Astaria
The capital city of the realm, rising from the plains of Etheryos.
S.R. RISHER
S.R. Risher, Author Forged in Red Embers
A shunned hero. A connection to dragons. A sealed power.
Forged in Red Embers · Book 1
What is Order of the Dawn Guardians about?
Order of the Dawn Guardians is a story of self-discovery, the fight for belonging, and the courage it takes to redefine the rules of power. When a shunned outcast uncovers a sealed power and a forbidden bond with dragons, the fate of the Realm of Hylva turns on the choices he dares to make.
- Epic Fantasy
- Young Adult Fantasy
- For fans of Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan & Eragon by Christopher Paolini
- Pages 392
- Published February 3, 2025
- Language English
- Reading age 13 and up
Chapter One
Begin the journey
When dawn had risen to embrace the realms of Hylva this morning, Alynor Vragaris had not thought to anticipate how much he would hate his surname. He stood amidst a large gathering of volunteers, wishing to the Omniarch that Vragaris didn't start with a letter so low on the Astarian alphabet. His lifelong dreams were about to be fulfilled or mercilessly crushed, and he couldn't be called upon soon enough.
It didn't help that the Order of the Dawn Guardians had such a large number of candidates seeking enlistment. Alynor had trained nearly a decade for this moment. He tried to persuade himself he could wait a few minutes more, but it didn't help. His hands were sweating, and his body refused to be still.
The Realm of Hylva
Explore a vibrant new world
From the plains of Etheryos and its capital city, Astaria, to the desolate Shattered Lands, Hylva is home to a number of races. Their history has been lost to time by the destructive force of the Ephemerality.
The Codex of Hylva
The Mirrored Citadel
Astaria's seat of the ruling Diarchy, housing the Throne of Man and the Throne of Elves.
Order of the Dawn Guardians
The realm’s elite military force, sanctioned to wield magic in defense of the realm.
The Sun-Slayer
A title bestowed upon Etheryos's strongest warrior.
The Shattered Lands
A desolate, ruined expanse, all but emptied of life.
The Ephemerality
A destructive force that erased much of the realm's history from memory.
Meet the cast
Who walks the Realm of Hylva?
The Protagonist
Alynor Vragaris
The Shunned Initiate · Would-be SunslayerAn orphan raised on the back streets of Astaria, Alynor trained for nearly a decade to join the Order of the Dawn Guardians, only to become the one candidate who couldn't ignite the Dawn Star. Haunted by the words “a nobody can only ever save nobody,” he refuses the fate the Omniarch has written for him, and will tear through forbidden tomes — and worse — to discover a power all his own.
Sorren Thrain
The Crown PrinceAlynor's closest friend and heir to the realm. Born with every opportunity Alynor never had, and bound to him by a loyalty neither can explain.
Myschn
The Crown PrincessAlynor's childhood friend and Sorren's sister. Sharp-tongued, sharper-minded, and an overbearing concern for Alynor.
Rorik
Alynor's BrotherBound to Alynor not by blood but by the mother who raised them both and the tragedy that defines them.
What readers are saying
★★★★★
Absolutely loved this book! Alynor's character development and the whole storyline were well thought out. If you're a fantasy lover, give it a try — you won't regret it!
One of my favorite books of the year so far! Filled with action, slow-burn romance, self-development, and amazing world and character building.
A fast-paced fantasy novel with complex world building, magic, and intrigue. It's giving Percy Jackson meets The Lord of the Rings.
I absolutely loved this book!! S.R. Risher put their entire heart and soul into this book and it definitely shines through!!
Absolutely incredible. Wow. Impressive world building, an underdog desperate to rise above his station, magical trials, and court intrigue.
A really well told story in the young adult genre. There was a little bit of everything, with great magic and high stakes.
The Author
Who is S.R. Risher?
S.R. Risher is a storytelling enthusiast who has held a unique passion for crafting emotionally driven stories throughout his life. With a particular interest in fantasy and science fiction, he began his writing journey in 2023 with Forged in Red Embers: Order of the Dawn Guardians as his debut novel — the first work in an ongoing series.
Beyond the page, Steven is the founder of Dynamic Promotion, a web-design and answer-engine-optimization agency, and the creator of Contractor ToolStack. He writes from Louisiana.
Learn more about Steven:
Questions & answers
Everything you might ask
- Is Order of the Dawn Guardians a part of a series?
- Yes — it is Book One of Forged in Red Embers, the F.I.R.E. Cycle: an epic fantasy series set in the Realm of Hylva.
- Where can I buy Order of the Dawn Guardians?
- It is available now on Amazon — the Read on Amazon button takes you straight there.
- What books is it similar to?
- If you enjoy Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan or Eragon by Christopher Paolini, you will feel at home — fast-paced, character-driven modern fantasy.
- Will there be a Book Two?
- Yes. The second book in the F.I.R.E. Cycle is tentatively titled Forged in Red Embers: The Dreadwing Scorch, and is in active development.
- What age group is it written for?
- It is written for young adults and up — roughly ages 13 and older. There is no sexually explicit content. The story includes a degree of violence and some swearing, though the swear words are spoken in a language created for the series.
Join the Guard
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Subscribers get the opening chapters of Order of the Dawn Guardians free — plus first word when Book Two drops and bonus worldbuilding from the Realm of Hylva.