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Song of Echoes #2
Age of Shadows
As Elodi strives to defend her realm against a new enemy threatening the north, Toryn discovers the dark secret that plunged Hope into despair, destined to live under a shadow of her own making.
But as both struggle in the face of overwhelming forces, the Archon demands all who can bear arms, rally to his cause.
But as both struggle in the face of overwhelming forces, the Archon demands all who can bear arms, rally to his cause.
- GenresFantasy
435 pages, Paperback
First published December 24, 2021
169 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
R.E. Palmer
11 books45 followersAs an avid reader from an early age, I've always enjoyed books (and also the films of my favourite books). Whilst I read a wide range, I tend to lean toward science fiction, fantasy and historical (with a military angle).
I first wrote short stories in my early twenties, and although I've long since lost them, I can still recall most of the details as if I'd done them yesterday - in fact, a few ideas I had back then surface in my first book, Sky.
Away from writing, I run at least five times a week (usually with my dog), and will often amuse myself with ideas for stories. Sometimes they're based on what I see on my run, other times they just come out of the blue. Once I have an idea, I let it roll around in my head for a week or two and see what happens.
The test comes when I'm falling asleep. If I find the idea coming back and taking shape just before I drop off - then I know it's a goer. I get all flashes of inspiration in that wonderful moment when you start to drift, and suddenly your thoughts don't seem entirely your own - hence the first line in my first novel Sky :0)
I first wrote short stories in my early twenties, and although I've long since lost them, I can still recall most of the details as if I'd done them yesterday - in fact, a few ideas I had back then surface in my first book, Sky.
Away from writing, I run at least five times a week (usually with my dog), and will often amuse myself with ideas for stories. Sometimes they're based on what I see on my run, other times they just come out of the blue. Once I have an idea, I let it roll around in my head for a week or two and see what happens.
The test comes when I'm falling asleep. If I find the idea coming back and taking shape just before I drop off - then I know it's a goer. I get all flashes of inspiration in that wonderful moment when you start to drift, and suddenly your thoughts don't seem entirely your own - hence the first line in my first novel Sky :0)
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 31, 2022
Age of Shadows has been sitting in my request pile since about February making me feel guilty, and I finally made time to pick it up. Palmer introduced a ton of new world building and history, character development, magic, new races, stark imagery, and many other things that made it another enjoyable read. Despite its somewhat numerous flaws in editing, this is a solid indie fantasy and the conclusion was particularly mind blowing.
Let’s talk about the magic first since it was the biggest change from book one. We saw more of the Wyke’s abilities, for bad and for good, and all the terrible things that the dark magic can accomplish. The Song and Verses were developed too in both theory, good, bad, and corruption, with a returning character (Hope/Nyomae) discovering her past. There is also magic introduced with the two new races, Amayan and Nym, both of which contributed a lot of mysticism to the storyline. Don’t worry though there’s plenty of sword, bow, and siege machinery too if you prefer your battles fought by hand.
The best part of this one was how Palmer took all the world building gaps in Song of Echoes and fleshed out the world through reverie and discovery. The end is absolutely mind blowing. How can deception and corruption run so deep? HOW? I admire an author that is willing to tear their whole world down. Will they even manage to rebuild it with the core cast going forward into book three? There are so many tangled political webs and fronts of battle to defend that I have no idea how he’s going to take the series forward. I appreciate all the micro world building too as things like the Sunrise tradition were brought to page.
The amount of military strategy and preparation/execution of battles through Elodi’s chapters felt like a bonus.
The characters are pretty well coming into themselves too. Toryn has recovered from captivity and is learning his own personal history. Nyomae is starting to teach him the ways of the Verse and he FINALLY intersects with Elodi’s storyline. I have to say she is still the star of the show for me. The Lady faces every fear imaginable as her city falls and she is summoned to defend the realm despite the loss of her lands. I don’t know how she rode straight into battle but she did, with her two captains at her side. Gundrul and Cubric both ended up being good characters too, carrying most of the banter and “aw shucks” moments. I’m worried for the other captain, Ruan, hoping he made it to safety. Palmer doesn’t tend to leave loose ends so I assume he will be back in book three.
I do wish though that some of the revelations came sooner, although I’m ok with a slowburn.
And the end? No spoilers but the entire world did a somersault and I’m here for it this time.
Overall: Tons of action and many new discoveries kept Age of Shadows moving at a great pace. I loved all the new things and never felt bored while reading, As a fan of all the world building ever – yes I’ll keep reading these! I kept a star docked for the ton of editing issues and a few mishaps but overall would recommend these to fantasy fans who enjoy a large scope and classic feel to their adventures.
Let’s talk about the magic first since it was the biggest change from book one. We saw more of the Wyke’s abilities, for bad and for good, and all the terrible things that the dark magic can accomplish. The Song and Verses were developed too in both theory, good, bad, and corruption, with a returning character (Hope/Nyomae) discovering her past. There is also magic introduced with the two new races, Amayan and Nym, both of which contributed a lot of mysticism to the storyline. Don’t worry though there’s plenty of sword, bow, and siege machinery too if you prefer your battles fought by hand.
The best part of this one was how Palmer took all the world building gaps in Song of Echoes and fleshed out the world through reverie and discovery. The end is absolutely mind blowing. How can deception and corruption run so deep? HOW? I admire an author that is willing to tear their whole world down. Will they even manage to rebuild it with the core cast going forward into book three? There are so many tangled political webs and fronts of battle to defend that I have no idea how he’s going to take the series forward. I appreciate all the micro world building too as things like the Sunrise tradition were brought to page.
The amount of military strategy and preparation/execution of battles through Elodi’s chapters felt like a bonus.
The characters are pretty well coming into themselves too. Toryn has recovered from captivity and is learning his own personal history. Nyomae is starting to teach him the ways of the Verse and he FINALLY intersects with Elodi’s storyline. I have to say she is still the star of the show for me. The Lady faces every fear imaginable as her city falls and she is summoned to defend the realm despite the loss of her lands. I don’t know how she rode straight into battle but she did, with her two captains at her side. Gundrul and Cubric both ended up being good characters too, carrying most of the banter and “aw shucks” moments. I’m worried for the other captain, Ruan, hoping he made it to safety. Palmer doesn’t tend to leave loose ends so I assume he will be back in book three.
I do wish though that some of the revelations came sooner, although I’m ok with a slowburn.
And the end? No spoilers but the entire world did a somersault and I’m here for it this time.
Overall: Tons of action and many new discoveries kept Age of Shadows moving at a great pace. I loved all the new things and never felt bored while reading, As a fan of all the world building ever – yes I’ll keep reading these! I kept a star docked for the ton of editing issues and a few mishaps but overall would recommend these to fantasy fans who enjoy a large scope and classic feel to their adventures.
March 19, 2023
I read the first book and enjoyed it so much I immediately ordered the second one and started it straight away.
This author is a gifted writer, there are no spare words, he is so descriptive that you are there in that time fighting alongside Elodie and Toryn. I like the way the story is split between Toryn and Elodie, and couldn't wait for them to meet and work out what fate has brought them together for. They are very different people, from different sides of the social divide as she is a Lady and he is a Farm Hand with an unknown past.
Now that they have come together I need to get the next book and move forward with them on their journey.
It was a very enjoyable book
This author is a gifted writer, there are no spare words, he is so descriptive that you are there in that time fighting alongside Elodie and Toryn. I like the way the story is split between Toryn and Elodie, and couldn't wait for them to meet and work out what fate has brought them together for. They are very different people, from different sides of the social divide as she is a Lady and he is a Farm Hand with an unknown past.
Now that they have come together I need to get the next book and move forward with them on their journey.
It was a very enjoyable book
April 5, 2022
Thank you to the author for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Age of Shadows is the second installment in the epic, adult fantasy book series about politics, magic and ancient myths coming to life once again stronger.
Synopsis:
As Elodi strives to defend her realm against a new enemy threatening the north, Toryn discovers the dark secret that plunged Hope into despair, destined to live under a shadow of her own making.
But as both struggle in the face of overwhelming forces, the Archon demands all who can bear arms, rally to his cause.
It is an addictive, action-packed book filled with beautiful descriptions, well-driven plots and storylines, so perfectly written, to my view. I really loved the way the storyline of Hope develops, I really found that so interesting.
This book follows the stories of Elodi Harlyn and Toryn of Midwyche as they try to find their way to save the realms and themselves in the midst of war. Elodi, who's trying to defend her own realm, and trying to understand herself, and her own lineage. Toryn, who's fighting to solve the mystery that Hope is, and what role he is going to play in the defense of the realms.
In this book, the reader finds out more about the characters, and their linages and their purposes, and desires. As I said in my past review (you can read it here), I love the way the author gives depth to the characters, especially Elodi and Toryn.
My favourite scenes from the first book were Elodi's. This remains the same. I love her character a lot! I really like Toryn's character too, and I have found so immserive the way he is written, as it is Elodi's plots and scenes.
If you are searching for an epic, adult fantasy book series filled with action-packed scenes, political and magic plots, as well as well-driven, well-explained characters, this is your book series: Song of Echoes.
I really enjoyed this book even more than the first one! So, I do highly recommend you to read it!
Age of Shadows is the second installment in the epic, adult fantasy book series about politics, magic and ancient myths coming to life once again stronger.
Synopsis:
As Elodi strives to defend her realm against a new enemy threatening the north, Toryn discovers the dark secret that plunged Hope into despair, destined to live under a shadow of her own making.
But as both struggle in the face of overwhelming forces, the Archon demands all who can bear arms, rally to his cause.
It is an addictive, action-packed book filled with beautiful descriptions, well-driven plots and storylines, so perfectly written, to my view. I really loved the way the storyline of Hope develops, I really found that so interesting.
This book follows the stories of Elodi Harlyn and Toryn of Midwyche as they try to find their way to save the realms and themselves in the midst of war. Elodi, who's trying to defend her own realm, and trying to understand herself, and her own lineage. Toryn, who's fighting to solve the mystery that Hope is, and what role he is going to play in the defense of the realms.
In this book, the reader finds out more about the characters, and their linages and their purposes, and desires. As I said in my past review (you can read it here), I love the way the author gives depth to the characters, especially Elodi and Toryn.
My favourite scenes from the first book were Elodi's. This remains the same. I love her character a lot! I really like Toryn's character too, and I have found so immserive the way he is written, as it is Elodi's plots and scenes.
If you are searching for an epic, adult fantasy book series filled with action-packed scenes, political and magic plots, as well as well-driven, well-explained characters, this is your book series: Song of Echoes.
I really enjoyed this book even more than the first one! So, I do highly recommend you to read it!
January 22, 2022
The author sent me a free e-book ARC of this novel to read, but this review is my honest opinion.
I really enjoyed this novel. Age of Shadows is the sequel to Song of Echoes and thus book two in this epic fantasy series. I find it rare for books published today to have that feel of classic epic fantasy, but the author R.E. Palmer perfectly captures the atmosphere of the fantasy stories of old. There’s also something magical about the sweetness and sincerity of the main characters, Toryn and Elodi.
In my review of the first book in this series, I pointed out that it’s also a coming-of-age tale and that concept continues into the second book. There are mysteries that I felt hooked me as a reader. The military strategy and war combat/battle scenes were amazing. At times I thought Toryn’s point of view was my favorite, but then Elodi would have an amazing scene and I’d change my mind. In the end, I decided I didn’t have to pick a favorite between them since they were both told so well.
I’ll echo my previous conclusion: readers of fantasy and coming of age stories, especially epic fantasy and war stories should love this series.
I really enjoyed this novel. Age of Shadows is the sequel to Song of Echoes and thus book two in this epic fantasy series. I find it rare for books published today to have that feel of classic epic fantasy, but the author R.E. Palmer perfectly captures the atmosphere of the fantasy stories of old. There’s also something magical about the sweetness and sincerity of the main characters, Toryn and Elodi.
In my review of the first book in this series, I pointed out that it’s also a coming-of-age tale and that concept continues into the second book. There are mysteries that I felt hooked me as a reader. The military strategy and war combat/battle scenes were amazing. At times I thought Toryn’s point of view was my favorite, but then Elodi would have an amazing scene and I’d change my mind. In the end, I decided I didn’t have to pick a favorite between them since they were both told so well.
I’ll echo my previous conclusion: readers of fantasy and coming of age stories, especially epic fantasy and war stories should love this series.
January 29, 2022
This was an excellent book. I highly recommend reading book one so you can get the most out of this book, but you also won't be completely lost if you don't. Palmer has a unique voice that captures the reader, and I enjoyed switching between Elodi and Toryn's viewpoints. There's plenty of tension, intrigue, and character growth throughout the story to keep the reader fully engaged. Epic fantasy lovers will fall in love with the world, and anyone who enjoys a coming of age journey will love the character arcs woven into the main story. I don't want to give any spoilers, but suffice it to say you don't want to miss this one!
May 21, 2022
Compelling
This author is a gifted storyteller. She may end up a legend, if she becomes fluent in the English language. She has an often recurring problem with tense and punctuation, particularly with oddly placed commas. There's also the occasional very poor word choice, particularly when she's trying to use an archaic voice. I suspect that, with more maturity and more experience reading polished authors, the misspellings and errant commas will disappear.
Keep at it! Your talent is clearly storytelling, afew more years of experience should see you well on your way!😘
This author is a gifted storyteller. She may end up a legend, if she becomes fluent in the English language. She has an often recurring problem with tense and punctuation, particularly with oddly placed commas. There's also the occasional very poor word choice, particularly when she's trying to use an archaic voice. I suspect that, with more maturity and more experience reading polished authors, the misspellings and errant commas will disappear.
Keep at it! Your talent is clearly storytelling, afew more years of experience should see you well on your way!😘
February 12, 2022
I received an advance copy of this book to give feedback to the author and couldn’t agree more with other reviewers. The characters are very well written and I liked the way the story swings between them. I also like the way that some familiar aspects of fantasy/science fiction are used, but in an entirely different way. And I have been caught out by some of the twists in the plot! Well worth reading!
March 25, 2023
I really like this book but it needs an editor. Had "span" every time instead of "spun", "bought" instead of "brought" etc. Frustrating. The story is quite good, and I love the 2 main characters. I wish they had more help. Took me a long time to read it, mainly due to frustration. I really liked the ending.
November 25, 2024
Enjoyable but kept repeating to much.
The story was enjoyable, but it was on a loop. It seems to be repeating itself over and over and over and over and over again. I truly don't understand why the writer was doing this. The story has the potential to be great. However, I think it needs to have a better editor?
The story was enjoyable, but it was on a loop. It seems to be repeating itself over and over and over and over and over again. I truly don't understand why the writer was doing this. The story has the potential to be great. However, I think it needs to have a better editor?
March 19, 2023
Apart from needing a bit of editing (OK, I'm a grammar pedant) I enjoyed this more than the first, but only just. The characters are becoming more rounded, the plot is fleshing out nicely. Just waiting for number 3 now...
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July 30, 2023This book would have been better if it were about half the length. So much was just filler which did nothing to illuminate the story. I may still read the third book, just because I've put so much time into the first two, it seems a shame not to know how it ends.
March 17, 2024
Shadows
Move over arry potter there's a new kid on the block who rivals characters in Tolkien's world and a supporting cast of character's who fight for the world the best of the rest
Move over arry potter there's a new kid on the block who rivals characters in Tolkien's world and a supporting cast of character's who fight for the world the best of the rest
December 14, 2023
Enjoyable
This is the 2nd book in this series, and absolutely enjoying it😊great storyline, great leading characters, now reading book 3 👍
This is the 2nd book in this series, and absolutely enjoying it😊great storyline, great leading characters, now reading book 3 👍
July 30, 2025
Great book
So much descriptions, so many places to go. Study the map out will help with the travelling. Great end to the book. Kept my in suspense the whole way through .
So much descriptions, so many places to go. Study the map out will help with the travelling. Great end to the book. Kept my in suspense the whole way through .
January 14, 2024
Loved it! I gave Song of Echoes (the first book in the series) a 4 star rating because the storyline dragged a little. Not so with Age of Shadows. Didn’t want to put it down. Yeah, there are still the occasional typo’s but I’m ok with that. If you like the genre, I highly recommend giving this series a look.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews