{"product_id":"the-crystal-halo-clare-aslan-9798241542137","title":"The Crystal Halo: The Prophecies of Fathom: Book One","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIf you're the Chosen One, who chose you?\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn the occupied continent of Fathom, hope has been carefully engineered. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eRiver is a bullied orphan cowherd-no noble blood, no hidden gift, no destiny of his own making. But when whispers of prophecy ripple through his village, a secretive guild of ageless Weavers begins grooming him to believe he is the long-awaited Chosen One, destined to overthrow a vulturous empire and restore balance to the land. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhat River doesn't know is that the prophecy is counterfeit. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDesperate and weakened by a mysterious blight dulling their once-divine craft, the Weavers have scattered false scriptures across Fathom in a dangerous game of faith, rebellion, and control. When River is forced from his home and thrust into a wider world of migrant labor camps, ruined cities, and whispered resistance, the lies sustaining his identity begin to unravel.\u003cbr\u003eThen he meets Ember-fierce, proud, and hiding a destiny of her own. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAs love and rebellion collide beneath the shadow of an ancient crystal halo said to anoint the true savior of Fathom, River must confront an unbearable question: if salvation is built on manipulation, is it still worth pursuing? And if belief can shape history, who bears responsibility for its consequences? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSet in a lush, non-European fantasy world inspired by Central American landscapes and history, \u003cb\u003eThe Crystal Halo\u003c\/b\u003e is a sweeping, intimate epic that subverts the \"Chosen One\" myth, exploring power, exploitation, love, and the perilous seduction of destiny itself. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003ePerfect for readers of N. K. Jemisin, Patrick Rothfuss, Kristin Cashore, Rae Carson, Ursula K. Le Guin, Robin McKinley, and Anne McCaffrey.\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePraise for Austin Aslan's acclaimed Penguin Random House debut, THE ISLANDS AT THE END OF THE WORLD, a Kirkus Reviews \"Best science-fiction read of 2014\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Very much enjoyed it. ... The tension in the book was also particularly good. Kept pulling me back in...\"\u003cbr\u003e- Patrick Rothfuss, Goodreads review. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Debut author Aslan shows off his promise as a writer...an exceptional adventure and survival story intimately tied to setting.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Publishers Weekly (Starred) \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A suspenseful and engaging series opener made all the more distinctive through its careful realization of setting.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Kirkus Reviews (Starred) \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Aslan's debut is a riveting tale of belonging, family, overcoming perceived limitations, and finding a home.\" - School Library Journal (Starred)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Clare Aslan,Austin Aslan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798241542137\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/27\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 302\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.89lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.63d","brand":"Clare Aslan","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48450462908671,"sku":"9798241542137","price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_0bb39a44-20bb-4563-9d16-6e0e07c27931.jpg?v=1777267905","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-crystal-halo-clare-aslan-9798241542137","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}