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The Dark Shores #2
Remnants of Dawn
“Have you found your new beginning yet?”
Peace in Abra’am has ended. Power has switched hands. Though the leaders of Xenith and Sadie fight to maintain order, resistance stirs, proving sometimes those who fight the hardest do so without crowns.
It’s unclear who works to heal the world and who profits from its pain. The War of Fire created an illusion of order. For many, the illusion has shattered.
But the past does not have to shape the future.
From the ashes, something better can rise.
Peace in Abra’am has ended. Power has switched hands. Though the leaders of Xenith and Sadie fight to maintain order, resistance stirs, proving sometimes those who fight the hardest do so without crowns.
It’s unclear who works to heal the world and who profits from its pain. The War of Fire created an illusion of order. For many, the illusion has shattered.
But the past does not have to shape the future.
From the ashes, something better can rise.
- GenresFantasy
1010 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2025
4 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Elliot Brooks
4 books6,504 followersElliot is not Elliot's real name. She chooses to keep her real name private for reasons.
Things that are true about Elliot:
She lives in Arizona.
She is the author of the Dark Shores series.
She is married and in love (to the same
person).
She majored in music.
She has her own business teaching music.
She loves books.
She loves the Final Fantasy and Witcher
games.
She enjoys adventuring.
She enjoys drawing.
She does not have any children.
She does not plan to ever have children.
She loves board games. Especially Dominion.
Things that are true about Elliot:
She lives in Arizona.
She is the author of the Dark Shores series.
She is married and in love (to the same
person).
She majored in music.
She has her own business teaching music.
She loves books.
She loves the Final Fantasy and Witcher
games.
She enjoys adventuring.
She enjoys drawing.
She does not have any children.
She does not plan to ever have children.
She loves board games. Especially Dominion.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 8, 2026
I have to start with the ending. Absolute chaos. A massive cliffhanger. I need the next book immediately.
Elliot Brooks is, at heart, a deeply character-driven author. Every perspective we get here feels complex, fully realized, and, above all, human. Even though the viewpoints slightly differ from the first book, I did not find any problem investing in the newer POVS.
And the politics—wow. That’s what really kept this behemoth from ever feeling long. There’s constant tension between the lands. Something is always on the brink of collapse, and the stakes never let up. It gives the story a momentum that never slows.
Then there’s the low-fantasy approach. I don’t mean to discredit the genre, but I’ve been really turned off by fantasy in recent years because so much of it feels self-indulgent. Dense lore, complex magic systems. Even character names are starting to get out of hand. I’ve actually started a new rule in my reading life: if a book has a dictionary in the back, it’s an immediate NO.
Brooks does the opposite of this. Characters come first, fantasy second. Yes, there’s magic. Yes, there are fantastical creatures. But they serve the story rather than overwhelm it. Nothing feels inaccessible. She makes fantasy feel grounded and, honestly, welcoming.
Overall, this was fantastic. I loved revisiting Peace and Turmoil beforehand, too. It made the experience even richer. I highly, highly recommend this series.
Elliot Brooks is, at heart, a deeply character-driven author. Every perspective we get here feels complex, fully realized, and, above all, human. Even though the viewpoints slightly differ from the first book, I did not find any problem investing in the newer POVS.
And the politics—wow. That’s what really kept this behemoth from ever feeling long. There’s constant tension between the lands. Something is always on the brink of collapse, and the stakes never let up. It gives the story a momentum that never slows.
Then there’s the low-fantasy approach. I don’t mean to discredit the genre, but I’ve been really turned off by fantasy in recent years because so much of it feels self-indulgent. Dense lore, complex magic systems. Even character names are starting to get out of hand. I’ve actually started a new rule in my reading life: if a book has a dictionary in the back, it’s an immediate NO.
Brooks does the opposite of this. Characters come first, fantasy second. Yes, there’s magic. Yes, there are fantastical creatures. But they serve the story rather than overwhelm it. Nothing feels inaccessible. She makes fantasy feel grounded and, honestly, welcoming.
Overall, this was fantastic. I loved revisiting Peace and Turmoil beforehand, too. It made the experience even richer. I highly, highly recommend this series.
November 1, 2025
GENRE: Fantasy
FORMAT: Audiobook
MY RATING: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Storyline: 4/5
Writing style/structure: 4/5
Overall enjoyment: 4/5
MY THOUGHTS
Remnants of Dawn is the second book in Elliot Brooks’ debut Dark Shores series, and it absolutely delivers as a follow-up. I was so excited to return to this world after reading Peace and Turmoil earlier this year, and I was instantly pulled back in. Brooks’ prose remains one of my favourite aspects of her writing—vivid, emotional, and immersive without ever feeling overwrought. Even if it’s been a while since you’ve read book one, she does a wonderful job weaving in just enough recap to refresh your memory without making it sound repetitive or heavy-handed.
One of the biggest surprises in Remnants of Dawn was the romantic subplot. There’s more of it this time around, and I found myself invested in every single relationship. It never overshadows the main fantasy plot, but it adds warmth and tension in all the right places. The chemistry between the characters feels natural, and I couldn’t help but root for all of them.
As for the characters—I adored every one of them. Truly. I thought I might feel conflicted about Abaddon and Natalia, especially given where things ended in book one, but Brooks really humanised their choices. Once we learn more about their motivations and pasts, it becomes clear they acted out of loyalty and duty to their homeland, even when those choices were morally grey. Xodia and Gwenivere, on the other hand, continue to shine as powerful, independent, and fiercely loyal women. Brooks excels at writing strong female characters who aren’t carbon copies of each other—they each have their own unique strengths and vulnerabilities.
I do wish we’d seen a bit more of Dietrich and his dragon, but what we do get is beautiful. Their bond feels deep and unspoken. Dietrich himself remains one of my favourite characters—selfless, humorous, and burdened by the sacrifices he’s made for his country and family. I just wanted to reach through the pages and give him a hug.
The mystery element added a layer of intrigue too. The hint that there’s a spy in the palace kept me on edge, and I’ll admit—I didn’t guess who it was. I’d love to know if anyone else saw it coming!
By the end, I was left with so many burning questions. Brooks ties up just enough to make the book satisfying, but still leaves plenty dangling for book three. Where is the woman with the swirling eyes—the true villain we glimpsed before? What’s happened to Vahd’eel, and how will he fit into the looming conflict? Will Abaddon recover? And of course - who will take the blame for that shocking end scene?
I listened to this instalment on Audible, since the physical copy isn’t out yet, but rest assured—I’ll be buying the hardcover the moment it’s released. The narration brought Brooks’ world vividly to life, but this is a story I want on my shelves too.
Elliot has proven she’s a powerhouse in modern fantasy—balancing political intrigue, emotional depth, and immersive worldbuilding with ease. Remnants of Dawn is everything I wanted from a sequel and more. I can’t wait to see where she takes us next.
FORMAT: Audiobook
MY RATING: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Storyline: 4/5
Writing style/structure: 4/5
Overall enjoyment: 4/5
MY THOUGHTS
Remnants of Dawn is the second book in Elliot Brooks’ debut Dark Shores series, and it absolutely delivers as a follow-up. I was so excited to return to this world after reading Peace and Turmoil earlier this year, and I was instantly pulled back in. Brooks’ prose remains one of my favourite aspects of her writing—vivid, emotional, and immersive without ever feeling overwrought. Even if it’s been a while since you’ve read book one, she does a wonderful job weaving in just enough recap to refresh your memory without making it sound repetitive or heavy-handed.
One of the biggest surprises in Remnants of Dawn was the romantic subplot. There’s more of it this time around, and I found myself invested in every single relationship. It never overshadows the main fantasy plot, but it adds warmth and tension in all the right places. The chemistry between the characters feels natural, and I couldn’t help but root for all of them.
As for the characters—I adored every one of them. Truly. I thought I might feel conflicted about Abaddon and Natalia, especially given where things ended in book one, but Brooks really humanised their choices. Once we learn more about their motivations and pasts, it becomes clear they acted out of loyalty and duty to their homeland, even when those choices were morally grey. Xodia and Gwenivere, on the other hand, continue to shine as powerful, independent, and fiercely loyal women. Brooks excels at writing strong female characters who aren’t carbon copies of each other—they each have their own unique strengths and vulnerabilities.
I do wish we’d seen a bit more of Dietrich and his dragon, but what we do get is beautiful. Their bond feels deep and unspoken. Dietrich himself remains one of my favourite characters—selfless, humorous, and burdened by the sacrifices he’s made for his country and family. I just wanted to reach through the pages and give him a hug.
The mystery element added a layer of intrigue too. The hint that there’s a spy in the palace kept me on edge, and I’ll admit—I didn’t guess who it was. I’d love to know if anyone else saw it coming!
By the end, I was left with so many burning questions. Brooks ties up just enough to make the book satisfying, but still leaves plenty dangling for book three. Where is the woman with the swirling eyes—the true villain we glimpsed before? What’s happened to Vahd’eel, and how will he fit into the looming conflict? Will Abaddon recover? And of course - who will take the blame for that shocking end scene?
I listened to this instalment on Audible, since the physical copy isn’t out yet, but rest assured—I’ll be buying the hardcover the moment it’s released. The narration brought Brooks’ world vividly to life, but this is a story I want on my shelves too.
Elliot has proven she’s a powerhouse in modern fantasy—balancing political intrigue, emotional depth, and immersive worldbuilding with ease. Remnants of Dawn is everything I wanted from a sequel and more. I can’t wait to see where she takes us next.
December 29, 2025
MOST UNDER HYPED BOOK OF THE YEAR
I'm a fan of series like The Age of Madness, The Gael Song Series, The Bloodsworn trilogy, and other dark high and epic fantasy. This book gave me everything I could have hoped for and I'm eagerly awaiting the 3rd entry. Incredibly well developed characters. A story that's gripping and unpredictable. I put this series on the top tier beside the ones previously mentioned.
Trip Eddy
I'm a fan of series like The Age of Madness, The Gael Song Series, The Bloodsworn trilogy, and other dark high and epic fantasy. This book gave me everything I could have hoped for and I'm eagerly awaiting the 3rd entry. Incredibly well developed characters. A story that's gripping and unpredictable. I put this series on the top tier beside the ones previously mentioned.
Trip Eddy
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews