The Silk Betrayal

A fantasy novel of magic, intrigue, and revolution.

by Daniel Ausema

A young man travels to the city to study magic, but he finds intrigue and revolution.

Pavresh hoped to master the intricacies of arcist magic. Instead, he finds himself entangled in the city’s events. While princes scheme against each other for power, revolutionaries plot against them all to overthrow the rigid caste system. Poets try to inspire change with heretical words, while militants plan more forceful action. A woman born to the princely class, rendered untouchable by a disfiguring accident, sees in revolution a path to a better life. All these strands meet at the home of Chaitan, the elderly master magician from whom Pavresh wishes to learn.

In such an environment, betrayal is inevitable. When loyalties conflict, how does one decide whom to betray?

Daniel Ausema is the author of the steampunk serial ‘Spire City’. This is his first novel. It is a fantasy novel with a unique setting: India-flavoured culture, fields of hot springs and geysers, subtle magic, and emerging technology. Within this setting, a host of detailed and varied characters struggle through tumultuous times.

The Arcist Chronicles continues in The Roots of Betrayal.

Ways to purchase:

Download a free preview of the first two chapters here. (pdf)

Download a copy of the map. (png)