Shadow of Windem: A Sword and Sorcery Epic (Blackthorn Book 1)

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Tristan Blackthorn, son of the legendary Gareth Blackthorn, has grown up in isolation in the remote town of Sesten. Tristan’s world shatters when he learns that his father's death was no accident, but a betrayal by Elric Drakonstone, a man eager to replace Tristan’s father as the new Lord Commander of Windem.

As Tristan seeks to fulfill his destiny as a warrior, he is drawn into the shadowy ranks of a cursed warlord who seeks to lead the Denderrikans against Windem in order to secure his freedom from a wicked sorceress.

Whilst war is brewing, an even darker threat looms over the realm. A malevolent being is spreading his shadow across the land--decimating crops, spreading disease, and corrupting the minds of men. Tristan struggles to discover where his loyalties lie as he sets off on a quest to exact vengeance on Elric and confront an ancient evil that seeks to engulf the world in darkness.

Themes:

Betrayal - Destiny and Identity - Training and Apprenticeship - Corruption and Manipulation - Ancient Evil - Quest for Truth and Justice

Information

Status: Completed
Year: 2024
Author: Jon Wrathmoor

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 5.0/ 5.0
Followers: 21
Views: 18,322

Chapters(52 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(3)

Amelia RavenRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I stumbled upon this story somewhat randomly and I must say—it’s a gem! Tristan is a believable, likable character and so is Loren. The story has a compelling villain in Elric Drakonstone.
Reminded me of a King Arthur-esque story, especially with Tristan’s magical sword Myroniad. I thought the storyline only got better the farther I got in the book. Loved the setup and payoff, beginning with the prologue and ending with Tristan confronting Basidin at Rarington.
AshenLeaf37Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I don’t usually leave reviews, but I wanted to for this one because it stuck with me longer than I expected.
Shadow of Windem feels like a slow-burn epic fantasy that takes its time building the world and the characters, rather than rushing from fight to fight. The setting is detailed without being overwhelming, and the tone stays consistent throughout, which I appreciated. It feels more like a traditional fantasy novel than a typical web serial, which made it easier to binge once I got into it.
Tristan is a solid main character. He’s flawed, driven, and believable…and the supporting cast actually matters instead of just orbiting him. Some of the quieter moments ended up being just as memorable as the bigger action scenes. The political tension and sense that something larger is unfolding in the background kept me reading even during the slower chapters.
That said, the pacing at the beginning is a little patient, and I could see some readers wanting things to kick off faster. Once it finds its rhythm, though, it really works, and the payoff toward the later chapters feels earned.
Overall, this reads like the first book of a serious fantasy series rather than a rough draft. If you enjoy character-driven epic fantasy with a darker edge and a well-thought-out world, this is worth your time.
TheMilkyprinceRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Tristan and Bodry's relationship feels incredibly compelling and realistic, making their dynamic one of the story's standout aspects. From the very beginning, the book hooks the reader with a plot twist that immediately grabs attention. This opening twist kept me invested and eager to continue reading.
I also appreciate how Elric, despite being set up as an antagonist, shows surprising depth and complexity. He doesn't come across as completely evil, which adds an intriguing layer to his character. Additionally, the story did an excellent job of making me care about Gareth and his family.
I genuinely felt a bit sad at the end of the first chapter. In the best way possible.
The writing is polished, with little to no spelling errors that I can recall, which speaks to the author’s attention to detail. The tone of the writing is unique and engaging, and the descriptive scenes are particularly well done. The way the author brings the world and moments to life is truly inspiring, and I hope to reach that level of skill someday for my own stories.
Speaking of world-building, it’s fantastic so far. If the author is planning to expand this into a series, if they haven’t already, I have no doubt they'll do great.
All in all, the author definitely deserves a follow from me, and I’ll be checking out more of this book. I hope this review helps anyone considering giving it a read, you won’t regret it!