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The Cruelty of Gods
A young woman of silver skin takes on a new identity, one born from death.
Following the descent of the gods of Kaiyara, the runic sorceress Kyra toils away carving runes into anywhere she can to learn the secrets necessary to save her friends. She hides from the world in a cavern with a magical spring, Turmin of Runefall—who is rapidly and uncontrollably aging—and a creature made of pure fire.
Rumors spread across the land of a growing army, one meant to resist the growing tyranny of gods and goddesses. Meanwhile, the former dwarven king Grunffi reckons with his mistakes, vowing to find the wife he abandoned on the mountainside with his maker beside him.
Varelia and Groff follow the warish commands of the Shackled Maiden to an underground city of necromancy, but something is strange, something is off. This city doesn’t seem to be what they were told, and now the summoner and her golem must reconcile the truth of all summoning magic and its connection to the world.
This war between gods and goddesses has one inevitable end—blood.
Following the descent of the gods of Kaiyara, the runic sorceress Kyra toils away carving runes into anywhere she can to learn the secrets necessary to save her friends. She hides from the world in a cavern with a magical spring, Turmin of Runefall—who is rapidly and uncontrollably aging—and a creature made of pure fire.
Rumors spread across the land of a growing army, one meant to resist the growing tyranny of gods and goddesses. Meanwhile, the former dwarven king Grunffi reckons with his mistakes, vowing to find the wife he abandoned on the mountainside with his maker beside him.
Varelia and Groff follow the warish commands of the Shackled Maiden to an underground city of necromancy, but something is strange, something is off. This city doesn’t seem to be what they were told, and now the summoner and her golem must reconcile the truth of all summoning magic and its connection to the world.
This war between gods and goddesses has one inevitable end—blood.
457 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2025
11 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 15, 2025
this was a strong sequel in the Cruel Origins series, I thought the concept was so well written and worked with the first book perfectly. I was engaged with the characters and how they were used in this storyline. Shawn Amick has a strong writing style and was able to use the swords and sorcery element in the fantasy genre that I was wanting. It left me wanting to read more in this world and characters and from Shawn Amick.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 26, 2025
I received a free copy of this book via StoryOrigin, thank you Shawn Amick, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5⭐️ rounded up.
Once again this high/epic fantasy novel was full of wonderful, intricately detailed descriptions.
Multiple points of view and numerous characters driving the narrative.
The style of writing will not suit everyone, but I liked it, and felt the story was much clearer than book 1.
An enjoyable read.
“Words are always less than grief deserve,”
Excerpt from: The Cruelty of Gods
Shawn Amick
3.5⭐️ rounded up.
Once again this high/epic fantasy novel was full of wonderful, intricately detailed descriptions.
Multiple points of view and numerous characters driving the narrative.
The style of writing will not suit everyone, but I liked it, and felt the story was much clearer than book 1.
An enjoyable read.
“Words are always less than grief deserve,”
Excerpt from: The Cruelty of Gods
Shawn Amick
December 2, 2025
Cruelty of the Gods picks up two years after the events of book one, and we step back into a world still scarred, shaken, and struggling to rebuild. The characters we met before are recovering in their own ways. Some are repairing what was broken and others trying to rediscover who they are in the aftermath. You can feel the tension rising as everyone seems to be moving toward an inevitable, larger conflict.
One of the things that continues to stand out in Shawn Amick’s writing is his uniquely expressive style. The use of bold and italic text isn’t just decorative. It deepens the emotional resonance of the story. It lets you feel the weight behind certain words and moments, almost like hearing the characters’ tone in real time.
Amick paints scenes with such vivid detail that it’s easy to visualize every moment; sometimes you can practically hear what’s happening on the page. His descriptive style brings the world to life in a way that feels cinematic.
And I prefer the use of ellipses. It adds a nostalgic, familiar rhythm to the storytelling that made me smile every time.
This was a compelling continuation of the series, rich in atmosphere and emotion.
One of the things that continues to stand out in Shawn Amick’s writing is his uniquely expressive style. The use of bold and italic text isn’t just decorative. It deepens the emotional resonance of the story. It lets you feel the weight behind certain words and moments, almost like hearing the characters’ tone in real time.
Amick paints scenes with such vivid detail that it’s easy to visualize every moment; sometimes you can practically hear what’s happening on the page. His descriptive style brings the world to life in a way that feels cinematic.
And I prefer the use of ellipses. It adds a nostalgic, familiar rhythm to the storytelling that made me smile every time.
This was a compelling continuation of the series, rich in atmosphere and emotion.
January 20, 2026
“Well‑written, but ultimately not for me.”
The Cruelty of Gods is one of those books I can appreciate without fully connecting to. The author is undeniably talented — the writing is strong, the worldbuilding is vivid, and the story threads are ambitious. I especially enjoyed following three different storylines, each offering its own angle on the world and its magic. Structurally, it’s a great dark fantasy with plenty for fans of the genre to sink into.
That said, the depiction of magic just didn’t work for me. The parasitic nature of it, and especially the way runes are used in this series, rubbed me the wrong way on a personal level. As someone who is a Norse pagan, that framing pulled me out of the story more than once. It’s not a flaw in the writing — just a mismatch between the book’s approach and my own relationship to those symbols and practices.
I did finish the entire series, because I prefer to judge a story as a whole rather than leave it incomplete, and I can absolutely see why many readers love it. It’s dark, imaginative, and confidently told. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
The Cruelty of Gods is one of those books I can appreciate without fully connecting to. The author is undeniably talented — the writing is strong, the worldbuilding is vivid, and the story threads are ambitious. I especially enjoyed following three different storylines, each offering its own angle on the world and its magic. Structurally, it’s a great dark fantasy with plenty for fans of the genre to sink into.
That said, the depiction of magic just didn’t work for me. The parasitic nature of it, and especially the way runes are used in this series, rubbed me the wrong way on a personal level. As someone who is a Norse pagan, that framing pulled me out of the story more than once. It’s not a flaw in the writing — just a mismatch between the book’s approach and my own relationship to those symbols and practices.
I did finish the entire series, because I prefer to judge a story as a whole rather than leave it incomplete, and I can absolutely see why many readers love it. It’s dark, imaginative, and confidently told. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
January 30, 2026
Audiobook: I thought the first book in this series was great, but this book was even better. The worldbuilding was complicated, and I was impressed with the magical systems. I felt like I knew the characters better as many were introduced in the first book, and I enjoyed the different characters' arcs. I liked some of the newer characters also. I appreciated the flashes of humor provided by the dialogue. I enjoyed Jaymie Greives' narration as her performance was entertaining. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
July 13, 2025
Thank you Shawn Amick for letting me arc read your book.
This was my first time reading books from Shawn. It took me a minute to get into the book, just because this isn't my typical reading genre. I started to enjoy it very quickly. Wonderful characters and world. Everything flowed so well I felt like I was a fly on the wall watching everything in real time. Definitely a must read for all fantasy readers!
This was my first time reading books from Shawn. It took me a minute to get into the book, just because this isn't my typical reading genre. I started to enjoy it very quickly. Wonderful characters and world. Everything flowed so well I felt like I was a fly on the wall watching everything in real time. Definitely a must read for all fantasy readers!
August 27, 2025
Enjoyed this book that Shawn gave me the opportunity to read ahead of release. I bought book one first which was good. There are so many characters in this series I appreciated the map at the beginning and list of characters. I thought the story was good and characters were well written and the story moved at a good pace. Enjoyable and interesting fun book!
August 29, 2025
Cruelty of the Gods was a magical, mysterious journey into a dangerous world! It has very vivid descriptions and characters, intriguing plot, and is well-written. My only complaint is that I had a hard time following everything going on, but that may not be the case for everyone. I definitely recommend checking it out!
June 17, 2025
This was the second book to Cruel Origins and followed just as great if not better than the first. This was a long read for me but it was worth it! Shawn wrote the characters perfectly. The words were written so well the whole book was a movie for me.
-must read in the fantasy world!
-must read in the fantasy world!
September 11, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ I loved diving back into this world, and from beginning to end I was completely hooked. The characters were amazing, and the story flowed well and was well written. I loved how the author’s writing made the reader feel every emotion on the page even deeper This was a great read and I can't wait to read more
November 7, 2025
Awesome 2nd book
is two years later and the characters we met in book one are trying to recover, repair and/or rebuild from the events of book one. The characters in this world seem to be building towards a great battle. This author does something I personally find to be a unique writing style. He writes using bold and italic fonts. This gives the reader a deeper feel for the emotions of the words on the page. I really feel the author paints a picture with his words and just the way he describes what is happening you can just about hear it. Also, on a personal note. As someone who grew up in Generation X I love the use of the ellipses.
is two years later and the characters we met in book one are trying to recover, repair and/or rebuild from the events of book one. The characters in this world seem to be building towards a great battle. This author does something I personally find to be a unique writing style. He writes using bold and italic fonts. This gives the reader a deeper feel for the emotions of the words on the page. I really feel the author paints a picture with his words and just the way he describes what is happening you can just about hear it. Also, on a personal note. As someone who grew up in Generation X I love the use of the ellipses.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews