EPIC FANTASY · VOLATILE MAGIC · IMPOSSIBLE HOPE
The Penultimate
Dawn Cycle
A world on the edge.
A dawn worth fighting for.
Floating cities. Sacred gems. Magic that can save a realm or destroy it. Enter an epic adventure beginning with The Hunger.
It’s always time for a quest.
YOUR FIRST STEP INTO THE REALMBOOK ONE · THE HUNGER
Feed your Hunger.
Discover the cost.
In a distant, war-torn land, survival depends on a magical substance called Sustenance. Those who go without succumb to the Hunger, facing transformation, exile, and death.
When scholar Azil joins a quest for sacred gems, he steps into a realm of floating cities, dangerous powers, and prophecy. The magic he seeks could usher in a golden age, or create the darkest of villains.
For older teens and adults who love sweeping quests, intricate worlds, and choices with consequences.
Choose your edition at the retailer. Availability and prices vary by format and region.READER VOICES
“Stellar imagery, relatable characters, and an underlying good vs. evil…”
— Amazon reader review previously featured on this site
“At times I was laughing out loud…”
— Amazon reader review previously featured on this site
FOLLOW THE CYCLE
Your road through the realm.
Read in order: The Hunger, The Thirst, then The Longing. Each step takes you deeper into the world of Sustenance and the Aspects.
BOOK ONE · START HERE
The Hunger
A scholar, sacred gems, and a world dependent on magic. Begin Azil’s journey into the secrets of Sustenance.
BOOK TWO · CONTINUE THE CYCLE
The Thirst
A transformed realm, warring Aspects, and a new hunger draw Azil and his companions from the depths of the earth toward the moons above.
BOOK THREE
The Longing
Follow the Cycle into its third book. Check the retailer’s current listings for available editions.
SCHOLARS · SURVIVORS · MAGES
Meet the fellowship.
The fate of the realm rests with people who have as much to lose as they have to discover.
Azil
A scholarly mage drawn into prophecy, volatile magic, and a fight to protect those he loves.
Open Azil’s character art →
Kaval
A resourceful orphan determined to uncover his lineage and escape the fate of the Mals.
Open Kaval’s character art →
Evelet
A powerful visionary who understands the Aspects and the terrible balance facing humanity.
Open Evelet’s character art →
Want to meet Jamith, Sarhah, and more of the cast? Explore the character dossiers below. The deeper lore and downloads contain story revelations.
TAKE A PIECE OF THE REALM WITH YOU
Maps, mysteries,
and a little more magic.
Free maps, field guides, character dossiers, quizzes, journals, bookmarks, and artwork for readers who want to keep exploring.
Map your journey
Explore the landscape with an illustrated map of the realm from The Hunger.
Open the map PDF →Find your clan
Which clan would claim you? Take the reader quiz and see where you belong.
Open the quiz PDF →Know the creatures
A field guide to the magical creatures that make the realm unforgettable.
Open the field guide →The Hunger: all free downloads
Maps, timelines, clan lore, journals, character art, and wallpapers from the first book.
- Wallpaper — The Hunger Atmospheric
- Wallpaper — Rahim’s Crown
- Wallpaper — Three Sustenance Colors
- Wallpaper — Mage Beast
- Wallpaper — Dorian Heraldry
- Wallpaper — Azura Heraldry
- Wallpaper — Scarlatti Rose and Flames
- Wallpaper — Twilight Library
- Wisdom from Azil’s Mother Bookmark Set
- The Hunger Epochs of the Realm Timeline Poster
- The Hunger Epochs of the Realm Timeline
- Replica Scarlatti Feast Invitation
- One Mustn’t Save the Realm Looking Like a Mal
- The Hunger Which Clan Would Claim You Quiz
- The Hunger Character Dossier Cards
- Jamith’s Journal Secrets of the Twilight Library
- Character Portrait — Sven
- Character Portrait — Sarhah
- Character Portrait — Lord Azura
- Character Portrait — Kaval
- Character Portrait — Jamith
- The Hunger Three Clans Dossier
- The Hunger Mage Creature Field Guide
- The Hunger Illustrated Map of the Realm
- Character Portrait — Evelet
- Character Portrait — Azil
The Thirst: all free downloads
Explore the transformed realm through Aspects, lunar charts, puzzles, dossiers, and wallpapers.
- Wallpaper — The Thirst Atmospheric Cover Style
- Wallpaper — The Great Vessel
- Wallpaper — Lunar Keep
- Wallpaper — Rahim’s Crown Wings Shield and Sword
- Wallpaper — World Fissure and Fissure Folk Craft
- Wallpaper — Six Moon Alignment
- Wallpaper — Orange Keep and Glass Labyrinth
- Which Aspect Would Choose You
- Escape the Orange Keep Puzzle Page
- Dawn or Dusk a Potation Guide
- Apocalypse Fashion Guide Style Is Eternal
- Wallpaper — Emerald Realm
- Wallpaper — Jamith Purple Aspect Silhouette
- Wallpaper — The Purple Pool
- The Realm After the Wrath Expanded Illustrated Map
- Timotheus Guardian of the Orange Keep
- The Six Moons Lunar Calendar Chart
- Sarhah Azure Aspect Character Dossier
- Reshel Stormbound Character Dossier
- The Thirst Guide to Vessels Aspects and the Thirst
- The Six Aspects Dossier
- The Mind of Rahim Azil Harkness Scholars Companion
- Mage Creature Field Guide Volume II
- The Fissure Folk Prophecy Scroll
- The 100 Acts of Returning Bookmark Set
- Kaval Cursed Protector Dossier
- Jamith the Purple Aspect Dossier
- Evelet Vel Dorian Scarlet Aspect Dossier
- Brehman Emerald Aspect Dossier
- Bartan the Thirst Character Dossier
- Azil Harkness Golden Vessel Dossier
Book-club discussion kits
Continue the conversation with illustrated discussion material for each book.
ONE REALM. A WIDER UNIVERSE.
Another road through
the Cantifold.
The Penultimate Dawn Cycle belongs to the Cantifold, the shared worlds of Michael D. Young. Follow the connections between stories, powers, and places, or set out on an entirely new quest.
Explore the Cantifold →The horizon is only the beginning.
Find your next adventure →