A world where only dragons and humans remain, and the silence between them is about to shatter.
The spark of Awakening at last ignites,
stirring the slumbering skies.
N'er to oblivion we slowly come,
blood and fire on ashen eyes.
Woe to men, the time draws near,
whispers raging on.
And from the night the sound of wings,
an omen of waking dawn.
A mystical place full of both familiar and unfamiliar fantasy elements, where nearly every race you know has vanished.
Only dragons and humans remain, the former the only beings who can still wield magic innately. Humans have no direct magical affinity, but they've spent years using their ingenuity to craft devices that give them some semblance of control over it. Yet their thirst for magic may have driven them too far.
In the heart of the human empire lies the Vale. On its outskirts sits Eastend, a village bordering the massive mountain range known as the Thousand Peaks. Here, the Order of Scales, warriors in whose blood flows a fragment of draconic power, watches over the lands beyond the Wall.
With the elder dragons seeming an all but forgotten threat, the world has moved on, leaving the Order to fend for themselves against lesser dragons who occasionally roam into human lands. But far older forces are stirring, and this quiet cannot last.
"Echoes of something stirring in the East, far across the Thousand Peaks — a chilling wind runs down the Spine, biting roots and seeds beneath." — An excerpt from one of the Lost Tomes of An'urak
A mix of soft and hard magic: ancient, dangerous, and never fully understood by those who wield it.
Dragons are inherently magical. Drinking their blood grants some humans enhanced speed, strength, and extended lifespan, and in rare cases, supernatural abilities. The Order of Scales has built their entire identity around this power.
Dragons can tap into vast and untamed forces. Elemental manipulation, mind magic, and transfusion are among the more recognizable. The extent of a dragon's power depends on their bloodline, discipline, and willingness to push their limits.
There are darker magics even dragons hesitate to control. Ancient, corruptive, and deeply dangerous, these forbidden arts linger at the edges of Velasia's history, waiting for someone desperate or foolish enough to reach for them.
Lacking innate magic, humans have compensated with ingenuity, crafting devices and mechanisms that harness magical forces. But ambition has a price, and it's becoming clear that some humans have pushed this too far.
Dragon shifters must periodically take humanoid form to "recharge" their magic. A dragon who pushes too hard while in their true form risks succumbing to the beast within, losing consciousness, reason, and control entirely.
An ancient, cyclical force that even the most learned scholars cannot fully explain. Something is stirring in Velasia, something that predates the current age. The Awakening is both prophecy and threat, and its meaning is still being discovered.
What makes the dragons in Velasia different?
These aren't background beasts. Dragons in Velasia are fully sentient, with their own culture, language, magic, and complex motivations. They take humanoid form as a necessity, and many have POV chapters that drive the story as much as any human character. No smut; romance exists but is never the central focus.
How long will the series be?
The Cycle of Awakening is planned for five full novels, with one novella between each. Each novel advances the current timeline; each novella reaches into Velasia's past to uncover the origins of the darkness lurking on the horizon.
What's the recommended reading order?
Start with A Spear to Thread Their Fate (free with newsletter signup), then When Blood Burns, then Dawn of the Queen (technically a prequel, but best experienced after book one to preserve the mystery). From there, read in published order: A Flame to Guide Them, then When Eyes Behold.
Where can I find extra lore and worldbuilding?
The Lore and World pages of this site feature in-world lore that grows with each new release. For exclusive content like deeper worldbuilding, behind-the-scenes posts, and early access, Patreon is the place to be.
Are there other races besides dragons and humans?
Tolkien-esque races are referenced in Velasia's history, but nearly all of them have vanished by the time our story begins. What happened to them, and whether any survived, is one of the deeper mysteries woven through the series.
Is this a grimdark series?
It leans grimdark in tone and content, but it's not bleak for its own sake. Morally grey characters, real consequences, and adult themes, but also found family, moments of genuine hope, and characters worth rooting for.
What is the Cycle of Awakening?
The Cycle of Awakening is an indie epic fantasy series by Andrew Stevens, set in Velasia — a world where only dragons and humans remain, and the long silence between them is about to shatter. The series is planned for five novels and five novellas, advancing both the present timeline and the deep history of the world.
Where can I buy the Cycle of Awakening books?
The books are currently available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited, and physical copies are also available directly through the author's shop at payhip.com/AwakeningBooks. A Spear to Thread Their Fate is free with newsletter signup.
The earliest chapter of the story. Follows the twins' caretaker the night a dragon changes their lives forever. Free with newsletter signup.
The primary entry point to the series. Start here.
Best read after When Blood Burns to preserve a layer of mystery, though written to avoid spoilers either way.
Follows Valyr, the dragon prince, as he confronts his world's deepest injustice.
The twins venture east to Solantria, expanding the world of Velasia.
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