Blog Archives
Family and the Bonds of Friendship
The Forsaken Planet follows an ordinary young man from suburban New England whose world is shattered when alien ships invade Earth, leading him to enlist in a different alien army to learn how to protect those he loves. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I had many inspirations. It really evolved from my love of epic fantasy and anything space-related, and wanting more books that blend the two. I started this story over twenty years ago while in my teens. I had read Ender’s Game only a couple of years before, and that was a major inspiration, especially towards the combat simulations in this book. Wheel of Time was another one. Its themes of the ordinary, innocent farm boys and girls becoming heroes, as well as its lore and the connection to the ancient past that the struggle during that series is linked to, that all rubbed off onto my own work. Lastly, the mini-series Band of Brothers is a big one. That is my favorite show of all time and it directly influenced many of my war-training scenes.
A lot of time was spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
The most important thing was to make them all diverse and different enough from one another. It is a grand story I have in store, one that only grows as the series expands. I needed to ensure that I laid a solid foundation for each character, as many of them have their own POVs and larger parts to play in this conflict as the series progresses. I think the roots I laid here will help them better stand on their own down the road, when it’s their time to shine.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
It was critical for me to express the importance of family and the bonds of friendship. My story centers around these ideas and eventually asks some hard-hitting questions regarding them. We all want to protect those we love. But what if by doing that, we are putting others in harm’s way? That is a central theme as the series progresses, and it was the main focus of this installment to fully mold that bond, loyalty, and love between not just the core group of characters but those they meet along the way.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is the first book in the series, and book two (The Son of the Prophets) is already out. There is also a novella linked to the series (A Princess of Oldir), which can be read for free by anyone who signs up for my Readers List (newsletter) on my website. And book three (The Dark Element) actually comes out this month on May 20th, 2025.
Readers can expect a lot of the same. A story centered around Colt and Company and their loyalty towards one another, one with the intense combat sequences you grew to know in TFP, along with the mysteries of the past and prophets ever-growing. However, it all expands tenfold more than it did in book one, with the addition of many new POVs in books two and three, as well as events taking these characters away from one another, across the stars to multiple other planets, and to war.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
-The Power of the Stars-
“With it, we are capable of greatness or are a weapon that will only bring suffering to the universe.”
When mysterious aircraft wreak havoc across Earth’s skies, it is revealed that there are clusters of other planets where humankind resides, distant worlds where the people wield the power of the stars themselves. It is an energy force that can bring about miracles or, as the alien fleet’s ruthless leader displays, unleash horrors beyond imagination.
After experiencing a loss during the onslaught, Colton Samson, an ordinary college student, vows to protect his loved ones at any cost. But to learn the power to do so, he must enlist into the Army of the Universal Throne—a second alien force with its own agenda.
With the revelation of a secret prophecy foretelling humanity’s demise and Colton’s improbable role in preventing it, he embarks alongside a diverse group of friends to the Throne’s capital, the planet of Vintara. There he faces prejudice from supposed allies, lifelike combat simulations that test him to his core, and the looming threat of a universal war. Only by embracing his true potential can Colton hope to secure the safety he seeks, in a universe that views him as nothing more than Forsaken.
The Forsaken Planet
The Forsaken Planet is a sprawling science fiction epic that kicks off the Power of the Stars series. It tells the story of Colton Samson, an ordinary young man from suburban New England whose world is shattered when alien ships invade Earth. After the sudden destruction of his home and the death of his best friend during the attack, Colton discovers that he is connected to a larger cosmic struggle. The book unfolds across multiple planets and explores themes of vengeance, power, friendship, and identity. As Colton grapples with loss and truth, he finds himself drawn into a war that threatens not just Earth but the entire known universe.
I was hooked from the first page. Bryan Wilson knows how to build tension. The slow burn of normal life being ripped apart by cosmic forces gave me real chills. His characters, especially Colton, feel like people you could know: awkward, impulsive, loyal to a fault. The dialogue is natural and sharp, and Wilson has a real knack for blending big sci-fi concepts with relatable emotions. Spoiler alert: When TJ dies, it hurt. Not just because of the loss, but because of how raw and real that moment felt. I also loved how Wilson keeps the pacing tight, even with a lot of world-building. He doesn’t get bogged down in exposition dumps. He lets the mystery unfold at just the right pace.
One of my favorite parts was the mythology. It’s this rich, layered history of prophets, lost power, and a cosmic kingdom that once united all human-inhabited worlds—including Earth. I loved how Earth is portrayed not just as a distant, disconnected planet but as something sacred that was cut off, “forsaken,” like a fallen temple in the stars. It reminded me a lot of Star Wars with its ancient orders and mysterious forces, but also had touches of Dune and even The Silmarillion—that same sense of deep, mythic pasts shaping the present.
The writing is energetic and full of heart. Bryan Wilson has a clear love for the story he’s telling, and it shows in the vivid scenes and emotional moments. His style is easy to follow, with natural dialogue and strong pacing, though sometimes it leans a little dramatic. Still, the emotion behind the words pulls you in, and when it hits, it hits hard.
The Forsaken Planet is a heartfelt and wild ride through space and emotion. It’s for anyone who likes their science fiction with a bit of old-school flair, big stakes, and bigger feelings. If you’re into stories about underdogs becoming heroes, hidden powers, and interstellar drama, then this one’s for you.
Pages: 599 | ASIN : B0C3RVGK9R
LITERARY TITAN 