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City of Warriors
Not yet published
Expected 5 Nov 26The Oracles, once the guiding power behind the Mycedarian Cradle and the Five Kingdoms, burned alive in their own sanctum. Temples crumbled. Kings fell. The great Arakan died in his bedchamber with a blade still warm in his chest. Of all the Oracles, only one walked out alive. Nazera fought to hold the future together, but when the Cradle needed her most, she disappeared, and with her, the hope of Mycedaria.
Twenty years later, far from the High Kingdom, a farmer’s son named Adonis grows up in Polemistes, a nation forged by warriors. He refuses the shape the world has cast for him, driven by his ambition to become the first Xeros chosen in over thirty years. To earn it, he must survive the Arete Trials, a brutal contest where nobles born of the titan bloodline hold every advantage.
With his closest friends, Bodhi and Eoinë, Adonis steps onto a path that could lift his family from the outskirts forever. But as the trials unfold, forgotten truths surface. Ancient constructs, long dismissed as legend, stir awake. And the line between myth and memory dissolves.
What begins as a fight to overcome his station becomes something far larger, a collision of history, prophecy, and powers that threaten a second rupture. One that may decide whether the Five Kingdoms survive at all.
Twenty years later, far from the High Kingdom, a farmer’s son named Adonis grows up in Polemistes, a nation forged by warriors. He refuses the shape the world has cast for him, driven by his ambition to become the first Xeros chosen in over thirty years. To earn it, he must survive the Arete Trials, a brutal contest where nobles born of the titan bloodline hold every advantage.
With his closest friends, Bodhi and Eoinë, Adonis steps onto a path that could lift his family from the outskirts forever. But as the trials unfold, forgotten truths surface. Ancient constructs, long dismissed as legend, stir awake. And the line between myth and memory dissolves.
What begins as a fight to overcome his station becomes something far larger, a collision of history, prophecy, and powers that threaten a second rupture. One that may decide whether the Five Kingdoms survive at all.
564 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you're a sucker for deadly tournament arcs and rivalries that feel genuinely petty and dangerous, City of Warriors hits all the right notes.
The combat is where Stewart and Wormwood really shine. The fights are fast, crunchy, and physical, and the magic system (primal/berserker-style state) comes with real consequences that make the stakes feel tangible.
Sure, it relies on some classic fantasy staples/tropes—the scrappy underdog, the snooty royal nemesis, the mysterious destiny brewing in the background. But the pacing doesn't drag, the Roman inspired world feels alive, and the tension heading into the trials had me flying through chapters. Super fun, fast read that makes you want to immediately pick up whatever comes next.
The combat is where Stewart and Wormwood really shine. The fights are fast, crunchy, and physical, and the magic system (primal/berserker-style state) comes with real consequences that make the stakes feel tangible.
Sure, it relies on some classic fantasy staples/tropes—the scrappy underdog, the snooty royal nemesis, the mysterious destiny brewing in the background. But the pacing doesn't drag, the Roman inspired world feels alive, and the tension heading into the trials had me flying through chapters. Super fun, fast read that makes you want to immediately pick up whatever comes next.
September 26, 2026
Loved this book! Fantastic book one of the series. Built up the characters and story perfectly and has me wanting to get book 2 already!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author.
Absolute literature and into my favourite shelf it goes! SIX STARS READ and probably my book of the year.
City of Warriors is like Dragon Ball / Naruto in ancient Rome. This book is a love letter to Shounen Animes and as someone who grew up watching Naruto, One Piece, Fairy Tail, etc, it hits all the right spots.
For a start the characters. Every character serves their purpose as pieces in the greater Shounen genre. It definitely works for me, given that Joey succeeds in establishing these roles very early in the book, making the remainder of my reading experience pleasant and easy.
Adonis are often portrayed to be brash, naive and even stupid. To some, this may be an overly used trope and even annoying. But this is a characterisation that appeals greatly to fans of Shounens. It represents a character who is full of heart. I welcomed it, and I find it very endearing.
Eoine plays the heroine of the trio, and becomes the mother who glues the trio together. Rational, strong, but also full of emotion when moments require it. The romantic sub-plot between her and Adonis is also… child-like (young love sort of thing) which can get very exciting to read.
Bodhi completes the trio, playing as the pillar of support for our main character.
And then there is Thaddeus, the rival, who is this personal antagonistic force which pushes our main character to be better.
Simple, effective, endearing. And got me invested into the story.
This world is also vast and rich, but Joey wrote it in a manner that isn’t overwhelming. The prose leads you to moments and places of importance, one which serves the plot.
One of my favourite parts of Joey’s worldbuilding is the use of mystery to slowly unravel the magic system and details about the character. I knew first hand that the aegin dorch is really cool, but left to a point where there was a lot to discover about it and kept me wanting more. In turn, it kind of helped me to paint the world / system based on my own theories while also getting myself fact checked with information Joey reveals slowly throughout the book.
And among the action-packed scenes and aura farming moments, I find myself drawn to the private moments between parents and their children. This is the best part about the book. This book carries a strong message of perseverance and that of staying true to one’s value no matter the circumstances. All conveyed through parental advice, enrooted in scenes I would treasure forever.
One helluva book. One helluva read. I will wait patiently for book 2, and I know it is going to be another banger.
Absolute literature and into my favourite shelf it goes! SIX STARS READ and probably my book of the year.
City of Warriors is like Dragon Ball / Naruto in ancient Rome. This book is a love letter to Shounen Animes and as someone who grew up watching Naruto, One Piece, Fairy Tail, etc, it hits all the right spots.
For a start the characters. Every character serves their purpose as pieces in the greater Shounen genre. It definitely works for me, given that Joey succeeds in establishing these roles very early in the book, making the remainder of my reading experience pleasant and easy.
Adonis are often portrayed to be brash, naive and even stupid. To some, this may be an overly used trope and even annoying. But this is a characterisation that appeals greatly to fans of Shounens. It represents a character who is full of heart. I welcomed it, and I find it very endearing.
Eoine plays the heroine of the trio, and becomes the mother who glues the trio together. Rational, strong, but also full of emotion when moments require it. The romantic sub-plot between her and Adonis is also… child-like (young love sort of thing) which can get very exciting to read.
Bodhi completes the trio, playing as the pillar of support for our main character.
And then there is Thaddeus, the rival, who is this personal antagonistic force which pushes our main character to be better.
Simple, effective, endearing. And got me invested into the story.
This world is also vast and rich, but Joey wrote it in a manner that isn’t overwhelming. The prose leads you to moments and places of importance, one which serves the plot.
One of my favourite parts of Joey’s worldbuilding is the use of mystery to slowly unravel the magic system and details about the character. I knew first hand that the aegin dorch is really cool, but left to a point where there was a lot to discover about it and kept me wanting more. In turn, it kind of helped me to paint the world / system based on my own theories while also getting myself fact checked with information Joey reveals slowly throughout the book.
And among the action-packed scenes and aura farming moments, I find myself drawn to the private moments between parents and their children. This is the best part about the book. This book carries a strong message of perseverance and that of staying true to one’s value no matter the circumstances. All conveyed through parental advice, enrooted in scenes I would treasure forever.
One helluva book. One helluva read. I will wait patiently for book 2, and I know it is going to be another banger.
Review of advance copy received from Author
City of Warriors is the debut and first of a planned series by Joey Stewart and Artemesius Wormwood. It is a Roman-inspired fantasy that follows Adonis and his friends as they prepare for the Arete Trials.
Reading City of Warriors, it reminded me a lot of The Will of the Many by James Islington and the manga/anime Naruto, specifically the Chuunin Exam arc.
With The Will of the Many, both are Roman-inspired and feature a labyrinth. However, City of Warriors features a lot more martial combat.
City of Warriors reminds me of Naruto mainly because there are five kingdoms coming to Polemistes to compete in the Arete Trials.
I liked that, for the most part, the dialogue was smooth and each character had their own voice, the action descriptions could be described as cinematic, and the main characters all seemed fleshed out with their own goals.
I wasn't too crazy about the use of "da" (as in Dad) as I'm thinking Rome and "Da" sounds kind of Irish to me. While the descriptions were detailed, there were some that I felt kind of dragged on. Also, Adonis seems kind of dumb.
In my opinion, the team of Stewart and Wormwood can clearly tell a story. If we were talking in baseball terms, City of Warriors is at least a double, if not a triple. With some editing to sharpen and hone, I believe they would have knocked it out of the park.
Reading City of Warriors, it reminded me a lot of The Will of the Many by James Islington and the manga/anime Naruto, specifically the Chuunin Exam arc.
With The Will of the Many, both are Roman-inspired and feature a labyrinth. However, City of Warriors features a lot more martial combat.
City of Warriors reminds me of Naruto mainly because there are five kingdoms coming to Polemistes to compete in the Arete Trials.
I liked that, for the most part, the dialogue was smooth and each character had their own voice, the action descriptions could be described as cinematic, and the main characters all seemed fleshed out with their own goals.
I wasn't too crazy about the use of "da" (as in Dad) as I'm thinking Rome and "Da" sounds kind of Irish to me. While the descriptions were detailed, there were some that I felt kind of dragged on. Also, Adonis seems kind of dumb.
In my opinion, the team of Stewart and Wormwood can clearly tell a story. If we were talking in baseball terms, City of Warriors is at least a double, if not a triple. With some editing to sharpen and hone, I believe they would have knocked it out of the park.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read mostly fantasy and always enjoyed Roman-inspired stories, so it made sense to give City of Warriors a try and now I'm wanting more. This is a great debut that had me flying through chapters.
Adonis, Eoinë and Bodhi are easy to root for. As are the allies they meet during the trials. I like the character dynamics all around, whether it was between friends or foes. Though there were times I wanted to smack Adonis on the side of his head for his immaturity. I guess you can expect that from a young man in a very competitive world.
There are so many tense moments that kept me glued to the pages. Plenty of action and battle, some heartbreak and a good amount of inner conflict. This book sets us up for an exciting story to come.
I am rounding my 4.5 rating up because I believe this series has a lot of potential.
I was given an ARC of this book prior to release.
Adonis, Eoinë and Bodhi are easy to root for. As are the allies they meet during the trials. I like the character dynamics all around, whether it was between friends or foes. Though there were times I wanted to smack Adonis on the side of his head for his immaturity. I guess you can expect that from a young man in a very competitive world.
There are so many tense moments that kept me glued to the pages. Plenty of action and battle, some heartbreak and a good amount of inner conflict. This book sets us up for an exciting story to come.
I am rounding my 4.5 rating up because I believe this series has a lot of potential.
I was given an ARC of this book prior to release.
September 29, 2026
This was a solid read that had me hooked from the fast paced opening. I felt a few times like the plot was dragging a little, but then some wild action scene would come and move it right along. There were parts that would do well to be illustrated more than what already was, I really do appreciate when books have illustrations sprinkled throughout to help build the story. This was a solid set up to continue in the series. Can’t wait for the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ve seen other ARC readers say it reminded them of The Will Of The Many, Percy Jackson, HP and I agree.
I absolutely loved the characters. Where one had weakness, another balanced them. There are beautiful family, love, and friend dynamics & a pretty intense villain origin story for others.
I’m looking forward to the second book to get more answers and see what this magic system is truly about!
I absolutely loved the characters. Where one had weakness, another balanced them. There are beautiful family, love, and friend dynamics & a pretty intense villain origin story for others.
I’m looking forward to the second book to get more answers and see what this magic system is truly about!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me hooked from the first page. I loved following our characters and seeing what this world had to offer. What an amazing debut!
If you’re a fan of deadly trials and a true rivalry between characters you need to pick this book up! I can’t wait for the continuation in book two!
If you’re a fan of deadly trials and a true rivalry between characters you need to pick this book up! I can’t wait for the continuation in book two!
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you're down for a Percy, Hunger Games, and Gladitor type mesh up read, then you'll love this because it's absolutely giving off those vibes.
The book has so much history intertwined throughout it. From the prologue to the different POVs, you learn so much and are able to connect with the characters more.
This focuses on Adonis the most and he has one goal and that's to be the next xeros. He's portrayed exactly as he is. A farmers son, who's coming of age and reaching for the stars out of love for his family. Throughout his journey he makes many mistakes but also plenty of growth.
Thaddeus is the prince and even from the early stages you dislike him. You learn about his history that gives you the background of his nature but he never seems to overcome his need to belittle those around him. Sometimes you get glimpses but with how the book ends, who knows what will become of him.
Eoine is amazing in this. She may be great with a bow, seeing as her dad is over their Academy, but she loves books and any avenue to learn more. She's strongwilled and caring. You watch her play the game of Kingdoms and become her own as a person.
Bodhi is the hilarious favorite side character everyone needs. He's the best friend who's always there when needed and sometimes the voice of reason even when those around him don't want to. I believe he'll be useful in getting Adonis through this next phase of life.
I enjoyed this first installment and am excited to read what comes next.
The book has so much history intertwined throughout it. From the prologue to the different POVs, you learn so much and are able to connect with the characters more.
This focuses on Adonis the most and he has one goal and that's to be the next xeros. He's portrayed exactly as he is. A farmers son, who's coming of age and reaching for the stars out of love for his family. Throughout his journey he makes many mistakes but also plenty of growth.
Thaddeus is the prince and even from the early stages you dislike him. You learn about his history that gives you the background of his nature but he never seems to overcome his need to belittle those around him. Sometimes you get glimpses but with how the book ends, who knows what will become of him.
Eoine is amazing in this. She may be great with a bow, seeing as her dad is over their Academy, but she loves books and any avenue to learn more. She's strongwilled and caring. You watch her play the game of Kingdoms and become her own as a person.
Bodhi is the hilarious favorite side character everyone needs. He's the best friend who's always there when needed and sometimes the voice of reason even when those around him don't want to. I believe he'll be useful in getting Adonis through this next phase of life.
I enjoyed this first installment and am excited to read what comes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am normally a romantasy/romance fan but this book was just SO GOOD!!!
The most exciting part for me was all the action! This book is fast paced and i lovved that ! Just when ypu take a breather and think that ok i guess we are slowing down a bit.. IT THROWS YOU RIGHT BACK IN! And pushes the tension to a new height!
I really enjoyed the relationship between the characters. It was so perfectly caught by the author and there was so much respect and loyalty in it. ( except for some scenes #iykyk)
Theres history woven into the narrative and that is definitely another aspect of this book that i really appreciated.
Overall, i think it is a great book one and i am excited to see what comes next!
The most exciting part for me was all the action! This book is fast paced and i lovved that ! Just when ypu take a breather and think that ok i guess we are slowing down a bit.. IT THROWS YOU RIGHT BACK IN! And pushes the tension to a new height!
I really enjoyed the relationship between the characters. It was so perfectly caught by the author and there was so much respect and loyalty in it. ( except for some scenes #iykyk)
Theres history woven into the narrative and that is definitely another aspect of this book that i really appreciated.
Overall, i think it is a great book one and i am excited to see what comes next!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews