Second Chance at Peace

by Morgan Voidier

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2026

Reviews

[Jade☕️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital Advanced Reader Copy of this novel in exchange for an honest, fair and personal review. All opinions expressed in it are binding only on the author.

2/5✨
Second Chance at Peace’s soundtrack: peace —Taylor Swift
Our coming-of-age has come and gone, suddenly the summer, it's clear.
I never had the courage of my convictions as long as danger is near. And it's just around the corner, darling, ‘cause it lives in me.
No, I could never give you peace

🦾 This debut novel had such a promising and original start! While most fantasy ends with the death of the villain and the victory of the hero, Second Chance at Peace starts right there. It gives a highly fresh perspective to a fantasy novel, showing the reader what could typically happen once the hero is done with their quest. The plot had me hooked, and I was extremely interested in knowing more about Elysia and Cassius’ relationship.

🦾 Elysia, the FMC, is the Chosen One. She left her home as a young teenager, taken away by the kingdom’s knights, for her to become the apprentice of the king, in order to stop the war the Demon King was waging, as foretold. Years later, she comes back to her village, her purpose finally done and her prophecy fulfilled.
Cassius, the MMC, is her childhood best friend. He was in love with her as a child but ultimately married their other childhood friends when she left. Now a widower, he is well-liked in the community and only wants to live a normal and peaceful life.

🦾 The characterisation of PTSD was quite brillant. After years of being used by the King, Elysia goes back to a home in which everyone she once knew believed her dead for over a decade. She carries trauma no one in her hometown could possibly understand, and is caught in the aftermath of years of fighting and exhaustion. Although Cassius did not carry the weight of war and being a hero, he is stricken by grief and the guilt of surviving an attack that took his wife’s life. Our two protagonists changed a lot during their time apart, but they sure do understand some of the other’s pain.

🦾 Unfortunately, I could not fully engage with this story for many reasons, and I had a hard time following the pace of the novel. It felt either extremely slow or way too rushed.
While I loved the attempt to bring a different twist to the genre, I felt like the execution was rather poorly done. There was no world-building, no real explaining of why Elysia vehemently refused to go back to the capital and faked her death (though it was heavily implied that the King was one of the reason), and the new threats heading towards Elysia and Cassius’ town felt unannounced and out of the blue. Elysia’s relation with her mother (what was her actual problem lol) felt underdeveloped, and so was her relationship with Cassius. He grounded her and helped her overcome some of her guilt, but his presence felt more convenient than needed or wanted.

🦾 The absence of any plot whatsoever was so weird. The two protagonists reunite, live a bit their lives, encounter an entity that tries to manipulate them, nothing is resolved towards the end and yet, the book ends just like that. I really fail to understand what was the point of this novel.

🦾 The whole novel was flat and, at times, just plain boring. Elysia is strong-headed, Cassius is comforting, and all the other characters are underdeveloped and just existing. The author tried to add some twists to the story, but nothing could keep me interested. For example, why did many characters think Luke would have been a better choice as the Chosen One? It was never explained. Why was the Demon King part of her unit, her friend almost? Why was the King so adamant to start the war, and why did he refuse any chance at peace? This is just frustrating because this novel had so much potential.

🦾 One of my main criticism also lies in the fact that this is both categorised as a romance and a romantasy. While our characters do evolve in a fantasy setting and there are some romantic feelings involved between them, I highly doubt this novel can classify as a romance. In fact, there were even times when I wondered whether Elysia and Cassius were already romantically involved and it was implied, or if they were still kind of flirting. As a whole, Second Chance at Peace was way more of an emotional development fiction in a fantasy world than a real romantasy. I actually believe this would have been more fitting as a companion novel to an already-developed fantasy series.

🦾 Overall, the storyline managed to interest me once or twice, but that was all. I really enjoyed the way Morgan Voidier dealt with grief, guilt and PTSD. That’s, in my opinion, the most successful feature of this debut novel. However, the lack of depth and development in both the characters and storyline completely undermined the unique concept of Second Chance at Peace.

[E.K. Oakley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review #12: Second Chance at Peace by Morgan Voidier

Title: Second Chance at Peace
Author: Morgan Voidier
Genre: Romantasy / Fantasy Romance
Tropes:
• Chosen One FMC
• Childhood friends to lovers
• He falls first
• Post-quest fantasy
• Small town return
• Cinnamon roll blacksmith MMC
• Emotional healing journey
• Magic returning to the world
Spice Level: 1/5🌶️ (Mostly emotional romance with closed-door intimacy from what I experienced/read)

Content Warnings: grief, death, violence, trauma, mention of sexual assault, emotional aftermath of war

What happens after the Chosen One saves the world?
That question immediately hooked me into Second Chance at Peace because most fantasy stories end once the villain is defeated and the HEA. Morgan Voidier instead focuses on the emotional aftermath of heroism and truthfully that made this feel refreshing in a sea of romantasy books. It made the premise of the story feel more real and relatable because life doesn’t really end at the happily ever after.

The FMC returns home after spending years fulfilling a prophecy and defeating the Demon King, but instead of triumph and celebration, she comes back carrying exhaustion, trauma, and a desperate need for peace. I really loved that the story didn’t glamorize being “the chosen one.” It explored the cost of it. It showed the PTSD, the emotions and what happens after the prophecy ends. Life always keeps going, the world keeps turning and exploring the aftermath, the reintegration was reminiscent of soldiers returning from war, etc.

Cassius was such a comforting MMC for me. A blacksmith cinnamon roll with unresolved feelings and his own grief. That was an immediately yes for me and as usual I fell in love. The emotional connection between him and Elysia felt soft, genuine, and rooted in years of history instead of instalove (not super common in standalones to not be “instalove”). Their relationship re-developed naturally with interspaced flashbacks to their childhood relationship, which fit the quieter emotional tone of the story exceedingly well.

The world building leaned more character-focused than action-heavy fantasy, but I think that worked in this book’s favor. The story felt introspective and healing-centered while still carrying underlying tension from a potential threat and the mystery surrounding magic and what each character experienced over the time gap.

One of my favorite parts was how grounded the emotional strains felt. Both characters deal with loss, regret, and figuring out who they are after their lives changed completely. They grow toward one another instead of the overly done cliché of pushing one another away. Sure there were conflicts between FMC and MMC but I really felt they were an excellent demonstration of a way adult communication can occur.

The book asks whether peace is actually possible after surviving something world-altering and I thought that theme was overall done perfectly.

What Worked For Me:
• Unique “after the prophecy” fantasy premise
• Emotionally mature characters
• Soft but meaningful romance
• Strong themes of grief, healing, and identity
• Cassius being peak comforting MMC energy
• Cozy emotional atmosphere mixed with fantasy stakes
What Didn’t Fully Work For Me:
• Readers wanting fast-paced action fantasy will find the pacing slower
• The story is more introspective than plot-heavy at times
• I would have loved even more exploration of the world’s magic system
________________________________________
Final Thoughts
If you love romantasy that focuses more on emotional recovery, relationships, and the aftermath of saving the world rather than nonstop battles, Second Chance at Peace is definitely worth checking out.

It feels quieter, softer, and more reflective than many fantasy romances, almost like a romantic healing journey wrapped in a fantasy world.

This was a comforting read with emotional depth, and I’m genuinely interested to see where the series goes next.

Neurospicy Rating: It isn’t living rent free, but I will remember the premise and re-read.
My Overall Rating: 4/5

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review with absolutely no sugarcoating, no holding back, questionable grammar and dialogue being all my own. This review is being left voluntarily.

[Elena Lavanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

​While most fantasy novels conclude with the fall of a tyrant and the cheers of a kingdom, Morgan Voidier’s "Second Chance at Peace" chooses to begin exactly where the legends usually end. This brilliant subversion of the "Chosen One" trope offers one of the most refreshing and grounded perspectives I’ve read in the genre.

​The true genius of this debut lies in its central question: What happens after the world is saved? Elysia is a protagonist defined by the weight of her sacrifices. Returning to her hometown of Peace at twenty-six, she isn't the girl who left; she is a woman carved out of trauma and duty. Voidier handles this transition masterfully, exploring the haunting difficulty of returning to "normalcy" when your hands have touched both magic and nightmares.

​I was particularly impressed by how the story handles the past. Instead of forcing heavy-handed exposition through constant flashbacks, the authors use them sparingly. The past informs the character’s internal world, but the focus remains firmly on the present. The plot doesn't rely on past heroics for momentum; instead, it draws its power from the psychological struggle of reintegration and the quiet, often painful, rediscovery of one's self.

​The relationship between Elysia and Cassius is the emotional heartbeat of the book.

​Elysia is a masterpiece of a character—an icon of survival who struggles with the heavy "afterglow" of heroism.

​Cassius provides a perfect, grounded counterpoint. His trauma is different—not the burden of the Savior, but the crushing guilt of the one who stayed behind and couldn't protect his own.

​Their friends-to-lovers arc feels earned and deeply authentic. It isn't just about rekindling a childhood flame; it’s about two broken people learning to see the new versions of each other. It asks a profound question: Can you ever really go home again when both you and your home have been irrevocably changed?

[Casey Voisine · Rating 1 out of 5]

*Review of ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Thank you to Morgan Voidier and InkShrine Publishing, LLC for providing this ARC.

Unfortunately, this book fell quite flat for me. I found myself wishing the story had focused more on Elysia’s early life and what it was like growing up as “The Chosen One,” because I struggled to feel invested in her return home and the idea of her trying to “live in peace.”

It felt like the author was aiming to do something a bit different within the genre, which I can appreciate, but the execution didn’t quite land for me. I considered DNF’ing at a few points, but I pushed through in hopes it would come together. By around the 60% mark, I found myself skimming because I was both confused and disengaged.

The tone also felt a bit inconsistent. At times it read like a YA story, but it also seemed to be reaching for a more adult romantasy feel, and the balance between the two didn’t quite work. There were several elements introduced, like a childhood friends-to-lovers dynamic, but the relationship itself felt unclear. It was hard to tell whether they were actually a couple or if it was just implied, which made it difficult to connect with that aspect of the story.

I also struggled with some of the character motivations, particularly Elysia’s relationship with her mother, Vera. Her mother’s behavior came across as unusually harsh, and I didn’t feel like there was enough context or justification for it. The preference for Luke as “the chosen one” especially felt underdeveloped, as there didn’t seem to be a clear reason behind it.

Overall, while the premise had potential, the lack of clarity in character relationships, uneven tone, and difficulty staying engaged made this a disappointing read for me.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review. ***

I wanted to like this book more than I did. This is a debut novel and the premise sounded interesting. It might have held more promise in the hands of a more skilled writer. Elysia was the subject of an ancient prophecy and was taken from her home as a young girl to be trained as a warrior. She was gone for 10 years, during which time her parents were given to believe she was dead. She eventually returns to the town of Peace, where she reunites with one of her best friends. There’s a friends-to-lovers romance element, and a found family element as well. But the story telling is uneven and kind of all over the place.

I am a long time sci fi, fantasy and romantasy reader. I’m comfortable with intricate world building and have no problem with stories that aren’t told in a linear way. But with this, there was just too much that was never explained, or not fully explained. There was mention of fae and vampires and ghouls, but it was never really established why they were there, or why they attacked. The king is clearly not a good guy, but why is he after the FMC? We may never know, because a Google search identified this as a standalone. But the ending feels like it was left open to continue the story. This book was only 326 pages, but it still took me 18 days to finish. In that time, I finished 7 other books. I just didn’t get drawn into the story and didn’t care enough for the main characters to stick with it consistently.

[Lauren Levy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley

I had a hard time with this one. It started out strong where I really like the premise of what happens when the chosen one has done her duty and now is ready to settle. While I really liked the heroine, I found the other characters a bit lacking. Especially Cassius. He just felt like a placeholder, and didnt seem to have much of his own personality besides wanting to be with and support Elysia.

I found myself drifting through a few parts where the plot was getting a bit muddled for me. I felt like ever few chapters something would peak my interest and I'd be back in it getting caught up in the story only to start drifting again. I'm not sure if I was just missing things but I felt like we were getting random lore drops with no context at times where I just found myself confused and having to reread sections for clarity.

And as a side note I didn't understand why the mom was such a bitch! She seemed incredibly sad that her daughter was presumed dead and had even been having hallucinations of her but then the second she's back it's nonstop harassment, even claiming that she shouldn't have come back and another person should have been the chosen one.

Overall I had an up and down time with this one but overall it was a decent read.

[Kayleigh 🤍 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story has a really interesting premise in exploring what happens after the “chosen one” has already saved the world and is trying to return to a normal life. That idea immediately hooked me, and I appreciated the attempt to do something a little different.

There were definitely elements I enjoyed. Elysia is a compelling main character, and I liked following her as she adjusted to life after everything she’s been through. A few side characters, like Kearn and Vrok, added some depth and helped keep me engaged in parts.

I did find myself struggling at times with clarity and pacing. The worldbuilding and magic system felt a bit underexplained early on, which made parts of the story confusing until later in the book. I also found myself wishing for more backstory and context, especially when it came to character motivations and relationships. Elysia’s relationship with her mother and the romantic elements felt a little underdeveloped, which made it harder to fully connect emotionally. There were moments where the story pulled me in, but others where I found my attention drifting.

Overall, this was a solid read with a unique concept and some strong characters and, even if the execution didn’t fully land for me, I’d be interested to see how the story develops further.

[Annabelle (Taylor’s Version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Review of arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I picked up this book because the cover was gorgeous and the summary was great, but I was really disappointed. The writing and execution just fell flat. The scenes and dialogue lacked emotion and details. It wasn’t that it was written simple; it just didn’t speak to me as the reader. It was also quite slow-paced, with no action at the start. The chapters in the beginning were quite confusing, starting off with a prologue of what I think was an event from the past. I wasn’t motivated enough to finish this, and it was a was dnf at around 70%. I really tried to push through, but I just gave up.

I did like Elysia, though. She was a really headstrong protagonist, but there’s not much about her background as the Chosen One. And her appearing back in her hometown, Peace, is just mysterious, and there’s not much explanation to why she faked her death. The other characters (including Cassian) were just underdeveloped and annoying. They had similar or no personalities. There is literally no plot, either, and it feels like such a flat and boring storyline. The plot and conflict are there, but the story just isn’t executed in a way that could interest me or keep me wanting to continue.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like Second Chance at Peace more than I did, especially because the premise is so promising. Following Elysia after she’s already defeated the Demon King and returned home is a great twist on the usual fantasy arc, and I liked the focus on healing and trying to adjust to a normal life again. But the execution didn’t quite live up to that idea. A lot of the story is very introspective, and it started to feel repetitive rather than emotionally impactful.

The pacing was a big issue for me. There are long stretches where not much happens beyond reflection and conversations, and the external conflict stays pretty minimal. I also struggled to fully connect with the characters—Elysia felt a bit distant, Cassius was not very developed and did not have much of a personality, and the mother's actions were far-fetched and not believeable. The plot had a lot of holes or things that were not explained and the world building was lacking.

Overall, I’d give it 1.5-2 stars. It’s a solid concept, but the slow pacing, lack of depth, and muted character dynamics made it hard for me to stay invested.

netgalley-arc

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of ARC received from NetGalley

The plot idea for this book is great, what happens after the world is saved and now it’s time to go home and go back to “normal”? Unfortunately, this book didn’t quite get to where I expected it to.

I love the characters of Elysia and Kearn. I also loved Vrok and felt that he was a great asset to the story. Everyone else falls flat for me, including Cassius.
The world building is not there and makes the book quite confusing the whole way through. I kept waiting for clarity and it never came. When important information did come, it came behind closed doors and the reader was not included. There were some aspects very important to the plot that I didn’t figure out until about 70% through and wish I would have known earlier, namely magic (aether) and how it works.
I think this book would make a lot more sense as a sequel or an epilogue to a fantasy series. I needed more backstory to understand the characters. I never felt intrigued or the need to rush to the next page to see what happens.

[Severine Bambang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and author for this eARC.
This honest review is done by myself and voluntarily.

Peace is peace.
Peace is also a place called Peace.

Second Chance at Peace = Second chance at getting peace at Peace.

Confused?
So am I.

Usually a book tells the story of the hero's growth toward the final ending.
In this book, the "final" is already done, and the hero wants to search for peace at Peace.
To get to know our hero, of course there is a lot of backstory.

The problem is how the author try to write the story. Sometimes I feel the style is more YA, sometimes it is more like an adult. It is just like that the author cannot decide whether they want it to be for YA, new adult or adult.

I checked back the category in NG and it is categorized as Romance and Sci-fi/Fantasy.
The confession time in this book is so unromantic that I doubt people will say it is a romance 😅
(I have to reread the passage to make sure I didn't read it in the wrong way).

Maybe I want to know the next story, but not in my top list.

[Laura Delgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨
So to start this book was so compact it’s seems over so many years that it felt at times difficult to follow.
The over all plot was great as was the romance. The books epilogue gives slight history of characters before jumping 15yrs to the present in chapter one. It felt as a piece of the past was missing from the FMCs character development but does slightly show up in later chapters. The MMCs character is not fully revealed until later in the second half of the book although there are moments where there is an appearance of what his character holds. The twist in his role was most unexpected. The emotional aspect of this book is sad at times and overwhelming at others. The lack of understanding the magic in the book and why it should not be used was left wanting but I’m sure more clarity will follow in the sequel. I also feel like Vork plays a bigger role than is revealed in this book but am most definitely intrigued to discover it.
Over all this book was a pleasure to read. And would recommend to anyone looking for a true dystopian clean romance, where magic had the power to save you or end you. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy from Netgalley.

Second Chance at Peace follows Elysia, the Chosen One, as she returns home after defeating the Demon King and fulfilling the prophecy that saved the world. Instead of seeking glory, she longs for a quiet life while struggling with the emotional scars left behind by years of sacrifice. Reunited with her childhood friend Cassius, a blacksmith burdened by grief and regret, the two slowly reconnect as they navigate lingering trauma, forgotten magic, and a new threat that could shatter the fragile peace they both desire.
The story explores what happens after the hero’s journey ends and whether true peace is ever really possible. While I appreciated the premise and themes, the pacing felt uneven at times, and the romance between the main characters lacked the spark needed to fully sell it as a romance. Overall, I thought the book was an okay read.

[Mel Ram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance at Peace follows characters who are trying to rebuild their lives after loss, conflict, and difficult choices. As they navigate new relationships, personal growth, and the challenges of creating a better future, they discover that finding peace often requires courage, forgiveness, and a willingness to embrace second chances.

I really liked this story. It felt like a PG version of the romantasy books I usually read, which made it a refreshing change while still keeping all the elements I love—adventure, relationships, character growth, and emotional depth. It was a nice break from all the spice without sacrificing a compelling story.

The characters were easy to root for, and I enjoyed watching their journeys unfold. By the end, I was fully invested and excited to see what happens next. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Chance at Peace had an amazing premise, what happens after the chosen saves the world? Unfortunately the way it comes through is that the world was not completely saved. The FMC doesn't always carry herself with the self assurance we have come to expect from a fantasy heroine. The MMC I was half expecting not to be the MMC. There was a really good base here for more and there is a sequel expected. I think more flashbacks to what happened when the chosen saved the world so we could understand her state of mind better would have been beneficial. There are some definite easter eggs that will likely be important when the sequel comes and although there were some issues I do look forward to reading it.

[Meghan Gutowski · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC review 📚
—
1.5 ⭐️
This is my first ever ARC and I was so excited to read it but…
This book fell so flat and there was literally nothing going on throughout the first half of the book. I felt like I had to force myself to keep reading because it was so boring.
The world building was…not good. There basically wasn’t any. 🫠 I feel like the authors just put a bunch of random things in the book and nothing was explained well.
I couldn’t connect with the characters and the MMC was lacking in several departments and I felt like he was…just there. Not much to him.
This book wasn’t for me and I’m disappointed 🫢

[Alyssa Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of Second Chance at Peace through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I give Second Chance at Peace 3 stars. It's a good fantasy novel with a complex world, a mysterious magic system, and good characters to follow through the story. I think the book was lighter on some of the romance aspects than I would have liked, but the pacing was good and the story kept me reading.

I enjoyed some of the twist to the history of the world and I hope we'll find out more about Elysia's friends from her heroing days eventually. It will be interesting to see how things go from here.

[Hannah Ruegsegger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story about the evolution of friendship. This story is told in a unique twist of a timeline, which helps to keep the reader engaged. This book had me hooked from the start - after all, the beginning of the story is really the end. There was a lot of LGBT+ representation done in a way that didn't overtly draw attention. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of book two, we NEED to know what happens!

This book does not have explicit sex scenes which can be a bust for some readers. I don't normally read closed door books but I felt this one was very well written and still satisfied my need for the characters to be intimate.

[Jess Amelia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved the premise of this one as it follows the chosen one's life after the big battle is over. It's a unique angle that I haven't come across before, so I was immediately engaged.

However, I fell out of the story because of the pacing and how the characters were written. It felt like they lacked depth and there wasn't much for me to hold onto.

Unfortunately, my attention kind of drifted off and I couldn't really engage with the story.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC!

This turned out to be a DNF for me. It felt very YA and I wasn’t connecting with the characters or writing. The writing fell flat and the characters are bland and basic. Nothing was capturing my attention enough for me to continue reading this story. I’m bummed about this because the premise was intriguing.