“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.” ―Xaden Riorson

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College―Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits―and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College―and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

Published
November 7, 2023 (Red Tower Books)
Where to find this book
External links open a book search at the selected retailer. Availability may vary.
The Empyrean

The series

Full series details →

The Empyrean is a spellbinding fantasy series that blends fierce action, breathtaking romance, and high-stakes adventure into an unforgettable saga. Set in a world where dragon riders are the ultimate warriors, the series plunges readers into an elite war college where survival is anything but guaranteed. Packed with political intrigue, deadly trials, and a slow-burning romance that crackles with tension, this bestselling saga has captured the hearts of fantasy lovers worldwide.

Read full series description

At its heart is Violet Sorrengail, a young woman thrust into the brutal world of dragon riders despite her fragile frame and scholarly upbringing. As she navigates ruthless competitors, cutthroat politics, and an impending war that threatens to consume everything, she must prove her strength—not just to her peers but to the powerful dragons who decide her fate. With every challenge, Violet’s resilience is tested, and the bonds she forges may be the key to her survival… or her downfall.

Praised for its masterful world-building, electrifying romance, and relentless pacing, The Empyrean has become a genre phenomenon, topping bestseller lists and earning a passionate fanbase. Combining the intensity of an academy fantasy with the raw emotion of a deeply personal journey, this epic adventure is a must-read for fans of dragon-filled battles, forbidden love, and heroines who refuse to break.

Risingshadow

Rating distribution

How reader ratings are distributed across the 1–10 scale.

1021
926
817
712
62
50
41
30
20
11
Risingshadow

Be the first reviewer

Sign in and write the first reader review.

Risingshadow

Readers Also Enjoyed