Rise of the Nemesis: Dragons, Demigods, and Destiny

by Paolo Danese

He embraced the dragon's power to save himself. Now he must conquer his own darkness before it consumes both worlds.

Exiled to the dying world of Taytos, Boren, a fallen champion, faces a brutal choice: succumb to despair or forge a pact with a ruthless dragonlord. Empowered as the Nemesis, he becomes a weapon of unimaginable fury, hunting down the tyrannical demigods who rule this desolate land. His claws tear through flesh, his fire breath incinerates armies, and his every victory pushes him closer to the abyss.

But as Boren's vengeance unleashes chaos, a chilling truth emerges: the fate of his homeworld, Komad, is intertwined with Taytos' destiny. While Boren battles monstrous creatures and unravels ancient prophecies, his friends Deuc, a priest grappling with a shattered faith, and Feridun, a battle-scarred warrior-mage, confront a rising tide of corruption that threatens to shatter their kingdom. A traitor lurks in the shadows, wielding forbidden magic to unleash a power that could doom both worlds.

"Rise of the Nemesis" is a dark epic fantasy for readers who crave brutal action, morally gray characters, and worlds where hope is a flickering ember. If you love the gritty realism of Joe Abercrombie and the intricate world-building of Brandon Sanderson, prepare to be consumed by a story that will linger long after the final page.

What Readers Are Saying:

"A story with the makings of an epic series. I’m absolutely hooked and can't put it down!" - Audrey

"Well written, a great read." - LibraryThing Early Reviewer

"A thrilling journey through a richly imagined universe, blending adventure, mystery, and cosmic stakes. A must-read for fans of science fiction and fantasy." - LibraryThing Early Reviewer

Genres: Fantasy

621 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2024

About the author

Paolo Danese is a trailblazer in media and publishing, with over a decade of experience transforming the landscape of digital content creation and distribution.

As the founder of Storya, he developed a publishing app that empowered creators worldwide, fostering a diverse and inclusive community. His deep passion for storytelling is evident in his previous works, including the YA epic fantasy "Path of the Guardian."

In "Rise of the Nemesis", Paolo brings his globe-spanning experiences and passion for epic fantasy to bear in crafting a thrilling entry in the Portal Wars Universe. The book marks the start of a dark, epic new fantasy series. Follow Paolo's journey and explore more of his innovative work on his [Substack](https://paolodanese.substack.com/) and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolodanese).

Reviews

[Madissen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I can’t remember the last time I was this engrossed in a book since I read Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. The world building was well explained and immersive. The settings were immersive and vivid! The characters had unique personalities and solid backstories. There’s also dragons which is always a bonus! The plot was incredibly engaging and the battle scenes were well written! This gave me Brandon Sanderson vibes. Overall, this was a great read and I would highly recommend it! (May add more as I get my thoughts together)

~ A special thank you to the author for the ARC 😊 ~

[stephanie cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragons and Demigods? Count me in! This book is a must-read for anyone who adores fantasy, sci-fi, and, of course, dragons. Danese delivers an immersive experience with rich details that make the plot both engaging and easy to follow. The chemistry between the characters and dragons is brilliantly crafted, drawing readers deep into the heart of the dragon genre. The vivid battle scenes are nothing short of breathtaking, and the magic system is intricately designed yet accessible, ensuring a captivating read from start to finish.

[Alyssa Estep · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 years ago, a devastation occurred when Taytos attacked Komad with dark magic, leaving imprints that shaped Komad in the present day. After the supreme is attacked, the emperor begins his descent into the lands to eliminate magic. A party of 3 Deuc, Feridun, and Daiel are trying everything in their power to uncover the darkness that attacked the supreme and eliminate the roots of this magic all before the imperials find them. Meanwhile Boren who is trapped on Taytos is called upon by dragons that are in hiding – he is given a “gift” and sent out to destroy the demigods that have taken over the world and exiled them.

Rise of the Nemesis is a detailed depiction of 2 worlds that are tethered together. It leaves so much to the imagination while giving you just enough to keep you hanging on to every word that is written. The world building is phenomenal, the attention to detail gives a beautiful illustration of the world the author is trying to create. The plot and characters kept me coming back for more, pulling me deeper into the story with every page I read. I can’t wait to read more books from Paolo Danese.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pam K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received Rise of the Nemesis from LibraryThing for free, in return for an honest review.
I couldn't connect with the story. I don't know why. The story was fine, the main characters likable, and writing style was fine (except for a good many typos throughout the book).
The characters just seemed too naive. They were great warriors who already fought a war. So how could they be so open to strangers, when the stakes were so high.

[Audrey Ruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great choice for fantasy and sci-fi lovers. It is as if the two genres are twisted together but kept separate at the same time. There are EPIC scenes of battles and magic filled with amazing details that bring the story to life. I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it for a good read!