RISE (JM Kearl) Books in Order

The RISE trilogy is a young adult fantasy about forbidden magic, two rival kingdoms, and a young woman who discovers that her quiet life was built on secrets. Daelyn begins as a farm girl in Hesstia, a country where magic is outlawed and people fear what it can do. Her life changes after she catches the attention of Prince Enden at a royal festival.

The invitation is not as harmless as it seems.

Daelyn is pulled into a political scheme involving the queen of Delhoon, Hesstia's enemy, and the growing chance of war between the two nations. She is suddenly surrounded by royals, spies, assassins, and people who seem to know more about her past than she does. One wrong move could cost her family their safety or place her directly in the path of a king who sees magic as a threat to be destroyed.

Daelyn is caught between two very different men. Prince Enden is tied to the royal world that has upended her life, while Boaden is a warrior with his own secrets and loyalties. Their competing pulls bring romantic tension to the story, but the bigger question is always what Daelyn will choose when every side expects something from her.

The conflict between Hesstia and Delhoon drives the trilogy forward. Hesstia's fear of magic has led to brutal laws, while Delhoon is a land where magic is openly practiced. Daelyn's emerging abilities make the divide personal. She cannot remain on the sidelines once she understands what is at stake for magical people and for the people she loves.

As the series continues through Wrath and Rival, the story grows from court intrigue into a wider war. Daelyn and her allies face pursuit, dangerous journeys, battles, shifting loyalties, and enemies with advantages that cannot be solved by a single act of courage. Dragons and larger threats enter the picture as the final conflict takes shape.

The trilogy has a straightforward fantasy-adventure feel, with sword fights, magic, royal pressure, family secrets, and romance woven through the action. Daelyn is inexperienced at the start, but much of the appeal is watching her learn what she can do and decide what kind of person she wants to be when everyone else is trying to use her.

Begin with Rise and continue directly to Wrath and Rival. The books tell one connected story, so the emotional relationships, political fallout, and war plot work best in sequence.

Daelyn's world has taught her to fear magic. She has to learn whether it can also be the way forward.