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Power of the Stars #1
The Forsaken Planet
-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 is an epic science fantasy debut that simultaneously satiates and leaves me hungry for more." - BiblioTheory, BookTube
"Uniquely weaves together the beginnings of a sprawling space opera with a fantasy core that works surprisingly well...Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it!" - The_Dragon_Reread, Bookstagram
“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 is an epic science fantasy debut that simultaneously satiates and leaves me hungry for more." - BiblioTheory, BookTube
"Uniquely weaves together the beginnings of a sprawling space opera with a fantasy core that works surprisingly well...Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it!" - The_Dragon_Reread, Bookstagram
599 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2023
311 people are currently reading
1182 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Wilson
5 books88 followersGrab a FREE copy of "A Princess of Oldir," a prequel/standalone novella set in the award-winning Power of the Stars series, by signing up to Bryan's readers list at www.bryanwilsonauthor.com.
Bryan Wilson has had a winding road to publishing his debut series, POWER OF THE STARS. But as an avid reader and writer of sci-fi and fantasy since childhood, he hopes, like any good book, that journey has a satisfying ending. One with many more novels for readers to enjoy.
He lives in New England with his lovely wife, two daughters, and three cats. When he’s not jumping around trying to equally divide his attention to those six in the house, you can find him enjoying American football, hockey, or kicking his friend’s rears in the fantasy versions of both. He also loves a good movie, constantly struggling to decide whether his favorite is The Fellowship of the Ring or Interstellar. The indecision will probably travel with him to the grave.
If you’d like, please follow him on Instagram: @bryan.wilson.author for further updates on writing and life.
Bryan Wilson has had a winding road to publishing his debut series, POWER OF THE STARS. But as an avid reader and writer of sci-fi and fantasy since childhood, he hopes, like any good book, that journey has a satisfying ending. One with many more novels for readers to enjoy.
He lives in New England with his lovely wife, two daughters, and three cats. When he’s not jumping around trying to equally divide his attention to those six in the house, you can find him enjoying American football, hockey, or kicking his friend’s rears in the fantasy versions of both. He also loves a good movie, constantly struggling to decide whether his favorite is The Fellowship of the Ring or Interstellar. The indecision will probably travel with him to the grave.
If you’d like, please follow him on Instagram: @bryan.wilson.author for further updates on writing and life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
June 30, 2024
I am normally not a sufferer of the old book hangover but the last 100 pages of The Forsaken Planet threw me for six!
This compelling mix of sci-fi and fantasy was fast paced, high staked and a heck of a lot of fun. A combination of found family, schoolish settings and responsibilities on a chosen one that would make anyone squirm.
Wilson somehow took one of my least favourite tropes and made me need to know what happens next. You know I immediately went and put a hold on the second instalment that released this year. I can't wait to see what Colton and team do next, because the journey he is on, it not going to get easier!
This compelling mix of sci-fi and fantasy was fast paced, high staked and a heck of a lot of fun. A combination of found family, schoolish settings and responsibilities on a chosen one that would make anyone squirm.
Wilson somehow took one of my least favourite tropes and made me need to know what happens next. You know I immediately went and put a hold on the second instalment that released this year. I can't wait to see what Colton and team do next, because the journey he is on, it not going to get easier!
February 25, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
The Forsaken Planet is the first book in the Power of the Stars series, a military sci-fi space opera novel written by Bryan Wilson, and which acts as the introduction to a series of epic scope. An intriguing prologue leads us to the main story, following a college student, Colton, the day the Earth discovers they are not alone in the universe.
But that's not the only discovery of that night, as humanhood is inhabiting other planets, all of them wielding a sort of force, the Solara, except for the Earth. While being with his friends, they see a ship near Colton's parents' house, and their first reaction is to go and defend them, finding some strangers claiming they have killed Colton parents, taunting them; in the fight that follows, one of his friends is killed, while Colton manages to survive wielding an unexpected force that acts as a shield. The arrival of another ship with the forces of the Army of the Universal Throne puts a end to the fighting, reducing the hostile, and saving Colton and their friends.
After some things are explained to our group, they decide to enlist in the Army of the Universal Throne, where they will learn to wield Solara and help in the fight that is threatening to destroy the universe and imply those beloved by them.
With this premise, Wilson has created a plot that feels quite familiar but giving his own kind of twists to many of the tropes; once this long introduction has happened, our humans get into the immensity of the Universal Throne, passing a big process of learning to be part of the Army of the Throne, demolishing many barriers and finally becoming the first Earthlings that wield Solara (not counting Colton).
At the same time, the world building is quite extensive, with a full system of planets where humanhood exists, with some changes, and with its own mythology which remembers to the best of spaces operas (and that mythology will end being important for the plot). It's interesting how Wilson introduces xenophobia and racism in the poblation of other planets, as they are scared/think the Earthlings are inferior, a reaction that seems to be just a byproduct of fear and propaganda.
Personally, what I find not working for me at points is the pacing, which is irregular, and especially, really slow in the first quarter, picking after that mark, and progressively accelerating towards the end. While I was immersed the pages just flowed, it is true that the first part can be felt a bit dry for many tastes.
Said that, The Forsaken Planet ends promising an exciting sequel, and seeing the quality of Wilson's writing, I'm quite eager to read it; if you like space operas/military sci-fi, I think this is a book you should try, especially with The Son of the Prophets coming soon.
The Forsaken Planet is the first book in the Power of the Stars series, a military sci-fi space opera novel written by Bryan Wilson, and which acts as the introduction to a series of epic scope. An intriguing prologue leads us to the main story, following a college student, Colton, the day the Earth discovers they are not alone in the universe.
But that's not the only discovery of that night, as humanhood is inhabiting other planets, all of them wielding a sort of force, the Solara, except for the Earth. While being with his friends, they see a ship near Colton's parents' house, and their first reaction is to go and defend them, finding some strangers claiming they have killed Colton parents, taunting them; in the fight that follows, one of his friends is killed, while Colton manages to survive wielding an unexpected force that acts as a shield. The arrival of another ship with the forces of the Army of the Universal Throne puts a end to the fighting, reducing the hostile, and saving Colton and their friends.
After some things are explained to our group, they decide to enlist in the Army of the Universal Throne, where they will learn to wield Solara and help in the fight that is threatening to destroy the universe and imply those beloved by them.
With this premise, Wilson has created a plot that feels quite familiar but giving his own kind of twists to many of the tropes; once this long introduction has happened, our humans get into the immensity of the Universal Throne, passing a big process of learning to be part of the Army of the Throne, demolishing many barriers and finally becoming the first Earthlings that wield Solara (not counting Colton).
At the same time, the world building is quite extensive, with a full system of planets where humanhood exists, with some changes, and with its own mythology which remembers to the best of spaces operas (and that mythology will end being important for the plot). It's interesting how Wilson introduces xenophobia and racism in the poblation of other planets, as they are scared/think the Earthlings are inferior, a reaction that seems to be just a byproduct of fear and propaganda.
Personally, what I find not working for me at points is the pacing, which is irregular, and especially, really slow in the first quarter, picking after that mark, and progressively accelerating towards the end. While I was immersed the pages just flowed, it is true that the first part can be felt a bit dry for many tastes.
Said that, The Forsaken Planet ends promising an exciting sequel, and seeing the quality of Wilson's writing, I'm quite eager to read it; if you like space operas/military sci-fi, I think this is a book you should try, especially with The Son of the Prophets coming soon.
December 1, 2023
A tour de force debut novel by Bryan! Bryan uniquely weaves together the beginnings of a sprawling space opera with a fantasy core that works surprisingly well. The Forsaken Planet is an fantastic combination of Ender's Game, the Wheel of Time, with some Ice Man/Maverick conflict from Top Gun mixed in. Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it!
The Forsaken Planet starts on Earth with our main protagonist, Colton, and his group of friends. Within a couple chapters, Colton is face-to-face with an alien invasion of humans from another planet who, under normal circumstances, are able to wield the power of the stars. We quickly discover that Earth is part of a conglomerate of planets that humans inhabit, all of whom are able to wield the power of the stars except for Earthlings who have long been thought of as Forsaken because of the inability to wield Solara. Due to an ancient prophecy, Colton and his friends are wisked away to another world to begin training for an upcoming war against The Heart of the Flame who sees himself as the Savior of the universe: the Son of the Prophets. I don't want to go deeper into the story so as not to spoil anything. Colton is a great hero to root for and The Heart of the Flame is an evil villain!
Bryan does an amazing job creating a complex galactic history and mythology that really fits well into the fact that we start out this journey on Earth. The worldbuilding is strong and impressive enough that Earth's position in this complex galactic interplay makes sense and is believable. The book touches on interesting topics including discrimination, which I thought was well handled.
Bryan's strengths are his detailed and well thought out world building and intriguing story. He has obviously put a lot of effort into constructing the back story and history for this novel and it shows. Additionally, much of this book deals with the initial training and development of Colton and his friend's powers, which works well. Their development is natural and doesn't feel rushed at all.
Especially for a debut novel, the prose is solid. My one complaint, and it's a small/forgivable one, is that the beginning felt rushed to me. I felt like we want from normal college kid to accepting a ride with an alien human to train in an alien army a little quickly and abruptly. That being said, it felt like Bryan settled into his saddle around the 50 page mark and never let up after. The rest felt well paced and fleshed out to me.
Long story short: go buy this book! It's great. It's well worth the read! The second book in this series is dropping in 2024, so read The Forsaken Planet now to be ready! I'll certainly be looking forward to reading the next installment in this awesome series!
The Forsaken Planet starts on Earth with our main protagonist, Colton, and his group of friends. Within a couple chapters, Colton is face-to-face with an alien invasion of humans from another planet who, under normal circumstances, are able to wield the power of the stars. We quickly discover that Earth is part of a conglomerate of planets that humans inhabit, all of whom are able to wield the power of the stars except for Earthlings who have long been thought of as Forsaken because of the inability to wield Solara. Due to an ancient prophecy, Colton and his friends are wisked away to another world to begin training for an upcoming war against The Heart of the Flame who sees himself as the Savior of the universe: the Son of the Prophets. I don't want to go deeper into the story so as not to spoil anything. Colton is a great hero to root for and The Heart of the Flame is an evil villain!
Bryan does an amazing job creating a complex galactic history and mythology that really fits well into the fact that we start out this journey on Earth. The worldbuilding is strong and impressive enough that Earth's position in this complex galactic interplay makes sense and is believable. The book touches on interesting topics including discrimination, which I thought was well handled.
Bryan's strengths are his detailed and well thought out world building and intriguing story. He has obviously put a lot of effort into constructing the back story and history for this novel and it shows. Additionally, much of this book deals with the initial training and development of Colton and his friend's powers, which works well. Their development is natural and doesn't feel rushed at all.
Especially for a debut novel, the prose is solid. My one complaint, and it's a small/forgivable one, is that the beginning felt rushed to me. I felt like we want from normal college kid to accepting a ride with an alien human to train in an alien army a little quickly and abruptly. That being said, it felt like Bryan settled into his saddle around the 50 page mark and never let up after. The rest felt well paced and fleshed out to me.
Long story short: go buy this book! It's great. It's well worth the read! The second book in this series is dropping in 2024, so read The Forsaken Planet now to be ready! I'll certainly be looking forward to reading the next installment in this awesome series!
September 29, 2025
Lovable characters, impressive worldbuilding, cool magic, and all sorts of great action scenes. This was awesome!
May 25, 2024
There is a lot to love in this book. It’s the perfect combination between sci fi and fantasy, there is some interesting world building, and it sets everything up for a big and epic adventure in the coming books.
There were also some downsides for me. The book has a clunky start and most of the characters were one dimensional. Especially the antagonist is just a basic bad guy. The tropes of the chosen one and going through test trials were really dominating.
It left me behind with the same feeling as I had when finishing Red Rising. But that first book is beloved by a lot of readers and the entire series is turning out to be one of my favorites.
So I will continue on to book 2, because I really believe the best is yet to come.
There were also some downsides for me. The book has a clunky start and most of the characters were one dimensional. Especially the antagonist is just a basic bad guy. The tropes of the chosen one and going through test trials were really dominating.
It left me behind with the same feeling as I had when finishing Red Rising. But that first book is beloved by a lot of readers and the entire series is turning out to be one of my favorites.
So I will continue on to book 2, because I really believe the best is yet to come.
November 10, 2025
my rating 4.5
This story was very enjoyable!
I liked the characters and how they handled being taken to another planet to learn to wield power from the stars. Colton is discovered to (possibly) be the prophesized saviour for the worlds when he unknowingly uses the power to save himself and friends.
Political intrigue, combat simulations, real battles and friendships formed. I liked it all!
The ending just left me wanting more!
I listened on audio and found the narrator, Gabe Walsh Shore excellent at the various characters and accents.
This story was very enjoyable!
I liked the characters and how they handled being taken to another planet to learn to wield power from the stars. Colton is discovered to (possibly) be the prophesized saviour for the worlds when he unknowingly uses the power to save himself and friends.
Political intrigue, combat simulations, real battles and friendships formed. I liked it all!
The ending just left me wanting more!
I listened on audio and found the narrator, Gabe Walsh Shore excellent at the various characters and accents.
November 17, 2025
A great first book filled with epic world building & a high stakes plot. Colton has a lot of heart & I am astonished at the growth of his character from start to finish. There is a good bit of training sequences / preparing for war, but Bryan still manages to keep things light with strong friendships & a sweet romance sub plot. The character growth is gradual, while the epic world building ensues. I’m so intrigued by the villain - the heart of the flame & the potential this story/world has. The blend of space, magic & character growth creates an emotional yet fun experience. I really can’t wait to continue this series!
I love Colton and he's such a genuine & lovable character to have as our hero.
From watching the emotionally fueled boy at the start of this story to then the more confident and levelheaded man he starts to become.
He really begins to evolve into the hero he needs to be for not just his people of earth, but to even the other species who despise him.
However, I just really want to know more about The Heart of the Flame 🤣 this villain has me so intrigued, but even more so the world Bryan has created itself has me excited to read more.
I love Colton and he's such a genuine & lovable character to have as our hero.
From watching the emotionally fueled boy at the start of this story to then the more confident and levelheaded man he starts to become.
He really begins to evolve into the hero he needs to be for not just his people of earth, but to even the other species who despise him.
However, I just really want to know more about The Heart of the Flame 🤣 this villain has me so intrigued, but even more so the world Bryan has created itself has me excited to read more.
June 19, 2023
Thank you to Bryan Wilson, the author, for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
The world is more than just a planet. It’s an ancient tribute to the woman who guided it from ruin, a devastation she foresaw arising again.
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.
Off the bat, we are thrust into this science fiction story with a fantasy feel which I really enjoyed. I'm a fan of a sci-fantasy story and this was no exception. Prophecy? Conflict? Magic? If this excites you then so will this story. Bryan does delve a lot into the explanation of things and as the first book in this series, I can understand why, but it led to a slower build-up when really the story was great enough to warrant moving faster. There is a lot of preparation and Bryan has definitely constructed this well but the moderation was not as concise and that's what I'm hoping for in the next book.
The worldbuilding itself was phenomenal and rich. Bryan has taken a unique take on this science fiction story and really made it a journey. Our hero goes through trials and action that counters the parts i've mentioned previously. Bryan really shines when describing our main character in his heroism. We can tell that Colton has a strong love, a moral compass, and a passion to do what is right.
The Forsaken Planet is a clear foundation of what Bryan Wilson has set out to achieve and starts what I hope to be a great journey.
The world is more than just a planet. It’s an ancient tribute to the woman who guided it from ruin, a devastation she foresaw arising again.
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.
Off the bat, we are thrust into this science fiction story with a fantasy feel which I really enjoyed. I'm a fan of a sci-fantasy story and this was no exception. Prophecy? Conflict? Magic? If this excites you then so will this story. Bryan does delve a lot into the explanation of things and as the first book in this series, I can understand why, but it led to a slower build-up when really the story was great enough to warrant moving faster. There is a lot of preparation and Bryan has definitely constructed this well but the moderation was not as concise and that's what I'm hoping for in the next book.
The worldbuilding itself was phenomenal and rich. Bryan has taken a unique take on this science fiction story and really made it a journey. Our hero goes through trials and action that counters the parts i've mentioned previously. Bryan really shines when describing our main character in his heroism. We can tell that Colton has a strong love, a moral compass, and a passion to do what is right.
The Forsaken Planet is a clear foundation of what Bryan Wilson has set out to achieve and starts what I hope to be a great journey.
June 28, 2025
The Forsaken Planet -
Sci Fi space opera with strong fantasy vibes! Star Wars meets band of brothers, the human race finally united against an invading alien danger.
Bryan does a great job of building and bringing to life a whole host of characters, planets and their histories. Immediately getting into the action brings us right onside with the main character, I mean l, two chapters in an we a literally fighting aliens!
Prose is superbly approachable, flows well and before you know it you’re all in space, heading to a new planet, trying to learn to harness the power of the fricken SUN!
And of course…. Bryan sticks the landing! Creating a Bry-valanche that will have you gasping for the next book!
The Forsaken Planet, part 1 of the Power of the Stars series. And what’s better? All three books have been released!
Sci Fi space opera with strong fantasy vibes! Star Wars meets band of brothers, the human race finally united against an invading alien danger.
Bryan does a great job of building and bringing to life a whole host of characters, planets and their histories. Immediately getting into the action brings us right onside with the main character, I mean l, two chapters in an we a literally fighting aliens!
Prose is superbly approachable, flows well and before you know it you’re all in space, heading to a new planet, trying to learn to harness the power of the fricken SUN!
And of course…. Bryan sticks the landing! Creating a Bry-valanche that will have you gasping for the next book!
The Forsaken Planet, part 1 of the Power of the Stars series. And what’s better? All three books have been released!
December 26, 2023
Wilson is an extremely talented writer, creating detailed worlds which blend technology and magic. I love the magic system Wilson has created. It’s unique and very believable. He writes great characters, both heroes and villains, and the mysteries he introduces in the novel are enjoyable and engaging. The end of the book will leave you wanting to go and order the next book! If you are a fan of Harry Potter, Star Wars, and/or Star Trek, this is the book for you!
July 25, 2023
A fascinating story about humanity on other worlds, magic, and prophecy. Some of the story really grabbed me while others dragged a bit. Worth the journey in the end. Looking forward to the sequel
July 28, 2025
I'm sorry I didn't read you sooner.
I'm reality new to the sci-fi genre, so I'm always a bit sceptical to a 600 pages sci-fi book. Especially since I don't really understand so much from bigger sci-fi books that is more on the scientific part. But The Forsaken Planet was great on that part, it was highly enjoyable from start to finish. Without making me feel stupid, so thank you Bryan for making a epic sci-fi story for all of us
This book has been pretty hypet up on Instagram, and even then I had no idea what I got into. Because even if I seen it almost everyday somehow I have never heard anything about the story itself. So I went into this completely blind except that I know how much people love this series. Didn't even know if the main character was a boy/man or girl/woman.
So, I did not expect anything of what happened from how the story was gonna be, anything from the character and what lives they had in the start. I also thought I wasn't gonna enjoy it as much as I did, and it was a freaking awesome first book! I thought it actually was gonna be a slow buildup to the rest of the series, but it started with such a fantastic introduction to their life and just keep pushing until the end. If you haven't read this yet, you should! Even if your not a sci-fi fan.
With the short and exciting chapters, you will always keep wanting to flip the next page and take one more chapter. You can see as more you progress in the story that Bryan definitely has a big plan on how to execute this series to be the best it can be. I think the world building and characters are one of the things that impresses the most here. The characters you don't just read but you feel they are so real that you will feel and understand the action they take as it would have been your own. With a fantastic character growth, and the best friendship. The world building so far is great with the awesome slowly build magic system, and how the things are set up. There is so much to discover and I bet we are gonna get even more in the next book.
As most of you guys know Illborn series is my all time favorite, and this one hits very close to that one. So in terms of sci-fi, this is the best series so far out there. Even better than Red Rising, I said what I said. Can't change it.
And for the fantasy fans. If you loved Wheel of Time, you will definitely love this one too. This series so far is 1000 times better.
And saying it's better than Red Rising and Wheel of Time, is not to talk bad about them. It's to prove to you guys that indie authors can and are in many cases better than trad published.
Do you love fantasy and sci-fi or only one of them, then this book is for you! This is the book I'm gonna keep on recommend for every sci-fi/fantasy fans out there.
I'm reality new to the sci-fi genre, so I'm always a bit sceptical to a 600 pages sci-fi book. Especially since I don't really understand so much from bigger sci-fi books that is more on the scientific part. But The Forsaken Planet was great on that part, it was highly enjoyable from start to finish. Without making me feel stupid, so thank you Bryan for making a epic sci-fi story for all of us
This book has been pretty hypet up on Instagram, and even then I had no idea what I got into. Because even if I seen it almost everyday somehow I have never heard anything about the story itself. So I went into this completely blind except that I know how much people love this series. Didn't even know if the main character was a boy/man or girl/woman.
So, I did not expect anything of what happened from how the story was gonna be, anything from the character and what lives they had in the start. I also thought I wasn't gonna enjoy it as much as I did, and it was a freaking awesome first book! I thought it actually was gonna be a slow buildup to the rest of the series, but it started with such a fantastic introduction to their life and just keep pushing until the end. If you haven't read this yet, you should! Even if your not a sci-fi fan.
With the short and exciting chapters, you will always keep wanting to flip the next page and take one more chapter. You can see as more you progress in the story that Bryan definitely has a big plan on how to execute this series to be the best it can be. I think the world building and characters are one of the things that impresses the most here. The characters you don't just read but you feel they are so real that you will feel and understand the action they take as it would have been your own. With a fantastic character growth, and the best friendship. The world building so far is great with the awesome slowly build magic system, and how the things are set up. There is so much to discover and I bet we are gonna get even more in the next book.
As most of you guys know Illborn series is my all time favorite, and this one hits very close to that one. So in terms of sci-fi, this is the best series so far out there. Even better than Red Rising, I said what I said. Can't change it.
And for the fantasy fans. If you loved Wheel of Time, you will definitely love this one too. This series so far is 1000 times better.
And saying it's better than Red Rising and Wheel of Time, is not to talk bad about them. It's to prove to you guys that indie authors can and are in many cases better than trad published.
Do you love fantasy and sci-fi or only one of them, then this book is for you! This is the book I'm gonna keep on recommend for every sci-fi/fantasy fans out there.
January 29, 2024
Find an in-depth review on my YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/9Fsqr2PtJVE?si=u9HLM...
Alright, buckle up for "The Forsaken Planet" by Brian Wilson – a fusion of fantasy and sci-fi that's like science fantasy with a side of space opera vibes. Now, let me spill the intergalactic tea on this one.
Initially, I had a couple of eyebrow raises during the intro. Around 15-20% in, I was unsure if this book was my cup of cosmic coffee. But, kudos to Wilson for being a good sport and hearing me out on Instagram – yeah, I flooded him with voice notes, but he didn't block me, so there's that.
Now, here's the lowdown. Earth gets a not-so-welcome visit from humans of the intergalactic variety. Turns out, we're not the only ones throwing parties in this universe; we're just fashionably late to the technology evolution shindig. Other planets got the memo ages ago and even have something called Solara – basically, space magic. Not as mystical as the Force but not quite Mass Effect biotics either.
So, some big shot from another faction decides Earth's worth invading to prove a point. Earth's government thinks it's a brilliant idea to draft volunteers to join forces with the good alien humans and fight the intergalactic bullies. Confused? Stick with me.
The intro with our main guy, Colton, felt like too much too soon. Slice-of-life moments were scarce, and I wished we got a better peek into his pre-invasion world. Post-invasion, we get an avalanche of info dumps about the intergalactic showdown, which felt a tad clunky.
Hold tight, though – when Colton hops on a spaceship and heads to the capital planet with the good guys, things shift. The story takes a detour into a school setting where humans learn space magic. Suddenly, it's a whole lot more enjoyable. Colton's character grows, and the author's choice to start him off a bit bland pays off. The guy transforms into a leader, and it's a wholesome journey.
The relationships, the struggles with mastering space magic – all of it becomes pretty interesting. I appreciated Colton's nice guy vibes. No more brooding anti-heroes; Colton's the kind of protagonist I can root for. The dynamic between Earthlings and the other humans, who see us as odd and maybe a bit dangerous, adds a nice layer.
Now, why should you check this book out? It's a good ride. You get a taste of the divisions within humanity, even when facing a cosmic threat. The ending? Mind-blowing. Unpredictable. It's the kind that had me itching for book two.
Give "The Forsaken Planet" a spin. It's a darn enjoyable read, and I'm ready for more cosmic adventures.
https://youtu.be/9Fsqr2PtJVE?si=u9HLM...
Alright, buckle up for "The Forsaken Planet" by Brian Wilson – a fusion of fantasy and sci-fi that's like science fantasy with a side of space opera vibes. Now, let me spill the intergalactic tea on this one.
Initially, I had a couple of eyebrow raises during the intro. Around 15-20% in, I was unsure if this book was my cup of cosmic coffee. But, kudos to Wilson for being a good sport and hearing me out on Instagram – yeah, I flooded him with voice notes, but he didn't block me, so there's that.
Now, here's the lowdown. Earth gets a not-so-welcome visit from humans of the intergalactic variety. Turns out, we're not the only ones throwing parties in this universe; we're just fashionably late to the technology evolution shindig. Other planets got the memo ages ago and even have something called Solara – basically, space magic. Not as mystical as the Force but not quite Mass Effect biotics either.
So, some big shot from another faction decides Earth's worth invading to prove a point. Earth's government thinks it's a brilliant idea to draft volunteers to join forces with the good alien humans and fight the intergalactic bullies. Confused? Stick with me.
The intro with our main guy, Colton, felt like too much too soon. Slice-of-life moments were scarce, and I wished we got a better peek into his pre-invasion world. Post-invasion, we get an avalanche of info dumps about the intergalactic showdown, which felt a tad clunky.
Hold tight, though – when Colton hops on a spaceship and heads to the capital planet with the good guys, things shift. The story takes a detour into a school setting where humans learn space magic. Suddenly, it's a whole lot more enjoyable. Colton's character grows, and the author's choice to start him off a bit bland pays off. The guy transforms into a leader, and it's a wholesome journey.
The relationships, the struggles with mastering space magic – all of it becomes pretty interesting. I appreciated Colton's nice guy vibes. No more brooding anti-heroes; Colton's the kind of protagonist I can root for. The dynamic between Earthlings and the other humans, who see us as odd and maybe a bit dangerous, adds a nice layer.
Now, why should you check this book out? It's a good ride. You get a taste of the divisions within humanity, even when facing a cosmic threat. The ending? Mind-blowing. Unpredictable. It's the kind that had me itching for book two.
Give "The Forsaken Planet" a spin. It's a darn enjoyable read, and I'm ready for more cosmic adventures.
March 1, 2024
The Forsaken Planet is a sci-fi/fantasy novel that follows Colton Samson, a seemingly normal guy whose life gets turned upside down when Earth gets attacked by aliens that are much more human than anyone could’ve expected. As our world gets pulled into an interplanetary conflict, Colton and his friends must discover the latent power buried within themselves to combat an evil that threatens to destroy all life as they know it.
First and foremost, I found the premise of a sci-fi/fantasy to be far more interesting than I originally expected. The story depicts many high-tech hallmarks of science fiction, such as spaceships, holograms and FTL travel, yet marries those with the notion of innate magic, prophetic visions and expanded mental abilities. It was fascinating to envision how other civilizations would’ve evolved with magic and technology combined, and author Bryan Wilson does an incredible job fleshing out the universe and its lore. The sheer amount of detail and exposition did seem to bog down the first act quite a bit, but once the action found its footing, I found myself really investing in the characters’ development.
One feature that really stuck out to me was the magic system of the book. A lot of time is spent with the main characters learning to use it, and I loved how it made the power and progression of the characters feel earned. Instead of a rushed training montage, Colton had to develop his new abilities with painstaking effort, and a depth is given to the magic system that allows for even more room to grow.
This goes hand-in-hand with the action scenes. I usually find myself rolling my eyes when technologically advanced societies resort to melee weapons instead of firearms—because let’s be honest, swords are cool, right?—but the magic system and its utilization of shields and projectiles offers a logical and very satisfying alternative. It was balanced to the point that I was able to gauge the different offensive and defensive options right along with the narrative.
Overall, it was a fun ride with some romance and political intrigue sprinkled in. There’s plenty of room for the overarching series to spread its wings further and it’ll be interesting to see where Bryan Wilson takes it from here.
First and foremost, I found the premise of a sci-fi/fantasy to be far more interesting than I originally expected. The story depicts many high-tech hallmarks of science fiction, such as spaceships, holograms and FTL travel, yet marries those with the notion of innate magic, prophetic visions and expanded mental abilities. It was fascinating to envision how other civilizations would’ve evolved with magic and technology combined, and author Bryan Wilson does an incredible job fleshing out the universe and its lore. The sheer amount of detail and exposition did seem to bog down the first act quite a bit, but once the action found its footing, I found myself really investing in the characters’ development.
One feature that really stuck out to me was the magic system of the book. A lot of time is spent with the main characters learning to use it, and I loved how it made the power and progression of the characters feel earned. Instead of a rushed training montage, Colton had to develop his new abilities with painstaking effort, and a depth is given to the magic system that allows for even more room to grow.
This goes hand-in-hand with the action scenes. I usually find myself rolling my eyes when technologically advanced societies resort to melee weapons instead of firearms—because let’s be honest, swords are cool, right?—but the magic system and its utilization of shields and projectiles offers a logical and very satisfying alternative. It was balanced to the point that I was able to gauge the different offensive and defensive options right along with the narrative.
Overall, it was a fun ride with some romance and political intrigue sprinkled in. There’s plenty of room for the overarching series to spread its wings further and it’ll be interesting to see where Bryan Wilson takes it from here.
January 22, 2024
The Forsaken Planet has a very old school sci-fi feel with a fantasy twist. It’s like Ender's Game meets Star Wars with a military academy setting and a magical force called Solara that all humans, not located on Earth, are capable of wielding to varying degrees. It has a classic plot line based on good vs. evil and the chosen one. The core cast is a group of bro’s from earth and the central themes are around this group integrating with Spaclings who do not respect them and Colton dealing with the fact that the fate of the universe rests on his shoulders.
I loved the sims, the way the technology worked was cool and unique and the missions themselves were very entertaining. I also loved the Solara infused weapons wielding. Again it was a unique spin and fun to read about how they learned to use their unique weapons.
My favorite characters were the side characters Willick, Roan, and Tal. In my opinion they were the most interesting and I was always dying to get more of their story. I also really liked Violet. She was strong and interesting and I hope we get more of these side characters in book 2!
This review is for the second half of the book. In full transparency the first half of the book was too slow for my taste. Wilson is creative and a great story teller. This book could have easily been a 5 star read for me after a good pass with an editor to clean up pacing, dialogue, and prose. I will definitely be reading book 2.
I loved the sims, the way the technology worked was cool and unique and the missions themselves were very entertaining. I also loved the Solara infused weapons wielding. Again it was a unique spin and fun to read about how they learned to use their unique weapons.
My favorite characters were the side characters Willick, Roan, and Tal. In my opinion they were the most interesting and I was always dying to get more of their story. I also really liked Violet. She was strong and interesting and I hope we get more of these side characters in book 2!
This review is for the second half of the book. In full transparency the first half of the book was too slow for my taste. Wilson is creative and a great story teller. This book could have easily been a 5 star read for me after a good pass with an editor to clean up pacing, dialogue, and prose. I will definitely be reading book 2.
July 18, 2025
What do you get when you take a Sci-fi Space Opera and throw in some strong fantasy vibes? The Forsaken Planet by Bryan Wilson. Dang, I had a good time with this one! There's a ton to enjoy and love about it.
One of the biggest things I enjoyed was the detail with the history of the galaxy and the lore that comes with it. This book starts on Earth and as you progress in the story, the lore just unfolds and you get a ton of it. And it's easy to follow while still being a bit complex! Just the overall world-building is extensive with the different galaxies and planets involved here making it feel completely believable and natural.
Our main character, Colton, goes through it! But he's got his best friends around him throughout this as they develop with him. The training and battle simulations they went through were great parts of the book. Almost gave me some Red Rising/Ender's Game vibes. I can't wait to see Colton and the team fully develop their powers and what they've learned so far in the upcoming war!
Overall, this was a blast. There were a couple of small pacing problems for me, but nothing that took away from the story or enjoyment I had with this. Definitely looking forward to reading book 2, The Son of the Prophets, and seeing where this space adventure takes me.
One of the biggest things I enjoyed was the detail with the history of the galaxy and the lore that comes with it. This book starts on Earth and as you progress in the story, the lore just unfolds and you get a ton of it. And it's easy to follow while still being a bit complex! Just the overall world-building is extensive with the different galaxies and planets involved here making it feel completely believable and natural.
Our main character, Colton, goes through it! But he's got his best friends around him throughout this as they develop with him. The training and battle simulations they went through were great parts of the book. Almost gave me some Red Rising/Ender's Game vibes. I can't wait to see Colton and the team fully develop their powers and what they've learned so far in the upcoming war!
Overall, this was a blast. There were a couple of small pacing problems for me, but nothing that took away from the story or enjoyment I had with this. Definitely looking forward to reading book 2, The Son of the Prophets, and seeing where this space adventure takes me.
December 6, 2025
This book was a phenomenal debut, and a really great first entry into a series I cannot wait to finish. It's a really great mix between sci-fi and fantasy, with a well thought out and unique magic system and plot.
Wilson took a lot of care to ensure that not only was the plot compelling and interesting, but that the world he built around it was thorough and complete. Reading this, it really feels like there could be a world just beyond our own.
What I really appreciate about the book are the small details Wilson makes sure to add in - for example, creating an entire world and magic system around a compelling reason why (some) aliens would look and speak like us, and why we would have never encountered them before.
Overall - 5/5 stars, would recommend. And can't wait for book 2
Wilson took a lot of care to ensure that not only was the plot compelling and interesting, but that the world he built around it was thorough and complete. Reading this, it really feels like there could be a world just beyond our own.
What I really appreciate about the book are the small details Wilson makes sure to add in - for example, creating an entire world and magic system around a compelling reason why (some) aliens would look and speak like us, and why we would have never encountered them before.
Overall - 5/5 stars, would recommend. And can't wait for book 2
December 14, 2023
I had a lot of fun reading The Forsaken Planet!
Last night I finished this book, and I realized how much I was invested. I ate up the final 30% of the book.
In a universe where different planets are inhabited by humans capable of controlling the power of the stars called Solara, Earth was the only human planet where these powers have been forgotten. An ancient prophecy claims that the one who wields the power of the stars on Earth is the Son of the Prophets and will lead humanity to Salvation. The MC Colton survives an attack of alien forces on Earth and is suspected to have wielded Solara in the night when the attack took place. The journey leads us to Vintara, a distant planet with a purplish tone to its atmosphere where most of the action will take place.
The book is a very detailed sci-fi saga that brings classic and fantasy elements to the game, resulting in an immersive experience for the reader.
The biggest quality in this book for me is the writing. It is extremely well written, the efforts in the worldbuilding and construction of a solid narrative can be seen and must be praised. After reading a book like Fourth Wing which was horribly written, Wilson's quality writing was even more pleasant to my eyes.
If any downsides to the book I would say only the pace which was a little weird. Slow at times but too fast at the end. Also, even though the book was very detailed, I did not feel as connected to the side characters as I wish I had. The MC is a little bland and most other characters seem very interesting, so I can't wait for the second book where we'll hopefully have more time with them.
Overall fun and captivating, I can't wait to check what the next book will bring to the table.
Last night I finished this book, and I realized how much I was invested. I ate up the final 30% of the book.
In a universe where different planets are inhabited by humans capable of controlling the power of the stars called Solara, Earth was the only human planet where these powers have been forgotten. An ancient prophecy claims that the one who wields the power of the stars on Earth is the Son of the Prophets and will lead humanity to Salvation. The MC Colton survives an attack of alien forces on Earth and is suspected to have wielded Solara in the night when the attack took place. The journey leads us to Vintara, a distant planet with a purplish tone to its atmosphere where most of the action will take place.
The book is a very detailed sci-fi saga that brings classic and fantasy elements to the game, resulting in an immersive experience for the reader.
The biggest quality in this book for me is the writing. It is extremely well written, the efforts in the worldbuilding and construction of a solid narrative can be seen and must be praised. After reading a book like Fourth Wing which was horribly written, Wilson's quality writing was even more pleasant to my eyes.
If any downsides to the book I would say only the pace which was a little weird. Slow at times but too fast at the end. Also, even though the book was very detailed, I did not feel as connected to the side characters as I wish I had. The MC is a little bland and most other characters seem very interesting, so I can't wait for the second book where we'll hopefully have more time with them.
Overall fun and captivating, I can't wait to check what the next book will bring to the table.
April 3, 2024
Review of Forsaken Planet by Bryan Wilson
The Forsaken Planet is book one of the Power of the Stars series written by Bryan Wilson, and his debut novel. Book two in the series will be released to the world on April 16, 2024…and good thing, because anyone who read The Forsaken Planet will be eager to know what happens next! The Forsaken Planet is not about a planet, but about a young man, Colton Samson, from the forsaken planet. The story follows Colton on his journey into the stars and becoming part of an army trained with the magical power of the stars. Introduced as a messianic character, book one focuses on Colton’s growth and development in his powers and understanding of the new world he has been suddenly thrust into. There is a large cast of characters and it is a long book, which is perfect for serious readers and fantasy fans.
Wilson weaves together the familiar space traveling advanced technology of the science fiction genre with a familiar and comfortable feeling of epic fantasy genre. Science Fantasy is a newer genre gaining lots of fans and Bryan Wilson is positioned perfectly to entertain those looking for more of this fantasy and science fiction fusion. Wilson does a great job weaving both genre’s together in a seamless fashion. There is lots of effective world building and character development.
As another other reviewer wrote, the book simultaneously satisfies why making the reader hungry for more. There have been comparisons to Star Wars and Enders Game. Those are both fair comparisons as the main character deals with such a massive change in his life as well as growing in his new powers. There is a ton of foreshadowing for the future where Colton will fulfill his role in a classic hero’s journey. I expect plenty of twists and turns along the way as Wilson releases more books in the series.
The Forsaken Planet is book one of the Power of the Stars series written by Bryan Wilson, and his debut novel. Book two in the series will be released to the world on April 16, 2024…and good thing, because anyone who read The Forsaken Planet will be eager to know what happens next! The Forsaken Planet is not about a planet, but about a young man, Colton Samson, from the forsaken planet. The story follows Colton on his journey into the stars and becoming part of an army trained with the magical power of the stars. Introduced as a messianic character, book one focuses on Colton’s growth and development in his powers and understanding of the new world he has been suddenly thrust into. There is a large cast of characters and it is a long book, which is perfect for serious readers and fantasy fans.
Wilson weaves together the familiar space traveling advanced technology of the science fiction genre with a familiar and comfortable feeling of epic fantasy genre. Science Fantasy is a newer genre gaining lots of fans and Bryan Wilson is positioned perfectly to entertain those looking for more of this fantasy and science fiction fusion. Wilson does a great job weaving both genre’s together in a seamless fashion. There is lots of effective world building and character development.
As another other reviewer wrote, the book simultaneously satisfies why making the reader hungry for more. There have been comparisons to Star Wars and Enders Game. Those are both fair comparisons as the main character deals with such a massive change in his life as well as growing in his new powers. There is a ton of foreshadowing for the future where Colton will fulfill his role in a classic hero’s journey. I expect plenty of twists and turns along the way as Wilson releases more books in the series.
May 5, 2025
Power of the Stars series 01 The Forsaken Planet by Bryan Wilson
challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
3.5 Stars
I'm not sure why, but I really do NOT like the way this story begins. I have been trying to figure it out...throughout reading the story.
I have already bought in, that I was going to read this trilogy, and from the start...I was regretting this decision. In one aspect, I just felt off-put by the way the story began. I didn't "buy in" on the dude bros atmosphere...at the jump. Everyone seemed to be cast from a CW show. It seemed too "this" or "that" and it wasn't working for me.
I'm a completionist. I rarely DNF a book, and when I do...it is usually after the 50% mark, and sometimes to the 75% mark.
I also read 2-3 books at the same time, so...after reading the first 38%, I switched to another book...thinking about dipping out.
It took me a couple days, and I could feel that I actually wanted to know what was going to happen to our characters.
At this portion of the book, I was thinking of the movie, Starship Troopers (1997) film. It was campy, and didn't feel like real life, but heightened reality. That's the way I thought the beginning of the book.
Obviously, this is the "chosen one" trope. I usually love it, especially since my favourite series of all-time, is The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan...which IS a chosen one story. For me, that story works, while this one...was just hard to "get into".
I kept chipping away at the story, and it kept delivering. I grew to actually like Colton Samson. The other "Earthling" were less important to by viewpoint (sadly). I hope that improves as the series progresses. Unlike the WoT, the other guys in the story were ALWAYS secondary.
I also feel/felt that the animosity between the Spacelings. It just seemed contrived (at least at the beginning). As the story progresses, we start to understand The (whole) Forsaken Planet thing, but that took way too much time.
I also didn't (totally) buy-in on the premise to keep the idea of one of the Earthlings "channeled" (especially since I'm a WoT fan), that's how I kept seeing it...while reading the novel. It added tension to the story, but I just felt it was unnecessary. I admit, that by the end of the novel, I could see WHY this was done, but I don't know HOW to remove my frustration with this ploy (by the author). A lot hinged on the point that no one REALLY knew if/when this actually happened.
Like in Andy Wier's The Martian, he had to make the wind on Mars a lot more devastating, to make sure what happened to the crew, happened. Even though, we now know that that...at couldn't legitamately happen that way. Also, we now know that water is a LOT more accessable on Mars, than NASA/Mark Watney knew about...it NEVER hurt the on page story. The devices were used, and we bought it, right away.
In this book, I kept having to override my suspension of disbelief, and give the author a bye...to continue reading the book...and I'm glad I did.
I will be picking up the second book, in the Power of the Stars series 02 The Sons of the Prophets. Let's go!
challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
3.5 Stars
I'm not sure why, but I really do NOT like the way this story begins. I have been trying to figure it out...throughout reading the story.
I have already bought in, that I was going to read this trilogy, and from the start...I was regretting this decision. In one aspect, I just felt off-put by the way the story began. I didn't "buy in" on the dude bros atmosphere...at the jump. Everyone seemed to be cast from a CW show. It seemed too "this" or "that" and it wasn't working for me.
I'm a completionist. I rarely DNF a book, and when I do...it is usually after the 50% mark, and sometimes to the 75% mark.
I also read 2-3 books at the same time, so...after reading the first 38%, I switched to another book...thinking about dipping out.
It took me a couple days, and I could feel that I actually wanted to know what was going to happen to our characters.
At this portion of the book, I was thinking of the movie, Starship Troopers (1997) film. It was campy, and didn't feel like real life, but heightened reality. That's the way I thought the beginning of the book.
Obviously, this is the "chosen one" trope. I usually love it, especially since my favourite series of all-time, is The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan...which IS a chosen one story. For me, that story works, while this one...was just hard to "get into".
I kept chipping away at the story, and it kept delivering. I grew to actually like Colton Samson. The other "Earthling" were less important to by viewpoint (sadly). I hope that improves as the series progresses. Unlike the WoT, the other guys in the story were ALWAYS secondary.
I also feel/felt that the animosity between the Spacelings. It just seemed contrived (at least at the beginning). As the story progresses, we start to understand The (whole) Forsaken Planet thing, but that took way too much time.
I also didn't (totally) buy-in on the premise to keep the idea of one of the Earthlings "channeled" (especially since I'm a WoT fan), that's how I kept seeing it...while reading the novel. It added tension to the story, but I just felt it was unnecessary. I admit, that by the end of the novel, I could see WHY this was done, but I don't know HOW to remove my frustration with this ploy (by the author). A lot hinged on the point that no one REALLY knew if/when this actually happened.
Like in Andy Wier's The Martian, he had to make the wind on Mars a lot more devastating, to make sure what happened to the crew, happened. Even though, we now know that that...at couldn't legitamately happen that way. Also, we now know that water is a LOT more accessable on Mars, than NASA/Mark Watney knew about...it NEVER hurt the on page story. The devices were used, and we bought it, right away.
In this book, I kept having to override my suspension of disbelief, and give the author a bye...to continue reading the book...and I'm glad I did.
I will be picking up the second book, in the Power of the Stars series 02 The Sons of the Prophets. Let's go!
May 30, 2025
Cozy pacing, slow-immersion, and a world/magic system so plausible that it could happen tomorrow!
Has Red Rising (military academy, RPG-sim style) and Star Wars (scope, politics, culture) vibes.
My favorite parts of this book were the battle simulations, as Colton and his friends were inserted into a digital game space for training and testing. But we have to wade through a couple months of planetary cultural and educational assimilation also. This makes Colton's journey from everyman to chosen one believable as the Vintaran military takes time to train their Earth-born recruits and assimilate them.
Also, infusing swords and other weapons with the wielder's essence?? Say no more...
I liked Canter Brax as a side-antagonist and am hoping for some enemies to brothers between him and Colton farther along in the series.
So much of this world and its descriptions of Solara, with its colorful energy shields and blasts made me want this to be my reality. The story just simmers, and simmers, and simmers, which might turn away many sci-fi readers looking for a thrill or en media res.
But I truly believe this story is the perfect start to a compelling trilogy, and I'm diving right in to the sequel.
This novel is more than a platform though. It has a solid and satisfying conclusion with a great battle between the two potential Sons of the Prophets as they try to determine who is legitimate and who is the con-artist. Colton gets the most character development, and overall, it kept me engaged and entertained for days!
That's all I require from a good book. And I'm so glad the trilogy is complete!
Has Red Rising (military academy, RPG-sim style) and Star Wars (scope, politics, culture) vibes.
My favorite parts of this book were the battle simulations, as Colton and his friends were inserted into a digital game space for training and testing. But we have to wade through a couple months of planetary cultural and educational assimilation also. This makes Colton's journey from everyman to chosen one believable as the Vintaran military takes time to train their Earth-born recruits and assimilate them.
Also, infusing swords and other weapons with the wielder's essence?? Say no more...
I liked Canter Brax as a side-antagonist and am hoping for some enemies to brothers between him and Colton farther along in the series.
So much of this world and its descriptions of Solara, with its colorful energy shields and blasts made me want this to be my reality. The story just simmers, and simmers, and simmers, which might turn away many sci-fi readers looking for a thrill or en media res.
But I truly believe this story is the perfect start to a compelling trilogy, and I'm diving right in to the sequel.
This novel is more than a platform though. It has a solid and satisfying conclusion with a great battle between the two potential Sons of the Prophets as they try to determine who is legitimate and who is the con-artist. Colton gets the most character development, and overall, it kept me engaged and entertained for days!
That's all I require from a good book. And I'm so glad the trilogy is complete!
Read
January 31, 2026This was a DNF for me. I was excited to read this based on the reviews and what I had seen on bookstagram however I only made it to the 20% mark. A few things for me. The dialogue was robotic and plain, like sitcom “leave it to beaver” unrealistic but also didn’t feel like it fit the characters which I could not stop focusing on. I also felt like I was thrown into an emotionally charge moment very close to the beginning with no real investment or emotional attachment to the characters but should have for the event which just felt very off. Overall It just felt a little too underdeveloped in most aspects for me to push through. I thought the premise had some potential but I just didn’t enjoy the execution so once I hit the 20% point I called it quits.
February 15, 2024
This was a solid entertaining read! It started off a bit slow and as I got closer to the end I was wondering when the big war was finally going to happen - but then I realized there’s a sequel coming. I’ll definitely be reading that one too! I found myself rooting for Colton and his friends, I really liked Willick, I enjoyed the idea of wielding Solara and humans occupying other planets in the universe. The most fun were the combat sims - total page turners. The end was solid too, I liked that there was somewhat of a closure to the first part of the story and I wasn’t left with a cliffhanger. Looking forward to the next book!
March 2, 2024
The Foresaken Planet by Bryan Wilson is a beautiful mix of sci-fi and fantasy. A war between planets with magical type abilities to fight? Sign me up!
I absolutely loved this book. Following Colton and his friends who, coming from an Earth like ours, are confronted with powers beyond their imagination and a prophecy that will define them all. A group of college aged boys is honestly not my typical read, but I was pleasantly suprised with how engrossed I was in the story. If you are looking for your next epic sci-fi with fantasy components, I highly recommend you checking this one out! If you like Ender's Game or Star Wars, you won't want to miss this one!
There is a second book coming out soon and you can bet I'm going to be reading it ASAP. I hear it's a bit different than the first, so I'm excited to see how the author develops his craft and takes the book world to new heights!
I absolutely loved this book. Following Colton and his friends who, coming from an Earth like ours, are confronted with powers beyond their imagination and a prophecy that will define them all. A group of college aged boys is honestly not my typical read, but I was pleasantly suprised with how engrossed I was in the story. If you are looking for your next epic sci-fi with fantasy components, I highly recommend you checking this one out! If you like Ender's Game or Star Wars, you won't want to miss this one!
There is a second book coming out soon and you can bet I'm going to be reading it ASAP. I hear it's a bit different than the first, so I'm excited to see how the author develops his craft and takes the book world to new heights!
January 20, 2024
What happens when The Chosen One for the entire universe is just one of the bros 🔥
While it starts out a little slow, with scenes that I think would have been more powerful if woven in to the story as flashbacks once our hero begins his journey, Colton evolves over the course of the book into a sympathetic and morally strong character you can easily root for.
The different planets and their environments/cultural developments are interesting and something I’m looking forward to getting more of in the next books. Plenty of politics and intrigue and layered characters.
I also enjoyed the action sequences and always looked forward to more of them. I'm excited for the next installment!
While it starts out a little slow, with scenes that I think would have been more powerful if woven in to the story as flashbacks once our hero begins his journey, Colton evolves over the course of the book into a sympathetic and morally strong character you can easily root for.
The different planets and their environments/cultural developments are interesting and something I’m looking forward to getting more of in the next books. Plenty of politics and intrigue and layered characters.
I also enjoyed the action sequences and always looked forward to more of them. I'm excited for the next installment!
April 7, 2024
First sci fi in a while - wasn't disappointed!
The Forsaken Planet brings a fresh new ideology to how we perceive our world. The world Bryan built outside of Earth is immense, laced with historic facts that make it seem like it actually could happen to us in real life. Without adding spoilers, the characters surprise and awe as the story unfolds makes them feel genuine, and the relationships between them are what you'd fully expect from people of their age. An amazing story all round, can't wait to see what comes next!
The Forsaken Planet brings a fresh new ideology to how we perceive our world. The world Bryan built outside of Earth is immense, laced with historic facts that make it seem like it actually could happen to us in real life. Without adding spoilers, the characters surprise and awe as the story unfolds makes them feel genuine, and the relationships between them are what you'd fully expect from people of their age. An amazing story all round, can't wait to see what comes next!
June 8, 2024
I really liked this book.
Probably one of my favourite reads this year.
While the language and writing style is a little lacking at the beginning, it picks up quite quickly and is a plot and world that is well worth the read. The blend of sci-fi and fantasy is quite seamless, and you can tell that there is significantly more to come in this expansive world.
As far as Indie authors/series go, this is one I'm definitely going to be following as it comes out.
Probably one of my favourite reads this year.
While the language and writing style is a little lacking at the beginning, it picks up quite quickly and is a plot and world that is well worth the read. The blend of sci-fi and fantasy is quite seamless, and you can tell that there is significantly more to come in this expansive world.
As far as Indie authors/series go, this is one I'm definitely going to be following as it comes out.
April 23, 2024
Bryan crafted an amazing world. So excited for the next one.
June 20, 2025
Fun sci-fi with a fantasy vibe. The tone of this book reminded me a lot of Enders Game with a "prophecy" and "chosen one" focus. There is quite a bit of set up throughout for what can only lead to an epic climax in the books to come.
February 3, 2026
The Forsaken Planet is an epic sci-fantasy adventure in the vein of Star Wars and Ender's Game., playing on the tropes we all loved growing up and breathing new life into them. Wilson's debut reads like a movie that hasn't hit the big screen... yet. Definite rec.
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