What do you think?
Rate this book
Elegy of the Stars: A Medieval Dark Fantasy
Dive into an apocalyptic medieval world from multiple perspectives in this standalone debut novel from award-nominated author J. J. DE GROOT that combines the epic horror of Attack on Titan with the religious mysteries of Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose.
The Horsemen are here, and they aren't leaving until the last remaining kingdom is burned to the ground.
Fifteen-year-old Balmung works as a necromancer, negotiating with malevolent ghosts and helping lost souls pass on. His goal? Join the Necromancy Guild – trusted by Brevaria’s High Astrologers to protect their kingdom from the Horsemen – and repay Guild leader Magdalene for saving his life.
To earn her favor and a place at her side, Balmung must journey into the heart of Horsemen territory and retrieve a holy relic that could save Brevaria. The quest sets him on a collision course with others seeking its Roma, an astrologer determined to bargain her way out of a political marriage, and Dieter, an undercover prince who must dethrone Brevaria’s king if he wants to save his people.
New horrors lurk in the ruins of fallen nations, and longstanding truths begin to crack. What is the true nature of the relic they're after, and are the Horsemen really mankind's greatest threat?
The Horsemen are here, and they aren't leaving until the last remaining kingdom is burned to the ground.
Fifteen-year-old Balmung works as a necromancer, negotiating with malevolent ghosts and helping lost souls pass on. His goal? Join the Necromancy Guild – trusted by Brevaria’s High Astrologers to protect their kingdom from the Horsemen – and repay Guild leader Magdalene for saving his life.
To earn her favor and a place at her side, Balmung must journey into the heart of Horsemen territory and retrieve a holy relic that could save Brevaria. The quest sets him on a collision course with others seeking its Roma, an astrologer determined to bargain her way out of a political marriage, and Dieter, an undercover prince who must dethrone Brevaria’s king if he wants to save his people.
New horrors lurk in the ruins of fallen nations, and longstanding truths begin to crack. What is the true nature of the relic they're after, and are the Horsemen really mankind's greatest threat?
492 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
20 people want to read
About the author
J. J. DE GROOT
1 book2 followersJ. J. DE GROOT writes historical dark fantasy fueled by nerd culture and her own rampant imagination. She graduated with a degree in Marketing and a Psychology minor. Her previous novella, The Dyad, was nominated for Project of the Year at Bentley University. She is a board member of The Fantasy Author Legion and local to MA. Outside of work, she is an avid world traveler, a fragrance connoisseur, and a competitive longsword fencer & assistant instructor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 2, 2025
Disclosure: I was given an advance reader copy (ARC) of "Elegy..." in exchange for my honest review!
If you’re passionate about supporting indie authors and want to get in on the “ground level” of a debut artist’s promising career—look no further! J. J. De Groot has got ~*the spark*~ that all great authors need. Mark my words: “Elegy” is the first step of what will be a wildly-successful journey through the imagination of a rising star (wink!) in fiction.
“Elegy of the Stars” follows the story of fifteen-year-old necromancer Balmung, a young man looking to take his rightful place among Brevaria’s Necromancer Guild, and with it, earn a permanent place beside his mentor, the former war-medic-turned-Royal-Necromancer, Magdalene.
Simultaneously, seventeen-year-old astrologer Roma has been sent against her will to Brevaria to finalize her studies, just in time to trade her vast potential for marriage to a man chosen for political advantage, and nothing else.
And finally, we’re introduced to Dieter—a lost-at-heart eighteen-year-old wrestling with insecurity and the swelling pressure of royal responsibility.
When judged as a whole, "Elegy of the Stars" gets a lot right—the plot focused on unraveling the mystery and mayhem of the four Horsemen is compelling; the dialogue among characters of varied backgrounds and motives is realistic and engaging; the worldbuilding centered on astrology is comprehensive and original; and the line-level craft is vivid and strong (but with a few typos and grammatical misses, unfortunately!)
Zoomed in, I felt the biggest issues were with plausibility, tone, and many moments of “telling” in place of “showing,” as the old writing adage goes.
I felt the three main characters often acted inconsistent with their age, and I found myself wishing De Groot had pushed deeper into their feelings and flaws. I kept wanting more pain, more grief, and a lot less “rah-rah” optimism in-line with my Dark Fantasy expectations. What redeems them are their clear—and satisfying—character arcs, leaving each one in a very different place than where they started!
There were also many moments of levity and laughter among the characters at what felt like inappropriate times. The tonal whiplash clashed with the gravity of important scenes and left me wincing at times. It felt a little like the author was forcing moments of "bathos" where they didn't quite belong.
But ultimately it was the immersive world of “Elegy” that kept me turning page after page.
The care with which De Groot created the Star signs and their realms of power, mixed with the detailed history of the continent and its kingdoms cushioned the rough edges of this indie debut from all sides.
There’s so much to love about this novel, and I’m glad to have been given the chance to read it and support its launch. I look forward to more from this author—and you should too!
If you’re passionate about supporting indie authors and want to get in on the “ground level” of a debut artist’s promising career—look no further! J. J. De Groot has got ~*the spark*~ that all great authors need. Mark my words: “Elegy” is the first step of what will be a wildly-successful journey through the imagination of a rising star (wink!) in fiction.
“Elegy of the Stars” follows the story of fifteen-year-old necromancer Balmung, a young man looking to take his rightful place among Brevaria’s Necromancer Guild, and with it, earn a permanent place beside his mentor, the former war-medic-turned-Royal-Necromancer, Magdalene.
Simultaneously, seventeen-year-old astrologer Roma has been sent against her will to Brevaria to finalize her studies, just in time to trade her vast potential for marriage to a man chosen for political advantage, and nothing else.
And finally, we’re introduced to Dieter—a lost-at-heart eighteen-year-old wrestling with insecurity and the swelling pressure of royal responsibility.
When judged as a whole, "Elegy of the Stars" gets a lot right—the plot focused on unraveling the mystery and mayhem of the four Horsemen is compelling; the dialogue among characters of varied backgrounds and motives is realistic and engaging; the worldbuilding centered on astrology is comprehensive and original; and the line-level craft is vivid and strong (but with a few typos and grammatical misses, unfortunately!)
Zoomed in, I felt the biggest issues were with plausibility, tone, and many moments of “telling” in place of “showing,” as the old writing adage goes.
I felt the three main characters often acted inconsistent with their age, and I found myself wishing De Groot had pushed deeper into their feelings and flaws. I kept wanting more pain, more grief, and a lot less “rah-rah” optimism in-line with my Dark Fantasy expectations. What redeems them are their clear—and satisfying—character arcs, leaving each one in a very different place than where they started!
There were also many moments of levity and laughter among the characters at what felt like inappropriate times. The tonal whiplash clashed with the gravity of important scenes and left me wincing at times. It felt a little like the author was forcing moments of "bathos" where they didn't quite belong.
But ultimately it was the immersive world of “Elegy” that kept me turning page after page.
The care with which De Groot created the Star signs and their realms of power, mixed with the detailed history of the continent and its kingdoms cushioned the rough edges of this indie debut from all sides.
There’s so much to love about this novel, and I’m glad to have been given the chance to read it and support its launch. I look forward to more from this author—and you should too!
August 27, 2025
Elegy of the Stars is a bold and atmospheric debut that plunges readers into a dark fantasy world teetering on the brink of apocalypse. J. J. DE GROOT expertly weaves together elements of necromantic magic, political intrigue, and supernatural threats in a story that follows three main characters: Balmung, a young necromancer trying to prove himself; Roma, an astrologer desperate to avoid an arranged marriage; and Dieter, a disguised prince seeking to reclaim his throne. Their intertwined quests for a powerful relic that could save their kingdom from destruction form the backbone of this richly imagined tale.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its immersive worldbuilding. The bleak landscape haunted by the Horsemen, coupled with religious tensions and the weight of prophecy, creates an intense atmosphere filled with dread and urgency. The multi-perspective narrative adds depth and complexity, allowing readers to engage with the characters’ personal struggles and motivations from various angles. Themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the burdens of power and duty resonate strongly throughout the story, providing emotional weight beneath the fantasy action.
However, the novel’s pacing can at times feel uneven. With a sprawling cast and dense political setup, the story occasionally drags, especially in the early chapters. While the detailed exposition builds a solid foundation for the world and its conflicts, it can slow the momentum and test the patience of some readers. Additionally, though the story promises dark twists and high-stakes drama, certain plot elements feel familiar and predictable within the genre’s conventions.
Overall, Elegy of the Stars is a compelling and ambitious entry in dark fantasy. Its evocative prose and emotionally charged character arcs stand out, even if the pacing and familiarity of some tropes hold it back from reaching its full potential. I’d rate it three stars, with hope that future installments will tighten the narrative and elevate the story even further.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its immersive worldbuilding. The bleak landscape haunted by the Horsemen, coupled with religious tensions and the weight of prophecy, creates an intense atmosphere filled with dread and urgency. The multi-perspective narrative adds depth and complexity, allowing readers to engage with the characters’ personal struggles and motivations from various angles. Themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the burdens of power and duty resonate strongly throughout the story, providing emotional weight beneath the fantasy action.
However, the novel’s pacing can at times feel uneven. With a sprawling cast and dense political setup, the story occasionally drags, especially in the early chapters. While the detailed exposition builds a solid foundation for the world and its conflicts, it can slow the momentum and test the patience of some readers. Additionally, though the story promises dark twists and high-stakes drama, certain plot elements feel familiar and predictable within the genre’s conventions.
Overall, Elegy of the Stars is a compelling and ambitious entry in dark fantasy. Its evocative prose and emotionally charged character arcs stand out, even if the pacing and familiarity of some tropes hold it back from reaching its full potential. I’d rate it three stars, with hope that future installments will tighten the narrative and elevate the story even further.
August 22, 2025
Elegy of the Stars by J. J. de Groot
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
This book had me torn. On one hand, I really enjoyed the setting and concept. A medieval dark fantasy world with gods, war, and the heavy hand of fate always hovering over the characters—yes, please! The atmosphere was rich, gloomy, and gave me the exact vibes I expect when I dive into something darker and heavier. You could feel the weight of the world pressing down on everyone, and that was one of the things that made me keep reading.
But here’s the problem: the execution pulled me out of the story more times than I wanted. The book desperately needs a lector to go over it again. There were missing words, doubled words, and sometimes whole sentences that didn’t make sense at all. And while one or two of those things would be forgivable, the frequency made it distracting. It felt like I was constantly stumbling over the text instead of sinking into it.
Character-wise, there were moments where I could feel the depth trying to come through. The themes of loyalty, struggle, and survival were there, and some interactions did work really well. But other times the tension fell flat, and with all the small writing mistakes, it was hard to fully connect with them the way I wanted to.
Overall, the story itself was good, and the atmosphere worked for me. But the rough writing and lack of clean editing made it difficult to enjoy to the fullest. With some careful revision, this could easily be a stronger, more immersive read. For now, it’s 3/5 stars from me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
This book had me torn. On one hand, I really enjoyed the setting and concept. A medieval dark fantasy world with gods, war, and the heavy hand of fate always hovering over the characters—yes, please! The atmosphere was rich, gloomy, and gave me the exact vibes I expect when I dive into something darker and heavier. You could feel the weight of the world pressing down on everyone, and that was one of the things that made me keep reading.
But here’s the problem: the execution pulled me out of the story more times than I wanted. The book desperately needs a lector to go over it again. There were missing words, doubled words, and sometimes whole sentences that didn’t make sense at all. And while one or two of those things would be forgivable, the frequency made it distracting. It felt like I was constantly stumbling over the text instead of sinking into it.
Character-wise, there were moments where I could feel the depth trying to come through. The themes of loyalty, struggle, and survival were there, and some interactions did work really well. But other times the tension fell flat, and with all the small writing mistakes, it was hard to fully connect with them the way I wanted to.
Overall, the story itself was good, and the atmosphere worked for me. But the rough writing and lack of clean editing made it difficult to enjoy to the fullest. With some careful revision, this could easily be a stronger, more immersive read. For now, it’s 3/5 stars from me.
August 27, 2025
I have sat with this book for a few days before writing this review and making sure I am happy with it and I must say that this one is conflicting for me.
The story itself is an interesting. The concept is one which I would usually love but, in this instance, I found myself disappointed with the execution. It was hard to be fully invested in the story when I was consistently being pulled out of it whether that was by simple editing mistakes such as spellings or missing words or through the disconnect from the characters which made them difficult to fully invest in.
I'm frustrated to rate the book so low because it shows so much promise and potential, with a concept I would normally be all over, however it feels like the book needs a little more editing and refining in some areas and this took away from the enjoyment for me.
Such a shame.
2 stars.
The story itself is an interesting. The concept is one which I would usually love but, in this instance, I found myself disappointed with the execution. It was hard to be fully invested in the story when I was consistently being pulled out of it whether that was by simple editing mistakes such as spellings or missing words or through the disconnect from the characters which made them difficult to fully invest in.
I'm frustrated to rate the book so low because it shows so much promise and potential, with a concept I would normally be all over, however it feels like the book needs a little more editing and refining in some areas and this took away from the enjoyment for me.
Such a shame.
2 stars.
September 9, 2025
A bit rushed, but it can grow into something more fledged.
This dark fantasy had so much potential but didn’t quite stick the landing. The atmosphere was great and the world hinted at something deep and fascinating. The power systems especially caught my interest—unique and creative—but they weren’t really used until the very end, which felt like a missed opportunity.
The pacing wasn’t ideal either. A lot of buildup, then suddenly everything rushed forward, leaving little room to actually care about most of the characters. And while plenty of terms, figures, and factions were introduced, there wasn’t enough shown to understand their importance.
Overall, it feels like the first step in a world that could become something really engaging if given more time to breathe. Hopefully, future books take the space to build on what’s here.
This dark fantasy had so much potential but didn’t quite stick the landing. The atmosphere was great and the world hinted at something deep and fascinating. The power systems especially caught my interest—unique and creative—but they weren’t really used until the very end, which felt like a missed opportunity.
The pacing wasn’t ideal either. A lot of buildup, then suddenly everything rushed forward, leaving little room to actually care about most of the characters. And while plenty of terms, figures, and factions were introduced, there wasn’t enough shown to understand their importance.
Overall, it feels like the first step in a world that could become something really engaging if given more time to breathe. Hopefully, future books take the space to build on what’s here.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews