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Halfheart
Not yet published
Expected 10 Nov 26
From the acclaimed author of The First Sister series, an epic fantasy set in a realm where gods devour each other to fuel their power, following a crew of unlikely allies on a desperate quest to stop the god of War from conquering the known world.
Years ago, the god of War took everything from aging mercenary Mordrena Halfheart—her homeland, her family, her god, even her magic. So when offered a place in the coalition of mages who aim to kill the War, she digs her nails and teeth into the chance at revenge. But the War is not the only god whose path is intertwined with Halfheart’s. Another has been lurking in her shadow for years, desperate to manipulate her fate to serve his own purpose.
As Halfheart and her unlikely allies journey to find the one weapon that might turn the tides of the War’s unrelenting conquest, long-buried secrets are revealed, loyalties tested, and the fate of the known world is left hanging in the balance.
An exploration of loss, grief, and power, Halfheart is a wild, soulful, structurally inventive, and immersive standalone that proves Lewis understands the epic fantasy genre just as well as they do space opera.
Years ago, the god of War took everything from aging mercenary Mordrena Halfheart—her homeland, her family, her god, even her magic. So when offered a place in the coalition of mages who aim to kill the War, she digs her nails and teeth into the chance at revenge. But the War is not the only god whose path is intertwined with Halfheart’s. Another has been lurking in her shadow for years, desperate to manipulate her fate to serve his own purpose.
As Halfheart and her unlikely allies journey to find the one weapon that might turn the tides of the War’s unrelenting conquest, long-buried secrets are revealed, loyalties tested, and the fate of the known world is left hanging in the balance.
An exploration of loss, grief, and power, Halfheart is a wild, soulful, structurally inventive, and immersive standalone that proves Lewis understands the epic fantasy genre just as well as they do space opera.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 10, 2026
About the author
Linden A. Lewis
5 books761 followersLinden A. Lewis is the Publishers Weekly bestselling author of The First Sister and author of the upcoming standalone fantasy novel Halfheart. They became a writer after learning that tattooed lady at the circus was not a sustainable career path. They currently live in Madrid where they enjoy larping, cosplaying, and being a servant to their cats. They are represented by Hannah Bowman at Liza Dawson Associates. They have a hatred of gatekeeping and regularly post what they’ve learned in the industry on their Substack. Find them on Instagram, Substack, and TikTok as @lindenalewis.
PLEASE NOTE: Linden cannot accept friend requests on Goodreads, as this somehow keeps Amazon from posting certain reviews. Sorry!
PLEASE NOTE: Linden cannot accept friend requests on Goodreads, as this somehow keeps Amazon from posting certain reviews. Sorry!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review originally on JamReads
With Halfheart, Linden A. Lewis has crafted something special: a heartbreaking standalone epic fantasy novel which shines in many aspects, a fast-paced epic tale that also has the space to interweave two stories in the same world, playing with the own nature of narrative, all with a badass female main-character, and at the center, a story that explores grief from many perspectives while keeping the epic scale of the stakes.
Years ago, the God of War took everything from the mercenary Mordrena Halfheart: her power, her family, her homeland, and even her god; completely alone in the world, she takes the opportunity when offered, joining a coalition of Mages that aim to find a weapon that will allow them to finally destroy War. But War is not the only god in Mordrena's path, as other seems to be lurking in the shadows, trying to manipulate her in order to serve another purpose; a journey that will test our characters as they try to find the weapon that will end War, but also allowing us to understand more about them.
Part of what makes this a brilliant novel is how Lewis intertwines two stories across the way, playing with the own figure of the narrator telling us about Halfheart, breaking the fourth wall, and another one whose relevance might not be understood at the start, but which in parts, also represents something similar. In part, what is being explored by both stories is the own nature of grief, how it affects people, and how it is possible to cope and rebuild yourself after the loss.
Mordrena is a marvelous main character, a badass female mercenary who is far from her best years, still trying to process all she lost at the hands of War; somebody in a really dark moment of her life, but who still tries once she's given the needed motivation. But the rest of the cast is equally brilliant, even if they are overshadowed by the sheer force of Mordrena and Seven (no, I won't tell more because I think you need to experience it); it is difficult to not develop some bonds with the whole group.
Despite this being a standalone novel, the worldbuilding is really ambitious, a world where Gods need their stories to be told and where they can collide and destroy each other, with War in a campaign to take over the world; the overall plot just feels as a single story in a really vast world, a heavy story about grief with the conflict as the background.
The pacing is not especially fast, allowing the reader to process how heavy it might feel at points, but I found it to be the perfect choice for this novel.
Halfheart is an excellent novel, even if it's difficult to capture it in words without spoiling too much; but if you are looking for an epic standalone story that also feels like a therapy season on grief, with a superb craft, you should read this one as soon as possible. Straight to the list of favourites!
With Halfheart, Linden A. Lewis has crafted something special: a heartbreaking standalone epic fantasy novel which shines in many aspects, a fast-paced epic tale that also has the space to interweave two stories in the same world, playing with the own nature of narrative, all with a badass female main-character, and at the center, a story that explores grief from many perspectives while keeping the epic scale of the stakes.
Years ago, the God of War took everything from the mercenary Mordrena Halfheart: her power, her family, her homeland, and even her god; completely alone in the world, she takes the opportunity when offered, joining a coalition of Mages that aim to find a weapon that will allow them to finally destroy War. But War is not the only god in Mordrena's path, as other seems to be lurking in the shadows, trying to manipulate her in order to serve another purpose; a journey that will test our characters as they try to find the weapon that will end War, but also allowing us to understand more about them.
Part of what makes this a brilliant novel is how Lewis intertwines two stories across the way, playing with the own figure of the narrator telling us about Halfheart, breaking the fourth wall, and another one whose relevance might not be understood at the start, but which in parts, also represents something similar. In part, what is being explored by both stories is the own nature of grief, how it affects people, and how it is possible to cope and rebuild yourself after the loss.
Mordrena is a marvelous main character, a badass female mercenary who is far from her best years, still trying to process all she lost at the hands of War; somebody in a really dark moment of her life, but who still tries once she's given the needed motivation. But the rest of the cast is equally brilliant, even if they are overshadowed by the sheer force of Mordrena and Seven (no, I won't tell more because I think you need to experience it); it is difficult to not develop some bonds with the whole group.
Despite this being a standalone novel, the worldbuilding is really ambitious, a world where Gods need their stories to be told and where they can collide and destroy each other, with War in a campaign to take over the world; the overall plot just feels as a single story in a really vast world, a heavy story about grief with the conflict as the background.
The pacing is not especially fast, allowing the reader to process how heavy it might feel at points, but I found it to be the perfect choice for this novel.
Halfheart is an excellent novel, even if it's difficult to capture it in words without spoiling too much; but if you are looking for an epic standalone story that also feels like a therapy season on grief, with a superb craft, you should read this one as soon as possible. Straight to the list of favourites!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When you read the synopsis of this book, you’re going to have assumptions for the story. Then you’ll get a few chapters in and realize you should never have done such a thing, because the places Halfheart will take you, and the stories you will hear, are more than what you were promised.
I have never read Lewis’ initial sci-fi series, the First Sister Trilogy. And because of this, I had no previous conception of how she writes. Without her previous work to color my vision, I believe she had an even more difficult job of absorbing me into her very first foray into fantasy; a job she accomplished wonderfully.
Halfheart is written for those of us who cannot have our stories without our character-driven plots. She had a way of making the plot flow less like a river, gently leading you from one point to the next, and more like a storm; you’ll land somewhere new, look around and try to get your bearings, then set off on a path that’s been kindly cleared of debris for you. At times, you’ll be disoriented. “Wait….what am I doing here? Wasn’t I just…” That’s intentional. And it’s FUN. Rather than being confused, I was set on catching even the most minuscule detail, collecting them. Because there may just be another kind of story we’re meant to hear.
With any sort of plot that involves traveling, my concern becomes repetitiveness. Such a concern was unwarranted here. I LOVED that things were kept fresh and interesting, rather than just going through the same things on the road over and over again. Lewis used a lot of plot devices to make sure we never got too comfortable. A++ there.
Now, imagine my surprise when the FMC Mordrena Halfheart was NOT the seemingly-standard fantasy 19 year old who falls into a new power. Actually, she’s the opposite: a mercenary pushing 40, whose hair has greyed, whose power has long been gone. She’s coarse, angry, heartbroken, and unapologetic about all three. I enjoyed getting to know her through her memories and experiences, watching those memories manifest into her behaviors. She isn’t some perfect Mary-Sue who defeats some darkening villain through the power she had inside all along *cue confetti.* Mordrena is raw, and she’s real. She’s an imperfect badass, which is my favorite kind. Throw her into a wildly differing cast of exhausted misfits, and we’ve got ourselves a party.
So why four stars and not five? I wish the setting had been a bit more fleshed out. A major aspect of any fantasy book is a developed setting with creative cultures. While we’re given a map at the beginning of the book, the different countries in the Halfheart world didn’t seem to have any distinctive cultures. They each were ruled by a different god, however I would’ve liked to have seen that manifest more in the form of quirks and unique traditions.
But seeing as we are in no short supply of uniqueness in this twisty, winding, trippy plot, I can definitely say Halfheart stands as a solid and gripping debut fantasy 🗡️
I have never read Lewis’ initial sci-fi series, the First Sister Trilogy. And because of this, I had no previous conception of how she writes. Without her previous work to color my vision, I believe she had an even more difficult job of absorbing me into her very first foray into fantasy; a job she accomplished wonderfully.
Halfheart is written for those of us who cannot have our stories without our character-driven plots. She had a way of making the plot flow less like a river, gently leading you from one point to the next, and more like a storm; you’ll land somewhere new, look around and try to get your bearings, then set off on a path that’s been kindly cleared of debris for you. At times, you’ll be disoriented. “Wait….what am I doing here? Wasn’t I just…” That’s intentional. And it’s FUN. Rather than being confused, I was set on catching even the most minuscule detail, collecting them. Because there may just be another kind of story we’re meant to hear.
With any sort of plot that involves traveling, my concern becomes repetitiveness. Such a concern was unwarranted here. I LOVED that things were kept fresh and interesting, rather than just going through the same things on the road over and over again. Lewis used a lot of plot devices to make sure we never got too comfortable. A++ there.
Now, imagine my surprise when the FMC Mordrena Halfheart was NOT the seemingly-standard fantasy 19 year old who falls into a new power. Actually, she’s the opposite: a mercenary pushing 40, whose hair has greyed, whose power has long been gone. She’s coarse, angry, heartbroken, and unapologetic about all three. I enjoyed getting to know her through her memories and experiences, watching those memories manifest into her behaviors. She isn’t some perfect Mary-Sue who defeats some darkening villain through the power she had inside all along *cue confetti.* Mordrena is raw, and she’s real. She’s an imperfect badass, which is my favorite kind. Throw her into a wildly differing cast of exhausted misfits, and we’ve got ourselves a party.
So why four stars and not five? I wish the setting had been a bit more fleshed out. A major aspect of any fantasy book is a developed setting with creative cultures. While we’re given a map at the beginning of the book, the different countries in the Halfheart world didn’t seem to have any distinctive cultures. They each were ruled by a different god, however I would’ve liked to have seen that manifest more in the form of quirks and unique traditions.
But seeing as we are in no short supply of uniqueness in this twisty, winding, trippy plot, I can definitely say Halfheart stands as a solid and gripping debut fantasy 🗡️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is absolutely going in my top reads for this year. I loved the First Sister Trilogy and was hoping this would live up to my expectations, and it absolutely did! You can tell the author poured their full heart into this novel, and it came together perfectly.
Characters: You follow two characters, Revna and Mordrena. Their stories are being narrated to you by a Storyteller, and I loved the way that was written. Both of these characters are fascinating. We get a lot of their stories, encompassing years. The character development was fantastic, and I felt each hurt, each victory, each happy moment. The minor characters were also well fleshed out, and I was so anxious about their fates.
World building: the world building was also great. I loved the concept of these Gods and this fight to devour and conquer. The concept of dedicants and how important they were to each God, and their role in the world was well thought out.
Plot: The concept sucked me in immediately. A quest to kill a God? The God of War no less? I’m sold. The pacing was great, I didn’t have a single moment where I was bored or waiting for something to happen. The reveals were well timed, and left me shocked!
I also absolutely loved the way the themes of grief and being left to love after loss was handled. This book doesn’t shy away from the hard topics, and really shows you the brutality of war. While I love a good series, I think this being a stand alone was the perfect length to tell this story.
I cannot wait to read more from this author.
Characters: You follow two characters, Revna and Mordrena. Their stories are being narrated to you by a Storyteller, and I loved the way that was written. Both of these characters are fascinating. We get a lot of their stories, encompassing years. The character development was fantastic, and I felt each hurt, each victory, each happy moment. The minor characters were also well fleshed out, and I was so anxious about their fates.
World building: the world building was also great. I loved the concept of these Gods and this fight to devour and conquer. The concept of dedicants and how important they were to each God, and their role in the world was well thought out.
Plot: The concept sucked me in immediately. A quest to kill a God? The God of War no less? I’m sold. The pacing was great, I didn’t have a single moment where I was bored or waiting for something to happen. The reveals were well timed, and left me shocked!
I also absolutely loved the way the themes of grief and being left to love after loss was handled. This book doesn’t shy away from the hard topics, and really shows you the brutality of war. While I love a good series, I think this being a stand alone was the perfect length to tell this story.
I cannot wait to read more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*Thank you Saga Press for the complimentary ARC of Halfheart*
The best stories (in my opinion) need a few things. I want a protagonist with agency, the Mor the better. I want preexisting character relationships that are fraught and bitter, and I want those characters thrown together with chagrin and common goals. And I want strong thematic arcs that serve the characters and the plot. Halfheart is a model example of all three, and gods did it satisfy my craving for a damn good story.
Allow me to break down more of what made it so good.
Worldbuilding (gods and magic)
The gods in this world are powered by "patterns," modes of behavior that fit their modus operandi (i.e., the War conquers and pillages, the Victory wins, etc.). The more they and their dedicants keep to these patterns, the more powerful the god, and conversely, acting against their pattern weakens them. That relationship between identity, worship, and divine power works so well in a story with themes of agency, because the most powerful beings are the ones most constrained in their choices. Perfection.
The human mages get their power from different sources (grief, might, etc.). While our main character is stripped of magic, we get to witness it around her and see the different implications and applications of the mage-based magic.
Characters
As I mentioned, I love character agency, and that is central to this book. Mor and Seven are the two main characters, and they both shape and influence the world through their choices, both big and small. Plus, they're both just damn cool in their own ways, full of unique characteristics. They bring the story to life through their grief, loss, and ability to love again despite it all.
Themes
The core theme, as I've mentioned, is agency, how choices move the world. Power has its influence, of course, but without the freedom to choose, that influence is stymied.
And like every great story, love conquers all! Love in its myriad forms is the raison d'être, the reason to live and keep on living.
The story revolves around its thematic axis, which I love love love.
Narrative structure and prose
This is where the book gets really fun. There's an unknown storyteller behind the scenes trying to construct a particular narrative, but there are other forces trying to tell us a different story. The push and pull is intriguing and unravels in a very satisfying way.
The prose has all the quippiness of an almost-middle-aged warrior with worn-out knees who has seen enough of the world's bullshit but keeps being dragged back for more. Most of the time it does its job and does it well, but some of the time it can't help but roll its metaphorical eyes.
My plea to the storyteller
I know this is a standalone... but does it have to be? I'm begging for, crying for, demanding more from this world! The magic system, these gods, I need! I think there are many more aspects of this world we could explore! Or if it must remain solo, I'll just have to read Linden A. Lewis' trilogy and anything else they deign to grace us with.
The best stories (in my opinion) need a few things. I want a protagonist with agency, the Mor the better. I want preexisting character relationships that are fraught and bitter, and I want those characters thrown together with chagrin and common goals. And I want strong thematic arcs that serve the characters and the plot. Halfheart is a model example of all three, and gods did it satisfy my craving for a damn good story.
Allow me to break down more of what made it so good.
Worldbuilding (gods and magic)
The gods in this world are powered by "patterns," modes of behavior that fit their modus operandi (i.e., the War conquers and pillages, the Victory wins, etc.). The more they and their dedicants keep to these patterns, the more powerful the god, and conversely, acting against their pattern weakens them. That relationship between identity, worship, and divine power works so well in a story with themes of agency, because the most powerful beings are the ones most constrained in their choices. Perfection.
The human mages get their power from different sources (grief, might, etc.). While our main character is stripped of magic, we get to witness it around her and see the different implications and applications of the mage-based magic.
Characters
As I mentioned, I love character agency, and that is central to this book. Mor and Seven are the two main characters, and they both shape and influence the world through their choices, both big and small. Plus, they're both just damn cool in their own ways, full of unique characteristics. They bring the story to life through their grief, loss, and ability to love again despite it all.
Themes
The core theme, as I've mentioned, is agency, how choices move the world. Power has its influence, of course, but without the freedom to choose, that influence is stymied.
And like every great story, love conquers all! Love in its myriad forms is the raison d'être, the reason to live and keep on living.
The story revolves around its thematic axis, which I love love love.
Narrative structure and prose
This is where the book gets really fun. There's an unknown storyteller behind the scenes trying to construct a particular narrative, but there are other forces trying to tell us a different story. The push and pull is intriguing and unravels in a very satisfying way.
The prose has all the quippiness of an almost-middle-aged warrior with worn-out knees who has seen enough of the world's bullshit but keeps being dragged back for more. Most of the time it does its job and does it well, but some of the time it can't help but roll its metaphorical eyes.
My plea to the storyteller
I know this is a standalone... but does it have to be? I'm begging for, crying for, demanding more from this world! The magic system, these gods, I need! I think there are many more aspects of this world we could explore! Or if it must remain solo, I'll just have to read Linden A. Lewis' trilogy and anything else they deign to grace us with.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
“There are things you believe that you recall with absolute clarity, things you feel that have cut into your skin and left marks.”
It’s like Linden was speaking to you out of the pages while reading, feeling scene with every grieving moment and wounds that felt sharp.
This book felt powerful in its own way where Linden brings us a story that speaks to you in so many ways with every grieving moment and wounds attached to you as your heart reaches out to every single character in Halfheart, exploring their own complex ways and how they deal of what has been lost. Taking you down memory lane with them while fighting your way to stop the God of War.
This was an incredible standalone that felt epic and richly layered in the world building of Crescent Isle where the past lingers to your present day. Where Gods need their stories as told in the beginning and where one God and another collide taking more power from you.
That is what the God of War did to Mordrena. Her power has been taken away from her. Her family and homeland gone. Completely alone in this world now joining the Mages to seek revenge on this God. But you get this eerie feeling that something is after Mor. Stalking her in a way to manipulate her fate.
Despite the journey and wild adventure we go through in here with these characters, my favorite parts were understanding the feelings in the moment with our side characters like Dom for example. Chosen to care for the people that have been harmed from this darkness. Remembering what this war has done to them and speaking truth that they need to be devoured. It was beautifully tragic all the way through!
Thank you Linden for creating an extraordinary storytelling that I was not ready to leave from! Creating a path of how are gods made. A feeling of could we change the world together. Showing all types of love between family and friends etc. Halfheart will forever stay close to my heart 🖤
Thank you Saga Press for the early advance copy! ✨
It’s like Linden was speaking to you out of the pages while reading, feeling scene with every grieving moment and wounds that felt sharp.
This book felt powerful in its own way where Linden brings us a story that speaks to you in so many ways with every grieving moment and wounds attached to you as your heart reaches out to every single character in Halfheart, exploring their own complex ways and how they deal of what has been lost. Taking you down memory lane with them while fighting your way to stop the God of War.
This was an incredible standalone that felt epic and richly layered in the world building of Crescent Isle where the past lingers to your present day. Where Gods need their stories as told in the beginning and where one God and another collide taking more power from you.
That is what the God of War did to Mordrena. Her power has been taken away from her. Her family and homeland gone. Completely alone in this world now joining the Mages to seek revenge on this God. But you get this eerie feeling that something is after Mor. Stalking her in a way to manipulate her fate.
Despite the journey and wild adventure we go through in here with these characters, my favorite parts were understanding the feelings in the moment with our side characters like Dom for example. Chosen to care for the people that have been harmed from this darkness. Remembering what this war has done to them and speaking truth that they need to be devoured. It was beautifully tragic all the way through!
Thank you Linden for creating an extraordinary storytelling that I was not ready to leave from! Creating a path of how are gods made. A feeling of could we change the world together. Showing all types of love between family and friends etc. Halfheart will forever stay close to my heart 🖤
Thank you Saga Press for the early advance copy! ✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
TL;DR: A heartbreaking standalone fantasy epic.
Source: NetGalley, so many thanks to the publisher!
Plot: Halfheart gets roped into stopping the War from consuming yet another God,
Characters: No one here was perfect, everyone was flawed and nuanced, it was lovely.
Setting: A dark and ruined world, I quite enjoyed the setting as well.
Fantasy: If you want a standalone fantasy epic, this is a great one. It has all the trappings.
Thoughts:
Mordrena Halfheart is trying to just survive in a world where the Gods can consume one another to grow in power. Naturally the War is consuming everyone, including the god she once served. However fleeing is never going to work and she ends up tasked with assisting in stopping the War before he gets any farther.
My only complaint here is the pacing and how heavy this felt - I’ll just come right out and say that. The pacing felt a bit choppy, jumped a bit, and I think that’s just owning entirely to the fact that we needed to jam everything in this into this one volume. I did love the narrative structure, I just wish it was a hair smoother in it’s execution.
As to the heaviness, that was intentional and I don’t hold it against it at all, I just want to make sure you’re aware. It’s heavy. This book is about grief, loss, and rebuilding after that. As someone who has dealt with an intense amount of grief in the last year, this felt like a heavy weight every time I read it.
Besides those two notes this was intense, well constructed with a beautiful narrative structure. I loved the complexities of the characters, the shape and style of the world. So much of this was absolutely enthralling and shows a writer really coming into their own. If you want a standalone epic fantasy, this is the one to try.
Source: NetGalley, so many thanks to the publisher!
Plot: Halfheart gets roped into stopping the War from consuming yet another God,
Characters: No one here was perfect, everyone was flawed and nuanced, it was lovely.
Setting: A dark and ruined world, I quite enjoyed the setting as well.
Fantasy: If you want a standalone fantasy epic, this is a great one. It has all the trappings.
Thoughts:
Mordrena Halfheart is trying to just survive in a world where the Gods can consume one another to grow in power. Naturally the War is consuming everyone, including the god she once served. However fleeing is never going to work and she ends up tasked with assisting in stopping the War before he gets any farther.
My only complaint here is the pacing and how heavy this felt - I’ll just come right out and say that. The pacing felt a bit choppy, jumped a bit, and I think that’s just owning entirely to the fact that we needed to jam everything in this into this one volume. I did love the narrative structure, I just wish it was a hair smoother in it’s execution.
As to the heaviness, that was intentional and I don’t hold it against it at all, I just want to make sure you’re aware. It’s heavy. This book is about grief, loss, and rebuilding after that. As someone who has dealt with an intense amount of grief in the last year, this felt like a heavy weight every time I read it.
Besides those two notes this was intense, well constructed with a beautiful narrative structure. I loved the complexities of the characters, the shape and style of the world. So much of this was absolutely enthralling and shows a writer really coming into their own. If you want a standalone epic fantasy, this is the one to try.
October 18, 2026
Thank you Saga Press for the advanced copy for my review!
Halfheart was one of my most anticipated releases of 2026 & after following the author for years, I have seen them post about how much this book means to them after experiencing grief.
I will start off my saying I feel extremely maternal to Seven & enjoyed their chapters/character arc the most out of everyone we meet. Once I realized who they were I was so so invested.
Additionally, the magic system was very unique & I enjoyed all of the lore with the gods & how they work into the world. I do wish more was explored as I am left wanting to learn more!!!
Unfortunately I just never really felt connected to Mor. Mor was a strong FMC & a few of her moments where she looks back on how she’s old made me be like “REAALLLL”. Her drive for the story will definitely resonate with people who have experienced grief & loss of those close them & I am fortunate to not have personally experienced that in my life (yet), so maybe this story will resonate with me more when I go through that myself.
There is breaking of the fourth wall which at first I was like ok I dig this, then the middle I was like maybe not & then at the end I had that “ooohhhhhh” moment.
Overall, it was a solid read for me but not without flaws.
Halfheart was one of my most anticipated releases of 2026 & after following the author for years, I have seen them post about how much this book means to them after experiencing grief.
I will start off my saying I feel extremely maternal to Seven & enjoyed their chapters/character arc the most out of everyone we meet. Once I realized who they were I was so so invested.
Additionally, the magic system was very unique & I enjoyed all of the lore with the gods & how they work into the world. I do wish more was explored as I am left wanting to learn more!!!
Unfortunately I just never really felt connected to Mor. Mor was a strong FMC & a few of her moments where she looks back on how she’s old made me be like “REAALLLL”. Her drive for the story will definitely resonate with people who have experienced grief & loss of those close them & I am fortunate to not have personally experienced that in my life (yet), so maybe this story will resonate with me more when I go through that myself.
There is breaking of the fourth wall which at first I was like ok I dig this, then the middle I was like maybe not & then at the end I had that “ooohhhhhh” moment.
Overall, it was a solid read for me but not without flaws.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press / S&S for the advance e-ARC of Halfheart in exchange for my honest review.
Halfheart is a short tale with an epic feel. I really enjoyed the journey and the characters, but the distinctive premise and world-building were what made this one stand out to me. There is something especially satisfying about a book that can offer the adventure of a much longer story without requiring hundreds of pages to get there. The world felt imaginative and different, giving me more to enjoy than just finding out what would happen next. Just as importantly, the characters gave me a reason to care about the journey itself. That combination made this an engaging read rather than simply an interesting concept. I appreciated how much this story accomplished in a relatively short space. If you enjoy fantasy with a unique setting, memorable characters, and a journey that feels bigger than its page count, Halfheart is worth picking up.
Halfheart is a short tale with an epic feel. I really enjoyed the journey and the characters, but the distinctive premise and world-building were what made this one stand out to me. There is something especially satisfying about a book that can offer the adventure of a much longer story without requiring hundreds of pages to get there. The world felt imaginative and different, giving me more to enjoy than just finding out what would happen next. Just as importantly, the characters gave me a reason to care about the journey itself. That combination made this an engaging read rather than simply an interesting concept. I appreciated how much this story accomplished in a relatively short space. If you enjoy fantasy with a unique setting, memorable characters, and a journey that feels bigger than its page count, Halfheart is worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Halfheart is an incredible read. First and foremost, it's a fast-paced epic fantasy tale with an incredibly badass female protagonist. But it's also so much more than that! It asks questions about how one can remake oneself after grief has shattered us into a million pieces, and answers some of them with a thrilling tale of revenge involving an arena-champion cutting through everything and everyone to exact revenge from the god of war. It also explores shifting identities and messed-up families as only Linden can, and finally, it masterfully weaves its many storylines into an exploration of the power of storytelling itself. If you like fast-paced action, heartbreaking romance and drama, you'll have an amazing time. But if you, like me, also enjoy well-built epic fantasy with depth to it, you're in for the ride of a lifetime.
September 2, 2026
“You want revenge? I’m offering you a chance to take it.”
I was lucky enough to read it before its release, and I have to say, I haven't read a standalone, original high-fantasy novel in a long time, so this story felt incredibly refreshing and I was very excited that Halfheart was a more serious and mature book than many current trends. It felt a lot like life itself, rough, real, and full of family, friends, companionship, grief, love and all of life's strange, sometimes dark twists, set against a world of gods, heroes, and magic.
And what I enjoyed was not just Mordrena Halfheart's tale, but the weirdly funny appearances of the Storyteller. I would love to sit down with them and have a tea together.
Without giving anything away, I can only say that now I'm longing for a spinoff, shining with a purple gleam...
I was lucky enough to read it before its release, and I have to say, I haven't read a standalone, original high-fantasy novel in a long time, so this story felt incredibly refreshing and I was very excited that Halfheart was a more serious and mature book than many current trends. It felt a lot like life itself, rough, real, and full of family, friends, companionship, grief, love and all of life's strange, sometimes dark twists, set against a world of gods, heroes, and magic.
And what I enjoyed was not just Mordrena Halfheart's tale, but the weirdly funny appearances of the Storyteller. I would love to sit down with them and have a tea together.
Without giving anything away, I can only say that now I'm longing for a spinoff, shining with a purple gleam...
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
ARC from Edelweiss+
I liked the overall themes of the story and enjoyed following along with journey. I felt at certain times the pace lagged then picked up and then lagged and its skipped (in pace) around. I did enjoy the reveals at the end. I think certain parts of the story could have come to together in a better way and been executed better.
I liked the overall themes of the story and enjoyed following along with journey. I felt at certain times the pace lagged then picked up and then lagged and its skipped (in pace) around. I did enjoy the reveals at the end. I think certain parts of the story could have come to together in a better way and been executed better.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review has my own thoughts and opinions of my own. Honestly, this book was okay. It does remind me a bit of Red Rising series. However, the book felt slow for me. I can still recommend it. But like I said, this book was a maybe. I did not care that much on the characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I wrote this while lost in grief, and it’s my love letter to those I miss more than life itself. Hope you enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"She'd cover him in scars just to leave her mark on him."
📱 eARC
🌟 5
Listen, I finished this almost two days ago now and I've been processing it ever since. This story has just cemented why Linden A. Lewis is one of my all-time favorites, and I don't see them getting dethroned. The craft speaks directly to my soul and instill echoing in my heart.
Ultimately, this is a story about grief and the lengths we go to reconcile that pain with our new reality. It's honestly one of the most powerful and devastating explorations I've experienced - quite literally only the second book I've ever experienced to make me actively shed tears in response to the prose and I loved it. My chest still aches to think about it.
It's also a story about the kinds of love we fill our lives with. Not just romantic, but familial, too, and sometimes those bonds are even more crucial to our wellbeing.
Mordrena, Seven, Artyr, even Dom and Kiernan... gods I could live in their stories for ages. The beauty of their agony & their love both. I fear this story has embedded itself into my soul and I will never be rid of it. And frankly I don't want to be.
Oh, and the tale of the Bride of the Pit?? I would die for a novella just for her story. Yes, we already got it, but I want more detail, more pain in my heart.
Notable quotes that helped to demolish me:
"Until I met you, no one saw me for who I am, only for what I could offer."
"Everything I've done is because at the end of this, I want to be able to hold on to you. I want to have you and never be made to let go, even by the gods."
"I can never forgive you for that."
...
"I'm not asking for your forgiveness. Just your understanding. Just the chance to fix things."
"Wasn't this a perfect way to fill the gaps the dead had left behind?"
"He had chosen them. Perhaps not at first, but every day since. Now they chose him back."
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
📱 eARC
🌟 5
Listen, I finished this almost two days ago now and I've been processing it ever since. This story has just cemented why Linden A. Lewis is one of my all-time favorites, and I don't see them getting dethroned. The craft speaks directly to my soul and instill echoing in my heart.
Ultimately, this is a story about grief and the lengths we go to reconcile that pain with our new reality. It's honestly one of the most powerful and devastating explorations I've experienced - quite literally only the second book I've ever experienced to make me actively shed tears in response to the prose and I loved it. My chest still aches to think about it.
It's also a story about the kinds of love we fill our lives with. Not just romantic, but familial, too, and sometimes those bonds are even more crucial to our wellbeing.
Mordrena, Seven, Artyr, even Dom and Kiernan... gods I could live in their stories for ages. The beauty of their agony & their love both. I fear this story has embedded itself into my soul and I will never be rid of it. And frankly I don't want to be.
Oh, and the tale of the Bride of the Pit?? I would die for a novella just for her story. Yes, we already got it, but I want more detail, more pain in my heart.
Notable quotes that helped to demolish me:
"Until I met you, no one saw me for who I am, only for what I could offer."
"Everything I've done is because at the end of this, I want to be able to hold on to you. I want to have you and never be made to let go, even by the gods."
"I can never forgive you for that."
...
"I'm not asking for your forgiveness. Just your understanding. Just the chance to fix things."
"Wasn't this a perfect way to fill the gaps the dead had left behind?"
"He had chosen them. Perhaps not at first, but every day since. Now they chose him back."
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Halfheart is riveting and unputdownable, a must-read for fans of The Raven Scholar.
In a world where gods can devour each other, Mordrena “Mor” Halfheart has long suffered the loss of her deity, her family, and her best friend at the hand of the War, a god bent on world domination. When her best friend returns, offering her an opportunity for revenge, Mor must find a way to kill the god, War, or die trying.
What ensues is an action-packed scramble to save both herself and the fate of the world. Through action-packed chapters and a clever dual-narrative I couldn’t get enough of, Lewis weaves a complex world with devastatingly human characters suffering under the weight of unimaginable grief. The result is a story that is raw, heartbreaking, and wholly immersive.
If you like books that explore grief, revenge, power, forgiveness and godhood, I cannot recommend Halfheart highly enough. And while this book is a standalone with a satisfying, powerhouse ending, I would happily return for another story in this world.
In a world where gods can devour each other, Mordrena “Mor” Halfheart has long suffered the loss of her deity, her family, and her best friend at the hand of the War, a god bent on world domination. When her best friend returns, offering her an opportunity for revenge, Mor must find a way to kill the god, War, or die trying.
What ensues is an action-packed scramble to save both herself and the fate of the world. Through action-packed chapters and a clever dual-narrative I couldn’t get enough of, Lewis weaves a complex world with devastatingly human characters suffering under the weight of unimaginable grief. The result is a story that is raw, heartbreaking, and wholly immersive.
If you like books that explore grief, revenge, power, forgiveness and godhood, I cannot recommend Halfheart highly enough. And while this book is a standalone with a satisfying, powerhouse ending, I would happily return for another story in this world.
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