Rise to Dust: The Scion of Hope 2nd Edition!

Hello world,

Today I am happy to share with you that the first book in the Rise to Dust trilogy, The Scion of Hope, will be getting a 2nd Edition release!

Many books have different editions, but this book will feature some major changes. Firstly, when I started writing book one, I was 19 years old. I had never written a book before and had no degree in writing. Now I am 26 years old, the same age as my main character Amelia. I have written and released 2 full books and am writing a few more. I have listened diligently to feedback from my audience and read many books to understand novel prose more. I am confident I can tell the first story better in 2025.

What will be changed in the 2nd Edition?

Firstly, the text will be updated to flow more like a book and less like a novelization of a book. Strange dialogue tags have been updated to be less distracting to the reader. Also, any text that did not flow very well, be it narration or dialogue itself has been updated to better serve the characters and help the audience imagine the world more clearly and concisely. Characters should feel less flat with their thoughts more present, and their complex emotions shown. The world will flow more naturally. I expanded on characters like Malucius, Vythecia and Galdrimm. In the case of the latter two, I had discussed their scenes with my friends while writing it, but never really realized how sparse their actual scenes were. To capture more of their iconic friendship, they will have more scenes.

There will be many completely new scenes, updates to old scenes and the removal of a few scenes that no longer serve the 2nd edition.

I have updated songs, poems and will add more artwork. There will be a character glossary and more maps as well. Ultimately, the book will be longer. I cannot say how long for certain, but I am about halfway done with it now. The goal is to release it sometime in the summer or fall of this year, but I shall not rush it and will make sure it is as good as it can be for you all.

What will stay the same?

The major story will stay the same and many of the fight scenes will remain mostly unchanged, as they were well received. The characters will still match up with where they are in book 2.

After I release the 2nd edition, I will no longer sell the first edition. So, if Rise to Dust does well, you may have a limited print on your hands for any 1st editions you already have. The 2nd Edition will be regarded as the new cannon. For those of you who were unable to connect with the 1st edition, I encourage you to give the book another try. I think you will find many if not all of the issues with the 1st edition are resolved. For those who loved the 1st edition, I think you will only love the characters more after this. I have made sure no one's story line is weaker, only stronger.

Reader's Opinion

I wanted to share some thoughts from a reader who has read both book 1 and 2, and is now reading the 2nd edition:

"The 1st edition of this novel showed as a debut work. I would not consider it bad, but perhaps unpolished, lacking a certain level of flow for professionally published work. The 2nd edition is a mass improvement in almost every single way. The 1st edition had potential, but this 2nd edition is a fully fledged book that would not seem out of place in a library. The character arcs are stronger as well as the relationships between the characters. The pacing is improved, and things feel more connected. I struggled to recommend the 1st edition, but I can confidently recommend this 2nd edition. All the elements of the first edition have been refined to live up to their potential. Everyone who has already read it will likely enjoy this version even more than the first." - Jason A.

I am very excited and proud of this edition! It is something I want to be remembered for and it is what I'm most excited for in 2025! I believe in this series will all my heart and the 2nd edition will capture the story better for you all to experience!

As for updates on my other works, I am making good progress in book 3 and have begun a prequel book for the main trilogy as well. I will share more updates on book 3 as well in the near future. Once the 2nd edition of book 1 is released, I will begin work on the audiobooks for the series. They will contain an original score, voice acting, and sound effects, bringing you all deep into the world.

I look to the future with excitement and wish you all well. Happy 2025!