What do you think?
Rate this book
Evermen Saga #2
The Hidden Relic
The second book in the action-packed Evermen Saga.
With the fate of their homeland still in jeopardy, siblings Ella and Miro must face the Primate's evil as he discovers a new technique--a way to extract essence from human blood.
The Primate has been temporarily defeated, but his home was once inhabited by the Evermen, and their ancient secrets still remain. When the mysterious Evrin sets out to destroy everything he can--but fails--the Primate stumbles upon an ancient book that tells of a hidden relic with unfathomable power. He will stop at nothing to find it.
Meanwhile, Killian searches in vain for Evrin, who holds the key to understanding his own inexplicable abilities.
Realizing the solution to defeating the Primate and saving the Empire is tied to the hidden relic, Ella, Miro, Killian, and the desert prince Ilathor must race to reach the relic before the Primate--or suffer disastrous consequences.
With the fate of their homeland still in jeopardy, siblings Ella and Miro must face the Primate's evil as he discovers a new technique--a way to extract essence from human blood.
The Primate has been temporarily defeated, but his home was once inhabited by the Evermen, and their ancient secrets still remain. When the mysterious Evrin sets out to destroy everything he can--but fails--the Primate stumbles upon an ancient book that tells of a hidden relic with unfathomable power. He will stop at nothing to find it.
Meanwhile, Killian searches in vain for Evrin, who holds the key to understanding his own inexplicable abilities.
Realizing the solution to defeating the Primate and saving the Empire is tied to the hidden relic, Ella, Miro, Killian, and the desert prince Ilathor must race to reach the relic before the Primate--or suffer disastrous consequences.
Audiobook
First published February 2, 2012
2056 people are currently reading
2393 people want to read
About the author
James Maxwell
16 books1,105 followersJames Maxwell is a British-Australian best-selling author of epic fantasy novels, with millions of copies sold in multiple languages worldwide. With over a dozen acclaimed novels, including Enchantress, Golden Age, and A Girl From Nowhere, he is celebrated for his richly imagined worlds and epic, interwoven plots. His books have received multiple award nominations, including the World Fantasy Award, the Aurealis Awards, and three Arthur C. Clarke Award nominations, as well as garnering tens of thousands of reviews on Amazon.
Born in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, and raised in Brisbane, Australia, James attended Brisbane’s Anglican Church Grammar School and the University of Queensland, where he studied a diverse mix of arts and sciences.
Since becoming a full-time author in 2012, he has made his home on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, where his writing is accompanied by the rumbling sound of the sea and the antics of his capricious white cat.
Blood and Empire, published in March 2025, begins James Maxwell’s latest gripping series, The Gateway Saga.
Born in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, and raised in Brisbane, Australia, James attended Brisbane’s Anglican Church Grammar School and the University of Queensland, where he studied a diverse mix of arts and sciences.
Since becoming a full-time author in 2012, he has made his home on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, where his writing is accompanied by the rumbling sound of the sea and the antics of his capricious white cat.
Blood and Empire, published in March 2025, begins James Maxwell’s latest gripping series, The Gateway Saga.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
January 29, 2015
I liked the first part of the series, with the new world, the adventures and the introduction of the characters.
This second part is not so good however. It's about fighting and battles and fighting and battles. Less adventurous, existing characters stay pretty much flat characters, the new characters are no better.
Definitely not the sequel I hoped for.
This second part is not so good however. It's about fighting and battles and fighting and battles. Less adventurous, existing characters stay pretty much flat characters, the new characters are no better.
Definitely not the sequel I hoped for.
January 14, 2015
There is a surfeit of the adjective 'beautiful' in this book. "She's beautiful", "it's beautiful", "Never let me forget how beautiful you are." Everything is just so bloody beautiful. If you're going to write a 600 page, 4 book long cycle of fantasy novels designed to give Tolkein a run for his money then you really, really need to find a synonym for 'beautiful'. Hop on the thesaurus application Maxwell, it won't do you any harm.
October 22, 2020
What an awesome read I am hooked on the evermen sage
August 21, 2024
After a very promising start in the first book of the series, this one read like a telenovela with an epic fantasy flare.
December 29, 2012
This series has quite a more human and real world feel to it which is a nice change from other fantasy epics that involve magic in which something miraculous saves the day. In this series, it's nice to have the people save themselves and the way the author has expressed all aspects of the war is brilliant. One thing I would like to see explored further is the application of all the lore combined, but I'll hope that's something tabled for the next book (especially considering the end of this one!). The absence of tension and angst between Killian/Ella/Ilathor was much appreciated as well. That was a bomb that was gracefully avoided!
An aspect that only seems obvious to me now I've had time to reflect is that in this book the characters didn't seem to face as many challenges. I'm not sure how I feel about that, to be honest, except that Ella seemed to have no problem in destroying two major facilities almost singlehandedly which seems a little far fetched. A little more time spent on that part of the story would have only strengthened it.
One last thing someone may be able to help me with: I'm not sure whether it was the ebook I bought from iTunes or not, but there seemed to be quite a few mistakes that an editor should pick up. It was a little distracting.
An aspect that only seems obvious to me now I've had time to reflect is that in this book the characters didn't seem to face as many challenges. I'm not sure how I feel about that, to be honest, except that Ella seemed to have no problem in destroying two major facilities almost singlehandedly which seems a little far fetched. A little more time spent on that part of the story would have only strengthened it.
One last thing someone may be able to help me with: I'm not sure whether it was the ebook I bought from iTunes or not, but there seemed to be quite a few mistakes that an editor should pick up. It was a little distracting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2016
In this book, I feel like the author was afraid to let anything bad happen. If the protagonists needed something, it magically appeared. Don't worry one of our characters is transported across the continent in a few pages to fix your problem. Maybe I just missed this in the first book, but it got extremely aggravating when I noticed it half way through the sequel. All the way up to the end of the book, everything just comes together in the most random series of events. Something akin to if I went broke tomorrow I may start pooping gold the day after that. That may have been what happened with the essence in the prison camp.
Read
September 13, 2024this was all kinds of EPIC!
so much non-stop battle scenes, and finally we found out more about The Evermen and it was so gooood!
so much non-stop battle scenes, and finally we found out more about The Evermen and it was so gooood!
April 26, 2019
Another great read (or in this case, listen). I just love James Maxwell's writing style, his attention to detail, especially relating to the battle scenes and magic. I think I finally get the world he has created and it is interesting and a bit complicated. Characters remain consistent but all have grown as well. I'm impressed with how much work had to go into the worldbuilding for this book. History, culture, religion and a complicated character history with a twist at the end of this book that I didn't expect. Simon Vance is one of the best narrators I have ever listened to. I have no clue how he keeps the different characters straight without making a mistake in anyone's voice. Fabulous. I will definitely continue listening to or reading this series
August 25, 2019
This is the second installment in the “Evermen” saga and picks up where the first book “The Enchantress” leaves off. The fight for control of the world unfolds battle by battle between the forces of good: Ella, Miro, Rogan Jarvus and Amber and the forces of evil, the Primate and the Acardie. The battles are vividly described and you feel as though you’re right in the middle of the action. I wish the author spent more time on character development and gave each person more nuanced emotions and motivations. As they are written, they are pretty one dimensional and predictable. Overall, if you want to be transported to an imaginative world of fantasy and magic, you’ll enjoy this series.
June 11, 2022
Engaging story
February 11, 2023
I am really enjoying this series it is interesting and will an ever revolving intriguing stroyline with great characters which are developed well
June 30, 2016
Wow! This book was even better than the first. Again, I would say it is comparable to the Confessor Series as well as the Lord of the Rings. Many tribes of people with different lores fight a world war all the while unknowingly setting in motion a course of events that could mean their own destruction as their Gods themselves may return to judge them.
Will Ella and Miro, brother and sister, be able to lead all the people to unite against the Primate's evil as he delves into a method to extract essence which involves the death of any person who commits even the smallest infraction of the law: not having enough coin to buy a loaf of bread? Will the different tribes ever understand each other or learn to live in peace? If you loved the epic battles in the last book, get ready for that and more as you lose yourself in this world conceived by Maxwell.
Will Ella and Miro, brother and sister, be able to lead all the people to unite against the Primate's evil as he delves into a method to extract essence which involves the death of any person who commits even the smallest infraction of the law: not having enough coin to buy a loaf of bread? Will the different tribes ever understand each other or learn to live in peace? If you loved the epic battles in the last book, get ready for that and more as you lose yourself in this world conceived by Maxwell.
March 10, 2015
This second book gets 3.7 out of 5 stars. I wanted to find out what happened to all the characters, and this book delivers. I didn't feel as emotionally invested in this tale but I'm not sure of the reason. I was turning pages and wanted to get find out what happened next - I just wasn't gasping, crying or laughing.
Again, Maxwell takes us into the minds of six or more characters. People are united and then torn apart again.
My biggest disappointment is that Killian didn't find out his true identity - but the readers did at the end of the story. This book wrapped up quite nicely - without it being a happily ever after.
Then there was an Epilogue.
Again, Maxwell takes us into the minds of six or more characters. People are united and then torn apart again.
My biggest disappointment is that Killian didn't find out his true identity - but the readers did at the end of the story. This book wrapped up quite nicely - without it being a happily ever after.
Then there was an Epilogue.
November 3, 2015
I absolutely loved this book, the second in the Everman Saga.
It is well written with lots of in depth characters and is a real page turner.
I was transported to a world that I did not want to leave when the book finished.
This is certainly a tale of epic proportions and I look forward to reading book 3.
It is well written with lots of in depth characters and is a real page turner.
I was transported to a world that I did not want to leave when the book finished.
This is certainly a tale of epic proportions and I look forward to reading book 3.
July 18, 2020
I was intrigued enough by the promise of what was set-up in the first book of this series to keep reading. Unfortunately, the unnecessarily gory violence, tiring over-wrought drama, clear rip-offs of other well-known sci-fi series, and stab after stab after stab in the heart for no reason, I'm glad this ended with enough closure that I'm not compelled to pick up book 3.
February 21, 2017
Interesting plot line but there are far to many 'oh no one of the main characters it about to die, oh it's ok someone's saved them' scenarios that I stopped worrying about them.
February 21, 2019
I started this as soon as I finished Book 1. I think the blurb ^ is a pretty good summary of what happens in this book. There is quite a bit going on. Additionally, I felt I learned more about the various houses, and the legends of the Evermen. Really though, I feel like I need to take notes! I know many authors will offer a reference/glossary or something, and I think I could have used that! There is a map, so we can see the different lands locations, but I would have appreciated somewhere having a list of all the houses, their specialty/color/symbol, maybe a list of characters that I could reference to remind myself who was who. I mean I felt like I figured it out, but learning and understanding this world is quite the undertaking!
The hidden relic is an appropriate title for the book, as it does play an integral part in everything, although most of Miro and Ella's escapades are fairly unrelated until the very end. Ella spends a good amount of time with the desert people, and Miro is battling a LOT. We also get peeks at the POV of several other characters ... Killian, Evenstar, Primate Melovar and we find out what happened to Amber, and Rogan. The exiled Akari are introduced, and their "draugar" play a huge part in upcoming battles. In the end, it all comes down to the no-longer-hidden relic. While complete disaster is averted, one of the main characters is lost ... and in the epilogue, we realize that things hadn't gone exactly as we ... and the characters, had hoped.
On to the next book ...
The hidden relic is an appropriate title for the book, as it does play an integral part in everything, although most of Miro and Ella's escapades are fairly unrelated until the very end. Ella spends a good amount of time with the desert people, and Miro is battling a LOT. We also get peeks at the POV of several other characters ... Killian, Evenstar, Primate Melovar and we find out what happened to Amber, and Rogan. The exiled Akari are introduced, and their "draugar" play a huge part in upcoming battles. In the end, it all comes down to the no-longer-hidden relic. While complete disaster is averted, one of the main characters is lost ... and in the epilogue, we realize that things hadn't gone exactly as we ... and the characters, had hoped.
On to the next book ...
September 9, 2019
Very much of the same high quality as the first book in the series.
There's a couple of weaknesses. Like the first book this one is a bit cliched and full of many of the tick boxes of fantasy. Also the main characters are a little bit too protected - mostly!
That said the book also has many of the strengths of the first. The world, with each area having its own type of magic is a fantastic and novel slant that makes the series stand out, the characters are likeable, it's well written and the storyline is intriguing.
This is far from a rehash of the first novel with both sides, good and bad, struggling to come to terms with the consequences from the first book and seeking new ways to win the conflict, making for compelling reading. As well as the storyline - if the first is more subterfuge and journeys, this is more of an epic struggle and pitched battles - the world is also extended adding even greater depth and richness to the book.
The series perhaps could, and perhaps should, have finished here and it would have been a fitting end if it had. It would have been a good if short series. The book epilogue however means that it will continue with a new challenge for the heroes.
Overall another good read as the series continues in a strong manner. Whilst the clichés in particular prevent this from being an excellent read this is nevertheless a good book that is definitely worth reading. Another solid 7.5/8 out of 10 or 3.8 stars.
There's a couple of weaknesses. Like the first book this one is a bit cliched and full of many of the tick boxes of fantasy. Also the main characters are a little bit too protected - mostly!
That said the book also has many of the strengths of the first. The world, with each area having its own type of magic is a fantastic and novel slant that makes the series stand out, the characters are likeable, it's well written and the storyline is intriguing.
This is far from a rehash of the first novel with both sides, good and bad, struggling to come to terms with the consequences from the first book and seeking new ways to win the conflict, making for compelling reading. As well as the storyline - if the first is more subterfuge and journeys, this is more of an epic struggle and pitched battles - the world is also extended adding even greater depth and richness to the book.
The series perhaps could, and perhaps should, have finished here and it would have been a fitting end if it had. It would have been a good if short series. The book epilogue however means that it will continue with a new challenge for the heroes.
Overall another good read as the series continues in a strong manner. Whilst the clichés in particular prevent this from being an excellent read this is nevertheless a good book that is definitely worth reading. Another solid 7.5/8 out of 10 or 3.8 stars.
May 2, 2022
I wasn't really planning on reading this book anytime soon, but I was a bit bored and this wasn't terribly expensive and it sounded more interesting than the other books I've got on the go so read it I did.
I didn't love this, it had me gripped at times sure, but there's just SO much going on it's really hard to care almost. This author has a habit of introducing a named character for a handful of pages, just to kill them off. I get why, it's so there can be a POV to the event but some of them (dude with the sea salt cannisters) are so unnecessary.
I liked seeing the female lead (not Amber) reunite with the prince. This mostly felt well done with her old friend being obviously annoyed she'd lied to both him and the prince, but also relieved she was alive. I do think maybe the prince forgave her a bit too readily but maybe that's what love does in these books.
Amber is well developed from the previous book, but does this strange job of holding down the damsel in distress trope, with being the plucky tricky underdog. It's a weird mix and I'm still not sure it works.
At this point I'll probably read on, but as before I'm not desperate to do so. If the next book is cheap enough when I'm bored enough I'll read on, but until then I've other books to read.
I didn't love this, it had me gripped at times sure, but there's just SO much going on it's really hard to care almost. This author has a habit of introducing a named character for a handful of pages, just to kill them off. I get why, it's so there can be a POV to the event but some of them (dude with the sea salt cannisters) are so unnecessary.
I liked seeing the female lead (not Amber) reunite with the prince. This mostly felt well done with her old friend being obviously annoyed she'd lied to both him and the prince, but also relieved she was alive. I do think maybe the prince forgave her a bit too readily but maybe that's what love does in these books.
Amber is well developed from the previous book, but does this strange job of holding down the damsel in distress trope, with being the plucky tricky underdog. It's a weird mix and I'm still not sure it works.
At this point I'll probably read on, but as before I'm not desperate to do so. If the next book is cheap enough when I'm bored enough I'll read on, but until then I've other books to read.
June 24, 2018
Empathy fatigue
I think a good epic fantasy is like an ouroboros, there's a constant cycle of danger and renewal. The first book in this series I gave 5 stars, it had everything a traditional epic fantasy needs. This book is more of a crazy dog trying to bite its own tail.
I developed empathy fatigue. I no longer gave a toss what happened, the cycles of challenge and victory were clumsy. Killian's story in particular. This apathy hit me right before the final battle and even the hook for the next installment wasn't enough to make me want to carry on. There were also "lore issues" to do with the Akari as they had a seemingly inconsistent method of controlling their "products" (trying to avoid giving a spoiler!).
If you've tried the Wheel of Time series, you'll get where I'm coming from. You can have too much of a journeying, hitting problems kind of story. I think it's missing intrigue. There's just nothing to keep me interested.
I think a good epic fantasy is like an ouroboros, there's a constant cycle of danger and renewal. The first book in this series I gave 5 stars, it had everything a traditional epic fantasy needs. This book is more of a crazy dog trying to bite its own tail.
I developed empathy fatigue. I no longer gave a toss what happened, the cycles of challenge and victory were clumsy. Killian's story in particular. This apathy hit me right before the final battle and even the hook for the next installment wasn't enough to make me want to carry on. There were also "lore issues" to do with the Akari as they had a seemingly inconsistent method of controlling their "products" (trying to avoid giving a spoiler!).
If you've tried the Wheel of Time series, you'll get where I'm coming from. You can have too much of a journeying, hitting problems kind of story. I think it's missing intrigue. There's just nothing to keep me interested.
June 3, 2017
Well this story certainly ends with the reader believing that things are about to get so much more worse for the main characters and the world they live in.
Plenty of action, gore and gruesome bits in this tale. There are some lovely things also along the way, so it's not all worrisome.
I do feel though that the story could have been tighter and that it probably may benefit from being somewhat shorter. Some things that happens had me scratching my head, yet, on the whole it is certainly a very entertaining read for those of us who like fantasy type worlds.
Oh yeah ... we finally start discovering who and what the 'Evermen' are ... they are not such nice beings after all ... not good 'gods' to worship.
Plenty of action, gore and gruesome bits in this tale. There are some lovely things also along the way, so it's not all worrisome.
I do feel though that the story could have been tighter and that it probably may benefit from being somewhat shorter. Some things that happens had me scratching my head, yet, on the whole it is certainly a very entertaining read for those of us who like fantasy type worlds.
Oh yeah ... we finally start discovering who and what the 'Evermen' are ... they are not such nice beings after all ... not good 'gods' to worship.
August 30, 2018
Well - yup - it was as good as the first. I am liking this James Maxwell - gonna go see what else he's written. One think I really like about these books is that part one is not "repeated" in part 2... This second book takes up where the first one left off - but nothing - not one word is said about how "in the past.. this happened or... any kind of "recap" .. because a recap is unnecessary. This story is this story - and that one was that one... the people know each other - in the same way they would know each other if the first book hadnt been written. Nothing is lost... very nice...
will definitely read more of this guy!... Good stuff!
will definitely read more of this guy!... Good stuff!
July 3, 2023
The second book in the Evermen Saga definitely took a darker turn with the destruction of the essence manufacturing leading to the discovery and practice of an old way to extract essence from the blood of humans. This causes the creation of concentration camps to hold the Primates' prisoners until their blood is needed to make essence. Amber is in one of these camps and is willing to do whatever it takes to survive for her unborn child. The war is still going strong, the supply of essence is slowly dwindling for Miro and his troops, and the Primates forces are getting stronger with their new supply of essence. The best way to win the war is to find the hidden relic before the Primate can.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2017
I highly enjoyed this very formulaic "safe" fantasy novel. The characters are well fleshed out and the magic system is very intriguing, although I find the constant overuse of deus ex machina to be quite exasperating.
Overall I found the overarching plot to be quite predictable, but the journey there far less so as Maxwell throws his characters through the meat grinder repeatedly.
If you're in the mood for "just another good fantasy book" then I'd recommend this one, but don't expect anything out of this world.
Overall I found the overarching plot to be quite predictable, but the journey there far less so as Maxwell throws his characters through the meat grinder repeatedly.
If you're in the mood for "just another good fantasy book" then I'd recommend this one, but don't expect anything out of this world.
December 21, 2017
I haven’t read much fantasy for a while and was not sure how I would go with this series. I read the first book ‘Enchantress’ and although I found it a bit hard to get into, I ended up really enjoying it. On the whole it is an engaging story although it isn’t brilliantly written and at times the characters are a bit cliched - probably why I don’t read fantasy all the much. The story line is pretty original, though, and it is this that keeps you reading; the fact that I’ve actually started on the 3rd book says a lot.
July 6, 2018
I love how everything fits together so well!
I really enjoy these books so far, the characters and their development are detailed to a point that everyone could be a 'main character'.
The only reason I chose 4 out of 5 instead of all 5 stars is because I tend to veer away from books that are sexually explicit. But taking into account that I am still reading theses books instead of dropping them speaks to the quality of the story itself.
Great romance, action, and development!
I really enjoy these books so far, the characters and their development are detailed to a point that everyone could be a 'main character'.
The only reason I chose 4 out of 5 instead of all 5 stars is because I tend to veer away from books that are sexually explicit. But taking into account that I am still reading theses books instead of dropping them speaks to the quality of the story itself.
Great romance, action, and development!
July 7, 2019
I don't think the 2nd book of this series is any better than the 1st. The structure is basically the same. Chaotic. The war scenes are not very well described in book 2 as compared to book 1. I had to reread lines trying to picture the scenes and failing, skipped through them. The characters are still bland and despite their various heroic actions and emotional scenes they remain uninteresting. I hope book 3 is much better than this or else this will be the first time I've not finished a series.
November 17, 2020
I Think I Forgot to Breathe.
This, the second installment in the Evermen Saga, seemed to go at warp speed from beginning to end. I hardly felt like I drew a breath through the entire story. I know that this epic saga will be one that I listen to again and again, as it's simply got so much going on constantly. The layers of intrigue abound as we just barely breach the surface of who the Evermen actually were.
Wonderfully written, beautifully woven, artfully crafted. I remain stunned by the force of this story.
This, the second installment in the Evermen Saga, seemed to go at warp speed from beginning to end. I hardly felt like I drew a breath through the entire story. I know that this epic saga will be one that I listen to again and again, as it's simply got so much going on constantly. The layers of intrigue abound as we just barely breach the surface of who the Evermen actually were.
Wonderfully written, beautifully woven, artfully crafted. I remain stunned by the force of this story.
December 16, 2020
This series just keeps getting better. It has the perfect balance of character personalities/dynamics and character growth along with well executed timing in terms of dramatic irony and climax. I love series that seem to have an ever growing bigger picture and it appears that this is one of those series. But no matter how big things get, each character can still be traced back to their roots, which keeps them familiar and relatable even as they adapt to their situations and circumstances. I've already started book three because I can't seem to put it down.
August 9, 2023
Miro and Amber are the weak link in this series. I don’t think I can finish the series. Amber is so unbelievably boring. Oh and beautiful, don’t forget she is so very beautiful. Book one was such a great read, I resounding 5 stars. A great start to an epic tale. The story has such great bones, a fun magic system, unique “houses” and tribes. It was just ruined by the flat, boring characters. This would have been an excellent fantasy novel if the romance was left out completely. Not everyone can do romance to make it believable enough that the reader isn’t thinking eeuw.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews