Before I even opened this book, it already held a special place for me. This was the very first advance reader copy (ARC) I’ve ever received, making it an exciting milestone in my Bookstagram journey. As someone who loves sharing my reading experience online, receiving an ARC felt like a huge achievement. I was also thrilled that it happened to be a debut novel. There’s something so special about discovering a new author at the very beginning of their publishing journey, and I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read and review this book before its release.

I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own. Many thanks to author Travis Stevens for sharing his art with me and trusting me with a review.

BOOK DETAILS

Title: Eyes of Fractured Crimson
Author: Travis Stevens
Series: Love Lost (Book 1 of 4)
Genre: Fantasy Romance (Romantasy)
Tropes: Found family, forced proximity, forbidden magic, FFM triad, shadow mommy
Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, eBook
Realease date: 30 July, 2026

Eyes of Fractured Crimson is Travis Stevens’ debut novel and the first installment in the four-book Love Lost series. The novel releases on July 30, 2026, and is available for preorder through Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats. If you’d like to learn more about the book, connect with the author, or stay updated on the series—including news about book two—you can follow Travis Stevens on Instagram.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT

Ten years ago, tragedy tore Jett’s family apart. Since then, his world has been small: caring for his father, keeping the family farm running, and hiding the glowing crimson eye that could cost him his life.

In Ekocia, looking different is reason enough to be condemned. So when imperial authorities arrive in his hometown, Jett has no choice but to run, leaving behind everything he’s ever known.

What begins as a desperate escape soon becomes something much bigger as the truth behind his mysterious crimson eye begins to unfold.

NOW ONTO MY THOUGHTS…

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
World-building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Character Development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Would I recommend it? Absolutely!

I went into this book knowing almost nothing about it, and honestly, I’m so glad I did. Sometimes it’s nice to experience a story without any expectations, and this was one of those books that completely surprised me. By the time I finished, I was already thinking about when I’d get to read the next one.

At first, the pacing felt a little slower than I expected. However, it didn’t take long for me to realise that the slower start was intentional. The author was carefully building the world and laying the groundwork for the story, and that investment paid off in a big way. By the end, I appreciated just how much thought had gone into every detail of the world and the characters.

The character development was one of the biggest highlights for me. Every character felt like they had a history, motivations, and experiences that genuinely shaped who they were. They weren’t simply filling roles within the story—they felt like real people. Despite the fantasy setting, their emotions, relationships, and personal struggles were incredibly relatable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys.

One thing I particularly appreciated was how emotionally mature the characters were. Rather than relying on unnecessary miscommunication or drama, they approached difficult situations with honesty and growth. It made the conflicts feel more meaningful and realistic, and I found myself respecting the characters even more because of it.

I will admit that some of the gore was a bit much for me personally. That’s entirely due to my own tolerance rather than any fault of the writing. In fact, it highlighted just how immersive the author’s writing is. The scenes were vivid enough to make me genuinely uncomfortable, which speaks to how effectively they were written.

And then there’s the romance. The chemistry between the characters was excellent, and the spicy scenes definitely lived up to the anticipation. They felt natural within the story, deepened the emotional connection between the characters, and provided a great balance to some of the darker moments throughout the book.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. The depth of the world-building, the complexity of the characters, the emotional storytelling, and the balance between action, romance, and darker elements all came together to create a story that felt incredibly intentional from beginning to end.

This is the kind of book that lingers in your mind after you’ve finished it, and I already can’t wait to continue the series. If you enjoy fantasy with rich world-building, emotionally complex characters, mature relationships, and a healthy amount of spice, this is definitely one to add to your reading list.

Perfect for readers who love:

• Rich, immersive world-building
• Character-driven fantasy
• Found family
• Emotionally mature relationships
• High spice
• Morally grey characters
• Slow-burn romance
• Stories that stay with you after the final page

Have you read Eyes of Fractured Crimson, or is it on your TBR? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Until the next chapter,
Petra xx

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