A Wizard's Dark Dominion (The Gods and Kings Chronicles Book 1) by Lee H Haywood

Mage kings once ruled the world. Brutal overlords, they burned cities and waged endless war against one another. Then the gods intervened and ended their ruthless reign. Now, all who display magical traits are shipped off to Taper Academy where they are taught a neutered form of magic. Demetry is certain there is more to magic than what his instructors are teaching him. Then he finds a forbidden book, and within the magical teachings of a long dead god. When Demetry breaks magic’s cardinal rule his punishment should be death. Instead, he’s sent to Coljack, a fortress prison designed to house Capernicus’s most dangerous criminals. After the prison warden begins to put Demetry through a series of brutal tests, Demetry realizes the prison isn't what it seems, and the key to it all might be his mysterious cellmate, a wizard whose past is steeped in blood. The epic saga starts here. Read on as the era of mage kings comes anew!

Young Adult • Fantasy