Description
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In the slums of Westburg, Ash is a Bottom, a beggar and scavenger of garbage heaps, a survivor in a city that deems some lives worthless. Abandoned at birth, he has no future and even fewer dreams. But a single act of bravery — saving a young administrator from an assassin — changes everything. Ash discovers he’s not just another forgotten foundling. He’s Jason Redgrave, the illegitimate son of Alice Redgrave, a powerful administrator, and Harker Haroldson, the Duke’s only surviving son. Now a target of his murderous father, Jason must flee the only city he’s ever known with the help of a family he never knew he had. Fleeing across a treacherous land, Jason must grapple with his newfound identity, deadly conspiracies, and a question that refuses to be silenced: Can someone born in the ashes of the caste system rise high enough to change it? The Foundling: Heir of Ash and Blood is a gripping tale of class injustice, identity, survival, and vengeance, with the promise of an epic transformation from outcast to revolutionary. Perfect for fans of Red Rising, An Ember in the Ashes, and Mistborn, this emotionally resonant novella is recommended for readers who enjoy gritty realism with a deep emotional core. GenresSpeculative Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Political Fantasy, Adventure, and Coming-of-Age TropesAssassin Attack, Coming-of-Age Identity Crisis, Detailed Cultural Markers, Evil Noble/Usurper, Found Family, Fugitives on the Road, Mentor Figures, Political Succession Crisis, Rags-to-Riches, Revenge Quest, Rigid Caste/Class System, and Secret Noble Heritage Get it NowFrom Online StoreAutographed Copy from the AuthorComing mid-July 2025. Book TrailerNone yet. Excerpt
Awards
PraiseThe Chrysalis BREW Project (Kajori Sheryl Paul)The Foundling: Heir to Ash and Blood is a fascinating novella penned by Donald Firesmith. It is one of those rare books that will not only take you on a thrilling adventure but also leave you with an important life lesson. The Book Dragon bookstore (Kirsty McCoy)Donald Firesmith delivers a compelling fantasy novella that weaves themes of identity, class struggle, and destiny into a tightly paced narrative. The Foundling Heir to Ash and Blood is a well-crafted fantasy novella that successfully balances character development, world-building, and plot progression within its compact format. Firesmith has created an engaging story that works both as a standalone piece and as a potential introduction to a larger world. Readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with themes of identity and social justice will find much to appreciate here. The novella succeeds in creating a complete, satisfying narrative arc while leaving readers interested in seeing more of Ash’s world. I award 5 stars. Amy’s Bookshelf ReviewsThis author has a grand imagination and talent for showing the story. Firesmith has this great talent for building the story, letting the reader get to know the character, and always keeping the reader wondering what will happen next. Captivating all the way to the end, and you never know what’s going to happen. The Foundling: Heir of Ash and Blood and “The Black Wand” are definite recommendations by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews. – Book ReviewsTotal Reviews from All Sources
Quotes from the Book
Author’s CommentaryThe first chapter of this story quite literally came to me in a vivid dream in which I had been abandoned as a baby and grew up in an orphanage. The dream ended when, as an adult, I found and reunited with my birth mother and learned that I had a younger brother. The reunion in the dream was extremely emotional, despite it being highly unusual for me to feel strong emotions in dreams. To get the dream out of my mind, I knew I had to write it down, regardless of whether anyone would ever deem it worthy of publication. Initially, the entire story consisted of only the first two chapters, but my beta readers demanded more, and the book took on a life of its own. Publishing InformationPublisher: Magical Wand Press FormatsThe Foundling: Heir to Ash and Blood is available in the following formats: ebook and paperback. Cataloging in Publication (CIP) Data BlockName: Firesmith, Donald. |
In a caste-bound city where birth dictates destiny, a foundling’s discovery of his noble lineage ignites a revolution that challenges the very foundations of society.
