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Dawn: A dwarven story of creation
"A great battle brought two heavenly brothers into our existence."
The universe was created through conflicting forces of light and dark, and so it continues. War has ravaged Illuma throughout its history, and this collection of short stories gives readers a sneak peek at four pivotal moments.
If you enjoy the fast paced style, fantastic settings, and broad scope of these stories, look up my first novel in the Empire's Foundation trilogy, A Noble's Quest. It is available online in e-book format from the same site you found this anthology, or in paper back from createspace.
The sequel, A Wizard's Gambit, will be available early 2015.
The universe was created through conflicting forces of light and dark, and so it continues. War has ravaged Illuma throughout its history, and this collection of short stories gives readers a sneak peek at four pivotal moments.
If you enjoy the fast paced style, fantastic settings, and broad scope of these stories, look up my first novel in the Empire's Foundation trilogy, A Noble's Quest. It is available online in e-book format from the same site you found this anthology, or in paper back from createspace.
The sequel, A Wizard's Gambit, will be available early 2015.
83 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2013
4 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Toxopeus
13 books20 followersRyan Toxopeus, award winning writer of the Empire's Foundation fantasy trilogy, has been writing fantastic tales for two decades. His first award was received in university, when he entered a short story contest with a work of fiction that chronicled a Dutch resistance fighter in World War II, who was captured by the Nazis and put in a concentration camp. The story took first place, much to the surprise of the judges who said they were not used to seeing that quality of writing, especially from an engineering student. Although he loved writing, his schooling took him elsewhere, and he did not start writing seriously again until after the birth of his daughter. Since then, Ryan has published three novels (A Noble's Quest, A Wizard's Gambit, A Hero's Birth), two novellas (Demon Invasion, Dangers of Tensire), and several short stories both related to his larger fantasy world, and stand alone stories including Macimanito Môswa which won Honourable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest.
While writing, he keeps the mantra, "If I'm bored writing it, readers will be bored reading it," in mind. Thus his focus is on fast-paced action and intrigue. His world and plots are rich and complex, keeping readers guessing right until the end.
A Noble's Quest is Ryan Toxopeus' first full length novel in the epic fantasy Empire's Foundation trilogy. It follows two lumberjacks, Thomas and Sarentha, and a noble woman named Eliza as they try to uncover a terrifying truth. It is available in paper back and e-book formats on Amazon.
My short story 1100 Before Gods' War (BGW) hit #1 on Amazon's Free 30-minute SFF category! It's about a minotaur farmer who questions her leader's right to rule.
Demon Invasion is a novella about the backstory for Glezxnodin, the main antagonist from A Wizard's Gambit.
Book 2, A Wizard's Gambit, sees the characters take on more responsibility within the Tamorran Empire, while outside forces threaten to wipe them out, and an undead plague breaks out in the capital.
Dawn: A dwarven story of creation is a collection of short stories with a mythological leaning. It examines the first four chapters of the dwarven Holy Book, with related short stories for each chapter. The themes for each story vary widely, adding to the history of Illuma, where the Empire's Foundation trilogy takes place.
A Hero's Birth is the final book in the Empire's Foundation trilogy. It starts with the trio going their separate ways to learn more about themselves and the world they live in. When they come together again, it's with a mission to defeat an ancient foe and reclaim their lost homeland.
Upcoming works include the first book in the Strongblade Siblings series, A Queen's Edict. I also have a few short stories I'm working on.
While writing, he keeps the mantra, "If I'm bored writing it, readers will be bored reading it," in mind. Thus his focus is on fast-paced action and intrigue. His world and plots are rich and complex, keeping readers guessing right until the end.
A Noble's Quest is Ryan Toxopeus' first full length novel in the epic fantasy Empire's Foundation trilogy. It follows two lumberjacks, Thomas and Sarentha, and a noble woman named Eliza as they try to uncover a terrifying truth. It is available in paper back and e-book formats on Amazon.
My short story 1100 Before Gods' War (BGW) hit #1 on Amazon's Free 30-minute SFF category! It's about a minotaur farmer who questions her leader's right to rule.
Demon Invasion is a novella about the backstory for Glezxnodin, the main antagonist from A Wizard's Gambit.
Book 2, A Wizard's Gambit, sees the characters take on more responsibility within the Tamorran Empire, while outside forces threaten to wipe them out, and an undead plague breaks out in the capital.
Dawn: A dwarven story of creation is a collection of short stories with a mythological leaning. It examines the first four chapters of the dwarven Holy Book, with related short stories for each chapter. The themes for each story vary widely, adding to the history of Illuma, where the Empire's Foundation trilogy takes place.
A Hero's Birth is the final book in the Empire's Foundation trilogy. It starts with the trio going their separate ways to learn more about themselves and the world they live in. When they come together again, it's with a mission to defeat an ancient foe and reclaim their lost homeland.
Upcoming works include the first book in the Strongblade Siblings series, A Queen's Edict. I also have a few short stories I'm working on.
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November 4, 2016
This one is a perfect example of why you should never judge a book by its cover!
I have now read everything that Toxopeus has published, and this one is definitely my favorite! The stories within this book are full of rich characters (as well as wonderful dwarven surnames) and details.
Interspersed between the four tales within this book, is the "Book of Throkden" - a dwarven holy book, which reads like the Genesis account of Creation.
My favorite of the stories has to be the story of Jessica "Lightning" Gordon (perhaps the most common name that Toxopeus has used!) who is sent on a quest, by the necromancer Xenobia, to find Fyuhrlhen - the halls where life was first created... an amazing, intense story!
I have now read everything that Toxopeus has published, and this one is definitely my favorite! The stories within this book are full of rich characters (as well as wonderful dwarven surnames) and details.
Interspersed between the four tales within this book, is the "Book of Throkden" - a dwarven holy book, which reads like the Genesis account of Creation.
My favorite of the stories has to be the story of Jessica "Lightning" Gordon (perhaps the most common name that Toxopeus has used!) who is sent on a quest, by the necromancer Xenobia, to find Fyuhrlhen - the halls where life was first created... an amazing, intense story!
Displaying 1 of 1 review