A note:
Hero Rising is completely free to read. No strings attached.
Here's the honest truth about this book: it was my first completed novel, written between 2020 and 2024, and it shows. I was a novice writer who was eager to publish without doing the research first - and looking back from where I sit now in 2026, I can see clearly that this book doesn't reflect how I write today.
If I'm being straightforward with you, this book and its planned series probably should have stayed in the drawer. The series concept wasn't fleshed out well enough to sustain itself, and I've since shifted my focus to other projects entirely. There won't be a book two.
So why make it available at all?
Because it's part of the journey. Every writer has a first book. This one is mine - unpolished, imperfect, and a genuine snapshot of where I was when I was still figuring out how to do this. If you pick it up, go in knowing that. If you're a writer yourself, maybe there's something encouraging in seeing the early work of someone still learning their craft.
It's free because that feels right. Take it for what it is, nothing more and nothing less.
Synopsis:
In a world vibrant with magic, where elemental forces shape society and destinies, Holland Blackthorn stands alone. Devoid of any magical powers in a realm where such abilities are apart of everyday life, he has been scorned and branded a "voidborn," the lowest of the low in the Kingdom of Thalassar. His existence beneath the oppressive thumb of the noble class is a daily struggle for survival and dignity. But not all hope is lost for Holland. His path to ascendancy lies through the prestigious Valadent Academy, Success here means the chance to rise from his lowly status and become a Citizen, a position that promises life far removed from the scorn he currently endures. But first, he must secure his place by competing in the perilous Selection Day tournament—a brutal competition that could be his gateway to a new life.
As Holland navigates the trials leading to the academy, he forges alliances with a diverse cast of fellow competitors: outcasts, dreamers, and rebels. But the academy is more than it seems. It is a crucible where potential is tested, not just by academic trials, but through the cutthroat intrigues of those who seek to redefine the kingdom. And as Holland's journey unfolds, so too does a prophecy long whispered among the common folk—the legend of The Dawnbringer, a hero who will rise to challenge the iron grip of the nobility. Enemies lurk in every shadow, and the stakes are life-changing. Can Holland rise above the disdain of his birth to become the hero foretold, or will the weight of his origin and the machinations of his foes crush his nascent flame? Join Holland in "Hero Rising” Book 1 of The Dawnbringer Chronicles, where the fight for acceptance is entwined with the mysterious powers of a long-forgotten prophecy.
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