Ash and Ruin by Michael Eging and Steve Arnold is the second book in The Paladin of Shadow Chronicles, preceded by Annwyn's Blood. In book one, Marianna is abducted, prompting High King Mattheus to send warriors to find her. Erik, from the House of Birkenshire, pursued her alone into hostile lands. He discovered Marianna now transformed by an ancient evil. Erik must resist her, protect his world, and confront Arawn, the Elder God, in a quest to reclaim his soul and defeat the darkness. In this installment, the aftermath of disaster has Erik controlled by Arawn, the Celtic god of the afterlife, and faces eternal servitude. To break free, Erik must find an ancient, dark blade to defeat Arawn's following. His perilous journey through desolate lands will test his courage and faith, and reveal unexpected allies.

“My journey results from your kind opening dark doors—doors leading beyond Hell itself. I’ve not lost sight of who I am—or even who I was.” Michael Eging and Steve Arnold bring us back to the struggle for Erik to try to retain his humanity in Ash and Ruin. It is a battle against his hunger, the conflict between his human desires and the wrestling of instinct, all against an ancient backdrop that gets my history-nerd blood pumping. I find the writing, which is always exceptional, to be at its pinnacle when scenes depicting anger and desperation are pushed forward. There is one in particular where they bring Marianna's fury to life through a stormy demeanor that mirrors the near-cinematic atmosphere of heavy clouds and cold winds. The deep character development extends to the ancillary cast, and if there was ever a Haervu and Seisyll prequel spin-off, I'd be in. Until then, we wait for the authors to give us what's next. I'm looking forward to it.

Ash and Ruin is a work of fiction penned by author team Michael Eging and Steve Arnold in the epic fantasy, action, and adventure genres, and is the second novel of The Paladin of Shadow Chronicles. Rome's fall leaves its remnants prey to dark forces. Erik of Birkenshire, gripped by the ancient Celtic god Arawn, faces eternal servitude as Arawn's enforcer. His salvation lies in finding an ancient weapon capable of piercing Arawn's power. Erik's quest leads him through a post-apocalyptic wasteland filled with legendary dangers and new allies, testing his courage and faith. This epic sequel to Annwyn's Blood follows Erik's struggle against external and internal monsters to reclaim his humanity and save what he loves.

Author duo Michael Eging and Steve Arnold have crafted another intense and immersive fantasy that I was so excited to dive into right after finishing the first novel. The collapse of Rome sets a dark and foreboding backdrop, instantly pulling readers into a world teetering on the edge of chaos. This is the ideal hook for a second novel to start at a strong pace, and this progression only intensifies as Erik's plight under Arawn's control adds a deeply personal and existential struggle that is both thrilling and poignant. The journey across desolate landscapes filled with enigmatic remnants of past civilizations was vividly described, making the setting feel like a character in itself as the different atmospheres and moods of the world around Erik shape and enhance his feelings. The mix of mythological elements with a post-apocalyptic scenario created a unique and captivating atmosphere that is widely explored in this novel and still offers even more intriguing possibilities for future books. The themes of light versus shadow, life versus death, and the fight for one's soul are masterfully woven into the narrative to keep the core focus on the hero’s epic journey, and readers will have their hearts in their throats on several occasions as he is put to the test. Overall, Ash and Ruin is a superb second work in this engaging fantasy series and one I’d highly recommend.