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Soulbound Lament #1
Under a Fractured Sky
Under the Fractured Sky is a dark romantasy about a priestess who worships the stars and an alchemist who destroys them.
Isadora kills to save Atlantis. She’s never hesitated before.
Evander came to steal the Celestial Tears—the only thing that might save his dying son. When he takes them, the city’s protection shatters. Star-sickness spreads. And Isadora must work with the thief who doomed them all. A man who'd rather burn than trust the priestess who let his people rot.
But when they touch, silver and gold fuse.
Memories surface. Their magic shouldn’t merge. Their souls shouldn’t know each other.
But they do.
Every kiss fractures Atlantis. Every memory brings the flood closer.
Some love creates worlds. This love shatters souls.
Only what is remembered can be rewoven.
Come for the enemies-to-lovers tension, stay for the cosmic tragedy. No one gets out of this love story whole.
Content This book contains memory manipulation, religious trauma, child death, violence, and explicit scenes. It does not end on a cliffhanger, but it will leave you gutted. You've been warned.
Thank you for taking a chance on this story. I hope it wrecks you in the best way.
Isadora kills to save Atlantis. She’s never hesitated before.
Evander came to steal the Celestial Tears—the only thing that might save his dying son. When he takes them, the city’s protection shatters. Star-sickness spreads. And Isadora must work with the thief who doomed them all. A man who'd rather burn than trust the priestess who let his people rot.
But when they touch, silver and gold fuse.
Memories surface. Their magic shouldn’t merge. Their souls shouldn’t know each other.
But they do.
Every kiss fractures Atlantis. Every memory brings the flood closer.
Some love creates worlds. This love shatters souls.
Only what is remembered can be rewoven.
Come for the enemies-to-lovers tension, stay for the cosmic tragedy. No one gets out of this love story whole.
Content This book contains memory manipulation, religious trauma, child death, violence, and explicit scenes. It does not end on a cliffhanger, but it will leave you gutted. You've been warned.
Thank you for taking a chance on this story. I hope it wrecks you in the best way.
- GenresFantasy Romance
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2025
12 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
AE McRoberts
4 books12 followersI've been writing romance for fourteen years. Started safe, sci-fi meet-cutes, security guys with golden retriever energy, the kind of books your mom would approve of.
Then I gave myself permission to write the story I was too afraid to touch.
Now I write dark romantasy for people who want their hearts ripped out. Morally gray characters. Cosmic-scale destruction. Love stories that cost everything.
I'm neurodivergent and chronically ill. I understand obsession. I understand chaos. I understand the kind of love that doesn't fix you. It ruins you, and you let it.
My characters don't get therapy. They get worse. Beautifully.
If you're here for the cozy stuff, wrong author page. If you want to be gutted—welcome home.
Then I gave myself permission to write the story I was too afraid to touch.
Now I write dark romantasy for people who want their hearts ripped out. Morally gray characters. Cosmic-scale destruction. Love stories that cost everything.
I'm neurodivergent and chronically ill. I understand obsession. I understand chaos. I understand the kind of love that doesn't fix you. It ruins you, and you let it.
My characters don't get therapy. They get worse. Beautifully.
If you're here for the cozy stuff, wrong author page. If you want to be gutted—welcome home.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 20, 2026
3 ⭐ [slight spoilers and quotations below]
I received an advanced copy of Under a Fractured Sky in exchange for an honest review through Threads. I took my time with this book, partly due to a busy December and partly because I wanted to give it the attention it deserved, especially since it was a free copy. Once I started reading, it only took me a few days to finish, though it took longer to sit down and write this review (partially due to the December madness).
I’ll be honest: this book didn’t quite land for me the way I hoped it would. I was very drawn to the premise and the author’s description beforehand, it really sounded like my kind of story, and I really wanted to love it.
Unfortunately, while I didn’t dislike it, the book ended up feeling just okay to me.
The first part of the story was my favorite, and that’s where I felt the most engaged. As the plot progressed, however, it began to feel rushed and occasionally inconsistent. I felt the story tried very hard to deliver heightened emotion, drama, and intensity, but sometimes moved too quickly or skipped over explanations that would have helped ground the narrative.
Things I enjoyed:
- The concept of stars and their pull toward one another
- The world of Atlantis, which felt intriguing and full of potential
- Lucen as a character - he was the most compelling to me. I could genuinely feel his anger, weariness, and internal conflict, and he felt the most consistently written throughout
Things that didn’t quite work for me:
The writing style leaned more dramatic than I personally prefer. There were frequent repetitions and heavy punctuation used for emphasis, which sometimes felt forced rather than organic. This is very much a matter of personal taste, but I often felt that emotions were told to me rather than shown, which made certain passages feel repetitive.
The frequent POV shifts also made the reading experience confusing at times. In several places, the perspective changed without a clear paragraph break or transition. For example:
At this point in the story, I wasn’t sure whose POV this line belonged to. If it was Isadora’s, it felt odd that she already knew Evander’s name before he had clearly introduced himself. Moments like this pulled me out of the story.
Another example appears on page 56, where multiple POVs seem to shift abruptly without warning:
While each section is interesting on its own, the lack of a clear break made it difficult to immediately register the POV change, which disrupted the flow for me.
The magic system was another area where I wanted more clarity. I struggled to understand how the characters’ magic worked - what Isadora’s magic does, what Evander’s does, and why their combined power is so important. Major plot decisions hinge on this, yet much of it remains vague. Lucen, for instance, insists they must work together, while also trying to keep them apart, and although this is partially explained later, it didn’t feel fully developed to me.
The enemies-to-lovers arc also moved very quickly (for me). While the story emphasizes the epic nature of their bond, I didn’t always feel the emotional buildup on the page.
I was also left wanting more explanation regarding Isadora’s continued use of the potion. She repeatedly senses that something is wrong, and Myra warns her about it multiple times, yet her reasons/motivations for continuing to drink it never felt fully explored.
Finally, Callum’s role left me confused. While it’s revealed that he is Evander’s adoptive son, his behavior felt inconsistent; at times prophetic, at times childlike. His insight, knowledge, and bond with the others were intriguing, but not clearly explained, which made it difficult to fully understand his place in the story.
Final thoughts:
Under a Fractured Sky has a compelling premise, an interesting world, and moments of strong emotional intensity. While it didn’t fully work for me, I can see how readers who enjoy highly dramatic prose, fast-paced romance, and emotionally driven fantasy may connect with it more strongly than I did. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read and review this book, and I appreciate the effort and imagination behind it.
I received an advanced copy of Under a Fractured Sky in exchange for an honest review through Threads. I took my time with this book, partly due to a busy December and partly because I wanted to give it the attention it deserved, especially since it was a free copy. Once I started reading, it only took me a few days to finish, though it took longer to sit down and write this review (partially due to the December madness).
I’ll be honest: this book didn’t quite land for me the way I hoped it would. I was very drawn to the premise and the author’s description beforehand, it really sounded like my kind of story, and I really wanted to love it.
Unfortunately, while I didn’t dislike it, the book ended up feeling just okay to me.
The first part of the story was my favorite, and that’s where I felt the most engaged. As the plot progressed, however, it began to feel rushed and occasionally inconsistent. I felt the story tried very hard to deliver heightened emotion, drama, and intensity, but sometimes moved too quickly or skipped over explanations that would have helped ground the narrative.
Things I enjoyed:
- The concept of stars and their pull toward one another
- The world of Atlantis, which felt intriguing and full of potential
- Lucen as a character - he was the most compelling to me. I could genuinely feel his anger, weariness, and internal conflict, and he felt the most consistently written throughout
Things that didn’t quite work for me:
The writing style leaned more dramatic than I personally prefer. There were frequent repetitions and heavy punctuation used for emphasis, which sometimes felt forced rather than organic. This is very much a matter of personal taste, but I often felt that emotions were told to me rather than shown, which made certain passages feel repetitive.
The frequent POV shifts also made the reading experience confusing at times. In several places, the perspective changed without a clear paragraph break or transition. For example:
“Evander’s touch had burned through the delicate silver inlay, leaving only charred lines where Polaris used to shine.”
At this point in the story, I wasn’t sure whose POV this line belonged to. If it was Isadora’s, it felt odd that she already knew Evander’s name before he had clearly introduced himself. Moments like this pulled me out of the story.
Another example appears on page 56, where multiple POVs seem to shift abruptly without warning:
“Isadora took the tea, letting it scald her throat. The heat felt good. Real.
‘You’re right. I can’t crush the bastard if I’m half-dead. Fine. Tomorrow.’
Myra’s shoulders relaxed slightly, but she didn’t leave. Just stood there, the silver strands catching the light, watching like she’d physically drag Isadora to bed if necessary.
Unwilling to risk being discovered in the Observatory, Evander had hidden away in the abandoned geothermal bathhouses beneath the city’s eastern district…”
While each section is interesting on its own, the lack of a clear break made it difficult to immediately register the POV change, which disrupted the flow for me.
The magic system was another area where I wanted more clarity. I struggled to understand how the characters’ magic worked - what Isadora’s magic does, what Evander’s does, and why their combined power is so important. Major plot decisions hinge on this, yet much of it remains vague. Lucen, for instance, insists they must work together, while also trying to keep them apart, and although this is partially explained later, it didn’t feel fully developed to me.
The enemies-to-lovers arc also moved very quickly (for me). While the story emphasizes the epic nature of their bond, I didn’t always feel the emotional buildup on the page.
I was also left wanting more explanation regarding Isadora’s continued use of the potion. She repeatedly senses that something is wrong, and Myra warns her about it multiple times, yet her reasons/motivations for continuing to drink it never felt fully explored.
Finally, Callum’s role left me confused. While it’s revealed that he is Evander’s adoptive son, his behavior felt inconsistent; at times prophetic, at times childlike. His insight, knowledge, and bond with the others were intriguing, but not clearly explained, which made it difficult to fully understand his place in the story.
Final thoughts:
Under a Fractured Sky has a compelling premise, an interesting world, and moments of strong emotional intensity. While it didn’t fully work for me, I can see how readers who enjoy highly dramatic prose, fast-paced romance, and emotionally driven fantasy may connect with it more strongly than I did. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read and review this book, and I appreciate the effort and imagination behind it.
December 8, 2025
Under a Fractured Sky completely swept me away. What starts as a dark, star-soaked enemies-to-lovers tale becomes a cosmic, heart-rattling love story that hits deeper than I expected.
This story follows Isadora, a disciplined, priestess living with the weight of duty pressed against her ribs, and Evander, a brilliant, volatile alchemist whose love for his son drives every choice he makes - even the catastrophic ones. Their dynamic crackles with tension from the very first moment they meet. The enemies-to-lovers arc is built with such care that every shift in their relationship feels earned and inevitable. When they collide, they burn.
The world building is rich and immersive.. The star-magic, the threads of silver and gold, the Temple, the shimmering weight of Atlantis - once it clicked, it became vivid.
And the emotions? They land. All of them. The longing, the rage, the tenderness, the cosmic ache of two people who shouldn’t fit and yet do in the most spectacular, devastating way. When the story hits its final arc, everything feels both inevitable and painfully earned.
The writing is lyrical without losing clarity, raw in the right moments, and consistently immersive.
When I finished the final page, I just sat there, feeling that rare blend of awe, sorrow, and deep satisfaction. That sense of “this hurt, but it was supposed to.” That cosmic heartbreak the author promised? Delivered perfectly.
I loved this book - truly. The characters, the romance, the world, the emotional stakes, the mythic tone… everything worked for me. I already need the next installment because I am nowhere near ready to leave these characters behind.
A gorgeous, gutting, unforgettable romantasy. Highly recommended!!!
This story follows Isadora, a disciplined, priestess living with the weight of duty pressed against her ribs, and Evander, a brilliant, volatile alchemist whose love for his son drives every choice he makes - even the catastrophic ones. Their dynamic crackles with tension from the very first moment they meet. The enemies-to-lovers arc is built with such care that every shift in their relationship feels earned and inevitable. When they collide, they burn.
The world building is rich and immersive.. The star-magic, the threads of silver and gold, the Temple, the shimmering weight of Atlantis - once it clicked, it became vivid.
And the emotions? They land. All of them. The longing, the rage, the tenderness, the cosmic ache of two people who shouldn’t fit and yet do in the most spectacular, devastating way. When the story hits its final arc, everything feels both inevitable and painfully earned.
The writing is lyrical without losing clarity, raw in the right moments, and consistently immersive.
When I finished the final page, I just sat there, feeling that rare blend of awe, sorrow, and deep satisfaction. That sense of “this hurt, but it was supposed to.” That cosmic heartbreak the author promised? Delivered perfectly.
I loved this book - truly. The characters, the romance, the world, the emotional stakes, the mythic tone… everything worked for me. I already need the next installment because I am nowhere near ready to leave these characters behind.
A gorgeous, gutting, unforgettable romantasy. Highly recommended!!!
December 9, 2025
"Three became two became one became nothing."
I had a wonderful time reading this book. While I normally read books quickly, I made sure to take time to fully take everything in.
The concept was creative and executed incredibly well. Threads and numbers that can create and destroy. A love that shines bright enough to burn everything and everyone around it.
The two main characters, Isadora and Evander, had a wonderfully destructive romance. The moment they see each other, their entire worlds change. And at that same moment, chaos strikes, and buildings crumble. Their relationship with each other is constantly changing, growing, and evolving, all the way to the end of the novel.
I enjoyed the character of Lucen a lot. He was more complex than most characters I have seen, and is my favorite type of character. He doesn't fit in any simple category. He's cunning but also so, so tired. His relationship with the other characters is complicated but fantastic. He's definitely my choice of favorite character in the book.
The end is both hopeful and crushing, and leaves me wishing that there will be a second book.
The only reason that I didn't give five stars is that I thought it seemed like you were just tossed into this magic system with threads, notes, and numbers without explanation. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just isn't what I like when reading.
I would definitely recommend this. It's like nothing you've read before, and probably won't be like anything you'll read again unless the author makes a sequel.
I had a wonderful time reading this book. While I normally read books quickly, I made sure to take time to fully take everything in.
The concept was creative and executed incredibly well. Threads and numbers that can create and destroy. A love that shines bright enough to burn everything and everyone around it.
The two main characters, Isadora and Evander, had a wonderfully destructive romance. The moment they see each other, their entire worlds change. And at that same moment, chaos strikes, and buildings crumble. Their relationship with each other is constantly changing, growing, and evolving, all the way to the end of the novel.
I enjoyed the character of Lucen a lot. He was more complex than most characters I have seen, and is my favorite type of character. He doesn't fit in any simple category. He's cunning but also so, so tired. His relationship with the other characters is complicated but fantastic. He's definitely my choice of favorite character in the book.
The end is both hopeful and crushing, and leaves me wishing that there will be a second book.
The only reason that I didn't give five stars is that I thought it seemed like you were just tossed into this magic system with threads, notes, and numbers without explanation. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just isn't what I like when reading.
I would definitely recommend this. It's like nothing you've read before, and probably won't be like anything you'll read again unless the author makes a sequel.
December 8, 2025
One scene I'd never cut: the garden kiss 💋 and ensuing vision 😊—it's the emotional core, blending intimacy with apocalyptic revelation in a way that's unforgettable🙂↔️. One moment that was slightly confused but still great!: the initial tracing of Evander through the merchant's mind felt abrupt without more setup on Isadora's interrogation methods. Finishing left me with a profound cosmic heartbreak💔, like the weight of eternal cycles— it matched what seems intended, evoking tragic awe 🥹over mere sadness 😢. Loved the themes of love as consumption; it's fresh and lingering.
December 10, 2025
This book is absolutely riveting! If you are looking for a read that is captivating, brings you through a roller coaster of emotions and gives you an enemies to lovers romance then this book is for you! As soon as you start reading you are drawn in, sucked in even! I found it hard to put down, I have always loved the stars and the concept of this book and the creativity behind it are like a chiefs kiss. You can really feel the passion and emotions as you read the book. I already need the next book! If I could give this read a million stars I would!
December 13, 2025
If you are looking for a love story with a happy ending then this is not the one for you but if you want a tragically beautiful tale of love that hurts and knows no bounds this is it. In the beginning I found myself having a hard time because you were thrown into this unique world with a very different magic system that also relied on numbers and mathematics but once I got past that and the story progressed I was drawn into Isa and Evander’s story and how the two lost each other and found each other and burned for each other.
December 18, 2025
Such a beautiful story, it certainly tore me apart and put me back together more than once. I can't honestly say I've never read a story quite like this, I'm SO glad I had the chance to take a walk through the love and destruction.
January 9, 2026
ARC reader here! This redefines the thin line between second chance, reincarnation and fated mates (in a way). It's the first book in the series and I know I'll be in for an emotional roller-coaster if the ending of this book got me to cry like that. Not to mention how unique the magic system is!
January 11, 2026
Very intriguing book. I loved the originality and the idea behind this. The characters were beautiful. And it was so well written. The description was amazing. I was pulled into this and I spent so much time just getting lost in this story. It was truly a beautiful read. And I enjoyed it very much.
December 10, 2025
Absolutely loved this book! I never would have thought of constellations as people. This world is literally so intriguing, and I can't wait to read the second one, whenever that comes out.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews