Shattered Start: The Story of Sera

The Realm #8

by C.R. Rice

She is held together with carefully stitched threads of deception tied off with lies.
Seraphina has always possessed unexplainable powers. Some know her as Sera while others call her The Shadow. Once, she was just a shy, scared little girl who felt the Realm's pain as though it were her own. But when the kings of the Realm witness her unique skills in action, they bring her into their plan to protect the land. Problem: Seraphina is not always in control of her amazing abilities.
The Royal's strategy goes wrong on Seraphina's sixteenth birthday when her powers turn to chaos, and her best friend Evie is caught in the crossfire, sending Sera into a world of spiraling grief. A mysterious force appears and offers her the chance to make things right again. As Sera attempts to resurrect her friend, the future of the Realm is changed forever.
In this thrilling prequel to The Realm Series, a dark but important question is answered: How exactly did Averie escape the fall of the Realms?

156 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2022

About the author

C.R. Rice enjoys spending her days with her family in sunny Florida, where the sun is always shining and the alligators are only slightly terrifying. After receiving a loving shove from her husband, she decided to take a step into the wonderful world of authordom with her first series in the Realm. When she is not writing she is reading, going on adventures with her rather daring four year old son and husband, or lazing about in the pool.

Reviews

[Penny Thibodeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

A walking time bomb. That is how I would describe the FMC Sera. She's such a master manipulator. She really had me fooled from Book 1 - Denial where she was this sweet, bubbly best friend of Averie's. I will admit that it has been difficult for me to reconcile the character I believed Sera to be with the character in this book.

How many bad decisions (catastrophes) can one girl make before she stops to take a look at herself to recognize that she is the problem? With Sera, there seems to be no end to the problems she causes. She is definitely not a person with vision for how her actions can affect the world around her.

I am happy to have read this book to have gained some insight into the true Seraphina character. With that said, I only had one issue with the book. I would have preferred smoother transitions between scenes. I felt the transitions needed a little more hashing out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[stephanie cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest installment in the Realm series by C.R. Rice delivered everything I was hoping for and more. It continues the narrative seamlessly, fulfilling my expectations while introducing unique twists that kept me engaged. The characters truly shine in this eighth book, showcasing their growth in meaningful ways. I thoroughly enjoyed this entry and am grateful for the opportunity to experience it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short Story. This is Sera's story. Sera has always had power, but what happens when you turn sixteen and everything goes wrong with those powers? What will Sera do to get her friend Averie back? Will the darkness take over her life?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had everything that I wass looking for in the series and from CR Rice. It continues the story in a way that I was expecting and enjoyed the characters worked well overall and was glad I got to read this entry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the Realm series and this eighth book had a unique story. I liked the characters and seeing their growth.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chris Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Sins of the Father I was excited about explore the other characters. I really enjoyed this story and was intrigued, and even more so now, about Sera aka Seraphina aka the Shadow's origins. While I enjoyed the book immensley I do need more to understand her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.