The Crystal Crux: Blue Grotto

by Allen M. Werner

Survival is the name of the game now. Pero de Alava survived Eagles Pass and Francis Whitehall survived the siege of Capua. The forsaken knights are on the run in different parts of Italy, not even aware that the other yet lives. Meanwhile, the wicked continue to consolidate their power but as they do so, they keep back secrets from one another. Gherardus Fabbro may still be the Lord of Parthenope but he is unaware of his son Rugerius' disobedience as well as the giant, Sinibaldus' lies. Their treachery could still undo everything.

282 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2016

About the author

Allen M Werner is the author of THE CRYSTAL CRUX SERIES - epic dark fantasy.
There are five books in the series - Betrayal, Blue Grotto, Cold Knight, Shimmer and Beautiful.
Allen M Werner is also author of the award-winning article The Grand Transition about being at his brother's bedside when he died from complications of Muscular Dystrophy.
Allen M Werner's latest release (12/29/25) is a Greek mythology novella titled Ares In Chains. Because of some sort of glitch in Goodreads system, I am unable to get it listed on my Goodreads profile. Whatever. It's my book. I wrote it and published it. Don't really understand the problem here. Anyways...
Be sure to follow at amwerner,com

Reviews

[Bill Ward]

This book is an unusual mix of historical fiction, romance and fantasy. There are some original and well described characters. Pero and Anthea make a good heroic couple while Rugerius is a suitably horrible villain. I also loved Viridian and Sinibaldus, who are far from heroic but fascinating and vibrant characters. The author writes with great imagination and descriptive prose. You are fully immersed in a very different world, full of daring deeds and fantasy characters. The plot is quite complex in the sense there is a lot happening but fundamentally this is a story of good versus evil. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Max Power]

Having read the first book, I did something I rarely do and that was to read book 2 immediately afterwards. It was a good decision. I suspect this could be read as a stand alone book also but I'm not the best judge as I read them in sequence.. Certainly the development of the story made the second book more enjoyable so I would read in order as a reader if you can. The style is excellent and you will be engaged throughout. There is a nice mix of good storytelling and historical face again interwoven and the key as I often say in my reviews is number one it should be a good story well told. If I were to offer one piece of constructive criticism it would be that had I not read the first book, the cover might well have put me off. That's just a personal observation really. A lovely piece of fiction this , enjoy.

[Ellie Midwood]

After reading “The Crystal Crux” I was delighted to get my hands on the sequel, “Blue Grotto,” and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The character development in this second installment was great, as Mr. Werner takes his readers back in certain chapters and reveals certain characters’ past in order for us to better understand the present and understand their motives and actions. As always, his descriptions are vivid and imaginative, and I felt as if I was transported back in time into ancient Italy, saw the gardens and luxury palaces – a façade which sometimes hides ugly secrets of its habitants…
I couldn’t help but sympathize with Anthea after she saw the brute, Rugerius, who was supposed to become her husband; at last I found out Sinibaldus’s story and how he came to be the most powerful sorcerer at the Fabbro’s family service; and I was more than happy to find out what happened to Pero de Alava – Anthea’s only hope that still gave her the power to survive and resist Sinibaldus’s wicked magic.
If you’re a fan of meticulously researched historical fiction, fantasy and mythology – “Blue Grotto” will be a perfect choice for you. Five very well deserved stars! And meanwhile I’ll be anxiously waiting for the third book in the series.

[Sarah Stuart]

This is one of the most descriptive books I have ever read. The author transports you into his world so well you can feel the heat, cold, wind… smell the food, dung, blood… and all without losing the thoughts and feelings of the characters. The example that springs to mind is the bullfight, where young Pero de Alava makes an impulsive, dangerous, misjudgement. Romance is at the heart of the plot but much of the story features scenes of such horrific violence I regard it as dark fantasy, very well-written and impossible to stop reading until the end.

[Sharon Brownlie]

I haven't read the first book in the series, but I will now! This didn't deter me in beginning an epic read. The Crystal Crux: Blue Grotto was a treat to read. I don't usually read a piece where it describes characters as a who's who list. I did on this occassion and it drew me into the the story before it had begun! The pace was astonishly fast in a well thought out plot. There are quite a few characters and all are well drawn and memorabe to me for the next book in the series - only after I have went back and read book 1

[Gordon Bickerstaff]

An engrossing and enthralling tale

This is the second book in the series and I wish I'd read the first book. There are a lot of characters, and not knowing anything about the first book, it was a challenge for me to keep a tab on everyone. There is a list of some of the key players which does help. Otherwise, this is an intriguing tale that weaves magic fantasy and romance into history in a complicated but interesting plot. The writing is good and well imagined in ancient Italy. The characters are well developed and fit well into the time and setting. Best to read the series in sequence.

[Daniel Radtke]

Just finished reading this second book in the series and it didn't disappoint. We learn what happened to the characters and their struggles and their backstories and this gives us a much bigger view on their lives. The characters have developed fantastic and the book grips from start to finish. I get a feeling that the following books will get even darker! I can only highly recommend this book and the series and looking forward to book 3!!!

[Allen Werner]

The second book in my series! Please give it a read and leave a review!

[C.A. King]

An enjoyable fantasy tale. I probably should have checked the order before reading. I'm going back to read book one!