What do you think?
Rate this book
Lost Eden - A Portal Fiction Adventure #1
Stranded: Lost Eden: A Portal Fiction Adventure, Book 1
Stranded
tells the gripping story of brothers Ben and Barney Pepper as they embark on a daring journey through a mysterious portal to a completely new and uncharted world.
What awaits them on the other side is a breathtaking world teeming with colossal mammals and never-before-seen dinosaurs, a true Eden lost to time.
As the group navigates this perilous new realm, tensions rise as differing agendas emerge. Ben Pepper wants to preserve and safeguard this idyllic, if savage, land. Other members of the jump team seek to exploit its resources.
In a riveting blend of adventure, discovery, and moral reckoning, Stranded is a thrilling exploration of human nature set against the backdrop of a world beyond imagination. Will the group find a way to return from this Lost Eden, or will their conflicting agendas lead to irreversible consequences?
Contains a special note from the author and a sneak preview of book two.
What awaits them on the other side is a breathtaking world teeming with colossal mammals and never-before-seen dinosaurs, a true Eden lost to time.
As the group navigates this perilous new realm, tensions rise as differing agendas emerge. Ben Pepper wants to preserve and safeguard this idyllic, if savage, land. Other members of the jump team seek to exploit its resources.
In a riveting blend of adventure, discovery, and moral reckoning, Stranded is a thrilling exploration of human nature set against the backdrop of a world beyond imagination. Will the group find a way to return from this Lost Eden, or will their conflicting agendas lead to irreversible consequences?
Contains a special note from the author and a sneak preview of book two.
Audible Audio
Published February 11, 2025
446 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 16, 2025
Lost interest
I gave up at around 55%. There was no ‘McGuffin’ other than trying to find a way back. It was like watching paint dry…with dinosaurs.
Although I didn’t care for this, I’m a big ‘Middle Falls’ fan
I gave up at around 55%. There was no ‘McGuffin’ other than trying to find a way back. It was like watching paint dry…with dinosaurs.
Although I didn’t care for this, I’m a big ‘Middle Falls’ fan
August 23, 2025
Send in the flying monkeys.
This read like Dorothy in Oz but was all a bit vanilla. I like vanilla sometimes. Occasionally, I just want to read something light. You know...plenty of action, dinosaurs, alien worlds, dire endings for us puny hoomans. This is just the ticket.
The only thing I found a bit "odd" ... well apart from most things on this alien world, was - how come they could find their way through dense forest without GPS or any mention of compasses (if they worked there) without getting lost?
This read like Dorothy in Oz but was all a bit vanilla. I like vanilla sometimes. Occasionally, I just want to read something light. You know...plenty of action, dinosaurs, alien worlds, dire endings for us puny hoomans. This is just the ticket.
The only thing I found a bit "odd" ... well apart from most things on this alien world, was - how come they could find their way through dense forest without GPS or any mention of compasses (if they worked there) without getting lost?
April 6, 2025
I didn't realize this had a cliffhanger ending...
October 28, 2024
I wrote a review and then noticed it never posted. So, I can't remember what all I said except I thought it best to avoid the Terry's, and the Tellers. Love the book. I definitely am a portal to another world type of person and I'd recommend.
August 13, 2024
Disclosure: I downloaded this book for free and am posting an honest review of this work.
I have enjoyed many of Shawn Inmon's other books, particularly those in his Middle Falls Time-Travel series. Stranded is the first in a new adventure series—reminiscent of those I read as a boy, especially Roy Rockwood's Bomba the Jungle Boy series.
A portal opens into another world and a team of scientists, naturalists, engineers, medical personnel, and soldiers is sent in to investigate, with a corporation on the other side waiting to exploit it. Not much goes as expected, with fantastic dinosaur-like creatures and armies of carnivorous ants lurking everywhere!
The characters are great, especially the sneaky, greedy, selfish Teller! The relationship of brothers Barney and Ben is fascinating too!
This is a fairly fast-paced, science-fiction read, with lots of detailed descriptions conjured up by Inmon. And there's lots of suspense with the expected cliffhanger at the end. Bring on Book 2, Shawn!
I have enjoyed many of Shawn Inmon's other books, particularly those in his Middle Falls Time-Travel series. Stranded is the first in a new adventure series—reminiscent of those I read as a boy, especially Roy Rockwood's Bomba the Jungle Boy series.
A portal opens into another world and a team of scientists, naturalists, engineers, medical personnel, and soldiers is sent in to investigate, with a corporation on the other side waiting to exploit it. Not much goes as expected, with fantastic dinosaur-like creatures and armies of carnivorous ants lurking everywhere!
The characters are great, especially the sneaky, greedy, selfish Teller! The relationship of brothers Barney and Ben is fascinating too!
This is a fairly fast-paced, science-fiction read, with lots of detailed descriptions conjured up by Inmon. And there's lots of suspense with the expected cliffhanger at the end. Bring on Book 2, Shawn!
September 19, 2024
Time travel or alternate reality?
Holy cow this is a fun book. I’m a fan of dinosaur books, survival books, and excellent snarky dialogue.
In my opinion, this story had it all .
A mixed group of soldiers, engineers,
In various other experts in their field are recruited. Some more aware of what is going on than others.
Ben was unwillingly recruited by his brother Barney, Who mostly sees dollar signs in a new business opportunity.
Ben is more of a nature guy, highly educated with a plethora of degrees .
When murky company animus discovers a mysterious portal to another world, the group gets sent as a first contact mission.
Of course, then the story has action adventure, man versus nature. Good guy versus bad guys and dinosaurs and a little bit of mystical magical fantasy thrown in. Again, this was a really fun book. I am sad that the next book is not already out, but I will definitely be reading it.
Holy cow this is a fun book. I’m a fan of dinosaur books, survival books, and excellent snarky dialogue.
In my opinion, this story had it all .
A mixed group of soldiers, engineers,
In various other experts in their field are recruited. Some more aware of what is going on than others.
Ben was unwillingly recruited by his brother Barney, Who mostly sees dollar signs in a new business opportunity.
Ben is more of a nature guy, highly educated with a plethora of degrees .
When murky company animus discovers a mysterious portal to another world, the group gets sent as a first contact mission.
Of course, then the story has action adventure, man versus nature. Good guy versus bad guys and dinosaurs and a little bit of mystical magical fantasy thrown in. Again, this was a really fun book. I am sad that the next book is not already out, but I will definitely be reading it.
October 18, 2025
A plucky crew of adventurers, some who volunteered for the mission and some who were volun-told, are sent through a portal discovered in the side of a mountain deep in the Alaska wilderness. They know the portal opens every 17 days for around 2 minutes at a time. They know that a few enormous flying dinosaurs have emerged from the portal, but quickly died in the cold weather. And they know from probes sent through that the temperature on the other side of the ranges from 105°F at night to 120°F in the day (probably the most-repeated thing in the book). So, they walk through the portal ... and it's immediately different than what anyone expected, in a deadly way! Those who survive will spend the next 17 days trying to figure out a way home. And the things they discover along the way ... wow.
I really enjoyed the story, staying up past midnight a few times to read more, and immediately purchased the second book in the series after finishing. (The cliffhanger demands it!)
Four stars instead of five, though, because of some sloppy writing that kept taking me out of the story. First, that temperature! At 105°-120°F, it's WEIRD that they just keep skipping through the story with the same levels of physical activity as if it was 75°F. There's no heat exhaustion, barely any sweating, and so much long-distance hiking and climbing. I call baloney on the temperature, despite the author reminding us of it time and time again. Second, their tools are solar-powered and seem to have no problem charging up. But this planet is constantly under a thick layer of clouds, with frequent rain, so much that they only glimpse the moon twice during their visit. Solar-powered tools ... baloney!
I really enjoyed the story, staying up past midnight a few times to read more, and immediately purchased the second book in the series after finishing. (The cliffhanger demands it!)
Four stars instead of five, though, because of some sloppy writing that kept taking me out of the story. First, that temperature! At 105°-120°F, it's WEIRD that they just keep skipping through the story with the same levels of physical activity as if it was 75°F. There's no heat exhaustion, barely any sweating, and so much long-distance hiking and climbing. I call baloney on the temperature, despite the author reminding us of it time and time again. Second, their tools are solar-powered and seem to have no problem charging up. But this planet is constantly under a thick layer of clouds, with frequent rain, so much that they only glimpse the moon twice during their visit. Solar-powered tools ... baloney!
May 27, 2025
Well, fairly decent as far as this kind of story seems to go. It's interesting enough I'm likely to read more in the series, but if you're not interested in portal stories, this one isn't going to change your mind. It could just as easily have been a story about a safari to the jungles of Africa, and it would have had the same impact. Only the dinosaurs made this anything other than a story that could take place anywhere on earth. Not exactly the scifi adventure I was looking for when I picked up this book. But, for what it's worth, the story is certainly worth the read if you like stories about venturing into other worlds, albeit a rather average one. Still, it will be interesting to see how some of the issues raised in this one pan out, especially as regards the corporation that runs the whole thing.
April 16, 2025
This is not really a time travel book, although you might think otherwise, certainly based on the deceptive cover. Instead, it is about an alternate world that can be accessed through a portal. That was fine as far as I was concerned. However, the book never really grabbed me. Instead of relying on "the usual" crew of dinosaurs (as pictured on the cover) the author felt it necessary to create a new set of creatures, most of which I did not care for. The story was otherwise fine until the "ancient monk" came into the picture. This is only the first book in the series so all has not been revealed. I will not be reading the other books so some of the plot will remain a mystery. I rarely stop reading a book before I finish it, but I was sorely tempted several times to let this one go.
July 27, 2025
Review of Stranded: Lost Eden by Shawn Inmon
Stranded: Lost Eden kicks off an intriguing sci-fi survival series where a small group of humans finds themselves mysteriously transported to a lush but dangerous alien world. Shawn Inmon blends suspense, world-building, and human resilience as the characters grapple not only with the threats of their new environment but also with their own interpersonal conflicts and emotional struggles. The pacing is tight, the stakes are high, and the characters feel relatable and raw. If you enjoy stories of survival, found family, and the challenge of starting over in a strange new world, Lost Eden delivers an engaging, fast-paced read that leaves you eager for the next installment.
Stranded: Lost Eden kicks off an intriguing sci-fi survival series where a small group of humans finds themselves mysteriously transported to a lush but dangerous alien world. Shawn Inmon blends suspense, world-building, and human resilience as the characters grapple not only with the threats of their new environment but also with their own interpersonal conflicts and emotional struggles. The pacing is tight, the stakes are high, and the characters feel relatable and raw. If you enjoy stories of survival, found family, and the challenge of starting over in a strange new world, Lost Eden delivers an engaging, fast-paced read that leaves you eager for the next installment.
February 24, 2025
Bloody brilliant!
Cover drew me in. I don't normally read series books, however I will be reading the next!
Action from page 1. Good, strong characters, clearly defined. Unusual dino's & interesting, "alien" arriving a good way through the book. I am drawn in enough to want to read the next book. Hopefully, not too much good guys vs bad guys, as the animal life is much more interesting than billionaire conglomerates. Depending on how much dino action will depend on wether I read book 3.
This has been well proofed & a very good read. Haven't read the author before, but will be doing so in the future. Very well done, Shawn. Love the covers.
Cover drew me in. I don't normally read series books, however I will be reading the next!
Action from page 1. Good, strong characters, clearly defined. Unusual dino's & interesting, "alien" arriving a good way through the book. I am drawn in enough to want to read the next book. Hopefully, not too much good guys vs bad guys, as the animal life is much more interesting than billionaire conglomerates. Depending on how much dino action will depend on wether I read book 3.
This has been well proofed & a very good read. Haven't read the author before, but will be doing so in the future. Very well done, Shawn. Love the covers.
August 10, 2024
Stranded is a captivating start to a new series.
I literally could not put this book down. Hubby and I started reading at the same time. I jyst finished. The characters are so interesting. The story is truly captivating. A portal has been found that opens, every 17 days, to a prehistoric world. A well prepared group goes through the portal to explore. They face many obstacles, including huge prehistoric animals. There are also a number of mysterious events. Its so exciting, watching as they prepare for the next opening. The next book needs to come SOON. Love this author.
I literally could not put this book down. Hubby and I started reading at the same time. I jyst finished. The characters are so interesting. The story is truly captivating. A portal has been found that opens, every 17 days, to a prehistoric world. A well prepared group goes through the portal to explore. They face many obstacles, including huge prehistoric animals. There are also a number of mysterious events. Its so exciting, watching as they prepare for the next opening. The next book needs to come SOON. Love this author.
January 25, 2025
The adventure of a lifetime!
From the moment the exploratory team falls almost sixty feet into pure blackness after walking through a mysterious portal to another world…things start getting even more dangerous!
They have been thrown back into a time similar to Earth’s Jurassic Period.
Survival is not a given, and “Only the strong survive” not necessarily true.
If you enjoy survivalist stories, with lots of action, fascinating creatures, and a mysterious twist or two, you will devour this first book in this series!
From the moment the exploratory team falls almost sixty feet into pure blackness after walking through a mysterious portal to another world…things start getting even more dangerous!
They have been thrown back into a time similar to Earth’s Jurassic Period.
Survival is not a given, and “Only the strong survive” not necessarily true.
If you enjoy survivalist stories, with lots of action, fascinating creatures, and a mysterious twist or two, you will devour this first book in this series!
November 25, 2024
DON’T GO WHERE THE ROAD DON’T GO
as good a dinosaur yarn as there is ! From mega corporations to mega maniacal capitalists and what is in between, there are the good, the bad, and the smelly.
Nothing in an other life filled planet could be left out. There is beauty, charm, terror, betrayal and a plethora of other possibilities that are part of this first installment.
So, strap in, get settled and start this journey to terror Disneyland.
as good a dinosaur yarn as there is ! From mega corporations to mega maniacal capitalists and what is in between, there are the good, the bad, and the smelly.
Nothing in an other life filled planet could be left out. There is beauty, charm, terror, betrayal and a plethora of other possibilities that are part of this first installment.
So, strap in, get settled and start this journey to terror Disneyland.
November 28, 2024
Very good
Very good book! Not your typical portal / dinosaur time travel book. I thoroughly enjoyed the depictions of the creatures and the actions they took to stay alive. Unfortunately it falls flat the same way other portal / dinosaur / time travel books do. The leader is a soft-willed pansy who can make no decisions, and there's a corporate stage who rules and controls everyone. However I may consider reading book two if I have nothing else to do.
Very good book! Not your typical portal / dinosaur time travel book. I thoroughly enjoyed the depictions of the creatures and the actions they took to stay alive. Unfortunately it falls flat the same way other portal / dinosaur / time travel books do. The leader is a soft-willed pansy who can make no decisions, and there's a corporate stage who rules and controls everyone. However I may consider reading book two if I have nothing else to do.
December 17, 2024
I really enjoyed the Alex Hawk time travel series – Alex was very creative in his problem-solving. However, this series starter was not quite as fascinating. It starts out with the mystery of “what’s on the other side of the portal?” and all the preparation for departure. But the interesting and mysterious elements become a mixture of conflicting interests and continual animal threats in a “Land of the Lost” environment.
March 22, 2025
This is like a new Land of the Lost story with more dumb. A bunch of dumb corporate humans jump through a portal un-prepaired and a ton of Red Shirts security types take center stage. Seriously what corporation sends an expedition team to scout a location WITH NO CAMERAS? Maybe a drone or two ? Don't get me started on the low caliber weapons that the morons are using. You bring stuff with the muzzle energy and penetration to take down BIG GAME
April 5, 2025
A solid imnon book that fits well into his universe of novels, such as the Alex hawk series (which is only mediocre in my opinion, so I never finished it), his middle falls series (which is shockingly great and fresh with each installment), and the chronicles of alter (which is good and on par with this series). It’s exactly the novel you’d expect based on the synopsis. I’m pre-ordering the sequel now.
August 3, 2024
way to leave all of us hanging!
This book started out slow and gained momentum until the very end, which was right on the edge of a cliff! I sure hope the next book comes out real soon.
I didn't like this book as well as the Alex hawk series, but the monk is still there, so it must be related somehow. Can't wait for the next installment!
This book started out slow and gained momentum until the very end, which was right on the edge of a cliff! I sure hope the next book comes out real soon.
I didn't like this book as well as the Alex hawk series, but the monk is still there, so it must be related somehow. Can't wait for the next installment!
August 22, 2024
Excellent New World
I have to say I am a bit irritated at Mr Inmon. He has built a world with so many different characters and variables I was kept fascinated! Then I find out the next book wasn’t out yet!! Realistic bad guys and dangerous situations constantly. The corporation is going to figure in a big way too. Great story!
I have to say I am a bit irritated at Mr Inmon. He has built a world with so many different characters and variables I was kept fascinated! Then I find out the next book wasn’t out yet!! Realistic bad guys and dangerous situations constantly. The corporation is going to figure in a big way too. Great story!
September 14, 2024
Great adventure
Wow, a Lost Eden, prehistoric animals, novel armour coated 150 foot monsters what is not to like about this novel. Add to that volunteers never realising that they were being held prisoners by an evil corporation and doing their best to survive in a deadly world.
Wow, a Lost Eden, prehistoric animals, novel armour coated 150 foot monsters what is not to like about this novel. Add to that volunteers never realising that they were being held prisoners by an evil corporation and doing their best to survive in a deadly world.
October 31, 2024
Another exciting portal adventure from Shawn Inmon
A group of explorers pass through a portal, uncertain what they will find on the other side.
I found that the story held me interest throughout.
The only detractors for me were minor grammatical and punctuation errors.
I eagerly await the next installment.
A group of explorers pass through a portal, uncertain what they will find on the other side.
I found that the story held me interest throughout.
The only detractors for me were minor grammatical and punctuation errors.
I eagerly await the next installment.
Read
February 24, 2025The old interdimensional portal done in a slightly different way. Tricked into going on an expedition and stuck there for days with dinosaurs bigger than buildings and every other threat you can imagine till the portal opens again then having to deal with treachery and greed and having it all to do again. It makes for a good story.
March 10, 2025
Exciting
Great read. Through a portal to another world complete with dinosaurs that are enormous. The group of men and women are in this world for 17 days before the portal opens again and they are able to return to earth. There is lots of excitement being aware of vicious animals.
Great read. Through a portal to another world complete with dinosaurs that are enormous. The group of men and women are in this world for 17 days before the portal opens again and they are able to return to earth. There is lots of excitement being aware of vicious animals.
March 13, 2025
Jurassic park eat your heart out
Wow what a ride from start to finish.
This storyline makes Jurassic park look like a story for toddlers.
Great individual characters who are really well written, monsters galore and a twist in the story that you really want to know more about.
Wow what a ride from start to finish.
This storyline makes Jurassic park look like a story for toddlers.
Great individual characters who are really well written, monsters galore and a twist in the story that you really want to know more about.
March 15, 2025
Very interesting.
Excellent story. Great cast of characters. Perfect for a survival story. A well-educated, thoughtful naturalist; his semi -idiot brother; a master survivalist; an extraordinarily capable Master Sargent type; a weasel; and supporting characters. Only a couple of typos. The rest of the series will be well worth a binge month on Kindle Unlimited.
Excellent story. Great cast of characters. Perfect for a survival story. A well-educated, thoughtful naturalist; his semi -idiot brother; a master survivalist; an extraordinarily capable Master Sargent type; a weasel; and supporting characters. Only a couple of typos. The rest of the series will be well worth a binge month on Kindle Unlimited.
March 15, 2025
Look Before You Leap
Author kept my interest with something newly discovered on the planet periodically. Got tired of the fauna and flora challenges but enjoyed the teamwork chemistry. Not sure the reference to oxygen content being so much higher supersized the flora based on photosynthesis respiration of green plants. But who am I to know since science fiction.
Author kept my interest with something newly discovered on the planet periodically. Got tired of the fauna and flora challenges but enjoyed the teamwork chemistry. Not sure the reference to oxygen content being so much higher supersized the flora based on photosynthesis respiration of green plants. But who am I to know since science fiction.
November 4, 2025
It's not badly written at all, but I did find the plot sagged a bit in the middle. The setting felt more like an alien planet than a prehistoric lost world, with all of the creatures being made-up species. That isn't a bad thing by itself, but I wouldn't market this as a dinosaur story (the cover is certainly misleading). I would rate it 3.5 stars overall.
August 14, 2024
Great read
I really enjoyed this e-book. Lots of action throughout and now I have no choice at all but to get the second book in the series (hopefully) try it yourself and you won’t be dissociated.
I really enjoyed this e-book. Lots of action throughout and now I have no choice at all but to get the second book in the series (hopefully) try it yourself and you won’t be dissociated.
November 7, 2024
Great saga worthy of your time
As big fan of sci-fi and time travel, this fit the bill. Suspense, back stabbing and tons of drama. Waiting now for part. 😀 This will make great movie I'd watch.
As big fan of sci-fi and time travel, this fit the bill. Suspense, back stabbing and tons of drama. Waiting now for part. 😀 This will make great movie I'd watch.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews