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The Shattered Pulse #1
Before the Sky Breaks
The Gates have been closed for centuries, waiting for their keeper.
Thousands of years ago, the Gates that once allowed for the free flow of magic into the world were closed, allowing only the smallest amount of power to seep through the cracks in the dam that holds it back. Wars have been waged over the possession of the Gates and those who can access their power, using the Wielders as weapons made flesh in their endless conflict.
It has been generations since the last time a new Gate was found and opened...
The dragons are growing bolder.
One of the strongest Wielders on one side of the war has gone missing, while another is sent to hunt him down, desperate to find him before he can wreak havoc under the command of a psychotic dragon bent on destruction and chaos.
Her hunt leads her and her apprentice south, to a province that is unprepared for what she will find...
The Gatekeeper will rise again.
Pulled into the midst of it all is a young man who wants nothing to do with the war, trying to keep his head down until he can escape from a society that actively fears and hates him.
But he cannot run from the call of the Gates, and cannot hide from those who would use him for their own purposes, leaving him with a terrible choice...
Either choose a master to be enslaved to, or risk everything in pursuit of his freedom.
Thousands of years ago, the Gates that once allowed for the free flow of magic into the world were closed, allowing only the smallest amount of power to seep through the cracks in the dam that holds it back. Wars have been waged over the possession of the Gates and those who can access their power, using the Wielders as weapons made flesh in their endless conflict.
It has been generations since the last time a new Gate was found and opened...
The dragons are growing bolder.
One of the strongest Wielders on one side of the war has gone missing, while another is sent to hunt him down, desperate to find him before he can wreak havoc under the command of a psychotic dragon bent on destruction and chaos.
Her hunt leads her and her apprentice south, to a province that is unprepared for what she will find...
The Gatekeeper will rise again.
Pulled into the midst of it all is a young man who wants nothing to do with the war, trying to keep his head down until he can escape from a society that actively fears and hates him.
But he cannot run from the call of the Gates, and cannot hide from those who would use him for their own purposes, leaving him with a terrible choice...
Either choose a master to be enslaved to, or risk everything in pursuit of his freedom.
- GenresFantasy
550 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2025
5 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 16, 2025
The gate is closed, and after centuries, the darkness is looking for a way to open it again. Only a small dose of magic is able to pass slowly through it, while they are waiting for the gatekeeper to come back.
This is the first book of a four book series named the Shattered Pulse, which will be released on the 7th of March, where the dragons are evil and the magic is almost dead. Allakoi is just a young man disliked for who he is and just trying to keep by himself and can't wait to get away from home. Pulled into a war between dragons, griffons, and humans, he doesn't want anything to do with and is wanted by everyone who would use him for his powers.
This is Guay's debute epic fantasy novel, and i had a wonderful time in her imaginary world with Griffons, dragons, and all different kinds of magic. This is a book easy to read through with the writing style being easy to adapt into and just getting lost into Al's troubles. All the characters are very likable and had a superfun time reading about every one of them. I even found myself cheering on the bad guys, with the ending being unforgiveable awesome! Can't wait for the next book in this series, and are highly recommend this if you like Ascendant or Iron Crown or any other bonding with creature stories. Because this book is filled with magic and bonding in different ways.
This is the first book of a four book series named the Shattered Pulse, which will be released on the 7th of March, where the dragons are evil and the magic is almost dead. Allakoi is just a young man disliked for who he is and just trying to keep by himself and can't wait to get away from home. Pulled into a war between dragons, griffons, and humans, he doesn't want anything to do with and is wanted by everyone who would use him for his powers.
This is Guay's debute epic fantasy novel, and i had a wonderful time in her imaginary world with Griffons, dragons, and all different kinds of magic. This is a book easy to read through with the writing style being easy to adapt into and just getting lost into Al's troubles. All the characters are very likable and had a superfun time reading about every one of them. I even found myself cheering on the bad guys, with the ending being unforgiveable awesome! Can't wait for the next book in this series, and are highly recommend this if you like Ascendant or Iron Crown or any other bonding with creature stories. Because this book is filled with magic and bonding in different ways.
July 11, 2025
I found the magic system in this book really cool. The fact that all the auras are their own person in a way was different than I have seen anywhere before! Having a Villian who is a healer is also a cool twist… frustrating as the reader who is cheering for Allakoi to win, but I liked the idea.
There were aspects of this story I really enjoyed, and some things I found hard (I have a hard time with lots of struggle in stories). Overall I’m quite looking forward to reading more in the series and seeing how everything plays out!
Thanks for the great book Nicole! 😊
There were aspects of this story I really enjoyed, and some things I found hard (I have a hard time with lots of struggle in stories). Overall I’m quite looking forward to reading more in the series and seeing how everything plays out!
Thanks for the great book Nicole! 😊
April 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this! It was a super unique world, and I'm looking forward to how the series unfolds.
What I loved:
- I LOVE the magic system concept in this book!
- The world feels large and expansive, without being info-dumpy. There is a rich history to every piece of it. There's so many different secrets and mysteries carefully being revealed as the story progresses.
- I was getting a lot of Jedi vs Sith in the Star Wars prequels energy from the two warring factions, which I'm all about. I love the tension of not really knowing who was the right side.
- I love the griffons! They're a VASTLY underrated mythical creature imo
- that the MC Allakoi just wanted to go home the whole time (tbh, I felt that 😭😭)
- lots of twists, some I expected in a sense, but they were executed in unlikely ways. The final "villain?" in the end had me second-guessing myself constantly.
All in all, any fantasy lovers will absolutely enjoy this story, as a kickoff to what is sure to be an exciting series, I highly recommend it!!
Be prepared for the craziest cliffhanger though 🫠🫠
What I loved:
- I LOVE the magic system concept in this book!
- The world feels large and expansive, without being info-dumpy. There is a rich history to every piece of it. There's so many different secrets and mysteries carefully being revealed as the story progresses.
- I was getting a lot of Jedi vs Sith in the Star Wars prequels energy from the two warring factions, which I'm all about. I love the tension of not really knowing who was the right side.
- I love the griffons! They're a VASTLY underrated mythical creature imo
- that the MC Allakoi just wanted to go home the whole time (tbh, I felt that 😭😭)
- lots of twists, some I expected in a sense, but they were executed in unlikely ways. The final "villain?" in the end had me second-guessing myself constantly.
All in all, any fantasy lovers will absolutely enjoy this story, as a kickoff to what is sure to be an exciting series, I highly recommend it!!
Be prepared for the craziest cliffhanger though 🫠🫠
August 10, 2025
I received this book as my first ever ARC read - I signed up to be an ARC reader for the second book in this series (which I just received so stay tuned!), and I was thrilled when the author then provided me with the first book so I could get the full experience. So here is my first ever official book review - I myself am still very much learning!
This one is great for those looking for lore, backstory, unraveling mysteries, world-building in epic proportions and a magic system that I honestly have not read before. This first book reminded me of reading Eragon way back when I was teenager (showing my age here), and letting myself get immersed and fall in love with the journey our protagonist finds himself in.
It is a lengthy tomb of a book, but I enjoyed every page. The closing chapter of book one had me absolutely intrigued in what I would find in book two. So, onwards we go!
4.3 stars, if epic fantasy is your vibe, give it a read!
This one is great for those looking for lore, backstory, unraveling mysteries, world-building in epic proportions and a magic system that I honestly have not read before. This first book reminded me of reading Eragon way back when I was teenager (showing my age here), and letting myself get immersed and fall in love with the journey our protagonist finds himself in.
It is a lengthy tomb of a book, but I enjoyed every page. The closing chapter of book one had me absolutely intrigued in what I would find in book two. So, onwards we go!
4.3 stars, if epic fantasy is your vibe, give it a read!
May 27, 2025
Wowza 4.5 rounded up. This book blended so many great fantasy elements together to do something unique and fresh. It hinges on being grim dark as there are some elements that are pretty gruesome while still being a coming of age story that you know and love.
The plot is snappy and the magic system is intriguing. I mean sentient Aura magic? Let’s goooo. Dragons, griffons, warring factions. It’s just all so good.
The ending floored me and I can’t wait for book 2.
The plot is snappy and the magic system is intriguing. I mean sentient Aura magic? Let’s goooo. Dragons, griffons, warring factions. It’s just all so good.
The ending floored me and I can’t wait for book 2.
February 26, 2025
Got to read it early. Love this book. Clean fantasy that gets surprisingly dark. Highly recommend. Would say more but spoilers are a thing.
March 29, 2025
An enjoyable slow-burn fantasy romp, clearly setting the stage for a bombastic second installment.
Allakoi finds himself the chosen wielder of enormous and enviable power, and simultaneously caught up in a war he never asked for. Allies are few and far between, enemies are vast and many, and all the while, he must wage a war within himself.
So begins NJ Guay’s Before the Sky Breaks, volume 1 of her new fantasy series. The story moves slowly, but thunderclaps do echo throughout the rumbling storm that is this book.
I’d recommend enjoying the ride and not rushing through this one. The characters and world are well-realized, meant to be taken in sips, rather than gulps, and the plot beats come along eventually. I believe fans of Stormlight Archive will find something to love here, with the methodical pacing and fully-fleshed-out magic and culture.
The writing is solid, and Guay does a good job of making you feel the characters’ struggles, of which there are many. It’s rare you find an author who seems so determined to torture her main characters, but it works.
The second book is due out later this year, and I plan to read it.
Allakoi finds himself the chosen wielder of enormous and enviable power, and simultaneously caught up in a war he never asked for. Allies are few and far between, enemies are vast and many, and all the while, he must wage a war within himself.
So begins NJ Guay’s Before the Sky Breaks, volume 1 of her new fantasy series. The story moves slowly, but thunderclaps do echo throughout the rumbling storm that is this book.
I’d recommend enjoying the ride and not rushing through this one. The characters and world are well-realized, meant to be taken in sips, rather than gulps, and the plot beats come along eventually. I believe fans of Stormlight Archive will find something to love here, with the methodical pacing and fully-fleshed-out magic and culture.
The writing is solid, and Guay does a good job of making you feel the characters’ struggles, of which there are many. It’s rare you find an author who seems so determined to torture her main characters, but it works.
The second book is due out later this year, and I plan to read it.
December 13, 2025
This was a great debut fantasy! I really enjoyed getting into the story - right off the bat the prologue hooked me in, and then the Wheel of Time vibes kept me going. The writing was a lot more accessible than WoT though, especially for newer epic fantasy readers. This book really took me on a journey along with Allakoi. We got to see a lot of different parts of his world, some were happier, some were darker, and I enjoyed seeing the shifting relationships he made along the way. The living magic system is quite interesting and I thought a lot about how tricky it would be to have to juggle the different bonds to creatures and magical entities. I was pretty surprised by where the ending left things and so I’m looking forward to seeing how Allakoi is going to handle his current situation in Book 2! Overall a really well rounded story!
August 27, 2025
This book was unlike any fantasy I’ve read before! It was full of twists and turns I never saw coming, which was so refreshing. The character development and world-building were incredibly well done. I can’t wait for the next book!!!
December 30, 2025
I enjoyed the premise and world building, but I'm not a fan of the endless torture scenarios.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews