Sent 5/30/2026
Welcome back, readers, to another newsletter. Put on your SFF hat, grab your coffee and have a seat. Don’t mind the dragon head on the wall; that’s just Droofus.
Writing Updates
I’ve been working more overtime at my factory job and trying to spend a bit more time with my wife and two kids in the meantime, so progress remains slow. I’ve been having a blast watching my 18-month-old son take off on his feet and begin to repeat more words, and he’s such a happy boy most of the time. His older sister, at three and a half, is a sharp little biscuit who loves books and memorization. LeapPad has been teaching her letters, and I’ve been teaching her chess, so she’s well on her way to being like her Daddy. God is so good.
I’ve been reviewing feedback on The Mother’s Chains and have revised the first few chapters. I also read back through my latter material for Tales from the Earthen Sky and have been taking extensive notes on how to rework the first arc to set up for a much stronger second arc. Feedback so far on Act II has been . . . well, I don’t know yet. I don’t think anyone’s really read it, which would be the fault of Act I for not being a strong enough set up. I have a good idea of the direction I need to take for paring it down and strengthening the character arcs.
I also just started a new project that will span the next couple of years. Here on my books page, you can read a bit about it and other projects currently in the works. This one is called The Tale of Lylaeleia, though that is just the old name from my initial 2015 draft.
Book Reviews
Again, mostly book reviews. I plan to read and listen to more books this year than I have for many years, catching up a bit on my extensive TBR list. Here’s what I finished this month:
The Exlian Syndrome, books 3–5. Seth Ring must have leveled up more than his characters over his many LitRPG series, because this series feels surprisingly robust and has been nothing but a blast. I cannot wait for the sixth to come out in July. It’s a great example of something I keep finding myself saying: it’s not perfect, but it’s absolutely fantastic. The LitRPG side never quite overpowers the story for me, but each arc feel like just a stepping stone toward the next (only one ever felt unnecessary because of that), and the characters certainly tend to resemble their cookie cutter, but man is it fun. My biggest complaint would simply be that Mark gets one or two abilities that feel unearned. Like . . . did he really need that? He is very much a chosen one, but I suppose that comes with the turf. In books 4 and 5, the author starts to explain some big questions that have been around since book 1, which was very satisfying. The worldbuilding ties together very nicely, with Sanderson-style intent and interlocking parts. You can tell he set up the bulk of the foreshadowing and payoff in advance. I believe book 6, Light’s Ascension, will finish off the series, and I’ll probably listen day-one.
Rockslide | ★★★★☆ — Continuing this series I started last year. Street Rats of Aramoor is a surprisingly fun jaunt down memory lane for anyone who grew up on heroic medieval fantasy like Ranger’s Apprentice, and these only get better. The first two I wasn’t certain on because of the slow initial progression and occasional eyebrow-raise content-wise, but these are quite clean overall and suitable for YA audiences. Very strong morals on the main character’s part, which I enjoy, though he can be a bit of a Mary Sue with only his (at times frustrating) naivete for a real fault. But Rockslide was a big surprise, tons of fun with twists and turns that end at a satisfying progression point for the series. I’m glad I know nothing about the main series, because I’m enjoying the guessing games.
Sandstorm | ★★★★☆ — Continuing two years from where Book 3 leaves off, we take a big jump straight into the new story avenue. I can now see roughly where the series is headed, and I’m quite happy with it. The new characters are excellent, and the multiple tugs at Ayrion’s time and loyalty is a great way to keep reader engagement. (Despite the occasional slow point in the story. Michael does like his slow scenes.) Both of these books are right at that point where four stars really wants that 5, but they are a bit messy pacing-wise. As I said, it kept my engagement, but Sandstorm. Solid 4.5 stars for each.
The Great Divorce, by C.S. This is a classic I’ve somehow never read, a very short work of allegorical fiction about a bus that takes people bound for hell to heaven. They’re told they can stay if they like, but each one finds some fault that keeps him or her from liking the place. It’s quite an interesting look at human psychology, relationships and motivations, even aside from the theological implications. As a story, I’d have to rate it around 2 or 3 stars because it wasn’t much of a story, but I won’t rate it at all because it’s really a short novella meant only as an allegory for thought. And it did well at that. You do have to pay attention in the beginning, though, because it’s mostly dialogue and it’s easy to get lost.
Lastly, some nonfiction material we’ve been going through in our men’s Bible study at church. The Strategy of Satan is short, to the point and quite comprehensive in making good on its tagline, and served to foster much good discussion.
Current Reading
Now for some other stuff I’ve been reading . . .
A) A lot of critique partner works, mostly fiction except for some stuff on Substack. If you are reading this and you, too, write, reach out if you are ever interested! I’ll read and offer feedback on anything that’s not extremely vulgar or promotes blatantly evil things (sexual perversion or the demonic).
B) Disciplines of a Godly Man, by R. Kent Hughes. We’ll be going through this one in Sunday School soon, so I’m continuing my read-through now. The content seems excellent so far. I’m also doing a little more Warren Wiersbe reading thanks to a study guide of the book of James that we’re going through.
C) A Secret Vice, by J.R.R. Tolkien. I was slowly chipping away at this one last year and got side-tracked from my con-lang studies . . . Hoping to finish it and assemble some good notes this coming month. Maybe then I can get to my other backlogged language books.
Till next time!
— Jacob Gamber