Imperial Dawn

by M.S. Rayed

Rome calls him a god. He knows he is just a weapon.For fans of Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and the grimdark fantasy of Joe Abercrombie comes a brutal, epic saga of magic, history, and the cost of power.

For eighty years, Galerius Manlius Britannicus has been the Empire’s sword. As one of the Blessed, he possesses godlike strength, enhanced reflexes, and eternal youth—a living legend bound to serve a lineage of mad Caesars. He has slaughtered barbarians in the forests of Germania and crushed rebellions in the sands of Syria, believing that his brutality is the price of order.

But the Pax Romana is a lie.

A shadow has fallen over the capital. The Flectores—interdimensional spies capable of rewriting reality itself—have infiltrated the highest levels of the Senate. They do not just conquer lands; they overwrite the truth. They wear the faces of trusted allies. They whisper in the ears of tyrants.

And the rot has spread to the Champion’s own bed.

When Galerius discovers that the conspiracy has infected his own home—and that the woman he loves may be the architect of Rome’s destruction—his world shatters. Betrayed by his family and hunted by the government he swore to protect, Galerius is forced into a war he cannot win with a blade alone.

To stop an enemy that can change the past, he must forge an alliance with the very people he was trained to a fugitive mind-reader seeking vengeance and a shapeshifting courtesan with a deadly secret.

From the burning slums of the Subura to the blood-soaked frontiers of Gaul, the legions are fracturing. The magic that sustains the Empire is fading. And Caesar Nero is spiraling into madness.

Galerius has spent a lifetime fighting for Rome’s glory. Now, with the world crumbling, he must face the ultimate

Will he save the Empire... or become the tyrant who destroys it?

667 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 5, 2026

About the author

M S Rayed is a Bangladeshi‑American novelist whose work braids speculative imagination with the everyday complexity of immigrant life. After earning a degree in Business Administration in Dhaka, he immigrated to the United States nearly a decade ago, trading monsoon skies for the restless glow of New York City. That pivot—from spreadsheets to subway platforms—shapes both his craft and his characters: people caught between inherited duty and self‑invented destiny.

Rayed’s fiction ranges from dystopian fiction set in a Bengal-inspired land and a near‑future cyberpunk meditation on morality to a sprawling historical fantasy epic set in Ancient Rome. Across genres, his stories probe the porous borders between home and exile, faith and futurism, communal responsibility and individual yearning.

Now based in Queens, Rayed navigates the same tightrope his protagonists do—honoring cultural roots while carving an authentic path in a city that prizes reinvention.

Reviews

[Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning is quite intense. Between diving deep into the world of the Roman's and the world building of magic, it is a lot to read through. There are a lot of names and things to remember at first. If you are familiar with the Roman's and their histories, its easier to digest. I had to stop and start quite a bit for the first 30%. There is a lot of characters and building up the plot.

As the story went on, it flipped from Galerius' past to present. I got to know his thoughts from years ago and his experiences. Along with how he met Lysander and the others. It builds up their stories and relationships. Even more terrifying, the politics Galerius ended up embedded in. Agrippina is a horrible person in history and she's no different here. The author did a good job adding the magical Lupen and Adept while still keeping the authenticity of Roman culture and life.

What I also enjoyed was the mix of Britannica history and the battles the romans had with them-including Queen Boudica. It was a great way to tie in all of ancient history. There's so much history and so much information being thrown. It does get dense and bogged down but there are still so many good aspects of the story.

If I was judging this on historical aspects alone, this easily would be 5 stars. However, the story is almost 700 pages long. Even for a fantasy and first book, its long. I definitely felt the length, especially 50% in. There was so much information which caused me some serious confusion. Unfortunately, at the halfway mark, I still hadn't gotten to the heart of the plot. It was still building.

Galerius isn't a boring character by any means. Keri and the others also bring such richness and life into the story. They kept me engaged and reading, even if i wanted to stop because of the length. It was refreshing to see characters who were so incredibly flawed. I keep going back to the decisions of other characters and the greed that led to so much heartbreak. But its so accurate to how those times were.

Im trying not to have this review go on forever so the last thing im going to talk about is the magic system. For me, it wasn't as vivid or apparent as it could have been. The Roman aspect definitely took over. I felt like I was reading more historical fiction than historical fantasy. Towards the last half is really were the fantasy came into play. I had hoped for a bit more on the fantastical element but still enjoyed it. Im a fan so I will look forward to what else this author will write and come up with.

[Heather H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imperial Dawn stands as a compelling entry in contemporary fiction, showcasing the author's skill in weaving together themes of personal transformation, emotional resilience, and the nuanced complexities of human connection. With an emphasis on authentic character development, the novel invites readers to witness the protagonists' journeys, marked by both vulnerability and strength, as they navigate relationships that are both tender and fraught with conflict. The evocative settings and thoughtful pacing create a narrative rhythm where moments of introspection hold as much weight as dramatic turning points. Fans of character-driven stories and those seeking genuine emotional resonance will find Imperial Dawn a memorable and inspiring read, promising a deeply engaging exploration of love, purpose, and self-discovery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read set in a richly imagined version of the Roman Empire. While the beginning is dense with information, it does an excellent job of establishing the world and staying true to the historical tone of the era. The depth of detail really immerses you in the setting.

The characters are thoughtfully developed, each feeling layered and purposeful, and the magic—though subtle—adds an intriguing undercurrent to the story without overpowering it. This is a long, immersive fantasy, perfect for readers who enjoy epic world-building, slow-burn storytelling, and historically inspired settings.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

Imperial Dawn by M. S. Rayed completely pulled me in, and I honestly didn’t want to put this book down once I started.

The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming, and the political intrigue and power struggles keep the story engaging from start to finish. The characters feel layered and intentional, with morally gray energy and relationships that develop naturally alongside the rising stakes.

If you enjoy fantasy with strategic tension, complex characters, and an atmosphere that hooks you fast and holds on tight, this one is worth picking up.

[Gisela Marengo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given to me as an ARC this is my voluntarily and honest review.

This book gets intense from the first chapter , the world building is rich and atmospheric, blending familiar Roman grandeur with eerie, reality bending fantasy elements that raise the stakes far beyond political betrayal. This book is Ancient Rome through a dark, supernatural lens. From the opening pages, the story pulls you into a world where empire and magic immortal weapon forged to uphold the Empire’s version of vision of peace. To be honest I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it as much as I did .

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Experience a vividly crafted interpretation of the Roman Empire in this captivating read. The characters are meticulously developed, each possessing depth and intention, while a delicate infusion of magic weaves an intriguing layer into the narrative without dominating the plot. Engaging political intrigue enriches the storyline. This well-crafted tale successfully captures the essence of the historical period envisioned by the author

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a huge endeavor by this author. The definition of epic fantasy. World building✔️strong emotionaly built characters ✔️action and battle scenes✔️ lingering romance✔️ political intrigue✔️ it starts fast and strong but then dies down a bit in the middle and finishes like you were ruined and its only the first book. Page count is huge for a book 1. Heavy on DETAILS. Maybe too many details. Sometimes less is more but i still enjoyed the imagery and passion that’s in this.

[Püppët · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you can keep up with who is who (luckily the author was kind enough to give you a list in the beginning!☺️) and you don’t mind a lot of world building, this is for you! Compelling and complex characters really give this book life! If you like the writing style of George R. R. Martin you’re going to love this. I found it a little difficult to get through with some of the wording used, however it was still a good read!

[Brittany Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imperial Dawn by M. S. Rayed is historical military fantasy. The story is entertaining, interesting, action packed, and more. Imperial Dawn is the first book in Blessed Empire series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Arden Willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow burn. A lot of political intrigue. Very well written. Stays true to the era.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like military style books with some magic aspects, this book is for you. A bit of a longer read with timeline jumps. Overall, very well written and enjoyable.