The Forge: The Great Plan - A Novella

by David Cornford

Blazing red eyes with flames for pupils regarded Nidar. Their savage intensity scoured away all thought and ignited terrible, fearful anxiety. There was an insatiable hunger in their depths and Nidar could feel that hunger reaching for her. Those eyes did not want to just kill her, they wanted to devour her.

Welcome to Foji. Welcome to The Forge.

Nidar is a saikushi, a unique type of kishpu that can use the open nexus on Foji to craft powerful artefacts imbued with the energies of Anki. She is plagued by nightmares that she cannot control and as they intensify, she realises that the only way to stop them is to make a bargain which she may live to regret and that will have irrevocable consequences for the realm.

Chronologically, The Forge is set before The Great Collapse and therefore before the events of Chosen Of The Dark Realm, book 1 of The Great Plan.

Genres: Fantasy

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2025

About the author

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David Cornford has been writing ever since David Gemmell invited him into his home, made him a cup of tea and tried to explain that Rocky was the best movie ever made. Holding Snaga The Sender, looking up at a wall of pistols from the John Shannow novels, he knew he had found his calling.

Born in Canada, raised in England and then let loose on the world, David has lived in India, America and now calls Western Australia home.

When he is not lost to his writing, David enjoys trying to grow every sort of fruit and vegetable and watching anything apocalyptic. He is supported by his wife of unfathomable patience and his bemused daughter who is a pixie-mermaid-fairy.

Facebook: Facebook.com/davidcornford
Instagram: instagram.com/davidcornfordauthor

Reviews

[Jethpage · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Foji's purpose is both prevention and preparation. It's time for its purpose to change"

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's a good in-between for the first and next book. If I remember correctly, based on the last part of Chosen Of The Dark Realm, it seems we will be in Fōji next. The novella did a good job of giving more context to it by showing me a glimpse of its history and its intended role in the War. I also thought Geme would play a bigger role, she was in the first chapter warning Nadir about what she was saying and reminding her how fortunate they were that there’s a place like Foji. I thought she would be there along with Uru, to stop her When I heard there was going to be a novella about the events before the Great Collapse, I thought it was going to be about the Dragons and how they came to be responsible for guarding Anki against Kur, nevertheless, it was a good read and enjoyed it!

Thank you for the ARC and I'm Looking forward to the next!

[Helen Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

This book draws you in, breaks your heart and sparks a feeling of excitement at the anticipation of the next chapter of the story!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. It is the beginning of the The chosen of the Dark Realm. I really enjoyed it. I love the background of the MCs. I think it is so very cool that they can go to the different worlds. I dont like that it is painful for them. But everything has a price. I am really looking forward to the next one. I like the way the story is set up and cant wait to follow along. I am involved with it all. David Cornford makes it easy to get wrapped up the story.