Shattered

The Legends of Rune #1

by April Adams Ames

When the battered woman wakes on the frosted grass, the only thing she remembers is the blood-thirsty cult offering her as a sacrifice in a ceremony gone serendipitously wrong.

She has no name, no past, and seemingly no future as her swollen eyes slide shut for what she hopes is the last time. Glenn Elambil, a handsome elf, rescues her, bringing her from the brink of death into a life she never could have imagined. She finds herself on a different planet, a world where magic is as natural as drawing breath.

It’s not all wizards and wonder, though. The War Lord, the god of the cult that tried to kill her, is coming. Those on the side of evil hunt her with dark magic and darker intent. The good powers of the world need her to do some favors for them, and to top it off she’s got a growing, complicated infatuation with Glenn. The key to her future lies in her past, which might be easier to find if her mind hadn't been shattered and reprogrammed by the cult. She must face it all and dive head first into her own psyche to find what is lost if she has any chance of survival.

Shattered, book one in The Legends of Rune trilogy, is a contemporary fantasy unlike any other.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook

Unknown Binding

First published April 21, 2013

About the author

April was born and raised in Magnolia, Texas. She is happily married with two amazing children. A lot has changed over the years since her first attempt at writing.

Now, April dedicates her life to serving Jesus and encouraging the body of Christ. She's a homeschooling mama, a home church leader, and also a mom of four cats and a dog. She and her family live a minimalist life in an RV nestled in the forest.

So, if you come across her old novels she asks you to realize that these were written before she submitted everything she is to the Lord. Everything new (2021 or newer) is safe and edifying to the body.

She hopes you enjoy her new Bible study notebook series. Blessings to you and yours!

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

So...what do you do when you find out your neighbor is not only an author but she writes in the genre you like....you don't let her know, and you go on amazon to find it..what if it is awful...it's not like you can tell her...it's your neighbor...
shattered was at a great price, so I bought it and gave it a try....
...this is a great book...it is fun and exciting...there is action, romance, and fantasy....fun for most...
so lets break it down...
the positives:
1: great characters that are well developed for such a short book
2: i hate love scenes in books...hate them!!! i skip them entirely when i am reading...so it was very refreshing to have them done in a way that did not bore/offend/annoy me...Adams managed to include intimate moments without going into details...she made it seem like "making love"...you know it happened, you know it was amazing and beautiful, and you do not have the tedious details....kudos to you Ms Adams for writing the best love scenes I have come across....they went right to that point and let the readers imagination take it from there...
3: Great world building...a somewhat unconventional approach, but appropriate for this specific book...
4: The humor! Fantasy rarely has my type of funny in it, but this one does
5: The editing....I am not familiar with the publisher, but it is obvious that a lot of attention was paid to making sure Shattered was edited...the story flows well, there are no gaps or confusion...there are a couple errors but no more than you see from any major author or publisher...thank you so much for this...I've been reading a lot of self published stuff lately, and I always want to pull out a red pen
6: Many other small things that I can not think of right now or can not say without revealing too much of the story...

A few negatives (none big, but there is a reason why this a four star and not a five):
1. The cliffhanger ending...I can't stand when a book ends right when a big event starts...it breaks my heart just a little bit...luckily the rest of the series is out and inexpensive so I can finish...
2: Relationships develop quickly...now, it does make sense since the main character has no memory and no life experiences to draw on, but it is a bit unbelievable to me...but easy to understand...
3: I want a map (not really a true negative here, but it would help)...i read the kindle version...perhaps the actual book has one...I don't know...I just like to have point of reference to flip to, even if it is not all that accurate...
4: I don't really like Glen...he is a bit of a douche, I see what she sees, but it is not enough for me to justify his "Hero" status...

One more thing to note: this book has a very strong religious feel to it...there are references to God and faith that I was not expecting...I do not mind this, and it is not pushy for those that are not Christian, you can read it and take it as fiction or fact...but it would have been nice to know this before going in...just to know...I can see how some would not like it b/c you always have those people who are offended by something that they can not (or do not want) to understand...but anyone with an open mind or a true love for fantasy (think of all those made up faiths in books, does it really make a difference if this one is Real) will probably not notice or mind....after all, aren't the great books based off of our life's experiences...

Read and enjoy...I know I did...

[Patricia Eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

EDITED TO ADD: Book 2 is already out!! I was mistaken. Book 3 is coming in 2014. I know what I'm reading after the next two books on my to-be-read list. :-)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Be warned, it is a series, and as such, the book does not end with things tied with a nice, tidy little bow. In fact, it ends in the middle of a battle! Also note that the second book won't be out until 2014. But, unlike some other books I've read that end on a cliffhanger, this one felt...satisfying.

Shattered is the story of Alana Noble. She wakes up bloodied and in terrible pain in the middle of a forest with no memories of how she came to be there. She's found by Glenn, an elf. He brings her to his home, helps to heal her, and discovers that she is the Shattered One, the one who is going to stop the destruction of the world. This first book explains how Alana came to be in this world (the world that isn't Earth but isn't wholly different) and how she has been a pawn in the War Lord's game all along.

The author does a fantastic job of creating a world that is believable. It shares many similarities with our world, which is explained. The creatures that inhabit it (elves, sprites, gnomes, etc) are each well described and have their own unique traits.

I enjoyed the relationships in the book thoroughly. I felt a few times that Alana was developing close relationships too quickly, but then I realized why. She arrived in this world with no memories. Basically, a blank slate. So when she meets these new beings, she becomes close to them because they are all she has ever known. We later learn that even who she was - who she thought she was - back on her world was largely not real, and this explains this peculiarity even more.

There is danger, action, intrigue, and love in this book. I found myself several times wanting to close the book (Kindle) and walk away because I was too nervous for some of the characters. It is rare that I feel so strongly about a set of characters, but I did here.

I can't wait to read the next one.

[Natasha (books_n_dreams) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered is an unbelievable story about a woman named Alana who in the beginning wants to know, "Who am I"? Her memory is gone, she is dying and then is saved by a very good-looking elf, Glenn. You fill nothing but sorrow for Alana in the beginning, she is beaten to the point that she is unrecognizable, she has no strength and wants to remember how she came to be where she is at.

Shattered is one of the most amazing fantasy books I have read in a long time. Yes, it has romance in it, but the romance compliments the entire story. Dealing with the creator, watchers, elements, etc. I've been someone who is always fascinated by the elements and always seem to have a hard time finding a good book that deals with the elements but in a correct format. April Adams has outdone herself in this story. Everything is done correctly, giving just enough detail to help explain what everything means and what is going on, so you are never lost. Yes, Alana and Glenn's relationship comes out of no where in the beginning, but again once your in the story you forget that and realize how important it is.

I'm beyond excited to read book two, I cannot believe how one ends without having book two in my hands already.

If you love fantasy that deals with worlds with elfs, the creator (God), the watchers, angels, fairies, pixies, spirits, etc, you will love this book. If you are unsure, still read it, you will fall in love with this story.

[R Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been intending for so long to read this book. I'm glad I finally stopped and bought it. Although I don't usually read this genre of fiction, I`m glad I took the time and gave April's work a good look-see! Knowing some of the authors' background, I was excited to see what her first book had to offer. I was very pleased at her style and imagination. It's nice to start out reading a book with a smile. I bought the 5th print and although I'm more of a 'mind and sciences, recent history and how things work' reader, I found that my personal interests were woven in and out of the pages, kind of like they were on a fairytale vacation. I enjoyed the landscape and characters, especially recognizing some of them. I happen to know that 'Nanu' is the name of a real world family cat, a sweet animal that has long been gone. Seeing him `resurrected' in the story was a nice surprise, as though he had just been waiting 'on the other side'. Also, April's use of the Elements, the physical Earth geography and their connections to Alchemy, myth and Faith was interesting to me. Alana's fierce love for Glenn and the thread of hope and redemption that runs through the whole first book kept me looking forward to seeing the 'bad guys' getting their butts kicked! So, getting to the last sentence of the last page was fun .... And then the cliff-hanger!!! I really am ready to start the next book.

[Pratr- Authors · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for its new take the fantasy world. the author did amazing job pulling you in right from the beginning. It takes you and doesn't let you go until the end and even then your still on the edge of your seat!

You're introduced to the heroine ,in a very shocking and disturbing way. When she wakes up she has no idea who she is, where she is, and has no idea happened to her. That's when we meet our hero of the this story and I mean hero! Glen is a elf that finds her in the woods and brings her back to life. In doing so, Glen starts having feelings for our mystery woman. That scares Glen more then you can imagine. Glen has his own secrets and skeletons in his closest.

The one that is responsible for trying to kill our heroine, is back and he has brought all the evil he could find and pointed them in Glen and our mystery woman's' way. Can she remember who she is before its too late and everything is taken away from her again?!

This book is truly amazing and I could not get enough of it. It starts off a bit rough, I can see this making a few of you turn your heads. I highly recommend you reading the book and seeing how it unfolds. I think you will be truly surprised how much you'll enjoy this fantastic story!
*Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock*
5 out of 5 fangs

[Tamie Dearen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The author catches your attention from the start. A girl awakens, battered and weak, with no memory, only to be rescued by a handsome elf. She, of course, has a destiny to fulfill. She is plunged into a new world with strange creatures, and the juxtaposition of her Texas upbringing in this fantasy world brings a bit of humor. There is a great ebb and flow to the plot. Just as you begin to relax and thing all will be well, another crisis occurs.
It is action packed and highly emotional. There is a wonderful romance, but the characters are hindered by their flaws and their pasts. I loved the way each character was fleshed-out. You come to care deeply about every person, even understanding some of their mistakes and finding sympathy for those you disliked.
I particularly loved the way the character "discovers" that she is a woman of faith, with Christianity woven into this story about a realm without Christ, but not without God. It was such a creative take on a fantasy world.
This book was terrible for my sleeping habits, since I was too busy to find time to read during the day. Way too many late nights trying to get to the end.
Awesome book, and I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel!

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Shattered starts out as a young woman (Alana) closes her eyes preparing to breathe her last breath. She is painfully battered and bruised, as well as incredibly confused by her situation. She hopes it is the end. She wakes up to an elf (Glenn) helping her, though she is shocked, as her world does not have elves. He is very kind and gentle, guiding her to his home. She is fed, cleaned, and eventually learns she is the answer to a prophecy that will change this world for better or for worse. Alana and Glenn embark on a whirlwind journey through this strange (to her) planet.

I found this book to be a unique fantasy read. It is a mix of science fiction and fantasy, which is not something you come across a lot. There are times where the storyline is rushed and I feel the author could extend the happenings a bit more. I believe it could be lengthened and not lose the author’s intent.

I recommend this book to people who are fans of contemporary fantasy with a dash of science fiction. I also recommend this to fans of RA Salvatore’s Dark Elf Trilogy.

[Benny Ciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Shattered: The Legends of Rune by April Adams, we are introduced to Alana, a woman with a traumatic past and devoid of memories. This is an unwinding tale of discovery, for Alana, and for the readers as the answers are revealed to us simultaneously.

The world Alana wakes up in is different, but still reminiscent of our own and peopled with provocative characters making it feel complete and satisfying. The group dynamic is superb, especially the growing relationship between Alana and Glenn—the elf who saves Alana and introduces her to the world, its customs and its lore.

It is always a bold move for an author to write a book in the first person. Limiting one’s self to just one character’s perspective is a daunting task, but in this case, Adams takes the challenge and utterly demolishes it.

With myths, magic, blossoming love, and a savior who in turn must become the saved, this is a book you will want to read in one sitting. The ending will leave you anxious for the next one.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautifully written novels I have read recently. I was captivated from the the start all the way to the finish. The author is a true wordsmith with wonderful descriptions of scenery as well as emotions. This fantasy has your traditional gathering of elves, gnomes, and such, but it has a religious twist that makes it fall along the lines of C.S. Lewis stories. The world building includes lands where the elements reign supreme: wind, fire, water and earth. Not only is the story written so well, the story line kept me reading as well. A wonderful story of love, hate, revenge, greed, and all the problems they cause in the world. I highly recommend this book.

[Ann Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooks you right from the start. Some books start slow and it takes me until the middle of the book to really get into them. Not this book!

The first few pages make you wonder who the main character is, and more importantly WHERE she is. An elf named Glenn rescues her and nurses her back to health. Only then does she begin to realize just how big of a predicament she is in.

If you are looking for an awesome read with magic, mystery and a little romance, then I highly recommend this novel.

[Sebastian Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course Urban Fantasy is awesome, but I particularly love books that take you into a whole new world. This author has certainly created an enthralling one!

You feel like you are really there, and I developed a deep connection to the characters.

Being a religious person myself, I enjoyed the Christian spin the book had.
I do think that anyone, religious or not, would enjoy reading it.

Overall, it's definitely five stars and I can't wait for the next book.

[Michael Grabowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason, even though it definitely has it's differences, this book reminded me a little of "Chronicles of Narnia".
Not in any way a knockoff of that series but just must be some element that is similar.

Perhaps it is the subtle Christian spin that it has. Just as with C.S. Lewis it isn't overwhelming and you will probably only pick up on it if you are already a Christian.

Very refreshing and unique. Really enjoyed.

[Margaret Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spoilers here!
With fantasies being my favorite I was excited to start reading this story. I'm so glad I picked this. From the start I was fully gripped, the story pulled me in. I was there in the book the entire time, living in the world with Alana, experiencing what she was. April Adams hit the mark with this one, and I'm getting book two immediately. Thank you for that journey, April Adams, it was epic!

[Kerra Waldenmyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the book, and was addicted to it. Shattered is a book that you can't put down or will you want to, your at the edge of your seat waiting to what happens. I have recommended the series to family and friends.They have got hooked just by what I told them about it. I can't wait to read the rest of the series to see what happens.

[Melissa Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never would have thought my next book boyfriend would be an elf! I am totally in love with Glenn.

Besides the fact that you should read this so you can fall in love with Glenn yourself, it is also a really great book.
The storyline draws you in and doesn't let go.
I just checked and the second book is out, I can't wait to read it!

[Barbara Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a series!

Shattered has that little *something* that makes it a great book. It is hard to explain what it is, but I think it's the great story line and interesting characters that bring it all together.

I can't wait to see what other adventures are in store for these characters.
Don't miss out!

[Karl Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shattered was a good book. I love the way fantasy writers can create new worlds and realities that a reader can disappear into. It is our suspension of disbelief that allows us to enjoy the love story between Alana and the elf Glen as they fight to understand how she ended up in this strange land. The only thing I didn't care for was the cliffhanger ending.

[Scott Stinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book. Can't wait to start the next one!

[Imris · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Managed through the first 1.5 hour of the audiobook, skipped to the last hour. With some other books that technique makes me want to return and listen\read what I've missed. Not with Shattered however. Even the snippet of the first chapter of the next book, which slaked the cliffhanger somewhat (I really hate cliffhangers) didn't make me want to continue that series.

[Angela Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read. enjoyed it