Blades of Eternity and the Keeper of Peace

Blades of Eternity #1

by Zach Fox

A search for the Keeper of Peace becomes a frantic race to alter the fate of the world. Four kingdoms collide in this faith-filled fantasy novel for middle-grade readers.

Over one hundred years have passed since the Keeper of Peace vanished. In hopes of finding the missing governor and restoring him to his rightful place atop the Keeper’s Throne, The King of Summer forms a secret search party. The king’s son, Prince Mel, joins his father’s most trusted allies on this perilous quest. Before Mel and his party embark, he receives an ultra-powerful weapon—one of the Blades of Eternity—forged by the Creator.

As the group encounters various dangers, Eva, the Princess of Winter, shares a secret with the prince about a mysterious prisoner who always wears a mask to hide his identity. Could this be the one the king sent them to find? And even if so, how can Prince Mel’s party rescue “inmate 36” and escape under the evil eye of Eva’s father, Aegis, the King of Winter? 

Blades of Eternity and the Keeper of Peace is the first book in the Blades of Eternity series. Readers will encounter page-turning adventure as they explore the values of friendship, loyalty, and courage.  
 

Genres: Middle Grade

224 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

Zach Fox is a first-time author and a youth pastor at Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd, Iowa, where he lives with his wife and five wonderful children. He aims to inspire the next generation of Christians with excellent, imaginative stories that promote biblical values.

Reviews

[Luminous Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

About the Book:
In this thrilling middle grade fantasy, Mel, the Prince of Summer embarks on a dangerous quest to find the Keeper of Peace, who has been missing for a hundred years. As they navigate treacherous landscapes, whispers of a masked prisoner trapped in the chilling dungeon of Winter emerge. Could this mysterious man be the key to their mission? But with every step, they must evade the iron grip of the King of Winter!

My Thoughts:
This is a story filled with themes of courage, friendship, and mercy, all set against a backdrop filled with danger, hidden secrets, and even dragons! The world-building is absolutely delightful, with each realm perfectly capturing the essence of the four seasons. I already can’t wait to explore more of the Realm in the next book!

The characters truly stole the show for me. Sareef is intriguing from the start and Mel’s character growth is equally compelling; his journey of learning to listen to the voice of the Lamb is so beautiful and inspiring.

I’m already looking forward to reading the next in this series, and I can’t wait to explore more of this fascinating world and learn more about each of the characters. This book is perfect for kids aged 12 and up, especially for those who love The Chronicles of Narnia. ❄️⚔️🐺

Content for Consideration:
Mild violence and injuries.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rachel Nolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blades of Eternity is a timeless tale that shines with courage, honor, and the quiet strength of mercy. Set in the land of The Realm, Prince Mel leads a secret search party looking for the lost Keeper of Peace. As the journey continues, Eva, the Princess of Winter shares a secret about a mysterious, masked prisoner. Together with their secret mission group, they set out on an adventure of a lifetime. The author weaves a world of both magic and moral, balancing adventure with heart. In the end, Blades of Eternity is more than just a story--It's a book that leaves light in its wake.

This book is perfect for a family read, a road trip audiobook, or just reading alone--the reader won't be able to put it down! When the book is over, the reader will be reaching for Book 2 and a whoopie pie!

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the world-building and am looking forward to the next book. There were multiple surprises, and it pulled on the heartstrings very skillfully in places.

[Mitchel Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blades of Eternity: The Keeper of Peace demands your attention from the very first page, opening with a scene that sets both the tone and the tension for a world built on faith, family, borders, and hidden motives.

Fox’s world-building and character development pull you deep into The Realm, where the Four Kingdoms must resist isolation and find unity before old suspicions and pride spark an age of conflict.

But things are not as they seem.

Prince Mel and his unlikely band of travelers—a war-scarred rabbit, an owl, a priest, and others—set out on a “Holy Pilgrimage” to the Keeper’s Plateau, seeking truth and peace but finding more questions than answers. Along the way, Mel must fight his enemies with Judah, his father’s blade, while wrestling to still his heart enough to hear the voice of the Lamb and not be led by his emotions.

It’s a journey that feels both epic and personal—one that makes you wish you could walk The Realm yourself (and maybe even try the food).

Zach Fox’s debut is a unique and confident entry into Christian fantasy. He weaves a story that explores themes of faith versus pride, responsibility and leadership, and the cost of peace, all while keeping the adventure fast-paced and heartfelt. His prose carries the assurance and imagination of a seasoned storyteller.

Fox writes with conviction and creativity, painting a world that feels timeless yet fresh. This is a story that not only entertains but invites reflection on what it means to lead, to believe, and to fight for peace in a divided world.

He’s clearly setting up something much larger with this series—and he better be, because readers are going to be hungry for more.

[The Faithful Chapter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I love how each Kingdom is represented by a season. It’s such a creative and vivid touch. Zach created a world that mirrors our own in many ways while still feeling imaginative and fresh.
The main character, Meleik (also known as Mel), starts off immature and a bit arrogant. That makes sense because he’s young, privileged, and a prince who hasn’t truly faced hardship yet. Watching him grow and transform throughout his journey was one of my favorite parts.
I’m a big fan of allegory in Christian fiction, and I think it was done beautifully here. The Lamb clearly represents Christ and gave me strong Aslan vibes from Narnia. The King of Winter’s gift of song, a nod to Satan once being the Angel of Worship, was such a powerful and symbolic element. His music could twist and corrupt thoughts, making that theme really stand out.
I’d consider this geared more toward upper middle grade readers, especially since some of the political elements might go over younger readers’ heads. Overall, it’s a meaningful and engaging story with a strong message at its heart.

[Brittany Roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of a brand new series for middle-grade students. It’s a fun adventure of Prince Mel of Summer and his quest that takes him into the realm of King Winter. There are a lot of characters and governors in the “Realm” this story is set in - but it is overseen by the Lamb. One piece of the story I don’t feel like I fully understood was why they had “whipping posts” where everyone had to whip a post every day to confess and atone for their sins. Maybe that will be developed further in future books!

Would recommend for ages 10+.

[Melissa Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of adventure and imagination. I love finding books based in good. This is a great book for full family fun with clever creativity and beautiful foundation in the gospel.
If you loved Narnia - give this a read!

[Beka Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ the author is hot.