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The Relic of the Frostark: A Classic Fantasy Quest Adventure
The Wildwood tested her heart. The Frostark will test her resolve.
Princess Alarie survived her first realm and claimed a relic of the gods, but that was only the beginning of her journey.
The next relic lies in the Frostark, a brutal mountain kingdom carved from ice and snow. Its princess is not friendly. Its goddess does not comfort. And its trials offer no mercy. While the Wildwood welcomed her and helped her grow, the Frostark will challenge her and demand she grow more.
For Taren, this land is home. Here, Alarie will meet the family he left behind, learn the truths he has long buried, and begin to understand the weight of the life he abandoned to protect her. Bound together by a vow that is more than it appears, their partnership deepens into something increasingly difficult to ignore.
As the Hollowing spreads in unexpected ways, Alarie is forced to confront an unsettling truth: the evil she faces is changing, and so must she. To claim the second relic, she can no longer wait for divine guidance.
This time, she will have to demand what she needs to survive.
Princess Alarie survived her first realm and claimed a relic of the gods, but that was only the beginning of her journey.
The next relic lies in the Frostark, a brutal mountain kingdom carved from ice and snow. Its princess is not friendly. Its goddess does not comfort. And its trials offer no mercy. While the Wildwood welcomed her and helped her grow, the Frostark will challenge her and demand she grow more.
For Taren, this land is home. Here, Alarie will meet the family he left behind, learn the truths he has long buried, and begin to understand the weight of the life he abandoned to protect her. Bound together by a vow that is more than it appears, their partnership deepens into something increasingly difficult to ignore.
As the Hollowing spreads in unexpected ways, Alarie is forced to confront an unsettling truth: the evil she faces is changing, and so must she. To claim the second relic, she can no longer wait for divine guidance.
This time, she will have to demand what she needs to survive.
- GenresFantasy
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2026
4 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
E. J. Venter
2 books10 followersEmma Venter is a fantasy author from Perth, Australia. A lifelong reader, she fell in love with the magic of storytelling as a child through timeless classics like Alice in Wonderland and The Hobbit. Those early tales of wonder and courage, along with the epic adventures of The Legend of Zelda series, sparked an enduring passion for far-off realms and heroic quests.
Today, Emma channels that same sense of wonder into crafting unique worlds, rich cultures, and unforgettable characters of her own. When she’s not writing or lost in a good book, she can be found exploring new stories, daydreaming of adventures, or spending time with her husband, Brendon, and their dog Chappy.
Today, Emma channels that same sense of wonder into crafting unique worlds, rich cultures, and unforgettable characters of her own. When she’s not writing or lost in a good book, she can be found exploring new stories, daydreaming of adventures, or spending time with her husband, Brendon, and their dog Chappy.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 23, 2026
The Relic of the Frostark did not suffer from second book syndrome at all! In fact, I think I liked it even more than the first. This one felt much more focused on Alarie’s growth, and I really appreciated the moments of female friendship and “girl power” throughout the story. Women really do save the day in this one which was so refreshing to me.
I also really loved meeting Taren’s family and friends because it really helped me learn more about him in a real setting and not just through info dumping, which I loved. We also learn more about Alarie in this way as well, watching how she reacts to Taren’s family so different from her own.
One of the things I enjoy most about this series is how cozy the world feels. Even with the adventure and action, it still feels calm and comforting to read. I love how each of the lands in this series feels distinct with a different culture of people for us to get to know. The sign language was interesting in the Frostark though I do wish we had a bit more of it throughout because it was there and then just disappeared. I’m really excited for the desert setting in book three.
This series reminds me a bit of The Lord of the Rings in the sense that there is a major journey happening through different lands meeting different people and one final goal in mind, but the real heart of the story is in the characters, their friendships, and their relationships. I always love a character-driven story, especially when there is clear character development, so this works really well for me in this series and keeps me wanting more.
I also thought the writing was improved compared to the first book. It felt less flowery, which I appreciated, though I do think the similes were still a little overused at times. I hope with future books we see them used with a tad more restraint. I also wish we had more of was the humor in book 1. I love a story that makes me laugh and was one of the best parts of the first book.
Overall, this was a 4.25-star read for me, and I’m really looking forward to continuing the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I also really loved meeting Taren’s family and friends because it really helped me learn more about him in a real setting and not just through info dumping, which I loved. We also learn more about Alarie in this way as well, watching how she reacts to Taren’s family so different from her own.
One of the things I enjoy most about this series is how cozy the world feels. Even with the adventure and action, it still feels calm and comforting to read. I love how each of the lands in this series feels distinct with a different culture of people for us to get to know. The sign language was interesting in the Frostark though I do wish we had a bit more of it throughout because it was there and then just disappeared. I’m really excited for the desert setting in book three.
This series reminds me a bit of The Lord of the Rings in the sense that there is a major journey happening through different lands meeting different people and one final goal in mind, but the real heart of the story is in the characters, their friendships, and their relationships. I always love a character-driven story, especially when there is clear character development, so this works really well for me in this series and keeps me wanting more.
I also thought the writing was improved compared to the first book. It felt less flowery, which I appreciated, though I do think the similes were still a little overused at times. I hope with future books we see them used with a tad more restraint. I also wish we had more of was the humor in book 1. I love a story that makes me laugh and was one of the best parts of the first book.
Overall, this was a 4.25-star read for me, and I’m really looking forward to continuing the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 26, 2026
Venter's mind amazes me because, just like the Wildwood, the world of the Frostark is astoundingly detailed with its people, language, culture, environment, and food all being unique to that region of the realm. The region change also brings in new characters. While I had a single favorite in the Wildwood, my favorite side characters in this were probably a tie between Rhianne, Pinks, and Helra (and obviously cannot ever forget Sael).
I wasn't sure how I felt about Alarie in book 1, but her growth from then to now shows up in so many ways, and she continues to grow throughout this story.
In addition to the growth of Alarie, I really enjoyed getting some more insight into Taren. He was somewhat developed in the Wildwood, but not nearly as much as he was here. Meeting the Ishtan knights and, on top of that, Taren's family, and encountering some of his background throughout the trials he faced before joining Alarie helped make him more real.
Overall, I am really enjoying the larger quest of stopping the Hollowing and the mini-quest that is obtaining each relic, and the other extremely side challenges within that (such as catching geese). It is a classic fantasy story, in a very well thought out world. Highly recommend if you're a fantasy reader.
Also, I ended up reading most of this out loud because I did one chapter once and then suddenly it was my son's favorite bedtime story. Reading out loud is not something I usually do, and I don't do audiobooks really, so this isn't something I can usually say, but I really enjoyed the cadence of the story as well. Even in more intense chapters, it made the story a relaxing but still intriguing read.
Thank you to NetGalley and E.J. Venter for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
I wasn't sure how I felt about Alarie in book 1, but her growth from then to now shows up in so many ways, and she continues to grow throughout this story.
In addition to the growth of Alarie, I really enjoyed getting some more insight into Taren. He was somewhat developed in the Wildwood, but not nearly as much as he was here. Meeting the Ishtan knights and, on top of that, Taren's family, and encountering some of his background throughout the trials he faced before joining Alarie helped make him more real.
Overall, I am really enjoying the larger quest of stopping the Hollowing and the mini-quest that is obtaining each relic, and the other extremely side challenges within that (such as catching geese). It is a classic fantasy story, in a very well thought out world. Highly recommend if you're a fantasy reader.
Also, I ended up reading most of this out loud because I did one chapter once and then suddenly it was my son's favorite bedtime story. Reading out loud is not something I usually do, and I don't do audiobooks really, so this isn't something I can usually say, but I really enjoyed the cadence of the story as well. Even in more intense chapters, it made the story a relaxing but still intriguing read.
Thank you to NetGalley and E.J. Venter for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
March 20, 2026
I received an ARC of this book. My review is based on that copy. The published work may differ from what I read.
I read the first book in this series, The Relic of the Wildwood, last fall and liked it so much that I bought both the Kindle and the paperback versions! The very slow burn relationship, the focus on adventure and questing, the author’s influences from Lord of the Rings and Studio Ghibli apparent but handled with creativity, all made for a lovely experience. It was an old fashioned story, in the best possible sense, and it was encouraging to find an author writing genuine fantasy rather than romance disguised as fantasy. I’ve been looking forward to continuing the series, and was excited when I got the ARC for book two.
The prose is warm, descriptive, and atmospheric. There is a tendency in some scenes to tell us everything in addition to showing us everything. The showing was done so well all on its own! It didn’t need repetition to make the conclusions clear. However, EJ Venter does a good job of establishing the setting in a way that makes the reader feel present inside of it. I loved that the environment is so different from the first book. It makes for great contrast. There’s a lot of creativity in the world building and there are several cities, characters, creatures, etc that were vividly described. The expansion of the cast was also lovely. None of the new characters are given the same depth of exploration as Taren and Alarie, but they were each handled with care. I appreciated that none of them are villainized or flat. They are all layered and add something to the story. Saffra and Chrisanthe, in particular, were interesting and written well.
In comparison with the first book the relationship between Alarie and Taren is much more of the focus. There’s a revelation about their relationship toward the beginning of the book that surprised me. It’s a common fantasy romance trope, but I liked how it was handled here. The explanations for it worked for me and it was not an excuse to force connection. Instead, Venter uses it to examine Alarie and Taren’s friendship and potentially more and then lets it rest without pushing the issue. Their relationship is never rushed. The pacing of their friendship and the way it grows and develops stays very slow throughout the whole book. It was natural, unforced, and thoughtful.
Alarie’s journey is an interesting one, especially as her internal growth mirrors the progress of the external goal. Her experience with the world is broadening her understanding of herself, her home life, her parents, and everything in between. There is a gentleness in how Venter writes that growth that I appreciated. Compassion and understanding for the process Alarie is going through permeates all of the writing. She is not a warrior but is never treated like a damsel in distress. Her personal skill set is treated with respect and she’s allowed to be a human being.
I also loved the depiction of Taren’s family. It’s such a contrast from Alarie’s own experiences. As a member of a big, chaotic, loud, affectionate family myself, I recognized so many elements. It was fascinating to see how Taren opened up as a character in a setting where he felt safe, and it was equally as fascinating to see how Alarie reacted to both the changes in him and the experience of a loving family environment. Her loneliness and jealousy and longing were written well, if occasionally falling prey to being oversold.
The story takes some interesting twists and turns. I was genuinely surprised by one that happens at the midway point of the book. It set Alarie on a trajectory that I was not anticipating. It was refreshing and gave a jolt to the whole story, and provoked Alarie to be more proactive in her decisions. It made the second half of the book propulsive and dynamic, and forced quite a lot of character growth for Alarie.
My biggest complaint is the length and the pacing. The pace is slow and steady, almost to a fault, and the book runs too long. It would have been more impactful as a tighter, shorter read. Sections of the story dragged, weighed down by description, and some of the scenes felt repetitive. A ruthless edit would help trim the fat and streamline the story. That’s a common issue I run up against in indie fantasy though.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. I finished the book with a smile on my face, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series! If you haven’t dipped your toes into indie fantasy yet, this is a great way to start.
I read the first book in this series, The Relic of the Wildwood, last fall and liked it so much that I bought both the Kindle and the paperback versions! The very slow burn relationship, the focus on adventure and questing, the author’s influences from Lord of the Rings and Studio Ghibli apparent but handled with creativity, all made for a lovely experience. It was an old fashioned story, in the best possible sense, and it was encouraging to find an author writing genuine fantasy rather than romance disguised as fantasy. I’ve been looking forward to continuing the series, and was excited when I got the ARC for book two.
The prose is warm, descriptive, and atmospheric. There is a tendency in some scenes to tell us everything in addition to showing us everything. The showing was done so well all on its own! It didn’t need repetition to make the conclusions clear. However, EJ Venter does a good job of establishing the setting in a way that makes the reader feel present inside of it. I loved that the environment is so different from the first book. It makes for great contrast. There’s a lot of creativity in the world building and there are several cities, characters, creatures, etc that were vividly described. The expansion of the cast was also lovely. None of the new characters are given the same depth of exploration as Taren and Alarie, but they were each handled with care. I appreciated that none of them are villainized or flat. They are all layered and add something to the story. Saffra and Chrisanthe, in particular, were interesting and written well.
In comparison with the first book the relationship between Alarie and Taren is much more of the focus. There’s a revelation about their relationship toward the beginning of the book that surprised me. It’s a common fantasy romance trope, but I liked how it was handled here. The explanations for it worked for me and it was not an excuse to force connection. Instead, Venter uses it to examine Alarie and Taren’s friendship and potentially more and then lets it rest without pushing the issue. Their relationship is never rushed. The pacing of their friendship and the way it grows and develops stays very slow throughout the whole book. It was natural, unforced, and thoughtful.
Alarie’s journey is an interesting one, especially as her internal growth mirrors the progress of the external goal. Her experience with the world is broadening her understanding of herself, her home life, her parents, and everything in between. There is a gentleness in how Venter writes that growth that I appreciated. Compassion and understanding for the process Alarie is going through permeates all of the writing. She is not a warrior but is never treated like a damsel in distress. Her personal skill set is treated with respect and she’s allowed to be a human being.
I also loved the depiction of Taren’s family. It’s such a contrast from Alarie’s own experiences. As a member of a big, chaotic, loud, affectionate family myself, I recognized so many elements. It was fascinating to see how Taren opened up as a character in a setting where he felt safe, and it was equally as fascinating to see how Alarie reacted to both the changes in him and the experience of a loving family environment. Her loneliness and jealousy and longing were written well, if occasionally falling prey to being oversold.
The story takes some interesting twists and turns. I was genuinely surprised by one that happens at the midway point of the book. It set Alarie on a trajectory that I was not anticipating. It was refreshing and gave a jolt to the whole story, and provoked Alarie to be more proactive in her decisions. It made the second half of the book propulsive and dynamic, and forced quite a lot of character growth for Alarie.
My biggest complaint is the length and the pacing. The pace is slow and steady, almost to a fault, and the book runs too long. It would have been more impactful as a tighter, shorter read. Sections of the story dragged, weighed down by description, and some of the scenes felt repetitive. A ruthless edit would help trim the fat and streamline the story. That’s a common issue I run up against in indie fantasy though.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. I finished the book with a smile on my face, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series! If you haven’t dipped your toes into indie fantasy yet, this is a great way to start.
March 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars. I did not realize how much I missed Alarie and Taren. Like, its only been three months, but I missed them and I was so glad to read more of them. I look forward to the next installations in the series!!!!!!
The pros: Of course, I love Alarie and Taren and Sael. Core trio, they're wonderful. I also loved the supporting cast of this book - Rhianne, Saffra, Pinks, Petar, Fellin, Helra, and Taren's family, however briefly we see them (they leave a great impact!) - everyone is great. The characters in this series are very strong. The setting of the Frostark is also great, I love how different it is from the Wildwood, in its physical traits, its atmosphere, and its people. The similarities to the previous book don't feel repetitive or overbearing. There is a very solid throughline from the previous book without re-treading, and this one definitely has its own identity. There is a twist around halfway through that is so fun, and then another one in the last quarter, and it was just! It's so great. There's still great tension, we are amping it up slowly but surely, and I just. I really love this series. Also, shout out to the development of Taren and Alarie's relationship. I'm kicking my feet and holding my head in my hands. I love them.
The cons: My biggest (and really only) criticism is about the Havren. Maybe this is an effect of me taking two years of ASL, lol. I really loved the idea of this culture of people who don't speak verbally, but I had several issues with the execution. Firstly, we aren't really introduced to why this is an aspect of their culture until much later. I guess there was an implication, maybe I'm stupid and didn't get it until much later. Aside from that, I didn't feel like it was ingrained in the Havren culture nearly enough. The biggest issue, however, is that... it just kind of gets forgotten. We have it for a few chapters, but basically once the rest of Taren's gang shows up, and then again once Alarie meets Rhianne, the voluntary silence and the sign language just disappear. It also didn't feel super well-researched to begin with. Rhianne tells Alarie that she can "get pretty far with fingerspelling" and let me tell you, learning the alphabet is great, but you're definitely better off learning some basic signs. I wish it had more development and integration, because even though it's an obstacle for Alarie, it was a very interesting concept. Aside from that, however, I really can't remember anything I thought wasn't working!
Overall, I loved this. So much. And I'm so excited for the next books. In June and September of this year?? Insane. I'm hyped.
4.5 stars. I did not realize how much I missed Alarie and Taren. Like, its only been three months, but I missed them and I was so glad to read more of them. I look forward to the next installations in the series!!!!!!
The pros: Of course, I love Alarie and Taren and Sael. Core trio, they're wonderful. I also loved the supporting cast of this book - Rhianne, Saffra, Pinks, Petar, Fellin, Helra, and Taren's family, however briefly we see them (they leave a great impact!) - everyone is great. The characters in this series are very strong. The setting of the Frostark is also great, I love how different it is from the Wildwood, in its physical traits, its atmosphere, and its people. The similarities to the previous book don't feel repetitive or overbearing. There is a very solid throughline from the previous book without re-treading, and this one definitely has its own identity. There is a twist around halfway through that is so fun, and then another one in the last quarter, and it was just! It's so great. There's still great tension, we are amping it up slowly but surely, and I just. I really love this series. Also, shout out to the development of Taren and Alarie's relationship. I'm kicking my feet and holding my head in my hands. I love them.
The cons: My biggest (and really only) criticism is about the Havren. Maybe this is an effect of me taking two years of ASL, lol. I really loved the idea of this culture of people who don't speak verbally, but I had several issues with the execution. Firstly, we aren't really introduced to why this is an aspect of their culture until much later. I guess there was an implication, maybe I'm stupid and didn't get it until much later. Aside from that, I didn't feel like it was ingrained in the Havren culture nearly enough. The biggest issue, however, is that... it just kind of gets forgotten. We have it for a few chapters, but basically once the rest of Taren's gang shows up, and then again once Alarie meets Rhianne, the voluntary silence and the sign language just disappear. It also didn't feel super well-researched to begin with. Rhianne tells Alarie that she can "get pretty far with fingerspelling" and let me tell you, learning the alphabet is great, but you're definitely better off learning some basic signs. I wish it had more development and integration, because even though it's an obstacle for Alarie, it was a very interesting concept. Aside from that, however, I really can't remember anything I thought wasn't working!
Overall, I loved this. So much. And I'm so excited for the next books. In June and September of this year?? Insane. I'm hyped.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨ 5/5 stars ✨
Thank you Netgalley, Victory editing and the author for the ARC of this book, I'm so very grateful 💌
if I could give it more stars I would. Emma, you have done it again. I'm truly in love with these books, the story and the characters. following along Alarie's quest and adventure feels so familiar. She's written as such a relatable character, at least for me... I mean, from praying and fearing you're not being heard, to requiring fairness when it's not yours to ask for... but especially to being vulnerable and letting yourself have more faith in YOU, because you're worth it.
this is one of the most cozy, fantasy, fairytale stories that I have read in sooooo long. I'm in awe with how much I love it. it's just exactly what I wanted... every detail is so well done; the scene setting, the world building, the characters and their backstory. It just flows so well, that I truly have no critiques. i personally loved how both similar and different this one felt from the first one.. by that I mean how much Alarie grew, how her presence is affecting the ones around her ,, and also just a new setting. (I love winter cozy vibes and this book hit ALL THE NOTES)
once again, I can't recommend this book enough. I will give no further details because I really believe you should read it and find out for yourself. you won't regret it. I will purchase and cherish these books, and I can already tell that I will re-read them many, many times.
Thank you Netgalley, Victory editing and the author for the ARC of this book, I'm so very grateful 💌
if I could give it more stars I would. Emma, you have done it again. I'm truly in love with these books, the story and the characters. following along Alarie's quest and adventure feels so familiar. She's written as such a relatable character, at least for me... I mean, from praying and fearing you're not being heard, to requiring fairness when it's not yours to ask for... but especially to being vulnerable and letting yourself have more faith in YOU, because you're worth it.
this is one of the most cozy, fantasy, fairytale stories that I have read in sooooo long. I'm in awe with how much I love it. it's just exactly what I wanted... every detail is so well done; the scene setting, the world building, the characters and their backstory. It just flows so well, that I truly have no critiques. i personally loved how both similar and different this one felt from the first one.. by that I mean how much Alarie grew, how her presence is affecting the ones around her ,, and also just a new setting. (I love winter cozy vibes and this book hit ALL THE NOTES)
once again, I can't recommend this book enough. I will give no further details because I really believe you should read it and find out for yourself. you won't regret it. I will purchase and cherish these books, and I can already tell that I will re-read them many, many times.
March 20, 2026
I love Sael!
A more mid read for me this time around. There were definitely parts that I feel are a little over written however I love the character plots, new girl group power, and action.
A more mid read for me this time around. There were definitely parts that I feel are a little over written however I love the character plots, new girl group power, and action.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this second stage of Alarie & Tarens quest, especially loving Alarie’s growth and development. I have at times found her slightly frustrating in her lack of self confidence and dependancy, although this was obviously understandable and appropriate given her history. But to see her actually getting angry, and to watch as she stepped out on her own and forged new friendships was really satisfying.
And bonus mention has to go Taren’s family, who were absolutely delightful!
Overall this book had a different feel and vibe to the last one, but that really demonstrated the atmospheric differences between the Wildwood and the Frostark as well as the changes occurring in our main characters, both in themselves and in their relationship with each other which always feels authentic.
I cannot wait to visit the Saika Desert alongside them, and see what happens next!
Read as a gifted eARC through NetGalley.
And bonus mention has to go Taren’s family, who were absolutely delightful!
Overall this book had a different feel and vibe to the last one, but that really demonstrated the atmospheric differences between the Wildwood and the Frostark as well as the changes occurring in our main characters, both in themselves and in their relationship with each other which always feels authentic.
I cannot wait to visit the Saika Desert alongside them, and see what happens next!
Read as a gifted eARC through NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews