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Fractured Magic #1
Fractured Magic
When the King of Alfheim disappears, the government sends a team of elites to find and rescue him. The team, led by the King’s own nephew, soon discovers that there’s more at play than a simple kidnapping: divine creatures play puppeteers, long-dead monsters roam the continent, and the mysterious hero Egil stands at the center of it all, fighting the dark magic that threatens to consume him.
If the team fails to rescue the King, it could mean war. If they fail to help Egil, it could end the world as they know it.
Fractured Magic is a queer, diverse Web Serial that you can read for free at www.emrowene.com.
If the team fails to rescue the King, it could mean war. If they fail to help Egil, it could end the world as they know it.
Fractured Magic is a queer, diverse Web Serial that you can read for free at www.emrowene.com.
Web Serial
First published July 31, 2025
About the author
Em Rowene
2 books12 followersEm is a storyteller based in the Twin Cities. They are the author of FRACTURED MAGIC, a sprawling epic fantasy about political accountability, and THE CASE FILES OF SHERIDAN BELL, a fantasy homage to the golden era of detective fiction. While most of their work sits squarely at the crossroads between old school fantasy and creeping gothic horror, they can also be found picking up a magnifying glass or exploring new planets.
Beyond their books, Em is an attorney with extensive knowledge of fanworks and copyright. They have a B.A. in English Composition and have several years' experience as an SFF developmental editor. When not writing, they can be found reading or gaming, likely trapped under one of their five cats.
Beyond their books, Em is an attorney with extensive knowledge of fanworks and copyright. They have a B.A. in English Composition and have several years' experience as an SFF developmental editor. When not writing, they can be found reading or gaming, likely trapped under one of their five cats.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 14, 2020
Fractured Magic is an ongoing webserial, which means that it updates with new chapters once a week. Because the story is still in progress, it's hard to critique the story as a whole - that said, I discovered it several weeks ago, obsessively read the story in one night, and have been thinking about it since.
This story is a gothic fiction in the classic sense, ticking every aesthetic and literary element. Gritty Victorian world? Check. A main character who's haunted by the past? Check. Elements of the supernatural? Check. (It is fantasy, after all). Prophecies, nightmares, and a naïve girl discovering ancient horrors in a crumbling castle? Check, check, and check.
As if that wasn't enough to endear me to the story, it's laden with diverse representation. (And neurodivergent characters!) The main pairing is a mlm friends(?)-to-enemies-to-lovers, but there seems to be developing a wlw side pairing with a character the creator has explicitly stated is trans. At the current publishing point in the story, Roman and Leandros (our main pairing) have just recently been reunited (after a juicy "I left for your own good!") and the tension between them is starting to mount.
My one reservation is that the author seems to be laying down a lot of plot threads - not yet knowing how the story is resolved, I'm wondering how/if/when these threads weave together, and how they relate to each other. Time will tell!
This story is a gothic fiction in the classic sense, ticking every aesthetic and literary element. Gritty Victorian world? Check. A main character who's haunted by the past? Check. Elements of the supernatural? Check. (It is fantasy, after all). Prophecies, nightmares, and a naïve girl discovering ancient horrors in a crumbling castle? Check, check, and check.
As if that wasn't enough to endear me to the story, it's laden with diverse representation. (And neurodivergent characters!) The main pairing is a mlm friends(?)-to-enemies-to-lovers, but there seems to be developing a wlw side pairing with a character the creator has explicitly stated is trans. At the current publishing point in the story, Roman and Leandros (our main pairing) have just recently been reunited (after a juicy "I left for your own good!") and the tension between them is starting to mount.
My one reservation is that the author seems to be laying down a lot of plot threads - not yet knowing how the story is resolved, I'm wondering how/if/when these threads weave together, and how they relate to each other. Time will tell!
March 14, 2026
This book has a very, very slow start, the pace practically crawling, but when you get through that? It's so good. I love all the characters, they are all very much uniquely charming and just... very real. I'm also just... so invested in the plot, like... what do you mean??? What. Do. You. Mean?! I wish I could hibernate until the story continues...
April 8, 2026
So, I have a secret to admit:
I have read very little indie lit that isn't romance of some kind. I couldn't tell you why, either. Fantasy is my #1 genre and Epic Fantasy specifically, so you would think I'd have found more of it along the way. A sprinkle of a sprawling plot, a hefty cast of characters and their layered, developing relationships. Well, I definitely found it here!
I backed this book on Kickstarter on a whim. Sometimes you just wanna kick some dollars to a queer author writing queer books, right? Boy, what a good investment.
The story here unfolds slowly, but methodically, like the blooming of a flower, and while I do think that I was able to pick out some of the twists and turns, there's a great deal here to be discovered in the next book. Leandros and Roman are full of secrets and drama, both internal and external, and the rich world history is very well-developed to support the tale of fraught friendships and world-changing events. The writing is approachable and just detailed enough to give an impression of the world around them without drenching the reader in detail.
I'm not sure if this is going to be a duology or trilogy, but the first book lays groundwork for a very exciting sequel, nonetheless.
If I'm offering any kind of criticism, it would be that I did find myself a bit less engrossed around midway through, where there's a bit of a lull in the action and things get slow. There are a number of typos, and though not egregious, I did take note of them when I came across them. Also, this is a rare case where I feel as if the illustrations of the characters detracted from my enjoyment, as none of these players look anything like how I'd imagined them. (I know I'm free to reject reality and insert my own, but that feels mean. XD)
However, I do think they're minor complaints at best. If you're interested in a unique premise in a queer-normative world with political drama, gender-neutral faeries (Drys, my beloved!), you may enjoy picking this one up.
I have read very little indie lit that isn't romance of some kind. I couldn't tell you why, either. Fantasy is my #1 genre and Epic Fantasy specifically, so you would think I'd have found more of it along the way. A sprinkle of a sprawling plot, a hefty cast of characters and their layered, developing relationships. Well, I definitely found it here!
I backed this book on Kickstarter on a whim. Sometimes you just wanna kick some dollars to a queer author writing queer books, right? Boy, what a good investment.
The story here unfolds slowly, but methodically, like the blooming of a flower, and while I do think that I was able to pick out some of the twists and turns, there's a great deal here to be discovered in the next book. Leandros and Roman are full of secrets and drama, both internal and external, and the rich world history is very well-developed to support the tale of fraught friendships and world-changing events. The writing is approachable and just detailed enough to give an impression of the world around them without drenching the reader in detail.
I'm not sure if this is going to be a duology or trilogy, but the first book lays groundwork for a very exciting sequel, nonetheless.
If I'm offering any kind of criticism, it would be that I did find myself a bit less engrossed around midway through, where there's a bit of a lull in the action and things get slow. There are a number of typos, and though not egregious, I did take note of them when I came across them. Also, this is a rare case where I feel as if the illustrations of the characters detracted from my enjoyment, as none of these players look anything like how I'd imagined them. (I know I'm free to reject reality and insert my own, but that feels mean. XD)
However, I do think they're minor complaints at best. If you're interested in a unique premise in a queer-normative world with political drama, gender-neutral faeries (Drys, my beloved!), you may enjoy picking this one up.
July 14, 2025
🧝♂️ Fractured Magic 🧝♂️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@emrowene weaves a brand new and wholly unique fantasy world in Fractured Magic.
Prince Leandros sets out on a mission to save his kidnapped King. Half his team wants to kill him, the other half wants to prevent a war. A one member is long dead hero who just so happens to be the prince's ex.
This is more than a rescue mission. Its a prison break. Its a story about God's, hero's, fae and the depths of depravity those in power will go to stay there.
This story blew me away. I was constantly surprised and filled with wonder. At the end of chapter 22 my jaw dropped and I don't think I will get over that reveal for a long time. The way Rowene had created this urban fantasy is so engaging and topical. They vear away from the sole traditional fae route and instead they introduce different types of humans/ sapiens. Who all have different features and lifespans.
Multi-pov make up this story, it adds to the richness and the nuances of the narrative.
All I can really say is... where is Vol. 2 cause I am obsessed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@emrowene weaves a brand new and wholly unique fantasy world in Fractured Magic.
Prince Leandros sets out on a mission to save his kidnapped King. Half his team wants to kill him, the other half wants to prevent a war. A one member is long dead hero who just so happens to be the prince's ex.
This is more than a rescue mission. Its a prison break. Its a story about God's, hero's, fae and the depths of depravity those in power will go to stay there.
This story blew me away. I was constantly surprised and filled with wonder. At the end of chapter 22 my jaw dropped and I don't think I will get over that reveal for a long time. The way Rowene had created this urban fantasy is so engaging and topical. They vear away from the sole traditional fae route and instead they introduce different types of humans/ sapiens. Who all have different features and lifespans.
Multi-pov make up this story, it adds to the richness and the nuances of the narrative.
All I can really say is... where is Vol. 2 cause I am obsessed.
July 13, 2025
Fractured Magic feels like an adventuring fantasy movie in book form. It may start out a bit slower, but as each character's plot unfolds and the world expands, everything clicks into place.
All of the characters are very compelling. In a book with as many characters and POVs as this one, it would be easy for a few of them to fall flat or feel one-dimensional. However, each character and their story thread is emotional and well thought out.
The story itself is necessary in this day and age, and reading it, I felt the severity and heart in it. For as much as the characters are cynical and worried about their journey, there is still hope. And the moment all the stories converge, everything just slots into place before I even realized. The moment that I did, I was shouting at my phone!
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I can not wait to read the second!
I received this book as a free e-arc, and all my opinions are my own.
All of the characters are very compelling. In a book with as many characters and POVs as this one, it would be easy for a few of them to fall flat or feel one-dimensional. However, each character and their story thread is emotional and well thought out.
The story itself is necessary in this day and age, and reading it, I felt the severity and heart in it. For as much as the characters are cynical and worried about their journey, there is still hope. And the moment all the stories converge, everything just slots into place before I even realized. The moment that I did, I was shouting at my phone!
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I can not wait to read the second!
I received this book as a free e-arc, and all my opinions are my own.
July 26, 2025
This review comes from an ARC I received. :)
A beautifully done story. I was completely charmed by the character voices and lush settings.
Overall very well written—excellent pacing, evocative language, colorful characters. It's clear Rowene has done extensive work in building this world, with extensive lore/history, well-imagined politics, and detailed magics. The stakes were high and the relationships were heart-wrenching, too.
I really, really enjoyed this and highly recommend fantasy readers check it out upon release.
A beautifully done story. I was completely charmed by the character voices and lush settings.
Overall very well written—excellent pacing, evocative language, colorful characters. It's clear Rowene has done extensive work in building this world, with extensive lore/history, well-imagined politics, and detailed magics. The stakes were high and the relationships were heart-wrenching, too.
I really, really enjoyed this and highly recommend fantasy readers check it out upon release.
July 21, 2025
I received a free copy of the upcoming release version for this review.
What a ride! This book is wonderful! I can't wait to read more!
The pacing is a little odd at times, and the beginning after the initial hook was slow, so I'm rating this a 4.75 rounding up to five stars.
Can't wait to see where the journey goes!
What a ride! This book is wonderful! I can't wait to read more!
The pacing is a little odd at times, and the beginning after the initial hook was slow, so I'm rating this a 4.75 rounding up to five stars.
Can't wait to see where the journey goes!
December 12, 2025
The beginning and end were absolutely gripping and the characters in the middle were so interesting and diverse! I'm looking forward to book 2!
November 3, 2024
Oops read book two first? I have confusion
I think I read an earlier version There were many typos and it felt as though the author was telling more than showing. It was fantastical enough and had lovely pockets of angst to keep me reading. The slow burn and romantic tension was not written in a way that I could feel it. Perhaps more editing would be helpful/beta readers.
I think I read an earlier version There were many typos and it felt as though the author was telling more than showing. It was fantastical enough and had lovely pockets of angst to keep me reading. The slow burn and romantic tension was not written in a way that I could feel it. Perhaps more editing would be helpful/beta readers.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews