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The Cracked Reflection: An introductory novella to REFRACTION
The Cracked Reflection is an introductory novella
to Refraction.
Every story has a beginning, a spark that sets events
in motion. For Refraction, that spark is Maria.
Many children have imaginary friends, but Mr Piggy
isn’t an ordinary playmate. Strange things begin to
happen whenever he’s around and when he becomes
violent, Maria’s parents are naturally concerned.
Follow Maria as she grows up in Braighton Manor;
a life of wealth, privilege and loving parents, but with
the shadow of something unnatural, always by her
side.
How do the events of her young life, directly affect
the future? What makes her so important? Is she
crazy or is there any truth to these invasive visions?
THE WORLD SHE KNOWS, IS ONLY HALF THE STORY.
to Refraction.
Every story has a beginning, a spark that sets events
in motion. For Refraction, that spark is Maria.
Many children have imaginary friends, but Mr Piggy
isn’t an ordinary playmate. Strange things begin to
happen whenever he’s around and when he becomes
violent, Maria’s parents are naturally concerned.
Follow Maria as she grows up in Braighton Manor;
a life of wealth, privilege and loving parents, but with
the shadow of something unnatural, always by her
side.
How do the events of her young life, directly affect
the future? What makes her so important? Is she
crazy or is there any truth to these invasive visions?
THE WORLD SHE KNOWS, IS ONLY HALF THE STORY.
Paperback
Published May 31, 2021
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Terry Geo
5 books39 followersBorn in Derbyshire, raised in Yorkshire, resides in London.
Terry Geo wrote and directed his first play at age eleven. At sixteen, he started work in television, writing scripts and becoming the youngest director in the country. After a short stint in a boyband, Terry went back to writing, editing two national publications. He toured the world as an actor, moved to London and in 2017, wrote and directed an award-nominated musical for the London stage.
In 2022 and 2023 Terry toured the UK with a play he wrote and performed, Blink.
He now hosts his weekly podcast, Refracted World.
Terry is the author of two books: Refraction and The Cracked Reflection.
Terry Geo wrote and directed his first play at age eleven. At sixteen, he started work in television, writing scripts and becoming the youngest director in the country. After a short stint in a boyband, Terry went back to writing, editing two national publications. He toured the world as an actor, moved to London and in 2017, wrote and directed an award-nominated musical for the London stage.
In 2022 and 2023 Terry toured the UK with a play he wrote and performed, Blink.
He now hosts his weekly podcast, Refracted World.
Terry is the author of two books: Refraction and The Cracked Reflection.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this introductory novella to Terry Geo's full novel, Refraction. I instantly liked Maria's character and this was the perfect hook to pull me into her complicated, traumatic life. I'm very curious if Mr. Piggy is real somehow or if he truly is a figment of her imagination.
Overall, I'd say this is a great read and since I plan to jump right into the full novel next, I'd say The Cracked Reflection did its job! 5 stars!
Overall, I'd say this is a great read and since I plan to jump right into the full novel next, I'd say The Cracked Reflection did its job! 5 stars!
December 26, 2021
Haunting and sinister, this prequel novella packs a wallop in one perfect bite. Laughter hides madness and cruelty, and something as sweet and innocuous as an “invisible friend” becomes so much worse, with tragic consequences. Excited to dive into the rest of the series!
December 23, 2021
Absolutely brilliant slow-burn psychological horror that really gets under your skin!
Geo has done a brilliant job at building up tension and making the reader want more. The wealthy Braighton family, who are at the centre of the story, have many layers, and the reader is left wanting to peel them back and learn more.
I think I'm going to have to read 'Refraction' at some point soon... This has really piqued my curiosity!
Geo has done a brilliant job at building up tension and making the reader want more. The wealthy Braighton family, who are at the centre of the story, have many layers, and the reader is left wanting to peel them back and learn more.
I think I'm going to have to read 'Refraction' at some point soon... This has really piqued my curiosity!
July 7, 2021
Too short to say too much. But I did love the time period indication by pop culture reference.
This is definitely one to read before refraction, IMO.
This is definitely one to read before refraction, IMO.
Read
July 6, 2021“Once I’d gotten her to calm down a bit, she told us that her imaginary friend had punched her in the face and called her a bitch.”
Well, if that didn't immediately give me the wiggins!
Imaginary friends, am I right? \o/
The Cracked Reflection moves along at a swift pace with a cracking dialogue. I do wish we'd had a bit more detail in some places, but as it's a novella and teasing the larger story of book one, I have a feeling all my questions will be explained therein.
I can't wait to dive into the next book and I think I want to reread this again after once I'm immersed in the universe! Can't wait!
Well, if that didn't immediately give me the wiggins!
Imaginary friends, am I right? \o/
The Cracked Reflection moves along at a swift pace with a cracking dialogue. I do wish we'd had a bit more detail in some places, but as it's a novella and teasing the larger story of book one, I have a feeling all my questions will be explained therein.
I can't wait to dive into the next book and I think I want to reread this again after once I'm immersed in the universe! Can't wait!
August 16, 2021
Captured from the very first page, The Cracked Reflection had me wrapped such that I couldn't put it down. I read Terry Geo's novella in one sitting and was left wanting more. With flowing prose, his descriptive style makes the reader feel like they are sitting with an old friend. Geo makes the MC come alive from the very start. Maria is endearing and determined—I rooted for Maria throughout her childhood woes. The Cracked Reflection is much more than a suspenseful mystery or precursor to Geo's fabulous first novel, Refraction. The MC grapples with more profound issues of self-esteem and trust. I was particularly moved by her struggle with a bully who nearly destroys her world. Bullying is age-old but is sadly alive and well for both young and old. Terry Geo calls attention to the problem with a natural story-telling ability. Following Maria into adulthood, the reader watches her grow in strength and maturity as she continues to battle her mysterious imaginary friend. The Cracked Reflection makes me want to go back and read Refraction for a second time. Bravo, Mr. Geo! You've done it again!
June 4, 2022
This was a quick, exciting read!
The Cracked Reflection is the prequel novella to Terry Geo's technothriller Refraction.
It's the story of Maria, a very troubled girl, who is the root of everything that happens in Refraction.
Since early childhood, Maria is haunted by an apparition she calls "Mr. Piggy". In the beginning, everyone thinks Mr. Piggy is just an imaginary friend and therefore nothing too unusual for a child.
However, it soon turns out that Mr. Piggy is much more than that and that he's pretty dangerous...
I don't want to go deeper into the story because it might spoil parts of the main work, Refraction, which I highly recommend reading.
Contrary to Refraction, which is an LBGT technothriller, the prequel novella The Cracked Reflection is more a psychothriller with some very spooky elements.
It's a short book that can be easily read in one sitting and I recommend it to all readers of Refraction.
I can't wait to read more from the author!
The Cracked Reflection is the prequel novella to Terry Geo's technothriller Refraction.
It's the story of Maria, a very troubled girl, who is the root of everything that happens in Refraction.
Since early childhood, Maria is haunted by an apparition she calls "Mr. Piggy". In the beginning, everyone thinks Mr. Piggy is just an imaginary friend and therefore nothing too unusual for a child.
However, it soon turns out that Mr. Piggy is much more than that and that he's pretty dangerous...
I don't want to go deeper into the story because it might spoil parts of the main work, Refraction, which I highly recommend reading.
Contrary to Refraction, which is an LBGT technothriller, the prequel novella The Cracked Reflection is more a psychothriller with some very spooky elements.
It's a short book that can be easily read in one sitting and I recommend it to all readers of Refraction.
I can't wait to read more from the author!
July 16, 2021
This book had me on the edge of my seat all the way through it. Never before have I wanted to not see more the badie in a book or movie as much as Mr Piggy in this book. Maria, the main character, gave me palpitation every time there was a sighting or mention of Mr Piggy because all I wanted her to do was get away from him as far as possible. But she couldn't because...well, you need to read the book to find out.
Geo is a great writer as he never allows the reader to want to put the book down because you can't help but want to read what's going to happen next. It definitely made me want to read the next book 'Refraction' which I understand he wrote first. I can't think where Maria will fit into the story, but I'm about to find out.
If you're looking for a light read that will have you on the edge of your seat, gave The Cracked Reflection a whirl. You won't be disappointed.
Geo is a great writer as he never allows the reader to want to put the book down because you can't help but want to read what's going to happen next. It definitely made me want to read the next book 'Refraction' which I understand he wrote first. I can't think where Maria will fit into the story, but I'm about to find out.
If you're looking for a light read that will have you on the edge of your seat, gave The Cracked Reflection a whirl. You won't be disappointed.
June 25, 2021
Unsettling (in a good way!)
A short, gripping and somewhat unsettling tale, perfect for a weekend read.
This is a wonderful addition or introduction to the Refraction world, which also works well as a standalone story.
A short, gripping and somewhat unsettling tale, perfect for a weekend read.
This is a wonderful addition or introduction to the Refraction world, which also works well as a standalone story.
September 30, 2021
I took the advice of other reviewers and read The Cracked Reflection before embarking on Terry Geo's novel. Now I cannot wait to get to Refraction.
This introductory novella whets the appetite to learn more about Maria Braighton and her seemingly evil companion, Mr. Piggy. Is he real? If so, who is he? Either way, why is he tormenting her?
But his unwelcome presence is not the only thing Maria must overcome as she matures from a five-year-old into a young woman. The additional torments create an unsettling environment around the main character that makes the reader really wonder what on Earth is going on.
As a good book should.
The novella tears along at a great pace with excellent world-building, great characterization and some wonderful phrases.
One will want to devour this sometimes delicious, sometimes terrifying appetizer whole in a single sitting and get on to the main meal immediately.
This introductory novella whets the appetite to learn more about Maria Braighton and her seemingly evil companion, Mr. Piggy. Is he real? If so, who is he? Either way, why is he tormenting her?
But his unwelcome presence is not the only thing Maria must overcome as she matures from a five-year-old into a young woman. The additional torments create an unsettling environment around the main character that makes the reader really wonder what on Earth is going on.
As a good book should.
The novella tears along at a great pace with excellent world-building, great characterization and some wonderful phrases.
One will want to devour this sometimes delicious, sometimes terrifying appetizer whole in a single sitting and get on to the main meal immediately.
Read
July 15, 2021"Lord Braighton’s eyebrows were in fear of hitting the roof of the car."
This was favorite line of the book. What better way to describe someone's disbelief. This is something that Geo is great at, his imagery. Both this book and Refraction, the one that precedes it, are full of imagery and examples that transport you to the locations being written about.
This book is a prequel to Refraction. I decided to read this book first. In general, I really like prequels when they are done well. And this one was. Sometimes, prequels try to pull together too many disparate strands. This one focuses on the mother of one of the six main characters seen in Refraction. It is a very tragic story that provides us with depth and texture for the character in the next book.
I ended up reading the book again after I read Refraction. Many of the questions I had in reading it the first time disappeared after reading it the second time. Geo's world really unfolds as you realize the full impact of what you are reading.
I definitely recommend both this book and Refraction. As to which one to read first? I would suggest reading them in the order they were written. But you really can't go wrong either way!
This was favorite line of the book. What better way to describe someone's disbelief. This is something that Geo is great at, his imagery. Both this book and Refraction, the one that precedes it, are full of imagery and examples that transport you to the locations being written about.
This book is a prequel to Refraction. I decided to read this book first. In general, I really like prequels when they are done well. And this one was. Sometimes, prequels try to pull together too many disparate strands. This one focuses on the mother of one of the six main characters seen in Refraction. It is a very tragic story that provides us with depth and texture for the character in the next book.
I ended up reading the book again after I read Refraction. Many of the questions I had in reading it the first time disappeared after reading it the second time. Geo's world really unfolds as you realize the full impact of what you are reading.
I definitely recommend both this book and Refraction. As to which one to read first? I would suggest reading them in the order they were written. But you really can't go wrong either way!
February 21, 2022
This novella kept me reading to find out what was really going on in the life of Maria, the daughter of a wealthy Aristocrat and his loving wife. Her life should’ve been ideal but she was haunted by her own mind…or was it real? Her loving family and doctor tried to help her cope with trauma.
It was a realistic depiction of a girl who had mental illness. My daughter suffered from bipolar disorder and PTSD and it’s frustrating to try to help when you don’t know how. Maria’s parents were supportive and loving but Maria’s troubles continued.
As Maria tried to become independent, readers become frightened for her. Is it her mental illness or is it real? Are the events in her life causing her mind to imagine things or is it the other way around?
This book is well written and keeps the reader engaged in trying to learn the truth.
It was a realistic depiction of a girl who had mental illness. My daughter suffered from bipolar disorder and PTSD and it’s frustrating to try to help when you don’t know how. Maria’s parents were supportive and loving but Maria’s troubles continued.
As Maria tried to become independent, readers become frightened for her. Is it her mental illness or is it real? Are the events in her life causing her mind to imagine things or is it the other way around?
This book is well written and keeps the reader engaged in trying to learn the truth.
June 11, 2021
Having read Refraction first, this novella provides the backstory that lays the foundation for the author's first book. But that doesn't mean its all exposition, oh no. The Cracked Reflection is a self-contained and entertaining read, filled with high and low emotional points as it narrates Maria's life and really gives us insight into one of the characters within Refraction.
My favorite word..."Hmmmph!" (you'll see why when you read this fun, yet thrilling story!)
All in all - a great book which once again showcases the author's writing style, particularly, his ability to make conversations between characters come to life. Read it as a preview to Refraction, or as a supplement to further fill out the world created by the author. Either way - I don't think you'll be disappointed!
My favorite word..."Hmmmph!" (you'll see why when you read this fun, yet thrilling story!)
All in all - a great book which once again showcases the author's writing style, particularly, his ability to make conversations between characters come to life. Read it as a preview to Refraction, or as a supplement to further fill out the world created by the author. Either way - I don't think you'll be disappointed!
June 26, 2021
Geo has done it again.
I loved 'Refraction' and this is the fore-runner, giving more background to the spark that ignites the events of the novel.
That is not to say that this is in any way not a complete story on its own. Maria is a fully realised young girl, and being inside her mind is fascinating and terrifying in equal measure. Her journey feels like one any one of us might have taken, and the chill of an imaginary friend whom we can't control, and who isn't really our friend makes this a page turner.
I came for the dinosaurs, stayed for imaginative writing and returned for the chilling birth of the series. I will definitely be back for more.
I loved 'Refraction' and this is the fore-runner, giving more background to the spark that ignites the events of the novel.
That is not to say that this is in any way not a complete story on its own. Maria is a fully realised young girl, and being inside her mind is fascinating and terrifying in equal measure. Her journey feels like one any one of us might have taken, and the chill of an imaginary friend whom we can't control, and who isn't really our friend makes this a page turner.
I came for the dinosaurs, stayed for imaginative writing and returned for the chilling birth of the series. I will definitely be back for more.
October 19, 2021
Fun prequel! Can't wait for the next one.
The author has done a great job of building up the characters and has left me in complete suspense. Now I look forward to the next book where answers will be revealed! It's been a long time since I read something with such a psychological cliffhanger. The tension building and uncertainty of the main character was a blast to get involved in.
I felt every moment of her confusion pain and occasional relief. Excellent writing!
Kudos! Can't wait for more from this author!
The author has done a great job of building up the characters and has left me in complete suspense. Now I look forward to the next book where answers will be revealed! It's been a long time since I read something with such a psychological cliffhanger. The tension building and uncertainty of the main character was a blast to get involved in.
I felt every moment of her confusion pain and occasional relief. Excellent writing!
Kudos! Can't wait for more from this author!
February 13, 2022
In this novella, Maria Braighton has an imaginary friend, Mr. Piggy, who creates havoc everywhere she goes. The story starts with Maria as a young child living with her wealthy parents and follows her into adulthood.
This imaginative, sometimes petrifying, but never dull tale is incredibly enthralling – I read it all in one sitting.
My interest is definitely piqued for Refraction, the full-length novel that follows The Cracked Reflection. I can not wait to see how the two books connect and to find out if any of my questions about Maria and Mr. Piggy get answered.
This imaginative, sometimes petrifying, but never dull tale is incredibly enthralling – I read it all in one sitting.
My interest is definitely piqued for Refraction, the full-length novel that follows The Cracked Reflection. I can not wait to see how the two books connect and to find out if any of my questions about Maria and Mr. Piggy get answered.
August 10, 2021
I ended up reading this after Refraction, and still loved it. It really should be read first though. I loved seeing what lead up to the events in Refraction. I found it gripping and had me a bit spooked if i'm honest. I mean, who is Mr. Piggy?! Ha, you will have to read to find out! Wonderful quick read that packs a punch and stays with you when you finish it.
June 10, 2021
An excellent introduction to Refraction. Carries you along and a fascinating read. Reminds me of Chocky in the best way. Fantastic book all round.
January 28, 2023
I was hooked from page one. Refraction is well written, action packed and has an exciting, fast paced plot that kept me turning pages right to the end.
April 24, 2022
I grabbed this novella in search of a quick indie read for the night, and I was able to read it within a few hours. It's an intriguing story about a young girl and her imaginary friend (a trope I don't see very often). Geo is a great storyteller, and I very much look forward to reading more of his work. Readers don't learn much about Mr Piggy, Maria's imaginary friend, but he has certainly intrigued me, especially after getting a description of him at the end of the book. He is definitely a character I would like to get to know.
Some of my favorite lines from the book:
"Lord Braighton's eyebrows were in fear of hitting the roof of the car."
"She watched it slowly move across the ceiling, as if it were her own, personal sundial."
Some of my favorite lines from the book:
"Lord Braighton's eyebrows were in fear of hitting the roof of the car."
"She watched it slowly move across the ceiling, as if it were her own, personal sundial."
September 1, 2021
What a great intro to a series I can’t wait to read! Terry Geo does an incredible job at bringing characters to life! I feel so protective of Maria and can’t wait to see what’s in store for her.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews