A Sanctum of Swords Embers Edition

An Embers of the Past Series Novel

Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
361 Pages
Reviewed on 05/15/2024
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

An avid peruser of general historical periods that he has often found most interesting, John enjoys looking into how life could have been in times the modern world often imagines about, via many media and entertainment sources.

He enjoys watching many movies and shows of various genres and quality, from Gladiator (classic) to Cowboy Bebop (another classic). Also playing many real-time strategy games (often failing), and narrative intense roleplaying video games such as Pillars of Eternity, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Spellforce 3 and expansions (Underrated, seriously!)

He enjoys reading from time to time, despite having most of his time consumed by life nowadays. Chronicles of the Black Company series by Glen Cook, The Brimstone Angels series by Erin M. Evans, and any Warhammer 40,000 Aeldari related audio books are excellent suggestions.

John lives a quiet I.T. life in Nashville when he is not writing/reading in his spare time.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

A Sanctum of Swords: Embers Edition is penned by author John Malone in the epic fantasy, adventure, and interpersonal drama genres, and is part of the Embers of the Past series. The work is intended for young adult readers. This thrilling adventure delves into a world ravaged by cataclysm, where mortals rebuild amidst the lurking threat of ancient evil. In the era of the Ascension of Kings, war and treachery abound as kingdoms and cults vie for power, while the Sanctum Queen plots to unleash darkness upon the realm by summoning twin patron goddesses. Only a small group of nine unlikely heroes can thwart the impending catastrophe and prevent the destruction of civilization.

Author John Malone crafts a truly epic journey into a fantastical world teeming with magic, danger, and intrigue, and I was hooked right from the first page. Malone's vivid world-building is a standout feature from cover to cover, not only in the descriptive, cinematic detail of this sweeping fantasy world but also in the logic and social structure behind the attitudes of the characters, making them all the more realistically situated within the world itself. These richly developed characters draw readers deeper into the story with compelling, unique dialogue that characterizes our heroes and tells us so much about them without ever having to spoon-feed us the information. The looming threat of the Twin Deities of the Void bubbles away with great pacing, urgency, and tension, and the moral dilemmas that the heroes face are suitably complex for the YA audience and enjoyably thought-provoking. Overall, A Sanctum of Swords is a thrilling adventure that I would highly recommend to YA fantasy fans everywhere.