An impressive debut, with characters I immediately cared for and a romance I was immediately drawn to! I really think the romance is the strongest element in Crack at the Heart of Everything--Orpheus and Fenrir had sparks right away, and their banter was a consistent joy throughout. The magic was really fun and unique, too! An overall romp I'd recommend to any fan of fantasy with a side of (queer) romance!

This book wasn't what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it a hell of a lot.

The world building started interesting and then only grew more so as more details were revealed. The characters and monsters and magic were fascinating.

But I absolutely loved watching Orpheus be completely and utterly oblivious to Fenrir's motives and feelings.

I also thoroughly enjoyed Orpheus's journey of... not just self discovery, but his discovery of the world and where he stands in it and the things that he's done. Let more men feel things like Orpheus feels things. Even if I did want to wrap him in a blanket and let him feel safe for a while.

I don't know if there's more to come in this world, but I'd love to see more of it, and more from this author.

The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona Fenn is a beautifully written, thought-provoking novel that I absolutely loved. From the very first chapter, the story pulls you into a world full of mystery, deep emotion, and complex characters. The author has a way of making the characters feel incredibly real, their struggles and growth tugging at your heartstrings in the most genuine way.

The book follows a deeply emotional journey, exploring themes of loss, healing, and self-discovery. The main character’s internal struggle was so raw and authentic, and I could easily relate to her, especially in terms of navigating personal challenges and finding strength within. There’s a vulnerability to the protagonist that makes her journey feel incredibly relatable and inspiring.

Fiona Fenn’s writing is lyrical, full of depth and meaning, but still very accessible. The pacing of the book is just right—it never drags, yet it takes its time with the important moments, allowing the reader to truly sit with the character’s emotions and experiences. I found myself thinking about the book long after I finished it, which, to me, is always a sign of a truly powerful read.

One of the things I loved most about this novel was its exploration of human connection and how we navigate our relationships with others, especially when faced with personal turmoil. The connections between characters felt authentic, and the emotional depth was something I could really connect with.

Overall, The Crack at the Heart of Everything is an unforgettable read. It’s a powerful, emotional story that tackles deep themes with grace and honesty. If you enjoy books that make you reflect on life, love, and personal growth, I highly recommend this one. Fiona Fenn has definitely crafted something special here, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

thanks to netgalley for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for a review!

i think i can comfortably say that i've never read anything like this book, and that in itself is impressive because i'm reading fantasy constantly. i loved the moral grayness and gets more black and white as the book goes on as the reader is learning the information at the same time as our main character orpheus. the romance in this was lovely, but certainly more of a side plot in comparison to our larger world-ending situation. i wish fenrir and orpheus had a couple more chapters together, but otherwise no complaints.

This book was fine, I guess. I was just never really able to get into it. I think I'm just getting tired of "enemies to lovers" and "villain stories." The "enemies to lovers" in this instance is just two grown men bickering at each other for no reason. And the villain redemption arc isn't really even a redemption are, as he was mostly just misunderstood. So yeah, this book isn't "bad," I'm just tired of reading these tropes.

Publishing date: 12.11.2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Tiny Fox press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

This is a great debut novel. So much depth. Great worldbuilding. And the vibes. The vibes are splendid. This felt like a blend of heavy metal imagery with a splash of apocalypse and steampunk. I for sure have not read something like this before.

Let's talk about the important stuff: romance. The romance had a presence like 20% in, and got all the spotlight for the final 50%. It was really sweet, no spice. I wish they had a slower burn and a little less miscommunication. I think I whispered "JUST SAY IT" at least 5 or 6 times while reading. Because, if someone just said what they were gonna say there would be no conflict. Although ...

Our main character is so conflicted. Like, this man does not know what is happening, how to solve anything, or what to do about the people around him. Surprisingly enough, it wasn't annoying like it usually is for me when the MC is clueless. He has his reasons, and gets amazing growth. You do need to read a lot of pages of "damsel in distress" before that.

The overall plot? Pretty good. Had a nice little twist I had suspicions about, but it caught me slightly off-guard anyways. And the way we learn more about the world and how things work together with our clueless character? MUAH. Absolutely terrific.

Final ranking and star rating?
4.5 stars, A tier. This is a great debut novel. I can't give it the full 5 stars as the romance aspect took up a little too much of the plot for me, but for the romantasy (strong emphasis on the ROM) peeps this might land a lot better. I do recommend it regardless. Stunning debut.

The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona Fenn is an emotional and complex story of redemption with LGBTQ romance in a fantasy setting with dark magic. From the very beginning I was intrigued by Orpheus, his snarky attitude and the way he pushed others away. As he opens himself up to love, he finds hope and healing, the only question will be if its enough to save himself and his world.
One of the writing tools the author uses that I love is intermittent flashbacks to Orpheus and Lore’s history, their childhood and eventually his meeting with Fenrir. The story slowly develops Orpheus’ relationship with Fenrir, the slow burn of chemistry between the two and tackles the trauma of Orpheus' life. I also like that the author addresses the price of magic, the consequences. I found the world rich and inventive, a blend of old and post apocalyptic, rich and complex with history. But most of all, I loved the theme of healing and love that it showed, that even those terribly damaged can learn to love.
If you like dark, emotional and complex fantasy stories with LGBTQ romance, this one is a beautiful story full of love and hope, with a wonderful ending. The characters are complicated, damaged but also open to redemption. I loved the rich and emotional storytelling from start to finish.

The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona Fenn is an absolute masterpiece! From the first page to the last, I was completely captivated. The slow-burn romance had me hooked, and I found myself shipping Orpheus so hard. His pessimistic outlook and struggle to believe anything good could happen to him only made me root for him more. In the best way, Orpheus is a baby we must protect—and even Fenrir agrees with me on this one!

What makes this book stand out is that it’s told from the villain’s perspective. Orpheus feels like a reformed villain in the making, and I loved watching him grow as a character. Seeing this guy evolve, despite all the odds stacked against him, was such a satisfying journey.

Fenn’s magic system is fresh and intricate, blending seamlessly with a world rich in technology and compelling characters. The monsters and hellish creatures? Perfection! They added just the right amount of intensity and danger to keep me glued to the page.

If it weren’t for adult responsibilities, I’d have binged this story in one sitting. I’m already crossing my fingers for more books in this universe because I need to see what happens next, especially with Fifi and their love interest. Fiona, please don’t keep us waiting too long!

Highly recommend to anyone who loves a beautifully written, villain-driven fantasy with a touch of romance and lots of heart.

I actually have no feedback except that this was amazing .. I will be owning this for my bookshelf!!! I’ve never read a villain story and let me tell you I was enthralled!!!! 🫶🏻

I have to admit the book caught my attention first with the tittle and second with the cover... The story was just amazing.. This is a perfect paced book, it can be a little slow yes but I think it is important due the characters building and to know the story properly.. I liked the villain idea because the MMC's is not really the villain but it was perfect

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the author to allow me read this story´
Orpheus was amazing

This was a charming and cozy book that explored the question "what if the villain regrets everything at the end?"
I had a great time with Orpheus and loved this shy and grumpy character with conflicting feelings and touch-starved attitude (yay!)
The relationship between Orpheus and Lore ended up being my favorite and love how that was explored in flashbacks.
The pacing of the book was slower than I thought and it wasn't till the end with the final battle that I got hooked. Fenrir also felt a bit one dimensional as a character and I wasn't that invested in the relationship since the book had already established their feelings for one another in the background. I felt like as the audience I was missing out on how and why Orpheus disliked Fenrir and why Fenrir likes Orpheus in the first place.
Maybe with the relationship fleshing out a bit more I would have enjoyed it just as much as I enjoyed Orpheus and Lore's complex friendship.

Overall I thought this was a fine debut and enjoyed myself towards the end. I think if you're looking for a simple queer romantasy with the hurt/comfort trope that doesn't delve too deeply into world-building then you would enjoy this one.

This book was so twisty and clever; what I started the book believing had completely warped by the end of it as we learn more about the characters, especially Lore and Orpheus!

If you like hurt/comfort, you need to read this book!

"The Crack at the Heart of Everything" is a very interesting (post-apocalyptic?) fantasy romance. I really liked the writing style and the main characters, but the world-building was a little wonky at times. Also, despite being marketed as the villain of the book, it becomes clear very quickly that Orpheus was never really the villain, so if you want a villain romance, you might be a little disappointed.

This was such a fun book!

The characters were absolutely charming. I fell in love with both Orpheus and Fenrir. Their banter is top tier and by the end of the book I cared a lot for both of them. This book was far more sweet than I was expecting, which is a good thing! I was not expecting a wholesome Romantasy, yet here we are, and I am not even disappointed. I will admit I enjoy Grumpy x Sunshine immensely and this story was a perfect example of that.

The plot and pacing were interesting but I would characterize this story more as a character driven book and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys good characterization with well developed characters and growth.

Overall, a very enjoyable book I will reread time and time again.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I am posting them voluntarily.

I love this. Orpheus and Fenrir have such a sweet relationship. I tend to get bored of books with a slow romantic build up but this is the exact pace for me. Not too fast but not awfully slow. I love the flashbacks to Orpheus as a child, they really help me understand and connect with his character. Orpheus is an unreliable narrator done well. I love how expressive and alive he feels.
The worldbuilding is fabulous. It dives more into the history of the world in the second half of the book but it was easy to follow. The writing was also very good and descriptive, and there wasn't any info dumps which I appreciated.

Orpheus is an accidental mage who after seemingly plagued by a death curse is unceremoniously banished by his bestie from the palace.

In flashbacks we learn about the brutal childhood Orpheus and his friend and Empress, Lore, experiences. They were tortured, abused, and neglected by scientists searching for a solution to a problem at the expense of thousands of children.

Orpheus has helped Lore rise in power, but at great cost to himself. After his banishment, his least favorite person, Fenrir, a lead general for Lore, follows him. On their journey Orpheus learns hard truths about Lore's actions, solves the mystery of his curse, and discovers how brave and soft he can truly be.

This is definitely a romantasy, but it's not a smutty one. It's surprisingly sweet and endearing. I love the slowburn and character growth.

➸ 4.5 stars

“For every villain who died while trying to become better.”

𓍢⊹ ࣪ thank you to netgalley for the arc!

🔮 redemption arc
⚔️ hero’s journey
🔮 grumpy x sunshine
⚔️ dark wizard x knight
🔮 hurt/comfort
⚔️ lgbtq+ representation
🔮 banter + humor
⚔️ character driven

“Alone. Abandoned. Banished. His only companion a man who he hated, the world beyond an unknown he wasn’t ready to face.”

I. loved. this. book. I knew from early on I was going to be amazing!! the story was so captivating and the characters so complex with so many layers and everything was written so beautifully.

I loved reading about orpheus’ journey! he is such a strong character. starting off as the ‘villainous’ and dark wizard who’s exiled from everything he’s ever known to his long hated rival tagging along with him.

the banter between orpheus and fenrir was top tier!! I loved grumpy x sunshine trope along with all the teasing and banter was everythingggg I loved it so much!!!

throughout this story, we get to see who orpheus really is. perceived to be evil when he is a misunderstood character the world has been cruel to. he hides himself in the fabrication of his own making because it is better than the reality around him. he craves and aches for physical touch, comfort, growing up without ever having it, no one ever bothering to. and most of all, he yearns for love. to be cared for, and truly loved for who he is.

orpheus and fenrir’s development together was AMAZING. one thing I absolutely loved was how fenrir always gave small light touches to orpheus; his arm around his shoulder, their hands touching for brief moments. orpheus never lets anyone in that close, but fenrir pushing in without ever crossing any lines and orpheus slowly warming up to him while feeling comfortable and at ease brought tears to me eyes.

another thing I absolutely loved was HOW WELL THEY COULD READ EACH OTHER!!! fenrir literally always knew what orpheus was thinking or what he was going to say before he even said anything just by a look UGH I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!! and orpheus knowing whenever fenrir was silently asking him a question as well ARGHH I LOVE THEM.

FULL IN-DEPTH REVIEW IS AVAILABLE ON MY GOODREADS!!!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Fiona Fenn’s The Crack at the Heart of Everything is a delightful, character-driven LGBTQ+ fantasy that flips the villain trope on its head. With snarky humor, slow-burn romance, and a redemption arc that’s both heartfelt and satisfying, this story is as swoon-worthy as it is entertaining.

The Premise:
Orpheus is a dark sorcerer who’s really stepped in it this time. After raising an army of hell-beasts and aiding his childhood friend’s conquest, he accidentally curses himself and gets exiled to the very wasteland his magic destroyed. Not great. Things get even more complicated when his annoyingly charming rival, a former general, keeps showing up to save him from imminent disaster—and insists on dragging him toward something disturbingly like heroism.

What Worked:

Orpheus. He’s a wonderfully complex protagonist—snarky, self-deprecating, and grappling with guilt, betrayal, and the possibility of redemption. His emotional journey feels genuine and well-earned.
The romance. The chemistry between Orpheus and his rival is off-the-charts. Their banter sparkles, their tension is palpable, and their slow-burn connection is full of emotional depth.
The humor. Fenn has a sharp wit that shines through Orpheus’s inner monologue and his exchanges with other characters. This adds levity to a story that also explores heavy themes of guilt, redemption, and love.
World-building. From the barren wasteland shaped by Orpheus’s magic to the intricacies of political alliances and magical consequences, the setting feels rich and immersive without overwhelming the character-driven narrative.
Why It’s 4 Stars:
While the story is thoroughly enjoyable, some of the pacing feels uneven, particularly in the middle as Orpheus’s growth occasionally stalls in favor of witty repartee. Additionally, secondary characters, while engaging, could have been fleshed out more to deepen the stakes.

Acknowledgments:
A big thank you to NetGalley, Tiny Fox Press, and Fiona Fenn for the ARC. This is a fantastically fresh take on fantasy, and I’m excited to see where the series goes next.

Final Thoughts:
The Crack at the Heart of Everything is perfect for readers who love a snarky antihero, a good redemption arc, and a romance that’ll tug at your heartstrings. If you’re a fan of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue or The Priory of the Orange Tree, this one’s for you.

I truly appreciate the chance to read this book.
It has a lot of great elements to it, the magic, the moral character arcs, and the portrayal that you may be useful/do everything for a person & kingdom yet be thrown away as the slightest moments was a great parallel to the demands of work and connected with my personal journey too.

However, I couldn't fully get into the story sadly. I loved a lot of it but two things felt missing to me, 1 is a slight lack of dimension in certain story parts and the other... honestly I couldn't tell but it felt like I was missing something else from the story that would have hooked me.
I still would highly recommend it as I know plenty of folks would will love this and just because it doesn't work fully for me doesn't mean I won't promote the heck out of LGBTQ+ Fantasy stories!

This was a really nice and sweet, yet also tense and dark book. The premise - the empress' mage is exiled after the end of the war because he had a death curse placed upon him - is already quite interesting, and was, in my opinion, also executed well in this.
The world that it is set in kind of reminded me of The Locked Tomb series, as it also takes place in our solar system in the wake of some initially only vaguely defined apocalyptic event that is related to magic, though this book is much less high-tech sci-fi and actually tends more towards a steampunk-ish vibe. The world-building felt very natural and did not stick out as obviously being world-building, which is always nice in an SFF book.
Overall, the characters were all very loveable, the main exception to this being the empress Lore, who is revealed to be the villain at some point. However, it was pretty clear from the beginning that Lore was not gonna be a good guy. In other books, having the main character not realise that their 'friend' is not actually their friend and also not a good person, while the reader can already infer these facts can be very tedious. The insertion of the flashback chapters did go a good way to helping the reader understand why Orpheus has not let himself come to the same conclusion as the reader. It would have been nice if their relationship had been a little more fleshed out, because as is, the big emotional moment that ends the story doesn't quite hit as hard as it should have. Additionally, some of the love story also felt like it could have been fleshed out more, because while I did really like the dynamic built up between Orpheus and Fenrir, their romance scenes fell a bit flat for me.