The Scion Conspiracy

by Mike Cahoon

What is The Scion Conspiracy?

During a burgeoning Age of Exploration, a conspiracy of deadly politics and dark magic is abducting children from across the continent for unknown purposes. Disgraced Prince Cassius Roth delves into the tangled web of lies and violence, unprepared for the just how far it stretches.

From an exalted performer to the Gifted son of a merchant sailor, to a notorious outlaw and a hardened conwoman, no one is above being ensnared in the mysterious conclave's ambitions. But are they only pieces in a greater game or will they rise to orchestrate their own plans?

As the greatest powers in the world fight for control over the New World, alliances shift by the moment and no one's future is set in stone. The conspiracy weaves its plots and nations are dragged along in its wake, forever defining all that follows in the first installment of this dark fantasy epic.

Genres: Fantasy

494 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

Occasional writer of things. Husband, Dad, Firefighter.

Reviews

[James Harwood-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conspiracy, danger, abductions and ill intent highlight this fantastic series opener.

The Scion Conspiracy is a gripping fantasy political thriller. There are some shady happenings throughout and decency is definitely off the table.

At its core, this is about growing dissent within the kingdom. Where the line is between freedom fighter and insurrectionist? What lengths people will go to.

Its answer may be something you may not be ready for.

All the deception, recruitment and unsavoury clandestine behaviour you can handle.

In addition, lots of magic too!

A magic school no less.

Keeping with the bleak themes…a somewhat unwelcoming one!

Prepare for battles, fierce creatures and worse humans.

And gruesome surprises too. 🤢

I found the deeper I got into the book, the darker it got.

And of course being me, the more I enjoyed it. 😈

Great debut. Looking forward to the sequel.

Thanks to the author for providing this review copy!

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Scion Conspiracy: Crucible of Legacy by Mike Cahoon is a dark fantasy horror tale. The story brings readers into a world where there’s ambition, inheritance, and unseen forces peeping beneath the surface of royal duty and magical potential. Cahoon opens with a scene filled with visceral clash on top of a mountain, and Prince Cassius Roth, along with his men, are battling grotesque wylerbeasts; matted, snarling creatures coming out of the cave like a fast-moving nightmare. Their victory earns cheers and celebration with the townsfolk, but the young prince soon finds himself stripped of his duties and titles by his father.

But the world expansion of Cahoon’s narrative doesn’t stop there. We shift to a gifted merchant named Jayce Acosta, who forms spheres of water in midair while wrestling with a future of taking over his parents’ business that he really doesn’t want. His parents view his abilities as something to be managed, not a calling to be used.

These parallels that Cahoon draws actually sharpen the emotional core of the story. Readers will be able to immediately identify with these two characters forced to choose between obedience and selfhood. Then we shift again to Juniper, an illusionist performing at The Hold during the festivities. She draws from her mind, flowers blooming into skyships, tendrils twisting into creatures, and a scythe slicing through thin air. But her secret ritual behind closed doors, carved symbols and lines that she chants, crystalline powder, and life-draining magic, seem to hint at something sinister at play as the story moves forward.

When Holton and his allies infiltrate the fortress and free the Witch of the White Wood and her coven, the prince’s world really begins to tilt. The figure that appears from Holton’s special coin is the same figure that Juniper was talking to, and it seems that he’s orchestrating something that smells a bit fishy. Soon, threads of abductions, along with forbidden magic that makes Lord Roth and his men suspicious of Juniper and others like her, and the whispered alliances, seem suspiciously connected. A darker conspiracy that Valeria warned of isn’t realized until Prince Cassius ends up battered, bloody, and nearly dead after washing up on a shore. Loyalties begin to mutate as children mysteriously disappear, and no throne seems safe. But the bigger part of the plan is only beginning to unfold, and Prince Cassius is in for a shock as his query leads him deeper down the rabbit hole.

The thrill of The Scion Conspiracy is not just the outlaws like Holton or the entertainers like Juniper. It’s not even the monstrous encounters or the magic. It’s the creeping realization that power is the true currency, but dangerous in the wrong hands. But so much happens before the conspiracy is even realized, and every event leading up to it is worth weeding through to get to that moment. Everything is exposed in due time. We find out who the Red Wolf is while Jayce finds out that others can wield magic against another’s will. We also find out more about Lyra and Hector. By the end of the narrative, we learn of the mage, Lawrence’s true intentions, and why he needed to use Holton and his men. But I think readers will be pleased with all of the revelations leading to the very end.

Readers who enjoy epic fantasy and horror in similar works like Fatemarked by David Estes or Deborah Jay’s The Five Kingdoms series will appreciate The Scion Conspiracy by Mike Cahoon.

[Blaise · Rating 4 out of 5]

And done! This is an amazing debut novel. Epic scope with so much detail in the world building that any reader will love. A bit slow for my taste but such a fun ride. Don’t let anyone tell you that prologues are unimportant. You have been warned!!

[Cole Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The debut novel from Mike Chaplin wears its influences on its sleeve and rewards an avid reader of sci-fi and fantasy with Easter eggs and references painting a colorful world both rooted in grim dark and classical fantasy. We follow a host of morally grey characters who blend good with the bad and they navigate the world that Mike has crafted here. An outstanding debut novel and the beginning of something larger that I can’t wait to see fleshed out to fruition.

[Anna]

What a fantastic debut from Mike Cahoon! His world-building and magic system are stunning, but what stood out most was the emotional depth of his characters. Writing multiple points of view with this level of finesse is no small feat, but each character pulled me into their inner world so effectively that I found myself eagerly anticipating every POV shift. Their actions and reactions felt authentic, creating a deeply emotional and tragic narrative as each one fights to protect what they love in a world where heroism often goes unrewarded.

I felt the same desperation and heartbreak as Cassius, Jayce, and Juniper while they grappled to understand and contain a conspiracy far beyond any one of them. The twists and turns kept me constantly guessing, and by the end, it was clear that both the characters and I had only scratched the surface of a deep, widespread network of plots, where morality is murky and suffering touches all sides.

Thank you for the advanced copy—I highly recommend this book to any fantasy lover, and I’m already eagerly awaiting the next installment in The Crucible of Legacy series!

[Aezrii · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Scion Conspiracy is everything I love in a fantasy!!! The writing is layered and detailed. I love the vast attention to details. The descriptions of places, environments, and characters are all phenomenal. Worldbuilding is such a crucial element to a nice epic and Cahoon does that very well. It is easy to live in the pages. While passages are descriptive and wordy, the plot and character arcs are intriguing enough to keep you going. You need to know more! There are so many moving pieces and players, so the ending was immensely satisfying to see the pieces meet and come together. I must say I'm in love with Cassius and I love Juniper's character.

I am so looking forward to the next installments. I greatly recommend this read for those into Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss.

[Margaret Atwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story broke me in the best way. Cassius Roth’s fall from grace and his desperate search for truth carries so much emotional weight. But what hit hardest were the quieter moments the tension between duty and conscience, the fragile threads of trust, the trauma left behind when children go missing. It’s dark, yes, but also deeply human. I finished the last page with my heart in my throat.

[Willy Nichter · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enticing tale told in an intriguing and richly developed world! Excited to see where this series goes! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[L. Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Scion Conspiracy is exactly the kind of large-scale multi-POV fantasy epic that I devour on the regular. It is absolutely packed with huge set-pieces, boisterous cities that blaze with life, and multiple nations with backstabbing factions and corrupt governments. The worldbuilding is heavy, but developed and conveyed in an easily digestible manner, easing the reader into this huge, busy world.

The cast of characters, especially the handful of main protagonists we follow, were all incredibly engaging and flawed in ways that make them painfully human. For example, young Jayce is so thoroughly out of his depth when he’s asked to spy on the mages of another country on behalf of his homeland, and yet he applies himself to his herculean task with naïve enthusiasm. It’s impossible not to root for him even as we turn the page and brace ourselves for the disastrous consequences of his haphazard investigations.

Cassius, by contrast, is a bit more politically astute, and yet makes the sorts of mistakes anyone in his position would. His struggles feel raw and real; rather than an overpowered hero who saunters through the plot with little issue, Cassius fights hard, loses some gambits, and endears himself to the reader through his good-hearted desire to protect his people and do the right thing.

The plot itself unfolds in satisfying layers. There are factions within factions, ploys within ploys, and at the heart of it all? A massive conspiracy that threatens to unravel the precarious equilibrium of this world and plunge the nations into cataclysmic conflict. What at first seems to be a narrative focusing on political manoeuvrings between one nation and another evolves into something far more dangerous and exciting.

[Tim Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great debut book by Mike Cahoon. The characters and world are very well done, clear but with just enough changes to keep the story interesting and the reader engaged. Looking forward to the sequel!

[dudereadthis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

First of all, a huge thanks to Mike Cahoon for granting me access to an Advanced copy of this book to review. Wishing you all the best with the launch and for the rest of it! Secondly, this review contains some spoilers, not extreme plot details but enough to remove some of the intrigue from certain scenes, so you may be well advised to not read this review until you've read the book.

The Scion Conspiracy has an impressively ambitious scale. The plot moves from place to place in this large world, but also between characters whose worlds are so far removed form each other, that it becomes one of the highlights of the book when they start to, inexorably, converge. In fact, character is probably the biggest strength of Mike Cahoon's debut work, brought down somewhat by a plot that feels like its reach may extend its grasp, and some thematic flaws that hinder the overall experience.

Cassius, Jayce, Juniper, Lyra, and Holton are the main perspectives through which we traverse this story and sure enough, one could feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of perspectives, especially when compared to the length of the book. Cahoon never fails in that regard, however. Every character begins at a certain point in their lives, and through their decisions and circumstances, they are driven to where they find themselves in the end. These developments are character driven, and the story becomes stronger for it.

Cassius chooses to forgo his family and try to go out on his own. Jayce does the same but gets roped into a political plot not of his own making. Juniper, already part of a political coup, decides to prioritises her own selfish ambitions, believing she can have both, a successful coup and a happy ever after with the woman she loves. Lyra is a con artist, finding herself in the middle of something far greater than herself, and she must decide - doing the right thing or fulfilling her ambitions. Holton, a thief and a man driven by nothing but self serving ambition, is now at a moral crossroads, having to finally ask the question - how far would he go to secure his and his sister's freedom? Each character is fleshed out with a lot of detail, care is given to their respective motivations, and significance is attached to the consequences of their actions. They are characters worth rooting for and I was fascinated at the possibilities of their journey, and the potential in the various permutations of character interactions. Jayce meeting Juniper again, not realising how much his intelligence gathering has ruined her plans. Jayce and Cass, obviously. Holton and Lyra feel like fascinating characters whom I would love to see interact.

There's certainly a theme that runs through everyone's motivations; people who naively believe they can do it all, craving the best of both worlds. The set up for a tragic culmination of events is apparent here, but within the confines of this first book of the series, no such resolution takes place. There isn't an "end" to character arcs, even temporary, a closing of the chapter that began with their initial decisions in the book, for it to then progress further in upcoming instalments. Instead, the ending, that of each character and the plot, feels abrupt and underwhelming, and in some cases, it is non-existent. Jayce, for example, learns of Lyra's true motives and hears from Hector about their plans after which there is...nothing. Jayce's character arc becomes an afterthought in this book, and I am certain it gets resolved in the overall story, but such choices take away from the individuality of this book. Even with Juniper, the final scene is of her being asked a question by her partner, and that's the last we hear of her. Cass, Holton, and Lyra fare a little better, but there is no sense of a chapter closing, just a cumbersome pause in the story.

Cahoon's focus on character building and development, does mean he sacrifices a little in the world-building department, but in a manner that actually proves to be more immersive than obtrusive. In an interesting choice, he chooses to have all exposition regarding the make-up for the world, all the locations, empires, factions, political differences, history, and general world-building be relayed to the reader through conversations and offhanded remarks instead of outlining them directly. It doesn't always work for me, as I found myself turning back many a page to remember which empire was which and who defeated whom, and which direction this place lay in, but I admit to a certain subjectivity here. I am, sadly, a proponent of maps at the beginning of such books, so that I can know what is where, but that's more of a personal requirement than a flaw for TSC. (I have a horrible memory.) Frankly, it's an interesting way of relaying information and I am sure attentive readers would enjoy slowly putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

As more and more piece of the world become clear, the overall plot begins to shine through the cracks. I admit to not really being fascinated at the concept of a coup against a terrible emperor, a tried and tested plot device, but compelling stories can be told using even the most worn out of plot elements. Cahoon understands that too. TSC starts out as a regular political thriller, with events taking place all over the continent, with no apparent link only for the chains connecting them to become visible through the murk. Cahoon trusts his reader, assuming that they've seen a story like this before, they know the tropes and the tricks, making it refreshing when he doesn't bother with pretense or bogging the narrative down with twists everyone can see coming. Instead , he directs us to the aims and goals of the people and what drives them. It's a practical decision, and proves to be a smart one, because the actual plot lacks substance. The way it is revealed is fun to read and I found myself eagerly awaiting subsequent chapters, but only because I wanted to know what would happen to my favourite characters and not what would happen in general.

There are glimpses of themes of tyranny, of duty in the face of oblivion, right and wrong, the way cruelty masks itself as progress, and of course, love, because no story is complete without it. Cahoon is adept at balancing these, showing, through Cass, how some of us too bound by duty to do what needs to be done, through Lyra and Holton, the cost of making the decision between right and wrong, through Jayce, the burden of following your dream, and through Juniper, the real price of trying to upend the world as we know it, along with the reward of fighting for true freedom, the one ideal worth any price.

The core theme of TSC is humanity, the way the powerful exploit us for their own ends and once the wars are fought, the lines are drawn, the treaties signed, and the armies withdrawn, it is the people who are left who suffer. The commonfolk, the true heart of every land, community, city, or country. It is through them that everything, culture, history, values, survives. It was disappointing, then, that all the characters in TSC are either part of the nobility, or part of some criminal enterprise. We see all the politics and the planning but no perspective gives us a glimpse of the true impact of these events on the regular people, an aspect that would have added a much-needed layer to this story.

Lyra and Holton, for example, are orphans who grew up on the street and fought for everything and Lyra is still sympathetic in the way she perceives those who have less. Even her ambitions feel like they lean towards a more altruistic sensibility, she wants a neighbourhood for her own so that she can actually do something, be the one they turn to when everyone else barely acknowledges their existence. Holton, on the other hand, becomes hard to relate to, given the number of children he has kidnapped and is leading to their certain death. But at no point do any of these character even delve into the daily, regular harm that the current political make-up of the world wreaks upon its common citizens. Juniper's struggle, then, becomes just a bunch of words like tyranny and republic with no concrete impact. And as for Cassius and Jayce, despite their knowledge, they are actively working for the current status-quo, trying to keep things as they are, a path which may see them ending up as antagonists, another side-effect of the sudden manner in which some of these character arcs sends.

These thematic flaws are probably intentional, the trough before the crest, and maybe, as we move forward, Cahoon's treatment of the inequality of power, the evils of tyranny, and the plight of the people will become more substantial, with characters moving beyond their need to maintain the status quo and actively working against it. Still, since it is a central theme of TSC, it works to the detriment of the story, making it less ambiguous in terms of character, and less compelling in terms of overall plot. However, Cahoon displays great strength in writing characters and I trust them wholeheartedly. Through them, the story still maintains its vividness, and its intrigue. I want to know what happens to them. I want to know what happens to this new world that Cahoon has created. And more than anything, I am excited to read yet another entry into the glorious genre of fantasy, an entry that proves that there is always a good story to be told.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scion Conspiracy is a strong debut featuring multiple characters entrenched in a conspiracy surrounding missing children.

The action and the conspiracy were the strongest parts of the book. I liked how the different POVs brought the sides of the conspiracy together. I enjoyed the characters as well, even when they were making stupid decisions. Some of those scenes were funny.

Overall solid book. I’m interested to see where the story goes from here.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think my book is pretty aight. Hope you all do too!

[Michael Vadney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scion Conspiracy is an ambitious epic fantasy that offers a sprawling cast, political intrigue, and character-driven storytelling. While it occasionally struggles to fully connect the reader to its themes, it provides plenty of intrigue and promise for those who enjoy layered, multi-perspective narratives.

The world is classically epic fantasy in scale and scope, perfect for readers seeking that “EPIC” feel akin to Wheel of Time or The Prince’s Errand. The magic system is revealed gradually, and what seems generic at first slowly shows depth. Most worldbuilding is delivered through dialogue, which is effective but can slow the narrative. For readers who enjoy large, immersive fantasy worlds, this book delivers.

The book introduces compelling themes—tyranny, duty, morality, and love—but the emotional resonance doesn’t always hit. Much of the story is filtered through nobles or criminals, leaving ordinary people largely absent from the narrative. This distance makes it harder to feel the weight of political upheaval, though the characters’ personal struggles offer moments of genuine tension and reflection.

The cast is wide, typical of epic fantasy, and the story follows five main characters—Cassius, Jayce, Juniper, Lyra, and Holton—each driven by personal ambitions and moral dilemmas. The intersecting paths of all five characters keep the narrative engaging. While the breadth of characters can make some feel distant, Cahoon’s focus on character motivations and interactions is strong and sets the stage for deeper development in future installments.

The plot is ambitious, with multiple threads and intertwining character arcs. While the central story of political coups and conspiracies is somewhat familiar, the individual character stories elevate the narrative, making it feel like five stories woven together rather than one unified plot. The resolution is abrupt, but the numerous moving pieces—along with the intrigue of how characters’ ambitions intersect, pull the reader through. Fans of A Song of Ice and Fire–style storytelling will likely find this structure appealing.

Cahoon’s prose is clear and serviceable, though it can be a bit wordy at times. Dialogue occasionally feels polished or campy, which may appeal differently depending on the reader. The narrative often filters experiences through characters’ internal thoughts, which can create some distance from the action, but the style improves as the story progresses. Overall, the writing shows solid promise, and the author’s skill is likely to grow with future works.

The Scion Conspiracy is an ambitious and character-driven epic fantasy that balances a sprawling cast, intricate political intrigue, and compelling individual arcs. While the emotional connection and plot resolution have room to grow, Cahoon demonstrates clear promise as a storyteller. Fans of layered epic fantasy with complex characters and multiple intersecting storylines will find much to enjoy here.

[Jan Hellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book swayed between what I like and what I don't(dynamic worldbuilding and static description). When the story centered on characters however it tend to stick there for the most part so the stuff that I don't really like in books kinda faded away.

Speaking of characters. They were good for the most part, but I feel some didn't get to shine properly(in good or bad way) hence wasting their potential a little.
We have a cast full of young souls who just dip their toes into the conspiracy without having much of a say so in the matter and that makes the entire grand plot unfold in the background. No matter what our heroes did things still happened, which is not bad, but it really needed some adult there to get the ball rolling better instead of having our cast learning about the same thing over and over again. Valeria comes to mind when I think of an adult.

The best characters easily are Holt and Lyra(even though she has limited screen time), competent, know what they want and even if they stumble in the dark like the rest of the cast, they seemed like the two gears in this machine that can make the best out of it.

Jayce needed some breather between him joining the university and finding the truth to let that isolation sink in, because no matter what Lyra said, he was a fool to me throughout without that.

Juniper is one of the characters that screamed while reading that the story is in a desperate need of a fleshed out adult. We never get to see why she gets such praise from the Emperor(it's only mentioned as background info as she manipulates Valeria). She even gets mocked for her ignorance while being showered with all the important devices etc. She's really building up into a teen melodrama that really doesn't sit with that grand scheme

Cassius is the worst, he's just an action figure, least interesting and even overshadowed by Holton when it comes to spicing up the story with some beating up. The first candidate a competent adult would easily replace.

I still liked reading through the story, I'm an immersive reader so feeling the characters for what they are was still fun even though it hurts the story as a whole. It would be that much better if there would be someone older there keeping that grand scheme rolling. I know it's the first book in the series, still it could really use some hook of importance and grandeur there so we wouldn't need to waddle through teen obliviousness and melodrama.

[Joe Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Scion Conspiracy (Bk 1 of the Crucible of Legacy) by Mike Cahoon takes place during an age of expansion to newly found lands, where competing countries and factions are vying for territory, power, and control of the new world. We find ourselves immediately immersed in the story with action, political posturing and intrigue, multiple power plays by groups both known and unknown, and the menace of dark and forbidden magics at play.

The story is told from several main character POVs. Cassius, a young prince and heir to the throne of the Federation, is fearless and bold, often jumping in headfirst and reckless, allowing his emotions and drive to do the right and honorable thing to rule his actions. Jayce, son of a renowned merchant family with close ties to the Federation's royal family and best friend of Cassius, is a talented magic user wanting to grow his power and attend the university for the gifted despite his parents' desire for him to take over their merchant empire. Juniper, an illusionist (magic user) coming from a well-placed family within the Empire to the east (competing with the Federation), works to advance her families' plans for greater power and revenge. And finally, we get the story of Holton, the fearless leader of a notorious band of mercenaries, who always seem to achieve the impossible without capture. All of these characters' stories are unique but intimately intertwined in the web of power plays and machinations of the power players moving their political and strategic pieces behind the scenes.

Another character's story arc I enjoyed was that of Lyra, a member of the thieves' guild working to determine what’s at play with the various power plays and a mystery involving missing children and how it can be leveraged to maximize the thieves' position in the struggles of power for the new world.

By the last third of the book, we begin to see what's really enabling and fueling the power dynamics within the competing rival nations. It is both shocking and horrific and the impact to our main POVs is profound in different ways. This book had me really hooked by the halfway mark and I really can't wait to continue the story in the next book. Great debut effort by Mike Cahoon!

[Keon Shore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Scion Conspiracy is a beautifully written high fantasy, complex, multi-POV tale of a large scale conflict told on a personal level. And it's an excellent debut novel.

The book builds intrigue and complexity by giving the readers insights into the various characters involved in a struggle we don't quite understand as it—and with it the story—unfolds. We meet people on both sides and most of those characters and their actions are relatable, meaning this book has no true villain vs. heroes structure. We're often rooting for both sides—exactly my kind of story.
Decisions by characters are often morally gray, questionable and/or difficult. Also, characters occasionally make mistakes. This is the kind of realism I enjoy in story telling.

The writing is detailed and immersive, with rich and colorful world building that lets the reader feel deeply into both the characters and their surroundings. Revelations about what ties all these people together and who's involved, come bit by bit, keeping the reader engaged and wondering what's really going on.

I'm excited to see how it continues!

[Devin (Bromantasy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scion Conspiracy masterfully blends heist, political intrigue, and grimdark elements into a cohesive debut that uses accessible prose while maintaining the epic scope required for a story like this. Different plots weave together through a chilling central conflict of conspiracy keeping you on the edge of the page earning this a 3.5/5 (rounded to 4 here).

Cahoon’s character work shines brightest in the trio’s distinct voices and motivations. Cassius trying to solve everything with violence until forced to play the political game, Jayce grappling with the realization his idols built power on horrific foundations, and Holton discovering even mercenaries have lines they won’t cross. While we don’t get as much crossover between the three as I’d hoped (that’s clearly being saved for book two), each POV felt fully realized with character arcs that progressed meaningfully. The supporting cast, in true epic fantasy fashion, added depth without overwhelming the page count.

Full in-depth review can be found at BroMantasy.com .

[B. F. Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Scion Conspiracy is an intriguing tale told from the POVs of several seemingly unrelated characters who vary in status, background, outlook, location, and values. The contrast between the aspirational, somewhat naively heroic Prince Cassius and the hardened and cynical criminal Holton was my favorite dynamic in the book, as these two had sharply different views on what nobles are and do, but there was something to like and something to question about all the characters of this richly developed cast, and the way this author interwove their stories across so many different locations, quickly grounding you in places that ranged from seaport cities to the deep woods to imposing fortresses and everywhere in between, was truly impressive. Perfect for fans of immersive political fantasy with strong action sequences and an interesting magic system that I'm eager to learn more about.

[Liora Ellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Scion Conspiracy is an epic and intricately woven fantasy that grips from the first page. Mike Cahoon builds a vivid world where political intrigue, dark magic, and ambition collide in an age of exploration and uncertainty. Each character from the fallen prince to the outlaw and conwoman feels fully realized, their fates intertwined in a grand, shadowy web of power. The pacing is sharp, the stakes high, and the writing atmospheric and intelligent. This first installment sets the stage for an unforgettable saga of betrayal, destiny, and revolution. A must-read for fans of richly layered, character-driven fantasy epics.

[Stephen Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe this is Mike’s debut! The plot, writing, character arcs, magic system…it was all done remarkably well. What really stood out (for me) was the immersive world-building and morally complex characters. They just felt so alive and real!

Perfect for fans of Sanderson’s epic worlds or the political intrigue of Game of Thrones.

*To be released: October 1st!

[Calvert Cormier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me. At first, I expected a traditional fantasy about a prince reclaiming lost honor. Instead, Cahoon delivers something darker and more layered. Cassius Roth is disgraced, yes, but he’s also emblematic of how power can strip people bare and leave them scrambling for scraps of identity. The conspiracy itself is massive, but what makes it terrifying is how invisible it often feels you don’t see the strings being pulled until it’s too late. I was especially invested in the Gifted son of the merchant sailor, whose perspective added a more grounded, human dimension to the larger political struggles. The prose can be intricate, but never unnecessarily so; it captures mood and setting in a way that deepens the tension. I found myself rereading passages simply because they were so well crafted. This isn’t a fast read, but if you like fantasy that respects your intelligence, it’s an excellent choice.

[Victoria Pena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breathtaking fusion of dark magic, politics, and destiny, The Scion Conspiracy gripped me from the first page to the last. Mike Cahoon’s worldbuilding is rich, his characters unforgettable, and his storytelling nothing short of masterful.

[E. P. Soulless · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conspiracy and intrigue without being corny or downright clichéd. Indie fantasy at its best. Well done!