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Cover of A Wilderness of Glass

A Wilderness of Glass

by Grace Draven

🌶️🌶️mild·Wraith Kings #2.7·Ongoing Series
4.1 on Goodreads (1,840)

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Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

Grace Draven brings her signature lyrical prose to a tender interspecies romance between two grieving people who find unexpected solace in each other. The worldbuilding around mer culture and Brida's flute magic is enchanting, and the emotional depth packs a surprising punch for a novella.

Synopsis

The treacherous waters of the Gray have widowed many women in the village of Ancilar. But the sea gives back as well as takes away, something Brida Gazi discovers one bleak autumn morning while harvesting sea wrack on its storm-battered shore. Wounded and stranded ashore, the merman Ahtin lies dying among the tidal pools until a land-walker woman, who can call forth magic with a mysterious flute, rescues him. Ahtin finds himself unable to resist Brida's allure - or her magic - despite the risk to himself and his people. But Ahtin isn't alone in his fascination. Another, driven by bitterness and relentless purpose, seeks Brida and her unusual talent to manipulate for his own schemes, and neither Ahtin's devotion nor the sea's ancient sorcery will stop him from realizing those ambitions. Also published in the 'Seasons of Sorcery' anthology, A Wilderness of Glass is a stand-alone novella that takes place in the world of the Wraith Kings series.

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

A compact gem in the Wraith Kings universe that works beautifully as a standalone. Merman Ahtin and flute-wielding widow Brida are both carrying grief from lost spouses, which gives their unlikely connection real emotional weight. The ending lands closer to bittersweet HFN than triumphant HEA—their different natures make forever uncertain. At 112 pages it leaves you wanting more, which is both its charm and its only real flaw.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.09 ★ (1.8k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

112 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2019

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Romantasy

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

M/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

Third Person

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Medium Burn

CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.

reveal ending

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

No audiobook yet

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

N/A

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

N/A

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
forbidden loverescue romancehurt/comfortbeauty and the beastsecret relationshipimmortal/mortal romance
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

romanticmelancholicmagicalbittersweetatmosphericdreamy

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

lyricallushemotionalimmersivewarm

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

medium

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

moderate

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

low

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

Beauty and the Beast retellingforbidden desire

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

witch/magesurvivor

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

beast / monster MMCsecretly softwarrior/fighter

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

forbidden lovehurt/comforthe falls firstonly one who understands themstar-crossed

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
Spice Level 2

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

slow / sensualemotional / loving

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

longing glancestouch starvationeye contact intensity

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

None
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (7)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
death of a spouseviolencetorturegriefdrowningstalkinginjury
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World & Setting

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World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

high fantasy

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

coastal / island / beach

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

mermaids/sirens

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

comfort reread materialthe angst deliveredbeautiful grief

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

autumn

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

cozy eveningrainy weekendbedtime

Wraith Kings

Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1)

#1 Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1)

Eidolon (Wraith Kings, #2)

#2 Eidolon (Wraith Kings, #2)

A Wilderness of Glass

#2.7 A Wilderness of Glass

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Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️mild
PagesHow long the commitment is.112
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2019
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.09 ★ (1.8k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Wraith Kings #2.7
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