azaleaellis

Chapter 286 - Influence

Chapter 285 - Invictus

Chapter 284 - Trustworthiness

Siobhan 

Month 9, Day 26, Sunday 5:15 p.m.

Siobhan looked down at her shadow, which stretched out from her seated form like taffy in the light of the afternoon sun. It lay there, completely mundane. She was tempted to grasp for control of it again, but stopped herself. 

‘I’m still too mentally exhausted to risk trying to free-cast for only the second time in my life,’ she reminded herself. 

She rocked back and then shifted forward until sh...

Chapter 283 - My Enemy's Enemies

Thaddeus 

Month 9, Day 26, Sunday 7:30 p.m.

Thaddeus stood near the entryway of Harrow Hill’s administrative hall. All the coppers doing paperwork or running errands kept peeping at him when they thought he would not notice, and except for footsteps, the occasional indistinct murmur, and the rustling of paper, the room was unusually quiet. As if everyone sensed his agitation, none of them tried to talk to him or ask for an autograph, but Thaddeus doubted that much actual wo...

Chapter 282 - The Price of Power

Siobhan 

Month 9, Day 26, Sunday 5:15 p.m.

The indistinct being kneeling before Siobhan answered her question like a drowning man grabbing hold of a rope. “I will give you all my power, all my cunning, turned willingly to your purpose.”

“I don’t believe you,” Siobhan replied simply.

“I will promise it thrice! And I am useful. I can take you into the spirit realm to travel in ways unknown to mortal man. I can give you knowledge of magics in your surroun...

A Builder of Dreams Audiobook now on Audible

Hey guys!

For those of you who have been waiting for the latest Practical Guide to Sorcery audiobook, it is now live on Audible, Apple, and Amazon! 

(This also means it comes down from early access on Azalea Ellis Books.)

I have updated the Audiobook Free Download Links and Codes post for anyone who's at the Grandm...

Chapter 281 - Surfacing from the Depths

Siobhan 

Month 9, Day 26, Sunday 5:00 p.m.

Siobhan was ripped out of her lost memories—out of her thirteen-year-old self—with such abrupt violence that it felt like something inside her almost tore. She had no time to react to the shock and pain before a crushing ocean of darkness collapsed on her. It was bitterly cold and more viscous than any water should be, restricting her movements and squeezing the air out of her so hard that she couldn’t even try to take a...

Chapter 280 - Visitors

Oliver 

Month 9, Day 26, Sunday 12:00 p.m.

Oliver leaned back in the cheap carriage he had flagged down not long after leaving Liza’s house. He rubbed his bloodshot eyes and scratched the stubble on his cheek. When he’d left, Siobhan still hadn’t woken up, even though it had been almost three whole days now since her spell went wrong. Leaving her made him even more anxious than waiting by her bedside, but there were too many urgent things waiting for his attention. He w...

Prologue 0.2 - An Ancient Relic [Book 7 Start]

“Tonight is the night,” the Archaeologist muttered to himself as he walked out of the horrid slums that people seemed to call the Mires. He paused, taking a moment to double and triple check that he was heading north. While he could still follow a map quite well, he couldn’t find the hand-drawn, almost incomprehensible drawing of Gilbratha’s streets in any of his pockets. He must have lost it somewhere. Without that, or something else to anchor him, his sense of direction—of locatio...

Chapter 2.12 - In which Percy learns the art of refinement

Percy

Month 1, Day 1, Friday 11:00 a.m.

Mom was not amused by Tennyson’s offer, and reminded them both that Percy was grounded.

Percy was almost relieved to hear it.

Tennyson remained unfazed, assuring her that the Bourgeron family was rich enough to protect Percy from almost any danger, and that even if the guards and servants somehow failed at this, that his family would surely get Percy prompt healing and cover the bill.

Somehow, after a few minutes...

A Builder of Dreams Audiobook Early Release Exclusive (now live)

Hey guys!

For those of you who have been waiting on the latest Practical Guide to Sorcery audiobook, it is complete and live as an exclusive early release from me. It will be going up on Audible/Amazon/Apple next week. 

(Though I can't actually control the release date specifically, since they take however long they feel like to review it, and then approve it for sale when they're finished.)

Everyone at the Grandmaster tier can stream or download a c...

Galen Aisling Interlude - Gossip and Wagers

This short story is set concurrently with A Practical Guide to Sorcery Book 5, Chapter 253 - "No Way Out." Directly after "Red Guard Pressure." 

Galen 

Month 9, Day 20, Monday 11:00 p.m.

The rain had stopped, but Galen Aisling’s feelings of dread would not go away so easily. Everything had gone smoothly—too smoothly—and he kept finding his fingers drumming a nervous rhythm against the side of his thigh, ready to reach for his battle wan...

Chapter 2.11 - In which Percy's family is poor

Percy

Month 1, Day 1, Friday 8:30 a.m.

A few days later, shortly after Dad had left for an early start at the shop, Tennyson Bourgeron appeared at the Irving’s doorstep. His expensive coat was a stark, brightly-colored contrast to the grey, overcast sky and dingy streets. He made an elaborate bow to Percy’s mom and handed her a bottle of wine and some flowers.

She seemed stunned, her mouth opening silently as she took the gifts.

“Good morning, Madam. And might I ...

Chapter 2.10 - In which Percy gifts secretly

Percy

Month 12, Day 19, Saturday 9:00 p.m.

Percy flopped onto his bed, feeling as if the weight of life were pressing him deep into the soft material. Any more, and he might suffocate, unable to extricate himself.

Why had he made that stupid promise in front of everyone at the station? While he wished otherwise, keeping out of trouble wasn’t something he could control. And though the tattoo did help, it obviously could not entirely fix him.

The door behind him creake...

Chapter 2.9 - In which Percy is threatened and accused

Percy

Month 12, Day 19, Saturday 8:00 p.m.

Percy cringed as Tennyson’s solicitor severed ties with him like a healer with limited resources cutting off a gangrenous limb. So much for representing both of them. Obviously, the man now thought Percy was too much of a liability.

He wished he could melt into the floor and disappear. If Mom was going to do this, why had she insisted that he and Tennyson come down to the station and give their statements in the first place?

News: PGTS Book 7 Serialization Delay

I posted about this in an author note recently, but since I know many of you aren't following along with the Catastrophe Collector, I wanted to update you separately so you wouldn't miss the update.

Many of you know about my neuro-immmune disorder diagnosis earlier this year, and have been around for the changes I implemented to make my work/life more healthy and sustainable.

Well, I had some abnormal pain recently, went to the doctor, and after waiting many weeks for some imagin...

Roger Pecanty Character Card

Bio Text: A long-standing Sympathetic Science teacher at the prestigious University of Lenore, Pecanty teaches students to interpret magic with the poetic nature of sympathetic connections. However, despite outwardly encouraging associative thought, he discourages critical questioning about the nature of magic in favor of adhering to convention, belief, and memorization.

Chapter 2.8 - In which Lieutenant Robards regrets his life choices

Calder

Month 12, Day 19, Saturday 6:30 p.m.

Mrs. Irving’s shock quickly turned to anger. “My son was involved in a theft, and none of you informed me?” She stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “How dare you?” she demanded, her voice rising. “You accused my son of a crime without involving a legal guardian?”

Calder held up his hands, trying to defuse the situation. “I think there has been a misunderstanding. Percy was not arrested or charge...

Chapter 2.7 - In which Lieutenant Robards volunteers for paperwork

Calder

Month 12, Day 19, Saturday 6:30 p.m.

Lieutenant Calder Robards sat at his desk, his head pounding with the remnants of a nasty flu that had kept him bedridden for days. He rubbed his temples, trying to focus on the stack of reports before him instead of the time remaining until he could apply another dose of healing salves. The recent false Aberrant incident had left the station in chaos, and the coppers were still scrambling to piece together what had happened. If not for ...

Oliver Dryden Card (serious)

Character Bio Text: An escaped noble who fled Osham to avoid its conscription of Nulls, Oliver is Siobhan's dubious ally against the currently established powers. He is the leader of the Verdant Stags and believes in a future of opportunity and equality for everyone—and he will not let any obstacles stand in the way of his ambitions. He knows sacrifice is inevitable, but believes his cause is just.

Oliver looks a bit more tanned here, so let's say it's a summertime portrait.
2025-10-20 22:12:07 +0000 UTC View Post

Chapter 2.6 - In which Percy fails to keep a secret

Percy

Month 12, Day 19, Saturday 6:10 p.m.

Thankfully, the room soon grew dim and the chattering crowd hushed. But as the play unfolded on stage, Percy found his mind wandering to the events of two days prior.

After their harrowing escape from the blood sorcerer, Tennyson and Percy had washed off the worst of the gore with water drawn from some family’s backyard well. Tennyson had insisted on leaving a silver on their doorstep to pay for the use of their amenities, and Per...

Chapter 2.5 - In which Percy's siblings bicker

Percy

Month 12, Day 19, Saturday 6:00 p.m.

Two days after their harrowing escape from the blood sorcerer, Percy found himself at the theater with his family and Viv, his friend from work. Lysander had requested this outing for her birthday, and invited the older girl specifically. Ever since meeting Viv earlier that month—after the fiasco during the gang fight between the Morrows and the Verdant Stag—Lysander had asked about her several times and seemed to have a small case of...

Chapter 2.4 - In which Percy babysits a concussed aristocrat

Percy

Month 12, Day 19, Saturday 6:00 p.m.

“The blood isn’t mine,” Percy whispered. “We need to be quiet. The sorcerer could hear us.” He decided on the window. That was a more unexpected exit. “Help me move the bed.” He gestured to the door. “It might help slow the sorcerer down, if he finds us.”

Percy and Tennyson worked together to lift and lever up the entire bed to lean against the door, though Tennyson’s efforts were hindered by his trembling arms. ...

Oliver Dryden Character Card (smiling)

Bio text: A minor noble from Osham and one of the wealthiest individuals in Lenore, by day, Oliver uses his gold and charisma for philanthropy. By night, he is Lord Stag, leader of a local gang which is quickly gaining influence and territory. He hopes to overthrow the Thirteen Crowns and rule Lenore as he sees fit, with opportunities and basic rights for everyone. 

Today's character card is one of two for Oliver, since he has a bit of a double persona going on, too.

Sebas...

Chapter 2.3 - In which Percy pillow-fights a revenant

Percy

Month 12, Day 17, Thursday 9:55 a.m.

Before Percy could respond or even process the accusation, the sorcerer grabbed a handful of slimy intestines. With a snarl of rage, he hurled the ropy mass directly at Percy’s face.

Percy ducked instinctively, the grotesque projectile arcing past his left ear and draping themselves over his shoulder and back. Without thinking, he retaliated. Letting out an embarrassingly shrill shriek, he flung the limb he still held at the sorce...

Chapter 2.2 - In which Percy becomes the reluctant assistant to a blood sorcerer

Percy

Month 12, Day 17, Thursday 9:45 a.m.

Percy’s ridiculous, entirely false words hung in the air while he and the blood sorcerer stared at each other. Percy’s heart was pounding so hard he was sure the man would see his panicked pulse in his throat. Percy closed his eyes for a moment, praying that his hastily concocted lie would buy him even a few precious seconds while the man was confused. If he could just get up, maybe he would get a chance to run away.

The blood s...

Chapter 2.1 - In which Percy hangs around

Author Note:

The start of The Catastrophe Collector Book 2 coincides with Chapter 51 of A Practical Guide To Sorcery, "Saved by the Enemy." (Book 2 Chapter 14)

If you haven't read the first book yet, it is currently available in full here and also for sale in ebook/audiobook/paperback. It might also be a good time to refresh yourself on the story so far, since it's been a while since I finished the previous book. 

If you'd like a quick recap, CliffNote...

Chapter 279 - The Grave of Heaven

Siobhan 

Month 8, Day 15, Friday 11:00 p.m. 

Siobhan didn’t discover the loose thread of memory hanging from the seal Grandfather had woven until later, when the thought arose of a man with a posh accent and skin a different shade of brown than hers. She had met the man before Grandfather did, before he even knew the stranger had arrived. The memory was innocuous, but it ached like a tooth just beginning to come loose. She could tell that if she wiggled it, that little...

Chapter 278 - The Coming Darkness

Siobhan 

Time Unknown

After a long while, Siobhan climbed to her feet, where she stood swaying back and forth aimlessly. It felt like she was a puppet and her strings had been cut. She was so heavy, and every movement took an effort of Will, when she had none left to spare. She was well and truly alone, and the knowledge was bitter ash on her tongue. ‘What now?’ she wondered. ‘I don’t even know how much time he erased. How old am I?’ The question w...

Chapter 277 - A Scream into the Void

Siobhan 

Month 5, Day 16, Friday 7:00 a.m.

“I’m Siobhan,” she repeated, her heart beginning to pound. “What’s going on? What are you doing to me?” She tried to sit up again, and this time had more success until Grandfather forcefully pushed her back down. 

He reached behind himself and drew a battle wand from somewhere, which he leveled at her face. “What is my nickname for you?” 

“Hazelnut? Grandfather, please, you’re scaring me.”&...