I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two strangers brought together by fate must work together to heal a rift between two gods in author Jenna Greene’s “Broken Realm.”
The Synopsis
In a world torn by divine betrayal, two lost souls must face a god’s wrath—or lose their love to an eternal rift.
Keely Thompkins, a seamstress bound by fear of the unknown, finds refuge in the quiet of her attic. Briggs Ray, a woodsman scarred by a solitary past, survives on wit and defiance in a village that overlooks him. During a vibrant festival, a shimmering portal steals them from their home, leaving their town vanished and their bodies marked by the enigmatic gods, Ahisa and Menor. Stranded in a realm warped by the Great Rift—a celestial schism spawning deadly frosts and monstrous skitters—they forge a fragile bond to survive.
As they navigate a land of quaking earth and predatory shadows, guided by strangers who revere their marks as divine, Keely and Briggs uncover a perilous truth: they are chosen to mend the rift between the gods, a task that has claimed countless lives. Their love, tested by Teulin—a merciless entity born of the gods’ discord—grows amidst trials of drowning rivers, scorching suns, and haunting memories. With time running out, they must confront Ahisa’s guarded heart and Menor’s remorse, risking not just their lives but the very love that anchors them.
Will their faith in each other prove stronger than a god’s vengeance, or will they become another sacrifice to a fractured eternity?
A mesmerizing tale of love, sacrifice, and defiance, Broken Realm charts a perilous journey where the heart’s courage is the only star to guide a lost soul home.
THE REVIEW
This was a compelling, gripping fantasy read. From the very beginning, the Author does a wonderful job of bringing Lena’s foundation to life, giving readers an emotional connection they can instantly hold onto as the inciting incident unfolds. The world-building in mythology behind the gods, the deadly cosmic rift, and the ways in which the people of this world are caught in the middle is top-tier storytelling and allows the reader to feel immersed in this unique setting.
At the heart of this fantasy-driven narrative, the story comes down to rich character dynamics. A protagonist feels relatable and engaging, not only hoping to bring the real-world stakes of their mission to life, but also showing their humanity as they struggle with anxiety and fears of the unknown on a daily basis, even before their chosen destiny reveals itself. The survival element of the story was a unique twist on a typical fantasy novel, not only showing the juxtaposition of these two protagonists and their journey, but also highlighting the need for this journey to succeed, not only for their own survival but for the fate of their entire world.
THE VERDICT
Engaging, immersive, and thoughtfully written, author Jenna Greene’s “Broken Realm” is a must-read survival fantasy novel. The enthralling world-building and rich atmosphere. The character’s dynamic creates a unique exploration of mankind, having to heal a rift, both physical and emotional, between gods themselves, making this a rich narrative that is impossible to ignore in a world that readers will fully want to immerse themselves in again. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Jenna Greene has been writing since before she could hold a pencil, building stories with her She-ra: Princess of Power action figures and My Little Pony toys in her basement or on long car rides. Once she could pen a tale, she composed poetry and short stories, finding that she was best at writing novels. Her first fantasy story (Imagine) came to her when she was in her first year of university, and she drafted it between essays, mid-terms, and reading assignments. Once finished university, with a B.A. in English as well as a B.Ed, she began her career as a teacher and also found time to return to her writing. While teaching middle school, she wrote and published the first books in her Imagine series.
Her Reborn Marks Series took a unique journey. While traveling home from a writers’ conference in Calgary, Jenna was hit by inspiration and formed the character of Lexil – someone who had hidden strength and talents that weren’t easily recognizable. The first half of the book was written while Jenna Greene’s mother was ill with cancer, and the second half was completed after her mother passed away. Winning the 2019 Moonbeam Children’s Book award (gold) provided an opportunity for her to express her gratitude for the inspiration her mother gave her as a storyteller, acknowledging that those we love never truly leave us, as they are in our hearts, phrases, morals, and memories – a major theme for the trilogy.
Having moved to teaching younger students, as well as the addition of a daughter to her family, Jenna has been recently inspired by Children’s Books. In 2021, her first picture book was released: Winston, the Well-Dressed Wombat. Winston is unique and friendly, with a sense of style others might not imitate.
Jenna has more writing projects on the horizon, as ideas continue to arrive in her head. But deep down, she is just a little girl creating imaginative stories with her She-Ra action figures (and possibly a Ninja Turtle or two).
https://www.instagram.com/authorjennagreene
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