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Stonelands
In a secret mountaintop complex, military researchers have discovered a portal linking Earth to an immeasurably distant world, rich with materials critical to America's theoretical weapons program. A shadowy government agency scours the Special Operations community, assembling the most elite and secretive team in the history of warfare to explore the alien world and bring back its secrets.
When a reconnaissance operation devolves into an all-out war against a host of terrors long faded to legend, a ragtag band of survivors uncovers a conspiracy stretching from the corridors of power in D.C. to the farthest reaches of the galaxy.
Hunted by their former comrades, and facing an inhuman army hell-bent on stopping any incursion, the survivors realize the fight they've chosen has only just begun . . . and is far larger than they could have imagined.
When a reconnaissance operation devolves into an all-out war against a host of terrors long faded to legend, a ragtag band of survivors uncovers a conspiracy stretching from the corridors of power in D.C. to the farthest reaches of the galaxy.
Hunted by their former comrades, and facing an inhuman army hell-bent on stopping any incursion, the survivors realize the fight they've chosen has only just begun . . . and is far larger than they could have imagined.
458 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2025
About the author
Joseph Malik
3 books71 followersJoseph Malik is an author, adventurer, swordsman, and retired gunslinger for the Illuminati. His debut novel, Dragon’s Trail, sold over 10,000 copies in eighteen months while receiving mainstream critical acclaim, qualifying him for the 2017 and 2018 John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in Science Fiction and Fantasy.
Raised in a traditional Blackfeet home in East Glacier Park, MT, he has been a longtime panelist and demonstrator at science fiction and fantasy conventions, sought-after for his expertise in outdoorsmanship, edged weaponry, and warfighting, as well as his personal history of doing all his characters’ stunts–from BASE jumping to blacksmithing. This level of experience and hands-on knowledge have allowed him to create a series of military fantasy novels that do for knights in armor what The Hunt for Red October did for the nuclear submarine.
Medically retired from the U.S. Army for combat-related injuries in 2022, his assignments and attachments included USSOCOM, USASOC, Joint Special Operations Task Forces, and the Defense Intelligence Agency. He attended the French Foreign Legion Desert Commando School in the Horn of Africa, and has helped train and advise militaries and intelligence organizations around the world.
Dragon’s Trail became a Kindle #1 bestseller in Epic Fantasy in the U.S., Australia, and Canada, and reached #1 in Kindle Sword and Sorcery in the UK. as well as becoming a Barnes & Noble Nook bestseller. The followup, The New Magic, launched into the Kindle Epic Fantasy Top 50 New Releases and reached #23 on Goodreads’ recommendation list for the 2019 Hugo award.
He holds a B.A. in English from the University of Washington with a linguistics minor, and studied counterintelligence and domestic terrorism at American Military University. He is a full member of SFWA, represented by Sarah Hershman at Hershman Rights Management, NY.
Joseph Malik and his wife homestead on Puget Sound.
His forthcoming book, I Wrote a Novel About a Woke Special Ops Team and Broke the Brains of People who Failed the ASVAB: A Memoir will be out shortly. Be sure to read the review-bombs left on Stonelands for context.
Raised in a traditional Blackfeet home in East Glacier Park, MT, he has been a longtime panelist and demonstrator at science fiction and fantasy conventions, sought-after for his expertise in outdoorsmanship, edged weaponry, and warfighting, as well as his personal history of doing all his characters’ stunts–from BASE jumping to blacksmithing. This level of experience and hands-on knowledge have allowed him to create a series of military fantasy novels that do for knights in armor what The Hunt for Red October did for the nuclear submarine.
Medically retired from the U.S. Army for combat-related injuries in 2022, his assignments and attachments included USSOCOM, USASOC, Joint Special Operations Task Forces, and the Defense Intelligence Agency. He attended the French Foreign Legion Desert Commando School in the Horn of Africa, and has helped train and advise militaries and intelligence organizations around the world.
Dragon’s Trail became a Kindle #1 bestseller in Epic Fantasy in the U.S., Australia, and Canada, and reached #1 in Kindle Sword and Sorcery in the UK. as well as becoming a Barnes & Noble Nook bestseller. The followup, The New Magic, launched into the Kindle Epic Fantasy Top 50 New Releases and reached #23 on Goodreads’ recommendation list for the 2019 Hugo award.
He holds a B.A. in English from the University of Washington with a linguistics minor, and studied counterintelligence and domestic terrorism at American Military University. He is a full member of SFWA, represented by Sarah Hershman at Hershman Rights Management, NY.
Joseph Malik and his wife homestead on Puget Sound.
His forthcoming book, I Wrote a Novel About a Woke Special Ops Team and Broke the Brains of People who Failed the ASVAB: A Memoir will be out shortly. Be sure to read the review-bombs left on Stonelands for context.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 7, 2025
Malik is one of those authors whose works I'll read on principal, knowing that they'll be outstanding. This novel uses the same world as his previous ones, albeit at a different location and characters so it's independent from the others.
What to Expect
Expect a portal-fantasy story of military forces from our world finding and exploring an alien world. There's a lot of US military jargon, clashing of units, corporate and personal interests, and - of course - a view into an alien fantasy world and its natives.
We follow Logan, an ex-Foreign Legion commando and current archaeology professor, as he's recruited for both his specialties in desert survival and ancient Norse culture. He's taken to a remote base operating a special mission, and from there through a found portal on exploration of another world and encounters with the special, elf-like inhabitants.
The plots twists, loyalties shift, personalities and values clash, and we're taken on a wonderful journey that explores humanity as much as it is about exploring a world.
What I liked
I love Malik's depiction of army life, based on personal experiences (minus the portal to other worlds, one would hope). He does that flawlessly and believably, building and introducing information in ways that don't detract from the reader's absorption in the story but feel natural.
Malik is also the master of pacing. He's adept of showing how keeping things moving doesn't necessarily mean non-stop action, but rather the sense of urgency that keeps you turning pages (Of course, the action scenes are bloody brilliant, let's not ignore them!).
Add a unique and incredibly well thought-out world and believable, relatable characters, and this novel is a joy to read.
What to be aware of
Don't read this if you're a Navy SEAL. Malik goes into the difference between various special forces / operations units and the characteristics and goals of each, which is illuminating for someone not steeped in US military traditions or modern weaponry, but could be confronting for the blindly nationalistic and fanatical.
Felix's and Jack's Reviews
Felix was laconically unsurprised to see that militaries have changed so much and yet so little from his time at the legions. He was also in awe about how much destruction can modern weaponry - and the discipline in using them - can wreak. Even better than the battle-magic he had witnessed.
Jack was cynical for other reasons, knowing our modern governments penchant to shoot-first type responses. He's much happier that in his world a lot of the extra-planar relationships have already been sorted by treaties, so that outside of the occasional carnivorous unicorn he doesn't need the army to deal with such encounters. Still, if he ever needed it, he's sure Logan would be both extremely handy and a fun companion in pubs for drinks and trivia.
Summary
Excellent novel if the combination of portal low-fantasy with modern military thriller sounds appealing to you.
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck are those Felix and Jack fellows? Glad you asked! Felix is the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome, and Jack is the police detective running the Unusual Crimes Squad, dealing in occult crimes in modern-day Australia.
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
Expect a portal-fantasy story of military forces from our world finding and exploring an alien world. There's a lot of US military jargon, clashing of units, corporate and personal interests, and - of course - a view into an alien fantasy world and its natives.
We follow Logan, an ex-Foreign Legion commando and current archaeology professor, as he's recruited for both his specialties in desert survival and ancient Norse culture. He's taken to a remote base operating a special mission, and from there through a found portal on exploration of another world and encounters with the special, elf-like inhabitants.
The plots twists, loyalties shift, personalities and values clash, and we're taken on a wonderful journey that explores humanity as much as it is about exploring a world.
What I liked
I love Malik's depiction of army life, based on personal experiences (minus the portal to other worlds, one would hope). He does that flawlessly and believably, building and introducing information in ways that don't detract from the reader's absorption in the story but feel natural.
Malik is also the master of pacing. He's adept of showing how keeping things moving doesn't necessarily mean non-stop action, but rather the sense of urgency that keeps you turning pages (Of course, the action scenes are bloody brilliant, let's not ignore them!).
Add a unique and incredibly well thought-out world and believable, relatable characters, and this novel is a joy to read.
What to be aware of
Don't read this if you're a Navy SEAL. Malik goes into the difference between various special forces / operations units and the characteristics and goals of each, which is illuminating for someone not steeped in US military traditions or modern weaponry, but could be confronting for the blindly nationalistic and fanatical.
Felix's and Jack's Reviews
Felix was laconically unsurprised to see that militaries have changed so much and yet so little from his time at the legions. He was also in awe about how much destruction can modern weaponry - and the discipline in using them - can wreak. Even better than the battle-magic he had witnessed.
Jack was cynical for other reasons, knowing our modern governments penchant to shoot-first type responses. He's much happier that in his world a lot of the extra-planar relationships have already been sorted by treaties, so that outside of the occasional carnivorous unicorn he doesn't need the army to deal with such encounters. Still, if he ever needed it, he's sure Logan would be both extremely handy and a fun companion in pubs for drinks and trivia.
Summary
Excellent novel if the combination of portal low-fantasy with modern military thriller sounds appealing to you.
--
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck are those Felix and Jack fellows? Glad you asked! Felix is the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome, and Jack is the police detective running the Unusual Crimes Squad, dealing in occult crimes in modern-day Australia.
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
September 3, 2025
Loved this from cover to cover. If you are any flavor of writer read this man. You will never write violence the same way, again.
May 23, 2026
Have you ever heard of hard military isekai? Hard in this case carrying the same meaning as in hard science fiction. No? Haven’t heard of it? Me either – except this.
I wouldn’t be surprised if its actually a thing already, with its own fandom of hardcore followers who argue over the impact a ley line would have on the ballistics of small caliber weapons.
People like that would love Stonelands.
As a teenager, I read my fair share of action/techno thrillers. Stories of badass operatives with amazing gadgets on secret missions behind enemy lines. Adventure stories, but with a heavy focus on the gadgets and skills and knowledge of the people involved. It’s not just about shooting the enemy, it’s also about the weapon, the bullets, the aiming, and the history of covert operations warfare. In other words, it’s about all the little detail.
Perhaps most importantly, these are stories told with the kind of confidence that removes any doubt at the moment of reading.
Books like that fascinated me, but none of them ever included a portal to a magical world. None of them had elves or magic, until now.
Stonelands, as well as the author’s previous books, are built around the idea of what would happen if a fighter/warrior/soldier, with cutting edge expertise from today’s real world, were to end up in a fantasy world. I don’t think that idea is necessary new, but the way it’s executed here is (at least to me).
We don’t end up with an earthling human being an awesome superhero who beats up everyone and their unicorn. What we get is a detailed imagining of what it actually might be like to introduce earth’s tools, knowledge, and technologies to fantasy warfare.
It’s not someone’s self-insert power fantasy, it’s detailed and well-researched speculation – kinda like hard scifi.
In Stonelands a portal to a different world has been located by a secret military operation (with nearly unlimited funding), and on the other side, they’ve found a rare but incredibly valuable substance they want to get their hands on.
Logan, a retired commando and our main character, gets asked to spearhead the operation. Then, there are complications, and yes, those complications include elves and dragons and the effect of the foreign world’s atmosphere on sniper fire.
The complications also include some pretty serious conflicts within the team sent through the portals. It all gets very messy very fast, and it’s highly enjoyable.
What I’ll whine about
Romance and sex. I don’t mind a good romance, and I’ve enjoyed reading about people having sex. Unfortunately, the romance part of the story doesn’t merge well with the military action parts. The techno thriller aspect of the story is brilliant and full of confidence, and it’s a joy to read. The romance lacks that depth and attitude, and the contrast between the two parts of the story becomes a little jarring.
What I’ll gush about
Confidence. You may have caught on already, but I really enjoyed the confidence of the story. The narrative voice is heavy with authority, and as a casual reader, there’s no doubt that what I’m reading is accurate. What I described about the story’s focus on details and mechanics might make it seem dry and boring, but the way the story is told, these details become fascinating facts that make me feel like I’m the expert in the room just for knowing them. Silly, perhaps, but very enjoyable in the moment.
Theme. One of the main themes of the story is that everything is chaos. There are no big conspiracies to cover up the dark and dirty secrets of the world. People are just scrambling to compensate for all the things that keep going wrong all the time – usually for entirely mundane, but stupid, reasons.
This aligns very well with my own world view, so it was fun to read something that played into that.
Final Words
If you ever wondered what a mix of portal fantasy and techno thriller would be like, check out Stonelands.
I wouldn’t be surprised if its actually a thing already, with its own fandom of hardcore followers who argue over the impact a ley line would have on the ballistics of small caliber weapons.
People like that would love Stonelands.
As a teenager, I read my fair share of action/techno thrillers. Stories of badass operatives with amazing gadgets on secret missions behind enemy lines. Adventure stories, but with a heavy focus on the gadgets and skills and knowledge of the people involved. It’s not just about shooting the enemy, it’s also about the weapon, the bullets, the aiming, and the history of covert operations warfare. In other words, it’s about all the little detail.
Perhaps most importantly, these are stories told with the kind of confidence that removes any doubt at the moment of reading.
Books like that fascinated me, but none of them ever included a portal to a magical world. None of them had elves or magic, until now.
Stonelands, as well as the author’s previous books, are built around the idea of what would happen if a fighter/warrior/soldier, with cutting edge expertise from today’s real world, were to end up in a fantasy world. I don’t think that idea is necessary new, but the way it’s executed here is (at least to me).
We don’t end up with an earthling human being an awesome superhero who beats up everyone and their unicorn. What we get is a detailed imagining of what it actually might be like to introduce earth’s tools, knowledge, and technologies to fantasy warfare.
It’s not someone’s self-insert power fantasy, it’s detailed and well-researched speculation – kinda like hard scifi.
In Stonelands a portal to a different world has been located by a secret military operation (with nearly unlimited funding), and on the other side, they’ve found a rare but incredibly valuable substance they want to get their hands on.
Logan, a retired commando and our main character, gets asked to spearhead the operation. Then, there are complications, and yes, those complications include elves and dragons and the effect of the foreign world’s atmosphere on sniper fire.
The complications also include some pretty serious conflicts within the team sent through the portals. It all gets very messy very fast, and it’s highly enjoyable.
What I’ll whine about
Romance and sex. I don’t mind a good romance, and I’ve enjoyed reading about people having sex. Unfortunately, the romance part of the story doesn’t merge well with the military action parts. The techno thriller aspect of the story is brilliant and full of confidence, and it’s a joy to read. The romance lacks that depth and attitude, and the contrast between the two parts of the story becomes a little jarring.
What I’ll gush about
Confidence. You may have caught on already, but I really enjoyed the confidence of the story. The narrative voice is heavy with authority, and as a casual reader, there’s no doubt that what I’m reading is accurate. What I described about the story’s focus on details and mechanics might make it seem dry and boring, but the way the story is told, these details become fascinating facts that make me feel like I’m the expert in the room just for knowing them. Silly, perhaps, but very enjoyable in the moment.
Theme. One of the main themes of the story is that everything is chaos. There are no big conspiracies to cover up the dark and dirty secrets of the world. People are just scrambling to compensate for all the things that keep going wrong all the time – usually for entirely mundane, but stupid, reasons.
This aligns very well with my own world view, so it was fun to read something that played into that.
Final Words
If you ever wondered what a mix of portal fantasy and techno thriller would be like, check out Stonelands.
July 12, 2026
This book is labeled as a military low portal fantasy and I have to agree with that.
Only having bookish military expertise I had to reread some parts so the details did not escape me.
This world is harsh, violent and captivating.
The names for the lands, the people were fun to read, so many cultures and religions are implemented.
What strikes me is that greed will always be a main factor in warfare and that it is always decided in corporate headquarters without any regard for the people actually fighting those wars and the people who like to peacefully protect themselves.
The main characters have a history of violence and their believes are tested the hard way. What an adventure they end up with and how different their paths guide them. Captivating story.
Only having bookish military expertise I had to reread some parts so the details did not escape me.
This world is harsh, violent and captivating.
The names for the lands, the people were fun to read, so many cultures and religions are implemented.
What strikes me is that greed will always be a main factor in warfare and that it is always decided in corporate headquarters without any regard for the people actually fighting those wars and the people who like to peacefully protect themselves.
The main characters have a history of violence and their believes are tested the hard way. What an adventure they end up with and how different their paths guide them. Captivating story.
September 4, 2025
Bizarre lengthy scatological descriptions, pretentious, and full of the worst kinds of Marvel movie dialogue. I was so shocked by the oddly sexual and frankly misogynist rambling and ravings that I looked up the author and he is stolen valor, which is absolutely shameful. Avoid.
September 30, 2025
Joseph Malik’s Stonelands is a masterclass in storytelling, a gut-punching blend of military special operations and portal fantasy that will grab and pull you into a covert and off-the-books mission so realistically told that the book had to be cleared by the Defense Office of Prepublication Security Review. As a retired Command Sergeant Major with 25 years in the U.S. Army, I can say with authority: this book is the real deal. Malik, a brother-in-arms and fellow disabled veteran, channels his elite special operations military experience into a narrative so vivid you’ll swear you’re boots-on-ground with his characters. This is no armchair fantasy! Stonelands is a brilliant example of how a Joint Task Force of special operators, assembled, influenced, and funded through a private defense organization, would set up for reconnaissance and mission operations through a portal to an off-world area of operation (AOR). Joseph delivers on every front!
The story follows a retired French Foreign Legion commando, who is an American citizen, and a female Major who serves as the team’s sniper, along with their other team members who are senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and US Navy Seals, both officers and senior NCOs, who are thrust into a cross-worlds discovery that tests their grit, loyalty, and survival instincts. Malik's world-building is unforgiving, blending modern Special Ops tactics with a supernatural world as tangible as the grime under your fingernails and the funk of human sweat after days on patrol. His imperfect, human, and flawed characters are the equivalent of the gravity of their actions, executed through heart-stopping operations that have you reading in the early morning hours. His character dialogue is raw with unflinching give-and-take you might hear on a forward operating base, addressing the tough subjects of homophobia, racism, and sexism head-on. This is not preachy, it's realistic and in your face. It’s the way warriors talk, process, and push through the mess of human nature and combat operations while getting the job done. Malik nails it, and anyone claiming otherwise hasn’t spent a day in the suck.
Let me address the elephant in the room: the malicious one-star reviews posted on other social media platforms, such as Goodreads, targeting this book. First, the claim of a sexual assault described in Stonelands is flat-out false. No such scene exists! Read it yourself and call it out for the lie it is. Second, the accusation that Malik never served and is guilty of stolen valor is not just wrong, it’s a disgraceful attack on a veteran’s honor. I know Joseph. He’s a disabled U.S. Army veteran who served with distinction in USSOCOM and Joint Special Operations Task Forces. As previously mentioned, his manuscript was so authentic it required Pentagon, USSOCOM, and DIA declassification review. See the page stamped with clearance for publication after heavy redactions. That’s not the work of a poser! That’s a soldier who’s been there, done that, and earned the scars to prove it. These attacks are nothing, but narcissistic hit jobs meant to tear down a good man and a phenomenal writer. Don’t buy the noise. See them for what they are, petty, malicious, and false!
Stonelands builds on the greatness of Malik's Dragon's Trail and The New Magic, and takes it up another notch with high-octane writing, more nuanced character development, and a plot that will keep you turning pages. His inclusion of modern weaponry, tactics and procedures, political influence of missions, the ridiculous BS that warriors must endure while operating in indescribably harsh and hostile environments is a testament to those who’ve served. Stonelands is a nod to the complexities of military life, and a damn fine story for anyone who craves action with heart. If you want a book that respects your time, challenges your thinking, and delivers a knockout punch, Stonelands is it. Five stars, no question about it!
Allen V. Cheesman
CSM, US Army Retired
The story follows a retired French Foreign Legion commando, who is an American citizen, and a female Major who serves as the team’s sniper, along with their other team members who are senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and US Navy Seals, both officers and senior NCOs, who are thrust into a cross-worlds discovery that tests their grit, loyalty, and survival instincts. Malik's world-building is unforgiving, blending modern Special Ops tactics with a supernatural world as tangible as the grime under your fingernails and the funk of human sweat after days on patrol. His imperfect, human, and flawed characters are the equivalent of the gravity of their actions, executed through heart-stopping operations that have you reading in the early morning hours. His character dialogue is raw with unflinching give-and-take you might hear on a forward operating base, addressing the tough subjects of homophobia, racism, and sexism head-on. This is not preachy, it's realistic and in your face. It’s the way warriors talk, process, and push through the mess of human nature and combat operations while getting the job done. Malik nails it, and anyone claiming otherwise hasn’t spent a day in the suck.
Let me address the elephant in the room: the malicious one-star reviews posted on other social media platforms, such as Goodreads, targeting this book. First, the claim of a sexual assault described in Stonelands is flat-out false. No such scene exists! Read it yourself and call it out for the lie it is. Second, the accusation that Malik never served and is guilty of stolen valor is not just wrong, it’s a disgraceful attack on a veteran’s honor. I know Joseph. He’s a disabled U.S. Army veteran who served with distinction in USSOCOM and Joint Special Operations Task Forces. As previously mentioned, his manuscript was so authentic it required Pentagon, USSOCOM, and DIA declassification review. See the page stamped with clearance for publication after heavy redactions. That’s not the work of a poser! That’s a soldier who’s been there, done that, and earned the scars to prove it. These attacks are nothing, but narcissistic hit jobs meant to tear down a good man and a phenomenal writer. Don’t buy the noise. See them for what they are, petty, malicious, and false!
Stonelands builds on the greatness of Malik's Dragon's Trail and The New Magic, and takes it up another notch with high-octane writing, more nuanced character development, and a plot that will keep you turning pages. His inclusion of modern weaponry, tactics and procedures, political influence of missions, the ridiculous BS that warriors must endure while operating in indescribably harsh and hostile environments is a testament to those who’ve served. Stonelands is a nod to the complexities of military life, and a damn fine story for anyone who craves action with heart. If you want a book that respects your time, challenges your thinking, and delivers a knockout punch, Stonelands is it. Five stars, no question about it!
Allen V. Cheesman
CSM, US Army Retired
October 20, 2025
I served alongside SFC (Ret.) Malik in a supervisory position at the U.S. Special Operations Command Intelligence Directorate.
SFC (Ret.) Malik did not contact me to review Stonelands. I have not been in contact with him since he left the military. He does not--he could not--know I checked this book out from the library, much less could he know that I would review it. This is an unbiased review based on my 23-year career as an officer in Infantry, Army Rangers, and Special Forces, and a lifelong fan of military science fiction.
Stonelands blows away every sci-fi action thriller I've ever read. I ordered my own copy by the end of Chapter 2 because I knew I'd be rereading it several times.
I don't know how some of this got past Security Review, even though Powers That Be appear to have redacted it heavily. Parts of the story took my breath away.
Besides drawing long-overdue attention to intersectionality issues in elite units, Stonelands details precisely, to the letter, how we would stage a mission through a magical portal… were such a thing possible, of course. At points, I had to wonder if it was true. It takes place in Washington State and refers to a base where Malik was stationed and rumored goings-on thereon (the bulldozer story!) with alarming specificity. This goes beyond plausible deniability, into what I’d term “deniable plausibility.”
The characters are so real I swear I know them (wink, wink), and every time the tale comes to a crux inhibited by bureaucracy, it either finds a unique way around the BS… something SFC (Ret.) Malik excelled at during his time in Special Operations… or the bureaucratic issue becomes a major plot point, something you rarely see in military thrillers.
The tactics and strategies employed by the characters… dodging and weaving through the bureaucracy as much as in combat… are genius as well as being immensely entertaining. Having worked with Malik for years, I'd expect no less. His brilliance shines through just as I remember it.
I recommend this novel for anyone curious about the way elite military units truly function. It's science fiction, yes… but the banter, the mission design (AFO!), the interservice rivalries, the issues with leadership, and the hard decisions where the metal meets the meat, provide the truest and most authentic insight into the world of compartmented ops that I've read anywhere.
10/10. A wonderful read. More of it is true than you'd ever believe.
Tom S.
COL (Ret.), SF
SFC (Ret.) Malik did not contact me to review Stonelands. I have not been in contact with him since he left the military. He does not--he could not--know I checked this book out from the library, much less could he know that I would review it. This is an unbiased review based on my 23-year career as an officer in Infantry, Army Rangers, and Special Forces, and a lifelong fan of military science fiction.
Stonelands blows away every sci-fi action thriller I've ever read. I ordered my own copy by the end of Chapter 2 because I knew I'd be rereading it several times.
I don't know how some of this got past Security Review, even though Powers That Be appear to have redacted it heavily. Parts of the story took my breath away.
Besides drawing long-overdue attention to intersectionality issues in elite units, Stonelands details precisely, to the letter, how we would stage a mission through a magical portal… were such a thing possible, of course. At points, I had to wonder if it was true. It takes place in Washington State and refers to a base where Malik was stationed and rumored goings-on thereon (the bulldozer story!) with alarming specificity. This goes beyond plausible deniability, into what I’d term “deniable plausibility.”
The characters are so real I swear I know them (wink, wink), and every time the tale comes to a crux inhibited by bureaucracy, it either finds a unique way around the BS… something SFC (Ret.) Malik excelled at during his time in Special Operations… or the bureaucratic issue becomes a major plot point, something you rarely see in military thrillers.
The tactics and strategies employed by the characters… dodging and weaving through the bureaucracy as much as in combat… are genius as well as being immensely entertaining. Having worked with Malik for years, I'd expect no less. His brilliance shines through just as I remember it.
I recommend this novel for anyone curious about the way elite military units truly function. It's science fiction, yes… but the banter, the mission design (AFO!), the interservice rivalries, the issues with leadership, and the hard decisions where the metal meets the meat, provide the truest and most authentic insight into the world of compartmented ops that I've read anywhere.
10/10. A wonderful read. More of it is true than you'd ever believe.
Tom S.
COL (Ret.), SF
May 5, 2026
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you had modern technology in the world of Game of Thrones? The answer is, as it turns out, quite complicated and fascinating to read.
Stonelands by Joseph Malik is part portal fantasy, part technothriller with magic, and all sorts of entertaining. It follows Logan Shines-at-Night, a retired operative with the French Foreign Legion who is spending his retirement teaching and working on archaeological digs as an anthropologist. Until, that is, he gets called in to a special project by the US military. One that’s so off the books, it exists in another world. Literally. The military found a portal to another planet and they want Logan’s help to plot it out and take control of what resources it has. Logan has other ideas.
The author of this book has an extensive military background, so much so that this book had to be proofed by people at the pentagon to make certain that nothing untoward (or secret) was published. As a reader with no military background, I can say that the book is absolutely excellent at providing detailed information without making me feel overwhelmed. I didn’t need to know all the acronyms or the specifics of the guns and ops to be able to follow what was happening and be completely immersed. However, the information was there if I wanted it, which I appreciate. I like being treated like a reasonably intelligent person and this book is definitely the sort that isn’t going to hold your hand. It’s going to strap a parachute on and throw you off a cliff, instead.
And it’s going to be a great ride.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, from the fantasy melding with modern technology to the interpersonal politics that inevitably happen when you get people of disparate backgrounds together. The writing was clear and capable. It flowed so easily that I often forgot I was reading a book, which is exactly what I want. The action was rapid-pace and hit right in the chest. The spaces between were packed with emotion and information and in no way impacted less than the action.
If you want a book that is fast-paced, highly intelligent, and all around entertaining, this is definitely the book for you. Capable, smart, gritty, it’s a book that gets its teeth into you and doesn’t let go. And it’s a wild ride.
Stonelands by Joseph Malik is part portal fantasy, part technothriller with magic, and all sorts of entertaining. It follows Logan Shines-at-Night, a retired operative with the French Foreign Legion who is spending his retirement teaching and working on archaeological digs as an anthropologist. Until, that is, he gets called in to a special project by the US military. One that’s so off the books, it exists in another world. Literally. The military found a portal to another planet and they want Logan’s help to plot it out and take control of what resources it has. Logan has other ideas.
The author of this book has an extensive military background, so much so that this book had to be proofed by people at the pentagon to make certain that nothing untoward (or secret) was published. As a reader with no military background, I can say that the book is absolutely excellent at providing detailed information without making me feel overwhelmed. I didn’t need to know all the acronyms or the specifics of the guns and ops to be able to follow what was happening and be completely immersed. However, the information was there if I wanted it, which I appreciate. I like being treated like a reasonably intelligent person and this book is definitely the sort that isn’t going to hold your hand. It’s going to strap a parachute on and throw you off a cliff, instead.
And it’s going to be a great ride.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, from the fantasy melding with modern technology to the interpersonal politics that inevitably happen when you get people of disparate backgrounds together. The writing was clear and capable. It flowed so easily that I often forgot I was reading a book, which is exactly what I want. The action was rapid-pace and hit right in the chest. The spaces between were packed with emotion and information and in no way impacted less than the action.
If you want a book that is fast-paced, highly intelligent, and all around entertaining, this is definitely the book for you. Capable, smart, gritty, it’s a book that gets its teeth into you and doesn’t let go. And it’s a wild ride.
September 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It’s an engaging sci-fi/fantasy story told in such a realistic way that I felt it could be true.
Have you ever wondered what it would look be like if the United States military discovered a portal to a magical world? This story answers those questions. From team development to on-the-ground realities - this book explores the operational (and human) challenges such a mission would entail.
It also examines what it means to find the “right team” for such an extraordinary mission. Sometimes the best person for the job is not the popular choice. The story and characters walk you through the logistics and emotions of being selected for a mission because of ability and knowledge - and the push back from those who prefer brute strength when finesse is more effective.
These characters are engaging and feel realistic because they don’t exist in a vacuum. They bring with them their experiences and personal perspectives - each of which moulds, shapes, and informs choices and reactions to everything that unfolds.
Stonelands is an engaging read I enthusiastically recommend. There are a lot of military terms and concepts, but this does not impede the reading experience for the uninformed. I really appreciated the author’s notes and explanations about how his personal experience informed his choices. Content includes graphic violence and sexual content, so I personally only recommend for adult readers.
Have you ever wondered what it would look be like if the United States military discovered a portal to a magical world? This story answers those questions. From team development to on-the-ground realities - this book explores the operational (and human) challenges such a mission would entail.
It also examines what it means to find the “right team” for such an extraordinary mission. Sometimes the best person for the job is not the popular choice. The story and characters walk you through the logistics and emotions of being selected for a mission because of ability and knowledge - and the push back from those who prefer brute strength when finesse is more effective.
These characters are engaging and feel realistic because they don’t exist in a vacuum. They bring with them their experiences and personal perspectives - each of which moulds, shapes, and informs choices and reactions to everything that unfolds.
Stonelands is an engaging read I enthusiastically recommend. There are a lot of military terms and concepts, but this does not impede the reading experience for the uninformed. I really appreciated the author’s notes and explanations about how his personal experience informed his choices. Content includes graphic violence and sexual content, so I personally only recommend for adult readers.
November 15, 2025
Stonelands is a military portal fantasy the author claims is "guaranteed to piss off the worst people." It'll probably do that; bigots and fanatics will not like it. And as others have said, misogynistic Seals might want to seek their reading elsewhere.
The protagonist is relatable for the most part, and sympathetic, and the world building is fantastic. I try to think about what I can learn, as a writer, from books as I read. In terms of learning from Stonelands, it does an excellent job at portraying conflicts within a group that are supposed to be on the same side. The text also succinctly implies much grander conflicts up the chain of command; i.e., scope, scale and consequences in the greater scheme of things without wasting the reader's time.
I was a little disappointed by the missing chapter, because the final chapter didn't feel as earned as it might have with that battle in the book, but I understand how having put one's heart and soul into a particular chapter and having foot-dragging, lengthy military review completely redact the damn thing would be gutting and ... how do you replace it without going through another lengthy review that might prevent publication for *years??* So I can't ding the author for that problem.
I think military folk who support intersectionality would truly love this book, but as the daughter of WWII vets I also enjoyed it.
The protagonist is relatable for the most part, and sympathetic, and the world building is fantastic. I try to think about what I can learn, as a writer, from books as I read. In terms of learning from Stonelands, it does an excellent job at portraying conflicts within a group that are supposed to be on the same side. The text also succinctly implies much grander conflicts up the chain of command; i.e., scope, scale and consequences in the greater scheme of things without wasting the reader's time.
I was a little disappointed by the missing chapter, because the final chapter didn't feel as earned as it might have with that battle in the book, but I understand how having put one's heart and soul into a particular chapter and having foot-dragging, lengthy military review completely redact the damn thing would be gutting and ... how do you replace it without going through another lengthy review that might prevent publication for *years??* So I can't ding the author for that problem.
I think military folk who support intersectionality would truly love this book, but as the daughter of WWII vets I also enjoyed it.
September 3, 2025
Easily Joe's best book to date, and that's a pretty high bar. It's more than just a portal fantasy; it's an explorations of Special Operations culture and more broadly human relationships. The author spent 10 years with SOCOM, and his experience offers a unique window into this community. It's an eye-opening experience set in the framework of a first-class tale.
I've read some of the negative reviews, many of them written by people that haven't read the book. Taken as a whole they are perhaps the best recommendation for this work. If these people hate it any person with an IQ higher than their shoe size will probably enjoy it if they are a fan of fantasy or military Science fiction.
I've read some of the negative reviews, many of them written by people that haven't read the book. Taken as a whole they are perhaps the best recommendation for this work. If these people hate it any person with an IQ higher than their shoe size will probably enjoy it if they are a fan of fantasy or military Science fiction.
August 23, 2025
As a veteran of the Navy, I found the military aspects of this book nonsensical and often offensive. I was s*xually assaulted during my service and it was sickening to read multiple scenes of it played for laughs. Malik’s cavalier use of the n-word is also problematic. Good prose.
November 7, 2025
Brought this for my flight cross country. Five hours snapped by. Malik put together a rip roaring thriller of science fiction meets fantasy and Tom Clancy. I enjoyed his first two books immensely, but this one was his best yet. The sliver of the world we get to see is detailed enough that it hints at something massive that I want to jump in and explore further. The combination of the gritty moment to moment military operations with a fantasy world and the collision between them had me glued to the pages. I'm looking forward to the next one.
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