The Rise of Haduwas

The Hades Chronicles #1

by Amanda L. Rautio

Left behind in a great migration, a prince is condemned by false omens and sent into the Underworld by priests who are shaping the kingdom's future through a second, favoured bloodline.

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In a remote bronze age village at the edge of his father's kingdom, he's spent years cut off from court, orders, and certainty of his father's rule. The King has remarried into the house of priests, binding the future of the kingdom to their chosen line. For the priests, Haduwas is not a forgotten son but the one remaining obstacle to that future. When Haduwas returns to the city of his father, the priests offer him only one path forward: descend into the Underworld, return with a relic of divine favour, or disappear into obscurity.

But the Underworld does not test strength. It judges the soul. And no man who enters the Underworld is meant to return.

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Epic Historical Fantasy meets Mythological Retelling in Bronze Age-inspired political fantasy about a principled heir confronting succession politics, divine law, and a system designed to replace him. Perfect for readers of Circe and mythic Bronze Age fantasy traditions with echoes of Elric of Melnibone.

ebook

Expected publication May 19, 2026

About the author

Amanda L. Rautio is a fantasy author from Banff, AB, with a background in Classical History and English Literature. She began crafting her imaginative worlds at the age of fourteen and continues to weave tales rich with mythology and symbolism. When she’s not writing, Amanda enjoys black [decaf] coffee, immersing herself in books, spending time with her pet snakes, and cherishing moments with her supportive fiancé, her very own pillar of Heracles.

Reviews

[Diamanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello, people!
First of all, let me mention that this book is the first book in the series The Hades Chronicles.
I have one thing to say. I went crazy because I love mythology, customs and traditions, traditions and history. This book is a mixture of these.
The world building is fantastic, unique and rich. The flow is good and relatively fast. The story captivates you and invites you to immerse yourself in it, and the characters are well-written and have depth.
Finally, the author's writing is captivating, enjoyable, emotional, exciting, shocking, direct, rich, lyrical at times, cinematic and understandable.
I can't wait for the sequel!

Thank you very much to the author and Iris PR for the eARC!

This is my honest review!

[Dear Reader]

DNF at 30%
i had such high hopes for this, but it personally wasn't for me
i felt as if nothing was happening in the story and that there were no stakes
at no point was i interested in the story
also, the writing just wasn't for me
as someone who absolutely loves and adores lyrical writing, i felt that this leaned heavily on purple prose (i would maybe even call it purple prose but i'm not a professional so who am i to judge)
it just felt like the author was trying WAY too hard with the writing, to the point where it would take me out of the story because i needed to think for a second to realise what the author was trying to say
and none of the deaths even remotely affected me
just not a book for me ig

[Brita Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left behind in a great migration, a prince is condemned by false omens and sent into the Underworld by priests who are shaping the kingdom's future through a second, favoured bloodline.

In a remote bronze age village at the edge of his father's kingdom, Haduwas has spent years cut off from court, orders, and certainty of his father's rule. The King has remarried into the house of priests, binding the future of the kingdom to their chosen line. For the priests, Haduwas is not a forgotten son but the one remaining obstacle to that future. When Haduwas returns to the city of his father, the priests offer him only one path forward: descend into the Underworld, return with a relic of divine favour, or disappear into obscurity.

But the Underworld does not test strength. It judges the soul. And no man who enters the Underworld is meant to return.

Tropes: Left Behind, Migration, Prince, Condemned, False Omens, Sent into the Underworld, Priests, Shaping the Kingdom’s Future, Second/Favoured Bloodline, Remote Bronze Age Kingdom, Prince has been Cut off From the Court/Orders/Father’s Rules, King’s Remarried into the Priest’s Chosen Line, Prince Suddenly Returns to King’s City, Priest’s Offer the Prince 1 Path Forward, Descent into The Underworld, Return with A Relic, Divine Favour, Disappear into Obscurity, Underworld Doesn’t test Strength, Judges the Soul, No Man entering the Underworld is Meant to Ever Return, Epic Historical Fantasy x Mythological Retelling, Bronze Age-Inspired Political Fantasy, Succession, Politics, Divine Law, Mythic Bronze Age Fantasy, Traditions, Gods and Goddess’s.

The Rise of Haduwas is the 1st book in The Hades Chronicles by Amanda L. Rautio. This is an Epic Historical Fantasy meets Mythological Retelling in Bronze Age-inspired political fantasy about a principled heir confronting succession politics, divine law, and a system designed to replace him. Perfect for readers of Circe and mythic Bronze Age fantasy traditions with echoes of Elric of Melnibone.

When I was offered the chance to read this book, I will admit that I jumped at the opportunity as I love mythology, customs, traditions, and history. And Rise of Haduwas is the perfect blend of all of these.

Amanda did such a phenomenal job in her world-building. This is such a stunning, unique, and rich world. The flow of the story is so breathtaking and Amanda manages to keep the pacing steady and fast.

The storyline absolutely enthralls you and Amanda invites you to immerse yourself in not only this world but also in the story, the history, the mythology, customs, and traditions. And the characters, the characters themselves are so perfectly developed, they are well rounded, they feel real and authentic and through the story they have the room to grow and develop. And as you walk the story with Haduwas and all the other characters you feel all their emotions as they feel them. You laugh and cry right along with them. The primary and secondary characters are so well written and have such an amazing depth and you know there is so much more for them to come.

This was the first book of Amanda’s that I have ever read, and I have to say that I just feel in love with it. Amanda’s writing is so captivating, enthralling, enjoyable, emotional, exciting, shocking, direct, rich, lyrical, cinematic and it’s so easy to understand and you never feel lost or unable to follow what’s happening in the story. Amanda has perfectly created the perfect storyline, the plot and sub-plot.

The brutal and fatal journey that Haduwas and those who follow him to his father’s city is one I thought couldn’t be beaten. And you can tell through this journey that Haduwas doesn’t see himself as a hero, he doesn’t see himself as anything other than a prince who is just trying to do what’s best for his people.

Then after arriving at his father’s city, his story just continues to get more and more twisty but it remains so very relatable. Even as the priests that Haduwas’s father has surrounded himself with tell Haduwas that he has one of two choices. He can either descend into the underworld and retrive a relic or he can leave and disappear.

Honestly, I found it rather refreshing to read a book where the God’s and Goddess’s actually stepped in and became an intricate part and a direct player in Haduwas’s journey, rather than just staying these invisible beings that we as readers should just pretend are there. (That’s something that I am so tired of.)

Then there’s the language that Amanda uses. Now normally it is so easy for an author to fall into this heavy, hard to follow voice, and often we as readers have to re-read portions of the book several times in order to understand it. What Amanda’s done here is beautiful, she’s written something so perfectly easy to understand, it’s refined and accessible and that alone helps to make this book such a delightful read and I can’t wait to move into the next book.

If you love detailed lore, historical-style storytelling, deep world histories, stunning historical fantasy, bronze age Mesopotamia, myths, Gods, Goddess’s, Hades x Peresphone and a mix of Hercules then you’ve been searching for The Rise of Haduwas and I highly recommend this book. You’re going to find it hard to put it down.

My favorite quote from this book was:

May the reader enter as I once entered the sealed chamber: with dust in the lungs, torch in hand, and the weight of the forgotten pressing close.

[Ivy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I want to give big thanks to @iris.influencer.society and author @themythosmith
for honoring me with the opportunity to read the ARC of The Rise of Haduwas!

This epic fantasy follows a prince fighting to prove his right to the throne through trials that lead him deep into the Underworld itself. The story blends mythology, ancient world intrigue, and the struggle between legacy and becoming the ruler a kingdom truly needs.

I've always been a mythology fan! I had certain expectations going into this book, but I never thought Amanda L. Rautio would hold me captive to the pages of her book and leave me wanting... no, needing the story to continue! The worldbuilding is immaculate and so easy to envision. The journey of the reluctant hero, Haduwas, is twisty but relatable. And on top of it all, it feels extremely refreshing to see the Gods and Goddesses become directly involved in Haduwas's journey, instead of being invisible deities that the reader should just assume to be there. One last thing that I really want to mention is the language the author uses. It's so easy for mythology authors to fall into the depths of heavy prose, often making readers re-read sentences multiple times. This isn't the case here! The language is equal parts refined and accessible, which made the book delightful to read!

If epic fantasy and ancient worlds are your thing, keep this one on your radar!

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rise of Haduwas was an interesting blend of historical fantasy and mythology that pulled me in with its atmosphere and political tension.

The Bronze Age-inspired setting gave the story a unique feel compared to a lot of fantasy books I normally read, and I really enjoyed the mythology woven throughout the story — especially the Underworld elements and the way fate, power, and succession shaped everything around Haduwas.

Haduwas as a character carried a lot of emotional weight throughout the story. Being pushed aside, isolated from his birthright, and forced into an impossible situation made his journey feel compelling from the beginning.

The political tension and the pressure surrounding divine favor and prophecy added another layer that kept the story moving, while the mythology aspects gave it a darker and more immersive atmosphere.

This felt like a slower, more world-building focused fantasy, but it worked well for the story being told and made me curious to see where the series will go next.

If you enjoy:
⚔️ Historical fantasy
🏛️ Mythological retellings
🔥 Underworld journeys
👑 Political tension & succession drama
🌑 Atmospheric world building

then this may be a book worth checking out.

⭐️ 4/5
🔥 2.5/5
🌶️ 1/5
💧 3/5

Thank you to the author and Iris Influencer Society for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Severine Bambang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Iris influencer and author for this eARC. This is my honest review and I did it voluntarily.

First of all, I'm not familiar with Sumerian mythology, so I'm intrigued with the premise because it's always good to learn something new.

Second, there are no MCs, only MMC. So it is quite a different PoV for my reading habit. A refreshment actually.

But, even with a single PoV sometimes the story is hard to follow. Mainly because some terms are used repeatedly but out of context. For example: Brother. Sometimes I have to think about which brother Haduwas means this time. His actual brother or brothers from the camp?

The other thing is, I find it is hard to see the importance of some characters. It looks like some people are introduced into the story, then the author said he/her is important then just put aside.
IMHO, the main story itself is clear and direct, but I think the characterization for side characters could be better. But perhaps we will get a clearer background story for those characters in the next book.

On the bright side, the journey to the underworld is something that I enjoyed too much. Sometimes the trial looks simple, but it has deeper meaning. Weight of the world? Brilliant.

Bonus: if you are a dog lover, you'll surely love the dog appearance.

[jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ || adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

May the reader enter as I once entered the sealed chamber: with dust in the lungs, torch in hand, and the weight of the forgotten pressing close.

An epic reimagining of a Greek myth but set in the Bronze Era, The Rise of Haduwas was a captivating read from start to finish. The author was brilliant in establishing the world and its cultures, the pacing well structured enough that it came as a shock to me that it wasn't even 300 pages long. I appreciated that the myth retold was well embedded in the Bronze Era setting - it took a while for me to realize what and who the myth was talking about, and while it did speed things up for my brain to connect what I know from the Greek myth to the new tale the book was weaving, it created a world so different yet as enticing (and sometimes even more so) that it was such a different experience all around.

I also enjoyed how the myth was subverted, tackling issues that I had from previous retellings in a unique way. I do think it would have been more enjoyable had there been a little more breathing room between the plots, to let each of the scenes take a pause and have the dust settle before moving to the next. Clearly, the book can spare the space, so let the story breathe and fill it.

Overall, a fantastic read that I definitely recommend.

Big thanks to the publisher for providing me this ARC via NetGalley. All quotes are taken from the uncorrected proof. This does not in any shape or form influence my review on this book.

[Beth Rosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

Mild spoiler below

I enjoyed this, but it took a while for me to get hooked. I thought about DNFing, but I'm actually glad I persevered through it.

I've seen other reviewers comment on Greek mythology. Whilst there are some crossovers, this is not that. This is based on the ancient Bronze Age mythology of the Hittites, which was very interesting. It even made me go and look up some of the lore surrounding the deities and places mentioned. The author even helpfully cited some sources at the back of the book for those that want to know more about the lands and cultures of Anatolia.

This is a tragedy and a tragic story, but it does have a happy ending. However, I don't think the gods are done with Haduwas, and I'm looking forward to reading more about what his journey will look like going forward, especially his relationship with the gods that he has encountered.

I like that the gods are not absent in this book, but they play an active role in the plot and character development of Haduwas.

[Panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Amanda L. Rautio and Iris Influencer Society for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this book.

This is Book 1 of The Hades Chronicles.

Triggers
Death
Corrupt Religion
Bias
Family Abandonment

Tropes
Epic Fantasy
Bronze Age Mythology
Trial
Pilgrimage

Spice
0/5

“You will fail the task, but win the real prize.” - Parasuwa (the God)

To omit is to condemn to silence, and silence is a second death.

An amazing Bronze-Age epic fantasy! Haduwas overcame so many trials and tribulations, but came out a better man in the end. He gained knowledge and friendships during said trials. After the trials broke my heart. I loved the world-building and mythological aspects of this book and can’t wait for book 2!

[Heather Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great historical fantasy. You get a great blend of the Bronze Age Mesopotamia history, myths of these people, the gods they worshiped, and a fun sprinkle of powers from the gods at play which creates that splash of fantasy.

The characters she creates are rich in detail, emotions and background. The relationships she makes feel deep and genuine. I loved the flow and pace of this storytelling and was drawn in instantly.

I found my self curious throughout and wondering what would happen next, which kept me up late into the night reading. Definitely want to read more from the author.

This would be great for those that love Hades x Persephone with a mix of Hercules.

[Jess Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Amanda Rautio and the publisher for my ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was super intrigued by the summary of this book and the overall premise. I thought it started off in a really interesting way with the translator notes and the fact that each chapter is a tablet. It helped immerse me in the story and brought me way back in the past.

I loved the poetic writing style at the beginning as well, and it made me really excited, but I quickly realized that the rest of the book wasn’t written in this way. It had a more state-of-fact tone that felt dry, and it disconnected me from the story. I had trouble connecting with the characters and their goals.

[Miranda Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I signed up for this because of the Greek mythology, and it delivered immediately. The second it started weaving into the fantasy world, I was DONE. Hooked. No recovery.
This is book one and I am already fully locked in for this series. I need to know what happens next.

And Haduwas… yeah, we know who hurt him, and I’m still not over it. This man has been THROUGH IT, and now I’m fully invested in his future.

The mythology adds such an addictive layer without taking over, and it just made everything hit harder.

I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Des · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda is at it again with another beautifully written and well researched tale that she has woven. She does a fantastic job focusing on the history, the culture and traditions of the ancient world as well the the myths and her retelling was fantastic.

Im a huge fan of greek mythology and was so curious and excited to read The Rise of Haduwas as not only a Hade’s origin story but with Mesopotamian roots and its safe to say, i loved it!

I cant wait to see what comes next in the Hades Chronicles!

Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy.

[Amanda Choquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this book as an ARC.
The writing of this was very clean and articulate. It really reminisced with the type of writing that I would envision being a part of a classical story but in a first person point of view. I enjoyed Haduwas’ character, but overall the story did not overly excite me, but it did make me think about the thoughtfulness of interacting with others to get a positive result. 3.5 stars.

[Nicole Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of this book and omg.
This book was such an interesting blend of history and fantasy. It felt to me like if Homer’s Odyssey was written in a more accessible way for the modern era. The writing style still gives grand historical myth vibes, while remaining a really easy read. That’s a tricky balance to find but Amanda L Rautio handles it beautifully.
I’d recommend this book for all the lovers of myth and legend out there.

[Kimberly Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

📱 ARC thanks to iris influencer society
Publish date: May 19, 2026

This was an epic fantasy that follows a prince fighting to prove his right to the throne through trials that lead him deep into the Underworld itself.

This book had so much fantastic details that combine different sets of gods and mythology. I was kept interested the entire time and even teared up at different parts.

If you like epic fantasy, I would definitely add this to your tbr!

[Gabi Kielkucki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible! I’ve been wanting to read a new high fantasy that focused on the myth rather than romance, and let me just say, this was it! I also love a good origin story and the way this book just set everything up for the rest of the series is just *perfection*. I highly recommend this one to anyone looking to change it up and read something new! Thank you to Amanda for the eARC of this new release!!!

[Thefangirl1999 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the chance to read The Rise of Haduwas by Amanda L. Rautio and it’s a powerful dive into ancient-world epic fantasy! With brutal trials, mythic creatures, and a prince forced to confront his destiny, this story is perfect for readers who love rich lore and high-stakes journeys.
If you enjoy epic fantasy filled with mythology, political tension, and Underworld quests, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will accept absolutely zero criticism of this book whatsoever - let me just get that out in the open before we dig in. 😇

I had the pleasure of working with Amanda through IRIS Influencer Society and have been dying, absolutely dying to get my hands on The Rise of Haduwas since she first introduced us to the idea. It's a non-Greek mythological retelling, and we all know I love my mythological retellings regardless of their origin. The Rise of Haduwas introduced us to an entirely new brand of Hades origin, with Mesopotamian roots and culture not typically associated with Greek myth. I ATE IT UP.

Amanda writes in a way that is both understandable and digestible while utilizing the language and structure of the time period in which her projects are set, creating an incredibly immersive experience readers will scarcely find elsewhere. Mixing lyrical prose and beautiful imagery, she quite literally transports her readers back in time to ancient civilizations with her own unique take on fantasy and mythology. What truly sets The Rise of Haduwas and Amanda apart, though, is the depth of her knowledge and how she weaves it into the plot. She painstakingly researches until she becomes an expert on the subject, and her writing clearly shows her careful and precise preparation. Not only is her writing beautiful and atmospheric, but the worldbuilding is easy to follow, the plot is well paced, and her characters have so much depth that it's difficult not to become attached. I simply can't wait to continue this series!

[Vanessasbooksta · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5, rounded up for Goodreads.

Love a historical retelling of mythology. And this book did it justice giving an epic origin story of Hades. Loved the plot twists, high stakes and the incredible world building!

A fast paced, no spice fantasy that belongs on your TBR!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had so many elements I love in a non romantic fantasy. Political intrigue. Immersive world building and character development. Historical themes and elements. Add in inspired heavily my mythology with gods and goddesses. Overall it kept me interested and entertained from start to finish.