What do you think?
The Keepers of Midgate #3
Schism: Part One
All paths to the madness lead to Mirat.
Leaving Krita in shambles, Reylin finally lands in Mirat as the newly declared Mage-king. Despite his power to control the madness and to construct marvels beyond anything in Midgate, Reylin is betrayed at every turn. His commission is clear: to cleanse the world of its corruption.
Konan and his group manage to escape the Mountains of Mourning with their eyes to the east. If only they can reach Mirat, heal their wounded, and build an alliance with those opposing Reylin, they may have a chance. What once was a child’s dream of reclaiming a lost throne, now grows to a stand against heartless fanaticism. The threat of the madness is more dangerous than ever.
Can it ever be healed? More importantly, can Midgate be healed, after this?
About the Series
The Keepers of Midgate is a dark epic fantasy set in a world pulsing with magic, violence, and a spreading plague of madness. The world spans land and sea, from dusty deserts of Fire to the deepest ocean trenches, from snowy mountains and vast plains to the glorious sky above. Dragons and humans gifted by the elements find their limits tested and their worlds shattered as they battle a growing evil. Only by their sacrifice might they stop the madness. The Keepers of Midgate is a story of friendship and love, belonging and worthiness, and heartbreak.
Leaving Krita in shambles, Reylin finally lands in Mirat as the newly declared Mage-king. Despite his power to control the madness and to construct marvels beyond anything in Midgate, Reylin is betrayed at every turn. His commission is clear: to cleanse the world of its corruption.
Konan and his group manage to escape the Mountains of Mourning with their eyes to the east. If only they can reach Mirat, heal their wounded, and build an alliance with those opposing Reylin, they may have a chance. What once was a child’s dream of reclaiming a lost throne, now grows to a stand against heartless fanaticism. The threat of the madness is more dangerous than ever.
Can it ever be healed? More importantly, can Midgate be healed, after this?
About the Series
The Keepers of Midgate is a dark epic fantasy set in a world pulsing with magic, violence, and a spreading plague of madness. The world spans land and sea, from dusty deserts of Fire to the deepest ocean trenches, from snowy mountains and vast plains to the glorious sky above. Dragons and humans gifted by the elements find their limits tested and their worlds shattered as they battle a growing evil. Only by their sacrifice might they stop the madness. The Keepers of Midgate is a story of friendship and love, belonging and worthiness, and heartbreak.
607 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2026
About the author
R.M. Krogman
16 books58 followersRebecca M. Krogman is an epic and dark fantasy author from Iowa, USA.
She writes most of her stories in Midgate, a medieval-inspired world of magic, mermaids, and wyverns, with settings spanning two continents and the sea between. Her work is best known for its deep characterization, emotional and sometimes tragic scenes that leave a mark, and elaborate world-building. When she's not writing about Midgate, she dabbles in dark fairy tale retellings and cookbooks. She will never apologize for describing a tree, as she finds trees to be fascinating and far more alive than they get credit for.
She writes most of her stories in Midgate, a medieval-inspired world of magic, mermaids, and wyverns, with settings spanning two continents and the sea between. Her work is best known for its deep characterization, emotional and sometimes tragic scenes that leave a mark, and elaborate world-building. When she's not writing about Midgate, she dabbles in dark fairy tale retellings and cookbooks. She will never apologize for describing a tree, as she finds trees to be fascinating and far more alive than they get credit for.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
**With *Schism*, Krogman takes this series from epic fantasy to truly epic fantasy.**
The scale is enormous now, both in the world and in what is at stake. Storylines that have been building across the first two books are converging around two extraordinarily powerful men, raised in very different circumstances, with very different temperaments, and seemingly destined for a head-on collision. I won't say more because discovering how all these threads connect is a huge part of the fun.
We also finally begin to learn more about the plague—the madness—that has been spreading across the world. It is fascinating, frightening, and increasingly central to everything that is happening. Reylin, in particular, takes a much darker turn, while we begin to glimpse just how much may have been happening behind the scenes.
As with *Liberation* and *Sundering*, this is a true multi-POV epic. There isn't an obvious lead protagonist because Krogman makes each of them feel so complete. She gets right inside their heads, exposing their strengths, flaws and fears, and showing how those can ebb and flow depending on the choices they make and the people they surround themselves with.
There are touches of romance, fantastic worldbuilding, great magic and some wonderfully complicated characters. I've compared Krogman to Sanderson and Rothfuss in my earlier reviews, and *Schism* only strengthens that comparison.
Five very easy stars. The pieces Krogman has been moving around the board since *Liberation* are coming together, and Part Two can't come quickly enough.
The scale is enormous now, both in the world and in what is at stake. Storylines that have been building across the first two books are converging around two extraordinarily powerful men, raised in very different circumstances, with very different temperaments, and seemingly destined for a head-on collision. I won't say more because discovering how all these threads connect is a huge part of the fun.
We also finally begin to learn more about the plague—the madness—that has been spreading across the world. It is fascinating, frightening, and increasingly central to everything that is happening. Reylin, in particular, takes a much darker turn, while we begin to glimpse just how much may have been happening behind the scenes.
As with *Liberation* and *Sundering*, this is a true multi-POV epic. There isn't an obvious lead protagonist because Krogman makes each of them feel so complete. She gets right inside their heads, exposing their strengths, flaws and fears, and showing how those can ebb and flow depending on the choices they make and the people they surround themselves with.
There are touches of romance, fantastic worldbuilding, great magic and some wonderfully complicated characters. I've compared Krogman to Sanderson and Rothfuss in my earlier reviews, and *Schism* only strengthens that comparison.
Five very easy stars. The pieces Krogman has been moving around the board since *Liberation* are coming together, and Part Two can't come quickly enough.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Part One of Schism is an excellent continuation of The Keepers of Midgate. As with the previous two novels, I was fully engaged during the entire read. Whether there was action, self conflict or simple conversation - everything is relevant.
I just love the characters and different cultures that we are introduced to. In Schism, we see more of the fyr and their fyrform, which sounds beautiful. In the last book, storylines came together and this one expands on that. Rebecca does a perfect job with just about everything character related. Their growth, their downfall, their inner conflicts, and especially how they cross paths in different ways.
I can feel everything from every character, good or bad. I just hope my heart doesn't ultimately get crushed. I feel like that can happen so easily.
And Reylin... what HAVE you done?!? This is getting even more intense!
As an ARC reader, I have to wait a couple of weeks for part two. If I had it in my hands already, I would dive right in. Thank you, Rebecca, for the advanced copy.
I just love the characters and different cultures that we are introduced to. In Schism, we see more of the fyr and their fyrform, which sounds beautiful. In the last book, storylines came together and this one expands on that. Rebecca does a perfect job with just about everything character related. Their growth, their downfall, their inner conflicts, and especially how they cross paths in different ways.
I can feel everything from every character, good or bad. I just hope my heart doesn't ultimately get crushed. I feel like that can happen so easily.
And Reylin... what HAVE you done?!? This is getting even more intense!
As an ARC reader, I have to wait a couple of weeks for part two. If I had it in my hands already, I would dive right in. Thank you, Rebecca, for the advanced copy.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews