When the sirens wail and the world goes dark, Rayn Aeternus shepherds her students into a school hall, and into a new reality ruled by luminous Eternals.
Among strangers who become family - Bedelia with silver eyes, Vaxton with autumn storm gaze, Evon whose touch glows like gold - Rayn learns who she really is, and what she is truly capable of.
Factions plot, queens in velvet smile with knives, and the river remembers every vow.
Beginning as an urban fantasy set in the near future, Initium sets the board, exploring how every decision on this cosmic chessboard challenges determination, sense of self, and ability to love amidst hardship.
Not an ordinary post-apocalyptic fantasy, Initium is a story about adaptation, a love that refuses to break, and the ultimate cost of freedom told within a blend of urban fantasy, paranormal, science fiction, mystery, suspense, and magical realism, backed up by a slow-burn open door non explicit romantic subplot.
Featuring aerial angel warriors, immortals, and morally driven protagonists who are willing to blur black and white to fight to the end for those they believe in.
This is a story of wings and rain, of found family and impossible choices, an adult romance for anyone who believes the heart can change a universe.
A battle between choice and destiny that spans across the ages.
A journey of self-discovery.
Of the bonds that give us hope.
And the true cost of protecting those you love.
Review :
Reviews from Initium, Book 1 of The Ascended Series
Eric Engle
Clear compelling writing in a romantic adventure with super beings.
Apocalyptica meets fantasy world with superbeings The Eternals. Clean heroic adventure romance. Well written, here's an example: "The rich aroma of coffee pulls me from the warm comfort of sleep. I sit up, rubbing my eyes and stretching my arms above my head. A breeze chills my skin, and I pull the sheet up, wrapping it over my chest, propping myself against the pillows. I hold my hands out, twitching my fingers." That's good writing because it really recounts the sensory experiences in a clear and compelling way. Good typography and layout." Not explicit, more saucy than spicy, leaves things left unsaid so it's not gonna make parents rage if their not so innocent as they think teen daughter gets swept up in the action. Audience 14-25 if you ask me. No express political bias, just people caught up in a world gone wild. Might be gnostic influenced. If romance heroism and a world of new challenges are your thing then read on in!
Kelly Powell
A Vivid Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy You Won't Forget!
From the moment the "light came," I was hooked (and this is very early on in the book!). The author's depiction of a world abruptly emptied of people feels both unsettling and completely immersive. Deserted cities and landscapes, the strange silence of a once-busy world; it all builds an apocalyptic atmosphere that's vivid, haunting, and beautifully described. You don't usually picture Australia as the setting for the end of the world, but this book makes it feel natural, believable, and uniquely Aussie. The little details sprinkled throughout are ones locals will definitely appreciate. The worldbuilding is intricate and layered, yet delivered in a way that never feels overwhelming. You're guided, never lost...as Rayn uncovers the truth about herself, the Eternals, and her place in a new world where the rules have changed. And the romance? I'm a sucker for a fated mates (two!) trope, and this one absolutely delivered. The slow-burn tension between Rayn and Evon is delicious, emotional, and grounded in a story that's bigger than just the romance itself. It's open-door but non-explicit, which suits the tone perfectly. Rayn as an FMC is everything I love; strong, determined, vulnerable in the right moments, and constantly evolving. Her journey is one of resilience and rediscovery, and her reflections often stopped me in my tracks. One part that really stayed with me: "It is pointless to dwell on regrets. The past is beyond my control to change. My only option is to learn from it, to make those mistakes count. Before me is a clean slate. With brand new rules in play, I am no longer restricted to the game piece I have been using so far. True peace will not be found if I allow myself to be a pawn in someone else's game." The twists throughout kept me on edge, and that ending hit me right in the feels, I genuinely didn't see it coming. Emotional, suspenseful, romantic, and rich with fantasy elements, this story truly has it all. If you enjoy apocalyptic fantasy with heart, complex worldbuilding, a strong heroine, and a swoony fated-mates connection, this is absolutely worth picking up. I cannot wait to read book two. Thank you to the author and The Naughty Nook for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
