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On Matter and Decay

Prima Materia - Book One

VOLUME: 1 OF 3

NUMBER OF PAGES: 340

GENRE: dark academia, horror, and supernatural fantasy in an alternative 1800s in a fictional city in Europe

TARGET: Adults

THEME: In the alternative 1800s, the city is divided among the three forces of the Guild, the Morgenstern family, and the Crown; the ruthless Prince hires a cult of Alchemists to find a remedy to heal the dying King. 

TROPES: Alchemy, dark academia, secret society, hidden world, dark fantasy world in an alternate 1800s Europe,šŸŒ¶ļøšŸ˜³, puzzle and riddles, enemies to lovers, black and grey morality, 100+ years old characters and still hot, space-time arts, sovereigns, criminal gangs, men into puppet transformation, puppet/monster love, hot professors, paradoxes, and more.

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? Readers with a passion for the supernatural, mysteries, and riddles.

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Mentioned Slavery, Dubious consent scenarios, Sex work, Arranged marriage, Child violence (elusive, not elaborated), Domestic violence, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Depression, Dissociation & dissociative episodes (part of the magic system/powers), Eating disorders (elusive, not elaborated), Hallucinations (part of the magic system/powers), Attempted Suicide, Substance addiction (elusive, not elaborated), Alcohol consumption & abuse, Drugging, Amputation, Blood & gore depiction, Body horror, Body modifications, Dead bodies & body parts, Decapitation (of a dead body), Loss of autonomy, Loss of limb, Physical injuries, Scars, Terminal illness, Death of a parent, Death of a partner, Grief & loss depiction, BDSM (asphyxia, anal, kinky sex, bonding, pegging), Confinement, Fire & arson, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder & attempted murder, Organised crime, Whipping, Hunting, Animal and Characterā€™s Death on page, Big Bro beats the Protagonist, Initiations, Religious Cults.

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The Alchemists inspired terror, and becoming one was the last thing he wanted.

There is turmoil in the dark city of Clawfort, where the weakened Crown of the Von Meiers, the Moonthorne Alchemists, and the Guild of Thieves are conspiring to determine who will be in control.

Kilian Morgenstern, the third child of a wealthy family in the city, resigned himself to the idea of merely running the family law office when the terrible news of his fatherā€™s accidental death shakes his family from across the ocean.

While his brothers inherit the Morgensternsā€™ fortune, Kilian is burdened with fulfilling his fatherā€™s dying wish. He must enroll in the mysterious Moonthorne Academy to study Alchemy, trapped behind its inescapable walls with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for Death.

Driven by horrifying visions of unspeakable horrors that threaten his loved ones, Kilian finds an unlikely ally in Nikolas Vesa, a dangerous criminal and Guild member from his past.

With his demon-yellow eyes and his bad reputation, Nikolas harbors deep-seated hatred towards the Alchemists,
but the Morgensterns, too. And he is eager to fight fire with fire for what they did to him.

Blurb

Top Quotes from Prima Materia

ā€œSometimes, the future has already happened. And when the past comes, you canā€™t do anything about it.ā€

"Nikolas opened his eyes. Young master Morgenstern was over him, his arms wrapped around his chest and a serene smile on his face. He was massive, the size of an indelible mistake."

ā€œMay the Hourglass bend to the Work, may the Compass perfect it.ā€

"A figure approached the house, its features distorted by the fog. It had two heads, four legs, and carried a piece of hell. Evil was there, and it was about to enter their home."