Enter Velasia: A Realm on the Edge of Chaos
Andrew Stevens bursts onto the epic fantasy scene with his gripping debut novel, When Blood Burns, book one of the enthralling Cycle of Awakening series. Readers dive headfirst into Velasia, a fading world filled with dwindling magic, absent races, and a fragile peace balanced precariously between humans and dragons. Stevens sets the stage for an epic filled with revenge, mysteries, and long-forgotten enchantments lurking just beneath the surface.
Bound by Loss, United by Revenge
In this captivating adventure, readers follow twins Kai and Mara, two fierce young warriors burdened by a tragic past. They vividly recall the night their parents fell prey to the wrath of a rogue dragon. Their trauma shapes them, leading the twins to pledge their lives to the Order of Scales—a legendary group of warriors once empowered by dragon blood.
But the source of the Order’s power is fading fast. Magic, once vibrant and plentiful, has weakened to mere whispers. Kai and Mara grapple with questions about their purpose and whether their cause—once clear and unambiguous—is even valid anymore. Stevens expertly portrays the twins’ internal struggles, capturing their doubts, determination, and the subtle tension simmering beneath the surface of their lives.
Their questioning soon comes to a halt when unsettling rumors reach their ears, hinting at something sinister brewing in the mountains.
Dark Whispers Heralding Conflict
The uneasy peace holding Velasia together is threatened when stories surface about a chilling encounter—a mysterious woman with crimson eyes and powers far beyond human limits, planting dark, haunting thoughts in her victims’ minds. Stevens skillfully escalates the tension as readers, alongside Kai and Mara, confront this shadowy new threat.
Who is this mysterious figure, and what darkness does she herald? As Kai and Mara are drawn deeper into the unfolding mystery, Stevens unveils secrets long hidden, propelling the twins toward revelations that shake the foundations of their understanding. Their personal quest for vengeance becomes intertwined with something far greater, hinting at a conflict rooted deeply in Velasia’s distant past.
A World of Lost Magic and Unbridled Ambition
Velasia is a land where dragons alone possess innate magic—humans, driven by envy, have relentlessly pursued artificial means to replicate this power. Stevens vividly illustrates humanity’s obsession, crafting a narrative that blurs the line between innovation and recklessness. Humans, having forged magical devices, teeter on the edge of losing themselves entirely in their pursuit of power.
Dragons, meanwhile, have retreated into obscurity. Elder dragons vanished long ago, leaving only lesser dragons behind—occasional nuisances rather than existential threats. As human vigilance wanes, the once-proud Order of Scales finds itself fighting not only dragons but also obsolescence. Stevens deftly captures the shifting tides of power, leaving readers to ponder whether complacency is humanity’s greatest foe.
The Awakening Has Just Begun
When Blood Burns serves as a gripping introduction to the vast world Stevens has crafted, but it’s only the beginning. He promises readers a journey rich in lore and expansive storytelling. Already enhancing this captivating universe, Stevens released a novella, Dawn of the Queen, available on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, and as a free gift for newsletter subscribers.
This smaller tale offers deeper insights into the history and hidden corners of Velasia, enriching the narrative and answering questions the main series poses. With each new story, readers can anticipate uncovering more layers, more secrets, and greater depths to this vivid fantasy world.
Andrew Stevens has arrived boldly on the fantasy landscape, delivering complex characters caught between revenge, duty, and destiny. His storytelling draws readers irresistibly into Kai and Mara’s world, compelling them to experience the highs, lows, dangers, and triumphs alongside the twins.
Magic wanes, vengeance rises, and a saga unfolds that promises to keep readers enthralled long after the final page. Welcome to Velasia—where blood burns brighter than fading magic.
