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The Winds of War
The Winds of War opens with a sweeping fantasy world marked by old grudges, broken continents, and horrors that crawl out of black oceans. It follows several threads at once. A historian condemned to a gruesome fate. A chieftainess defends her people as a hostile empire closes in. A dragonrider racing against time. A soldier wrestling with his worth. Their stories twist through war, myth, and rising dread, and the early passages make clear that the world is on the edge of something catastrophic. The tone is harsh, grim, sometimes tender, and always huge in scope.
As I read, I kept stopping just to feel the weight of the writing. The author paints with bold strokes. The violence is raw, and the quiet moments hit even harder because of it. I found myself getting swept up in the grit of the battles and the soft warmth of family scenes. I loved how the prose moved, sometimes sharp, sometimes lyrical, always sure of itself. The intensity kept ramping up, which actually left me excited for the next wild twist.
I loved the ideas this story explores. The way faith is twisted into cruelty. The way people cling to hope even when the ocean itself seems hungry for them. The book digs into power, sacrifice, and the awful choices leaders face. I kept thinking about how everyone tries to do right in their own way. Even when those ways collide. The ambition of the story and the world thrilled me. It felt like standing in the wind of something huge.
I would recommend The Winds of War to readers who enjoy dark fantasy with heart. Folks who like big worlds, messy heroes, and stories that don’t hold your hand. It reminded me of the sweeping grit of A Song of Ice and Fire and the wild, creature-soaked tension of The Witcher books, only this story hits with its own sharper bite and a faster heartbeat.
Pages: 526 | ASIN : B0F9SCV4CJ
Assassin Royale
Assassin Royale sweeps readers into a world of intrigue, blood, and shadowed loyalty. The book follows Killian Lord, an assassin bound to King Ember, as he navigates political schemes, supernatural weapons, and his own sense of duty. It blends classic fantasy tropes like warring kingdoms, orcs, and noble houses, with the sharper edges of espionage and assassination. The opening threads with Tom, a boy orphaned by cruelty and thrust into a violent fate, layer the tale with tragedy and innocence lost. As plots twist around Maximilian Durandal’s obsession with power and the mysterious Moonlight Shard, the narrative grows into a tale of personal vendetta, war, and the unshakable ties between assassin and king.
I found the writing both sharp and indulgent. Sometimes it lingers over food, scars, or clothing in a way that paints the world richly, almost cinematically, though it sometimes slows the pace. What really pulled me in was the texture of Killian Lord himself. He’s scarred, bitter, but strangely noble. I enjoyed the banter, the gallows humor, and the way his cynicism bumps up against moments of raw loyalty or unexpected tenderness. Durandal, in contrast, is the kind of villain I love to hate. He’s flamboyant, predatory, a man whose charm makes his cruelty sting all the more. There’s an energy to these characters that kept me turning pages even when the plot meandered. I’ll admit, sometimes the political intrigue felt familiar, but the smaller character moments gave it fresh life.
What surprised me most was the emotional punch. Tom’s chapters nearly broke me. His fear, his resilience, his desperate need for safety, those parts had me tense and aching. And then there’s the king. Ember is drawn with such warmth and dignity that I felt Lord’s loyalty as my own. The book thrives on drama, spectacle, and old-fashioned stakes.
I’d recommend Assassin Royale to readers who like their fantasy with grit but also a strong sense of heart. If you enjoy assassins who brood yet bleed with conviction, kings who inspire, and villains who make your skin crawl, this will hit the mark. It’s entertaining, vivid, and full of moments that you’ll remember. Fans of political fantasy like Game of Thrones or assassin-driven sagas like The Night Angel Trilogy will devour this book.
Pages: 298 | ASIN : B0FHTMGWVN
Becoming the Villain
Wrath of the Storm Lord follows an outcast turned warrior-myth, rising from condemned slave to challenging the empire that destroyed his people. What inspired this setup?
Well, originally Jerith was supposed to be the villain in another series of mine called Chronicles of the Bard King. Coming from a comics background, I’ve always been inspired by writers like Rick Remender, Jonathan Hickman, and Ed Brubaker. These guys create incredible morally gray characters and anti-heroes, and one thing they always nail is making villains relatable. So, that was my goal—I wanted to explore Jerith’s journey, find out what pushed him down this dark path, and why he became the most feared man in Eodarrin. But honestly, I didn’t expect to become so attached to him. Pretty soon, it was clear a simple prologue just wouldn’t do his story justice.
The world you’ve created feels so alive and full of possibilities. Where did your inspiration come from, and did the setting change as you wrote?
Ah, the frozen land of Ver’Sut! This place has been living in my head for nearly thirty years. As a kid, I was fascinated by Viking and Norse culture, especially this idea of people shaped by their harsh environment and struggles. Growing up in the Deep South, snow was rare and almost magical to me. Dog sledding and snowy landscapes always grabbed my imagination—thanks partly to Jack London’s books like The Call of the Wild and White Fang. The concept of an eternal winter just has this mystic charm I couldn’t resist.
Jerith Al’Sut faces deep inner conflict, fighting not to become the monster he battles against. What inspired his character’s journey?
My initial idea for the Sutian people combined elements of Norse culture and Indigenous heritage—reflecting my own background. Both cultures have powerful myths about inner struggle. One is the tale of two wolves inside us, constantly battling for our souls. Another is the Norse myth of Freki and Geri—Odin’s wolves representing greed and hunger. I wanted to dive into this question: if you could save everyone you love by becoming the villain, could you do it? That’s really at the core of Jerith’s struggle, this intense battle within himself.
Can you tease what’s next for the story and where you see it heading in the future?
The heart of the story revolves around the Axe of Eldran—the artifact granting Jerith the power of the Storm God, Eldran. But here’s the twist: during an ancient battle with an evil Arch Fey, the Fey’s defeated spirit attached itself to the axe, slowly corrupting Jerith. In Wrath, we see the beginning of this corruption as he struggles to control his rage. Moving forward, we’ll watch Jerith spiral deeper into obsession as he’s plagued by dark visions convincing him only he can stop an approaching evil—no matter how devastating his actions become. It’s all about exploring how far he’ll go, and whether he can find redemption or lose himself entirely.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
The mines were supposed to kill him. Instead, they unleashed something far worse.
Jerith Al’Sut was sentenced to die nameless, broken, and forgotten. Instead, he rose from the depths with lightning in his veins and vengeance burning in his heart. Now, the condemned slave is the Storm Lord—a force of nature who can shatter armies and tear fortresses apart with a single strike, determined to break the chains of an empire built on blood.
But power without control is a blade that cuts both ways. As rebellion ignites against King Ulthean’s ruthless reign, Jerith’s fury threatens to consume everything—including himself. Every battle pushes him closer to victory—and closer to becoming the tyrant he swore to destroy.
Yet the Storm Lord does not stand alone.
At his side is Valeria—exiled princess, master strategist, and the only person Jerith would die for. She once had everything: nobility, status, a future. Then she betrayed her father, King Ulthean, for the love of a branded Unsought—lower than a slave, unworthy even of a name. Her defiance cost her a crown, her family, and her homeland. Now, she fights not for a throne, but for the heart of the man she refuses to lose, no matter the cost.
Yet King Ulthean’s armies close in, ruthless and relentless. War is merciless, and love alone does not shield against fate. As Jerith’s storm grows, so do the whispers: Not all tyrants wear crowns. Not all monsters can be stopped. And if the price of vengeance is his soul, will anyone be strong enough to save Jerith from himself?
Lightning exposes the darkest truths:
Sometimes, the greatest battle isn’t against our enemies—but the monster we risk becoming.
And always, his fallen brother’s final, blood-stained words haunt his every choice:
“Remember Who You Are!”
Wrath of the Storm Lord
Wrath of the Storm Lord is a sweeping tale of rebellion, memory, and the volatile cost of power. Set in the richly drawn world of Ver’Sut, the story follows Jerith, an outcast turned warrior-myth, as he rises to challenge the empire that crushed his people. What begins as a slow-burning character study morphs into a full-blown elemental war, with storms summoned by raw emotion and loyalty forged in blood. The novel weaves together political tension, intimate relationships, and supernatural forces to deliver a dark and layered fantasy that feels both timely and timeless.
What hooked me from the jump wasn’t the lightning-slinging protagonist—it was Harrison, the scribe. That guy is terrified, skeptical, and deeply human. Through his eyes, the reader gets a front-row seat to power that feels too big, too raw, and too dangerous to be trusted. The scene early on when he’s literally watching the ink on his page move was chilling. Like, I actually paused and thought, “Okay, Herod’s playing a deeper game here.” It’s not just about recording history, it’s about how power can warp even the telling of it. Harrison’s fear is real. You feel it.
Jerith, though. That’s where the book cuts deep. He’s not your clean-cut hero. The dude is powered by grief, rage, and something ancient. The scene where he finds out about his father’s death is wild. He literally becomes a storm. Not figuratively. He is the storm. I couldn’t stop reading as lightning turned the room to chaos, windows exploded, and he claimed the title “Storm Lord” like it was his birthright. It’s intense, and you believe it because Herod builds it slowly. You feel every loss, every scar. The relationship with Valeria was painful, honest, and beautifully tragic. She’s the daughter of the tyrant he’s sworn to destroy, and yet she stands with him. That kind of emotional tug-of-war hit hard.
The writing style is bold, cinematic, and a little unhinged in the best way. Herod doesn’t play it safe. There’s a rhythm to the prose that feels like it’s vibrating with energy, especially when Jerith taps into his power. Whole pages hum with electricity, figuratively. But it’s not just flash. There’s meat here. The philosophical backbone about whether power corrupts or reveals had me underlining entire paragraphs. Like the line, “Power doesn’t corrupt. Power reveals.”
If you’re into morally complicated characters, revolution brewing beneath snowy forests, and a storm god with daddy issues—this one’s for you. It’s not light reading. It’s charged. Heavy. But damn if it doesn’t leave a mark. Wrath of the Storm Lord is perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson’s grit, Patrick Rothfuss’ poetic edges, and readers who want their fantasy with teeth. Highly recommend for anyone ready to get swept up in a storm.
Pages: 187 | ASIN : B0DVLGKL8F
A Vague Idea Turns Into a Series
Sara’s Fear follows a girl and her family as they find their lives upended with the appearance of supernatural powers. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I started this story for my daughter when she was seven or eight. The story was only a vague idea about a twelve-year-old girl having troubled dreams caused by terror goblins feeding on her nightmares. Her story was one of overcoming her fears in life so she could defeat the goblins in her dreams. Unfortunately, at chapter six, the book got put on hold and languished for years. Some life events gave me the push to finish it, but it had to be finished fast, so I sat down and finished the rough draft in about two weeks. Except for the dreams, most of the original story went away and everything else was written on the fly.
What is the most difficult part of setting out to write a series?
Honestly, just sitting down and doing it. Bits and pieces of stories run through my head constantly while I’m doing other things. Coming up with story ideas is easy and writing a short story isn’t too bad, but writing a book or series, it’s difficult. If I can’t “fall” into the story while I’m writing, it just doesn’t work. It’s a hyper-focus thing. Finding two or three hours to sit and write distraction-free is tough for me.
What part of Sara’s Fear was the most fun to write?
Tough one. I enjoy writing the action parts. Picking the sequences apart in my head and trying to put words down so they paint the same picture for the reader is a challenge. I also enjoy the intense personal parts between the characters in the stories. Trying to step outside myself and look at how someone else may react to a situation and then put it to words is just as challenging.
Can we get a glimpse inside the second installment of the Elementals series?
After being beaten with ease by an enemy they don’t know, Sara and family are scattered and on the run. They are attacked constantly by an unknown group while they race across the country to reunite with each other. At the same time, Sara is learning to control explosive new powers before they destroy her. Who’s after Sara, why, and can they find the strength to stand against them? Book 2 “Sara’s Anger” is out now.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Website
Welcome to a realm where magic meets reality in “Sara’s Fear: Elementals Book 1” by K.C. Roy, a mesmerizing fusion of magical realism and dark fantasy that will leave readers of all ages spellbound.
In this gripping saga, join the courageous teenagers Harry and Eliza as they confront a corrupt council wielding unchecked power. However, their journey just sets the stage for their unborn daughter now sixteen years later who was born with unique abilities from the past that she knows nothing about.
Buried in time, the dormant powers are activated when someone unbeknown to Sara tries to take her life. Now on the run – the family is trying to protect Sara, keep the past hidden and uncover the new threat in her life.
Prepare to be swept away by a tale brimming with pulse-pounding action, intricate plot twists, and characters so vivid they practically leap off the page. From the very first page, “Sara’s Fear” immerses you in a world teeming with danger, mystery, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship and family.
Whether you’re a parent seeking a captivating read for your teenager or a young adult craving an exhilarating escape, this book is a must-have addition to your library. Don’t miss your chance to venture on an unforgettable adventure where every turn of the page reveals a new revelation and every chapter leaves you clamoring for more.
Don’t let this book get buried on your wish list. Purchase “Sara’s Fear: Elementals Book 1” today and discover a world where the line between fantasy and reality is blurred beyond imagination.
Sara’s Fear: Elementals Book 1
Sara’s Fear: Elemental Book 1, by K.C. Roy, is an engaging foray into the supernatural genre, charting the tumultuous journey of Sara, a teenager whose life is upended by the sudden emergence of supernatural powers. Roy crafts a world where the ordinary collides with the extraordinary, propelling Sara and her family into a perilous flight from a relentless assassin.
Roy’s narrative is marked by a vividly descriptive style, masterfully painting the chaos that surrounds Sara and her family. This approach not only immerses readers in the story’s setting but also amplifies the sense of urgency and danger that permeates the novel. At the heart of this tale is Sara, whose character development is both nuanced and compelling. Roy portrays her evolution with depth and realism, capturing the essence of a young person thrust into unimaginable circumstances. Sara’s resilience and growth offer a touchstone of relatability, resonating with readers who appreciate characters that embody courage and adaptability.
The novel thrives on a blend of suspense, action, romance, and humor, weaving these elements into a rich tapestry that maintains the reader’s engagement from start to finish. The supernatural aspect of Sara’s inherited powers adds a layer of intrigue, while the portrayal of family dynamics offers a grounding counterpoint to the fantastical elements. As Sara’s parents endeavor to shield her from harm, their unwavering support and involvement in her struggle to harness her abilities underscore the novel’s exploration of familial bonds.
Sara’s Fear, by K.C. Roy, stands out for its ability to capture and sustain the reader’s attention, delivering a story that is as much about the internal journey of its protagonist as it is about the external threats she faces. Roy has crafted a narrative that is both a thrilling adventure and a thoughtful exploration of growth, identity, and the unyielding strength of family. As readers turn the pages, they are drawn deeper into Sara’s world, eager to discover if she can master her fears and emerge triumphant.
Pages: 319 | ASIN : B0B27GBMH2
A Memory of Song: First Verse of The Last Ballad
Scott Palmer’s A Memory of Song is a sweeping Norse-inspired fantasy that melds visceral action with tender character moments. This first installment in The Last Ballad series plunges the reader into a world unraveling—a place where the elements have stilled, magic stirs, and the dead linger. Following James, a haunted soul pursued by monsters, and Wulfee, a hardened warrior battling her own ghosts, the story weaves an intricate tapestry of loss, vengeance, and faint glimmers of hope amidst chaos. Palmer’s world is vast yet intimate, brimming with dark beauty and a sense of impending doom.
I was captivated by Palmer’s ability to create immersive, gut-punching scenes. The opening chapter, where James runs from the horrifying Hawka, grips you with its vivid urgency. Every slosh through icy mud, every scream in the silent woods felt raw and immediate. Yet, it wasn’t just the thrilling chase that hooked me—it was the aching regret coursing through James’s inner dialogue. “You should have died with her by your side,” lingers, a refrain that sets the tone for the entire novel. Palmer’s prose is sharp and poetic, but never overwrought, making the intensity feel grounded. The characters are unforgettable, though not always likable—and I mean that as praise. Wulfee’s unyielding thirst for vengeance left me in awe and frustration. Her interactions with Gen, a towering yet naive figure, add moments of bittersweet levity, as when she deflects his eagerness for her stories with gruff affection. The relationship dynamics are messy and human, with emotions bubbling just below the surface. I couldn’t stop thinking about Maggie, a character steeped in tragedy, whose sickness mirrors the dying world. Her brief, intimate moments with James were heartbreakingly fragile, offering a respite from the relentless darkness. Palmer’s worldbuilding is as rich as it is grim. The elements—literally lifeless in this setting—infuse the narrative with an eerie stillness. The nytewood trees, with their glowing blossoms, and the cursed Fever Stones evoke a sense of old magic that feels both majestic and terrifying. Yet, the novel doesn’t drown in lore. Every detail, from the humming dead to the strange customs of the Feldarra, feels purposeful and alive, enhancing the emotional stakes.
Fans of grimdark fantasy will revel in the moral complexity and stark beauty of A Memory of Song. If you enjoy John Gwynne’s Bloodsworn Saga or Joe Abercrombie’s First Law series, Palmer’s work will scratch that itch. It’s for readers who aren’t afraid to sit with pain and grapple with hope. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next installment—despite knowing it’ll likely break my heart all over again.
Pages: 489 | ASIN : B0D5BWH1NS
The Guardians of Eastgate
The Guardians of Eastgate by Sherry Leclerc, is a classic fantasy tale. Maelona Sima is one of four champions of the race named seers. As a champion Maelona is tasked with protecting one of the four keystones that protect the realm of Sterrenvar from evil. When an evil sorcerer rises up, seeking to enslave the peoples of Sterrenvar, Maelona at the keystone at Eastgate is the first line of defense. But will the prejudice and oppression against the seer people work against her? Maelona teams up with a human prince, Gareth, and a wolf shapeshifter, Blaez, but the question remains, will it all be enough to stave off this tide of darkness?
Leclerc’s book is a fantastic fantasy novel accented with the inevitable threat of evil and darkness confronted by a ragtag group of “heroines and heroes”. Since this is the first book in a series there is a sense that there is plenty more story to come. There is something for everyone though, between world building, action and romance between Maelona and Blaez. Leclerc’s writing is easy to follow and the book itself is not long, just under 200 pages.
The “choppiness” of Leclerc’s chapters left more to be desired, since they seem to cut in every four to five pages. This tended to throw me off more than kept me turning pages. Because chapters can be natural stopping points I wanted the book to take advantage of longer more engaging chapters rather than serving all of the good parts up so quickly.
It was an interesting choice to make a standard figure of fantasy, the seer, into an entire race of people who are guardians. In some ways, it makes sense based on their foresight abilities but I felt like the race needed to have more depth, which could easily be built in the coming books. The Guardians of Eastgate is brimming with potential that should be brought to fruition but is hampered by the short narrative arc. The next book should prove to be more exciting if such world building continues to be developed and deepen the point of view of the characters there in.
Readers will enjoy this novel for how technically well written it is. Wait for the next installment because this story is begging to be expanded.
Pages: 165 | ASIN: B07579TCBC
LITERARY TITAN 