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Bisecter #1
Bisecter
The strongest of them all. Eyes blacker than the darkness they all fantasize about, but have never seen. An abomination.
Hemera Harkibel has spent her life concealing abilities she doesn’t fully understand. She is hated and feared because of her black eyes and inhuman strength—mutations she bears from a near-death encounter with the grotesque creatures known as Halves.
When her people’s underground cave system is attacked, Hemera is thrust above ground into a dangerous world where the sun’s rays can kill in seconds and enemies are tracking her every move.
The farther she travels, the more she discovers about her powers. Hemera comes to learn that her very existence is a threat in the war brewing between humans and Halves.
Should she disappear into the shadows to protect the people she cares about most, or embrace the strength she has spent a lifetime suppressing? Her choices will threaten the survival of the world as she knows it.
This action-filled novel is perfect for fans of Red Queen, Throne of Glass, and The Mortal Instruments. If you love fantasy, don’t miss this story about wonder and adventure, love and sacrifice, heroes and monsters, and the blurred spaces in between.
Hemera Harkibel has spent her life concealing abilities she doesn’t fully understand. She is hated and feared because of her black eyes and inhuman strength—mutations she bears from a near-death encounter with the grotesque creatures known as Halves.
When her people’s underground cave system is attacked, Hemera is thrust above ground into a dangerous world where the sun’s rays can kill in seconds and enemies are tracking her every move.
The farther she travels, the more she discovers about her powers. Hemera comes to learn that her very existence is a threat in the war brewing between humans and Halves.
Should she disappear into the shadows to protect the people she cares about most, or embrace the strength she has spent a lifetime suppressing? Her choices will threaten the survival of the world as she knows it.
This action-filled novel is perfect for fans of Red Queen, Throne of Glass, and The Mortal Instruments. If you love fantasy, don’t miss this story about wonder and adventure, love and sacrifice, heroes and monsters, and the blurred spaces in between.
- GenresFantasy
333 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2019
46 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Fazio
22 books41 followersStephanie Fazio is a fantasy author. She grew up in Syracuse, New York, and prior to writing full time, she worked in the fields of journalism, secondary education, and higher education. She has an undergraduate degree in English from Colgate University and a Master’s degree in Reading, Writing, and Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania.
Stephanie lives in Austin with her husband and crazy rescue dog. When she isn’t writing, she’s getting lost in parks, hosting taco nights, or ironically and miserably losing at word games, but having fun while she does it.
Stephanie lives in Austin with her husband and crazy rescue dog. When she isn’t writing, she’s getting lost in parks, hosting taco nights, or ironically and miserably losing at word games, but having fun while she does it.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 27, 2019
What a great, and entertaining read. Character development was design in such a way that the dwellers seemed relatable. The world was painted in such a way the beauty as danger were intertwined, and begged to be real. The story resonated with other similar stories, I couldn’t get Mistborn series out of my headed while reading. Lastly, the payoff was satisfying leaving me wanting for more.
April 3, 2019
Let me just say...WOW! This book is such a breath of fresh air. I love the genre, but honestly, I've been getting really sick of the cookie cutter plots and characters. This is NOT one of those books! All of the characters are complex and interesting, and the world is super cool without being overwhelmingly complex. Something else Fazio gets right...it's a real bugaboo of mine when series books feel incomplete because book 2 picks up right where the first one left off. I was surprised by some of what happened in the end (won't go into details to avoid spoilers), but it was one of those "...didn't see this one coming, but looking back, the signs were there!", which is my favorite. The ending is super satisfying, but also there are intense cliffhangers that'll make me pick up the next one as soon as it's out. I hope the next one brings in more of Ekil, who I loved, and Wade, who I really loved! Best book I've ready in years!!
April 25, 2019
This audiobook was so. damn. good. Seriously! I've never listened to anything narrated by Whitney Dorr before (and I listen to a LOT of audio), but she was fantastic. The story itself is amazing, but it was just one of those books that was even better listening to. I got through the whole thing in less than a week (I have a long commute). I actually sat in my driveway for 20 min so I could finish the book...my heart was racing. Good stuff.
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June 11, 2019DNF 48% No rating.
I did not feel it, I knew it from the beginning, but I kept going thinking that I’ll eventually start liking it.
The author has a lot of potential, the idea of the story is great, but for some reason I did not feel it.
I won’t continue with the series.
I did not feel it, I knew it from the beginning, but I kept going thinking that I’ll eventually start liking it.
The author has a lot of potential, the idea of the story is great, but for some reason I did not feel it.
I won’t continue with the series.
April 8, 2019
this is my new favorite book! It reminds me of a Shadow and Bone kind of story...super cool story premise, great characters who change and pull you into their conflict, and a killer ending.
April 8, 2019
Hands down this is one of the most enthralling, captivating, and well written books I have read in a very long time. The author creativity, magically, and eloquently depicts the trials and tribulations of a character that we can all connect to. The story telling, plot development, and vivid depictions of the scenery made it so I could not put the book down. An absolute must read!
February 12, 2022
Gripping Story
This book was a recommendation from one of my Facebook Groups and once I saw the blurb I had to give it a try. I’m so glad I did. This is the first book in a series and whilst the the book ends at a natural break in the narrative I really want to read the next book, which I believe it already out.
Set in a world where the sun never sets, where the suns rays can burn exposed human flesh from their bones in seconds, humans live beneath the world’s surface, dwelling in caves. Dwellers only dare the world’s surface when the sun is at it’s lowest point, and even then they are covered with thick cloaks to protect their skin.
Hemera is the daughter of the Captain of her subterrane, the cave complex she and her fellow dwellers share. Her mother is highly respected and her parentage is the only reason she’s still alive, because Hemera is a Bisector, a term coined by her father to explain her appearance. Before Hemera was born their subterrane was attacked by halves, the natural enemy of dwellers. Halves are able to withstand the sun’s rays, they are fast, strong, thick-skinned and their blood is toxic to dwellers. Hemera’s pregnant mother was exposed to halve blood when she was defending the subterrane and instead of dying, survived to give birth to a very different kind of child, Hemera.
Cursed with the black eyes of halves, but strong and fast too, she is told to hide as much of her abilities as she is able to remain safe. Despite hiding who she truly is, she is still rejected by almost all of the members of her subterrane. She longs to be accepted and to be part of her community, but knows it will never happen. She longs for things to change, until they do, and then she finds out that what she thought was true, might not be after all. Finding out who she is and what she is capable of might cost her the small pieces of happiness she clings on to.
The world building in this novel is imaginative and different. The perils of the planet itself, alongside the halves and other predators keep the characters on edge throughout the story. On top of dangers of simply living in such a hostile environment the hazards of being different either physically or mentally are great. Society is strictly structured and the price of going against the established norms is high. The author has very carefully crafted a believable and intriguing society in which Hemera lives. This world pulls you into the story because it is completely believable. There are no jarring moments of “…..what, how does that work, that doesn’t sounds right….” you sometimes get with less complete world-building.
The characters are interesting. Hemera is a sympathetic character. It would be easy to feel pity towards her because lots of bad things happen to her, however, she is strong enough that the pity is outweighed by the admiration. She could easily be overwhelmed by the events that she encounters during the course of this book, but she gets up each time she is knocked down, in a way that is believable. Some writers create emotionally bullet-proof characters that have bad things wash over them, which is how they are able to continue, but Hemera isn’t written that way. She is capable of feeling emotionally wrung out, but she is also capable of fighting her way to the surface of her feelings and working her way through it all.
The supporting characters are less vibrant than Hemera, but I believe that as the series progresses we will get to know more about them and they will resonate with the reader in the same way that Hemera does. I think the reason these characters were less captivating is because throughout the book we find out some of the characters are not what Hemera believed them to be. To keep the readers guessing we can only see the surface of those characters, or there would be no surprises.
The plot is fast moving and enthralling. Once I started reading this book I found it very difficult to step away from it in order to eat or sleep. I just simply had to find out what happened next. This is a fantasy book, but there are elements of a mystery involved that keeps you guessing all the way through, as to who the bad guys are. The writing style is smooth and natural and the book is very well edited. There is nothing superfluous to the progression of the story and getting to know the characters and the world they live in. The writer doesn’t get side-tracked with wordy descriptions of the strange world in which the characters live, but is able to describe it with efficiency without losing any necessary information.
This is a fantastic start to a series and I know I’ll be reading the next book in the series as soon as possible.
This book was a recommendation from one of my Facebook Groups and once I saw the blurb I had to give it a try. I’m so glad I did. This is the first book in a series and whilst the the book ends at a natural break in the narrative I really want to read the next book, which I believe it already out.
Set in a world where the sun never sets, where the suns rays can burn exposed human flesh from their bones in seconds, humans live beneath the world’s surface, dwelling in caves. Dwellers only dare the world’s surface when the sun is at it’s lowest point, and even then they are covered with thick cloaks to protect their skin.
Hemera is the daughter of the Captain of her subterrane, the cave complex she and her fellow dwellers share. Her mother is highly respected and her parentage is the only reason she’s still alive, because Hemera is a Bisector, a term coined by her father to explain her appearance. Before Hemera was born their subterrane was attacked by halves, the natural enemy of dwellers. Halves are able to withstand the sun’s rays, they are fast, strong, thick-skinned and their blood is toxic to dwellers. Hemera’s pregnant mother was exposed to halve blood when she was defending the subterrane and instead of dying, survived to give birth to a very different kind of child, Hemera.
Cursed with the black eyes of halves, but strong and fast too, she is told to hide as much of her abilities as she is able to remain safe. Despite hiding who she truly is, she is still rejected by almost all of the members of her subterrane. She longs to be accepted and to be part of her community, but knows it will never happen. She longs for things to change, until they do, and then she finds out that what she thought was true, might not be after all. Finding out who she is and what she is capable of might cost her the small pieces of happiness she clings on to.
The world building in this novel is imaginative and different. The perils of the planet itself, alongside the halves and other predators keep the characters on edge throughout the story. On top of dangers of simply living in such a hostile environment the hazards of being different either physically or mentally are great. Society is strictly structured and the price of going against the established norms is high. The author has very carefully crafted a believable and intriguing society in which Hemera lives. This world pulls you into the story because it is completely believable. There are no jarring moments of “…..what, how does that work, that doesn’t sounds right….” you sometimes get with less complete world-building.
The characters are interesting. Hemera is a sympathetic character. It would be easy to feel pity towards her because lots of bad things happen to her, however, she is strong enough that the pity is outweighed by the admiration. She could easily be overwhelmed by the events that she encounters during the course of this book, but she gets up each time she is knocked down, in a way that is believable. Some writers create emotionally bullet-proof characters that have bad things wash over them, which is how they are able to continue, but Hemera isn’t written that way. She is capable of feeling emotionally wrung out, but she is also capable of fighting her way to the surface of her feelings and working her way through it all.
The supporting characters are less vibrant than Hemera, but I believe that as the series progresses we will get to know more about them and they will resonate with the reader in the same way that Hemera does. I think the reason these characters were less captivating is because throughout the book we find out some of the characters are not what Hemera believed them to be. To keep the readers guessing we can only see the surface of those characters, or there would be no surprises.
The plot is fast moving and enthralling. Once I started reading this book I found it very difficult to step away from it in order to eat or sleep. I just simply had to find out what happened next. This is a fantasy book, but there are elements of a mystery involved that keeps you guessing all the way through, as to who the bad guys are. The writing style is smooth and natural and the book is very well edited. There is nothing superfluous to the progression of the story and getting to know the characters and the world they live in. The writer doesn’t get side-tracked with wordy descriptions of the strange world in which the characters live, but is able to describe it with efficiency without losing any necessary information.
This is a fantastic start to a series and I know I’ll be reading the next book in the series as soon as possible.
December 23, 2019
After Listening, I really enjoyed this novel! The characters are well thought out and defined. The world building is really good and thorough. The narrator sets the tone and cadence of the story very well. I think that all ages will enjoy this audio novel as much as I did.
September 16, 2021
Unique, gripping and fast-paced
-I got this book as an eARC with Hidden Gems Books in exchange for an honest review-
Hemera and her people live underground because the sun is lethal to them. But Hemera is different. Her eyes are black and she has tremendous strength. She hides this ability from others because it ressembles the Halves', bloodthirsty creatures. But when the cave is attacked, she is forced to leave all she's ever known behind in search of her missing friend. Will she survive the war between Halves and humans and uncover the truth?
I loved the Fount series by this author so, of course, I jumped on the occasion of reading another one of her books. Let me tell you I don't regret it. I loved this book so much! It was fast-paced and action-packed, not a second to breathe or get bored. Hemera is a really interesting, likable and relatable main characters. She is strong despite her difference and fights for what she believes in, which I really liked. The world is simply amazing. It's unique, well-built and quite fascinating. I loved the interactions between the species, the different sides of the war and how everything clicked into place when the time was right. The side characters were also really cool and interesting, with various ages and thoughts and points of views that I really liked. The story is simply breathtaking, and even if sometimes, it can seem repetitive, it's not in the end but the author keeps us on our toes throughout the book and I adored it. The writing is simple and efficient, just perfect for this kind of book and it was easy to understand how Hemera was feeling, which made it more authentic and true. All in all, it's an amazing book and I can't wait to see what will happen in the sequel.
I highly recommend this book for fans of fantasy in general in search for a unique, action-packed series.
"You are more than the sumof your parts."
-I got this book as an eARC with Hidden Gems Books in exchange for an honest review-
Hemera and her people live underground because the sun is lethal to them. But Hemera is different. Her eyes are black and she has tremendous strength. She hides this ability from others because it ressembles the Halves', bloodthirsty creatures. But when the cave is attacked, she is forced to leave all she's ever known behind in search of her missing friend. Will she survive the war between Halves and humans and uncover the truth?
I loved the Fount series by this author so, of course, I jumped on the occasion of reading another one of her books. Let me tell you I don't regret it. I loved this book so much! It was fast-paced and action-packed, not a second to breathe or get bored. Hemera is a really interesting, likable and relatable main characters. She is strong despite her difference and fights for what she believes in, which I really liked. The world is simply amazing. It's unique, well-built and quite fascinating. I loved the interactions between the species, the different sides of the war and how everything clicked into place when the time was right. The side characters were also really cool and interesting, with various ages and thoughts and points of views that I really liked. The story is simply breathtaking, and even if sometimes, it can seem repetitive, it's not in the end but the author keeps us on our toes throughout the book and I adored it. The writing is simple and efficient, just perfect for this kind of book and it was easy to understand how Hemera was feeling, which made it more authentic and true. All in all, it's an amazing book and I can't wait to see what will happen in the sequel.
I highly recommend this book for fans of fantasy in general in search for a unique, action-packed series.
"You are more than the sumof your parts."
May 6, 2019
Bisecter has opened up a new literary world to me! I loved it! And for the first time appreciate stories/books of fantasy. This new author brilliantly captures the essence of each of the characters. The reader cannot help but be drawn into the twists and turns of the story partnering with the protagonist , Hermera, who has remarkable powers that she is able to use against incredible odds, for the common good. As the reader, I experienced the emotions of the characters as the adventures and challenges unfold throughout the story. Stephanie Fazio developed a world and characters that stay with the reader long after “The End.”
The story leaves one with a lot to think about and great fodder for discussion. Differences that (can be) perceived as weaknesses, actually become strengths and enviable; groups that are perceived as enemies become a positive strong force when working together toward a common cause.
The setting is vividly described drawing the reading into the worlds of the Bisecter, the Duskers, the Halves (and more!). The Bisecter is a page-turner and I look forward to the next book in the series.
The story leaves one with a lot to think about and great fodder for discussion. Differences that (can be) perceived as weaknesses, actually become strengths and enviable; groups that are perceived as enemies become a positive strong force when working together toward a common cause.
The setting is vividly described drawing the reading into the worlds of the Bisecter, the Duskers, the Halves (and more!). The Bisecter is a page-turner and I look forward to the next book in the series.
November 12, 2019
I was definitely a fan of this book! I appreciated that it was unique, and had a plot that didn't twist and turn in the same old way. I enjoyed the characters and their unique development. The world was exciting and kept me very engaged, but also wasn't so overdone that it felt unbelievable. The book was very well written, and I appreciated the complexity. I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2019
I really enjoyed the plot of this book and how characters became deeper over time, just as they would when you meet someone new in real life. I liked how the story unfolded, and I am excited to read the next book. I was especially intrigued by the sun never setting and the worship of the dark that this brought about. I smiled towards the end when the main character begins to consider that darkness could be a problem of its own.... perhaps balance is the true goal. We'll see how that unfolds. :)
May 3, 2020
Good story very unusual which now a days is rare. This is a story of a young woman who is has different eyes from the balance of the Human race and so is Disliked and everyone treats with hatred and distrust. The only reason she is aloud to exist is her father is the leader of the group she lives with. The Narrator did a good job on this audible book. My only problem was with Author Direct recording which kept cutting out many dozens of times throughout the story (Extremely Frustrating).
July 11, 2019
A good story.
I enjoyed reading this book, eager to get back to it when i had to put it down. Characters became as friends and had me actually caring about them. I recommend this book to all readers. Thank you Ms. Fazio. Going to download the next one.Cheers
I enjoyed reading this book, eager to get back to it when i had to put it down. Characters became as friends and had me actually caring about them. I recommend this book to all readers. Thank you Ms. Fazio. Going to download the next one.Cheers
March 19, 2020
Worthy read
There are many books out there...most need only a sample to convince you to move on.
This isn’t one of those.
Characters, plots, and background are well balanced and developed.
There are many books out there...most need only a sample to convince you to move on.
This isn’t one of those.
Characters, plots, and background are well balanced and developed.
June 17, 2019
Rip Roaring fun
Good book, lots of interesting characters and creatures. Easy to follow only took me a few hours to read. Would recommend
Good book, lots of interesting characters and creatures. Easy to follow only took me a few hours to read. Would recommend
November 16, 2019
I enjoyed listening to this story about embracing ones differences and over coming what one thinks are their shortcomings. Looking forward to more from this author.
December 3, 2021
Really enjoyable
This was a really great read that kept me engrossed from start to finish, in fact I didn't want the story to finish.
This was a really great read that kept me engrossed from start to finish, in fact I didn't want the story to finish.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews