Terra's Fall

by Amanda D'Errico

A hidden world.
A forgotten history.
A woman ready to explore it all…
if the ibuprofen would just kick in already.

Copy editor Terra Zaragoza eliminates imperfection for a living, but her debilitating chronic illness is one glaring typo she can’t fix. Seeking solace one evening in the company of a mysterious man, she gets more than she bargains for, and a frantic escape launches her into the hidden world of Elysia.

Turns out her situation could be worse, because in this Eden-esque place where perfection reigns, she discovers the secrets to Earth’s origins and hears the voice of God himself. Oh. And there are healing pools. Where sickness can be cured instantly.

Jackpot.

But a clean bill of health can’t erase all hurts, and her little inter-world trespass has invoked the wrath of something sinister. To gain the true healing she craves, she’ll have to face some demons from her past…while the one that stalks her grows more obsessive by the day.

A contemporary fantasy rooted in the Garden of Eden, Terra's Fall is a journey of the soul, but with a heavy side of romance, humor, and supernatural thrills. Its themes of redemption echo The Midnight Library, and its dry-wit banter and romance will hook fans of Emily Henry.

423 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2024

About the author

Amanda D’Errico is a thriving survivor (a sur-thriver?) of chronic illness and disability and can tell you a thing or two about uncovering joy in dark places. After becoming disabled from a mysterious connective tissue disorder and finding herself stuck on the couch for most of her days, she turned to her first love, writing. She is also a frequent artistic dabbler, an epic slideshow creator, and a big fan of sleep, despite regular dreams of being stuck inside a sci-fi action film. She lives with her husband and two sons in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reviews

[Diana Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book seemed to have it all. Great character development, lots of twists and turns in the story, and many elements that were easy to connect to my faith walk. I had a hard time putting it down and was fully engaged not knowing what would happen next.

[Linda Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terra's Fall is a one-of-a-kind read! Terra is relatable and determined, and this novel uniquely shines a light on the daily emotional, and physical, impact of chronic illness. Terra has a number of unusual encounters with others that make you question their intentions, and who is “good” vs. “evil”, and there are some scenes that will have the hair on your arm standing up. There’s a bit of mystery throughout the novel as you try to put the puzzle pieces together to better understand who these characters are, and why they are choosing to seek out Terra (good intentions? bad intentions?). Terra comes to learn about a parallel world called Elysia, and the author does an amazing job describing this beautiful world (I mean, now I want to go there!). Throughout the novel, Terra embarks (perhaps unwittingly at first) on a journey of self-discovery, and a journey of faith. Terra’s Fall is a creative and beautifully written story that gives a new meaning to “everything happens for a reason” while staying true to the principle of free will, and how these two seemingly opposite concepts can indeed perfectly co-exist. There’s mystery, action, romance, struggles of good vs. evil, parallel universes/lands, reflection on one’s relationship with God and with others, and charming storytelling throughout. If you like fiction with a thoughtful and inspiring spiritual component, this is a must read!

[stephanie cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terra’s Fall is a fresh, modern reimagining of the Garden of Eden story, woven seamlessly into a contemporary world. Amanda D’Errico’s writing style shines with clarity, humor, and emotional depth. Her prose flows effortlessly, maintaining a perfect pace that balances introspection with unfolding mystery.

The heart of the novel is Terra—a smart, witty woman living with fibromyalgia. Her chronic pain is portrayed with honesty and nuance, adding depth without defining her. The chemistry between her and the enigmatic Harlan keeps the story charged with tension and curiosity.

D’Errico’s world-building is immersive and elegant, slowly revealing a hidden history just beneath the surface of everyday life. Myth and modernity collide in a way that feels both grounded and magical.

With rich characters, thoughtful themes, and vivid writing, Terra’s Fall is a compelling, original journey that lingers long after the final page.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a very interesting premise to me - a modern set story with the plot of the Garden of Eden and the associated fall. Terra has fibromyalgia and struggles with pain on the regular. After losing out on a promotion at work and experiencing some more acute pain, she goes to physical therapy and, lo and behold, sees a man that she has seen before, Harlan. Then Harlan is bumping into her all over the place. Coincidence or fate? I found this to be an interesting take on the Bible story, even as someone that is not religious. I didn’t love the ending, hence the slightly lower rating, but definitely something to check into if the description interests you!

Thanks to NetGalley and Silent Mangrove Press for an advanced reader copy!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update: I’ve finished the book! I really enjoyed this book and even recommended it to my husband. The metaphors contained in this book were very thought-provoking and the similes kept me chuckling to myself the whole time. I really loved the fresh perspective on relationships with God!

I’m half-way through this book and already have three people in mind who I will be gifting it to for Christmas! The story immediately drew me in and the FANTASTIC writing held my attention! The author does a great job developing the characters and keeping you wanting “one more chapter” throughout! I’m excited to finish this book and very excited for this new author!

[Emily Bjornsgard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I love this type of book that is set enough in the “real” world that it can be placed, but where there is something just different enough that it really makes you think.

The characters are well written, flawed but (and) relatable. There were some time jumps that were a little jarring, where there were scenes that seemed to be missing and I would have liked to see (removed a star for that).

I’d recommend this for anyone who wants something a little different. Especially growing up in a religious household, this type of story makes you think and ponder.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌶️/5
This book was not at all what I was expecting and not my genre, but I managed to finish it. The book explored the themes of why God allows evil, surrendering your own will, and the power of forgiveness. The main characters both have a decent amount of character development, though some of that development felt like it came overnight.

[Christine Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light-hearted yet thought-provoking journey, Terra's Fall blends lively suspense with heartwarming romance, keeping me turning the pages. The story captivates with its perfect balance of fantasy and unexpected twists, both entertaining and reflective. Definitely one of my best reads this fall, offering a rich mix of romance, adventure, and imaginative worlds.