Wrath of the Storm Lord
About
Literary Titan Award Winner
A Tale of Power, Grief, and the Chains That Bind Us
“Remember who you are.”
Once, Jerith was only a man—a leader, a brother, a rebel fighting against a tyrant’s rule. Then, in a single moment of unleashed fury, he became something more. Something terrible. Something that even his own people fear.
Now, in the ruins of Ver’Sut, the Storm Lord stands at the edge of legend. His power has shattered walls, unmade kings, and turned nature itself into his weapon. But when his own strength cost him the life of his brother, Jerith learned a truth more painful than any wound:
Power without restraint is destruction. Strength without purpose is ruin.
With his people looking to him as both savior and monster, Jerith must decide—will he take the broken crown they offer, ruling not by right but by fear? Or will he honor his brother’s last words and become something greater than a weapon of war?
As allies watch with wary eyes, as old enemies retreat into the shadows, and as the echoes of the storm still whisper his name, Jerith must confront the one battle he has never truly fought:
The war within himself.
A sweeping tale of war, power, and redemption, The Storm Lord’s Burden is perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss, and John Gwynne.
- Epic battles.
- Devastating magic.
- A hero haunted by his own power.
Some crowns must be broken before they can be truly worn.
Praise for this book
"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."
"5.0 out of 5 stars A Stunning Epic of Power and Heart
Wrath of the Storm Lord is an absolute triumph—a sweeping, emotional rollercoaster that left me in awe of JS Herod’s storytelling. This second installment in the Saga of the Storm Lord takes everything I loved about Jerith’s journey and cranks it up to breathtaking heights. From the opening pages, I was hooked by the weight of his grief and the raw, untamed power that defines him. This isn’t just a tale of epic battles and devastating magic (though it delivers both in spades); it’s a deeply human story about a man wrestling with who he’s become—and who he could still be.
Jerith, the Storm Lord, is a character you can’t help but root for. His transformation from rebel leader to a figure both revered and feared is gripping, and the loss of his brother haunts every choice he makes. I felt his struggle in my bones—power without restraint is destruction, and Herod masterfully shows how that lesson shapes him. The action scenes are pulse-pounding, with storms tearing through the pages like a living force, but it’s the quieter moments of doubt and redemption that truly stole my heart.
The world of Ver’Sut is richly drawn, filled with wary allies, shadowy enemies, and a sense of history that pulls you in. Fans of Brandon Sanderson or John Gwynne will feel right at home with the intricate magic and political tension, but Jerith’s personal war within himself sets this apart. I couldn’t put it down, and that ending left me desperate for more. This is epic fantasy at its finest—bold, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. A perfect 5 stars!"