Fantasy

Audiobook: A Sanctum of Swords by John Malone

December 14, 2025

Synopsis:

In the wake of a catastrophic cataclysm that claimed the lives of both mortals and powerful gods, the remnants of mortal-kind begin to rebuild civilization in the world of Thearus. But, unseen by many is an ancient and evil force that seeks to bring darkness across the land once more.

It is the era of the Ascension of Kings, a period of reconstruction after the catastrophic collapse which saw the death of the gods of the Ascended Pantheon and left the mortals of Thearus to rise from the ashes and begin anew.

But, war, assassination, and betrayal still stalk the land, fueled by the mighty kingdoms and cults born from the fires of destruction, and ruled by powerful demi-gods. And now, the Sanctum Queen, Karayan, seeks to summon her twin patron goddesses, Sabah and Zesiro, onto the mortal plane to cast a shroud of darkness and chaos across the realm.

If these Twin Deities of the Void succeed in returning to the world of Thearus, they will bring an end to civilization and the death of all who live on the land. Now, only a small group of nine unusual heroes stand in the way of the coming malevolence, and the Sanctum Queen’s dark plans.

But, as the unlikely allies’ journey into the realm of an immortal prison known as the Penitent Sanctuary, they must face a terrible free the Twin Deities of the Void and be granted another chance to live again, or face an eternity of tormented existence in purgatory.

Review:

If you’re looking for an epic fantasy that dives deep into power, faith, and survival, A Sanctum of Swords delivers a dark and immersive experience. Set in the ancient world of Thearus, we meet nine heroes caught in a web of political intrigue and looming divine threats.

We get a rich world-building, which feels alive, steeped in history and atmosphere. The story includes various areas – swords and sorcery, explores morality, ambition, and the cost of freedom. Each hero brings unique struggles and perspectives, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

The pacing is what I struggled with the most. After listening to it for a few hours I sometimes had to go back a bit to understand what happened. While I appreciate a very detailed and complex descriptions, sometimes it could have benefited from shortening it here and there.

If you are looking for an easy read, it might not be the one for you. If you like a complex worldbuilding and want to emerge in it, this one might be for you.

🌙 Recension: A Sanctum of Swords (The Embers of the Past #1) by John Malone
📚 Genre: Fantasy
📅 Release Date: July 3, 2025
📗 available in various formats / included in Kindle Unlimited / Audiobook available on Audiobook.com
📱 Read as: Audiobook
💸 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Listening Length: 11h14min
⭐️ 3/5