POV Characters in Book One
(in order of appearance):
Howell Pendengalle
Benjamin Ashwood
Dormelle Ashwood
Arthena Condravian
Danté Syngh
Uvena
Vinaesha Fenlandir
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Prelude POV Character:
Howell Pendengalle
A CHRONICLE OF CROWNS, BOOK ONE
A Chronicle of Crowns introduces readers to a new world of epic fantasy, political strife, magical rebirth, and resonating characters.
In the medieval kingdom of Aralia, Lord Benjamin Ashwood and his wife, Lady Dormelle, live a quiet, peaceful life in the Northern Vale where the winters are bitter and the summer’s are short. Surrounded by their family, a quiet life on the border of the unknown is all they ever wanted. However their peace is upended when the king invites them to the capital to celebrate his fiftieth name day. They find themselves thrown back into a world they thought they had left behind, full of hidden agendas, backstabbers, and shady dealings-the royal court. Along with characters of every walk of life, they strive to keep from being swallowed whole by the monsters of the capital.
To the far south, Princess Arthena Condravian is heir to the Halfmoon Empire, an ancient civilization rooted in old world customs and corrupt leaders. While her father withers away before her eyes, she works in the shadows to secure her birthright from an overzealous step-mother, bent on placing her own son on the throne. If she’s to keep her place, she must draw on all her skills of manipulation and sublety to remain one step ahead of her countless enemies.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, an ominous cult from a time long forgotten has resurfaced, sparking chaos and disorder in every corner of the known world. Howell Pendengalle fights tirelessly against their evil tirade, attempting to thwart their nefarious plans to bring about a new age of darkness upon the world.
These four characters are just a few of the many twisted by fate. Together, their lives intertwine in a delicate web, where the fate of one, changes the fate of the rest.
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You can read the Opening Prelude of Book One, for free on my site here!
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POV Characters in Book Two
(in order of appearance)::
Dormelle Ashwood
Paris the Lightbringer
Uvena
Jamison Cerian
Arthena Condravian
Naveen Tagore
Vinaesha Fenlandir
Benjamin Ashwood
Howell Pendengalle
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Prelude POV Character:
Faye Ravenswood
A CHRONICLE OF CROWNS, BOOK TWO
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The second book of A Chronicle of Crowns continues the epic fantasy of political strife, magical rebirth, and resonating characters.
In the medieval kingdom of Aralia, Lord Benjamin Ashwood has found himself trapped in a tangled web of lies. On trial for the murder of his friend, King William Ariyan, a murder he did not commit, Benjamin struggles as all hope for a pardon slips. And where has his wife, Lady Dormelle, fled? Rumours abound as to her whereabouts, some say she has fled south to Violet Hill, while others say she’s gone north with the wizard Howell Pendengalle, back to her home, to her sons in Misthaven.
Meanwhile, in the city of Valaryn, within the western lands of Aralia, Paris the Lightbringer struggles to be a dutiful healer in the name of the Nine-in-One. He fights against his inner demon that threatens to take control of his body and commit acts of horror, as well as quell the growing disquiet of the western regions who prepare for war against the crown.
To the far south, Arthena Condravian has taken hold of the Halfmoon Empire and seeks to rebuild the crumbled remnants of the once great kingdom. Her established court now look to her for leadership and guidance in a troubled economic time. But threats still loom over her newly conquered throne. Her half-brother, Tyzo, still roams free in the streets of Kahiro, and the great city-state Caheein stands in defiance of the empire’s outstretched grasp.
These characters are just a few of the many twisted by fate. Together, their lives intertwine in a delicate web, where the fate of one, changes the fate of the rest.
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You can read the Opening Prelude of Book Two, for free on my site here!
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POV Characters in Book Three
(in order of appearance):
Peter Ashwood
Monalise Ashwood
Paris the Lightbringer
Arthena Condravian
Dormelle Ashwood
Uvena
Hemsley Ariyan
York Ariyan
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Prelude POV Character:
Ascher Harma
A CHRONICLE OF CROWNS, BOOK THREE
The third book of A Chronicle of Crowns continues the epic fantasy of political strife, magical rebirth, and resonating characters.
In the medieval kingdom of Aralia, Monalise Ashwood has found herself alone in the capital after the execution of her father. She relies on members of the court to look after and foster her in her parents absence. But she soon realizes she's simply a pawn in the games of many master players who have played the court for far longer than she. Slowly, she begins to learn the ways of the court, play her own game, and graduate from piece to player. Meanwhile, her mother, Lady Dormelle, continues to travel the countryside with Howell Pendengalle, clothed in grief over the death of her husband and the loss of her children.
In the north of Aralia, Peter Ashwood has escaped from the fires of Misthaven and has found himself on a dangerous path of survival that leads him deep into the mysteries of Florwood Forest beyond the borders of Aralia, and from the lands of men into that of the fabled and ancient elves.
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Meanwhile, to the far south, Arthena Condravian, Empress of the Halfmoon Empire, has secured her throne and begun her reign as Goddess of the dying empire. But coronation celebrations are cut short by a disastrous terrorist attack on the empress's skiff. Who are these masked terrorists calling themselves the Sons of the Sultan? Remnants of the city-state Caheein, sacked by the empire months prior? Or a rebellious faction fostered by the unruly southern cities, looking to supplant Arthena and place her half-brother, Tyzo, on the throne?
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These characters are just a few of the many twisted by fate. Together their lives intertwine in a delicate web, where the actions of one, changes the fate of the rest.
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You can read the Opening Prelude of Book Three, for free on my site here!
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POV Characters in Book Four
(in order of appearance):
Amara Blackcrane
Danté Syngh
Jamson Cerian
Arthena Condravian
Vinaesha fenlandir
Dormelle Ashwood
Howell Pendengalle
Monalise Ashwood
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Prelude POV Character:
Tihana
A CHRONICLE OF CROWNS, BOOK FOUR
The fourth book of A Chronicle of Crowns continues the epic fantasy of political strife, magical rebirth, and resonating characters.
In the Halfmoon Empire, deep in the south, Arthena Condravian has worked tirelessly to secure her new title as Empress from the nefarious governors of the southern cities who are bent on unseating her and placing her half-brother, Tyzo, on the throne. But now, Tyzo is in her reach. The one last obstacle before she can lead the empire on to bigger and greater endeavours.
Rumours of the Halfmoon Empire's growing fleet have reached the pirate-holds of the Tropic Cay, where Trade Prince Jamison Cerian longs to return to his exiled home of Aralia. Desperate to see his beloved home once more, he's planned a meeting with his siblings on an unsuspecting island between the Cay and the mighty Kingdom of Aralia. But in his absence, disaster is poised to strike, in the form of a deadly assassin, hired by the empress to cripple the Trade Prince's pirate cartel.
Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Aralia, Vinaesha Fenlandir, Princess of Daleheim, has found the hospitality of Lord Pel during her flee from the capital. But the haunting memory of Lord Pel's late wife has more of a hold on the princess than even she suspects. Half the kingdom away, Howell Pendengalle and Dormelle Ashwood combat the rising Children of the Dark, a demonic cult bent on resurrecting an ancient evil from times long forgotten.
These are just a few of the many twisted by fate. Together, their lives intertwine in a delicate web, where the actions of one, changes the fate of the rest.
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You can read the Opening Prelude of Book Four, for free on my site here!
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POV Characters in Book Five
(in order of appearance):
Drayde Finley
York Ariyan
Hemsley Ariyan
Arthena Condravian
Monalise Ashwood
Uvena
Paris the Lightbringer
Vinaesha Fenlandir
Genevive Pel
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Prelude POV Character:
Heugh Ariyan
A CHRONICLE OF CROWNS, BOOK FIVE
The fifth book of A Chronicle of Crowns continues the epic fantasy of political strife, magical rebirth, and resonating characters.
IWar has erupted in the Kingdom of Aralia! Hemsley Ariyan, with the backing of the rebellious lords of the Hebran Plains, has declared war on the Crown—questioning the legitimacy of King Edward’s claim to the throne. His numbers swell as he forges alliances with other regions victimized by the young king’s rule—including a demoralized Northern Vale, the home of House Ashwood.
In the west, Paris the Lightbringer—cleric of the Nine-in-One—marches with the armies of the Stormy Coast toward the capital, their own freedom at stake as Lord Joxer Hammond hopes to take the capital and cripple the Crown’s maritime allies, in a surprise three-pronged attack.
York Ariyan, betrayed by his brother’s war on the Crown has returned to the capital to pledge his region’s might to King Edward. But Tyregarden has changed much during his nephew’s short rule, with enemies and threats around every corner, has he made the right choice in backing the Crown?
Meanwhile, in the southern Halfmoon Empire, Empress Arthena Condravian finally gets a moment to rest...
These are just a few of the many twisted by fate. Together, their lives intertwine in a delicate web, where the actions of one, changes the fate of the rest.
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You can read the Opening Prelude of Book Four, for free on my site here!
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A CHRONICLE OF CROWNS, BOOK SIX
* Coming Soon
POV Characters in Book Six
(in order of appearance):
Hemsley Ariyan
Josiah Allémande
Howell Pendengalle
Dormelle Ashwood
Peter Ashwood
Paris the Lightbringer
York Ariyan
Genevive Pel
Monalise Ashwood
Uvena
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Prelude POV Character:
???
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A STUDY ON THE KINGDOM OF ARALIA
The following is a study in World Building, created by author Michael John Halse as part of his “Project Bible” for the fantasy series A Chronicle of Crowns. It recounts the history of the Kingdom of Aralia, and includes details such as a genealogy of the rulers of the kingdom, information on each region that makes up the kingdom, all the way down to individual cities, towns, and smallholdings within each region.
It can be read as a sort of guide to accompany the high fantasy series, A Chronicle of Crowns, and was designed to be used as a tool (with areas to expand) for the author to reference while writing his series. This is one of a couple such references compiled by the author.
For those who have not read A Chronicle of Crowns, but are, yourselves authors and world-builders, this could serve as an example of organized thought and development of a setting. The author here, Michael John Halse, enjoys world-building as much as he does writing. And has made this public to help inspire other creatives.
To read A Chronicle of Crowns, you can purchase physical copies or ebook copies on Amazon. Simply search “A Chronicle of Crowns”, or “Michael John Halse”.
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