Emerald's Fracture

Isles of Stone #1

by Kate Kennelly

A deadly epidemic. A madman exploiting it. How will she save her people?

Natalie Desmond has a hectic life as a Healer at Bridhe of the Isles Abbey: using magic to save lives, teaching young Healing students, and tending plants in the greenhouse. Jules Rayvenwood, Natalie’s handsome former professor, is the only thing missing. But when Jules comes back at last, it changes her fate forever.

Jules Rayvenwood returns to the Abbey changed in body and mind—and unable to Heal. A mandate to work with his onetime student, Natalie Desmond, to restore his abilities only adds to his bitterness. When the pair receives orders to treat a fast-acting epidemic in a remote coastal city, both doubt their shaky relationship will withstand the test.

As shadowy secrets swirl around them, Natalie and Jules must ultimately choose between obeying a treacherous Healer’s order to return to the Abbey and trying to save their people. What fate awaits them if they disobey and fight the epidemic? Assuming they can stop it in the first place…

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2018

About the author

KATE KENNELLY started writing creatively when she was ten years old. She let a bad grade on a creative writing project in seventh grade get her down and stopped writing altogether. Many years later, now suffering from chronic pain, someone asked her “When are you not in pain?” The answer was “When I do creative things.” Kate challenged herself to sit down and write something – anything – for the therapeutic value. Thirteen chapters later, not only was she writing, but she was reading books on writing, watching YouTube videos, learning all she could to try and craft a good story.

In her free time, Kate loves to Irish dance, play fiddle, do yoga, meditate and play World of Warcraft with her book club friends.

Reviews

[sara frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

so happy to read a young adult novel where the protagonist is capable of rational thought!!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to read an ARC of this book releasing soon. This is a brand new YA fantasy series with a completely original magic system. Our main characters are healers powered by leylines on the island of Ismerald. In the world Kate Kennelly created each island enhances specific traits in gifted individuals. In this book we follow the adventures of a newly graduated healer-Natalie and her mentor/former teacher Julier.

First off, there is a free prequel novella that I recommend reading first, it introduces the world and the main characters.

I really enjoyed this world, it felt new in a genre flooded with a hundred Hunger Games/Twilight rip-offs. The characters feel real and flawed. Natalie though strong and talented; is still just 18. Her age shows in her actions, self doubt and ease of tears.

I really look forward to the next book and following our heroes as they mature their relationship and path to self discovery.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this beautiful new YA fantasy world, built by author Kate Kennelly, a young and talented healer, Natalie, and the handsome healer she's loved from a far, Jules, are brought together as they navigate finding ways for Jules to continue healing despite his grave war wound. Just as they are finding their footing in new territory, both in how to work together, and on more personal grounds, they are tasked with defeating a plague that defies all they know about healing. Thrust into the midst of desperate and dying people, with more on the line than they ever thought they'd face, a more sinister plot begins to unfold with potential much bigger, sweeping, consequences for their world as they know it.

This fantastic debut novel sets the scene of a wonderful new world for readers to explore and gives you characters you can't stop thinking about even when the book has come to a close. The end of the book will leave you scouring the internet for the next book's release date! Seriously can't wait for "Sunstone's Secret" to come out! At least there's a sneak peek in the back of Emerald's Fracture and we have a title to keep an eye out for!

[Doris Mahala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pandemics are not new nor are plagues!
In this fictional setting, I could see the problems these people were having to try and find the problems were causing the disease and no one really had an inclining of what to do and how to save the sick and dying.
One character is being used as a scapegoat that is also being forced to do things that are not exactly ethical!
We also see someone who is being a tyrant to the nth degree.
With this pandemic we are experiencing in our world today I see the similarities with the setting of this story of the first part of her trilogy!
I can hardly wait for the money to be able to buy the next book!

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie and Jules are wonderful characters.
Loved reading this book by Author Kate Kennelly.

[Beth Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I'm friends with the author, but I bought the book before I knew her.

I get that this book is labeled as YA since the protagonist is only 18; however, I never felt like it was a typical YA novel. The writing felt very mature. I enjoyed that the heroine doesn't have some tragic backstory. I was fascinated by the way the author used an actual pandemic as a basis for the pandemic in the book (I will not say how). The relationship between the two main characters was multi-dimensional. There were a lot of simple touches that made me feel invested in the story all around, and I loved the side characters, too. Except for the villain.

And the dog doesn't die. Thank goodness. (That's a bit of a spoiler, but if you're like me, you'll appreciate it.)

I'm looking forward to the second book.

[Margo James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding where you belong and what you told is in you community can take a lifetime. To have those decisions forced upon you can cause discontent and rebellion. Our two heros had to decide if they would follow orders or follow their hearts. As two accomplished healers wasn't saving lives more important than the politics of the Abby council. Follow their adventure as they struggle to be true to themselves and the magic they wield.
The two prequels will help with their backstory and shed a light on their loyalties.
A good read.

[Fiona Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally recommend this author to anyone looking for a new series to read. I was enthralled from page one, the world building is so realistic, you could swear you smelt the fish in the port city. Her characters are so lifelike you can see in your minds eye, the disheartening conditions of the sick and dying. Natalie and Julies are fully fleshed people that you find yourself caught up in their struggles and joys. I recommend that you read the prequels first as they give you an insight into the characters. Highly recommended.

[Lunnaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

In short, I totally recommend this book and will certainly read the rest of the saga. Even though it had some predictable moments, they all made sense for me. Like, they were things that needed to happen. Also, I loved Kate’s writing style because it had a lot of details without being overwhelming.

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