The Song of The End

by S.J. Stiles

From the shores of the End, darkness bleeds across the archipelago.

In the Nadr Stronghold, Gailah discovers the depth of her bond to the Void. With Torin at her side, ready to defend her, they must find a way forward to escape the past.

Bjorn is left to salvage the honor of his house as the Broken Mountain falls from glory. With the help of Senna and Tomas, he will face a task far greater than he could ever imagine.

Among the ranks of soldiers and alchemists, Alexi wrestles with his purpose. A prince will become a stranger, an ally, and a champion of the Nine to help save his family, his friends and himself.

The Song of the End marches across every island and the Void will not rest until all its debts are paid.

Genres: Fantasy

Unknown Binding

Published March 17, 2026

About the author

S.J. Stiles grew up in the fields of north eastern Ohio then settled her life in the hills of the Carolinas. She kept a journal of her thoughts and ideas wherever she went, sometimes on her phone or in a tiny book with a Parisian cafe on the cover. Every place she visited held fragments of a universe that demanded to be remembered. So she wrote them down in a journal full of archipelagos, continents, tragedy and hope.

Reviews

[MikeLikesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was no let up in book 2. The Void/End is really making a mess of things for the people in Thyssia . The Emperor, Airith is the biggest jerk and bad guy. And he has this bond with Gailah and is determined to make her his. Ick! I am 100% Team Torin when it comes to who should be with Gailah. (Chapter 39) got me hooked. Can I also say there is a point in the book that Bjorn braids Senna’s hair. How did the author make that so passionate. For a clean romance things feel a little warm. My heart goes out to Alexi. I hope he finds his destiny and love too. I guess I’m focusing on the romantic notes of the novel but there is also a lot of tension on what will happen to Thyssia. I love political intrigue and this book has it in abundance.

I definitely think you should start with book one and then dive into this one.

I want to thank the author for an early copy. My review is voluntary.

[Alexa Hammock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read SJ Stiles’ first book in preparation for The Song of The End and after the cliffhanger of an ending, I was so excited to start this book! This second book was such a treat and I had been anxiously awaiting to go back to the world of Thyssia! She does a great job of using just enough suspense and surprise to keep you wanting to read until the early hours of the morning! The dynamics between family, politics, love, and sacrifice are all intertwined throughout her entire story. During my normal day to day work and life, I couldn’t help but wonder “what is Senna doing today?” or “what is Bjorn thinking right now?” and would rush home excited to read. SJ Stiles makes you feel as if you’re living in her characters’ world; as if you have a front row seat to everything that unfolds. I look forward to seeing what she has planned for her readers and characters in the future!

[KMart Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comp Titles: Romance like Pride & Prejudice, Aesthetic like Troy, Politics like Game of Thrones/LotR

These comps are honestly spot-on. You get the sweeping scale of epic fantasy politics and conflict layered with a swoony, restrained romance that makes you feel like you do about the love story in Pride and Prejudice, all with Greco-Roman vibes.

This picks up the threads from book one and immediately widens the scope. More depth in its characters, more complexity in its politics, more romantic tension simmering under the surface. And there is an overarching looming sense that something catastrophic is coming. It’s a lot of setup, but the kind that feels intentional, like all of these threads are about to collide in a major way.

It’s very much a slow-burn, yearning-heavy story where pointed glances, grand declarations, and loyalty carry more weight than spice ever could. Torin and Gailah are still everything with their steady, unwavering devotion. Senna and Bjorn bring their own kind of more comfortable and down-to-earth tension since their relationship has already been built on a strong foundation, and Alexi’s arc ended up being one of the more interesting threads to follow. There are a lot of moving pieces, so it definitely rewards paying attention, but it never felt overwhelming.

The writing has that slightly lyrical feel without slowing things down, and when the action hits, it lands. The slow-burn romance, the shifting alliances, the way characters grow into their roles, it all works together really well. If you love ensemble casts, politics, prophecy, sea monsters, and romance woven tightly into high-stakes fantasy, this series absolutely delivers so well.

I adore these characters and cannot wait to see how it all unravels in the next!

Thank you to the amazing author for the pre-released review copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Christine Folan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review - Advanced Reader Copy

I was so looking forward to going back to Thyssia, and with that always comes a moment of trepidation. Will the sequel live up to my expectations? Will the characters hit as strong? Will the story sweep me away like it did the first time?
Yes, to all of the above.
Not only is Stiles’ prose lyrical and engaging, but she does an excellent job of entwining the perspectives of your favourite characters from book one in order to tackle complicated questions of politics, identify, familial duty, and love.

I can’t recommend these novels enough to lovers of high fantasy, especially those looking for an Austenien flair.

[Terri Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm totally in love with this series!

Slow burn
Touch her and die
Alchemy/forbidden magic
Dark magic
Lost son
Found family
A prophecy
Bonded creature (my favorite bit)

No spice

I’m a sucker for a quote and I couldn’t choose just one.

“Death is certain. The sea does not forget.”
“I will find you in the Void or the halls of the Nine. Death will not part us.”
“Only the sun casts a shadow.”
“Alchemy always has a cost. It needs fuel. It needs to be fed.”
“Begin at the end.”

I want to start off with the following~

One thing that I haven’t seen in other reviews is the very slight flavor of Fourth Wing–but it’s a sea creature, not a dragon. The interactions between the character in question and the sea creature are brief but they make me kick my feet and squee. If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I love a good, snarky, psychic connection between a character and a creature! 😀

Next, you think that you got all the world building you needed in TSOT…..but you were wrong!! There is so much more to these stories, these people. This is a series of epic stories about epic characters.

We pick up with a bit of backstory that helps us better understand the big bad in this series (who we were quickly introduced to at the end of book one).

I will attempt to peek into each character’s story without spoilers (although there will be spoilers for The Song of Thyssia). I could write a dissertation on each one but I want you to have a taste without eating the entire meal!

Gailah–You might remember that Gailah has learned that her mother has tied her fate to the big bad and seemingly doomed her children and people. Reeling from that, and the pain of her rune, Torin whisks her out of the room. Thank goodness for grandmother Ellika and zero thanks to Katha. Periodt! We are learning that Gailah isn’t to be trifled with and will not sit patiently while fate and The End/The Void impose their will on her. Gailah is the embodiment of “f*ck around and find out.” So brave in the face of terror and evil.

Airth–There really isn’t a way to discuss his story without spoilers. He’s obsessed with Gailah as his promised “wife.” If you read TSOT, you know he’s not a good guy. His story is beefed up in TSOTE, although I’m sure there is much more in the next book, and I have yet to find a crumb of sympathy for him. I love all things alchemy but this version gives me the ick.

Alexi–If you felt some type of way about him in TSOT (not good), you will come to understand him more. I’m 100% in for a character whose growth isn’t just a straight arrow up. His character needed building and he’s having his rough edges sanded aggressively. He is becoming a champion. I look forward to learning more about his biological family, his hero’s journey, and a possible love interest. Chef’s kiss!

Senna–She’s a badass warrior. Her faith in Bjorn is unmeasurable–touch him and die vibes. Total speculation but, based upon what her blood does, we could see her go full alchemist (but in a good way). Her relationship to magic is tainted by what her father (and Airth and Haydrian) have done.

Bjorn–Glad to see him stand up to his mother for her ish. He has a hard road ahead, Katha having damned her children and her entire people. He’s been put in an untenable situation (by that infernal mother of his) but he is brave and he is good. “No amount of death will bring a mountain to its knees. We are quite comfortable with death.” He braids Senna’s hair! He has his own hero’s journey to take and he does it without flinching (as long as Senna is OK).

Torin–If “touch her and die” were a man, it would be Torin. He stands ten toes down for Gailah and would destroy the world for her. The fact that she is “married” to an alchemical crusty critter is irrelevant. He has his own battles to fight, literally, but all that matters in the end is Gailah.

Katha–Meh. I have a tiny bit of hope that she is redeemable but her children have been forever altered because of her selfishness. This sums it up, Katha: “I loved your father and I love my children.” Gailah: “And look what love has done to your family, your people. Please take your love from me. I do not want it.” YAAAASSS, Queen. So far, her best quality is how much she loves her bear. We do get a little backstory on her and it gives some perspective.

We are introduced to some new characters, and we learn more about a couple we already met. I love Tomas, I’m worried about Lord Barrock, and I’m ready to punch “The Nine” in their collective d!cks (metaphorically).

I highly recommend diving into this series!

Thanks to S.J. Stiles for an advance copy of this e-book!

[Sofi Paczka · Rating 4 out of 5]

War in this story is brutal. The enemy they’re facing this time isn’t just powerful, it’s cruel, vicious, and completely inhumane. It genuinely feels like the stakes have risen from where the first book ended, especially now that the gods are starting to come into play. The scale of the story suddenly feels so much bigger, like everything is moving toward something inevitable and terrifying.

Amid all of that chaos, the relationships between old and new characters are what kept pulling me in. Torin’s devotion to Gailah had me thinking the entire time: I need a man that adores me the way Torin adores Gailah. The loyalty and admiration he has for her feels like something straight out of a dream.

But if I’m being honest, I was even more invested in Senna and Bjorn. Their relationship is complicated in the most frustrating and beautiful way. No matter how stubbornly she denies what’s between them, it’s so obvious their hearts belong to each other. And Bjorn… a man that big and formidable who is so gentle with her? I literally fold. He knows she’s made of iron, yet he still praises her like she’s the rarest jewel. I swear they’re a match made in heaven.

Alexi is another character that has me completely hooked. I truly believe in his redemption arc. Life works in mysterious ways, and it feels like he’s meant for something bigger, even if he doesn’t see it yet. To me he doesn’t feel like a villain so much as a lost boy trying to find where he belongs. I’m really hoping he finds that place someday, maybe even finding home in someone rather than somewhere.

This story, and this war, feels like it’s only just beginning. Alongside these characters, I’m holding on to hope that they can defeat the darkness in the end (no pun intended).

Also, funny enough, the character arc I’m most excited about (and slightly scared for) is Alexi’s. I have a feeling his development is going to absolutely wreck me… and honestly, I’m ready for it.

[Lara Reading Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever open a book and wish you could jump inside? That’s how I feel about this series. Initially, the author intended this to be a duology but I am so glad she decided to go for a trilogy instead because I would have been distraught if my time in this world were over.

This is a lush fantasy world with well-developed characters and gorgeous prose. I like to call this a “brain on” series because the plot demands your attention. We are following multiple characters, families, and lands in a battle for power. But don’t let that scare you off; the story is still completely accessible.

I’m in love with this worlds and highly recommend this to any fantasy lover. I really appreciate that the focus is on the fantasy and not the romance (think Lord of the Rings level romance. It’s there and it’s important, but we have to get this ring to Mordor, folks.)

Now we wait for book three!

[Hillary Hammock · Rating 5 out of 5]

We start right where book one ends, and we are immediately thrown into the political war between the End and Thyssia. There’s more politics, more tension, and more emotional depth.

S.J. Stiles dives even deeper into the characters and their complex relationships while fighting a war. I especially loved getting to see more of Gailah and Torin’s relationship, as well as Senna and Bjorn’s. Senna and Bjorn’s dynamic is so complex, and it’s so clear how much they care for each other even while they’re caught on opposite sides of a war. Alexi’s journey to the End introduces new characters that gave me Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, which was such a fun addition. I can’t wait to see more over Alexi’s character arc and journey in the next book.

S.J. Stiles’ writing is beautiful and lyrical while still being high-intensity and action-packed. The war is brutal, the stakes are higher, and everything feels bigger than the first book.

I love where this story is going and I’m already so excited (and not patient 😭) waiting for book three.

[Sarah Bastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fellow readers: if you like high stakes fantasy written like lord of the rings boy oh boy do I have a recommendation for you. Set to be a trilogy book 2 just released and it is every bit as good as book 1. LOTS of world building and just as many POVs in book 1. Book 2 has the stage set and slims down on the POVs but doesn’t leave out on any of the action.

I am so pumped that this is going to be a trilogy instead of a duology. The action from book one continues with a little splash of the relationships that don’t take over the plot. Well done! I love everything about this and wish I could read them again for the first time.

[Loganne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review - Advanced Reader Copy

S.J. Stiles weaves a story that you won’t be able to put down in The Song of the End. This sequel is everything I loved about The Song of Thyssia, and more. The same political intrigue and lovable characters with more action, tension, and swoon worthy romances to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Once again, Stiles combines beautiful and lyrical prose with epic action sequences and love stories that will give you butterflies. I am so grateful for the opportunity to ARC read this book, and I am eager for the next installment!!

[Chanelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this next installment!
The story was a lot easier to follow knowing who everyone was and having a better understanding of the world.

Bjorn absolutely has my heart I love him and Senna so much. Torin is just the cutest and his devotion is just perfect!
Alexi was way more interesting in this book and I'm actually really looking forward to more of his journey.

I love Gailah's character growth and cannot wait to see how she overcomes the challenges ahead.

[bry’s corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fantastic, I absolutely loved it.