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P.C. Darkcliff
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Of Ashes and Blood: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (Shattered Empire Book 1) Kindle Edition

by P.C. Darkcliff (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.9 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

"This has everything a great fantasy story should have." - Susan May, Amazon customer

"Don't waste any time—give this novel a try. You won't regret it." - Hernan Salvarezza, Goodreads reviewer


Born in ashes. Drenched in blood.

Derrik comes of age in a land torn apart by savage war and evil magic. As Dragonlords clash for power, hordes of Saitaan’s warriors ravage human cities.

Tucked in the corner of the empire, near the snowy slopes that separate humans from elves, his village seems far away from danger. And yet, Derrik carries a sword and dreams of becoming a warrior, the protector of the weak. His friends and neighbors scoff at him – until darkness invades the peaceful village and screams of horror pierce the night.

Now he must become the hero he has only pretended to be. For bloodthirsty monsters hunt him as if he were perilous to the Darkside, while a dreaded dragon could prove a powerful ally ... or yet another hunter.

Amid a brutal battle for survival, Derrik wonders what terrible secrets he unwittingly carries.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Shattered Empire
  2. Print length
    416 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    April 21, 2025
  5. File size
    7.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

epic fantasy, sword and sorcery, wizards, battles, dragons
epic fantasy, sword and sorcery, wizards, battles, dragons
epic fantasy, sword and sorcery, wizards, battles, dragons

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This has everything a great fantasy story should have." Susan, Goodreads

"Don't waste any time—give this novel a try. You won't regret it." Hernan, BookBub

"Highly recommend this one and waiting on the next!" The Writer's Journey Blog

"An exciting start to a new series, PC Darkcliff writes a great story of good vs evil." RaeGrams, Amazon

"Outstanding read," Debbie Harris, Goodreads

"It is full of action, magic and adventure." Lesley L., Waterloo Public Library, Canada

"I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment to keep me up nights." Janet, Amazon

"The writing is terrific and the action is relentless." James Bates, author and blogger

"The descriptions of the inhabitants of the cities, forests, deserts and the dreaded Wrathlands are very vivid making it feel like you're watching what's happening." Peggy H, Amazon

"An excellent example of watching teens mature as they work their way through conflict and danger. Loved it!" Judith J, BookBub

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D2BCT2DN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (April 21, 2025)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 21, 2025
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 7.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

About the author

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P.C. Darkcliff

P.C. Darkcliff

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Receive a FREE P.C. Darkcliff novella at pcdarkcliff dot com!

A multi-award-winning author, P.C. has always had a vivid imagination.

In kindergarten, he convinced his classmates that his grandma was a tribal shamaness. Then he learned his letters, and kidding his friends no longer seemed adequate—so he started writing fantasy.

Apart from publishing two standalone novels and a historical fantasy trilogy, P.C. has fulfilled his childhood dream and completed an epic fantasy series, The Magic Circle. He is releasing his new epic project, the Shattered Empire series, in 2025.

His stories have appeared in numerous publications, and "A Poisoned Gift" received an Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. He is Spillwords Author of the Year 2020.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
13 global ratings

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Loved this one!!
5 out of 5 stars
Loved this one!!
P. C. Darkcliff has done it again! I loved the Magic Circle Series, and this series (Shattered Empire) is the future of that world created in the Magic Circle. Where the weary and ravaged forces of good (Lightside) and evil (Darkside) battle for control, a new chapter is unfolding. Derek Thon, (son of the fabled Mage of the Magic Circle, Bard Thon and his love, Diara), turns eighteen and begins his own trek toward infamy. A beginning that brings him to friend and foe alike and teaches him what only experience can. A journey on which he must stop Lanfareth, an evil silver mage bent on taking Tarroth, the powerful magical battle axe. A talisman so powerful it must not be lost! Highly recommend this one and waiting on the next!!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • ALK
    5.0 out of 5 stars A battle between good and evil…
    Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2025
    I couldn’t put the book down! The author did a great job at building the world and developing the characters. I thought it was a pretty quick read and the story flowed well. If you love a good adventure with a battle between good and evil then add this to your must read list!
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  • Hernan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing New Saga
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2025
    This book will surprise you in a good way. It's a new saga, just starting, with new ideas and adventures. When I was reading this novel, the first thing that came to my mind was the hard work and skill the author had put into this book. I can tell, right from the start, that the characters are three-dimensional and that we are immersed in the world of the story and the adventure. All of these things are done entertainingly and dynamically. Reading this book is easy, page after page; it's enjoyable up to the end.

    As I said before, the author doesn't waste any time. He drops us right into action with a battle and a loss. He makes good choices in this novel, which is a step up from his previous work. It has very well-developed characters and intriguing plotting.

    This novel is among my favorites by this author—it's great value for your money. Don't waste any time—give this novel a try. You won't regret it.
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  • Elaine Marie Carnegie, Author
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this one!!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2025
    P. C. Darkcliff has done it again! I loved the Magic Circle Series, and this series (Shattered Empire) is the future of that world created in the Magic Circle. Where the weary and ravaged forces of good (Lightside) and evil (Darkside) battle for control, a new chapter is unfolding. Derek Thon, (son of the fabled Mage of the Magic Circle, Bard Thon and his love, Diara), turns eighteen and begins his own trek toward infamy. A beginning that brings him to friend and foe alike and teaches him what only experience can. A journey on which he must stop Lanfareth, an evil silver mage bent on taking Tarroth, the powerful magical battle axe. A talisman so powerful it must not be lost! Highly recommend this one and waiting on the next!!
    Customer image
    Elaine Marie Carnegie, Author
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Loved this one!!

    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2025
    P. C. Darkcliff has done it again! I loved the Magic Circle Series, and this series (Shattered Empire) is the future of that world created in the Magic Circle. Where the weary and ravaged forces of good (Lightside) and evil (Darkside) battle for control, a new chapter is unfolding. Derek Thon, (son of the fabled Mage of the Magic Circle, Bard Thon and his love, Diara), turns eighteen and begins his own trek toward infamy. A beginning that brings him to friend and foe alike and teaches him what only experience can. A journey on which he must stop Lanfareth, an evil silver mage bent on taking Tarroth, the powerful magical battle axe. A talisman so powerful it must not be lost! Highly recommend this one and waiting on the next!!
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  • S. Maimone
    5.0 out of 5 stars Take yourself away
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2025
    If your tired of this world and in need of escape, this is the book/ series to read.
    The characters are true and believable, like someone you already know. The visual imagery is a kaleidoscope for the mind. You'll forget all your worldly woes and join the adventure. It's hard to put down.
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  • Jennifer Ann Schlag
    4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth the read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of those books where you need to get comfy and prepare for an adventure. I liked the characters a lot. They were given great personalities. I will not be including any spoilers.

    In the beginning I was hoping for more world building and lore, but the characters do occupy the page a lot so it's not too bad. You aren't left with much of a break from any type of action. Definitely fast-paced. At least it seemed that way to me. There's one thing that I think we needed a scene for. When Derrik is getting ready to leave on this quest with friends, there's a scene before it where Derrik argues with his father about being a man now and can make his own decisions. Then we jump into Derrik going off with his friends. It would have been nice to see him have a conversation with his friends right after that argument, expressing his frustration with his father not viewing him as an adult now. Maybe showing a bit of hesitation or regret. But that's just me being greedy I guess.

    If you want adventure and characters that stick with you, do give this story a try. I'm glad that I did.
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  • RaeGrams
    5.0 out of 5 stars Derrick, Glen and Broose
    Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2025
    An exciting start to a new series, PC Darkcliff writes a great story of good vs evil. He writes amazing battle scenes. There are dragons, elves,monsters,and magic. Friendships, traitors,and betrayals. PC delves deeply into each of the main characters and blends the storlines together skillfully. And he creates a dynamically immersive world. I highly recommend reading this book!
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  • Debbie Harris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2025
    The story unfolds in a war-torn realm filled with power struggles, monstrous warriors, and magical forces. Derrik Thon, a logger with no aspirations for heroism, is thrust into an epic battle for humanity's survival. The novel explores themes of resilience, the burden of unexpected responsibility, and the cost of power, all set against the backdrop of a richly imagined and chaotic fantasy world.
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  • Janet Neihart
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Nonstop Action and Adventure!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2025
    I loved P.C. Darkcliff's series, The Magic Circle. This takes place in the future of where that series ended. The children of the heroes of the Magic Circle are now young adults. The continent is still in upheaval with civil wars raging between factions of the Lightside. The Darkside is taking advantage of that. The Darkside never forgot those that defeated them the last time, and have decided to rid the world of those heroes, and their offspring. They're determined to get the magical battle axe, Tarroth, that defeated them last time, and could be used to destroy the world. The traitor mage Lanfareth and the Wrathlords are out to get them all. This book, like the Magic Circle, is nonstop action, with intense, imaginative plot twists. It kept me up reading many nights, with my naughty 'one more chapter, then I'll go to sleep' habit. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment to keep me up nights.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • L Tarantino
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Next Generation of The Magic Circle Series
    Reviewed in Canada on April 22, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Of Ashes and Blood

    The story is set 18 years after the events of the Magic Circle series. It follows the next generation of adventurers who have only known a world of peace. Many sacrifices were made to defeat the Darkside, but evil is never truly vanquished. As their peaceful world begins to unravel, a new set of heroes is born.

    It is rare to read a story that has an immersive plot as well as deep character development, but this one nails it. I fell in love with this new set of characters just as easily as I did with the characters from the previous series. This time, the protagonists aren’t seasoned warriors like their parents. They must earn their skills as the story goes on, relying on one another for courage.

    I recommend this book for readers who like to take a deep dive into world building and fast-paced adventures. I promise as soon as you finish this book, you’ll be itching to read Book 2!
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