A Tempest of Shadows: Chronicles of the Bard King: Book One

by J.S. Herod, J.A. Miles

In a realm where the whispers of ancient magic breathe life into dark ambitions, "A Tempest of Shadows" casts a spellbinding narrative that intertwines the fates of heroes and tyrants. As the very fabric of reality quivers under the weight of war and the insatiable thirst for power, Aerendil and Liana embark on a perilous odyssey. Their journey, fraught with treacherous paths and the search for elusive truths, becomes a symbol for those caught in the tumult of conflict. The Sutori, ensnared by their duty yet guided by a fragile conscience, confront the harrowing repercussions of their choices. Amidst this chaos, the once serene heart of the Fae realm ignites, serving as a poignant reminder of war's profound costs.Jerith's relentless pursuit of ancient artifacts sets the stage for a cataclysm that could unravel the very threads of existence. Kingdoms teeter on the edge of despair as a complex web of lives—bound by destiny and torn by ambition—unfolds. Against a backdrop rich with secret alliances and the enigmatic allure of ancient enchantments, this epic saga tests the mettle of its characters. Loyalties are imperiled, and the distinction between heroism and tyranny becomes ever more elusive.Delve deep into the heart of betrayal, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of dominion. As the fate of entire realms teeters precariously, "A Tempest of Shadows" explores the fragile line separating salvation from obliteration. In this world, every decision, every alliance, and every secret harbors the potential to either save or shatter everything.

Genres: Fantasy

435 pages, Hardcover

Published March 23, 2024

About the author

J.S. Herod is a Literary Titan Award-winning author of immersive epic fantasy and romantasy, celebrated for his deep character work, layered storytelling, and evocative, lived-in worlds. His writing style blends emotionally charged prose with a touch of grit and humor, grounding high fantasy in very human experiences.

Though he currently lives in the quiet rural town of Myrtle, Mississippi, Herod’s roots stretch across the country. Born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in southeastern Oklahoma on the Choctaw Nation Reservation, his early years were shaped by tribal storytellers and long hours wandering libraries at Ole Miss while his mother pursued a degree in Linguistics. As a teenager with a thirst for knowledge and a love of words, he was fortunate enough to sit in on college-level literature and linguistics classes—experiences that lit a lifelong fire for language and story.

Later, he spent two decades moving from state to state—from Texas to North Carolina to Pennsylvania—collecting memories, mistakes, and a kind of wisdom that only comes from living a few lifetimes in one. Those years, and the people in them, gave him an enduring belief in the power of found family, a theme that echoes through all his work.

Herod’s characters are flawed, fierce, and heartbreakingly real—struggling with trauma, mental health, love, and loyalty. And while his stories span vast kingdoms and mythical lands, they are always, at their core, about connection. “I don’t have friends,” he often says. “I have extended family.”

When he isn’t writing, you’ll likely find him designing book covers, editing trailers, or brushing up on marketing—doing everything himself as an independent author. But when he manages to steal a quiet moment? Picture a leather chair, a glass of 15-year-old Macallan, a fine Macanudo, and a well-worn classic in hand.

His goal? To make you feel something. To make you remember.

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

While starting slowly, this book picks up nicely about halfway through. The growth of the characters is interesting, some going in directions that weren't expected, others following the exact path that had been laid out before them, and still others we are still waiting to find out where their road will lead.

There were a few jarring moments where the editing seemed to take a moment and move past it, only to go back and move past it again, as if the writer wasn't sure how they wanted to tell it. This pulled me out of my immersion however the story was good enough that after stepping away from the book, I could gather back in and enjoy it.

[꧁ Brutally Honest ꧂ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was written all by AI. Come on.

[Chewable Orb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Tempest of Shadows: Revised Edition by Joe Herod


Our novel starts inside a cozy inn, protected from the tumultuous elements of the outside world. A weathered bard fascinates those in attendance with a story of intrigue and suspense. By a crackling fire, he delves deep within a tale, a labyrinth mixed with immense emotions and self-adulation.


JS Herod, our skillful artificer, produces a lush world that will appeal to lovers of the fantasy genre. Jerith, our main antagonist, seeks definitive power. From the onset, we oversee a chaotic battle within Terronholdt. The Storm Lord's prize is the discovery of an ancient civilization and the power it holds buried deep underneath the city.


Escaping Terronholdt, Queen Liana, her newborn child Baelen, and her group of trusted guardians flee through underground tunnels and find themselves in the world of the Fae. Aerendil, a banished fae and close friend to the now-deceased King Josiah, has sworn to protect the queen. Being chased by Jerith's Sutori, his most skilled warriors, Liana's group seeks refuge within Aarendil's enchanted homeland to regroup. As both contingencies move East toward Eldwood, our author unfurls more unforeseen plot complexities.


I love strong characters, characters I root for, and villains worthy of my utmost distaste. Jerith, a maniacal leader, is a man who is not satisfied with anything less than ultimate superiority within the realm. His intrinsic ability to cook up annihilation at a moment's whim was impressive, bringing forth an inherent hatred within my heart. A cast of characters equally written to provoke my feelings, I was enamored by our group of escapees. Here in lies the strength of the book. There were various amounts of personalities to choose from, with whom the readers may relate. A smorgasbord of backstory also piqued my senses and created a variety of complexity.


What are the negatives? Our plot in itself is simplistic in telling. Good versus evil. I wouldn't consider this a new take on something I have indulged in before. Magic systems that were interesting but not ground-breaking.


All in all, who doesn't love bad guys with morality issues? Discoveries of ancient artifacts from long-lost tombs? Sign me up. I had a sense of utter enjoyment in retrospect. I concluded that parts of the tale were slow, allowing the reader to digest the complexities of each character. It wasn't a drawback from my experience, but rather a great stepping stone for what will become of the series.


I am giving this 4 out of 5 stars! I can recommend it to all lovers of the epic fantasy genre.


Thanks to Reedsy for access to this free Arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jeffrey Aitken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost four stars, but a little slow too often.

This epic novel offers an immersive fantasy experience set in the detailed realm of Terrenholdt. King Josiah Dross battles to defend his kingdom from the dark forces led by Jerith Al’Sut.

The world building is one of the novel’s best features, painting a rich landscape filled with political intrigue, magic, and a variety of dynamic realms.

The settings, such as Castle Terrenholdt and the mystical Faewild, are described with a depth that pulls readers into the story.

The characters are well-crafted, each with distinct voices and motivations that add layers to the narrative.

The central conflict, involving Josiah’s defence against Jerith and the personal stakes surrounding his newborn son, sets a firm foundation for the plot.

However, some aspects will benefit from further development.

Many of Jerith’s motivations, for example, are not explained, which makes the actions of the antagonist shallow.

While the plot is engaging, the pacing is uneven. The story crawls at the start, with rich but prolonged exposition that delays the introduction of the central conflict.

However, some critical action scenes feel rushed, lacking sufficient buildup.

The narrative also relies on much exposition, telling the reader when more dynamic scenes will show character emotions and motivations.

Dialogue is effective but occasionally stilted, and some conversations will better serve the plot by feeling more natural and purposeful.

Backstory Integration could be more seamless; certain sections deliver large info-dumps that disrupt the flow.

Despite these criticisms, it’s an engaging read with appeal for fans of epic fantasy.

Those who enjoy intricate world building and character-driven stories will find much to appreciate here.

However, the manuscript will benefit from revisions to clarify the plot, enhance pacing, and reduce exposition.

This read has the foundations of a captivating tale but needs further editing to realise its potential.

[George Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tempest of Shadows: Revised Edition is a dark, traditional epic fantasy anchored by a compelling antagonist and a richly imagined world. Jerith Al’Sut is a villain driven by ambition and dominance, and his presence casts a long shadow over every thread of the story. The framing through a bard’s tale, the flight of Queen Liana and her allies, and the gradual expansion into fae realms and ancient powers give the novel a classic, fireside legend feel. While the central conflict follows familiar good versus evil lines, the strength of the characters and the deliberate pacing make this a solid foundation for a larger series that rewards patient readers.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like an idiot, I kind of read these out of order so I read the other series first. BUT now I get to see the behind the scenes, so to speak, of Jerith. This world building the author has is phenomenal. The characters...you love them or you love to hate them. They bring out so much emotion in you while you read. When I say I can't wait for more, I meant it. Anyone who sees these books should give them a read. I don't think you'd be disappointed. I know I wasn't.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the epic fantasy books, which is well written, good world building with characters that show growth.

The journey through Eldwood had me on edge, not knowing if who they meet is friend or foe. Filled with challenges and secrets, the book brings out the emotions of loyalty, friendship, fear, and love, as each of them strive to survive.

I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Madhavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mind-boggling amount of research must have gone into the writing of this book as every character, every scene, every chapter is written in such detail as if the author had keenly witnessed the story rather than imagined it. This attention to detail reminded me of JRR Tolkien's works. The story is filled with as much human frailties as fantasy. Most definitely a worthy read, a great series as the author promises.

[Thomas Guaraldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and Meaningful story

This is a great story filled with characters that you can connect with embrace. The story is filled with vivid, lively, and moving descriptive details, painting a picture of what's going on at the time, with rich dialog. I am captured by this story and pray more comes out of this wonderful work.

[John Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastically fun rip roaring fantasy adventure. This story has a very classic feel Yet evokes things like Howard's Conan, Joe Abercrombie First Law Trilogy, and has the whimsy of more classical fantasy like The Last Unicorn, Princess Bride or The Black Cauldron. This is the best new fantasy novel I have read in a long-term period I can't wait to read more great adventures in the world.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this on a Book Bub deal... The world building in this book is insanely good. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next. All hail the storm lord!

[Michelle Benoit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to read the next in the series! We'll written, great character development and storyline. Couldn't put the book down!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rob · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book promised the following:

What You’ll Find Inside:
▪Epic Battles and Intricate Strategies: Engage in thrilling battles and witness the strategic maneuvers that can turn the tide of war.
▪Magical Artifacts and Ancient Secrets: Discover powerful artifacts and uncover ancient secrets that could change the fate of the kingdom.
▪Emotional Depth and Personal Growth: Connect with characters on a profound level as they grow, change, and face their deepest fears.

Unfortunately, I felt it did not deliver on these promises. It felt like an awkward mishmash of a transcripted D&D session with attempts at depth and romantasy. It failed to connect with me.

Another reviewer makes some damning accusations that the book may have been A.I. generated, and the overwrought yet lifeless cadence to the writing certainly lends credence to this. I won't be as overt as they were in shaming the author, but the evidence they cite is reasonable to cause one to suspect.

Regardless, this book and by extension the rest of this series, are a No for me.

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

EDIT TO ADD: It seems he has redacted the bio I cite below, removing the "channeling Hemingway, London, and Rothfuss" fallacy that I called him out for. Did he instead opt for honesty and transparency by admitting his published works are the output of generative AI? Of course not. He instead now flaunts his status as a 'Literary Titan Award' winner, which is the literary equivalent of a teeball participation trophy: you pay the Literary Titan company for their bogus 5 star review, you get a handy dandy award as a bonus! Hey, I guess it's better than actually putting in the time to hone your craft and produce a pure, from-the-heart original work.

Original review below:


In the credited author's bio, he mentions channeling Hemingway, London, and Rothfuss. Given that these writer's books were all scraped as training material by the AI that actually wrote this book, it is with a fine sense of irony that the alleged author literally is channeling their writing.

Why do I say this book is written by AI? Because once you've seen AI written prose, you can't un-see it, and sadly the fantasy category on Kindle Unlimited is saturated with it. The distinctive sentence structure, turns of phrase, and vocabulary choices are all there. Look up "AI-isms" sometime, and behold the glaring tells, many of them "barely above a whisper," a "testament" to their "unwavering" "determination." The "tapestry" woven throughout the so-called writing is "palpable."

Also, the character names. Nearly every AI written fantasy book shat upon the Kindle Unlimited ecosystem have a Liona or a Kael in them. Congratulations, this book has both. All that's missing is an Elara and the AI unoriginal naming hat trick would be complete.

Helpful hint: ChatGPT and Anthropic Claude do not have the capacity for true creativity, That's not how language models work. Those innovative ideas it returned from whatever prompt that was fed into it? It's given the same, or nearly the same output to thousands of other prolific authors whose literary careers, like this "author," erupted at the exact same time in the wake of ChatGPT's debut.

To the author: I know the temptation to use tools like ChatGPT and Claude is strong, but if you’re serious about writing, I’d encourage you to embrace your own creativity and be open about how you’re crafting your work. If you want to be respected as an author, transparency is essential.

To potential readers: Strongest possible recommendation to avoid this.