Cracks: Book One in the Saga of the Spheres

by L.A. Prendergast

Travis Black lives in the modern world of man, that is until he is nearly murdered by two strangers one night. Instead of dying, he is saved by an extra-dimensional entity that calls itself Marrow and has been watching over him since he was a child. This body-less, infinitely powerful mind melds with the human’s, and in doing so they are sent to a different universe within its own entirely distinct reality.
Here, within a massive maze of caves, they discover a race of gemstone creatures that live alongside their “Mother”, an enormous shard of crystal that seems to be almost conscious. With time and the aid of these strange beings, Travis must learn to control his newfound powers, all the while uncovering the deeply unsettling truth of his new world's mysterious history.
Can Travis succeed in mastering his new, devastatingly powerful gifts? Will he and his companion overcome the fear that their arrival brings before the minds of their new world forsake them? This is the beginning of a story that will change the very nature of the Spheres, and the many lives within.

704 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2025

Reviews

[ಸುಶಾಂತ ಕುರಂದವಾಡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of the large books is, we don't get out of its vibe for many days. Cracks belongs to that category. Travis is the show stealer! This is not for anyone who completes a book in a day or two. The books have to be read and enjoyed slowly. Only then will you enjoy the fun of them. And if you're alone in the room, then this is the best to enjoy. Go for it!

[Vivian Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracks is a richly imagined sci-fi fantasy that quietly builds into something powerful. Travis’s journey through grief, identity, and belonging is deeply human, even in the most alien places. The world is strange but immersive, and the voice of Marrow adds a thoughtful layer of reflection. Slow burn, but worth the read.

[Eldon C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watching Travis change felt like witnessing someone being broken and rebuilt piece by piece. The emotional layers of his journey made him easy to root for. I also appreciated the slow build of tension it wasn’t rushed, and that gave it weight. Marrow added so much philosophical depth to the narrative. This book felt both powerful and tender.

[Seiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

CRACKS: Book One in the Saga of the Spheres by L.A. Prendergast is a worthy read. Starting with the well-written prologue, I was already enthralled by her immersive writing — painting out the world and its scenery through her words.

It's philosophical, and some quotes resonated with me. It is a slow read, but worthwhile to jump back into. I need to go back a few pages just to get back into the storyline to jog my memory.

Thank you, Booktasters, for the recommendation and to the author for allowing me to read and explore your immersive world of sci-fi fantasy.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how this story felt unique and new. It follows Travis who finds himself in a strange world with a very interesting counterpart. This book was an interesting take on what would happen if the impossible happened. I did like Travis’ character as he isn’t portrayed as a superhero but an ordinary man who has something extraordinary happen.

I am intrigued by this story and am looking forward to reading more in this universe. I think this book is worth the read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a little bit of a challenging read, but it was nothing to do with the author's writing or storytelling skills. In fact, the writing itself struck me as ambiguous and very beautiful. I was a little moved by the way the author talked about time, for example. The trouble was that when following Travis on his journey, I found the story so complex and in depth that I kind of lost my way.

I still appreciated the beauty in the writing. If you are a sci-fi or fantasy reader looking for a book to lose yourself in, this could be a real treat for you.

[Abbie N · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who doesn’t have a large library dedicated to sci-fi in my mind, I have to say this was actually genuinely impressive. It’s one of the first 10 science fiction books I’ve read since I started to get more into fiction. I love how the author narrated and described places and actions. I could picture it all with how everything was told without rushing through any scenes. I was excited, confused, surprised. An overall impressive book tbh. Also I loveeee the relationship between Travis and marrow even though in the beginning I needed marrow to communicate better.

[Julian Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book doesn’t rush to impress it unfolds slowly, almost meditatively, and rewards your patience with a world that feels deeply layered. Cracks isn’t just about Travis navigating a new reality; it’s about identity, transformation, and how we respond to the unknown. The writing is quiet but purposeful, and the dialogue with Marrow adds a philosophical edge I didn’t expect. Definitely different and that’s what makes it work.

[Elise Monroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s something haunting and beautiful about Cracks. I didn’t expect to feel so connected to Travis, but his inner world especially in those early, quiet moments really stayed with me. The pacing is patient, and the writing trusts you to keep up, which I appreciated. Thoughtful, strange, and full of quiet tension.

[Nora Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracks surprised me. It’s not a fast-paced read, but it lingers in the questions it raises, the quiet grief in Travis, and the eerie beauty of the world he wakes up in. I found myself drawn in more by the atmosphere than the action, and by the end, I cared more than I expected to. A unique, thoughtful debut.

[Mira Sterling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know what to expect going into Cracks, but I ended up really enjoying it. The story starts off slow but builds into something much bigger. Travis feels like a real person flawed, thoughtful, and easy to care about. The world is strange but creative, and the connection with Marrow was one of my favorite parts. It’s not a typical sci-fi or fantasy, but that’s what makes it stand out.

[Fiona Marks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cracks is one of those books that quietly gets under your skin. I didn’t always know where it was going, but I wanted to keep following Travis. His emotions felt real, especially the way he struggles with loss and change. The world is mysterious but not overwhelming, and the writing has a calm, steady rhythm. It’s different in a good way.

[Maxwell Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracks felt like a journey into grief, healing, and identity wrapped in cosmic mystery. I was drawn to Travis’s quiet strength and the way his inner world was just as rich as the strange one he wakes up in. The writing is thoughtful, sometimes poetic, and the bond with Marrow gave the story a unique heartbeat. This one stayed with me long after the last page

[Richard P. Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cave world was described with such vivid imagery that it almost felt like a character itself. The crystal beings and their Mother had a strange, eerie beauty. I loved how the world was both dangerous and fascinating at the same time. Travis’s reactions to it all felt very real, as if I was experiencing it with him. A unique and memorable setting.

[Noelle Brighton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to connect with Cracks, but it just didn’t land for me. The ideas were interesting, and I could tell there was care in the writing, but the pacing felt slow and I struggled to stay engaged. Some readers might love the introspective tone it just wasn’t quite my style.

[Julian Parks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cracks was a slow burn, but once I settled into the rhythm, I found a lot to appreciate. The connection between Travis and Marrow was unusual but compelling, and the world had a quiet, haunting beauty. Some parts felt a bit drawn out, but overall, it left an impression.

[Wesley Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting Cracks to hit so hard emotionally. It’s not flashy, but it’s layered and thoughtful in a way that sneaks up on you. Travis’s journey feels deeply personal, and the world is strange but meaningful. The writing has a quiet confidence I really admired. A standout read.

[Levi Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting Cracks to hit so hard emotionally. It’s not flashy, but it’s layered and thoughtful in a way that sneaks up on you. Travis’s journey feels deeply personal, and the world is strange but meaningful. The writing has a quiet confidence I really admired. A standout read.

[Haley Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracks was a beautifully unexpected read. The blend of science fiction and spirituality gave it a depth I didn’t see coming. I loved how Travis’s inner growth mirrored the mystery of the world around him. It felt like a quiet epic intimate, strange, and full of heart.

[Holden Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cracks had some really interesting ideas, and I appreciated the emotional depth behind Travis’s journey. The bond with Marrow was unique, and the worldbuilding stood out. That said, the pacing was uneven for me, and some sections felt a bit too drawn out. Still, a creative and original read.

[Beckett Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this down once I passed the halfway mark. It starts quietly but blossoms into something deeply emotional and imaginative. The philosophical undercurrents and layered worldbuilding made it feel bigger than the story itself.

[Henry Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t always sure what was happening but I felt it, and that counts for something. It’s more about experience than plot. Dreamlike and sincere.

[June Calloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracks is more than a sci-fi novel it’s a quiet emotional excavation. It respects the reader’s intelligence and invites you into something far more intimate than you'd expect from the genre.

[Asher Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story made me sit still and think. Not many books do that. I loved the dynamic between Travis and Marrow it never felt cliché. Their bond was complicated in the best way.

[Nolan Carrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow but rich. Took me a few chapters to connect, but once I did, I couldn’t look away. The Marrow dynamic and dreamlike world made it memorable.

[Linden Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a strange, smart, and tender story. I didn’t expect to be moved, but I was. I loved the balance of quiet introspection and cosmic scale.

[Zara Winslet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kind of book that lingers. I kept thinking about certain lines and scenes days after finishing. It didn’t follow typical tropes, and I appreciated that.

[Shondra J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot to admire here. Strong themes, a compelling lead, and a unique internal voice in Marrow. Some moments felt overexplained, but I still found it powerful.

[Leah Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply rewarding book if you’re patient with it. The layers of this story unfold slowly, but they’re worth the wait. The internal voice of Marrow was fascinating.

[Drew Prescott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite sure how I feel about this one. Some moments really grabbed me, especially in the middle, but overall it felt uneven.