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Deridia #12
Sunder
Fragile.
Sickly.
Seer.
Orma has always been different, able to see the shimmering bonds that connect people in ways no one else can. But her gift, a secret she’s been forced to hide, has made her an outsider in her own home. As whispers of her oddness grow louder, her world becomes smaller, confined by the walls of fear and misunderstanding.
When Orma feels the pull of a powerful bond—a connection she was too young to discover—her once-hidden ability threatens to unravel everything. Drawn to a mysterious stranger she shouldn’t know, her parents face a terrible choice. Surrender their daughter, or attempt the unthinkable.
Caught between family, love, and a gift she never wanted, once grown, Orma must face choices of her own. To hide, plagued with pains and a ceaseless ache for the one she lost. Or to be brave and find the one meant to be hers.
-x-
“I didn’t mean to,” she added mournfully, this time offered to her father. Who paused. Turned in his pacing so he might look at her properly. “We should have kept you closer,” he answered. Not an absolution, but a confession of error. Rare, from him.
“We were warned this might happen.” His eyes drifted toward her mother, and there had been an argument there, she could tell. “And there would be consequences for our neglect.”
Her mother’s head turned, and while she did not hiss out an answer, her hold on Orma’s hand tightened to the point of pain.
“Mama,” she murmured, and she turned, loosening her grip immediately.
“Sorry,” she answered, petting and soothing again. “We are not angry with you,” she promised, because she knew that mattered to Orma.
“No,” Father agreed. “Not with you.” But there was a tightness in his voice, the blame he pointed clearly meant for Mama. Which made Orma cry anew. Until he sighed and approached her, pulling her up and into his arms, blanket and all. “You’re going to have to be very brave,” he insisted. “Until we can get this sorted. Do you understand?”
No. Not at all.
“It hurts,” she confessed, because it did. “Is it supposed to?”
He took a sharp breath before shaking his head. “No, sweetling. It isn’t meant to hurt.”
Sickly.
Seer.
Orma has always been different, able to see the shimmering bonds that connect people in ways no one else can. But her gift, a secret she’s been forced to hide, has made her an outsider in her own home. As whispers of her oddness grow louder, her world becomes smaller, confined by the walls of fear and misunderstanding.
When Orma feels the pull of a powerful bond—a connection she was too young to discover—her once-hidden ability threatens to unravel everything. Drawn to a mysterious stranger she shouldn’t know, her parents face a terrible choice. Surrender their daughter, or attempt the unthinkable.
Caught between family, love, and a gift she never wanted, once grown, Orma must face choices of her own. To hide, plagued with pains and a ceaseless ache for the one she lost. Or to be brave and find the one meant to be hers.
-x-
“I didn’t mean to,” she added mournfully, this time offered to her father. Who paused. Turned in his pacing so he might look at her properly. “We should have kept you closer,” he answered. Not an absolution, but a confession of error. Rare, from him.
“We were warned this might happen.” His eyes drifted toward her mother, and there had been an argument there, she could tell. “And there would be consequences for our neglect.”
Her mother’s head turned, and while she did not hiss out an answer, her hold on Orma’s hand tightened to the point of pain.
“Mama,” she murmured, and she turned, loosening her grip immediately.
“Sorry,” she answered, petting and soothing again. “We are not angry with you,” she promised, because she knew that mattered to Orma.
“No,” Father agreed. “Not with you.” But there was a tightness in his voice, the blame he pointed clearly meant for Mama. Which made Orma cry anew. Until he sighed and approached her, pulling her up and into his arms, blanket and all. “You’re going to have to be very brave,” he insisted. “Until we can get this sorted. Do you understand?”
No. Not at all.
“It hurts,” she confessed, because it did. “Is it supposed to?”
He took a sharp breath before shaking his head. “No, sweetling. It isn’t meant to hurt.”
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2024
34 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Miller
25 books125 followersI am an American by birth and situation, whose heart forever remains in Great Britain. I derive much inspiration from my holidays abroad, and my writing is heavily influenced by the delights of the English and Scottish countryside. My author's journey began in several reimaginings of The Phantom of the Opera where I explore happier endings for our beloved Erik-- hopefully aided by my degrees in psychology. I have a love for fantasy and paranormal romance, as well as the pleasure of a thrilling murder mystery... each of which have begun to creep into my writerly pursuits. When I am not consumed with a novel, I enjoy lavishing affection on my two cats, and working in historical costume design.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 8, 2025
This book had good points if you like a book with a scared downtrodden heroine and a hero who is all in on caretaking after he meets her. It did, however, have some problems. There was almost no world building. The hero and heroine had wings but why? It made no real difference to the story and seemed an afterthought. There was very little interaction with side characters. The story was closely focused in on the hero finding out what had happened to the heroine before he met her and them learning to trust each other. The hero was a bit too perfect. All in all while I mostly enjoyed the read, it was very vague.
November 2, 2024
Excellent sci fi romance
Fair warning: Orma's story has a happy ending, but she went through terrible things to get there, and she has a lot of existing issues. Athan is wonderful, and the Brum is great. The worldbuilding in this series is fantastic, the characters are memorable, and I highly recommend all 12 books.
Fair warning: Orma's story has a happy ending, but she went through terrible things to get there, and she has a lot of existing issues. Athan is wonderful, and the Brum is great. The worldbuilding in this series is fantastic, the characters are memorable, and I highly recommend all 12 books.
November 12, 2024
Another great read!
I absolutely love this author. The Deridia series is one I have re read often. This book was just as sweet, and I was happy to have such a wonderful ending for Orma!
I absolutely love this author. The Deridia series is one I have re read often. This book was just as sweet, and I was happy to have such a wonderful ending for Orma!
November 30, 2024
DNF Just couldn't get into the story.
December 17, 2024
I read this book, but it did not engage my emotions. The love story is very slow burn and Orma is weak/sickly through most of it.
January 2, 2025
The author couldnt care less about world building
March 31, 2025
3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews