Echoes of Broken Vows

by Logan Glass

Now a Silver Literary Titan Award winner - Rowan served the Eidolon his entire life, sacrificing innocent lives for the rich and powerful—all for one thing: immortality.

But immortality came at a devastating cost. Haunted by guilt and betrayal, Rowan discovers his best friend Sam has joined the rebels determined to destroy the Eidolon. For the first time, Rowan faces a choice: continue serving his dark masters or take a leap of faith into the unknown.

Risking everything, Rowan and Sam set out to dismantle the Eidolon’s empire—a deadly game of deception and sacrifice where betrayal lurks in every shadow. But can Rowan escape his past, or will the cost of redemption prove too great?

Perfect for fans of morally complex dark fantasy, the award-winning Echoes of Broken Vows is a gripping tale of power, loyalty, and the courage to defy a thousand years of tyranny.

122 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2024

Reviews

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Logan Glass, for sending me a copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

First off—that ending!!! There were many things I loved about this book, however, I loved that the ending took me by surprise. The setting is dark and grim, set in a world where immortality is achievable by transferring one’s consciousness into a younger body (and ending the vessel’s life in the process). The story is fast-paced, so it was easy to read. I am also a sucker for stories filled with morally gray ethical dilemmas, and there were definitely some present in this book. The world seemed well-established, despite the short book length, which I applaud the author for, as that is not easy to do. By the end of the book, I was invested in the world and would enjoy reading more about it (and learning about their magic system).

Really my only qualm with this book boils down to writing technique. The book feels a little surface-level, and I think it is because there is a lot of “telling” rather than “showing” regarding the characters and their feelings. This made the characters feel two-dimensional, lacking depth as we are told everything they are feeling. There are some scenes that would have benefited from elaboration or more character development to really pack a punch.

Overall, I’d recommend this book, and I’m really excited about the prospect of another in this world from Glass!

[Literary Titan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan Glass’s Echoes of Broken Vows plunges readers into the dark and haunting world of the Eidolon, a powerful cult promising immortality through grotesque and morally corrupt rituals, rituals that often claim innocent lives. Sam and Rowan, once devout members, find themselves crushed under the weight of guilt after years of complicity. Desperate to redeem their souls and shatter the organization from within, they embark on a perilous journey to dismantle the cult they once served.

As they navigate this dangerous rebellion, Sam and Rowan grapple with profound emotions and embark on a journey of self-discovery. The novella explores themes of immortality, power abuse, personal guilt, and defiance, all against the chilling backdrop of the Eidolon’s shadowy chambers and unnerving ceremonies. Glass’s vivid descriptions make these scenes feel disturbingly real, evoking an oppressive atmosphere that mirrors the horrors of unchecked power, a timely parallel to real-world systems clinging desperately to control.

Rowan’s character stands out for his intense internal conflict. His guilt and longing for redemption are palpable, making it easy to sympathize with his struggle. In contrast, Sam’s daring spirit and quick thinking bring balance to the story. His boldness complements Rowan’s introspection, and their bond feels authentic and emotionally resonant. While the novella’s pacing is generally tight, some moments, particularly during Rowan’s reflections, can feel a bit slower. However, these sections also serve to deepen the portrayal of his moral turmoil, adding layers to his character.

Echoes of Broken Vows is a dark, intense, and thought-provoking read. Despite its brevity, the story achieves remarkable depth, offering fully realized characters and a chilling exploration of its themes. A gripping novella, it’s sure to linger with readers long after the final page.

[Anthony Parody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is going to echo in my heart for a long time ⚔️

Echoes Of Broken Vows follows Rowan as he serves the order of Eidolon, who sacrifice the lives of innocent people for those who are rich and powerful. Haunted by guilt, Rowan joins his friend, Sam, in a rebel cause to bring an end to this evil system.

Glass creates a dystopian world with his novella that really captures you from the first chapter and doesn’t let you go. His concept of taking a potion that transports the soul of the elite and powerful into the body a young innocent person is refreshing and so relevant to our world.

The story is framed through the eyes of Rowan who is an interesting protagonist. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time reading this. I didn’t want anything to happen to Rowan or his friend, Sam, and I really wanted them to succeed in their mission. This a true testament to Glass and his writing style, who in such a short story really made an impact.

I do have to say; why no gay love story between Rowan and Sam?! That would’ve added something else to the story but I do love the brotherly bond the characters share! To be honest, I could’ve had a lot more to this story! I wanted to know more about the world, I wanted to know more of the characters’ backgrounds, I wanted more lore! But I had to remember that it was a novella and to be honest…it’s a great one!

Heads up though…that ending!!!! 😱🫣🥺 why?! My heart is still not over it! Please give me a sequel! 🙏🏼

I do recommend you give this a try and support Glass because it’s definately worth a read 🙌🏽 I can’t wait to see what else he has coming up 🫶🏽

[Gunner James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Echoes of Broken Vows by Logan Glass was exactly what I needed to break out of a reading slump. Short, intense, and full of life, this dark fantasy novella pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go. I went in completely blind—and honestly, I’m so glad I did. The less you know, the better the experience.

The world-building here is super unique. The concept of transferring consciousness for immortality at the expense of innocent lives? Instantly compelling and deeply unsettling. Rowan and Sam, former enforcers of this brutal system, now find themselves rebelling from the inside. Their inner conflict, guilt, and drive for redemption gave this story a surprising emotional depth for such a quick read.

And the ending? I did not see it coming, but it felt absolutely perfect. A bold, devastating yet satisfying close to a fast-paced and thought-provoking story.

Solid 4.25 stars from me. If you’re looking for something short, gripping, and morally complex with a fresh take on dark fantasy, Echoes of Broken Vows is 100% worth your time.

[Carina_inkdrinker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect read for a quiet or busy weekend, filled with action, friendship, rebellion and shows you how badly the richer people treats the lesser people with their fascinating magic system.

This was a fantastic read and the magic system was also really fascinating and would love to see more of this world if that will happen, as this is just a small standalone that you will I get very quickly trough. Loved it from the start with a fantastic ending that leaves me satisfied if nothing more should happen.

[Lord Alexander Demetrius · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced novella, Logan manages to captivate the reader straight away. I'm normally one for being able to predict the ending, but Logan crafted a work so good that even I was unable to predict the outcome. A fantastic debut novella

[Ilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the premise intriguing but the story did not deliver.