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The Next Goldlighter: An Epic Fantasy of Magical Martial Arts, Elemental Magic, and Revenge
Forged by pain. Tempered by love. Shaped by fate. An avenging warrior awakens.
Opren Saphren seethes with determination. Nightmarish mercenaries sent to steal his golden orb have inflicted his parents’ malicious deaths. With nothing left to lose, the grieving twenty-year-old fighter chases the creatures to a realm of beautiful elves, mythical beasts, and elemental magic. He seeks to learn about his mysterious inheritance and wield its unique power. The monsters who tore apart his family and shattered his life must die.
At a stronghold hidden in a mountain, he trains in elemental combat, clashes with a lightning-wielding rival who wears an annoying smirk, and grows surprisingly close to an Elven warrior-healer whose strength matches her allure. She heals more than his wounds as his guiding companion in the unfamiliar world. But even as he gains allies and grits his way through training, trials, and threats, each use of his mystical artifact could kill him.
When a demonic lord attacks the peaceful Elven capital and frightening creatures afflict the Royal Sect—all seeking him—he is compelled to master his unstable bond with the supernatural weapon. To become the demon-slaying, monster-felling Goldlighter. He never wished to be called a hero. He never needed a prophesied destiny. But he refuses to watch his found family and many more innocents die for him like the family he vows to avenge…
The Next Goldlighter is an adult epic fantasy with cinematic combat, emotional depth, and a progression-style rise in power. Readers praise its edge-of-your-seat action, deep world-building, lovable characters, and binge-worthy pacing that makes it impossible to put down.
Grab The Next Goldlighter to ignite a legend today!
Opren Saphren seethes with determination. Nightmarish mercenaries sent to steal his golden orb have inflicted his parents’ malicious deaths. With nothing left to lose, the grieving twenty-year-old fighter chases the creatures to a realm of beautiful elves, mythical beasts, and elemental magic. He seeks to learn about his mysterious inheritance and wield its unique power. The monsters who tore apart his family and shattered his life must die.
At a stronghold hidden in a mountain, he trains in elemental combat, clashes with a lightning-wielding rival who wears an annoying smirk, and grows surprisingly close to an Elven warrior-healer whose strength matches her allure. She heals more than his wounds as his guiding companion in the unfamiliar world. But even as he gains allies and grits his way through training, trials, and threats, each use of his mystical artifact could kill him.
When a demonic lord attacks the peaceful Elven capital and frightening creatures afflict the Royal Sect—all seeking him—he is compelled to master his unstable bond with the supernatural weapon. To become the demon-slaying, monster-felling Goldlighter. He never wished to be called a hero. He never needed a prophesied destiny. But he refuses to watch his found family and many more innocents die for him like the family he vows to avenge…
The Next Goldlighter is an adult epic fantasy with cinematic combat, emotional depth, and a progression-style rise in power. Readers praise its edge-of-your-seat action, deep world-building, lovable characters, and binge-worthy pacing that makes it impossible to put down.
Grab The Next Goldlighter to ignite a legend today!
- GenresAmazon
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2025
17 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 14, 2026
My gosh, you know when your so angry with so much pent up energy, and you need to lash out. Well going to this magic world to get loose and fight that pent up anger out.. 🤭😅
To be honest I loved this story! The characters were well written with their own personalities. The world building is fantastic - like the way the author has described the scenes around you, it's so easily pictured. What I did love too was the way the fighting scenes were written - they flowed like an elegant dance, but with more tension, more beauty, more raw energy.
I literally hated putting this down, damn my life for getting in the way, lol!
To be honest I loved this story! The characters were well written with their own personalities. The world building is fantastic - like the way the author has described the scenes around you, it's so easily pictured. What I did love too was the way the fighting scenes were written - they flowed like an elegant dance, but with more tension, more beauty, more raw energy.
I literally hated putting this down, damn my life for getting in the way, lol!
January 14, 2026
Thank you LBT for having me on this book review tour and for my gifted copy of this epub.
I firstly have to say I love the cover or this book. This is a book I may buy just because I love the cover so much and would look so pretty on my shelves!! I’m really trying to get a new book case I have to many books lol !!
Ok so I seriously haven’t ever read a book that had MMA fighting in it. I didn’t even think that would be a thing add in fantasy with it and wow just wow did it work so well together!!! I mean the author did such a great job I’m so impressed I can’t wait to see how this series goes and what he’s gonna do with it.
This was such a heartwarming book but also so much action and grit to it I’m really not sure I’m giving this book nearly enough credit because it had so much to offer. The characters were believable and felt so real like I would want to know them in real life and make them teach me stuff !!!
Overall I seriously loved this book. Just everything about it really just spoke to me and I’m newer to fantasy I don’t look for it I just never think to but I definitely have become more interested in the fantasy world. Need more that’s for sure. It’s such a good escape from the real world.
I firstly have to say I love the cover or this book. This is a book I may buy just because I love the cover so much and would look so pretty on my shelves!! I’m really trying to get a new book case I have to many books lol !!
Ok so I seriously haven’t ever read a book that had MMA fighting in it. I didn’t even think that would be a thing add in fantasy with it and wow just wow did it work so well together!!! I mean the author did such a great job I’m so impressed I can’t wait to see how this series goes and what he’s gonna do with it.
This was such a heartwarming book but also so much action and grit to it I’m really not sure I’m giving this book nearly enough credit because it had so much to offer. The characters were believable and felt so real like I would want to know them in real life and make them teach me stuff !!!
Overall I seriously loved this book. Just everything about it really just spoke to me and I’m newer to fantasy I don’t look for it I just never think to but I definitely have become more interested in the fantasy world. Need more that’s for sure. It’s such a good escape from the real world.
January 12, 2026
Firstly loving the cover art, and the premise of martial arts meets epic fantasy definitely had me intrigued.
It's packed with adventure, fighting to survive, and an unexpected heroic journey.
Opren is thrust into the unknown when he comes of age and learns he has a magical gift and relic, and is being targeted by mysterious enemies from a different realm.
After a devastating loss, he finds himself in the magical world, supported by new allies and species, learning spells and training, and vowing to seek revenge.
Opren can be a little arrogant and naive at times, especially when facing danger and has a need to prove himself, but his allies help balance him out and teach him wisdom, patience and strategy.
It doesn't shy away from darker themes, and explores a variety of creatures, magics, and challenges to be faced.
If you enjoy fantasy worlds with elves, demons, wizards, and heroic journeys and found family adventures - try this series.
It's packed with adventure, fighting to survive, and an unexpected heroic journey.
Opren is thrust into the unknown when he comes of age and learns he has a magical gift and relic, and is being targeted by mysterious enemies from a different realm.
After a devastating loss, he finds himself in the magical world, supported by new allies and species, learning spells and training, and vowing to seek revenge.
Opren can be a little arrogant and naive at times, especially when facing danger and has a need to prove himself, but his allies help balance him out and teach him wisdom, patience and strategy.
It doesn't shy away from darker themes, and explores a variety of creatures, magics, and challenges to be faced.
If you enjoy fantasy worlds with elves, demons, wizards, and heroic journeys and found family adventures - try this series.
January 13, 2026
Elves, wizards, demons, fantastical journeys, magic, creatures galore a wrapped up in a wonderfully vivid and descriptive piece of writing that's sure to draw you in and hold your attention until the very end.
What more could you ask for?
Fantasy being my absolute favourite genre meant that this read was entirely right up my street and my high expectations were certainly lived up to.
It's a story of action and adventure, martial arts, friendship, power struggles and loss with world building that's sweeping and imaginative and a great cast of characters that are believable and feel real.
And how about the cover? Just what you want from a fantasy read, depicting a battle between good and evil.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
What more could you ask for?
Fantasy being my absolute favourite genre meant that this read was entirely right up my street and my high expectations were certainly lived up to.
It's a story of action and adventure, martial arts, friendship, power struggles and loss with world building that's sweeping and imaginative and a great cast of characters that are believable and feel real.
And how about the cover? Just what you want from a fantasy read, depicting a battle between good and evil.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
January 15, 2026
This was an epic fantasy adventure book. The pacing was pretty smooth throughout the whole story with parts picking up during different fights. I really enjoyed the mix of elemental magic, multiple realms, and the lore. I was invested in Opren's story once things took a huge, unexpected turn. Absolutely wonderful world building.
With the vivid descriptions and how carefully the author took his time laying out the settings, I was able to picture everything in my head like a movie. There were a few things that took me by surprise. This book is perfect for readers just starting out with fantasy. Certain elements did remind me of a mix between The Lord of The Rings and Dragon Ball Z.
Great book especially for people just starting to read fantasy! Can’t wait to see where the story goes for book 2.
With the vivid descriptions and how carefully the author took his time laying out the settings, I was able to picture everything in my head like a movie. There were a few things that took me by surprise. This book is perfect for readers just starting out with fantasy. Certain elements did remind me of a mix between The Lord of The Rings and Dragon Ball Z.
Great book especially for people just starting to read fantasy! Can’t wait to see where the story goes for book 2.
January 26, 2026
I firstly have to say… I am OBSESSED with the cover of this book. Like genuinely it is so stunning and honestly I would buy it just to have it sitting on my shelves because it looks so pretty!!
Ok so going into this, I seriously didn’t even know martial arts fighting in epic fantasy was a thing?? But wow just WOW it worked so well. The action scenes were so intense and exciting and the author did such a good job making it feel cinematic and immersive.
We follow Opren who goes through such a heartbreaking loss and then ends up thrown into this whole new magical world full of elves, mythical creatures, elemental magic and so many dangerous enemies. I really loved seeing his journey and how he grows through everything. He isn’t perfect and can be a bit impulsive at times, but that honestly made him feel so real.
This book had such a good balance of gritty action, emotional moments, and also those really heartwarming friendships and found family vibes that I love so much. It just had so much to offer and I feel like I’m not even giving it enough credit because there was always something happening.
Overall I seriously really enjoyed this book. It was such a fun epic fantasy adventure with revenge, magic, battles, and characters that felt believable and easy to root for. If you love fantasy worlds with action, elemental powers, and that classic hero journey feel, I definitely recommend giving this one a go.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!
Ok so going into this, I seriously didn’t even know martial arts fighting in epic fantasy was a thing?? But wow just WOW it worked so well. The action scenes were so intense and exciting and the author did such a good job making it feel cinematic and immersive.
We follow Opren who goes through such a heartbreaking loss and then ends up thrown into this whole new magical world full of elves, mythical creatures, elemental magic and so many dangerous enemies. I really loved seeing his journey and how he grows through everything. He isn’t perfect and can be a bit impulsive at times, but that honestly made him feel so real.
This book had such a good balance of gritty action, emotional moments, and also those really heartwarming friendships and found family vibes that I love so much. It just had so much to offer and I feel like I’m not even giving it enough credit because there was always something happening.
Overall I seriously really enjoyed this book. It was such a fun epic fantasy adventure with revenge, magic, battles, and characters that felt believable and easy to root for. If you love fantasy worlds with action, elemental powers, and that classic hero journey feel, I definitely recommend giving this one a go.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2026
An epic fantasy book following Opren who inherits his grandfather's golden orb but little does he know, this orb will change his life as he is thrust into Everniot, an Elven kingdom, where he gains powers from his new orb but this also attracts unwanted attention from those who mean him harm to hain possessionof it.
I loved seeing Opren's development taking on this new world he finds himself in and meeting some fantastic friends along the way helping him weild his powers. The magical beings were creative and vivid and the book had a lot of action. I enjoyed this book and the twists it brought and would like to read more from this author. This would suit anyone wanting to start out with the fantasy genre.
I loved seeing Opren's development taking on this new world he finds himself in and meeting some fantastic friends along the way helping him weild his powers. The magical beings were creative and vivid and the book had a lot of action. I enjoyed this book and the twists it brought and would like to read more from this author. This would suit anyone wanting to start out with the fantasy genre.
January 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First of all I am such a huge fan of the cover I think it captures everything in the book perfectly. This is a high stakes, slow-burn fantasy where we see our MMC( Opren Saphren) a skilled MMA fighter has his whole world shattered on his 20th birthday when he inherits the mysterious golden orb.
This is my first time reading a book that has MMA fighting in and can I say I did not disappoint. The mix of fantasy and MMA was absolutely chef’s kiss. I love the way the author describes every little detail of the surroundings and what’s happenings as it makes it really easy to picture and very immersive.
This is definitely the perfect novel for people that love Percy Jackson and Eragon.
First of all I am such a huge fan of the cover I think it captures everything in the book perfectly. This is a high stakes, slow-burn fantasy where we see our MMC( Opren Saphren) a skilled MMA fighter has his whole world shattered on his 20th birthday when he inherits the mysterious golden orb.
This is my first time reading a book that has MMA fighting in and can I say I did not disappoint. The mix of fantasy and MMA was absolutely chef’s kiss. I love the way the author describes every little detail of the surroundings and what’s happenings as it makes it really easy to picture and very immersive.
This is definitely the perfect novel for people that love Percy Jackson and Eragon.
January 29, 2026
📚The Next Goldlighter – R Cozander
⭐ 3.5/5
📖Read 6/100 of 2026
💭First Thoughts...
A Fantasy story where we get to grow with the characters and explore a new world. We, alongside our main character Opren, get thrown into the magical world of Everniot, with magic, Elven culture and plotting.
💖What I Liked...
I enjoyed the pacing of this book we got to know Opren as he was thrust into the magical goals and his motivations as well as what I felt was a true reaction to visiting an "amazing" magical environment. I'd have like to see a bit more of a reaction to him coping with some events as he certainly took a lot in his stride but I loved meeting the range of characters throughout the story.
💞Perfect for...
Fantasy readers who want more fighting and just a slight bit of romance
⭐ 3.5/5
📖Read 6/100 of 2026
💭First Thoughts...
A Fantasy story where we get to grow with the characters and explore a new world. We, alongside our main character Opren, get thrown into the magical world of Everniot, with magic, Elven culture and plotting.
💖What I Liked...
I enjoyed the pacing of this book we got to know Opren as he was thrust into the magical goals and his motivations as well as what I felt was a true reaction to visiting an "amazing" magical environment. I'd have like to see a bit more of a reaction to him coping with some events as he certainly took a lot in his stride but I loved meeting the range of characters throughout the story.
💞Perfect for...
Fantasy readers who want more fighting and just a slight bit of romance
November 18, 2025
Despite being about as clueless about MMA as one can possibly get, there was something undeniably interesting to me about the idea of a book that promises to blend MMA fighting with epic fantasy. Thankfully, I wasn't let down. It’s clear Cozander has poured a lot of love into this debut, and I’m curious to see where the series goes next. A heartwarming yet at times gritty fantasy novel that celebrates found family, with an immersive, vividly imagined elven world. Perfect for fans of Eragon, Percy Jackson, and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews