The Golden one
Join me on my journey as I ready my novel for publishing!
A DARK EPIC FANTASY NOVEL BY ALICIA CISNEROS
When the dead rise and tear his Kingdom asunder, King Jonathan Valorous must decide whether to be the King his people fear, or the father his children deserve, before his grief destroys everything he swore to protect.
What is the golden one about?
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A child made into a weapon, now a monster that holds their kingdom together through force after a brutal civil war. When an ancient enemy tears his family apart, their worst fears finally come true.
As Jonathan's grief begins to unravel the world itself, the daughter who idolizes him, the son who refuses to become him, and the woman who loves him must all decide whether the man beneath the monster can still be saved.Because if they fail, the kingdom won't be destroyed by the ancient corpses lurking in the shadows. It will be destroyed by the king sworn to protect it, whose grief awakens a power capable of shattering the sky.
With the ghosts of the past refusing to stay buried, one family must decide whether their love for one another is strong enough to save the father the rest of the kingdom has already turned its back on.
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But how do you fight the only person you've ever believed could never lose?
Raised by the most feared king in history, Victoria learned that love was measured by what you were willing to sacrifice for the people who mattered most.
Fiercely loyal and impossible to intimidate, she has spent her life believing her father could overcome anything. When the man she idolizes begins to lose himself to grief, Victoria must decide whether the greatest act of love is letting him go—or refusing to leave him behind.
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Gentle where his sister is fierce, Jamie inherited his father's compassion instead of his talent for war.
He fills empty gardens with life and empty hearts with hope, believing every soul deserves another chance if someone is willing to nurture it. Gifted by Vitana with the rare ability to see the souls of others, he has never met one he couldn't find beauty in—not even the father who sees none in himself.
The only heart he has never been able to mend is the one that raised him. As tragedy tears his family apart, Jamie must discover whether faith alone can heal a broken soul... or whether hope without action is simply another form of surrender.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Unfortunatly, I’m unsure when the novel will be published at the moment. It’s on it’s third draft and getting ready for it’s first round of Beta Reading! After that, off to querying!
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I'm currently pursuing traditional publishing and preparing to query The Golden One to literary agents.
My goal is to find the right publishing partner who shares my vision for the series and can help bring it to readers around the world. Wherever this journey leads, I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who chooses to follow along and support my work.
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Character work, every time. I spend a lot of time asking myself, "Why do we do the things we do?"
Every decision, belief, and fear has a reason behind it, even when those choices seem irrational from the outside. Uncovering those reasons is my favorite part of the writing process. I love creating characters who feel like real people—flawed, complicated, and shaped by the experiences that brought them to where they are. Those questions are at the heart of every story I write.
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Epic fantasy has always captured my imagination because there are no limits to what you can create.
I love building worlds with their own histories, cultures, creatures, and magic, where anything feels possible.
Some of my biggest inspirations are stories like The Lord of the Rings, where friendship and hope triumph over overwhelming darkness, and Game of Thrones, which balances sprawling political conflict with deeply personal family relationships.
Those are the kinds of stories I hope to write—epic adventures where the world is vast, but the characters are always at the heart of it.
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Like most stories, The Golden One wasn't inspired by a single moment, but by many experiences throughout my life. Growing up in a military family gave me an early appreciation for the lasting effects of trauma, while moving frequently taught me that home was the people I shared it with, never a place.
Those experiences naturally found their way into the story, shaping everything from Jonathan's struggles to the world itself. Although Baelia is a fantasy kingdom, its sweeping plains and vibrant cities were inspired by Texas, while its towering mountains owe much to Colorado, a place that has always felt like home to me.
At the center of it all is Jonathan. While he isn't me, he carries pieces of my own personality, questions, and outlook on the world. His story became the foundation for The Golden One and, in many ways, the heart of the trilogy itself. Through him, I've explored grief, hope, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to keep moving forward. -
Right now, I'm preparing The Golden One for traditional publication while continuing work on the rest of the trilogy.
Although I've always envisioned this story as three books, I want each installment to tell a satisfying story while building toward a larger journey. Beyond this series, I hope to spend many years writing character-driven epic fantasy and sharing new worlds with readers.
Above all, I hope to write stories that make readers laugh, cry, and stay up far too late saying, "Just one more chapter."
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Readers can expect character-driven epic fantasy with expansive worlds, unforgettable characters, and emotional journeys that stay with them long after the final page. I love writing stories that balance hope with heartbreak, quiet character moments with epic battles, and deeply personal relationships with world-changing stakes.
If you're drawn to found family, complex characters, slow-burning mysteries, and stories that ask difficult questions about love, grief, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be human, I hope you'll feel right at home in my books. My greatest hope is that you'll laugh, cry, and finish each story feeling like you've shared an unforgettable journey with people who feel real.
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The best way to support me right now is by joining my newsletter! It's where I'll share updates on The Golden One, behind-the-scenes looks at my writing process, cover reveals, release news, and the occasional peek into the worlds I'm creating.
You can also follow me on social media, share my work with friends who love fantasy, and simply stick around for the journey. Every reader, message, and word of encouragement means more than you know. Thank you for being here—I can't wait to share these stories with you.
About the Author
I'm Alicia, a Texas-based author of character-driven adult epic fantasy. My stories combine expansive worlds, unforgettable characters, and the emotional struggles that make us human.
I grew up reading novels by Rick Riordan, fell in love with darker epic fantasy stories like The Poppy War, and listened to my friends talk about the worlds of The Wheel of Time and Red Rising.