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Fabled Quest Chronicles #2
In the Shadow of the Kings
With shadowy monsters and dark magic, the Kings' Caravan almost killed them all before the quest had even begun! But why?
They escaped the treachery and dark magic of the Four Kings of Xenhelm, but not without losses. However, the Fates have smiled upon them all with the stranger--and now their leader--known as Traveler. He is a human who has not only traveled to the fabled kingdom of Atlantea before but lived there. They are now the new Titan's Caravan.
They cross beyond the Lands of Man into the Lands Between, and into Fa�-Land--or, more precisely, Fa�-Land Minor--the lands of fairies, sprites, and giants. Here they must travel and survive to find fae members to add to their caravan. "We cannot make it to Atlantea as a caravan of humans alone," Traveler tells them. But which fae--fairies, sprites, giants, elves, or any one of the many fae races unknown to humans?
They had escaped but they still travel In the Shadow of the Kings . Every step they take and every encounter with a new fae town or city could be a new trap. And there are new creatures and hostile fae races as diverse and dangerous as anything the humans can imagine.
Many have died along Titan's Trail, but they are undaunted as their caravan grows with both fae and fantastic beasts. Their magical adventure will take them to many magnificent places and horrific battles. But to attain the ultimate treasures of Atlantea, all shall be gladly risked.
In the Shadow of the Kings , Book Two of the epic fantasy adventure Fabled Quest Chronicles begins!
They escaped the treachery and dark magic of the Four Kings of Xenhelm, but not without losses. However, the Fates have smiled upon them all with the stranger--and now their leader--known as Traveler. He is a human who has not only traveled to the fabled kingdom of Atlantea before but lived there. They are now the new Titan's Caravan.
They cross beyond the Lands of Man into the Lands Between, and into Fa�-Land--or, more precisely, Fa�-Land Minor--the lands of fairies, sprites, and giants. Here they must travel and survive to find fae members to add to their caravan. "We cannot make it to Atlantea as a caravan of humans alone," Traveler tells them. But which fae--fairies, sprites, giants, elves, or any one of the many fae races unknown to humans?
They had escaped but they still travel In the Shadow of the Kings . Every step they take and every encounter with a new fae town or city could be a new trap. And there are new creatures and hostile fae races as diverse and dangerous as anything the humans can imagine.
Many have died along Titan's Trail, but they are undaunted as their caravan grows with both fae and fantastic beasts. Their magical adventure will take them to many magnificent places and horrific battles. But to attain the ultimate treasures of Atlantea, all shall be gladly risked.
In the Shadow of the Kings , Book Two of the epic fantasy adventure Fabled Quest Chronicles begins!
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2018
About the author
Austin Dragon
64 books1,833 followersAustin Dragon is the author of the new military sci-fi Planet Tamers series, epic fantasy Fabled Quest Chronicles, the sci-fi detective Liquid Cool series, the international epic After Eden Series, and the classic Sleepy Hollow Horrors. He is currently working on new books and series in science fiction, fantasy, and classic horror!
He is a native New Yorker, but has called Los Angeles, California home for the last twenty years. Words to describe him, in no particular order: U.S. Army, English teacher, one-time resident of Paris, political junkie, movie buff, Fortune 500 corporate recruiter, renaissance man, dreamer.
He is a native New Yorker, but has called Los Angeles, California home for the last twenty years. Words to describe him, in no particular order: U.S. Army, English teacher, one-time resident of Paris, political junkie, movie buff, Fortune 500 corporate recruiter, renaissance man, dreamer.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 29, 2018
“A caravan is an alliance of parties to combine their knowledge and strength to reach their destination as a whole in safety. This is Titan’s Caravan, and it is made of many races.”
This series is One of The Best Fantasy I’ve read, totally within the Lord of the Rings level! In fact, it has nothing to envy. An epic, unique world, the Fae Land is a marvelous, lovely and deadly land. From the beginning Titan Caravan is immersed in gritty, unexpected twists, battles with the Fae people, magic and spells, good versus evil, the advance of the caravan is slow, adding more people, a perilous journey to reach their destination.
The whole journey felt like a dream and touched me on a deeply emotional level, so realistic and thrilling! My congratulations to Austin Dragon for such a wonderful and unique ability! Looking so forward to book 3!
This a definite, highly and a must read recommendation! I am voluntarily giving a review of an advance copy I received from the author.
This series is One of The Best Fantasy I’ve read, totally within the Lord of the Rings level! In fact, it has nothing to envy. An epic, unique world, the Fae Land is a marvelous, lovely and deadly land. From the beginning Titan Caravan is immersed in gritty, unexpected twists, battles with the Fae people, magic and spells, good versus evil, the advance of the caravan is slow, adding more people, a perilous journey to reach their destination.
The whole journey felt like a dream and touched me on a deeply emotional level, so realistic and thrilling! My congratulations to Austin Dragon for such a wonderful and unique ability! Looking so forward to book 3!
This a definite, highly and a must read recommendation! I am voluntarily giving a review of an advance copy I received from the author.
August 1, 2018
In The Shadow Of The Kings - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Arch-mage of the Fantasy Quest, Austin Dragon, works his customary magic in Book 2 of the fantastic Fabled Quest series, as we learn of Traveler's leadership of the Titan's Quest caravan, which has now passed through the Lands of Man and reached the realms of Fae-Land Minor, (meaning first, not smaller).
After a slowish start, spent in reminding readers of the first book of the series, Through Titan's Trail, the pace soon picks up as Titan's Caravan arrives in the magic Fae city, where despite warnings, the travellers are once more under attack - this time by a demon!
A vast number of characters and animals hinders the plot slightly, [though luckily the novel comes with a separate guide to address just such an issue!]. I absolutely love Traveler's "'dog' without a name", which we learn is an alien being, capable (as in Book 1), of transforming itself at will/necessity into various beasts or birds, able transport Traveler, while always being at hand to warn or protect his Master. [I'd really love to know how he and Traveler met and about his alien background and powers, as I think it would make a fascinating episode if not novella!].
Part II of the story tells of further adventures, perils, alliances made and much much more - thereby becoming a vital link in what has become an epic series, that would make a great film, or even a PC Game. The city of Arion's Spear provides its own dangers, [as the annual caravan season has arrived, with the coming of the Titan's Caravan and many others, all seeking provisions for their particular journeys] including an attack by elves that leaves Mr Hobbs seriously wounded and Traveler seeking vengeance. Dr'amal, a Drow sorceress who's joined the Caravan, privately reveals she knows Traveler's well-kept secret - that he's heir apparent to an elfin kingdom!
Having 'allowed two Fae sisters to join the Caravan, Traveler is informed that they're princesses. When their mother the queen is satisfied he'll keep them safe, she reveals the Caravan's deadly enemies the Four Kings are still alive, as he suspected and have allied themselves with the undead - as is soon proved during an epic battle worthy of Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings, when Traveler's 'dog' has to transform into a phoenix to burn the vile creatures to ashes to keep them dead.
Many more adventures, battles and travels are promised, (after a sudden ending to this episode) and stand ready to be explored in the next book in this fascinating fantasy adventure series, Comes the War Wizards' Wrath. Fly to the nearest bookstore and magic yourself a copy today, then spread the good word to all your friends!
Arch-mage of the Fantasy Quest, Austin Dragon, works his customary magic in Book 2 of the fantastic Fabled Quest series, as we learn of Traveler's leadership of the Titan's Quest caravan, which has now passed through the Lands of Man and reached the realms of Fae-Land Minor, (meaning first, not smaller).
After a slowish start, spent in reminding readers of the first book of the series, Through Titan's Trail, the pace soon picks up as Titan's Caravan arrives in the magic Fae city, where despite warnings, the travellers are once more under attack - this time by a demon!
A vast number of characters and animals hinders the plot slightly, [though luckily the novel comes with a separate guide to address just such an issue!]. I absolutely love Traveler's "'dog' without a name", which we learn is an alien being, capable (as in Book 1), of transforming itself at will/necessity into various beasts or birds, able transport Traveler, while always being at hand to warn or protect his Master. [I'd really love to know how he and Traveler met and about his alien background and powers, as I think it would make a fascinating episode if not novella!].
Part II of the story tells of further adventures, perils, alliances made and much much more - thereby becoming a vital link in what has become an epic series, that would make a great film, or even a PC Game. The city of Arion's Spear provides its own dangers, [as the annual caravan season has arrived, with the coming of the Titan's Caravan and many others, all seeking provisions for their particular journeys] including an attack by elves that leaves Mr Hobbs seriously wounded and Traveler seeking vengeance. Dr'amal, a Drow sorceress who's joined the Caravan, privately reveals she knows Traveler's well-kept secret - that he's heir apparent to an elfin kingdom!
Having 'allowed two Fae sisters to join the Caravan, Traveler is informed that they're princesses. When their mother the queen is satisfied he'll keep them safe, she reveals the Caravan's deadly enemies the Four Kings are still alive, as he suspected and have allied themselves with the undead - as is soon proved during an epic battle worthy of Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings, when Traveler's 'dog' has to transform into a phoenix to burn the vile creatures to ashes to keep them dead.
Many more adventures, battles and travels are promised, (after a sudden ending to this episode) and stand ready to be explored in the next book in this fascinating fantasy adventure series, Comes the War Wizards' Wrath. Fly to the nearest bookstore and magic yourself a copy today, then spread the good word to all your friends!
September 27, 2019
Interesting book, held my interest. A story of many of the mythical creatures and a journey to Alenta.
August 15, 2025
What an imagination! What a Gift
Austin Dragon has such a gift with fantastic story telling! I'm actually at a loss for words...(😲 <-not usually one of my biggest problems... I been told I talk too much...😀 llllol)
I just popped out from reading to quickly fix me something to eat and get right back to reading, °°°°well duh°°°?°° "The End"!?! Next book.!!?!.. already?
Austin had me so wrapped up with Faes and fabled beings (types and numbers beyond your imagination!), plus elves, humans and even a King and a Princess, (the 'yes sire' kind!) all in the care of Mr Traveler, healer and master and guide of such a caravan filled edge to edge and front to back in numbers and varieties
hard to count - almost impossible to imagine - yet told and detailed in vivid colors - page after page - painting you a world and events I don't have the words for, but Austin Dragon has this gift of painting colorful "word-magic-wizardry" type of story telling you rarely ever get to experience -- good thing my body thinks on its own when it's time to come up for air, reality and food. (you try and say this sentence in one breath - I dare you 😲).
And so it happens, that in the middle of a catastrophe and danger happening to the traveling Titan Caravan I came up for air and food, all quick like, and upon returning to the story - turning the page - it says 'The End'. Obviously I devoured Book 2 of Fabled Quest Chronicles.
What more can I tell you about this book, this masterpiece of fantastical word magic? That I feel so satisfied and (almost) speechless, that I have never learned so much about so many fantastical and fabled beings through either reading or watching movies! Actually practically never! Thank you Austin Dragon! - What a perfect name for a writer with your gift of storytelling.
You have done such a fantastic job in describing each and everyone of your friends, all the characters, those traveling companions and the fabled others, enemies or hopeful, all part of this amazing book. Let's not forget how well you're describing the landscape with its wildness, cities and otherwordness. The traveling companions you started this travel with and all the characters joining along the way. It's so well written that it's no problem finding oneself right along with everyone and everything happening, traveling alongside fae, tiny beasts with horns and droopy ears. Or the wolfdog the size of a house which doesn't look like a wolf at all. Who cannot imagine the mix of guards and protectors, like the giants, or the tiny fingernail sized fae-elven sisters or all the different types of fae. The ones who sleep during the day and wake at night, cleaning and fixing things, and yes cause all kinds of mischievous acts. Picture the busy activities and the fantastic environment in which it all unfolds.
It's all very carefully layed out throughout the story, all the doings and goings on, battles(?), yes definitely. You get a careful description of the ever-changing landscapes they are traveling through, you get yourself pulled into battles. It is all so carefully described, you will never find yourself lost or overwhelmed. A story which is never going to bore you.
I often read before sleeping and I have found myself dreaming being entangled with the characters I read last, incredibly real and in colors too. I can't remember the last time I had such an immersive experience reading. The Hobbit movies were the last time I got to enjoy fantasy so real!! Especially since fantasy isn't real! It's all too rare to get to share such a "real" experience with a storyteller!
One wish I do have, a big one, how about a map of the fabled lands the 'Titan Caravan' is traveling through, a color map. Please 🙏 And yes, how about color pictures of the various beings we meet and travel with?
You know Austin, you possess an incredible gift with words, you know your characters so well to know them not only by name and race, but also their personalities. It's amazing how you remain faithful to your characters personality all through the story. How do you know them so well, and so many of them? How else would you be able to paint such a story in words?
You are already a rare species of writer and storyteller, butI believe, if you were to add color drawings of the characters sprinkled through this story, one between each break and chapter, that would tempt us readers, hanging on every word you written, to want to purchase a real paper and hardcover book. A hardcover or paperback to hold and, while turning pages, to find color pictures of all the fabled characters we meet and follow through your story. Now that would just be the ultimate! Why not remake these books, adding color pictures and the maps? I know they were published in 2018, but it would definitely awakening new interest. I would love to have them for myself and my great-grandchildren.
Book 1 and book 2 are exceptional. I'm on to book 3, I can't wait to see what will happen next.
Austin Dragon has such a gift with fantastic story telling! I'm actually at a loss for words...(😲 <-not usually one of my biggest problems... I been told I talk too much...😀 llllol)
I just popped out from reading to quickly fix me something to eat and get right back to reading, °°°°well duh°°°?°° "The End"!?! Next book.!!?!.. already?
Austin had me so wrapped up with Faes and fabled beings (types and numbers beyond your imagination!), plus elves, humans and even a King and a Princess, (the 'yes sire' kind!) all in the care of Mr Traveler, healer and master and guide of such a caravan filled edge to edge and front to back in numbers and varieties
hard to count - almost impossible to imagine - yet told and detailed in vivid colors - page after page - painting you a world and events I don't have the words for, but Austin Dragon has this gift of painting colorful "word-magic-wizardry" type of story telling you rarely ever get to experience -- good thing my body thinks on its own when it's time to come up for air, reality and food. (you try and say this sentence in one breath - I dare you 😲).
And so it happens, that in the middle of a catastrophe and danger happening to the traveling Titan Caravan I came up for air and food, all quick like, and upon returning to the story - turning the page - it says 'The End'. Obviously I devoured Book 2 of Fabled Quest Chronicles.
What more can I tell you about this book, this masterpiece of fantastical word magic? That I feel so satisfied and (almost) speechless, that I have never learned so much about so many fantastical and fabled beings through either reading or watching movies! Actually practically never! Thank you Austin Dragon! - What a perfect name for a writer with your gift of storytelling.
You have done such a fantastic job in describing each and everyone of your friends, all the characters, those traveling companions and the fabled others, enemies or hopeful, all part of this amazing book. Let's not forget how well you're describing the landscape with its wildness, cities and otherwordness. The traveling companions you started this travel with and all the characters joining along the way. It's so well written that it's no problem finding oneself right along with everyone and everything happening, traveling alongside fae, tiny beasts with horns and droopy ears. Or the wolfdog the size of a house which doesn't look like a wolf at all. Who cannot imagine the mix of guards and protectors, like the giants, or the tiny fingernail sized fae-elven sisters or all the different types of fae. The ones who sleep during the day and wake at night, cleaning and fixing things, and yes cause all kinds of mischievous acts. Picture the busy activities and the fantastic environment in which it all unfolds.
It's all very carefully layed out throughout the story, all the doings and goings on, battles(?), yes definitely. You get a careful description of the ever-changing landscapes they are traveling through, you get yourself pulled into battles. It is all so carefully described, you will never find yourself lost or overwhelmed. A story which is never going to bore you.
I often read before sleeping and I have found myself dreaming being entangled with the characters I read last, incredibly real and in colors too. I can't remember the last time I had such an immersive experience reading. The Hobbit movies were the last time I got to enjoy fantasy so real!! Especially since fantasy isn't real! It's all too rare to get to share such a "real" experience with a storyteller!
One wish I do have, a big one, how about a map of the fabled lands the 'Titan Caravan' is traveling through, a color map. Please 🙏 And yes, how about color pictures of the various beings we meet and travel with?
You know Austin, you possess an incredible gift with words, you know your characters so well to know them not only by name and race, but also their personalities. It's amazing how you remain faithful to your characters personality all through the story. How do you know them so well, and so many of them? How else would you be able to paint such a story in words?
You are already a rare species of writer and storyteller, butI believe, if you were to add color drawings of the characters sprinkled through this story, one between each break and chapter, that would tempt us readers, hanging on every word you written, to want to purchase a real paper and hardcover book. A hardcover or paperback to hold and, while turning pages, to find color pictures of all the fabled characters we meet and follow through your story. Now that would just be the ultimate! Why not remake these books, adding color pictures and the maps? I know they were published in 2018, but it would definitely awakening new interest. I would love to have them for myself and my great-grandchildren.
Book 1 and book 2 are exceptional. I'm on to book 3, I can't wait to see what will happen next.
September 12, 2019
Interestingly good
This story with its strange inhabitants drew me , and I was pleasantly surprised . Each character is uniquely written ,the story moves at a good pace,lot's of action, good twists and the minute you think you know we're it's going your surprised.
I am especially liked the way you wrote Mr Traveler ,very interested indeed.
If you like fantasy that is out of the norm then you are going to love this book!
This story with its strange inhabitants drew me , and I was pleasantly surprised . Each character is uniquely written ,the story moves at a good pace,lot's of action, good twists and the minute you think you know we're it's going your surprised.
I am especially liked the way you wrote Mr Traveler ,very interested indeed.
If you like fantasy that is out of the norm then you are going to love this book!
November 9, 2023
Just love the whole series. You think you know how it is going to unfold and then there is a new twist. All of the mythical characters you remembered from all the stories you have read are in this one series. The main character is always two or three steps ahead of the evil group. Love the world building and development of the characters. I am working my way through the entire series. Now on book three and looking forward to the next three books.
July 27, 2018
In the Shadow of the Kings is the second book in the Fabled Quest Chronicles series. You can read this as a standalone as the author does a good job of bringing readers up to speed. There is violence. I really enjoyed this book. The author's version of Fae is different than many others and it keeps you guessing as to what will happen next. I'm looking forward to the next book.
August 2, 2018
Everything you want in a fantasy story. Dark magic to involve you and more. Couldn’t get enough of this story. Received a free copy and reviewed because I loved it.
February 6, 2020
Enjoy the third book by now it's February 2020 still waiting for the fourth book due out in 2019
May 3, 2025
Wonderful book!
It's a story that sucks you in and does not let you go. I love this series! Can't wait for the next one!
It's a story that sucks you in and does not let you go. I love this series! Can't wait for the next one!
April 13, 2026
★★★★★ - Exceeding Exceptional Expectations : Flawless
May 3, 2020
I think this book is better than the first one, Through Titan's Trail, in the sense that it’s not so slow to get into.
It’s the second in a trilogy, and contrary to other reviewers I’ve read, I don’t think you can read it as a standalone. If it’s been a few weeks since you’ve read the first one, however, there’s a quick little “Story So Far” write-up in the beginning, which should get you up to speed in no time.
During my reading, I went back and forth over how many stars to give this book, though. Three stars? Four stars? I even contemplated two stars at one point.
In parts, I felt it was overly descriptive, boring, and unnecessary. In other parts it was action packed, and still in others, the descriptions of the new Fae races and species actually enthralled me. The copyediting isn’t the best I’ve ever read, though (but it is better than the first book in this series).
And I think it’s all those new fae races that pushed me over the edge, because right at the end of the book, there’s a long Glossary which describes them all. It reads almost like a Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual (sans stat blocks), which I thought was cool.
Ultimately, this is some good world-building, and yes, I can see myself playing a D&D campaign set in it. So I must congratulate the author on that score.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/31GZeM
* Note: That's an affiliate link, so if you click through to a store and end up buying anything, I might earn a commission from your purchase.
It’s the second in a trilogy, and contrary to other reviewers I’ve read, I don’t think you can read it as a standalone. If it’s been a few weeks since you’ve read the first one, however, there’s a quick little “Story So Far” write-up in the beginning, which should get you up to speed in no time.
During my reading, I went back and forth over how many stars to give this book, though. Three stars? Four stars? I even contemplated two stars at one point.
In parts, I felt it was overly descriptive, boring, and unnecessary. In other parts it was action packed, and still in others, the descriptions of the new Fae races and species actually enthralled me. The copyediting isn’t the best I’ve ever read, though (but it is better than the first book in this series).
And I think it’s all those new fae races that pushed me over the edge, because right at the end of the book, there’s a long Glossary which describes them all. It reads almost like a Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual (sans stat blocks), which I thought was cool.
Ultimately, this is some good world-building, and yes, I can see myself playing a D&D campaign set in it. So I must congratulate the author on that score.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/31GZeM
* Note: That's an affiliate link, so if you click through to a store and end up buying anything, I might earn a commission from your purchase.
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September 6, 2018Great read
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