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Gage Black
Gage Black and the Dying Lands
To save his world... he’ll have to destroy another.
Gage Black finally has everything he’s ever wanted—friends, family, and a place to belong. After defeating deadly enemies and helping reclaim the capital, he’s earned the kingdom’s respect. Not bad for a void user with a dangerous reputation.
Then Alphen ruins everything. He shatters the crystal that could’ve freed their kingdom from tyranny and launches a ruthless campaign to eliminate every other major source of magic. Why? Because he’s a lying, backstabbing traitor with a secret agenda.
Gage sets out to stop him, but an ancient dragon intervenes and hurls Gage and his friends to Caladon, a dying world on the brink of collapse. There, they uncover a devastating the only way to save their own world is to destroy Caladon—and everyone on it. The worst part? Gage has made friends on Caladon. Real ones. And they’re not going down without a fight.
Eragon meets Ranger’s Apprentice in this clean, fast-paced fantasy series filled with magic, adventure, and danger. Perfect for young teens and beyond!
Gage Black finally has everything he’s ever wanted—friends, family, and a place to belong. After defeating deadly enemies and helping reclaim the capital, he’s earned the kingdom’s respect. Not bad for a void user with a dangerous reputation.
Then Alphen ruins everything. He shatters the crystal that could’ve freed their kingdom from tyranny and launches a ruthless campaign to eliminate every other major source of magic. Why? Because he’s a lying, backstabbing traitor with a secret agenda.
Gage sets out to stop him, but an ancient dragon intervenes and hurls Gage and his friends to Caladon, a dying world on the brink of collapse. There, they uncover a devastating the only way to save their own world is to destroy Caladon—and everyone on it. The worst part? Gage has made friends on Caladon. Real ones. And they’re not going down without a fight.
Eragon meets Ranger’s Apprentice in this clean, fast-paced fantasy series filled with magic, adventure, and danger. Perfect for young teens and beyond!
- GenresFantasy
520 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2025
About the author
Britt Asher
8 books33 followersAuthor of clean, fast-paced fantasy for young teens and beyond!
Britt lives in the frigid wasteland known as Minnesota. While she hates the cold and snow, she appreciates the nice summers, the lack of lethal creepy crawlies, and the pretty forests and lakes. Outside of writing, she loves reading, high-speed walking, and high-speed walking while reading--yes, that’s a thing, and no, she hasn’t accidentally walked off a cliff (yet). One of her favorite places is Japan, where she lived for nearly three years and ate far too many sweet potatoes.
Britt lives in the frigid wasteland known as Minnesota. While she hates the cold and snow, she appreciates the nice summers, the lack of lethal creepy crawlies, and the pretty forests and lakes. Outside of writing, she loves reading, high-speed walking, and high-speed walking while reading--yes, that’s a thing, and no, she hasn’t accidentally walked off a cliff (yet). One of her favorite places is Japan, where she lived for nearly three years and ate far too many sweet potatoes.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 24, 2026
An EXCELLENT follow-up to book 1.
The same characters as book 1, but even better. I love the dynamic between Gage and Alphen, the banter and teasing, but also the friendship and caring. Nihsa and Thad continued to be the most supportive supporting characters ever. Spark and Rhemi continued to be mischievous, wise, full of magic, and extremely humble dragons. Alphen's family continued to be.... even more of what they were in the first book.
And the stakes were higher! Gage isn't saving just a country this time, he is saving an entire world. An entire dusty, dry, dying world filled with corrupted magic, soon to be devoured by the worldeater. All while avoiding enemies back on his home world.
But don't worry! He has magic! And a dragon! And friends! And book 3 (soon to be released, I hope!)
Not to say this book was perfect. There are a few plot points that I am certain wouldn't hold up to scrutiny, but the pace was so fast, and everything so full of action, I just glossed right over them and kept reading because something good was coming up.
Content: No romantic plotline, no swear words, occasional name calling ("idiot"), I don't recall any in-world swearing but maybe there was one or two?
There is quite a bit of violence - nothing graphic or gory, but several fights involving hands, swords, arrows, and magic and injuries are described. There are several magical confrontations.
There are a lot of big feelings in this one. The plot is intense, there's a lot of discussion of traitors, and there is some torture and various feelings as a result of that.
A good clean fantasy adventure for the YA crowd
The same characters as book 1, but even better. I love the dynamic between Gage and Alphen, the banter and teasing, but also the friendship and caring. Nihsa and Thad continued to be the most supportive supporting characters ever. Spark and Rhemi continued to be mischievous, wise, full of magic, and extremely humble dragons. Alphen's family continued to be.... even more of what they were in the first book.
And the stakes were higher! Gage isn't saving just a country this time, he is saving an entire world. An entire dusty, dry, dying world filled with corrupted magic, soon to be devoured by the worldeater. All while avoiding enemies back on his home world.
But don't worry! He has magic! And a dragon! And friends! And book 3 (soon to be released, I hope!)
Not to say this book was perfect. There are a few plot points that I am certain wouldn't hold up to scrutiny, but the pace was so fast, and everything so full of action, I just glossed right over them and kept reading because something good was coming up.
Content: No romantic plotline, no swear words, occasional name calling ("idiot"), I don't recall any in-world swearing but maybe there was one or two?
There is quite a bit of violence - nothing graphic or gory, but several fights involving hands, swords, arrows, and magic and injuries are described. There are several magical confrontations.
There are a lot of big feelings in this one. The plot is intense, there's a lot of discussion of traitors, and there is some torture and various feelings as a result of that.
A good clean fantasy adventure for the YA crowd
November 21, 2025
Ahhh! Such a good book! The Dying Lands is a fantastic, action-packed, and heart-wrenching sequel in the Gage Black series. My daughter and I devoured every page (not literally, silly. Paper is dry and flavorless, but stories are the sustenance of the imagination)!
The magic system is deeper and more complicated as we venture further into the entwined worlds and the mystery of who Gage Black really is. He's such a precious character with a heart of gold. Alphen is so much more than meets the eye. This story is rounded out with a lovely supporting cast in Nihsa, Thad, and Orelia with fun cameos from Gage's classmates. There were moments I thought I knew what would happen, but then the plot would take a twist. I am loathe to give spoilers, though, so I'll just say we need more Gage Black!
I'd recommend this series to middle grade and older readers who enjoy fantasy magic, conflicted but genuine characters, danger, hope in dark times, and humor mixed with heart. This is another great family read.
The magic system is deeper and more complicated as we venture further into the entwined worlds and the mystery of who Gage Black really is. He's such a precious character with a heart of gold. Alphen is so much more than meets the eye. This story is rounded out with a lovely supporting cast in Nihsa, Thad, and Orelia with fun cameos from Gage's classmates. There were moments I thought I knew what would happen, but then the plot would take a twist. I am loathe to give spoilers, though, so I'll just say we need more Gage Black!
I'd recommend this series to middle grade and older readers who enjoy fantasy magic, conflicted but genuine characters, danger, hope in dark times, and humor mixed with heart. This is another great family read.
September 12, 2025
Epic fantasy at its most fun! Gage Black and the Dying Lands is even better than its predecessor, if that were possible. The Gage and Alphen dynamic continues to be hilariously entertaining. The stakes get higher, and more mysteries are uncovered. The book may be long, but the perfect pacing makes it fly by all too soon. I wish it was a movie!
May 18, 2026
I was on my tippy toes, nearly toppled over, the entire time!! What a rush of a sequel! Fast paced and packed full of action, emotions, racing against time. The characters have me so invested, I can't wait to see where their story takes them. Britt has a way of just.. making you feel everything these characters are feeling. My heart ached for them. Well done, Britt. Knocked it out of the park!
July 24, 2026
Book 2
Book 2 was a fun read and had a few errors throughout. The plot and characters are developed well. Some information is repetitive and predictable. The overall is interesting and I forget how young the MC is. I look forward to the last book. I also hope the wallowing is over as it gets annoying.
Book 2 was a fun read and had a few errors throughout. The plot and characters are developed well. Some information is repetitive and predictable. The overall is interesting and I forget how young the MC is. I look forward to the last book. I also hope the wallowing is over as it gets annoying.
September 21, 2025
absolutely brilliant!!
Britt has done it again, pulled me right in and I couldn’t stop, love the characters more and more, the relationship between gage and alphan is amazing, can’t wait for the final act
Britt has done it again, pulled me right in and I couldn’t stop, love the characters more and more, the relationship between gage and alphan is amazing, can’t wait for the final act
September 27, 2025
absolutely fantastic
The first book had me hooked, this one reeled me in farther and i definitely need another. I highly recommend reading this amazing series
The first book had me hooked, this one reeled me in farther and i definitely need another. I highly recommend reading this amazing series
November 18, 2025
Gage black
When is the next book coming it ended and left it open what happened I'm lost. Is there another book or is this it
When is the next book coming it ended and left it open what happened I'm lost. Is there another book or is this it
November 24, 2025
Fantastic story!
The worlds in this story are amazing, the characters are memorable and the plot is delightfully twisted. Complex but worth reading
The worlds in this story are amazing, the characters are memorable and the plot is delightfully twisted. Complex but worth reading
January 1, 2026
read this book to my daughter - really enjoyed the world building and characters.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews