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Dark Ascension #1
Path of the Knight: An Epic Progression Fantasy
MARAK HAS SWORN TO RULE THE WORLDMarak is a sixteen-year-old farmer's son, innocent and ignorant—he spends his days working in the fields, dreaming of ruling the world.
When Sir Renatir, a wandering knight, agrees to take Marak on as his squire, Marak is thrust into a world of shadow and violence. He soon finds himself in an unfamiliar city, where a mysterious figure known as the exarch is gathering power...
If Marak is to survive this new world and fulfill his own dreams of power, he'll need to first become a knight, gather allies, and master the arcane arts.
The realm of Telemir is a lethal place, full of enemies, warring kings, monsters, and dangerous opponents...
But Marak is more dangerous, and he'll do anything to win.
Don't miss this epic new dark progression fantasy series from bestseller Alexander Layne. The Dark Ascension series takes place over 2000 years, following the rise of Marak as he starts from nothing and eventually builds the most powerful empire ever seen. Featuring an anti-hero protagonist willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill his goals, as well as unique magic systems, fascinating worldbuilding, and memorable characters.
When Sir Renatir, a wandering knight, agrees to take Marak on as his squire, Marak is thrust into a world of shadow and violence. He soon finds himself in an unfamiliar city, where a mysterious figure known as the exarch is gathering power...
If Marak is to survive this new world and fulfill his own dreams of power, he'll need to first become a knight, gather allies, and master the arcane arts.
The realm of Telemir is a lethal place, full of enemies, warring kings, monsters, and dangerous opponents...
But Marak is more dangerous, and he'll do anything to win.
Don't miss this epic new dark progression fantasy series from bestseller Alexander Layne. The Dark Ascension series takes place over 2000 years, following the rise of Marak as he starts from nothing and eventually builds the most powerful empire ever seen. Featuring an anti-hero protagonist willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill his goals, as well as unique magic systems, fascinating worldbuilding, and memorable characters.
- GenresFantasy
534 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2024
389 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 23, 2025
A chance meeting that would change his life. Lessons in valour. Courage. Honour.
But also ambition. Power.
And a darkness that spreads within.
Ok this one took a firm hold of me and would just not let go. Absolutely transfixed and barrelled through to the end.
What starts out with what seems a classic, traditional coming of age story quickly takes a left turn.
Young man, going nowhere in life at his abusive family farm. Happens upon a noble knight, becomes a squire and seeks out a new path.
Except it’s much darker than that.
Corruption, secrets and distrust among the ranks. An otherworldly danger deceptively hidden. Deadly magic. And a shifting conflict of ethics within our protagonist.
I absolutely loved this. There is a huge hook at the end to keep one driving toward the sequel.
But also ambition. Power.
And a darkness that spreads within.
Ok this one took a firm hold of me and would just not let go. Absolutely transfixed and barrelled through to the end.
What starts out with what seems a classic, traditional coming of age story quickly takes a left turn.
Young man, going nowhere in life at his abusive family farm. Happens upon a noble knight, becomes a squire and seeks out a new path.
Except it’s much darker than that.
Corruption, secrets and distrust among the ranks. An otherworldly danger deceptively hidden. Deadly magic. And a shifting conflict of ethics within our protagonist.
I absolutely loved this. There is a huge hook at the end to keep one driving toward the sequel.
July 6, 2025
Unique grimdark fantasy
I loved this book. I read mostly fantasy only so it takes something really good for me to write a review. Not the longest fantasy novel but is t lacking because of it. Best way to describe it is there is no fluff. Well written and flowing.
If you love gray characters, to me realistic, then this is going to be great for you. Even though the book description says the MC is OP he is not. He’s pretty much under powered the whole book and pays the price more than he’s just destroying enemies. Truly a unique book to me and I’m currently reading the second. This book just hits on everything I like. Grim, gray, guts and gore with not too much magic.
I loved this book. I read mostly fantasy only so it takes something really good for me to write a review. Not the longest fantasy novel but is t lacking because of it. Best way to describe it is there is no fluff. Well written and flowing.
If you love gray characters, to me realistic, then this is going to be great for you. Even though the book description says the MC is OP he is not. He’s pretty much under powered the whole book and pays the price more than he’s just destroying enemies. Truly a unique book to me and I’m currently reading the second. This book just hits on everything I like. Grim, gray, guts and gore with not too much magic.
August 31, 2024
Solid start to an interesting premise - the protagonist is wildly ambitious, willing to do almost anything in his quest for power.
February 13, 2025
DNF
Spoilers————————————————- I made it to around 80%. And I have to say that while there were nuggets of a really interesting story. There were to many things that absolutely made no sense to me. How many characters can constantly make strange choices before I can’t continue. On top of that the MC is knocked out, captured, struggling with randomly killing people or having a hard time killing people. The MC is all over the place. I like some of the ideas quite a bit. But this story needs a firm overhaul to tighten it up so it doesn’t seem so manic.
Spoilers————————————————- I made it to around 80%. And I have to say that while there were nuggets of a really interesting story. There were to many things that absolutely made no sense to me. How many characters can constantly make strange choices before I can’t continue. On top of that the MC is knocked out, captured, struggling with randomly killing people or having a hard time killing people. The MC is all over the place. I like some of the ideas quite a bit. But this story needs a firm overhaul to tighten it up so it doesn’t seem so manic.
August 29, 2025
Main character cuts the eyes out of a defenseless wizard who days ago attacked him and killed his knight trainer. He does this with planned calculations not as a spur of the moment heated battle rage fight.
Also has dirty penis jokes in it.
I stopped reading after the eye torture. I already thought the main character was too egotistical and absurd - like a proud jr high kid deciding to write about a cool ruthless teen he imagined himself to be… I kind of liked the first few chapters but definitely got worse
Also has dirty penis jokes in it.
I stopped reading after the eye torture. I already thought the main character was too egotistical and absurd - like a proud jr high kid deciding to write about a cool ruthless teen he imagined himself to be… I kind of liked the first few chapters but definitely got worse
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2025
why ruin the book in the prologue??
This seemed promising from the description.
For anyone looking to read it skip the prologue.
How are you supposed to get invested into the main character if you know what happens at the end of his journey before it’s even begun? I don’t care what twists and turns may occur on the way if I know the ending then what’s the point?
So disappointed.
This seemed promising from the description.
For anyone looking to read it skip the prologue.
How are you supposed to get invested into the main character if you know what happens at the end of his journey before it’s even begun? I don’t care what twists and turns may occur on the way if I know the ending then what’s the point?
So disappointed.
January 27, 2025
Book 1
Book 1 was an interesting read and had errors throughout. The plot and characters are developed well. The plot is predictable in many ways, but has a few twists. The characters are interesting in there is not a lot of back story to them, other than the MC and what he is doing or not doing. The MC is a bit annoying towards the end in how he repeats himself being better than everyone or smarter and then fails. I did enjoy the book and look forward to book 2.
Book 1 was an interesting read and had errors throughout. The plot and characters are developed well. The plot is predictable in many ways, but has a few twists. The characters are interesting in there is not a lot of back story to them, other than the MC and what he is doing or not doing. The MC is a bit annoying towards the end in how he repeats himself being better than everyone or smarter and then fails. I did enjoy the book and look forward to book 2.
April 7, 2025
Just wow...
I wanted to read a Story based on a villainous main character However I'm quite surprised at how this story turned out. I love this story It is brutal and it is heart wrenching there's so much Imagination Given to each character and all the storylines involved. I have highly recommend this book.
I wanted to read a Story based on a villainous main character However I'm quite surprised at how this story turned out. I love this story It is brutal and it is heart wrenching there's so much Imagination Given to each character and all the storylines involved. I have highly recommend this book.
July 17, 2025
Pretty good start to the series
There's a ton of different things that happen in this book, but the pace is pretty inconsistent. It gets off to a slow start, but gradually picks up. Marak seems to alternate between being a genius planner and a fly by the seat of your pants guy. I'm definitely interested to see where the series goes though.
There's a ton of different things that happen in this book, but the pace is pretty inconsistent. It gets off to a slow start, but gradually picks up. Marak seems to alternate between being a genius planner and a fly by the seat of your pants guy. I'm definitely interested to see where the series goes though.
December 27, 2024
This doesn't follow much of the slow development arc for this genre's protagonist. It moves fast. Almost too fast to be believable.
By the end of book one I'm almost relieved and probably not going to read the rest of the series.
By the end of book one I'm almost relieved and probably not going to read the rest of the series.
February 4, 2025
An absolutely amazing book
I just stumbled across this book on the kindle store randomly and figured I would give it a shot. I’m glad I did. The pacing of the book and the character progression are phenomenal. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
I just stumbled across this book on the kindle store randomly and figured I would give it a shot. I’m glad I did. The pacing of the book and the character progression are phenomenal. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
May 8, 2025
Excellent action-packed sword & sorcery series
First time reader of Alexander Layne books. Finished this one, off to buy Part Two ! Great series, wonderful character development, story continuity, and world-building.
First time reader of Alexander Layne books. Finished this one, off to buy Part Two ! Great series, wonderful character development, story continuity, and world-building.
April 6, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, pity it was only part one. I can't say I particularly liked the main character, but the story was well-written and intriguing. Recommended reading for fantasy fans.
February 14, 2025
I enjoyed this book quite a bit
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews