Crimson Storm (Age of Stars #1)

In Crimson Storm, the Élu, a race of Gifted humans, have lived peacefully in the realm of Lutèce in the centuries since the Schism War. Now, a strange sickness and a failed coup d'état has rattled the foundations of Lutetian society. Three traitors, once-trusted Mage Masters led by Grand Master Günay, defect to the daemon realm of Crystallos, leaving Lutèce with a promise and a threat: to rise above the angels of old and reunite the three realms under one rule. In the wake of this devastation, Mage Second Siena Charis is taken hostage, trapped in Crystallos with no way of getting home. She can only watch as Günay sets his larger scheme into motion, a plan which threatens to upset the precarious balance and plunge all three realms into chaos for the first time in centuries. Caught in the middle of this cascading chain of events, three young Élu in the human realm come face to face with one of Günay's daemonis, forcing them to find temporary sanctuary among the Déchu, the Guardians of the world with whom the Élu have been at odds since the Schism. Faced with a new threat, Déchu and Élu must try to reconcile their past wrongs in order to survive the coming storm.

Crimson Storm offers fast-paced action and a slight spin on the angels and demons trope, all while reintroducing a classic wizards with staffs archetype. It's sword and sorcery bound up with anime-esque sequences against a historical backdrop that is reminiscent of our own world. It is the first novel in a planned 4-book series.