This prequel novella to Mud by the award-winning author “combin[es] the lush charms of fantasy with the highs and lows of a tragic love story” (Readers Lane). In the beginning, everything was perfect, but something in the middle realm of Terath has gone terribly wrong. After Nia’s father dies from a mysterious illness that even the gods’ First Creatures cannot stop, she grows in isolation amidst the fear and suspicion from her village. So, when an impulsive moment leads to a passionate romance with an angel, Nia will stop at nothing to keep them together, even defy direct orders from the gods themselves. Meanwhile, the middle realm of Terath begins to show cracks. Both First Creatures and men grow angrier at the gods’ disinterest, and everything the gods put in order begins to unravel. When Nia’s angel steals magic from one of the gods to enchant her parting gift, it causes a rift that triggers a downward spiral. This novella is a Chronicles of the Third Realm War prequel. “Full of characters and plot that will keep you turning the page, and wanting more long after the story is finished. Five stars.” —Em Shotwell, author of Blackbird Summer
