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Bright and Broken Things
Set among the glittering parties and Egyptology craze of the 1920s, young academic learns he might be the key to an ancient Egyptian tomb coveted by a powerful cabal of magicians in this enthralling adventure from the author of Enchanted Lies of Céleste Artois.
Ezra Bright has returned to London after serving in World War I but, like many returned soldiers, he is haunted by his time on the front lines and the loss of his adoptive brother. He attempts to put the nightmares behind him and focus on his dissertation, but a chance encounter with his sister, Biz, introduces him to the Bright Young Things, a group of socialites famous for their elaborate costume parties and treasure hunts spanning London. At one such party Ezra meets Celia, a young socialite who introduces him to a world of magic and secret societies.
Unbeknownst to many, a powerful cabal of magicians known as the Order has been stealing magical artifacts in the hopes of impressing its mysterious leader. The ultimate prize is said to bestow immortality on its bearer and Celia suspects Ezra may be in possession of the powerful, ancient magic key to locating it. When Biz mistakes a note from Ezra’s mother for the start of another scavenger hunt, the Order is alerted to Ezra’s presence forcing him, Celia, Biz and her fiancé on a race across Cairo to find the treasure before the Order does.
Ezra Bright has returned to London after serving in World War I but, like many returned soldiers, he is haunted by his time on the front lines and the loss of his adoptive brother. He attempts to put the nightmares behind him and focus on his dissertation, but a chance encounter with his sister, Biz, introduces him to the Bright Young Things, a group of socialites famous for their elaborate costume parties and treasure hunts spanning London. At one such party Ezra meets Celia, a young socialite who introduces him to a world of magic and secret societies.
Unbeknownst to many, a powerful cabal of magicians known as the Order has been stealing magical artifacts in the hopes of impressing its mysterious leader. The ultimate prize is said to bestow immortality on its bearer and Celia suspects Ezra may be in possession of the powerful, ancient magic key to locating it. When Biz mistakes a note from Ezra’s mother for the start of another scavenger hunt, the Order is alerted to Ezra’s presence forcing him, Celia, Biz and her fiancé on a race across Cairo to find the treasure before the Order does.
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2026
About the author
Ryan Graudin
26 books1,918 followersRyan Graudin was born in Charleston, South Carolina, with a severe case of wanderlust. When she’s not traveling, she’s busy writing and spending time with her husband and wolf dog. She is the author of Invictus, the Wolf By Wolf duology, The Walled City, and the All That Glows Series.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 1.5/5
In the interest of “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” I will keep my full review between me and NetGalley. Because I really don’t have anything nice to say about this book.
Rating: 1.5/5
In the interest of “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” I will keep my full review between me and NetGalley. Because I really don’t have anything nice to say about this book.
September 27, 2026
Bright and Broken Things follows Ezra Bright, an Egyptology scholar who’s forcibly taken to England from Egypt by his noble father, and forced to forget his roots after his mother’s death. Through his studies he encounters the Bright Young Things, a group of young adults who are hoping to find ancient magical relics to get themselves a spot in the Order, the magical society that’s relegated to nobles in England. Throughout this magical treasure hunt Ezra finds himself accompanied by Biz, his spoiled half-sister, Celia Sinclair, who wants to tear the order down, and Vincent Cain, his rich complicated ex.
I loved Ezra as a character, he’s very depressed, his brother sacrificed himself for him in World War I, and he mysteriously killed the massive troupe of Germans that was about to kill him without lifting a finger, which leaves him in a devastated place emotionally and thinking he’s insane, until he finds out that magic is real and he’s apparently a very strong magician. He’s also so tenacious about finding out the truth of the relics that were stolen from his mother.
Celia was another really fun character, she helps Ezra discover and hone his magic, and has her own axe to grind against the Order because they killed her father and stole her family’s relics and wealth.
Biz and Vincent feel like comic relief a lot of the time, I think I would’ve liked them to be more fleshed out , but I did like their roles in the ending.
My one qualm about this book is the pacing. I feel like it was so slow for the first 40% and I almost gave up, but it really gets going then and you start to get into the treasure hunt and Indiana Jones vibes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC!
I loved Ezra as a character, he’s very depressed, his brother sacrificed himself for him in World War I, and he mysteriously killed the massive troupe of Germans that was about to kill him without lifting a finger, which leaves him in a devastated place emotionally and thinking he’s insane, until he finds out that magic is real and he’s apparently a very strong magician. He’s also so tenacious about finding out the truth of the relics that were stolen from his mother.
Celia was another really fun character, she helps Ezra discover and hone his magic, and has her own axe to grind against the Order because they killed her father and stole her family’s relics and wealth.
Biz and Vincent feel like comic relief a lot of the time, I think I would’ve liked them to be more fleshed out , but I did like their roles in the ending.
My one qualm about this book is the pacing. I feel like it was so slow for the first 40% and I almost gave up, but it really gets going then and you start to get into the treasure hunt and Indiana Jones vibes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and to Orbit Books for the ARC of Bright and Broken Things by Ryan Graudin.
Based on the posted description, I thought this would be a book about a man named Ezra traumatized from WW1 who encounters a group of rich partiers using magic which spurs some sort of treasure hunt - that's not quite right. Instead, Ezra has always been different and seen things that have made him believe he is unstable and dangerous, which the war only exascerbated. While hiding away working on his doctoral thesis he runs into his adoptive sister Biz, her fiancé/his former lover Vincent, and a down-on-her-luck socialite named Celia who seems to have all the answers about the things that have haunted him. Held in his sister's orbit and curious about what Celia may be able to tell him, Ezra falls into a larger story where his own past and childhood in Egypt with his now-dead mother becomes front and center. As Ezra becomes enlightened about magic in the world and how the British magicians take it from unsuspecting peers and from relics of other nations, he finds connections to his mother that may mean a treasure is still waiting for him from her, but he will have to beat others there first.
I am maybe a bit frustrated with myself that I did not like this book more when it is exactly the Indiana Jones/Mummy/historical fiction I am usually an absolute sucker for (Jacquelyn Benson's Raiders of the Arcana series being an all-time favorite). It took me 11 days to read, and I struggled at times to pick it up even when I would finish a chapter and think "Wow, that's fascinating".
So, for the good: The descriptions and the writing itself are really great. The Find and Seek Party descriptions were enchanting, and the culminating scenes in the 80-90% range had me in tears. The book feels well researched and that it culturally honors both the Egyptians and the reality of the looting by the British and other nations. It also does a brutal and honest view of WW1 and the trauma that inflicts on many of the characters. The bones of the book are solid, and it is obvious that care went into the overarching characterization of the main characters - with Celia's being the strongest (I wanted more from Ezra's). I appreciated the twists of the overall story (trying not to give spoilers, so no details here, but the last 25% of the book really does give a lot more than the first 75%).
Where it lost me a bit:
- The plot seems to go in fits and starts. We go to our first Find and Seek, but by 20% of the way through still nothing has really happened. Then something else starts in the plot but we spend chapters of Ezra/Celia/Vincent/Biz sort of tapping on what their romantic entanglements (but in the most British way, so its very hands off and formal interactions) but they don't actually add to the story. There doesn't seem to be any real relationship building, romantically or familial-wise between Ezra and Biz, or friendship wise because no one trusts each other, because everyone has walls up (so British). It made it hard to care about the outcome of the relationships because everyone was always so guarded, and then I just wanted more of the actual plot-driven aspects because the character-driven ones didn't seem to go more than surface level.
- There is some switching between perspectives (mainly Ezra and Celia, but sometimes Vincent and Biz) that I think took away from the overarching story. In the end I think it's mainly a story about Ezra and Celia's motivations, and so there two perspectives would have worked on their own, but it doesn't seem to be evenly split and it seems to tangle in ways that take some of the overall power of each character away -- it subtracts instead of adds.
- I also found myself a bit bogged down in the overall magic system -- the British order seems to be some sort of magic donor pyramid scheme with one main person at the top, the Apex, but no one else seems to use magic that way? The relics might have a certain ability, but also so do imaginings and shadows and how the magicians wield them? When anyone with magic would fight I would just sort of be confused at the abilities they would all of a sudden have (except Celia -- her arc is great).
- There were certain aspects that were very muted metaphor and some that were very in your face, and I wish there had been a bit more of a balance between those two.
Overall I liked the story, I just wanted to like it more.
Based on the posted description, I thought this would be a book about a man named Ezra traumatized from WW1 who encounters a group of rich partiers using magic which spurs some sort of treasure hunt - that's not quite right. Instead, Ezra has always been different and seen things that have made him believe he is unstable and dangerous, which the war only exascerbated. While hiding away working on his doctoral thesis he runs into his adoptive sister Biz, her fiancé/his former lover Vincent, and a down-on-her-luck socialite named Celia who seems to have all the answers about the things that have haunted him. Held in his sister's orbit and curious about what Celia may be able to tell him, Ezra falls into a larger story where his own past and childhood in Egypt with his now-dead mother becomes front and center. As Ezra becomes enlightened about magic in the world and how the British magicians take it from unsuspecting peers and from relics of other nations, he finds connections to his mother that may mean a treasure is still waiting for him from her, but he will have to beat others there first.
I am maybe a bit frustrated with myself that I did not like this book more when it is exactly the Indiana Jones/Mummy/historical fiction I am usually an absolute sucker for (Jacquelyn Benson's Raiders of the Arcana series being an all-time favorite). It took me 11 days to read, and I struggled at times to pick it up even when I would finish a chapter and think "Wow, that's fascinating".
So, for the good: The descriptions and the writing itself are really great. The Find and Seek Party descriptions were enchanting, and the culminating scenes in the 80-90% range had me in tears. The book feels well researched and that it culturally honors both the Egyptians and the reality of the looting by the British and other nations. It also does a brutal and honest view of WW1 and the trauma that inflicts on many of the characters. The bones of the book are solid, and it is obvious that care went into the overarching characterization of the main characters - with Celia's being the strongest (I wanted more from Ezra's). I appreciated the twists of the overall story (trying not to give spoilers, so no details here, but the last 25% of the book really does give a lot more than the first 75%).
Where it lost me a bit:
- The plot seems to go in fits and starts. We go to our first Find and Seek, but by 20% of the way through still nothing has really happened. Then something else starts in the plot but we spend chapters of Ezra/Celia/Vincent/Biz sort of tapping on what their romantic entanglements (but in the most British way, so its very hands off and formal interactions) but they don't actually add to the story. There doesn't seem to be any real relationship building, romantically or familial-wise between Ezra and Biz, or friendship wise because no one trusts each other, because everyone has walls up (so British). It made it hard to care about the outcome of the relationships because everyone was always so guarded, and then I just wanted more of the actual plot-driven aspects because the character-driven ones didn't seem to go more than surface level.
- There is some switching between perspectives (mainly Ezra and Celia, but sometimes Vincent and Biz) that I think took away from the overarching story. In the end I think it's mainly a story about Ezra and Celia's motivations, and so there two perspectives would have worked on their own, but it doesn't seem to be evenly split and it seems to tangle in ways that take some of the overall power of each character away -- it subtracts instead of adds.
- I also found myself a bit bogged down in the overall magic system -- the British order seems to be some sort of magic donor pyramid scheme with one main person at the top, the Apex, but no one else seems to use magic that way? The relics might have a certain ability, but also so do imaginings and shadows and how the magicians wield them? When anyone with magic would fight I would just sort of be confused at the abilities they would all of a sudden have (except Celia -- her arc is great).
- There were certain aspects that were very muted metaphor and some that were very in your face, and I wish there had been a bit more of a balance between those two.
Overall I liked the story, I just wanted to like it more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 22, 2026I adore books that take place in late 1800s-1900s Egypt. Blame Rick O’Connell and Amelia Peabody. It’s a time and setting that seems to lend itself well to imaginings and adventure. So of course, I was eager to get my hands on Bright and Broken Things, which combines magic with the Roaring Twenties in a madcap treasure hunt through the mysteries of ancient Egypt.
Ezra Bright has returned from the war after seeing his brother die in front of him. While the battle left both his brother and everyone around him dead, Ezra somehow survived without so much as a scratch. This, as well as other horrors witnessed in the war, have haunted him. He’s developed an obsession with wings and “battle angels” throughout all different mythologies and cultures, particular ancient Egypt, though Ezra himself has to hide that he’s part Egyptian.
During his studies, Ezra is introduced to the Bright Young Things, a group of socialites whose ridiculous parties mask an inner group of magic-users called the Order who are intent on finding and using all magical relics. This includes one that is said to have the power to resurrect the dead. Ezra, Biz, Celia, and Vincent (Ezra’s ex-boyfriend who is now about to marry Biz in a strange twist) rush off into the Egyptian desert, intent on beating the Order to the punch, while Ezra realizes that there are reasons he never gets hurt…
Wowza, there was a lot happening in this book! The author juggled the Roaring Twenties’ glamor and the Egyptian craze and magic, while also adding relationship drama and the difficulties of being yourself in an unaccepting time. Sometimes this worked and sometimes it didn’t. It seemed on occasion as though the book was pulling in two different directions: fun adventure or a serious examination of equality and the theft of a culture’s history. Add in the relationship issues the four characters grappled with, and the pacing would jump or stall in fits and bursts.
Of course, the odd pacing of the book was off-putting. I also honestly didn’t care who was mad at who, or why no one trusted anyone else. Those things could probably have been condensed a little. It still would have gotten the point across without the flow of the story suffering quite as much.
I adored the adventurous aspect, though! Seeing the characters try to figure out clues and beat the Order to the magical relic was so much fun. The glimpses of magic shown were well described and attention-grabbing. If you’re a reader who wants a detailed breakdown of how every detail works in a magical system, you will be left wanting. But if an overview followed by fantastical examples is what you like, you’re in luck here.
I had polarazing views of the group of four. Ezra, while a bit morose (understantably), was nonetheless and interesting character. His experience of spending his young life in Egypt added a new aspect to the story and allowed the author to explore more of the history and mythology- both real and made-up- of ancient Egypt. Celia was a little ball of anger, and I loved her for it. She was driven by a desire for revenge that slowly became something more three dimensional and lasting.
But good grief, the other two! Biz was petty and spoiled and offered absolutely nothing to the narrative, aside from being Ezra’s sister. You could have taken her out of the book entirely and it would have changed nothing. And Vincent irritated the ever-loving snot out of me. I don’t know how a character could be so annoying and so one-dimensional simultaneously.
That being said, the setting, plot, and magic were more than enough to cover for those two, making this a fun book. Bright and Broken Things was a fantastically fun distraction from reality, and really, that’s exactly what I wanted from this book.
Thank you to Redhook for providing me with this book. My review is voluntary and my opinions are completely my own.
Review originally published on my blog: https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
Ezra Bright has returned from the war after seeing his brother die in front of him. While the battle left both his brother and everyone around him dead, Ezra somehow survived without so much as a scratch. This, as well as other horrors witnessed in the war, have haunted him. He’s developed an obsession with wings and “battle angels” throughout all different mythologies and cultures, particular ancient Egypt, though Ezra himself has to hide that he’s part Egyptian.
During his studies, Ezra is introduced to the Bright Young Things, a group of socialites whose ridiculous parties mask an inner group of magic-users called the Order who are intent on finding and using all magical relics. This includes one that is said to have the power to resurrect the dead. Ezra, Biz, Celia, and Vincent (Ezra’s ex-boyfriend who is now about to marry Biz in a strange twist) rush off into the Egyptian desert, intent on beating the Order to the punch, while Ezra realizes that there are reasons he never gets hurt…
Wowza, there was a lot happening in this book! The author juggled the Roaring Twenties’ glamor and the Egyptian craze and magic, while also adding relationship drama and the difficulties of being yourself in an unaccepting time. Sometimes this worked and sometimes it didn’t. It seemed on occasion as though the book was pulling in two different directions: fun adventure or a serious examination of equality and the theft of a culture’s history. Add in the relationship issues the four characters grappled with, and the pacing would jump or stall in fits and bursts.
Of course, the odd pacing of the book was off-putting. I also honestly didn’t care who was mad at who, or why no one trusted anyone else. Those things could probably have been condensed a little. It still would have gotten the point across without the flow of the story suffering quite as much.
I adored the adventurous aspect, though! Seeing the characters try to figure out clues and beat the Order to the magical relic was so much fun. The glimpses of magic shown were well described and attention-grabbing. If you’re a reader who wants a detailed breakdown of how every detail works in a magical system, you will be left wanting. But if an overview followed by fantastical examples is what you like, you’re in luck here.
I had polarazing views of the group of four. Ezra, while a bit morose (understantably), was nonetheless and interesting character. His experience of spending his young life in Egypt added a new aspect to the story and allowed the author to explore more of the history and mythology- both real and made-up- of ancient Egypt. Celia was a little ball of anger, and I loved her for it. She was driven by a desire for revenge that slowly became something more three dimensional and lasting.
But good grief, the other two! Biz was petty and spoiled and offered absolutely nothing to the narrative, aside from being Ezra’s sister. You could have taken her out of the book entirely and it would have changed nothing. And Vincent irritated the ever-loving snot out of me. I don’t know how a character could be so annoying and so one-dimensional simultaneously.
That being said, the setting, plot, and magic were more than enough to cover for those two, making this a fun book. Bright and Broken Things was a fantastically fun distraction from reality, and really, that’s exactly what I wanted from this book.
Thank you to Redhook for providing me with this book. My review is voluntary and my opinions are completely my own.
Review originally published on my blog: https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
July 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who is quite obsessed with Ancient Egypt, I was thrilled when I found this book on Netgalley. If you are someone who enjoys Egyptology, Egyptian myths and beliefs, and magic, this book is for you. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It was a fantastic "escape" read for me, and I really enjoyed the historical fiction aspect of the plot.
Bright and Broken Things is set in the 1920's, and it follows scholar Ezra Bright. Traumatized from fighting in World War I and losing his brother right before his eyes, Ezra is fighting his own demons as he works on his Egyptology thesis. It doesn't take him long before he finds himself thrust into the magical world of the Bright Young Things, chasing after his ancestry and magic powers that have been simmering just beneath the surface.
When Ezra reunites with his half-sister and a group of her friends, he is introduced to the Bright Young Things - a group of young adults obsessed with obtaining priceless, magical relics from ancient worlds at whatever cost. For centuries, the mysterious "Order" has stolen and killed for these relics in hopes of unveiling more magical powers. Celia Sinclare, whom Ezra meets at one of the elaborate Bright Young Things parties, is desperate to avenge her father's death that was done at the hands of The Apex, the leader of The Order. She spots Ezra's magic simmering and begging to be released, and she capitalizes on the opportunity to recruit him in her quest.
When Ezra finds a scroll hidden away in a relic, it leads him, his sister, Celia, and Vincent (whom everyone has a VERY complicated relationship with) on a wild goose chase to find the end-all-be-all of relics before those who want to use it nefariously beat them to it.
The historical fiction and Egyptology aspects of this novel were incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed how Graudin integrated these into magical-realism. I found the character development to be great, especially for Ezra and Celia. My one gripe was with the last 30% of the book. The wild goose chase for the relic was thrilling, but there was just TOO much happening. It was incredibly hard to follow the "who, what, when, where, how" at times in the latter part of the book. I had to re-read multiple sections to make sure I understood what was happening. The ending, which is supposed to be chaotic for the characters, was chaotic as a reader. It felt extremely disjointed, and there were simply too many things happening at once. I feel it really took away from the central message and theme of the book that had been brewing up until this point. With that being said, I was still satisfied with the ending of the book!
I think anyone who enjoys Egyptology, magical-realism, or a fun historical fiction will be a fan of this book. Just be ready to dive into a crazy adventure with Ezra and the crew!
As someone who is quite obsessed with Ancient Egypt, I was thrilled when I found this book on Netgalley. If you are someone who enjoys Egyptology, Egyptian myths and beliefs, and magic, this book is for you. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It was a fantastic "escape" read for me, and I really enjoyed the historical fiction aspect of the plot.
Bright and Broken Things is set in the 1920's, and it follows scholar Ezra Bright. Traumatized from fighting in World War I and losing his brother right before his eyes, Ezra is fighting his own demons as he works on his Egyptology thesis. It doesn't take him long before he finds himself thrust into the magical world of the Bright Young Things, chasing after his ancestry and magic powers that have been simmering just beneath the surface.
When Ezra reunites with his half-sister and a group of her friends, he is introduced to the Bright Young Things - a group of young adults obsessed with obtaining priceless, magical relics from ancient worlds at whatever cost. For centuries, the mysterious "Order" has stolen and killed for these relics in hopes of unveiling more magical powers. Celia Sinclare, whom Ezra meets at one of the elaborate Bright Young Things parties, is desperate to avenge her father's death that was done at the hands of The Apex, the leader of The Order. She spots Ezra's magic simmering and begging to be released, and she capitalizes on the opportunity to recruit him in her quest.
When Ezra finds a scroll hidden away in a relic, it leads him, his sister, Celia, and Vincent (whom everyone has a VERY complicated relationship with) on a wild goose chase to find the end-all-be-all of relics before those who want to use it nefariously beat them to it.
The historical fiction and Egyptology aspects of this novel were incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed how Graudin integrated these into magical-realism. I found the character development to be great, especially for Ezra and Celia. My one gripe was with the last 30% of the book. The wild goose chase for the relic was thrilling, but there was just TOO much happening. It was incredibly hard to follow the "who, what, when, where, how" at times in the latter part of the book. I had to re-read multiple sections to make sure I understood what was happening. The ending, which is supposed to be chaotic for the characters, was chaotic as a reader. It felt extremely disjointed, and there were simply too many things happening at once. I feel it really took away from the central message and theme of the book that had been brewing up until this point. With that being said, I was still satisfied with the ending of the book!
I think anyone who enjoys Egyptology, magical-realism, or a fun historical fiction will be a fan of this book. Just be ready to dive into a crazy adventure with Ezra and the crew!
September 26, 2026
🏺 Magic, Mythology & a Very Dangerous Treasure Hunt
I've always loved Egyptian mythology, so "Bright and Broken Things" immediately caught my attention. Add in ancient artifacts, secret societies, magic, and a 1920s setting, and you have a historical fantasy with some serious "Indiana Jones" and "The Mummy" energy.
At the center of the story is Ezra Bright. He's returned home from World War I carrying a tremendous amount of grief, only to find himself pulled into a world of ancient magic and a mystery much bigger than he expected. I found him compelling from the beginning, especially because there was so much happening beneath the surface of his character. Even as the story grew bigger and more fantastical, Ezra remained its emotional anchor and gave me someone to stay genuinely invested in.
The Egyptian mythology was probably my favorite part, though. I loved the way the story wove history, mythology, and fantasy together while sending its characters in search of ancient artifacts and things that probably should have remained buried. It captured that archaeological-adventure feeling I love, where you know following the next clue is almost certainly going to end chaotically, but you obviously want the characters to do it anyway.
That's also where the "Indiana Jones" and "The Mummy" comparisons really came through for me. Ancient mysteries lead to dangerous discoveries, and before long, everything begins spiraling increasingly out of control. The 1920s setting gives the story plenty of atmosphere and helps the story feel like its own distinct world rather than simply borrowing from the adventure stories that came before it.
My main issue with the book was the pacing. There were stretches where I was completely caught up in the story and eager to see what would happen next, followed by moments where things slowed down enough that I lost some of that momentum. It never stopped me from enjoying the book, but I do think a more consistent pace would have made the adventure even stronger.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed "Bright and Broken Things." It's imaginative, atmospheric, and full of history, mythology, and just enough danger to keep things interesting. More than anything, I had fun following Ezra into a world where ancient mysteries don't always stay in the past and digging up the wrong thing can have some very unexpected consequences.
Thank you to author Ryan Graudin, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I've always loved Egyptian mythology, so "Bright and Broken Things" immediately caught my attention. Add in ancient artifacts, secret societies, magic, and a 1920s setting, and you have a historical fantasy with some serious "Indiana Jones" and "The Mummy" energy.
At the center of the story is Ezra Bright. He's returned home from World War I carrying a tremendous amount of grief, only to find himself pulled into a world of ancient magic and a mystery much bigger than he expected. I found him compelling from the beginning, especially because there was so much happening beneath the surface of his character. Even as the story grew bigger and more fantastical, Ezra remained its emotional anchor and gave me someone to stay genuinely invested in.
The Egyptian mythology was probably my favorite part, though. I loved the way the story wove history, mythology, and fantasy together while sending its characters in search of ancient artifacts and things that probably should have remained buried. It captured that archaeological-adventure feeling I love, where you know following the next clue is almost certainly going to end chaotically, but you obviously want the characters to do it anyway.
That's also where the "Indiana Jones" and "The Mummy" comparisons really came through for me. Ancient mysteries lead to dangerous discoveries, and before long, everything begins spiraling increasingly out of control. The 1920s setting gives the story plenty of atmosphere and helps the story feel like its own distinct world rather than simply borrowing from the adventure stories that came before it.
My main issue with the book was the pacing. There were stretches where I was completely caught up in the story and eager to see what would happen next, followed by moments where things slowed down enough that I lost some of that momentum. It never stopped me from enjoying the book, but I do think a more consistent pace would have made the adventure even stronger.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed "Bright and Broken Things." It's imaginative, atmospheric, and full of history, mythology, and just enough danger to keep things interesting. More than anything, I had fun following Ezra into a world where ancient mysteries don't always stay in the past and digging up the wrong thing can have some very unexpected consequences.
Thank you to author Ryan Graudin, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2026
There are several reasons Ezra Bright has never felt as though he belonged anywhere: he was born in Egypt and, after age six, raised in England; he was deeply hurt by those who love him most; and he doesn’t understand the strange things he can do. It isn’t until a thief explains that he has magic that things begin to make sense…and he begins to understand how corrupt the world truly is.
I have not previously been aware of Ms. Graudin, but I’m a fan. Consider me converted. Bright and Broken Things is not a quick or easy read—far from it; I recommend frequent breaks—but it does reward engaged reading. The worldbuilding is sumptuous; the lifestyles of the Bright Young Things are a swirl of glittering despair; and the halls and habits of the Order a labyrinth of slow-moving horror.
This story has a low narrative distance—the emotional impact is not softened. As a reader, there is the aftermath of war, the entitlement of desperate men addicted to power, and grief warped by time, dedication, and success. The story is not without humor, but it does not offer relief from all that Ezra goes through.
The prose is fairly dense and is not suited to those who prefer to scan; there is a mystery buried here, and it can be deduced with careful examination. For those who like a puzzle, this is a chewy one. The craftsmanship within these pages is a thing of beauty; the pacing is excellent, the style is gorgeous, and the characters—especially the villain—are exactly what they should be. This book is a challenge; no one gets what they think they wanted, but the ending is satisfying. It has darkness, sharp edges, and hope.
Thank you to Orbit Books for the opportunity to read Bright and Broken Things. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley, and I am voluntarily writing this review.
I have not previously been aware of Ms. Graudin, but I’m a fan. Consider me converted. Bright and Broken Things is not a quick or easy read—far from it; I recommend frequent breaks—but it does reward engaged reading. The worldbuilding is sumptuous; the lifestyles of the Bright Young Things are a swirl of glittering despair; and the halls and habits of the Order a labyrinth of slow-moving horror.
This story has a low narrative distance—the emotional impact is not softened. As a reader, there is the aftermath of war, the entitlement of desperate men addicted to power, and grief warped by time, dedication, and success. The story is not without humor, but it does not offer relief from all that Ezra goes through.
The prose is fairly dense and is not suited to those who prefer to scan; there is a mystery buried here, and it can be deduced with careful examination. For those who like a puzzle, this is a chewy one. The craftsmanship within these pages is a thing of beauty; the pacing is excellent, the style is gorgeous, and the characters—especially the villain—are exactly what they should be. This book is a challenge; no one gets what they think they wanted, but the ending is satisfying. It has darkness, sharp edges, and hope.
Thank you to Orbit Books for the opportunity to read Bright and Broken Things. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley, and I am voluntarily writing this review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'll admit, I requested this book on a whim based on 1) the cover, 2) the vibe and 3) because Redhook publishes H.G. Parry who has made me reconsider historical fantasy as a genre I might be into. I am really glad I got a copy of Bright and Broken Things to read pre-release. I had so much fun reading this, and teared up a bunch of times; it was a really satisfying emotional rollercoaster with some action-packed sequences that had me on the edge of my seat.
Bright and Broken Things is like if you mixed The Great Gatsby and The Mummy (1999) and added in a nerdy, canonically bisexual mess of a man. It's got Egyptology + flappers + musings on the social impacts of WWI + condemnations of the British Museum. All in all, BABT was right up my alley, and I ate it up. I was most impressed with Graudin's ability to weave in the hard conversations/realizations about the war and about colonial entitlement through the lenses of Ezra and Celia as characters. They both had a tremendous amount of growth through the book, and it was a delight to watch them change.
I will say though that I did call one of the big twists like... so early. One throw away comment in a conversation, and I highlighted it and said, "If X is the Apex, I will riot" and lo and behold... X was (no spoilers, here!!). I think most readers will revel in the reveal though and find it a well-placed surprise.
Overall, I really enjoyed Bright and Broken Things and I will absolutely be recommending it to my history nerd friends and will be looking out for new releases from Ryan Graudin in the future.
I'll admit, I requested this book on a whim based on 1) the cover, 2) the vibe and 3) because Redhook publishes H.G. Parry who has made me reconsider historical fantasy as a genre I might be into. I am really glad I got a copy of Bright and Broken Things to read pre-release. I had so much fun reading this, and teared up a bunch of times; it was a really satisfying emotional rollercoaster with some action-packed sequences that had me on the edge of my seat.
Bright and Broken Things is like if you mixed The Great Gatsby and The Mummy (1999) and added in a nerdy, canonically bisexual mess of a man. It's got Egyptology + flappers + musings on the social impacts of WWI + condemnations of the British Museum. All in all, BABT was right up my alley, and I ate it up. I was most impressed with Graudin's ability to weave in the hard conversations/realizations about the war and about colonial entitlement through the lenses of Ezra and Celia as characters. They both had a tremendous amount of growth through the book, and it was a delight to watch them change.
I will say though that I did call one of the big twists like... so early. One throw away comment in a conversation, and I highlighted it and said, "If X is the Apex, I will riot" and lo and behold... X was (no spoilers, here!!). I think most readers will revel in the reveal though and find it a well-placed surprise.
Overall, I really enjoyed Bright and Broken Things and I will absolutely be recommending it to my history nerd friends and will be looking out for new releases from Ryan Graudin in the future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bright and Broken Things by Ryan Graudin is an occult mystery about one man's journey to discovering the truth about his magical ancestry...
Ezra Bright returns home from serving in WW1 where a supernatural experience on the front line has haunted him ever since. Ezra falls in with a group of socialites whose raucous parties are hiding a magical world within a world. When Ezra becomes entangled in their web of secrecy and mystery involving ancient relics, he discovers that his connection to Ancient Egypt is highly desirable by a group of magicians who will stop at nothing to get what they want, even if it wakes the dead...
Give me a story about Egypt and secret societies and I am in love. Bright and Broken Things captured the Egyptology craze with the secret underground plot that involved occultists and magic. Ryan Graudin's signature lyrical and descriptive writing added a whimsical aspect to the story that made it enchanting. Personally for me, having read many Egyptian secret society inspired stories, I do prefer a more speculative take on the genre, rather than the fantastical. The story's wild goose chase was entertaining and the characters were each interesting. Ezra's story inspired by Egyptian mythology was very unique. At times the pacing felt off and there were some chapters where it felt as though too much was happening at once. Other than that, I enjoyed this book and really liked the plot.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ezra Bright returns home from serving in WW1 where a supernatural experience on the front line has haunted him ever since. Ezra falls in with a group of socialites whose raucous parties are hiding a magical world within a world. When Ezra becomes entangled in their web of secrecy and mystery involving ancient relics, he discovers that his connection to Ancient Egypt is highly desirable by a group of magicians who will stop at nothing to get what they want, even if it wakes the dead...
Give me a story about Egypt and secret societies and I am in love. Bright and Broken Things captured the Egyptology craze with the secret underground plot that involved occultists and magic. Ryan Graudin's signature lyrical and descriptive writing added a whimsical aspect to the story that made it enchanting. Personally for me, having read many Egyptian secret society inspired stories, I do prefer a more speculative take on the genre, rather than the fantastical. The story's wild goose chase was entertaining and the characters were each interesting. Ezra's story inspired by Egyptian mythology was very unique. At times the pacing felt off and there were some chapters where it felt as though too much was happening at once. Other than that, I enjoyed this book and really liked the plot.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me a read.
I loved Ryan Graudin's WWII duology. It was just so well done that I admit I have not been following her other books since then. Of course it's been about 10 years or so.
So when I saw she was releasing a book that infused socialites of the 20's with the fascination of Egyptology, I had to read it. After reading it, I don't know what I expected but I was disappointed when finishing it.
There is a lot happening in terms of the characters and their motivations so lets not say that the motivations was the issue. I guess the story was my problem. A character of Egyptian descent is our protagonist and he is trying to figure out his place in a world that doesn't seem made for him - both racial and magic wise. Of course, he is confused on his magic powers he may or may not have (watching what happened to the men who killed his brother so to speak). So he becomes wrapped up in finding a reason of why he is seeing the things he's seeing.
I just felt that the direction was sort of lost on who was screwing who and who had feelings for who while competing against a story about magic and racial identity. I just didn't care about the other characters, I found them either annoying or underdeveloped for me to care.
All in all, I think there will be people who will enjoy this - if they hang more on the emotional drama of all these relationships but I didn't.
I loved Ryan Graudin's WWII duology. It was just so well done that I admit I have not been following her other books since then. Of course it's been about 10 years or so.
So when I saw she was releasing a book that infused socialites of the 20's with the fascination of Egyptology, I had to read it. After reading it, I don't know what I expected but I was disappointed when finishing it.
There is a lot happening in terms of the characters and their motivations so lets not say that the motivations was the issue. I guess the story was my problem. A character of Egyptian descent is our protagonist and he is trying to figure out his place in a world that doesn't seem made for him - both racial and magic wise. Of course, he is confused on his magic powers he may or may not have (watching what happened to the men who killed his brother so to speak). So he becomes wrapped up in finding a reason of why he is seeing the things he's seeing.
I just felt that the direction was sort of lost on who was screwing who and who had feelings for who while competing against a story about magic and racial identity. I just didn't care about the other characters, I found them either annoying or underdeveloped for me to care.
All in all, I think there will be people who will enjoy this - if they hang more on the emotional drama of all these relationships but I didn't.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
If you're a fan of The Mummy or Isabelle Ibañez book What the River Knows you'll definitely be a fan of this book.
I loved this book but I will warn you that it does take a little bit it more than normal to get into the story because of the world building. In my opinion the world building was a bit chaotic at times and hard to follow but I was still able to follow the story.
I did enjoy many of the characters and dynamics especially that of Ezra, Vincent, and Celia. I was pleasantly surprised how the author worked in lgbtq+ characters into the story and made it just a piece of who they are (just like in real life) versus their whole personality and plot. Also, highlighting the struggles and dangers of being part of the community of that time.
The pacing was consistent throughout the story and especially at the ending when things were at its climax nothing felt rushed. Although, I do wish more time had been taken to have more of the background of the villain explained or just shown in general.
I do believe that more stories set in the same world as either a continuation of the story or prequel. If there ever is a continuation in the world I'll definitely be reading them.
If you're a fan of The Mummy or Isabelle Ibañez book What the River Knows you'll definitely be a fan of this book.
I loved this book but I will warn you that it does take a little bit it more than normal to get into the story because of the world building. In my opinion the world building was a bit chaotic at times and hard to follow but I was still able to follow the story.
I did enjoy many of the characters and dynamics especially that of Ezra, Vincent, and Celia. I was pleasantly surprised how the author worked in lgbtq+ characters into the story and made it just a piece of who they are (just like in real life) versus their whole personality and plot. Also, highlighting the struggles and dangers of being part of the community of that time.
The pacing was consistent throughout the story and especially at the ending when things were at its climax nothing felt rushed. Although, I do wish more time had been taken to have more of the background of the villain explained or just shown in general.
I do believe that more stories set in the same world as either a continuation of the story or prequel. If there ever is a continuation in the world I'll definitely be reading them.
Did Not Finish
July 14, 2026DNF at 49%-
I had extremely high hopes for this book based on the synopsis, which promised Egyptian mythology and a high-stakes adventure, but it ultimately fell flat for me.
First, the main plot doesn't really get going until about a quarter of the way through the book. I kept waiting for the exciting adventure to begin, but it took much longer than expected. Once it did, the pacing was inconsistent and constantly shifting.
One of my biggest issues was that the book tried to be too many things at once. There were too many themes, and they didn't come together in a cohesive way, leaving the story feeling disjointed. Additionally, the magic system didn't feel fully developed and was, at times, difficult to follow. It left me wondering how certain magical abilities evolved and what the rules of the magic actually were.
Unfortunately, despite my high expectations, this book just didn't work for me.
I had extremely high hopes for this book based on the synopsis, which promised Egyptian mythology and a high-stakes adventure, but it ultimately fell flat for me.
First, the main plot doesn't really get going until about a quarter of the way through the book. I kept waiting for the exciting adventure to begin, but it took much longer than expected. Once it did, the pacing was inconsistent and constantly shifting.
One of my biggest issues was that the book tried to be too many things at once. There were too many themes, and they didn't come together in a cohesive way, leaving the story feeling disjointed. Additionally, the magic system didn't feel fully developed and was, at times, difficult to follow. It left me wondering how certain magical abilities evolved and what the rules of the magic actually were.
Unfortunately, despite my high expectations, this book just didn't work for me.
September 18, 2026
3.5 stars
Bright and Broken Things had an interesting premise, and I really liked the 1920s setting. The glittering parties, Egyptology craze, ancient artifacts, and journey through Egypt created such a vivid and unique atmosphere. The setting was definitely my favorite part of the book.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time following parts of the story. There were a lot of characters, secrets, magical elements, and different pieces of history to keep track of, and I sometimes felt a little lost. I think that kept me from becoming as invested in the story as I wanted to be.
Still, the atmosphere was beautifully done, and the mixture of historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, and adventure made this a very original read. It wasn’t quite a four-star book for me, but there was still a lot to enjoy!
Thank you to Redhook, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Bright and Broken Things had an interesting premise, and I really liked the 1920s setting. The glittering parties, Egyptology craze, ancient artifacts, and journey through Egypt created such a vivid and unique atmosphere. The setting was definitely my favorite part of the book.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time following parts of the story. There were a lot of characters, secrets, magical elements, and different pieces of history to keep track of, and I sometimes felt a little lost. I think that kept me from becoming as invested in the story as I wanted to be.
Still, the atmosphere was beautifully done, and the mixture of historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, and adventure made this a very original read. It wasn’t quite a four-star book for me, but there was still a lot to enjoy!
Thank you to Redhook, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
September 19, 2026
3 stars. this was an enjoyable read, but i wanted a little more of an Indiana-Jones-esque feel from it than i was given. i really love Indiana Jones and this seemed right up that alley but i think the execution was a little lackluster. i still enjoyed it immensely. i picked out the plot twist about 70% through, but it was still fun to see it play out. the plot for this did come in bits and pieces and it felt a little disjointed at parts. i wanted it to be a bit more fast-paced and have the stakes feel like they were as high as they appeared. the magic system was a bit meh and could have been expanded on a wee bit more. i did enjoy Celia as a character and her story arc was great! Biz was also fun to read about and i'm glad she ended up with a happy ending as well. if you're a big fan of archaeology and things like Egyptology, definitely pick this up!
thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
July 5, 2026
Many thanks to Redhook/Hachette Book Group and Netgally for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
3.5⭐️ Rich youth in 1920s London with magic thrown in? This was a dream of a setting and plot! The author fully hopped on the Egyptology craze sweeping society at that time, and as an audience we were rewarded. Add in the magical artifacts angle and you have an intriguing storyline.
The characters are varied and well thought out. I loved some and detested the others which is a sign they are written with their own distinct personalities.
It’s paced well - slow enough to build suspense but always moving forward with purpose.
I didn’t like a number of the magical elements alas. The idea of harvesting ideas is absolutely creative, but they accomplish this seems a truly odd choice. There were other ideas that I had a difficult time grasping, either because they didn’t make sense or were just too convenient.
Overall though, I thought the writing and what the story contained on the pages to be memorable.
3.5⭐️ Rich youth in 1920s London with magic thrown in? This was a dream of a setting and plot! The author fully hopped on the Egyptology craze sweeping society at that time, and as an audience we were rewarded. Add in the magical artifacts angle and you have an intriguing storyline.
The characters are varied and well thought out. I loved some and detested the others which is a sign they are written with their own distinct personalities.
It’s paced well - slow enough to build suspense but always moving forward with purpose.
I didn’t like a number of the magical elements alas. The idea of harvesting ideas is absolutely creative, but they accomplish this seems a truly odd choice. There were other ideas that I had a difficult time grasping, either because they didn’t make sense or were just too convenient.
Overall though, I thought the writing and what the story contained on the pages to be memorable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐ - Neutral
The settings of 1920s London and Egypt felt well-researched and certainly well-described in Bright and Broken Things. There's a lot going on with its themes of racism, all manner of social injustice, class difference, past loves, grief, the trauma and survivor’s guilt of war, and complicated parent-child relationships.
To be honest, I kind of think there were too many themes, and I think the pace and character work suffered a bit because of a balancing issue. While the core group of characters—Ezra, Celia, Biz, and Vincent—were likeable enough and distinct from one another, none of them left a lasting impression on me.
Most of my complaints are personal nitpicks and preferences, but I think this book is a good option for readers looking for an Egyptian-themed historical fantasy adventure set in the 1920s.
Thanks to Orbit/Redhook for the eARC via NetGalley.
The settings of 1920s London and Egypt felt well-researched and certainly well-described in Bright and Broken Things. There's a lot going on with its themes of racism, all manner of social injustice, class difference, past loves, grief, the trauma and survivor’s guilt of war, and complicated parent-child relationships.
To be honest, I kind of think there were too many themes, and I think the pace and character work suffered a bit because of a balancing issue. While the core group of characters—Ezra, Celia, Biz, and Vincent—were likeable enough and distinct from one another, none of them left a lasting impression on me.
Most of my complaints are personal nitpicks and preferences, but I think this book is a good option for readers looking for an Egyptian-themed historical fantasy adventure set in the 1920s.
Thanks to Orbit/Redhook for the eARC via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed this one. The pacing was good. I liked how the author developed their characters and tied the plot to their stories. She did a good job with bringing the storylines to a head and concluding it.
Incorporating the theft and perceived notions of Western entities being better suited to collect and showcase artifacts and cultural items from 'lesser' nations and their uncivilized minds was an appreciated element in this read.
Queer representation and PTSD from being drafted was handled very well. It was woven into how our characters interacted and were influenced.
As much as I enjoyed the magic depicted here, I was here for Hekamat/Ezra and Celia. There was entertaining banter and tender moments that further endeared these characters to me.
Incorporating the theft and perceived notions of Western entities being better suited to collect and showcase artifacts and cultural items from 'lesser' nations and their uncivilized minds was an appreciated element in this read.
Queer representation and PTSD from being drafted was handled very well. It was woven into how our characters interacted and were influenced.
As much as I enjoyed the magic depicted here, I was here for Hekamat/Ezra and Celia. There was entertaining banter and tender moments that further endeared these characters to me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5
Extreme historical fiction and fantasy lovers will love this book. This book makes you want to learn. I found it myself wanting to know more about Egyptian mythology, and even the history of Britain while reading this book. I really enjoyed the creativity and character depth in this book. Occasionally, you can get a little lost in the writing, and the streaming conversations in this book. But, for the most part your attention is kept enraptured. Overall, this book is a 3.5 for me because I didn’t love it enough to be a 4 star but I didn’t feel indifferent enough to give it a 3 star.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for giving me an advanced readers copy of this book.
Extreme historical fiction and fantasy lovers will love this book. This book makes you want to learn. I found it myself wanting to know more about Egyptian mythology, and even the history of Britain while reading this book. I really enjoyed the creativity and character depth in this book. Occasionally, you can get a little lost in the writing, and the streaming conversations in this book. But, for the most part your attention is kept enraptured. Overall, this book is a 3.5 for me because I didn’t love it enough to be a 4 star but I didn’t feel indifferent enough to give it a 3 star.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for giving me an advanced readers copy of this book.
August 27, 2026
Set among the Egyptology craze and glittering costume parties of 1920s London, this one takes a little time to find its footing but once it does the story delivers.
The historical setting is beautifully done, the magic feels grounded and original, and the characters are genuinely well written. The high stakes adventure across Egypt in the second half is exactly the kind of story I was hoping this would become from the first chapter.
A really enjoyable historical fantasy and one I would recommend to anyone who loves magic, ancient history and secret societies.
📖 Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
The historical setting is beautifully done, the magic feels grounded and original, and the characters are genuinely well written. The high stakes adventure across Egypt in the second half is exactly the kind of story I was hoping this would become from the first chapter.
A really enjoyable historical fantasy and one I would recommend to anyone who loves magic, ancient history and secret societies.
📖 Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Curl up in a cozy corner and forget yourself. This book was utterly captivating and I mourned the fact that it had to end. Adventure, love, loyalty and betrayal. The author did a beautiful job of setting the scene and immersing the reader into the wild and enchanting world of grave robbers and young adults navigating a recently broken society in the aftermaths of war. This story has lingered with me and I happily recommend this book to everyone. I am grateful for the opportunity to read this from NetGalley as an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bright and Broken Things (Kindle Edition)
by Ryan Graudin
This is a remarkable change in story type form Ryan Graudin's books which I have read before. The magical and remarkable world he has created is a refreshing jaunt. The combination of historical fiction and supernatural fiction is a new look. The roaring twenties never were so magical. The regret and pain of the first world war is prevalent in the characters. Showing the problems of "shell shock" and the mental cost of warfare. This brings the characters to the forefront of the story.
by Ryan Graudin
This is a remarkable change in story type form Ryan Graudin's books which I have read before. The magical and remarkable world he has created is a refreshing jaunt. The combination of historical fiction and supernatural fiction is a new look. The roaring twenties never were so magical. The regret and pain of the first world war is prevalent in the characters. Showing the problems of "shell shock" and the mental cost of warfare. This brings the characters to the forefront of the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fast paced historical fantasy that blends the Egyptology craze of the 1920s with the socialites of the Bright Young Thngs, and focuses in on a young bisexual WWI veteran from Egypt, his childhood friend - a heiress who's on the verge of ruin, and a mysterious magical order interested by Ezra's powers and what it might mean for them. This was a fairly solid read, I like that our main isn't inherently ashamed about being bi, and this feels very in the vein of the Mummy from the 90s. Worth your time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1920’s + puzzle box mystery + treasure hunt + Egyptian mythology + archeology vibes and throw in a dash of speakeasy - this book DELIVERED. This pacing is fantastic, great character development, the plot is well-executed, and EXCELLENT queer and feminist representation. The author lands the plane with the ending! I truly did not see the twist coming. I was so impressed with this one. Absolutely loved.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bright and Broken Things is the Egyptian mythology story I've been waiting for. Ryan Graudin blends magical realism, historical fiction, and adventure into something that feels both sweeping and intimate. The queer love story is tender and earned, the history is vivid without ever feeling like a lecture, and the book takes a sharp, thoughtful look at colonialism that gave the adventure real weight. If you want myth, heart, and momentum in one package, put this at the top of your TBR.
Did Not Finish
September 14, 2026DNF 29% - I’ve really loved some of Ryan Graudin’s YA books which is why I went past about 10% on this attempt. As it is, it doesn’t feel like anything has happened and I’m still just as confused as I was from page one. I don’t understand this magic system. There are British nobles in a magical MLM? They have to tithe their magic?? I just don’t get it. I think Claudia’s about to explain some things, but Ezra’s too distracted by his former flame and I just…don’t have time for this.
Review of advance copy
RTC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Graudin has a knack for writing intriguing plots, characters and world building. With such a unique and genuinely fantastic setup; Ezra Bright has a strong future ahead of him and the potential to grant a cult-like following. (Especially if there are more books..) It's so compellingly well done & unique impressions will linger long after finishing.
As someone who reads romantasy; the interpersonal relationships are realistic and well written. While Graudin's work in Bright and Broken Things isn't spicy, it is just as captivating and fulfilling to romantasy readers - which is a feat of its own.
As someone who reads romantasy; the interpersonal relationships are realistic and well written. While Graudin's work in Bright and Broken Things isn't spicy, it is just as captivating and fulfilling to romantasy readers - which is a feat of its own.
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