Ashen Dawn [BOOK 2 COMPLETE]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

VOLUME 1: ASHEN DAWN

Vertigo has always known he was different. Stronger. Faster. Capable of wielding the fire that burns within his veins. As Commander's most elite soldier, he's never questioned his place—until the day a silver-haired woman with lightning at her fingertips tries to kill him. She calls herself an angel, names him half-demon, and shatters everything he thought he knew about himself.

Kaelan, Angel of Chaos, has spent centuries hunting demons and half-breeds alike. Yet when a bargain with Commander and his mysterious agenda requires her to work alongside her enemy, she begins to question the ancient war that has defined her existence.

Forced to work together to stop a corrupt warlord's human trafficking operation, they form an uneasy alliance. But while they battle external threats, an even greater danger looms: in the angelic realm, a rogue angel prepares to unlock an ancient artifact with the power to reshape reality itself. When their mission spirals into chaos, and with enemies closing in on all sides, they'll need to decide: are they enemies, reluctant allies, or something neither of them dared imagine?

VOLUME 2: CRIMSON BLAZE RISING

Vertigo never asked to be caught in the middle of a celestial conflict. As a half-demon mercenary still coming to terms with his supernatural heritage, all he wants is to understand the powers surging through his veins. But when Kaelan—the angel who once hunted him—reveals that demons are rebuilding the Phantasma, a weapon capable of targeting and destroying angels, he has no choice but to follow her into the heart of darkness. Infiltrating the demon realm wasn't part of Vertigo's plan, but he refuses to let Kaelan face this threat alone.

Disguised and vastly outnumbered, they navigate a world where half-breeds like Vertigo are treated as worthless and angels are hunted for sport. What begins as a simple reconnaissance mission quickly spirals into a desperate struggle for survival as they're caught in the crossfire of a deadly power struggle between rival demonic factions. But the demon world holds dark secrets and darker temptations. When Vertigo is captured and subjected to horrific experiments, he emerges changed. More powerful. More dangerous. More demon than human.

As Kaelan struggles with her own demons—both literal and figurative—their growing partnership is tested by treacherous allies, sadistic enemies, and their own conflicted feelings for each other.

The clock is ticking, the flames are rising, and Vertigo's control is slipping...

Updating every Monday

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: Khetienn

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 473
Views: 39,842

Chapters(52 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

5FivesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The main character, Vertigo, starts out as a character with a lot of growing to do -- which is good! He's angsty and struggles with his emotions and interpersonal relationships.
The style/grammar is 5/5, definitely. The writing is extremely polished and easy to follow. I couldn't find a single typo in twenty two chapters. The author clearly put a lot of effort into each chapter! I appreciated how the author avoided info-dumping, creating a compelling world organically.
For story, the plot follows Vertigo as he meets Kaelen, an angel who reveals that he is a half demon (not a spoiler, as stated in the synopsis.)
Kaelen and many others express intense dislike for him because of this genetic trait, a theme explored skillfully by the author throughout the chapters. Angels does not automatically mean good. They actually want to commit genocide... Vertigo, a half demon, shows way more empathetic qualities in comparison. Overall, well done!
I also gave the characters a 5/5. My favorite character was the Commander.
I appreciated how he is portrayed as an ideal leader -- smart, empathetic, and formidable. However, I appreciated how the reveal that he is an angel (and subsequentially Vertigo's sense of betrayal) gave him depth.
I appreciated the contrast between Nathan and Vertigo
and Vertigo's growth from an angsty, cheeky MC to one who is learning and taking accountability.
My only complaint about characters is Sakurai, maybe Kaelan.
For example, Kaelan and Sakurai had a romantic past, but Sakurai is super cold and just wants to hurt. Hey, maybe that's who he is. But I would have liked him to acknowledge their past with more depth. I mentioned Kaelan because I can see her reevaluating her beliefs giving her depth, but when she first met Vertigo, she seemed to hate him because of what's in his blood without any nuance. (Maybe I'm wrong or missed something, but just my take.)
Overall, the characterization work is solid, especially with Vertigo. I'm excited to see what type of
HitmarkRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
First of all, I am a little sad that the work isn't as viewed as many other works are. Especially for the quality it shows. I've been trying to locate potential mistakes and only really found a few that can be easily dismissed with how minor of an inconvenience they are. If I don't know any better I might think this work is already done by an experienced Author English major type person.
Here's my two cents.
I lovvd the characters the most. They had personality and they weren't there for the convinience of the plot. Sure, some of em had attitude but that made them more stand out.
For dialogues, I rarely find work that catches me like this in terms of dialogue. Most of em would either have some stiffness that just never sits with me but here it's fluid and realistic.
The one thing that did throw me off a little were the excessive length of some of the paragraphs. I take that this may be because of the more descriptive prose you utilize. I suggest limiting this especially for momenta where haste and tension is present. It shows for a more fluid read as well. Occasionally it feels like a hike to get through the long pages of words stringed together which could discourage newer viewers.
The pacing is just about right. Plenty of events happening and the plot keeps moving.
Ngl a 5/5 for me right there.
Lord Turtle the firstRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Here we have an original and amazing book. Now, let me explain why I rate this story so highly—starting with the characters.
We have our main character, Vertigo (cool name, by the way), who is a Talented. Not in the usual “hidden gift” sense—Talented in this world refers to metahumans.
The MC seems to possess the power to set things ablaze.
He leans more toward the moody side, but he’s still entertaining to follow nonetheless.
Each character, Bliss, the Commander, Nathan, and even Yolanda (who gives off some strong Esdeath vibes)—has a distinct personality and appearance.
Their interactions flow naturally. Some are light and humorous, others more serious, but all are engaging.
The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. Something happened that turned most of the planet into a wasteland. Despite that, pockets of humanity remain, struggling to survive in this harsh, broken landscape.
The world depicted so far is brutal—slavery, theft, famine, and death lurk around every corner if you're not careful. And the author makes sure that either side you chose to support you will feel conflicted. This is definitely a story intended for mature audiences.
The writing style flows nicely and is easy to follow.
Grammar: Very good.
If you’re looking for a serious story set in a brutal, fascinating world with memorable characters and a gripping plot that keeps you reading chapter after chapter, give this book a try !
cursedclarkeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
What really stands out about this story is that it’s not afraid to get its hands dirty. The world is grimy, lived-in, and unapologetically dangerous, and it never feels like a paint-by-numbers post-apocalyptic setting. You can practically smell the dust, smoke, and blood in half the scenes, and the sense of place is built through constant small details rather than blocks of exposition. That grounded texture is probably the strongest part of the style. It feels like the writer knows this world inside and out and trusts the reader to catch on without having their hand held. The pacing swings between brutal, chaotic action and quieter, tense conversations that are just as dangerous in their own way. Those slower beats aren’t filler; they’re where the politics, rivalries, and shifting alliances get their teeth.
The characters are sharp and distinct, and the interactions feel like they’ve been shaped by years of shared history. Vertigo’s perspective works well because it’s filtered through his own personality: blunt, sardonic, often impatient, but it also lets enough vulnerability slip through to make him more than just a grizzled antihero. Bliss is the kind of character who could easily tip into caricature with all her bravado and sexual edge, but the writing keeps her layered. She’s not just there to flirt or fight; she’s got her own priorities and her own way of cutting to the heart of a situation. Nathan is quieter, more reserved, but there’s an undercurrent of competence and quiet loyalty that makes him an important counterweight to both Vertigo and Bliss. Commander’s authority comes through without long speeches or forced intimidation; it’s in the way people defer to him and the fact that he can rattle someone like Vertigo with just a few words. Even the antagonists, Yolanda and Dominique, are more than moustache-twirling villains. They have a coherent worldview, even if it’s morally rotten, and that makes them feel more real and more dangerous.
Where the story wor
nyctophilusRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is great, don't bother reading this review and pick it up now if you are even slightly interested in the synopsis!
Style wise, this just oozes confidence in its writing. The author knows just what to say, just what not to, and how to leave the reader with enough subtlety to fill in the gaps themselves. They provide exactly enough that is directly said to make sure we follow along.
I think this on display in full force with the characters - Vertigo, Nathan and the Commander specifically. I love the balance between what Vertigo says and to who, what is unsaid, and then what he does. It's great *chefs kiss*. You can read so much into his character by just paying attention to how he speaks to each character.
The world building is great and hints to a rich history that led to this place. I love a story where the main characters are not over powered and really suffer from their mistakes, and then they go ahead and make lots of them too.
If I really had to nit-pick if say the female characters are not quite as strong as the male ones, and I'm not quite sure what the prologue adds but I'd be sad if you read it and didn't at least also try chapter 1! (Try at least chapter 1).
Five stars across the board!
KaelithRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Ashen Dawn is an electrifying blend of action, slow-burn romance, and morally gray character dynamics that hooks you from the first page and doesn’t let go. With a richly imagined post-apocalyptic world and a cast of flawed yet compelling characters, this story delivers everything fans of dark fantasy and character-driven narratives crave.
The protagonist, Vertigo, is an elite soldier with mysterious powers and a past that refuses to stay buried. His emotional depth and inner conflict are skillfully explored, making him more than just a powerful antihero—he’s relatable in his struggle to belong and to understand what he truly is. The introduction of Kaelan, the fierce and enigmatic Angel of Chaos, sets the stage for a reluctant partnership that sizzles with tension and unexpected chemistry.
The story does a fantastic job of balancing explosive action scenes with quiet, introspective moments. The character interactions (especially between Vertigo, Bliss, and Nathan) are layered, raw, and often heartbreaking. Relationships are messy and complex, which makes them feel authentic and keeps the stakes high. The banter is sharp, the emotional beats land, and the romance simmers without overtaking the main plot.
Worldbuilding is another strong suit here. The wastelands, the mercenary camps, and the city of Asapaco are brought to life with gritty, sensory detail. You can feel the dust, hear the clatter of weapons, and smell the smoke of battle. The supernatural elements, particularly the angelic and demonic powers, are introduced in a way that’s both organic and intriguing, promising more revelations to come.
If you're a fan of The Witcher, Stormlight Archive, or Mercenary-themed anime like Black Lagoon, you’ll likely find a home here. It’s rare to find a story that balances internal character growth with external plot so well, but Ashen Dawn delivers on both fronts. It's slow-burn in the best way—rewarding patience with character evolution and increasing stakes.
Highly reco
C.K. BradleyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
I'm going to start off by saying how well written this is, as I felt like this author has really honed her craft and knows how to put words together. I wouldn't be mad at spending money on this from a literacy stand point. This is defiantly in the top tier of things I've read as she really knows how to paint a picture or scene.
This is a slow burn that's not bothered with being one either which some people will either love or hate. The characters all have a distinct voice and interact well with each other, which is were this book stands out. The action is well crafted with some brutal imagery that keeps you engaged. There are some long chapters in this but they so well written I wouldn't call it a problem. I can't say how over emphasis how much time, effort and love you can see on this page. Oh and skill.
The only critic I have is that being a slow burn style book I couldn't see the carrot on the stick, or the hook especially in the first three chapters. That I had to try and figure what was going on in this world but not a lot of breadcrumbs as to why the world was the way it was, why these people are together and it felt like I was expected to know it. I'm sure once you read the whole book it all makes sense, and trying to reviews on chapters isn't the best format. My personal opinion would be a just a sprinkle more information would turn this into a master piece because the overall story is very cool.
But again that's more a personal critic because I really can't find anything technical to fault this book. If your into the slow burn them this will be your next favourite epic.
HalfliteRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
"Ashen Dawn" sets a compelling stage for a dark fantasy story set in the post-apocalypse. In the beginning there is some structural weirdness with the story, but besides all signs point towards a compelling narrative between the cast of characters.
Style:
Beyond the prose being well-written and grandiose, the author does a great job of making the setting feel rough and gritty. From the tiniest of details like describing how the characters' fingernails are cracked, all the way up to the splintered loyalties of the different factions, it's clear that this is a world that has fallen from grace. There's enough breadcrumbs scattered throughout the chapters to hint at how people currently live in this broken society, and from the lore explained so far it seems to be pointing to the fact that the apocalypse wasn't the usual "nuclear war destroyed everything" deal, which I appreciate.
Story:
Having read up through where Kaelan is introduced, I have a glimpse of where the story is heading and I'm definitely curious to see how it plays out.
The story is paced fine, but with how it is structured in the beginning the progression of it feels slow.
I think this is because Kaelan isn't introduced until chapter 6, and her introduction happens directly after another climactic scene, which lessens her impact. It seems that chapters 4 and 5 and setting up pieces of story for the future, but the way it plays out, especially in chapter 5, is jarring. That chapter in particular has strange pacing, with characters introduced and then dropped shortly afterwards, and the passage of time not laid out very clearly, so events seem to jump sporadically.
One other thing I noticed is that a lot of the events of the beginning happen to characters because they just happen to run into them, making Vertigo feel more passive as a character (so far).
The fight in chapter 5 happened outside of his control, same with his clash with Kaelan in chapter 6 (although he does choose to give into his anger and p
NJ3Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
The first ten chapters of the story show promise with strong character chemistry, vivid atmosphere, and a good sense of pacing and tone. One of the author’s main strengths is how the characters interact. The dialogue feels natural, well-paced, and emotionally charged. The cast— Vertigo, Bliss, Nathan, Commander, Axel and Argent— contribute well to the story, though not always with the same flair. The author’s commitment to showing rather than telling when it comes to interpersonal dynamics gives the story a grounded, authentic feel that raises it above typical genre work.
Another notable strength is the immersive descriptive style. The author depicts the environment— storms, crumbling mines, gritty cityscapes etc. in a highly atmospheric way without slipping into overdone language. The author has created a tactile, living world: Taking chapter ten as an example, the steady build of Argent’s storm, the groaning timbers of the mine, Axel’s fire flaring against the dark. Each setting feels carefully crafted, and the attention to sensory detail adds a cinematic quality that deepens the immersion. The mine heist chapter is a standout— tight, visual, emotionally charged, and perfectly balanced between action and character.
The author also has a good instinct for building tension slowly. Being not afraid of quiet moments or strategic silences, gives the narrative room to breathe. The structure feels intentional— each character beat and scene progression move forward, even when the plot isn’t fully revealed. Centring the story on character-driven progression rather than flashy plot twists is refreshing. The story unfolds at a deliberate pace, yet it’s never dull. It hints at larger stakes with restraint, and that subtlety is admirable, even if it could use a bit more urgency.
That said, let’s discuss what’s holding the story back from greatness. From a grammar standpoint, the writing is mostly solid. Sentence-level writing is clean, with only occasional clunkiness or overly
Cyber30Royal Road
★★★★ 3.5
Honestly the first book was ok, I managed to read it all so it speaks to that. But no motivation for the second.
One of my biggest struggles with this whole book one is why our MMC? What is his place and his importance and it's never answered. Infact he is pretty much none existent during the big climax of book one. Even worse what seems like a huge character development part through failure happens off screen during this time.
Our FMC's fit everything, her story what she was trying to accomplish and where she was all made sense. She is a flawed character clearly a bad person interpersonally but clearly fighting for good.
It felt like this was the end of our FMC's journey. And as a footnote the start of our MMC's.