A dark and epic reimagining of the Selene and Endymion Greek myth, told as if ripped from the pages of Homer's Odyssey.
Once, the gods went to war. Selene, the Goddess of the Moon, was struck down, and her tears fell as stars across a broken world. The dark one was imprisoned, but imprisonment is not the same as defeat. The one-eyed god of death hungers still, finding purchase in the minds of the desperate and the damned.
Hidden among the remnants of that forgotten age lies the Scepter of Selene. A divine relic, broken and scattered across a dying world. The only thing standing between mankind and total darkness.
Endymion is a healer in a world that has forgotten how to heal. At the edge of civilization, a deadly conflict pulls Endymion in alongside warriors, exiles, and survivors bound by prophecy, secrets, and survival.
Because something ancient is rising.
Vädumir. Undying conqueror. Cursed warlord. A tyrant who has spent decades hunting the fragments. Kingdoms have fallen trying to stop Vädumir. Armies have turned to ash. Closer now than ever before. And if Vädumir claims the scepter first, the world does not heal. It breaks apart in darkness.
Enter a world where darkness is awakening and only a few stand between the abyss and the light. Get your copy and begin your journey into Méhns Móri.
Review :
I highly recommend The Shadow and Scepter by Shawn McMichael and Timothy Manley to readers who enjoy reading historical fiction and fantasy stories set in ancient times. ― Saifunnissa Hassam, Reader's Favorite
"The Shadow and the Scepter delivers exactly what epic fantasy promises at its best. A wide, breathing world where multiple lives unfold separately before crashing together in a finale that feels both earned and unavoidable." ―Calvin Stewart, Author Unbroken Crown
Honestly, this felt like the kind of book I would have been obsessed with growing up...The battle scenes were especially well done and cinematic without becoming confusing, and that ending completely took me out. I need book 2 immediately. ―The Book Junkie, BookTok Influencer
"Homer would be proud....Great action sequences that remind me of John Gwynne's gritty writing style mixed with a TON of historical references, something reminiscent of Homer's The Odyssey." ―Ryan, Goodreads
Prepare yourself for a TON of world building within this book. It was beautifully descriptive with all of the weaving of mythology, lore, and different types of magic. ―Alana M Madison, BookTok Influencer
"Vádumir might be the most terrifying villain I've encountered in years...The Black Sea setting alone gives it an atmosphere you don't find in the usual European fantasy fare. Endymion is a refreshingly reluctant hero... But it's Vádumir who lingers long after you've closed the last page." ―Dave Knoer, Amazon Reviewer
"There's something magical about a fantasy novel that doesn't just build a world, it summons one....Every page felt layered with lore, prophecy, sacrifice, and the kind of adventure that makes you forget the world around you for a while... The atmosphere was rich, immersive, and beautifully heavy with destiny and danger." ― Zane, Goodreads
"Endymion is a refreshing main character because he is not the usual fearless warrior. He is a healer forced into danger, which made his growth feel earned." ― Sue, Goodreads Reviewer
"This book feels like classic fantasy told with a modern sense of pacing. The world of Méhns Móri is detailed without being overwhelming." ―A.D., Amazon Reviewer
"Vádumir is one of the most intimidating villains I've read in a long time. The sense of danger surrounding him is constant, and every scene feels loaded with tension." ―Yinf, Goodreads
"It feels grounded in history while still delivering grand fantasy elements. The Black Sea setting and Scythian influences make the world feel unique and alive." ―Nearb, Goodreads
"The Shadow and Scepter completely pulled me in with its mix of ancient myth, dark magic, and nonstop tension. The world feels old and scarred, as if every mountain and city is carrying the memory of some forgotten war." ―Sue, Goodreads
"This somehow managed to feel like a cozy epic fantasy, full of adventure, found family energy, battles, ancient legends, and that nostalgic feeling of getting completely lost in a fantasy world." ―Steph, Goodreads
"Having a healer as the protagonist in a world this brutal brings a brilliant dynamic to the story. Endymion isn't fighting for glory. Endymion is fighting for survival against Vädumir, who is easily one of the most menacing, genuinely terrifying villains I've read in years." ―Sonny, Amazon Reviewer
