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Mark of the Profane
Ralloc faces inevitable defeat, and all resistance has been shattered. Yet, the dark lord, Xilor, has remained absent on the battlefield.
Two additional squads of Krey mobilize to Dlad City, falling under Xenomene’s command. Her enemies close in from all sides, and someone she once called an ally has left her for dead.
And Starriace, battered, broken, and beaten, journeys down a dark path to claim her revenge and unlock the mysteries of the brimstones. But her decisions may bring desolation.
Mark of the Profane is the second installment of the Dark Legacy Series.
Two additional squads of Krey mobilize to Dlad City, falling under Xenomene’s command. Her enemies close in from all sides, and someone she once called an ally has left her for dead.
And Starriace, battered, broken, and beaten, journeys down a dark path to claim her revenge and unlock the mysteries of the brimstones. But her decisions may bring desolation.
Mark of the Profane is the second installment of the Dark Legacy Series.
Paperback
Published April 1, 2024
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Kyle Belote
11 books23 followersTwenty-year vet writer of novellas and tomes; the grittier, the darker, the more the characters must go through, the better. In the bleakest of worlds, characters shine all the more! I strive to make readers weep, not only because I just slaughtered their favorite character, but because the ending was sudden, unexpected, and impactful!
My genres are grimdark epic fantasy, military sci-fi fantasy, horror/thriller, and currently working on a western fantasy about monster-slaying bounty hunters working for the gods of their holy house.
I'm a wandering Texan who served Uncle Sam for four years, moved about—'here and there and back again,' and been to the far reaches around the world. Always looking for another great adventure, some new idea to write and explore, and a couple of other things along the way to make my life complete.
If you want to know more, check out my blog: https://outpostdire.com
My genres are grimdark epic fantasy, military sci-fi fantasy, horror/thriller, and currently working on a western fantasy about monster-slaying bounty hunters working for the gods of their holy house.
I'm a wandering Texan who served Uncle Sam for four years, moved about—'here and there and back again,' and been to the far reaches around the world. Always looking for another great adventure, some new idea to write and explore, and a couple of other things along the way to make my life complete.
If you want to know more, check out my blog: https://outpostdire.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 31, 2024
An excellent read for those who love a deep, thought-provoking fantasy!
Mark of the Profane is a gripping exploration of the age-old battle between good and evil, masterfully weaving themes of power, corruption, and moral struggle. The narrative delves deep into the complexities of wielding dark forces, questioning whether the ends ever justify the means. The author crafts a compelling journey of identity and redemption, where every choice the protagonist makes carries profound consequences. This book is a reminder of how easily the line between light and darkness can blur, making it an unforgettable read.
Mark of the Profane is a gripping exploration of the age-old battle between good and evil, masterfully weaving themes of power, corruption, and moral struggle. The narrative delves deep into the complexities of wielding dark forces, questioning whether the ends ever justify the means. The author crafts a compelling journey of identity and redemption, where every choice the protagonist makes carries profound consequences. This book is a reminder of how easily the line between light and darkness can blur, making it an unforgettable read.
September 5, 2025
There are no words for this book,I’m at a loss for words on how to give this book the review it deserves but just know this book was captivating from start to finish.The vivid description,the authors new vocabulary,dragon and Elf history.A fantasy book through and through , I was HOOKEDDDDDDD .Although I had my reservations on not getting the story since I haven’t read the first book ,they vanished when I got into the middle of the story ,super easy read . I loved Xenomene ,total badasss .All in all this was a well written and fantastic book.
August 13, 2021
This second volume was not a let down.
Further character reveals, shocking history for some, and a totally unforeseeable climax. Evil still remains but clings to life as good licks their own deep wounds.
I've enjoyed Belote's books, and this one did not disappoint. The character development was amazing. Kyle does a fantastic job of showing the good and bad in everyone.
Read the series! It will help you understand yourself better.
Anxiously awaiting Volume III.
Further character reveals, shocking history for some, and a totally unforeseeable climax. Evil still remains but clings to life as good licks their own deep wounds.
I've enjoyed Belote's books, and this one did not disappoint. The character development was amazing. Kyle does a fantastic job of showing the good and bad in everyone.
Read the series! It will help you understand yourself better.
Anxiously awaiting Volume III.
July 27, 2025
technically I gave it a 3.5 to be exact. it took some time to read the 2nd one I expected a more fast paced but I wasn't not disappointed by the writing style.
this one didn't flow as well as I hoped,
Xenomene was so conflicted an I think got in their own way more than anything. I loved the world building but it was a bit wordy.
this one didn't flow as well as I hoped,
Xenomene was so conflicted an I think got in their own way more than anything. I loved the world building but it was a bit wordy.
September 29, 2025
this novel is the second installment in the Dark Legacy trilogy.
xilor is absent from the battlefield.
and additional troops arrived.
how a rebellion coups against the king. and how the battle unfolded all this told in a gripping manner.
this fantasy epic draws the reader into his world. and never leaves them.
loved the saga.
highly recommended.
xilor is absent from the battlefield.
and additional troops arrived.
how a rebellion coups against the king. and how the battle unfolded all this told in a gripping manner.
this fantasy epic draws the reader into his world. and never leaves them.
loved the saga.
highly recommended.
January 20, 2025
Review posted on my blog The Writer's Library.
When I start a series and love the first book, it’s not uncommon for me to feel somewhat nervous going into the second. This is because I really want to like the sequel.
Mark of the Profane was unfortunately disappointing for me. While I am still interested in Julie’s journey and what comes next with Ermaeyth, I came away from this volume wondering how I would put my feelings into words.
Before I jump into any attempt at that, though, let’s discuss what the story is about.
Summary
In this installment, Ralloc is struggling in the war against Xilor as he draws closer. As the Krey move out and try to stop his troops, their leader Xenomene finds herself contending with her own personal struggles on top of the conflict.
Meanwhile, Julie is still looking for ways to stop Xilor on her own. However, as she continues her quest, she begins to think about the people she has left behind. As she continues to journey on, she finds herself contending with guilt after making a choice that leads to unexpected consequences.
With Xilor drawing closer to Ralloc, will the Krey be able to hold Xilor off with Xenomene contending with more than just the war? And, at the same time, will Julie be able to find the answers she has been searching for?
Thoughts
I’m conflicted about some things. I have a lot of questions, and I am still trying to piece together quite a bit of this. One of the biggest reasons my feelings about this story are so lukewarm is because it spends too much time on Xenomene’s character arc, leaving me struggling to follow the rest of the story. Normally, I wouldn’t mind getting an in-depth look at one character’s personal journey, but the issue is that it was so heavily focused on that the war with Xilor isn’t even brought to the forefront until very late in the story. I’ll discuss this character in more detail in a bit.
The heavy focus on this arc causes another issue as well. There is a new character introduced in this story, but I feel like the story didn’t give me time to get to know him. We know his name, where he is coming from, and his goal in journeying to Ralloc. However, the narrative doesn’t even hint at the role he’ll play in the bigger picture, leaving me wondering what he’ll do if he achieves his main objective. Other than that, his role in the story is minimal and I wanted to see more from him.
I have some other things I want to talk about but, before I do, let’s discuss some of the other characters a bit more.
Characters
Xenomene
I have mixed feelings about Xenomene. On one hand, her journey in trying to figure out how to be accepted as a woman and a leader of the Krey is awesome to see! Her friends rallying behind her after they learn of what she’s been through is great as well, showing that she has respect and love from the members of the group she is closest with. I love that she is not afraid to stand up for herself and demands respect in return for the respect she gives her troops.
However, there were brief instances in the story where her reactions to certain characters didn’t make sense to me because it is established that she doesn’t know them well. While I have suspicions regarding where these feelings come from, I wish the story had stated the reasons for them and either hinted at what would come next or try and address them, especially after the other part of her personal arc is wrapped up.
Despite how much I liked a lot of her characteristics, I am questioning certain ways she feels and acts because I never saw any reason for those feelings.
Now that I’ve discussed Xenomene, let’s revisit Julie’s character.
Julie
So, last time I mentioned that Julie’s journey got darker as it went on. That continues in this volume, showing her as she continues to grow and experience new things in her quest to topple Xilor from power. And I like where this growth leads quite a bit. While Julie is still very flawed, seeing her face the entire situation and realize that there are still people she cares about despite all she’s been through is great to see.
That said, there are things about her journey that I am confused about. Mainly, I wonder how she found out more about her own background. From what I remember, there is no specific moment where she learns anything and when her sections began to reference what she has learned from time to time, I found myself wondering if I had missed when she had learned it. This plays into a larger concern I have with the story’s structure. I’ll discuss this issue more in that section, but in the moment, seeing the narrative disclose that Julie is aware of this information confused me.
Overall, I found it more difficult this time around to connect with the characters despite some of the positive aspects I noted about them.
Now that I’ve discussed that, let’s talk about the structure.
Structure
I think the structure is the main issue I am struggling with some of the character arcs. Much like last time, each chapter follows a different character and situation. However, the narrative largely focuses on one character arc most of the time in the first half of the story. This ended up shoving the events I wanted to hear about just as much (if not more) into the background. I wish there had been more of a balance between all these character arcs, because then I think some of them would have been easier to follow.
I also want to mention how certain pieces of information are divulged in the story. Like the issue I mentioned with Julie’s arc, there are other surprises that the narrative has. However, these reveals are not built up to. There are even certain scenarios that set up questions for the narrative to answer, but those answers are never hinted at or given before the story is over. As I said earlier, I do have a lot of questions about certain aspects of the narrative.
The structure didn’t feel as cohesive this time and overall, that led to instances where I had trouble following the story.
Writing
So, before I go into the prose, I want to look at the pacing. Because of what I outlined in the structure section, it was difficult to get attached to some of the character arcs, which in turn affected how the story flowed. The speed of the narrative felt meandering in a lot of places and, even when it did pick up, it often slowed down again shortly afterward. I think this is because of how many different arcs the story covers, but it doesn’t have an arc that works as the center of the story, which leads to that meandering pace.
It took me some time to pin down why the writing didn’t work as well for me this time, but I think I understand why now and will try to articulate it as best I can. The prose, while it does reflect the necessary mood and tone for each situation, felt flat and dry in certain instances. I think this is because of the pacing. With the pacing moving at a slower rate than I expected (especially in the first half of the story), important events didn’t feel as urgent.
Unfortunately, the writing didn’t impact me as heavily this time around because of all I’ve outlined.
Now that I’ve discussed all this, let’s wrap this review up.
Conclusion
I feel conflicted. The setup for the world and the story is awesome and I see a lot of interesting aspects to it that I wanted to know more about. Unfortunately, though, the structure and pacing of this installment make it move at a much slower speed which affected how I viewed the story. While I still see many interesting things about this world, this installment didn’t work as well for me and for that reason I will be giving it two stars.
When I start a series and love the first book, it’s not uncommon for me to feel somewhat nervous going into the second. This is because I really want to like the sequel.
Mark of the Profane was unfortunately disappointing for me. While I am still interested in Julie’s journey and what comes next with Ermaeyth, I came away from this volume wondering how I would put my feelings into words.
Before I jump into any attempt at that, though, let’s discuss what the story is about.
Summary
In this installment, Ralloc is struggling in the war against Xilor as he draws closer. As the Krey move out and try to stop his troops, their leader Xenomene finds herself contending with her own personal struggles on top of the conflict.
Meanwhile, Julie is still looking for ways to stop Xilor on her own. However, as she continues her quest, she begins to think about the people she has left behind. As she continues to journey on, she finds herself contending with guilt after making a choice that leads to unexpected consequences.
With Xilor drawing closer to Ralloc, will the Krey be able to hold Xilor off with Xenomene contending with more than just the war? And, at the same time, will Julie be able to find the answers she has been searching for?
Thoughts
I’m conflicted about some things. I have a lot of questions, and I am still trying to piece together quite a bit of this. One of the biggest reasons my feelings about this story are so lukewarm is because it spends too much time on Xenomene’s character arc, leaving me struggling to follow the rest of the story. Normally, I wouldn’t mind getting an in-depth look at one character’s personal journey, but the issue is that it was so heavily focused on that the war with Xilor isn’t even brought to the forefront until very late in the story. I’ll discuss this character in more detail in a bit.
The heavy focus on this arc causes another issue as well. There is a new character introduced in this story, but I feel like the story didn’t give me time to get to know him. We know his name, where he is coming from, and his goal in journeying to Ralloc. However, the narrative doesn’t even hint at the role he’ll play in the bigger picture, leaving me wondering what he’ll do if he achieves his main objective. Other than that, his role in the story is minimal and I wanted to see more from him.
I have some other things I want to talk about but, before I do, let’s discuss some of the other characters a bit more.
Characters
Xenomene
I have mixed feelings about Xenomene. On one hand, her journey in trying to figure out how to be accepted as a woman and a leader of the Krey is awesome to see! Her friends rallying behind her after they learn of what she’s been through is great as well, showing that she has respect and love from the members of the group she is closest with. I love that she is not afraid to stand up for herself and demands respect in return for the respect she gives her troops.
However, there were brief instances in the story where her reactions to certain characters didn’t make sense to me because it is established that she doesn’t know them well. While I have suspicions regarding where these feelings come from, I wish the story had stated the reasons for them and either hinted at what would come next or try and address them, especially after the other part of her personal arc is wrapped up.
Despite how much I liked a lot of her characteristics, I am questioning certain ways she feels and acts because I never saw any reason for those feelings.
Now that I’ve discussed Xenomene, let’s revisit Julie’s character.
Julie
So, last time I mentioned that Julie’s journey got darker as it went on. That continues in this volume, showing her as she continues to grow and experience new things in her quest to topple Xilor from power. And I like where this growth leads quite a bit. While Julie is still very flawed, seeing her face the entire situation and realize that there are still people she cares about despite all she’s been through is great to see.
That said, there are things about her journey that I am confused about. Mainly, I wonder how she found out more about her own background. From what I remember, there is no specific moment where she learns anything and when her sections began to reference what she has learned from time to time, I found myself wondering if I had missed when she had learned it. This plays into a larger concern I have with the story’s structure. I’ll discuss this issue more in that section, but in the moment, seeing the narrative disclose that Julie is aware of this information confused me.
Overall, I found it more difficult this time around to connect with the characters despite some of the positive aspects I noted about them.
Now that I’ve discussed that, let’s talk about the structure.
Structure
I think the structure is the main issue I am struggling with some of the character arcs. Much like last time, each chapter follows a different character and situation. However, the narrative largely focuses on one character arc most of the time in the first half of the story. This ended up shoving the events I wanted to hear about just as much (if not more) into the background. I wish there had been more of a balance between all these character arcs, because then I think some of them would have been easier to follow.
I also want to mention how certain pieces of information are divulged in the story. Like the issue I mentioned with Julie’s arc, there are other surprises that the narrative has. However, these reveals are not built up to. There are even certain scenarios that set up questions for the narrative to answer, but those answers are never hinted at or given before the story is over. As I said earlier, I do have a lot of questions about certain aspects of the narrative.
The structure didn’t feel as cohesive this time and overall, that led to instances where I had trouble following the story.
Writing
So, before I go into the prose, I want to look at the pacing. Because of what I outlined in the structure section, it was difficult to get attached to some of the character arcs, which in turn affected how the story flowed. The speed of the narrative felt meandering in a lot of places and, even when it did pick up, it often slowed down again shortly afterward. I think this is because of how many different arcs the story covers, but it doesn’t have an arc that works as the center of the story, which leads to that meandering pace.
It took me some time to pin down why the writing didn’t work as well for me this time, but I think I understand why now and will try to articulate it as best I can. The prose, while it does reflect the necessary mood and tone for each situation, felt flat and dry in certain instances. I think this is because of the pacing. With the pacing moving at a slower rate than I expected (especially in the first half of the story), important events didn’t feel as urgent.
Unfortunately, the writing didn’t impact me as heavily this time around because of all I’ve outlined.
Now that I’ve discussed all this, let’s wrap this review up.
Conclusion
I feel conflicted. The setup for the world and the story is awesome and I see a lot of interesting aspects to it that I wanted to know more about. Unfortunately, though, the structure and pacing of this installment make it move at a much slower speed which affected how I viewed the story. While I still see many interesting things about this world, this installment didn’t work as well for me and for that reason I will be giving it two stars.
March 8, 2022
A dive into a unique experience.The second book in a remarkable series, or a completed novel that stands alone. This volume opens up the world of Ermeayth into much greater depth.
Characters you have become attached to are somehow invigorated with more life, and additional characters are introduced. Your mind will journey to new places filled with action, suspense, friendship, and adventure.
An excellent continuation of a tale that will stimulate your intellect and keep you captivated for hours. A read worth the time invested.
Characters you have become attached to are somehow invigorated with more life, and additional characters are introduced. Your mind will journey to new places filled with action, suspense, friendship, and adventure.
An excellent continuation of a tale that will stimulate your intellect and keep you captivated for hours. A read worth the time invested.
July 5, 2024
Mark of the Profane (Dark Legacy Book 2)
by Kyle Belote
5 outof 5 🌟
The masterfully deepens the Dark Legacy series, delivering a complex, dark fantasy tale that explores the nuances of power, loyalty, and revenge. The story unfolds with Ralloc facing imminent defeat, yet the enigmatic absence of the dark lord Xilor injects a persistent tension, creating a narrative shrouded in mystery.Belote’s narrative prowess shines through the interwoven stories of his protagonists. Xenomene’s command over the Krey in Dlad City is portrayed with gripping intensity, highlighting her strategic brilliance and emotional resilience amid the chaos of war and betrayal. Her journey is a powerful exploration of leadership under pressure, where trust is a rare commodity, and every decision is fraught with peril.Starriace’s transformation is a standout arc, her relentless pursuit of vengeance taking her down a shadowy path. Her quest to understand the brimstones is not just a search for power but a poignant exploration of grief and anger. Belote skillfully portrays her internal struggle, making her a deeply sympathetic character despite her dark motivations.The world-building is meticulously crafted, immersing readers in a landscape marked by conflict and ancient mysteries. The lore of the brimstones and the ominous presence of dark forces provide a rich backdrop that enhances the story’s depth. Belote's attention to detail creates a vivid, atmospheric setting that is both foreboding and fascinating.Themes of betrayal and the heavy cost of power are intricately woven into the plot, challenging readers to consider the ethical complexities of the characters’ choices. *Mark of the Profane* is a compelling continuation of the Dark Legacy series, offering a profound and immersive experience that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this dark, intricate saga.
by Kyle Belote
5 outof 5 🌟
The masterfully deepens the Dark Legacy series, delivering a complex, dark fantasy tale that explores the nuances of power, loyalty, and revenge. The story unfolds with Ralloc facing imminent defeat, yet the enigmatic absence of the dark lord Xilor injects a persistent tension, creating a narrative shrouded in mystery.Belote’s narrative prowess shines through the interwoven stories of his protagonists. Xenomene’s command over the Krey in Dlad City is portrayed with gripping intensity, highlighting her strategic brilliance and emotional resilience amid the chaos of war and betrayal. Her journey is a powerful exploration of leadership under pressure, where trust is a rare commodity, and every decision is fraught with peril.Starriace’s transformation is a standout arc, her relentless pursuit of vengeance taking her down a shadowy path. Her quest to understand the brimstones is not just a search for power but a poignant exploration of grief and anger. Belote skillfully portrays her internal struggle, making her a deeply sympathetic character despite her dark motivations.The world-building is meticulously crafted, immersing readers in a landscape marked by conflict and ancient mysteries. The lore of the brimstones and the ominous presence of dark forces provide a rich backdrop that enhances the story’s depth. Belote's attention to detail creates a vivid, atmospheric setting that is both foreboding and fascinating.Themes of betrayal and the heavy cost of power are intricately woven into the plot, challenging readers to consider the ethical complexities of the characters’ choices. *Mark of the Profane* is a compelling continuation of the Dark Legacy series, offering a profound and immersive experience that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this dark, intricate saga.
January 16, 2025
I was thrilled to hear that I could evaluate the book. I was hoping it would be just as good as the first book. It was not disappointing. We begin with the current decline of Ralloc. I think the presence of the wicked ruler Xilor continues to provide suspense to the narrative by relating the conflict between good and evil. The series' character development is fantastic. I adore how Mr. Belote demonstrates the intricacy of the situation by fusing corruption and power. The story explores the intricacies of using evil powers and raises the question of whether the goals are ever worth the means. Every decision the protagonist makes has significant repercussions in the author's gripping tale of identification and salvation. This novel is a memorable read because it serves as a reminder of how easy the distinction between light and darkness can become hazy.
September 20, 2025
Thanks to Booktasters for sending me a copy, and thanks to Kyle Belote for such a well-written book. This volume delves quite deeply into the Dark Legacy series. It's a dark fantasy, dramatic in a good way, and above all, very complex. We have a defeated Ralloc on the scene (no spoiler, of course), and we also have the absence of our dark Xilor, which leaves us biting our nails as we read. Kyle Belote has a power in his narrative that manages to hook you in, and the characters continue to be wonderful to read. They're not flat or boring, they have many interesting nuances, because he shows us characters who develop their character and personality, like the Starriace story arc. And finally, the world he created for this story remains as brilliant as it was in the first book; it's very well constructed. If you want a good time with mysteries, this is the book you should read.
September 3, 2024
When I started reading this, something about it seemed a little bit familiar, and I realised that this is the second book in the Dark Legacy series, and I had read the first book prior.
The writing had a raw, no-nonsense quality about it, and the use of profanity and violence means it's only suitable for an adult audience. I still felt the beauty that comes with bringing a world and its characters to life, and I found this was a page turner, even if it was too much to read in one sitting. If you are a sci-fi or fantasy reader, this is an epic read.
The writing had a raw, no-nonsense quality about it, and the use of profanity and violence means it's only suitable for an adult audience. I still felt the beauty that comes with bringing a world and its characters to life, and I found this was a page turner, even if it was too much to read in one sitting. If you are a sci-fi or fantasy reader, this is an epic read.
September 14, 2025
This book was impossible to put down. The story has many twists and turns, and many mysteries that need to be solved, while some answers do come from the queries we get from the first book of the series. I had a lot of fun reading this new book, and I can't wait to get to book 3 of the series. It is a must-read for all who love books in the fantasy genre, but this series needs to be read in order, or else it will not make much sense.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews