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The Valtain Preludes #1
A Palace Fractured
Can love and magic bloom in the shadow of war?
A young woman trapped…
Rosira’s entire life is confined to the Church. Her albino coloring marks her as a Valtain, a religious figurehead worshipped by the masses.
But she has come to resent everything the Church stands for -- and she’s determined to make something more of her life.
A king betrayed...
Araich has been king for less than an hour, and looming war is already casting a shadow over his reign. When his legitimacy is challenged, the country of Ara spirals into unrest -- leaving the young king facing an impossible situation.
A war that will force them to fight...
A deadly attack on a romantic royal ball thrusts Rosira and Araich together, intertwining their fates forever.
But in the darkness of war, nothing is as it seems.
And everything changes as they discover an incredible power that could be their key to victory… or their downfall.
One click now to get lost in a story of powerful heroines, tormented heroes, intrigue, magic, and romance!
A young woman trapped…
Rosira’s entire life is confined to the Church. Her albino coloring marks her as a Valtain, a religious figurehead worshipped by the masses.
But she has come to resent everything the Church stands for -- and she’s determined to make something more of her life.
A king betrayed...
Araich has been king for less than an hour, and looming war is already casting a shadow over his reign. When his legitimacy is challenged, the country of Ara spirals into unrest -- leaving the young king facing an impossible situation.
A war that will force them to fight...
A deadly attack on a romantic royal ball thrusts Rosira and Araich together, intertwining their fates forever.
But in the darkness of war, nothing is as it seems.
And everything changes as they discover an incredible power that could be their key to victory… or their downfall.
One click now to get lost in a story of powerful heroines, tormented heroes, intrigue, magic, and romance!
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2017
71 people are currently reading
7751 people want to read
About the author
Carissa Broadbent
32 books45.3k followersI've been concerning teachers and parents with mercilessly grim tales since I was roughly nine years old. Since then, my stories have gotten (slightly) less depressing and (hopefully a lot?) more readable. Today, I write fantasy novels with a heaping dose of badass ladies and a big pinch of romance.
When I'm not writing, I'm working at my day job in cybersecurity marketing, watching too many movies, or drawing. I live with my fiance, one very well behaved rabbit, one very poorly behaved rabbit, and one perpetually skeptical cat in Rhode Island.
When I'm not writing, I'm working at my day job in cybersecurity marketing, watching too many movies, or drawing. I live with my fiance, one very well behaved rabbit, one very poorly behaved rabbit, and one perpetually skeptical cat in Rhode Island.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
tbr-kindle
January 18, 2025Pre-Reading Update: It took 20 minutes and a thousand Google searches but I finally found PDFs of this and its sequel hosted on some sketchy website on page 13 of Google because I'm absolutely delulu and will read anything this woman writes. Unfortunately I haven't found Shrouds of Silver yet but I'm still looking!
November 30, 2020
Interesting only if one has read the War of Lost Hearts series (Daughter of No Worlds) (which is much better). This takes place in same universe... but, in a time long past. I like that it fills in some interesting details history of the universe... a nice love story. But, I found myself skimming a lot.
July 25, 2017
Cliffhangers beware!
This book had me from the start! I can not help but to fall for these characters! The Valtain seem super weird and not the least bit trustworthy. Hopefully the next book comes out and reveals the end of the war!
This book had me from the start! I can not help but to fall for these characters! The Valtain seem super weird and not the least bit trustworthy. Hopefully the next book comes out and reveals the end of the war!
March 3, 2017
I loved reading this book! It makes me so excited for the next in series.
The characters are amazing - so vivid, well-written, and well-rounded... they are all such real, distinctive people that it's easy to imagine them. The world too, is similarly well built. The author definitely has a genuine skill for crafting a beautiful work that comes alive in your mind's eye.
The story was intriguing and I really enjoyed the character's personal growth - from the events in this book, it's easy to tell that future books will be well worth reading, and answer some of the questions raised in this book. The ending was both satisfying and frustrating... because I don't want to put it down. I'm really excited to see where it goes next!
The characters are amazing - so vivid, well-written, and well-rounded... they are all such real, distinctive people that it's easy to imagine them. The world too, is similarly well built. The author definitely has a genuine skill for crafting a beautiful work that comes alive in your mind's eye.
The story was intriguing and I really enjoyed the character's personal growth - from the events in this book, it's easy to tell that future books will be well worth reading, and answer some of the questions raised in this book. The ending was both satisfying and frustrating... because I don't want to put it down. I'm really excited to see where it goes next!
March 1, 2017
A believable universe inhabited by characters with minds of their own, A Palace Fractured answers questions presented in the first book while doing a convincing job of raising many more. I feel the story has comfortable pacing and unfolds in an organic way that makes it easy to be anxious for the next installment.
January 16, 2021
Good until the end
I thought this book was pretty decent until the end, which is interesting.. since there wasn't really any magic until the end. That's not why it became meh.
It just became less interesting. Maybe things came too easily? Sure, there was a slight struggle with a few things. But the main character gets this magic and suddenly can just do these things so easily. Sure, it's a little taxing but no big deal, I guess.
Then she can escape her "gilded prison" so easily? How is that even possible? It is really even a prison then? How would they have not really looked for her or anything?
Then this random girl is hanging out with a King and it's no big deal? Sure, his advisor is kind of like, maybe it's not a great idea but that's it. I guess maybe no one was around to notice it but then, how is that really possible?! A king constantly has people around him.
Then the girl and king are all the sudden in love, I guess? I mean I saw it coming but it was just so fast and random. And it's not like that relationship should ever be able to work between the two.
Anyway, it was a really fast and interesting read until the end. Not liking the end could really just be me though.
The end was also a cliffhanger, and while I generally like them I know a lot of people don't.
It had a lot of grammatical errors.
I thought this book was pretty decent until the end, which is interesting.. since there wasn't really any magic until the end. That's not why it became meh.
It just became less interesting. Maybe things came too easily? Sure, there was a slight struggle with a few things. But the main character gets this magic and suddenly can just do these things so easily. Sure, it's a little taxing but no big deal, I guess.
Then she can escape her "gilded prison" so easily? How is that even possible? It is really even a prison then? How would they have not really looked for her or anything?
Then this random girl is hanging out with a King and it's no big deal? Sure, his advisor is kind of like, maybe it's not a great idea but that's it. I guess maybe no one was around to notice it but then, how is that really possible?! A king constantly has people around him.
Then the girl and king are all the sudden in love, I guess? I mean I saw it coming but it was just so fast and random. And it's not like that relationship should ever be able to work between the two.
Anyway, it was a really fast and interesting read until the end. Not liking the end could really just be me though.
The end was also a cliffhanger, and while I generally like them I know a lot of people don't.
It had a lot of grammatical errors.
October 13, 2020
Oh this is good!
So, I read this book because I had started reading a book about Max and the beautiful girl. ( I can't think of her name right now). In that story, there was an interesting short paragraph on how the world that Max and the girl lived came to be. So I paused that book to find this story. I did and its not disappointing for I love back stories. Also, I like the premise of Rosira. What would you to if you were the figurehead of a religion that you didn't believe in.
So, I read this book because I had started reading a book about Max and the beautiful girl. ( I can't think of her name right now). In that story, there was an interesting short paragraph on how the world that Max and the girl lived came to be. So I paused that book to find this story. I did and its not disappointing for I love back stories. Also, I like the premise of Rosira. What would you to if you were the figurehead of a religion that you didn't believe in.
October 14, 2020
Eh. I wanted to like it. I REALLY did. Either I was in a strange spot or it was because I was just coming off of a series that I absolutely loved before delving into this book, but I couldn't get into it at all. It has good bones and potential, but I just couldn't connect with the characters and Rosira's use of her powers made for a confusing read at times. I forced myself to read through to the end and even began book 2, but I completely drifted and haven't finished it - and, honestly, have no real desire to try.
January 27, 2021
Good but slow
The concept was good but it was really slow and the romance in the story is just one kiss and that is all. It was of those books in which the story is really slow but at the same time you can finish it quickly because what is important is not much.
The concept was good but it was really slow and the romance in the story is just one kiss and that is all. It was of those books in which the story is really slow but at the same time you can finish it quickly because what is important is not much.
January 10, 2023
it was good, but didn’t rock my world u know if anything it was just kinda nice to get back story on the war of lost hearts world
Want to read
November 18, 2024tbr
August 8, 2025
If Carissa Broadbent writes it, I am reading it!!
January 24, 2018
I actually really enjoyed this. It was well-written for an indie read, and the world was intriguing to say the least. I was glad to see the main characters didn't let the challenges they faced stop them from their goals, however misguided they might end up being. The romance felt a bit forced, though, even though I know barely anything has actually happened.
March 19, 2017
>Book review - A Palace Fractured
>This book is the first in the Valtain Prelude series and ends while everything is still unresolved. King Araich's right to the throne is being disputed. His uncle seems to think Araich's father, the previous King, was not his real father. This rift in the kingdom causes a war between those subjects supporting Araich and those suspects supporting the uncle. The Valtain are albino-like holy people. They used to have mighty powers, but now just pray for the kingdom and lead the kingdom in its spirituality. Rosira is one of 4 Valtain left. She is a rebel, sick of praying and wanting a real life.
>King Araich and Rosira meet as they both try to dodge their duties. The relationship between Araich and Rosira is interesting in that it doesn't turn romantic right away. They both understand and support the other, especially as Rosira gains powers she can't understand.
>There is so much left unanswered in this first book. All Valtain die before they are 30, so that puts a rather quick expiration date on any relationship Rosira and Araich may have. The war is set up, but not fought by the end of this book. The truth of Araich's parents is revealed to the reader, but not to Araich. There isn't any physical romance beyond a single kiss, but the next book may have more.
>I am a reviewer for Romance Author's that Rock. I am giving this story 5 stars. King Araich is so relatable. His injury and struggle to stay strong is something rather unique to an alpha male character. Rosira's fight against her destiny isn't as unique, but still interesting to see her journey.
>This book is the first in the Valtain Prelude series and ends while everything is still unresolved. King Araich's right to the throne is being disputed. His uncle seems to think Araich's father, the previous King, was not his real father. This rift in the kingdom causes a war between those subjects supporting Araich and those suspects supporting the uncle. The Valtain are albino-like holy people. They used to have mighty powers, but now just pray for the kingdom and lead the kingdom in its spirituality. Rosira is one of 4 Valtain left. She is a rebel, sick of praying and wanting a real life.
>King Araich and Rosira meet as they both try to dodge their duties. The relationship between Araich and Rosira is interesting in that it doesn't turn romantic right away. They both understand and support the other, especially as Rosira gains powers she can't understand.
>There is so much left unanswered in this first book. All Valtain die before they are 30, so that puts a rather quick expiration date on any relationship Rosira and Araich may have. The war is set up, but not fought by the end of this book. The truth of Araich's parents is revealed to the reader, but not to Araich. There isn't any physical romance beyond a single kiss, but the next book may have more.
>I am a reviewer for Romance Author's that Rock. I am giving this story 5 stars. King Araich is so relatable. His injury and struggle to stay strong is something rather unique to an alpha male character. Rosira's fight against her destiny isn't as unique, but still interesting to see her journey.
March 18, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book. This is not your ordinary sword and sorcery type book. Carissa has the ability to draw the reader in and use words well to construct a scene and describe her characters. The main character, Rosira is a Valtain who is sort of a priestess but she is not sure she really believes in what is expected of her. She gradually learns that she is not your ordinary Valtain. She has powers that her fellow Valtains do not have but she needs to keep them secret for the time being. Only the newly coronated king knows of her powers and the two of them join forces in the upcoming battle to save their kingdom. This is the first book in the beginning of what I anticipate to be a great series and am looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
Want to read
September 30, 2023Where can I read this?????
April 4, 2017
What a great start to a new series. There was mystery and political drama as the old King dies and his son Araich assumes the throne. Of course the Old King's brother tries to take the throne. I liked that Araich was not the typical King. King Araich escapes the palace to relax with a horse ride and runs into Rosira at the beginning of the book and a friendship begins between them as they live their lives among the twist and turns of palace/political life.The story drew me in and I just had to see how it ended - with me full of questions on what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews