The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth

USA Today bestselling author J. J. Hebert's brand-new urban fantasy series Chronicles of the Arvynth begins with The Breaking of Time, a novel about a devoted father whose desperate act to save his son fractures reality itself, awakening ancient magic and drawing him back into the path of an immortal order he once betrayed, where love, time, and silence collide in a race against eternity.

🏆 Mariel Hemingway's Book Club Selection (Best Urban Fantasy):

"This novel is heartfelt, gripping, and memorable in all the best ways." —Mariel Hemingway, Bestselling Author & Oscar-Nominated Actress ★★★★★


ONE FATHER'S DESPERATE CHOICE FRACTURES TIME AND REALITY ITSELF.

To everyone around him, Daniel Ward is a mild-mannered accountant, devoted husband and father in a quiet New England suburb. But when his ten-year-old son chases a runaway soccer ball into the street, straight into the path of a speeding truck, Daniel does the impossible. He freezes time.

That single act of defiance exposes the secret he's buried for decades. His magic awakens the ancient order he once betrayed, the Arvynth, a brotherhood of immortal sorcerers devoted to stillness and death, determined to silence the world.

As his carefully constructed life unravels, Daniel must protect his family while evading the brotherhood that hunts him. Every second he steals from time feeds the void that seeks to consume it, threatening not only the people he loves but reality itself.

Forced to choose between sacrifice and survival, Daniel discovers the truth: sometimes the loudest act of love is defiance.

The Breaking of Time is a race against eternity, a supernatural thriller that fuses urban fantasy and family drama in a story about the noise of life, the cost of power, and one father's desperate fight to keep the world from falling silent.


PRAISE FOR THE BREAKING OF TIME:

“Known for his cinematic writing, strong worldbuilding, and character development, Hebert’s The Breaking of Time is an exciting start to a new series… lays a solid foundation for a much larger story…” —USA TODAY contributor

"This work will grab readers’ attention early as Hebert combines a diverse array of genres—fantasy, thriller, family road novel, and others—into a fast-paced, character-driven adventure... An exciting, tightly written tale of magic... Our verdict: Get it.” —Kirkus Reviews

"The Breaking of Time is meticulously crafted to explore themes of love, loss, redemption, and the struggle to balance personal desires with greater responsibilities." —BookLife/Publishers Weekly (EDITOR'S PICK)

"The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth delivers cinematic urban fantasy that bridges generations, echoing the mythic gravity and moral weight of J.R.R. Tolkien while unfolding within a sleek, contemporary world... This is prestige fantasy..." —Jesse Metcalfe, Award-Winning Actor ★★★★★

"An immersive paranormal thriller that balances the rich worldbuilding and in-depth lore characteristic of fantasy fiction with the all-too-human dramas of identity, family, and the consequences of secrecy." —Independent Book Review (STARRED review)

“If you like magic that feels tactile and real, or if you enjoy emotional stakes wrapped inside supernatural danger, this book will hit the spot.” —Literary Titan★★★★★ (Gold Winner, Literary Titan Book Award: Fiction 2026)

“A smartly plotted supernatural thriller with a strong, charismatic protagonist to root for.” —The Wishing Shelf ★★★★★

"A winning blend of the supernatural and family adventure that crackles with heart and imagination." —BestThrillers ★★★★★