The Cruelty of Gods

The Cruel Origins, Book 2

By: Shawn Amick

Narrated by: Jaymie Greives

A young woman of silver skin takes on a new identity, one born from death.

Following the descent of the gods of Kaiyara, the runic sorceress Kyra toils away carving runes into anywhere she can to learn the secrets necessary to save her friends. She hides from the world in a cavern with a magical spring, Turmin of Runefall—who is rapidly and uncontrollably aging—and a creature made of pure fire.

Rumors spread across the land of a growing army, one meant to resist the growing tyranny of gods and goddesses. Meanwhile, the former dwarven king Grunffi reckons with his mistakes, vowing to find the wife he abandoned on the mountainside with his maker beside him.

Varelia and Groff follow the warish commands of the Shackled Maiden to an underground city of necromancy, but something is strange, something is off. This city doesn’t seem to be what they were told, and now the summoner and her golem must reconcile the truth of all summoning magic and its connection to the world.

This war between gods and goddesses has one inevitable end—blood.

©2025 Conquest Publishing (P)2026 Conquest Publishing

Gary's Fantastic Review !

THE NARRATOR IS ABSOLUTRLY FANTASTIC, AND MUST CONTINUE FOR THE REMAINDER OF YOUR WRITING CAREER!!!!!! <3 p.s. you did a wonderful job writing the book Shawn !

War Is Coming

I thought the first book in this series was great, but this book was even better. The worldbuilding was complicated, and I was impressed with the magical systems. I felt like I knew the characters better as many were introduced in the first book, and I enjoyed the different characters' arcs. I liked some of the newer characters also. I appreciated the flashes of humor provided by the dialogue. I enjoyed Jaymie Greives' narration as her performance was entertaining. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.