A cracked crystal isn’t supposed to be fatal, but someone is making it so.
When florist Rose tries to fix the fracture in her bonded crystal, she turns to a forbidden ritual that promises to “heal” what should never break. Instead, it leaves a trail of bodies and a whispering force that feeds on the cracks between soul and familiar.
As the line between healing and harm blurs, Rose is pulled deeper into a darkness while Junior Detective Maddy and her wolf familiar, Kael, are called to investigate.
Genre: Fantasy (Cozy Fantasy)
Age Suggestion: New Adult
Tropes: Talking Animals, Witchy Vibes, Magical Objects, Familiars, Soft Mystery/Crime
Trigger / CW: Mentions of Death and Suicide
Spice Warning: None (kissing only)
Author: M.S Hawthorn
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 222
Publication Date: March 15, 2026
ISBN: 979-8252242354
Series: The Emberward Familiars Book One
M.S. Hawthorn writes whimsical fantasy about the bonds between humans and their familiars, weaving together gentle magic and mystery
A Product Manager by day and writer by night, her work is inspired by her disabilities, love of crystals, spirituality and the unwavering feeling of being connected to a higher power.
Deer in Headlights, Part 1 of The Emberward Familiars series is a debut self-published tale that came straight out of her head and onto the page.
Every order from Imaginary Adventures is wrapped in our cozy‑magical packaging, complete with themed bookmarks, stickers, and other shop extras. We love making each book feel like a small adventure when it arrives.
A cracked crystal isn’t supposed to be fatal, but someone is making it so.
When florist Rose tries to fix the fracture in her bonded crystal, she turns to a forbidden ritual that promises to “heal” what should never break. Instead, it leaves a trail of bodies and a whispering force that feeds on the cracks between soul and familiar.
As the line between healing and harm blurs, Rose is pulled deeper into a darkness while Junior Detective Maddy and her wolf familiar, Kael, are called to investigate.
Genre: Fantasy (Cozy Fantasy)
Age Suggestion: New Adult
Tropes: Talking Animals, Witchy Vibes, Magical Objects, Familiars, Soft Mystery/Crime
Trigger / CW: Mentions of Death and Suicide
Spice Warning: None (kissing only)
Author: M.S Hawthorn
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 222
Publication Date: March 15, 2026
ISBN: 979-8252242354
Series: The Emberward Familiars Book One
M.S. Hawthorn writes whimsical fantasy about the bonds between humans and their familiars, weaving together gentle magic and mystery
A Product Manager by day and writer by night, her work is inspired by her disabilities, love of crystals, spirituality and the unwavering feeling of being connected to a higher power.
Deer in Headlights, Part 1 of The Emberward Familiars series is a debut self-published tale that came straight out of her head and onto the page.
Every order from Imaginary Adventures is wrapped in our cozy‑magical packaging, complete with themed bookmarks, stickers, and other shop extras. We love making each book feel like a small adventure when it arrives.
