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Forsake: In the Beginning II
Forsake: The Beginning of the End
What if your greatest power was also your greatest curse?
The threads of destiny are fraying, and Yara Fortune stands at the center of the unraveling. Reincarnated over a hundred lifetimes, she bears the Soul Reliquary, an ancient relic capable of awakening goddesses, restoring balance, and unleashing discord.
But her memories are fragmented. Her trust is fractured. And her mates, four fiercely different males, test every limit of her resolve.
In the gloom-veiled realm of Tenebralis, where slaves serve merciless rulers and rebels ride against tyranny, alliances shift like quicksand. The sinister Rudolph Hogshead rules with coin and cruelty, his grip stretching across every corner of this broken world.
As rebels whisper revolt, Yara is thrust into political games, ancient curses, and the brutal truth of a realm that sees her as both a prize and a threat.
Who can she trust when betrayal lurks in every shadow?
With her mates torn apart and enemies closing in, everything she loves teeters on the edge of annihilation. As dark forces conspire to ignite an apocalypse that threatens not just her world, but all realms, she must unlock the full fury of her power or lose it all.
From ruthless courts to forgotten dungeons, Forsake
A dark, steampunk-inspired fantasy with Victorian intrigue Epic battles, brooding warriors, and high-stakes rebellion Complex relationships, sizzling chemistry, and heart-wrenching emotions A fierce FMC discovering her power in a world built to break her
Forsake weaves mythology, romance, and rebellion into a gripping adult fantasy.
The game is set. The players are in motion.
Will Yara rise, or will her enemies bury her secrets?
Note to Readers: While Forsake can be read as a thrilling standalone, starting with Genesis, Book One in the In the Beginning series, will deepen your experience. You'll witness the origins of Yara's journey, the foundations of her tangled fate, and the lives of the powerful males bound to her.
Highly encouraged, but not required. Either way—you're in for a wild ride.
What if your greatest power was also your greatest curse?
The threads of destiny are fraying, and Yara Fortune stands at the center of the unraveling. Reincarnated over a hundred lifetimes, she bears the Soul Reliquary, an ancient relic capable of awakening goddesses, restoring balance, and unleashing discord.
But her memories are fragmented. Her trust is fractured. And her mates, four fiercely different males, test every limit of her resolve.
In the gloom-veiled realm of Tenebralis, where slaves serve merciless rulers and rebels ride against tyranny, alliances shift like quicksand. The sinister Rudolph Hogshead rules with coin and cruelty, his grip stretching across every corner of this broken world.
As rebels whisper revolt, Yara is thrust into political games, ancient curses, and the brutal truth of a realm that sees her as both a prize and a threat.
Who can she trust when betrayal lurks in every shadow?
With her mates torn apart and enemies closing in, everything she loves teeters on the edge of annihilation. As dark forces conspire to ignite an apocalypse that threatens not just her world, but all realms, she must unlock the full fury of her power or lose it all.
From ruthless courts to forgotten dungeons, Forsake
A dark, steampunk-inspired fantasy with Victorian intrigue Epic battles, brooding warriors, and high-stakes rebellion Complex relationships, sizzling chemistry, and heart-wrenching emotions A fierce FMC discovering her power in a world built to break her
Forsake weaves mythology, romance, and rebellion into a gripping adult fantasy.
The game is set. The players are in motion.
Will Yara rise, or will her enemies bury her secrets?
Note to Readers: While Forsake can be read as a thrilling standalone, starting with Genesis, Book One in the In the Beginning series, will deepen your experience. You'll witness the origins of Yara's journey, the foundations of her tangled fate, and the lives of the powerful males bound to her.
Highly encouraged, but not required. Either way—you're in for a wild ride.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Phoenix Drake
15 books10 followersPhoenix Drake writes worlds with the tenacity of a storm and the grace of a storyteller who’s lived a hundred lives. Armed with a master’s degree from Northern Arizona University and a passport brimming with stamps from her globetrotting adventures, she weaves tales that dance between modern urban grit and sweeping high fantasy, blending the ancient and the contemporary into the dark and dazzling.
A Croc-loving introvert with a penchant for the macabre, Phoenix spends her days sipping strong coffee, befriending animals, and crafting unforgettable characters. Her writing thrives on the tension of chaos and control, drawing readers into lush worlds where magic simmers under the surface and love burns like starlight.
When not exploring hidden corners of the globe, Phoenix finds inspiration in the mundane made extraordinary: the electric hum of cities, the haunting stillness of forests, and the whispers of history. Whether you're meeting her fierce heroines or unraveling her dark mysteries, Phoenix promises a literary adventure that will live in your soul long after the final page.
A Croc-loving introvert with a penchant for the macabre, Phoenix spends her days sipping strong coffee, befriending animals, and crafting unforgettable characters. Her writing thrives on the tension of chaos and control, drawing readers into lush worlds where magic simmers under the surface and love burns like starlight.
When not exploring hidden corners of the globe, Phoenix finds inspiration in the mundane made extraordinary: the electric hum of cities, the haunting stillness of forests, and the whispers of history. Whether you're meeting her fierce heroines or unraveling her dark mysteries, Phoenix promises a literary adventure that will live in your soul long after the final page.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 18, 2025
FORSAKE, is book two of the In the Beginning Series. I have such a book hangover from this book. It is up there as one of my favourite series ever.
Book one left us with a cliff hanger. Enter Forsake, where it brings us to a time before Yara meets Nicky, Hank and Keller; a beautifully written past life set in the West of Ireland in the 1800's. Irish Yara, (Ellen), is feisty, strong-willed and determined. I love this version of Yara as it shows where she gets her grit.
The tension between her and Euberl is electric. This era of Yara's life also gives us detailed backstory and explains a lot about the characters' arcs in this series. I also love this clever introduction that leaves us waiting for answers. You can't help but turn the pages, drink in the details of this past life, and get a clearer sense of the depth this story carries.
In part two, we find Yara as we met her in Genesis, and we reach the crescendo of the first book, which sweeps us into the emotional fall out and conflict at the end of book one. No spoilers here. Read it yourself to find out! :D
We discover more about Nick's past and his true origins and we are brought to a world that is steampunk and metal. This world is amazingly wrought, the world building intricate and thoughtful. There is not a detail out of place. I could imagine this world, hear the gears and whirrs of cogs and machinery, smell the grime and oil of the poor, juxtaposed with the opulent scents and silks of the rich. I loved the friendship between Hodrdal and Keller in this book and their character arc's are wonderful to read.
In the Beginning Series offers so much. Thought provoking, powerful, intricate in its detail and worldbuilding. The characters feel so real and we are introduced to more amazing character. Rixa, who Yara takes under her wing is a favourite of mine.
FORSAKE is a highly recommended read. A read to savour. I cannot wait to read the next book and immerse myself in this world once again.
Book one left us with a cliff hanger. Enter Forsake, where it brings us to a time before Yara meets Nicky, Hank and Keller; a beautifully written past life set in the West of Ireland in the 1800's. Irish Yara, (Ellen), is feisty, strong-willed and determined. I love this version of Yara as it shows where she gets her grit.
The tension between her and Euberl is electric. This era of Yara's life also gives us detailed backstory and explains a lot about the characters' arcs in this series. I also love this clever introduction that leaves us waiting for answers. You can't help but turn the pages, drink in the details of this past life, and get a clearer sense of the depth this story carries.
In part two, we find Yara as we met her in Genesis, and we reach the crescendo of the first book, which sweeps us into the emotional fall out and conflict at the end of book one. No spoilers here. Read it yourself to find out! :D
We discover more about Nick's past and his true origins and we are brought to a world that is steampunk and metal. This world is amazingly wrought, the world building intricate and thoughtful. There is not a detail out of place. I could imagine this world, hear the gears and whirrs of cogs and machinery, smell the grime and oil of the poor, juxtaposed with the opulent scents and silks of the rich. I loved the friendship between Hodrdal and Keller in this book and their character arc's are wonderful to read.
In the Beginning Series offers so much. Thought provoking, powerful, intricate in its detail and worldbuilding. The characters feel so real and we are introduced to more amazing character. Rixa, who Yara takes under her wing is a favourite of mine.
FORSAKE is a highly recommended read. A read to savour. I cannot wait to read the next book and immerse myself in this world once again.
November 26, 2025
I was so excited to get into this. The continuation of Nicholas and Yara…and so so much more.
This series needs to be seen on the big screen. The entire time I was reading, I was picturing it. The detail brings everything to life. So well written.
Incredible! Can’t wait for Jezebel!
This series needs to be seen on the big screen. The entire time I was reading, I was picturing it. The detail brings everything to life. So well written.
Incredible! Can’t wait for Jezebel!
October 12, 2025
The first quarter of Forsake tells us more about our mysterious and powerful divine female, Karmastra – or Yara as we know her from book one.
We are thrown into an Irish woman's world, far, far back in time and watch her being pulled in a thousand different directions as she tries to understand who she is, who she has been and most importantly, how she's supposed to live with all the information thrust onto her.
We learn some hard truths about our faithful dark angel, in all his pain and torment. This part is a whirlwind of information and experiences, intense, thought provoking, filled with action and woe leading us into the next part of the book.
Part two shoves us back into that moment we first met Yara and then right to where we left off in book one – YES – this is what I'd been waiting for! It's quite the contrasting world from where the book started and I'm all for it!
Apertures bring new and terrible threats! As well as new and exciting realms for us readers!
Enter the steampunk and oh boy is it ever captivating! You can feel, hear and taste the atmosphere! Your spine will prickle with the haunting realities our hero's are faced with now, in a whole other world – the Augmen will haunt your nightmares.
Metal and steam, gold and velvet, royalty and those stealing themselves to rule with deceit, greed and inhumane brutality.
Expect more devious, slimy scum bags, more fierce feminine retribution, more magic, a for sure favourite and feisty new character, and a storyline that we've been dying to see unfold!
The high-seas await!
With ever stunning visual storytelling Phoenix will sweep you away into another fabulous piece of this masterful tale.
…now to await the next installment, as Phoenix would say... "On pins and needles!"
What a powerful, intense and beautiful universe she has woven. Her words speak directly from the soul, wondrous, painful, brutal and loaded with magic.
We are thrown into an Irish woman's world, far, far back in time and watch her being pulled in a thousand different directions as she tries to understand who she is, who she has been and most importantly, how she's supposed to live with all the information thrust onto her.
We learn some hard truths about our faithful dark angel, in all his pain and torment. This part is a whirlwind of information and experiences, intense, thought provoking, filled with action and woe leading us into the next part of the book.
Part two shoves us back into that moment we first met Yara and then right to where we left off in book one – YES – this is what I'd been waiting for! It's quite the contrasting world from where the book started and I'm all for it!
Apertures bring new and terrible threats! As well as new and exciting realms for us readers!
Enter the steampunk and oh boy is it ever captivating! You can feel, hear and taste the atmosphere! Your spine will prickle with the haunting realities our hero's are faced with now, in a whole other world – the Augmen will haunt your nightmares.
Metal and steam, gold and velvet, royalty and those stealing themselves to rule with deceit, greed and inhumane brutality.
Expect more devious, slimy scum bags, more fierce feminine retribution, more magic, a for sure favourite and feisty new character, and a storyline that we've been dying to see unfold!
The high-seas await!
With ever stunning visual storytelling Phoenix will sweep you away into another fabulous piece of this masterful tale.
…now to await the next installment, as Phoenix would say... "On pins and needles!"
What a powerful, intense and beautiful universe she has woven. Her words speak directly from the soul, wondrous, painful, brutal and loaded with magic.
October 27, 2025
Five stars for Forsake, book 2 in the In The Beginning Series.
Forsake has two parts
Part 1 takes place before the beginning of Genesis--I thought this was genius.
In the past In Ireland, we meet Yara as she's known as Helen. We learn more about her destiny and what she carries inside her, and why.
Here she's to begin her training and it'll be Euberl who's to train her. These two together are fire. The tension is palpable.
As Yara learns more about her powers and the many lives she's lived before, Euberl also learns--remembers--the truth about his part he'd played in her lives and deaths.
Euberl and Helen's story is heartbreaking.
Part I is beautifully written with such raw, intense emotions.
But when Helen--Yara--learns the truth about her destiny, and how she's been manipulated over and over, and betrayed over and over by the angel she loved through it all, she flees through a portal...
Part 2 starts right where Genesis ended. Again, this was brilliant.
We learn more about Nicholas and who and what has been hiding inside him.
Oh, Nick, you're a prince amongst princes.
I'm so eager to see where his storyline goes and how this new Nick will fit in with Yara, Keller, Hank and Euberl.
Also, I truly enjoyed the bromance between Keller and Hank, aka, Hoodral. These two alpha males have to learn to put aside their jealousy over Yara and learn to work together to find not only Yara, but Nick as well.
I'm waiting impatiently for book 3 in this phenomenonal series.
I highly, and I mean HIGHLY recommend Genesis and Forsake.
Bravo!
Forsake has two parts
Part 1 takes place before the beginning of Genesis--I thought this was genius.
In the past In Ireland, we meet Yara as she's known as Helen. We learn more about her destiny and what she carries inside her, and why.
Here she's to begin her training and it'll be Euberl who's to train her. These two together are fire. The tension is palpable.
As Yara learns more about her powers and the many lives she's lived before, Euberl also learns--remembers--the truth about his part he'd played in her lives and deaths.
Euberl and Helen's story is heartbreaking.
Part I is beautifully written with such raw, intense emotions.
But when Helen--Yara--learns the truth about her destiny, and how she's been manipulated over and over, and betrayed over and over by the angel she loved through it all, she flees through a portal...
Part 2 starts right where Genesis ended. Again, this was brilliant.
We learn more about Nicholas and who and what has been hiding inside him.
Oh, Nick, you're a prince amongst princes.
I'm so eager to see where his storyline goes and how this new Nick will fit in with Yara, Keller, Hank and Euberl.
Also, I truly enjoyed the bromance between Keller and Hank, aka, Hoodral. These two alpha males have to learn to put aside their jealousy over Yara and learn to work together to find not only Yara, but Nick as well.
I'm waiting impatiently for book 3 in this phenomenonal series.
I highly, and I mean HIGHLY recommend Genesis and Forsake.
Bravo!
November 3, 2025
The bookvoice is like a living entity with the key parts of the book operating like a sentient aperture a kind of portal into many lifetimes experienced and living by the main characters Yara,Nick, Keller, Hank and Euberl.
I had to pause a couple of times to digest moments and reflect on this author's ability to write so big strategically, ruthlessly and sweetly to trick me along to unrelenting dark corners.
Getting swept into Forsake's surreal and universe-spanning adventure that tantalises and sizzles but Book 2 gives you sense of place and something to hold on to.
What did i luv in this book, I'm getting a sense of what the characters want out of life for themselves and from each other.
Jasmin e reads
I had to pause a couple of times to digest moments and reflect on this author's ability to write so big strategically, ruthlessly and sweetly to trick me along to unrelenting dark corners.
Getting swept into Forsake's surreal and universe-spanning adventure that tantalises and sizzles but Book 2 gives you sense of place and something to hold on to.
What did i luv in this book, I'm getting a sense of what the characters want out of life for themselves and from each other.
Jasmin e reads
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews