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Kepstadur Keep
All magic has a price.
Some pay with grain. Some with wine. Most pay with blood.
Unlike the ignorant masses, Sonja knows what to expect, both from magic and from her mission. Reviving her brother will not be cheap. But she's a Vinzler, and the Vinzlers are a stubborn branch. If the magic exists, she and her sister will find it. And the magic has to exist.
After three years apart, their final destination lurks on the horizon. A once-beautiful city. A once-lucrative port. A slow-rotting husk. Kepstadur Keep, where a thousand souls vanished in a single day. A price, Sonja was sure.
With the help of a jovial foreign mercenary, she ventures into the depths where two facts become clear. First, something stalks these haunted halls. Second, it isn't fully dead.
Some pay with grain. Some with wine. Most pay with blood.
Unlike the ignorant masses, Sonja knows what to expect, both from magic and from her mission. Reviving her brother will not be cheap. But she's a Vinzler, and the Vinzlers are a stubborn branch. If the magic exists, she and her sister will find it. And the magic has to exist.
After three years apart, their final destination lurks on the horizon. A once-beautiful city. A once-lucrative port. A slow-rotting husk. Kepstadur Keep, where a thousand souls vanished in a single day. A price, Sonja was sure.
With the help of a jovial foreign mercenary, she ventures into the depths where two facts become clear. First, something stalks these haunted halls. Second, it isn't fully dead.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
3 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 23, 2025
I initially assumed Kepstadur Keep would follow the familiar path of epic fantasy more in the style of Lord of the Rings but I was pleasantly surprised when, after the first few chapters, the story took a sharp turn into something more like a medieval version of Ghost Hunters: eerie corridors, hidden horrors, and the thrill of exploring a haunted castle. That unexpected shift gave the novel a fresh, spooky charm that kept me going.
Kepstadur Keep is a bold and immersive mix of adventure, mystery, and dark magic that delves into themes of loss, immortality, and the cost of power, set in a vividly imagined world where magic is fueled by blood and ancient relics hold unimaginable secrets. At roughly 300 pages, it’s a compact read with similarities to Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind and The Keep by F. Paul Wilson, but distinguished by a unique blood-based magic system.
The story begins with Sonja, a skilled yet weary mage, navigating a society where magic is both revered and feared. Her quest leads her to the eerie, deserted city of Kepstadur, revealing layers of history, hidden inhabitants, and lingering horrors, where she seeks an ancient relic that seems to have the potential to change everything.
Sartain builds tension through exploration, making the Keep itself feel like a living character, full of shadowy corridors, undead threats, and ancient puzzles. She maintains a brisk pace, balancing action-packed sequences and encounters with magical beasts and illusions, with quieter, reflective moments. While romance takes a backseat, a subtle relationship develops organically toward the story’s end, keeping the focus firmly on adventure and emotional stakes.
The characters are a standout feature. Sonja is pragmatic, flawed, and driven by personal grief. Her interactions with companions like the charming mercenary Niccolo provide humor and depth, counterbalancing the darker aspects of the story. Supporting characters, including the enigmatic Leif and Sonja’s determined sister Thonra, feel authentic and essential to the plot. Sartain’s portrayal of sibling dynamics are tense, loving, and complicated. This grounds the fantastical elements in relatable human emotion.
Sartain’s world building is imaginative and compelling, particularly the magic system, where blood serves as “currency” for spells, introducing moral dilemmas and visceral consequences. The lore surrounding relics, the undead, and cultural myths feels rich and lived-in, with subtle nods to real-world traditions without ever feeling derivative. Some areas, such as the geopolitical backdrop and certain relic mechanics, could have been more fully developed, occasionally leaving parts of the world feeling slightly underexplored in this standalone volume.
But the prose is clear and fluid, making the book difficult to put down once the mystery starts to unfold. The Keep’s decaying corridors and hidden horrors are vividly described, creating genuine unease, while action sequences are intense without being too graphic. The ending offers closure but potentially feels abrupt for readers expecting a single, unified resolution. It’s a bittersweet, thought-provoking conclusion, emphasizing that not every quest ends in triumph.
Overall, in my opinon, Kepstadur Keep is a strong debut. perfect for fans of character-driven fantasy with a dark atmospheric edge. While not epic in scale, it excels in intimacy and intrigue. I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended for its inventive magic system and exploration of themes like grief and letting go. If Sartain continues to expand this world, I’ll be one of the first in line.
Kepstadur Keep is a bold and immersive mix of adventure, mystery, and dark magic that delves into themes of loss, immortality, and the cost of power, set in a vividly imagined world where magic is fueled by blood and ancient relics hold unimaginable secrets. At roughly 300 pages, it’s a compact read with similarities to Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind and The Keep by F. Paul Wilson, but distinguished by a unique blood-based magic system.
The story begins with Sonja, a skilled yet weary mage, navigating a society where magic is both revered and feared. Her quest leads her to the eerie, deserted city of Kepstadur, revealing layers of history, hidden inhabitants, and lingering horrors, where she seeks an ancient relic that seems to have the potential to change everything.
Sartain builds tension through exploration, making the Keep itself feel like a living character, full of shadowy corridors, undead threats, and ancient puzzles. She maintains a brisk pace, balancing action-packed sequences and encounters with magical beasts and illusions, with quieter, reflective moments. While romance takes a backseat, a subtle relationship develops organically toward the story’s end, keeping the focus firmly on adventure and emotional stakes.
The characters are a standout feature. Sonja is pragmatic, flawed, and driven by personal grief. Her interactions with companions like the charming mercenary Niccolo provide humor and depth, counterbalancing the darker aspects of the story. Supporting characters, including the enigmatic Leif and Sonja’s determined sister Thonra, feel authentic and essential to the plot. Sartain’s portrayal of sibling dynamics are tense, loving, and complicated. This grounds the fantastical elements in relatable human emotion.
Sartain’s world building is imaginative and compelling, particularly the magic system, where blood serves as “currency” for spells, introducing moral dilemmas and visceral consequences. The lore surrounding relics, the undead, and cultural myths feels rich and lived-in, with subtle nods to real-world traditions without ever feeling derivative. Some areas, such as the geopolitical backdrop and certain relic mechanics, could have been more fully developed, occasionally leaving parts of the world feeling slightly underexplored in this standalone volume.
But the prose is clear and fluid, making the book difficult to put down once the mystery starts to unfold. The Keep’s decaying corridors and hidden horrors are vividly described, creating genuine unease, while action sequences are intense without being too graphic. The ending offers closure but potentially feels abrupt for readers expecting a single, unified resolution. It’s a bittersweet, thought-provoking conclusion, emphasizing that not every quest ends in triumph.
Overall, in my opinon, Kepstadur Keep is a strong debut. perfect for fans of character-driven fantasy with a dark atmospheric edge. While not epic in scale, it excels in intimacy and intrigue. I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended for its inventive magic system and exploration of themes like grief and letting go. If Sartain continues to expand this world, I’ll be one of the first in line.
September 19, 2025
Kepstadur Keep is mysterious, haunting and dark, and it takes real courage to infiltrate it, if it can even be found. Fortunately, our protagonist is quite courageous.
Following Sonja through this story was a very fun experience. Exploring a unique (and edgy) magic system and chasing hints of backstory and lore through her eyes was exciting. I also fell in love with her happenstance adventure buddy very quickly — he's badass and endearing, how could I not?
There were some places I struggled a little to visualize the scenery or got lost in the maze of halls, but ultimately it didn't matter. Perhaps it actually enhanced my experience as I got turned around, dazed and confused, as a ghost castle may make happen. It really didn't offend my experience anyway, the story ran right along and kept me hooked the whole time.
I obtained this digital tome by the gracious agreement with the author to bestow upon me a copy, for which I have now issued a word of my honest opinion and collection of stars which I deemed appropriate.
I'll be back for future R.G. Sartain novels... and also would not complain at seeing some characters again. Just saying.
Following Sonja through this story was a very fun experience. Exploring a unique (and edgy) magic system and chasing hints of backstory and lore through her eyes was exciting. I also fell in love with her happenstance adventure buddy very quickly — he's badass and endearing, how could I not?
There were some places I struggled a little to visualize the scenery or got lost in the maze of halls, but ultimately it didn't matter. Perhaps it actually enhanced my experience as I got turned around, dazed and confused, as a ghost castle may make happen. It really didn't offend my experience anyway, the story ran right along and kept me hooked the whole time.
I obtained this digital tome by the gracious agreement with the author to bestow upon me a copy, for which I have now issued a word of my honest opinion and collection of stars which I deemed appropriate.
I'll be back for future R.G. Sartain novels... and also would not complain at seeing some characters again. Just saying.
October 8, 2025
This was such a fun read! It has the feel of a one-shot DnD campaign but with characters that are interesting people, not just interesting ideas. Nothing about the characters feel forced, and that is so rewarding for investing my feelings into them.
Idk how the Sartain pulls this off, but the pace stays light and focused while still being grounding in the characters, crafting a rich, full world, and building out a robust magic system. And all while unwrapping the mystery of Kepstadur Keep itself.
As a mystery story, this is honestly so nicely done. The pace and focus of the story allows the titular castle to almost be a character all on its own, and its richness shines. Also, the choices the characters make feel like the ones *i* would also make - something few mystery stories accomplish.
A lighting-round of things I enjoyed:
- Making characters navigate a partial language barrier is SUCH a better read than the classic miscommunication trope
- The magic is so cool - it’s got blood (don’t worry, it’s chill), it’s got sentience, but even crazier than that - the magic only recently came into the world. Something about this adds another level of mystery that the characters are trying to solve alongside the readers which is cool.
- The mystery feels like Knives Out (and better than Glass Onion)
- The broader world feels like the best of Skyrim
- Sibling relationships are fascinating (esp when they have shared grief)
- A certain weapon feels straight out of Red Rising (when I read about it, I started fist-pumping, it’s epic)
- Hot take - the environmental storytelling, the non-linear exploration, the dark palate, and the *bugs* all make this feel Hollowknight-esque, and I couldn’t be more excited about that haha
Things to keep in mind:
- You don’t learn the MC’s full motivation until a decent way into the book - if that is an issue, go read the book’s blurb again and it will make sense.
- At various times, the characters will be confused (like with a hallucination or a vision or some unseen enemy) and unfortunately in all of those times, I was even more confused than the characters were about what was happening to them. Thankfully, those sections didn’t stay confusing for long, and nothing important was too difficult to understand.
I am rating this highly because it gave me what I wanted - a fantasy mystery with fleshed-out characters, a dark atmosphere, some rich world-building, and a one-shot DnD feel - what more could one ask? // another note - I was able to read this ahead of time as a trade for sharing my honest thoughts here. My thoughts are very genuine, though - this is a great book and I do recommend it!
Idk how the Sartain pulls this off, but the pace stays light and focused while still being grounding in the characters, crafting a rich, full world, and building out a robust magic system. And all while unwrapping the mystery of Kepstadur Keep itself.
As a mystery story, this is honestly so nicely done. The pace and focus of the story allows the titular castle to almost be a character all on its own, and its richness shines. Also, the choices the characters make feel like the ones *i* would also make - something few mystery stories accomplish.
A lighting-round of things I enjoyed:
- Making characters navigate a partial language barrier is SUCH a better read than the classic miscommunication trope
- The magic is so cool - it’s got blood (don’t worry, it’s chill), it’s got sentience, but even crazier than that - the magic only recently came into the world. Something about this adds another level of mystery that the characters are trying to solve alongside the readers which is cool.
- The mystery feels like Knives Out (and better than Glass Onion)
- The broader world feels like the best of Skyrim
- Sibling relationships are fascinating (esp when they have shared grief)
- A certain weapon feels straight out of Red Rising (when I read about it, I started fist-pumping, it’s epic)
- Hot take - the environmental storytelling, the non-linear exploration, the dark palate, and the *bugs* all make this feel Hollowknight-esque, and I couldn’t be more excited about that haha
Things to keep in mind:
- You don’t learn the MC’s full motivation until a decent way into the book - if that is an issue, go read the book’s blurb again and it will make sense.
- At various times, the characters will be confused (like with a hallucination or a vision or some unseen enemy) and unfortunately in all of those times, I was even more confused than the characters were about what was happening to them. Thankfully, those sections didn’t stay confusing for long, and nothing important was too difficult to understand.
I am rating this highly because it gave me what I wanted - a fantasy mystery with fleshed-out characters, a dark atmosphere, some rich world-building, and a one-shot DnD feel - what more could one ask? // another note - I was able to read this ahead of time as a trade for sharing my honest thoughts here. My thoughts are very genuine, though - this is a great book and I do recommend it!
October 8, 2025
The concept, the cover, and the back cover blurb were enough to pique my interest. The first chapter was enough to grab my attention. This brilliant story and the way it was told were enough to keep me devouring pages, one after the other.
It's an excellent book.
If you enjoy intricate world-building, you'll be thrilled. This story implies a depth that will make you salivate. And, it delivers just enough to keep you gripped and guessing. It's a damn fine balance the author has crafted. You'll be knee deep in serious dialogue when you get hit with some oblique reference. You'll think two things to yourself: (1) the Larslen Gambit is probably important, and (2) what's the link to the Kickstarter campaign, so I can donate to this tactics game becoming a physical reality?
If you've spent any time playing D&D or similar tabletop games, you'll take notes, especially if any of that time was spent as a DM. You can SEE the encounters. You can FEEL them. You are IN that keep. You can HEAR the voices. It's glorious. And the action scenecrafting is so damn good.
If you're a fan of fantasy from folks like Sanderson, Weeks, Rathbone, you'll devour it like I did. I always wonder, when I pick up a new fantasy novel, if I'm going to vibe with the magic system, assuming it departs from the run-of-the-mill stuff. Kepstadur Keep nailed it. It's clever, not entirely explained, and brimming with potential. When you see what the wielders can do with it, I bet you'll find it hard not to imagine all of the possibilities.
And that, for me, is the highest possible compliment I can pay a storyteller. Being inspired by a story, not simply the words on the page, but also what my mind can conjure up as I read them... it's why I love to read.
If you love to read, I think you'll love this book. It's really damn good. Sartain crushed it.
It's an excellent book.
If you enjoy intricate world-building, you'll be thrilled. This story implies a depth that will make you salivate. And, it delivers just enough to keep you gripped and guessing. It's a damn fine balance the author has crafted. You'll be knee deep in serious dialogue when you get hit with some oblique reference. You'll think two things to yourself: (1) the Larslen Gambit is probably important, and (2) what's the link to the Kickstarter campaign, so I can donate to this tactics game becoming a physical reality?
If you've spent any time playing D&D or similar tabletop games, you'll take notes, especially if any of that time was spent as a DM. You can SEE the encounters. You can FEEL them. You are IN that keep. You can HEAR the voices. It's glorious. And the action scenecrafting is so damn good.
If you're a fan of fantasy from folks like Sanderson, Weeks, Rathbone, you'll devour it like I did. I always wonder, when I pick up a new fantasy novel, if I'm going to vibe with the magic system, assuming it departs from the run-of-the-mill stuff. Kepstadur Keep nailed it. It's clever, not entirely explained, and brimming with potential. When you see what the wielders can do with it, I bet you'll find it hard not to imagine all of the possibilities.
And that, for me, is the highest possible compliment I can pay a storyteller. Being inspired by a story, not simply the words on the page, but also what my mind can conjure up as I read them... it's why I love to read.
If you love to read, I think you'll love this book. It's really damn good. Sartain crushed it.
October 14, 2025
Kepstadur Keep follows the story of Sonja and her sister Thonra as they investigate rumours of an artefact that might bring their brother back from the dead.
This was a great read. It wasn’t at all what I expected, but that made it all the more enjoyable. Sonja is a very likeable character driven by grief and stubbornness, and her interactions with Niccolo brought humour and companionship to Sonja’s quest. Thonra doesn’t appear in the book as much as the other two, but she is a complex character really struggling with her issues and not dealing very well. Easy to empathise with but less easy to like.
The world-building is great and I love the way the magic system works. Although most of the story is set in one place, it doesn’t feel limited at all. The dilapidated Kepstadur Keep is a great setting for creeping around in dungeons and encountering revenants. There were a few times that I lost track of exactly where they were in the castle, but that actually made it better as it felt more like I was in the action with them.
I loved the way the revenants were made all the more chilling by the flashbacks to who they were before. I won’t say more because of spoilers, but that was a very nice touch. It also made Leif’s situation that much more tragic.
Overall, this is a great debut, and I would definitely recommend it. I’m hoping there will be a book two!
Thank you to Rena Sartain for the ARC copy.
This was a great read. It wasn’t at all what I expected, but that made it all the more enjoyable. Sonja is a very likeable character driven by grief and stubbornness, and her interactions with Niccolo brought humour and companionship to Sonja’s quest. Thonra doesn’t appear in the book as much as the other two, but she is a complex character really struggling with her issues and not dealing very well. Easy to empathise with but less easy to like.
The world-building is great and I love the way the magic system works. Although most of the story is set in one place, it doesn’t feel limited at all. The dilapidated Kepstadur Keep is a great setting for creeping around in dungeons and encountering revenants. There were a few times that I lost track of exactly where they were in the castle, but that actually made it better as it felt more like I was in the action with them.
I loved the way the revenants were made all the more chilling by the flashbacks to who they were before. I won’t say more because of spoilers, but that was a very nice touch. It also made Leif’s situation that much more tragic.
Overall, this is a great debut, and I would definitely recommend it. I’m hoping there will be a book two!
Thank you to Rena Sartain for the ARC copy.
September 24, 2025
For three years, Sonja and her sister have searched their world for a way to bring their beloved brother back to life. If the slimmest possibility of that magic exists, they will find it. Their search brings them to Kepstadur Keep. Years ago, its entire population vanished in a day, leaving behind a rotting husk guarding unknown treasure…and maybe the magic Sonja needs to get her brother back.
✔️spooky castle
✔️dark magic with a cost
✔️a courageous female lead
✔️a charming mercenary
✔️vivid imagery
✔️themes of loss and grief
✔️a touch of romance
Kepstadur Keep is an immersive read from start to finish with high personal stakes. It may seem like an adventurous dungeon-crawler at first glance, but there’s so much depth. Every character has something to lose, and it’s no small price. It’s a small cast, but they are vibrant and relatable, with complex pasts and relationships, hopes and dreams and vulnerabilities. I adore these characters.
While the story takes place in one corner of their world, the worldbuilding isn’t limited to that. The world is vast and developed in the backdrop, with details and culture sprinkled into the story to bring everything to life. There’s so much possibility beyond Kepstadur’s walls, and I hope we get to see more of this world through these characters’ eyes. For the most part, the magic is understandable. Even the people of this world don’t seem to fully understand it, which I love! Makes it feel a bit dangerous and unpredictable.
An awesome debut! I was happy to read this early copy and write a review of my honest opinions.
✔️spooky castle
✔️dark magic with a cost
✔️a courageous female lead
✔️a charming mercenary
✔️vivid imagery
✔️themes of loss and grief
✔️a touch of romance
Kepstadur Keep is an immersive read from start to finish with high personal stakes. It may seem like an adventurous dungeon-crawler at first glance, but there’s so much depth. Every character has something to lose, and it’s no small price. It’s a small cast, but they are vibrant and relatable, with complex pasts and relationships, hopes and dreams and vulnerabilities. I adore these characters.
While the story takes place in one corner of their world, the worldbuilding isn’t limited to that. The world is vast and developed in the backdrop, with details and culture sprinkled into the story to bring everything to life. There’s so much possibility beyond Kepstadur’s walls, and I hope we get to see more of this world through these characters’ eyes. For the most part, the magic is understandable. Even the people of this world don’t seem to fully understand it, which I love! Makes it feel a bit dangerous and unpredictable.
An awesome debut! I was happy to read this early copy and write a review of my honest opinions.
September 16, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up.
Let's start with what worked for me: the pacing was solid for most of the book, with a sense of forward progression except for the times when it was purposely claustrophobic and circular (hell yeah to that, I love haunted castles). The fantasy horror was very Robert Jordan-esque (double hell yeah). The characters are grown adults and there is very minimal romance.
What didn't work for me: had I not read the blurb (which I often don't, but luckily did in this case because I was applying for an advance copy), I would have had no idea why we were even on this journey for over 50% of the book. It's a fun journey for sure, but why the heck are we here?! But even knowing that Sonja wants to bring her brother back from the dead, I'm still not sure *why*. Like, this is a grown woman. She's smart and capable and educated and has a loving, seemingly successful family. Why would she ever be delusional enough to try to bring someone back from the dead? Especially considering he died from an extended illness - I have a feeling our boy Ulrik was probably ready to peace out after fighting Mystery Fantasy Illness for months (/years? Timeline very unclear).
The writing was also very unclear at several points. The author's style is very descriptive, which really works when it works (see the above RJ comparison) but I often found myself having read a paragraph of description and having NO idea what is actually being described. This actually helped a bit with suspension of disbelief (I don't understand the magic system at all so I'm willing to just say "Okay cool!" when it does things unexpectedly) but it also made it kind of sloggy to get through at times.
I also could have done without the romance. Personally I don't think I'd be horny after 3 days of wrestling waterlogged zombies.
Overall, I would recommend this book to fantasy readers who like a more old school style, and I am genuinely excited to read more from the author in the future.
Thank you to the author for the advance copy!
Let's start with what worked for me: the pacing was solid for most of the book, with a sense of forward progression except for the times when it was purposely claustrophobic and circular (hell yeah to that, I love haunted castles). The fantasy horror was very Robert Jordan-esque (double hell yeah). The characters are grown adults and there is very minimal romance.
What didn't work for me: had I not read the blurb (which I often don't, but luckily did in this case because I was applying for an advance copy), I would have had no idea why we were even on this journey for over 50% of the book. It's a fun journey for sure, but why the heck are we here?! But even knowing that Sonja wants to bring her brother back from the dead, I'm still not sure *why*. Like, this is a grown woman. She's smart and capable and educated and has a loving, seemingly successful family. Why would she ever be delusional enough to try to bring someone back from the dead? Especially considering he died from an extended illness - I have a feeling our boy Ulrik was probably ready to peace out after fighting Mystery Fantasy Illness for months (/years? Timeline very unclear).
The writing was also very unclear at several points. The author's style is very descriptive, which really works when it works (see the above RJ comparison) but I often found myself having read a paragraph of description and having NO idea what is actually being described. This actually helped a bit with suspension of disbelief (I don't understand the magic system at all so I'm willing to just say "Okay cool!" when it does things unexpectedly) but it also made it kind of sloggy to get through at times.
I also could have done without the romance. Personally I don't think I'd be horny after 3 days of wrestling waterlogged zombies.
Overall, I would recommend this book to fantasy readers who like a more old school style, and I am genuinely excited to read more from the author in the future.
Thank you to the author for the advance copy!
September 28, 2025
Spoilers, friends:
Thank you to the author Rena Sartain for allowing me to read this book. I received it from the author through book funnel and read it on my Kindle.
This is Quest Fantasy with a small hint of romance. It's just under 300 pages, but it felt longer.
Warning-Lots of soggy undead zombies.
Premise: Two mage sisters are three years into a quest to find magic to bring their dead brother back to life. On separate quest trips, they (eventually, about halfway through the book) come back together at an abandoned port keep rumored to be haunted, from which everyone there vanished on a single day.
At first, the story DID draw me in with the main character narrative, but once the main character got to the keep, the main setting, my investment in the story started to stall out.
I liked the idea of the story, but sometimes quests are not my cup of tea. I finished the book. I did not hate it, no rage reading, but if it had been a longer book, I would DNF.
People that like fantasy quest books, but not too much dragged out wandering around in circles, might like this book. Also, those that like to play video games may like this book. I felt like I was reading a video game in some ways once the action centered in the castle and the characters searched in hopes of finding magical loot.
I generally break a review down and talk about what I thought worked in the book and what I didn't think worked. And then I talk about a more subjective personal opinion. Of course it's all subjective, really.
What worked:
The matter of fact capable main character.
The main lead is thirtyish.
A major theme is loss of family and home amongst the characters and the beginnings of found family.
Unfortunately there is much more of this part-What didn't work:
There's an occasional dual point of view from the older sister. I think all of that is superfluous. I suggest to edit it out and stick with the one POV.
We are following the main character traveling and for a while we have only vague ideas of why or what she's doing. We knew her traveling had something to do with finding something for her brother. I'm not sure why you would want to withhold that information. It did not cause suspense really.
Writing is sometimes confusing and I'm not sure sometimes exactly what is happening in the action scenes.
The magic system is a little confusing initially.
Not a lot of major grammar issues or spelling issues except in case the author reads this: retched not wretched, and trap door not trapped door.
Personal taste/opinion:
The main character came off a little close minded to the culture she was visiting. She made comments about belief systems and the citizens that were a little judgy.
The language barrier and the pigeon "English" feels as if the "foreign" character is being diminished, dumbed down.
What is "coastal" skin?
The book states the people disappeared from the keep 15 years previously. But discussion about the left behind items make it seems like they are historical ancient artifacts. And that the language in some of the books found is too ancient to read. It reads as if if they're trying to figure out an ancient lost civilization, but again, only 15 years since the catastrophic event. It's very odd.
The majority of the story takes place in the keep and the characters are playing hide and seek in small rooms from the big bad. It creates forced proximity trope, but I mean, the big bad knows they're there. And there could be only so many places to hide if the big bad knows they're there. It's a tad circular.
If the big bad and Leif, someone that survived the catastrophe, had been at the keep 15 years why didn't the big bad zombie minions already capture Leif? It seemed confusing to me. I think the big bad was confined to one room magically (but could control minions magically) and Leif didn't go in that room but that seemed like a LOT of plot armor.
Trekking through the land, fighting in the water with dead bodies, and no one takes a bath or cleans their teeth. Oh and after being there for days, dealing with fighting the undead, super bugs and blood and guts, kissing. 🤦🏻♀️
I give it 1 stars for my personal enjoyment – it was just not for me, but I can see how some people might really like the quest type searching a building to collect useful tools video game plot. Two stars on clarity issues because I had to do mental gymnastics with the action scenes and I really disliked the pigeon English. I give it a three stars for a good premise. Four star main character in general. I went with an overall a two stars - I could not in good faith give it 3 stars. Unfortunately.
Thank you to the author Rena Sartain for allowing me to read this book. I received it from the author through book funnel and read it on my Kindle.
This is Quest Fantasy with a small hint of romance. It's just under 300 pages, but it felt longer.
Warning-Lots of soggy undead zombies.
Premise: Two mage sisters are three years into a quest to find magic to bring their dead brother back to life. On separate quest trips, they (eventually, about halfway through the book) come back together at an abandoned port keep rumored to be haunted, from which everyone there vanished on a single day.
At first, the story DID draw me in with the main character narrative, but once the main character got to the keep, the main setting, my investment in the story started to stall out.
I liked the idea of the story, but sometimes quests are not my cup of tea. I finished the book. I did not hate it, no rage reading, but if it had been a longer book, I would DNF.
People that like fantasy quest books, but not too much dragged out wandering around in circles, might like this book. Also, those that like to play video games may like this book. I felt like I was reading a video game in some ways once the action centered in the castle and the characters searched in hopes of finding magical loot.
I generally break a review down and talk about what I thought worked in the book and what I didn't think worked. And then I talk about a more subjective personal opinion. Of course it's all subjective, really.
What worked:
The matter of fact capable main character.
The main lead is thirtyish.
A major theme is loss of family and home amongst the characters and the beginnings of found family.
Unfortunately there is much more of this part-What didn't work:
There's an occasional dual point of view from the older sister. I think all of that is superfluous. I suggest to edit it out and stick with the one POV.
We are following the main character traveling and for a while we have only vague ideas of why or what she's doing. We knew her traveling had something to do with finding something for her brother. I'm not sure why you would want to withhold that information. It did not cause suspense really.
Writing is sometimes confusing and I'm not sure sometimes exactly what is happening in the action scenes.
The magic system is a little confusing initially.
Not a lot of major grammar issues or spelling issues except in case the author reads this: retched not wretched, and trap door not trapped door.
Personal taste/opinion:
The main character came off a little close minded to the culture she was visiting. She made comments about belief systems and the citizens that were a little judgy.
The language barrier and the pigeon "English" feels as if the "foreign" character is being diminished, dumbed down.
What is "coastal" skin?
The book states the people disappeared from the keep 15 years previously. But discussion about the left behind items make it seems like they are historical ancient artifacts. And that the language in some of the books found is too ancient to read. It reads as if if they're trying to figure out an ancient lost civilization, but again, only 15 years since the catastrophic event. It's very odd.
The majority of the story takes place in the keep and the characters are playing hide and seek in small rooms from the big bad. It creates forced proximity trope, but I mean, the big bad knows they're there. And there could be only so many places to hide if the big bad knows they're there. It's a tad circular.
If the big bad and Leif, someone that survived the catastrophe, had been at the keep 15 years why didn't the big bad zombie minions already capture Leif? It seemed confusing to me. I think the big bad was confined to one room magically (but could control minions magically) and Leif didn't go in that room but that seemed like a LOT of plot armor.
Trekking through the land, fighting in the water with dead bodies, and no one takes a bath or cleans their teeth. Oh and after being there for days, dealing with fighting the undead, super bugs and blood and guts, kissing. 🤦🏻♀️
I give it 1 stars for my personal enjoyment – it was just not for me, but I can see how some people might really like the quest type searching a building to collect useful tools video game plot. Two stars on clarity issues because I had to do mental gymnastics with the action scenes and I really disliked the pigeon English. I give it a three stars for a good premise. Four star main character in general. I went with an overall a two stars - I could not in good faith give it 3 stars. Unfortunately.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
siblings: annoyed
magic: bloodied
heart: burdened with grief
ghosts: of our past
the horrors: ever present
This was a beautiful book from beginning to end. I love the world that Sartain created. It was filled with grief and loneliness but there were still moments of warmth. I knew going into this that Sartain was inspired by Fullmetal Alchemist and, from reading just the back cover, I was slightly worried it would be very similar. However, they're two completely different stories. Other than having two siblings with magic abilities that could end up costing a life trying to bring someone back from the dead, the similarities end there. There were enough similarities to hook me and more than enough original premise to keep me to the end of the book.
I enjoyed reading from the alternating points of view of Sonja and Thonra. They both think of each other so often, it's clear how much they actually care about each other. But when they finally interact, it's almost as if they can't stand each other. And it felt so real! As a younger sibling, I definitely have those moments with my older sister where I know we love each other but man we are just getting on each other's nerves. It was grounded in this persistent grief that clung to them, and I enjoyed how that grief pushed the two into various positions in the story because it shows how differently we all react to grief.
Even though Thonra is very much alive, I felt like she haunted the narrative. She purposefully isolates herself from her family. Sonja constantly thinks of what Thonra would do. Thonra doesn't get to say a proper goodbye to her sister. We don't even have as many POV chapters from Thonra as we do Sonja. it's like she haunts her own narrative even though her brother is dead and this is all to bring him back. It's almost as if this isn't for Ulrik at all, but for Thonra's wellbeing. She needs this on a level deeper than anyone else is able to fully understand.
Though the magic in the book wasn't 100% new and groundbreaking (illusions, blood magic, etc.) I love the original concepts Sartain brought to it, proving that you don't need to reinvent the wheel, just improve on it. There were hard limitations to one's magical abilities, from what they had to pay in order to cast a spell to even what areas of magic they excelled at. There were different schools of magic. There was an entire education system that factored into the worldbuilding of how one country has more mages than others because you needed to know a specific language.
Overall, I loved this book. I think it was perfect, and I can't wait to read more.
magic: bloodied
heart: burdened with grief
ghosts: of our past
the horrors: ever present
This was a beautiful book from beginning to end. I love the world that Sartain created. It was filled with grief and loneliness but there were still moments of warmth. I knew going into this that Sartain was inspired by Fullmetal Alchemist and, from reading just the back cover, I was slightly worried it would be very similar. However, they're two completely different stories. Other than having two siblings with magic abilities that could end up costing a life trying to bring someone back from the dead, the similarities end there. There were enough similarities to hook me and more than enough original premise to keep me to the end of the book.
I enjoyed reading from the alternating points of view of Sonja and Thonra. They both think of each other so often, it's clear how much they actually care about each other. But when they finally interact, it's almost as if they can't stand each other. And it felt so real! As a younger sibling, I definitely have those moments with my older sister where I know we love each other but man we are just getting on each other's nerves. It was grounded in this persistent grief that clung to them, and I enjoyed how that grief pushed the two into various positions in the story because it shows how differently we all react to grief.
Even though Thonra is very much alive, I felt like she haunted the narrative. She purposefully isolates herself from her family. Sonja constantly thinks of what Thonra would do. Thonra doesn't get to say a proper goodbye to her sister. We don't even have as many POV chapters from Thonra as we do Sonja. it's like she haunts her own narrative even though her brother is dead and this is all to bring him back. It's almost as if this isn't for Ulrik at all, but for Thonra's wellbeing. She needs this on a level deeper than anyone else is able to fully understand.
Though the magic in the book wasn't 100% new and groundbreaking (illusions, blood magic, etc.) I love the original concepts Sartain brought to it, proving that you don't need to reinvent the wheel, just improve on it. There were hard limitations to one's magical abilities, from what they had to pay in order to cast a spell to even what areas of magic they excelled at. There were different schools of magic. There was an entire education system that factored into the worldbuilding of how one country has more mages than others because you needed to know a specific language.
Overall, I loved this book. I think it was perfect, and I can't wait to read more.
September 17, 2025
Kepstadur Keep by R.G. Sartain is a fun, creepy romp through a town and castle abandoned almost a decade ago, where something dark and sinister has taken up residence. Sonja, a magic user who lost someone dear to her, has found herself there after hunting for years for a relic that could bring back her departed brother. There’s some beautiful and lovely prose in this book, rich descriptions and solid turns of phrases.
The scope of the story is pretty small—nearly everything that happens in the book takes place in the eponymous Keep—but it keeps things engaged and moving forward throughout. There’s a mystery to uncover and a magic relic to find with deeply personal stakes for both. It’s got great, creepy horror elements, with masses of illusions and zombies around every turn.
The magic system is well-realized and solid. Magic is paid for in blood, either something else’s or from the magic user’s own body. It gave a clear cost and a hard limitation to everything that was done. Each user has different strengths; some use just a drop of blood to create elaborate illusions, others use up an entire skin of their supply to accomplish the same thing.
There were times towards the end where I was a little confused by what was happening in some of the action, but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed my read.
I was bequeathed this work prior to its conventional distribution under the compact that I might willingly opine upon its merits.
The scope of the story is pretty small—nearly everything that happens in the book takes place in the eponymous Keep—but it keeps things engaged and moving forward throughout. There’s a mystery to uncover and a magic relic to find with deeply personal stakes for both. It’s got great, creepy horror elements, with masses of illusions and zombies around every turn.
The magic system is well-realized and solid. Magic is paid for in blood, either something else’s or from the magic user’s own body. It gave a clear cost and a hard limitation to everything that was done. Each user has different strengths; some use just a drop of blood to create elaborate illusions, others use up an entire skin of their supply to accomplish the same thing.
There were times towards the end where I was a little confused by what was happening in some of the action, but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed my read.
I was bequeathed this work prior to its conventional distribution under the compact that I might willingly opine upon its merits.
October 6, 2025
I love the world, from the immersive magic system to the deep lore throughout. I was a bit lost at times-- but the beautiful map on the first page was helpful for sorting it out. I was wildly distracted with life for the duration of my read, and it never really pulled me in. Clearly either the author or I needed to spend more blood magic to make that work for me. However, I do not discount the book for that, it's just where my life has been these past few weeks. A hopeless quest is exactly what I needed, however, so I would say if you are up for that go for it. Just be prepared to do a little mental work (or maybe a notepad?) to keep track of who is who and all the new things and systems. They were great, yet I would have liked to have seen introduced a little more gradually and smoothly, particularly at the beginning. Like a rich chocolate fudge that you need to enjoy in small bites, perhaps with a glass of milk.
September 7, 2025
I'm glad that i had the opportunity to read this book before release, it was amazing and good!
I really like sonja and niccolo, they were hilarious, quite wholesome and i really liked their interactions, the beginning of the book was really gripping and I really enjoyed and that continued till 60% or something, then i felt confused and I felt like alot of things happened and we several characters that i didn't where they came from which is why I gave it 3 stars.
nonetheless, it was great and the concept and the magic in the story was quite interesting!
I really like sonja and niccolo, they were hilarious, quite wholesome and i really liked their interactions, the beginning of the book was really gripping and I really enjoyed and that continued till 60% or something, then i felt confused and I felt like alot of things happened and we several characters that i didn't where they came from which is why I gave it 3 stars.
nonetheless, it was great and the concept and the magic in the story was quite interesting!
December 29, 2025
I’d say this story is a well written, enjoyable and strong debut for the author. It’s a little different than the “usual” fantasy I read yet I found it to be entertaining and thrilling with a unique magic system. It’s well worth the read and I look forward to more from the author.
February 1, 2026
Imaginative story.
Excellent storyline with depth of characters. Very engaging read. I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy fantasy and magic reads. Video gamers will get into this book.
Excellent storyline with depth of characters. Very engaging read. I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy fantasy and magic reads. Video gamers will get into this book.
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