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Shards of Fate
An epic fantasy trilogy for hardcore fans of the genre!A paladin of darkness, a knight of Death, and the very embodiment of the burdening title of Dark Prince, without being "allowed" to love, be granted a chance at a normal life, or even the right to find peace in death, Thaidren must understand and overcome the challenges brought by his unwanted legacy, uncovering the full extent of it in the process to assure his survival, along with the best possible outcome for the future of existence and its denizens. His tale begins and ends in darkness, but the pavement of his road will glow with cold light, and the helping hand of a guardian as ancient as the Shards of Fate themselves.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2024
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 19, 2025
After reading the book I felt like Thaidren story didn’t go anywhere for me. This leads to the plot. What’s the plot? What is the objective? Is it a benefit for the main character or characters or is it something used as an evil weapon to use against the main characters?
What are the main characters objectives? Do they coronate with plot? I continue to read to see if the book would provide more information around the characters. A sort of a way to help the reader be more familiar with them. There was none of that.
I was unsure of universe that Thaidren and his mother resided in. The dialogue was very thick with the uncle. It states that he’s a dwarf, the mom is a tall mage. The dialogue was so confusing between the characters. What they talking about or referring too?
The stories timeline moved very fast without a clear paragraph or chapter explaining what happened in the past, present and or what to look for in the future. What’s their story? So many outlines to writing a book was missed with this book? I did not enjoy this book. Until next time my fellow readers.
Read on! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What are the main characters objectives? Do they coronate with plot? I continue to read to see if the book would provide more information around the characters. A sort of a way to help the reader be more familiar with them. There was none of that.
I was unsure of universe that Thaidren and his mother resided in. The dialogue was very thick with the uncle. It states that he’s a dwarf, the mom is a tall mage. The dialogue was so confusing between the characters. What they talking about or referring too?
The stories timeline moved very fast without a clear paragraph or chapter explaining what happened in the past, present and or what to look for in the future. What’s their story? So many outlines to writing a book was missed with this book? I did not enjoy this book. Until next time my fellow readers.
Read on! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 25, 2024
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A much-awaited breath of fresh air in the realm of fantasy literature. In a saturated market filled with bland epic fantasy stories, Edward Loom introduces a truly captivating and dark experience that stands out from the crowd.
The story focuses on Thaidren, a dark paladin whose destiny was already picked for him before he was even born. Like his father and ancestors before him, he has no chance at the normal life he desires. Despite being surrounded by darkness, Thaidren is a highly likable character, relatable, and kind. The world he lives in has a myriad of races, reminiscent of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.
The first volume in the Thanatium Heros series serves as a splendid introduction to the potentially massive world built by the author. It does leave you with questions but the first book is so well-written, that you’ll hope the second one comes out soon. Loom’s writing is on par with the well-known epic/high fantasy authors but hopefully, he will not pull a Martin or Rothfus on us with the rest of the series.
One thing that might be of particular appeal to many readers is the lack of heavy romance that is suffocating the fantasy market right now. It’s the perfect read for those who are absolutely sick of Sarah J. Maas or Rebecca Yarros, however, the story is not solely targeted to male readers, as one might assume. It’s filled with strong, magic-wielding female characters that do not disappoint, no matter if they’re heroes or villains.
Shards of Fate is a promising new release for fans of Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, Stephen Erikson, and Robert Jordan, that has huge potential and a very strong foundation.
A much-awaited breath of fresh air in the realm of fantasy literature. In a saturated market filled with bland epic fantasy stories, Edward Loom introduces a truly captivating and dark experience that stands out from the crowd.
The story focuses on Thaidren, a dark paladin whose destiny was already picked for him before he was even born. Like his father and ancestors before him, he has no chance at the normal life he desires. Despite being surrounded by darkness, Thaidren is a highly likable character, relatable, and kind. The world he lives in has a myriad of races, reminiscent of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.
The first volume in the Thanatium Heros series serves as a splendid introduction to the potentially massive world built by the author. It does leave you with questions but the first book is so well-written, that you’ll hope the second one comes out soon. Loom’s writing is on par with the well-known epic/high fantasy authors but hopefully, he will not pull a Martin or Rothfus on us with the rest of the series.
One thing that might be of particular appeal to many readers is the lack of heavy romance that is suffocating the fantasy market right now. It’s the perfect read for those who are absolutely sick of Sarah J. Maas or Rebecca Yarros, however, the story is not solely targeted to male readers, as one might assume. It’s filled with strong, magic-wielding female characters that do not disappoint, no matter if they’re heroes or villains.
Shards of Fate is a promising new release for fans of Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, Stephen Erikson, and Robert Jordan, that has huge potential and a very strong foundation.
October 18, 2024
Shards of Fate is an enthralling start to what promises to be an epic fantasy trilogy for devoted fans of the genre. Edward Loom weaves a dark and intricate tale that plunges readers into the world of Thanatium Heroes, introducing Thaidren, a complex and tormented protagonist.
Thaidren's journey as a paladin of darkness and the bearer of the title "Dark Prince" is marked by a constant struggle against his cursed legacy. The novel explores the weight of his responsibilities, the isolation that comes with being denied the most fundamental aspects of life—love, peace, and even a proper death. Loom masterfully constructs a narrative that balances action and introspection, giving readers a glimpse into the inner turmoil Thaidren faces as he grapples with his unwanted fate.
The world-building in Shards of Fate is both detailed and immersive. Loom crafts a universe where the stakes are not just personal but extend to the future of existence itself. The introduction of ancient powers, such as the guardian tied to the Shards of Fate, adds layers of intrigue and mystery. Readers are left eagerly anticipating how Thaidren’s destiny will unfold as he uncovers the full extent of his role in shaping the future.
What makes Shards of Fate stand out is its ability to fuse traditional fantasy elements with a darker, more introspective tone. Fans of the genre who appreciate character-driven stories filled with high stakes, moral ambiguity, and a touch of the macabre will find this book captivating.
Overall, Shards of Fate delivers on its promise of a deep, brooding epic that explores the themes of fate, legacy, and survival. It is a strong foundation for the Thanatium Heroes trilogy, and readers will be left eager for the next installment.
Happy reading ❤️✨
June 1, 2024
I am not a fan of the fantasy genre. I struggled to read Lord of the Rings. However, Edward Loom’s novel “Shards of Fate” has blown me away. Captured by the first line, my interest was kept throughout the novel, and be prepared to be left speechless by the end of the novel.
Edward Loom builds a world filled with half-human, half-magical characters, in a world fighting against demonic forces. There is a hierarchy in the demonic realm, which Edward presents in a gradual manner, introducing the lowest elements building up the suspense to the highest members of the demonic realm.
The journey is for each reader to discover the beauty and elegance of the writing. I especially connected to the fights liberating the enslaved women who were being abused in the mine. But there is a myriad of subjects to capture the attention of any reader.
My most beloved character was the dwarf Thraik, whose humor lightens up an otherwise serious and thought-provoking novel. Whenever Thraik talked, I felt I was having a beer with a friend, watching how the forces of good collaborate and prepare to defend Earth against formidably powerful demonic forces.
I highly recommend this novel. Can’t wait to read the sequel!
Edward Loom builds a world filled with half-human, half-magical characters, in a world fighting against demonic forces. There is a hierarchy in the demonic realm, which Edward presents in a gradual manner, introducing the lowest elements building up the suspense to the highest members of the demonic realm.
The journey is for each reader to discover the beauty and elegance of the writing. I especially connected to the fights liberating the enslaved women who were being abused in the mine. But there is a myriad of subjects to capture the attention of any reader.
My most beloved character was the dwarf Thraik, whose humor lightens up an otherwise serious and thought-provoking novel. Whenever Thraik talked, I felt I was having a beer with a friend, watching how the forces of good collaborate and prepare to defend Earth against formidably powerful demonic forces.
I highly recommend this novel. Can’t wait to read the sequel!
June 13, 2024
The book has been a bit of a mixed bag for me, it has a lot of neat ideas and concepts but not all seem fully explored or fleshed out, so to be entirely fair I'll go through the pros and cons.
Pros.
The main cast of characters are pretty likable and a few of their interactions are fun.
There are a lot of concepts of magic, good vs evil, invisible forces of work etc with their own twists.
The book did catch me and I found myself, wanting to read further and see how it would proceed.
Cons.
The world building could use some work, as some locations, descriptive passages or even the magic system isn't always fully explored.
While some characters got a lot of love, some of them, and their relationships feel a bit under cooked.
This leads into a lot of surprised that come from lack of foreshadowing and setup.
Overall for a first book this despite its flaws I did find the book entertaining and hope to see the author evolve in his future works.
Pros.
The main cast of characters are pretty likable and a few of their interactions are fun.
There are a lot of concepts of magic, good vs evil, invisible forces of work etc with their own twists.
The book did catch me and I found myself, wanting to read further and see how it would proceed.
Cons.
The world building could use some work, as some locations, descriptive passages or even the magic system isn't always fully explored.
While some characters got a lot of love, some of them, and their relationships feel a bit under cooked.
This leads into a lot of surprised that come from lack of foreshadowing and setup.
Overall for a first book this despite its flaws I did find the book entertaining and hope to see the author evolve in his future works.
April 9, 2024
A great read and something different from what I usually read, but was surprisingly pleased. I fell in love with each character in their own ways but my favorite so far has to be Aramant, his character growth from start to finish in just one book made me love-hate and then just love him.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews