Asunder had a very interesting premise and a great atmosphere. I think the plot was a little slow to develop but it was interesting. The audiobook was well done and I enjoyed the narrator.

This book had a very attractive synopsis and listening to the first few chapters, I knew I had to read this along with a hard copy. It has a complex and interesting world setup, very creative and executed rather well. The storytelling was atmospheric and I could form a very clear picture of the settings.

I really liked Karys’ deathspeaker abilities, the Veneer and in turn, the connection she forged with Ferain through the Split Lapse. Watching this entanglement come to a (slow) crescendo added an emotional connection for me, which I ended up enjoying the most. I really liked the secondary characters of Winola and Haeki, and later on Ilesha, they added history and great interactions throughout.

I wished there was a glossary of the characters, beings, locations and a map. It was difficult for me to remember all the players at large, there’s not a standard info dump to introduce you to the story and I found it a little lacking. But alas, I persisted and struggled mainly with the pacing.

The audiobook narrated by Alyssa Appleton was well performed, I appreciated her use of voice changes to distinguish every character.

Asunder left me with a few unanswered questions, so I’m curious if this becomes a series or will stay a standalone. 3.5⭐️

Thank you to RB Media for the audiobook copy to review.

I am struggling to give meaningful feedback for this.

First off, this is one of the best books I’ve read this year. Sometimes I’ll rate a book 5 stars and see that someone else rated it lower and sort of shrug, but this is one of those books where I actually am not accepting any criticism, thanks. I loved the blending of genres—high fantasy with an epic quest, body horror, eldritch gods, romance. At no point did I know what the next chapter would bring, whether it was a character trying to resolve their trauma from growing up in a small town that didn’t accept them to a scene straight out of Get Out to some of the most romantic dialogue I have ever read in my life to flesh melting in a horrific hell dimension. This was so dark and yet I loved the main characters so much. If this doesn’t get a sequel I will literally cry.

The narrator did an amazing job shifting the tone of the book along with the content. She conveyed a sense of ominous doom, of several characters talking back and forth rapidly, of sweet moments and of horror. This required a lot of range and I was very glad that she was up to the challenge.

This was excellent! A layered novel that blends sci-fantasy with horror elements in an expansive world. Asunder follows a deathspeaker named Karys who has bargained her soul for the ability to peer beyond the veil. While on a job, she stumbles across a dangerous secret and meets the dying heir of a wealthy family. In order to save him, she somewhat accidentally binds him to her shadow and sets off on a quest to find a way to free both of them. But this is a game with many players...

The world-building in this story is interesting and complex. Karys is a great character with a traumatic past just trying to survive. There are twists and turns that make this feel rather epic. From what I can tell, I THINK this is set in the same universe as Star Eater though following quite a different cast of characters in different places. One of my criticisms of that book was how gender essentialist the magic system was, and this seeks to correct that. We have a non-binary side character who shows up, and we get the sense that the way magic is viewed in the first book is coming from a sort of cult perspective that isn't inclusive of the entire world. I appreciate how this has complicated that narrative. Definitely worth a read! The audio narration is really good- the actors portray the characters well and it feels immersive with the right tone. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

I was immediately pull into the story of Asunder, by Kerstin Hall. The voice acting was outstanding, causing me to become completely immersed in the story. This is a very entertaining audio book!

Asunder by Kerstin Hall was absolutely fantastic. The audiobook brought the whole experience of reading to another level. It was so well done! I loved it. The narrator did a great job of bringing the characters to life and making them unique from each other which I really appreciated. I loved this story and it left me wanting more. The writing was captivating and it kept me hooked the entire time. The world building was done so well and it definitely wasn't info-dumping where it kind of stops the story. Honestly, I would recommend this to so many people even if it's not their usual genre. The writing makes it so easy to get absorbed into the story.

This book has the perfect title because my heart has been torn ASUNDER upon finishing it!!!

From the moment I was dropped into this world I was enraptured. The haunting and dark atmosphere, the touches of horror, the magical workings, the characters, everything about this book is captivating.

I'm actually a fan of being semi to mostly unsure of what's going on in fantasy books, and I'd rather pick up the pieces as I go than be info-dumped at. This book takes its time building the world and I loved how it took me on an adventure while learning, and falling in love with the characters along the way.

Karys bound herself to an eldritch entity called Sabaster in her teens in a time of desperation. It granted her the power of a Deathspeaker, but also started a ticking clock on the time when Sabaster would call in her debt. After accidentally binding Ferain (a random stranger she met in a cave and knew for 3 minutes) to her shadow, they attempt to work together to save both of their lives.

Her decision making skills could definitely use some work, but Karys binding herself to Ferain was a set up for the most immaculate developments throughout the book. That applies to each of them respectively (mainly Karys) and between them. I loved Karys. And Ferain? Spectacular, give me 14 of 'em. We round out the crew with two equally interesting side characters, childhood friend Haeke and scholar Winola. The tension, desperation, yearning, sacrifice, and love in this book blew me away. I loved it and haven't stopped thinking about it.

The blurb says Sabriel meets Witch King. I'd already read and loved Witch King, and I get it. I am nothing if not a thorough researcher, so I immediately read Sabriel after finishing this: I can see it. I feel like it's also giving a hint of A Marvellous Light?

Thank you Tordotcom, NetGalley, and RBmedia for the ALC!

The audiobook quality and production was great! The narrator was a good fit for this book and I enjoyed listening to it.

Asunder was my first book by Kerstin Hall (I've been meaning to read Star Eater ever since it was announced *ahem*) but it certainly won't be my last. I'll get to her other titles ASAP. 

I'm usually not the biggest fan of high fantasy, where characters mostly travel and come across one obstacle after another. But both the characters, their challenges, and especially the world-building made me enjoy this one a whole lot. 

I liked the characters right from the start and loved seeing their relationship progress throughout the story while they learned more and more about each other. It was an interesting way of getting to know characters' backstories both by way of the shared connection and by meeting people from their past. The slow-growing trust over shared struggles was lovely to follow, and I just loved their relationship.

The world-building did no small task in me liking this one so much. Being able to speak with the dead, eldritch beings, and more—there were so many fascinating aspects to this world, I could not stop listening because I always wanted more.

The audio narration was excellent. Alyssa Appleton did an excellent job, and I hope I'll come across more books narrated by her in the future.

5/5 stars.

This is by far an aware Kerstin Hall's best work to date (not that I haven't enjoyed the Mkalis Cycle). The character work is incredible. The eldritch horror elements mixed with a second-world fantasy setting that has some intriguing technologies was fantastic. Above and beyond Hall fully transported me into this world she's crafted through her hauntingly beautiful prose. If you are on the hunt for a fantastical/horror-y read this spooky season, Asunder would be perfect.

*Note any character/place spellings may not be accurate as I listened to this via audio and we all know fantasy spelling can be unique at times.

Hall throws you into the plot of the novel headfirst with little set-up (but in a good way). The energy and plot drive the story forward at a fast pace initially. Then Hall sinks into character development and you come to know Karys, a deathspeaker. There was a fair amount of exposition-based world-building but nothing was revealed about Karys's character lightly. Karys is complex and because of the nature of her scenario we got moments of intense depth and her deepest fears but also her very guarded nature when interacting with others. I am typically quite good at seeing where the plot is headed from the jump and I can say there were twists and reveals that I did not seeing coming at all in Asunder.

Thank-you to Netgalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

A big thanks to NetGalley for providing an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

..............I never thought I needed this kind of book in my life, but I was WRONG.

Asunder by Kerstin Hall is a fantasy novel that can best be compared to if Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson and One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, had a monstrous baby. Karys Eska is a deathspeaker, locked into an irrevocable compact with Sabaster, a terrifying eldritch being—three-faced, hundred-winged, unforgiving—who has granted her the ability to communicate with the newly departed. She pays the rent by using her abilities to investigate suspicious deaths around the troubled city she calls home. When a job goes sideways and connects her to a dying stranger with some very dangerous secrets, her entire world is upended. Ferain is willing to pay a ludicrous sum of money for her help. To save him, Karys inadvertently binds him to her shadow, an act that may doom them both. If they want to survive, they will need to learn to trust one another. Together, they must journey to the heart of a faded empire, all the while haunted by arcane horrors, and the unquiet ghosts of their pasts. And all too soon, Karys knows her debts will come due.

This book made me feel so many things, I can't even begin to describe it. Except with endless with screaming and begging for a sequel.

Karys is a deathspeaker locked into a compact with Sabaster, an eldritch being, who gives her the ability to speak to the recently dead. She agrees to save Ferain, who she finds dying during a job, but accidentally binds him to her shadow. Can they find a way to trust each other and work together

Asunder is narrated by Alyssa Appleton, who does an excellent job. Even with such a complex fantasy world, I could fairly easily follow along as we learned about the world and how the magic works. It doesn't feel like there's dramatic info dumps, you learn about the world as you go. In terms of the ending, it feels a bit like things crash towards a resolution that isn't the most satisfying as a standalone novel. I'd be interested in seeing more to this story, but it may leave readers wanting at the end.

Thank you to RB Media for an ALC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book is due to be published 8/20/24.

13 stars, out of five!!!

Audiobook is incredibly engagingly read.

I REALLY don’t know what I’m going to do with myself now that I’ve completed my binge-listen to this book. Two days gone, in a blink. Though, I feel like the book hangover will last ages. Do I even date read another of this author’s work - or was this one just a single miracle?

I’m not sure that I have ever given a book more than five stars before (definitely rare). I also dropped everything I was supposed to be doing for two days to binge it. I feel a bit lopsided. Phew!

Hooked deeply within the first minutes, I remained enraptured throughout. The world building! The magic! The inclusion of (and friendliness towards) queer and non-binary characters. The combined plot twists and compelling characters’ ongoing chrysalis. The horrific details. The clash of different faiths/cultures, and personal questionings. Plus, the shattering of my heart at the ending!

Is it utterly outlandish and borderline ridiculous in some parts? Absolutely 💯 This is all part of its charm!

I will grieve this book for a long time to come.

Huge gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher, Recorded Books Media, for an Audio-ARC of this novel, in exchange for my deservingly gushing review!

This would've been a 3.5/5 rounded up, but it's at least a good third longer than it had to be and my attention really started to wane, so it's rounded down.

I was super excited for this title because I surprisingly fell in love with Star Eater and I was hoping for more of the weirdness and originality and almost-charmingly-fairytale-ness that that had. There were some really strong components here, but ultimately the book is much, much too long for the story.

That said, I do think the length helped to build the slow-burn friendship+ that the main characters had and maybe that wouldn't have hit as hard in a shorter timeframe. I did really enjoy watching their relationship grow.

Audiobook Notes:
The narrator did a good job delivering and was able to differentiate the voices so that it was easy to tell who was talking without a physical copy to follow along with.

Asunder pulled me into a dark and intriguing world right from the start. Karys, a deathspeaker who made a desperate pact with an eldritch being, is such a fascinating character. When she accidentally binds a stranger, Ferain, to her shadow, things get really interesting. Their dynamic kept me hooked, and I loved watching them learn to trust each other.

The world-building was great without feeling like an info overload, and the magic system was super unique. Alyssa Appleton’s narration really brought the story to life and made it easy to follow along. If you’re into dark fantasy with complex characters and a bit of mystery, this audiobook is definitely worth a listen!

I received a gifted copy of ASUNDER by Kerstin Hall from TorDotCom and a gifted ALC from Macmillan Audio and Netgalley!

ASUNDER follows Karys Eska, a woman who once upon a time made a compact with an eldritch being named Sabaster. This has given her a count down to when he will come to call in the pact. In the meantime she has the abilities of a deathspeaker, able to communicate with the recently deceased. She uses this ability to earn a living, working for those in need of someone to investigate suspicious deaths.

As the book opens Karys' current job is going very badly and she winds up losing hope of a payout. In the process, though, she meets Ferain. Ferain is injured does not expect to escape the place Karys finds him. They strike a deal for a considerable amount of cash if Karys gets him out alive. Unfortunately, this also doesn't quite go according to plan and Karys finds that she can't quite figure out how to unbind herself from him. Together they must find answers and a path forward.

This is a book that really puts the reader right in the middle of the action at the start and there is a lot of the world building to take in. I was glad to have both the physical book copy in front of me and the audiobook to listen along and I found that combo to work really well for me. I was instantly intrigued by Eska as a fierce and feisty character and the really dark and intricate world that the author built up.

The story itself has a bit of the feel of a sequence of adventures, though everything feels cohesive also. There were a few places in the middle where my interest waned just a bit and I found that listening to the audiobook while driving wasn't the best method to hold my attention when we got into some of the transitions between locations. Once I picked back up the physical copy I was quickly hooked again and the ending had me fully invested and eager for more!

This book is listed in a few places as a standalone, but don't go in expecting a finished story arch. Thankfully the author has said that they are working on a sequel! I really enjoyed the connection that forms between Karys and Ferain as they learn to work together and the friends they add to their party as the book continues! I will definitely be looking forward to more from this author!

Some readers of fantasy love stories with complex magic systems explained in exhaustive detail. I am not one of those readers, and that is the type of book this is. Hall's writing itself is fine and she is a competent storyteller, but a lot of the time the characters took a backseat to the magic system, and it felt like the book was really about that, and not about the people. Lots of talk of Compacts and Workings, etc, which some readers may be fine with but I found tiresome. I will give this 3 stars because it was well-written enough for me to finish the story but I don't foresee myself continuing, if it is a series.

The hits just coming for Karys Eska from her selling her soul in a compact to the prince of scales, Sabaster (who has his own plans for her that are so awful!) to investigating some mysterious disappearances of smugglers which leads to the well intentioned but not completely thought through binding of an injured young man (who is absolutely wonderful!) in order to escape the terrible constructs that are killing everyone. And that is just the beginning! And it only gets more complicated from there. Luckily Karys does have a few loyal and good friends (though they may or may not have ulterior motives) as she goes on the run to undo the binding between her and Ferain before the new favor saints catch them. Those friends make up for the awfulness of the heralds and their successors (the creatures like Sabaster) who play with humans and change them according to whims, or kill them. I think it is definitely best to avoid all of them because they tend to make life miserable even you are one of the "blessed"

I really liked Karys as a character and her and Ferain are so cute together, they kind of complete each other, though romance is pretty far from anyone's thoughts in this book. Too busy outrunning all the people who want to kill them before the secret plan comes to fruition and upsets the current balance of the world.

I hope that there will be more books in this world because if there isn't, then this book has a very bittersweet and sad ending. However there are still unanswered questions and maybe a little hope that the sacrifice is not in vain so I remain hopeful for a second book.

The narrator did a wonderful job with this book and made it come alive. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this audiobook to listen to and review.

With amazing world building and such a compelling cast of characters, this is the perfect precursor to spooky season fantastical reading.

This was more than I was expecting. A heartfelt story with a unique world, and characters that are fandom worthy, Asunder was fabulous. This sort of magical system really intrigues me. I recommend this if you’re looking for an immersive fantasy read with a found family friend group. The audiobook is the way to go, too. Narration was done so well.

I'm a huge fan of Kerstin Hall's writing, and this is her best yet. While I found Star Eater flawed in macro level plot/pacing, Asunder genuinely delivers start to finish. Audio was a great way to experience it; the narrator adds a lot of nuance to Karys in her delivery, and the poetic notes and details hit. The world is fascinating, and I'm dying for a sequel- I hope this is what lets Hall really break out in the fantasy scene.

Wow. Just wow.

Our main character, Karys, has a rare ability: she can speak with the recently deceased. As a deathspeaker, she takes on various assignments, but after a particularly dangerous job-gone-wrong, she ends up binding a man to her to save them both. Now accompanied by a talking shadow, Karys must navigate the challenges of collecting her payment and staying alive long enough to free this bound man, all while something sinister hunts them both.

The writing is vividly descriptive and I found the creative fantasy/supernatural world refreshingly unique and utterly gripping: the dark tone and atmopshere (almost gruesome at times) had me hooked right away. The pacing is quick and the tense action rarely relents - for the entire book (and it's long so that's saying something), I wanted to keep reading to find out more about what was going on, the world, the “magic”, the characters, and their relationships. The main character is a bit rough around the edges, but I liked her and all those who join her journey, and was particularly fond of the relationship between her and the man bound to her shadow. After the initial set up, much of the book feels like multiple side quests on the way to the actual final destination, though this didn't bother me as this style was a good way to see more of the world and build on our characters' relationships.

The narrator did a good job at employing subtly unique voices so I was never unsure who was talking as per the dialogue, and the emotiveness added to the suspenseful action. However, I noticed a jarring shift in narration about a third into the audiobook, which reverted back in the final third. Given that I listened to an advanced copy, I hope this inconsistency is fixed in the final release.

In the end, I was fully along for this creative, interesting and action packed ride, and then it ended...very abruptly in the last few (short) chapters...and if this is a standalone then I didn't find the ending very satisfying at all - but if there is a sequel then I need to read it asap!

Thank you to Netgalley and RBmedia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.