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The Imperial Saga

Home of the Empire of the Seven Continents

  • Overview
  • Main Series
    • Rise of the Phoenix
    • Knight of the Dragon
    • Heart of the Guardian
  • Mythology
    • The Myth of the Scorpion Queen
    • The Myth of The Wolves
  • Character Profiles
  • Continent Info
    • Estova
    • Izuria
    • Krendia
    • Shem
    • Kaehlar
  • Other Info
    • About the Author
    • Contact
    • AI Policy
    • Privacy Policy
YouTube Channel Launched!
2 July, 2024
Cover Reveal: Dance of the Empire
11 May, 2024
Heart of the Guardian Out Now!
15 August, 2023

Welcome to the Empire of the Seven Continents

The Empire of the Seven Continents is the home of the Imperial Saga, a fantasy series by Anne Winchell. This website offers exclusive content of the world and novels and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the writing process. Take a look around and explore the world of the Empire of the Seven Continents and the books and stories from this world!

Enter the Imperial Saga

The war for Tamarud lasted twelve years and devastated the continent’s people and lands. When the royal family was captured, everyone knew it was it was only a matter of time before their defeat, but the Empire shocked the people by executing all but the youngest two royals.

Fifteen years later, the continent of Tamarud has suffered under Imperial rule. After the massacre following the execution of the royals, the population is devastated, their numbers vastly diminished. Everyone in a fifteen year age group was murdered, leaving only older adults and those under twenty-five behind.

Now, the invaders, as those from the Empire are known, can kill at will, and wreak havoc on the people of Tamarud. Tamarudian culture has all but vanished as their books, art, and traditional buildings have been razed. Speaking their language is a death sentence, and they even have to choose Imperial names to avoid being killed.  

In this chaos and destruction, Princess Tahirah is coming into her magical powers. As one of two surviving royals, she wields enormous power, power that makes her both threatening and desirable to the Empire. Her rise to power is marked with death and isolation, but romance and hope keep her going. 

These five novels chart her progress as she gains her adult powers, and the increasing strength of her allies as well. Ari, a young man and the object of her affections, learns to stand on his own, and Jana, a young woman whose love for her girlfriend Leena is the only bright spot in her life, learns to take on a leadership role. Together, Ari, Jana, and Leena hope to help save Tahirah from the Empire. They’ll go to any lengths, but will it be enough?

A fantasy map of Tamarud
Map by Dewi Hargreaves
Book Three Available Now!

Explore the Main Series

Find out more about the individual books here with word counts, status updates, summaries, and more. 

The cover of Rise of the Phoenix, with a dark maroon background, a golden, flaming phoenix in the center with a fiery orange-red skyscrapers in a golden portal, and the words Rise of the Phoenix in fancy golden letters

Rise of the Phoenix is a fantasy novel about a young woman who survived the execution of her family at the end of the war and now lives in an occupied continent. She’s always pretended to be obedient, but she has a secret: she’s created a phoenix egg.

The people of Tamarud remember the brutality of the dragon knights long after the war ended. When Jana accidentally becomes a dragon knight, she must deal with the hatred of her father and her people even while fighting to defend her home.

Ari has always relied on loved ones for guidance, but now Tahirah is trapped on a different continent and his parents might be dead. With new friends and unfamiliar family, he has to forge a way forward even as the Empire’s power draws closer to finding him.

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Check out the latest videos!

The Imperial Saga YouTube channel offers music videos from and about the various continents and characters as well as readings and behind-the-scenes looks into the creative process!

Anne Winchell, Author of Speculative Fiction

Anne Winchell, Author of Speculative Fiction
Garrett has always lived under Aaron's control, it seems. But after running away, Garrett realized just how deep their friendship has grown, and how incapable he is of living without Aaron.

This is a paired song. Aaron's version will be released soon.

They claim he's not a slave. That he wants this life. Judge for yourself: https://tcp.annewinchell.com/garrett.

Find out more about The Conquered Princes, a dark sci-fi novel with intense personal stakes and galactic ramifications, at https://tcp.annewinchell.com.

⸻

Full lyrics:

(Verse)

You stood there dressed in polished silence
Like the whole world bent your way
But your eyes looked half exhausted
Like they’d never left the cage

You touched every wound like memory
Like counting fractures one by one
And I hated how your voice could sound
Like safety to someone

⸻

(Pre-Chorus)

Every road becomes a circle
Every choice pulls us near
You say stay alive another day
I say there’s nothing left to fear

But the closer that we get
The harder breathing comes
Like two collapsing stars
Afraid of what we’ve become

⸻

(Chorus)

We move in mutual orbit
Close enough to burn
Close enough to pull apart
Every lesson we learned

I hold you like a lifeline
You hold me like a war
And neither of us knows
What we’re fighting for anymore

If you let go
Would I drift into the dark?
If I let go
Would you finally fall apart?

We circle and collide
Again and again
Mutual orbit
No beginning
No end

⸻

(Verse)

You call it keeping me alive
Like survival is enough
But sometimes your protection
Feels a little too much like cuffs

Still when the panic starts rising
When the noise gets too loud
You’re the only steady signal
Left beneath the crowd

⸻

(Pre-Chorus)

Every road becomes a circle
Every wound becomes a thread
Somewhere in the pull between us
Something keeps the other fed

And I don’t know if this is mercy
Or a slower kind of ruin
But every time I try to leave
I feel the gravity moving

⸻

(Chorus)

We move in mutual orbit
Close enough to burn
Close enough to pull apart
Every lesson we learned

I hold you like a lifeline
You hold me like a war
And neither of us knows
What we’re fighting for anymore

If you let go
Would I drift into the dark?
If I let go
Would you finally fall apart?

We circle and collide
Again and again
Mutual orbit
No beginning
No end

⸻

(Bridge)

You built your life on careful distance
I built mine learning how to break
Now every wall is bending inward
Every breath another ache

And maybe we were never meant
To survive each other whole
But I would still choose this collision
Over being left alone

⸻

(Final Chorus)

We move in mutual orbit
Gravity and flame
Two broken constellations
Still calling out a name

I hold you like a lifeline
You hold me like a scar
And maybe love is just
Knowing where the fractures are

If you let go
Will I vanish from your sight?
If I let go
Will you disappear tonight?

We circle and collide
Again and again
Mutual orbit
Until the whole world ends

⸻

(Outro)

No beginning
No end

Just the pull
Again

And again

⸻

World, concepts, and characters by Anne Winchell
Lyrics and art by ChatGPT
Music and video by Suno
Arranged by Anne Winchell

The image was created using the lyrics as input and may contain inaccuracies. It is meant to represent the overall feel for the character and world but is not considered canon. 

This includes generative AI, including Suno and ChatGPT. I am not affiliated with either, and all AI-generated content is clearly labeled above. You can read more about my policies on AI use at https://annewinchell.com/ai-policy/ 

All specific characters, worlds, events, people, cultures, and other identifying features are copyright © 2026 Anne Winchell. However, if you'd like to create art, music, or stories inspired by any of this, please don't hesitate to contact me (https://empire.annewinchell.com/contact/). I'm (almost always) happy to give permission!
Mutual Orbit | Garrett's Theme [ ♪ The Conquered Princes Original Music ♪ ]
Aaron has always been the bane of Garrett's life.
But when they're separated, he realizes just how deep their relationship actually goes.

Full song Friday @ 5pm CT

The Conquered Princes → https://tcp.annewinchell.com/

#shorts #aimusic #darkpop #glitchpop #cinematicmusic #scifimusic #worldbuilding #originalsong #TheConqueredPrinces #Garrett
Mutual Orbit | Garrett's Theme ♪ [ TCP Original Music ] ♪
The Watchers guard the city of Galio and the Rioran Empire with an iron fist, knowing that the slightest slip could give Disloyalists a chance to strike.

Some call them secret police. They claim their protection saves lives. Judge for yourself: https://tcp.annewinchell.com/watchers/

Find out more about Galio, the newest member of the Rioran Empire, and The Conquered Princes, a dark sci-fi novel with intense personal stakes and galactic ramifications, at https://tcp.annewinchell.com. 

⸻

Full lyrics:

(Verse)

We let you rest your head at night
Assured you'll see the coming morn
We let you go about your lives
Aware you'll never come to harm

Our checkpoints halt uncertainty
Stop danger and Disloyalists
Bombings cloud the Galion districts
But never where the Watchers walk

(Pre Chorus)

Vigilance is dedication
Safety is awareness

(Chorus)

Obey the Watchers
Stay safe tonight
We guide you through the darkness

Respect the Watchers
Embrace your lives
We protect you from all danger

Through day and night and endless suns
The watch never ends
Through smoke and flame and icy death
The watch never ends

The watch never ends

(Verse)

Our camera drones patrol the skies
While we patrol the streets below
For those who expect privacy
The city's health demands we know

A hooded figure will be stopped
Since ignorance blinds us to evil things
We observe and collect all the info we can
Protecting our city of Galio tonight

(Pre Chorus)

Observation is prevention
Obedience saves lives

(Chorus)

Obey the Watchers
Stay safe tonight
We guide you through the darkness

Respect the Watchers
Embrace your lives
We protect you from all danger

Through day and night and endless suns
The watch never ends
Through smoke and flame and icy death
The watch never ends

The watch never ends

(Bridge)

We already watch
We already know
We already monitor
We already care

Your fears and doubts
Your goings on
What you say to whom

We know

We watch so you can be protected
We watch because we care

(Chorus)

Obey the Watchers
Stay safe tonight
We guide you through the darkness

Respect the Watchers
Embrace your lives
We protect you from all danger

Through day and night and endless suns
The watch never ends
Through smoke and flame and icy death
The watch never ends

The watch never ends

(Outro)

Do not question
Do not challenge
Do not attempt to flee

We will follow
We will detain
We will always succeed

Galio sleeps soundly under single moon
Because the Watchers patrol its streets
And you can relax in your warm loving homes
Because the watch never ends

⸻

World, concepts, and characters by Anne Winchell
Original lyrics by Anne Winchell
Art by ChatGPT
Music and video by Suno
Arranged by Anne Winchell

The image was created using the lyrics as input and may contain inaccuracies. It is meant to represent the overall feel for the character and world but is not considered canon. 

This includes generative AI, including Suno and ChatGPT. I am not affiliated with either, and all AI-generated content is clearly labeled above. You can read more about my policies on AI use at https://annewinchell.com/ai-policy/ 

All specific characters, worlds, events, people, cultures, and other identifying features are copyright © 2026 Anne Winchell. However, if you'd like to create art, music, or stories inspired by any of this, please don't hesitate to contact me (https://tcp.annewinchell.com/contact-anne/). I'm (almost always) happy to give permission!
The Watch Never Ends [ ♪ The Conquered Princes Original Music ♪ ]
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The Mythology of the Empire

Each of the seven continents has their own mythology and lore, and you can explore the constantly expanding collection of stories from their people in this compendium of myths.

The Myth of the Scorpion Queen

An elaborate golden scorpion on a crimson backdrop with gold ornaments around the edge

When Tamarud was first created, the entire continent shared a pleasant climate and the creatures thrived. Now, however, the north is inhospitably hot, and the south is in a perpetual freeze. What changed this balance? Learn about Queen Alareab of the Scorpions for more!

Start Reading

The Myth of the Wolves

Once, all of the wolves were united and lived in harmony with the other creatures of Tamarud. Now, the anova wolves of the north hunt people for fun while the vasha wolves of the south work with people. What created this split? Learn more about the attack on Queen Zeinab for more!

Start Reading

Read Character Profiles

A young woman in a black sweater with curly red hair, bronze skin, and amber-gold eyes
A young man in a dark blue button-up shirt with shaggy dark brown hair and brown eyes.
A young Black woman with twist braids and light brown eyes with red circling the pupils in a black tank top with pink hems and a fain pink design on the front and makeup to match, and a gold chain around her neck
A young Asian woman with black hair, dark brown eyes with red circling the pupil, and a patterned black/orange/green/gold top
A stern-looking man with ebony hair, pale skin, and a military uniform
A young white woman with light brown hair pulled back in a bun with braids along her hairline and a few strands falling loose. She has green eyes, a bit of a smirk, and is in a blue dress with a brown cloak loosely pinned together with gold chain.
A dramatically lit woman with chin-length black hair, smoldering makeup, and a black dress

Read Continent Information

Find the Series on Amazon

Available for eBook and Kindle Unlimited
Available for Paperback
A mockup of Rise of the Phoenix showing the front and back of the paperback as they will appear on the books.
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  • Overview
  • Main Series
  • Mythology
  • Character Profiles
  • Continent Info
  • Other Info

Copyright © 2024 Anne Winchell.

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