What do you think?
Rate this book
Dustborn: The Setting Son
Bowen Kells was raised to serve the Church of Vaelthane - trained as a templar, sworn to hunt the very thing he has now become. When a relic known as Khoren's Fang marks him as heretic in the eyes of the order that made him, exile is the mercy. What follows it will not be.
Under a sky split by two moons - one burning red with an old god's hunger, one glowing white with a promise long since broken - Bowen is cast out into a world that has never fully trusted the line between chosen and cursed. The Fang does not explain itself. It only chooses. And now it has chosen him.
The Setting Son is the first book in an epic fantasy saga about identity forged in exile - about what it costs to become the thing you were trained to destroy, and what's left of a person once the title, the order, and the certainty are stripped away. As templars hunt the man they once called brother, and older powers stir at the edges of a fracturing world, Bowen must decide whether the Fang has cursed him - or revealed him.
Readers of character-driven epic fantasy - stories where legacy, faith, and identity collide with consequence - will find a world built for the long a decade in the making, richly realized, and only just beginning.
The Fang chooses. Exile defines. Destiny demands.
Under a sky split by two moons - one burning red with an old god's hunger, one glowing white with a promise long since broken - Bowen is cast out into a world that has never fully trusted the line between chosen and cursed. The Fang does not explain itself. It only chooses. And now it has chosen him.
The Setting Son is the first book in an epic fantasy saga about identity forged in exile - about what it costs to become the thing you were trained to destroy, and what's left of a person once the title, the order, and the certainty are stripped away. As templars hunt the man they once called brother, and older powers stir at the edges of a fracturing world, Bowen must decide whether the Fang has cursed him - or revealed him.
Readers of character-driven epic fantasy - stories where legacy, faith, and identity collide with consequence - will find a world built for the long a decade in the making, richly realized, and only just beginning.
The Fang chooses. Exile defines. Destiny demands.
800 pages, Paperback
Published October 9, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 13, 2026
# **𝐃𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐋. 𝐋𝐢𝐩𝐤𝐚**
⭐ 𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5/5
☕ 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡: Black Coffee
🍂 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧: Fall
✅ 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐃?: ABSOLUTELY!
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄:
- Epic fantasy with dark, atmospheric worldbuilding
- Templars, gods, magic, and ancient relics
- Exiled heroes questioning everything they were taught
- Secrets, betrayal, and complicated loyalties
- Unique magic systems and mysterious creatures
- Characters who leave you wondering WHO CAN I ACTUALLY TRUST?!
𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:
Bowen Kells, YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH IT. Imagine being trained by the Church to hunt the very thing you eventually become. Your entire belief system gets turned upside down, you're branded a heretic, and suddenly the people who raised you are hunting you. GREAT. LOVE THAT FOR YOU.
And the WORLD?! Two moons, ancient gods, mysterious relics, a powerful Church, magic, and creatures I desperately want to see illustrated? Sign me UP. The worldbuilding has that feeling of a much bigger story unfolding behind the scenes, and I'm already curious about what else is waiting to be uncovered.
Speaking of worldbuilding...The worldbuilding was SO well done! 🌙 It never felt overwhelming or like I needed a PowerPoint presentation just to keep up. 😂 Everything was easy to follow while still leaving plenty of mysteries to uncover, and I loved how naturally the world came together as the story unfolded.
And that ending? Let's just say I understand why readers are already eager for book two. 😂 I want more answers, more of this world, and to see where Bowen's journey takes him next.
If you're an epic fantasy reader who loves layered worldbuilding, ancient mysteries, religious intrigue, and a protagonist whose entire life gets flipped upside down, put this one on your radar.
⭐ 𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5/5
☕ 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡: Black Coffee
🍂 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧: Fall
✅ 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐃?: ABSOLUTELY!
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄:
- Epic fantasy with dark, atmospheric worldbuilding
- Templars, gods, magic, and ancient relics
- Exiled heroes questioning everything they were taught
- Secrets, betrayal, and complicated loyalties
- Unique magic systems and mysterious creatures
- Characters who leave you wondering WHO CAN I ACTUALLY TRUST?!
𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:
Bowen Kells, YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH IT. Imagine being trained by the Church to hunt the very thing you eventually become. Your entire belief system gets turned upside down, you're branded a heretic, and suddenly the people who raised you are hunting you. GREAT. LOVE THAT FOR YOU.
And the WORLD?! Two moons, ancient gods, mysterious relics, a powerful Church, magic, and creatures I desperately want to see illustrated? Sign me UP. The worldbuilding has that feeling of a much bigger story unfolding behind the scenes, and I'm already curious about what else is waiting to be uncovered.
Speaking of worldbuilding...The worldbuilding was SO well done! 🌙 It never felt overwhelming or like I needed a PowerPoint presentation just to keep up. 😂 Everything was easy to follow while still leaving plenty of mysteries to uncover, and I loved how naturally the world came together as the story unfolded.
And that ending? Let's just say I understand why readers are already eager for book two. 😂 I want more answers, more of this world, and to see where Bowen's journey takes him next.
If you're an epic fantasy reader who loves layered worldbuilding, ancient mysteries, religious intrigue, and a protagonist whose entire life gets flipped upside down, put this one on your radar.
October 21, 2026
This fantasy book is a must read. Very well written, the story flows effortlessly with great descriptions of every phase of the adventure unfolding. I couldn’t put it down.
Cody Lipka is so strong in his development of this tale, a wonderful author !
Cody Lipka is so strong in his development of this tale, a wonderful author !
October 21, 2026
EPIC FANTASY! This was a wonderfully executed adventure. The world building and character development were so well done. I feel like I would recognize the characters if I met them in real life. Great job with this debut novel. I read this as an arc reviewer and I definitely enjoyed the ride.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Templar's, magic, battles, Gods..I really enjoyed this book. Especially the magic system, I hadn't seen one quite like it. I love the different beasts in the book as well and can't wait to see the art for them. If you like fantasy I would recommend this book it was well done.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an advanced copy and this is my honest review.
I NEED EVERY FANTASY READER TO STOP SCROLLING.
Because DUSTBORN: THE SETTING SON by Cody L. Lipka had me STRESSED. OBSESSED. QUESTIONING EVERYTHING.
This book has religious intrigue, ancient relics, betrayal, exile, secrets, danger, and characters who had me constantly wondering WHO CAN I ACTUALLY TRUST?! 👀
Bowen Kells… oh, Bowen.
Imagine being trained by the Church to hunt heretics, only to suddenly become one yourself.
His entire world gets ripped apart, and watching him struggle between what he has been taught to believe and what he is beginning to discover about himself was EVERYTHING. His journey is full of doubt, fear, determination, and some seriously intense moments. I was completely invested in seeing where his choices would take him.
But the characters around Bowen?!
THE CHARACTER DYNAMICS.
There are secrets. Conflicting loyalties. Suspicion. Complicated relationships. Characters with their own motivations and agendas, and every time I thought I had someone figured out, I found myself second-guessing everything.
And then we have Khoren’s Fang…
WHY IS THIS RELIC SO IMPORTANT?!
WHAT DOES IT WANT?!
WHO CAN BE TRUSTED?!
AND WHY DO I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS?!
The world building is MASSIVE and atmospheric, with two moons hanging over a world filled with ancient mysteries, powerful religious institutions, and forces that feel far bigger than our characters can comprehend.
This is the kind of fantasy where you can FEEL that there is a much bigger story unfolding behind the pages.
If you like:
Exiled/reluctant heroes
Dark & mysterious fantasy worlds
Ancient relics & hidden powers
Religious intrigue
Complicated character relationships
“WHO CAN I TRUST?” energy
Betrayals and secrets
MASSIVE epic-fantasy vibes
YOU NEED THIS ON YOUR RADAR.
I finished this feeling like someone had dropped me into the middle of a conspiracy, taken away all the answers, and then said:
“Okay. Now figure it out.”
And honestly?
I’M READY FOR MORE...
I NEED EVERY FANTASY READER TO STOP SCROLLING.
Because DUSTBORN: THE SETTING SON by Cody L. Lipka had me STRESSED. OBSESSED. QUESTIONING EVERYTHING.
This book has religious intrigue, ancient relics, betrayal, exile, secrets, danger, and characters who had me constantly wondering WHO CAN I ACTUALLY TRUST?! 👀
Bowen Kells… oh, Bowen.
Imagine being trained by the Church to hunt heretics, only to suddenly become one yourself.
His entire world gets ripped apart, and watching him struggle between what he has been taught to believe and what he is beginning to discover about himself was EVERYTHING. His journey is full of doubt, fear, determination, and some seriously intense moments. I was completely invested in seeing where his choices would take him.
But the characters around Bowen?!
THE CHARACTER DYNAMICS.
There are secrets. Conflicting loyalties. Suspicion. Complicated relationships. Characters with their own motivations and agendas, and every time I thought I had someone figured out, I found myself second-guessing everything.
And then we have Khoren’s Fang…
WHY IS THIS RELIC SO IMPORTANT?!
WHAT DOES IT WANT?!
WHO CAN BE TRUSTED?!
AND WHY DO I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS?!
The world building is MASSIVE and atmospheric, with two moons hanging over a world filled with ancient mysteries, powerful religious institutions, and forces that feel far bigger than our characters can comprehend.
This is the kind of fantasy where you can FEEL that there is a much bigger story unfolding behind the pages.
If you like:
Exiled/reluctant heroes
Dark & mysterious fantasy worlds
Ancient relics & hidden powers
Religious intrigue
Complicated character relationships
“WHO CAN I TRUST?” energy
Betrayals and secrets
MASSIVE epic-fantasy vibes
YOU NEED THIS ON YOUR RADAR.
I finished this feeling like someone had dropped me into the middle of a conspiracy, taken away all the answers, and then said:
“Okay. Now figure it out.”
And honestly?
I’M READY FOR MORE...
October 23, 2026
Dark Fantasy readers, you are going to really enjoy this book.
I came for the desert-fantasy vibes and stayed because I got way too attached to Bowen, Marek, and the rest of the crew. The reveal about what relics really are had me staring at the wall for a minute. It’s got heart, grief, a very stubborn Druvark, and a world I’m genuinely excited to see more of, so count me in for book two.
I received a free advance reader copy (ARC) of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I came for the desert-fantasy vibes and stayed because I got way too attached to Bowen, Marek, and the rest of the crew. The reveal about what relics really are had me staring at the wall for a minute. It’s got heart, grief, a very stubborn Druvark, and a world I’m genuinely excited to see more of, so count me in for book two.
I received a free advance reader copy (ARC) of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
September 6, 2026
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this one.
Bowen is exactly the kind of flawed, stubborn protagonist I enjoy, but the whole group won me over.
The worldbuilding was a highlight for me, especially the truth behind the relics and the Church. I loved how the mythology gradually unfolded and changed the way I understood things I'd already read.
Dark, emotional, funny in exactly the right places, and with an ending that made me immediately want to know what happens next. I will absolutely be reading book two.
I loved this one.
Bowen is exactly the kind of flawed, stubborn protagonist I enjoy, but the whole group won me over.
The worldbuilding was a highlight for me, especially the truth behind the relics and the Church. I loved how the mythology gradually unfolded and changed the way I understood things I'd already read.
Dark, emotional, funny in exactly the right places, and with an ending that made me immediately want to know what happens next. I will absolutely be reading book two.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this story. It was fast paced with a lot of action. The setting building was good, as well as the character development throughout the story. The constant battle between Bowen and Vance kept it moving and the banter between all of the supporting cast was great.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews