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The First Tearing
When Ashe collapses in their parents’ driveway, gasping for breath as their body tears itself apart, they have no idea they’ve just been claimed by something ancient. Something with teeth.
Marked by Gaia, the spirit of the Earth, Ashe is thrust into a hidden world of Lycans. Werewolf protectors who have defended nature for centuries. Under the guidance of Pines, a weathered elder with secrets of his own, Ashe joins a newly-formed pack in Huntsville, Alabama: Cole, a musician whose songs carry strange power; Grace, a predator learning to leash her hunger; Renae, a woman with a soldier’s discipline; and Ryan, still finding his footing between two worlds.
But not everyone marked by Gaia walks the same path.
When the pack discovers that Dum-Prot Land Development, a company hiding behind polished PR and “sustainable” branding, is corrupting the land itself, they’re drawn into a conspiracy far darker than corporate greed. Something ancient and rotting moves beneath Huntsville’s soil. Something that can twist both flesh and spirit.
As Ashe struggles to control powers they never asked for while being hunted for who they are. And when one of their own is taken, Ashe will discover just how far they’re willing to go, and how much of themselves they’re willing to lose, to bring her home.
The First Tearing is the first book in The Wildlands Cycle, an urban fantasy series exploring the costs of power, the weight of protection, and the bonds that hold us together when the world falls apart.
Marked by Gaia, the spirit of the Earth, Ashe is thrust into a hidden world of Lycans. Werewolf protectors who have defended nature for centuries. Under the guidance of Pines, a weathered elder with secrets of his own, Ashe joins a newly-formed pack in Huntsville, Alabama: Cole, a musician whose songs carry strange power; Grace, a predator learning to leash her hunger; Renae, a woman with a soldier’s discipline; and Ryan, still finding his footing between two worlds.
But not everyone marked by Gaia walks the same path.
When the pack discovers that Dum-Prot Land Development, a company hiding behind polished PR and “sustainable” branding, is corrupting the land itself, they’re drawn into a conspiracy far darker than corporate greed. Something ancient and rotting moves beneath Huntsville’s soil. Something that can twist both flesh and spirit.
As Ashe struggles to control powers they never asked for while being hunted for who they are. And when one of their own is taken, Ashe will discover just how far they’re willing to go, and how much of themselves they’re willing to lose, to bring her home.
The First Tearing is the first book in The Wildlands Cycle, an urban fantasy series exploring the costs of power, the weight of protection, and the bonds that hold us together when the world falls apart.
362 pages, Paperback
Published March 25, 2026
About the author
Christopher J. Steely
1 bookChristopher J. Steely is a speculative-fiction author who began writing professionally in his forties, shaping a lifetime of stories, scars, and daydreams into worlds that bite back.
He writes character-driven urban fantasy and sci-fi where morality is never simple, and even the hard-won victories come at a cost. His work explores found family, identity, and what it means to protect the people and places we love. Even when the world makes that hard.
Christopher fell in love with urban fantasy through The Dresden Files, drawn to its sprawling cast of flawed characters who grow beyond their limits. His sci-fi roots trace back to Alien with the tension, the grit, and the lived-in feel of a world that doesn’t care if you survive. Both influences show up in his writing: complex characters you root for and stakes that feel real.
His debut series, The Witherbound Chronicles, follows Lycans navigating duty, identity, and the bonds that make a family, blood or otherwise. The series grew from watching his child Ashe inherit a world that doesn’t always make room for who they are. Christopher wanted to give voice to that experience, and to the hope that comes from finding your people.
By night, Christopher works as a 911 calltaker in Huntsville, Alabama. A job that puts him in contact with people at their most vulnerable, guards down, in moments that reveal who they really are. Those people, for better or worse, deserve to be portrayed. Real people. That perspective shapes everything he writes.
When he’s not writing or taking calls, Christopher can be found in his garden or deep into a complex board game. Terra Mystica and Terraforming Mars are current favorites.
In the end, he’s just a guy who wants to tell his stories and hopes people enjoy them.
Stories that bite back.
He writes character-driven urban fantasy and sci-fi where morality is never simple, and even the hard-won victories come at a cost. His work explores found family, identity, and what it means to protect the people and places we love. Even when the world makes that hard.
Christopher fell in love with urban fantasy through The Dresden Files, drawn to its sprawling cast of flawed characters who grow beyond their limits. His sci-fi roots trace back to Alien with the tension, the grit, and the lived-in feel of a world that doesn’t care if you survive. Both influences show up in his writing: complex characters you root for and stakes that feel real.
His debut series, The Witherbound Chronicles, follows Lycans navigating duty, identity, and the bonds that make a family, blood or otherwise. The series grew from watching his child Ashe inherit a world that doesn’t always make room for who they are. Christopher wanted to give voice to that experience, and to the hope that comes from finding your people.
By night, Christopher works as a 911 calltaker in Huntsville, Alabama. A job that puts him in contact with people at their most vulnerable, guards down, in moments that reveal who they really are. Those people, for better or worse, deserve to be portrayed. Real people. That perspective shapes everything he writes.
When he’s not writing or taking calls, Christopher can be found in his garden or deep into a complex board game. Terra Mystica and Terraforming Mars are current favorites.
In the end, he’s just a guy who wants to tell his stories and hopes people enjoy them.
Stories that bite back.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the wonderful Christopher for sending me an e-book copy of this book in return for an honest review!
After he told me about The First Tearing, I was VERY interested in it. Even though this type of book (Dark Urban fantasy) is not my normal type of genre.
Good news, though! I REALLY enjoyed my time throughout reading. It is a VERY fast-paced, easy read, and every time I settled down to read, I had a great time. The book also made me feel so many emotions, from fear to anger and sadness.
The overall story of The First Tearing follows various characters. In the heart of Huntsville, Alabama, everything is not as it seems. There are dark, rotting forces at play, and unless something is done about it... Bad things will happen. With this knowledge, a group of new Lycans must form. This task falls to Pines, an elder Lycan who will help guide his new pack. And boy... what a pack it is. Ashe, who wishes their family (excluding their brother) would understand their non-binary gender, and not dub it as a 'phase'. Cole, a musician who wants nothing more than to make amends with his girlfriend, but also to protect her. Grace is a wolf-turned-human who's still learning how to stand on her own two feet. Renae, an older woman of 55 years, who trusts no one, especially Pines. And Ryan, a boy raised in a rich family, who doesn't really think before they act.
Although Pines knows not why, all 5 members of his new pack are important. So he must do everything in his power to teach them the ways of the Lycan. But soon... this task becomes impossible, because the new pact faces its first challenge. Live, or die.
Every single character in this book really brings The First Tearing to life. I felt strongly for Cole, who just wanted to keep his girlfriend safe, and for Ashe, who just wanted their family to understand them. And even Renae, who due to her past, felt conflicted.
The First Tearing was an exciting thrill, with lots of action to keep you on your toes. And during the calmer moments, we learn more about each character and what their feelings are like. I felt strongly connected, and that doesn't happen too often with books. And with how the book finishes, it makes me extremely excited to read what happens next!
If you're looking for a book that feels fresh and new, and has an incredible cast of characters, then The First Tearing is for you!
After he told me about The First Tearing, I was VERY interested in it. Even though this type of book (Dark Urban fantasy) is not my normal type of genre.
Good news, though! I REALLY enjoyed my time throughout reading. It is a VERY fast-paced, easy read, and every time I settled down to read, I had a great time. The book also made me feel so many emotions, from fear to anger and sadness.
The overall story of The First Tearing follows various characters. In the heart of Huntsville, Alabama, everything is not as it seems. There are dark, rotting forces at play, and unless something is done about it... Bad things will happen. With this knowledge, a group of new Lycans must form. This task falls to Pines, an elder Lycan who will help guide his new pack. And boy... what a pack it is. Ashe, who wishes their family (excluding their brother) would understand their non-binary gender, and not dub it as a 'phase'. Cole, a musician who wants nothing more than to make amends with his girlfriend, but also to protect her. Grace is a wolf-turned-human who's still learning how to stand on her own two feet. Renae, an older woman of 55 years, who trusts no one, especially Pines. And Ryan, a boy raised in a rich family, who doesn't really think before they act.
Although Pines knows not why, all 5 members of his new pack are important. So he must do everything in his power to teach them the ways of the Lycan. But soon... this task becomes impossible, because the new pact faces its first challenge. Live, or die.
Every single character in this book really brings The First Tearing to life. I felt strongly for Cole, who just wanted to keep his girlfriend safe, and for Ashe, who just wanted their family to understand them. And even Renae, who due to her past, felt conflicted.
The First Tearing was an exciting thrill, with lots of action to keep you on your toes. And during the calmer moments, we learn more about each character and what their feelings are like. I felt strongly connected, and that doesn't happen too often with books. And with how the book finishes, it makes me extremely excited to read what happens next!
If you're looking for a book that feels fresh and new, and has an incredible cast of characters, then The First Tearing is for you!
Review of advance copy
The First Tearing by Christopher J Steely
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book delivers a fierce and emotionally charged entry into urban fantasy, blending myth, transformation, and environmental urgency into a story that feels both intimate and expansive. From the harrowing opening scene—where Ashe’s body begins to tear itself apart in a suburban driveway—the novel wastes no time signaling that this is a tale of violent awakening. What unfolds is not just a supernatural initiation, but a reckoning with identity, destiny, and the heavy cost of being chosen by something ancient and uncompromising.
👉Ashe is a compelling protagonist precisely because they are unprepared for the role thrust upon them. Marked by Gaia and drawn into the hidden society of Lycans, Ashe must navigate a reality where nature itself demands loyalty and sacrifice. Their transformation is portrayed as painful and disorienting rather than empowering, which gives the story emotional credibility. The mentorship of Pines, weathered and quietly burdened by his own history, adds gravitas to Ashe’s journey. The dynamic between elder and initiate feels layered, shaped by both guidance and withheld truths.
👉The pack in Huntsville is another standout element. Each member carries distinct emotional weight—Cole’s music hinting at deeper magic, Grace’s struggle with her predatory instincts, Renae’s disciplined resolve, and Ryan’s uncertain footing between worlds. Their interactions feel organic, sometimes tense, sometimes tender, but always rooted in shared responsibility. The novel emphasizes that being a pack is not just about fighting side by side; it is about learning to trust, to compromise, and to hold one another accountable. This sense of found family strengthens the emotional core of the narrative.
👉Beyond the personal stakes, the novel’s environmental themes give it a sharp contemporary edge. The conflict with Dum-Prot Land Development unfolds gradually, revealing corruption that runs deeper than corporate misconduct.
Happy reading 😊
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book delivers a fierce and emotionally charged entry into urban fantasy, blending myth, transformation, and environmental urgency into a story that feels both intimate and expansive. From the harrowing opening scene—where Ashe’s body begins to tear itself apart in a suburban driveway—the novel wastes no time signaling that this is a tale of violent awakening. What unfolds is not just a supernatural initiation, but a reckoning with identity, destiny, and the heavy cost of being chosen by something ancient and uncompromising.
👉Ashe is a compelling protagonist precisely because they are unprepared for the role thrust upon them. Marked by Gaia and drawn into the hidden society of Lycans, Ashe must navigate a reality where nature itself demands loyalty and sacrifice. Their transformation is portrayed as painful and disorienting rather than empowering, which gives the story emotional credibility. The mentorship of Pines, weathered and quietly burdened by his own history, adds gravitas to Ashe’s journey. The dynamic between elder and initiate feels layered, shaped by both guidance and withheld truths.
👉The pack in Huntsville is another standout element. Each member carries distinct emotional weight—Cole’s music hinting at deeper magic, Grace’s struggle with her predatory instincts, Renae’s disciplined resolve, and Ryan’s uncertain footing between worlds. Their interactions feel organic, sometimes tense, sometimes tender, but always rooted in shared responsibility. The novel emphasizes that being a pack is not just about fighting side by side; it is about learning to trust, to compromise, and to hold one another accountable. This sense of found family strengthens the emotional core of the narrative.
👉Beyond the personal stakes, the novel’s environmental themes give it a sharp contemporary edge. The conflict with Dum-Prot Land Development unfolds gradually, revealing corruption that runs deeper than corporate misconduct.
Happy reading 😊
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a werewolf story with a difference. It follows Ashe as they discover they are a Lycan and are part of a newly formed pack, along with others who have just found out they are Lycans too. Fortunately they have a mentor in an older member and pack leader to guide them through this strange new existence.
But unlike a lot of Werewolf stories, these are not merely hunters and killers, there's is a higher purpose as protectors of the natural order and are connected to the Earth through a presence known as Gaia.
This is a group of different individuals who come together as they all navigate their new reality. Each character has their own issues to deal with, along side just discovering they are a werewolf.
This was one of the things that I enjoyed about this book, the different types of characters and how they got to know each other. As the story progressed, these characters all revealed who they were and it was not quite what the first impressions suggested. In this way there were some characters I wasn't sure of at first who I came to like.
There is lots of action, fighting, tearing, blood and gore in this story. The evil entity is truly hideous. But his all fits well within the story. I mean it's werewolves!
I like reading about the struggle Ashe had in turning into their wolf self and fighting to stay in control of the raging creature they could become.
As this is the first book of the series, there is a lot of mystery and some questions that will be answered in the following books. It makes you want to keep reading and I do look forward to finding out what happens next.
Apart from blood and gore this is a story about letting yourself become who you truly are. It is about learning to accept yourself and others around you, those who are different. It is about found family and supporting each other, working together to make things better.
In the acknowledgments the author writes "And finally, to every person who has ever felt unseen, misunderstood or marked as different: you belong. Your pack is out there. Keep howling until you find them".
But unlike a lot of Werewolf stories, these are not merely hunters and killers, there's is a higher purpose as protectors of the natural order and are connected to the Earth through a presence known as Gaia.
This is a group of different individuals who come together as they all navigate their new reality. Each character has their own issues to deal with, along side just discovering they are a werewolf.
This was one of the things that I enjoyed about this book, the different types of characters and how they got to know each other. As the story progressed, these characters all revealed who they were and it was not quite what the first impressions suggested. In this way there were some characters I wasn't sure of at first who I came to like.
There is lots of action, fighting, tearing, blood and gore in this story. The evil entity is truly hideous. But his all fits well within the story. I mean it's werewolves!
I like reading about the struggle Ashe had in turning into their wolf self and fighting to stay in control of the raging creature they could become.
As this is the first book of the series, there is a lot of mystery and some questions that will be answered in the following books. It makes you want to keep reading and I do look forward to finding out what happens next.
Apart from blood and gore this is a story about letting yourself become who you truly are. It is about learning to accept yourself and others around you, those who are different. It is about found family and supporting each other, working together to make things better.
In the acknowledgments the author writes "And finally, to every person who has ever felt unseen, misunderstood or marked as different: you belong. Your pack is out there. Keep howling until you find them".
Review of advance copy
The First Tearing is a nice new-gen look on a more classic werewolf story. As someone who does not typically go for this genre of book, the writing style is well diversed in both serious, climactic and even gorey moments as well as light-hearted humor that kept me reading! The book also does a great job in creating a well-structured storyline with unexpected moments, dynamic characters that I felt I could connect with, and atmospheric scenery. Its always great to see fresh ideas from new writers who you can tell genuinely enjoy the work and creativity put in to creating a story like this one. I am excited to read on!
March 25, 2026
Pines, an elder Lycan is tasked to find the "chosen". The chosen are a group of 5 unknown to the likes of the supernatural in their town. Pines needs to get them together, explain & show them what/who they are & that they are needed to help put the "earth" back in harmony. They are an eclectic group, unknown & unsure of each other & how they came together as a pack. Medium to high angst. No HEA, just a glimpse of what is to come for them in the future. Well written. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is something different. Not only does it do the classic lycan trope in ways I've not seen before it also adds inclusive elements that are fresh for any reader. The characters are from all walks of life and the setting is one that will keep you invested until the very end. Highly recommended
Review of advance copy received from Author
The First Tearing is an awesome read for anyone looking to delve into the supernatural. The book follows characters that have to navigate a whole new existence while all odds seem to be stacked against them. With phenomenal descriptions depicting the characters' struggles, this book is a must-read. I'm glad to have this on my shelf and look forward to reading the next one whenever it's available.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Waste of time
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews