It has been a while since The End of Time released, bringing my Cruel Gods trilogy to an end. I always wanted to revisit Chime, but I’m also full of ideas for whole new worlds and stories to explore.

And so it’s time to welcome you to Aefenhold.

The Chosen One Con is a whole new gaslamp fantasy set in the city of Aefenhold, a gaslamp-inspired city that has many modern comforts and technologies thanks to the invention of magic and the marriage between magic and technology. This city is ruled by the Arcanum, five all-powerful mages known as Archons, and their citizens enjoy the boons of magic from enchantments and potions made from aether and spells, to the entertaining shows of celebrity mages on their MagiVsion screens.

Of course, magic can be volatile, and so only those with the required magical licence can purchase and use magic. In other words, it’s the poorest in society who mine the aether ore and manufacture magic for those richest enough to enjoy it.

The story, then, is about two working class young men who enter the world of celebrity mages in order to join The Chosen One Show, a contest to find a prophesized chosen one that will unite Aefenhold against those who oppose magical progress.

If you’ve read my Cruel Gods books, then you’ll be familiar with The Chosen One Con’s darker themes, sexual content, and swearing! Here’s the official blurb:

Magic is a rich man’s game.

Archons control magic in the great city of Aefenhold. Brand-name spells, addictive potions, and celebrity TV keep the poor entertained while they toil in the factories manufacturing magic. That should have been the fate of Max and his childhood friend Lyle, until a violent workers’ strike tears their lives apart, condemning Lyle to the aetherstone mines and leaving Max orphaned with no choice but to sell his labour to a brothel.

Life under the Archon’s rule has given Max a taste for magical narcotics, and left Lyle with aether dust in his lungs and a deep resentment for magic. So when Aefenhold’s rulers announce a televised contest to find the chosen one–a prophesized distraction to unite the city against its detractors–both Max and Lyle see an opportunity to con their way into the contest.

Where Max seeks to steal magic for his freedom, Lyle views magic as a tool of oppression to be destroyed. Their old friendship will be tested as they’re forced to become adversaries against famous rival mages in a series of magical trials. Whoever becomes the chosen one will change the shape of magic forever.

But magic is a rich man’s game, and should Max or Lyle be discovered as frauds, their deaths will be televised next.

The Chosen One Con is the first book in the Lost in the Aether duology—a gaslamp fantasy of industrial magic in a world of designer enchantments and celebrity-branded potions. This is an adult book containing strong language and mature themes that some readers may find disturbing. View the full list of content warnings.

Sound intriguing? Here’s some of the things you can look forward to in The Chosen One Con:

• Industrial magic origins!
• Potions and enchantments with various magical effects!
• Oi mate, you got a loicence for that magic?
• Magical TV shows!
• Celebrity mages who are (mostly) assholes!
• Characters that love to swear!
• An MC that really loves magic (and sex!)
• An MC that really hates magic (and sex?)
• A trans girl POV that is the most sensible character actually.
• A chosen one prophecy… but is it real??
• A contest featuring magical trials that don’t end well.
• Surprising deaths!
• Revolutionary plots!
• Who really killed the most powerful Archon of the city?
• What IS aether? Seems a bit… Eldritch…
• Drug-fuelled hallucinations of an old TV star!
• It’s queer as fuck, naturally!

Are you ready to see the book cover? Here… we… go:

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This cover was once again designed by the amazing James T. Egan of Bookfly Design. It features the main character of Max!

Now for the news you’re waiting for… the release! The bad news is that I’m still working on this book, so I don’t have an exact timeline, though I’m aiming for a 2026 release. But! The Chosen One Con is taking part in the Book Bazaar 2025 crowdfunding campaign on Backerkit to raise funds for multiple indie book projects.

Follow The Chosen One Con’s Backerkit page to be notified of the launch on November 12!

I’m hoping that we can raise funds for some goodies related to the book, but also, backers will receive an early copy of the ebook. More details of the campaign will be announced in later months. In the meantime, you can also add The Chosen One Con to your Goodreads.

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We’ll see you in Aefenhold soon!