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Echoes of the Past
Not yet published
Expected 2 Apr 26 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.
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.
402 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 2, 2026
18 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
JBJ
1 book14 followersJulius 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.
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.
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March 19, 2026gimme book 2 now
RTC
RTC
Review of advance copy received from Author
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. ❤️
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. ❤️
March 13, 2026
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!
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!
February 23, 2026
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.
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.
February 23, 2026
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.
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.
March 13, 2026
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!
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!
February 24, 2026
⚔️ 🛡️ 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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
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
Review of advance copy received from Author
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 !!
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 !!
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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! ❤️
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! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
📖 ARC Review for Echoes of the Past by JBJ 📖
4.5 stars ⭐️
I loved this epic fantasy! The scale of it is huge, making it a great addition to the genre.
When it was nearing the end I was so excited about how it would end and also very sad it was ending.
That's definitely one of the ways you know a book has got you.
I loved one of the less typical decisions made in this book, which was to tell the story chronologically.
This way you get to grow with the characters, follow their lives and see how they grow.
The characters themselves are super well written. They are fleshed out, have desires and conflicting wants and have they're own stories throughout the book. They're delightful to follow along. I particularly love Gwynn and Aella. Can't wait to know more about them.
I particularly enjoy seeing their struggle between what they see as their duty and their desires, which is one of the reasons why I love the aforementioned characters.
And the magic? The Arca powers are amazing and I think they really make a lot of sense to the characters that have them! They help move the story along and help you know more about each character.
I truly, truly enjoyed reading it! And I hope more people will follow on this journey of past and future.
Will you heed the Echoes?
4.5 stars ⭐️
I loved this epic fantasy! The scale of it is huge, making it a great addition to the genre.
When it was nearing the end I was so excited about how it would end and also very sad it was ending.
That's definitely one of the ways you know a book has got you.
I loved one of the less typical decisions made in this book, which was to tell the story chronologically.
This way you get to grow with the characters, follow their lives and see how they grow.
The characters themselves are super well written. They are fleshed out, have desires and conflicting wants and have they're own stories throughout the book. They're delightful to follow along. I particularly love Gwynn and Aella. Can't wait to know more about them.
I particularly enjoy seeing their struggle between what they see as their duty and their desires, which is one of the reasons why I love the aforementioned characters.
And the magic? The Arca powers are amazing and I think they really make a lot of sense to the characters that have them! They help move the story along and help you know more about each character.
I truly, truly enjoyed reading it! And I hope more people will follow on this journey of past and future.
Will you heed the Echoes?
Review of advance copy received from Author
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 ✨
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 ✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
*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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is a great example of how your environment impacts you and contributes to who you are - twins separated at birth and raised in very different circumstances. Gwynn, however, does become a bit insufferable with the GIANT chip on his shoulder. In his defense, he was not set up to succeed and suddenly has the weight of a nation and thousands of people to worry about. Tiber is just happy to be there and be included - the soon to be king and Tallmight bloodline is just fun adventure to him. The insight into the Nordics campaigns against Weckenstone by Aella’s POV is interesting. It definitely adds stress to what’s happening to the twins! The magic system is also fascinating with 6 types! Overall, a great read and will be waiting impatiently for the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc Review
4.5* rounded up
Rounded the points up because i really liked the story as a whole, but i can understand why it might be a hit or miss for some people.
The world building is okay-ish, great sometimes, but i found the lack of some descriptions bothering (eg. What is an arca exactly?). The author also tries to keep a balance on descriptions, so sometimes you get lots and sometimes it just moves on to the action.
Characters wise, i liked the story and i really enjoyed the first part. I would have liked a little more background for the in between portion of the story from part 1 to part 2.
Given that this is the debut novel for this author i think he did a really good job and I'm looking forward to the next book.
4.5* rounded up
Rounded the points up because i really liked the story as a whole, but i can understand why it might be a hit or miss for some people.
The world building is okay-ish, great sometimes, but i found the lack of some descriptions bothering (eg. What is an arca exactly?). The author also tries to keep a balance on descriptions, so sometimes you get lots and sometimes it just moves on to the action.
Characters wise, i liked the story and i really enjoyed the first part. I would have liked a little more background for the in between portion of the story from part 1 to part 2.
Given that this is the debut novel for this author i think he did a really good job and I'm looking forward to the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC-reading, spoiler free review
I went into this with little expectations since it’s been a long time since I’ve read a GOOD fantasy book, but Echoes of the Past got me so immersed from page 1 all the way until the end I could not put it down. I was so happy to read fantasy that’s not afraid to use gore and real raw emotions, and I was super invested in all the characters that got introduced.
I don’t think I���ve ever read a book this fast, so it’s safe to say I will be waiting for the journey ahead and cannot wait for the next part (hurry up Mr author).
Thank you again for letting this wonderful book be my first arc-reading experience, I loved every moment of it.
I went into this with little expectations since it’s been a long time since I’ve read a GOOD fantasy book, but Echoes of the Past got me so immersed from page 1 all the way until the end I could not put it down. I was so happy to read fantasy that’s not afraid to use gore and real raw emotions, and I was super invested in all the characters that got introduced.
I don’t think I���ve ever read a book this fast, so it’s safe to say I will be waiting for the journey ahead and cannot wait for the next part (hurry up Mr author).
Thank you again for letting this wonderful book be my first arc-reading experience, I loved every moment of it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Very well written and flows pretty well despite all the fighting. There were moments of absolutely perfectly smooth writing that had me asking why this was a debut novel/how isn’t there more from this author. This book’s world reminds me a lot of Gwynne’s style of fantasy building, with all the intricacies and how the puzzle is pieced together. There were a lot of characters to keep track of inside my head, but it’s not too overwhelming. I truly enjoyed reading this. I am happy to hear that there are more books to come. I can only see improvement in the addition of an audiobook.
Thank you to JBJ for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#EchoesofthePast
Thank you to JBJ for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#EchoesofthePast
March 23, 2026
ARC Read
Thank you Julius for giving me the opportunity to read your book before publishing! I loved the way I could see your writing journey throughout the book and I most definitely loved the entire system you’ve build. From potions to world-building. The action scenes were incredibly written and nothing is sugar coated.
Although it is amazingly done, it’s not really ‘new’. Nevertheless, I had a good time, but I personally like books better that give a twist or something refreshing to its genre. Can’t wait for the release party! 🏰
Thank you Julius for giving me the opportunity to read your book before publishing! I loved the way I could see your writing journey throughout the book and I most definitely loved the entire system you’ve build. From potions to world-building. The action scenes were incredibly written and nothing is sugar coated.
Although it is amazingly done, it’s not really ‘new’. Nevertheless, I had a good time, but I personally like books better that give a twist or something refreshing to its genre. Can’t wait for the release party! 🏰
Review of advance copy received from Author
First off thank you to the author for the eARC!
3.5 ⭐️
Overall I think this was well written and had unique aspects and storyline.
As for me it just didn't hit. It was just too high fantasy for me. I had a hard time keeping track of all of the characters and what was happening. I just felt overwhelmed and lost at times.
This is totally just me. I think if you like high fantasy then this book will be great for you.
3.5 ⭐️
Overall I think this was well written and had unique aspects and storyline.
As for me it just didn't hit. It was just too high fantasy for me. I had a hard time keeping track of all of the characters and what was happening. I just felt overwhelmed and lost at times.
This is totally just me. I think if you like high fantasy then this book will be great for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
After receiving an advanced copy of this book I initially found it to be confusing in places. It could also do with a thorough proofreading, that being said the story is interesting with good characters and the making of a good fantasy realm. I would like to read the next book as I would like to see how the characters develop. This book is definitely worth a read if you’re a fantasy fan.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As a first time ARC reader, I couldn't have asked for a better start. This book hooked me from the very first page. I loved the world building and character development. I can't wait to see how the twins would save their kingdom. Eagerly waiting for the 2nd book!
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