Empire's Son Trilogy: Part of the Epic Science Fiction World of the EthiaVerse

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Empire's Sonis a soft science fiction with some fantasy elements. This story follows the main character as he is catapulted into a life-changing journey that will lead him to new places, people, and incredible discoveries. Empire's Son is the first book in the Empire's Son Trilogy and the first step into the epic world of the EthiaVerse!This story does have some profanity and occasional suggestive and sexual content, but nothing explicit.

Book 1: Empire's Son

There’s an alien ship hovering over Lake Thurmond in Georgia.And it’s here for me.

My name is Michael Layton. At least, that’s what I thought.

Before the ship arrived, my life made sense. I was the son of a powerful tech CEO, a recent MIT graduate, and an engineer with a future already mapped out. Privileged, sure—but human. Earthbound.

Then the world watched as a massive black ship appeared in the sky, broadcast live across every channel, proving we were never alone.

That should have been the biggest revelation of my life.

It wasn’t.

That same day, my parents confessed the truth: the ship comes from a distant galaxy called Ethia—and I don’t belong on Earth at all. I was taken. Hidden. Raised as something I’m not.

Now an empire wants me back, my family is keeping dangerous secrets, and the life I thought was mine is already slipping away.

Because when the truth comes from the stars, there’s no refusing it.

And whatever I am, whatever I was meant to be, my choice won’t just change my future.

It may decide the fate of two worlds.

Note:Book One is now on Amazon as anebook!

Book 2: Dark Guardian

I’ve begun my new life in the Ethian Empire, and it’s already clear there are those in this galaxy who never wanted me to return.

My name is Adar Zahn. For twenty years, I lived on Earth believing it was my home, with no memory of the Empire that claimed me at birth. Then my father found me, and everything I thought I knew about myself was stripped away.

Since returning to Ethia, there have been three attempts on my life. My brothers see me as a threat. Everyone watches my every move. The deeper I go, the more I understand that ignorance here is a death sentence.

Now I’m being sent to Sora X, a world that forges the Empire’s most dangerous protectors. Whether I find an ally or more enemies there, one truth is unavoidable—if I’m going to survive this place of my birth, I’ll have to enlist the help of new Protector and become something far darker than I ever intended to be.

Book 3: Blood Bond

I’ve been in the Ethian Empire long enough to understand one thing clearly—nothing here comes without a cost.

My name is Adar Zahn. I was taken from this world as a child and raised on Earth, hidden from an Empire that never stopped looking for me. Now I’ve returned, and in just over a month, I’ve made powerful enemies, strained a fragile relationship with my birth father, and survived more than one attempt on my life.

My trip to the Protectorate College didn’t go as planned, but I didn’t leave empty-handed. I left with new allies—and a new determination to take my role as my father’s successor seriously.

Enemies still lurk in the shadows. My brother wants me dead. And a call for help to Admiral Vang has gone unanswered.

Blood has already been shed, and I know more will follow. But I am unprepared for the spilled blood that will bond me for life. And the costs it might take to save a new found friend.

This trilogy is be completed. The next installment of Adar's storyOperation Firestoneis releasing chapters now.

Information

Status: Completed
Year: 2023
Author: Cynthia Dawn

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 588
Views: 338,718

Chapters(187 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

Minor GrokRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a well thought out story. It's exciting to read at a fast pace to find out what will happen next to the main character in the story.
I really get drawn in to the trials and tribulations that occur as the storyline progresses.
The royalty is very believable in their actions as I'm sure there can be infighting in siblings that try to appease their parents and struggle for personal power.
OrobourosRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
IT stands amongst the most decently written novels you can find on this site in my opinion. I like everything about this novel from the plot, writing style, world building and character growth and depth of storyline. Author-san please keep up the good work and release more chapters faster. You have to give this novel read, you won't regret it.
Dere_IsaacRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Oh heavens, where do I start? I did not want to at first. You know, like taking a bite out of cake and then you just find yourself taking another, and another, and before you know it, the empty plate is looking back at you, cleaned of the crumbs.
The love, the sacrifice, the capture of emotion, and then the introduction of a different world, it all slowly envelopes you. And it does this without being too much or overwhelming.
Also, I found the stakes mind bending, and then I wondered what I would have done if I was in Michael's situation.
And then, they is the Dome ni, and how they use it. Almost made me wonder if a lot of people with like OCD or mental issues do have this thing. It was an incredible direction to view differences and how it is exercised.
Character Development: Even though there are multiple points of view, it does not confuse the reader, and it blends smoothly, like new sheets smoothed on bed.
Of course, I would have loved to read more about Emmeline, and my curiosity about Eric is still there.
Then again this story is about Michael. But it is easy to see like another six books coming this one. It was just that detailed.
Story score: A good Sci-fi is not Sci-fi without the Sci-fi. And on this paticularly note, I can't help but wonder how it all plays out in Cynthia Dawn's head.
I am both scared, and intrigued. I bet your intrusive thoughts as a child were wild.
You must 'really' have been a hand full.
I could say more, but at this point, I'm sure maybe I'll just be giving too much away.
Thank you. This book is incredible.
Draymien77Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a spectacular read! I've been enjoying myself so much that I have refused to comment and just click the next chapter button. I'm not an expert at the more subtle things in literature writing but I do appreciate how the story has been going so far. The depth of the characters is well covered, at least in my opinion and... Well, I'm just having so much fun reading this that I can't put it down (but I have to, otherwise I'll be in trouble lol). Well done Author-nim!
GhostknightRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall excellent. A science fantasy reminiscent of many space operas. More in the style of Darkover or Dune than anything but Clarke Asimov. The setting is sci-fi but the science is in the background, an enabler rather than a crutch, and the fantasy element shows through in the abilities of the characters
Style: An easy read, engaging and dragging you along
Story: Very enjoyable with good development and the plot moves well. No unclosed plot holes, nothing hanging. Perhaps a quibble for those who want intricate and tangled webs, but the plot fits well with the overall feel of a traditional space opera science fantasy.
Grammar: No glaring errors, nothing that distracts. The occasional typo does appear, but that is expected. the one distracting element for me was the occasional misuse of a word or form of a word. But this was extremely rare, not even enough to do anything to the score, just a note I made without specific examples.
Characters: The focus is on the one main character who is likeable and engageable. I can imagine my younger self reading this book and wanting to be him.
Who doesn't want to imagine themselves as a prince of an interstellar Empire?
WeavervaleRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
"it's a hoax. Someone CGIed the whole thing."
See that's an interesting sense to come in on because I don't know where that's going and I think that I'm interested in that. This is a invasion. Here's a science fiction series where Michael Layton is from Earth or if Lucy funk thick he is and that he is found out and then things happen so I think that's all. I'm going to say about the story and the character supposed to a five out of five for me. The thing that I really like is that this one has epigraphs and epigraphs are awesome if you as well and this author definitely knows them and they have the style nailed down for Royal Road so kudos to them. 5 out of five of the style. And finally let me jump on my best point here but that's fine is great. It's a 5 out of five.
The only minor critique I have is that the chapters seem a little bit small for what they are, but I think in my mind that they're about a thousand words based on what I'm seeing here in chapter and I think that's going to be all right for this specific thing because this has already gotten to 1,244 pages.
Check it out.
BardLyreRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story has been an absolute blast to read so far! From the get-go, it pulls you in with an intriguing mix of sci-fi and family drama that’s like Star Trek meets This Is Us. The pacing is spot-on, with each chapter peeling back a new layer of mystery that makes you want to keep turning the page (or scrolling, as it were).
Michael is such a compelling character—just when you think you’ve got him figured out, bam! Another twist hits, and you’re left reeling right alongside him. The tension between him and his dad is so well done, it practically crackles off the page. You can really feel the weight of all those secrets coming to a head, and it’s impossible not to empathize with Michael as his world is turned upside down.
And let’s talk about that reveal—aliens! A hidden ship! A whole backstory Michael didn’t even know he had! It’s the perfect blend of sci-fi coolness and emotional depth. The writing style is smooth and easy to read, with just the right amount of detail to keep you immersed without slowing down the pace. Plus, the dialogue feels natural and adds so much to the characters’ personalities.
Overall, this story is shaping up to be a wild ride with lots of heart, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next. Keep up the great work—this is seriously addictive stuff!
Max DanRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Empire's Son is a thrilling and emotional rollercoaster that mixes science fiction and drama, which works well for me. From the very first chapter, it hooks me with a suspenseful portrayal of first contact with an alien species, setting the stage for a narrative filled with high-stakes action.
The author excels in maintaining the right pace while keeping readers engaged. While the plot revolves around the sudden appearance of alien ships, the real heart of the story lies in the family secrets. The protagonist, Michael, is thrown into a world of uncertainty as he discovers that his entire life has been built on lies: his true origins, his father's mysterious past, and the bitter truth about his own identity. As Michael tries to process his emotional state following these revelations, he must also face the external threat of alien forces that may very well bring an end to everything he knows.
I have a bit of a dilemma with the synopsis. While it showcases what makes this story unique, it takes away some of the mystery and surprise. I understand it’s a difficult choice for the author, and I really appreciate the decision.
The writing itself is sharp and emotionally resonant. The author has a talent for incorporating suspense and mystery into the story. The dialogue feels authentic, with additional characters like Tony Winters and Amanda Grove adding color to the story's world. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, the pacing is spot-on, with tension gradually escalating as the plot unfolds, making the moments of emotional revelation all the more impactful.
The novel is well-written with no grammatical issues. The sentence structure is clear and flows naturally, and the dialogue is crisp and natural.
The characters themselves are the true strength of Empire's Son. The main character, Michael, undergoes strong character development, evolving from fear and obliviousness to anger and confusion after learning the truth about his memories.
Overall, Empire's Son is a captivating sc
Calliope The AstralRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall: It is an interesting, unique tale full of vibrant characters. We are immediately engaged and invested in the characters, and I look forward to continue reading this story.
Style: The style is very well done in this story. It immediately hooked me in, and the end of each chapter made me want to keep reading through the next one. There were one or two times where I got lost on when or what was happening, but overall the style is very good.
Story: The story is very enjoyable so far. It begins in the past and nicely sets the scene for the tale to follow. The first few chapters mainly deal with Michael reacting to the arrival of the ship and uncovering his own history. I enjoyed them, and like Michael they left me with many questions for the future.
Grammar: I've noticed very few issues with the grammar, all of them incredibly minor, certainly not anything that detracts from the story at hand.
Character: I really liked the characters we have met so far. The prologue does an excellent job of setting up some of the side characters and I liked seeing how they had changed during the time jump. I didn't immediately like Michael, but he quickly grew on me as we got to see more of him and his interactions with others. The family dynamic we see is very enjoyable and makes the story feel alive.
AncienthipsterRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
(At the moment of writing this review, the story is still ongoing. The review covers the first eight chapters.)
From the first moment an alien ship appears over Lake Thurmond to the profoundly personal unraveling of Michael’s origin, this story delivers a steadily intensifying emotional and narrative arc. What begins as a near-future sci-fi premise transforms into a complex drama about identity, loyalty, and legacy. The strength of these chapters lies in their intimacy—this isn’t a global thriller but a family saga shaped by otherworldly consequences.
Cynthia Dawn manages to write a very compelling sci-fi novel here. Her strengths are character-driven storytelling, a consistent voice, and emotional realism. She takes time building up her world and holds back perfectly to avoid inundating the reader with lore. You can see an author who loves their story and what they do.
Story (4.5/5)
The story builds beautifully across these chapters, with a steady, well-managed drip-feed of secrets. Chapter 1 throws us into an immediate moment of cultural shock, while the following chapters slowly peel back the family’s tightly held truths. The real alien threat is not the ship above but the unraveling of Michael’s reality. The pacing is skillful, maintaining momentum while letting emotional beats breathe.
Characters (5.0/5)
Michael – A strong, sympathetic protagonist. The character’s psychological journey is written with great care, particularly his panic disorder and emotional processing. He is layered, reactive, and evolving in real time—each choice feels authentic.
Arie (Dad) – A deeply complex character. His protective nature and stoic grief are compelling, especially as he faces his demise. There’s emotional tension in how much he shares, what he withholds, and how guilty he feels—his tragedy is palpable.
Cassie (Mom) – Her breakdowns and conflicting motivations feel real. Her attempts to maintain control unravel in compelling ways. She carries the quiet guilt of someone who