Epic Fantasy · Volatile Magic · Floating Cities
The Penultimate Dawn Cycle
A World Devoured by Hunger Must Choose What It Will Become
An epic fantasy cycle of dangerous Aspects, floating civilizations, forbidden power, and people fighting to survive a force that consumes magic, memory, and hope.
Three-book cycle · Print, ebook, and audio editions
Start Here
Enter the Penultimate Dawn
Begin the epic fantasy cycle in print or ebook, browse the reading order, or experience the available audiobooks.
Three Ages. One Cycle.
Begin with The Hunger, continue into The Thirst, and watch for the concluding journey, The Longing.
Book One: The Hunger
Feed your Hunger.
Every person must consume magical Sustenance or succumb to deformity, exile, and death. When an assassin strikes and a mysterious stranger calls him to a forbidden fortress, scholar Azil enters a world of floating cities, mage wraiths, warriors, and prophecy.
Book Two: The Thirst
The curse is changing.
Azil Harkness hunts a terrifying mystery as the word “Thirst” spreads among the Mals. A former friend rises wreathed in purple flame, reshaping the cursed into something stronger, deadlier, and loyal only to him.
Book Three: The Longing
The cycle will continue.
The planned third installment will carry the story into its next age. The current cover is shown here; publication and purchase details will be added when they are available.
Preview The Longing in a Card Battle
Enter the world of the upcoming third book through an interactive card-battler experience.
Coming Soon
Continue the Cycle on Audible
The Thirst is available in audio, continuing Azil’s journey as the curse changes and a new enemy rises.
Watch the Penultimate Dawn Trailer
“Stellar imagery, relatable characters, and an underlying good vs. evil… Finally, a book I can picture while enjoying the storyline.”
Amazon reviewer
“At times I was laughing out loud… then I found myself on the edge of my seat completely immersed in the story.”
Amazon reviewer
Meet the Fellowship
Scholars, survivors, and mages carry the fate of the Penultimate Age.
Azil
A refined scholar drawn into prophecy, volatile magic, and a fight to protect those he loves.
Kaval
A resourceful orphan determined to uncover his lineage and escape the fate of the Mals.
Evelet
A powerful visionary who understands the Aspects and the terrible balance facing humanity.
Jamith
A peerless scholar working to decipher the ancient Aspects and help humanity survive.
Sarhah
Azil’s resilient sister, transformed by hardship and determined to heal a broken world.
Character chats are based on the books and powered by a third-party AI service; responses may vary.
Choose Your Next Quest
Explore more clean fantasy by Michael D. Young—or get a free story and new-release news delivered to your inbox.
Series details
The Penultimate Dawn Cycle
Author: Michael D. Young
An epic fantasy cycle set in a war-torn realm where survival depends on magical Sustenance and volatile power may create either a golden age or the darkest of villains.
Language: English
Genres: Epic fantasy · Magic · Adventure
Book 1: The Hunger
Book 2: The Thirst
Book 3: The Longing
Official series page: https://authormichaelyoung.com/the-penultimate-dawn-series/
Michael D. Young 