Gods and Kings Chronicles Series by Lee H. Haywood

For centuries the magic wielders of Laveria have striven to surpass the power of the gods. All have failed, until now.Marcus serves the Order, a secret brotherhood tasked by the gods to weed out worshipers of the occult. But after the gods are annihilated in a cataclysmic event known as the Sundering, Marcus discovers his brotherhood is infiltrated by the very Shadow worshipers he was supposed to destroy... moreFor centuries the magic wielders of Laveria have striven to surpass the power of the gods. All have failed, until now.Marcus serves the Order, a secret brotherhood tasked by the gods to weed out worshipers of the occult. But after the gods are annihilated in a cataclysmic event known as the Sundering, Marcus discovers his brotherhood is infiltrated by the very Shadow worshipers he was supposed to destroy. Now Marcus is the one being hunted, and his only chance at survival is to break into the king's palace and steal the Orb of Azure, an ancient tool created by the gods to reshape the world.Calycia bears the blood of the Old Gods, making her the first woman in a hundred generations capable of sorcery. Unfortunately, Calycia’s magic manifests itself in deadly outbursts that places everyone around her at risk. She has spent her entire life trying to suppress her powers, but when the Order instigates a violent uprising, Calycia realizes sorcery might be the only thing that will keep her alive.With the world falling into chaos, Marcus and Calycia each find themselves thrust upon a desperate race to secure the Orb of Azure. Godhood awaits the first mortal to seize the artifact. Will such divine powers lead Marcus and Calycia to immortality or an early grave?Epic Fantasy Books in the SeriesThe Order: A stand-alone prequelA Wizard's Dark Dominion: The Gods and Kings Chronicles Book 1The Guardian: The Gods and Kings Chronicles Book 2The Guardian Stone: The Gods and Kings Chronicles Book 3 less

The gods gave mortals the gift of magic. Misuse of this power almost destroyed the world. Now, children who exhibit magical traits are seized by the Arcane Council and sent to Taper Academy. To prevent a repeat of past tragedies, the students at Taper are taught a simplified form of magic. But not everyone is happy with such rudimentary knowledge.When Demetry, a promising young wizard, discovers a fire-damaged book hidden in the headmaster’s study, he can’t contain his excitement... moreThe gods gave mortals the gift of magic. Misuse of this power almost destroyed the world. Now, children who exhibit magical traits are seized by the Arcane Council and sent to Taper Academy. To prevent a repeat of past tragedies, the students at Taper are taught a simplified form of magic. But not everyone is happy with such rudimentary knowledge.When Demetry, a promising young wizard, discovers a fire-damaged book hidden in the headmaster’s study, he can’t contain his excitement. The book is the Paserani Haote, an ancient spell book that contains the original teachings of the gods. Due to the book’s dangerous content, the Arcane Council ordered the destruction of all copies. Bored by the pace of his lessons and eager for a challenge, Demetry delves into the book’s dark arts. But when he fails to control the book’s most treacherous spell, it sets off a deadly chain of events that rocks Taper Academy to its core.Although Demetry’s crime is punishable by death, the Arcane Council inexplicably spares Demetry’s life. Instead of being sent to the gallows, he is sent to Coljack, a fortress prison built to house the kingdom’s most dangerous criminals. After the prison warden begins to put Demetry through a series of brutal tests, Demetry realizes the prison isn't what it seems, and the key to it all might be his mysterious new cellmate, a man who was once the most feared wizard of all. less

Cinders and ash. That is the future that awaits the world if Evelyn cannot control the limitless power residing in the heart of the Guardian Stone. But she is running out of time. A dozen conspiring hands are trying to claim the Orb of Azure for themselves, and worse still, she must now contest with a god. Half a world away, Captain Bently’s quest to awaken the Guardian has failed. The cost of the journey has been high... moreCinders and ash. That is the future that awaits the world if Evelyn cannot control the limitless power residing in the heart of the Guardian Stone. But she is running out of time. A dozen conspiring hands are trying to claim the Orb of Azure for themselves, and worse still, she must now contest with a god. Half a world away, Captain Bently’s quest to awaken the Guardian has failed. The cost of the journey has been high. Prince Desperous has been killed, and the mysterious wizard Ivatelo has proven more dangerous than anyone supposed possible. But a more dire truth haunts Bently’s mind — the Guardian is not the savior they seek. THE GUARDIAN STONE tells of the struggle to save the world of the living from the dominion of the undead. But with all eyes focused on Luthuania and the final battle with the necromancer, none have noticed that an even greater menace is lurking in the Shadows, the most treacherous of all. With the specter of defeat looming high, there is only one certainty — the world is going to burn. Will the Guardian Stone be Laveria’s salvation or the spark?Epic Fantasy Books in the Series The Order - A stand-alone prequel A Wizard's Dark Dominion The Guardian The Guardian Stone less