The Crack in the Crystal (TCitC) is a fantasy-mystery/thriller crossover inspired by a D&D game, available now in bookstores everywhere.

“The weaving of a world is a long, arduous task filled with self-doubt and disappointment. But on rare occassions, a rich tapestry such as The Crack in the Crystal by Barak Engel is woven. Each painstakingly crafted detail stands out in sharp relief, yet creates a tactile harmony. The gold and silver threads that wind their way through this wondrous story are the instantly intriguing, beautifully flawed, and gloriously realized characters. This is not a tale to be missed.” –Bill Roper, Legendary Videogame Creative (incl. Diablo, Starcarft & Warcraft series), Musician, Actor, and Epic Nerd

“Barak Engel speaks truth in all senses of the word: true characterizations, true actions, true storytelling. He peels the layers of narrative to reveal the beating heart of a tale in all its glory. In other words: don’t wait. Read it.” –Allison Landa, Author, Bearded Lady

“The Crack in the Crystal is a wickedly fun and lyrically-written stormfaring fantasy heist that slides beautifully into any reader’s shelf between Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series and Joe Abercrombie’s Shattered Sea YA series. Barak Engel’s adult-oriented story’s darker elements are kept teen-friendly, while the propulsive plotting is to be enjoyed by all. Barak Engel gives readers a new take on the fantasy genre’s coming-of-age story, with twists and intersecting character journeys that are by turns thrilling, thought provoking, and heartfelt. The greater yarn of their shared destinies unspool before our eyes, page by page, with masterful plotting. It’s all delivered with a dash of science and dark humor in the tradition of Scott Lynch as Barak’s technical background shines through in how the fabric of his universe is held together by societal rules and a magical system that makes the world feel all the more unique and real.” –Eliot Baker, Author, The Last Ancient

“Whether writing crime, mystery, or fantasy, a writer has two main functions: to transport and elucidate. A little weird also doesn’t hurt. In The Crack in the Crystal author Barak Engel takes the reader far away, with the wildest tale you’ll find this side of Misty Mountain. An enchanting out-of-this-world experience guaranteed to keep your heart racing.” –Joe Clifford, Author, the Jay Porter Thriller Series

“As a new player in the fantasy genre, Barak Engel has certainly made a strong impression with The Crack In The Crystal. His ability to create a compelling story with multi-dimensional characters and a richly detailed world suggests that he has a bright future ahead of him in the literary world. I eagerly anticipate his next work and hope to see more of his unique voice and imaginative storytelling in future books.” –RJ Windham, Global Activist and Author, Inside the Mind of a Cancer Patient

“The adventure drew me in quickly and I wanted to find out what would happen next…it’s a fantasy novel that doesn’t suck!” –Mike Mechanic, Author, Jackpot