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PLANAR LOST: BOOK ONE

The Blackened Yonder

Planar Lost - Book One (eBook Cover 2).jpg

"A work that is rich in worldbuilding, presenting a vivid and immersive fantasy setting filled with religion, magic, and political intrigue."

—K.C. FINN, MULTI-AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, READERS' FAVORITE

Readers' Favorite Bronze Book Award Winner

Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner

 
 
 

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SYNOPSIS

In this introspective dark fantasy novel, told through multiple perspectives, author J. Gibson mixes elements of political intrigue, supernatural horror, and epic adventure to create an immersive world that is perfect for fans of gritty, thoughtful series like A Song of Ice and Fire and The Poppy War.

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In the nation of Reneris, ATHENNE, a young woman, yearns for purpose in her life. Across the continent in the Sacred Empire, FATHER GARRON serves as a devoted parish priest, content in his faithful service.


Athenne finds an unlikely mentor in ULDYR, a charismatic and determined member of the Saints of Aetheria, feeling energized by his promises of change. Around the same time, undead horrors massacre Garron’s entire ward village, leaving him the sole, guilt-ridden survivor. Devastated and his faith shattered, he races toward the Imperial capital with urgent warnings.


Drawn by Uldyr’s conviction, Athenne joins the Saints’ journey to the Sacred Empire’s heart, where they plot to overthrow the Church. Their target: the Iron Court, most sacred of the Church’s spaces. Her initial enthusiasm for their righteous cause grows complicated when the Knights of Faith ambush them. Apocalyptic visions shown to her by the Knights leave her deeply shaken, and her trust in both the Saints’ mission and her own judgment wavers. As Garron navigates the capital’s politics, the sanctuary he sought among Church authorities instead deepens his spiritual crisis, their methods forcing him to question everything he believes.


Rebel mages and Church zealots wage their shadow war, forcing both Athenne and Garron to confront unnerving choices. She must decide whether to stay loyal to the Saints despite her doubts, while he grapples with which side truly fights for salvation. Both find themselves trapped between opposing forces claiming to fly the banner for the world’s future.

​Readers' Favorite Bronze Book Award Winner

Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner

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"J. Gibson has crafted a work that is rich in worldbuilding, presenting a vivid and immersive fantasy setting filled with religion, magic, and political intrigue. Readers will be drawn into the well-paced mystery plot and the subtly-laid clues surrounding the undeath plague while also appreciating the complexity of the characters and their interwoven storylines."

—K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite

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"A striking beginning to what promises to be a captivating series. Its intricate character development and immersive storytelling make it a noteworthy addition to the dark fantasy genre and leaves the reader eagerly awaiting the next installment."

—Literary Titan

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"An epic fantasy that will take you on an amazing journey, The Blackened Yonder is an incredible novel. It has the perfect mixture of religion, horror, faith, action, thrills, mystery, and magic in a tale of two incredible characters."

—Rabia Tanveer, Readers' Favorite

 

"The story unfolds at a pace that keeps you turning pages. The stakes are high, and the tension is jaw-tightening as the characters navigate a landscape filled with danger and moral dilemmas."

—Oluwagbenga Akangbe, Online Book Club

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"The world Gibson builds is rich, complete with its own political structure, religious beliefs, and societal customs. The characters grapple with complex themes of power, faith, and morality."

—Asher Syed, Readers' Favorite

 

"Gibson's novel is well plotted and benefits from solid, precise world building. The prose is descriptive and even literary."​

—BookLife Prize

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"The story is fast-paced, with extensive work done on the characters' backgrounds and story construction and description, allowing me to create vivid images of the scenes and characters. Gibson does an excellent job enabling me to familiarize myself with and better understand the characters, their stories, and what reasons and beliefs drove them when certain paths and situations arose."

—Ana-Maria Leasa, Readers' Favorite

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"I love books with strong female characters, and The Blackened Yonder by J. Gibson did not disappoint. Gibson also used suspense to great effect, which made me look forward to subsequent chapters as the complex storylines unfolded."

—Frank Mutuma, Readers' Favorite

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