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Wraith Kings #2.7
A Wilderness of Glass
The treacherous waters of the Gray have widowed many women in the village of Ancilar. But the sea gives back as well as takes away, something Brida Gazi discovers one bleak autumn morning while harvesting sea wrack on its storm-battered shore.
Wounded and stranded ashore, the merman Ahtin lies dying among the tidal pools until a land-walker woman, who can call forth magic with a mysterious flute, rescues him. Ahtin finds himself unable to resist Brida's allure - or her magic - despite the risk to himself and his people.
But Ahtin isn't alone in his fascination. Another, driven by bitterness and relentless purpose, seeks Brida and her unusual talent to manipulate for his own schemes, and neither Ahtin's devotion nor the sea's ancient sorcery will stop him from realizing those ambitions.
Also published in the 'Seasons of Sorcery' anthology, A Wilderness of Glass is a stand-alone novella that takes place in the world of the Wraith Kings series.
Wounded and stranded ashore, the merman Ahtin lies dying among the tidal pools until a land-walker woman, who can call forth magic with a mysterious flute, rescues him. Ahtin finds himself unable to resist Brida's allure - or her magic - despite the risk to himself and his people.
But Ahtin isn't alone in his fascination. Another, driven by bitterness and relentless purpose, seeks Brida and her unusual talent to manipulate for his own schemes, and neither Ahtin's devotion nor the sea's ancient sorcery will stop him from realizing those ambitions.
Also published in the 'Seasons of Sorcery' anthology, A Wilderness of Glass is a stand-alone novella that takes place in the world of the Wraith Kings series.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2019
180 people are currently reading
3305 people want to read
About the author
Grace Draven
51 books7,651 followersI'm an author and Louisiana native living in Texas with my husband, three smalls and a big doofus dog. I have lived in Spain, hiked the Teton Mountains, honeymooned in Scotland, ridden in competition rodeo and am the great great granddaughter of a Nicaraguan president. I also hate doing laundry and refuse to iron anything.
I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.
I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
July 1, 2024
5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
He made her remember happiness and spontaneity, reminded her that wonder existed in the apparent and the hidden. He made her spirit, so long asleep, awaken.
What an enchanting story of a love colliding from two different worlds. Although it is but a short novella, it is still soul-stirring and emotional.
I was wholly immersed.
Fate brought Brida and Ahtin together despite her being a Dweller of Land and him a Dweller of the sea. Their genuine affection for each other and curiosity of their worlds led to a blossoming love. The story’s elements may have been inspired by the Little Mermaid, but this one is as bewitching as the original fairytale.
I really would have wished this novella was longer only because I found the Merfolk are intriguing and I wanted to stay with the characters longer. Still, I am happy to have experienced this beautiful story.
Content warning: grief, violence.
He made her remember happiness and spontaneity, reminded her that wonder existed in the apparent and the hidden. He made her spirit, so long asleep, awaken.
What an enchanting story of a love colliding from two different worlds. Although it is but a short novella, it is still soul-stirring and emotional.
I was wholly immersed.
Fate brought Brida and Ahtin together despite her being a Dweller of Land and him a Dweller of the sea. Their genuine affection for each other and curiosity of their worlds led to a blossoming love. The story’s elements may have been inspired by the Little Mermaid, but this one is as bewitching as the original fairytale.
I really would have wished this novella was longer only because I found the Merfolk are intriguing and I wanted to stay with the characters longer. Still, I am happy to have experienced this beautiful story.
Content warning: grief, violence.
June 18, 2019
So here’s my question - where was this merman’s dick hiding? Seriously. The author goes through great lengths to let you know our seaweed hair hero is a MERman. Party on top, fish stick on the bottom.
Then all of a sudden he whips it out in the water- and they get busy. Was it under a fin? Hiding behind some scales? Curled up in a pocket? That’s all I kept thinking as he was poking her “where the hell did that come from?”
Here’s the deal - I absolutely love Grace Draven, but this novella wasn’t as good as some of her other works. The story takes place in the same world as Radiance, but you never encounter the Kai or any of the characters from that series.
The description makes you think the heroine has some sort of magic flute that will ultimately enable our much wanted happy ending. But the reality is there will never really be a happy ending for these two cause, you know, he’s a mythical migratory fish and she is a poor widow who is bound to live and die in her small backwater village. This made me sad and not at all satisfied.
Yeah, they had one night of bliss, but so do a lot a people on Tinder, Doesn’t mean they will be making eggs for each other in 15 years! Which is why we read romance right - for the happy endings!
Also, as a sidenote, I’ve noticed a pattern with this author. Her heroines never get pregnant. As a mom myself, I get it, there is nothing even remotely romantic about children. However, I want what I want. Happily ever after ending‘s and children at the end, PERIOD.
Then all of a sudden he whips it out in the water- and they get busy. Was it under a fin? Hiding behind some scales? Curled up in a pocket? That’s all I kept thinking as he was poking her “where the hell did that come from?”
Here’s the deal - I absolutely love Grace Draven, but this novella wasn’t as good as some of her other works. The story takes place in the same world as Radiance, but you never encounter the Kai or any of the characters from that series.
The description makes you think the heroine has some sort of magic flute that will ultimately enable our much wanted happy ending. But the reality is there will never really be a happy ending for these two cause, you know, he’s a mythical migratory fish and she is a poor widow who is bound to live and die in her small backwater village. This made me sad and not at all satisfied.
Yeah, they had one night of bliss, but so do a lot a people on Tinder, Doesn’t mean they will be making eggs for each other in 15 years! Which is why we read romance right - for the happy endings!
Also, as a sidenote, I’ve noticed a pattern with this author. Her heroines never get pregnant. As a mom myself, I get it, there is nothing even remotely romantic about children. However, I want what I want. Happily ever after ending‘s and children at the end, PERIOD.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting into when I started this, but the beauty of Grace Draven's writing and the emotions that pour off the page as you read always just sweep me away. Some side characters are in other works by this author, though I haven't them before (I don't think), since this is in her Wraith Kings world, but can be read as a quick standalone.
Brida (h) is a widow in a coastal town and she happens upon a merman and merchild while harvesting seaweed. She attempts to save them and ends up forming a connection that results in hidden meet-ups, language and culture sharing, and a deeper well of feelings being built. We get less info on Ahtin (H) but what we do learn was appealing and likable. Written in third person, single POV of h. No ow/om drama and neither were virgins (both were married previously and lost their spouses).
There was an ease to Brida feeling comfortable with a strange entity and especially with how easily she interacted with him physically. Brida and Ahtin do explore more than just language and culture (she teaches him kissing y'all, I love those kinds of scenes) and there is one steamy scene. But even though something magical is between them, Brida's still on land and Ahtin is still in the water. Discovery is always a possibility and Ahtin would be put in danger, plus the constant dangers of the surrounding waters with predators. There's also a creepy man who's shown interest in a special flute Brida has that allows her to communicate better with the mer so a sense of mystery and suspense hangs around that too.
The climax moves very quickly, was surprising and has a good amount of magical detail. I liked the resolution of the danger, but I was not expecting how intense the situation grew. The ending is HFN with a bittersweetness to it since they can be together, but their physiology is still what it is. I liked how much was packed into this novella (it's under 100 pages), especially how well developed Brida was, but I do wish there had been more to the epilogue. I was left a bit unsatisfied, wondering if they'd continue on as they were years down the road or not. Also, it was never stated whether or not she could get pregnant by him (and maybe no one would know), but I couldn't help wondering and thinking what a different kettle of fish that'd be (pun intended).
I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting into when I started this, but the beauty of Grace Draven's writing and the emotions that pour off the page as you read always just sweep me away. Some side characters are in other works by this author, though I haven't them before (I don't think), since this is in her Wraith Kings world, but can be read as a quick standalone.
Brida (h) is a widow in a coastal town and she happens upon a merman and merchild while harvesting seaweed. She attempts to save them and ends up forming a connection that results in hidden meet-ups, language and culture sharing, and a deeper well of feelings being built. We get less info on Ahtin (H) but what we do learn was appealing and likable. Written in third person, single POV of h. No ow/om drama and neither were virgins (both were married previously and lost their spouses).
There was an ease to Brida feeling comfortable with a strange entity and especially with how easily she interacted with him physically. Brida and Ahtin do explore more than just language and culture (she teaches him kissing y'all, I love those kinds of scenes) and there is one steamy scene. But even though something magical is between them, Brida's still on land and Ahtin is still in the water. Discovery is always a possibility and Ahtin would be put in danger, plus the constant dangers of the surrounding waters with predators. There's also a creepy man who's shown interest in a special flute Brida has that allows her to communicate better with the mer so a sense of mystery and suspense hangs around that too.
The climax moves very quickly, was surprising and has a good amount of magical detail. I liked the resolution of the danger, but I was not expecting how intense the situation grew. The ending is HFN with a bittersweetness to it since they can be together, but their physiology is still what it is. I liked how much was packed into this novella (it's under 100 pages), especially how well developed Brida was, but I do wish there had been more to the epilogue. I was left a bit unsatisfied, wondering if they'd continue on as they were years down the road or not. Also, it was never stated whether or not she could get pregnant by him (and maybe no one would know), but I couldn't help wondering and thinking what a different kettle of fish that'd be (pun intended).
June 2, 2019
I absolutely love this book. The language is captivating and enchanting, entrapping me into Brida and Ahtin's beautiful romance. The best books are always short reads. Ugh!
May 6, 2024
˚₊‧꒰🧜🏼♂️🪸꒱ ‧₊˚
RTC 🫶🏼
pre-read
finally had the chance to read my first mer book! super excited 🙂↕️ for r/fantasyromance book club (:
RTC 🫶🏼
pre-read
finally had the chance to read my first mer book! super excited 🙂↕️ for r/fantasyromance book club (:
May 15, 2019
Well, it's a Grace Draven work, what did you expect?
April 15, 2020
I've always wondered how fish mates but wasn't curious enough to google it. Never in my wildest dreams have I considered a merman having a cock! I can't stop thinking about this LMFAO. Now my brain thinks that a male fish has a pee-pee and it's disturbing lol.
May 11, 2019
Loved this. Another winner from Draven. I just adore her writing.
5 stars again.
5 stars again.
June 13, 2020
2.5 stars
I wish it had more of a solid ending 😭 other than that the story was magnificent except for the weird fish stuff, I kind of got weirded out reading the "romance" aspect of the story.
I wish it had more of a solid ending 😭 other than that the story was magnificent except for the weird fish stuff, I kind of got weirded out reading the "romance" aspect of the story.
May 3, 2019
Normally I love anything Grace Draven writes, but this left me flat. Sorry, but it's nowhere near as good as it could - and should - be. All the elements for a wonderful story are here, but it's not been executed with the skill I've come to expect from the author. Perhaps it's because it's a novella, when (IMO) it really should be a full-length novel.
Granted, the story starts well enough, but it seems to falter about two-thirds of the way through, almost as if the restricted word count is stifling Ms. Draven's creative flow. While the romance between Brida and Ahtil is nice, it's also very predictable with no real explanation as to why Ahtil continues to be drawn to her, or any real sense of what it is to be a different species, as well as life under the sea. Also Ospodine's story left me with more questions than answers, and felt almost like an afterthought.
Grace Draven is too skilled a writer not to know what her readers want from her, and if she were seated across from me (sharing a bottle of wine because I'm a generous host!) I would ask her not to write anymore novellas. Her narrative skills, character development, and talent for placing the reader in the absolute epicenter of every definitive moment is too superb to be restricted by a limited word count.
Granted, the story starts well enough, but it seems to falter about two-thirds of the way through, almost as if the restricted word count is stifling Ms. Draven's creative flow. While the romance between Brida and Ahtil is nice, it's also very predictable with no real explanation as to why Ahtil continues to be drawn to her, or any real sense of what it is to be a different species, as well as life under the sea. Also Ospodine's story left me with more questions than answers, and felt almost like an afterthought.
Grace Draven is too skilled a writer not to know what her readers want from her, and if she were seated across from me (sharing a bottle of wine because I'm a generous host!) I would ask her not to write anymore novellas. Her narrative skills, character development, and talent for placing the reader in the absolute epicenter of every definitive moment is too superb to be restricted by a limited word count.
June 15, 2022
Grace Draven once again mesmerize me with her writing with this short but beautiful enticing story that captured me from the first line.
December 16, 2022
Just a quick and lovely x.5 story from the world of one of my favorite series, Wraith Kings by Grace Draven. Still working to hit 150 books by the end of the year to pass my GR Reading Challenge, and these novellas are good pad between the longer books.
Given that everything Grace Draven writes is brilliant, A Wilderness of Glass is simply a more compact demonstration of that brilliance. Read and enjoy if you’d like.
Given that everything Grace Draven writes is brilliant, A Wilderness of Glass is simply a more compact demonstration of that brilliance. Read and enjoy if you’d like.
June 23, 2019
Honestly, I felt like the ending was relatively weak for a romance. I also thought the author failed to build the relationship much beyond the initial attraction. Sorry to report *any* disappointment in a work from an author I typically enjoy! I did find the world of the story intriguing.
March 30, 2022
This is a novella. You don't have to read the series to understand and love this story. It is a lose retelling of the little mermaid. It is beautiful and well done. Grace gives her characters such amazing deep stories with lots of feels. I've never read a whole series of hers. I am always afraid of series. I am loving all her novella's.
There is a sex scene in this on and a bit of violence. I would give it an R rating.
There is a sex scene in this on and a bit of violence. I would give it an R rating.
March 6, 2023
3.5
Lovely read, but I wish the ending felt more complete in terms of what its future will bring.
Lovely read, but I wish the ending felt more complete in terms of what its future will bring.
June 21, 2020
Another 5 star read from Grace Draven!
Whenever I'm in a reading slump, I can trust Grace Draven to bring me out of it.
This is another beautifully told romance that I won't forget in a while.
My only criticism is that it was a novella. The ending came far too soon. But - with all the stories I've read of hers to date, the ending is just perfect.
I love that this is also set in the same world as Radiance.
I thoroughly recommend. This is the perfect book to read with a hot chocolate and a warm blanket whilst it's raining outside.
Amazon | Goodreads | Instagram
Whenever I'm in a reading slump, I can trust Grace Draven to bring me out of it.
This is another beautifully told romance that I won't forget in a while.
My only criticism is that it was a novella. The ending came far too soon. But - with all the stories I've read of hers to date, the ending is just perfect.
I love that this is also set in the same world as Radiance.
I thoroughly recommend. This is the perfect book to read with a hot chocolate and a warm blanket whilst it's raining outside.
Amazon | Goodreads | Instagram
October 7, 2020
3.5/5.0
Entertaining novella. Great story, well written characters, just not enough page time for any real depth.
Entertaining novella. Great story, well written characters, just not enough page time for any real depth.
September 5, 2019
Move over Auqaman. There's another hot sea creature in town (or ocean?...).
This book will make you suddenly want to:
a) Start collecting seaweed in the hopes of saving a merman
b) Learn to play the flute
c) Have sexy times in a cave
d) All of the above
Grace Draven delivers once again. She's so good at letting a romantic relationship unfold. She's also damn good at sexy scenes. I have yet to read a bad book by her. I just wish this book was longer. I wanted more.
This book will make you suddenly want to:
a) Start collecting seaweed in the hopes of saving a merman
b) Learn to play the flute
c) Have sexy times in a cave
d) All of the above
Grace Draven delivers once again. She's so good at letting a romantic relationship unfold. She's also damn good at sexy scenes. I have yet to read a bad book by her. I just wish this book was longer. I wanted more.
December 10, 2023
Grace Draven fans, don't sleep on this standalone novella!!
Honestly this is perfect. We should have more novellas. While I love chunky fantasy, being able to meet these characters, explore their world, and experience an amazing love story in 1-2 sittings was a treat.
While it's a short and sweet medium-stakes story and I'd love to see more of these characters and know more about the mer, it felt very complete in itself.
Need more mermaid fantasy romance asap!
Honestly this is perfect. We should have more novellas. While I love chunky fantasy, being able to meet these characters, explore their world, and experience an amazing love story in 1-2 sittings was a treat.
While it's a short and sweet medium-stakes story and I'd love to see more of these characters and know more about the mer, it felt very complete in itself.
Need more mermaid fantasy romance asap!
June 4, 2019
Finally something good! I hope to see these the h/h again. Maybe in the Ippos King if it is ever released.
January 1, 2020
Beautiful story with heroic characters in a world I love, with only caveat to 5-star rating being that Grace Draven's novellas always leave me wanting rather than satisfied.
February 11, 2024
2024 Reads #95/250
July 21, 2025
I was utterly bewitched from start to finish... this is a flawless novella. and the whimsy!!! I'll be daydreaming about this story all week.
"land magic. teach me, beautiful brida" OH MY GODDDD 😭🥹
"land magic. teach me, beautiful brida" OH MY GODDDD 😭🥹
June 17, 2020
I've absolutely adored this great short story. Grace Draven always manages to take my breath away with her fantastic writing. Her worldbuilding is masterfully and meticulously crafted and her characters are intriguing, multi-layered and absolutely endearing. This author sets the bar for PNR romance. 5 well-deserved stars for this gem!
May 24, 2021
Loved this one. Short and nice. And features merpeople <3
Warning: While I see no connection to the Wraith Kings series, this is an obvious sequel to Night Tide with a different set of characters. But it's the same village and events from Night Tide are mentioned. So it's better if you read that novella first.
Warning: While I see no connection to the Wraith Kings series, this is an obvious sequel to Night Tide with a different set of characters. But it's the same village and events from Night Tide are mentioned. So it's better if you read that novella first.
May 25, 2019
Gentle fantasy romance between musician Brida and a merman. I liked the fact that the merpeople had their own whistle-like language and magic (though no casual shape-changing). Novellas often leave me wishing the story had been longer, but this one felt right.
May 27, 2019
Well. This was unexpected. Can't help but think of The Shape of Water, but still totally different. I was expecting shape-shifting, but apparently that wasn't necessary! :P
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Grace Draven is consistently awesome.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Grace Draven is consistently awesome.
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July 30, 2020Haven't read it yet but I just want to say,
I. LOVE. THIS. COVER
UPDATE: I finally read it after a year on my shelf, it was short a sweet 🥰 I really want more or Brida and Ahtin, they are so lovely together
I. LOVE. THIS. COVER
UPDATE: I finally read it after a year on my shelf, it was short a sweet 🥰 I really want more or Brida and Ahtin, they are so lovely together
April 28, 2020
3.7 // i'm in love with the gorgeous cover. Grace Draven's brand of epic fantasy is as unique and beautiful as ever here. It's a novella so obviously the characters didn't feel quite full but I liked the plot and the realistic ending.
March 6, 2020
It's Grace Draven, of course, it's a masterpiece.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews