Ash of Pactarium

By Farid Jafar

In a world where magic is inhaled and power costs your soul, one girl must choose between becoming a weapon or losing herself forever.

Talia has nothing-no family, no past, no future. Until a letter arrives from Altem Academy, the most dangerous magical institution in existence. Hidden deep within a mountain fortress, the Academy promises power beyond imagination. The price? Just breathe in the ash.

But the ash speaks. It whispers promises. It devours memories. And it binds riders to biomechanical dragons forged from the bodies of the dead.

As Talia bonds with Raan-a creature that was once human-she discovers the Academy's darkest secret: every contract with the Pactarium, their machine-god, erases another piece of who you are. Students forget their names. Pilots become monsters. And the dragons? They remember everything their riders lose.

When she meets Lirean, the only pilot who refuses to submit, Talia faces an impossible choice. Join the rebellion and risk everything. Or surrender to the voice in the ash that promises to make her invincible-if she's willing to forget who she loves.

Perfect for fans of:

Fourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosFrom Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. ArmentroutThe Atlas Six by Olivie BlakeDivine Rivals by Rebecca RossHouse of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

A breathtaking dark academia fantasy featuring:
✓ Enemies-to-lovers slow burn romance
✓ Morally gray characters and impossible choices
✓ Biomechanical dragons with a devastating twist
✓ Magic systems with terrible costs
✓ Found family and underground rebellion
✓ Gothic atmosphere meets steampunk technology

Readers are saying: "If Leigh Bardugo and V.E. Schwab had a book baby raised by Pierce Brown..." "The magic system alone is worth the price-I've never read anything like it." "That plot twist about the dragons... I'm still not okay."

Content Warning: This dark fantasy contains violence, death, memory loss, body horror elements, and intense emotional situations. Recommended for mature YA readers 16+.

Book 1 in the Pactarium Chronicles. The complete 25-chapter novel that will leave you breathless-literally.

About the Author: Farid Jafar writes dark fantasy that explores the price of power and the fragility of identity. When not crafting worlds where magic comes with terrible costs, he can be found researching biomechanical engineering and forgotten mythologies. Ash of Pactarium is his debut novel.

Categories: Teen & Young Adult Dark Fantasy Teen & Young Adult Dragon Fantasy Dark Academia Fantasy Romantasy YA Dystopian Fantasy New Adult Fantasy Romance

Keywords: dark fantasy romance, dragon riders, magic academy, dark academia aesthetic, biomechanical fantasy, memory magic, morally gray love interest, enemies to lovers fantasy, steampunk fantasy, YA fantasy romance 2024, found family fantasy, rebellion fantasy, strong female protagonist, slow burn romance fantasy

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FJ8JWVHF
• ISBN13: 9798292428589
• Release Date: July 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 454 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"