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Broken Cycle #1
The Ascension of Souls
Not yet published
Expected 3 Mar 26A broken prophecy
In a land where an ancient prophecy is renewed every generation, two countries are trapped in a repeating cycle of war. But the cycle is broken, and destiny is beginning to unravel.
Two people bound by fate
Luminara, a palace servant, sneaks into the birthday party of the newly anointed ruler, Rianthran, where the two form a forbidden bond.
As Rianthran prepares for the sacred ritual of Ascension, Luminara’s secret powers start to make themselves known. Haunted by visions of the past and terrified of what it means for her country’s future, Luminara must choose a side.
One chance to right the world
As war looms, the Empire teeters on the edge of upheaval. Can the cycle be mended, the shared destiny of its people restored? Or will they forge a new future, free from the chains of prophecy?
The first in the Broken Cycle trilogy, The Ascension of Souls is an epic fantasy with intricate worldbuilding, complex characters, political schemes and a unique magic system.
In a land where an ancient prophecy is renewed every generation, two countries are trapped in a repeating cycle of war. But the cycle is broken, and destiny is beginning to unravel.
Two people bound by fate
Luminara, a palace servant, sneaks into the birthday party of the newly anointed ruler, Rianthran, where the two form a forbidden bond.
As Rianthran prepares for the sacred ritual of Ascension, Luminara’s secret powers start to make themselves known. Haunted by visions of the past and terrified of what it means for her country’s future, Luminara must choose a side.
One chance to right the world
As war looms, the Empire teeters on the edge of upheaval. Can the cycle be mended, the shared destiny of its people restored? Or will they forge a new future, free from the chains of prophecy?
The first in the Broken Cycle trilogy, The Ascension of Souls is an epic fantasy with intricate worldbuilding, complex characters, political schemes and a unique magic system.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 3, 2026
4 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Brontë-Marie Wesson, and Penguin Random House for providing me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have never in my life read a book that was so full of luxurious prose. Ohhh my god. The world was painted so vividly and the main characters were well defined. I loved the injection of culture into the fantasy, it made for a more unique feel in the fantasy landscape.
My only pain point, and I recognise that this is completely personal and not the fault of the author, but high fantasy tends to bop you over the head with many characters and a complex world right away and outside of the main characters, I was losing track of who was who. But again, that’s my own fault.
This reminds me a lot of Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson and the game Heaven’s Vault, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Just the mystery and intrigue. A main character not necessarily built for the world she’s thrust into. Loved it.
I have never in my life read a book that was so full of luxurious prose. Ohhh my god. The world was painted so vividly and the main characters were well defined. I loved the injection of culture into the fantasy, it made for a more unique feel in the fantasy landscape.
My only pain point, and I recognise that this is completely personal and not the fault of the author, but high fantasy tends to bop you over the head with many characters and a complex world right away and outside of the main characters, I was losing track of who was who. But again, that’s my own fault.
This reminds me a lot of Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson and the game Heaven’s Vault, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Just the mystery and intrigue. A main character not necessarily built for the world she’s thrust into. Loved it.
Want to read
December 13, 2025hopefully this book is as wonderful as her (the author's) makeup looks.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A beautifully intricate and masterfully crafted fantasy about a prophecy that has people in its chokehold and is trying to break free from their intended fate. I loved seeing this world develop and the characters finding strength within themselves. There's a long-foretold prophecy that has repeated itself across cycles and continues to keep two nations at war with each other.
We see glimpses of characters long gone who remain integral to the plot and haunt the narrative. Lives are reborn, and the cycle of the prophecy continues on and on.
The world was rich in its descriptions and political machinations. There were times when the plot lost me a bit in the complexities of the world and the vast amount of terms and elements being introduced at once. It also took a moment for me to be fully immersed in the plot and for the action to start. Once it kicked off, however, I was fully grasped.
I was really intrigued by all of the characters and their complexities. Luminara was such a gentle yet powerful force in the book. I hope to see her character come into her own more as the series goes on. She held firm to her beliefs and genuinely wanted to see her people at peace.
Rianthran was an interesting character in that he was thrust into power at such a young age and had the weight of the prophecy on his back, as well as other powerful figures in the background urging him in certain directions.
There was a strong cast of secondary characters as well, who were vital to the development of the main characters and the progression of the plot. Nejla was a fierce and confident character who wanted nothing more than a position of power and was fiercely loyal to the women in her service. That was one of my favourite aspects of this book, the connection between the women and their fierce desire not to be pushed to the side of history, rather to forge their own paths and rewrite themselves into the world as forces to be reckoned with.
There was a deep connection between Luminara and Rianthran which I am really eager to see how it develops throughout the series. The ending too?! I need Book Two immediately.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia for the ARC!
We see glimpses of characters long gone who remain integral to the plot and haunt the narrative. Lives are reborn, and the cycle of the prophecy continues on and on.
The world was rich in its descriptions and political machinations. There were times when the plot lost me a bit in the complexities of the world and the vast amount of terms and elements being introduced at once. It also took a moment for me to be fully immersed in the plot and for the action to start. Once it kicked off, however, I was fully grasped.
I was really intrigued by all of the characters and their complexities. Luminara was such a gentle yet powerful force in the book. I hope to see her character come into her own more as the series goes on. She held firm to her beliefs and genuinely wanted to see her people at peace.
Rianthran was an interesting character in that he was thrust into power at such a young age and had the weight of the prophecy on his back, as well as other powerful figures in the background urging him in certain directions.
There was a strong cast of secondary characters as well, who were vital to the development of the main characters and the progression of the plot. Nejla was a fierce and confident character who wanted nothing more than a position of power and was fiercely loyal to the women in her service. That was one of my favourite aspects of this book, the connection between the women and their fierce desire not to be pushed to the side of history, rather to forge their own paths and rewrite themselves into the world as forces to be reckoned with.
There was a deep connection between Luminara and Rianthran which I am really eager to see how it develops throughout the series. The ending too?! I need Book Two immediately.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia for the ARC!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews