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Cadence of the Fallen #1.5
A Composition of Scars
Before Draven was the feared captain over one of Bathara’s revered aggregates, he was merely a teenager learning how to better his magic, better his combat, and better himself. With his brothers by his side, Draven battles against a world that has carved out his identity with a ruthless blade—despite the wrath Tynan Dalmar brings down on him each time he falls short of his father’s measure. But after a particularly cruel interaction where the fraying chords holding his family together officially snap, Draven’s mother whisks him away in the middle of the night to finally put distance between them and House Dalmar.
It is in the unsuspecting city of Príth—where colors dance and streets thrum with a living heartbeat—that Draven’s world expands far broader than he ever imagined. And as he watches his mother’s smile return while confronting his deepest fears, Draven believes he has finally found his place in the world. Has discovered the true warmth of a family at last.
Until his father shatters that illusion into a million, serrated pieces.
A Composition of Scars is a novella in the Cadence of the Fallen series that tells the tale of how Draven received his deepest scars. The ones that always remain, alive and bleeding beneath his skin. It should be read after A Requiem for Fallen Stars.
It is in the unsuspecting city of Príth—where colors dance and streets thrum with a living heartbeat—that Draven’s world expands far broader than he ever imagined. And as he watches his mother’s smile return while confronting his deepest fears, Draven believes he has finally found his place in the world. Has discovered the true warmth of a family at last.
Until his father shatters that illusion into a million, serrated pieces.
A Composition of Scars is a novella in the Cadence of the Fallen series that tells the tale of how Draven received his deepest scars. The ones that always remain, alive and bleeding beneath his skin. It should be read after A Requiem for Fallen Stars.
246 pages, Paperback
Published March 22, 2026
1114 people want to read
About the author
Hazel S. Wilkes
3 books203 followersHazel is simply a lover of words and stories, overflowing with made-up worlds, scenarios, and characters. Ever since she was just a small girl, climbing out of her bedroom window to read on the roof under the stars with her trusted book light in hand (sorry, Mom), she has been enchanted by stories and the art of storytelling.
Hazel lives in Texas with her equally nerdy fiancé, her fluffy dog-child (who's named after a character from the novel that first truly revealed the beauty in crafting words to her), and the two sweetest cats a pet mom could hope for. Aside from writing, she enjoys playing and coaching sports, watching anime, spending time with her family, and discussing books with her bookish besties.
Hazel lives in Texas with her equally nerdy fiancé, her fluffy dog-child (who's named after a character from the novel that first truly revealed the beauty in crafting words to her), and the two sweetest cats a pet mom could hope for. Aside from writing, she enjoys playing and coaching sports, watching anime, spending time with her family, and discussing books with her bookish besties.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 1, 2026
I am absolutely speechless after reading this novella!!! The writing is both poetic and captivating. I genuinely think I may have highlighted at least half of the book.
In this heartbreaking story we get a glimpse into Draven’s past. We see how the events that took place in his adolescent years have shaped him into the man that he has become, and we learn just how deep the scars that he carries truly run.
The author wonderfully portrays the beauty of a mother’s love as well as the devastation that comes from a father’s hatred. It is the cry your eyes out kind of heartbreak. And yet, I absolutely could not put it down.
To say that I’m invested would be an understatement. I absolutely cannot wait to see where the next book takes us.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Spice: N/A
Tropes ✨:
Found family
Young love
Devoted mother
Abusive parent
Grief
🖤: “Draven was ready to let go of the pain, and the pain was ready to let go of him. So, he did—he let go. He hoped he would become a better man for it.”
A special thank you to the author for this eARC.
In this heartbreaking story we get a glimpse into Draven’s past. We see how the events that took place in his adolescent years have shaped him into the man that he has become, and we learn just how deep the scars that he carries truly run.
The author wonderfully portrays the beauty of a mother’s love as well as the devastation that comes from a father’s hatred. It is the cry your eyes out kind of heartbreak. And yet, I absolutely could not put it down.
To say that I’m invested would be an understatement. I absolutely cannot wait to see where the next book takes us.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Spice: N/A
Tropes ✨:
Found family
Young love
Devoted mother
Abusive parent
Grief
🖤: “Draven was ready to let go of the pain, and the pain was ready to let go of him. So, he did—he let go. He hoped he would become a better man for it.”
A special thank you to the author for this eARC.
March 3, 2026
4.5☆ simply wow. this novella was poetic, captivating, and deeply emotional in a way that completely caught me off guard. getting a glimpse into draven’s adolescent years - seeing the moments that shaped him, scarred him, and ultimately forged him into the man he is now was so powerful. it added so much depth to his character that I didn’t even realize I was missing.
I knew going in that it would be painful, but I wasn’t prepared for how much it would truly affect me. there were moments where the emotion felt so raw and intimate that tears were forming before I even realized it. the writing pulled me in so effortlessly, making every heartbreak and quiet revelation hit that much harder.
this novella didn’t just add to the story, it transformed my understanding of it. now I feel an even deeper connection to the characters and their journey, and it honestly makes me want to go back to book one to experience everything again with this new perspective. what a beautiful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable addition to the series.
ty sm hazel for graciously sending me an e-arc!
I knew going in that it would be painful, but I wasn’t prepared for how much it would truly affect me. there were moments where the emotion felt so raw and intimate that tears were forming before I even realized it. the writing pulled me in so effortlessly, making every heartbreak and quiet revelation hit that much harder.
this novella didn’t just add to the story, it transformed my understanding of it. now I feel an even deeper connection to the characters and their journey, and it honestly makes me want to go back to book one to experience everything again with this new perspective. what a beautiful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable addition to the series.
ty sm hazel for graciously sending me an e-arc!
February 27, 2026
“they will just see you, and they will love you for it; when you find a person like that, you never let them go.”
—
this was just wow. it was such a well done novella. learning about draven’s backstory was so much more devastating than i could have imagined. i literally sobbed the entire last 25%.
i fear i need to go reread certain scenes from book one now for science… cuz omg.
thank you so much hazel and her team for this e-arc! i will be counting down the days until book 2! ♥︎
“𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕—𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒌—𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒐. 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓. 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅. 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈—𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒖𝒑 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎.”
—
this was just wow. it was such a well done novella. learning about draven’s backstory was so much more devastating than i could have imagined. i literally sobbed the entire last 25%.
i fear i need to go reread certain scenes from book one now for science… cuz omg.
thank you so much hazel and her team for this e-arc! i will be counting down the days until book 2! ♥︎
“𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕—𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒌—𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒐. 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓. 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅. 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈—𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒖𝒑 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎.”
March 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review
First, a huge thank you to Hazel S. Wilkes for the opportunity to read A Composition of Scars early. I’m so grateful to have received an ARC of this one.
I absolutely LOVED this book, even more than I loved A Requiem for Fallen Stars. Getting Draven’s backstory was everything I hoped for and somehow even more heartbreaking than I expected.
Going in, I knew this story probably wasn’t going to have a happy ending. After all, we already know the man Draven becomes. But that didn’t stop me from hoping anyway. The first half of this book was filled with so many heartwarming, almost cozy moments. Watching young Draven learn, grow, and finally start to feel like he might have found a place where he truly belongs was beautiful. Seeing him alongside his brothers and watching his mother begin to heal made it impossible not to cling to that hope.
And then the last 25% absolutely ripped my heart out.
Knowing what was coming didn’t make it hurt any less. If anything, it made every good moment feel even more precious because you knew it couldn’t last. Watching the pieces of Draven’s life fall into place and then shatter was devastating in the best way.
This prequel adds so much depth to the character we meet in A Requiem for Fallen Stars. It makes you understand him, hurt for him, and see exactly how the boy he once was became the man we know.
Beautifully written, emotional, and completely unforgettable. If you loved Draven before, this book will make you love him and ache for him even more.
First, a huge thank you to Hazel S. Wilkes for the opportunity to read A Composition of Scars early. I’m so grateful to have received an ARC of this one.
I absolutely LOVED this book, even more than I loved A Requiem for Fallen Stars. Getting Draven’s backstory was everything I hoped for and somehow even more heartbreaking than I expected.
Going in, I knew this story probably wasn’t going to have a happy ending. After all, we already know the man Draven becomes. But that didn’t stop me from hoping anyway. The first half of this book was filled with so many heartwarming, almost cozy moments. Watching young Draven learn, grow, and finally start to feel like he might have found a place where he truly belongs was beautiful. Seeing him alongside his brothers and watching his mother begin to heal made it impossible not to cling to that hope.
And then the last 25% absolutely ripped my heart out.
Knowing what was coming didn’t make it hurt any less. If anything, it made every good moment feel even more precious because you knew it couldn’t last. Watching the pieces of Draven’s life fall into place and then shatter was devastating in the best way.
This prequel adds so much depth to the character we meet in A Requiem for Fallen Stars. It makes you understand him, hurt for him, and see exactly how the boy he once was became the man we know.
Beautifully written, emotional, and completely unforgettable. If you loved Draven before, this book will make you love him and ache for him even more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I would like to start this review out with a quote from my review on book 1:
"I really like the MMC but I do feel like he has as lot of room to grow and for us to see more of who he actually is. We only scratched the surface with who he is and I think in the next book I am going to be kicking and giggling my feet once we fully see him."
I definitely was NOT kicking and giggling my feet about him in this book, I was screaming, crying and throwing up (in a good way).
We got to see everything that made Draven who he is and I can't believe how much I love him after only 200 some pages with him. He went through so much trauma and has had to deal with such tragic events that I pray to everything that the next book he gets nothing but rainbows and sunshine.
I loved this book more than I ever expected even though all I did was cry.
The most heartful thanks to Hazel S. Wilkes for graciously letting me read this hauntingly beautiful book before it's publication, I am so honored.
"I really like the MMC but I do feel like he has as lot of room to grow and for us to see more of who he actually is. We only scratched the surface with who he is and I think in the next book I am going to be kicking and giggling my feet once we fully see him."
I definitely was NOT kicking and giggling my feet about him in this book, I was screaming, crying and throwing up (in a good way).
We got to see everything that made Draven who he is and I can't believe how much I love him after only 200 some pages with him. He went through so much trauma and has had to deal with such tragic events that I pray to everything that the next book he gets nothing but rainbows and sunshine.
I loved this book more than I ever expected even though all I did was cry.
The most heartful thanks to Hazel S. Wilkes for graciously letting me read this hauntingly beautiful book before it's publication, I am so honored.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5⭐
i know i'm baised when it’s come her but this book was so good. 🤌🤌
this was the childhood story of draven and why he become the man he is now. We get to see kiran and finlay and get know what happen between finlay and draven. i missed them.
i love that the way she portrait a mother love for her Children. how a mother love, sacrifice and protect her son. i love the new characters too. This book also show how innocent and beatiful young love is. I was crying last 25% of the book. Draven had endure alot at the age of 14. 😭😭.
i can't wait for book 2 to come out. i so excited for it🥰🥰
i know i'm baised when it’s come her but this book was so good. 🤌🤌
this was the childhood story of draven and why he become the man he is now. We get to see kiran and finlay and get know what happen between finlay and draven. i missed them.
i love that the way she portrait a mother love for her Children. how a mother love, sacrifice and protect her son. i love the new characters too. This book also show how innocent and beatiful young love is. I was crying last 25% of the book. Draven had endure alot at the age of 14. 😭😭.
i can't wait for book 2 to come out. i so excited for it🥰🥰
March 4, 2026
Just wow! After finishing A Requiem for Fallen Stars, I was dying to know more about Dravens past and the secrets he held. A composition of scars was everything I could hope for. It told the story from when Draven was a child to present day when he saw Lyra in Foreigner’s valley. Tying everything together.This book kept my interest the whole time and answered all my questions. Felt every emotion while reading this novella. It was a great read! Can’t wait for book two
March 22, 2026
One of the most powerful thing in this world is a mothers love. This is one of the most beautiful examples of a mothers’ strength, courage, and undying devotion to those she loves. It’s a love that hits you on a deeper level. And I found myself realizing there are few novels around anymore that highlight how incredible mothers are, and how they shape characters growth. This book leaves you raw with mixed emotions, but it’s a story that I will willingly put myself in a tearful state for. It’s not just a story, it’s a reminder that the light overcomes the darkness.
The legitimate found family in this was everything to me. It brought a needed warmth to a tragic story, and it shows that there glimpses of beauty amidst dark periods of life. Rhea and Suzumi had a lot of fun energy, being the perfect duo to uplift Draven, and show him what it’s like to be part of a loving family, not to mention Atlas, becoming a much needed father figure. The brotherhood between Draven and Kiran is as strong in this story as it is in Requiem, and I loved seeing their bonds of loyalty remain unbreakable. Lealla is the perfect representation of love created by bonds and not necessarily blood. Her story is powerful, and her influence on Draven brings tears to my eyes.
I’m so grateful for the chance to read this story, and to find a deeper understanding on Draven’s character and backstory. To truly understand we must look at the past and the people who shaped our lives, and I can’t say enough how much I needed to read this. It not only has me continuing to root for Draven, but to also pick up Requiem for Fallen Stars, and see Lyra and Draven find each other scars and all, and tell each other their stories. Thank you Hazel for the opportunity to arc read, I cannot wait for book 2 to be released.
The legitimate found family in this was everything to me. It brought a needed warmth to a tragic story, and it shows that there glimpses of beauty amidst dark periods of life. Rhea and Suzumi had a lot of fun energy, being the perfect duo to uplift Draven, and show him what it’s like to be part of a loving family, not to mention Atlas, becoming a much needed father figure. The brotherhood between Draven and Kiran is as strong in this story as it is in Requiem, and I loved seeing their bonds of loyalty remain unbreakable. Lealla is the perfect representation of love created by bonds and not necessarily blood. Her story is powerful, and her influence on Draven brings tears to my eyes.
I’m so grateful for the chance to read this story, and to find a deeper understanding on Draven’s character and backstory. To truly understand we must look at the past and the people who shaped our lives, and I can’t say enough how much I needed to read this. It not only has me continuing to root for Draven, but to also pick up Requiem for Fallen Stars, and see Lyra and Draven find each other scars and all, and tell each other their stories. Thank you Hazel for the opportunity to arc read, I cannot wait for book 2 to be released.
March 2, 2026
Finishing off this book with actual tears running down my face and that, I guess, sums up everything this book was❤️
First off, I wanted to thank Hazel for sending me the ARC of this masterpiece and letting me be back on this world sooner than expected🥹
This author has such a way with words I could feel my heart clenching and beating out of my chest every few words. I cannot even imagine the level of pain Draven had to endure at such young age, the visuals of that chapter keep bringing tears to my eyes… and despite all that he resurfaced from his own ashes, his own pain to try and become the man his mother and Atlast always believed him to be😭 it was so beautiful to read I almost felt I was being privy to something I shouldn’t have. One of the most devastating yet beautiful stories I have ever read. I was so devastated when I read about Suzumi I almost forgot about Lyra for a second there and all the good things Draven has coming up (hopefully only good things will happen to him from here on, God knows he deserves it!) and reading the last few pages made me so incredibly happy, knowing that Dravel got that spark of light back and that he will, indeed, love and be loved in a magnificent way❤️
I cannot tell you how badly I need to have book 2 in my hands, release day can’t come soon enough !!!!
First off, I wanted to thank Hazel for sending me the ARC of this masterpiece and letting me be back on this world sooner than expected🥹
This author has such a way with words I could feel my heart clenching and beating out of my chest every few words. I cannot even imagine the level of pain Draven had to endure at such young age, the visuals of that chapter keep bringing tears to my eyes… and despite all that he resurfaced from his own ashes, his own pain to try and become the man his mother and Atlast always believed him to be😭 it was so beautiful to read I almost felt I was being privy to something I shouldn’t have. One of the most devastating yet beautiful stories I have ever read. I was so devastated when I read about Suzumi I almost forgot about Lyra for a second there and all the good things Draven has coming up (hopefully only good things will happen to him from here on, God knows he deserves it!) and reading the last few pages made me so incredibly happy, knowing that Dravel got that spark of light back and that he will, indeed, love and be loved in a magnificent way❤️
I cannot tell you how badly I need to have book 2 in my hands, release day can’t come soon enough !!!!
Read
March 20, 2026A Composition of Scars (Book 1.5 in the Cadence of the Fallen series) is a haunting, emotional prelude that adds so much depth to the world before A Requiem for Fallen Stars.
Knowing this story takes place before the main events completely shifts how you experience it. There’s a quiet heaviness woven through every chapter—like you’re watching the beginning of something already destined to break. It’s intimate, raw, and at times almost painful.
The author’s note at the beginning is essential—it sets the tone and prepares you for the emotional weight this novella carries. Once you step in, you’re not getting a light side story… you’re getting the foundation of scars, choices, and moments that shape everything to come.
The character work here really stood out to me. You see pieces of who they were before everything changed, and it adds this layer of bittersweet tension knowing what’s ahead. The writing is lyrical and atmospheric, pulling you in without needing big dramatic twists.
My only small complaint? I wanted more. More pages, more moments, more time to sit in these emotions. But honestly, that just proves how invested I was.
Overall, this is a beautifully written, emotionally rich addition to the series that you shouldn’t skip. It deepens the story in a way that makes A Requiem for Fallen Stars hit even harder—and for that alone, it’s absolutely worth the read.
Knowing this story takes place before the main events completely shifts how you experience it. There’s a quiet heaviness woven through every chapter—like you’re watching the beginning of something already destined to break. It’s intimate, raw, and at times almost painful.
The author’s note at the beginning is essential—it sets the tone and prepares you for the emotional weight this novella carries. Once you step in, you’re not getting a light side story… you’re getting the foundation of scars, choices, and moments that shape everything to come.
The character work here really stood out to me. You see pieces of who they were before everything changed, and it adds this layer of bittersweet tension knowing what’s ahead. The writing is lyrical and atmospheric, pulling you in without needing big dramatic twists.
My only small complaint? I wanted more. More pages, more moments, more time to sit in these emotions. But honestly, that just proves how invested I was.
Overall, this is a beautifully written, emotionally rich addition to the series that you shouldn’t skip. It deepens the story in a way that makes A Requiem for Fallen Stars hit even harder—and for that alone, it’s absolutely worth the read.
March 22, 2026
5⭐️
"I’m just Draven."
As soon as I hit the last page, the first thought that crossed my mind was I want to go back and re-read A Requiem For Fallen Stars because the way everything connected had the cogs in my brain working and I just didn’t want to leave this world or these characters. How this novella connects so perfectly to book 1, just wow! This was a heartbreaking and absolutely captivating read.
"When you find a person like that—the person who sees the soul behind any and every mask—you never let them go. Ever."
You get a front row seat to how the events of the past shape Draven into the man you meet in A Requiem for Fallen Stars. It is painful and heartbreaking (I cried so many times while reading this!) and despite these horrific harrowing scars he truly is the definition of resilience and strength.
One thing I really loved in this novella was how your chosen family is your true family and those bonds are deeper than any blood relations can ever be.
Absolutely do not skip this book prior to the upcoming release of book two in the series. For full emotional impact having Draven’s origin story will make the series hit that much more. I didn’t think it was possible but it’s impossible to not fall a little harder for him a too.
I cannot wait for book two in this incredible series. A big thank you to Hazel for the e-ARC, it was an honour to get to read 1.5 in the series.
"I’m just Draven."
As soon as I hit the last page, the first thought that crossed my mind was I want to go back and re-read A Requiem For Fallen Stars because the way everything connected had the cogs in my brain working and I just didn’t want to leave this world or these characters. How this novella connects so perfectly to book 1, just wow! This was a heartbreaking and absolutely captivating read.
"When you find a person like that—the person who sees the soul behind any and every mask—you never let them go. Ever."
You get a front row seat to how the events of the past shape Draven into the man you meet in A Requiem for Fallen Stars. It is painful and heartbreaking (I cried so many times while reading this!) and despite these horrific harrowing scars he truly is the definition of resilience and strength.
One thing I really loved in this novella was how your chosen family is your true family and those bonds are deeper than any blood relations can ever be.
Absolutely do not skip this book prior to the upcoming release of book two in the series. For full emotional impact having Draven’s origin story will make the series hit that much more. I didn’t think it was possible but it’s impossible to not fall a little harder for him a too.
I cannot wait for book two in this incredible series. A big thank you to Hazel for the e-ARC, it was an honour to get to read 1.5 in the series.
March 10, 2026
Thank you Hazel and team for giving me my first ever ARC 😭 A Requiem for fallen stars was my favourite book of 2025, so I just knew Dravens novella was going to be a great read. I didn’t quite expect the emotional damage though??
This is the standard I expect from novellas from now on. 300 pages of a well written and fleshed out story, and Hazel absolutely delivered. Getting so much depth and emotion into (by romantasy standards) such a short book is not an easy feat, but Hazel managed this effortlessly, providing so much context and story.
It was great to find out how Draven came to be who he is, and getting to connect with his story more. I absolutely adored this. I’ve been pushing book one onto anyone who’ll listen, now I get to push 2 books 😌
This is the standard I expect from novellas from now on. 300 pages of a well written and fleshed out story, and Hazel absolutely delivered. Getting so much depth and emotion into (by romantasy standards) such a short book is not an easy feat, but Hazel managed this effortlessly, providing so much context and story.
It was great to find out how Draven came to be who he is, and getting to connect with his story more. I absolutely adored this. I’ve been pushing book one onto anyone who’ll listen, now I get to push 2 books 😌
March 9, 2026
“We are at once deserving, and undeserving of love, and I believe we have our mortal souls to thank for that.”
No words can describe how deeply emotional & heartbreaking this novella was 😫. The insight and backstory into Draven’s childhood, what happened to him, what he survived that shaped him into who he is in the present legitimately had me tearing up.
It’s this like, soul deep sadness. One that is devastating, and really puts you through the motions. The only light felt in the fact that you are able to witness a short period that brought so much joy and love, if even only for a moment.
Draven is so resilient, and i’m so glad he is fighting to be the man his mother would’ve wanted, a man worth love. So much more than the monster his father so badly wants to turn him into.
Ugh. I’ve been reading back to back tear jerkers you guys, and I was really in my feels with this one 😫.
I can’t wait for book two!!
No words can describe how deeply emotional & heartbreaking this novella was 😫. The insight and backstory into Draven’s childhood, what happened to him, what he survived that shaped him into who he is in the present legitimately had me tearing up.
It’s this like, soul deep sadness. One that is devastating, and really puts you through the motions. The only light felt in the fact that you are able to witness a short period that brought so much joy and love, if even only for a moment.
Draven is so resilient, and i’m so glad he is fighting to be the man his mother would’ve wanted, a man worth love. So much more than the monster his father so badly wants to turn him into.
Ugh. I’ve been reading back to back tear jerkers you guys, and I was really in my feels with this one 😫.
I can’t wait for book two!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
For starters, if you haven't read 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠, RUN don't walk to go get that first as it is the first book in the Cadence of the Fallen series. 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 was hands down my ultimate 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 read of 2025!
Now for this book, I have so many thoughts and I can assure you immediately that it is all praise. I have no critiques; there are zero things I'd wish were different in the story. I think Hazel S. Wilkes is a highly talented fantasy author genius. She will be as popular as the biggest fantasy romance authors. She pours her whole soul into her beautifully wonderful stories, and it shows. I love her raw and realistic, but still poetic, prose.
Let's get down to business now. 𝐴 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑠 was a peek inside the early life of the MMC from 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠. It was like a villain origin story, what made him tick, what made him cold, what made him ruthless, but by the end he rejects that version of himself. He vows to become someone worthy of his loved ones, someone who would make his loved ones who passed 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝. What happens to him is so sad, then it's so happy, then it's so sad. It's hard to explain, but the reward is worth the risk here, I swear. Yes, there were heart shattering moments. 𝐵𝑢𝑡, the heartwarming moments were more meaningful. They matter more. They are the ones that live on with our shadow daddy Draven. Both the good and the bad events shaped him into the perfect person for the 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 FMC, Lyra.
This story reminded me why I have always 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 fantasy in the first place. It’s the kind of book that pulls you in by the throat and the heart at the same time, giving you both the ache and the healing in equal measure. There’s something so special about watching a character you already adore get peeled back layer by layer until you understand the exact composition of their scars. It made me want to reread 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 immediately just to see Draven with this new depth in mind {and I fully intend to}.
This novella adds so much richness to the world Hazel has already built, and it deepened my love for the series, and the characters, in ways I didn’t expect. Draven’s journey here felt like watching a supernova form—every moment of pain, every flicker of hope, every expectation, every choice he makes, becomes another burst of light that shapes who he becomes. Seeing the boy before he became a man made his future self hit even harder. As his mom says, "Do you see that star, Draven? You are just like it. It does not let the darkness dim its shine—it burns brighter because of it. And you? You burn so brightly, my son. That darkness in your veins is just a backdrop for all your glorious light." If this is what Hazel S. Wilkes can do with a 1.5 sequel, I can’t even imagine the emotional destruction and beauty she has planned for the next book, 𝐴 𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑟𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑛, which will be #2 in the series. I’m fully strapped in for the ride and starting a countdown now until I get that one in my hands. Also, I loved the praise for mothers in the dedication. Here it is so you can have a little taste of the sweetness that is all Hazel S. Wilkes: "To the mothers who act as sword and shield, who bear the weight of a thousand burdens so their sons or daughters may know a better way of life— You carry the strength of mountains. To my own mother; You are the strongest woman I know." I've never read such a loving dedication, and boy does it resonate as a mother. Hazel perfectly creates the strongest characters I know, and it’s clear that her understanding of strength comes from a deeply personal, deeply human place. That tenderness, that reverence for the people who shape us, bleeds into every page she writes. It’s no wonder her characters feel so alive—they’re built from love, loss, sacrifice, and the quiet power of those who raise us. If anything, this dedication set the tone for the entire reading experience. It reminded me that behind every hero, every villain, every broken or rebuilt soul in her books, there’s a million reasons they are who they are, and who they decide to become. And Hazel captures that with a kind of emotional honesty that stays with you long after you close the book.
𝟏𝟐/𝟏𝟎 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐃!!! READ THIS RIGHT NOW!
Don't forget—read 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 first if you haven't—this is book 1.5!!!
Disclaimer: the author provided me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this story, but this review and my opinions are 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞. I preordered both 𝐴 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑠 & 𝐴 𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑟𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑛 after I read 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 anyways {aka before I got the ARC}.
Now for this book, I have so many thoughts and I can assure you immediately that it is all praise. I have no critiques; there are zero things I'd wish were different in the story. I think Hazel S. Wilkes is a highly talented fantasy author genius. She will be as popular as the biggest fantasy romance authors. She pours her whole soul into her beautifully wonderful stories, and it shows. I love her raw and realistic, but still poetic, prose.
Let's get down to business now. 𝐴 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑠 was a peek inside the early life of the MMC from 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠. It was like a villain origin story, what made him tick, what made him cold, what made him ruthless, but by the end he rejects that version of himself. He vows to become someone worthy of his loved ones, someone who would make his loved ones who passed 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝. What happens to him is so sad, then it's so happy, then it's so sad. It's hard to explain, but the reward is worth the risk here, I swear. Yes, there were heart shattering moments. 𝐵𝑢𝑡, the heartwarming moments were more meaningful. They matter more. They are the ones that live on with our shadow daddy Draven. Both the good and the bad events shaped him into the perfect person for the 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 FMC, Lyra.
This story reminded me why I have always 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 fantasy in the first place. It’s the kind of book that pulls you in by the throat and the heart at the same time, giving you both the ache and the healing in equal measure. There’s something so special about watching a character you already adore get peeled back layer by layer until you understand the exact composition of their scars. It made me want to reread 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 immediately just to see Draven with this new depth in mind {and I fully intend to}.
This novella adds so much richness to the world Hazel has already built, and it deepened my love for the series, and the characters, in ways I didn’t expect. Draven’s journey here felt like watching a supernova form—every moment of pain, every flicker of hope, every expectation, every choice he makes, becomes another burst of light that shapes who he becomes. Seeing the boy before he became a man made his future self hit even harder. As his mom says, "Do you see that star, Draven? You are just like it. It does not let the darkness dim its shine—it burns brighter because of it. And you? You burn so brightly, my son. That darkness in your veins is just a backdrop for all your glorious light." If this is what Hazel S. Wilkes can do with a 1.5 sequel, I can’t even imagine the emotional destruction and beauty she has planned for the next book, 𝐴 𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑟𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑛, which will be #2 in the series. I’m fully strapped in for the ride and starting a countdown now until I get that one in my hands. Also, I loved the praise for mothers in the dedication. Here it is so you can have a little taste of the sweetness that is all Hazel S. Wilkes: "To the mothers who act as sword and shield, who bear the weight of a thousand burdens so their sons or daughters may know a better way of life— You carry the strength of mountains. To my own mother; You are the strongest woman I know." I've never read such a loving dedication, and boy does it resonate as a mother. Hazel perfectly creates the strongest characters I know, and it’s clear that her understanding of strength comes from a deeply personal, deeply human place. That tenderness, that reverence for the people who shape us, bleeds into every page she writes. It’s no wonder her characters feel so alive—they’re built from love, loss, sacrifice, and the quiet power of those who raise us. If anything, this dedication set the tone for the entire reading experience. It reminded me that behind every hero, every villain, every broken or rebuilt soul in her books, there’s a million reasons they are who they are, and who they decide to become. And Hazel captures that with a kind of emotional honesty that stays with you long after you close the book.
𝟏𝟐/𝟏𝟎 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐃!!! READ THIS RIGHT NOW!
Don't forget—read 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 first if you haven't—this is book 1.5!!!
Disclaimer: the author provided me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this story, but this review and my opinions are 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞. I preordered both 𝐴 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑠 & 𝐴 𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑟𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑛 after I read 𝐴 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 anyways {aka before I got the ARC}.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Me: I’m fine. Also me, ten pages in: sobbing into my pillow over fictional trauma.
From the start, I knew I was doomed in the best way... it reminded me instantly why I adore this series. I told myself I was simply getting a bit more insight into Draven’s past, and within minutes I was clutching my Kindle like a woman possessed.
Things I Loved:
🌟 New characters who didn't ask permission to steal my heart... but here we are! They walked in with big personalities and I immediately adopted them. Even the bookshop - the polished bookery basically deserves its own merch line now!
😭 Heartbreak that felt personally targeted. Some scenes really said, “Hope you weren’t planning to be emotionally stable today.” I had to put the book down and stare into the void like I was in a dramatic music video.
🖤 The layers behind Draven’s scars.
Each new reveal hit with emotional force and made me see him in a whole new way. I genuinely just want to wrap him in a blanket and give him a hug.
💬 Writing that goes from soft to soul crushing. One line makes you smile. The next line emotionally body slams you. And somehow it all flows perfectly... the whiplash is real but also delicious!
Much like with book 1, I've gone completely feral with my highlighter - so prepare for lots of beautiful quotes!
"He returned to them tonight, as if summoned. A willing captive to their mysteries and contradictions, both dark and beautiful, shrouded in shadows and twinkling effervescence. Do you see that star, Draven? You are just like it. It does not let the darkness dim its shine— it burns brighter because of it. And you? You burn so brightly, my son. That darkness in your veins is just a backdrop for all your glorious light."
The emotional writing absolutely stood out for me. The story deals with grief, loyalty, survival, and all the messy pieces in between. The heartbreaking scenes truly wrecked me. One second I was reading peacefully, and the next I was staring into space like I had personally lived through the trauma... and wondering if I need a support group… or maybe just some snacks for all my book-related feelings.
"She was air where there had previously only been suffocation. She was light where there had only been darkness. She was the perfect sea kissed breeze. A fluttering warmth in the midst of the deepest winter."
Getting this closer look at Draven felt both heartbreaking and incredibly rewarding. Every struggle, every tiny moment that leaves a mark, adds another layer to who he is. The exploration of his scars, both physical and emotional, is so moving that you feel the weight of every wound and every loss. It all makes his resilience feel earned in a way that hits you right in the feels.
I loved the balance between the softer, introspective moments and the brutal realities that shaped Draven’s life. By the end, I felt like I understood him on a completely different level.
“You will have moments where you’ll feel like you ruined everything. You will make mistakes, no matter how painful a thing it is to admit. The key is to find someone who is willing to sit in those shadows with you. Who will forgive you and love you in spite of your flaws. Who will laugh with you. Cry with you. Sip sweet wine in front of a burning hearth while you ramble on about your passions. When you find a person like that, the person who sees the soul behind any and every mask, you never let them go. Ever. Even when it’s hard. Even when it feels like everything is crumbling, you never give up on them. They will just see you, and they will love you for it. When you find a person like that, you never let them go."
This novella took my heart, crushed it, put it back together, gently patted me on the head, and then somehow made me grateful for the emotional damage. It adds so much depth to a world and cast that I already loved.
And now? Now I am SO hyped for book 2. I need to see how all of this backstory crashes into what is coming next. The anticipation has me spiritually vibrating. I'm ready to laugh, cry, swoon, and probably sob into my tea all over again, and I'll do it with zero shame.
Bring it on. I’m ready!
From the start, I knew I was doomed in the best way... it reminded me instantly why I adore this series. I told myself I was simply getting a bit more insight into Draven’s past, and within minutes I was clutching my Kindle like a woman possessed.
Things I Loved:
🌟 New characters who didn't ask permission to steal my heart... but here we are! They walked in with big personalities and I immediately adopted them. Even the bookshop - the polished bookery basically deserves its own merch line now!
😭 Heartbreak that felt personally targeted. Some scenes really said, “Hope you weren’t planning to be emotionally stable today.” I had to put the book down and stare into the void like I was in a dramatic music video.
🖤 The layers behind Draven’s scars.
Each new reveal hit with emotional force and made me see him in a whole new way. I genuinely just want to wrap him in a blanket and give him a hug.
💬 Writing that goes from soft to soul crushing. One line makes you smile. The next line emotionally body slams you. And somehow it all flows perfectly... the whiplash is real but also delicious!
Much like with book 1, I've gone completely feral with my highlighter - so prepare for lots of beautiful quotes!
"He returned to them tonight, as if summoned. A willing captive to their mysteries and contradictions, both dark and beautiful, shrouded in shadows and twinkling effervescence. Do you see that star, Draven? You are just like it. It does not let the darkness dim its shine— it burns brighter because of it. And you? You burn so brightly, my son. That darkness in your veins is just a backdrop for all your glorious light."
The emotional writing absolutely stood out for me. The story deals with grief, loyalty, survival, and all the messy pieces in between. The heartbreaking scenes truly wrecked me. One second I was reading peacefully, and the next I was staring into space like I had personally lived through the trauma... and wondering if I need a support group… or maybe just some snacks for all my book-related feelings.
"She was air where there had previously only been suffocation. She was light where there had only been darkness. She was the perfect sea kissed breeze. A fluttering warmth in the midst of the deepest winter."
Getting this closer look at Draven felt both heartbreaking and incredibly rewarding. Every struggle, every tiny moment that leaves a mark, adds another layer to who he is. The exploration of his scars, both physical and emotional, is so moving that you feel the weight of every wound and every loss. It all makes his resilience feel earned in a way that hits you right in the feels.
I loved the balance between the softer, introspective moments and the brutal realities that shaped Draven’s life. By the end, I felt like I understood him on a completely different level.
“You will have moments where you’ll feel like you ruined everything. You will make mistakes, no matter how painful a thing it is to admit. The key is to find someone who is willing to sit in those shadows with you. Who will forgive you and love you in spite of your flaws. Who will laugh with you. Cry with you. Sip sweet wine in front of a burning hearth while you ramble on about your passions. When you find a person like that, the person who sees the soul behind any and every mask, you never let them go. Ever. Even when it’s hard. Even when it feels like everything is crumbling, you never give up on them. They will just see you, and they will love you for it. When you find a person like that, you never let them go."
This novella took my heart, crushed it, put it back together, gently patted me on the head, and then somehow made me grateful for the emotional damage. It adds so much depth to a world and cast that I already loved.
And now? Now I am SO hyped for book 2. I need to see how all of this backstory crashes into what is coming next. The anticipation has me spiritually vibrating. I'm ready to laugh, cry, swoon, and probably sob into my tea all over again, and I'll do it with zero shame.
Bring it on. I’m ready!
March 8, 2026
Okay, this is how you write a prequel!!
Wow did I need this backstory for Draven. A Composition of Scars shows us the events from when Draven is 14 right up to when we meet Draven in A Requiem for Fallen Stars. It gives us so much context and helps fill in a lot of gaps I had following A Requiem for Fallen Stars.
I still loved that book but I wanted much more depth to Draven and boy did I get it in this prequel 😍 After learning about all he has been through, everything about him just makes much more sense! It’s very easy to see how the tragic events, the betrayal and trauma Draven experienced in this book shaped him into the Draven we met in A Requiem for Fallen Stars. I also now understand his connection with Lyra a lot more and how he fell for her so hard as quick as he did.
The first part of A Composition of Scars shows us the abuse Draven suffers at the hands of his father. It’s heartbreaking to read but then we see the beauty that comes from the love and protection of a mother. The portrayal of the relationship between Draven and his Mother is truly beautiful.
We also see just how strong the bond between Draven, Kiran and Finlay is, their brotherhood is so heartwarming and a lot of this part of the book is heartwarming. We meet some new characters who you will absolutely fall in love with and it becomes a beautiful feel good read. But, you just know that devastation is ahead, so much so that it took me a bit of time before continuing as I just wasn’t ready to be broken!
Once I started part 2, I couldn’t stop. I stayed up until 3am to finish this book!! Part 2 shatters you. This part we see the devastation that comes from power and a father’s hatred. It’s brutal, it’s raw, and will completely break you. Be warned, this is not a HEA story but it will begin to mend you towards the end.
The emotional whiplash this book gives you is phenomenal and the emotional depth conveyed was so impactful. There were some beautiful, heartwarming moments, moments where you get completely swept up in the story, before utter devastation rains down and rips your heart out. The way Hazel writes is just so completely captivating and she makes you feel everything.
I absolutely loved this book, it was everything I hoped it would be and I honestly cannot wait for book 2 😍
Thank you so much to the Author Hazel S. Wilkes for this gifted eARC. All opinions are my own.
Wow did I need this backstory for Draven. A Composition of Scars shows us the events from when Draven is 14 right up to when we meet Draven in A Requiem for Fallen Stars. It gives us so much context and helps fill in a lot of gaps I had following A Requiem for Fallen Stars.
I still loved that book but I wanted much more depth to Draven and boy did I get it in this prequel 😍 After learning about all he has been through, everything about him just makes much more sense! It’s very easy to see how the tragic events, the betrayal and trauma Draven experienced in this book shaped him into the Draven we met in A Requiem for Fallen Stars. I also now understand his connection with Lyra a lot more and how he fell for her so hard as quick as he did.
The first part of A Composition of Scars shows us the abuse Draven suffers at the hands of his father. It’s heartbreaking to read but then we see the beauty that comes from the love and protection of a mother. The portrayal of the relationship between Draven and his Mother is truly beautiful.
We also see just how strong the bond between Draven, Kiran and Finlay is, their brotherhood is so heartwarming and a lot of this part of the book is heartwarming. We meet some new characters who you will absolutely fall in love with and it becomes a beautiful feel good read. But, you just know that devastation is ahead, so much so that it took me a bit of time before continuing as I just wasn’t ready to be broken!
Once I started part 2, I couldn’t stop. I stayed up until 3am to finish this book!! Part 2 shatters you. This part we see the devastation that comes from power and a father’s hatred. It’s brutal, it’s raw, and will completely break you. Be warned, this is not a HEA story but it will begin to mend you towards the end.
The emotional whiplash this book gives you is phenomenal and the emotional depth conveyed was so impactful. There were some beautiful, heartwarming moments, moments where you get completely swept up in the story, before utter devastation rains down and rips your heart out. The way Hazel writes is just so completely captivating and she makes you feel everything.
I absolutely loved this book, it was everything I hoped it would be and I honestly cannot wait for book 2 😍
Thank you so much to the Author Hazel S. Wilkes for this gifted eARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First off, thank you to the Hazel S. Wilkes for the eARC. I felt very honored for the opportunity to read this.
Instant infinity stars upon finishing this! I love stories that make me feel and this one made me FEEL! It honestly was a bit of a rollercoaster in the best way. It takes talent to invoke such emotion in a short amount of time.
A Composition of Scars follows Draven as a teenager (14). His father, Tynan, is brutal and cruel and never satisfied by Draven’s attempts to live up to his expectations. His mother, on the other hand, is lovely and kind. Draven travels with his mother to Prith where he experiences what it’s like to be part of a functional, caring family - away from Tynan and his court.
This was deep and emotional and in places really beautiful and inspiring too. I felt terrible for Draven for his father’s cruelty and impossible standards. Then I felt such joy for him during the times he was able to feel joy and to experience a loving, caring family. But Tynan is truly a monster who should not be underestimated. By the end of the novella, I was well and truly heartbroken.
“𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒖𝒏𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕? 𝑶𝒇 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆? 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆…𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚 𝒊𝒕?”
This novella really explains why Draven is the way he is as the amount of trauma he experienced from such a young age is just unfathomable. But he is so resilient, which is stunning. His introspection was so welcome in the face of all his mystery in A Requiem for Fallen Stars where the cliffhanger was cliffHANGING. Now I understand why he reacted the way he did. It also sheds light on his relationship with his brothers -Finlay and Kiran which was something I was very curious about. Definitely read this and then maybe do a reread of Requiem before June!
Instant infinity stars upon finishing this! I love stories that make me feel and this one made me FEEL! It honestly was a bit of a rollercoaster in the best way. It takes talent to invoke such emotion in a short amount of time.
A Composition of Scars follows Draven as a teenager (14). His father, Tynan, is brutal and cruel and never satisfied by Draven’s attempts to live up to his expectations. His mother, on the other hand, is lovely and kind. Draven travels with his mother to Prith where he experiences what it’s like to be part of a functional, caring family - away from Tynan and his court.
This was deep and emotional and in places really beautiful and inspiring too. I felt terrible for Draven for his father’s cruelty and impossible standards. Then I felt such joy for him during the times he was able to feel joy and to experience a loving, caring family. But Tynan is truly a monster who should not be underestimated. By the end of the novella, I was well and truly heartbroken.
“𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒖𝒏𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕? 𝑶𝒇 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆? 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆…𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚 𝒊𝒕?”
This novella really explains why Draven is the way he is as the amount of trauma he experienced from such a young age is just unfathomable. But he is so resilient, which is stunning. His introspection was so welcome in the face of all his mystery in A Requiem for Fallen Stars where the cliffhanger was cliffHANGING. Now I understand why he reacted the way he did. It also sheds light on his relationship with his brothers -Finlay and Kiran which was something I was very curious about. Definitely read this and then maybe do a reread of Requiem before June!
Review of advance copy
First & foremost, if you don’t read books to feel things then this book isn’t for you. But if you do ? Then have a seat & grab some tissues because this book is gonna put you through the wringer.
Hazels writing is so captivating & poetic that she has the power to make you feel everything that her characters are feeling just by reading her words. The amount of tears that I’ve cried while reading this 252 page novella are criminal 🥲
I went into this with so much anticipation because I just knew that there was so much that made Draven the man that he was in A Requiem For Fallen Stars. But when I say that I was TERRIFIED to know his story because I just knew it wasn’t an easy one… I was so right 😓 but it all makes so much sense 😢 my sweet sweet Draven 🖤
Everything about this novella was perfect, no notes. I simply just wish that it was longer because I don’t wanna believe that that’s all I get of these characters until June 🫠 while the events of this book take place years prior to A Requiem, everything was paced & set up so perfectly that I am so ready for book 2 😭🙏🏽 also I highly recommend doing a reread of A Requiem immediately after reading this book for the best experience 😋 which is exactly what I’ll be doing asap, tbr who ? 🤣
Thank you so much to Hazel Wilkes & her team for gifting me with an arc of A Composition Of Scars🤍
ps… @ Mrs Wilkes… please give us 3 more books in this series 🥲 at the least… or you could just write an entirely different fantasy romance series too but make it like a 4 book series, that works too… essentially what I’m trying to say is keep the masterpieces coming queen 😂🙏🏽⭐️
Hazels writing is so captivating & poetic that she has the power to make you feel everything that her characters are feeling just by reading her words. The amount of tears that I’ve cried while reading this 252 page novella are criminal 🥲
I went into this with so much anticipation because I just knew that there was so much that made Draven the man that he was in A Requiem For Fallen Stars. But when I say that I was TERRIFIED to know his story because I just knew it wasn’t an easy one… I was so right 😓 but it all makes so much sense 😢 my sweet sweet Draven 🖤
Everything about this novella was perfect, no notes. I simply just wish that it was longer because I don’t wanna believe that that’s all I get of these characters until June 🫠 while the events of this book take place years prior to A Requiem, everything was paced & set up so perfectly that I am so ready for book 2 😭🙏🏽 also I highly recommend doing a reread of A Requiem immediately after reading this book for the best experience 😋 which is exactly what I’ll be doing asap, tbr who ? 🤣
Thank you so much to Hazel Wilkes & her team for gifting me with an arc of A Composition Of Scars🤍
ps… @ Mrs Wilkes… please give us 3 more books in this series 🥲 at the least… or you could just write an entirely different fantasy romance series too but make it like a 4 book series, that works too… essentially what I’m trying to say is keep the masterpieces coming queen 😂🙏🏽⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'd like to thank the author for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own.
I loved A Requiem For Fallen Stars, so when I saw that this prequel story exploring Draven's past was coming out, I knew that I had to read it. I'm so glad that I did, but I'm also still emotionally devastated because of boy this one absolutely hurt. We already knew that Draven had a rough past and that he had been hurt and scarred deeply, but knowing that and reading it was so heartbreaking. Especially when you see how these events shaped him into the man that he is, and when you see how deep into him his fathers claws were. I feel like I have a better understanding of who he is, and what his motivations are moving forward and I really want to reread the main book to have that insight into Draven.
The way in which this story explored a mothers love and a fathers hatred, as well as the importance of found family felt so tragic and gut wrenching, Mostly because you know where it is going and it hurts to see glimmers of happiness when normally it doesn't last.
This was a beautiful read even if it had me crying, and I cannot wait for A Ballad For The Broken to release!!
What to expect:
💔 Found family
💔 Grief
💔 A mothers love
💔 Heartache and suffering
💔 Absolutely beautiful writing
Quotes:
💔 "Do you see that star, Draven? You are just like it. It does not let the darkness dim its shine-- it burns brighter because of it."
💔 "I believe behind every great man, there was an even greater woman."
💔"You are not a monster."
💔 "We are at once deserving and undeserving of love, and I believe we have our mortal souls to thank for that."
I loved A Requiem For Fallen Stars, so when I saw that this prequel story exploring Draven's past was coming out, I knew that I had to read it. I'm so glad that I did, but I'm also still emotionally devastated because of boy this one absolutely hurt. We already knew that Draven had a rough past and that he had been hurt and scarred deeply, but knowing that and reading it was so heartbreaking. Especially when you see how these events shaped him into the man that he is, and when you see how deep into him his fathers claws were. I feel like I have a better understanding of who he is, and what his motivations are moving forward and I really want to reread the main book to have that insight into Draven.
The way in which this story explored a mothers love and a fathers hatred, as well as the importance of found family felt so tragic and gut wrenching, Mostly because you know where it is going and it hurts to see glimmers of happiness when normally it doesn't last.
This was a beautiful read even if it had me crying, and I cannot wait for A Ballad For The Broken to release!!
What to expect:
💔 Found family
💔 Grief
💔 A mothers love
💔 Heartache and suffering
💔 Absolutely beautiful writing
Quotes:
💔 "Do you see that star, Draven? You are just like it. It does not let the darkness dim its shine-- it burns brighter because of it."
💔 "I believe behind every great man, there was an even greater woman."
💔"You are not a monster."
💔 "We are at once deserving and undeserving of love, and I believe we have our mortal souls to thank for that."
Review of advance copy received from Author
How much abuse can one 14 year old take? Draven is tormented both physically and mentally by his father until his mother takes him away.
In Prith, Draven finds he can breathe easier without the court politics and his father constantly breathing down his neck, telling him how worthless and weak he is. When he meets Atlas, Rhea, and Suzumi- he learns something else. That people can care about you, you as a person, without wanting something in return.
But love is a weakness in Draven’s Fathers eyes. A weakness that needs to be stamped out completely. When he catches wind that his wife and heir are living a separate life, he sets out to rectify that immediately.
What follows is so gut wrenching and heartbreaking that it physically hurts to read. The complete breaking of a little boy who just wanted to be loved.
I loved the backstory of how Draven become who he is and how he made himself the promise that he could be his father’s monster, but he could come back to himself and share his true self with only the ones he loved. That maybe one day, he would be worthy of love.
I also loved how intertwined his and Lyra’s story is. That final sentence in the book gave me goosebumps.
“Ruin myself,” he muttered. “What is there left to ruin? I myself am the ruin, Rhea. I know you are privy to all the rumors, even in Tylderon. I know you know what they say about me; all that I’ve done. To ruin myself would be to imply there is still some substance left to destroy.”
Thank you so much Hazel for the ARC!! I loved it and can’t wait to read more of Draven and Lyra’s story.
In Prith, Draven finds he can breathe easier without the court politics and his father constantly breathing down his neck, telling him how worthless and weak he is. When he meets Atlas, Rhea, and Suzumi- he learns something else. That people can care about you, you as a person, without wanting something in return.
But love is a weakness in Draven’s Fathers eyes. A weakness that needs to be stamped out completely. When he catches wind that his wife and heir are living a separate life, he sets out to rectify that immediately.
What follows is so gut wrenching and heartbreaking that it physically hurts to read. The complete breaking of a little boy who just wanted to be loved.
I loved the backstory of how Draven become who he is and how he made himself the promise that he could be his father’s monster, but he could come back to himself and share his true self with only the ones he loved. That maybe one day, he would be worthy of love.
I also loved how intertwined his and Lyra’s story is. That final sentence in the book gave me goosebumps.
“Ruin myself,” he muttered. “What is there left to ruin? I myself am the ruin, Rhea. I know you are privy to all the rumors, even in Tylderon. I know you know what they say about me; all that I’ve done. To ruin myself would be to imply there is still some substance left to destroy.”
Thank you so much Hazel for the ARC!! I loved it and can’t wait to read more of Draven and Lyra’s story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I need to start this review by stating that I LOVED Requiem For Fallen Stars so very much. Hazel’s writing is just stunning and I was obsessed with her first book.
In A Composition of Scars, I was crying by the fourth chapter, heartbroken by a 14 year old Draven dealing with horrific abuse from his father.
This prequel novella is a beautiful exploration of Draven’s childhood trauma, his relationship with his mother, and with his own powers and “darkness “. I cried 15 times and sought stock options in a tissue company.
“How rare of a sight it was, to see someone smiling with their full soul.”
“I believe behind every great man, there was an even greater woman. And I do not define greatness by acts of opportunity or accomplishments. I define it by the resolve of one’s heart and their moral constitution. You…” She had made a show of eyeing Draven. “You have the potential to be great, if you allow yourself to be.”
I am such a sucker for a well written found family, and this novella had it in emotional spades. Draven’s father is just evil. The emotional torment that the bulk of these characters has to navigate, I’m heartbroken.
How can I be so in love with a fictional bookstore?!!
Five stars. No notes. Just perfection.
“We are at once deserving and undeserving of love, and I believe we have our mortal souls to thank for that.”
I am BEYOND excited for what happens next for Draven and Lyra.
Thank you to Hazel Wilkes for allowing me to read and review this eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It’s not often books have me shedding actual tears, but getting this back story for Draven and seeing what he had to overcome and the people he lost along the way was devastating.
In this book you follow his story as he goes from spending time with his “brothers” training and trying to live up to their fathers expectations, to leaving briefly with his mom and realizing there could be a life for him with real happiness out from under his fathers thumb. Getting more of Rheas backstory and how they met as well as the people around them that brought them together helped show where they get their personalities and how Draven came to have the temperament and fear of becoming his father.
This book had me riding the highs of his past and the lows of his devastating losses and I wanted to reach into the page and shake him and tell him he’s not a monster and not anything like his father and also beat his dad up! The rollercoaster of emotions in this book had me feel even more for him as a character and I also really enjoyed the introduction of Lyra to his world and how it ended as the original book started! I cannot wait to see what’s next for this series with this additional background on our MMC! Overall my rating 4.8/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
In this book you follow his story as he goes from spending time with his “brothers” training and trying to live up to their fathers expectations, to leaving briefly with his mom and realizing there could be a life for him with real happiness out from under his fathers thumb. Getting more of Rheas backstory and how they met as well as the people around them that brought them together helped show where they get their personalities and how Draven came to have the temperament and fear of becoming his father.
This book had me riding the highs of his past and the lows of his devastating losses and I wanted to reach into the page and shake him and tell him he’s not a monster and not anything like his father and also beat his dad up! The rollercoaster of emotions in this book had me feel even more for him as a character and I also really enjoyed the introduction of Lyra to his world and how it ended as the original book started! I cannot wait to see what’s next for this series with this additional background on our MMC! Overall my rating 4.8/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
March 18, 2026
Composition of Scars completely WRECKED ME in the best way. I'm talking crying on the treadmill, wrecked me. This novella dives deep into Draven’s past, seeing the moments that shaped him into the man we know, and LOVE adds so much weight to his character. It’s raw, emotional, and beautifully written.
There’s something incredibly heartwarming about witnessing his resilience, even when everything around him is falling apart. At the same time, the heartbreak young Draven endures is absolutely DEVASTATING. Draven truly overcame so much, and this story makes you appreciate him on a whole new level... and I thought I couldn't love Draven any more than I already did. WRONG! Here, we get the privilege to get to know his heart, how it was brutally shattered, leaving him to linger in the pain he thought he deserved before he found the strength to pick up the pieces and take another step towards the life he wants, what his mother would have wanted for him.
What I loved most is how this backstory quietly fills in so many gaps, giving us those behind-the-scenes moments that make A Requiem for Fallen Stars even more powerful. And just when you think you know where it’s going, there are surprising twists that keep you fully invested. "You are not a monster" - LIKE COME ON!!
This was emotional, intense, and deeply moving. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who wants a richer, more intimate understanding of Draven—you won’t come out of it the same. I simply CANNOT WAIT to step back into this world. To say I'm obsessed is an understatement.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well, that absolutely slaughtered my soul.
I genuinely don’t even know how to rate this book with a finite number.
After reading A Requiem for Fallen Stars, I thought I understood Draven. I knew his past was filled with heartbreak and pain, but I didn't realize how bad it truly was.
Every moment of Draven's adolescence builds him into something devastatingly human. Watching the boy he was (the one who just wanted to be enough) be slowly carved into the man we meet in Requiem? It wrecked me.
Seeing Draven with his "brothers", Kiran and Finley, added so much depth to their bond, and hits so much harder now. You feel why he keeps people at arm’s length. Why love, for him, is something dangerous. Something that can be taken. And then there’s Príth…this vibrant city that feels like the home he always wanted and needed. And, for a moment, you believe he might actually get a different ending. That maybe, just maybe, he’s allowed happiness. NOPE.
The last stretch of this book? Absolutely devastating. The kind of heartbreak where you just sit there staring at the page, knowing what’s coming while still hoping that it won’t.
I also need to scream about Suzumi and Rhea because I loved them so much.
If you loved Draven before…this will ruin you and make you love him even more.
I genuinely don’t even know how to rate this book with a finite number.
After reading A Requiem for Fallen Stars, I thought I understood Draven. I knew his past was filled with heartbreak and pain, but I didn't realize how bad it truly was.
Every moment of Draven's adolescence builds him into something devastatingly human. Watching the boy he was (the one who just wanted to be enough) be slowly carved into the man we meet in Requiem? It wrecked me.
Seeing Draven with his "brothers", Kiran and Finley, added so much depth to their bond, and hits so much harder now. You feel why he keeps people at arm’s length. Why love, for him, is something dangerous. Something that can be taken. And then there’s Príth…this vibrant city that feels like the home he always wanted and needed. And, for a moment, you believe he might actually get a different ending. That maybe, just maybe, he’s allowed happiness. NOPE.
The last stretch of this book? Absolutely devastating. The kind of heartbreak where you just sit there staring at the page, knowing what’s coming while still hoping that it won’t.
I also need to scream about Suzumi and Rhea because I loved them so much.
If you loved Draven before…this will ruin you and make you love him even more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Composition of Scars completely exceeded my expectations—especially for a novella. It delivers so much depth, emotion, and character development in such a compact story.
Getting to see Draven’s past was incredibly impactful. Watching how his identity was shaped—through pain, pressure, and the harsh expectations of his father—adds a whole new layer to who he becomes in A Requiem for Fallen Stars. This story doesn’t just fill in gaps; it enriches everything.
One of the standout elements for me was the portrayal of his mother. Her love, strength, and determination to protect Draven, even in the most difficult circumstances, brought so much heart to the story. Their journey to Príth felt like a breath of fresh air—hopeful, vibrant, and full of possibility—making what follows even more devastating.
I also loved getting a glimpse of Draven and Lyra as children. Those moments added such a meaningful emotional connection and made their connection even more special.
While it’s not strictly necessary to read this before A Requiem for Fallen Stars, I highly recommend it. It deepens your understanding of Draven in a way that makes his story even more powerful.
Truly an unforgettable and beautifully written novella. I cannot wait for what comes next!
I received a review copy from the author. This review was left voluntarily.
Getting to see Draven’s past was incredibly impactful. Watching how his identity was shaped—through pain, pressure, and the harsh expectations of his father—adds a whole new layer to who he becomes in A Requiem for Fallen Stars. This story doesn’t just fill in gaps; it enriches everything.
One of the standout elements for me was the portrayal of his mother. Her love, strength, and determination to protect Draven, even in the most difficult circumstances, brought so much heart to the story. Their journey to Príth felt like a breath of fresh air—hopeful, vibrant, and full of possibility—making what follows even more devastating.
I also loved getting a glimpse of Draven and Lyra as children. Those moments added such a meaningful emotional connection and made their connection even more special.
While it’s not strictly necessary to read this before A Requiem for Fallen Stars, I highly recommend it. It deepens your understanding of Draven in a way that makes his story even more powerful.
Truly an unforgettable and beautifully written novella. I cannot wait for what comes next!
I received a review copy from the author. This review was left voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much Hazel Wilkes for an eARC of this novella! I was absolutely obsessed with A Requiem for Fallen Stars and I was so stoked to be able to read this one early too!
How do I even describe this book? This book ripped out my heart, stomped on it, and shoved it back in my chest.
I knew how this book would end, we know who Draven is when we meet him in book one, so we know something terrible had to have happened to him to make him who he is. But oh my stars I was not expecting it to hurt this bad. This book had so much love and heart in it and that's what hurts the most when it gets torn away.
This book delved into Draven's younger years, and his relationship with his mother and (awful) father. It has huge elements of found family and sweet little moments. SO many tears were shed for Draven and his situation. I cried basically for the last 25% of this book.
Despite the tears and hurt, this is such an amazing book. Hazel's writing is beautiful and so immersive. A Requiem for Fallen Stars was one of my favourite books of last year, and I cannot wait to jump into the second book later this year!
If you haven't read her books, what are you even doing?
Amazing, no notes. 5/5 stars!
How do I even describe this book? This book ripped out my heart, stomped on it, and shoved it back in my chest.
I knew how this book would end, we know who Draven is when we meet him in book one, so we know something terrible had to have happened to him to make him who he is. But oh my stars I was not expecting it to hurt this bad. This book had so much love and heart in it and that's what hurts the most when it gets torn away.
This book delved into Draven's younger years, and his relationship with his mother and (awful) father. It has huge elements of found family and sweet little moments. SO many tears were shed for Draven and his situation. I cried basically for the last 25% of this book.
Despite the tears and hurt, this is such an amazing book. Hazel's writing is beautiful and so immersive. A Requiem for Fallen Stars was one of my favourite books of last year, and I cannot wait to jump into the second book later this year!
If you haven't read her books, what are you even doing?
Amazing, no notes. 5/5 stars!
March 8, 2026
A Composition of Scars by indie author Hazel S. Wilkes is book 1.5 in the Cadence of the Fallen series and I’m standing up, clapping, and shouting “this is how you do a novella”! Because, wow. This is a 10/10 prequel novella that offers critical answers & profound perspective to better understand our MMC, Draven.
As always — Hazel’s writing is lyrical, poignant and intentional. I knew pain was inevitable when I got to Part II titled “The Form Of An Irreparable Wound”. And of course, Hazel delivered.
This was the perfect novella to pull readers back into this world. My heart aches for Draven and I’m desperate to jump back into the present and continue the story. I can hardly wait for book two, A Ballad For The Broken, which is slated to be released on June 9th!
This is easily one of my favorite series. I highly recommend fans of epic high fantasy romance read this series as fast as they can get their hands on it, which reminds me that book one, A Requiem For Fallen Stars, is available on KU! *hint hint*
As always — Hazel’s writing is lyrical, poignant and intentional. I knew pain was inevitable when I got to Part II titled “The Form Of An Irreparable Wound”. And of course, Hazel delivered.
This was the perfect novella to pull readers back into this world. My heart aches for Draven and I’m desperate to jump back into the present and continue the story. I can hardly wait for book two, A Ballad For The Broken, which is slated to be released on June 9th!
This is easily one of my favorite series. I highly recommend fans of epic high fantasy romance read this series as fast as they can get their hands on it, which reminds me that book one, A Requiem For Fallen Stars, is available on KU! *hint hint*
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bravo & well done! I absolutely loved it! 5 ⭐️’s
What an emotionally evoking story! Beautifully written & I honestly loved it more than book one. And I’m definitely looking forward to book two with what I’ve learned 💕
This story brings so much depth to Draven’s character. Learning what made him into the man we see in A Requiem For Fallen Stars (book one).
My heart 💔 still kind of hurts along with Draven’s.
A hidden/tragic love story as well & an honorable man, one, us ladies would swoon over. I don’t want to give any spoilers but I just have to share one of my favorite quotes from said man to Draven.
“When you find a person like that—the person who sees the soul behind any and every mask—you never let them go. Ever. Even when it’s hard. Even when it feels like everything is crumbling—you never give up on them.”
I want to go back and reread the first book now with this new knowledge. And most definitely before book two!
*** Thank you Hazel S. Wilkes for the opportunity to read & review this ARC! I am voluntarily leaving this honest review. ***
What an emotionally evoking story! Beautifully written & I honestly loved it more than book one. And I’m definitely looking forward to book two with what I’ve learned 💕
This story brings so much depth to Draven’s character. Learning what made him into the man we see in A Requiem For Fallen Stars (book one).
My heart 💔 still kind of hurts along with Draven’s.
A hidden/tragic love story as well & an honorable man, one, us ladies would swoon over. I don’t want to give any spoilers but I just have to share one of my favorite quotes from said man to Draven.
“When you find a person like that—the person who sees the soul behind any and every mask—you never let them go. Ever. Even when it’s hard. Even when it feels like everything is crumbling—you never give up on them.”
I want to go back and reread the first book now with this new knowledge. And most definitely before book two!
*** Thank you Hazel S. Wilkes for the opportunity to read & review this ARC! I am voluntarily leaving this honest review. ***
Review of advance copy received from Author
I cannot thank the author Hazel Wilkes and her team enough for gifting me an eARC of this novella. I devoured A Requiem for Fallen Stars and was giddy about this prequel novella focusing on the MMC.
This book was amazing. It provided a rich and heartbreaking background of Requiem's Draven (I now want to reread a Requiem to see what I missed the first time).
Draven is 14 and struggles with the weight of his father's expectations and his own desire to not be consumed by darkness. His mother is his North Star and it's her approval he cherishes. Falling in love for the first time changes him. What comes after sharpens him.
This book was a great introduction to the main Requiem characters. I highly recommend reading it because it will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for Draven. It is not a romance but do take care and check trigger warnings. I'm excited to see what's in store for the crew in book 2!!
This book was amazing. It provided a rich and heartbreaking background of Requiem's Draven (I now want to reread a Requiem to see what I missed the first time).
Draven is 14 and struggles with the weight of his father's expectations and his own desire to not be consumed by darkness. His mother is his North Star and it's her approval he cherishes. Falling in love for the first time changes him. What comes after sharpens him.
This book was a great introduction to the main Requiem characters. I highly recommend reading it because it will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for Draven. It is not a romance but do take care and check trigger warnings. I'm excited to see what's in store for the crew in book 2!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this. I was able to read this early with an advanced reader copy and I am so glad! I just recently stumbled up a Requiem for Fallen stars and devoured that book. The story was left on a cliff hanger so being able to get an advanced copy of this novella gave me a nice fix until book 2 comes out. This novella had me wanting to keep reading as everything was being tied together with the first book. Between discovering the dynamic of the 3 brothers, how Lyra and him had crossed paths prior to meeting in foreigners valley, and getting all the details on his and Tyran’s relationship, it definitely answered a lot of questions that book 1 left me with. My heart broke for Draven and the character development in this was phenomenal. You can fully understand all the hardships that crafted him into the man he became. Such a beautifully written book and I cannot wait for the second novel to come out this year!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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