Chasing Darkness (Cielo Rising)

One dream unlocks a realm of magic. One choice could unravel it forever.

Seventeen-year-old Lesleigh Abbott thought her life was ordinary-until a vivid dream led her deep into the woods and straight into a truth she was never meant to forget: she was born in Cielo, Earth's magical alternate realm.

Leaving Earth behind is easy. But the new world she longed for is far from the fairytale she imagined. Cielo is plagued by war, political unrest, and secret societies battling for control. A dangerous rebel cult preaches "magic only," threatening to unravel the fragile balance of the realm.

When Lesleigh is pulled into the heart of every conflict, the weight of impossible choices threatens to crush her. Then a suspiciously convenient escape presents itself-one she can't resist. But taking the bait plunges her into a sinister trap with consequences that reach beyond her future, her kingdom, and even her very soul.

Will Lesleigh rise to the challenge of her destiny, or will the cost of freedom destroy the world she was born to save?

Perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone and Throne of Glass, this YA fantasy blends magic, danger, and high-stakes choices in a realm where nothing-and no one-is what it seems.

Just a Midwestern girl with a dream, it seems.

PHOENIX(NIX)ASCHE is a self-published author who works and lives in the Pacific Northwest. After snagging acclaim in writing courses, seminars, and on good ol' WattPad, Phoenix decided it was time to stop sleeping on her talent and move forward with becoming serious about her craft. Her debut novel, CHASING DARKNESS, was first published in 2024; however, in 2025 she decided the world needed to see a better representation of her dedication to her craft and the world she created within the novel. CHASING DARKNESS will be available again in late 2025 and will be followed up with its sequel, The Lost Pages.

In her spare time, Nix likes to travel, spend time with family, indulge in the various food carts around Portland, and annoy her boy cat, Sokka.

Welcome to the chaos.