Ravenblood: Shadows In The Stone

by Lukas Maertens, Jason Letts (Editor)

"Great fantasy that deserves recognition" - Reedsy Discovery.

On the edge of war, three soldiers uncover something their kingdom was never meant to remember.

Leonard has trained his whole life to earn his place in the Ravenblood Pact, the only family an orphan boy has ever known. Beside him stands Saran, fighting to protect what she’s made of herself. Watching over them both is Darum, a scarred veteran who returned from the Karthian war carrying wounds he’s never named.

When a border patrol turns up bone-laced raiders and an ancient relic that should not exist, the trio pulls a thread nobody wanted pulled. What they drag into the light reaches back centuries, into the founding of their kingdom, the doctrine of its mages, and the hidden rot already moving through the Pact itself.

But the deeper they dig, the more the kingdom itself seems determined to bury them beside its secrets.

Ravenblood: Shadows in the Stone is the first book of a duology, and delivers a complete, character-driven arc.

Genres: Amazon

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2025

About the author

I write grounded, character-driven fantasy with a darker tone, stories where the magic is subtle, the stakes are personal, and the people feel real. I don’t have a formal background in writing, but I’ve put in the time, studying the craft through online courses, breaking down the stories I love, and using whatever tools I can to sharpen my work. I’m drawn to stories that sit in the messier, more human corners of fantasy where choices matter more than chosen ones.

Reviews

[in my reading era · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sometimes the only way forward is through the things you left behind."

I really enjoyed this book! The characters, world building, and plot pulled me in right away. The MMC embarks on a journey of truth alongside his mentor and a loyal friend, forming a found family bond that’s truly unmatched. Fingers crossed we get a friends-to-lovers twist in book two!

Though the page count is short, every sentence packs a punch. The story wastes no time, diving straight in from page one. The writing is rich with detail and description, so much so that if your attention drifts, you might need to reread a paragraph to catch everything. There’s no fluff and no filler; every moment matters. The upside? A tightly woven, meaningful narrative. The challenge? It’s not a light or breezy read.

Overall, I loved the story and can’t wait for book two. The author states this is the first in a planned duology, and I’m already impatient for the conclusion.

I read this book as an ARC thanks to Booksirens. Thank you for the opportunity!!

[LeeEllen Belcher (Caw) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This military dark fantasy was an amazing story of devoted friendships, a sort of found family, the hidden history of the realm, and prophecies unknown. I was surprised by how quickly I was drawn into the story by its immersive world building. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the main characters and their resilient, adamant pursuit of the truth. The mystery of the past kept me thoroughly intrigued and wanting to know more.

In the midst of war, Ravenbloods Leonard, Saran, and Darum are sent on a critical assignment. Once they find the mysterious relic, they're shocked to learn that only Leonard can touch it without repercussions. The ancient Sages are astonished by this revelation, and demand to put him through tests to figure out why. When their fortress is ambushed, it's clear the assassins were only after Leonard, launching them on a journey to find the truth about his past, and the history of the realm.

What will it take for them to discover the hidden secrets that surround them?

I received a free copy with no expectation of a review.

All opinions are my own.

[Julie T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ravenblood
Shadows in the Stone
Lukas Maertens

This novel surprised me in a good way. The world building and character development were phenomenal. The way the stories characters were interwoven was masterful. While it took a little longer than I would have preferred I still found it enjoyable to experience.
The author does seem to have a distinct writing style that was, at first, hard for me to follow but it did seem to suit the story as I delved further into it. The story in and of itself was fascinating and I wish the author would have just added another 200 or so pages and finished it. I’m sure that just me being selfish and wanting to know the ending without having to wait for the next installment.
Because it matters to me (perhaps only to me) I found no typos, proofreading/editing mistakes.
All in all, I would recommend this novel. I am waiting for the next book!
I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book unsure of what to expect as this isn’t normally the type of book I would read. I love dark fantasy, military, and what not, so I thought id give it a chance. I did struggle a little bit. Definitely not exactly the type of fantasy was expecting. But Leonard, Saram, and Darum were very interesting characters. I loved the idea of this story so I kept going. Again, still struggled a bit, but I was very drawn in. Sent to find and retrieve this relics, I loved their comraderie. They became close almost like a familial level. I thought that was great. The bond they forged with one another really pulled this story together. And when they found out that only Leonard could touch it without detriment, it made me curious as to why.
Through and through, I thought this was a very well written story, with a beautiful depth to it. The description was amazing, and characters and world building were phenomenal. I can’t wait to read what comes next.

[HomelessMind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ravenblood: Shadows in the Stone is a deeply immersive dark fantasy rich with atmosphere, ancient magic, and haunting symbolism. Lukas Maertens creates a world that feels heavy with history, where blood, stone, and shadow shape both the land and its people.

The characters are layered and compelling, their journeys defined by sacrifice, legacy, and hard-earned resolve. The magic is subtle and dangerous, enhancing the story’s tension and emotional weight rather than overwhelming it. Every choice feels meaningful, every secret earned.

This is a beautifully crafted, lore-driven fantasy that rewards patient readers and leaves a powerful, lasting impression.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Fluff, All Fire: A Masterclass in Dark Fantasy
​Ravenblood: Shadows in the Stone is a masterclass in atmospheric dark fantasy with zero filler. Every sentence packs a punch, trading "fluff" for a tightly woven narrative that demands your full attention.
​The heart of the story is the "found family" bond between Leonard, Saran, and Darum. Their resilient pursuit of the truth—especially after Leonard is revealed as the only one capable of touching a mysterious relic—is deeply compelling. While the prose is dense and requires focus, the payoff is a rich, lore-driven journey through ancient prophecies and deadly magic.

[Summer McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, It was a very good read, It had me hooked the whole time! I loved the suspense!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.