The Steps of Ascension #1 is Out!
A New Journey Begins: The Steps of Ascension Book 1 Is Out Now!
A brand-new progression fantasy from bestselling author Pavel Kornev has arrived. A Countenance Whiter Than Death, the opening novel of The Steps of Ascension, introduces readers to a dark and atmospheric world where magic is earned through sacrifice, every choice has a price, and survival is never guaranteed.
Gray was once nobody—a forgotten street vagrant, invisible to the powerful and abandoned by fate itself. He should have died. Instead, he awakens with the blinding white flame of witchcraft burning inside him, thrust into a world where power is measured not only by talent, but by the strength of one's will.
Unlike many cultivation heroes, Gray has no dream of becoming an immortal or conquering the heavens. He has no legendary mentor to guide him, no miraculous destiny waiting to unfold. He possesses only a simple vow: never take what belongs to someone else. But when survival demands strength, every new step toward ascension must be paid for in blood.
Set in a unique world the author describes as "tsarpunk"—a blend of imperial aesthetics, mystery, and fantasy—The Steps of Ascension features a carefully crafted magical system built around Aspects, mystical colors that define every sorcerer's path. Fire, water, blood, the Astral, and many more powers await those bold enough to climb the hierarchy of ascension, creating endless possibilities for growth while allowing every mage to forge a unique path.
If you're looking for a progression fantasy with rich world-building, meaningful character development, and a magic system where power is earned rather than handed out, A Countenance Whiter Than Death is the perfect place to begin.
The first step on Gray's journey starts today. Will he claim what is truly his—or perish trying?