Epilogue of Kings

by Elisabeth G. Mark

A dark tale of love, power and war.

Fourteen years ago, twelve boys vanished.
Four years later, half of them returned—on horseback, scarred and wordless.
Salje's brother was not among them.

Salje has learned to survive, but when dreams of her missing brother haunt her, she believe he’s alive and needs her help. Confronting his mysterious friends, the Returned, opens a door into Asydiar, a realm of fractured kingdoms, elven cities, and brutal magic.
Time runs out for her brother when her connection to him suddenly severs. The price for new information is steep, and Salje is entirely dependent on the brooding Aaron and his charming friend Valerio - one a former king and mage, the other his loyal general and the realm's finest swordsman.
Salje's growing feelings only complicate matters.

Epic scope. Intimate stakes. Narnia but dark and bloody, mixed with a heartbreaking romance.

For readers of Danielle L. Jensen, Carissa Broadbent, Sabaa Tahir, and classics like The Chronicles of Narnia.
Epilogue of Kings delivers great world building, a star-crossed romance, found family, hurt & comfort, and brutal battles.

This is book 1 of a series, with book 2 following in spring 2026.

Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Fiction, Romantasy, Ebooks, Science Fiction Fantasy

472 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[Stefanie Verhelst]

I was blown away by the impressive world building!

The story is an epic fantasy with a dark timbre.

If you like this genre, then this book is certainly worth a listen try!

In the dark epic genre, one of my favorites so far!.

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

[karr · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow 😭 this may have been my top read of the year. this book felt like it was made for my exact reading style. I am so blown away by this author and the translation, it was SO impressive. it was the exact ratio of fantasy & world building with a subplot of romance and love that I have been yearning for.

the story sucked me in immediately. I was so intrigued by the mystery surrounding the returned, and couldn't wait to learn more. as the story developed I could NOT put this down. this author does a fantastic job with pacing, world building, and creating relationships between characters. I was so devastated and was sobbing by the end, and it takes me a lot to cry with books! there is magic, politics, romance, found family, growth and more. I really enjoyed the dark themes, and felt the author really took great care within these topics. i seriously loved all the characters, but specifically, i love love love aaron. valerio was sweet but I'm low-key holding onto Aaron for the next book 😭 I cannot wait to read the next one once it's translated.



*spoiler discussion/topic below*


a LOT of people gloss over, and/or don't speak on the sexual healing journey that is involved in healing from sexual trauma, and I am so glad the author didn't lean away from this, especially as a woman reader. I'm so blown away by this author!

[Althea ☾]

yeah, u can’t comp a book to Narnia and expect me to not be intrigued

[Valeria Hernández Picazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive this book directly from the author, and I am voluntarily writing this review 💫
Honestly if it was possible I would have given this 4.5⭐️

I also want to say that I am incredibly impressed that the author translated this book on her own, and I have really enjoyed watching her creative journey on social media 🥰

• I liked the writing style because it felt different from how fantasy books are usually written today.
• It reminded me of older fantasy books like The Lord of the Rings, especially because of the journey aspect.
• I loved the world-building because, for me, it is really important to understand the world so I can truly imagine what it looks like.
• I felt that the magic system could have been explained more, as I was left with a few questions about it.
• The romance was not the main focus of the story, and I feel like that made me enjoy the book even more.
• In my opinion, it was fast-paced, and everything made a lot of sense, especially the fighting scenes.
• I obviously disliked the scene with Salje and the King, but I do think it was written maturely and not in a romanticized way.
• My favorite character was Aaron, and I have to say that I wanted to know more about him.
• The ending came a bit too fast for me; I wish it had been a little longer.

All in all, I did enjoy reading it, and I am super excited for the second book (I might even read it in German so I don’t have to wait for the translation) 💕

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic fantasy and strong world building. If you like a lot of found family and a dark plot this is for you.

[Cyrielle Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so, so very sad
I was SO excited about this book and the story was great but something about it fell completely flat for me 😭

[Frances Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epilogue of Kings by Elisabeth G. Mark is a story with a premise that catches you from the beginning 📚

Here we meet Salje, who has been carrying the disappearance of her brother Damian for fourteen years, who disappeared along with eleven other children. Four years later, only half of them returned... but Damian wasn’t one of them. The most intriguing thing is that those who returned are no longer the same. Overnight they are adults, marked by physical and emotional scars, and no one knows where they were all that time. ✨

Everything changes when Salje begins to have dreams where she sees through her brother's eyes and everything indicates that Damian could still be alive.

Determined to find answers, she confronts the boys who returned, and that's when the truth begins to come to light. Together they decide to return to the kingdom of Asydiar, a magical world where they were once kings and important figures.

This book gave me vibes to stories like The Chronicles of Narnia, that mix between the real world and a fantasy world full of magic, elves and power struggles 🔥⚔️

Important thing: I would not consider it a romantasy as such, since romance is not the main focus. Here the mystery, the fantasy and the construction of the world weigh more.

I understand that it will be a series, and the second book comes out this year, so I definitely want to see where this story goes because it has a lot of potential 👀

[Muqadas! · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went completely blind, and somehow I ended up being hooked. This is one of those stories you physically cannot put down,the kind that takes over your brain and refuses to let go!

And My man Aaron the fucking Golden!!!!😭❤️

"I am Aaron the Golden, last mage of the Way of Water, Uniter of the Realms, Star-Crowned, "Blessed of Tilara, heir to the Ebonath dynasty, and victor of the battles at the Floating City, at Thalasir Becken, and at Castabellum."

Excuse me?! The author really wrote this and then decided to make him a side character, are we serious right now?

At this point, calling Valerio the MC while sidelining Aaron feels like a joke we’re all just supposed to politely accept. And no… I’m not buying it.

At last I’m emotionally wrecked over salje and Damian!!!!😔

[Francesca Gatti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the blurb I was fascinated by the Narnia reference and I hoped it would hinge on that particular feeling at the beginning of Prince Caspian when they original four come back to Narnia and everything change.
Well, I was in for a surprise. Not only the book embodies that sense of estrangement perfectly but it also does so with a diverse and intense cast of characters.

The plot gets revealed bit by bit, we explore political intrigue, personal difficulties and growth, all leading up to a very tense ending for this first book. I will be reading the second one as soon as it drops.

[read_by_mal · Rating 3 out of 5]

-fae, humans, mages, forest-dwellers, faeries, elves, and more
-a portal to another world
-two potential love interests?
-adventure
-a band of friends turned brothers

I really loved the idea of this one, but some of the moments and plot felt a little half baked for me. I was missing a bit more depth/reasoning behind characters decisions and motives. And the plot felt like it had some gaps/transitions that didn’t fully make sense to me.

This was fun and whimsical, but didn’t knock me off my feet.

[Nubs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world-building? IMPRESSIVE. This book is exactly the kind of story I LOVE reading. It’s high fantasy with beautifully crafted world-building and a subtle thread of romance. The writing itself is simply beautiful.

There wasn’t a single moment where the story felt empty or dragging—I truly enjoyed every second of reading it. And it honestly takes a lot for a book to make me cry, but the author managed to break me in the end. The tears were definitely flowing.

I also have to say: the title is incredibly clever. When I finally understood the connection between the story and the title, I was completely mindblown.

I’m really looking forward to the next book and can hardly wait to continue this journey.

[Keona Mistisshen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart has never hurt so much for a character 💔 Salje went through all that and for what 😭 my girl deserves to be happy and heal

Also this might’ve just gotten me into high fantasy…

[Filipa Roque | Dev. Editor]

DNF - 29%

Not related to the quality of the book at all. Romance is just a big NO for me and it was taking too much space in the story, otherwise interesting.

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Megthebookgoblin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review - this book takes you on a journey with found family and friends ❤️

The story builds and continues with twists and turns, with epic battle scenes, heartbreak and heartfelt scenes filled with love.

There is so much building up for book two includes the FMCs magical journey, uncovered villains, world on the brink of war and interesting side characters appearing when you least expect it.

The main character group have such a great mix of personalities and histories built up you just want to keep learning about them.

[Lorea Sillero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hacía tiempo que un libro no me cautivaba de una manera tan especial. El libro es una mezcla entre Narnia, trono de cristal… te captura desde un inicio. No voy a decir que es un libro fácil porque no lo es, es un libro que te enseña diferentes facetas del mundo tan reales como las que vivimos ahora, desde un inicio, la trama y los personajes te capturan y te hacen vivir lo que ellos viven si tapujos. Esto no es un romantasy, es fantasía con romance pero lo importante es lo que está ocurriendo durante todo el libro. Tengo demasiadas ganas de leer el segundo… ojalá lo traduzcan pronto y todas las personas de mi alrededor puedan leer esta maravillosa obra de arte. EL EPÍLOGO DE LOS REYES 🤌🏻✨

[Grace H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars

I enjoyed this read and I'm really interested to see where the plot goes in the next book. Overall it was a good/ easy read, but there were certain aspects of the book I felt could've been explored more to make it stronger.

The first, and my biggest gripe, is at the beginning of the book where the ensemble of 'The Returned' men begin to open up about their time in Asydiar to Salje. After Salje learns that they were basically kidnapped, taken to the other realm, and rose to be knights and kings, the reader then literally gets the bare minimum description of further stories. The only description we get of their time is:
"They had sat long by the fire last night, Aaron and the others telling story after story. At first halting, rough, scattered, but then, as though a dam had burst, the tales had poured out. Colors, emotions, whole worlds unfurled until she was submerged in them."
I feel like this would have been the optimal time to really show the reader what Asydiar is like. What was it like for these teen boys to discover a completely new world? Did they run into frightening creatures? How did they survive for so long? What is the environment/ culture like? How did they rise to their stature in Asydiar? We get some of the answers later in the book, but if the ambience and lore was described earlier I think it would have made those latter plot points even more impactful. Instead, our understanding of the world and how it functions comes from surface-level, in the moment descriptions from Aaron/Valerio that are not thoroughly explored. These may all be explained more the coming books, though.

The only other time we really get to see the other realm (before they venture back into it) is through Salje's dreams of her brother. These dreams did allow for the setting of ambience/ danger to Asydiar but they felt mostly contained to the situation that Damian was in himself.

Another thing I feel like could have been more in depth was the scenes of conflict/fighting. Not all, but a decent amount felt like there were minimal stakes, they fought for a few seconds, and then won/escaped. I wish there was a little more weight to these scenes, again, to establish the severity of the world and/or conflict. This ties into Salje and her magic too. The stakes are there but we really don't see the repercussions of her not being able to use it until later in the book. I'm just not really worried for the characters.

I felt like the book was written well and respected/approached sensitive topics appropriately. I'm intrigued about these characters, their past, and what they will do next. I'm especially interested in Salje's new gracious friend and how she will make her way back to Aaron & Valerio.

[bluevioletbb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epilogue of Kings is a strong debut that will absolutely appeal to fans of The Lord of the Rings and epic fantasy lovers who enjoy worldbuilding, darker themes, political intrigue, and morally complex journeys.

First of all—the cover art is stunning and immediately caught my eye. It sets the tone perfectly for the sweeping, high-stakes adventure inside. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. The magic system is compelling, and I’m excited to see it explored more deeply in future installments. The found family dynamic was a standout for me; each character carries their own trauma, which adds emotional weight to their bonds and choices.

The romance definitely takes a backseat to the adventure, which I actually appreciated. This book leans heavily into quest-driven storytelling and political maneuvering as you continue the story. That said, while certain sections move at a fast, gripping pace, other parts—particularly the lore and history surrounding those who returned and certain fight scenes—felt a bit surface level. I found myself wanting more depth and backstory. Perhaps that’s intentional and will be expanded on in later books.

There were a few minor typos that slipped through editing, and I think additional readers would have helped polish the final product. I also believe the trigger warnings and character lists should be moved to the front of the book for accessibility. That map though? LOVED IT. I found myself going back to it all the time.

One point that didn’t fully land for me was Salje's portrayal in certain scenes. She’s presented as a strong FMC, especially in her interactions with the Returned, so it felt inconsistent that she couldn’t fight off the attacker during the assault. It echoed her earlier inability to protect herself from Dave, where she was also “overpowered”. While this may reflect realism and trauma, it clashed somewhat with the strength she displays elsewhere.

And that ending?! That plot twist had me furious. After everything we go through… he dies?! I was genuinely upset—in the way only a bold fantasy ending can make you.

Despite a few areas that could have been fleshed out more, this was an impressive debut filled with magic, adventure, political tension, and emotional stakes. Looking forward to her growth and the other characters in book 2. 4⭐!

[Maria Cabrera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled quite a bit with this reading, and it's reflected in the days it took me to finish it. The first chapters didn't catch my interest or meet my preconceptions, and the change of setting felt very abrupt, but as the story progressed and the characters found their rhythm in the story, everything started to make sense, obviously. So I'm glad I gave the book a chance!

Without spoiling anything, I'm not a big fan of sci-fi, but luckily, Epilogue Of Kings leans more towards high fantasy, shaping impressive world-building and complex characters that have to overcome traumas, heal from it and fix past mistakes, making them constantly emotionally evolve, even if the process isn't pretty. So make sure to read the TWs before picking it up, though the author handles its dark themes with sensitivity and maturity. These obstacles add more dimension to the main characters, although you suffer for them as a reader.

A romantic interest was established right at the first chapters, but I liked that the romance was a subplot and the driving force was the action, propelled by the mission to find Salje's brother and the impending war, which lends an epic quality to the journey and reminds me of certain classics, as the synopsis suggests. The author weaves a fast-paced rhythm, a rush that still allows solid relationships to develop between the characters. The found-family element was very prevalent in the book, and I especially enjoyed the camaraderie between the group.

As I said, it was hard for me to get into the book; my work life also got in the way of letting me fully enjoy it, which sucked, and perhaps this lack of free time influenced my final rating. But I believe this intriguing first instalment is a solid start for an adventure that many readers might enjoy. However, I would have liked a deeper explanation of some aspects, like the magic system, about which I still have a few questions, and certain parts felt rushed or glossed over. Overall, I will settle for a 3.5⭐.

[MyRomanceHasNoLimits · Rating 2 out of 5]

⚠️If you like this book or are the author, do not read further. This is just my opinion

"People kept glancing at the five men sitting in the corner of the bar, a spot even the old neon lights avoided. Salje was used to tough crowds and rough talk, but this group unsettled her. Tonight, she planned to confront them—the Returned."

The Returned came back after years after suddenly vanishing, without her brother. They said he was dead. But after dreams of him being tortured in the dungeons, our bartender Salje decides to confront the Returned and find out where her brother is. And the adventure starts from there.

Dark fantasy, 3/5 🍆 (yes, spice rating)

First, I buddy read with @lifebetweenpages and it was so much fun to vent and I owe her for finishing it.

Second, this is a dark romance. So, check triggers.

Third, character arc is very important to me. I do not take lightly when traumatic events are the only method to push the character arc through the book to set the next instalment. This without warning or reason apparent. "I didn't know" or romance reasons are not reasons for dark traumatic events to occur. It's plot not well thought off. The way the "healing" was handled was not ok.

Fourth, at some point I got attached to Valerio (possible love interest) but by the 50% mark he could take a hike as well as Aaron. The rest I could not care. One felt like cannon fodder (and if you read the book, pun intended)

Fifth, the ending. What was that? What did I read this book for?

Now, if you do not have my taste in books and like Lord of the Rings, try it out. Why not? It is well written, pacing is questionable, but it is a debut .

[Jimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epilogue of Kings is an epic fantasy that delivers exactly what the genre promises,rich world building, high emotional stakes, and a story that isn’t afraid to hurt you a little along the way. From the start, the world feels immersive and lived-in, with layered politics, history, and tension that balance beautifully with the plot rather than overwhelming it.

At the heart of the story is Saljie, a strong and resilient FMC who endures more than anyone ever should. Her journey is raw, painful, and incredibly human. Watching her fight through trauma and hardship made her feel real, not just heroic,and that emotional weight is what truly anchors the book.

This isn’t a light fantasy. It’s dark, gritty, and at times heartbreaking. There were moments that genuinely made me cry, and the author doesn’t shy away from exploring the harsher realities of life. But that honesty is also what makes the story so powerful and unforgettable.

Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in, because this world pulls no punches. But if those elements don’t deter you, you’re in for a deeply moving, beautifully crafted fantasy that will stay with you long after the last page.

A heavy, emotional, and ultimately rewarding read for fans of darker epic fantasy.

[Itza28 · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I want to thank the author for providing me with an ARC.
I really wish I have had more free time to read the book faster, this is one of those fantasy books that I would normally would have read in 2-3 days.
It is an amazing story that balances perfectly the fantasy and romance plots, with every chapter I couldn't wait to find out what else will happen and the book delivers everytime.
The romance plot is beautifully written, I personally felt it came a bit rush at the beginning, but that comes more from a personal preference where I really love slow burn romances. However, it never came across as forced.
The found family aspect of the book was my favourite part, the way relationships develop in the book is written so beautifully, I care so much for these characters.
The worldbuilding is amazing!! When I heard that the book was inspired by Narnia but in a darker, fantasy setting, I was hooked immediately, and once again, the author created such an intriguing, majestic world.
I can't wait for the prologue of queens! And I can definitely see myself rereading this book quite often.
PD. The cover art and illustrations are beautiful!! Thank you so much for supporting illustrators!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC directly from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This series has so much potential to be one great epic fantasy. The world building was so unique. Going from an industrial dying city to a realm where fae and persecuted, humans are the only ones with magic, and everything is constantly on the brink of war. Bringing characters back to this other realm after over a hundred years has passed and experiencing their internal battle between their ghosts and their current pursuit kept me hooked. I was immediately captured into the characters story, the history of their time in the realm previously, and the pitfalls of their current quest to find a lost brother.

The beginning of the story was a bit disjointed and slow. It’s clear the author planned to explain the past slowly and link it together but there were so many awkward starts and stops while the characters were in the grey city that left perfect opportunity for some explanation and story building. Once I got over the early bit the story really developed and became well rounded.

I will definitely be eagerly anticipating the follow up books to this series!

[Erin Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC directly from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This series has so much potential to be one great epic fantasy. The world building was so unique. Going from an industrial dying city to a realm where fae and persecuted, humans are the only ones with magic, and everything is constantly on the brink of war. Bringing characters back to this other realm after over a hundred years has passed and experiencing their internal battle between their ghosts and their current pursuit kept me hooked. I was immediately captured into the characters story, the history of their time in the realm previously, and the pitfalls of their current quest to find a lost brother.

The beginning of the story was a bit disjointed and slow. It’s clear the author planned to explain the past slowly and link it together but there were so many awkward starts and stops while the characters were in the grey city that left perfect opportunity for some explanation and story building. Once I got over the early bit the story really developed and became well rounded.

I will definitely be eagerly anticipating the follow up books to this series!

[Latisha Jahoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book delivered. It was the perfect blend of fantasy and romance and it had all the elements you could look for. I thought to myself the book seemed long but when I was done, I wanted more. I wanted more of the adventure, of the fights, of the romance. There's so much I feel like the author can explore still and I can't wait for book two.

The world building was insane quite honestly. I thought I would have been lost, but the author did such an amazing job with the descriptions and adding in all the details to make you feel as though you were there with the characters and were experiencing everything along with them.

I really want to read more about the guy's adventures before they came back to the human world. There were bits and pieces spread out throughout the book, hinting to their past, and it really intrigued me to their story and what they had lived through.

Thank you so much to the author for reaching out and gifting me a copy of this book. It was one of my top reads for this year so far.

[Yiyi (Gigi) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC of Epilogue of Kings through Booksprout in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, and sorry it took me a bit to get to it!

I really liked the overall idea of the story. The mix of mystery, adventure, and romance had a lot of potential, and I enjoyed the FMC. Salje seems like a normal everyday person at first, but there’s a quiet strength to her.

That said, the pacing didn’t fully work for me. The romance felt like it peaked early on (I was only 25% in and it was all pretty much done), so it came off a bit rushed. I felt like the story also jumped around a lot. one moment it’s focused on the mystery, then suddenly romance, then back to the mission which made it feel a little off to me.

I also wish some parts were more developed. There were moments that felt rushed or glossed over and those were the moments I felt could have added more to the story.

Overall, I liked the premise and some elements of the story, but it just didn’t fully come together for me.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a good feeling about this book and I am so glad that I was right!

This book is a dark fantasy with a romance subplot. I follow the author and I was a bit confused in the beginning, because some moments felt quite cozy for me, but later I understood why it is a dark fantasy. I would add epic too.

The romance and yearning were there as expected, but try not to get too attached to the characters as I did. There are a few surprinses along the way…

The worldbuilding and vivid descriptions of the nature were amazing: beautifully written, not too many, but enough to make me dream of another world. The side characters were not ignored, even though there were quite a lot. Also, I really enjoyed reading this book from three different perspectives. There was no bad chapter and I tend to get bored easily in general.

If you want to compare this story with something more popular, take a little bit from these series, but also add some spice and some dark scenes:
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- Throne of Glass
- The Infernal Devices
- A Study in Drowning

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a great read!! A book listed as being a dark fantasy and yes, I agree. Some rough scenes, but very well balanced with positive scenes.
The first few chapters were explaining back ground of the characters as well as building up to the "what happened". Setting the tone for world building with a bit of mystery making the reader want to keep reading. By chapter 5, I definitely was vested and did not want to quit reading.
The pace of the book waxed and waned. Moments at times seemed to take a bit to get through, but then, BOOM, a fast paced, action packed section would happen. It truly kept me on my toes.
What I really feel the author did well was to mix in what would initially feel like small scenes that had a bigger impact. Such as describing domestic moments of meal times that truly indicated relationship building and more insight into individual characters personalities.
Truly, I very much enjoyed this book and I would read more from this author.

[Mischief Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kind of books are the reason why I fell in love with epic fantasies.
From the world building, to the found family, the magic system, the adventure, the character’s development… I just loved it.

Must admit, I had a hard time at the beginning with fully immersing in the story. And after I finished it I realized that was simply because somewhere along the way on my reading journey I’ve gotten used to an insta kind of fantasy - where the tension was high from the very beginning, you devour the book in one sitting and then you have to do a re-reading just because you went too fast trough it at all.

But I’m very very glad I stuck to it. Because this book is one hell of a debut!
It starts slow, but it keeps developing sooo good that as you come to the last pages, you don’t want it to end.

There is magic, politics, romance (not main plot), dark themes, mystery, human vs. elves tension… All packed in one epic story.

[Maria Belo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Salje and her companions is one of wonder , friendship, kinship, love and vengeance.
The book is really well written with an amazing story that grabs you from the start. Once you start it you can't put it down. A mix of Narnia and Lord of the rings with a pinch of Braveheart.
Loved the pacing, the narration and the character development, was actually quite surprised the FMC didn't get her happy ever after.
Now to wait for the second book to see how the story unfolds and how our amazingly strong FMC gets back to her friends.
Highly recommend if you like a good sword fight, amazing characters, beautiful scenery and a story that has a lot to offer to the reader.
I'm honored to be chosen to be part of the ARC read, can't wait for the next book to come out. Go buy this book