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The Sunrise Sovereign : Book Two of The Sovereigns
As Sunrise fades and the Sovereigns' power begins to wane, Maren, Scion of the Sunrise Temple, stirs from her Long Sleep to find the Capital irreparably altered. The gleaming city she once knew is crumbling beneath the weight of betrayal, secrecy, and a restless desire for change. Tasked with upholding an ancient legacy, Maren is caught between honouring sacred traditions and navigating the shifting tides of progress—progress that threatens everything she’s been taught to protect.
Her guiding light, Callisto, her Sovereign, is torn between two worlds, their power fading as the rift between the temples and the Capital deepens.
But when Maren meets Hollie, a compassionate physician with a tragic past, her world tilts, throwing her into a web of shadowed allegiances and dangerous secrets. As their paths intertwine, Maren’s fragile grasp on duty and devotion begins to unravel, and the lines between what she thought was right and what she craves blur.
Elsewhere, Nash, a newly awakened Night Scion, struggles with the restless ghosts that claw at his soul, whispering truths too grim to face. With his Sovereign, Keir, Nash sets in motion dangerous changes, shaking the very foundation of the Capital’s political system—actions that may set off a chain of events the Night have long feared.
As the Administration festers with corruption, the fragile alliances between Sunrise and Night hang by a thread. But as entropy digs its claws deeper into the Capital’s heart, the question Can they stem the tide of decay? Or is the Capital doomed to fall beneath the weight of its own rot?
Her guiding light, Callisto, her Sovereign, is torn between two worlds, their power fading as the rift between the temples and the Capital deepens.
But when Maren meets Hollie, a compassionate physician with a tragic past, her world tilts, throwing her into a web of shadowed allegiances and dangerous secrets. As their paths intertwine, Maren’s fragile grasp on duty and devotion begins to unravel, and the lines between what she thought was right and what she craves blur.
Elsewhere, Nash, a newly awakened Night Scion, struggles with the restless ghosts that claw at his soul, whispering truths too grim to face. With his Sovereign, Keir, Nash sets in motion dangerous changes, shaking the very foundation of the Capital’s political system—actions that may set off a chain of events the Night have long feared.
As the Administration festers with corruption, the fragile alliances between Sunrise and Night hang by a thread. But as entropy digs its claws deeper into the Capital’s heart, the question Can they stem the tide of decay? Or is the Capital doomed to fall beneath the weight of its own rot?
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2025
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
E.M. McConnell
42 books120 followersEryn was born and raised in the UK, emigrating to Germany in 2017. They work freelance and live with their family.
Eryn studied Poetry, Literature and Playwriting at University, continuing to write poetry. They began to write fiction in 2021, starting with fan fiction, then flash fiction, then short stories, and finally novellas and novels.
They describe themselves as a non genre specific writer, preferring to dip toes into different genres, stories and ideas. Currently they write Poetry, Fantasy, Dystopian, Scifi and Horror but they may diversify further in the future.
Eryn studied Poetry, Literature and Playwriting at University, continuing to write poetry. They began to write fiction in 2021, starting with fan fiction, then flash fiction, then short stories, and finally novellas and novels.
They describe themselves as a non genre specific writer, preferring to dip toes into different genres, stories and ideas. Currently they write Poetry, Fantasy, Dystopian, Scifi and Horror but they may diversify further in the future.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 9, 2025
This is one of those rare books that I give four stars to for doing something I liked.
First off, you don't *need* to read The Sunset Sovereign first, but you should. The worldbuilding in book one gives a different vibe to the first half of this one. For me, I felt more immersed after pausing this and re-reading book one, since it'd been so long. It also has a bit to do with why I picked 4 instead of 5 stars.
There's an ethereal quality to the prose. Remember the oracle from the movie "300" and how she swam and floated between smoking censers? That's the kind of vibe I'm talking about. It's consistent throughout, too. Pair that with the sort of incorporeal nature of a couple of characters, and I'm convinced McConnell actively made the decision to ride a fine line between abstract and concrete in her writing style. If you've read her sci-fi and horror, then you know she can bounce between those two concepts pretty deftly.
It was too much in the abstract for me, though. Near the middle, I found myself wanting to be more grounded in the setting and the characters than I was, which I why I went back to the first book. I love when I book's prose and plot reinforces the function of its story; it makes it so much fun to read. This one kind of made me float away like a helium balloon at times.
If you enjoy or want to read something that's not necessarily "cozy" but "floaty" with dragons, then you should love this.
First off, you don't *need* to read The Sunset Sovereign first, but you should. The worldbuilding in book one gives a different vibe to the first half of this one. For me, I felt more immersed after pausing this and re-reading book one, since it'd been so long. It also has a bit to do with why I picked 4 instead of 5 stars.
There's an ethereal quality to the prose. Remember the oracle from the movie "300" and how she swam and floated between smoking censers? That's the kind of vibe I'm talking about. It's consistent throughout, too. Pair that with the sort of incorporeal nature of a couple of characters, and I'm convinced McConnell actively made the decision to ride a fine line between abstract and concrete in her writing style. If you've read her sci-fi and horror, then you know she can bounce between those two concepts pretty deftly.
It was too much in the abstract for me, though. Near the middle, I found myself wanting to be more grounded in the setting and the characters than I was, which I why I went back to the first book. I love when I book's prose and plot reinforces the function of its story; it makes it so much fun to read. This one kind of made me float away like a helium balloon at times.
If you enjoy or want to read something that's not necessarily "cozy" but "floaty" with dragons, then you should love this.
April 17, 2025
Thank you to the author for this eARC!
Children are disappearing, and the emotionless and almost-robotic Administrators are plotting for the Sovereigns’ 🐉 downfall. Citizens are afraid and don’t know who to trust. Scions newly back from their long sleep with their Sovereigns must join characters from the first book to try and get the different Temples to work together.
This sequel is much darker than the first book, which I appreciated. There is an interesting and destabilizing contrast between the joy and hope associated with interactions between a Scion (human) and their Sovereign (dragon), and the despair and bleakness of children disappearing and the Administration taking control. It’s a story about fighting for the safekeeping of the society that was built, while dealing with the consequences of having created distance between the “chosen” and the common people. This book explores themes that are more mature than in book one.
I felt like the writing has also matured. Not that it was bad in the first book, but it definitely felt elevated in Sunrise Sovereign. I once again loved the found family, and seeing very different characters come together to help each other reach a common goal. I became emotional at numerous points, which is a very clear sign of having developed strong attachments towards the characters!
I will definitely be continuing on with this series 🐉
Children are disappearing, and the emotionless and almost-robotic Administrators are plotting for the Sovereigns’ 🐉 downfall. Citizens are afraid and don’t know who to trust. Scions newly back from their long sleep with their Sovereigns must join characters from the first book to try and get the different Temples to work together.
This sequel is much darker than the first book, which I appreciated. There is an interesting and destabilizing contrast between the joy and hope associated with interactions between a Scion (human) and their Sovereign (dragon), and the despair and bleakness of children disappearing and the Administration taking control. It’s a story about fighting for the safekeeping of the society that was built, while dealing with the consequences of having created distance between the “chosen” and the common people. This book explores themes that are more mature than in book one.
I felt like the writing has also matured. Not that it was bad in the first book, but it definitely felt elevated in Sunrise Sovereign. I once again loved the found family, and seeing very different characters come together to help each other reach a common goal. I became emotional at numerous points, which is a very clear sign of having developed strong attachments towards the characters!
I will definitely be continuing on with this series 🐉
April 1, 2025
I have not read the first instalment in this series, The Sunset Sovereign, but that has not detracted from understanding this novel.
I was lucky to receive an eARC from the author and it is a pleasure to share my review of The Sunrise Sovereign.
This is not an action fantasy.
The writing is highly descriptive, developing wonderful imagery and characters, evoking many different emotions.
I love the dragons/sovereigns (but I always love dragons).
A fascinating and enjoyable read. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next instalment.
I was lucky to receive an eARC from the author and it is a pleasure to share my review of The Sunrise Sovereign.
This is not an action fantasy.
The writing is highly descriptive, developing wonderful imagery and characters, evoking many different emotions.
I love the dragons/sovereigns (but I always love dragons).
A fascinating and enjoyable read. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next instalment.
April 27, 2025
The Sunrise Sovereign completely swept me away. This second book dives deeper into the danger and uncertainty brewing beneath the surface, with children going missing and the chilling Administrators tightening their control. As fear spreads, Scions and Sovereigns must find a way to bring a fractured world back together.
Having loved ‘The Sunset Sovereign’, this story feels infinitely darker and more intense, but that just makes the moments of hope shine brighter. It tackles harder questions about trust, love, power, and what it means to protect a community, adding real depth without losing the magic that made the first book special.
The writing has undeniably grown alongside the story — sharper, more vivid, and full of heart. I found myself attached to the characters- especially Maren-celebrating their victories and feeling very emotional when things didn’t work out as hoped. It’s actually quite rare for a series to pull me in deeper with each chapter, but this one does it effortlessly.
The author has created a multi-layered world that is genuinely unique somehow managing to avoid any possible trope in a story that has such a large dragon presence.
I can’t wait for the next part and I’m unashamedly hoping that one of my favourite characters from the first book, reappears - sorry, cannot say the name as it could be seen as a spoiler!
Anyway, as I’m sure you know by now, I heartily recommend this book.
April 14, 2025
I had the distinct pleasure of reading an ARC of The Sunrise Sovereign by E.M. McConnell. It is an incredible follow-up to The Sunset Sovereign. The storyline becomes a little darker and sadder, but the majesty of the sovereigns and their relationships with the scions continue to shine through. The author further develops their original and intriguing creation of the Sovereigns/Dragons. I loved meeting more of the Sovereigns and getting a glimpse into their hierarchy and otherworldliness.
Maran and Nash have returned to a changed and darker Capital. They attempt to get the Dragons to assist in their struggle to return magic and trust to the people. Reading about dragons as a complex society rather than the usual lone beings is such an original idea. I loved watching the various Sovereigns, along with their Scions, debate what action they should or would not take against the capital.
This book is a worthy successor to The Sunset Sovereigns, and I now eagerly await the next installment.
Maran and Nash have returned to a changed and darker Capital. They attempt to get the Dragons to assist in their struggle to return magic and trust to the people. Reading about dragons as a complex society rather than the usual lone beings is such an original idea. I loved watching the various Sovereigns, along with their Scions, debate what action they should or would not take against the capital.
This book is a worthy successor to The Sunset Sovereigns, and I now eagerly await the next installment.
May 21, 2025
This was a good continuation of this series. I felt like it started a little slower than the first book, but definitely still pulled me in, and I wish the next book was already here. This story doesn't start immediately after the prior one - some time has passed, and we initially meet some entirely new characters. We do get to see some of our favorites from the first book as well, though, and see indications that others will come back in later books. This book definitely had a darker, more serious tone than the first, as the story requires it. I'm definitely invested in this series, and looking forward to all of the remaining books.
I did receive an ARC copy of this book; all opinions are my own.
I did receive an ARC copy of this book; all opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews