Ghostwriterr

"They say power corrupts... but what if corruption was the price of power?"

Lucian never sought power—he only wanted to save his grandfather. But when he inherits the Book of Envy, a cursed tome that grants desires at a terrible cost, he is thrown into a world where the strong devour the weak.

To master the book, he must train under Veyren, the twisted holder of the Book of Lost. Along the way, he meets Kael, a skilled swordsman with the Book of Blades—a boy whose abilities Lucian secretly covets.

Betrayal, obsession, and an unstoppable hunger for strength drive Lucian down a path of no return.

But what happens when he faces a power too great to steal?

A dark fantasy tale of ambition, sacrifice, and the descent into power.

Hollow Crown: The Book of Envy

Lucian's grip tightened on the Book of Envy, his pulse hammering in his ears. The Spirit of the Lost stood before him, his ragged form swaying like a marionette cut from its strings. His eyes—wild, feverish—locked onto Lucian with a gleeful intensity.

"Ohhh, what fun, what DELIGHTFUL despair! Another poor soul has taken hold of a cursed scripture! HEEHEEHEE! And what a book it is! ENVY! The hunger that devours all!"

Lucian took a step back, his body tense. This thing... it's insane.

The spirit suddenly stopped laughing. His head snapped to the side unnaturally, his smile growing.

"But do not fret, little keeper! You have been INVITED! Oh, yes, YES! My master—OH, what a glorious, magnificent creature—he wishes to see you! To teach you! To break you! To mold you into something far more... delightful."

Lucian's breath caught. Another book holder?

"Who is your master?" he asked cautiously.

"He holds the Book of the Lost! The keeper of wandering souls, the one who walks among the forgotten! Ahhh, such poetry! You will love him, child! He is a man of lessons! And oh, how he enjoys his students!"

Lucian wasn't sure if that last part was a promise or a threat.

The book in his hands pulsed. The Book of Envy whispered to him again.

"The Book of the Lost... a dangerous companion. Twisted, but knowledgeable. If you wish to master me, you may need him. But beware, little keeper—his lessons always come with a price."

Lucian exhaled slowly. He had little choice. He needed to learn.

He looked up at the spirit. I need to be stronger.

The spirit grinned, bending forward in an exaggerated bow.

"OH, what JOY! What SPIRIT! Then let us GO, little keeper, to the place where the LOST gather! Where hope and despair become ONE!"

With a wild, unsettling laugh, the spirit lunged toward Lucian—his presence swallowing everything in darkness.

Invitation to Madness