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Kingdoms of Sand #5
Halls of Shadow
The world reels from the assassination of the Mad Empress. The Aelarian Empire is cracking. From the ashes of a burnt world, warlords, barbarians, and rebels emerge to claim the remains.Outside the walls of Aelar, different factions converge. Tribal warriors prepare to shatter the gates. Valentina, a senator's daughter, seeks to enter the city and rebuild the Republic. Prince Seneca, the last scion of a mighty house, battles his rivals to the throne and strives to hold the Empire together. Meanwhile, within the walls, dark magic and conspiracies brew.In the distant desert, the kingdom of Zohar crumbles. The Empire musters to grind Zohar's cities into dust. Epher, King of Zohar, and his sister Maya, a powerful lumer, fight desperately to defeat the Empire's legions. Yet their greatest enemy might be the mysterious, shadowy figure that roams their ancient land.In smoldering battlefields, crows feast and humans squabble for the last shreds of power. Yet can the splendor of past glory ever shine again, or will the final victors rule from halls of shadow?
- GenresFantasy
342 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2017
94 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Arenson
148 books878 followersDaniel Arenson is a bookworm, proud geek, and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. His novels have sold over a million copies. The Huffington Post has called his writing "full of soul." He's written over forty novels, most of them in five series:
EARTHRISE — They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. Against the alien onslaught, Earth stands alone. But we will fight. We will rise. We will win. Start reading with Earth Alone, the first novel in this military science fiction series.
REQUIEM — Welcome to Requiem, an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. Requiem is explored in six trilogies, which can be read in any order. If you're new to Requiem, you can start reading with Requiem's Song (you can download it for free). For fans of dark, gritty fantasy like A Game of Thrones.
MOTH — Discover Moth, a world torn between day and night—its one half drenched in eternal daylight, the other cloaked in endless darkness. For fans of classic fantasy worlds such as Middle Earth and Narnia. Start reading with Moth, the first novel in this epic fantasy saga.
ALIEN HUNTERS — Got trouble with aliens? Call the Alien Hunters. A group of scruffy mercenaries, they'll remove the pest for you. Low rates. No questions asked. Start reading with Alien Hunters, the first book in this space opera series. For fans of Star Wars, Firefly, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
KINGDOMS OF SAND — Enter a world of sand and splendor, a world where gladiators battle in the arena, where legionaries and barbarians fight for glory, and where empires rise and fall.
EARTHRISE — They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. Against the alien onslaught, Earth stands alone. But we will fight. We will rise. We will win. Start reading with Earth Alone, the first novel in this military science fiction series.
REQUIEM — Welcome to Requiem, an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. Requiem is explored in six trilogies, which can be read in any order. If you're new to Requiem, you can start reading with Requiem's Song (you can download it for free). For fans of dark, gritty fantasy like A Game of Thrones.
MOTH — Discover Moth, a world torn between day and night—its one half drenched in eternal daylight, the other cloaked in endless darkness. For fans of classic fantasy worlds such as Middle Earth and Narnia. Start reading with Moth, the first novel in this epic fantasy saga.
ALIEN HUNTERS — Got trouble with aliens? Call the Alien Hunters. A group of scruffy mercenaries, they'll remove the pest for you. Low rates. No questions asked. Start reading with Alien Hunters, the first book in this space opera series. For fans of Star Wars, Firefly, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
KINGDOMS OF SAND — Enter a world of sand and splendor, a world where gladiators battle in the arena, where legionaries and barbarians fight for glory, and where empires rise and fall.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 18, 2020
5...Can't put these books down...Love them!
October 22, 2017
The fires of rebellion burn bright around the Encircled Sea.
The Aelarian Empire is under siege. Seneca Octavius, with his father and sister slain, leads the armies of Nur from the south. Tirus Valerius, claiming the title of Emperor, defends Aelar from the Gaels, led by Atalia and her Gaelian husband Berengar. Epheriah, now King Epheriah, defends the last Zoharian stronghold at Beth Eloh against the Aelarian legionaries commanded by Claudia Valerius. Maya fulfills prophesy as, clad in white, she enters Beth Eloh through the hidden Gate of Tears. Hers is a huge and remarkable mission to save the city, her brother King Epheriah, and the Zoharian people from extinction. Koren, youngest of the Sela men, and Valentina, daughter of Septimus Cassius, a great senator of the Aelarian Republic, hang caged like animals in Tilium, capital city of the remote northern island nation, Elania. Ofeer gives premature birth to a son, the result of her incestuous mating with her half brother, Seneca Octavius. Naming him Ariel, Lion of God, she fights for his survival in the besieged city of Aelar.
As the surviving members of the Sela family battle against the Aelarian Empire, the action is furious and the interwoven fates of the Zoharian rebels with the peoples of the Encircled Sea bring this tale to a fever pitch as we impatiently await the conclusion in the next and final chapter of this epic story.
The Aelarian Empire is under siege. Seneca Octavius, with his father and sister slain, leads the armies of Nur from the south. Tirus Valerius, claiming the title of Emperor, defends Aelar from the Gaels, led by Atalia and her Gaelian husband Berengar. Epheriah, now King Epheriah, defends the last Zoharian stronghold at Beth Eloh against the Aelarian legionaries commanded by Claudia Valerius. Maya fulfills prophesy as, clad in white, she enters Beth Eloh through the hidden Gate of Tears. Hers is a huge and remarkable mission to save the city, her brother King Epheriah, and the Zoharian people from extinction. Koren, youngest of the Sela men, and Valentina, daughter of Septimus Cassius, a great senator of the Aelarian Republic, hang caged like animals in Tilium, capital city of the remote northern island nation, Elania. Ofeer gives premature birth to a son, the result of her incestuous mating with her half brother, Seneca Octavius. Naming him Ariel, Lion of God, she fights for his survival in the besieged city of Aelar.
As the surviving members of the Sela family battle against the Aelarian Empire, the action is furious and the interwoven fates of the Zoharian rebels with the peoples of the Encircled Sea bring this tale to a fever pitch as we impatiently await the conclusion in the next and final chapter of this epic story.
November 6, 2017
divided, together
the Sela, Octavius and Velarius families are spread throughout the kingdoms. the latter two are bent on subjugating the lands to their respective families; the former simply wishes to keep their homeland. they are allied in unexpected configurations. some are thriving, some barely surviving. sacrifices will be made.
the Sela, Octavius and Velarius families are spread throughout the kingdoms. the latter two are bent on subjugating the lands to their respective families; the former simply wishes to keep their homeland. they are allied in unexpected configurations. some are thriving, some barely surviving. sacrifices will be made.
November 8, 2017
Very good
This is a really good read. I hope the last book in the series ties everything together. I am not sure who is going to be left standing such are the twists in the tale, my own favourite is dead. Recommend to anyone who enjoys a blood thirsty read.
This is a really good read. I hope the last book in the series ties everything together. I am not sure who is going to be left standing such are the twists in the tale, my own favourite is dead. Recommend to anyone who enjoys a blood thirsty read.
March 4, 2019
Can’t believe I made it half way through book 5 of the series before giving up. I guess I just kept hoping it would get better. Parts were really good but too much of it was so repetitious and tedious I finally had to say enough!
November 2, 2017
Moving towards the end or the beginning? What and who will survive the empire?
December 13, 2017
I loved it as I do all of Daniel Arenson's books. Great story.
July 18, 2018
An outstanding series!!
August 18, 2018
Wondering who will survive
Can't put out down keeps you untangled who will survive and will die keeps me on edge A must read
Can't put out down keeps you untangled who will survive and will die keeps me on edge A must read
December 7, 2019
Getting a bit frustrated with the series.
December 4, 2025
WTF is wrong with the Aelarians? I have never read of a more evil people. Like seriously, WTF?!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews