A Land of Lightning and Liars

Realm at War Trilogy #2

by L.P. Cowling

The world is shrinking.

Lithan is the scheming King of Winterhold, trying to step out of his father’s shadow, and rebuild after losing the Battle of Winterhold. He and his people are scrambling to defend themselves from the encroaching Arvandorians, who wish to rule the entire human realm.

Thae’lenal is the Warchief of the Elves, who are abandoning their ancestral home of the Stardust Isle, in order to flee the desolation that their kind had wrought on the land. They will bring their steel and magic to the human realm, to carve out a new life for their people, by force.

Their struggles will become one in a tale of promise, betrayal, and hope, to decide the fate of the north, and the entire elven race.

Unknown Binding

Published December 19, 2023

About the author

Luke Cowling was born in beautiful country New South Wales, Australia. And now lives in rural Victoria with his wife Rosemarie, four boys, two cats, and their dog.

Some of Cowling's inspirations include Mark Lawrence, Brandon Sanderson, Samantha Shannon, and GRR Martin. Lovers of these authors will find Cowling's work teaming with likeness!

Reviews

[L.P. Cowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is all done now! Final manuscript is locked in, the cover art from Fay is done, and we're gearing up for a late December pre-order window. I hope everyone who stumbles upon the series enjoys this entry, and I look forward to bringing the final book to you soon (:

[P Bagel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating tale of power, survival, and the collision of two worlds. The story skillfully weaves together the struggles of Lithan, the determined King of Winterhold, and Thae’lenal, the resolute Elven Warchief, as their paths cross in a battle for survival and dominance. The plot is rich with betrayal and hope, keeping readers engaged with its intricate world-building and compelling conflicts.
The novel excels in creating a vivid and immersive world, filled with steel, magic, and the desperate fight for a future. The stakes feel real, and the challenges faced by both the humans and the elves are portrayed with an intensity that draws you in.
However, where the book falls short is in its emotional depth. While the plot provides ample opportunities to stir deep feelings, the emotional beats often miss their mark, leaving certain moments feeling a bit flat. Additionally, some parts feel rushed, with scenes that could have been pivotal lacking the necessary time to fully evolve. The story would have benefited from a longer page count to give certain moments the space they need to develop and resonate with readers.
Despite these issues, it still remains an excellent read for fans of epic fantasy. Its imaginative setting and high-stakes drama more than make up for its shortcomings. I’d highly recommend it to readers who enjoy intricate plots and morally complex characters.

[Amanda Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts after the protag have their first child. Then follows the elves searching for a new home in the human realm and a tragedy that follows. The elves being predators to the humans makes an interesting part of the story.
back in the kingdom, the queen is trying to figure out who is murdering subjects and why. and now a returned goddess encroaches on the other god's territory, causing conflict between the humans.

It is of my opinion that the book could use more action/adventure scenes especially with the human parts and more attention should have been given to the elven chapters in the first half, but overall I enjoyed the book