The City Of Fractured Memory

by Ivy Carter

Come and play, Detective Wren…

Suspended above the inky expanse of Lake Voyd, and imprisoned by the mists of The Veil above, Velmora is a city fractured by war, where mortal magic is strictly prohibited and secrets breed like shadows.

When a string of seemingly impossible murders rattles the city, disgraced Detective Octavia Wren is plagued with cryptic notes, sent by the supposed murderer, goading her into the case. Dragged back into the shadows of the job she lost, she starts uncovering threads of a conspiracy that curls beneath Velmora like a sleeping leviathan, threatening to pull the entire city into the depths.

As trust fractures and loyalties collapse, lies spreading like poison, Octavia must decide who she can trust—including herself. But the investigation cuts closer than she ever expected, each revelation prying open truths she never asked to face. A devastating secret binds her to the murders, a conspiracy, and a prophecy that could either save Velmora…or end it.

–

The City of Fractured Memory is the first book in an epic fantasy romance duology where forbidden magic, impossible murders, and a world-ending prophecy collide.

Follow Detective Octavia Wren as she tries to solve an impossible case, with the help of her best friend and secret stow-away, Stryx. When a series of locked-room murders unfold, each victim found impossibly locked away with their memories magically stolen, Octavia is drawn into an investigation that uncovers an ancient cult, forgotten magic, and terrible secrets that bind her to the murders. Every clue points toward one man, Riven, the infamous Governor with a psychotic reputation and feared across Velmora.
But when things take an unexpected turn, she is forced into an uneasy alliance with the very man she's trying to bring to justice, and Octavia begins to question everything she thought she knew. As long-forgotten memories begin to resurface, Octavia discovers the memories of her life are not as accurate as she thought. Caught between two worlds and haunted by a destiny she never chose, she must race to stop an ancient force from breaking free before the barrier separating realms is destroyed forever.

But the closer she grows to Riven, the more dangerous the truth becomes. Because monsters are not always born from darkness... Sometimes, they're created by the people we choose to love.

Perfect for readers who love:

- Sherlock and The DaVinci Code
- Slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance
- Morally grey love interests
- Murder mysteries and ancient conspiracies
- Forbidden magic and hidden identities
- Epic fantasy with unique, stunning world-building
- High stakes, shocking twists, and emotional betrayal

Genres: Fantasy

446 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2026

About the author

Ivy Carter is a proud mum of two, a lifelong storyteller, and a firm believer in the magic of messy first drafts. From the moment she could hold a pen, she was scribbling down adventures, building worlds, and dreaming of one day becoming an author. After years of many, many unfinished notebooks and plot twists scribbled on scraps of paper, she finally wrangled her ADHD into submission- just long enough to finish the book she always knew she had in her.

When she’s not writing, she’s chasing after her kids, coffee, and the next burst of inspiration.

Reviews

[Lauriane Sear · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

I don't usually go for fantasy but was intrigued to see how a fantasy x murder mystery would work and was not disappointed! Loved the writing and the characters. Also the pronunciation guide at the beginning was a nice touch. Can't wait to read book 2!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

One. Two. Dead. Puzzled.
Who do you call?
Wren
She can unlock this mystery with magic
But every piece of magic has consequences
Fired because of a vendetta taken too far
Unsolved mystery notes from her last case
Called back to solve a mystery because of her special magic helps her see things others cannot at the scene of a crime.

The story takes place in Velmora city fractured by war where mortals are forbidden to use magic. But there are secrets lurking where you don't expect them.

Why is Wren so drawn to Riven

What secrets are lurking behind the shadows

Meet her spunky bestfriend called Stryx, who tries to help her solve this case. But some people are safer as a secret and when they come out they are in danger and Wren has sworn to keep Stryx safe as a Irithys an ethernal creature who is stunning but also those of her kind are kept as slaves in the mortal realm.

When a prophecy is spoken to Wren she discovers that is a truth behind everything happening to her.

What is this prophecy well you will have to read to find out and be prepared to kept on the edge of your seat the whole time as Wren, Riven and Stryx all play a card in unlocking a mystery that is occurring in Velmora.

This was quite an emotional read for me and I got quite invested in the story loved how Ivy shaped her storyline, the characters the plot and more. While this is her first novel you wouldn't have guessed based on how well it was crafted.

If you love Sherlock holmes this is one mystery he would recommend you try and solve.

[K.J. Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only another cage. And I’ve slipped out of worse.’

‘Never underestimate someone who has been dragged repeatedly into the darkness and clawed their way back every time.’

I love a badass strong FMC and Ophelia did not disappoint. It was amazing to read something where the main character suffers with pain and chronic illness but manages to beat all odds.

This story drew me in from the get go and believe me when I say it was non-stop throughout. It’s difficult to throw me with twists but every single one of them (and my god, there was lots!) got me good.

TCOFM combines two of my favourite genres: fantasy & thriller and it was done SO well.

The characters were so well developed and their relationships complicated and heart warming in equal measure.

The world building was beautiful, yet not overwhelming in its description and I loved the uniqueness of the levelled society and the void beneath. The author drew the map herself and it
Really helped me to picture everything.

Stryx was by far my favourite character and the magic system was just as amazing as the world building.

I honestly cannot recommend this story enough! This is one of my favourite ARCs I’ve ever read by far, and I’m itching for book 2!

[Nixy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Functioning on this little sleep never does me any good, but I'll get plenty of rest when I'm dead, and right now, the dead need me to bring them justice."

The city of fractured memory, takes place in a city called "Velmora" which was fractured by war and is suspended above the inky expanse of Lake Voyd, and imprisoned by the mists of The Veil above. Mortal magic is strictly prohibited and secrets breed like shadows.
We follows a detective, Octavia Wren, who, together with her child hood best friend, Xavier, and and secret stow-away, Stryx, is trying to solve a series of strange murders that start to happen at the beginning of the book.
Stryx, is literally one of my new favourite characters of all time. She is an Echofae and can shape shift between a human and a dragon form, later on in the book you'll learn more about the Echofae and I absolutely loved that part of the story. I think the world building and atmosphere that the author created was so refreshing and I loved getting to know more about this world (Which also has an absolutely stunning map might I add >.<)

However the reason I placed this around 3-3.5-stars is mainly because of the way the romantic plot line was executed. I just didn't really feel the romantic chemistry at all and actually liked the book a lot more whenever the love interest wasn't there, which is maybe also part of the issue I was having, that the love interest was actually not really there a lot of the time and mainly popped up every now and then "to make an appearance" it almost felt like, to then vanish again. We never actually had any proper character relationship or build-up between the two, but somehow the FMC feels drawn to him from the start (Similar to the "fated mate trope"). Whilst Octavia is solving the murders we find out more about him through other people and she discovers that he is actually not the "bad guy" he was painted to be, so by the time she meets him again at the end of the book they instantly start hitting it off. So even though it's marked as a slow burn which could be seen as true given the romance doesn't start hitting it off until the end of the book, I also didn't feel like there was much of a "burn" to get there and was way more invested in the murder mystery, world exploration and the friendship between Octavia and Stryx, which, again, is literally one of my favourite friendships I've read about in a really long time.
I also want to mention that in case you have seen this book marketed with the "Student x teacher" trope, this is not want it sounds like. The love interest is in no way her actual teacher, he merely explained her how to do something once and that must be why they tagged the book with that trope, but don't go into this expecting an actual academy or training arc where he is her teacher/instructor.

Overall I think I still want to read the sequel given how much I loved this world and some of the characters, and would recommend it if you like:
🐉 Fantasy x Murder mystery
✨ Found family
🐉 unique world building
✨ Magical creatures
The series also has a "Disability rep", but I honestly kinda kept forgetting about it. It was present but I never felt like it was to big of a deal given she could get healed by magic quite fast every time she was in pain.

I know I might sound really critical but I did really like a lot about this story, just feel like some of the marketing tropes weren't really accurate/ it could have done without some things like the disability rep, or have been executed better.
I also want to thank the author for giving me the ARC I really appreciate it <3

Lastly here are some of my favourite quotes:

"You want to talk your way through everything, smooth over every jagged edge until the world looks pretty and civilised. but the world isn't civilised, Xavier. It's rotten. And sometimes the rot needs to be cut out."

"You may think I'm weak, but it is overcoming my weaknesses that make me even stronger. Never underestimate someone who has been dragged repeatedly into the darkness and clawed their way back every time."

"Your parents died when you were a child, and for that I am truly sorry. But because you lost them so young, you seem to have retained an infantilised ideology of the concept of family. Sharing blood does not mean anything. Being born into a family rarely comprises of hugs, kisses and unconditional love. It is often brutal, competitive and savage. I learned this the hard way, and now so will he.

[Paola Gil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly a HUGE thank you to Ivy Carter, the author of this book, to give me the opportunity to be part of the ARC team of her precios book. I really enjoyed and can't wait for the second book to come!!

A book that shows that not everything is like it seems...

“This is only another cage. And I’ve slipped out of worse [...] Never underestimate someone who has been dragged repeatedly into the darkness and clawed their way back every time.”

This book combines the fantasy and Thriller genres perfectly, which are 2 of my favourite ones.
Perfect for readers who wants to feel like they are a mix of Robert Langdon (DaVinci Code) and Clary Fairchild (City of Bones)

The world building is great, yet not overwhelming in its description and I loved how unique this city is. A city trapped between an almost impenetrable fog and the void (a lake) beneath. The author drew the map herself and it really helps to picture it.

Octavia’s determination to not let her circumstances dictate how she wants to live her life is inspiring and it really helps you relate to the author who has portrayed both her physical and mental pain in this character. On top of this, as a detective she always strive to find the reason behind everything. She doesn’t take the obvious facts as a definitive answer and she doesn’t stop asking the difficult questions, even if the real answer will break her heart.

I wouldn’t say this is a slow-burn romantasy as there isn’t much “slow” there but the way Ivy builds and explains the tension between Octavia and her love interest is amazing and actually makes sense. I hate romances that are very fast track because it normally feels forced but in this book, the relation feels very organic. It relates to the above mentioned; is Octavia pretty much following her instincts and looking past the obvious (although she notably doesn’t like to be guided just by her “gut feelings”).

Now for the twists... I am proud to say I normally guess what the twists are going to be, it makes me think I can see the writers intention and/or planning and then I have a good "I KNEW IT" moment. There were definitely a couple of those moments where I knew what certain character were going to turn up to be BUT there were also "got you" moments where I wasn't expecting certain twist AT ALL. I am afraid the end and its cliff hunger will live rent free in my head until I know what is happening in the second book!

Characters:
Although Octavia is the main character, my favourite one is Stryx. Such a strong and sweet soul, connected to the nature and willing to help Octavia in anything.

For the MMC, I think I haven't read such a good morally grey MMC as the one depicted by Ivy in this book. Very good reasons to kill someone hahah.

As for the bad guys, I am really looking forward to how they will bring them down in the next book!

Overall a 3.5/4 stars for me :)

[Danni W · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

This magical murder mystery sees a disgraced detective and her contraband bestie take on locked room murders, cults and prophecies.

In ‘The City of Fractured Memory’ ex-detective Octavia Wren takes on murders she shouldn’t be investigating whilst suffering from the physical and mental effects of chronic illness, which I feel the author writes about very well and it’s great for chronic illness representation in books, especially having our main character as the one affected.

‘The second the glyphs are charged, the inflammation in my joints lessens and they feel more stabilised, the grinding easing. My bones remember where they belong, if only for a little while. I exhale heavily as the fog in my brain fuelled by pain slowly evaporates and I can think more clearly.’

Receiving cryptic notes from someone unknown, she (with help from her best friend Stryx) attempts not only to find the mysterious writer of the notes but also figure out impossible murders that happen in locked rooms with heavy blood loss and no wounds.

‘How does one bleed without being broken?’

Ivy Carter has managed to build a dynamic, beautiful world with magic systems both natural and ‘unnatural’. I enjoyed the costs of her magic systems, and the way in which they work. They are well thought out and I can't wait to find out more because there are more questions about this system still to be answered that I’m sure will be in the next book.
She introduced doubt so well that you didn’t trust your own judgement throughout the whole book and the ending was such a great twist I would never have seen coming.

She also has great characters and I really hope we get more of Osiris in the next book - comedic relief characters are my favourite → ‘Don’t you have to be stupid somewhere else?’ He shrugs, checking an imaginary timepiece. “Nah, not until seven.’

Some believe the romance to be rushed but I think it’s just right - and I really enjoyed the way they played off each other, it felt very natural.

‘You’re absolutely insane,’ he mutters with a lopsided smile.
‘Maybe,’ I answer, stepping past him into the dark, ‘but you followed me.’
‘That I did,’ he mutters

Overall I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s a fan of romantasy and murder mystery. I really enjoyed this book and I’m very excited to read (but very sad to wait) for the next installment!

I would love to thank Ivy Carter so much for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.It was so special to me to be chosen to do this, and I can’t thank you enough!

[Morgan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excuse me while I go crash out about this book, in the best way possible! Because what do you mean that was the ending????

Octavia Wren, the FMC, was the perfect mix of bad*ss and vulnerable. The journey she goes through just within this book was absolutely amazingly written. I fell in love with her sass and her inner strength. We follow Octavia throughout the investigation of dead seers in mysterious circumstances and I was literally on the edge of my seat because NOTHING and I mean NOTHING is what it seems. I am a sucker for murder mysteries and this book did not disappoint. I was literally trying to piece together the murders up until the end of this book. This book is written in only Octavia 's POV so what she knows is what we know, which adds to the mystery.

She works together with her former coworker, Xavier, who is high up as a detective, to solve these murders. But this is where things just get them more surprising and mysterious. Octavia and her shadow, Octavia and her secret roommate, Octavia and the mysterious notes. So much is pointing to Octavia that we as readers are starting to doubt if any of the information we are receiving can be trusted.

Then we are introduced to Stryx, who is definitely not who she seems. Octavia goes through a lot of risk keeping Stryx safe and out of the public eye because her very presence is a guaranteed prison cell or forced slavery. I really loved the different aspects of this world with the mortals and the lore with the gods but also just another realm that has individuals who use magic. I really loved this part of the storytelling.

As the murders start to rack up, Riven Ashfell enters the picture and Ohmygod I cannot get enough of him. His sarcasm and his banter with Octavia had me giggling and kicking my feet. He portrays such an intimidating figure but like the amount of times I was just grinning like an idiot by the things he says was a lot. Once he and Octavia decide to work together, the story gets more intense.

The behind the scenes situations were absolutely stacking up. The secret societies, the guessing of who was really evil in this book was crazy, and just the BETRAYALS. Because what do you mean there was a betrayal ON TOP of a betrayal, like excuse me????? But I seriously need the next book immediately because that ending was absolutely diabolical.

[Alex Noha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC of this book.
.
The murder mystery definitely had me curious, especially where all the blood was coming from. My first guess was that, because there's magic here, there was some sort of magical draining system that locked doors wouldn't necessarily be able to block. It does get explained, though I won't spoil how. The disabled rep is very nice, the difficulty keeping up with a magical disability aid and no legal way to obtain one is definitely a pain but something that feels realistic. Octavia's trust and how it's used against her play in to how we view the characters and the sense of confusion pretty well.
.
For the not-so-good: The main character's white hair feels like it should've been more of a problem, because simply putting a hood up to cover it would not completely hide it from people; I understand that among people she saw regularly it would be known that this was from an illness, but if this is a city there would be a lot of people that wouldn't know her and would assume she's Echofae or mixed. I can do suspension of disbelief for a fantasy novel, but to tell me that there is absolutely no couples… Absolutely no illegitimate children? Slave owners have not historically been known to respect that boundary when it comes to the people they claim ownership of. Stryx not getting caught is also hard to believe - she goes out on the roof at night to recharge her magic, but nobody sees her? Ever? Together with Octavia's white hair, that would be a huge problem if someone other than the handful of cops Octavia knows showed up to investigate. Discrimination and segregation are specifically called out multiple times. It would be a huge hindrance to her attempting to continue the murder case. It would require more intelligence to get around, something her disability doesn't hinder.
.
Overall, the story was decent. The gods are tied in, the cussing feels setting appropriate, the red herrings do their job. Racial discrimination shouldn't have been called attention to as many times as it was, for how little it actually affected.

[Thessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

City of fractured Memory

Huge thanks to Ivy Carter in allowing me the opportunity to receive the advanced readers copy for The City of Fractured Memory!

This book was definitely something that isn’t usually on my go to style of book but I was pleasantly surprised by the fantasy/murder mystery style.

Octavia Wren is a detective in the realm of Velmora and has been recently let go from her role due to the use of her magic used in forbidden ways. However her male counterpart Xavier finds himself needing her help in solving a string of strange and mysterious murders. So she is thrust back into the world of crime solving but is at a roadblock and needs to use her magic to help her. This causes her to run herself ragged on top of her already mildly crippling disability. Her intelligence, resilience, and relentless pursuit of the truth make her an easy character to root for, even as the weight of her secrets threatens to consume her.

Stryx, a hidden companion that Wren shelters from the world that fears and condemns those who are different, was one of the strongest components of this story! Their friendship built on trust, loyalty and mutual understanding having both been different, makes their friendship stand out. They support each other and ultimately stryx is a tether for Octavia when she is slowly losing her sanity.

This book is advertised as a “slow burn” but I would say more like natural selection, Octavia and Xavier have known each other long enough to have grown to have a mutual connection that turns romantic. Nothing about their relationship feels forced it’s just effortlessly romantic.

I will say this isn’t my cup of tea when it comes to reading but having got to experience something different than what I’m used to was a breath of fresh air and made me realize I should expand my horizon for genres I reach for!!

I give this book 3.76/5

If you enjoy the supernatural esque style writing and murder mysteries this is for sure the book for you!!

[Kate Dellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to have been given an ARC of Ivy Carter's debut novel and oh my - I absolutely loved it and couldn’t put it down. Like I actually caught a bit too much sun on holiday because I kept meaning to move into the shade but couldn’t stop reading 😅

Writing: the book is cross-genre - murder mystery/locked room x fantasy romance, and Ivy blends the elements together very skilfully. Magic in the realm of Velmora has clear rules and limits, making a series of baffling murders seemingly impossible as victims are found in locked rooms, having apparently bled out without a wound. The reveals are brilliant - both of how the crimes were committed, and a series of character-related twists, one of which left me actually open-mouthed 😮

Characters: the first person POV FMC, detective Octavia Wren is fiery, independent, with a shadow side (literally) and suffering from chronic pain (more of this below). She’s a brilliant FMC and I was invested in her story from the off. There are two MMCs (one of whom is🥵), with intricate back stories that support their characterisation. But the best friend character, Stryx, was my favourite - she has an Echofae form, an Irithys (white dragon pictured on the cover), then near-human form - she is playful, loving and so loyal and I adored her, and the portrayal of her relationship with Octavia. For me, theirs was the central relationship 🤍

Themes: in a foreword to the book, the author explains that the book explores disability, chronic illness and mental health, and their links with one another. It definitely does this, in a subtle and nuanced way. I felt the FMC’s desire for some magical cure for her pain so very deeply, and the exploration of the shadow self is fascinating. Another theme that was prominent to me was persecution and discrimination - which again is expertly woven in.

Read this book - you won’t regret it (until THAT cliffhanger - IYKYK 😮🫣).

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big thank you for Ivy Carter for sending me a copy of this book, I really enjoyed the journey.

3.75⭐️

I really enjoyed this one! The writing is absolutely beautiful and SO descriptive, especially when it came to the world building. The world itself was so unique and completely captured that fantasy feeling, and surprisingly, even though murder mysteries usually aren't my thing, this one really gripped me.

The pacing was great, the magic system was really interesting, and I loved the shifter elements and memory siphoning. The journey to Lunoreth was probably one of my favourite parts the world building was stunning. I also really loved the found family element, especially seeing the FMC's bond with her best friend grow through their shared magic and heritage.

My biggest struggle was the FMC. She's definitely a badass and incredibly capable, but she was so stubborn 😂 She'd get annoyed whenever her friends tried to help or defend her, even when she clearly needed some help, which I found a little infuriating at times. The dialogue also felt quite YA in palces, which sometimes made her come across younger and more immature than I think she was meant to be.

The romance is burn, comes pretty late but honestly... that first kiss at around 80%👀 After waiting that long, it hit! I did wish the MMC had kept more of his scary, dangerous energy, though. He starts off so powerful and intimidating, but towards the end he loses a lot of that identity and almost becomes the FMC's sidekick, which was a little disappointing.

Overall, I really enjoyed the unique world, magic, mystery and found family, and there was so much about the story that worked for me. It wasn't quite a 4⭐ read, but definitely one I'm glad I picked up! ✨

Tropes/elements:
-Chosen one
-Prophecy
-Lost memories
-Unique identity
-Enemies to lovers
-Villain/love interest
-Betrayal

[Tisha Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Never underestimate someone who has been dragged repeatedly into the darkness and clawed their way back every time.”

This was such a fun mix of fantasy, mystery, and thriller. The locked-room murders, stolen memories, forbidden magic, and all the twists had me hooked pretty much from the beginning. I was constantly trying to figure out what was going on, and every time I thought I had it, something else happened.

The world-building was really well done too. It was detailed without feeling overwhelming, and I loved slowly uncovering all the secrets. The magic system was unique, and Stryx was hands down one of my favorite characters.

The only reason this wasn’t a 5-star read for me comes down to personal preference. I love a strong FMC, and Octavia definitely was. But for me, it felt like the story tried so hard to prove how independent she was that it didn’t leave much room for the male characters to really shine. I personally love seeing both the FMC and MMC be strong in their own ways. I like those little moments where the guy gets to step in, be protective, or just be a gentleman—not because she needs him to, but because that’s just who he is. There were a lot of opportunities where that got shut down, and after a while it started to pull me out of the story a little.

Again, that’s 100% just my personal preference, and I know a lot of readers will probably love that dynamic.

Overall though, this was a really good read. The mystery kept me guessing, the twists landed, and the ending definitely has me curious to see where the story goes next. If you love fantasy mixed with murder mysteries, forbidden magic, hidden identities, morally gray characters, and a slow-burn romance, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a shot!

[Megan Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and I’m very grateful to the author for the opportunity to read it.

This story blends fantasy and murder mystery, following disgraced detective Octavia Wren as she works to solve a string of murders alongside Detective Blackwood, Stryx, and the enigmatic Riven. The world‑building is a real highlight: the magic system has genuine consequences for its users, which adds tension and forces characters to rely on intelligence and problem‑solving rather than convenient magical shortcuts. I also appreciated the thoughtful inclusion of a disability in the FMC, which added depth and complexity to her character. While a few characters weren’t personal favourites, the overall character development was strong.

The plot moves at a brisk pace and keeps you guessing, and the ending delivers a surprising emotional punch.

My main critique lies with the character dynamics. Although the cast seems intended to be in their mid‑to‑late twenties, some interactions felt more reminiscent of teenage behaviour. Octavia is clearly meant to be a tough, capable lead, but at times her reactions came across as overly harsh or dismissive, especially in moments where a more mature conversation could have strengthened her relationships. Riven, who becomes the MMC, also lost some of his initial intrigue once the romance thread began. Several side characters felt like they existed primarily to support Octavia rather than having arcs of their own.

Even so, this was a solid 3‑star read for me. The murder‑mystery elements, the magic system with real stakes, and the engaging world‑building make it a great pick for readers who enjoy fantasy stories with investigative twists and magic that demands sacrifice.

[Isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book literally blew me away. This story has a real possibility to become something big and you cannot convince me otherwise. It will be torture to wait for the second book to come out.

I had a bit of trouble connecting with the beginning of the story, but that was totally on my mental state and not because of the story because even though the story hadn’t ‘clicked’ for me yet, I could tell it was really well written and thought out.

But as soon as I got about halfway the 'click' happened and I flew through the rest. I didn’t want to put it down.

The tension between Octavia and her love interest was perfect. I think that was the part that made it click for me. As soon as he came more into the picture I got truly invested.
There was only one thing that slightly threw me off and that was the moment their feelings for each other changed. It felt a bit abrupt, but I guess in the circumstances they were in I can’t really blame them.

But I think the main reason I have become so invested was the worldbuilding. I haven’t read many books where I was SO fully immersed into the world. Even when the story hadn’t yet ‘clicked’ I was still curious to learn more about the world and what was happening, and why.

I don’t know what else to say then that I absolutely loved it. And that ending was…Well.
Let’s just say I hope the second book will be out fast because I NEED to know what happens next.

[Valerie Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were a few things that initially made me very keen to read this book.. Firstly the gorgeous cover, Secondly the way the plot mixed fantasy with a really good murder mystery vibe, and thirdly the fact that it shone a spotlight on chronic pain/illness.
So.. I have to say I was hooked right from the start. The pace was good, the plot twists kept me guessing (and in some cases picking my jaw up off the floor) right up until the end, the characters were well written, so much so that I still have possibly to much hope that a certain character can still be rescued from the dark path he's chosen.. The standouts for me were obviously our FMC and MMC Octavia and Riven, and I loved watching their relationship develope and learning the secrets of their past.. And of course Stryx .. IVY CARTER DO NOT make me cry in book two when it comes to Stryx, you've been warned!!
And then obviously there was the beautiful portrayal of watching Octavia fight to have a life, to have a career that she loves, while being torn down by chronic pain and the choices she has to make just to be able to make it through the day.
As someone who has dealt with chronic pain for years, and had to pretend it doesn't hurt when people look at you like you're either making it all up or making a fuss over nothing, this definitely hit home for me.
Thank you so much to Ivy Carter foe writing such a fabulous book and for giving me the opportunity to read it early!

[Nicole J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC copy of The City Of Fractured Memory.
I would just like to start off by saying, as someone who suffers with chronic illness, having representation and feeling seen made my heart feel so full. Though the FMC has struggles, she is STRONG. It is a constant reminder while reading that you are not weak and you are strong. So thank you for helping us to feel seen.

Now for the rest of the book!
WOW! I loved this! You will fall in love with the main characters (some you will change opinions on but I’m saying no more 🤫)
The story instantly grabs the readers attention, and it is so beautifully written. The world building is done to perfection leaving so much for the reader to picture. I love the unique magic system, really refreshing. There are systems and creatures in this book that I’m yet to see in other books, it is so beautifully done.

This book is full of all things fantasy, it is a SLOW burn enemies to lovers, filled with lies and secrets (So many twists and turns to the story)
As you read you discover so much about the characters, and there is still so much to uncover.
THAT ENDING!
This was a great start to the story and I can’t wait for book 2.
Highly recommend ✨

[Kate Catling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantasy murder mystery that mostly works, with a romance that could have gotten more room.
The premise carries a lot: a disgraced detective, locked room killings, victims found with their memories magically stolen, in a city broken into pieces and suspended over a lake. I could guess who was sending the notes, but I wasn't able to solve the whole thing myself.
The world is detailed without turning into homework, which is not a given in fantasy. And the FMC's chronic pain is handled properly: magic eases it, never fixes it, so it stays a constant instead of a trait the plot switches off when it becomes inconvenient.
I liked the chemistry between the main characters, but it could be better developed. I also wouldn't call this slow burn: they're drawn to each other from the start, but somehow here it works.
Some tropes are familiar, and the book uses them well enough that they didn't bother me while I was reading. But they did mean some reveals were visible before they actually happened.
The book ends mid-action. Not on a twist — on a door left open. I don't like cliffhangers of that shape, though it's a duology, so at least it's one wait and not four.

ARC from the author, opinions my own.

[Liz Fully Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

The City of Fractured Memory by Ivy Carter is a great fantasy/murder mystery book. I love fantasies, and I love murder mysteries, so when you combine the two, I’m all for it!

Detective Octavia Wren has been let go from her job. But some unexplainable murders have a friend/fellow detective asking for her help. As she secretly tries to help, she manages to catch the eye of the Governor, who she believes may have something to do with the murders, as he’s always showing up wherever she is. But things are not as they seem, (they never are), and secrets run way deeper than she could ever have imagined. What those secrets are, you’ll just have to read to find out.

I loved the fantasy elements and magic system in this book. Of course the humans are always against the magic users, so what happens when the governor discovers Octavia is using her magic illegally? This made for such a great and interesting read. And while the slow burn romance in the book was also fun, I didn’t really feel the connection between the two characters as much. Was it still fun to read about it? Yes! But I would have liked to have felt just a little more invested in it. Otherwise, this book was really good, and I highly recommend if you love fantasy murder mysteries as I do.

[BookieMille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC

The story had me captivated from page 1. The way the story is so beautifully written, the little breadcrumps we get through the story, the way it keeps one guessing what happened and why.
The worldbuilding is revealed through the story and the map was what got me even more hooked to this story, it was so unique. The story was so different from anything I have read and I loved every part of it.
The romance was SLOW BURNING, it was a small part of the overall story. You know that kind of slow burn where the action is in the very end of the book. And the romance was so well written that I got chills and sat with a grin. And the banter UFF!
There where so many plottwist, I had a feeling about the FMC but the twist was not what I had expected.
And I felt seen more than once with the pain the FMC struggles with, some words just hit so close to home.
Lets just say, this book was more than I expected and I loved every part of it.
And with that ending, I have never needed the next book more than I need right now! This is by far the best book I have read this year and I will be yelling about it to everyone who wants to hear

[Brittany Vargas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts below are my own!

I would rate this book a 3.75 if goodreads had a partial star system. The concept was amazing, the plot twist was good - the execution just lacked a little. The pacing was off at times, as well.

We have magical Sherlock! we have avatar the last air bender sects (roll with this, it works I promise) we have family curses & trauma & magic.

Things I liked:
- the world concept & building
- the origin story reveal
- the found family / roomie / best friend dynamic

Things I wasn’t a fan of:
- a lot of the conflict felt forced
- the romance arc was kinda rushed
- the FMC’s emotions & reactions weren’t very consistent

Things I side eyed a little
- chronic pain that wasn’t really chronic & was often a minor inconvenience
- this bish is just never sleeping??
- a pretty major event relied on verbatim recitation of a lengthy speech that we heard one time & we nailed it

Ultimately, I did like this book. I’ll read the next one. I am invested in the story.

[Lacy (BookBunLady) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thanks to Ivy Carter for allowing me the pleasure to read and review this ARC!

4.5⭐️

In the extremely fast-paced, action packed, & intricately woven world of Velmora, the secrets and deception pile on with every page turn. It's unrelenting, intense and keeps you on edge and begging for answers.

Investigator, Octavia Wren, who's personality is so relatable, is the only mortal who is willing to dive deep into the mysteries of 3 dead seers. What she finds is much bigger than just a murder, but who and what she truly is and the fate of their world.

The tension and pull to everyone around her just might be more than she could ever imagine!!

A beautiful blend of whimsy and mysterious with no stone left unturned. Ivy's ability to create a world and walk us through adventures into many of the landmarks with significant details was endless and enthralling. Beautiful visuals encapsulated each and every one.

It may not be the ending your hoping for... but the adventure is not over yet...

GIMME GIMME BOOK 2!!!

[Amanda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. Oh wow. That was AMAZING.

First, a huge thank you to Ivy Carter for the advanced reader copy of The City of Fractured Memory! 🤍

That ending?! I was NOT expecting any of that, which honestly made it even better. I finished this book already ready for the next one!

I absolutely loved our FMC. She’s a detective, and her character was so well written. Trying to piece everything together alongside her was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. You’re not just reading the mystery you’re constantly questioning, investigating, and trying to figure out what is actually going on.

Stryx was such a fun character, and the two MMCs were absolutely brilliant. I want to say SO much more, but I don’t want to give anything away because I genuinely think this is a book you should go into ready to solve the mystery for yourself.

Just know this was such a fun, addictive read that kept me turning pages, and there were chapters that literally left my jaw on the FLOOR.

I cannot wait for everyone else to read this one and Ivy, I am READY for the next book! 👀

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Susan Fuhrman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would definitely recommend this book.

The City of Fractured Memory is a unique blend of fantasy and murder mystery, filled with forbidden magic, secrets, conspiracies, and plenty of twists. The world of Velmora was intriguing, and I enjoyed following disgraced detective Octavia Wren as she became drawn into an investigation that was far more personal, and dangerous than she expected.

Octavia was the part of the story that resonated with me most. As the mother of a daughter living with a chronic illness, I identified deeply with her determination and strength. I appreciated that her chronic pain was an important part of her experience without being the only thing that defined her. She was allowed to be vulnerable, frustrated, capable, and fiercely determined.

The mystery kept me guessing as secrets slowly came to light, and the combination of magic, fractured memories, and hidden loyalties made this an absorbing read. A strong beginning to the Veil of Velmora series, and I’m very interested to see where the story goes next. Bring on book 2!!

[Faye Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Gods, how am I supposed to wait for Book 2?!

I read this book as an ARC reader, and it BLEW ME AWAY. So many twists and turns that I honestly did not see coming. It’s got all the richness and magic of a well built fantasy novel with the suspense and surprise of a Harlan Coben mystery.

Such a unique and unusual blend of genres, and believe me when I say they come together beautifully. It’s so different, whilst still being very readable and highly enjoyable.

Amazing representation within the novel and one of the best friendships I’ve come across in fantasy (how can you not love Stryx?!)

I love morally grey / flawed characters, and gods does this book have them! Relatable and lovable at the same time, the FMC has a chronic illness which is well represented, and refreshing to see written into a character who is also a complete badass.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to my friends. 10/10

[readsbetweenthepages · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’m Octavia Wren, the city’s best detective. I’ve battled against the odds, clawed my way through life on my own and got to where I am now by fighting for everything I have, and I’m not about to stop now.”

Oh where to begin… quite simply I loved this book and the pure heart of it.

Stryx is my new best friend and I need her in my life. Octavia is a champion of champions and I adore her spirit. Riven is the moody and misunderstood MMC you didn’t know you wanted to fall in love with.

The worlds @ivycarterauthor creates I have no words for - they come alive around you, like a place you’ve visited in your dreams but you can almost touch them.

Adored every minute and can’t wait for the next.

“Like a dark avenging angel, Riven is standing in the doorway beside me, panting and arms spread wide, a look of abject terror and fury written across his face as his gaze meets mine. “Don’t you ever fucking scare me like that again.”

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The City of Fractured Memory is a unique blend of fantasy and mystery. When I first read the blurb of a fantasy realm mixed with a murder mystery I was immediately intrigued!

The world Ivy built is so incredibly unique. I was in awe reading the descriptions and feeling like I was actually in Octavia and Riven’s city.

Ivy does a wonderful job of connecting you to the characters. I could resonate and feel Octavia’s pain and longing for a better world through the pages. I loved watching her grow throughout the book and loved her fight at the end for her friend.

Stryx. I don’t even have words. We all need a friend like her in our lives.

And that ending! I feel like things are just beginning and I can’t wait to continue the story!

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Thank you Ivy Carter for offering me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wow what an ending!

This is another amazing and original story that mixes fantasy and mystery into a twisty fast paced death on the line adventure.

The story follows Octavia, a recently fired human detective. She feels that even though she was fired things are not right in the city she lives in. We meet so many people who help(?) her figure out murder mysteries as well as figure out herself. And no one is who they seem!

The book takes its time at the beginning and can be a little tough to get into at first as the author has created such a new and unique world. Thought the further in you get the more it makes sense, then next thing you know you are fully invested and anxious about having to wait for book two!

But patiently wait is what I will do cause I need to know what happens!

[Jini Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This is a murder mystery set in a fantasy world where we meet Detective Octavia Wren along with her lovely friend/ sidekick Stryx as they try to solve a string of murders while receiving suspicious notes and being wary of the infamous Governor Riven.
I truly enjoyed this book! It’s a very easy read with memorable characters and an interesting murder mystery.
The romance is a slowburn with not much happening until close to the end.
Octavia is definitely a spitfire who tries to hold her own when she is against many; this character of hers both interests me and yet at sometimes annoyed me 😂
Our MMC is definitely a very morally grey character and he doesn’t try to excuse his actions.
My favourite as for many is Stryx, the sweet, supportive and yet defiant friend that we all need!
You’ll enjoy this book if you like:
✨illegal magic
🌃 floating cities
💋 slow burn romance
🐉 dragons
🩸murder mysteries

🧚If you’re a fantasy reader wanting to try mysteries -> you’ll love this book! 💕
🕵️‍♀️ If you enjoy mysteries but want try a fantasy-> you’ll love this book! 💕
👩‍❤️‍👨 If you’re a romance reader wanting a little something in addition to-> you’ll love this book!

[Becky Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I LOVE LOVE LOVE a pronunciation guide at the beginning of a book.
I loved the representation of physical disabilities and the fact that the FMC is an absolute force. She doesn’t need a man to stand up for her or save her, and she makes DAMN sure they know it. 👏🏻
This book had me gasping with surprise because the plot twists just kept coming. Every time I thought I had figured something out… no I haven’t 😂
I genuinely DID NOT SEE them coming and just when I was trying to process that, there was betrayal, followed by even more twists. This book really did not give me a chance to catch my breath!
THAT ENDING!!
I need to know what happens next IMMEDIATELY because that cliffhanger is absolutely RUDE 🙄😂
This was such a rollercoaster and I am officially impatient for the next book.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review of The City of Fractured Memory by Ivy Carter

This book follows Octavia Wren, recently-let-go detective as she tries to solve multiple strange murders of seers and simultaneously unravels the truths of her past.

Very cool concept. I think what kept this from being a higher rating for me was not really latching onto the characters. I clocked Xavier’s betrayal early on and although I didn’t see it coming, Vesper’s reveal just didn’t hit for me.

The romance/Riven was very meh. I personally wouldn’t really classify this as a slow burn because there was nothing really to burn. Their interactions seemed cursory and it felt like there was no build up to how they interacted in the last 20% of the book.

The plot lines were a little rough to follow, but I don’t know if that may have been due to me becoming disinterested.

Stryx and Quill were the highlight of the book for me.

Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review 🤟