Xerxes Ascendant

House Epsilon Duology #2

by Adelaide Blaike

Things aren’t looking good.

Xerxes, the last refuge for humanity’s survivors, is in pieces. Tens of thousands are dead, and countless others have vanished under suspicious circumstances.

Everyone wants something from the Master of House Epsilon: his body, his credits, his co-operation…and most certainly, his head.

But most heartbreakingly, Akira's secrets have shattered his chances with the man he loves. How can he make amends when Kyle won’t even speak to him?

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The House Epsilon Duology is a futuristic fantasy MM romance featuring a boss/employee relationship, sunshine Dom + the competent bad-ass who subs for him, sex workers (portrayed in a positive light), floating cities, magic runes, plots and conspiracies, the usual levels of smut, kink, and banter, and far too many 1980s song references.

Xerxes Ascendant is the second and final book in this duology. Recommended for adults only; reader discretion is advised.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, M M Romance, BDSM

479 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2025

Reviews

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5***** stars


What a wild ride, what an epic journey, what an intriguing world the author built here and what a satisfying solution to it all.

“He loves you both so much.” “And we love him.” Sarah’s face eased back into the original warm smile. “There is room in a heart for more than one love, Kyle. Adding more does not diminish the love already felt for others. It just... calls on a different piece of that heart.”

DUET HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I’m looking forward to the short story the author promised her newsletter subscribers for September.

***************
House Epsilon Duology

Book 1 - Xerxes Descendant - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - Xerxes Ascendant - 4.5 stars

[Claire Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

What a fabulous follow-up to book one. I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters.

[Joanie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"So, naturally, they compromised…and Akira did as Kyle wanted."

The ride these poor boys go through from start to finish... I could barely catch my own breath reading through it! Their HEA is so so hard earned and well deserved.

It's so hard to write the review I want to write without giving spoilers... or at least too many 😉
So, at least for now:

Indira is the shit

All Kyle's cats are alive and well (cause obviously, this is the most important piece of information of all)

Kyle domming Akira is hotter than ever

Misha is as enticing and distracting as ever

Curly red-haired grandma types are fucking terrifying

Yes, Kyle's musical tastes have remained unchanged, and yes, they've rubbed off on Akira. Prepare to be amused.

Just... go read it. Seriously.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Adelaide has proven herself to be a truly gifted author. She has crafted something magical and utterly delightful to read. I can hand on heart say that I loved every minute of this journey. I’m just sad now that it’s well and truly over… after only two books.

This book does not stop. It is relentless in both happy moments and sad. After the intense cliffhanger we are left with in Descendant, this book takes off with a running start and quite simply does not let up. It is brutally constructed with each and every word well chosen to keep you needing to read faster and faster to reach a moment of reprieve which will never come.

There is pain and pleasure, joy and despair, calm and anxiety all bundled into one in this remarkable science fantasy imagining of a world filled with whores and their clients. This book carries so much weight and pressure just because of the sensitive, taboo topics it is trying to (and succeeding in) expressing for the enjoyment of its readers.

Kyle and Akira remain true to themselves in this book, as do other characters we have met along the way. One particular character (you’ll have to read to find out who) does a surprising u-turn. It is a testament to Adelaide’s writing to see her craft a character who you can sometimes hate, sometimes root for. Incredible.

The plot was, as I have mentioned, ruthless and relentless. There was no mid-book slump. We’re dealing with the betrayal of Theta, the anger of the Mackenroths, the million-credit debt… not to mention the impending fall of the last flying city, humanity’s last civilisation. There’s a lot to cram into a book and it seems that Adelaide has set herself the impossible task of cleanly answering every dilemma we experience while also giving us glimmers of peace in the moments where we truly get to see our beloved characters really shine.

I found myself torn at moments, between a very visceral need to read faster, and this weird compulsion to put the book down and digest what I had read. I took my time in reading her book this time, there was no racing to the finish line, I savoured every moment and I’m so glad I did, because the payoff was huge. This book will remain in my memory for a long time, and I will pick it up again, we will meet as old friends.

Thank you, Adelaide.

[Bluviolet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xerxes Ascendent is an incredibly satisfying conclusion to the House Epsilon duology. If you've read the first book, you know what you are getting into--a dark, gritty world, cruel people abusing positions of power, and our main characters, Kyle and Epsilon, just trying to survive and love each other despite it all. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book to readers who love romantic fantasy or science fiction. The duology really balances the romance and plot in a way I think few books do, while also having a really refreshing take on unconventional family and romantic relationships. Because of this, the House Epsilon duology is one of my top reads in the past couple of years. Blaike's writing is both well edited and a delight, and I can't wait to see what she writes next. At this point, I don't have to read the summary or try the sample--her books are an instant buy for me.

Content warnings/spoilers: If you were okay with everything in the first book, I doubt anything in this one will bother you. I actually thought things were a bit toned down compared to the first volume. If the cheating plot in the first book concerned you, don't worry about it in book two. It is resolved quickly.

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been anxiously awaiting the conclusion to this story since I finished book 1 and screamed. A lot. Luckily, Blaike doesn't draw out that particular cliffhanger for too long; instead, she hits readers with the expected and well-deserved emotional angst that was sure to follow certain revelations and actions. Kyle and Akira both walk a difficult road to find their way back to each other, but Akira does the work to deserve a second chance, and Kyle more than deserves a happily ever after. He even gives chances to those who might not be so deserving, which Blaike ties neatly into the external conflict elements of this story. She deftly balances the characters' immediate needs with the overarching dilemma facing the floating city of Xerxes, giving them appropriate roles in the bigger picture while staying true to what she has already established about them. This epic conclusion was more than satisfying, and I wouldn't mind another visit to this world with other members of House Epsilon.

Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful conclusion to the House Epsilon duology! In this book, the lower half of Xerxes is still in danger from itself and the Mayor's control in the upper half. Akira and Kyle are strengthening their relationship and dynamic, but opponents, betrayal, and death stalk them at every turn. Even those in the Coterie cannot be trusted and the underworld gangs continue to threaten. Akira and Kyle are survivors to know how to fight, endure, and outwit. They have a beautiful love that is proven in its depth and commitment over and over again. Their hard-won HEA is a triumph. I recommend this to anyone who appreciates detailed world-building and believable characters in a dystopian, alternate version of Earth.

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, there is so much going on. Kyle and Akira find themselves jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire and other less than pleasant places.
With welcome side characters and cats all playing their part it’s not just the MCs that save the day.
The good guys are not all good and the bad guys are not all bad (although they would nearly all have you believe otherwise).
Almost unputdownable (damn you, sleep and work).

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great second book with a very satisfying ending. Politically interesting too (yeah I know we don't expect that from spicy scifi but I thought there were some very interesting points). Couldn't help but love the way Akira defines family and mariage, he takes care of the people he loves, it's as simple as that

[Anastasiia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still pretty freaking good, but it didn’t hit quite as hard as the first one.

There were one too many twists and turns, and while the ending was sweet (and they deserved it), I wasn’t fully sold. That whole mayor bit? Yeah, it bugged me.

But credit where it’s due: the character dynamics are still top-tier, and the political intrigue in this one hits in a whole different, delicious way.

[Aluren · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a ride!

Was on the edge of my seat for most of this book. Could not put it down. Love these characters and their whole dynamic. The spice was awesome. The banter was awesome. The action was amazing. Definitely recommend

[JJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Katherine Argyriou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyle is my dad(dy)