The Nixian Chronicles: The Awakening is a dark, immersive fantasy where prophecy is a lie, mercy is a weapon, and power comes only through pain.
In the twilight-bound city of Eldoria, Lyara Valen has lived a life of silence, her bloodline hidden, her magic suppressed, her name nearly forgotten. But when a celestial storm fractures the sky, it awakens something ancient within Shadowflare, a volatile force of light and shadow that answers to no one.
Hunted by the Veiled Dominion, a sacred empire that purged her kind to extinction, Lyara is no longer just a girl in hiding. She’s the final echo of a broken prophecy, and the world fears what she might become.
As her powers spiral and rebellion simmers beneath the surface of a city ruled by fear, Lyara must choose what kind of weapon she is willing to be. Because she wasn’t born to save the world.
She was born to unmake it.
Dark, lyrical, and emotionally charged, The Awakening begins a sweeping fantasy saga of fractured legacies, haunted ruins, and the price of rewriting fate, where even the light can betray, and the most dangerous truths are the ones buried deepest.
Begin the rebellion. Embrace the awakening.
DISCLAIMER This is not a love story. It’s a reckoning. No soft landings. No easy answers. Just a descent into betrayal, prophecy, and survival— a story that mirrors life, where pain doesn’t wait its turn, and growth isn’t linear. The illusion of having it all figured out? It shatters.
The pacing is intentional—early answers are not resolution, but misdirection. Every thread is planted for a reason. If you blink, you’ll miss the truth hiding beneath the chaos.
If you crave stories that twist the knife and don’t let go... Welcome to The Nixian Chronicles.
C.S. Evermore writes haunting, psychologically-driven fantasy that lingers long after the final page.
She’s drawn to stories where silence is a weapon, mercy has a cost, and power comes with impossible choices. Her work explores the tension between obedience and awakening— and what happens when the truth you were raised on begins to crack.
If you’re looking for escapism, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a story that follows you back into your real life, welcome to The Nixian Chronicles.
This isn’t just a book. It’s a reckoning.
To learn more about the story behind the story, read the blog scrolls here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... New posts are uploaded regularly—so check back anytime for the latest scroll.
The Nixian: The Awakening by C.S. Evermore is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that pulls you in with its haunting prose and beautifully vivid world. Set in the shadowed city of Eldoria, Lyara Valen is a heroine born of pain, silence, and destiny—but her story felt like it barely had time to breathe before plunging into chaos.
The writing is lyrical and unique, with a strong aesthetic—but the pacing, especially in the first third, felt too fast. It read more like a prologue than the actual beginning of Lyara’s journey, and I struggled to connect with her internal growth before the next conflict was already underway.
The book packs in a lot—prophecies, enemies, powers, betrayals—but with so many challenges thrown in, none really had time to land with weight. Malakar, for instance, was introduced as a serious threat, but his arc ended far too quickly, and that sense of rushed resolution carried through the rest of the book.
I did enjoy the multiple POVs, but the transitions weren’t always clear. Without breaks between perspectives, it was easy to lose track of who was speaking, which occasionally pulled me out of the story.
Lyara herself is incredibly powerful, and the idea of her unmaking the world rather than saving it is refreshing—but I wish we’d seen more of her growing into that power. Her transformation felt more told than shown, and I wanted to be there for the full journey, not just the results.
That said, the world-building is fantastic. Eldoria feels alive and richly imagined, full of tension, history, and atmosphere. There’s no romance here—so if you’re expecting a fae love story, this isn’t that. It’s much more about fate, identity, and rebellion.
Even with some pacing issues, I’m intrigued enough to continue with Book 2. I’m hoping for more time to sit with the characters, deeper emotional payoff, and a chance to really explore Lyara’s powers and purpose.
Huge thanks to C.S. Evermore for the ARC—I’m looking forward to what comes next.
This was a good start for someone that has never read fantasy before. I think this is best suited as a YA novel as there is no romance and not to much violence.
The sorry is about the FMC which has been protected her entire life as a prophecy was told which included her. However, the whole of Nixian thought there was no living relatives as they were “disposed” of and the prophecy for that reason void.
The FMC is a stong individual that needs to understand where she fits in as she is the only living relative and what the prophecy means to her.
The timeline was quite confusing as it was so fast that so many things happened in 300 pages. I loved the fact that humor was brought in that uplifted the book but it junped quite around a lot and was hard to keep up.
Also the different PoV’s from the characters were hard to determine. I would’ve liked if the chapters included which PoV we will be reading.
All in all, this story had GREAT potential and this definitely could’ve been a bit longer to give more understanding but I did enjoy the read.
A haunting masterpiece that breathes life into every page.
The Nixian Chronicles: The Awakening by C.S. Evermore is a triumph of atmospheric, emotionally-charged storytelling that grips you from the very first line and refuses to let go.
I came in expecting a classic hero-vs-villain fantasy arc. And at first, it almost tricked me into thinking that’s what I was getting. Until everything turned upside down. Do not. I repeat. Do not read this if you're just looking for comfort or familiarity. This story challenges you. It disorients you in the best way.
From the opening scene, there’s a palpable electricity in the air, an eerie sense that something sacred and dangerous is unfolding just beyond the veil. Evermore’s signature staccato prose pulses with tension and lyricism, pulling you into a world where every word feels deliberate and enchanted. Every line is a spell. Every paragraph, a portal.
The world-building is nothing short of spellbinding. Nixia isn’t just a setting. It’s a living, breathing entity steeped in mystique, bloodlines, language, and lore. You’re not reading about it; you’re in it. The depth, from sacred phrases to layered history, rivals the most intricate fantasy sagas, yet never overwhelms. It invites. It seduces. And it expands with every chapter.
And the characters? They begin as silhouettes in the mist, but before long, they carve themselves into your soul. Lyara is the quintessential fantasy heroine. She is layered, powerful, and achingly real. And the morally gray male lead? Utterly magnetic. He walks the razor’s edge between allure and danger, the kind of character you want to both protect and burn for. Their dynamic is electric, ambiguous, and unforgettable.
And perhaps most surprisingly, the feel of this story reminded me of Divergent. Not the plot. The pulse. That emotional momentum, where your heart is racing, your mind is spinning, and you know you’ve stumbled into something you’ll carry long after the final page.
This is not just a book. It’s a saga awakening. To miss it is to miss the beginning of something destined to echo through the genre. If Book One is only the beginning… what’s coming next might just redefine what dark fantasy can be.
4.5 Star! This was an epic fantasy adventure featuring a strong, bold female protagonist who discovers her powers as she tries to figure out the prophecy and her life's path. You do feel like you are right there with her by the way it is narrated. There are multiple POVs which I always enjoy in a book. It is also written lyrically, which is a nice touch. I want to know what happens next and look forward to the next book in the series.
A young girl hidden for years for protection suddenly becomes the savior....is fate destined or made? This story grabbed me with its character details and plot it had me questioning the back story of the villain screaming why!!! Is it fear, hatred, or the unknown? If you enjoy a good YA fantasy read this is the book for you!
Wow, what an interesting book and story. The writing style of C.S Evermore feels more like a poetry type style with very short one line paragraphs.
In the beginning of the story I felt confused and it was as if I’m reading the sequel because from page one you’re right in the storm.
This is not your normal fae fantasy romance story. In fact there is no romance so don’t read it thinking there will be some spice or cute love story. This is about a very strong FMC who has to figure out the prophecy and path of her life with some major storyline twists!
The side character or “Mister Hair” felt so out of place but I still had to laugh! The whole book was very serious and out of nowhere this humor was brought in.
I do look forward to reading the second book to see what happens. Even if this is not even close to my normal genre.
Lyara Valen was born and raised in Eldoria, a city bound in twilight. It is her home, but it’s more than that. Her blood ties her to the land, and quite possibly to a dark prophecy. Because of this, her people have been hunted for generations, leaving just Lyara and her mother.
The moment her mother has always dreaded is finally here, with Lyara’s magic waking within her blood. She has two options: embrace her potential and her magical inheritance or allow the Veiled Dominion to erase her life and story.
My Review:
The Nixian Chronicles: The Awakening throws readers into a bold, atmospheric, and wondrous world. Truthfully, I wish we had more time in this world before racing off to deal with Lyara and her newly minted magical problems.
That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the story, but the pacing was moderately too fast for my liking. We didn’t get enough time to explore any one situation or revelation before dashing off to the next. On the bright side, the story flows quite quickly, guiding the reader from beginning to end.
I adored C.S. Evermore’s more descriptive writing style. The world felt vibrant and alive. You could almost picture the city and its runes, lights, and structure. Conversely, I didn’t get the same feeling about the characters. None of them resonated with me. I’d like to believe that more time spent with Lyara and her companions would have helped to resolve this. There was also a tiny show/tell issue regarding Lyara’s power and transformations, especially toward the end.
Having completed The Nixian Chronicles: The Awakening, it almost feels like I got two books for the price of one! That’s really fun, as it does feel like there were two distinct arcs that Lyara went through in her early journeys. It makes me wonder what will happen during the rest of the series.
Highlights: Fantasy Intense Worldbuilding Magical Inheritance & Prophecies
Thanks to C.S. Evermore Publishing and #Reedsy for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Nixian Chronicles: The Awakening by C.S. Evermore
Venture into Nixia, where every breath holds a secret and every character enchants.
Electrifying Atmosphere From the very first page, "The air carried a charge, an expectancy, as if the city itself was holding its breath." This single line captures the immediacy of the atmosphere—an invitation into a realm where every familiar space seems transformed by palpable mystery. Even in the comfort of my own home, the undercurrent of magic and enigma was impossible to ignore.
Enchanting Prose Evermore’s lyrical voice, woven into staccato prose, is both enchanting and forceful. Every line pulses with meaning and power, drawing you deeper into a narrative that is as captivating in its present allure as it is promising of even greater wonders in the upcoming installment.
Mystical World-Building Beyond mesmerizing prose, Evermore demonstrates her mastery of constructing an alluring universe. In Nixia, she has crafted extraordinary bloodlines—each emerging with its own intricate backstory, distinctive traits, and unique language. This level of detail transforms the story into a living tapestry of lore and mystique, inviting readers to explore depths rarely seen in dark fantasy.
Captivating Characters While the characters initially appear as fleeting silhouettes on a vast canvas, they quickly carve out an indelible place in your heart and mind. Lyara shines as the quintessential heroine every fantasy aficionado dreams of, and one morally gray male protagonist captivates with delicious ambiguity—a figure who tempts you to both embrace and defy him, though his true nature remains delightfully mysterious.
A Saga Unfolding As the narrative hurtles forward with relentless suspense, unexpected revelations, and high-stakes action, the explosive climax leaves even the most seasoned guesser utterly spellbound. Passing on this gem means missing out on an experience that both ignites the imagination and stirs the soul. Being an advance reader of this saga feels nothing short of a godsend, assuring that the journey—though only in its infancy—will continue to enthrall in ever more surprising ways.
If you like a fast-paced book with prophecy, trials, adventure, betrayal, hidden familial lines & the ultimate deception... then I encourage you to pick up this book. . With only 341 pages, this book is small in stature, but so fast moving that you will find yourself wondering how this author fit all of the action in such a short number of pages. I found the general story arc to be fairly interesting, but I kept getting the name of the FMC (Lyara), and her mother (Leora) mixed up. Maybe the name similarities will make sense in the next book? . I read this on my Kindle, and one thing that REALLY bugged me was the spacing. Very short paragraphs, sometimes only one sentence between paragraph breaks. If I could get it in pdf form & remove the unnecessary spaces, I would have been much happier reading. I know that's a petty comment, but it bugged me to no end! I read that the use of so many short sentences & paragraph breaks make for faster pacing, so if that was the desired effect by the author, then they succeeded. . Overall, it was a very fast read. I would have preferred to spend more time in the story with more detail in the scenes, but apparently, this was deliberate & will all make sense in the next book. I am an ARC reader for Book 2, so I will report back if it all starts to make sense.
***A fate well told. If fate, our fate is designed in such a well twisted plot like from the author’s perspective, no wonder many people are in a constant search to try and understand their fate***
The Nixian Chronicles pulsates with magic so dark and ancient that it reaches through the pages and wraps around the reader. C. S. Evermore is a remarkable author with a natural talent for weaving gentle embers of fantasy into a vivid flaming strand of reality.
As we would say in Nixael, “Sha’rev kael’vithar (shah-REV kayl-vee-THAHR)“ Even if the world ends in fire, I walk with you.” “The Awakening” is truly a journey the readers join Lyara on.
It is fascinating how the author takes us into the Nixian world through its history and language. Making us the readers to scale the portal of a magical universe. One can almost see themselves walking down the main street of Eldoria pausing to strike a conversation with the local in Nixael.
Chapter 10 and the insufferable Mr. Hair a.k.a Kaelith are my favorites so far.
And to that I say, Thiraen—thank you, C. S. Evermore, for this incredible book. I am already looking forward to Book 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I remember the excitement of listening to my mom read me The Hobbit when I was a child. The epic adventure was brought to life with its magic and battles and dragons. I could not wait for bedtime each night just so I could be transported back to Middle Earth. C. S. Evermore has written a book that makes be feel this all over again. The narration makes me giddy and excited about falling into Nixia and going on this epic adventure.
In The Nixian Chronicles: The Awakening, we follow Lyara as she discovers her powers, and goes on a journey of discovery. Not just a journey to discover more about herself, but about people and the world. And how everything is not always so easily categorised into what is right and what is wrong.
This story is epic, it takes you on a journey and you cannot help but be swept up in it. It is not distracted by romance, or complex magic systems. It’s you and Lyara as you experience this incredible world. This journey of complex emotions as you wonder is the world really black and white or is it just a persons perception and various shades of grey.
From the first words on the page, I was transported to a memory from my childhood in which my brother took me to the movie theater to see Star Wars. I do not imply that there are sci-fi elements to this story. Instead, I'm saying that the author leads the reader into The Nixian Chronicles: Awakening with an epic introduction, instantly immersing them into a new fantasy world eloquently set forth and unfolded.
Immediately I was engrossed in the story and its characters. Since I read many books, I’ve been exposed to many that are lacking in some way. Perhaps the author exhibits a less than stellar mastery over vocabulary. Sometimes they describe in detail objects that are only peripheral to the plot. And occasionally, they wait so long to get to the heart of the story, readers lose interest. None of that happens in The Nixian Chronicles: Awakening. If you are a fantasy reader who loves an epic story set in a well built world, you’ll love reading this book!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the most unconventional young adult fantasies I’ve come across, dark, bold, and unlike anything I’ve read before.
C.S. Evermore’s writing style is almost poetic, with short, one-line paragraphs that give the story a very unique rhythm and tone. It feels more like spoken word than traditional prose, which sets the mood in a really creative way.
The story doesn’t ease you in; it drops you straight into the middle of the action from page one. For readers who enjoy gradual world-building, that can feel a bit disorienting at first, but it also adds to the sense of mystery and urgency that runs through the book.
This isn’t your typical fae fantasy; there’s no romance, no light-hearted subplots. It follows a strong female lead navigating a dark prophecy, with some strange and unexpected twists along the way. It’s out of the box in every sense, serious, moody, and experimental, with flashes of quirky humour that catch you off guard.
A great pick for readers looking for something truly different in the YA fantasy space.
I absolutely loved the world building in The Nixian Chronicles! It had that loveable fantasy edge that keeps you deliciously confused just enough to make you think... but not enough to send you running for a dictionary or encyclopedia for the entire read🤣 The imagery was stunning and the story gripped me from the very beginning.
It also gave me major Thief (the game) vibes and as an absolute sucker for that theme, I was hooked instantly. The atmosphere, the mystery, the sneaky allure of it all… loved it.
And can we talk about Mr. Hair (Veyne)? I couldn’t stop smiling, the name alone had me giggling because it sounds like vain, and the conversation between him and the MMC was some of my favourite parts. Their dynamic added the perfect balance of wit and charm to all the tension and adventure.
A solid 10/10 for originality, especially with the character names and you can tell the author had fun crafting this world. I feel book two might definitely have some romance and I am so there for that!
Overall, this book is immersive and interesting. The story follows Lyara as she discovers her Nixian heritage and Shadowflare powers. Generally, I would say this isn’t your typical fantasy novel, in particular because there is no romance. Rather than fae courts and love triangles, you get political manipulation spanning generations. I think the book subverts traditional chosen one tropes in some ways, though I don’t want to spoil anything too much.
The magic system combining light and shadow feels unique. However, what I found most engaging was the political intrigue; centuries of manipulation and hidden agendas.
I’d say the character development works well here. The Nixian culture adds depth; though I think the language sometimes feels overwhelming, but the glossary and other appendix items at the end are helpful with that. The world-building is very thoughtfully considered and deep.
The Awakening had me captivated from the very first page! The story was brilliantly written, I truly enjoyed Evermore's staccato prose writing style. It had me at the edge of my seat - heart pounding, breath caught, thoughts racing. I couldn't read fast enough!
The world-building is very well crafted, so descriptive and vivid, that it felt like I was transported into the story with Lyara on her journey to discover her destiny and face her fate. Or what she thought was her fate!
I loved all the characters!! All the morally grey and charm you could want in a dark fanatsy novel! The plot twists were so well executed, it cracked the story open like a secret you didn’t know was being kept.
If book 1 was this gripping and intriguing, then I absolutely cannot wait to be pulled into for the rest of the books in the series!
Hello, people! In the first book of the series "The Nixian Chronicles: The Awakening" we know a dark world. Essentially, it is a very good first book that introduces us to a world full of fantasy, shadows and darkness. I was thrilled with the author's writing. It is a combination of lyricism and dynamism. The plot is very atmospheric and has depth. As for the characters, they are well-made and have their importance in the story. Finally, the world building is fantastic and takes your breath away. At least, that's how I felt.
Thank you very much to the author and Happily Booked PR for the eARC!
I just finished The Nixian Chronicles: The Awakening and it really left an impression. It’s dark psychological fantasy with a lot happening at once, so it demands your attention and keeps your brain engaged. The way it flips the chosen one trope is powerful, and the emotional depth caught me off guard in a good way. Raw, reflective, and not your typical fantasy. I’m definitely looking forward to the next one.
This book wasn’t what I expected — and I mean that in the best way. The format is different from most books I’ve read (not a bad thing at all!) and it makes for a really unique reading experience. It’s fast-paced and doesn’t let up once it starts. I recommend flipping to the end first to explore the world-building extras — the maps, language, and lore really add to the story. It was a good read, and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us!
The Nixian Chronicle is a epic fantasy with hidden prophecies. This is Lyara’s story of the last Nixian and the powers of light and shadow. This is the beginning of her adventures with an unknown threat that questions her path and what she is meant to do. I love how this story pulls you in with the excitement and world building. I really enjoyed her beginning and can’t wait to read the next one, I need to know what happens next.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book . The world building and character development is top notch. The story is well written,engaging - you are drawn into the world and lives of Lyara and her family ( blood and chosen )and are taken on a journey of growth , acceptance and betrayal I highly recommend this book Cannot wait to read what is next for Lyara
It took 46% for me to get interested in this book. I’m trying to figure out how a book could have so much detail, but I don’t feel like I got the full story. The pieces felt like they came together for the second half of the book and I will give the second book a chance to see how this story plays out.
This is a very high paced dark fantasy full of twists and details. I took me a while to fully get into the story due to the amount of details and switches in the characters POV’s, but got more invested during the second half of the book!
Going to ARC read the second book in this series, which i’m very excited about now I’m more familiar in this world setting.
I absolutely loved being on this journey with Lyara, and can’t wait to get more of her story! I found this world so special and unique and I loved the characters. Overall I can’t wait for book 2 :) and thanks so much again to C.S Evermore for the arc!
I adored this story. It was so easy to get into. The writing is beautifully done, which made it a pleasure to read. The characters are relatable and the villains....... well. No spoilers. I will definitely be looking out for more from this amazing author.
This book is written more like a novel in verse instead of standard paragraph format. That said it moves very quickly; however, I think the conflict should have dragged on and built a bit more. I’ll still read the second book because now I’m invested in the story and the writer.