The Shattered Pact

The Wellspring Saga #1

by A. Michael Wright

The mark on Riven’s arm has never stopped burning.

For seventeen years, he has pretended it isn’t there — that the light bending wrong near his skin is nothing, that the hum beneath his feet is imagination, that the scar he’s carried since the night his village burned is just a scar.

Then the forest stops singing.

And something older than memory turns its eyes toward him.

Riven’s awakening draws the attention of two forces that have ruled the world since the gods first broke it apart: the Wellspring, whose servants hunt what they cannot control, and the Blight, whose hunger has waited seventeen years for exactly this moment.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2026

About the author

A. Michael Wright is the author of The Wellspring Saga, an epic fantasy series built on ancient gods, fracturing worlds, and characters who carry more weight than they were ever meant to bear. He lives in Texas and writes the kind of stories that began long before he found the words for them.
The Shattered Pact, The Fracture of Worlds, and The Seam of Gods are all available now.

Reviews

[Stefanie Verhelst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riven is the male protagonist in this epic fantasy story. From the very beginning I felt drawn to him and intrigued by his story.

This first book in the series has set a high level of expectancy, I believe great things will happen in the next book!

The world building and character build and growth are phenomenal and the greatest strength of this story.

One to follow!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lillian Wakulchyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from Voracious Readers. The story begins with a prologue about the making of this world and then moves to the protagonist Riven and his adventures along with some others that join him. There is a lot of world building and yet there are so many questions. I found the writing style to feel very lyrical if that makes sense , and somewhat introspective , the buildings felt or sensed, words held intention, characters were choosing who to become - I was hoping for more clear interactions between the characters and very much wanted more lore on Thorn . All in all a nice read and interesting addition to the fantasy book realm .

[Nancy Fagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Definitely a different world, but interesting. I like the characters and their commitment to each other. I'm also very interested in finding out what or who Riven is. I will definitely be reading book 2.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cheryl Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the concept of this book. I have to admit there were a couple of places I got confused where people were meant to be in connection with each other. I found the story really interesting and can't wait to read the sequel which I ha e now got

[Sonya Foley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows Riven our MC and his companions who are on a quest to seek answers to a curse put upon him. I found the world building and characters very descriptive.