Rogue Legacy

Rogue Legacy is a spellbinding fantasy adventure novel by Jeffrey L. Kohanek and the first book in the Origins of Issalia series. Set hundreds of years before the events of Kohanek's beloved Runes of Issalia series, this prequel stands powerfully on its own as the story of Lyra, a young woman who is simultaneously an orphan, a thief, a bard, a warrior, and a rogue, a girl who refuses to let the world define her.

When tragedy strikes and Lyra is forced to flee for her life, fate drops her directly into the middle of a dangerous conspiracy. A corrupt religious faction known as the Hand is working to seize absolute power over the kingdom of Issalia, wielding destructive magic as its weapon. Lyra finds herself aligned with a gifted but secretive magic user named Cal and a loyal soldier, and together the three of them must confront the most terrifying force their world has ever seen.

Described as The Princess Bride meets Forrest Gump, Rogue Legacy is a coming-of-age story brimming with heart, wit, and relentless momentum. Lyra is a heroine who earns every triumph through sheer tenacity and ingenuity, a girl who does not wait to be rescued but charges headlong into danger with fierce determination and a sharp mind.

Kohanek's storytelling shines brightest in the way he weaves Lyra's personal journey of self-discovery into a world of political intrigue, powerful magic, and shadowy enemies. This is a richly layered fantasy that will captivate readers who love strong female protagonists, intricate world-building, and adventure stories that carry genuine emotional weight from the very first page.