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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
Water flows through the story of our lives.
But does it remember us?

Full song Friday @ 5pm CT

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

#shorts #indiepop #singersongwriter #originalsong #scifimusic  #aimusic #worldbuilding #TheConqueredPrinces #LaytheLayne
♪ [ TCP Original Music ] Does Water Remember? Will I Be Forgotten Again and Again and Again? ♪
#darkpop #rebellion #cinematicrock  #scifimusic #aimusic #sunoai 
Emma has made difficult decisions in her life. Been willing to sacrifice everything. And every time she's chosen, someone else's choice makes her sacrifices irrelevant.

They say her life ended after the war. She says that’s when it began. Judge for yourself: https://tcp.annewinchell.com/people/emma-2.

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)
She said the so-called Peace Summit
Was a declaration of war on us
But all they asked was if I'd take
Their youngest prince to marry me

She didn't ask me, didn't confirm
Just launched straight into endless war
And when violence amassed and casualties climbed
Then she asked, and I said yes

I was willing to sacrifice to save my people
Willing to marry a strange alien
But my brothers attacked and the peace was retracted
I would have chosen
I did say yes

(Pre Chorus)
I looked through all the consequences
Weighed the costs within my mind
Asked myself, "What would I give to save Galio?"
And I answered, "Anything."

(Chorus)
I would give my life to save you
I would drown in sacrifice
I would gladly give my soul
So I made my choice

That choice was mine

And you stole it
Claimed you'd spared me

But that choice was mine

(Verse)
When they came to the castle under Rioran flags
To save me from certain execution
My brother was left, I tried to go back
Tried to fight to bring him to freedom with us

They held me back, told me have patience
That someday I'd hold him again in my arms
They said if I returned, I'd be killed for sure
They didn't know running would kill my heart

I was willing to sacrifice to save my brother
Willing to die if it meant he might go free
But they grabbed me at gunpoint and forced me away
I couldn't choose
But I would have remained

(Pre Chorus)
I looked through all the consequences
Weighed the costs within my mind
Asked myself, "What would I give to save him?"
And I answered, "Anything."

(Chorus)
I would give my life to save you
I would fall to Rioran fire
I would gladly give my soul
So I made my choice

That choice was mine

And you stole it
Claimed you'd saved me

But that choice was mine

(Bridge)
Let me choose
Let me bleed
Let me pay
Let me die

Let me sacrifice everything
Just let me choose
One choice
To save what I love

(Verse)
After eight long years watching him suffer
I finally held my brother again, but now
The Riorans addicted him to a fatal drug
He would die if kept free from their grasp

I had a choice, a terrible choice
To bring my brother to death at my side
Or let him live in slavery
When the cost should be borne by me

I was willing to sacrifice to save my brother
Willing to lose him if it meant he died free
But his handler approached us and offered the drug
Suddenly my choice
Didn't matter at all

(Pre Chorus)
I looked through all the consequences
Weighed the costs within my mind
Asked myself, "What would I give to save him?"
And I answered, "Anything."

(Chorus)
I would give my life to save you
I would drown in endless guilt
I would gladly give my soul
So I made my choice

That choice was mine

And you stole it
Claimed you'd helped me

But that choice was mine

(Outro)
I had the choice, had the strength, had the power
I wanted to save those I love
But every time my heart finally decides
Fate robs me and leaves me behind

Someone has to pay the price
There's a cost to every choice
I would pay it, I would
I said yes, said I'd stay

But you stole it
And that choice was mine

⸻

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/aew/). I'm (almost always) happy to give permission!
That Choice Was Mine [ ♪ The Conquered Princes Original Music ♪ ]
She's made her choice.
And they stole it..

Full song Friday @ 4pm CT

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

#shorts #aimusic #darkpop #rebellion #cinematicrock  #scifimusic #worldbuilding #TheConqueredPrinces #Emma
♪ That Choice Was Mine -- And You Stole It ♪
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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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