Beyond the Fracture

by E.J. Bowden

The city of Eryssan stands in the shadow of the Fracture, a jagged tear where nightmares once bled into the mortal world. For centuries, dark, ageless beings, known as the Umbralyn, have kept its horrors at bay, bound by an ancient vow.

When the Fracture begins to bleed once more, Maia Colwyn is summoned to Eryssan to study newly unearthed fragments, determined to uncover a way to seal the wound before the city pays the price.

Instead, her search leads her to Caelith, an Umbralyn she's meant to fear.

As a forbidden bond grows between them, Maia uncovers a truth the city was never meant to remember: a conspiracy that reaches the highest halls of power, and a threat far larger than the Fracture itself.

Now, she must choose: the truth that could save the city and those she loves....

…or the monster on the other side of it.

A slow-burn, morally grey fantasy romance about forbidden love, rebellion, and the cost of understanding the thing you were raised to fear.

Genres: Romantasy

438 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2026

Reviews

[Mia · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Maia and Caelith had me questioning almost everything. The tension??? The slow burn??? I was screaming at the pages. The trauma, the guilt, the whole “I’ll carry this alone” thing had me absolutely wrecked. His backstory genuinely broke my heart. The world-building is so atmospheric too, the Fracture, the Umbralyn, the glass, the whole eerie mythology. It feels mysterious without dumping everything on you at once. I loved how the story slowly revealed the characters motivations and their connection to the Fracture, and overall, it kept me curious and genuinely invested until the end. Pick this book, you won't be disappointed.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this from the author, in advance of the release date, and have not been paid for this review.

Beyond the Fracture is a gothic/horror/romance/fantasy book about a young scribe who is sent to the city of Eryssan to study ancient scripts and fragments that have fallen from a violent tear in the Earth, the Fracture, so that it won't open and consume the cities that lay beneath it.

She is forced to work with a Fracture-born creature, an Umbralyn, who she eventually forms a close but dangerous relationship with. The relationship between humans and Umbralyn is a controversial and precarious one, so there are a lot of risks, trials and events that happen throughout. Not quite enemies to lovers, but similar vibe.

Things I loved about Beyond the Fracture:
1. The prose is excellent. It's clearly written by someone who knows how to write. You really feel immersed in the world of Eryssan: the magic, the character depth, the yearning - it all comes across immersive and engaging.
2. The relationship between Maia and Caelith is very well done. Their connection and the spark between is very present, but authentic and isn't like some other romantasy books I've read - i.e. the MMC is OBSESSED with the FMC instantly and there isn't much build up. This is more subtle and believable, and the payoff is totally earned.
3. The ending. It was very bittersweet and very well done. I didn't know whether to smile or cry - I think I did both?! I liked it as I know as romance readers we like a clear HEA, and without spoiling anything this isn't as clear cut, BUT I appreciated that it wasn't what I expected and it was still very well executed, and also satisfying.

Things I would like to see:
1. Ok, so I DID love this version, but if you like instant open door smut, then this isn't for you. There are quite charged scenes, but they're not as explicit as some others in the genre. The romance is certainly a slow burn, but it's worth it IMO and makes it more believable.
2. I'd LOVE to see more worldbuilding. Again, it's very subjective as there is a lot of detail about this world - the world Maia in particular inhabits - and it's certainly enough for a reader. But as a now fan, I'd love to see some character illustrations, maps, backgrounds into other cities. I'm not sure if this book has a future series planned, but if so, I'd love to see beyond the cities of Eryssan and Meridon.

Overall, this is a beautifully written, atmospheric, gothic romantasy that will make you laugh, cry, smile, wonder how you can find your own Caelith...

[Lisa M · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC review*

This was a wonderful debut novel. I love the magic system this book creates: it's so unique and enchanting. I liked the parallels between the prejudices that we experience so often in our lives coming through in how the humans treat the Umbralyn, and therefore how they respond and become the monsters they are perceived to be.

The romance between Maia and Caelith was done so well. I really felt how she was starting to feel about him from the earlier pages, and loved the fleeting chapters in Caelith's POV to show how he perceived her, too. Their romance is crafted in a really clever way where the reader can see exactly why they fall for each other, rather than fated mates or just that initial physical reaction. This seemed a lot more real and therefore made it more exciting for me.

The ending was also very unique. It wasn't what I was expecting and to be honest, that made me feel very emotional when I read it! I'm hoping there is a sequel as it hinted there could be. If there is, I'd love to learn more about the world they live in, maybe a map of where Eryssan, Meridon and the coastal villages are related to the Fracture. I'd love to hear more about the Fracture-bound creatures. If there's not a sequel, a prequel could definitely work - there's certainly enough to go on!

Overall, I think this is a very fresh and unique take on romantasy, and a must-read for the genre.

[Aria N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love:
The Idea of an enemy figure Umbralyn was really interesting and the secrets they have made it a good story. When marrek says his cousin says she watched by one in the way she was a door he could see through was creepy and changed the tone to make them seem like a scary being and less human. This was amazing along with loads of things I noted made them seem non human and it created a barrier between the humans and them wheras maia fell in love with one and removed this barrier for herself. This was througout the the book which was good at making their bond strong and true. Also all the parts maia cried I did too because of the way EJ Bowden wrote it. I love the way she writes romance slow and beautiful, truly something the reader can feel and not like any romance I've read before. I cannot wait to read more of her books. Maia's trust and belief the umbralyn are good vs what others say created conflict in a subtle way. She always believed Caelith and in their love which was the best part of the book. I can't wait to see if they meet again in the next book and what will happen.

Don't love:
For me it was slow which was needed for the plot but I wished it was faster and that Maia and Caelith had more scenes together rather than time apart which probably means in the next books they will be together. I hated not knowing much about the fracture but again this was a good point for book two to begin on. The fantasy world was good but there’s not a map or any pictures which I wish the book had (maybe there can be in book 2). For me it was hard to visualise the world and environment because of this but I loved it without any visuals. Overall amazing book I'd say 9/10 and I will be purchasing my own after this arc to re read.

[Georgie Mistry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy via BookSirens.

When I downloaded this I thought it sounded exactly like the type of book I like, but also expected it to be written in that way, too. I was pleasantly surprised at how unique this story was. It was nothing like I'd read before. The characters (FMC: quiet, yet strong and inquisitive not just "curves in all the right places" and MMC: stern but passionate - again not just "carved from marble, bulging muscles" etc). The city of Eryssan and the lore of the Umbralyn and the Fracture was really cool and nothing like any romantasy I'd read.

I will say the spice is DIFFERENT. It's not in your face like most romantasies we read. It's more subtle when you read it, yet it's still very powerful?!? Like you can just tell the main two are extremely into each other and yet it's not explicitly written down. It's hard to explain but I really enjoyed the yearning part of it - the author really nails that.

Anyway, if you're sick of mainstream romantasy but still want to stick to the genre, you won't want to miss this one :)

[Lois - Fictional Flair Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A person is not its reputation, and the world is lazy about the difference."

This book has had me in a chokehold. The writing is beautiful. The world building is immersive. The gothic vibes, the tension, the political maneuvering and yearning is done so well.

A wonderful debut. I may have shed some tears along with Maia at the end.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this.

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maia Colwyn leaves her coastal village to work as a scribe in Eryssan, a city built almost in the shadow of the Fracture, a centuries-old tear in the world that occasionally spits out monsters and is held shut by the Umbralyn: tall, glass-veined, near-immortal beings sworn by an old vow to guard humanity from whatever's on the other side. Maia's actually useful there, for once in her life. She's one of the only scribes who can read the dead languages carved into fragments pulled fresh off the Fracture's edge, and that skill puts her in a room, day after day, with Caelith, a Guardian assigned to help translate what the fragments say.

What starts as two people circling a shared problem turns into something neither of them is supposed to want, not with the history between their two kinds, and not with how much both of them have to lose if anyone notices. And people do notice. As the tremors get worse and the city gets more frightened, Maia starts asking questions nobody in a position of power wants asked: what the Umbralyn actually get out of centuries of servitude, what's happening in the tunnels under the city that the official channels won't explain, and why Caelith keeps knowing things before he has any business knowing them.

It's a book about a woman who can't leave a locked door alone, dropped into a city that's spent generations agreeing not to ask what's behind several of its own. I won't get into how the central relationship or the Fracture itself resolves, but I'll say the ending doesn't hand you a tidy happily-ever-after. It's quieter and sadder than that, with just enough of a thread of hope left dangling that you're not entirely sure whether to grieve or wait.

Character Development
Maia's the easiest character to like immediately and the hardest to get tired of, because Bowden gives her an actual personality flaw instead of just spunk: she cannot leave a mystery alone, even when leaving it alone is clearly the smarter move. It gets her hurt more than once, and I appreciated that the book doesn't pretend her curiosity is a virtue dressed up as a character trait. It's a compulsion, one she inherited from her father and never really examined, and it costs her. Her arc isn't really about becoming braver. She starts brave. It's about learning what she's actually willing to risk for a truth that isn't hers to have.

Caelith is where the book does its best work, and also where it takes the longest to get there. For a big chunk of the middle he's frustratingly opaque, all clipped non-answers and vanishing acts, which is clearly deliberate but does wear thin before it pays off. When it pays off, though, it really pays off. The two flashback chapters that show his actual history, not the polished version he's spent centuries performing, makes you rethink every cold, careful thing he's done up to that point, and I found myself rereading a few of his earlier scenes afterward with completely different eyes. He's a man who built a second self entirely out of grief and then discovered, against every plan he'd made, that he didn't actually want to be that person anymore. That's good bones for a romantic lead, and the book earns it.

Julen gets more space than most side characters in this kind of book, and he deserves it. He starts off as exactly the kind of skeptical, inherited-prejudice friend-with-feelings you expect, and the book actually lets him grow past that instead of leaving him stuck as comic relief who occasionally says something bigoted for tension. His loyalty to Maia, even after he's watched her fall for the exact thing his father raised him to fear, is one of the things that actually got to me by the end. I liked him a lot more by the end than I expected to at the start.

Selinne and Master Orell get less room, and it shows. Selinne's warm and sharp, but she keeps vanishing to do off-page things the plot needs handled, and she deserved more of the back half than she got. Orell starts as a genuinely complicated authority figure, someone whose fear of the Umbralyn comes from somewhere real, then gets flattened into a straightforward villain faster than his early scenes earned. Safir never really gets there either. He's fine as a foil. He's not a person, just a mouthpiece for the argument Caelith's already rejected.

The power dynamics get real attention here, which I wasn't expecting. The way the Umbralyn use the word "claimed," the way Maia is quietly turned into a test subject by people who never once ask her permission, the way Orell's whole philosophy boils down to deciding what's best for people who never got a vote: the book is consistently interested in who gets to choose, and who gets chosen for. That's not dressed up as subtext. It's the actual argument running under the plot.

Themes
The clearest theme here is the difference between fear dressed up as protection and protection that's actually earned, and the book plays that out on every level, not just the romance. Eryssan's whole relationship with the Umbralyn is built on that exact confusion, a species kept in chains and called partners, and the book is smart enough to let both things be true at once instead of picking a side and flattening the argument.

Grief curdling into extremism is the other big one, and it's handled with more nuance than I expected going in. Caelith's turn toward revenge doesn't come from nowhere. It comes from watching someone he loved die doing exactly what he'd been told was the right thing, and getting nothing back for it but silence. The book doesn't ask you to forgive what that grief made him plan. It just asks you to understand how a person gets there, which is harder to pull off than just making him a monster you're allowed to hate.

There's also a real interest in memory versus the official record. Records can be erased, rewritten, or simply stopped, the book points out more than once, but memory, the actual felt kind, can't be edited after the fact the same way. The memory-stone device is a little on the nose as a metaphor, but it works, because the book has already spent so much time showing how easily the truth in Eryssan gets managed by whoever's currently in charge of telling it.

Writing Style and Effectiveness
Bowden's close third-person mostly rides on Maia's shoulder, past tense, and it's at its best in the sensory writing: the glass creeping through stone, the wrongness of a Hollow Wraith's joints folding the wrong way, the particular chime of snow hitting a fractured cliff face. It's genuinely atmospheric. Those are the moments the book earns its mood honestly, and there are a lot of them.

I'm less sold on the pacing through the middle third. There's a stretch where Maia gets reassigned, watches Caelith from a distance, gets reassigned again, and has roughly the same internal argument with herself about whether to trust him three or four times in a row, and I found my attention drifting during those chapters in a way it never did during the actual set pieces. The two chapters that switch into Caelith's own head are the strongest structural choice in the book, and I wish there'd been more of them earlier, since they do more to establish who he actually is than a hundred pages of Maia guessing at him.

The prose itself needed another editing pass before it went out. I hit real, repeated typos and dropped or doubled words throughout the read, the kind that pull you straight out of a tense scene, and a handful of sentences tangle themselves up mid-thought. None of it sinks the book, but it happens often enough that I'd tell them to fix it before this goes out to more readers.

Conclusion
Beyond the Fracture has a genuinely good idea at its center: a species bound by an old bargain nobody alive actually remembers negotiating, a rift in the world that behaves less like a monster factory and more like a wound with a memory of its own, and a slow-burn romance that earns its weight because both people in it have real, structural reasons to stay apart. That's more ambition than a lot of books in this genre bother with. It lands hard when it lands, especially in Caelith's back half.

What holds it back isn't the idea, it's the execution in a few places. The pacing sags exactly where you need momentum most, a couple of side characters get shortchanged by a plot that mostly just needed them for utility, and the prose could've used one more pass before it went out. It reminded me of Naomi Novik's Uprooted, a being bound to guard against something ancient, a human who refuses to be handled by the systems around her, though Bowden pushes much harder into romance and political rebellion than Novik ever does. I closed it wistful. Not sad exactly, just quietly unsettled in a way that felt right for how the ending actually lands. If you're already deep in the current wave of romantasy where a grumpy immortal falls for the one human who won't stop asking questions, this scratches that itch while doing something more interesting with the politics underneath it than most books in the lane bother to.

Evaluation
Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Writing Style: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5): strong sensory set pieces undercut by a saggy middle third and prose that needed another editing pass
Characters: ★★★☆☆ (3/5): Maia and Caelith both earn real arcs, Julen is a genuine standout among the side cast, but Selinne, Orell, and Safir all get less than they deserved
World-Building: ★★★★☆ (4/5): the Umbralyn, the Fracture's glass-born creatures, and the political tangle between Eryssan and Meridon are inventive and atmospheric, the strongest part of the book
Spice Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5): one explicit, fairly detailed love scene plus a lot of charged near-misses building to it, not frequent enough to push higher
Trigger warnings: On-page death, including a public and violent killing of a named side character; graphic violence and injury; torture and forced imprisonment; non-consensual medical-style testing and experimentation on a main character; war and mass-casualty themes; xenophobia and mob violence; predatory and intimidating behavior toward a female character (non-graphic); grief and the loss of a sibling; manipulation by authority figures; and one explicit sexual content scene.

Recommended for readers who want their romantasy with real political teeth under the swoon: fans of Naomi Novik's bound-guardian setups, or anyone who likes a slow burn between a curious human and a centuries-old immortal who's clearly hiding more than his silence lets on. It's a better fit for readers who don't need a fully resolved happy ending than for ones who do, and it's worth going in patient with the middle third, because the payoff in the back half is worth the wait.

[Joey B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review based on ARC copy, received in exchange for an honest review.

Beyond the Fracture was exactly the kind of fantasy book I've been craving.

The romance is a genuinely satisfying slow burn, with Maia and Caelith's relationship developing into something believable rather than just convenient for the plotline. Their connection has a genuine spark from the beginning which comes across to the reader, but it's the gradual growth of trust, understanding and vulnerability between them that makes it so compelling.

The world itself is one of the book's greatest strengths. It's enchanting and atmospheric, full of wonder and magic, but there's also an underlying sense of danger that keeps you on edge. The author creates a setting that's somehow both charming and genuinely frightening when it needs to be.

The prose is beautiful throughout. So much romantasy feels as though it's been written to hit a checklist of popular tropes, but the writing in this stands out because it's simply just good. Like the writer actually thought about the writing style. The characters have depth, the dialogue feels authentic, and every scene makes sense and sounds beautiful at the same time.

I also loved the ending. It takes a different path from what I've usually read in the genre and felt all the stronger for it. Rather than relying on a purely HEA, it stayed true to the characters and the story that had been built.

So I'd say if you're tired of romantasy that's poorly written, overly trope-driven, or filled with characters who feel interchangeable, I'd highly recommend Beyond the Fracture. This is for readers who want genuine character development, thoughtful world-building, and prose that reminds you you're reading a novel, not just a collection of romantasy tropes strung together.

A rare romantasy that delivers both heart and substance. 5/5

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Overall, by the end of the book I really liked the world building, the slow burn romance and the ending but the first third of the book felt a bit clunky and lacking in establishing Maia’s world and Maia herself.

In the first nine chapters, Maia feels a bit flat and passive. We get a good sense of her qualifications, her morals, how and where she grew up and some details about her father, but her personality doesn’t really shine through for me until chapter 10 when there’s a group travel scene with people that aren’t solely her peers and she has more diverse personalities to bounce conversation off of. Nine chapters is a long time to establish a personality. Maia’s peer that’s deciphering the shards with her, Julen, has more personality than Maia for a long time.

Also, not a lot happens in the first few chapters. Maia spends most of her time in the archives and as a result her world feels very small for a while despite the Fracture being right outside her window. The author set up a cool and unique concept in the prologue, and then doesn’t do much with it until a third of the way through the book. I also feel there could have been more details and buildup for how the Umbralyn are treated in Eryssan in those first nine chapters. We get a sense of unease and distrust, but we suddenly get cruel hostility in Chapter 5 that felt unsubstantiated and abrupt when I read it.

After a third of the way through the book, the magic system and creatures of this universe really start to shine and feel alive and interesting. The fight scenes especially are dynamically written, held my attention and made me want to keep reading. The monsters from the fracture were also really cool and unique and we, regrettably, don’t get to see a lot of them despite them being one of the strongest written details in the story. The slow burn romance is well-done and the ending was a bittersweet amalgamation of everything the author laid out previously.

The ending is worth reading this book, but the first quarter of the story feels like a lot of lore and character work were gutted out of it that needed to stay there.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book through Book Sirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I am blown away that this is E.J. Bowden’s debut book, I loved it. It is definitely one of the favourite books I have read this year. The book had me immediately dialed in, I read it in a day. It was fast-paced and did not lag for me at any point, I could not put it down.

The FMC was written as smart, strong, capable, curious, outspoken and loving. I read a lot of books so this type of FMC is a rarity and just such a pleasure to read. I also really liked that the focus wasn’t on her appearance like most books.

I found that the underlying themes of this book even with it being a fantasy world, so relatable in so many ways and it really added a lot of depth to it. I find sometimes romantacy books can be too heavy on the world building to hold my attention, in this case the author built a complex magical world that was interesting, while keeping the plot moving at all times. I really appreciate that and It’s a true testament to how well this book was written.

If you are looking for crazy spice this isn’t the book but if you are like me and love a slow burn with a mountain of yearning then this is a book for you. The yearning in this book is top tier and I set a pretty high bar for it.

I don’t normally cry at books but this one had me. I hope this book becomes the next viral book because I loved every page of it. Can’t wait for the next book in this series.

*Slowburn Romance
*Magical world
*Found family
*Strong, smart FMC
*First book in a series
🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Samara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like to start on a good note, so I'll say that there were things I liked about this book. The magic system is unique, and has an aesthetic and usage I've never read in other stories. It ties in well with the overall feel of the story, which is grim and forbidding. The places this book takes us are interesting and I felt myself wanting to know a lot more about the setting.

However, there were a lot of clunky aspects for me. There was no break from the tension. We have characters that felt one dimensional. They didn't feel compelling. We get a lot of exposition on what is happening but I didn't feel connected enough to care. It's a slow start to get to know our protagonist, Maia, as the story seems to focus more on the plot and setting than the inner worlds of our characters.

Sometimes, there were metaphors that didn't fit or make any sense, and the writing is heavy with them. Sometimes the writing is clever and well crafted and other times I felt myself asking what the author even meant. A scentence that sounds nice but means nothing. There are also times the writing feels omniscient, we are being told the story but aren't sufficiently experiencing it from the characters perspective.

Overall, I was left wanting more from the characters, but the vibes were nice.

[Bianca Nicholls · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my first ARC reviews!
Firstly, this type of story is right up my street. I've read a lot of romantasy, and although this one hits familiar tropes: enemies-to-lovers (kind of), slow-burn, curious girl and centuries-old, grumpy MMC, the world-building and political side of things elevate it further. I think the main characters are done beautifully. They have clear faults and aren't perfect, but you still like them. I LOVED Julen, he had a great character arc. I also liked Selinne and would liked to have seen a couple more moments with her.
The ending is definitely non-conventional, but I still really liked it. I'm hoping there is a small chance that it leaves the book open for a sequel, but that's just me hoping. It still works very well as a standalone novel.
If you love your romantasies but want something that goes a bit further, that isn't so simplistic, and you love a slow burn - you'll love this book. 5*
Trigger warnings: xenophobia, sexism (non-graphic), graphic injury, in-scene murder (fairly graphic), horror elements and creatures told in detail, dread, political conspiracy, mild spice although one scene gets quite hot and heavy.

[Cage · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well-crafted book. Beautiful writing, moving narrative, deep characters, interesting world and magic system. I especially loved how the main heroince was developed - she will not settle for a simple life, is curious, and feels responsible for preserving knowledge. The world she inhabits is intricate and complex, for those who like to use their brain while getting sucked into a story. I also am delightfully surprised by titled chapters and a shifted POV, which we don't find so often anymore in books of similar genres. The climax of the story took my heart with it - I like that it's non-conventional for the happily-ever-after we crave for so often today. Overall, this is one of my favourite books this year.

*An arc for an honest review*

[Sam Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I read it on Kindle.

I'm a sucker for a slow burn/forbidden love storyline, so I absolutely loved the relationship between the two main characters. The magic system and lore behind everything was cool and very unique to anything I've ever read before. I did struggle to connect with Maia in the earlier parts of the book, and found that one of the side characters Julen seemed to have more of a fleshed out personality than her right from the get go. But as the story progressed, I felt more from her and was invested in what happened to her. The ending was a highlight for me - I don't want to give anything away obviously but it was the exact sort of ending I really appreciate in dark fantasy ☺️

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the dark and foreboding atmosphere of this book. The author has created an interesting world with a lot of potential. That said, the characters and the overarching conflict felt a bit flat to me, and I struggled with feeling invested. I would have loved to read more about the lore of the Fracture and the creatures that came from it. We get brief glimpses, but not enough to satisfy.
Overall, I wish the characters and drama were more fleshed out and dynamic. But it's worth a read if you're in the mood for something with dark, atmospheric vibes.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Teddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a pure gothic romantasy with a slow burn to die for.

A girl is summoned to the city of Eryssan to read a language no one alive can speak. She meets a monster who everyone else fears, but she can't understand why.

She shouldn't want him. He can't afford to want her. As you can imagine, neither of them manages it.

It's atmospheric, I love the way it's written - it feels more literary than some fast romantasy that is put out a lot at the moment. I think the dynamic between Maia and Caelith is wonderful.

[molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Maia and Caelith are everything to me 😭 the tension, the slow burn… This entire book was one of those scream at the pages moments. I couldn’t get enough! The ending was so bittersweet. I didn’t know whether I should be crying or smiling. The writing for this book was beautifully done and we were immersed in a world of deep characters and an interesting magic system. The ending also left enough for a future sequel 👀 maybe that’s me hoping too much!

[Anna Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10. EJ Bowden is my new favourite author. I was surprised with every twist and turn, I honestly had no idea what to expect next. The world this book is set in, was unlike one i have ever read before. It is very easy with this genre to fall into similar characters and similar storylines which this book absolutely does not do.
Read this book if you are looking for something exciting, romantic and absolutely page-turning.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some secrets are better left buried… Beyond the Fracture by EJ Bowden is a dark, atmospheric fantasy filled with slow-burn romance, ancient secrets, forbidden knowledge, and undeniable chemistry between Maia & Caelith. If you love mysterious archives, magical worlds, complicated characters, and romances that build slowly, add this one to your TBR!

[Brooke Ishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some secrets are better left buried… Beyond the Fracture by EJ Bowden is a dark, atmospheric fantasy filled with slow-burn romance, ancient secrets, forbidden knowledge, and undeniable chemistry between Maia & Caelith. If you love mysterious archives, magical worlds, complicated characters, and romances that build slowly, add this one to your TBR!

[Elodie Hargreaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC COPY
I loved this book. It was the perfect balance between horror and romantasy. I particularly liked the slow but strong building relationship between Maia and Caelith, it was one of the book's best strengths. The ending was also not what I was expecting and that hasn't happened for a while when reading, so that was very enjoyable.

[April (Ali) Johnson · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

✨️An ARC copy of this book was provided to me; all opinions are my own.✨️

I found this fractured world interesting. I liked the dark atmosphere and the horror elements mixed into this romantasy. I am just a little lost with the magic system and did not connect to the characters as much as I would like to.