A Tempest of Shadows (Chronicles of the Bard King Book 1)
About
In a kingdom on the brink of annihilation, the unrelenting Storm Lord of Ver’Sut descends like a tempest, conquering all in his path. As the proud walls of Terrenholdt crumble and King Josiah Dross falls in battle, Queen Liana flees into the night with her newborn son, clutching the hope of her kingdom’s future in her arms. But survival comes at a perilous cost, as her journey leads her into the mystical Faewild, a realm teeming with ancient magic, fractious alliances, and secrets buried by time.
By her side is Aerendil Moonwhisper, a Fae sworn to protect her, bound by oaths and shadowed by a past he cannot escape. Beyond Terrenholdt’s borders, Aerendil’s encounter with Queen Celestria, ruler of the Faewild and the grandmother of his hidden son, threatens to unravel forbidden truths of love, sacrifice, and betrayal. As ancient powers stir and alliances fracture, Aerendil must confront an impossible choice between loyalty to his mortal companions and the family he never knew he had.
But even as Liana and her companions seek sanctuary, relentless forces close in. Tasked by the tyrannical Storm Lord, Valeria Al’Sut and the merciless Sutori pursue their quarry across burning forests and enchanted glades, armed with cruelty and an unyielding command: destroy all obstacles. Their hunt becomes a moral crucible for Kael, one of the Sutori, torn between his sworn duty and the guilt of blind destruction that scorches both land and soul.
As destinies collide, the shadow of an ancient power looms over all—a forgotten, primal force hidden beneath Eodarrin’s soil and ice, threatening to reshape the world. Wars of steel and fire blend with magic both wondrous and deadly as kingdoms fall, villages burn, and the lines between hero and villain blur.
"The world-building is phenomenal... The characters bring out so much emotion while you read. When I say I can't wait for more, I meant it. Anyone who sees these books should give them a read." - ★★★★★ Amazon Review
"A cast of characters equally written to provoke my feelings... Here lies the strength of the book. There were various amounts of personalities to choose from, with whom the readers may relate. A smorgasbord of backstory also piqued my senses and created a variety of complexity." - ★★★★★ Reedsy Review
Perfect for readers who love Robin Hobb's character depth and George R.R. Martin's political intrigue, A Tempest of Shadows weaves a tale where light battles darkness, and the price of survival might cost everything.
In a tale of loyalty and betrayal, of forbidden love and enduring hope, the stage is set for the age-old struggle between light and shadow. But in the face of overwhelming darkness, can a shattered kingdom, a broken man, and a mother’s love stand against a tempest of power that threatens to consume them all?
A Tempest of Shadows is an epic dark fantasy brimming with battlefields and betrayal, ancient magic and harrowing choices—a story where survival, sacrifice, and the bonds of blood will shape the dawn of a new age, or see the world plunge into eternal night.
Praise for this book
Loved it! 😍
Follow the Storm Lord, Jerith Al'Sut, on his quest for more power. A path of destruction is wrought in his attempt at becoming immortal.Synopsis
"A Tempest of Shadows" follows the chronicles of Jerith Al’Sut, the enigmatic and feared Storm Lord. The narrative, presented by Baelen Josiah Dross, intertwines his life with Jerith's rise to power. The story begins on a stormy night where Avery and Dillon struggle through a relentless blizzard to find a village and its vibrant tavern, a sanctuary from the storm's fury. As the tale unfolds, Jerith's relentless pursuit of power and dominance becomes evident through his fierce battles and strategic conquests. The narrative also explores the journeys of other characters like Riona, Kora, and Kael, each facing their own trials and adventures. Themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge and power are woven throughout the story, highlighting the high stakes in the world of Eodarrin. The prologue sets a dark, atmospheric tone, with vivid descriptions of the storm and the challenges faced by the characters, promising a tale filled with peril and profound truths.A Tempest of Shadows: Revised Edition by Joe Herod
Our novel starts inside a cozy inn, protected from the tumultuous elements of the outside world. A weathered bard fascinates those in attendance with a story of intrigue and suspense. By a crackling fire, he delves deep within a tale, a labyrinth mixed with immense emotions and self-adulation.
Joe Herod, our skillful artificer, produces a lush world that will appeal to lovers of the fantasy genre. Jerith, our main antagonist, seeks definitive power. From the onset, we oversee a chaotic battle within Terronholdt. The Storm Lord's prize is the discovery of an ancient civilization and the power it holds buried deep underneath the city.
Escaping Terronholdt, Queen Liana, her newborn child Baelen, and her group of trusted guardians flee through underground tunnels and find themselves in the world of the Fae. Aerendil, a banished fae and close friend to the now-deceased King Josiah, has sworn to protect the queen. Being chased by Jerith's Sutori, his most skilled warriors, Liana's group seeks refuge within Aarendil's enchanted homeland to regroup. As both contingencies move East toward Eldwood, our author unfurls more unforeseen plot complexities.
I love strong characters, characters I root for, and villains worthy of my utmost distaste. Jerith, a maniacal leader, is a man who is not satisfied with anything less than ultimate superiority within the realm. His intrinsic ability to cook up annihilation at a moment's whim was impressive, bringing forth an inherent hatred within my heart. A cast of characters equally written to provoke my feelings, I was enamored by our group of escapees. Here in lies the strength of the book. There were various amounts of personalities to choose from, with whom the readers may relate. A smorgasbord of backstory also piqued my senses and created a variety of complexity.
What are the negatives? Our plot in itself is simplistic in telling. Good versus evil. I wouldn't consider this a new take on something I have indulged in before. Magic systems that were interesting but not ground-breaking.
All in all, who doesn't love bad guys with morality issues? Discoveries of ancient artifacts from long-lost tombs? Sign me up. I had a sense of utter enjoyment in retrospect. I concluded that parts of the tale were slow, allowing the reader to digest the complexities of each character. It wasn't a drawback from my experience, but rather a great stepping stone for what will become of the series.
I am giving this 4 out of 5 stars! I can recommend it to all lovers of the epic fantasy genre.
Thanks to Reedsy for access to this free Arc. All opinions expressed are my own.
5.0 out of 5 stars Holy world building, Batman!
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2024
If you love fantasy books filled with world building, this novel is 😚👌. Highly recommend!
Can't wait to read the next in the series! We'll written, great character development and storyline. Couldn't put the book down!
One of the epic fantasy books, which is well written, good world building with characters that show growth.
The journey through Eldwood had me on edge, not knowing if who they meet is friend or foe. Filled with challenges and secrets, the book brings out the emotions of loyalty, friendship, fear, and love, as each of them strive to survive.
A fantastically fun rip roaring fantasy adventure. This story has a very classic feel Yet evokes things like Howard's Conan, Joe Abercrombie First Law Trilogy, and has the whimsy of more classical fantasy like The Last Unicorn, Princess Bride or The Black Cauldron. This is the best new fantasy novel I have read in a long-term period I can't wait to read more great adventures in the world.