Die Slow

by Morgan Shank, Kyle Robertson (Editor)

The Runemasters are purged. The Hound, the Tower’s secret weapon, is buried under rubble in the ocean. Most importantly, the mainlanders who ended the Runemasters—Magon, Seneka, High Priest Oath, Itula, and Princess Elthren—survived the ordeal.

However, Princess Elthren suffered great loss, and she will never be the same. Itula drained her magic, and she now faces exile from both her tribe and the Freytilians. High Priest Oath drew unwanted attention to his bloodstone, which might be linked to untold horror. Seneka and Magon, newly knighted, face enemies at home and within the Lhorian court.

Worse yet is the Great War, an apocalypse the Runemasters would’ve sparked. Their efforts revealed the weaknesses underlying every nation, and now, wolves are gathering to feed. Dark powers rise, challenging Freytilia’s resolve, and at the heart of it all, the Tower grows its influence.

In the calm before the storm, it becomes apparent that Freytilia has already changed…and its future looks terrifying.

___________

"Shank just keeps getting better!"
- Kris Marchesi (A Fictional Escapist), author, blogger, and booktuber

Genres: Fantasy

534 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

In middle school, Morgan finally broke away from incoherent clumps of algebra to fill a composition notebook with his first handwritten novel. Since then, he's imagined his own Skyrim rather than fumble through objective studies.

For reasons unknown to anyone, he somehow found his way into a trucking gig, and he now enjoys a day job hauling freight. When he’s not trucking or writing, Morgan spends his time dabbling in landscape photography, running Spartan Races, and staring at the mountains that surround his hometown of Harrisonburg, VA, in the USA, which provide ample inspiration for his fantasy novels.

Reviews

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

'“You are aggravating,” he said.
“I’m a Dross,” she wheezed.'

Die Slow was an absolute joy to read, I didn't want it to end!!! It exceeded every single expectation I had and it's now one of my favourite books EVER. I need everyone to take notes, this is how you do it folks!!!

Every single scene was beautifully written, and with so much purpose and care. If I wasn't already in love with this world and its characters, I would be now.

I found myself pausing often to reflect on what I'd just read and every once in a while I'd go "that's such a good line".

One such exchange is quoted at the top of my review, you may not get it until you read it, but when you get to that scene (and everything that comes after), you'll know.

I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me reach for a pack of tissues, and I kept it by my side because I knew something would go wrong, lo and behold...

LISTEN, I AM NOT OKAY, (REDACTED)'s death was both the best and saddest thing I've ever read, my poor little heart shattered into a million pieces. Why did I think they'd get to have a happily ever after? It's not fairrrr.

Those last words they said to each other will haunt me in my dreams, I need an alternate universe where they're all fine and good and happy okay?

And the ending? It gave me literal chills, friends, it was just that good. I was not expecting that final line to be what it was, amazing.

But let's circle back a bit, this time we have a bunch of different quests, all important in the grand scheme of things, but the one that caused me the most stress by far was Oath & Denton's. I couldn't tell where it was going until it was well underway, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

I love how natural the inclusion of certain...creatures felt, like a puzzle piece sliding into place. It didn't seem like something that was added on a whim, and it makes so much sense in the context of the world.

That's probably what I enjoyed the most, digging into the lore a bit deeper without it being overwhelming.

As for the rest of the gang, saying I had a great time reading their PoVs would be an understatement. Best believe I was having the time of my life living through every single moment right along with them. And if I wake up one day with Magon's newfound ability, well, you might want to look the other way.

I have to point out that both the main cast and the side characters evolved together, as in, at the same time, no one was left behind, which is so refreshing. I loved seeing how much confidence some of them gained while doing so. Namely Elthren, who really needed a boost after what she went through.

I really cannot emphasize enough how much you need this series in your life!!! It's incredible, and you are seriously missing out by not reading it.

There's priests, cults, things that go bump in the night, shamans who can shift into bears, knights and mages who are loyal to a fault...I don't know what else you could want. Politics? Ring ding ding. A world to get lost in? Right again.

STOP SLEEPING ON THE RUNEBORN TRILOGY!!! You'll thank me later.

*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[James Harwood-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within a fractured realm a darkness festers. Corruption. Indifference. Entitlement. There are those however who have the courage to challenge it.

The Runeborn trilogy continues to showcase an exceptional gripping storyline. I’ve read all of Morgan Shanks works now and they have been a delight for this epic fantasy fan.

There are lots of different characters to follow and all of them intriguing. Most notably the Dross siblings. Very similar to the Starks of Winterfell in their noble leadership and hearts. With the questionable merits of the royalty they become beacons of light.

The priest Oath continues to uncover all kinds of dangerous supernatural and unsettling foes. All the while shamanic magic present has lead to some pretty ferocious spirit animals. Who doesn’t love werebears? The transformation and viciousness is awesome.

An exciting sequel with a cliffhanger to keep you clamouring for the third book.

Much thanks to the author for this ARC.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Runeborn Trilogy 02 Die Slow by Morgan Shank

4.5 Stars

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense

Medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus: Yes

I am flaborgasted on how great this novel is. Not that I didn't think it was possible, but that it is just THAT good. Wow!

I have fallen in love with these characters, and this world.

Magon Dross - our main protagonist, but also someone I didn't even like at the beginning of the first book. It took a while before I started to "get" who he was and what he was actually doing in the story. A snapped Runeborn.

Itula - is someone that you like, at first, but her strength and "witness" to this world was only understood by the end of this book. Shaman, but also not following her own people's faith...anymore.

Oath - is the reluctant "hero", who may not be the hero of his own story, but a villain (or at least an anti-hero), but for some reason...even though he loathes himself, I keep rooting for.

Denton - has had a rough go, for a young boy, and is now paired with Oath, and "learning" under his tutilage (care), and sees him for what he is, knowing that he's flawed, and may not be a perfect priest in his religion, but he's "true" to who he is, and wants his best. So, can a "father figure" do any better than what Oath is doing?

Elthren - the princess that was "forced" to marry for peace, but in essence, she's now on a path of destruction (between the two countries), but now stronger than she's ever been, but also completely broken and damaged...through Itula.

Joska - a Runeborn, who is fighting for the truth of his people, but in an unconventional way. I want to see/spend time with more. Please.

Seneca Dross - Never even thought she's be a main character, but when she's not on the page, I'm wondering what she's up to, and how's she surviving. And, now...even more so. How could you leave us readers in THIS predicament? Huh?

This is a GREAT story, and I cannot wait to read the next one. Hopefully I will not have to wait long, though it will most definitely be longer than I want.

Write faster.

Thank you to Morgan Shank for giving me an eArc...for an honest review.

[K.E. Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another heavy-hitting book by Morgan Shank. It picks up right after the first book, and ramps up the violence and battles as it delves into the aftermath of the hard-fought victory the characters endured previously. Scarred mentally and physically, Magon, Seneka, Oath, Denton, Itula, and Princess Elthren are sent to different parts of the world on their own grim quests that only uncover more secrets paid for in blood and unleash more dangerous things upon Freytilia. This book dives deep into the grimdark vibes with pretty much every chapter being blood-soaked and strewn with so many bodies that it puts Game of Thrones to shame.

This book balances several POVs, which can be a little tricky to keep track of in such a long book. Itula and Oath ended up being some of my favorite characters in this book. I enjoyed seeing Itula wrestling with her bear nature and how the loss of her old magic wove into the new shamanism. Oath was a surprise for me as he also struggles with his faith while keeping Denton safe, ultimately uncovering darker revelations about his religion and his own nature. Vampires and shapeshifting bears weren’t on my bingo card for this book, but they ended up being pleasant surprises. This sequel does a great job of fleshing out all the characters more and peeling back more layers of the world and the magic that exists in it.

There were a couple things I struggled with in this book. When Magon and Itula set off on their own quest, I found myself forgetting what their original goal was part way through. There were also parts where the narrative told me what was going to happen when I wanted to be surprised as the story unfolded. I felt that undercut the tension of certain scenes.

Despite those things, this book has many unexpected turns, breath-holding moments, and cliffhangers that make me ready for book 3.

[E.J. J Doble · Rating 4 out of 5]

An expertly-woven tour-de-force of rich fantasy storytelling, Shank’s portrayal of desperate stakes and competing beliefs makes for an excellent read. The competing storylines covered the breadth of Freytilia and beyond, developing new relationships and incredibly emotional moments. The book does suffer with a bit of "exposition syndrome" - explaining religions and politics with great thoroughness - and the frequency of it can pull the reader out of the story sometimes. However, despite being conceptually dense, Shank uses these concepts as steering points for unique moral questions, and throws punches in impressive ways right until the finale. Overall, a very very good sequel.

[Giovanni Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this novel, our main characters' stories, rather converge, diverge into their own tales which are more self-involved than unified. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as each tale is a small saga by itself. The prose is beautiful and so fitting of the medieval times that the story takes place in. The characters develop so naturally by themselves, and of course what would a Morgan Shank book be without riveting fight scenes and lush environmental descriptions?
Absolutely top notch dark fantasy!