What do you think?
Rate this book
Kingdoms of Sand #6
Echoes of Light
Zohar, an ancient land of sand and splendor, rallies for its last stand. The genocidal Aelarian Empire sends its legions to destroy the small desert kingdom. King Epher and his band of rebels stand against a fire they cannot extinguish. And it is Claudia herself, once Epher's paramour, who leads the legions tasked with killing him.Across the sea, in the Empire's capital, a cruel new emperor has seized power. Atalia Sela, once the leader of a barbarian horde, now fights in the arena as a gladiator. Ofeer Sela, once a concubine and now a rebel, seeks to free her sister. Meanwhile, Seneca and Valentina, the children of fallen dynasties, still battle for the city, and their inevitable clash draws near.Around the Encircled Sea, warlords, rebels, and legionaries battle for dominance. Sometimes it seems like the fire will always burn. Yet heroes still rise, fighting for a dream of peace, for memories of solace, and for lingering echoes of light.
- GenresFantasy
348 pages, Paperback
Published October 31, 2017
91 people are currently reading
77 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 19, 2020
5...THE END??? What? I still can't get over how amazing these books were to me!!!! Great storylines and characters...So emotional at the end!!! Religious undertones so blatant, so immersive! Love it!
August 3, 2018
Great
You see enough reviews that review the story.For me this book is another 4-5 star read.there is continuity,character growth,battles ,Magic all things fantasy. Just agreat series to read. A MUST FOR FANTASY BUFFS
You see enough reviews that review the story.For me this book is another 4-5 star read.there is continuity,character growth,battles ,Magic all things fantasy. Just agreat series to read. A MUST FOR FANTASY BUFFS
November 17, 2017
The Encircled Sea is surrounded by nations aflame with rebellion, burning brightly with the desire to throw off the Aelarian yoke of slavery.
If you haven't already read the first five books in the Kingdoms of Sand series, then you are going to view spoilers in the following review. The nation's around the Encircled Sea have seen an opportunity to slip the chains of Aelarian enslavement. The Aelarian Empire seeks to reduce Zohar to ashes and sand while Gael and Nur would see Aelar fall and free their homelands from the Empire.
If you haven't taken the opportunity to read the first books in this series, please do so now. There is so much you'll miss if you don't. This remarkable series builds dynamically through each book, reaching the explosive climax in Echoes of Light.
As the leadership of the Empire slips from bloody hands to bloody hands, Aelar is under siege by Atalia and her Gaelian husband and his forces. Seneca and his Nurian bride are heading for the Aelarian port. The deaths of Marcus Octavius and his barbaric daughter Porcia have left the capitol in the greedy hands of Tirus Valerius who declared himself Emperor after Porcia. Claudia Valerius continues the assault on Beth Eloh, swearing to reduce the Zoharian capitol and inhabitants to blood and ashes. Ofeer survives in Aelar with her incestuously conceived son, Ariel. Epheriah Sela is now King of Zohar, leading the army Zohar's Blade with the enigmatic Olive. Koren is rescued from slavery by Valentina Octavius, the albino 'sister' of Seneca. Maya has learned to use the Lumen emitted from the lands around Beth Eloh. She uses the lumenosity to heal and strengthen the Zoharian forces.
This last entry in the Zoharian saga brings the tale around to a climax. The action and intrigue are nonstop, the battles are intense, and the plot twists bring unexpected consequences to the players in this drama.
Master storyteller Daniel Arensen's fictitious account of life and death in Judea two millennia past is intense and exciting as we've come to expect. The characters are lively and vibrant, bringing love and hatred, admiration and scorn, to the outstanding tales from time long past. I most heartily recommend this series to lovers of historical fiction/fantasy. Mystery and action fans will also find plenty to excite them. Try it, you'll like it! Mikey did!
If you haven't already read the first five books in the Kingdoms of Sand series, then you are going to view spoilers in the following review. The nation's around the Encircled Sea have seen an opportunity to slip the chains of Aelarian enslavement. The Aelarian Empire seeks to reduce Zohar to ashes and sand while Gael and Nur would see Aelar fall and free their homelands from the Empire.
If you haven't taken the opportunity to read the first books in this series, please do so now. There is so much you'll miss if you don't. This remarkable series builds dynamically through each book, reaching the explosive climax in Echoes of Light.
As the leadership of the Empire slips from bloody hands to bloody hands, Aelar is under siege by Atalia and her Gaelian husband and his forces. Seneca and his Nurian bride are heading for the Aelarian port. The deaths of Marcus Octavius and his barbaric daughter Porcia have left the capitol in the greedy hands of Tirus Valerius who declared himself Emperor after Porcia. Claudia Valerius continues the assault on Beth Eloh, swearing to reduce the Zoharian capitol and inhabitants to blood and ashes. Ofeer survives in Aelar with her incestuously conceived son, Ariel. Epheriah Sela is now King of Zohar, leading the army Zohar's Blade with the enigmatic Olive. Koren is rescued from slavery by Valentina Octavius, the albino 'sister' of Seneca. Maya has learned to use the Lumen emitted from the lands around Beth Eloh. She uses the lumenosity to heal and strengthen the Zoharian forces.
This last entry in the Zoharian saga brings the tale around to a climax. The action and intrigue are nonstop, the battles are intense, and the plot twists bring unexpected consequences to the players in this drama.
Master storyteller Daniel Arensen's fictitious account of life and death in Judea two millennia past is intense and exciting as we've come to expect. The characters are lively and vibrant, bringing love and hatred, admiration and scorn, to the outstanding tales from time long past. I most heartily recommend this series to lovers of historical fiction/fantasy. Mystery and action fans will also find plenty to excite them. Try it, you'll like it! Mikey did!
December 22, 2017
Great ending to a wonderful series.
So sad, yet touching this final book in th he series. We get so attached to the characters, hoping they will all prevail knowing that won't happen. There were so many fronts to this war, each had a sibling entangled in the battles and i would just hope certain ones would survive the horrors.
I am not a big fan of rrading books about war and to be honest, during repetitive sequences I did skim over some of the final book. But other than being somewhat repetitive, I did enjoy this book tremendously. I had gotten behind in some of my reading, so i read the last 3 books concurrently without a break which is probably why the repetitiveness was an issue. If i had a break in between the books I probably would have enjoed the frequent reminders.
So sad, yet touching this final book in th he series. We get so attached to the characters, hoping they will all prevail knowing that won't happen. There were so many fronts to this war, each had a sibling entangled in the battles and i would just hope certain ones would survive the horrors.
I am not a big fan of rrading books about war and to be honest, during repetitive sequences I did skim over some of the final book. But other than being somewhat repetitive, I did enjoy this book tremendously. I had gotten behind in some of my reading, so i read the last 3 books concurrently without a break which is probably why the repetitiveness was an issue. If i had a break in between the books I probably would have enjoed the frequent reminders.
December 5, 2025
I’m mad as hell about the absolute lack of karmic retribution at the end of this book. I want every single full-blooded Aelarian to be butchered. I want that entire cruel race to be annihilated and wiped from the history books of that world. They are disgustingly, over-the-top horrible. I want the Angel of Death to be brought back to do his job! Eff this ending!
The Sela family deserved so much better. I listened to the audiobooks so I hope I spelled their names correctly. Effer and Olive deserved a happy ending. Maya was a good person. Both of the parents were good people. The remaining siblings deserved vengeance.
I hate this suing for peace BS. Not in this situation. F*CK THAT!
The Sela family deserved so much better. I listened to the audiobooks so I hope I spelled their names correctly. Effer and Olive deserved a happy ending. Maya was a good person. Both of the parents were good people. The remaining siblings deserved vengeance.
I hate this suing for peace BS. Not in this situation. F*CK THAT!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2017
was it folly?
Eleph leads his soldiers out of their home, trying to save his people from the madness of a conqueror. the family Octavias is on a collision course with all that is Aeler. and yet the Children of Eloh still continue to survive. the Sela family has some part to play in this destruction of the kingdoms.
what an incredibly poetic and powerful way to give voice to the scenes of Rome and it's destruction of the lands it conquered; most especially Israel. thank you. this is amazing
Eleph leads his soldiers out of their home, trying to save his people from the madness of a conqueror. the family Octavias is on a collision course with all that is Aeler. and yet the Children of Eloh still continue to survive. the Sela family has some part to play in this destruction of the kingdoms.
what an incredibly poetic and powerful way to give voice to the scenes of Rome and it's destruction of the lands it conquered; most especially Israel. thank you. this is amazing
March 3, 2018
Not for the faint of heart
The last book of the series wraps up the story in a way that is deeply unsatisfying, yet all the more profound because of its poignancy. Most of the characters ended up in places, situations and viewpoints that made me wish for something else. This series, and most especially this last book, challenged me to rethink the concepts of sacrifice, appeasement, exile, madness, political expediency, brutality and cultural identity. Wow!
The last book of the series wraps up the story in a way that is deeply unsatisfying, yet all the more profound because of its poignancy. Most of the characters ended up in places, situations and viewpoints that made me wish for something else. This series, and most especially this last book, challenged me to rethink the concepts of sacrifice, appeasement, exile, madness, political expediency, brutality and cultural identity. Wow!
November 9, 2017
Good
I found this book a bit predictable, unlike some of the others. I think it was the mix of very obvious historical endings, who to save to run it all and the religious story line. I think Daniel could have done it better but overall this was a very enjoyable series.
I will certainly read more by him.
I found this book a bit predictable, unlike some of the others. I think it was the mix of very obvious historical endings, who to save to run it all and the religious story line. I think Daniel could have done it better but overall this was a very enjoyable series.
I will certainly read more by him.
April 26, 2019
GREAT SERIES (roman & slaves)
Loved it
Loved it
Loved it
Such a GREAT series, every single person the reader gets to know thoroughly. If you loved, war without guns, but back in ROMAN times this is the series for you. Also people from EGYPT & the pyramids. At times the book was hard o put down so kept me up into the night
Loved it
Loved it
Loved it
Such a GREAT series, every single person the reader gets to know thoroughly. If you loved, war without guns, but back in ROMAN times this is the series for you. Also people from EGYPT & the pyramids. At times the book was hard o put down so kept me up into the night
November 8, 2017
Pain and Light
Of all the series I have read over the years this one has touched my heart. Not for just the characters or the story,but because of the hope it gives. That always even in the darkest of times, of pain and of loss, there is LIGHT. Thank you.
Of all the series I have read over the years this one has touched my heart. Not for just the characters or the story,but because of the hope it gives. That always even in the darkest of times, of pain and of loss, there is LIGHT. Thank you.
December 27, 2017
Read all 6 books
Thoroughly enjoyed this series , I laughed and cried right through and they were well written and i fell in love with many of the characters my only negative point is that it came to an end
Thoroughly enjoyed this series , I laughed and cried right through and they were well written and i fell in love with many of the characters my only negative point is that it came to an end
December 23, 2018
Borrowed from library:
I felt like I was in the story from the first book. This one I tried as audio.
Good thing I wasn't listening while driving or doing something that needed me to pay attention to what I was doing!
Hope to read all by this author♡
I felt like I was in the story from the first book. This one I tried as audio.
Good thing I wasn't listening while driving or doing something that needed me to pay attention to what I was doing!
Hope to read all by this author♡
August 4, 2021
So i wanted to wait until the end of the series to write a review. I’ll preface it with I did enjoy these books. However, if you are used to a HEA….this is not your story. It’s brutal and the good guys die. And the bad guys win and die. And honestly everyone dies. And that’s kinda real life huh?
March 5, 2018
Entertaining read
Vivid detail and great characterization. Enjoyed plots and sub plots full of action and adventure. Entertaining read,............I highly recommend to all ages
Vivid detail and great characterization. Enjoyed plots and sub plots full of action and adventure. Entertaining read,............I highly recommend to all ages
August 27, 2018
Very well done with several unexpected endings.
June 23, 2019
It was a great mythical series with engaging characters. A lot like Game of Thrones type book.
Read
October 22, 2019Really sad ending
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2020
I must say...unsatisfying end to the series.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews