What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fractured Cities #1
Cornucopia
As with each of the Fractured Cities, Cornucopia is a world unto itself.
A place where faith makes magic and magic makes faith.
A place of excess and obsession, where the only sin is a life of less, of moderation.
But here in Cornucopia, moderation isn't just a sin, it's also a place. A bar, a haven of balance and restraint, where the Bartender welcomes any who will sit, follow the rules, and order a drink.
What will he give the Stranger - a man new to the city, searching for his wayward love? And to the Regular - a woman bereft of faith, in need of new purpose?
Perhaps in this city of glut, the Stranger will need more than a drink, the Regular more than her usual. Perhaps they'll need each other; an ally with whom to fight a city that ensnares all it touches.
Together, they must take on Cornucopia's oldest magic, free the city's newest Idol from the haze of worship, and break the spell that keeps him ensnared and adored.
A place where faith makes magic and magic makes faith.
A place of excess and obsession, where the only sin is a life of less, of moderation.
But here in Cornucopia, moderation isn't just a sin, it's also a place. A bar, a haven of balance and restraint, where the Bartender welcomes any who will sit, follow the rules, and order a drink.
What will he give the Stranger - a man new to the city, searching for his wayward love? And to the Regular - a woman bereft of faith, in need of new purpose?
Perhaps in this city of glut, the Stranger will need more than a drink, the Regular more than her usual. Perhaps they'll need each other; an ally with whom to fight a city that ensnares all it touches.
Together, they must take on Cornucopia's oldest magic, free the city's newest Idol from the haze of worship, and break the spell that keeps him ensnared and adored.
- GenresSteampunk
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2022
59 people want to read
About the author
Alek L. Cristea
5 books44 followersAlek L. Cristea is a trans, gay, witch who writes the queer YA SFF he wanted--and needed--to read when he was a teen.
When not scribbling words he's found reading, playing video games, or engaged with one of his many other hobbies (which he seems to keep accumulating over the years).
Alek has been making worlds up since he can remember, first for his toys to inhabit, and then in his head.
Even now these stories get downloaded (if only) to paper, all that daydreaming takes up an impressive amount of processing power--meaning you can bet he always leaves the laundry in the drum and never folds the bedding. (Cooking though - that never gets forgotten, because that's a magic all its own!)
He lives with his three cats and his not-quite-husband and is desperately attempting to grow more than weeds in their small garden (he manages a decent crop of strawberries each year in spite of everything). At least the bees are entertained.
When not scribbling words he's found reading, playing video games, or engaged with one of his many other hobbies (which he seems to keep accumulating over the years).
Alek has been making worlds up since he can remember, first for his toys to inhabit, and then in his head.
Even now these stories get downloaded (if only) to paper, all that daydreaming takes up an impressive amount of processing power--meaning you can bet he always leaves the laundry in the drum and never folds the bedding. (Cooking though - that never gets forgotten, because that's a magic all its own!)
He lives with his three cats and his not-quite-husband and is desperately attempting to grow more than weeds in their small garden (he manages a decent crop of strawberries each year in spite of everything). At least the bees are entertained.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 28, 2022
Oh my, I can't get over how much I ADORED this! There's just too much to love. The writing is absolutely gorgeous with lyrical flows and patterns. The language used throughout is so beautifully rhythmic and so perfectly fits this hope-among-grunge vibe. It just works so well to sell the setting and does a fascinating job of placing you directly into this incredibly fleshed out world.
I don't read many short stories of novellas and was blown away by how much world building can be exposed in around 100 pages without even an ounce of info dumping. The story does no hand holding, allowing the reader to device their own thoughts and decisions but not in a vague manor. I could perfectly imagine every location, each character, and understand their goals, fears, and outlooks.
I particularly love the way the story is told to the reader as if, perhaps someone similar to the Bartender is telling it to us. It pays such respect to the characters and the experiences, allowing their trauma to be their own and not serve as a simple plot device to appease readers. Allowing a characters horrors to be their own without being dissected gives this such a *real* feeling. For readers who haven't experienced what the characters have, knowing less is often better to allow us to relate in our own ways. For readers who know, they *know* best of all and don't need to be told in order to relate and the way the story expressed this is just...beyond my capability for flowery words.
Cornucopia is a beautiful piece of writing that is well worth experiencing. It leaves you with more emotions than some full length, 500-900 page novels can leave you with. More thoughts to consider and decide on your own. I can't think of better words that this novella deserves beyond 'beautiful' so I'll say it again- this is a beautiful story. Beautiful writing, incredible world building, and an incredibly real, and mystifying, cast of characters.
Am I too in love? Maybe xD if the ramble wasn't proof 😅 If you survived reading this, you wasted time you could have spent reading this incredible book. So go do so if you haven't already ;)
I don't read many short stories of novellas and was blown away by how much world building can be exposed in around 100 pages without even an ounce of info dumping. The story does no hand holding, allowing the reader to device their own thoughts and decisions but not in a vague manor. I could perfectly imagine every location, each character, and understand their goals, fears, and outlooks.
I particularly love the way the story is told to the reader as if, perhaps someone similar to the Bartender is telling it to us. It pays such respect to the characters and the experiences, allowing their trauma to be their own and not serve as a simple plot device to appease readers. Allowing a characters horrors to be their own without being dissected gives this such a *real* feeling. For readers who haven't experienced what the characters have, knowing less is often better to allow us to relate in our own ways. For readers who know, they *know* best of all and don't need to be told in order to relate and the way the story expressed this is just...beyond my capability for flowery words.
Cornucopia is a beautiful piece of writing that is well worth experiencing. It leaves you with more emotions than some full length, 500-900 page novels can leave you with. More thoughts to consider and decide on your own. I can't think of better words that this novella deserves beyond 'beautiful' so I'll say it again- this is a beautiful story. Beautiful writing, incredible world building, and an incredibly real, and mystifying, cast of characters.
Am I too in love? Maybe xD if the ramble wasn't proof 😅 If you survived reading this, you wasted time you could have spent reading this incredible book. So go do so if you haven't already ;)
April 18, 2024
Delightful
Wow. Alright this is not at all what I was expecting when I picked this up. It was way better.
On the surface: The sentences were almost musical to read, and not in a heavy prose way that I usually struggle with. This was a delight. I found myself re-reading sentences just for their beauty.
Deeper meaning: What was truly remarkable is, even though there is a story here about specific characters, I believe it is written for everyone. Any person picking up this book can place themselves in these emotions. Every sentence can gain an entirely different meaning one reader to the next.
I don’t do this justice with my review, but I highly recommend.
Wow. Alright this is not at all what I was expecting when I picked this up. It was way better.
On the surface: The sentences were almost musical to read, and not in a heavy prose way that I usually struggle with. This was a delight. I found myself re-reading sentences just for their beauty.
Deeper meaning: What was truly remarkable is, even though there is a story here about specific characters, I believe it is written for everyone. Any person picking up this book can place themselves in these emotions. Every sentence can gain an entirely different meaning one reader to the next.
I don’t do this justice with my review, but I highly recommend.
![Profile Image for Leontiy [princeofbookandbone].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1719580780i%2F5743122._UX200_CR0%2C40%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
May 10, 2022
This is genuinely just a gorgeously lyrical and enchanting novella about love, obsession and faith. It's queer as hell, beautifully written, and honestly I want the Bartender to pour ME a drink like yesterday!
December 1, 2023
Biased because I wrote this! This novella is the first of a series and is coming soon as an ebook on Amazon
Please check https://aleklcristea.com/ for further updates! Check back soon for more.
Please check https://aleklcristea.com/ for further updates! Check back soon for more.
August 13, 2023
Imaginative and captivating
This novella surprised me in a very good way. I didn't know what to expect, but it all turned out to be a wonderful experience.
Although I much prefer longer books, this 100-page novella was just as long as it needed to be. It managed to grab my attention, start up my imagination, and keep me interested all the way.
The storytelling was mysterious, imaginative, and magically immersive. While sometimes it was a it too slow, the worldbuilding was worth all the I would say even poetic descriptions.
The magic of this story is not in the actionpacked plot but in the magical city and bar that seem to be their own entities. The magic of Moderation and its bartender is the thread that connects our lost characters and give them the nudge they need to go forward.
If you need a mix of magical realism and gaslight fantasy, short enough to be able to quickly enjoy but detailed enough to get lost in, then I highly recommend Cornucopia.
This novella surprised me in a very good way. I didn't know what to expect, but it all turned out to be a wonderful experience.
Although I much prefer longer books, this 100-page novella was just as long as it needed to be. It managed to grab my attention, start up my imagination, and keep me interested all the way.
The storytelling was mysterious, imaginative, and magically immersive. While sometimes it was a it too slow, the worldbuilding was worth all the I would say even poetic descriptions.
The magic of this story is not in the actionpacked plot but in the magical city and bar that seem to be their own entities. The magic of Moderation and its bartender is the thread that connects our lost characters and give them the nudge they need to go forward.
If you need a mix of magical realism and gaslight fantasy, short enough to be able to quickly enjoy but detailed enough to get lost in, then I highly recommend Cornucopia.
September 28, 2022
This was a really quick read and I enjoyed the setting a lot!
I really liked the vibe this book had and the characters were really cool! I liked having a MC in a wheelchair, this is the first novel I have read to have one and I hope to find more out there! Really cute story 💖
I really liked the vibe this book had and the characters were really cool! I liked having a MC in a wheelchair, this is the first novel I have read to have one and I hope to find more out there! Really cute story 💖
August 15, 2022
Wow... I'm honestly at loss at how to write a review for this one because no matter how hard I try I don't think it'll do this gem justice.
How do you describe something that's just pure perfection! This story although simple is so beautifully written that it makes you feel so much in so few words.
It feels like there's so many layers to this story that simply reading it once won't be enough to go through all the emotions author wants to take us through.
Faith, love, obsession, fear I'm sure we can all relate to something or the other from these. A place of belonging where we're just accepted as we are.. aren't we all searching for it in one way or another? And haven't we all sometimes thought about giving up in face of fear or temptation? Aren't we all just running from something in our pasts n haven't we all just found something to make the center of our lives to forget about things we don't want to think about?
This is just few of the things which this story makes you thinking about. It's truly amazing how this short book contains much more emotions than some of the longer books I've read.
And the way it's all written is so lyrical and enchanting that it feels like magic. The book changes pov from one character to other so seamlessly and it makes you relate to each and everyone with them so easily while giving you the freedom of having your own thoughts on every situation.
It was so easy to dive into this world and imagine everything exactly as it was written in the book that it felt like it was a movie and I was a part of it. Some of the parts really hit you so hard if you can relate to them while sparing the one's from heartache who haven't been through something like that in their lives.
The only thing I can complain about is that it ended too soon. I'm so attached to these characters now and I really want more!!!! Everyone out there really really needs to read this book trust me you won't be disappointed!
Alek did a really great job with this and this is just his first book. I really can't wait for more!!!
How do you describe something that's just pure perfection! This story although simple is so beautifully written that it makes you feel so much in so few words.
It feels like there's so many layers to this story that simply reading it once won't be enough to go through all the emotions author wants to take us through.
Faith, love, obsession, fear I'm sure we can all relate to something or the other from these. A place of belonging where we're just accepted as we are.. aren't we all searching for it in one way or another? And haven't we all sometimes thought about giving up in face of fear or temptation? Aren't we all just running from something in our pasts n haven't we all just found something to make the center of our lives to forget about things we don't want to think about?
This is just few of the things which this story makes you thinking about. It's truly amazing how this short book contains much more emotions than some of the longer books I've read.
And the way it's all written is so lyrical and enchanting that it feels like magic. The book changes pov from one character to other so seamlessly and it makes you relate to each and everyone with them so easily while giving you the freedom of having your own thoughts on every situation.
It was so easy to dive into this world and imagine everything exactly as it was written in the book that it felt like it was a movie and I was a part of it. Some of the parts really hit you so hard if you can relate to them while sparing the one's from heartache who haven't been through something like that in their lives.
The only thing I can complain about is that it ended too soon. I'm so attached to these characters now and I really want more!!!! Everyone out there really really needs to read this book trust me you won't be disappointed!
Alek did a really great job with this and this is just his first book. I really can't wait for more!!!
September 7, 2022
"Imagine, a city where the only crime is moderation. Imagine, Cornucopia"
◇ ◇
Cornucopia is the story of 3 characters - The Regular, The Stranger and The Idol. Each of these characters and how their lives connect with each other, thanks to the Bartender (the 4th character) in this city of abundance is what Cornucopia is all about.
The way Alek writes a beautifully crafted story in just over 100 pages, entwining all these characters and their own journeys, is a testament to his talent. The writing of this story is absolutely phenomenal and suits the tone of this book so well! It flows beautifully and leaves you entranced with the world. The narration is so well done and manages to pull you into the story too. Alek manages to take you on a journey along with The Regular, The Stranger and The Idol and understand them as the layers are pulled back with each character gradually.
With his debut novella, Alek weaves in a beautiful story with just a few characters and each of them manages to leave some sort of mark on you. My biggest issue? This isn't a full-length novel!
5 stars ⭐ to this gorgeous novella!
◇ ◇
Cornucopia is the story of 3 characters - The Regular, The Stranger and The Idol. Each of these characters and how their lives connect with each other, thanks to the Bartender (the 4th character) in this city of abundance is what Cornucopia is all about.
The way Alek writes a beautifully crafted story in just over 100 pages, entwining all these characters and their own journeys, is a testament to his talent. The writing of this story is absolutely phenomenal and suits the tone of this book so well! It flows beautifully and leaves you entranced with the world. The narration is so well done and manages to pull you into the story too. Alek manages to take you on a journey along with The Regular, The Stranger and The Idol and understand them as the layers are pulled back with each character gradually.
With his debut novella, Alek weaves in a beautiful story with just a few characters and each of them manages to leave some sort of mark on you. My biggest issue? This isn't a full-length novel!
5 stars ⭐ to this gorgeous novella!
July 31, 2022
Firstly that dedication, hit me right in the feels!
'Imagine, a city where the only crime is moderation. Imagine, Cornucopia.'
This quick little read was mystical and lyrical with spot on world building.
I especially loved they way the characters werent actually named but just had a moniker.....
~ Bartender
~ Stranger
~ Regular
~ Idol
A beautiful tale of finding someone you've lost and also finding yourself.
'Imagine, a city where the only crime is moderation. Imagine, Cornucopia.'
This quick little read was mystical and lyrical with spot on world building.
I especially loved they way the characters werent actually named but just had a moniker.....
~ Bartender
~ Stranger
~ Regular
~ Idol
A beautiful tale of finding someone you've lost and also finding yourself.
July 27, 2022
This is such a beautiful novela, about love and strength. Probably the best book I've read this month so far. The writing style get you very quickly in a magical state of mind, I coul hear the voice of the narrator in my ear softly telling me the story, reminding me to an old movie, it is deeply descriptive and magical. It reminded me a lot to the writing style of Erin Morgenstern, and also a bit of V.E Schwab.
I enjoyed this so much that to be honest I don't really know what to say. Is simply beautiful and if you can you should read it, it will take just a couple hours and will fill your heart.
I enjoyed this so much that to be honest I don't really know what to say. Is simply beautiful and if you can you should read it, it will take just a couple hours and will fill your heart.
August 29, 2022
Wow! Where do I begin to describe how incredible this book is? I can't believe so much of this intriguing world and these characters were so well written and beautifully done so in 99 pages. I felt like I was walking along with these characters, drinking the drinks the Bartender pours, it was written so well and descriptive I felt I could see every scene, every image came alive in my mind and I saw it all.
The writing was lyrical and magical and a part of me wanted to stay within Cornucopia and discover more and more about this intriguing place. I wanted to sit at the bar and have the Bartender pour me a drink, to be completely submerged in this world. This is how I felt reading this book. I was drawn in and swept away. For the 99 pages I'd read I was consumed and had felt more than I have from a book with 300-400 more pages. Cornucopia has left its mark on me!!
Everyone knew the Bartender always gave you exactly what it was that you asked for, but that was usually when one realised that what had been asked for might not have been what was wanted
What was could not be unmade. What would be was where potential waited.
The writing was lyrical and magical and a part of me wanted to stay within Cornucopia and discover more and more about this intriguing place. I wanted to sit at the bar and have the Bartender pour me a drink, to be completely submerged in this world. This is how I felt reading this book. I was drawn in and swept away. For the 99 pages I'd read I was consumed and had felt more than I have from a book with 300-400 more pages. Cornucopia has left its mark on me!!
Everyone knew the Bartender always gave you exactly what it was that you asked for, but that was usually when one realised that what had been asked for might not have been what was wanted
What was could not be unmade. What would be was where potential waited.
April 2, 2023
The story has 4 characters and follows them as they journey through Cornucopia, a city of excess; too much and not enough of everything. Join the Stranger as he searches for his lost love. Help the Regular find her faith and purpose again. Free the Idol from his religious entanglements. And drink with the Bartender as he navigates what the myriad of lost people that come to his bar need.
Much like Becky Chambers A Psalm for the Wild-Built, this novella is not your typical sci-fi book. This novella thrives in the small moments and the intricacies of all those moments that make up a whole. It’s about strength, love—romantic and platonic, and finding your place in a world that makes it difficult to do so.
The POV is carefully crafted as it reads almost like 2nd where you, the reader, are being spoken to directly. Yet, it also invokes the use of 3rd POV with the all knowing narrator. Note: All knowing but not all telling. Though the narrator knows everything, it’s interesting that they do not tell the reader all and chooses to give the characters privacy at times. You are an observer granted limited access in some areas and full access in others. I found this fascinating.
No character has a name and rather is labeled as ‘the Stranger’, ‘The Regular’, ‘The Idol’, and ‘the Bartender’. However, each is uniquely characterized by their journey, their past, and their connections to each other. It made the story feel timeless and gives the reader the ability to take these characters, their journeys, their lessons and see bits of themselves and their own world through them.
-Queer
-Found family
-Sci-fi & Steampunk vibes
-Elegant Prose
-First of a series
Much like Becky Chambers A Psalm for the Wild-Built, this novella is not your typical sci-fi book. This novella thrives in the small moments and the intricacies of all those moments that make up a whole. It’s about strength, love—romantic and platonic, and finding your place in a world that makes it difficult to do so.
The POV is carefully crafted as it reads almost like 2nd where you, the reader, are being spoken to directly. Yet, it also invokes the use of 3rd POV with the all knowing narrator. Note: All knowing but not all telling. Though the narrator knows everything, it’s interesting that they do not tell the reader all and chooses to give the characters privacy at times. You are an observer granted limited access in some areas and full access in others. I found this fascinating.
No character has a name and rather is labeled as ‘the Stranger’, ‘The Regular’, ‘The Idol’, and ‘the Bartender’. However, each is uniquely characterized by their journey, their past, and their connections to each other. It made the story feel timeless and gives the reader the ability to take these characters, their journeys, their lessons and see bits of themselves and their own world through them.
-Queer
-Found family
-Sci-fi & Steampunk vibes
-Elegant Prose
-First of a series
October 4, 2023
this was such a lovely novella. the story was a little bleak, but definitely hopeful. i thought the characters were all very well developed, which is hard to do in a short novella! the writing style was so distinct, and i think it really worked for the story. it was mysterious and lyrical and beautiful. i am very intrigued by the next novella in this series, and to see more of the world. i am also very intrigued to check out the author's sci-fi novel, BREAKOUT, and see how that differs from this!
REP: disabled main character, gay main character, queer side characters (gay and trans author)
REP: disabled main character, gay main character, queer side characters (gay and trans author)
December 13, 2022
Read in an hour!! Writing was beautiful and I desperately want more in the world/worlds!
July 23, 2023
Absolutely brilliant! Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews