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The Fae Wars: Futures Past
Two thousand years ago the Fae were banished from Earth and they've spent that time plotting return and revenge. When their portals open around the world and start crushing the human's military with spell encased steel and dragon fire, it becomes a massive stuggle between technology and magic.
When the Fae Invasion hammers the West Coast, Captain James Powers and his California Army National Guard artillery battery is caught on its way home from Annual Training. In a running battle the unit is smashed by combat with orcs and elves, leaving their commander struggling to keep his people together and alive. Along the way a dying priest with a strange ability to see the future manipulates people and events to bring Captain Powers to his true calling as a Seer.
As they run and fight, the humans gain new allies, Fea tinkerers who love all things mechanical and hate the elves. With their help they begin to take the war to the enemy in a brutal mayhem of ambush and assassination.
Book Three of the Fae Wars series following the best selling "Onslaught" (set in NY City) and "The Fall" (Pennsylvania)
When the Fae Invasion hammers the West Coast, Captain James Powers and his California Army National Guard artillery battery is caught on its way home from Annual Training. In a running battle the unit is smashed by combat with orcs and elves, leaving their commander struggling to keep his people together and alive. Along the way a dying priest with a strange ability to see the future manipulates people and events to bring Captain Powers to his true calling as a Seer.
As they run and fight, the humans gain new allies, Fea tinkerers who love all things mechanical and hate the elves. With their help they begin to take the war to the enemy in a brutal mayhem of ambush and assassination.
Book Three of the Fae Wars series following the best selling "Onslaught" (set in NY City) and "The Fall" (Pennsylvania)
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2023
131 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 30, 2025
Review: The Fae Wars: Futures Past by James Copley, J.F. Holmes & Lucas Marcum
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you’ve been craving an all-out war between modern military might and high fantasy forces, Futures Past delivers and then some. This third installment in The Fae Wars series ups the ante with relentless action, rich world-building, and a compelling fusion of gritty realism and magical chaos.
Set on the heels of the Fae's explosive return to Earth, Futures Past throws us into the thick of the West Coast invasion. Captain James Powers, just trying to get his National Guard unit home from a routine training, suddenly finds himself fighting for survival in a world turned upside down. The way the authors balance the overwhelming power of the Fae dragons, orcs, spellbound weapons, with the grounded tactics and camaraderie of a battered artillery unit is one of the book’s standout features.
Powers is an excellent protagonist: capable, relatable, and slowly being transformed by forces far beyond his control. The subplot involving the dying priest and the rise of Powers as a “Seer” adds a mystical thread that hints at deeper things to come. There’s a satisfying arc here, not just a military survival tale, but the beginning of something larger, more mythic.
Another high point is the introduction of the tinkerer Fae who align with humanity. These gearhead rebels are a brilliant addition to the lore, providing humor, ingenuity, and a fascinating counterpoint to the more traditional, high-born elves. The alliance also brings a slight steampunk vibe that adds another layer of cool to an already rich setting.
The pacing never lets up. From ambushes and hit-and-run tactics to moments of brutal loss and quiet hope, the story maintains a perfect balance of large-scale conflict and intimate, character-driven moments. Whether you’ve read Onslaught and The Fall or are diving in here, you’ll be swept into a world where magic and machine clash in the most cinematic ways.
Futures Past is military fantasy done right, violent, imaginative, and with just enough heart to keep you emotionally invested through the chaos. Bring on the next battle.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you’ve been craving an all-out war between modern military might and high fantasy forces, Futures Past delivers and then some. This third installment in The Fae Wars series ups the ante with relentless action, rich world-building, and a compelling fusion of gritty realism and magical chaos.
Set on the heels of the Fae's explosive return to Earth, Futures Past throws us into the thick of the West Coast invasion. Captain James Powers, just trying to get his National Guard unit home from a routine training, suddenly finds himself fighting for survival in a world turned upside down. The way the authors balance the overwhelming power of the Fae dragons, orcs, spellbound weapons, with the grounded tactics and camaraderie of a battered artillery unit is one of the book’s standout features.
Powers is an excellent protagonist: capable, relatable, and slowly being transformed by forces far beyond his control. The subplot involving the dying priest and the rise of Powers as a “Seer” adds a mystical thread that hints at deeper things to come. There’s a satisfying arc here, not just a military survival tale, but the beginning of something larger, more mythic.
Another high point is the introduction of the tinkerer Fae who align with humanity. These gearhead rebels are a brilliant addition to the lore, providing humor, ingenuity, and a fascinating counterpoint to the more traditional, high-born elves. The alliance also brings a slight steampunk vibe that adds another layer of cool to an already rich setting.
The pacing never lets up. From ambushes and hit-and-run tactics to moments of brutal loss and quiet hope, the story maintains a perfect balance of large-scale conflict and intimate, character-driven moments. Whether you’ve read Onslaught and The Fall or are diving in here, you’ll be swept into a world where magic and machine clash in the most cinematic ways.
Futures Past is military fantasy done right, violent, imaginative, and with just enough heart to keep you emotionally invested through the chaos. Bring on the next battle.
April 7, 2023
That's three excellent offerings in a row.
Like I said in my review of volume two in this series, I like the idea of different main characters and locations for each book. It keeps things from getting stale like so many other series do by the third or fourth book. Each is a standalone book done at the same time in different parts of the country, which keeps things fresh and interesting while building a cohesive view of the elf/orc/dwarf/gnome/dragon society.
I also like the continuation of beginning to make allies of the other species enslaved by the elves, as well as the steady fleshing out of the magical methods. I'm eagerly awaiting the next episode, while hoping I don't have to wait too long. If I do, I'll probably wait for two or three more before I jump back in for a mini binge like I did with books one through three.
A solid five stars.
Like I said in my review of volume two in this series, I like the idea of different main characters and locations for each book. It keeps things from getting stale like so many other series do by the third or fourth book. Each is a standalone book done at the same time in different parts of the country, which keeps things fresh and interesting while building a cohesive view of the elf/orc/dwarf/gnome/dragon society.
I also like the continuation of beginning to make allies of the other species enslaved by the elves, as well as the steady fleshing out of the magical methods. I'm eagerly awaiting the next episode, while hoping I don't have to wait too long. If I do, I'll probably wait for two or three more before I jump back in for a mini binge like I did with books one through three.
A solid five stars.
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March 27, 2024If you like elves, orcs and dragons but also modern military stuff, you will love this.
The Fae Wars series by James Copley is a good "what if" if the world of fantasy came to our world today.
The first books discussed events on the US East Coast, and this one starts with the invasion on the West Coast. The author does a good job balancing the story of those fighting with feeding background to flesh out the story.
I love background, the "whys," of a story, so I would definitely like more background info, especially since it is about fantasy meeting today's world. This series could give more background, especially since the Elves seem so overpowered. I have to wonder how we survived the original invasion.
If you like a fast-paced war story, this is a pretty good read.
The Fae Wars series by James Copley is a good "what if" if the world of fantasy came to our world today.
The first books discussed events on the US East Coast, and this one starts with the invasion on the West Coast. The author does a good job balancing the story of those fighting with feeding background to flesh out the story.
I love background, the "whys," of a story, so I would definitely like more background info, especially since it is about fantasy meeting today's world. This series could give more background, especially since the Elves seem so overpowered. I have to wonder how we survived the original invasion.
If you like a fast-paced war story, this is a pretty good read.
April 5, 2023
Elvin Invasion of Earth... in California! The Fae Wars: Futures Past
Well, put simply,this is a series that continually surprises me. Well written, and often takes turns into branches both unsuspected, and quite entertaining. Possibly could use a bit more occasional definition of military jargon, as I suspect most civies won't understand a healthy portion of what is used here. (Former US Navy here, so I caught it all, but I almost had to look up a few items).
Overall: if you like fantasy, and you like the military, (especially if the two clash) this is a series you'll love!
Well, put simply,this is a series that continually surprises me. Well written, and often takes turns into branches both unsuspected, and quite entertaining. Possibly could use a bit more occasional definition of military jargon, as I suspect most civies won't understand a healthy portion of what is used here. (Former US Navy here, so I caught it all, but I almost had to look up a few items).
Overall: if you like fantasy, and you like the military, (especially if the two clash) this is a series you'll love!
April 4, 2023
Book three
This could have been so much more. I also felt like the ending was rather weak. The story wasn't bad, it just could have been more.
I did enjoy how this book started and the fighting was well done.
We never get to see the adventures of the brother or sister and I think it would have added more depth to the story.
The blurb is misleading as the Fey don't really do anything in this book.
The artillery was hardly even used.
So much potential lost.
7/10 I feel like opportunities were lost with this book.
This could have been so much more. I also felt like the ending was rather weak. The story wasn't bad, it just could have been more.
I did enjoy how this book started and the fighting was well done.
We never get to see the adventures of the brother or sister and I think it would have added more depth to the story.
The blurb is misleading as the Fey don't really do anything in this book.
The artillery was hardly even used.
So much potential lost.
7/10 I feel like opportunities were lost with this book.
April 19, 2023
finally!
I read and enjoyed #1and #2. Then this one came. I originally thought repeat but on the west coast. But as I got into it…..holy hell. It went to another path. A good path. An interesting path. And it even brought back Joe Buckley. And another term(from john ringos universe). So…..when is 4 coming out!!!!!
I read and enjoyed #1and #2. Then this one came. I originally thought repeat but on the west coast. But as I got into it…..holy hell. It went to another path. A good path. An interesting path. And it even brought back Joe Buckley. And another term(from john ringos universe). So…..when is 4 coming out!!!!!
April 11, 2024
Another excellent story in the Fae Wars series. This one takes place in the Sacramento area and features humans developing unsuspected skills. There are great action sequences but also a thoughtful view of how elements of the faith community (in this case, the Catholic church) might respond to a fae incursion. Good stuff!
July 9, 2025
Interesting but boring too
Not very much action and lots of talking so I struggled through this one. The seer part was cool though but we only got a little of that at the beginning and the end. Ironic the seer captain is called captain powers too lol. Liked the gnomes but hopefully this get more interesting or I might be getting done with the series.
Not very much action and lots of talking so I struggled through this one. The seer part was cool though but we only got a little of that at the beginning and the end. Ironic the seer captain is called captain powers too lol. Liked the gnomes but hopefully this get more interesting or I might be getting done with the series.
April 9, 2023
pretty good story
Good characters good
Plots. But it really does not for far enough it the main character was the hero then he should have kept going but the author stopped once he was identified
Good characters good
Plots. But it really does not for far enough it the main character was the hero then he should have kept going but the author stopped once he was identified
December 28, 2024
Praise to the Lord
The war for earth takes to the west coast has once more we see the war is more complex then humanity realizes but with new enemies comes new allies.
The only pointy ear is a dead pointy ear… fight on warriors
The war for earth takes to the west coast has once more we see the war is more complex then humanity realizes but with new enemies comes new allies.
The only pointy ear is a dead pointy ear… fight on warriors
April 9, 2023
Awesome Book
Believable characters. Fast paced action. A unique take in elves. Gnomes and dwarves and magical technology. This book was a lot of fun.
Believable characters. Fast paced action. A unique take in elves. Gnomes and dwarves and magical technology. This book was a lot of fun.
March 27, 2024
a good read and set up for the next book
I really enjoyed the first 2 volumes and I’m glad I’ve rediscovered the last 2 it’s cool and fun and over a good escapist read.
I really enjoyed the first 2 volumes and I’m glad I’ve rediscovered the last 2 it’s cool and fun and over a good escapist read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews