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Ledgers of a Dark Mage #1
Fractures
Dark magic is evil. The Crown executes all dark mages.Every Itothian child grows up hearing stories of their wicked spells, demonic rituals and human sacrifices. But what do you do when you are told you are the monster from the very stories used to frighten you?After the attack on his home village, Thaleon makes the unfortunate discovery he is a valekyn—a dark mage. Facing the threat of execution with his entire family gone, he places his trust in the kind strangers who whisk him away to Allesdale, the Crown’s training facility for young mages. As he navigates the dangers of a world plagued with fear and persecution of his kind, Thaleon begins to question everything he had been taught about the evils of dark magic. But he must keep his magic a secret—for the simplest of mistakes will demand his life.Meanwhile, Dawyn is captured by hostile raiders and taken to Scyrta—a thriving merchant port of magic and secrets. As he adjusts to his new life in the strange and foreign isle far from home, Dawyn experiences firsthand the terrifying power of dark magic and its wielders. The darkness of Scyrta craves to take every part of him and it is only a matter of time before it swallows him whole.
342 pages, Paperback
Published December 14, 2019
About the author
N.K. Leem
6 books54 followersYou can often find me in the corner with a laptop, lost in my own world adventuring with the people inside my head. Sometimes, those daydreams turn into books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 15, 2019
An amazing read from start to end!
I really loved the fascinating world that the author has created in this book! Honestly, I couldn't believe that this was a debut novel, because the writing had me gripped from page one!
Fractures is a dark fantasy novel that tells the coming of age story of two boys - Thaleon and Dawyn, who have been as close as brothers since childhood!
The story starts off with us seeing the prejudice that Thaleon faces due to his mixed heritage and how Dawyn is always there to protect him.
A series of events that start off with the raiders pillaging their village, leads the boys on a grueling journey, which causes them to get separated along the way!
Thaleon ends up discovering that he is a valekyn - a dark mage who possesses great powers, but he has to hide this due to the fact that his kind are executed on sight! He gets rescued by a kind noble and ends up in Allesdale, where he must learn to be a mage without revealing his dark powers.
On the other hand, poor Dawyn is captured by the raiders and taken to Scryta(a land where debauchery seems to reign and no one enforces laws) to be a slave to a powerful but cruel mistress. Here, he undergoes all kinds of trials that might be enough to break his body, but not his spirit!
My favorite part about this book was the world-building and the characters! The writing flows easily and the author shows us the world slowly along the way, without overwhelming us with information! We discover so many things about the world, right along with the boys, because though they hadn't lived an easy life, it was quite sheltered!
Every character in the book was well fleshed out and so realistic! There is no black and white in the world that Ms. Leem has created! Everyone operates in shades of grey, with equally fascinating strengths and weaknesses! No-one is outright good or evil! A few characters that you thought were pure, might end up surprising you with their actions and a few others you assume are bad, are the ones who might help in the end!
"Because one's heart is not determined by the magic one wields, Thaleon. All magic can be used for good or evil. Even had Darius wielded elar - or light magic as it is commonly called - he would have taken the same actions and his place in history would not have changed. The choices we make are our own - right or wrong."
The two main protagonists were so realistic that I wanted to leap through the pages and give them both a hug! I loved the journey that each had to go through and the character development that they both underwent! Thaleon is stronger and is armed with more knowledge now, but he still lacks the confidence to stand up for himself, without losing control! Dawyn, who was the protector, is put through so much and still manages to come out somehow. But, now he faces a long road ahead of him that might take him on a path that is directly opposite to that of Thaleon!
My only complaint would be that the book ended too suddenly! I came to the last page and I was surprised there wasn't more! Even a cliffhanger ending could have eased this abruptness!
All in all, this was a great book that I'm happy that I got to read this year and I'm super excited to see where the author will take the characters next! I think there's a lot more of this world that we will get to see, with new background stories!
Note : As this is a dark fantasy book, there are references to sexual assault, torture and situations that may be unpalatable to some. So, if you find yourself uncomfortable reading such references, then please heed the trigger warnings!
* An ARC of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review *
I really loved the fascinating world that the author has created in this book! Honestly, I couldn't believe that this was a debut novel, because the writing had me gripped from page one!
Fractures is a dark fantasy novel that tells the coming of age story of two boys - Thaleon and Dawyn, who have been as close as brothers since childhood!
The story starts off with us seeing the prejudice that Thaleon faces due to his mixed heritage and how Dawyn is always there to protect him.
A series of events that start off with the raiders pillaging their village, leads the boys on a grueling journey, which causes them to get separated along the way!
Thaleon ends up discovering that he is a valekyn - a dark mage who possesses great powers, but he has to hide this due to the fact that his kind are executed on sight! He gets rescued by a kind noble and ends up in Allesdale, where he must learn to be a mage without revealing his dark powers.
On the other hand, poor Dawyn is captured by the raiders and taken to Scryta(a land where debauchery seems to reign and no one enforces laws) to be a slave to a powerful but cruel mistress. Here, he undergoes all kinds of trials that might be enough to break his body, but not his spirit!
My favorite part about this book was the world-building and the characters! The writing flows easily and the author shows us the world slowly along the way, without overwhelming us with information! We discover so many things about the world, right along with the boys, because though they hadn't lived an easy life, it was quite sheltered!
Every character in the book was well fleshed out and so realistic! There is no black and white in the world that Ms. Leem has created! Everyone operates in shades of grey, with equally fascinating strengths and weaknesses! No-one is outright good or evil! A few characters that you thought were pure, might end up surprising you with their actions and a few others you assume are bad, are the ones who might help in the end!
"Because one's heart is not determined by the magic one wields, Thaleon. All magic can be used for good or evil. Even had Darius wielded elar - or light magic as it is commonly called - he would have taken the same actions and his place in history would not have changed. The choices we make are our own - right or wrong."
The two main protagonists were so realistic that I wanted to leap through the pages and give them both a hug! I loved the journey that each had to go through and the character development that they both underwent! Thaleon is stronger and is armed with more knowledge now, but he still lacks the confidence to stand up for himself, without losing control! Dawyn, who was the protector, is put through so much and still manages to come out somehow. But, now he faces a long road ahead of him that might take him on a path that is directly opposite to that of Thaleon!
My only complaint would be that the book ended too suddenly! I came to the last page and I was surprised there wasn't more! Even a cliffhanger ending could have eased this abruptness!
All in all, this was a great book that I'm happy that I got to read this year and I'm super excited to see where the author will take the characters next! I think there's a lot more of this world that we will get to see, with new background stories!
Note : As this is a dark fantasy book, there are references to sexual assault, torture and situations that may be unpalatable to some. So, if you find yourself uncomfortable reading such references, then please heed the trigger warnings!
* An ARC of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review *
December 26, 2019
(3.5 stars)
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. It's the first time I agreed to reading an ARC actually, because I just can't handle the anxiety about maybe writing a bad review. I do love fantasy, though and the story sounded interesting (the pretty cover also helped) so I said yes and I'm not regretting it.
I enjoyed reading this book quite a lot. The writing style was easy to read and the author avoided many of the pitfalls of debut novels (I did see a "a breath he didn't realize he had been holding" but otherwise I can't remember the usual cliché sentences).
After a slow-ish beginning, where the reader is thrown into the world and a time jump of several years every few pages (maybe little notes of "15 years ago... 10 years ago etc" would have helped?), it was smooth sailing. I didn't expect our two protagonists - brothers in everything but blood - to be seperated so early on, but once they were, the pace picked up and their individual stories got rolling.
This story takes place in a world with only light and dark magic, which are both essentially the same in the way that you can do several things with them with just different "source materials", but you won't need three guesses to figure out which of those two is forbidden under the threat of death.
Of the two main characters, Dawyn and Thaleon, the former definitely got the worse luck after they seperated which was neat, cause Thaleon was originally the one with the tougher life due to his looks being linked to a country that used dark magic to attack others once upon a time (till it got overthrown of course), while Dawyn was liked by all (to be fair, his life was not "easy" in any way shape or form either, but you know what I mean).
I loved everything about Dawyn's story and also the character himself. So much bad stuff happened to him - he gets sold into slavery, so that comes with the territory - but he still remained essentially a good person, just trying to get himself and others out of this terrible situation. Yet he wasn't one of those full of hope characters who see only the upside. He had his deep moments of despair. The secondary characters in his storyline were interesting, including a girl who was bought on the same day he was and a boy who didn't know any life other than that of a slave . Their different dynamics were fun and exciting to read.
Thaleon's side of the story I have a bit more complicated feelings about. I liked him. I understood his actions up to a certain point . I thought his secondary characters were also pretty awesome - I think one of them might even be my favorite character in the whole story - but while the nature of Dawyn's storyline allowed for things to not be explained properly - slaves don't need to be educated beyond the function they were purchased for after all - the setting of Thaleon's story just made me raise my eyebrows when he had to have simple things about the country explained to him. You see, his path leads him to a magic school (I don't think anyone will be surprised if I tell you that he is of course the dark mage from the series title), yet I couldn't tell you what he's even taught there cause except for the speciality he picked (which I was thrilled with, don't get me wrong, it was a pleasant surprise for a male teenage hero) there were zero information on his lessons. I couldn't even tell you if he struggled with chemistry or mathematics (both needed for his speciality technically) due to growing up poor and never going to school before. He certainly didn't seem to have history lessons.
Nonetheless I wasn't bored with his story either - just a bit frustrated at times. Also, it ends rather abruptly. I know it's the first part of a series but I really wondered if my glitchy e-reader had eaten a chapter or two.
In summary, this book is really about those two brothers and their struggle to survive in a world that is working against them. There is no over-arching plot - yet (I assume). There were some interesting seeds thrown in in the end that might lead to something really cool (and angsty) and I'm looking forward to continueing the story.
Fair warning: This book includes a lot of dark themes, including murder, (child-)rape (never shown on page), torture, slavery and all the fun things that entails. I thought the book treated each of those topics respectfully and had some interesting things to say about some of them.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. It's the first time I agreed to reading an ARC actually, because I just can't handle the anxiety about maybe writing a bad review. I do love fantasy, though and the story sounded interesting (the pretty cover also helped) so I said yes and I'm not regretting it.
I enjoyed reading this book quite a lot. The writing style was easy to read and the author avoided many of the pitfalls of debut novels (I did see a "a breath he didn't realize he had been holding" but otherwise I can't remember the usual cliché sentences).
After a slow-ish beginning, where the reader is thrown into the world and a time jump of several years every few pages (maybe little notes of "15 years ago... 10 years ago etc" would have helped?), it was smooth sailing. I didn't expect our two protagonists - brothers in everything but blood - to be seperated so early on, but once they were, the pace picked up and their individual stories got rolling.
This story takes place in a world with only light and dark magic, which are both essentially the same in the way that you can do several things with them with just different "source materials", but you won't need three guesses to figure out which of those two is forbidden under the threat of death.
Of the two main characters, Dawyn and Thaleon, the former definitely got the worse luck after they seperated which was neat, cause Thaleon was originally the one with the tougher life due to his looks being linked to a country that used dark magic to attack others once upon a time (till it got overthrown of course), while Dawyn was liked by all (to be fair, his life was not "easy" in any way shape or form either, but you know what I mean).
I loved everything about Dawyn's story and also the character himself. So much bad stuff happened to him - he gets sold into slavery, so that comes with the territory - but he still remained essentially a good person, just trying to get himself and others out of this terrible situation. Yet he wasn't one of those full of hope characters who see only the upside. He had his deep moments of despair. The secondary characters in his storyline were interesting, including a girl who was bought on the same day he was and a boy who didn't know any life other than that of a slave . Their different dynamics were fun and exciting to read.
Thaleon's side of the story I have a bit more complicated feelings about. I liked him. I understood his actions up to a certain point . I thought his secondary characters were also pretty awesome - I think one of them might even be my favorite character in the whole story - but while the nature of Dawyn's storyline allowed for things to not be explained properly - slaves don't need to be educated beyond the function they were purchased for after all - the setting of Thaleon's story just made me raise my eyebrows when he had to have simple things about the country explained to him. You see, his path leads him to a magic school (I don't think anyone will be surprised if I tell you that he is of course the dark mage from the series title), yet I couldn't tell you what he's even taught there cause except for the speciality he picked (which I was thrilled with, don't get me wrong, it was a pleasant surprise for a male teenage hero) there were zero information on his lessons. I couldn't even tell you if he struggled with chemistry or mathematics (both needed for his speciality technically) due to growing up poor and never going to school before. He certainly didn't seem to have history lessons.
Nonetheless I wasn't bored with his story either - just a bit frustrated at times. Also, it ends rather abruptly. I know it's the first part of a series but I really wondered if my glitchy e-reader had eaten a chapter or two.
In summary, this book is really about those two brothers and their struggle to survive in a world that is working against them. There is no over-arching plot - yet (I assume). There were some interesting seeds thrown in in the end that might lead to something really cool (and angsty) and I'm looking forward to continueing the story.
Fair warning: This book includes a lot of dark themes, including murder, (child-)rape (never shown on page), torture, slavery and all the fun things that entails. I thought the book treated each of those topics respectfully and had some interesting things to say about some of them.
December 15, 2019
This arc was provided to me by the author for an honest review.
I enjoyed this one! I haven’t picked up a fantasy in few weeks and this was a good one to pick up next! I found the world to be really interesting and the main characters were easy to care for, even at the start of the story. Thaleon and Dawyn are great protagonists and I’m very interested to see where their stories go from here! I’m definitely interested in seeing where Thaleon’s magic lessons go. He’s so young and he seems to be powerful, so call me intrigued! While I enjoyed Thaleon’s perspective, Dawyn’s chapters were by far my favorites. Dawyn, the poor boy! Dawyn’s journey has been so painful so far, so I’m interested in seeing how he does from here! Hopefully something good will happen for him! The magic system was explained clearly and it was easy enough to keep up with, so I always see that as a plus when it comes to fantasy books. And there were dragons! Again, another plus in my book! I hope to see more of those in later books! Overall, I really enjoyed this and I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes these characters! 4/5⭐️
I enjoyed this one! I haven’t picked up a fantasy in few weeks and this was a good one to pick up next! I found the world to be really interesting and the main characters were easy to care for, even at the start of the story. Thaleon and Dawyn are great protagonists and I’m very interested to see where their stories go from here! I’m definitely interested in seeing where Thaleon’s magic lessons go. He’s so young and he seems to be powerful, so call me intrigued! While I enjoyed Thaleon’s perspective, Dawyn’s chapters were by far my favorites. Dawyn, the poor boy! Dawyn’s journey has been so painful so far, so I’m interested in seeing how he does from here! Hopefully something good will happen for him! The magic system was explained clearly and it was easy enough to keep up with, so I always see that as a plus when it comes to fantasy books. And there were dragons! Again, another plus in my book! I hope to see more of those in later books! Overall, I really enjoyed this and I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes these characters! 4/5⭐️
December 14, 2019
I read this book at the request of the author in exchange for an honest review
Wow is probably the first word that comes to mind when asked to describe this book.
I could not even get past the first three chapters without tearing up, but lets start with the writing and world building:
The writing is flowing and very natural, it is not hard to read or follow the story. The world building in consistent and well done, we get a picture of the countries and the environment without getting bored of the descriptions. I love the different point of views, the author is very good at letting each character's personality shine through. One of the things I loved the most was actually how the author manages to let the emotions of the characters get through without it being cheesy!
And the characters.. I adore them. They are so human, this book is completely devoid of Mary-Sues and people who excel at everything and it is refreshing . The author gives us real characters with emotions, flaws, difficulties and trauma. The actions and reactions of them are realistic, and we understand why they act the way they do (even if we want to strangle them for it).
The story was heartbreaking and agonizing, I spent almost the entire book feeling so so sorry for Thaleon and Dawyn, but I am satisfied with how the story played itself out and I cannot WAIT to read the sequel and keep exploring the wonderful world N.K. Leem has created.
Wow is probably the first word that comes to mind when asked to describe this book.
I could not even get past the first three chapters without tearing up, but lets start with the writing and world building:
The writing is flowing and very natural, it is not hard to read or follow the story. The world building in consistent and well done, we get a picture of the countries and the environment without getting bored of the descriptions. I love the different point of views, the author is very good at letting each character's personality shine through. One of the things I loved the most was actually how the author manages to let the emotions of the characters get through without it being cheesy!
And the characters.. I adore them. They are so human, this book is completely devoid of Mary-Sues and people who excel at everything and it is refreshing . The author gives us real characters with emotions, flaws, difficulties and trauma. The actions and reactions of them are realistic, and we understand why they act the way they do (even if we want to strangle them for it).
The story was heartbreaking and agonizing, I spent almost the entire book feeling so so sorry for Thaleon and Dawyn, but I am satisfied with how the story played itself out and I cannot WAIT to read the sequel and keep exploring the wonderful world N.K. Leem has created.
December 15, 2019
* I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Fractures follows Thaleon and Dawyn, two boys who are best friends and quickly become brothers due to the events that happen in their lives. Their world is full creatures, magic and tragedy. While Thaleon attended a school full of magic to learn about his own, Dawyn is forced to be a slave on a island far from Thaleon!
Wow, I don’t know where to even begin with this one! I thought Fractures was a fantastic debut novel from Leem! What I enjoyed the most was that she dropped us into her world and kept on moving. There were never parts that dragged or made me wonder why they were even a part of the story, it just remained fast paced and I love it!!
Leem played no games and had me feeling a lot of emotions by the second or third chapter. She left me feeling like I just wanted to hug and protect Thaleon and Dawyn. By chapter 3 I was left wondering how Leem packed so much emotion into only the first 3 chapters and it quickly made me excited to finish the book. I quickly fell in love with Thaleon’s innocence and Dawyn’s protectiveness of his younger brother. But their lives are full of a lot of tragedy and forces them to grow up a bit faster and you get to watch the characters personalities develop over time!
I also LOVE Riel and Cedrik as characters! Riel is the daughter of a very noble family and even though she could be the rich popular girl at Thaleon’s new school, she gravitates more to him and the other noble children at the school and that made me love her. She’s kind and stands up for Thaleon whenever she witnesses him in trouble, I just think she’s a great, strong headed girl and I love it! Cedrik takes Thaleon right under his wing and gives him a better life at his school for magical children and it becomes obvious to me that he’s just a solid character who has a big heart and helps others and I loved that about him.
If you’re looking for a story full of magic and misfortune, something that is going to make you really feel things, then this is it! You won’t be disappointed!
Fractures follows Thaleon and Dawyn, two boys who are best friends and quickly become brothers due to the events that happen in their lives. Their world is full creatures, magic and tragedy. While Thaleon attended a school full of magic to learn about his own, Dawyn is forced to be a slave on a island far from Thaleon!
Wow, I don’t know where to even begin with this one! I thought Fractures was a fantastic debut novel from Leem! What I enjoyed the most was that she dropped us into her world and kept on moving. There were never parts that dragged or made me wonder why they were even a part of the story, it just remained fast paced and I love it!!
Leem played no games and had me feeling a lot of emotions by the second or third chapter. She left me feeling like I just wanted to hug and protect Thaleon and Dawyn. By chapter 3 I was left wondering how Leem packed so much emotion into only the first 3 chapters and it quickly made me excited to finish the book. I quickly fell in love with Thaleon’s innocence and Dawyn’s protectiveness of his younger brother. But their lives are full of a lot of tragedy and forces them to grow up a bit faster and you get to watch the characters personalities develop over time!
I also LOVE Riel and Cedrik as characters! Riel is the daughter of a very noble family and even though she could be the rich popular girl at Thaleon’s new school, she gravitates more to him and the other noble children at the school and that made me love her. She’s kind and stands up for Thaleon whenever she witnesses him in trouble, I just think she’s a great, strong headed girl and I love it! Cedrik takes Thaleon right under his wing and gives him a better life at his school for magical children and it becomes obvious to me that he’s just a solid character who has a big heart and helps others and I loved that about him.
If you’re looking for a story full of magic and misfortune, something that is going to make you really feel things, then this is it! You won’t be disappointed!
December 15, 2019
I was given a free eARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Now that that’s out of the way, I‘m not sure how to even begin to explain how amazing this book is. It is expertly crafted through the words of the author, so much so that a mini movie played in my head the whole time. The universe was complex and realistic and there were many heart-felt and soul crushing moments that tugged on my heart strings. You could feel the pain as well as the hatred dripping off of some characters as you read. This book made me cry AND rage.
We get two POV’s, Dawyn and Thaleon. They are childhood friends who become brothers through circumstance and the situations that they are forced to live through in this book are rough. You really get to feel for the characters through their suffering with the help of their different POV’s. The writing for both characters was incredible and distinct and I enjoyed both of their journeys.
SPOILER-FREE SUMMARY
After a tragic turn of events, Dawyn - who stepped into his older brother role with ease - and Thaleon, a timid, sensitive boy with dark, hidden powers are separated. Thaleon goes off to Allesdale, a castle where he can learn to harness his magic, but he soon finds that the hatred for and bullying of his mother’s people - Ae’lisians - will follow him there too. Dawyn is captured by slave traders and sold into slavery on Scyrta, forced to fight for his life as he struggles to understand his new master on this unfamiliar island.
I loved watching the characters develop and the plot unfolding through their eyes. The plot twists, surprise good guys and action-packed chapters kept me flipping the pages the whole time. I recommend this if you love books that jump right into the action, aren’t afraid to crush your soul, explore the depths of human cruelty (and kindness), and have a complex fantasy world inhabited by multi-dimensional characters.
Now that that’s out of the way, I‘m not sure how to even begin to explain how amazing this book is. It is expertly crafted through the words of the author, so much so that a mini movie played in my head the whole time. The universe was complex and realistic and there were many heart-felt and soul crushing moments that tugged on my heart strings. You could feel the pain as well as the hatred dripping off of some characters as you read. This book made me cry AND rage.
We get two POV’s, Dawyn and Thaleon. They are childhood friends who become brothers through circumstance and the situations that they are forced to live through in this book are rough. You really get to feel for the characters through their suffering with the help of their different POV’s. The writing for both characters was incredible and distinct and I enjoyed both of their journeys.
SPOILER-FREE SUMMARY
After a tragic turn of events, Dawyn - who stepped into his older brother role with ease - and Thaleon, a timid, sensitive boy with dark, hidden powers are separated. Thaleon goes off to Allesdale, a castle where he can learn to harness his magic, but he soon finds that the hatred for and bullying of his mother’s people - Ae’lisians - will follow him there too. Dawyn is captured by slave traders and sold into slavery on Scyrta, forced to fight for his life as he struggles to understand his new master on this unfamiliar island.
I loved watching the characters develop and the plot unfolding through their eyes. The plot twists, surprise good guys and action-packed chapters kept me flipping the pages the whole time. I recommend this if you love books that jump right into the action, aren’t afraid to crush your soul, explore the depths of human cruelty (and kindness), and have a complex fantasy world inhabited by multi-dimensional characters.
December 14, 2019
4.5 stars
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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In a land where the use of dark magic is punishable by death, a young boy named Thaleon discovers that the ability to wield dark magic has been laying dormant inside of him for his entire life. After tragedy strikes and he and his brother Dawyn are separated, they must both learn how to survive the cruel world they have been forced into, and learn how to navigate the magic around them.
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My thoughts:
I was absolutely blown away by the world building in this book. I adore the fantasy genre and this book has everything I love in high fantasy: geographical politics, a unique magic system, an interesting world history, and a story that had me hooked within the first few chapters.
Sometimes I find hard to catch on to the politics, magic, or world history in high fantasy books, and explanations of those things can feel a little dry or confusing. However, I didn’t have that problem at all with this book. Explanations of the world’s politics and magic system were always interesting and easy to follow, and all of it was very well developed.
My only complaint, which is a minor one, is that the ending felt a little bit abrupt, but all-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I will be (very impatiently) waiting for the rest of the series!
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Trigger warnings: Mentions of pedophilia, attempted rape of a minor, violence.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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In a land where the use of dark magic is punishable by death, a young boy named Thaleon discovers that the ability to wield dark magic has been laying dormant inside of him for his entire life. After tragedy strikes and he and his brother Dawyn are separated, they must both learn how to survive the cruel world they have been forced into, and learn how to navigate the magic around them.
-
My thoughts:
I was absolutely blown away by the world building in this book. I adore the fantasy genre and this book has everything I love in high fantasy: geographical politics, a unique magic system, an interesting world history, and a story that had me hooked within the first few chapters.
Sometimes I find hard to catch on to the politics, magic, or world history in high fantasy books, and explanations of those things can feel a little dry or confusing. However, I didn’t have that problem at all with this book. Explanations of the world’s politics and magic system were always interesting and easy to follow, and all of it was very well developed.
My only complaint, which is a minor one, is that the ending felt a little bit abrupt, but all-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I will be (very impatiently) waiting for the rest of the series!
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Trigger warnings: Mentions of pedophilia, attempted rape of a minor, violence.
December 19, 2019
4.5!!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy to review!
Our story follows Thaleon and Dawyn, two Itothian boys who have grown up as close as brothers. Every Itothian child grows up knowing Valekyn, or dark mages, are evil. The Crown has ordered all dark mages be put to death. But when their village is attacked, and the boys are abducted by slave traders, Thaleon discovers dark magic has been laying dormant in him his whole life. In the midst of this, the boys are separated. Dawyn is taken to the land of Scyrta and sold as a slave, and suffers horrors he could never imagine. Thaleon is rescued by benevolent strangers and must risk trusting them with his life. These two men take Thaleon to the Crown's training school for mages. But to protect his life, Thaleon must suppress the dark magic living within him.
Okay, wow. This book y'all. I was hooked from the first line ("I hate your eyes") and couldn't put it down! The world building is great, and sets up a rich high fantasy kingdom where magic isn't exactly what it seems. I really enjoyed the writing style and how the story went from Thaleon to Dawyn's POV. But where this book really shines is the characters! They are all so wonderfully complex and believable! I can't even pick a favorite because I love almost all of them! Every one of them is interesting and multidimensional. Also the emotions! You will have all the feels reading this. You'll feel what the characters are feeling for sure. And the emotions were really well written. Sometimes as a reader you don't really feel the emotions and they're not always believable. Not so here! It never comes off as cheesy or unrealistic. The characters act their ages, which is something I appreciate. There's no perfect, flawless hero types here. You get to see the scars and flaws of every character, and I really like that in a book.
The story is heartbreaking and also heartwarming. You'll be rooting for Thaleon and Dawyn the whole time. Also I am personally victimized by this book being over! I kept trying to scroll on to the next page, but that really was the end! I absolutely cannot wait for book two, and can't wait for more from N.K. Leem!! If you enjoy high fantasy, magic, and a character driven story, this book is for you!!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy to review!
Our story follows Thaleon and Dawyn, two Itothian boys who have grown up as close as brothers. Every Itothian child grows up knowing Valekyn, or dark mages, are evil. The Crown has ordered all dark mages be put to death. But when their village is attacked, and the boys are abducted by slave traders, Thaleon discovers dark magic has been laying dormant in him his whole life. In the midst of this, the boys are separated. Dawyn is taken to the land of Scyrta and sold as a slave, and suffers horrors he could never imagine. Thaleon is rescued by benevolent strangers and must risk trusting them with his life. These two men take Thaleon to the Crown's training school for mages. But to protect his life, Thaleon must suppress the dark magic living within him.
Okay, wow. This book y'all. I was hooked from the first line ("I hate your eyes") and couldn't put it down! The world building is great, and sets up a rich high fantasy kingdom where magic isn't exactly what it seems. I really enjoyed the writing style and how the story went from Thaleon to Dawyn's POV. But where this book really shines is the characters! They are all so wonderfully complex and believable! I can't even pick a favorite because I love almost all of them! Every one of them is interesting and multidimensional. Also the emotions! You will have all the feels reading this. You'll feel what the characters are feeling for sure. And the emotions were really well written. Sometimes as a reader you don't really feel the emotions and they're not always believable. Not so here! It never comes off as cheesy or unrealistic. The characters act their ages, which is something I appreciate. There's no perfect, flawless hero types here. You get to see the scars and flaws of every character, and I really like that in a book.
The story is heartbreaking and also heartwarming. You'll be rooting for Thaleon and Dawyn the whole time. Also I am personally victimized by this book being over! I kept trying to scroll on to the next page, but that really was the end! I absolutely cannot wait for book two, and can't wait for more from N.K. Leem!! If you enjoy high fantasy, magic, and a character driven story, this book is for you!!
December 15, 2019
The leaves crunched under Thaleon’s boots as he
made his way through the woods. Sharp scents
of freshly picked medicinal plants released into
the air with each step from the bag hanging at his side.
Fading anger lent way to despair. It bloomed like a poisonous vine and clutched at him like vicious thorns, speaking dark whispers he would leave this place when he was dead.
made his way through the woods. Sharp scents
of freshly picked medicinal plants released into
the air with each step from the bag hanging at his side.
I received an e-arc from the author N.K. Leem. I am so excited that she trusted me with her work! N.K. Leem writes an enthralling adult fantasy filled with death, love, and magic in Fractures. It will leave you wanting a second book.
The beginning of Fractures was difficult for me. The reason for this was that there is a ton of sexually explicit content. There is also torture. In fact I think that this was the darkest book I have ever read. The first 170 pages made me want to put it down and stop reading. With that being said, I am so glad that I pushed through. This story is so beautiful, you can't help but root for the characters. The ending was my favorite. It left you wondering what might happen in book number two. It was so well done and I cannot wait for book two!
Fading anger lent way to despair. It bloomed like a poisonous vine and clutched at him like vicious thorns, speaking dark whispers he would leave this place when he was dead.
Leem's writing will suck you in. It is on the cusp of YA but daring enough to go into the dark and be a full blown adult fantasy. It will wreck you. I am not good at guessing plots, I'll be the first to admit it. But Fractures had so many crazy developing twists I couldn't decide where it was going. The characters are absolutely diverse. Both in looks and in sexual orientation. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a diverse fantasy adult read.
December 17, 2019
4.5 🌟
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Here goes! :D
I can't stress enough how much I loved this book! I absolutely adored the writing style of the author. The way she described the vibrant and beautiful settings and made me want to visit them all (even though they're not real 😅). There are also certain themes that are addressed in this book, and while I was reading I really felt so bad for some of the characters. While it was nice to see certain character, such as Thal, Dawyn and Laurits, overcoming their obstacles and growing on their journey, I kept hoping that others would redeem themselves at some point (I am totally looking at you disapprovingly Desmin and co!!!)
Overall, this is a really strong debut novel and I'm so happy I was able to read it! I can't wait to read the next book to find out what other adventures lie ahead for our characters.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Here goes! :D
I can't stress enough how much I loved this book! I absolutely adored the writing style of the author. The way she described the vibrant and beautiful settings and made me want to visit them all (even though they're not real 😅). There are also certain themes that are addressed in this book, and while I was reading I really felt so bad for some of the characters. While it was nice to see certain character, such as Thal, Dawyn and Laurits, overcoming their obstacles and growing on their journey, I kept hoping that others would redeem themselves at some point (I am totally looking at you disapprovingly Desmin and co!!!)
Overall, this is a really strong debut novel and I'm so happy I was able to read it! I can't wait to read the next book to find out what other adventures lie ahead for our characters.
December 13, 2019
I'd definitely recommend this book for every fantasy lover out there! Although, this is not the book you would give your little kid, it's more of an adult fantasy with such a great story, but there's also a dark theme. You wouldn't be able to put it down.
Where do I even begin with all the characters? They are exactly what makes this story so likeable and easy to get into. They're also very young. We have our main hero Thaleon, the dark mage - but, he's not alone.
Story follows him and his adopted brother. Who are they, and where did they come from? Thaleon has a lot of things to learn about himself, and his journey is written so well, as well as the other part of the story - when you read it, you'll know what I mean! The world building is also great.
Just give this book a try. Trust me, you won't regret it for one second. I can't wait to see where the story will lead us, how all the characters will grow and what path they will take in the future. It's a great fantasy with lots of unpredictable stuff, so reach out, grab your copy and give it a chance! I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did.
Where do I even begin with all the characters? They are exactly what makes this story so likeable and easy to get into. They're also very young. We have our main hero Thaleon, the dark mage - but, he's not alone.
Story follows him and his adopted brother. Who are they, and where did they come from? Thaleon has a lot of things to learn about himself, and his journey is written so well, as well as the other part of the story - when you read it, you'll know what I mean! The world building is also great.
Just give this book a try. Trust me, you won't regret it for one second. I can't wait to see where the story will lead us, how all the characters will grow and what path they will take in the future. It's a great fantasy with lots of unpredictable stuff, so reach out, grab your copy and give it a chance! I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did.
December 16, 2019
This book was such a wild and emotional ride! From the start, N.K. Leem draws the reader into a vast world filled with rich history of war, culture, magic, and ongoing conflict. The fantasy world she created is so vivid, it is easy to imagine it as each character goes on their journey. And the magical powers that only few possess will keep you hungry to learn about more. But my favorite thing about Ledgers of a Dark Mage is the connection the reader has with the characters. You can’t help but get emotionally invested in each of them - even the seemingly difficult ones. The characters are so well developed and strong as many of them have been through and are going through hardships. But a warning: there is a lot of pain and strife in this book that makes you feel for them as you read and cheer them on. This book is the first in her series and I’m already excitedly anticipating book 2!
I received a digital ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a digital ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 15, 2019
I was kindly given a digital arc copy of this book by the author😊
This book really messed with my emotions(in a good way). You follow two very young boys, Dawyn and Thaleon, on separate, heartbreaking journeys which are very much coming of age. The character development in this book is fantastic! You really learn to feel for not only the 2 main characters, but also side characters as well. I can say I’ve easily become invested in 6 characters of this book! The writing is super elegant and lyrical as well. If you’re a fan of some dark and twisted fantasy, this book is for you! I also got some Harry Potter vibes from this book as well! I’m beyond excited to continue on with this series and grow with the characters I’ve fallen in love with. What an ending as well!😱
This book really messed with my emotions(in a good way). You follow two very young boys, Dawyn and Thaleon, on separate, heartbreaking journeys which are very much coming of age. The character development in this book is fantastic! You really learn to feel for not only the 2 main characters, but also side characters as well. I can say I’ve easily become invested in 6 characters of this book! The writing is super elegant and lyrical as well. If you’re a fan of some dark and twisted fantasy, this book is for you! I also got some Harry Potter vibes from this book as well! I’m beyond excited to continue on with this series and grow with the characters I’ve fallen in love with. What an ending as well!😱
March 22, 2020
Fractures: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Shape of Nightmares: ⭐⭐⭐.75
____
⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Note: I recieved an e-ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Fractures is the first book in a series that follows Thaleon and Dawyn, two boys who find themselves bonded as brothers.
My first impressions of Fractures (and one of my primary reasons for wanting to continue reading the series) mainly involved the characters. From the beginning, I felt for these characters, especially Thaleon, as his appearance and race makes him a target for many. The main characters in this series are also younger in age, and considering the darker themes of this book, I found that they were written very well. There’s this balance of innocence and lack of experience for the world that they are in, rather than having unrealistically adult-like characters (which I find to be very common in fantasy books featuring young characters). Additionally, my caring for these characters made me want to continue reading to see how they would fare. The story alternates between Dawyn and Thaleon’s perspectives, and I was equally invested in both.
Another impression I had in the first few chapters involved how the story was set up. Oftentimes in fantasy books we get an overload of information at the very beginning, and lose track of what is important when we need that information. That was not the case here. Instead, we are gradually introduced through the world and the storyline. One element that I particularly like to see in books as well is the expansion of a story through the characters themselves. In other words, we are learning bits of information at the same time as the characters do throughout the book. I’ve always found this element of storytelling to be one of my favorites. This method leaves more questions the reader can ask themselves with every answer given, which makes the story more gripping. I read this book in three sittings, and the only reason it wasn’t any less than that was due to me growing too tired to read more!
Additionally, this book has re-kindled my love for fantasy again. It’s been a while for me and fantasy (much of my love has been sent to sci-fi, classics, and non-fiction as of late), and after so many fantasies that have struck me as just okay, I found a series that has all of the elements of fantasy that I’m looking for in a book. I’m historically not great at finishing series, but this is definitely one that I would like to finish.
My one critique of this book was that I found the ending to be not abrupt nor too much of a cliffhanger, but it left me very unsure of what will happen in the second book, other than a continuation of what’s happening now. It felt as if we could start the next chapters from there, and I do have some expectation of a greater theme that is encompassed in the next book. That being said, my interest in Thaleon’s and Dawyn’s paths continuing and what they may face in the future are more than enough to want me to continue to the second book.
Overall, this book was a very well-done debut. I will definitely be picking up the second book once it is published , and will hopefully be reading more fantasies again in the meantime!
Find more of my reviews here: http://julieannasbooks.com/ ❤
Shape of Nightmares: ⭐⭐⭐.75
____
⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Note: I recieved an e-ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Fractures is the first book in a series that follows Thaleon and Dawyn, two boys who find themselves bonded as brothers.
My first impressions of Fractures (and one of my primary reasons for wanting to continue reading the series) mainly involved the characters. From the beginning, I felt for these characters, especially Thaleon, as his appearance and race makes him a target for many. The main characters in this series are also younger in age, and considering the darker themes of this book, I found that they were written very well. There’s this balance of innocence and lack of experience for the world that they are in, rather than having unrealistically adult-like characters (which I find to be very common in fantasy books featuring young characters). Additionally, my caring for these characters made me want to continue reading to see how they would fare. The story alternates between Dawyn and Thaleon’s perspectives, and I was equally invested in both.
Another impression I had in the first few chapters involved how the story was set up. Oftentimes in fantasy books we get an overload of information at the very beginning, and lose track of what is important when we need that information. That was not the case here. Instead, we are gradually introduced through the world and the storyline. One element that I particularly like to see in books as well is the expansion of a story through the characters themselves. In other words, we are learning bits of information at the same time as the characters do throughout the book. I’ve always found this element of storytelling to be one of my favorites. This method leaves more questions the reader can ask themselves with every answer given, which makes the story more gripping. I read this book in three sittings, and the only reason it wasn’t any less than that was due to me growing too tired to read more!
Additionally, this book has re-kindled my love for fantasy again. It’s been a while for me and fantasy (much of my love has been sent to sci-fi, classics, and non-fiction as of late), and after so many fantasies that have struck me as just okay, I found a series that has all of the elements of fantasy that I’m looking for in a book. I’m historically not great at finishing series, but this is definitely one that I would like to finish.
My one critique of this book was that I found the ending to be not abrupt nor too much of a cliffhanger, but it left me very unsure of what will happen in the second book, other than a continuation of what’s happening now. It felt as if we could start the next chapters from there, and I do have some expectation of a greater theme that is encompassed in the next book. That being said, my interest in Thaleon’s and Dawyn’s paths continuing and what they may face in the future are more than enough to want me to continue to the second book.
Overall, this book was a very well-done debut. I will definitely be picking up the second book once it is published , and will hopefully be reading more fantasies again in the meantime!
Find more of my reviews here: http://julieannasbooks.com/ ❤
December 5, 2019
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. There is little more that I love than a gripping plot and characters, and this certainly had them in abundance. I think there is something to be said for creating a fantasy world – it requires a lot of thought and effort on how to construct the world. So I think this book had a lot going for it in those regards. There was a lot of things happening, and it was extraordinarily fast paced at parts, and then there were some parts that slowed down to give you insight into characters.
You know how in some fantasy books it’s an info dump all at one time? So much information is given at once that it just becomes overwhelming and you just give up? This was not the case here. The information and world building was spread out across the whole book. And partially that is because we learn about the world through our two main characters who are rather innocent of the world. When world building like this, and characters learning like this, it works well because they’re not seeing/learning everything at one time. It is beneficial for the story, and it is beneficial for the readers.
Thaleon and Dawyn are great characters. Brothers, but not in blood. We’ve got the story with them together at the beginning, and then separated. And this book switches focus between them as they each have their own stories to tell. And what I found delightful is that we see their interactions together, and get to know their personalities together (as they were always with each other) and then after the separation, we start to see individual personalities emerge as well. We get to see what stays the same and what becomes different. I thought it was well done, and I was drawn to both the characters in this book, because they weren’t perfect human beings. They’re flawed, and they felt real. They make mistakes, and they hurt and I just loved it all.
The plot of this book unfolds in two ways through both the characters – and part of it is certainly tied into the past of this world, and I will be very interested to see where that goes. Especially because Thaleon is a dark mage, and Dawyn witnesses the evil that a dark mage can do. I can’t help but wonder what is going to happen when they meet again? Both are just trying to survive --- one in a bit more danger than the other. The plot really talks about the nuances of power, how it can be good, but also evil. It is not the power itself, but the person wielding it.
I enjoyed the writing immensely. I think it is well written, and has a lovely clear prose. It makes the book delightful to read, and it is such a great one to read because the writing doesn’t feel overly bogged down or too light. It fit perfectly for me!
I will be very excited to read the next book!
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. There is little more that I love than a gripping plot and characters, and this certainly had them in abundance. I think there is something to be said for creating a fantasy world – it requires a lot of thought and effort on how to construct the world. So I think this book had a lot going for it in those regards. There was a lot of things happening, and it was extraordinarily fast paced at parts, and then there were some parts that slowed down to give you insight into characters.
You know how in some fantasy books it’s an info dump all at one time? So much information is given at once that it just becomes overwhelming and you just give up? This was not the case here. The information and world building was spread out across the whole book. And partially that is because we learn about the world through our two main characters who are rather innocent of the world. When world building like this, and characters learning like this, it works well because they’re not seeing/learning everything at one time. It is beneficial for the story, and it is beneficial for the readers.
Thaleon and Dawyn are great characters. Brothers, but not in blood. We’ve got the story with them together at the beginning, and then separated. And this book switches focus between them as they each have their own stories to tell. And what I found delightful is that we see their interactions together, and get to know their personalities together (as they were always with each other) and then after the separation, we start to see individual personalities emerge as well. We get to see what stays the same and what becomes different. I thought it was well done, and I was drawn to both the characters in this book, because they weren’t perfect human beings. They’re flawed, and they felt real. They make mistakes, and they hurt and I just loved it all.
The plot of this book unfolds in two ways through both the characters – and part of it is certainly tied into the past of this world, and I will be very interested to see where that goes. Especially because Thaleon is a dark mage, and Dawyn witnesses the evil that a dark mage can do. I can’t help but wonder what is going to happen when they meet again? Both are just trying to survive --- one in a bit more danger than the other. The plot really talks about the nuances of power, how it can be good, but also evil. It is not the power itself, but the person wielding it.
I enjoyed the writing immensely. I think it is well written, and has a lovely clear prose. It makes the book delightful to read, and it is such a great one to read because the writing doesn’t feel overly bogged down or too light. It fit perfectly for me!
I will be very excited to read the next book!
December 9, 2019
Actual Rating: 3.5 / 5
Review to come soon. Still gathering my thoughts...
UPDATE:
In a world where people are judged on the type of magic they wield, a young man will realize that people are just afraid of all that they find peculiar and will hide from the truth that’s bubbling from within. Fractures is a debut fantasy novel that challenges old traditions as debatable, amenable, and progressive.
I received a digital ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I accepted the offer to review the novel because I am a believer in fantasy authors since they create such wonderful worlds that teach highly valuable messages in the form of a world’s customs or story progression. This book deserves some praise for its unique story about light and dark mages because it shakes the predetermined notion that light is good and dark is evil. I like how the world slowly develops simultaneously with the story and its characters. I admire at the attempt to create a world that has the potential to rival those of the biggest fantasy novels in terms of scope but I find the lack of a map for guidance quite disorienting since it hinders the reader to form rationalizations for the cultural differences of each area. I also find the pacing quite appropriate for a world so vast and the start of the series because it allows the reader to form musings of their own as to what the rest of the world holds. My biggest critique for the book is the lack of climax with the first book ending quite abruptly just when the thrill is building. I understand that this is still the first book in the series but I would prefer my series starters to be strong, independent, and impactful. Nevertheless, the beauty of the world makes up for most of what the book lacks and I’m pretty sure that the next installments hold the key to the series’ success.
N.K. Leem is kind enough to consider me as one of the people who get the first glimpse of her debut novel and it is an honor to be able to say that I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of it. Leem proves her love for mythology and fantasy by writing good action scenes. The elements she tinkers with are similar to those novels considered to be hallmarks of the genre. The writing is clear and understandable and the author’s voice has this contemporary heart that knows how and when to tug at the reader in the most opportune instances. Leem’s novel, if receiving the reach it deserves, is sure to be held close to the audience’s hearts because it’s pretty evident that the series is a project borne out of passion and lifelong experience of reading fantasy novels. I look forward to reading the next books in this series and I hope the world and magic system gets explored well.
I find it amazing to have a fantasy novel with character-building quite similar to that of contemporary novels. Thaleon is a great main character with his innocence and heart. Seeing his development and understanding of the harsh world around him is a delight to read about and is reminiscent of a contemporary’s manner of conveying the acceptance of a world bigger than the characters. Dawyn is also a great brotherly character who offers so much potential of the conflict between man and destiny because of the circumstances he is thrown into. His resilience is one to be admired and mirrored by readers. One more thing I can say about the series is that the indeterminateness of the antagonist begs the reader to pave a path for the characters and predict how the story will unfold. This will give the series a chance to throw a curveball on the readers and catch them by surprise. Basically, the characters’ development in this book is experimental that will eventually lead them to a crossroads that will ultimately seal their fate and I want to find out which road they’ll tread.
While I love the cover of the first book, I don’t quite see its significance to the story for now since the world is still being built upon. I love the combination of colors and the artwork since they’re topnotch and proves that this book isn’t to be taken lightly. I would prefer the cover to show a mage wielding both elar and val since it’s fundamentally what the book explores. Still, the cover is beautiful enough to catch the eyes of any fantasy lover and the possibility of clashes between magical creatures is a must-read. One more comment about the cover is that the book’s title and series name should be interchanged for distinction purposes but I love the typography and how it blends well with the cover. The summary does a great job of narrating the story but I hope it doesn’t easily give away important details of the characters but I like how it doesn’t use the common summary formulation that tends to sound gimmicky. Overall, the book’s packaging is wonderful and I look forward to what other wonders the next books contain.
I am greatly honored to be picked as part of this series’ early readers and I am quite satisfied with all that I’ve absorbed. I do hope that the next books will raise the bar even higher since I am absolutely sure of this series’ greatness especially with the shifting of norms into a more big-picture perspective.
Review to come soon. Still gathering my thoughts...
UPDATE:
In a world where people are judged on the type of magic they wield, a young man will realize that people are just afraid of all that they find peculiar and will hide from the truth that’s bubbling from within. Fractures is a debut fantasy novel that challenges old traditions as debatable, amenable, and progressive.
I received a digital ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I accepted the offer to review the novel because I am a believer in fantasy authors since they create such wonderful worlds that teach highly valuable messages in the form of a world’s customs or story progression. This book deserves some praise for its unique story about light and dark mages because it shakes the predetermined notion that light is good and dark is evil. I like how the world slowly develops simultaneously with the story and its characters. I admire at the attempt to create a world that has the potential to rival those of the biggest fantasy novels in terms of scope but I find the lack of a map for guidance quite disorienting since it hinders the reader to form rationalizations for the cultural differences of each area. I also find the pacing quite appropriate for a world so vast and the start of the series because it allows the reader to form musings of their own as to what the rest of the world holds. My biggest critique for the book is the lack of climax with the first book ending quite abruptly just when the thrill is building. I understand that this is still the first book in the series but I would prefer my series starters to be strong, independent, and impactful. Nevertheless, the beauty of the world makes up for most of what the book lacks and I’m pretty sure that the next installments hold the key to the series’ success.
N.K. Leem is kind enough to consider me as one of the people who get the first glimpse of her debut novel and it is an honor to be able to say that I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of it. Leem proves her love for mythology and fantasy by writing good action scenes. The elements she tinkers with are similar to those novels considered to be hallmarks of the genre. The writing is clear and understandable and the author’s voice has this contemporary heart that knows how and when to tug at the reader in the most opportune instances. Leem’s novel, if receiving the reach it deserves, is sure to be held close to the audience’s hearts because it’s pretty evident that the series is a project borne out of passion and lifelong experience of reading fantasy novels. I look forward to reading the next books in this series and I hope the world and magic system gets explored well.
I find it amazing to have a fantasy novel with character-building quite similar to that of contemporary novels. Thaleon is a great main character with his innocence and heart. Seeing his development and understanding of the harsh world around him is a delight to read about and is reminiscent of a contemporary’s manner of conveying the acceptance of a world bigger than the characters. Dawyn is also a great brotherly character who offers so much potential of the conflict between man and destiny because of the circumstances he is thrown into. His resilience is one to be admired and mirrored by readers. One more thing I can say about the series is that the indeterminateness of the antagonist begs the reader to pave a path for the characters and predict how the story will unfold. This will give the series a chance to throw a curveball on the readers and catch them by surprise. Basically, the characters’ development in this book is experimental that will eventually lead them to a crossroads that will ultimately seal their fate and I want to find out which road they’ll tread.
While I love the cover of the first book, I don’t quite see its significance to the story for now since the world is still being built upon. I love the combination of colors and the artwork since they’re topnotch and proves that this book isn’t to be taken lightly. I would prefer the cover to show a mage wielding both elar and val since it’s fundamentally what the book explores. Still, the cover is beautiful enough to catch the eyes of any fantasy lover and the possibility of clashes between magical creatures is a must-read. One more comment about the cover is that the book’s title and series name should be interchanged for distinction purposes but I love the typography and how it blends well with the cover. The summary does a great job of narrating the story but I hope it doesn’t easily give away important details of the characters but I like how it doesn’t use the common summary formulation that tends to sound gimmicky. Overall, the book’s packaging is wonderful and I look forward to what other wonders the next books contain.
I am greatly honored to be picked as part of this series’ early readers and I am quite satisfied with all that I’ve absorbed. I do hope that the next books will raise the bar even higher since I am absolutely sure of this series’ greatness especially with the shifting of norms into a more big-picture perspective.
December 14, 2019
(3.5⭐️) Fractures follows two boys who are brothers in all but blood as they navigate the path that their misfortunes take them. When raiders burn their village, kill their family, and capture them for the slave trade, Thaleon and Dawyn must navigate a cruel world. Separated along the voyage to the island of Scyrta, these two boys must endure terrible situations, often barely surviving. Thaleon has dark magic, called valekyn, and goes to Allsdale to train as a mage. His brother, Dawyn arrives in Scyrta and must witness first-hand the destruction valekyn causes.
This is a story of boys learning to shed their naïveté and innocence. There are some mature themes involved, including rape (which is never actually shown or described) and discrimination, among other things. It is not easy to explore such deep themes in writing and N.K. Leem is to be commended for being brave enough to explore these, and for doing it well.
The book was a very fast read, which I liked, where the scenes moved quickly and the plot did not linger. There wasn’t a single time I found myself bored. The characters gave you a reason to be sympathetic as they encountered one trial after another. Thaleon and Dawyn were believable characters for their age. Too often children in fantasy are portrayed much smarter than what is realistic. Thaleon and Dawyn didn’t always make the best decisions, nor did they always handle themselves in the best ways. But they were kids. That’s what kids do. It was their imperfections that made them believable. I appreciated that.
N.K. Leem’s writing style is very elegant and I enjoyed the words as they poured off the pages. The parallels she drew between Thaleon and Dawn with dark magic was creative. The world she created was likewise curiosity-inspiring. I wish there had been a map, though, as it would have made it easier to picture all the locations.
I would say my favorite aspect of the story (aside from the characters) was the magic itself. I was intreagued by the descriptions of the dark and light magic as shadows that pulled themselves free of the mage that cast them, to do their bidding. I thought it was cool that one could detect traces of this magic lingering in the air even after cast. I did feel that more depth could have been added to the magical lessons Thaleon took part in, and while the most detail was added to the healing lessons. I felt that this could have been explored more and was disappointed.
In terms of some of the more technical elements:
I didn’t feel Thaleon and Dawyn followed definable character arcs. I found myself trying to figure out what flaws they had to overcome along their journey, struggling to see their personal growth on a deeper level. I was left to assume they were growing simply because of all the rough situations they were forced into. Aside from the character arc, I also couldn’t find a discernible “hero’s journey” taking place. The story ended rather abruptly and felt somewhat unresolved. Ultimately, I subtracted 1.5 stars because of these elements, which I feel is a large backbone of any story.
Overall, bravo to N.K Leem for a wonderful debut novel. I’m looking forward to the second book, and hoping both Thaleon and Dawyn become reunited during their next adventures. I feel that that would ultimately close out their story better. If you like fantasy, magic, and fast paced reading, give this one a try.
I received an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you N.K. Leem for this opportunity!
This is a story of boys learning to shed their naïveté and innocence. There are some mature themes involved, including rape (which is never actually shown or described) and discrimination, among other things. It is not easy to explore such deep themes in writing and N.K. Leem is to be commended for being brave enough to explore these, and for doing it well.
The book was a very fast read, which I liked, where the scenes moved quickly and the plot did not linger. There wasn’t a single time I found myself bored. The characters gave you a reason to be sympathetic as they encountered one trial after another. Thaleon and Dawyn were believable characters for their age. Too often children in fantasy are portrayed much smarter than what is realistic. Thaleon and Dawyn didn’t always make the best decisions, nor did they always handle themselves in the best ways. But they were kids. That’s what kids do. It was their imperfections that made them believable. I appreciated that.
N.K. Leem’s writing style is very elegant and I enjoyed the words as they poured off the pages. The parallels she drew between Thaleon and Dawn with dark magic was creative. The world she created was likewise curiosity-inspiring. I wish there had been a map, though, as it would have made it easier to picture all the locations.
I would say my favorite aspect of the story (aside from the characters) was the magic itself. I was intreagued by the descriptions of the dark and light magic as shadows that pulled themselves free of the mage that cast them, to do their bidding. I thought it was cool that one could detect traces of this magic lingering in the air even after cast. I did feel that more depth could have been added to the magical lessons Thaleon took part in, and while the most detail was added to the healing lessons. I felt that this could have been explored more and was disappointed.
In terms of some of the more technical elements:
I didn’t feel Thaleon and Dawyn followed definable character arcs. I found myself trying to figure out what flaws they had to overcome along their journey, struggling to see their personal growth on a deeper level. I was left to assume they were growing simply because of all the rough situations they were forced into. Aside from the character arc, I also couldn’t find a discernible “hero’s journey” taking place. The story ended rather abruptly and felt somewhat unresolved. Ultimately, I subtracted 1.5 stars because of these elements, which I feel is a large backbone of any story.
Overall, bravo to N.K Leem for a wonderful debut novel. I’m looking forward to the second book, and hoping both Thaleon and Dawyn become reunited during their next adventures. I feel that that would ultimately close out their story better. If you like fantasy, magic, and fast paced reading, give this one a try.
I received an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you N.K. Leem for this opportunity!
December 15, 2019
“Because one’s heart is not determined by the magic one wields, Thaleon. All magic can be used for good or evil.
N..K. Leem, makes a great debut with her Ledgers of a Dark Mage Book saga, is story full of magic, brotherhood, friendship and an interesting world building and mythology.
Thaleon and Dawyn are two brothers not of blood, but of heart, one day their village is attacked and they are taken as prisoners, but they will be separated will have different paths ahead.
Thaleon is rescued and discovers that he is a magician, but his magic is hated and feared in Itothia, he must learn to hide and dominate it. Dawyn is sold as a slave and tortured, his wish is to escape. Both suffer for the loss of the other.
It is a story of innocence and the lost of the innocence, courage, survival, you get attached of both brothers and you only wish that nothing worse happen to them. It is a novel that read really fast, the author's writing style makes you enter into the story because her descriptions are very detailed and you only want to read more.
(Sorry if I have bad grammar, english is not my mother tongue)
......................................................................................
N.K. Leem, hace un gran debut con su saga Ledgers of a Dark Mage Book, es una saga llena de magia, hermandad, amistad y un interesante world building y mitología.
Thaleon y Dawyn son dos hermanos no de sangre, sino de corazón, un día su aldea es atacada y son tomados como prisioneros, pero ambos tendrán diferentes caminos por delante.
Thaleon es rescatado y descubre que es un mago, pero su magia es odiada y temida en Itothia, el deberá aprender a ocultarla y dominarla. Dawyn es vendido como esclavo y torturado, su deseo es escapar. Ambos sufren por la perdida del otro.
Es una historia de inocencia y de la perdida de ella, de valor, de supervivencia, te encariñas con ambos hermanos y solo deseas que no les pase nada peor. Es una novela que se lee rápido, la pluma de la autora hace que te adentres a la historia porque sus descripciones son muy detalladas y solo quieres leer más.
N..K. Leem, makes a great debut with her Ledgers of a Dark Mage Book saga, is story full of magic, brotherhood, friendship and an interesting world building and mythology.
Thaleon and Dawyn are two brothers not of blood, but of heart, one day their village is attacked and they are taken as prisoners, but they will be separated will have different paths ahead.
Thaleon is rescued and discovers that he is a magician, but his magic is hated and feared in Itothia, he must learn to hide and dominate it. Dawyn is sold as a slave and tortured, his wish is to escape. Both suffer for the loss of the other.
It is a story of innocence and the lost of the innocence, courage, survival, you get attached of both brothers and you only wish that nothing worse happen to them. It is a novel that read really fast, the author's writing style makes you enter into the story because her descriptions are very detailed and you only want to read more.
(Sorry if I have bad grammar, english is not my mother tongue)
......................................................................................
N.K. Leem, hace un gran debut con su saga Ledgers of a Dark Mage Book, es una saga llena de magia, hermandad, amistad y un interesante world building y mitología.
Thaleon y Dawyn son dos hermanos no de sangre, sino de corazón, un día su aldea es atacada y son tomados como prisioneros, pero ambos tendrán diferentes caminos por delante.
Thaleon es rescatado y descubre que es un mago, pero su magia es odiada y temida en Itothia, el deberá aprender a ocultarla y dominarla. Dawyn es vendido como esclavo y torturado, su deseo es escapar. Ambos sufren por la perdida del otro.
Es una historia de inocencia y de la perdida de ella, de valor, de supervivencia, te encariñas con ambos hermanos y solo deseas que no les pase nada peor. Es una novela que se lee rápido, la pluma de la autora hace que te adentres a la historia porque sus descripciones son muy detalladas y solo quieres leer más.
December 16, 2019
Fractures revolved around two boys - Thaleon and Dawyn - who have been as close as brothers since they were much younger. The two boys got involved in numerous mishaps - one after another - and was later on, separated. During their separation, Thaleon discovered he has dark magic called valekyn in his blood, and went to Allesdale to train as a mage whilst hiding the fact that he has dark magic. On the other hand, Dawyn was sold as a slave in Scryta, witnessing first-hand that the notion that dark magic is bad and that light magic is good isn't always true.
This book had me flipping through pages in the late of the night and early morning, just to be able to read what would happen next. It felt like I was pulled inside the book, making me experience the same feelings the protagonists were having - from utter sadness to cringing pain to bursts of anger. I was captivated.
I really like Thaleon but, I adored Dawyn. It broke my heart that at such young age, they have to go through so much in that cruel world however, their perseverance and resilience really impressed me. The story also reminded me of innocence and kindness which was portrayed by many characters in the story, including Dawyn. It reminded me that no matter what the age, kindness can save people's lives.
N. K. Leem's writing style was so easy to grasp, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The world she created was so intriguing though, I do hope the book has a map for us (readers) to have an easier way to picture the locations within this amazing world. The book also mentioned mature themes such as rape, discrimination, and prejudice which I know is very hard to put into words so, I salute her for having the courage to do it.
In regards to the ending, I know this is the first installment of the series but, I was a little sad since, I felt like it was a little rushed or was abruptly stopped when I can tell, that the tension/climax of the story was only starting.
Nonetheless, it was an amazing adventure to be part of, and I hope to see Thaleon and Dawyn in the next book.
This book had me flipping through pages in the late of the night and early morning, just to be able to read what would happen next. It felt like I was pulled inside the book, making me experience the same feelings the protagonists were having - from utter sadness to cringing pain to bursts of anger. I was captivated.
I really like Thaleon but, I adored Dawyn. It broke my heart that at such young age, they have to go through so much in that cruel world however, their perseverance and resilience really impressed me. The story also reminded me of innocence and kindness which was portrayed by many characters in the story, including Dawyn. It reminded me that no matter what the age, kindness can save people's lives.
N. K. Leem's writing style was so easy to grasp, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The world she created was so intriguing though, I do hope the book has a map for us (readers) to have an easier way to picture the locations within this amazing world. The book also mentioned mature themes such as rape, discrimination, and prejudice which I know is very hard to put into words so, I salute her for having the courage to do it.
In regards to the ending, I know this is the first installment of the series but, I was a little sad since, I felt like it was a little rushed or was abruptly stopped when I can tell, that the tension/climax of the story was only starting.
Nonetheless, it was an amazing adventure to be part of, and I hope to see Thaleon and Dawyn in the next book.
December 14, 2019
I received advance copy of the book from the author.and I am so glad for it.
The book is about two brothers who get separated because of human trafficking one of the brothers get sold as a slave and the another one find that he is a dark mage. ( Both think that the other one is dead )
This fantasy world is very similar to ours where people are judged by the colour of their skin and the wizards are judged by the colour of their magic.
I enjoyed this book a lot . The story was very gripping. One admirable trait was that not much time was wasted in world building , we get to know about this world along with the characters.
Both the main characters have been written very nicely. They stick to their personality throughout the book and you can't help but start caring for them. Even the minor characters are interesting.
For me a good book is the one with tight plot and clear characters. This one has both.
This book is a great debut. And I am eagerly waiting for the next part and a bit terrified about the reunion of Dawyne and his younger brother.
The ending was a bit abrupt but that's ok I will still wait for the next part 🥰🥰🥰
The book is about two brothers who get separated because of human trafficking one of the brothers get sold as a slave and the another one find that he is a dark mage. ( Both think that the other one is dead )
This fantasy world is very similar to ours where people are judged by the colour of their skin and the wizards are judged by the colour of their magic.
I enjoyed this book a lot . The story was very gripping. One admirable trait was that not much time was wasted in world building , we get to know about this world along with the characters.
Both the main characters have been written very nicely. They stick to their personality throughout the book and you can't help but start caring for them. Even the minor characters are interesting.
For me a good book is the one with tight plot and clear characters. This one has both.
This book is a great debut. And I am eagerly waiting for the next part and a bit terrified about the reunion of Dawyne and his younger brother.
The ending was a bit abrupt but that's ok I will still wait for the next part 🥰🥰🥰
December 26, 2019
e-ARC provided by the author for my honest review. Please note that Fractures has some difficult themes.
Deep bond of love with found family? Check. Moody and dark tone? Check. Protagonist with Dark Magic? Check.
The world building in this book is done very well, you really feel like you are immersed in the story and you can feel yourself in Scryta or on the ship being taken away from all you have ever known. It truly feels like a complete world.
Thaleon and Dawyn's deep bond helped ground the magic elements and get you through the more difficult themes in the book. The tone of the book is moody and dark, and for me Dawyn's protectiveness over Thaleon and their bond is really the heart of the story. It is a struggle to see them separated, even as Thaleon discovers that Dark Magic is his gift.
Though I love a good light vs dark story, in general we all exist in shades of grey. Dark is not always evil, and those that tout righteousness are often the least righteous. As Thaleon learns how to wield his power and Dawyn is sold into slavery, we see that the intention of the hand that wields the magic is truly what defines right and wrong.
I will say that the ending was abrupt, and I would've liked to see a more defined arc encapsulating a single part of the story. Can't wait to see what happens next!
Deep bond of love with found family? Check. Moody and dark tone? Check. Protagonist with Dark Magic? Check.
The world building in this book is done very well, you really feel like you are immersed in the story and you can feel yourself in Scryta or on the ship being taken away from all you have ever known. It truly feels like a complete world.
Thaleon and Dawyn's deep bond helped ground the magic elements and get you through the more difficult themes in the book. The tone of the book is moody and dark, and for me Dawyn's protectiveness over Thaleon and their bond is really the heart of the story. It is a struggle to see them separated, even as Thaleon discovers that Dark Magic is his gift.
Though I love a good light vs dark story, in general we all exist in shades of grey. Dark is not always evil, and those that tout righteousness are often the least righteous. As Thaleon learns how to wield his power and Dawyn is sold into slavery, we see that the intention of the hand that wields the magic is truly what defines right and wrong.
I will say that the ending was abrupt, and I would've liked to see a more defined arc encapsulating a single part of the story. Can't wait to see what happens next!
December 13, 2019
I was given an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was an amazing read! I'm a sucker for dark fantasy that can keep me interested at all times, and Fractures did just that.
The book follows Thaleon and Dawyn through a world with a dark history that involves a war againts dark mages. The world was described in a beautiful way that made me feel like I was there every step of the way. I found myself bound to the pages, immersed in the world, only stopping when I really had to do something else, but always wanting to go back for more.
The main characters are very well written and I could connect with them every step of the way. Even the side characters were written with depth and I found myself profoundly loving almost every character I came across. Each of them had their own motivations and acted accordingly, something I personally love a lot in books.
I am dying to know what happens next and am already looking forward to the next book!
This was an amazing read! I'm a sucker for dark fantasy that can keep me interested at all times, and Fractures did just that.
The book follows Thaleon and Dawyn through a world with a dark history that involves a war againts dark mages. The world was described in a beautiful way that made me feel like I was there every step of the way. I found myself bound to the pages, immersed in the world, only stopping when I really had to do something else, but always wanting to go back for more.
The main characters are very well written and I could connect with them every step of the way. Even the side characters were written with depth and I found myself profoundly loving almost every character I came across. Each of them had their own motivations and acted accordingly, something I personally love a lot in books.
I am dying to know what happens next and am already looking forward to the next book!
December 14, 2019
I received an e-ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This is such a great read for me who loves dark fantasy! It felt so real, especially from the POV of the characters, Thaleon and Dawyn! The story is based on 2 characters, Thaleon and Dawyn. At first, Thaleon story interest me more than Dawyn, but in the middle of the book, Dawyn's story is getting more interesting than Thaleon! They're both becoming my favorite 💙 I don't really like a story from third person point of view, but reading their stories just keep me want to go on and on reading it! Overall I gave 4.2/5 🌟
Thank you for the opportunity to review your book~ Can't wait for the next book!
This is such a great read for me who loves dark fantasy! It felt so real, especially from the POV of the characters, Thaleon and Dawyn! The story is based on 2 characters, Thaleon and Dawyn. At first, Thaleon story interest me more than Dawyn, but in the middle of the book, Dawyn's story is getting more interesting than Thaleon! They're both becoming my favorite 💙 I don't really like a story from third person point of view, but reading their stories just keep me want to go on and on reading it! Overall I gave 4.2/5 🌟
Thank you for the opportunity to review your book~ Can't wait for the next book!
December 24, 2019
This is a wonderful debut and gripped me from the first page. Fractures if a dark fantasy coming of age story of two boys - Thaleon and Dawyn. The writing is silky smooth and the plot was well paced enough to keep me gripped long into the night. The world building also deserves praise - being realistic enough to draw the reader into, whilst fantastical enough to keep you wondering what will happen next. The plot twists are also very well done and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of N.K. Leem's work.
December 14, 2019
This was a fantastically enthralling read from start to finish! Each charter kept me incapable of putting the book down eager to see where the tale was going next. Besides the story possessing an immensely gripping plot line, the writer does an amazing job of developing each character in a way that really draws you to empathize with & have a strong desire to know more about each.
If you’re a fan of fantasy or just a great storyline, you will enjoy! I absolutely can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book of the series!!
If you’re a fan of fantasy or just a great storyline, you will enjoy! I absolutely can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book of the series!!
December 11, 2019
Do you love stories about magic and fantasy world?
If you do then this novel is perfect for you. You just feel every character's pain, joy, happiness.
You can forget about the ordinary world and join the fantasy world without leaving your room.
And the magic begins when you read the last chapter. You feel a lot of emotions gathering in your mind and you can't think anything else but Thaleon.... and Dawyn of course.
I want to thank the author N.K.Leem for this amazing opportunity. I received an arc copy and enjoyed reading the wonderful book.
I can't wait to read the next one.
If you do then this novel is perfect for you. You just feel every character's pain, joy, happiness.
You can forget about the ordinary world and join the fantasy world without leaving your room.
And the magic begins when you read the last chapter. You feel a lot of emotions gathering in your mind and you can't think anything else but Thaleon.... and Dawyn of course.
I want to thank the author N.K.Leem for this amazing opportunity. I received an arc copy and enjoyed reading the wonderful book.
I can't wait to read the next one.
December 8, 2019
"You alone are free to choose your destiny and nothing - not even magic - can make you do anything you don't want to."
I really enjoyed reading Fractures. It's an amazing debut novel by N.K. Leem.
I liked the gradual world building of this interesting and sometimes seriously scary world. The characters were well written. The brotherly bond between Thaleon and Dawyn is so sweet even if they are not brothers by blood. Dawyn was my favorite because he went through so much and still in the hardest of times he wasn't thinking only of himself but he also tried to help the others.
I also liked the writing style. It made the story flow so easaly and fast to read.
I can't wait to see what happens next.
I highly recommend this book if you like fantasy, advanture and magic.
I really enjoyed reading Fractures. It's an amazing debut novel by N.K. Leem.
I liked the gradual world building of this interesting and sometimes seriously scary world. The characters were well written. The brotherly bond between Thaleon and Dawyn is so sweet even if they are not brothers by blood. Dawyn was my favorite because he went through so much and still in the hardest of times he wasn't thinking only of himself but he also tried to help the others.
I also liked the writing style. It made the story flow so easaly and fast to read.
I can't wait to see what happens next.
I highly recommend this book if you like fantasy, advanture and magic.
December 4, 2019
Fractures pulled me in from page one and didnt let go!
by fairytalespines
Fractures is book 1 in the Ledgers of a Dark Mage Series. I really enjoyed it and cant wait to see what happens next! The Author N.K. Leem pulled me in from the beginning, and made me care about the two main Characters Dawyn and Thaleon. I loved the brotherly relationship between the two and my heart broke for them with every misfortune they encountered. The setting was written well and I loved the details of the many creatures that roamed N.K. Leem's enchanted world. The ending definitely left me wanting more! I would recommend this book to people who enjoy Fantasy, Adventure, and strong characters who overcome an array of obstacles.
by fairytalespines
Fractures is book 1 in the Ledgers of a Dark Mage Series. I really enjoyed it and cant wait to see what happens next! The Author N.K. Leem pulled me in from the beginning, and made me care about the two main Characters Dawyn and Thaleon. I loved the brotherly relationship between the two and my heart broke for them with every misfortune they encountered. The setting was written well and I loved the details of the many creatures that roamed N.K. Leem's enchanted world. The ending definitely left me wanting more! I would recommend this book to people who enjoy Fantasy, Adventure, and strong characters who overcome an array of obstacles.
January 12, 2020
This is one of those books that draws you in from the start and you get really attached to the characters very quickly. Thaleon is adorable and I spent most of the book just wanting to give him a hug. His problem with people treating him badly based on his mother's race breaks your heart. He's young and vulnerable but I can see him coming into his own later in the series. His relationship with Dawyn is truly heartwarming, they're the closest of brothers even without being blood related. Dawyn has to be my favourite, he's strong and he defends anyone he sees being mistreated even at the cost of his own wellbeing. He's in a horrible situation but he still cares and comforts other characters. The side characters are interesting but I have to admit I'm not as attached to them as I am Thaleon and Dawyn, though I'm sure as the series goes on I'll get more invested in them as well.
The plot is quite fast and doesn't give you time to get bored or disengaged. The writing is straight forward and simple to follow. I would have liked more details regarding certain things such as Thaleon's training and a bit more in the beginning with them and their family. I liked that there wasn't really any romance, there were hints of future romance but they don't hit you over the head. I did have a bit of a bugbear with the descriptions of characters when they are introduced, they are very detailed and everyone is ridiculously attractive which seemed a little fanfictiony. But overall I highly enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone who like to have a instant connection to their main characters.
The plot is quite fast and doesn't give you time to get bored or disengaged. The writing is straight forward and simple to follow. I would have liked more details regarding certain things such as Thaleon's training and a bit more in the beginning with them and their family. I liked that there wasn't really any romance, there were hints of future romance but they don't hit you over the head. I did have a bit of a bugbear with the descriptions of characters when they are introduced, they are very detailed and everyone is ridiculously attractive which seemed a little fanfictiony. But overall I highly enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone who like to have a instant connection to their main characters.
January 6, 2025
An amazing read from start to end!
I really loved the fascinating world that the author has created in this book! Honestly, I couldn't believe that this was a debut novel, because the writing had me gripped from page one!
Fractures is a dark fantasy novel that tells the coming of age story of two boys - Thaleon and Dawyn, who have been as close as brothers since childhood!
The story starts off with us seeing the prejudice that Thaleon faces due to his mixed heritage and how Dawyn is always there to protect him.
A series of events that start off with the raiders pillaging their village, leads the boys on a grueling journey, which causes them to get separated along the way!
Thaleon ends up discovering that he is a valekyn - a dark mage who possesses great powers, but he has to hide this due to the fact that his kind are executed on sight! He gets rescued by a kind noble and ends up in Allesdale, where he must learn to be a mage without revealing his dark powers.
On the other hand, poor Dawyn is captured by the raiders and taken to Scryta(a land where debauchery seems to reign and no one enforces laws) to be a slave to a powerful but cruel mistress. Here, he undergoes all kinds of trials that might be enough to break his body, but not his spirit!
My favorite part about this book was the world-building and the characters! The writing flows easily and the author shows us the world slowly along the way, without overwhelming us with information! We discover so many things about the world, right along with the boys, because though they hadn't lived an easy life, it was quite sheltered!
Every character in the book was well fleshed out and so realistic! There is no black and white in the world that Ms. Leem has created! Everyone operates in shades of grey, with equally fascinating strengths and weaknesses! No-one is outright good or evil! A few characters that you thought were pure, might end up surprising you with their actions and a few others you assume are bad, are the ones who might help in the end!
"Because one's heart is not determined by the magic one wields, Thaleon. All magic can be used for good or evil. Even had Darius wielded elar - or light magic as it is commonly called - he would have taken the same actions and his place in history would not have changed. The choices we make are our own - right or wrong."
The two main protagonists were so realistic that I wanted to leap through the pages and give them both a hug! I loved the journey that each had to go through and the character development that they both underwent! Thaleon is stronger and is armed with more knowledge now, but he still lacks the confidence to stand up for himself, without losing control! Dawyn, who was the protector, is put through so much and still manages to come out somehow. But, now he faces a long road ahead of him that might take him on a path that is directly opposite to that of Thaleon!
My only complaint would be that the book ended too suddenly! I came to the last page and I was surprised there wasn't more! Even a cliffhanger ending could have eased this abruptness!
All in all, this was a great book that I'm happy that I got to read this year and I'm super excited to see where the author will take the characters next! I think there's a lot more of this world that we will get to see, with new background stories!
Note : As this is a dark fantasy book, there are references to sexual assault, torture and situations that may be unpalatable to some. So, if you find yourself uncomfortable reading such references, then please heed the trigger warnings!
* An ARC of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review *
I really loved the fascinating world that the author has created in this book! Honestly, I couldn't believe that this was a debut novel, because the writing had me gripped from page one!
Fractures is a dark fantasy novel that tells the coming of age story of two boys - Thaleon and Dawyn, who have been as close as brothers since childhood!
The story starts off with us seeing the prejudice that Thaleon faces due to his mixed heritage and how Dawyn is always there to protect him.
A series of events that start off with the raiders pillaging their village, leads the boys on a grueling journey, which causes them to get separated along the way!
Thaleon ends up discovering that he is a valekyn - a dark mage who possesses great powers, but he has to hide this due to the fact that his kind are executed on sight! He gets rescued by a kind noble and ends up in Allesdale, where he must learn to be a mage without revealing his dark powers.
On the other hand, poor Dawyn is captured by the raiders and taken to Scryta(a land where debauchery seems to reign and no one enforces laws) to be a slave to a powerful but cruel mistress. Here, he undergoes all kinds of trials that might be enough to break his body, but not his spirit!
My favorite part about this book was the world-building and the characters! The writing flows easily and the author shows us the world slowly along the way, without overwhelming us with information! We discover so many things about the world, right along with the boys, because though they hadn't lived an easy life, it was quite sheltered!
Every character in the book was well fleshed out and so realistic! There is no black and white in the world that Ms. Leem has created! Everyone operates in shades of grey, with equally fascinating strengths and weaknesses! No-one is outright good or evil! A few characters that you thought were pure, might end up surprising you with their actions and a few others you assume are bad, are the ones who might help in the end!
"Because one's heart is not determined by the magic one wields, Thaleon. All magic can be used for good or evil. Even had Darius wielded elar - or light magic as it is commonly called - he would have taken the same actions and his place in history would not have changed. The choices we make are our own - right or wrong."
The two main protagonists were so realistic that I wanted to leap through the pages and give them both a hug! I loved the journey that each had to go through and the character development that they both underwent! Thaleon is stronger and is armed with more knowledge now, but he still lacks the confidence to stand up for himself, without losing control! Dawyn, who was the protector, is put through so much and still manages to come out somehow. But, now he faces a long road ahead of him that might take him on a path that is directly opposite to that of Thaleon!
My only complaint would be that the book ended too suddenly! I came to the last page and I was surprised there wasn't more! Even a cliffhanger ending could have eased this abruptness!
All in all, this was a great book that I'm happy that I got to read this year and I'm super excited to see where the author will take the characters next! I think there's a lot more of this world that we will get to see, with new background stories!
Note : As this is a dark fantasy book, there are references to sexual assault, torture and situations that may be unpalatable to some. So, if you find yourself uncomfortable reading such references, then please heed the trigger warnings!
* An ARC of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review *
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