Scions and Shadows (Volume 1)

The first three books are in Scions and Shadows, plus bonus content!

IN AHNLISEN, OLD GODS PLOT REVENGE on those that displaced them, hidden cities hold ancient secrets, kings and priests vie for control of powerful relics, forgotten realms rise from ashes, spies and assassins of murky loyalties operate from the shadows, rebels and revolutionaries covertly arm themselves for discord, and oracles and scryers predict the rebirth of fallen immortals. The world of SCIONS AND SHADOWS is one of magic and intrigue, spanning centuries of political conspiracies, divine machinations and conflicts of ethics, morality, and conscience. Swords and spells clash chaotically, forcing people to decide between what they want, and what is right. SCIONS AND SHADOWS is a series of novels and novellas that share the same universe. There is an overarching plot, but each book can be read as a stand-alone and in any order. They are listed below in chronological order.

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CURIOSITY AND THE CAT OF THE IMPERIAL CAPITAL (#0.1) - A short story set several hundred years before the events of Shades and Silver. Winner of "Best Worldbuilding" Award for the Campfire Writing Story Seed Competition. (Original pub: July 2024)

SHADES AND SILVER (#0.5) - An anthology about healing, hope, disability, and identity in the land of the Ástfríður. Finalist for the 2023 Indie Ink Awards "Best Disability Representation by a Disabled Author." (Original pub: Feb. 2021)

STARS AND SOIL (#1) - An epic political fantasy novel about revolution, agency, and the difference between accepting change and being a force for change. Finalist for the 2024 Indie Ink Awards for "Best Gay and Lesbian Representation" and "Best Disability Representation by a Disabled Author." (Original pub: Oct. 2023)

SCORCHED SCARS (#1.5) - An adventure fantasy novella following three revolutionaries as they search for their missing comrade as the countryside goes up in flames. (Original pub: January 2024)

SMOKE AND STEEL (#2) - An epic sword and sandal novel about healing from trauma, overcoming your faults, and unearthing ancient history. (Original pub: May 2024)

Bonus Content: Additional short stories (The Qatu with No Name, Daughter of the Desert, The Temple of the Stars; all of which have previously been bundled together as an anthology titled Shrouded Sight, originally published July 2024), character profiles, and lore articles.

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Please see author's website for complete content warnings or read the content warnings at the start of each story. General warning for violence, assault, consumption of alcohol, abuse, execution, civil unrest, emotional manipulation, and major character death.

Original Release for Omnibus Edition: October 2024.

Read A Sample: https://read.daxmurray.com/sample/scions-omnibus

Cover Art for Scions and Shadows Volume 1: Dax Murray (photos: deposit photos)

Interior Illustrations: Liz Sauco (Symbols of the Gods), Vanessa Issoton (Character Portraits), Etheric Tales (Chapter Headers in Stars and Soil), Dax Murray (Maps)

Page Count: 990 pages

Word Count: 295,666