Upholding her tribe's highest law, Fenri must keep her heart—the body's fourth portal—closed at all times, or face execution. Fenri is a Knowledger, a brilliant collector of information who dreams of discovering the ocean’s secrets. The tribe’s Masters grant her permission to explore the ocean, but only if she first traverses the perilous desert with four strangers to retrieve a precious base metal. Despite a condition that makes her slower and weaker than her counterparts, Fenri accepts the mission, eager to prove her worth. She will succeed or die trying. When hormone-sniffing beasts begin stalking their group, it’s clear that someone has opened their fourth portal. Determined to protect her chances of exploring the ocean, Fenri vows to find and eliminate the traitor before the love virus spreads. As forbidden feelings surface, the group begins to unravel, turning their mission into a race to close the fourth portal before the beasts or their fellow tribesmen end them. That is, if they don’t kill each other first. THE FOURTH PORTAL is the first book in a multiple POV epic fantasy series filled with elemental magic that is rooted in the seven chakras residing within all of us, exploring the sacrifices we’re willing to make for love when it's forbidden. An absolute ride! Romance aside, I loved the magic and the fight scenes! Thrilling, heart-racing with twists to leave you gasping. - Chelsea's Bookshelf The magic in this book was amazing! It was fascinating to read about. This is a new to me author, and I quickly found myself loving their writing style. - Destiny's Reading Corner The story is packed with action, sacrifice, and forbidden romance, making it hard to put down. - Books N Lifts Diary If you love books with multiple point of views, strong female leads, and action packed stories that are out of this world I highly recommend The Fourth Portal by J.A. Merkel. - Hues of Literature The story rolls along and never were there times I felt bored or didn't care what came next, I was eagerly looking forward to what would be in store. - FanFi Addict The Fourth Portal is unlike anything I have read before. - The Avid Reader The concept felt fresh and unique, especially the use of chakras as a inspiration for the elemental magic. I loved the idea of the heart acting as a gate to a powerful, dangerous force. - Becca's Book Bliss The worldbuilding and science is beautifully crafted and the use of chapter quotes and chapter titles to tease at what was to come added such a fun extra layer to the worldbuilding. - C. M. Leyva, author of The Legacies of Traitors The way Merkel loosens one knot at a time in each chapter, revealing little pieces of this world and plot is masterful. It's immersive and mysterious and makes your mouth water for a limewine. - Katherine Kempf, author of The Mimameid Solution I began to think of this idea ... what if love was so powerful that it could kill you? A supernatural force that, if not tempered, could bring empires to their knees? This is the world and setting in which The Fourth Portal takes place. Be warned though: once you open the fourth portal, there's no going back. Are you ready