Passage to Dawn series
Passage to Dawn is an epic fantasy novel series written by American Author Derrick Smythe. The series combines traditional high fantasy elements with themes involving institutional religion, political conflict, prophecy, and moral philosophy. Published entries include three primary novels — The Other Magic, The Other Way, and The Other Battle — alongside companion prequel novellas set in the same fictional universe.
The series has received recognition within independent publishing circles and has been the subject of reviews across genre blogs, book review platforms, and audiobook media outlets.
Overview
Passage to Dawn is set in a secondary fantasy world characterized by competing empires, religious hierarchies, magical traditions, and prophecy-driven conflict. The narrative follows multiple viewpoint characters whose storylines intersect amid an expanding imperial conquest led by a theocratic regime.
Reviewers have described the series as emphasizing character development and moral dilemmas alongside traditional epic fantasy tropes such as political intrigue, magical training, and large-scale warfare.
Publication history
The series began with the independent release of The Other Magic in 2019. Audiobook adaptations were later released, expanding the audience through digital platforms.
Published entries in the series include:
- The Other Magic (Passage to Dawn, Book 1) — (editions vary by format).
- The Other Way (Passage to Dawn, Book 2) — (editions vary by format).
- The Other Battle (Passage to Dawn, Book 3) — (editions vary by format).
- The Other Truth (Passage to Dawn, Book 4) — Not yet published.
- The Other War (Passage to Dawn, Book 5) — Not yet published.
Companion works:
- To Earn the Sash — .
- To Wield a Plague — .
Deluxe illustrated editions of The Other Magic, The Other Way, and The Other Battle were later funded via crowdfunding. The remaining books in the series are will receive the same deluxe treatment as they are released.
Setting and themes
Critics have noted the series’ focus on structured magical systems tied to religious authority and its exploration of ethical questions concerning power and governance.
Common themes identified by reviewers include:
- institutional control of magic
- faith versus autonomy
- political succession and legitimacy
- prophetic destiny and free will
Synopsis
The series follows multiple narrative arcs across a world threatened by expansionist conquest from the Lugienese Empire, a religiously driven power governed by the priesthood known as the Kleról.
The opening novel introduces Kibure, an escaped slave whose forbidden magical abilities draw the attention of imperial forces, and Sindri, a former priestess searching for truth beyond orthodox doctrine. Their journey intersects with Prince Aynward Dowe, a royal exile whose path from reluctant noble to political figure unfolds alongside mounting war.
Subsequent entries expand the story to include imperial intrigue, magical training among hidden societies, and shifting alliances as war spreads across kingdoms. The narrative blends personal character journeys with large-scale geopolitical developments.
Main characters
The Passage to Dawn series follows an ensemble cast whose intersecting arcs explore themes of faith, identity, and political legitimacy. Reviewers have noted that the narrative emphasizes character development and moral ambiguity, often presenting protagonists and antagonists with competing ideological motivations rather than strictly heroic or villainous roles.
Prince Aynward Dowe
Prince Aynward Dowe is a central viewpoint character whose storyline follows his transition from sheltered royal heir to military and political leader. Initially sent abroad to avoid court controversy, Aynward becomes involved in escalating conflicts between kingdoms and must reconcile personal ideals with pragmatic leadership. Reviewers have highlighted his character arc as a coming-of-age narrative shaped by responsibility and ethical compromise.
Princess Dagmara Dowe
Princess Dagmara serves as a foil to her brother, representing devotion to religious tradition and political stability. Her storyline examines loyalty, faith, and the personal cost of political duty. Critics have noted that her internal conflicts reflect the series’ broader exploration of institutional religion and individual agency.
Sindri
Sindri, a former priestess who loses her status within the religious hierarchy, navigates themes of exile and self-definition. Her narrative explores questions of belief and identity after institutional betrayal. Reviewers have described her arc as one of the series’ primary emotional anchors, balancing philosophical inquiry with personal struggle.
Kibure
Kibure is an escaped slave whose latent magical abilities challenge established religious doctrine. His journey introduces readers to marginalized perspectives within the world’s social hierarchy and drives key conflicts related to prophecy and authority. Commentary has noted that Kibure’s storyline blends traditional fantasy “chosen one” elements with themes of autonomy and trauma.
Grobennar
Grobennar, a high-ranking priest within the Lugienese Empire, serves as a principal antagonist whose rise through religious ranks illustrates the political dynamics of the theocratic regime. His origin story is expanded in the prequel novella To Earn the Sash. Reviewers have noted the character’s complexity, portraying ambition intertwined with ideological conviction rather than simple villainy.
Fatu Mazi Grobennar
A rival cleric and political operator, Fatu Mazi Grobennar embodies internal factionalism within the empire’s priesthood. His schemes highlight the intersection of religious authority and political maneuvering that drives much of the series’ conflict.
Kyllean Don Votro
Kyllean Don Votro is a martial character whose storyline introduces aerial combat traditions and military training culture. Through his experiences, the narrative expands into broader geopolitical tensions and the realities of warfare beyond royal courts.
Lady Arabelle
Lady Arabelle is associated with a secretive magical society whose influence grows in later installments beginning with The Other Way. Her character explores themes of hidden knowledge and alternative magical traditions operating outside established religious structures.
Drailock
Drailock is an enigmatic wizard mentor whose ambiguous loyalties reflect the series’ recurring motif of uncertain guidance and competing interpretations of prophecy.
Dwapek
Dwapek, a halfling wizard and scholar featured prominently in the companion novella To Wield a Plague, provides historical context and expands the intellectual dimension of the world-building. His storyline examines academic curiosity and ethical responsibility in the study of magic.
Jaween
Jaween is a spirit bound within an artifact whose influence shapes events across multiple storylines. The character’s presence introduces metaphysical themes related to memory, legacy, and unseen manipulation behind historical events.
Reception
Independent reviewers have generally described the series as combining classic epic fantasy structure with modern character-focused storytelling.
Commentary has compared the narrative approach to epic fantasy traditions emphasizing expansive world-building and moral complexity.
Some reviewers have noted stylistic similarities to character-driven epic fantasy authors, citing influences from traditional genre conventions and role-playing game storytelling structures.
Online communities discussing medieval fantasy fiction have recommended the series alongside other epic fantasy works such as Joe Abercrombie, Robert Jordan, Brent Weeks, and Brandon Sanderson.
Awards and recognition
The series has received several independent publishing awards, including:
- Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, winner.
- Global Ebook Award recognition, runner-up.
- Independent Publisher Book Award, runner-up.
Influence and comparisons
Reviewers have associated the series with epic fantasy traditions characterized by layered political narratives, expansive cast structures, and morally complex antagonists. Comparisons have been drawn broadly to authors working within character-driven epic fantasy traditions, particularly those combining philosophical themes with traditional fantasy storytelling frameworks.