Genre: Fantasy, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Bi, Gay, Gender Fluid, Lesbian
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
He accidentally cursed himself…
When the consequences get him exiled to the land he helped terrorize, can this evil wizard find redemption… and love?
Orpheus can’t believe it’s come to this. After helping his childhood friend conquer the realm by raising an army of hell-beasts, the befuddled dark sorcerer finds himself banished when the price of his magic endangers the palace. Isolated and betrayed, the feared spellcaster isn’t exactly thrilled when his irritating and handsome rival keeps stepping between him and certain doom.
Ill at ease in the barren wasteland his powers created, Orpheus slowly warms to the charismatic ex-general’s relentless overtures. But as his feelings grow more intense, the former villain struggles with an inconvenient calling towards heroism.
Will dabbling in good deeds get him killed or open the doors to happily ever after?
The Crack at the Heart of Everything is the charmingly swoon-worthy first book in an epic LGBTQ+ fantasy series. If you like character-driven stories, snarky humor, and well-earned redemption arcs, then you’ll adore Fiona Fenn’s unexpected hero’s journey.
The Review
Orpheus and Lore escaped the dungeon of the Hermits, only to find that the Hermits are gone. Orpheus was plagued by his own hell beasts and blood boilers to fear. The one thing that he had was the Netherflame that kept him safe.
The Hermits were the ones who gave Orpheus his Magic that had left him cursed. Lore made a space for herself in the Library, and she made room for Orpheus too. He spent his life between the Library and his lab, never leaving the walls of the Gilded Palace. He spent his lifetime studying the Tome of Magic, and gave Lore whatever she wanted
Lore asked Orpheus to summon a demonic army for her. He did so, and there were decades of long wars and untamed wastelands, but finally Lore succeeded in taking over the land.
Fenrir Rawkner is the General of Lore’s Human Army. He is Lore’s favorite, and has been the shield by her side. Position was earned by leading the Army in her name.
After another great war of destruction, Orpheus is summoned by Lore. He finds that she and the courtiers are banishing him from the Gilded Palace – his forever home. They claim his curse the issue, even though he has he protected Lore and her demonic army.
Fenrir will escort him on his journey to The Keep. He and Fenrir have never been on friendly terms, and the only reason for Fenrir to be there is to bring an end to Orpheus. The journey takes them through the wasteland and wreckage that was caused by the wars. Fenrir guides him to The Stacks, were there’s a small village and a refinery, and introduces him to Red, a female engineer and Farris, who moved his family from the RIM. Little by little Fenrir tells Orpheus about the wars, and how lucky they were to have soldiers left. But he’s keeping a secret – who caused so much destruction throughout the lands, and why.
As Orpheus learns more about The Emperor Dragon, he feels guilty, and makes a run for The Keep to find a way to end his curse – and himself. There’s also a slow change happening between him and Fenrir, who calls Orpheus “Fifi”. The more time he spends with Fenrir, the more Orpheus that he may loose his own life, but he needs to find a way to save Fenrir.
Orpheus always felt alone and never had any friends. He thought that everyone hated him. He never realized how special he was, and how much more there was to his life, until he met Fenrir. He also never realized, even though Lore had befriended him, how jealous she was of him.
Fenn has crafted an intriguing story filled with magic, science, dragons, lore and much more. The world-building is fantastic, and at every turn the fantasy grows. There are also many frightening monsters: skull moths, blood boilers, hell beasts, dragons, jack dogs, brain rotters and much more. Orpheus and Fenrir are wonderful heroes who bring drama, action, and suspense to the tale, but there’s also lots of snark, humor, and romance.
I highly recommend The Crack at the Heart of Everything, a fascinating tale that blends wanton destruction and devastation with bright spots of hope.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
