The Minor Fall
On the West Coast of Ireland, enter a world of forgotten magic, memories, and soulmates
by Kayla M Martell
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Pub Date 15 Apr 2025 | Archive Date 31 Dec 2025
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Description
On the West Coast of Ireland, strangers united by their shared memories of a forgotten world struggle to reconcile the lives they’ve known here with who they once were.
But for those who can witness their memories, their past identities may be a secret worth killing for.
The vivid atmosphere in The Minor Fall combines the best of Narnia and AVATAR in a slow-burn, fantasy romance, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Mass, Clarissa Clare, and Carissa Broadbent.
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After the sudden death of her twin, Roe is desperate for a fresh start in Ireland. But when she begins work at a hotel in the foothills of County Kerry, a centuries-old ledger reveals she’s one of the few who can relive the memories of Ruhaven—a forgotten world with a deadly history.
As the first twin ever born in the Ledger, what killed Roe’s sister is now hunting her too—and her only hope is the one man who’s survived Ruhaven’s curse.
Exiled from Ruhaven and determined to conceal his past, Bryn Stornoway’s redemption depends on ensuring Roe’s survival—even if the brewing attraction between them violates Ruhaven’s laws.
As danger closes in, Roe and Bryn must confront the secrets of their intertwined pasts to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death.
Before it finds them.
Advance Praise
Nic, Goodreads (5 stars)
This book 🙌🙌🙌
5/5 ✨
It’s one of those books that completely pulls you in with its atmosphere, characters, and a story that unfolds in such an unexpected way. I literally could not put it down!
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
At first, it feels like a deeply emotional, character driven novel about grief and starting over, but then it slowly unravels into something SOOOO much bigger!!!
Adding in that it was an incredible slow burn that I could not help but become obsessed with !! 🤭
The main characters make you feel everything they are feeling.
Roe, who carries the weight of her past, but is also strong, practical, and just trying to find her way.
Then there’s Bryn, who is… well 🤤
I would love to read a hundred more pages of him 😂
Their dynamic is everything 🙌 and I loved how their relationship developed naturally rather than being rushed.
The side characters are written in a way that you grow attached to all of them.
The world-building is done so well!!
The setting in Ireland added so much depth to this with the fantasy element its unlike anything I have ever read! (keeping it spoiler free so more on that later) 🤭
The twists hit at just the right moments, and the last chunk of the book had me flying through the pages!!
You need to read this just be warned: once you finish, you’ll be desperate for book two! 🫶
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Autumn, Goodreads (5 stars)
This book is a must for all romantasy lovers! It was one of those books where you find yourself annoyed with real life because all you want to do is read it. I found myself captivated by the magic of Ruhaven and swept away by the descriptions of Ireland. The story of mates that spanned time and worlds was more beautiful and heartbreaking than I expected. And I was touched by the love explored between friends and siblings as well. I can’t recommend this book enough!
Birna, Goodreads (5 stars)
Just WOW!
I had (I think) moderate expectations when I started reading but this story had me hooked by first chapter.
How the atmosphere and scenes are described just pulls you in, it feels amazingly alive and the writer just brings 90's Ireland to you. It's so refreshing getting to read a romantsy that goes a whole different route than most others.
The ending was not sth I had expected and it was deffinetly surprising. I really loved that I could not antisipate anything in the storyline. Everytime I thought I had figured something out I got surprised with a new twist. The story is nothing like anything else and is really beautiful. I can't really recommend it enough!!
In a nutshell, I am mesmerized with this book and I can't stop thinking about it, I desperatly need more Ruhaven!
Anny, Goodreads (4 stars)
This book was undeniably a work of art- and if you know what kind of art this author creates it makes perfect sense. I was fortunate enough to be able to discuss themes in this book with the author herself, and when she told me all the details and intricacies woven into the book it really made it come alive. It also made this novel even more impressive than it already is. If you like magical realism, Ireland (a beautiful country), a slow burn and some mystery- I would highly recommend this. It’s different than any other fantasy I’ve read- I would peg it more as a scientific fantasy- but it was so intriguing and drew me in from the first few chapters.
Victoria, Goodreads (5 stars)
Rowan, I told you once you are written upon my very bones. Do you think I'll allow my soul to be separated from yours?
6/5 ⭐ I ate that one up 🔥🔥🔥 I was blessed with the opportunity to read an ARC of this one in exchange for an honest review! The book comes out on Apr 15th 2025
Finally this book is on Goodreads so I can properly rave about it! I've been keeping it all inside myself for months so strap in because a long, in-depth and spoiler free review is coming your way.
Inside you'll find:
✨ A unique twist on fantasy and world building
🎉 Adult characters and no insane age gaps
🌄 Dreamy 90s settings
🎵 Music references
💘 Fated soulmates
🎞️ Past lives
🔥 Slow burn
👽 A l i e n s
All of this plus insane plot twists, a lot of action, and at least few chapters that had me sobbing real tears. Honestly, this book has it all - and I implore you to give a new indie author a chance because it's truly better than 70% of the published authors in this category.
🔧 Our FMC Roe Tullum has been dealt one hell of a blow - she suddenly and tragically lost her twin Willow and it ruined her so completely, it changed the course of her life. Three years later her life is still in shambles, so she hops on the opportunity to leave her Canadian hometown behind and go to Ireland to work in Hotel Naruka as a handywoman.
I truly love Roe! She feels like a real person, her love for her lost twin shines through in everything she does, she's a bit pessimistic, which is both realistic and refreshing. She feels like an actual adult, and is careful and not easily fooled, yet her heart is in the right place and she treats the others around her with kindness. It's heartwarming to see her growing during her journey battling with grief and learning to open up to her new found family.
🎨 And then there's Bryn Stornoway who's perfect in every way and could do no wrong 🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️ I'll try to be at least a bit objective here, but you should know that I'll be marrying this man in a heartbeat and he's been escalated from a Book Boyfriend to a Book Husband expeditiously. I mean he's blond, covered in tattoos, Norwegian and is a painter, what more can a woman want?!?!
But I digress, so let's try to return to actually trying to do a review and not just panting after Bryn. After suffering a tragic accident, he gets a permanent leg injury which saddles him with a good deal of trauma and PTSD. This leads to him being banned from Naruka... at least till he's desperately needed again and Roe is sent to fetch him back and they meet for the first time 🧨
🎀 And then there's Tye, James and Kazie who are absolutely magical and feel so human and real. You're bound to feel for them, and as the story progresses and not all Naruka residents are of the same mind, you as a reader often feel quite torn in who to support because Kayla M Martell did such a good job of making them all relatable and likeable. Overall that's something that really jumped out to me in this book - how all of the characters feel so alive, so realistic!
✨ Lastly, let's talk about the fantasy element. Or more likely not talk about it, as I promised a spoiler free review and I'm unsure on how to talk about it and not spoil it as it's such a unique blend of sci-fi and urban fantasy.
With the book being set in Ireland I was 100% sure we're going to meet the fae and let me tell you - I haven't been more wrong in my life 😂 The past lives aspect was so well done, and again - such a unique twist! I read mainly fantasy, and I've read a lot of books so I'm usually never surprised by the way the magic works but this one was great and felt so fresh!
You need to be a bit patient with the book as it's book 1 from a series and it takes a bit of time to set up the scene and do the world building but the veterans in the fantasy and sci-fi genres know the drill 💪 But it's totally worth it as this is well balanced by all the action scenes and the reveals.
The plot twists were very well done, with KMM giving you enough clues to be able to deduce some if you're paying attention, and in the same time taking you completely by surprise with others! I always consider when that happens a job well done as I enjoy a fair bit of foreshadowing but I also don't like being able to guess everything 😅
Finally there's the last 10% which are horribly dramatic!!!! Once you reach them you won't be able to put the book down, and also would immediately need to sink your teeth in book 2. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger and most things that pop up in The Minor Fall are resolved but trust me when I tell you that you'll feel the need to grab book 2 immediately 🔥
In conclusion - please get this book, and help spread the word because we can truly do something great here and make book 2 happen 🙌
Annie, Goodreads (5 stars)
I LOVED the first 600 pages. (My Kindle believes this book was 808 pages so I'll reference it how Kindle does.) I giggled, swooned, kicked my feet, and fell in love with the characters. It's a unique plot; it was descriptive, immersive, and funny. Everything in Ireland is wormy apparently. Ha! But it had everything I hoped it would have... smoking hot MMC, relatable MFC, found family, and magic. I HATE boats but I think... no, I KNOW I'd live on a boat with Bryn. He was SMOKING hot and had me dreaming about him. If you're a person who reads for characters, you're going to love this book. My brain loved the different accents for the different characters. Did anyone else read Tye in Matthew McConaughey's voice?
Natalie, Goodreads (5 stars)
Fantastic book. Beautifully written,
The heart of the book is very much in Ireland but with a romantic edge to it of another world! The slow burn romance was divine and gripping and left me wanting more. My heart now longs for more Bryn in it. If you like romance and fantasy this is for you! The last page got me all emotional. Beautiful book, that I wish I could erase my memory and start all over again. 5 stars!!!
Justin, Goodreads (5 stars)
I want to start off by saying that this book was a fantastic read. This was an epic journey, and when I first read what the book was about, I was intrigued, but I didn't really know what else to expect. But holy moly!
The way the characters get built up throughout the story, the funny banter happening between them, but also the very deep connections they all develop, amazing! The way new characters get looped into the story early on kept me interested and made me remember what the connection was throughout the storry to all the other characters, same goes for the characters that get introduced as the story goes on. I really enjoyed that I didn't keep forgetting and having to keep going back to try and remember what the connections were between the characters.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781036913106 |
| PRICE | 19.99 |
| PAGES | 594 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Ria H, Reviewer
Before writing this review I spent approximately 10 minutes staring at a wall, jaw wide open with my hand covering it...
First of all, the plot, the characters and the worldbuilding were absolutely stunning. The writing itself was fantastic. The pacing of the story picked up quickly after a somewhat slow start and maintained itself with everything that happens in this story.
There were moments where i was laughing, other when i was mad alongside the main character, and also moment where i was sad. The romance between the love interests, the YEARNING.
And let's not even get me started with the ending.... my god, the ending. the end left me—as i said in the beginning-contemplating everything for at least ten minutes and I don't think i'll ever recover.
Reviewer 1811388
Couldn't put it down. The YEARNING is top tier!!! This book completely upends the fated‑mates cliché to explore all kinds of love. Roe refuses to pledge undying loyalty to a man she’s only just met (you go girl!). She's laser‑focused on one thing: solving her sister’s death.
Laci O, Reviewer
My review is a little explicit as a heads up.
How many times can one couple be interrupted from having sex? That’s really my only complaint. Every single time we would almost get there something would happen. Usually interrupted by a roommate or some serious talk that needed to go down.
That being said. This is probably the most unique story u have ever read. I had kind of a hard time grasping the concept because of how complex the world is.
I also saw that there will be a book 2 and I am interested to see if we follow Sahn and Nereida or if we stay at the gate. Since yhe book was set I believe in the 90’s? I can’t remember but pretty sure it was not present day but close. That the next story will be the next group of people at the gate lodge.
I feel empty without these characters, read at your own risk.
Catarina S, Reviewer
The Minor Fall by Kayla M. Martell is such a good story. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.
Mave J, Reviewer
The opening chapters of The Minor Fall take their time, but the slow burn pays off. What first feels like a gradual introduction quickly reveals itself to be the careful assembly of a truly immersive and intricate world. Every detail serves a purpose, and by the time you reach the midpoint, you’re fully swept up in the lore and mystery of Ruhaven.
Kayla M. Martell is a master of setting. Ruhaven doesn’t just feel real, it feels lived in. This is one of those rare fantasies where the world is not just a backdrop but a central character in its own right. The atmosphere reminded me of Narnia’s whimsy mixed with Inception‘s layered complexity, yet it remained entirely original.
The cast of characters is one of the story’s biggest strengths. Each character felt vivid and distinct, with their own arcs, motivations, and secrets. Roe, in particular, is a protagonist you want to root for. She is vulnerable yet fierce, curious yet cautious. I appreciated how her personal journey was never overshadowed by the fantasy elements. In fact, the true crime thread blended seamlessly into the plot and added a layer of suspense that made this much more than a typical romantasy.
Speaking of romance—yes, it’s there, and yes, it’s swoony, but it doesn’t overwhelm the plot. Instead, it enhances Roe’s emotional stakes and adds just the right amount of tension and hope.
Who Should Read It?
-Fans of lush fantasy with strong emotional core
-Readers who enjoy mystery elements woven into fantastical worlds
-Lovers of magical realism, sisterhood dynamics, and rich lore
-Anyone who wants to feel transported, body, heart and mind
Final Verdict
The Minor Fall is a standout debut that blends magical fantasy, emotional resonance, and slow-burning mystery into a page-turner with real staying power. Kayla M. Martell crafts a world that feels both timeless and urgent, pulling you deeper with each chapter. Whether you’re here for the magic, the romance, or the suspense, you’ll find something to love in Ruhaven.
Grateful to NetGalley and Kayla M. Martell for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewer 424251
4.5 Stars
I didn’t just read The Minor Fall…I lived in it, haunted by it, like Roe herself walking through memory and shadow.
From the very first page, I felt a tug in my chest. Maybe it was the grief. Maybe it was Ireland breathing magic and danger through every mist-drenched scene. Maybe it was Bryn. (Okay, it was absolutely also Bryn.)
But I knew this was going to be one of those reads!
Roe isn’t just a grieving twin. She’s tethered to her sister, to Ruhaven, to a past that won’t stay buried. Every choice she makes feels like a defiance. Every truth she uncovers feels like a wound. And Bryn? Bryn is a secret wrapped in sorrow and duty, and oh, how he undid me.
There’s something about a character who’s been hollowed out by a world he can’t escape but still chooses to fight for someone else. Bryn burns quietly, and I fell hard.
Their chemistry is slow, taut, dangerous. This isn’t a love story painted in sunshine, it’s written in shadow. And that’s what made it so good. Because when they do reach for each other, it feels earned. Desperate. Sacred.
What I Loved:
* The atmosphere? Gothic, intimate, and quietly eerie.
* The Ledger as a concept is absolutely brilliant. Lineage as destiny, memory as magic.
* The dual ache of love and loss is woven into every sentence.
* Ruhaven doesn’t feel like a “setting”, it feels like a character. And it’s watching.
* Bryn and Roe’s connection isn't just romantic…it's cosmic. Fated. Cursed. Tender.
There’s a specific kind of magic when a fantasy story uses grief as a map. Roe isn’t looking for an escape, she’s looking for meaning. And as someone who feels everything in stories, this hit me in all the right places. The longing. The fear. The trust that blooms when you least expect it.
I didn’t just connect to the characters, I saw myself in them. Especially Roe’s stubborn hope. Her need to believe that even in the face of fate, there’s still choice.
If you love romantic fantasy that leans heavy into atmosphere, emotion, and prophecy-twisted longing..this is for you.
The Minor Fall is what happens when grief collides with destiny, and two broken people try to outrun a history written in blood. It’s quiet but feral in the way it sneaks up on you and steals your breath.
Kiera M, Reviewer
Sometimes when reading a book, the story is so vivid, immersing and frustrating all in one. This was that book. I could feel the emotions the characters felt as if I were there myself. This in my opinion shows how well it was built and the execution of the plot, characters and world building.
The story starts out a little slow, but understandably so with the immense world and plot building needed. But once we reach chapter 7, the world building and plot elements exploded with intense detail to the surrounding and a whole new way to describe even simple things.
The main characters were so well written with both their emotions and thoughts explored thoroughly. Roe who is our MFC is a resilient woman, but forever seeing herself as the lesser sister. She carries a lot of her past in her heart and is struggling to find her way but being in west Ireland she finds herself falling in love with the found family and surrounding life she has created. Our MMC Bryn on the other hand is an integral part of her journey. The slow burn aspect of their relationship along with the mistrust gives us some gut wrenching emotional scenes. The intense yearning for each other is palpable, which adds to the intense ending of the book.
The side characters in this story are as important as the main characters with Jmaes, Kazie and Tye all playing their roles perfectly. James was probably one of my favorites, as I’ve lived in Ireland previously, and he was written so well with his dialogue and sayings that I felt transported back to that time.
The ending of this book had me in shock, I can't even really put it into words other than I need the next book NOW.
Cathryn M, Reviewer
The Minor Fall is the story of Rowan’s journey from lost and grief-stricken after the death of her twin to discovering she may be the reincarnation of a magical being from another world, thousands of years ago. After seeing Ruhaven for the first time through the memories of her past life, she discovers that her twin’s death may not have been an accident and vows to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
This was an interesting read. The world-building was intricate and beautifully written, and the whole premise is intriguing. The descriptions of Ruhaven were gorgeous, and the use of weather to mimic emotions was perfect. The slow reveal of Ruhaven’s rules and laws made it less overwhelming and more easily understood, as well as adding tension with each new reveal. There were also some great humorous moments, especially from James with his Irish accent.
It was a little slow to start, but the descriptions of Nuraka were enough to keep me reading until the pace picked up. There were some occasions early on in the book where some more dialogue tags would have been useful as it wasn’t always easy to tell who was speaking, which led to some confusion and backtracking.
I didn’t love Rowan as a character; her utter refusal to see herself as anything other than a placeholder for Willow got more frustrating as the book went on, but there were definitely moments where I could empathise with her other feelings and decisions. I was also annoyed at the way she clung to the time of birth in the Ledger – unless there are marked differences in baby twins, it would be very easy to mix up which one arrived first.
Overall, it was enjoyable and I’d be interested in reading the sequel once it’s out to find out what’s next for Rowan and Bryn.
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