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The Ruined Lands #1
The Eldentree Realm: A Fantasy Harem Novel
An inherited cottage. A hidden world. A passionate adventure.
When Jesse, a down-on-his-luck former Marine, inherits a secluded cottage deep in the Oregon woods, he never expects it to come with a mystical secret. Hidden among its relics, he discovers an ancient amulet and a strange compass—one that doesn’t just shimmer with forgotten magic, but transports him to another the Ruined Lands.
Here, magic breathes through towering forests and lost cities. Jesse’s journey soon entangles him with Liriel, a fierce elven beauty and outcast among her kind, and Inayah, a playful sylph with a tragic past and a sharp tongue. In this untamed realm, alliances are forged in passion as much as in battle, and Jesse quickly finds himself at the center of a growing harem—each woman drawn to him by fate, desire, and the mystery surrounding his arrival.
Between selling ancient treasures on Earth and training for the dangers ahead, Jesse prepares to face the brutal ogre warlord, Grunkar Ironhide, whose reign of terror over the town of Woodbreeze threatens everything. With his Marine instincts, modern firepower, and the fierce devotion of his lovers, Jesse must rise—not just as a warrior, but as a leader, protector, and partner in a world that bends to his will as much as his touch.
A thrilling harem fantasy adventure filled with danger, desire, and immersive worldbuilding.
When Jesse, a down-on-his-luck former Marine, inherits a secluded cottage deep in the Oregon woods, he never expects it to come with a mystical secret. Hidden among its relics, he discovers an ancient amulet and a strange compass—one that doesn’t just shimmer with forgotten magic, but transports him to another the Ruined Lands.
Here, magic breathes through towering forests and lost cities. Jesse’s journey soon entangles him with Liriel, a fierce elven beauty and outcast among her kind, and Inayah, a playful sylph with a tragic past and a sharp tongue. In this untamed realm, alliances are forged in passion as much as in battle, and Jesse quickly finds himself at the center of a growing harem—each woman drawn to him by fate, desire, and the mystery surrounding his arrival.
Between selling ancient treasures on Earth and training for the dangers ahead, Jesse prepares to face the brutal ogre warlord, Grunkar Ironhide, whose reign of terror over the town of Woodbreeze threatens everything. With his Marine instincts, modern firepower, and the fierce devotion of his lovers, Jesse must rise—not just as a warrior, but as a leader, protector, and partner in a world that bends to his will as much as his touch.
A thrilling harem fantasy adventure filled with danger, desire, and immersive worldbuilding.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2025
239 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Julian Reaux
3 books11 followersJulian Reaux is the author of The Ruined Lands Saga, a fantasy harem series that blends adventure, romance, and exploration across magical realms. His writing features strong heroines, non-human romance, and grounded protagonists navigating danger, desire, and the unknown.
When he's not building strange new worlds, Julian enjoys researching myth and folklore, walking his dogs through the quiet woods, and overthinking what weapon his characters would actually carry. He believes magic should be mysterious, monsters should be beautiful (or terrifying), and that sometimes the best way to survive a new world… is to fall in love with it.
You can find him on Instagram at @julianreaux, or support his writing on Patreon at patreon.com/julianreaux.
When he's not building strange new worlds, Julian enjoys researching myth and folklore, walking his dogs through the quiet woods, and overthinking what weapon his characters would actually carry. He believes magic should be mysterious, monsters should be beautiful (or terrifying), and that sometimes the best way to survive a new world… is to fall in love with it.
You can find him on Instagram at @julianreaux, or support his writing on Patreon at patreon.com/julianreaux.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 30, 2025
I DNF this book at about page 90, as it had already combined a few tropes that I really don't like.
The MC gets to have a gun on a world where there are no firearms. They may have magic, but nothing to me is less impressive than a guy that can just shoot and kill animals and monsters with zero effort. Sorry, not sorry.
I'm not fond of the MC getting rich by taking items from another world/realm and bringing them back to get rich on Earth. It just feels gimmicky to allow the MC to have all the toys they want.
And I'm not a fan of the MC bringing back potential harem members to Earth from their non-technological world. It again feels gimmicky in that "Look how cool I am, I can show you all these neat things I had no part of creating. Be impressed by someone else's work!".
Plus, the Mc immediately involves his best friend in all of this supposedly secret multi-verse travelling, which just screams "stupid" to me.
The MC gets to have a gun on a world where there are no firearms. They may have magic, but nothing to me is less impressive than a guy that can just shoot and kill animals and monsters with zero effort. Sorry, not sorry.
I'm not fond of the MC getting rich by taking items from another world/realm and bringing them back to get rich on Earth. It just feels gimmicky to allow the MC to have all the toys they want.
And I'm not a fan of the MC bringing back potential harem members to Earth from their non-technological world. It again feels gimmicky in that "Look how cool I am, I can show you all these neat things I had no part of creating. Be impressed by someone else's work!".
Plus, the Mc immediately involves his best friend in all of this supposedly secret multi-verse travelling, which just screams "stupid" to me.
April 21, 2025
A great read
As a Marine and Army veteran myself i love stories with a veteran as the MC. I especially love them when they are well written and interesting. This book was both. The MC was strong, confident, and a leader without coming off as a narcissist or as an entitled alpha male that alot of harem genre books seem to lean towards lately. Other then the fast pace of the relationships it's a totally relatable and realistic type of relationship. But also considering the emotional baggage each of the lead characters is carrying even that is believable. They each needed and longed for acceptance and love to suddenly find an opportunity for it it's perfectly reasonable they jumped in. Anyway it's and amazing story and I very much looking forward to a book 2. Hopefully very soon.
As a Marine and Army veteran myself i love stories with a veteran as the MC. I especially love them when they are well written and interesting. This book was both. The MC was strong, confident, and a leader without coming off as a narcissist or as an entitled alpha male that alot of harem genre books seem to lean towards lately. Other then the fast pace of the relationships it's a totally relatable and realistic type of relationship. But also considering the emotional baggage each of the lead characters is carrying even that is believable. They each needed and longed for acceptance and love to suddenly find an opportunity for it it's perfectly reasonable they jumped in. Anyway it's and amazing story and I very much looking forward to a book 2. Hopefully very soon.
March 31, 2025
Fun book and a different take on "Backyard Dungeon".
The concept/story of this book is very similar if not the same as Backyard Dungeon by Logan Jacob. Several identical things in the 2 different series but I would say this is better written. I liked that this 1st book is much longer which allows the world and the characters to be more fleshed out. Also there isn't is many cringey tropes. While this is a harem story I think it's pretty well done at least in this 1st book. There is a couple things that I find annoying for example how often the phrase "my love" is used once they start calling each other that lol. Overall I like this book and recommend giving it a try. I look forward to book 2. Ps( Not hating on backyard dungeon by Logan Jacob's as I read that series up to book 11 and enjoyed it for what it was.)
The concept/story of this book is very similar if not the same as Backyard Dungeon by Logan Jacob. Several identical things in the 2 different series but I would say this is better written. I liked that this 1st book is much longer which allows the world and the characters to be more fleshed out. Also there isn't is many cringey tropes. While this is a harem story I think it's pretty well done at least in this 1st book. There is a couple things that I find annoying for example how often the phrase "my love" is used once they start calling each other that lol. Overall I like this book and recommend giving it a try. I look forward to book 2. Ps( Not hating on backyard dungeon by Logan Jacob's as I read that series up to book 11 and enjoyed it for what it was.)
April 13, 2025
Awesome slice of Life portal fantasy
The story is portal fantasy with the military vet MC gaining access to a portal to another world.
Its mostly slice of life with the MC exploring the new world and showing earth to his other world companion.
It's got some base building, progression elements as well as the MC grows through exploration.
If you are looking for a nail biting, action packed adventure... I would say this isn't the book for you.
If you want some adventure, some action mixed in with romance, spice and slice of life... This is absolutely for you.
I really enjoyed it and I think it will work even better when there's more books to deepen the world building and lore.
The characters are all fun and fairly simple. Simple motivations and simple progression. But I personally enjoy that.
Can't wait for more!
The story is portal fantasy with the military vet MC gaining access to a portal to another world.
Its mostly slice of life with the MC exploring the new world and showing earth to his other world companion.
It's got some base building, progression elements as well as the MC grows through exploration.
If you are looking for a nail biting, action packed adventure... I would say this isn't the book for you.
If you want some adventure, some action mixed in with romance, spice and slice of life... This is absolutely for you.
I really enjoyed it and I think it will work even better when there's more books to deepen the world building and lore.
The characters are all fun and fairly simple. Simple motivations and simple progression. But I personally enjoy that.
Can't wait for more!
April 3, 2025
Great Start
This was a fun read and a thoroughly enjoyable experience overall. The last book I read that was similar was “A guy, three girls ,and a portal”. Unfortunately, it was not as well written, was not read by enough people, and the author dropped the series after book two. The world building, characters, and plot of this book are great and I hope it does well. I’m looking forward to book 2. Thank you Julian Reaux for providing such a well executed storyline.
This was a fun read and a thoroughly enjoyable experience overall. The last book I read that was similar was “A guy, three girls ,and a portal”. Unfortunately, it was not as well written, was not read by enough people, and the author dropped the series after book two. The world building, characters, and plot of this book are great and I hope it does well. I’m looking forward to book 2. Thank you Julian Reaux for providing such a well executed storyline.
April 7, 2025
Fantastic new series from a new author
This genre is sometimes filled with many copy and paste stories, but sometimes you can still stand out from the crowd. This book exemplifies that to a tee. Great characters with meaningful relationships. A good amount of steam and some good fighting action. If the rest of this series is just as good, this might quickly become one of my favorite series.
This genre is sometimes filled with many copy and paste stories, but sometimes you can still stand out from the crowd. This book exemplifies that to a tee. Great characters with meaningful relationships. A good amount of steam and some good fighting action. If the rest of this series is just as good, this might quickly become one of my favorite series.
April 16, 2025
Love this story!
This was a great rendition of a portal/isekai story. I enjoy the mechanic where the main character can move between the magical world and earth. The Eldentree Realm did a lot of great things with a very believable and dense set of characters. They were all very well thought out and given time to grow and for us to get to know them. The romance was handled very believably and in a way that felt real. I am very much looking forward to the next book!
This was a great rendition of a portal/isekai story. I enjoy the mechanic where the main character can move between the magical world and earth. The Eldentree Realm did a lot of great things with a very believable and dense set of characters. They were all very well thought out and given time to grow and for us to get to know them. The romance was handled very believably and in a way that felt real. I am very much looking forward to the next book!
April 12, 2025
Eldentree
It was one of the better reads I have discovered. The storyline was very captivating whilst still providing adequate "scenes" of the personal (sides) of the yarn. Looking forward to the next one.
It was one of the better reads I have discovered. The storyline was very captivating whilst still providing adequate "scenes" of the personal (sides) of the yarn. Looking forward to the next one.
May 8, 2025
A great beginning!!
For a first book this is an exceptional beginning!! Character development was awesome, world building was good without being overly specific!! Plenty of room for the characters to grow as their world does!!! I'm definitely looking forward to more from this author!!!
For a first book this is an exceptional beginning!! Character development was awesome, world building was good without being overly specific!! Plenty of room for the characters to grow as their world does!!! I'm definitely looking forward to more from this author!!!
June 18, 2025
Didn't finish: chapter 17/23
Same premise as Backyard Dungeon, but not quite as charming, not as well-written (amateur writer I'm guessing), and it shares the same problem that BD had as that series progressed: too much screen time given to Earth side characters. In fact, it's even worse here; it felt like the fantasy world aspect only made up about 25% of the story I've read so far.
The romance, it was nothing memorable: rushed, bland, forced chemistry, lacking substance. This was a huge letdown for me. Since I liked the romance with Ibseth (Night Elf, first love interest) in the BD series, I was expecting to like this one too.
My personal rating: 1.5 stars, bumped up to 2 since there wasn't anything I really disliked enough to warrant a 1 star rating.
Same premise as Backyard Dungeon, but not quite as charming, not as well-written (amateur writer I'm guessing), and it shares the same problem that BD had as that series progressed: too much screen time given to Earth side characters. In fact, it's even worse here; it felt like the fantasy world aspect only made up about 25% of the story I've read so far.
The romance, it was nothing memorable: rushed, bland, forced chemistry, lacking substance. This was a huge letdown for me. Since I liked the romance with Ibseth (Night Elf, first love interest) in the BD series, I was expecting to like this one too.
My personal rating: 1.5 stars, bumped up to 2 since there wasn't anything I really disliked enough to warrant a 1 star rating.
June 30, 2025
Excellent read
fast moving, tight story arc. Nice blend of action, exploration, and romance
elements. Looking forward to the next installment.
Thanks for a enjoyable read.
fast moving, tight story arc. Nice blend of action, exploration, and romance
elements. Looking forward to the next installment.
Thanks for a enjoyable read.
April 23, 2025
Great new series
Nice start to the series. Interesting characters and premise. Glad to see the Marines are on the case. Hope for many more books in this series.
Nice start to the series. Interesting characters and premise. Glad to see the Marines are on the case. Hope for many more books in this series.
July 18, 2025
Great fun
Really really fun read, I enjoyed every moment of this book. Great story, loveable characters, just a really enjoyable read.
Really really fun read, I enjoyed every moment of this book. Great story, loveable characters, just a really enjoyable read.
May 9, 2025
Well done
Good story by a newer author. Really well written and thought out. This author is definitely one to watch out for.
Good story by a newer author. Really well written and thought out. This author is definitely one to watch out for.
July 10, 2025
Loved it and can't wait for the next one. Would like to see the extended stories of the crew and how their lives have changed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2025
A Great Start
I truly enjoyed the characters, the pace and the story line. Who doesn’t enjoy heroes saving others. I’m looking forward to the next book.
I truly enjoyed the characters, the pace and the story line. Who doesn’t enjoy heroes saving others. I’m looking forward to the next book.
June 10, 2025
I really wanted to like this book as the plot summary and my understanding of what the genre is (I thought it would be based on MMC's harem but that ended up not really developing or being the focus of this book) seemed right in my wheelhouse. While I was very happy with some aspects of the book (adventure, exploration, fantasy, sweet loving romance) they were either very small parts of the story or ended up getting boring.
Over 80% of the book seems like tedious filler that doesn't advance the plot. For some reason most of their time was spent on planet Earth (there is an exciting, dangerous and rewarding foreign world to explore why spend most of the book describing mundane tasks on Earth such as driving, making food, eating, fishing (this was not on Earth, but still, if you would describe them watching paint dry it would be just as interesting to me), going for walks, doing laundry, lazing around, doing lots of shopping (which I don't even want to do in real life why would I want to read about it?), and time spent with his bruv Alex.
As I was saying, most of the book is spent describing dry, boring tasks (work, planning, prep, chores, meetings, selling, shopping, cooking, etc)...why would I put off doing chores at home so I can read fiction about a guy doing chores (especially when he could be meeting exciting and exotic women or finding mysterious and wonderful magic items instead)? The story got so boring and mundane I ended up skimming large parts of it.
There's not enough excitement/time spent in the Ruined Lands - this book desperately needs more adventure, exploration/treasure, combat, meeting exciting new people and magic. Another disappointment is the lack of magic and magic items - finding healing magic or a healer, various magic rings, items and artifacts would be amazing. This is another missed opportunity as, almost unbelievably, they didn't find a single magic item in the entire book! What? The next two women to join the 'harem' (polyamorous relationships with lesbian lovers is more accurate) should be a healer and wizard.
Anyway, when the title of a book contains the word “Harem” I have certain expectations for the book. The book blurb contains outright lies when it says ‘quickly growing harem’ (it seemed to take a long time and was a tiny part of the story) and the word ‘thrilling’ (not even close). If the author actually decides to focus on the exciting elements of adventure, exploration, magic and magic items and meeting, building relationships with and having sex with exotic women in the next book it could easily be 4 or 5 stars. If book 2 spends 80% or more stuck on Earth and/or describing mundane and boring day to day activities it won't be worth the time spent reading it.
Over 80% of the book seems like tedious filler that doesn't advance the plot. For some reason most of their time was spent on planet Earth (there is an exciting, dangerous and rewarding foreign world to explore why spend most of the book describing mundane tasks on Earth such as driving, making food, eating, fishing (this was not on Earth, but still, if you would describe them watching paint dry it would be just as interesting to me), going for walks, doing laundry, lazing around, doing lots of shopping (which I don't even want to do in real life why would I want to read about it?), and time spent with his bruv Alex.
As I was saying, most of the book is spent describing dry, boring tasks (work, planning, prep, chores, meetings, selling, shopping, cooking, etc)...why would I put off doing chores at home so I can read fiction about a guy doing chores (especially when he could be meeting exciting and exotic women or finding mysterious and wonderful magic items instead)? The story got so boring and mundane I ended up skimming large parts of it.
There's not enough excitement/time spent in the Ruined Lands - this book desperately needs more adventure, exploration/treasure, combat, meeting exciting new people and magic. Another disappointment is the lack of magic and magic items - finding healing magic or a healer, various magic rings, items and artifacts would be amazing. This is another missed opportunity as, almost unbelievably, they didn't find a single magic item in the entire book! What? The next two women to join the 'harem' (polyamorous relationships with lesbian lovers is more accurate) should be a healer and wizard.
Anyway, when the title of a book contains the word “Harem” I have certain expectations for the book. The book blurb contains outright lies when it says ‘quickly growing harem’ (it seemed to take a long time and was a tiny part of the story) and the word ‘thrilling’ (not even close). If the author actually decides to focus on the exciting elements of adventure, exploration, magic and magic items and meeting, building relationships with and having sex with exotic women in the next book it could easily be 4 or 5 stars. If book 2 spends 80% or more stuck on Earth and/or describing mundane and boring day to day activities it won't be worth the time spent reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2025
An extremely well written and interesting story
The detail of the descriptions of everything from the law offices to the Eldentree forest and the various inhabitants was very engaging. As a foodie, I appreciated the descriptions of various meals, attire and tactics of the various parts of the story. Even though I personally despise donughts and am not a fan of the unhealth foods that Americans consume.
The author also touched upon some social, religious and relationship concerns of our time. From human technologies' impact on the environment, to the poor treatment of veterans, to monogamy vs polygamy. All told, this was a very wel done story that made sense. The MC didnt go off into adventure half cocked, but with reasonable plans. He also sought out help to accomplish his goals as well as a way to help out his struggling comrades in arms.
The detail of the descriptions of everything from the law offices to the Eldentree forest and the various inhabitants was very engaging. As a foodie, I appreciated the descriptions of various meals, attire and tactics of the various parts of the story. Even though I personally despise donughts and am not a fan of the unhealth foods that Americans consume.
The author also touched upon some social, religious and relationship concerns of our time. From human technologies' impact on the environment, to the poor treatment of veterans, to monogamy vs polygamy. All told, this was a very wel done story that made sense. The MC didnt go off into adventure half cocked, but with reasonable plans. He also sought out help to accomplish his goals as well as a way to help out his struggling comrades in arms.
July 22, 2025
Ehh. interesting enough
The story is interesting enough. The claims of the MC being an ‘archaeologist’ is not so much.
The MC is a grave robber. A tomb raider without the tits. He’s not looking to find truths or history, just stealing gold and gems to sell.
The entire archaeological angle the author was going for is a moot point, and is insulting to actual archaeologists.
The entire guns guns guns angle as well… eh. There’s no real difficulty there, because it’s a god machine that will always produce.
All in all it’s an ok story.
The story is interesting enough. The claims of the MC being an ‘archaeologist’ is not so much.
The MC is a grave robber. A tomb raider without the tits. He’s not looking to find truths or history, just stealing gold and gems to sell.
The entire archaeological angle the author was going for is a moot point, and is insulting to actual archaeologists.
The entire guns guns guns angle as well… eh. There’s no real difficulty there, because it’s a god machine that will always produce.
All in all it’s an ok story.
September 20, 2025
A fair enough book for a first publication. Theirs a lot of possibility for improvement of the writing on several fronts.
Sadly the audiobook narration also needs improvement. Male (primary) narrator performance fluctuates in voice quality along with various errors slipping in. Volume of one of the female voices also shifts in the latter part of the book to the point where conversation sequences become awkward to listen to. Bordering on requiring use of the volume controls. Quality issues. I've noticed before from titles published by RGP.
Sadly the audiobook narration also needs improvement. Male (primary) narrator performance fluctuates in voice quality along with various errors slipping in. Volume of one of the female voices also shifts in the latter part of the book to the point where conversation sequences become awkward to listen to. Bordering on requiring use of the volume controls. Quality issues. I've noticed before from titles published by RGP.
October 26, 2025
Overall pretty good for what it is, but fails to distinguish itself in any significant way. I do like that the author addresses the PTSD issues of soldiers in GWOT conflicts, as I have problems like that as well. It was good/interesting enough to read book 2, so we'll see how it goes.
April 27, 2025
Well Paced
This was a nice easy read and not the typical story I was expecting. No real magic framework set though there is magic and the epilogue was amazingly well done.
This was a nice easy read and not the typical story I was expecting. No real magic framework set though there is magic and the epilogue was amazingly well done.
June 1, 2025
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
August 19, 2025
super glad I found this
Action plot moves at a good pace. Romance plots maintain interest. Thanks for highlighting disabled veterans. Downloading the next volume now.
Action plot moves at a good pace. Romance plots maintain interest. Thanks for highlighting disabled veterans. Downloading the next volume now.
November 2, 2025
thouraly enjoyed this book, getting ready to dive into book two! Julian Reaux is an awesome writer!
August 19, 2025
amazing feel-good story. thank you, I really needed that.
greetings from Sweden.
greetings from Sweden.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews