Tarnished Relics: A Children of Isteni Tale

by AJ Titter

Bronze Medalist of the 2025 Global Book Awards for sword & sorcery
Finalist of the 2025 Storytrade Award for fantasy.

Justice is good. Revenge is power.Amiir, one of the first born, seeks to dethrone his father Isteni, the creator. An ancient prophecy of Ouroby says there is a woman destined to bring Amiir victory. He has searched eons, waiting for a female seer born when the lorkiss and the swan are high in the night sky.

Attoria sees the future when she dreams. A rare gift in Halgrond, even rarer for a woman. When Attoria’s parents are cursed with a deadly illness, she is determined to get her revenge. But first, she needs to discover who is responsible.

As Attoria hunts for answers, she is pursued by zealots of Isteni that want to prevent the prophecy. And the only sure way to do that, is to kill her.

Is she the one Amiir has waited for? Can she evade those intent on stopping the prophecy? And what will be the cost for her revenge?

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2024

About the author

AJ Titter is an award-winning author who started telling stories to her imaginary friends when she was a little girl. She spins tales of magic and myth inspired by history.

Her debut novel, Tarnished Relics, was published in December 2024 and received a Bronze Medal in the 2025 Global Book Awards for sword & sorcery and a Storytrade 2025 Finalist award for fantasy.

You can read the free short story prequel, Torched Feathers, by signing up for her newsletter https://ajtitter.com

Reviews

[Kez Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attoria is a rare seer, prophecised to aid the God of Death in coming to power. After her mother's sudden death, she ventures to the mountains to seek answers in how to avoid her destiny, and ends up working for the King and deciphering visions of his future.
She has to battle hiding her true identity, using and interpreting her powers, and navigating friends from foe, and surviving those who aim to harm her.
I enjoyed seeing Attoria's inner monologue as she unpicks the prophecy and her visions, she feels relatable in her struggles, and her quest to find answers and be a protector rather than destroyer.
I liked the elements of unique magic and the imagery of the pool, the character growth and building friendships, and the drama and rebellion brewing over the God's rivalry.
Attoria is a survivor, who has to endure painful losses and sacrifice to make her own destiny, and this story follows her adventurous and determined journey.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd been wanting to read this book for a while now, and I'm glad I finally got to it. It had an interesting plotline with great worldbuilding. One of my favourite tropes in fantasy is the hidden identity one, where the female protagonist has to pretend to be someone else to complete a mission, and it was explored well in the book.

The characters were great. I liked Attoria's determination to do what is right despite the prophecy and Ludolf's unwavering support towards her to ensure she achieved what she set her mind to. I'm hoping for some romance between them in the coming books.

I liked the conflict and how the various factions tried to push their own agendas throughout the book.

The only thing that I feel could have been better was that certain scenes could have been more detailed and intense. Attoria seemed to achieve some things very easily. I would have liked to see more obstacles and twists.

Overall, it was a fast-paced and easy read. With the way things ended, I'm wondering what the sequel has in store. I would recommend this to all fantasy lovers who enjoy the Chosen One trope.

[Todd Mika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tarnished Relics is a fantastic debut that showcases AJ Titter’s talent for storytelling. The book brings us along on Attoria's journey to untangle herself from the ambitions of a rogue god. The author reinforces the protagonist's motivations throughout, making each decision feel purposeful and emotionally resonant. I particularly also appreciate that Attoria is written not as some superpowered dynamo of her fantasy realm, but a very relatable human being with uncertainty about new situations, awkward moments, and real moments of panic. Attoria's inner thoughts are woven into the narrative, which allows us to keep connected with her struggles as well as her reasoning. Well done!

Titter's rich worldbuilding brings the fantasy setting to life, layering lore in a way that feels organic and engaging. The stories of ancient feuding gods and the legends of supernatural sects give a sense of mythos within mythos, and makes this fictional world feel very real.

With such a long and winding buildup, I was so uncertain that the story would even resolve within the last 15 pages. In fact, I was positive that this would be a case of "Oh, I guess they aren't getting to Mordor in the first movie" and that I would be left on some cliffhanger. No, the resolution coming together was both surprising and satisfying.

Definitely recommend Tarnished Relics for any readers who enjoy deeply character-driven stories that stay intimate and small-scale, instead of the world-sweeping wars of most high fantasy.

[Susan May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ŕeally enjoyed this one. The characters were very interesting. Some were good and some not so much. It also contained a prophecy which I always enjoy and one very determined young woman.
Attoria is a young seer with a rare ability living in Halgrond. She possesses the ability to see the future through dreams. A prophecy was in play that would ensnare Attoria and her family. It said a woman seer born at a precise time would help Amiir with his desire to remove his father from the throne. So Amiir searched for a long time looking for her. Suddenly Attoria's parents became deathy ill. She managed to save one but not the other. Now she vowed to find who was responsible and deliver justice. Attoria leaves on her quest and she knows eventually she will have to face Amiir since she was destined to defeat him. As her journey progressed she faced many challenges and losses. The more she learned about the gods and their power struggle so to speak, the more determind she became. Her group was being pursued and still they pushed on. Attoria hoped she had enough to claim victory after acquiring ancient relics along the way.
Plenty of action and a surprise ending. I adored it & can't wait for book 2.

[A.M. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

°.•☆•.°

𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑙𝑒 : tarnished relics
𝑎𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟 : an titter
𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 : ⭐️5/5
𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒 : epic fantasy

📖 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑦𝑛𝑜𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑠 :

Justice is good. Revenge is power.

Amiir, one of the firstborn gods, seeks to overthrow his father, Isteni, the creator. An ancient prophecy speaks of a female seer destined to bring him victory—and he’s waited eons to find her.

Attoria, gifted with prophetic dreams, is rare in the land of Halgrond. When her parents fall under a deadly curse, her search for vengeance leads her into the heart of a divine war. Pursued by zealots determined to kill her and stop the prophecy, Attoria must uncover the truth before time runs out. Is she the one Amiir has been waiting for?


💬 𝑚𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 :

A breathtaking, magical journey you won’t forget.

Tarnished Relics is an incredible story that sweeps you into a world of magic, danger, and destiny. A.J. Titter crafts a rich, imaginative realm filled with unexpected twists, powerful themes, and unforgettable characters. The world-building is absolutely phenomenal—layered, immersive, and full of wonder.

Attoria and Ludolf truly stole my heart. Watching their bond grow and their individual journeys unfold was one of the highlights of the book. Their character development is beautifully written, showing real strength, vulnerability, and transformation.

If you’re looking for an epic fantasy filled with heart, magic, and a touch of the divine, I can’t recommend this book enough. A.J. Titter has written something truly special, and I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series.

[Books4Movies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, wow. Tarnished Relics completely devoured me—and I am not mad about it. I went in expecting epic fantasy vibes, but I was NOT prepared to feel so emotionally attached to Attoria, to fall for the lore, or to spiral over every plot twist like I did.

Attoria is one of those heroines you root for with your whole chest. She’s strong, determined, wounded, and real. Her grief, her visions, her inner battle with fate—it all felt so raw. And the world? Halgrond is the kind of place that just lives in your head long after you put the book down. The gods, the prophecy, the pool scenes (chills), the stakes—it’s all beautifully done without ever feeling overwhelming.

And listen, if you’re like me and live for slow-burn bonds, the tension between Attoria and Ludolf will ruin you in the best way. Their dynamic was everything. Subtle, charged, and layered with so much unspoken emotion. I need more of them immediately.

This book hits hard with divine politics, magic, rebellion, and a seer who’s trying to take control of a destiny that’s been forced on her. The themes of power, choice, and survival? Chef’s kiss.

If you love stories with ancient gods, rare magic, fierce women, and stakes that feel world-ending (because they are), Tarnished Relics will be your next obsession. I already need book two.

[Vickiec192 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attoria is a seer, and a woman, a very rare combination in Halgrond. Also, a very dangerous one. There has long since been a prophecy that a female seer will bring help the god Amiir to destroy his father, the god Isteni, and help being Amiir to full power.
When Attoria is visited by a seer telling her to visit her family, she is there to witness the sudden death of her mother. Horrified that her mother's death is the result of her and the prophecy, she seeks vengeance. After all, she has heard the prophecy, but along the way, questions arise as to whether she really understands it at all.

Well paced and well written. The story flows really well and the plot is really interesting. There are a few places where it could have been fleshed out a little more leaving them feeling a little rushed. Did that stop me enjoying the story? Nope. Will I be reading any further books in the series or from the same author? Absolutely!

[Jennifer Snider · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an exciting supernatural read.
Attoria is definitely a strong character with determination to avenge her mother's death and fulfill the prophecies bestowed upon her.

I was completely hooked with the storyline between the God's. Attoria was very easy to empathize and connect with. I was able to shut my eyes and feel as if I was actually in Halgrond and when she entered the pool I felt as if I could see her visions myself.
There was plenty of action and plot twists. The events were so vivid I swear I could imagine I was actually there.

I can't lie but I was hopeful for some unrequited romance between her and Ludolf. Maybe that can happen in another book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Supernatural or Fantasy type settings.

Happy Reading 📚

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tarnished Relics is a solid fantasy novel. The story centers on Attoria, who has visions of the future whenever she falls asleep. It is prophesied that she will one day bring the God Amir to victory by killing his father Isteni. Attoria tries to hide from the prophecy and from those who wish to kill her so it doesn't get fulfilled. Attoria is a strong and determined woman. The world is very descriptive. The plot is unique and action packed. The story is filled with magic and suspense.itvis well written and keeps you interested as you read. I recommend Tarnished Relics to anyone who like fantasy novels and strong female characters.

[TheRealBookishRoyal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tarnished Relics completely stole my weekend (and my sleep), and I have zero regrets. I was hooked from the very first chapter. Attoria is the kind of heroine I LOVE—smart, determined, and thrown into way more chaos than she ever asked for.

The world is rich and magical without being confusing, and the prophecy storyline?? So addictive. I found myself rooting for Attoria every step of the way, and now I’m lowkey obsessed with Ludolf. The tension, the danger, the secrets—I ate it all up.

Fantasy lovers, this book delivers. A must-read if you’re into prophecies, gods, and fierce female leads.

[Lisa Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC, I am leaving my honest review. This is an outstanding story of a determined young woman, who is searching for answers to her destiny. Discovering who she is puts her on a journey to fulfill a prophecy from long ago. Emotionally gripping, unpredictable and suspense filled, the action packed scenarios keep your attention, making it a story hard to put down. The ending just makes you want to know more!

[Raeleane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story taking you on an adventurous journey full of magic surprises, and a few twists and turns. A. J. Titter writes a wonderful story with strong characters and superbly creative world building. I love Attoria's and Ludolf's characters and how their friendship grows. Their character growth is amazing throughout the story! I absolutely recommend reading this book!

[Samira Datukali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book was definitely a journey. As I was reading it, it felt like I was physically in the book. I love a powerful woman and gives me a inner confidence. The book was beautifully written and well paced and would definitely read more in this series and definitely read more from this author

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attoria, is a woman with the rare gift of seeing the future through her dreams. The story revolves around her quest for revenge after her parents are cursed with a deadly illness. As she hunts for answers, she is pursued by zealots of Isteni who want to prevent an ancient prophecy. It's a great book that engages storytelling and well-developed characters.

[Jessica Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an arc reader.
This was my first fantasy read ever and it definitely made me a fan of this genre! Between The storyline and the characters this book was all around amazing! Attoria is such a strong character! The book was written so well that the story flows at such a good pace and keeps you interested the whole time. I would definitely recommend this book!

[Ava Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The mix of prophecy, revenge, and powerful characters kept me hooked the whole time. Attoria is such a strong and determined protagonist, and the world-building is so vivid it pulls you right in. The twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend for anyone who loves epic fantasy!

[Melisa Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting book that left me wanting more. Bonus - it's clean! While written for adults, you could easily have 14+ readers for it due to the content being clean. Mild violence, but not gory....it's a journey and there is good vs evil to contend with, so not unexpected.