“The light only fades when you cease to carry it.”
A new threat arises. A war of dragons is brewing. The day of doom draws near. A child has been born. A child of darkness, destined to tear down the Veil between worlds and bring about the return of the Shadow King, has come. Whoever controls his power, controls the fate of all living things. Alliances are broken. Kingdoms Fall. Even the strongest of friendships are tested. The fate of the realm once again falls on the shoulders of the Seekers.
The Reapers are coming. One of Ash. One of Shadow. One of Desolation. One of Death.
If Lord of the Rings, The Witcher, Mistborn, and Dungeons & Dragons were mixed together into a cake, it would be a Dark Realm cake. Check out book 2 in this new series filled with talking dragons, non-stop action, and banter. Don't miss out on this epic adventure.
Tyler has loved writing and storytelling since he was old enough to scribble ideas down on a notepad in class. Whether it is crafting ideas on the world, sharing beliefs, or imagining other worlds entirely, Tyler is passionate about the power of words and stories to change lives. He writes both fiction and non-fiction and has published books in both.
Take the deep dive to save the Realm! Find the dark child, save the Kindgom, win the heart of the one you love… sounds idealic! How about the four Reapers of the apocalypse, on horseback, wrecking havoc among the villages!
The misfit gang is back and better than ever with more banter, backstabbing and bigger Grom scenes!!! What a great sequel and you know we are already prepping for another! Check in on these magical warriors as they quest their way through the realms - you’ll want to se who they meet and what adventures they have!
Thank you to the author, Tyler Edwards, for the opportunity to read this book. I received an EPub and my review is being left voluntarily. Book 2, Reapers of the Dark Realm, releases 12/18/24!
OMG, where do I even begin?! It's nearly impossible to put into words how much I adore this series! After eagerly waiting for months to dive into the second book, I can say with absolute certainty “Reapers of the Dark Realm" is beyond phenomenal and exceeded all my wildest expectations!
The story dives headfirst into chaos with a new threat rising: a child of darkness prophesied to bring back the Shadow King. The stakes are higher than ever, and alliances crumble as war brews between dragons, kingdoms, and even friends. The Seekers are once again tasked with saving the realm, but this time, the Reapers of Ash, Shadow, Desolation, and Death make the mission feel more impossible than ever.
I have to talk about Vale. I already loved his character in Book 1, but I found myself falling even more in love with him this time around. He’s such a complex character, balancing loyalty with his inner turmoil. You can’t help but root for him, even when the odds are stacked against him.
And don’t even get me started on his chemistry with Azalea. The delicious angst between them added an extra layer of intensity to the story. The tension between them is palpable, the push-and-pull dynamic, the slow burn and emotional depth in their relationship are masterfully written.
Then there's Caelan, His witty banter had me laughing out loud more times than I can count. His humor brought such a lightheartedness to some intense scenes, and he’s easily one of my favorite characters in this book. His ability to defuse tension while still being a total badass in battle makes him unforgettable.
The Reapers! Each one brought a different kind of darkness to the story, and the tension they created was unmatched. Reading about them gave me chills, especially knowing what they were capable of. The fight scenes involving the Reapers were some of the best I’ve read. They were so well-written, I felt like I was right there in the middle of the chaos, picturing every move and battle in vivid detail. It was like watching a thrilling action movie unfold in my mind. The author's writing style is immersive and vivid, bringing the world and characters to life.
What made this book even more special was how it delved deeper into the characters. Every page gave me a chance to know them better their fears, their hopes, and it made me feel so connected to their journey. The exploration of themes like sacrifice, loyalty, and destiny adds so much emotional weight to the story. It’s not just a fantasy adventure; it’s a story that makes you feel every triumph, loss, and sacrifice.
And wow, the ending! It was completely unexpected and left me craving more. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, and I can't wait to see what happens next in this epic saga.
In short, "Reapers of the Dark Realm" is a masterpiece that I wholeheartedly recommend. If you're a fan of fantasy, unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read. Let’s just say I need Book 3 like yesterday.
Tropes 🐉 Dragons ⚔️ Epic battles 🌑 Dark prophecy 👥 Found family 🦸♂️ Witty banter 🧙♀️ Magical world-building
This review ended up as long as the book, guess I’m just preparing for an even longer one for the next book! 🤣 Thank you to the author for this wonderful piece of art.💞
This is a great series if you are looking for a high fantasy, huge world building, and multiple point of view. This reads comparatively to a great movie, but books are always better! I'm looking forward to book 3.
I love this story so much, the second book I think was even better than the first! It's got heavy world building, really fun characters with lots of banter. A little romance sub plot & DRAGONS. Perfect for fantasy/adventure or DND lovers. The ending was SO good with a little bit of a cliffhanger that has me super anxious to see what happens next.
Tyler, Tyler, Tyler, wow!! From someone who doesn't typically read fantasy—except for your books, of course—I’ve been eagerly waiting for Book 2. As someone who devoured Book 1, I had high expectations—and you totally nailed it!
I don't normally share quotes from books but I love this one!
**"The light only fades when you cease to carry it."**
So about the book! This book is an absolute thrill ride from start to finish, packed with high-stakes action. I was completely hooked! The brewing war of dragons is nothing short of epic. Tyler, did an amazing job bringing these mythical creatures to life!
The story begins with a chilling prophecy: a child wrapped in darkness has arrived, destined to shatter the Veil between worlds and bring back the legendary Shadow King.
This sets the stage for a tale of epic proportions, where the fate of all living things hangs in the balance. The Seekers, once again, find themselves bearing the weight of the realm's fate on their shoulders. Caelan was hands down my favorite character! His personality is absolutely fantastic!
But what really blew me away were the Reapers. Each one—Ash, Shadow, Desolation, and Death—brings this hauntingly beautiful presence that cranks up the danger and urgency. Their unique and terrifying characteristics add a chilling yet mesmerizing element that I couldn't get enough of.
Tyler nailed the world-building, pulling you into this vivid and immersive setting. The emotional journey of the characters was so well-written that I felt every moment with them. The sense of impending doom keeps you glued to the pages the entire time, it sucked me right in!
The timeless battle between light and darkness make this book an unforgettable experience. It masterfully balances hope and despair, prompting deep reflection on the resilience required to carry the light through the darkest times. I can't recommend it highly enough!
In this exciting sequel to Shadows of the Dark Realm, we rejoin our favorite adventuring party in the midst of devastation where they, once again, must save the realm.
I read Reapers of the Dark Realm almost as quickly as I read the first one, and surprisingly, I think I loved this book even more. Sequels have a unique challenge in both living up to the first book, while also presenting something that is totally new, and Reapers of the Dark Realm smashes through those expectations flawlessly. I loved the further development of the characters and how their relationships ebbed and flowed based on their personal beliefs and convictions.
The storyline was exciting and kept me engaged on every page; often warranting rants to my husband about what was happening (which, we all know he loves getting those walls of texts)! I'm awaiting the release of book 3 whilst sitting on pins and needles!
Content levels are the same as the first book, so no need to worry about increased spice, gore, or language (the cursing is still book unique, so no actual curse words are used).
Having averted one danger to the realm, the Seekers find themselves at the heart of the next threat causing widespread chaos in Reapers of the Dark Realm by Tyler Edwards.
With the risk of the Shadow King’s return diminished with the recovery of the Darkstone, the Seekers’ paths diverged as they each pursued their next goals, but the relative peace was short-lived before a new threat arose for them to face. While Vale, accompanied by Caelan, seeks the witches who cursed him, the pair fight creatures who slip through the Veil along the way and encounter a group, whose magic is formidable against beings forged in darkness, and who impart upon them a startling prophecy of the Shadow King’s child being able to wield power that would return him. Azalea has been learning more about her magic before rejoining Vale and Caelan. Rivik, Sera, and Grom were helping in their home village until they needed to fend off an attack of troops sent at the behest of Celeste, who in her recently acquired role as Parisia’s Queen has put out a bounty on the Seekers and plots to strengthen the power of her kingdom; while making preparations the trio receives the distress beacon notification, which Vale initiated, and as they leave their village is destroyed by a fiery entity, which they soon learn is a Reaper. Meanwhile, Azra, a healer whose family was killed spurring him toward darkness, created Zion and populated it with revived people aiming to build a world without death; when investigated to see if the child was there, the group of reunited Seekers was rescued from the magic trap by Kade, who has been seeking revenge on his father, which if exacted may plunge dragons into a war that would doom the future of both dragons and humans, which the dragons looking for Kade want to prevent. As numerous parties seek the child to suit their own purposes, by either containing, controlling, or killing him as a means to prevent the havoc of the Shadow King’s return, the bonds of friendship forged and alliances tenuously made are put to the test as manipulations behind plans for seizing power are revealed and lives are threatened.
Jumping back into the vast world established in Shadows of the Dark Realm and following familiar characters through a series of new perils, the narrative strikes a balance between moments of high-stakes action with seemingly insurmountable odds and moments of emotional remembrance that round characters out. With new characters presented to complicate matters of trust and progress the story, the personalities of those previously established were kept consistent in their distinctive tone of language, though they exhibit growth, demonstrated in context through notable emotionally charged or action-fueled experiences. While different permutations of the group are present throughout the narrative as their tasks morph and demand various skills, their core dynamics tend not to vary much; however, the events leading toward this book’s conclusion test the limits of loyalty within the seemingly solid interpersonal relationships of the group, who have battled beside one another against a variety of foes, and tension is heightened further to set the scene for the next installment’s issue to be faced as an extension of the one gradually built within this one. In searching for the child there’s extensive traveling, which slows the pace down at times; still, there are plenty of moments of explosive action as schemes progress from idea to reality, and there are some plot points that remain mostly obscured but teased just enough to remind of a few characters who were present in the previous book and who may likely make another appearance in the next, along with some of those who newly appeared, for the ensuing adventure.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Book 1 of this series and couldn't wait to jump back in with Reapers Of The Dark Realm. This novel is epic fantasy and it's packed with a lot of action and description. We have romance and dragons and of course Celeste! The story continues on from book 1 and all our characters are back albeit separately. I love Tyler Edwards writing, I love how it's so descriptive and it pulls you into the story, creating imagery as you read. I did find myself for the first half struggling with the pacing... I was eager to get back to chapters with Azalea and Vale... This is definitely a me problem, I'm a mood reader and have to be in the right mind set... However after the first half I had a break through and I was lapping up everything I was reading, eager to find out more and how events would turn out. I must admit around the 80% mark (chapter 50) I was on the edge of my seat. The revelation we found and the events to proceed had me torn. Our characters are brilliant when it comes to conflict and I really love how they react with each other and against each other. I loved how the ending left off, not a massive cliff hanger but one that makes us want book 3 now.
Tyler Edwards continues to provide the high fantasy level incredible world building of book one in book two.
I really enjoyed reading Reapers of the Dark Realm, it was a great continuation of the series. The plot drew me in and I had to know what would happen and how it would turn out.
It is written in multiple POV which is great because we get to learn more about each character in the group from their perspective and others.
Tyler even threw a bit of romance in here and I am here for it!! We love a little bit of romance.
I loved reading about the healing and growth some of the characters had throughout the book, they desperately needed it and I love any kind of mental health rep so really enjoyed that.
Also, the reapers were super interesting and while terrifying and horrible, I loved the loose 4 horsemen twist they brought to the story.
Overall, if you are looking for a high fantasy with all manner of people and creatures, with high stakes, you should definitely give this book and the series as a whole a read!
ARC REVIEW Reapers of the Dark Realm Author: Tyler Edwards Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This series has not failed to keep me on my toes. It's up to this odd group of friends to once again save the world from Darkness and destruction. There are so many working parts to this journey. Not only battling against new enemies, monsters, and dragons but now reapers which I found terrifying.
I loved that we got more background on all the characters and there was so much character growth. Especially between Vale, Azalea, and Grom. The romance brewing was perfectly paced and I’m excited to see how it grows.
There was constant a battle for the group to overcome whether together or alone. I thought maybe Celeste would have some type of revelation spoiler alert she didn’t and she’s just as crazy. The ending was the icing on the cake. I predicted some backstabbing but not to this level. I can’t wait for book three.
If you love fantasy adventure books with Dragons, Unforgettable characters, Trolls, Witches, and world-building. I highly recommend checking out this series.
Oh goodness. This book. This book had me engrossed from the start to the end where I could not even put it down. I honestly do not know which one I liked more, book one or book two. The world Tyler created is so amazing and you feel like you are right there in that world. Being a lover of fantasy, this series is perfect for people looking to get into this genre. The banter between everyone, and seeing them more in detail this book caused me to love each of them more and could not wait to see where it would lead them in the end. The Reapers and the fight scenes, holy smoke, I must say it was my favorite part of the book. It was conveyed perfectly. This book is full of dragons, prophecy, found family, a magical world, twists and turns and more! The ending! Oh boy, when is book three coming out? But seriously, if you are looking to start the new year with a new book, get these books you will not be disappointed at all.
"Reapers of the Dark Realm" is a gripping fantasy novel that plunges readers into a world where death is not the end but a beginning of an even more perilous journey. Tyler Edwards masterfully creates a dark, immersive realm filled with complex characters, intricate plots, and unexpected twists. The story follows the protagonist, a reaper named Kael, who navigates through the treacherous underworld, battling sinister forces and uncovering hidden truths about his past.
The world-building in this book is exceptional, painting vivid pictures of eerie landscapes and haunting atmospheres. Edwards' writing style is both engaging and descriptive, making it easy to get lost in the pages. The character development is strong, with Kael's journey being particularly compelling as he grapples with his identity and purpose.
Overall, this book really had me on the edge of my seat and ended in a cliffhanger that had me anxiously awaiting be an arc reader for the next book!
More people have got to read this series - it's fantastic! I loved book 1, and I was not disappointed by book 2. Reapers of the Dark Realm is just as action-packed as Shadows of The Dark Realm, and I cannot wait for the next book.
I loved continuing with Vale, Azalea, Caelan, Sera, Rivik, Grom and Kade's adventures after the events of book 1. Vale and Caelan's friendship is one of my favourites of any book series. I just love their banter and interactions. Azalea is just a badass, and I love her.
Sera and Rivik are just as awesoem as ever. Grom just got better from the first book. He is one of those characters that i had forgotten how much I loved until getting to his exploits in this book. But he just got even better.
Celeste...well, I hate her. I hated her in the first book, and I still hate her in this one. She just gets worse.
This is a series I can see myself reading again and again and not tiring of it. This is true epic fantasy and I am here for it.
This is book 2 in the series. I had the privilege of Arc reading both! Read if you like
Magic Dragons Mages Witches Trolls Great banter
This book has all the great elements that I look for in a Fantasy series. Complex characters, heart wrenching back stories and great banter. I love all the main characters accept Celeste ( She’s as delusional as ever). Caelan and Grom are my favorite for their Dialogue! Azalea’s Bad assery has accelerated several notches which I loved. Her grand entrance this book had me so excited! Vale is an honorable as ever! There were also new characters introduced that were just as interesting and added to the complexity of the magical systems.
This was even better than the first one! The pacing and character development was spot on. This one was easier to follow along with and you got to see different sides of everyone in the story. This one kept the same fantasy, dragon, magic feeling but also we found some romance and deep friendship. However, it ended with quite the cliffhanger and some tough feelings for my favorite characters. Can’t wait for book three!
I don’t even know where to begin on this review. I just want to say this book was amazing. I felt that it was even better than the first one and oh my god the world building and the characters were literally perfect. The whole book was just cinematic.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I have had the pleasure of being a wonderful new fan of Tyler Edwards work! Do you like DND? Or maybe just dragons and fantasy? Then this book is absolutely the book for you! Tyler's writing is so good when it comes to world-building! It is one of the main parts that captured me when I first started to get hooked on to his stories. We continue back with our gang, and boy, it isn't a treat! My favorite is still Grumpy Old Vale! I love all the characters. But pointing out how grumpy he always is, is just hilarious! It always makes me smile while reading. A child who is born of darkness, is he meant to save them or bring them all to ruin? The one thing I absolutely enjoyed about this story is the adventure! I have yet to be disappointed by following our misfits on their crazy adventure! The ending was definitely good and fun, kept me on the edge of my seat! Honestly, I wish this was a show! It would be great to be watching this just as much as reading it!
At the end of book 1 our remaining seekers all head in separate directions. Vale and Caelan on a quest to find the witches holding the curse over Vale, Azalea to understand the magic she holds within her, Kade to put an end to his father and Sera,Rivik and Grom to help the home they left behind. The stone was returned. The veil stands and the shadow king is still locked away. They can afford to let their guard down a bit or can they?
Tyler has created such a world within these books you'll be drawn in from page one and be complete engrossed in the story and feel like you're really along for the ride with the characters. This was an amazing follow up to Shadows of the Dark Realm and I look forward to reading more from Mr Edwards.
After the events in Shadow of the Dark Realm, I was so interested and invested in this series! First, I must say that the interactions between Vale and Caelan are THE BEST. And yes, I still hate Celeste. I may even loathe her more than before. She is truly the worst.
For me, the characters make this a compelling series. They are so real to me. Not to say that there isn't a ton of adventure and excitement for our band of friends/travelers/heroes, because there truly is. One of my favorite things was that Grom gets more depth and page time. He is an interesting character that I feel was a bit overshadowed in book one.
I am looking forward to reading more of the exploits of Vale and co. And I hope that Celeste gets what is coming to her.
Our Odd team of hero’s must save the world again!! They thought they were done when they returned the dark stone only to find out that another prophecy threw a wrench into their plans. As always Grom is my favorite & oh my goodness someone needs to take care of Celeste already!! Lots of twists & turns & a great ending!!! I cannot wait for book three! If you like wheel of time you’ll enjoy the Ladies of Light in this book. This book is filled with witty banter & jokes, a dash or romance, betrayal, adventure & action!!
So I said that the first book felt like a group of DnD players who were having a fun time. They were newer to the game, so their dungeon master had to make sure their shenanigans didn't go too crazy and make them follow the story.
Reapers of the Dark Realm was the same group of DnD players, but they have now played the game for a longer time, and things have gotten more serious. They have advanced their characters and their backstories. Their DM is probably also having a more fun time making the world even darker and throwing the group in dangerous situations more.
I had a really good time with this book, but I will say I probably had even more fun with the first one. Sure, technically the sequel is a better book in a lot of ways, but the first one was just so charming even if it had its dark moments too. I also felt like the female characters were written a bit better in the first one.
Overall I had a really good time, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
Action, friendships, banter, some romance, dragons, reapers, and Grom!🖤
The reapers of the Dark Realm: One of Death, One of Ash, One of Desolation, and One of Shadow. Their quest is to eliminate the seekers and find the child capable of building a bridge to connect the human world and the dark realm. The Shadow King has been banished behind the veil for far too long and will stop at nothing to once again walk the human world.
Vale Lox: The Black Swordsman, The Disgraced Knight, The Century Slayer, A King Killer Caelan: Master Archer and Thief Azalea: A powerful fire mage who was created for a vessel. Kade: Half-human, Dragon, and Powerful mage Sera: Skilled Warrior Rivik: Spy Turned Bard Grom: A Former Slave Troll who pledged his loyalty and service to Sera Celeste: Disgraced Seeker turned Queen
I was blown away by the details, worldbuilding, character development, and the plot that went into creating this well throughout immersive fantasy. I honestly can't get enough of this series. Books 1 and 2 are phenomenally written stories that showcase adventure, betrayal, lies, revenge, and loss. The author, Tyler Edwards, has created a one-of-a-kind fantasy meant to capture the reader's attention and hold onto it well after the story has ended. I can't tell you how many times I have thought about this story in the last few days. I can't wait to read book 3 and continue this epic adventure.