Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Fractured Doors and Forgotten Gods
SERIES: Hidden Realms
AUTHOR: Alice Winters
NARRATOR: Greg Boudreaux
LENGTH: 10 hour and 40 minutes
RELEASE DATE: June 2, 2026
BLURB:
Riley
Trying to keep my familiar out of the meat display while shopping is the hardest part of my day… until someone drops a god right into my humdrum existence.
Torin, a massive man claiming to be a god, is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. He insists on learning English through adult graphic novels, believes the pizza delivery guy is an assassin, and thinks he can kick a subway into submission (talk about adding a bit of spice to my life, which has been sadly lacking since I left the Magical Interference Unit).
The handsome and strangely charismatic god drags me (literally) right into his problems, starting with a creature who wants to tear my head off, yet I find myself following along with his whims.
He knows something is wrong when Doors to another realm begin to open up, allowing an ominous power to get a foothold in our world… but I’m afraid this quirky god and I might be the only ones keeping this world from ending.
Oh joy.
Torin
I never expected that simply stepping through a Door into Riley’s world would introduce me to so many amazing curiosities, like pizza and burritos! Oh, and a pesky human who really should recognize that I’m a god of war and love—emphasis on the love.
But there’s more to Riley than meets the eye; why else would their special forces place me with a man who can borrow magic from others? My attempts to woo this mystifying human are thwarted at every turn (I doubt that has anything to do with me tossing him on a horse or taking over his bed).
As Riley and I grow closer, I realize that he might be the very person needed to save this realm… because what is coming for them is beyond anything they can comprehend… one even worse than the atrocity called an “escalator.”
Fractured Doors and Forgotten Gods is the first book in a series that has a continuing storyline.
REVIEW:
Riley is a librarian who formerly was an agent with the Magical Interference Unit. When he gets called in and has to do a favor for his old co-worker, he ends up being saddled with Torin, a god from another realm who has come through a door that should not have opened. Torin claims to be the god of love and war. One thing he is not the god of is 20th century earth. He has no idea about technology or transportation or even the food. Riley is less than thrilled to be stuck with dragging Torin around and taking him back to his apartment. Torin manages to destroy his TV among other things. What Torin wants most though in Riley’s apartment is Riley. Turns out that Torin has never been turned down by anyone. Everyone wants to sleep with him. Huh. What is so different about Riley?
While staying with Riley, Torin is trying to figure out what he should be doing – can he get back to his world, is this part of a bigger problem? Then another door opens that pulls him and Riley in. Torin discovers Riley’s secret during this accidental portal hopping. When then end up back in Riley’s world after an explosion, things seem to be getting worse instead of better.
Riley and Torin end up in Torin’s world. This is shocking to Riley and he then finds out Torin’s secret and his torment. Torin is determined to find something to help Riley with his problem, but they are gone for days. When they return, they are again far from Riley’s home and nobody comes to help them (which leads to some hilarious moments). After finally meeting up with Riley’s former team members, it is clear that the prophecy and foretells the destruction of multiple worlds is in play here.
Torin can’t fight this alone and Riley cannot control his magic, nor the magic he seems to keep acquiring. The magic keeps pulling him towards the danger. When he is finally told why, he can’t accept it. Can he overcome this news? Can Torin still help him? We’ll have to wait for the next book to find out more 😉
I loved this new start to a new series. Torin is hilarious. Riley snarky. Mickey is unbelievable and also an instigator 😉 The twist was nothing I saw coming. The energy and suspense and the wild ride that we are taking here are classic Alice Winters. The creatures and the magic are new and engrossing. We need to find out more. I have a feeling there are more surprises ahead and I can’t wait! Cleary Torin and Riley are connected and until they figure out how the pieces fit together in this puzzle, they are going to have to fight for the future.
Greg Boudreaux does his usual fabulous job here. The performance of all these various characters and voices was outstanding. Riley and Torin were perfect. Mickey is the best foil for them. The other supporting characters were just right. Another wonderful combo of author and narrator that add another level of enjoyment to what is already a fascinating story. Bravo! Can’t wait for the next chapter 🙂
RATING: 
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