Sparks and Shattered Glass

In a village built on polite lies, the truth is a dangerous spark.

Welcome to Brindlewake, a rain-soaked province where domestic magic reigns and the dead do not vanish until their stories are settled. Bryony Bracken is an apprentice memory-glassmaker, weaving ashes and intentions into beautiful lanterns that guide departed spirits to rest. For a girl who fears conflict above all else, crafting quiet resolutions is a perfect life. But when she binds the ashes of a grieving widower's late wife, the lantern's flame violently splits—an undeniable magical omen revealing a hidden, unresolved marriage oath.

Trapped between the unyielding laws of the registry clerk and the ruthless, extortionist threats of the town's wealthiest sisters, Bryony finds herself holding a piece of glass that could unravel generations of land claims, shatter alliances, and destroy her quiet existence. If she tells the truth, she loses her livelihood and ignites a war. If she lies, she corrupts the very magic that sustains her home.

Why you will love this:
This captivating atmospheric Fantasy is perfect for fans of slow-burn suspense, cozy yet dark world-building, and intricate magical systems. Woven with rich gaslamp aesthetics, visceral crafting details, and high-stakes social intrigue, this immersive story will grip you from the first spark to the final shattering revelation.

John Newbill weaves an enchanting, masterfully tense narrative voice that brings the flooded channels and smoky workshops of Morrowfen vividly to life.