The Thornforged Chronicles

A Dark Fantasy Trilogy by Miranda Howman

Note for readers:
This series begins with a sheltered protagonist and evolves into a darker, more complex story, where trauma, moral ambiguity, and slowly developing relationships shape the journey. For an Upper YA / Mature Audience
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  • The Gilded Empire expects submission, even when it means watching someone you care about die.
    Elora chose compassion anyway.
    The Empire does not forgive defiance.

    At the Miros Institute, she was untouchable—trained as an alchemist, protected by her mentor, spared the cruelty every other student endured.

    Until she isn’t.

    At the Institute, failure isn't corrected.
    It's punished.

    Stripped of protection, she is delivered into the hands of Headmaster Thorn—the architect of her unmaking.
    Her intellect is tested. Her will fractured. Her empathy turned against her.

    She must learn what she was never taught:
    Obedience.

    Survival demands she bleed, endure, and refuse the fate carved for her.
    Because if she cannot remain who she was…
    she will become something worse.

    This is not a story about rescue, but of erosion—of identity, of trust, of the fragile belief that doing the right thing will save you.

    • Dark Academia Setting

    • Morally Gray Characters

    • Gritty and Unforgiving World

    • Rivals with a Deep History

    • Themes of Corruption & Loss of Innocence

    • Dark Obsession

    • Trauma & Survival

  • “A harrowing, beautifully written tale of survival and sacrifice, this book is essential reading for fans of morally complex fantasy willing to confront its darkest corners.” -IndieReader

    “This checks every box for dark fantasy, and it is soooooo good. Miranda does such as good job of gutting you through her writing.” -Shannon, Goodreads

    “This chilling reality creates an oppressive atmosphere that puts the “dark” in “dark fantasy.”
    The novel’s strength lies in its ability to ground its gritty plot in complex, human characters.” -N. Marie, Goodreads

  • Animal abuse / death

    Loss of autonomy

    Child trafficking

    Suicidal Ideation

    Physical Assault

    Sexual Assault (partial open door)

    Mentions of past sexual assault of a minor (closed door)

    This novel handles traumatic scenes in a tactful yet realistic way that may be too much for some readers.

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  • Freedom didn’t heal her. It changed the battlefield.

    Elora escaped the cage.

    But survival was only the first rebellion.

    Now hunted for what she is becoming, and haunted by what was done to her—she must navigate a world that demands strength from wounds not yet closed.

    The magic forced into her was never meant for her kind. Now, Elora must learn to wield the feral power carved into her bones or be consumed by it.

    In Scars of the Unbound, healing is not gentle.
    Trust is fragile.
    Freedom demands a cost.

    This is not a story where trauma vanishes once love appears.
    It is about aftermath.
    About rebuilding identity when it has been stripped away.
    About learning to stand beside someone, not behind them.

    Power is no longer something done to her.
    It is something she must choose.

    • Slow-burn romance

    • Morally gray allies

    • Forced bond

    • Shapeshifters

    • Found family

    • Trauma recovery & survival

  • “The plot never drags. Even when it’s emotional, it’s always moving. The pacing is deceptively smooth—until you realize you’ve read 100 pages without noticing.” -Kimberly, Amazon

    “I rarely find that I like sequels better than the first book of a series, but boy did this one deliver. The opening scene alone was pure magic.” -Shannon, Goodreads

    “This was not what I was expecting after reading book one! The world building is chefs kiss, and despite the themes being dark you fall in love with the story and the characters.” -Cinthu, Amazon

    • Depictions of trauma recovery
      (including PTSD symptoms, flashbacks, and dissociation)

    • Mentions of past sexual assault and coercion
      (non-graphic but emotionally impactful; occurs off-page or in memory)

    • Unhealthy coping mechanisms (alcohol, sexual behavior, magical suppression)

    • Mentions of Child trafficking

    • Suicidal Ideation and Self-harm

    • Torture, physical and psychological abuse

    • Themes of vengeance, grief, and power imbalance

    • Death of a loved one

    This novel handles traumatic scenes in a tactful yet realistic way that may be too much for some readers.

Releasing June 16, 2026

More information to be released.

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