Return of Eve

by Daphne Paige

WHEN THE SWORD OF DEATH IS SHATTERED, THE SWORD OF LIFE MUST BE REFORGED.

Emilia only remembers two years of her life–everything before she woke up on a park bench in the Earthen Realm covered in blood is a puzzle to her. But after a terrifying vision makes her the laughingstock of her senior year, she meets a mysterious boy with a scar and a smirk who promises to fill in the sixteen-year gap in her memory. Reunited with long-forgotten friends, she embarks on a journey to repair Eve, the Sword of Life, and save her kingdom. However, her journey is cut short when an army of vampires overtakes her palace–sent by the man who killed her father and broke her heart.

Now Emilia has to make a choice… Either stay the prisoner of her corrupt ex-fiancé or kill him and inherit the evil that taints his blood.

Embark on a dark fantasy adventure, full of mages, vampires, and corruption.

Genres: Fantasy, Ebooks, Dark, Romantasy, Romance

354 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2024

About the author

Amazon best-selling author, Daphne Paige, has always loved writing; watching and learning from her mother, who’s also a writer. With the majority of her time spent writing, the breaks between stories makes her remember she has an actual life away from her characters.

During those breaks, she loves to play video games, hangout with her various pets, and watch classic black and white films with her family.

Daphne lives in Oregon helping her family with their popcorn business, operating her small press, Popcorn Publishing, and playing with her puppy, Gimli.

Daphne is primarily active on Instagram under the handle @daphne.paige.books

Reviews

[C V Jacques · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good !

[Deani Inkdrinker8962 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy with lots of mystery

I enjoyed this story. Lots of surprises and mystery. I didn't see half of it coming. I'll need to read book 2 to see how it ends.

[Amy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great refresher for me! I haven't been able to finish a book in a few months and I was able to finish this one quickly! I would recommend this book!!

[C.J. Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the premise of this book!

Very “Narnia-esque” in some ways. And the way Paige weaves intrigue and the metaphysical with the more traditional elements of fantasy is masterful and delightful. So, what did the Unicorn REALLY say when he walked into a bar?

[Mike Diener · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return of Eve was a cool introduction to a much larger world.

The absolute best part of this book is the writing! I loved the prose. It's really difficult to balance description and narrative, and I think the author did that perfectly. It made for really readable scenes and chapters.

I also loved the pacing. Both the individual scenes and overall through the book, it was quick without feeling rushed. There was a section early on where I felt like the pace lulled for a few chapters, but other than that, it was excellent.

The characters were interesting. The backstories felt like there was a lot more to explore in future books. I liked their interactions, and I felt like they rounded out the book well.

I enjoyed learning about the different kingdoms and realms, and I am sure we only got a taste of what is to come in future books.

I won't give spoilers on the plot, but I'll say that it worked well in this book.

It's worth mentioning that the tone of the book seemed to oscillate between dark and a little too light and fluffy. When I picked up the book, I was expecting spooky with maybe a murder-fantasy vibe, and the book definitely has that, but it also have some scenes that were almost too light. Those same scenes also coincided with the lull in pace, and it was early on, so it didn't really affect my reading on the book all that much.

Overall, I think this was a good first book to a series that I expect to grow darker and more intense.

[K.V. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent portal fantasy! The descriptions of the various kingdoms were unique and vibrant--especially the underwater one with kelpies, mermaids, etc. The author put a fun spin on magical creatures and races such as vampires. I love the grey area between good and evil, and this was explored in such an interesting way.

At times, the plot seemed predictable, but there were also unexpected twists that balanced it out and made it an exciting ride. I loved the ending--a sense of finality but also a cliffhanger that made me grateful the second book has just been released and I can jump right into it.

[Daphne Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I love this book so much! I wrote the first draft when I was 12, then six years later I rewrote it, and it finally released in all its shiny, edited, glorious beauty February 2024. These characters have such a big piece of my heart and I hope they can wiggle their way into yours too. It's full of found family banter with twists and turns that I hope you aren't expecting, lol.

A Little Content Guide/TWs:
- violence
- death
- clean language
- no spice

Available in KU, and paperbacks can be found online + my signed copy shop (popcorn-publishing.com)
Hardcovers with an exclusive illustration release on March 20th 2025! 💘

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely blew me away. From the first page, I was hooked by Emilia’s mysterious past and the way the author slowly revealed her story. The mix of magic, danger, and romance had me glued to the pages all night.

[Melvine Clinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually read fantasy, but Return of Eve made me fall in love with the genre again. The writing is vivid, the characters feel alive, and the emotional weight behind Emilia’s choices gave me chills.

[Jackie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I cannot wait for the next book! I have to know what happens next to these characters. I don't want to give anything away, but I did not see that ending coming. Wow!

[Alba Dorado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read is as fantastic and dark as the cover's vibes promised me but also refreshing and with mental health representation. I recommend it.

[Emmanuel Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daphne Paige has created a masterpiece here. The concept of Eve, the Sword of Life, is so unique, and the tension with Emilia’s ex-fiancé made the story impossible to put down.

[Fabian Briggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded me why I love stories with strong female leads. Emilia is fierce but also vulnerable, and her journey kept me rooting for her until the very last page.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adventure! The world-building is so rich and immersive that I felt like I was walking through the Earthen Realm myself. Every twist kept me guessing, and that ending—wow!

[Jeff Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The romance in this book is perfectly balanced with the action and fantasy. The mysterious boy with the scar had me swooning, and his connection to Emilia was both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

[JEFFREY SHAWN · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of YA fantasy, but this one stands out. The plot is original, the pacing is sharp, and the emotional stakes are sky-high. I’m already waiting for a sequel.

[John Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emilia’s struggle with her past and the moral choices she faces really hit me. The author didn’t shy away from exploring sacrifice and loyalty, which made it feel powerful and real.

[Kelly Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment Emilia wakes up with no memory, I was invested. The mystery of her past unfolds so beautifully, and the vampire twist gave me the dark fantasy vibes I love.

[Ava Bradford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deserves all the stars. The writing is sharp, the dialogue feels natural, and the action scenes are cinematic. I could easily see this as a movie or series.

[Lauren James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cried, I gasped, and I smiled while reading this book. Few stories have pulled me through such a range of emotions the way Return of Eve did.

[Lil Mhikel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how Emilia isn’t just a chosen one—she’s flawed, she doubts herself, and that makes her even more relatable. Watching her grow into her power was inspiring.

[Liora Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daphne Paige has such a gift for weaving fantasy with raw emotion. The betrayal, the heartbreak, and the courage made this story unforgettable.

[Luiz Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The supporting characters were just as memorable as Emilia. Each one had depth and purpose, which made the friendships and reunions hit even harder.

[Friedrich claus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn in by the cover, but the story inside was even better than I expected. Every chapter ended with me wanting more.

[Elijah william · Rating 3 out of 5]

The vampire invasion scene was pure brilliance. I could see the chaos unfolding in my mind, and the tension was so strong that I was holding my breath.

[Evelyn Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how the story explored the price of power. Emilia’s choice between becoming a prisoner or embracing darkness gave the book such a powerful edge.

[Robert Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like classic fantasy with a modern twist. The sword, the kingdom, the romance—it gave me everything I wanted in a book and more.

[Sabine Traeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished Return of Eve in just two days because I couldn’t stop reading. The cliffhangers kept me flipping the pages way past bedtime.

[Sandra Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal start to what I hope is a long series. The author has created a world and a heroine I don’t want to leave behind. Five stars without hesitation.

[Mrs Amanda Lamyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style was a little too child-like for me. Story was ok and I hate not finishing books so I kept going but I won't read the next one.