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Iridescent: Book One of the Shattered Gems Series
Book One of the Shattered Gems series is filled with magic, slow-burn romance, and unique, enchanting beings set in an epic fantasy world. This book explores betrayal, friendship, and soft enemies-to-lovers.
His silver eyes connected with mine as he growled, "Come back to me." His voice flowed into my mind like a stream clashing into a river bend. "They aren't going to hurt you anymore." His voice was so soft in my mind, I almost didn't believe it was Vernon.
Celeste Neora is an elvish girl raised in Ulocien's high society for a singular To be betrothed to a man of high class. It is her sole duty and honor to serve her family. She does everything she is told without question, no matter how painful it is, pushing her wants and needs aside to please her family.
Finally, to her mother's relief, Prince Alexander of Freesia proposes to Celeste before she settles into her immortality. She feels anxious about the union, yet she keeps it to herself
On her first hunt with Max and Nordin, they get ambushed by mysterious creatures. They discover multiple attacks across the Elvenlands, which forces the guardians to send in their fae cadre to uncover the true mystery of the attacks, and unexpectedly expose her unknown past, jeopardizing her engagement and duty to her family.
His silver eyes connected with mine as he growled, "Come back to me." His voice flowed into my mind like a stream clashing into a river bend. "They aren't going to hurt you anymore." His voice was so soft in my mind, I almost didn't believe it was Vernon.
Celeste Neora is an elvish girl raised in Ulocien's high society for a singular To be betrothed to a man of high class. It is her sole duty and honor to serve her family. She does everything she is told without question, no matter how painful it is, pushing her wants and needs aside to please her family.
Finally, to her mother's relief, Prince Alexander of Freesia proposes to Celeste before she settles into her immortality. She feels anxious about the union, yet she keeps it to herself
On her first hunt with Max and Nordin, they get ambushed by mysterious creatures. They discover multiple attacks across the Elvenlands, which forces the guardians to send in their fae cadre to uncover the true mystery of the attacks, and unexpectedly expose her unknown past, jeopardizing her engagement and duty to her family.
496 pages, Hardcover
Published August 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 13, 2026
I would give this book a higher rating because I totally see the potential. I understand this is an indie author. But man this book needs work, it basically feels like in the early development stages to me and should not be anywhere ready for publishing.
TLDR: Interesting concept. Lost the plot. The editing errors are just too distracting for me. Felt like I read 400 pages of no real progressive plot.
I have many notes but honestly I was getting so frustrated in general because of how jerky the story felt jumping around. To me it lacked fluidity.
This book needs to be heavily edited for both grammer as well as just general story flow. It felt like I read nearly 400 pages with no major climax or any concrete movement in a "romance". It's just too wishy washy for me.
Here are some notes from as I read:
They seemed so worried about her family history to figure out her magic at first then suddenly they just don't care anymore.
I can't stand how every person in her life after finding out she's fae is instantly so aggressively hot and cold. She and Vernon constantly flirting and sure slow burn romance and she pulls away once with no explanation and all the sudden he's a heartless jerk and tries to leave without saying anything being cruel to her. Her dad gives her her parents old townhouse then is, at the drop of a hat, being a jerk. Ellis takes her for a dance and is shameless flirting and then instantly switched up and gives her the truth a bit too aggressively for no reason in my opinion. Her brother offers to help her research he magic then is being an asshole saying he wishes she was in the dungeons.
I know they hate the fae but EVERY person is a bit extreme. No reason to be faking being nice at all if they're all clearly upset
Some of the many editing points... Ignore if you don't care ✨
54 - start of ch 6 -the end of the first paragraph and th start of the second paragraph are doubled. Just two different versions of the same thing "Blair never cared for such formalities"
110- paragraph starting with "His and Hers Magesties" 3rd sentence they were adorned with ornate beading and adorned with stag horn symbols is repetitive of the use adorned if one could be changed maybe
183- missing a starting " from Vernon's dialog. Second to last paragraph. "Is she what I believe she is"
251- missing " when Irvan replies to Cel in the paragraph "Vernon gave me permission" the next is missing - "Well, he said I better not let any harm approach you, or I'll suffer his wrath"
318 - first sentence of ch38 - "fit snuggle" should maybe be "fit snuggly"? Unsure if that's a typo or intentional
336- Celeste says "you didn't answer my question" when she's referring to Vernon having her knives. She a paragraph before says in her head she couldn't mouth these words to him so this makes no sense why she's asking him the second time like it was the second time she asked when in reality it's the first time she asked, second she had thought about it.
343 - "always looking for the weakest ones to pound on" probably meant "pounce" on?
TLDR: Interesting concept. Lost the plot. The editing errors are just too distracting for me. Felt like I read 400 pages of no real progressive plot.
I have many notes but honestly I was getting so frustrated in general because of how jerky the story felt jumping around. To me it lacked fluidity.
This book needs to be heavily edited for both grammer as well as just general story flow. It felt like I read nearly 400 pages with no major climax or any concrete movement in a "romance". It's just too wishy washy for me.
Here are some notes from as I read:
They seemed so worried about her family history to figure out her magic at first then suddenly they just don't care anymore.
I can't stand how every person in her life after finding out she's fae is instantly so aggressively hot and cold. She and Vernon constantly flirting and sure slow burn romance and she pulls away once with no explanation and all the sudden he's a heartless jerk and tries to leave without saying anything being cruel to her. Her dad gives her her parents old townhouse then is, at the drop of a hat, being a jerk. Ellis takes her for a dance and is shameless flirting and then instantly switched up and gives her the truth a bit too aggressively for no reason in my opinion. Her brother offers to help her research he magic then is being an asshole saying he wishes she was in the dungeons.
I know they hate the fae but EVERY person is a bit extreme. No reason to be faking being nice at all if they're all clearly upset
Some of the many editing points... Ignore if you don't care ✨
54 - start of ch 6 -the end of the first paragraph and th start of the second paragraph are doubled. Just two different versions of the same thing "Blair never cared for such formalities"
110- paragraph starting with "His and Hers Magesties" 3rd sentence they were adorned with ornate beading and adorned with stag horn symbols is repetitive of the use adorned if one could be changed maybe
183- missing a starting " from Vernon's dialog. Second to last paragraph. "Is she what I believe she is"
251- missing " when Irvan replies to Cel in the paragraph "Vernon gave me permission" the next is missing - "Well, he said I better not let any harm approach you, or I'll suffer his wrath"
318 - first sentence of ch38 - "fit snuggle" should maybe be "fit snuggly"? Unsure if that's a typo or intentional
336- Celeste says "you didn't answer my question" when she's referring to Vernon having her knives. She a paragraph before says in her head she couldn't mouth these words to him so this makes no sense why she's asking him the second time like it was the second time she asked when in reality it's the first time she asked, second she had thought about it.
343 - "always looking for the weakest ones to pound on" probably meant "pounce" on?
February 4, 2026
Iridescent is a beautifully written start to the Shattered Gems series, full of magic, emotion, and quiet intensity. Celeste’s struggle between duty and desire is deeply relatable, and her journey unfolds in a way that feels both gentle and powerful. The slow-burn romance is subtle but compelling, and the worldbuilding—especially the elven society and mysterious creatures—adds a rich, immersive layer without overwhelming the story. This book balances betrayal, friendship, and longing with a soft, enchanting touch. A lovely read for anyone who enjoys character-driven fantasy with heart.
September 19, 2025
Got this from an in person signing ☺️
Celeste grew immensely in this book. She has so much to explore and learn from the world and as a reader I am here for it!
Spicy rating would be low as expected. I don’t like sex thrown at me immediately so I appreciate getting to know these characters and watch their dynamics grow.
For an indie author not bad!!
Celeste grew immensely in this book. She has so much to explore and learn from the world and as a reader I am here for it!
Spicy rating would be low as expected. I don’t like sex thrown at me immediately so I appreciate getting to know these characters and watch their dynamics grow.
For an indie author not bad!!
September 12, 2025
I loved this new fantasy romance! The characters are easy to fall in love with and the story keeps you on your toes the whole way through!
Read
October 1, 2025I can not wait for the next book! Steamy Vernon and Celeste must have more to their story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2026
Such a great read! I’m excited to see how Celeste grows and what the future holds for her powers.
June 9, 2026
Very enjoyable! :) I am curious as to what will happen next
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews