Blog Archives
Ambiguous Motivations
In The Ember Reach, a young woman encounters an angel while trying to navigate an eerie world inhabited by the undead. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Prior to writing the first book, I had the overarching four-part series planned, start to finish. The angel in question already existed in the lore as a being who aids the “lost,” a broad and important term in this world. I had no direct inspiration for that scene, but Biblical tales I heard as a kid of angels mysteriously helping people, like with Lot’s family, probably factored in subconsciously. Any mythological celestial intervention intrigues me, especially when there are ambiguous motivations involved.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
I originally conceived the setting around 2012 while dabbling in creative writing. I’ve always enjoyed brainstorming ideas for worlds and fictional histories. My editor proposed a basic hierarchy for the primary church featured in the series, which I later named the Matrian Church. Real ancient and modern cultures broadly inspire the setting; secluded tribes, Greece, Rome, China, Japan, the Middle East, wherever. I think grounding worldbuilding in actual history helps everything fit together in a reasonable way.
To avoid inconsistencies and retcons while writing, things I worry about, I created a guide for the Planar Lost world. As I add new material, like my recent expansion on the origin of elves, I update the guide. After a few years of work, the document’s a couple hundred pages long and has become an invaluable resource.
Do you have one character you especially enjoy writing for?
I most enjoy writing chaotic characters like Aitrix and Fausta, reported reader favorites. Their unpredictability lets me take them to darker places than might be appropriate for most of the characters. Fausta was a unanimous favorite in book two among my beta readers and features prominently in book three. Aitrix is the central character of the prequel I’m working on as well.
Can readers look forward to a third installment in the Planar Lost series? Where will it take your characters?
I’m nearly finished with book three, The Faceless Man, and the prequel I mentioned, Kravae: Betrayal of a Mage. I hope to release both of those sometime in 2024, a month or so apart. Book four, The Vile God, will conclude the main series.
The Faceless Man brings back a major character and introduces new villains, with leading and side characters assuming new roles and encountering greater hardships. A beta reader loved book three and said it “never lets you get bored,” which is terrific to hear. It’s got more action and magic and a lot of character development that I hope people who enjoyed the first two books will appreciate.
I have many more stories left to tell in the setting, but for now, I’m pushing to complete what I’ve already begun!
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In a city overrun by the ravenous undead, Karis, a troubled investigator, endures a terrifying struggle for survival.
Hundreds of miles north, Sister Amun faces a grand conspiracy that plunges the capital into chaos.
To expose the truth behind the undead plague, Karis must contend with sinister and strange entities. Meanwhile, Amun navigates political turmoil, dark magic, and betrayal that threatens to destroy everything she knows.
The Ember Reach (Planar Lost: Book Two)
In The Ember Reach: The Planar Lost: Book Two, author J. Gibson continues to immerse readers in a world shrouded by the eerie presence of the undead. Central to this narrative is Karis Valjyre, who finds herself perilously navigating this world, with her journey taking an unexpected turn following a serendipitous encounter with a mysterious angel. Gibson masterfully interweaves her story with that of Sister Amun Halleck, a returning character faced with a convoluted trail of politics and illusions. Amun’s quest for justice in the wake of Father Garron Latimer’s demise adds a compelling layer of intrigue to the plot.
Gibson’s narrative seamlessly ties together loose ends from the first book while intriguingly setting the stage for the next installment. This skillful progression is marked by a cliffhanger that promises to keep readers eagerly anticipating the series’ continuation. The book’s pacing is dynamic, with each chapter adding to an ever-expanding tapestry of adventure and action. This rhythmic storytelling is punctuated by unexpected plot twists that leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Character development is a strong suit of Gibson’s writing, particularly evident in the portrayal of Sister Amun Halleck. Her evolution from the first book to this sequel is noteworthy, reflecting a deepening complexity and strength. Similarly, the introduction of Karis Valjyre adds a fresh perspective to the series. Her unique background as an ‘impossible child’ offers an intriguing subplot that enriches the overall story. Gibson demonstrates a remarkable ability to revisit seemingly forgotten elements from earlier in the narrative, weaving them back into the plot in a way that feels both surprising and satisfying. This attention to detail underscores his skill in crafting a well-rounded and immersive fantasy world.
The Ember Reach: The Planar Lost: Book Two stands out as a compelling continuation of J. Gibson’s fantasy series, combining strong character development, brisk pacing, and a well-constructed plot to create a thoroughly engaging reading experience.
Pages: 534 | ASIN : B0B3HCY32C
Alienation and Isolation
The Blackened Yonder: Planar Lost: Book One follows a village priest and woman involved with a group practicing forbidden magic. Each faces internal conflicts and moral quandaries, leading them to form an alliance against the evil in their world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I take a lot of inspiration from events in nonfiction that I read. Although I’m not religious myself, I find it interesting to write characters like Father Latimer and explore struggles of faith and moral conflict. For Athenne, I’ve read many stories over the years about people who joined terrorist or hate groups and regretted it, and I thought introducing such an element into a fantasy setting might be interesting to write about. That is not a commentary on the rightness, wrongness, or morality of any of the characters in the story, since such labels are relative to perspective, but it’s what initially led me to write that story. I also try to inject a little bit of myself into all my characters, for better or worse. I’ve never participated in a violent radical organization, of course, but I’m often conflicted!
The world you created in this novel is brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you wrote?
I’ve been working on the world of the setting since around 2013 and have a large document of lore that goes into extensive detail about everything in the setting. That’s primarily for my own personal reference. I draw much inspiration from real things in history. For example, I adapted elements of the system of matrilineal inheritance in the setting very loosely from historical and some isolated contemporary cultures, and certain places in antiquity. I try to fill in holes and gaps in things like laws and customs as I write, especially if it might cause a problem for the consistency of the story. My editor sometimes says no one will care about certain small nuances, but I do.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Initially, I wasn’t going to include any elements of romance in the series whatsoever, but eventually, it did come up for certain characters where it felt natural. Mostly, I wanted to emphasize the messiness of life, the variability of individuals, and the importance of friendship, friend love, and other non-romantic social bonds, especially between genders. Another important theme is loneliness, and the sense of alienation and isolation most of us often feel in life.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
The second book is already available on Amazon. I’m hoping to release the third book and a prequel of sorts at some point in 2024. There’ll be four books in the series in total, excluding the prequel story. The second novel continues the Undeath event described in the first book and introduces many new villains and characters. In fact, many readers’ favorite character is introduced in the second book. She’s a side character but plays an important role in much of the story. The second novel features more action and fantastical elements, and I think the third book and prequel take that even further. I don’t want the books to be all action all the time, because I feel that can be boring, so I try to strike a decent balance.
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When dark forces empty a village overnight, only the ravenous undead remain. Garron Latimer, the village priest, flees to the capital seeking salvation.
Far south, Athenne joins the underground Saints of Aetheria to ignite revolution and unleash forbidden magic. But their ambitious agenda demands a terrible price.
Torn between duty and defiance, Garron uncovers secrets that test his faith. Plagued by doubt, Athenne questions the Saints’ righteousness, knowing betrayal could destroy her.
The Blackened Yonder: Planar Lost: Book One
In The Blackened Yonder: Planar Lost: Book One, J. Gibson invites readers into a richly imagined world, following the intertwining paths of Father Garron Latimer and Athenne. The narrative juxtaposes Father Latimer’s crisis of faith, sparked by his village falling prey to an enigmatic darkness he dubs ‘The Beast,’ with Athenne’s internal conflict arising from her involvement with the zealous group ‘The Saints.’ These multifaceted characters navigate their moral quandaries with compelling depth.
The book’s opening chapters set a captivating tone, with Gibson’s meticulous detail painting vivid scenes that engage the senses. This descriptive prowess anchor the reader firmly in the setting and heightens the emotional resonance of the characters’ experiences. The plot unfolds with a careful balance of tension and resolution, leaving some threads tantalizingly open while satisfyingly concluding others. A cliffhanger ending stokes anticipation for subsequent volumes in the series.
Athenne emerges as a particularly relatable character, her quest for purpose and identity rendered with empathetic insight. Similarly, Father Garron Latimer is portrayed with nuance, his knowledgeable yet troubled persona guiding not only his own journey but also that of Amun, a character who intriguingly evolves from a supporting role to a central figure. Gibson’s ability to flesh out characters extends beyond the written word, as demonstrated by an illustrative portrayal of Athenne at the book’s end, giving readers a glimpse into the author’s vision. This thoughtful touch adds an extra layer to the reading experience.
The Blackened Yonder: Planar Lost: Book One is 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.
Pages: 340 | ASIN : B096QX9YJ1
LITERARY TITAN 