Echoes of the Past

by J.B.J.

"Even if I had gone in with sky-high expectations, I think this still would have blown me away. Somehow, Echoes of the Past feels like the best mash-up of Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie and Michael J. Sullivan, while also being completely its own unique thing." - Esmay Rosalyne, Grimdark Magazine.

TWO HEIRS. SIX SHATTERED KINGDOMS. FIVE FORMS OF MAGIC. AND ONE WAR BUILT ON THE LIES THAT MADE THEM.

Weckenstone has always revered the royal Tallmight line as divine. Yet when an enemy force invades, driven by a history Weckenstone tried to forget, the capital burns, and the Tallmight dynasty shatters.

Tiber, heir to the throne, dreams of becoming the hero who saves everyone. But war leaves little room for heroes, only monsters in gilded armour. And after losing control, Tiber’s own destructive magic terrifies him more than his enemies ever could.

Gwynn, Tiber’s twin, knows no such comforts. Scraping by in the lawless underground of a beautiful city, angry at the world, he searches for something—anything—to be proud of. Yet his abrasive nature pushes most away, except for his young tutor, the one person he dares to care for.

Reclaimer Aella, an officer and magic-user in the Phylondras army, has spent years carrying her family’s betrayal. But fighting Weckenstone and the Tallmights is perilous. The higher she climbs, the more she realises that rising above her treacherous past might require becoming something far worse.

The Tallmights never had a clean past. Their enemies haven’t forgotten how it was rewritten by the victors. With the war dragging on, Weckenstone’s proud ideals rot into corruption. Now, the twins must decide who to become, how they’ll lead—and whether their name is a legacy, or a curse buried in the echoes of the past.

"These are the moments I live for on Bookstagram, finding indie authors who write absolute masterpieces. Echoes of the past was simply brilliant, giving me all the fantasy energy I needed." - Kieran Devereux.

Genres: Fantasy

402 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2026

About the author

Julius Benjamin Jonker (JBJ) is an indie fantasy author living in Rotterdam, Netherlands. His debut, Echoes of the Past, launches the King's Pride Saga—an epic fantasy series built on the philosophy of writing the books he'd most want to read himself.

He believes stories can build understanding and sympathy across cultures, while fantasy offers an escape from reality that also explores our deepest questions about morality, identity, and how we might structure the world.

When not writing, JBJ studies Politics, Philosophy, Economics, and History (PPEH) in Utrecht to better understand the real world. When not doing that either, he can be found playing D&D, collecting medieval weaponry, or getting lost at Renaissance Faires.

Learn more about JBJ at www.jbjwriter.com or follow him on Instagram @jbj_writes.

Reviews

[Esmay Rosalyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine

Confession time, the main reason I picked up Echoes of the Past is because JBJ is a fellow Dutch book nerd, and I just wanted to show some support for a local indie author. Luckily for all of us, this dark but fun fantasy adventure also turned out to be totally up my alley, and it quickly surpassed any and all expectations I ever could have had. Honestly, it’s one of those debuts that makes you forget it is a debut at all, and I love it for that.

Now, the opening of Echoes of the Past is honestly a bit rude in the best way. Based on the blurb, I went in expecting a fairly standard 'twins separated at birth' setup, and instead got hit with a hundred-page gut punch about their parents/family having the worst day of their lives. It feels like an extended prologue soaked in bad decisions, worse consequences, and the kind of generational trauma that stains everything that comes after, which I was so here for. And the wildest thing is that I usually don’t even love being thrown straight into chaos, but here I was locked in immediately. I needed to know how everything would fall apart, and more importantly, who would survive the fallout.

That said, the structure of Echoes of the Past is a bit of a double-edged sword, because that opening goes so hard that the present day narrative has a lot to live up to. For me, the story never quite hit that same peak again until the end, but there is no denying that the transition into the main timeline is impressively smooth. We get some great coming of age vibes as we watch Tiber and Gwynn grow from messy teenagers into even messier adults, and I loved how their shared genes were immediately noticeable to me even while they led completely different lives without knowing the truth about their history, identity, and even each other’s existence.

Still, their youthful naivety and arrogance can also definitely be frustrating at times, especially as Tiber has a (wannabe) hero complex that borders on delusion and Gwynn is the kind of jaded, hypocritical street rat who makes you want to reach into the page and shake him. But then, even if I did not always like them and sometimes found their inner monologue to be a bit repetitive, I honestly couldn’t help but root for them because they are just so well-written and painfully relatable in their human flaws. Also, their dynamic digs into that nature versus nurture question in a way that actually feels meaningful, and I really enjoyed how their inevitable reunion was anything but easy, happy, and wholesome because of how their separate upbringings had shaped and twisted them.

However, what if I tell you that it was not them, but actually my sapphic babe Aella who was my favourite character in Echoes of the Past? She’s morally complex, emotionally complicated, and she carries enough baggage to sink a ship, so of course I fell head over heels in love with the antagonist, sorry not sorry. And because she’s operating on the other side of the conflict, every chapter from her perspective adds this layer of dread as you can see the storm building while the twins are still fumbling in the dark. Moreover, I loved how her chapters deepened the sense of culture, especially with the distinct dialogue style and their lack of past tense. It took a second to adjust, but once it clicked, it only added to the immersion for me.

It’s exactly that expertly executed multi-POV storytelling, including some great interludes, that made the world of Weckenstone just come to life the way it did. Like, JBJ flexes hard with his ambitious worldbuilding in Echoes of the Past, delivering six broken kingdoms with their own distinct cultures, dialects, and own form of magic, including telepathy, illusion, alchemy, necromancy, elementalism, and the completely unique Manapo Noa. It might sound like too much, but somehow it actually never felt overwhelming to me. The world just felt so lived in without the text ever turning into a lecture, not even when we were in magic school, and I loved how easy it was for me to get totally lost in all its epic grandness.

And then there’s the ending, which finally reaches the high bar that the start of Echoes of the Past set again. All the threads tighten, the stakes spike, and suddenly no one feels safe, because JBJ refused to give his characters plot armour and really lets them deal with the consequences of their (sometimes very stupid) actions. Even though this book has a sharp sense of (dark) humour running through it, it is never afraid to go dark when it counts, and that is a balance I will always adore.

Even if I had gone in with sky-high expectations, I think this still would have blown me away. Somehow, Echoes of the Past feels like the best mash-up of Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie and Michael J. Sullivan, while also being completely its own unique thing. To me, this just does everything a great first book in a new epic fantasy series should do, and I am already impatiently waiting for the second instalment in The King’s Pride Saga. Do not miss out on this gem if you like your fantasy adventures epic yet intimate, dark yet fun, and full of the best coming of age drama, complicated sibling bonds, cutthroat political intrigue, and delicious emotional gutpunches.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Echoes of the Past is scheduled for release on 2 April, 2026.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twins separated at a young age in a fantasy world split by war. I was already hooked by the premise, and it's been a hot minute since I've picked up a high fantasy book, so I had to check it out!

I really enjoyed the prose and descriptions! The attention to detail was great, and each character had an important role to play in the story.

That being said, there were a lot of POVs to follow. But the main three were Tiber, Gwynn, and Aella. I enjoyed them all, but I found Gwynn to be the most compelling. He wasn't afraid to get his point across, and he had mixed feelings about a lot of issues.
(I also enjoyed his conflict with his brother later in the story. The jealousy was great)

My favorite part was Tiber and Figero's friendship. I'm hoping to see even more of those two together in the next book! (I'm sensing a lot of unspoken feelings there 👀)

The magic system was really neat too! The necromancers were creepy but had some of the most exciting scenes. I also liked how potions were a big deal. I don't see potions used a lot in major fantasy worlds really (like take GoT or LOTR), so it was refreshing!
(I should probably read more fantasy too, that's just a me problem lol)

I enjoyed the worldbuilding, and I'm curious where the adventure will take the twins next!

Thanks to the author for sending me an Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review. ❤️

[Tara.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75⭐️
this was my first arc I didn’t expect anything. This is the debut novel of this author, so I went into it without thinking. But, grab my hand, this was awesome! I fell in love with the characters, except for Gwynn, but more on that later.
It’s a story about war but it’s so heartwarming. The found family, literally, is great. No not great, it’s phenominal. I sometimes had a hard time with the names and knowing who was who. But in the end that was also gone.

I really, really like the diversity in this book. Different cultures, different backgrounds, different love interests. It’s so great. Isn’t it also so awesome that the writer is from the Netherlands like me?

I can’t wait for the kings pride saga to continue. I’m exited to see Gwynn’s growth, to learn new things from Lucadian and to see more of the Weckers!

Thank you so much for letting me read this arc!

[Cara Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy, and I’m so Honored that I was able to!
For a first book by this Author it is fantastic.
This book is very high fantasy, has multiple points of view and morally grey characters. It is certainly not going to be a book for everyone. You need to be someone who has patience and enjoys the building that Fantasy books take. It also is very dark and gloomy with war, deaths, sadness.
But i thoroughly loved the characters, and the magic system is pretty cool. I will be eagerly awaiting book two to see what happens to our hopeful hero’s Tiber and Gwynn.
My rating is 4.75 stars and it’s really only because some of the grammar is a little funky.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author.

Overall a good book. Nice story, good pacing and lots of action. Some nice character development, though I found I didn’t care for a lot of them and ended up skimming chapters towards the end.

Personally wasn’t a fan of the style of writing at times. And found I’d lose track of who people were as there’s a lot. Not sure I’d read a second one, though with how it ends it does leave the story open to continue. But good book for anyone who likes a fantasy with a lot of fighting.

[Landri Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is war? Is it the stuff you hear of in stories with heroic knights fighting evil? Or is it a bloody mess of human nature and ambition disguising itself as “noble righteousness?” This book does its best to answer that question.

The story has multiple POVs but it primarily follows twin princes, separated at birth and raised in two completely different lifestyles. First there’s Tiber, a boy raised by two loving parents with a brother. He knows what having a family is like and was raised with the stories of heroes and honor and dreams of becoming one of those said heroes. Then we have Gwynn. He was raised in an orphanage and knows the brutality of life. He knows no such thing as heroes exist and believes everyone has an unsaid motive of self interest behind what they’re doing.

When the two find out they’re royalty, they must band together to stop the Nordics, the people responsible for killing their parents and “destroying” their way of life. Will they get along to stop the enemy? Or will their differences keep them apart?

I really enjoyed this book. It reminds me so much of epic fantasy’s of old with a modern twist to it. I love the different types of magic and potions. My only critique is that I feel as if some parts moved a little too fast. The book follows the characters through the years as they grow up and I feel like we the readers didn’t get enough time to emotionally invest in some parts of the characters lives, especially when they were in school. But overall the positives outweigh the negatives and this book deserves all the hype!

[P.S. Devi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of being an ARC reader for this book! If you want a story that’s like Arcane but set in a high fantasy world with Lord of the Rings vibes, while featuring two main characters who strongly remind me of Glinda and Elphaba from Wicked—you should absolutely read Echoes of the Past! The characters were diverse in their backgrounds and beliefs, and the worldbuilding was insanely well developed! The main flaw for me was that I would've liked for the social/philosophical commentary to be “shown” more than “told”—the characters were developed well enough that they can be trusted to carry their messages without having to explicitly explain them—but if anything, that flaw would also make this amazing book more accessible to a YA audience.

High Reclaimer Aella was such a fascinating and complex character, and I’m excited to see how she continues to develop in book 2! I like a villain (side villain?) who has understandable reasons for supporting the Big Bad but is also aware of the monster she’s becoming because of it. Her romance with Tohunga was a well placed setup for her inner conflict of how far she’s willing to go to rise to the top.
Gwynn and Tiber are pretty realistically written as sixteen year old twins who suddenly have to save the world. Both of their worldviews made them unreliable narrators. Tiber’s savior complex, as much as it me laugh or sigh in disappointment/embarrassment at times, also made for an interesting exploration of what it really means to be a hero. Gwynn’s pessimism and distrust of everyone was a fun contrast to Tiber’s personality, and it was interesting to see how his resistance to authority can be just as destructive as it is also—as Tiber would say—heroic. Given his character, I feel like his decision to try reasoning with the factory owners to give the girl a job was out of character and frustrated me as a reader—but that’s a minor thing.

Also, the names were really cool. Special shoutout to Mag’Valandor, Lucadian, all the potion names, Phylondras, Tohunga, and Obed Kha. As an author, I have mad respect JBJ’s ability to come up with unique proper nouns. I repeat: amazing worldbuilding. I usually read fantasy for the fast paced plot (among other things, but mostly the plot) but this time I ended up devouring this book for the worldbuilding instead. The grammar rule that Phylondras have, with never using the past tense, was so clever and it tied together the theme nicely.

Long story short, this was a really strong debut novel and I’m excited to read the sequel!

[Monica Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review:

First off, this is my first ARC read ever so I feel very honored! That said, this was a really solid read. I’ll give a spoiler-free, in depth review.

Plot: I really enjoyed how the story started and progressed. I truly didn’t know what to expect as I continued reading and I love that. That’s what kept me going. Following 3 main storylines was intriguing and I was never confused on who was who. For two of the main characters, I really liked how their stories were parallel yet different.

Characters: I was a little overwhelmed at first with the introduction of a lot of characters but eventually we focused in on a few main ones. And the side characters were rather memorable. Tiber was a well-written character, but his hero mentality was a bit repetitive. Gwynn’s reluctance to trust anyone is understandable and he was also very well-written. That said, it felt like some of their actions were a bit rushed or rash. Could it be intentional? The relationships were well developed. There were many times I genuinely laughed out loud with their interactions! The inclusiveness of queer characters was well-done. It felt natural, which I loved.

Magic system: I would have greatly appreciated more background into the Magic system. It was so unique but I was confused about how it worked throughout the novel. I also wish Magic had been more of a focus. It started off Magic-focused but then seemed to get more battle-strategy heavy. I would have loved to see Gwynn and Tiber’s time at their respective Magic academies.

Writing-styles: At times the writing felt discontinuous but it would usually come back together at some point. Because of that, it was hard to read for long periods of time. Sentences had interesting phrases or order of words. I sometimes felt the character’s dialogue was inconsistent. For example, the way Tiner would talk or Gwynn would be different. Sometimes they’d switch to what I imagine is an accented styled dialogue (gon’, a’, etc) and that threw me off a bit.

OVERALL: I loved the plot, character interactions, and descriptive-ness of the battle scenes. This is a solid first book to a series by a new author. Will definitely read the rest of the series!

[Maaike Blom · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ first Arc-read!

I went into this book blindly. When I heard it had unique magic systems and morally grey characters I immediately got intrigued, and I was not dissapointed

the story is dark and unique, which I loved. The battle-scenes were also amazing in my opinion, love a good described fight 🙂‍↕️ also found it really interesting to read about the twins and who they came to be with their seperate upbringings, forced to band together to stop the Nordics.

it is a high-fantasy novel, and I have not much experience in reading similar books. In the beginning it was a little difficult for me to understand the world and see where the story was going.

All in all a good debut novel with amazing writing and I am curious about the second book!

[Aergul M. Yildiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a refreshing take on epic fantasy. It has all the things you’d want in a fantasy novel. I went in with zero expectations (mostly because I was in an extremely bad reading slump) and was rightfully blown away.

It explores themes of court intrigue, legacy, honour, and heritage really well. I love the coming-of-age story arc for Gwynn and Tiber and how their character complexity was written.

Want to know the best thing about this story? The world-building.
You all know I go crazy for a book with complex worldbuilding, and this one was EXACTLY IT!
All the minute details for the cultures, customs, dialects and all the other things that made the six kingdoms different from each other were exceptionally done. The worldbuilding alone gets a 100/10 from me.

Also, the prose??? The way it was so stylistic, so immersive? Chef’s kiss.

GIVE ME MORE OF WHATEVER THIS WAS!!!!

Overall, this was a great read. I'll be looking forward to the second instalment of this book.

[Jennifer Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning Epic fantasy of a marvellously big scale. The worldbuilding is beautifully illustrated and makes the story come to life before your eyes. While being a classic Epic story, it feels new and refreshing, surprising me at every corner. Many others have mentioned it, but the multiple POV structure is very well balanced and all are equally engaging. Truly couldn't pick one favourite character, though I must admit, the Weckers and Figero have stolen my heart. All character's arcs are really fulfilling. I love how their journey transpires and am burning with anticipation wondering where it will take it us in book 2!
In short, if you're looking for a highly immersive Epic fantasy book with incredible tension, engaging characters, that keeps you not want to leave the world of Weckenstone, Echoes of the Past is the perfect fit for you! :)

[Dani Tukker · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC) This book was soo good, i was truthly living in another book. The plot twists and the romance (my fav part) were soo good, i cant even describe it. The emotional parts were well written and i truthly LOVE some of the characters... (im not going to spoiler) I truthly look forward to more books from JBJ

[Karla Švedová · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turns out I’m quite a slow reader lately, especially as ARC reader, but I really do like this book. Actually, I love it! It was refreshing to read. Maybe my book list isn’t that long so far and it definitely wasn’t very diverse in the past. This book is still in my favorite genre and yet it is very different from the books I’ve read so far. From beginning to end I was entertained.
From personal experience, the only thing I regret is reading the book for so long bits by bits, so I might have to read it again just to have the great experience I’m used to.

[Quirine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! I got to read this book as an ARC and I couldn't be more excited.

Both the characters and their love interests are diverse. The magic system is phenomenal and while complicated it is explained very clearly. The characters all have their own flaws and it was really nice to read from their multiple POVs to get a better understanding of the world. I really enjoyed reading the book and can't wait for the rest of the saga ;)

If you are on the look out for a high fantasy book with morally grey characters and a well build world and magic system, this is the book for you. Can't recommend this book enough!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚔️ 🛡️ ARC Review 🛡️ ⚔️

Summary:

The Tallmights were considered sacred, untouchable, blessed by the gods themselves. Until the Day of the Fiery Dawn, when they were ruthlessly slaughtered.

The kingdoms believed this was the day the royal line had been wiped from existence. Yet two heirs, twins Tiber and Gwynn, survived. Separated during the attack, they were hidden away, and raised in vastly different circumstances.

Now, each has drawn the attention of powerful figures. Their powers breaking free in times of distress, hinting at their lineage. They will be trained, tested, and eventually reunited where they must confront their legacy and each other. Deciding who they will become and if they will stand together or apart.

My Overall Thoughts:

I have to say, I’m really impressed with this one! It’s not easy to pull off a high fantasy novel, but JBJ managed to do exactly that. The world is dark and reminiscent of the morally gray characters and vast scope of Game of Thrones, yet the storyline is uniquely its own. So well done. The writing was clever, the storyline fully developed, and it made me emotional more than once. I’ll absolutely be reading the next book when it comes out!

If you’re a fan of epic action-packed fantasy with complex worlds and magic systems, or tales where everyone thinks their motivations are just, this series is for you! Just know it’s a dark world and multiple trigger warnings apply.

My Rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (rounded up for Goodreads)
Releases April 2nd

What I loved:

🛡️ The massive world building! It gave off similar vibes to the great fantasy classics in sheer size and scope, and I’m excited to explore more as the series continues.

🛡️ The nature versus nurture narrative. It was fascinating to watch this unfold as we learned more about each twin’s personality and upbringing.

🛡️ The Weckers. They emotionally devastated me, but I have to say they are my favorite characters, hands down. Every single one of them.

What I didn’t love:

🛡️ Alllllll of the unfortunate events that happen to children in this world. My word, can’t we share some of that pain with the adults?!? 😩

Thank you to the author JBJ for the ARC of your debut novel. I absolutely loved it and you gained a new fan! As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own and this is my voluntary review.

[Mallory Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this, I realized this was really my first Tolkien-esque high fantasy, and it was a very different, wild ride (in a good way!) for a sci-fi and romantasy-loving reader like myself. I could see inspiration from Tolkien, but also a really intriguing fusion between Harry Potter, Star Wars the Clone Wars, and Star Wars: A New Hope, all in a fantasy world like Middle Earth. There’s twins separated to hide their bloodline, there’s a magical academy where mages are selected by masters to become their apprentices and go on missions for further training, there’s children bred to be disposable soldiers with advanced aging (my clone-loving heart hurt at the parallels).

The beginning reeled me in. Honestly, Part One was my favorite part of the whole book, and I think it could have stood alone as its own novella! I tend to love prequels more than the main stories (this is a trend of mine in every major popular series) so I devoured the stretch of the story about the doomed Tallmights (Bargo, Elizabeth, and Mercer). The scene where Bargo rides into battle as king to save his people, knowing he’ll die? Exquisite. Elizabeth’s last stand? Fierce. An icon. It gave me chills. I was desperately hoping they would continue on as our protagonists because I was so invested in them, but the book is called “Echoes of the Past”, after all!

The bulk of the action is set 17-20 years later, as the separated Tallmight heirs, twin brothers Tiber and Gwynn, grow up unaware of their legacy and their parents’ sacrifice. The separation gave me Luke and Leia vibes, complete with the masters who end up taking on their training. The contrast between the brothers was excellent. Tiber, coming from the background of his loving adoptive family, has grand dreams of being a hero and is painfully naive about the realities of war. Gwynn, after a lifetime of abuse that’s worn him down, is far more uncomfortable with this new legacy, and he chafes against the royal authority he’s swept up in. Gwynn, unlike the others, is far more concerned about the people who will suffer; he sees himself as one of them and is disenchanted with naive notions of honor and fame. For me, the standout character was Cerana, and I do hope Gwynn gets his act together and chases after her. Unlike Gwynn who had eyes only for Cerana, Tiber seemed to have so many love interests teased that I’ll be eager to see who he actually ends up with! (I do love the dynamic being teased with the Duke's daughter...)

Though it’s lengthy, the book moved a bit fast; I felt as if each part could’ve easily been its own book, particularly the arc where they attend the academy. There were so many names to keep track of and people who seemed like they would play a bigger role, but perhaps they'll show up in the next installment! I’m eager to see where the story goes, and I hope to get more answers about characters like Reclaimer Aella, our villain POV who seems to have a some juicy, secretive family lore… so excited to figure out what’s going on there!

I'd recommend this for any fans of Tolkien's world and prose, and for any readers who want a coming of age fantasy narrative with more focus on the battles and the magic than the romance.

Thank you to JBJ for the ARC!

[Sara D. Sanmarful · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by thanking the author for choosing me as one of the early readers, especially for a debut novel I know it takes a lot of courage to do so and I was really grateful to have the opportunity to enjoy such an amazing novel.

The first thing that stood out for me was his style, again let's remember this is a debut novel, because it has absolutely nothing to envy to more experienced and famous fantasy novels out there (I would say it is way better than some). You could feel the care the author has put in the language and the structure, enriching the story even more as it is obviously one of the main aspects to ensure the readers immerse in the world completely. Even when nothing was actually happening, I enjoyed reading it so much just because it was beautifully written and enhanced the experience even more.

Continuing with the world building, I loved the different types of magic and how well they were presented, specifically for the two main characters and how they slowly develop their power. Personally I really appreciate when the heroes have to work for what they have, not making it a "born with it" or "easy because they have all the support", and this was exactly the case when we get to see them train hard and study harder to get better.

Another thing that built a really good story was how secondary characters stood out, not only because they were truly interesting but also because when you got a chapter from their point of view was because it actually mattered what they had to say. The multiple points of view was very well used to enrich the storytelling and giving us more details that we wouldn't have gotten otherwise, it felt dynamic and well executed.

I'm excited for the next book and keep up with this author, I truly believe he has a lot of potential to bring amazing stories to life and I hope he gets the opportunity to do so. Meanwhile I will be crossing my fingers for this book to get translated to Spanish so I can recommend it to everyone I know here in Spain.

[Cătălina Andrici · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a compelling read that excels in its world-building and character depth. While it demands a rather high level of concentration - particularly regarding its stylistic dialogue - the immersive quality of the storytelling makes it a journey worth taking.
The action sequences are a particular highlight - vivid, high-stakes and masterfully written. Furthermore, the story feels remarkably fresh; it avoids most of the literary clichés that often plague the genre, making the plot feel unpredictable and earned.
One of the things I liked most in the book is the equitable focus on its characters. The author grants importance to each and every one, ensuring that no one feels like a mere plot device.
I’ll admit I was initially skeptical about the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, fearing that they might feel forced or unnatural. I was pleasantly surprised to find that wasn’t the case here; the representation felt fitting to the story and perfectly integrated into the world-building.
I really liked Gwynn's complexity. With most characters I knew where I stood from the start but with Gwynn it was a real roller-coaster. I struggled to like him at first, finding his personality abrasive. My perspective shifted when his magical path was revealed. Identifying with the same role created a strong sense of kinship and „bonding” with his journey.
The bond was tested by the way he treated Tiber. Even considering Tiber’s flaws, Gywnn’s behaviour felt unfair, leaving me with a lingering tension regarding his character.
The author uses a distinctive „broken tongue„ for certain characters. While this is a great tool to use for characterization and world-building, it was a bit of a challenge for me, as a non-native English speaker, especially because it plays with tenses.
Despite the linguistic challenges, this is a meticulously crafted world. It’s a refreshing take on the genre that avoids tropes in favor of complex, and sometimes frustrating, human relationships.

[Esther☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy received from the Author

A captivating read ✨️

First of all, a warm thanks to the author for sending me this ARC and the greatest thanks for writing this book. It was my first ARC and the author's debut novel so I didn't think much about it before going in, but was intrigued by the summary mentioning the twins. I'm so glad I did- I'm in awe of this book.

If you are reading this book, you'll need patience. The world-building is top-notch and I like that the author takes his time with it. Usually I find books where only the characters are more emphasised than the world they're in. Here, the characters and the realm are of equal importance. Different cultures, different races and different customs really makes this book diverse.

There are a lot of povs in this book. But the main focus is on the twins and Aella. I loved Gwynn for his skepticism and confusion at times and Tiber for his belief and hope to be a hero. Aella is a really interesting character – her actions and conflicting thoughts really intrigued me. I also loved the friendship between Tiber and Fidge (I'm sensing a lot of tension there 👀. We'll see) and Gwynn's jealousy 😂.


This book has a lot of great action scenes that I feel the need to take a sword myself😁. Overall, a very satisfying read. I hope to see Gwynn and Tiber fighting together like their father and uncle did and more of the Nemesis squad(they're so cute 😍 and deadly, of course), Lucadian's teachings and Eric. I'm excited to see what happens to Aella and how the twins deal with their grandfather(he's getting on my nerves). In short, I can't wait for the next book. I hope it comes out soon 🙏🏻 .

Happy Reading !!

[Read & Filed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to JBJ for providing me with a copy of Echoes of the Past in exchange for an honest review.

I’m landing on 4 stars for Echoes of the Past because I can clearly see what it’s aiming for, and I do think there is a real craft here. This is a large-scale, political epic fantasy with morally gray characters, fractured loyalties, and a story that relies on consequence than easy hero moments. The ambition is obvious from the start through the layered worldbuilding, multiple POVs, and a long-game plot built around legacy, identity, and power.

What made this a harder read for me is that I’m usually the target audience for exactly this kind of fantasy. I like dense themes, morally complicated characters, and stories that take their time. But in this case, the prose style itself didn’t always click for me. The frequent context switching, high volume of names and places, and constant political tracking started to feel cumulative. Even when the story itself felt so interesting, I found it harder than expected to stay immersed given the stylization of the writing. Over time that reduced my momentum and investment in the story as a whole.

That said, I still respect what the book is doing and what the author is building. There are strong ideas here, clear intention, and plenty of readers will connect with the exact qualities I struggled with. If you enjoy intricate, detail-heavy fantasy, this will likely work much better for you than it did for me.

So, while it wasn’t a perfect personal fit in terms of prose flow, I still think this is a strong debut in its lane, and I am rating it accordingly.

[Shannon O'Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! At first, I was a bit confused because I assumed it would start with the two twins already being orphaned, but it surprised me by opening with the Tallmight family under attack. I loved the tension right from the start! These scenes were intense in the best way! The sacrifices made to ensure the twins survived had me hooked. I was hanging on to every word, and while I knew what was coming, I didn’t want it to come!

I also appreciated how the twins’ different experiences shaped them. They each see the world in unique ways because of the way they were brought up, and that contrast added so much depth to the story. I found their takes on the world, the way people were being treated, and each other to be eye-opening.

The battle scenes were incredible. It was nonstop action that kept me turning the pages. I knew the next chapter would bring more battles and drama, and it was just so exciting! I didn’t want to put the book down!

The world-building was fantastic as well. I especially appreciated the map at the beginning, which helped me visualize where everyone was and understand the story better.

Finally, I found the Weckers incredibly thought-provoking. I felt awful about how they were treated, simply because of the way they were raised and the fact that they had no say in it. They were raised for war, yet the discrimination and harsh treatment they went through was shocking. I thought this was a powerful reflection on the desperation of nations during wartime and the extremes countries go to in order to win.

I would recommend this book this book to anyone who likes action, war, or fantasy books!

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READER REVIEW!!!




Echoes of the Past has most of the flavors you’d want in a fantasy novel. War and romance, strategies and schemes, brotherhoods and rivalries, and everything in between. It offers comprehensive world-building, giving each faction and affiliations enough background for the readers to truly feel immersed.

The novel discusses themes relating to honor, lineage, and legacy, while also exploring the other side of that legacy: the conquered, the defeated, and the rebels who rise against the victors. Furthermore, it also depicts elitism and social divide in gripping scenarios that feel strikingly real and vivid.

I enjoyed the twin protagonists, Tiber and Gwynn. Both are frustratingly complex as we see how their decisions and ways of thinking were shaped by their upbringing. The imperfections in these two make them feel human, and watching them discern upon their decisions and grow provide additional depth to their character and arc.

I also appreciated how the story was meticulously woven together. The narrative is told through multiple point of views, allowing us to see how the characters and places gradualy intersect and unravel. Overall, I think that Jonker’s intricate storytelling made the novel come alive; however, patience is definitely required for the readers as the terminologies can be quite overwhelming, especially since a bulk of them are introduced in the earlier sections of the story.

[TiffanyMarieTicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly this is a 6 star read for me! I really missed high fantasy and this delivered! Don’t go into this expecting butterfly’s and rainbows. There is however an amazing horse and unique magic!

This immediately draws you in and slaps you in the face with the dreaded Day of the Fiery Dawn! IYKYK.

Ok, so now that we got past that let’s talk about Tiber & Gwynn. They are twins that were separated, but are then brought back together. This book explores that journey and discovery and once united it does not go as planned as they are swept into a war that never really ended.

Let’s talk about another key character that really stood out to me. Aella, she is the antagonist you can’t really hate because she is just trying to please the Soverign Kha( the true antagonist) after her “failures”. I loved her POV and her struggles!

Then there is Cerena, the smartest of all the characters IMO. She is part of the found family of Gwynn and is a fierce fighter and isn’t afraid to do what’s right even if others don’t see it that way!

Things you can expect: battles, magic, battle axe, brutality, some romance 🥰, found family, sobs, anger, ambition, training, the need to actually want to look at the provided map (hahah how you know it’s true epic/high fantasy)!

Finished this in a few days and so glad I got to read as an eARC! Thanks JBJ! This is my honest review! ❤️

[Chasity Trimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one pulled me in pretty quickly and kept me intrigued. This is definitely one of those bigger fantasy reads where you can tell right away there’s a lot going on with multiple characters, different paths and a whole world that’s been through it.

The story follows twin brothers, Tiber and Gwynn, who end up growing up in completely different worlds and I really liked how that played out. You can feel how their environments shaped them and it adds a lot of depth to their choices and personalities. Then you’ve got Aella, who brings in that morally gray energy I always love, she’s not easy to pin down and I liked that about her.

The writing kept me pulled into the story. It’s immersive without feeling too overwhelming, even with all the world-building and shifting perspectives. There’s a steady emotional layer underneath everything too…family, identity, trauma, all of that and it gives the story more weight than just your typical fantasy.

This one leans darker at times with the war and some of the themes, so just be aware of that going in. It’s not overly light or fluffy, it’s more of one that you will need to settle in and pay attention to.

Overall, a really solid start to a series. If you like character-driven fantasy with a bit of grit and morally gray choices, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4.5 Stars for this first book!

I was so excited to find another epic fantasy series to start "tossing myself" into. This one encompassed all my favourite elements in a fantasy story. You will NOT be disappointed and be prepared to loose track of life and yearn for the upcoming books!

First part starts the building up, or… actually .... a lot of destruction, forming the canvas for this saga. Action packed, brutal, and dark.

Then, years go by and we really start this epic adventure. The world built was very well developed, very realistic, with characters that felt organic (the back of the book has a list of main characters. Very helpful in the beginning and then you will get very familiar with all of them). Interesting and elaborate magic system.

The book presents good pacing and language that is not heavy (which sometimes is the case in epic fantasy books).
Brace yourselves for a true adventure which will connect places, friends, family bonds, found family, betrayal, political intrigue, and can’t forget the horses! I almost don't want to say anything so people can really enjoy this adventure to the fullest!

I look forward to continue this series.
ARC reader given an advanced copy and leaving a very honest feedback.

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great epic/high fantasy read and I’m really excited to see where it goes! The plot was really interesting, and it drew me in right away. It is in no way predictable, so it kept me engaged to find out what happens. This is very high fantasy, so you must have the patience and give it time to develop everything. The world building is immersive and the magic system unique. I do wish the magic system was expanded on a little bit more, but maybe that will come later on. It is written in multiple POV, which is always a favorite of mine. It gives it more depth and complexity. It is also very character driven and I thought written very well. The characters are flawed and complex and have their own internal battles they are fighting. There is a lot of action, intense battle scenes, and politics. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I’m excited for the next installment.

If you love high fantasy, unique magic system, multiple POV, complex relationships, found family, morally grey characters, hidden truth, epic battle scenes, and rags to power then you should definitely check this book out!

Thank you so incredibly much to the author for a gifted eARC. I am voluntarily leaving a review, and all thoughts are my own.

[Kieran Devereux · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are the moments I live for on Bookstagram, finding indie authors who write absolute masterpieces. Echoes of the past was simply brilliant, giving me all the fantasy energy I needed after the dissapointment I experienced with Quicksilver. We follow Tiber and Gwynn
Tallmight, two brothers on a journey which will change the destiny of Weckenstone.

During the novel, expect action straight out of the gates, magic, betrayal, hope and even a hint of romance. I found the word building to be especially good, with myself being able to visualise the land of Weckenstone and get fully transported into the fantasy. Side characters were written brilliantly, allowing me to become emotionally invested with them. The story kept me hooked from page one, all the way to the end.

Overall, a really strong novel. I’m anxiously awaiting book two, I need to know where the story goes from here. Would 100% reccomend this novel to everyone who needs a bit of fantasy in their life. Echoes of the past will be released on April 2nd 2026 ✨

[Sarah Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This epic fantasy was filled with majestic lore, unique magic systems, and a theme of overcoming the errors of the past to create change for the better in the future.

The reign of the Tallmight family has fallen, and in its place, a religiously loyalist ruler, Sovereign Kha, seeks to continue what was started on the Day of the Fiery Dawn. Unbeknownst to this ruler, the twins of the former king of Weckenstone, Tiber and Gwynn Tallmight, find themselves orphaned as babes. When an unsuspecting turn of event occurs, each twin find themselves with magical abilities that only those divinely blessed in the Tallmight line would possess, and both young men are whisked away to study at a magical school. With one brother setting out to become a true hero, doing what is right by his people, friends and adoptive family, while the other brother uses his skills to simply survive, the twins paths cross as the Sovereign Kha’s plans to overtake Weckenstone spiral even further.

This story had so many layers of political intrigue, unique magic, diverse characters, and takes you on a epic journey filled with a found family, deeply emotional connections. It’s a tale of two brothers trying to discover their true selves in the intricate tapestry woven of their family’s past and in the new horizons of the future.

I thoroughly enjoyed this beginning installment of this epic fantasy series!

Romantic Content: Low Spice 🌶️

CW: Battle Violence, Gang Type Politics, Crude Language, Explicit Language, Torture, Abandonment, Religious Fanaticism, LGBTQ+ Relationships

[Casey Bonham · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This book was an ARC, kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.*

What can I say. I was absolutely blown away by this book.

The world building was fantastic and incredibly immersive. From the very beginning, I found myself completely drawn into Weckenstone, the Tallmight dynasty, and the lives of the characters. I genuinely struggled to put the book down because I couldn’t wait to see where each character’s journey would lead in the next chapter.

I’ve always enjoyed stories told from multiple perspectives, and this book handled that beautifully. Each viewpoint added depth to the story and kept the pacing exciting, making every chapter feel fresh and engaging.

The description of magic and it's origins appeared fresh and enjoyable.

Overall, this was a gripping and memorable read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys richly built worlds and character driven storytelling.

[Kyle Voss · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW!!

A solid debut novel from a really great guy!

This novel is a high octane fantasy book which combines magic, action, and political corruption all in one. It grips you from the first page and never lets up.

The main characters are enjoyable, and it’s interesting to see their differences despite blood relation. I found the story line initially complicated, but making more sense as it goes. The lore is well made, and the magic system is well crafted.

My only difficulty was the sheer number of characters, which shallowed out their importance to me if it wasn’t one of the three primary characters. I felt lost at times with how many names were being thrown out. However, this is also a product of the genre, and most high fantasy fans likely would have no issue with this!

I will happily continue this series, and support this author who I know is a really solid person!