de sumergirte en este mundo tan cautivador.
_______________________
"The Ritual of the Broken" is a literary gem that has completely captivated me. Its intriguing mix of magic and reality creates a fascinating world where the supernatural hides in plain sight. The plot is a rollercoaster of emotions, with unexpected twists that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Ollie, the protagonist, is a complex and endearing character. His evolution throughout the novel is palpable, and his relationship with Adrian, the enigmatic werewolf, is one of the most beautiful I have ever read. Adrian breaks all the clichés of the genre, presenting a sensitive and protective male figure.
The author's magical world is rich in detail and full of mysteries. The way it intertwines with the natural world is ingenious and creates a unique atmosphere. In addition, the secondary characters are very well-developed and add depth to the story.
If you are a fan of urban fantasy and are looking for a story full of magic, romance and mystery, "The Ritual of the Broken" is a must-read. I assure you that you will not regret immersing yourself in this captivating world.
October 15, 2024
For the first couple chapters, I wasn’t quite sure where this book was going, but I’m willing to give science fiction and fantasy stories time to do the world building so many of the stories require. By the fourth chapter, I was drawn into the story of a powerful mage who has a few issues with his powers occasionally going awry. Oliver “Ollie” Hartley is the last of a line of hereditary – and disgraced – mages. Nobody has ever told Ollie just what his ancestor, Preston, did to warrant execution. All he knows is that all his family members have died under mysterious circumstances. So Ollie runs a shop that sells harmless crystals, candles, and potions – mostly to New Age-y mortals – as well as more potent magical items to other mages.
Ollie encounters Adrian Keller when Ollie shows up at a crime scene, where a man has been murdered by arcane means. Adrian and Ollie recognize one another as supernaturals, though Adrian is very wary of any interaction with a mage. When Ollie is able to help Adrian find an important clue regarding this murder, Adrian reluctantly agrees to teaming up to follow both mundane and arcane clues to solve the crime, and other subsequent crimes.
The quest Ollie and Adrian embark upon leads to revelations about Ollie’s family, his ex-boyfriend, Emmerich, and … well, to say much more would be to spoil the story! It’s a cracking good adventure, and I want to know what more is in store for Adrian and Ollie!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ollie encounters Adrian Keller when Ollie shows up at a crime scene, where a man has been murdered by arcane means. Adrian and Ollie recognize one another as supernaturals, though Adrian is very wary of any interaction with a mage. When Ollie is able to help Adrian find an important clue regarding this murder, Adrian reluctantly agrees to teaming up to follow both mundane and arcane clues to solve the crime, and other subsequent crimes.
The quest Ollie and Adrian embark upon leads to revelations about Ollie’s family, his ex-boyfriend, Emmerich, and … well, to say much more would be to spoil the story! It’s a cracking good adventure, and I want to know what more is in store for Adrian and Ollie!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 7, 2024
First up I could not put this book down and had to read it in a day as I really wanted to know what was going to happen.
Ollie, a mage shunned by his own community thanks to a mistake done by one of his ancestors gets a vision showing a death, wanting to do the right thing goes and investigates. Adrian is the werewolf homicide detective tasked with solving the murder.
As I said I was hooked to the story as soon as Ollie had his vision. I liked Ollie straight from the start, a bit of a loner he still wanted to do the right thing and investigate. Even when his spells did not always do what he wanted them to do, he was still willing to help. Not even working with Adrian, the grumpy werewolf did not put him off. Adrian whilst grumpy had his reasons when it came to working with Ollie, but he put his prejudice aside to try and solve the murder.
This had a good blend of mystery, fantasy and romance and I loved the interactions between Ollie and Adrian. These two sometimes clashed and I loved their heated interactions showing that Ollie was no pushover, just as much as them getting loved up.
Each scene was described in detail and I am sure I have only scratched the surface of Ollie and Adrian's Chicago. I didn't want this story to end and I was a touch disappointed when I saw "The End" I want more of this world and I definitely want more of Ollie and Adrian and I can see this being a complete series of this pair fighting the paranormal crime world.
Ollie, a mage shunned by his own community thanks to a mistake done by one of his ancestors gets a vision showing a death, wanting to do the right thing goes and investigates. Adrian is the werewolf homicide detective tasked with solving the murder.
As I said I was hooked to the story as soon as Ollie had his vision. I liked Ollie straight from the start, a bit of a loner he still wanted to do the right thing and investigate. Even when his spells did not always do what he wanted them to do, he was still willing to help. Not even working with Adrian, the grumpy werewolf did not put him off. Adrian whilst grumpy had his reasons when it came to working with Ollie, but he put his prejudice aside to try and solve the murder.
This had a good blend of mystery, fantasy and romance and I loved the interactions between Ollie and Adrian. These two sometimes clashed and I loved their heated interactions showing that Ollie was no pushover, just as much as them getting loved up.
Each scene was described in detail and I am sure I have only scratched the surface of Ollie and Adrian's Chicago. I didn't want this story to end and I was a touch disappointed when I saw "The End" I want more of this world and I definitely want more of Ollie and Adrian and I can see this being a complete series of this pair fighting the paranormal crime world.
December 7, 2025
Hmm, the problem with this book for me is that I didn’t like any of the characters very much. Ollie is kind of horrible, and so are his ex and his ex’s friend. The characterization seems inconsistent as well.
The second problem is that I don’t buy their love story either. There might be some lust involved, but there is no spark. They don’t fit; the sex comes out of nowhere. They haven’t even known each other very long. Things happen fast, but most of it is the investigation of the murders.
The third problem is the world-building. I don’t mind being thrown into a world I’ll discover slowly, but there seems to be hardly anything here, and what we have is far from charming. The world of the mages still seems distant even after 450 pages. The book is too long as well; the middle part drags, and I was bored with it.
Also: the writing. The flow of it, the rhythm. Not my cup of tea.
(And Adrian’s hands pulled Ollie’s shirt from the waistband of his pants, and he felt Adrian’s fingers touch the bare skin of his stomach. It made Ollie shudder.)
And the ending…what can I even say about the ending? Very anticlimactic and very unsatisfying.
I finished this book, but I honestly wonder why I suffered through reading it.
Two stars, and based on this one, I wouldn’t try another novel by the author.
The second problem is that I don’t buy their love story either. There might be some lust involved, but there is no spark. They don’t fit; the sex comes out of nowhere. They haven’t even known each other very long. Things happen fast, but most of it is the investigation of the murders.
The third problem is the world-building. I don’t mind being thrown into a world I’ll discover slowly, but there seems to be hardly anything here, and what we have is far from charming. The world of the mages still seems distant even after 450 pages. The book is too long as well; the middle part drags, and I was bored with it.
Also: the writing. The flow of it, the rhythm. Not my cup of tea.
(And Adrian’s hands pulled Ollie’s shirt from the waistband of his pants, and he felt Adrian’s fingers touch the bare skin of his stomach. It made Ollie shudder.)
And the ending…what can I even say about the ending? Very anticlimactic and very unsatisfying.
I finished this book, but I honestly wonder why I suffered through reading it.
Two stars, and based on this one, I wouldn’t try another novel by the author.
September 30, 2024
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
I believe Seb L. Carter is a mage because there is definitely magic in them those pages!
It’s a fascinating story and the way in which Seb builds the story and introduces us to the characters captures you and keeps you enthralled the whole 400 and some pages. And it contains a well-developed world of supes and magic but not so complex that you (I mean me) get confused. Not to mention one hell of a ‘case’ that keeps you twisting and turning.
Ollie and Adrian’s story works really well. With Adrian’s mistrust of mages and Ollie’s kind of snark disposition. They both have some walls to break down and issues to overcome, but it makes their relationship all the more believable and satisfying. Truthfully I’m a little mistrusting of mages now too.
I want more. More of Haunted Hearts, but also more of this world and these characters!
I believe Seb L. Carter is a mage because there is definitely magic in them those pages!
It’s a fascinating story and the way in which Seb builds the story and introduces us to the characters captures you and keeps you enthralled the whole 400 and some pages. And it contains a well-developed world of supes and magic but not so complex that you (I mean me) get confused. Not to mention one hell of a ‘case’ that keeps you twisting and turning.
Ollie and Adrian’s story works really well. With Adrian’s mistrust of mages and Ollie’s kind of snark disposition. They both have some walls to break down and issues to overcome, but it makes their relationship all the more believable and satisfying. Truthfully I’m a little mistrusting of mages now too.
I want more. More of Haunted Hearts, but also more of this world and these characters!
September 29, 2024
The Ritual of the Broken is the second book in the Haunted Hearts series. It´s a urban fantasy which tells the story of a romance between a grumpy werewolf and an outcast wizard as they try to solve a mystery that takes them through the streets of Chicago.
Ollie is a magician and owner of a new age store, inherited from his mother, who sells crystals and books, which have no power, because those gadgets only serve as support for people who have magical powers, but somehow he has to make a living. In his store he has a resident ghost.
Adrian is a werewolf, who is a detective with the Chicago Police Department, is a little grumpy, also has problems with magic because he does not trust mages.
The two coincide at a crime scene, perpetrated by a supernatural entity, Adrian is called to investigate and Ollie, receives a “notice” to go there.
The worldbuilding is incredible, the characters are very well developed, although it is a book of more than 400 pages, I found it short.
There are some spicy scenes.
I need more of them.
Ollie is a magician and owner of a new age store, inherited from his mother, who sells crystals and books, which have no power, because those gadgets only serve as support for people who have magical powers, but somehow he has to make a living. In his store he has a resident ghost.
Adrian is a werewolf, who is a detective with the Chicago Police Department, is a little grumpy, also has problems with magic because he does not trust mages.
The two coincide at a crime scene, perpetrated by a supernatural entity, Adrian is called to investigate and Ollie, receives a “notice” to go there.
The worldbuilding is incredible, the characters are very well developed, although it is a book of more than 400 pages, I found it short.
There are some spicy scenes.
I need more of them.
October 16, 2024
Seb L. Carter's The Ritual of the Broken, part of the Own-Voices gay paranormal romance series "Haunted Hearts," immerses the reader in a fascinating urban fantasy landscape. His novel is populated by magical wonders such as curses and mystical family mysteries, along with supernatural figures like mages, werewolves, and monsters that would consume your soul as soon as look at you. Oh, and don't worry, there are hot dudes, too.
Carter's novel is more than an opposites-attract love story between a grumpy yet hunky mage-hating werewolf detective and a cheerful magic user plagued by a troubled familial history and haunted by a ghost. It's a sound murder mystery and crime thriller set against a backdrop of a modern dark urban landscape of sorcery, homoeroticism, and secrets.
Read my full review at www.ryanlawrenceauthor.ca
Carter's novel is more than an opposites-attract love story between a grumpy yet hunky mage-hating werewolf detective and a cheerful magic user plagued by a troubled familial history and haunted by a ghost. It's a sound murder mystery and crime thriller set against a backdrop of a modern dark urban landscape of sorcery, homoeroticism, and secrets.
Read my full review at www.ryanlawrenceauthor.ca
October 4, 2024
I received this ARC for my honest opinion. Ritual of the Broken by Seb L. Carter was a fine read. I loved Ollie’s sassiness and vivaciousness that he had throughout the book even in the most dire situations. Adrian who is not of fan of mages meets Ollie at a crime scene and the story ensues. It keeps you on your toes and the mis-directions are fun. It kept me wanting more and more. The love starts between Adrian and Ollie after a short while, they are fiercely protective of each other. They learn to change their ways of thinking and learn more and more about each other. It ebbs and flows with the plot of the story. I want to see more from these two. I recommend if you love shifter and magic parings.
October 2, 2024
This book was exceptional! Absolutely loved it! The word building, descriptive prose and character development was brilliant and perfectly placed and paced! Brilliant characters Ollie who is a magician and owner of a shop where he sells crystals and books which really only benefit people who with magical powers. Oh and he has a ghost! Then
Adrian who is a werewolf detective with the Chicago Police Department and does trust magicians! A brilliant storyline follows and I'm not giving away any spoilers as you honestly need to read it yourself! You won't regret it!
Adrian who is a werewolf detective with the Chicago Police Department and does trust magicians! A brilliant storyline follows and I'm not giving away any spoilers as you honestly need to read it yourself! You won't regret it!
October 3, 2024
4.5⭐️
I’m loving this series so far, and this was a wonderful chance to read a new to me author. I loved this, it’s has wonderfully intricate storytelling telling, I especially loved the details about how magic works in this world. The author has pulled of some truly masterful world building, two interesting and lovable MCs, and a really gripping and entertaining plot. I really hope there’s more to come for Ollie and Adrian, because I definitely want more of their story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I’m loving this series so far, and this was a wonderful chance to read a new to me author. I loved this, it’s has wonderfully intricate storytelling telling, I especially loved the details about how magic works in this world. The author has pulled of some truly masterful world building, two interesting and lovable MCs, and a really gripping and entertaining plot. I really hope there’s more to come for Ollie and Adrian, because I definitely want more of their story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
October 16, 2024
Overall, a charming and fun read. The chemistry was believable and fun and I enjoyed getting to know the universe and characters the author created. I adore the grumpy/sunshine trope, and Adrian and Ollie were an enjoyable and believable version of this dynamic. There are a few moments of awkward pacing (particularly at the beginning), but ultimately I really enjoyed my afternoon reading this and will recommend it to my book club once it is released!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2024
There’s some well-crafted and intriguing world building for this urban fantasy, which pairs a grumpy werewolf detective with a determined mage. They’ve both got their issues with magic, and their uneasy alliance takes shape against a backdrop with suitable intrigue, so it’s an easy story to get caught up in. 4.5 stars. Well worth a read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
September 30, 2024
This is a book I could not put down. From the first chapter it draws you into a world of the supernatural. There are mages both good and evil, some questionable. Ollie is a mage who insists on helping Adrain a homicide detective with a murder. Both Ollie and Adrain have issues with and about magic. It’s full of danger, drama and just the beginning of an adventurous journey.
October 6, 2024
The world building in this book is amazing. The characters are lovable. The plot is fantastic. Its wonderfully intricate storytelling and gripping magic keep you turning page after page. It's a beautiful mix of paranormal romance and murder mystery. Follow the story of Adrian and Ollie. It’s an easy story to get caught up in.
November 2, 2024
The book kept me glued, a mage, a werewolf, lies, betrayals and secrets from hundreds of years ago trying to finish what was started and surprises. I can’t recommend this book highly enough and look forward to more adventures with Adrian and Ollie.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews