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The Forahm Papers #1
The Ashen Viper
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26Were we not meant to know the truth?
It is by the hands of loresmen that heroes and villains are risen from history’s foundations, today’s stories that became yesterday’s histories that became the legends of yore. And from those legends emerge truths…of a sort. The truths that best serve a story when the facts have been lost to the decay of time.
The war that spelled the end of the Second Age was long mired in such murky truths, in these legends accepted as history, these fables and songs that served as the only surviving memory of those fateful days. Until now. Until these Forahm Papers, and whatever they may contain within.
For it is not the singular hero and villain who weave a story’s tapestry, but the many hands who break from the foundations and hold the truth aloft.
The ministry official who must investigate a sudden disappearance. The reluctant hero who saved a queen and doomed an entire people in the process. The exile whose very soul threatens the destruction of all around her. The son of a traitor who will stop at nothing to see honor restored to his name. The untested heiress faced with a long-dormant storm coming to rage over her land once more.
And the man whose name endured within the darker threads of history, cursed in the shadows as an assassin of kings, an arbiter of doom, a devil taken flesh. For if there is a truth hidden amongst these papers, it must begin here. It must begin with him: the Ashen Viper.
It is by the hands of loresmen that heroes and villains are risen from history’s foundations, today’s stories that became yesterday’s histories that became the legends of yore. And from those legends emerge truths…of a sort. The truths that best serve a story when the facts have been lost to the decay of time.
The war that spelled the end of the Second Age was long mired in such murky truths, in these legends accepted as history, these fables and songs that served as the only surviving memory of those fateful days. Until now. Until these Forahm Papers, and whatever they may contain within.
For it is not the singular hero and villain who weave a story’s tapestry, but the many hands who break from the foundations and hold the truth aloft.
The ministry official who must investigate a sudden disappearance. The reluctant hero who saved a queen and doomed an entire people in the process. The exile whose very soul threatens the destruction of all around her. The son of a traitor who will stop at nothing to see honor restored to his name. The untested heiress faced with a long-dormant storm coming to rage over her land once more.
And the man whose name endured within the darker threads of history, cursed in the shadows as an assassin of kings, an arbiter of doom, a devil taken flesh. For if there is a truth hidden amongst these papers, it must begin here. It must begin with him: the Ashen Viper.
- GenresFantasy
1161 pages, ebook
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Joseph John Lee
8 books94 followersJoseph John Lee is an American fantasy author who writes books that are either dark and depressing or silly and light-hearted, with not much wiggle room in between. A true product of New England, he prefers Dunkin’ over Starbucks, sometimes speaks with a Boston accent, and does not say the word “wicked” in casual conversation as much as one may think. He currently lives in Boston with his wife, Annie, along with their dog, Luna, and their robot vacuum named Crumb.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 29, 2026
The Ashen Viper is an ambitiously chonky epic that will equally enrapture and astound. Words barely scratch the surface of what Lee has created and this is only the beginning. Fans of mammoth epics, add this to your TBR.
July 13, 2026
It's cover reveal day! I'm so thrilled to finally be showing off the cover for The Ashen Viper, the first volume of my new epic fantasy series The Forahm Papers.
I've been sitting on this since . . . December? Sweet mercy it's great to no longer keep it a secret.
The special launch edition Kickstarter is in prelaunch now and you can follow it here.
I do hope you'll give TAV a go - whether by supporting the Kickstarter or by waiting for the general release. It's probably a cliche thing to say "This is the best thing I've ever written," but . . . well, I'd say this is the best thing I've ever written, and I'm thrilled to finally be sharing it with you all.
I've been sitting on this since . . . December? Sweet mercy it's great to no longer keep it a secret.
The special launch edition Kickstarter is in prelaunch now and you can follow it here.
I do hope you'll give TAV a go - whether by supporting the Kickstarter or by waiting for the general release. It's probably a cliche thing to say "This is the best thing I've ever written," but . . . well, I'd say this is the best thing I've ever written, and I'm thrilled to finally be sharing it with you all.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Ashen Viper is impressive not only for its sheer ambition, but for its deft ability to make good on that ambition and provide the reader with a story that is ridiculously epic, mind-boggling broad in scope, and downright insane regarding its worldbuilding.
The first thing to know: this is a big book. Not just in terms of page count, but also in terms of the events it covers, the size of its cast, and the timeline. There’s a prominent arc threading through the book’s backbone that takes us to more than 800 years before the main events of the book, where we follow two immortal brothers whose actions across time essentially help shape the world as we know it. The story takes us across the extents of two continents—Nossia and Sussia—with a third—Essia—being referred to. The characters, though some do eventually cross paths, are scattered across these continents, making clear how all-consuming the unfolding plot is.
All of this combines into a world that feels thoroughly lived in, with a rich history supported by meticulous footnotes, references to in-world texts, and relevant quotes at the start of every chapter. I don’t think I’ve ever read another book that felt quite this researched and authentic, and I’d be so bold as to suggest TAV rivals the Stormlight Archive in this arena.
The cast themselves, though many in number, are actually quite focused on a smaller group, something that becomes apparent the further into the book you get. It can be quite daunting at first, and I know I struggled in the first couple of hundred pages to remember every character we’re being introduced to. However, the author is clever with context clues, and ensures that you’ll never forget a character for long. This is another area where I think TAV can be easily compared to books like the Stormlight Archive.
The main character, arguably, is the Ashen Viper, though to avoid spoilers I won’t mention who they actually are. Instead, I’ll draw attention to the people I consider to be the central characters: Roban, a disaffected young mage trying to win back the trust of the lord his father betrayed; Rodryc, at face value a humble villager, but who harbours a dark past; Onele, a young mage in self-exile who struggles with the weight of her magic; Alyster, a reluctant hero who’s taken to wandering to avoid responsibilities on his home isle; Alain, a man on the trail of the woman he’s infatuated with, who’s gone missing; and Emeline, a young noblewoman drawn into disastrous events through bad luck.
As for the plot, it’s important to note that this is the first book in an extensive fantasy series (the first of 8, I think?), and this is only the opening act. If you’re like me, and you love expansive stories in massive worlds that are given the time and space to unfold at a satisfying and measured pace, then this is definitely the book for you. It has its moments of fast-paced action, no doubt, but this is a slow and steady novel, a story that values its narrative and trusts its reader enough to pay attention. There are a lot of threads being woven together here, and because each thread needs tending, it can sometimes feel like the story isn’t progressing as fast as it could. This doesn’t bother me in the slightest, but I’m a sucker for slow-builds.
The framing device of this book being a text that exists within the world, compiled by a loresman who provides commentary through the footnotes, also adds a certain level of intrigue to the narrative. The loresman drip feeds us information beyond what’s captured within each chapter, and through these subtle notes makes it clear that the events in this book are only the opening stage of what will become a massive, all-encompassing conflict. Hints of the overarching plot are provided, though the focus for now is much more character-level, allowing the reader to decipher for themselves what roles the main cast might have to play in this future conflict only the loresman currently knows about.
The writing style is incredibly polished and professional. It has a somewhat archaic feel to it, not just with character dialogue, but also with the prose itself. This really feels like an in-world text kept hidden in a castle basement for years before being brought out and annotated. However, this doesn’t make it impenetrable, and I found it to be thoroughly easy reading. I don’t think there was a single time a sentence tripped me up (whether that be cliché phrasing, bland imagery, or errors), and I can feel the care and attention the author has lavished upon this novel.
So, overall, this is epic fantasy at its most epic. It provides hearty helpings of battle, politics, and violence, whilst at the same time balancing smaller character moments, interesting group dynamics, and subtle foreshadowing. There are immortals from different realms, armies of resurrected undead, a detailed magic system that has a cost and demands sacrifices from its users, a hidden city in the clouds, and even a dragon.
Seriously, if you consider yourself a fan of epic fantasy in any capacity, this series is one to check out.
A brief side-note: I read the prequel novella, Shrouded Steel for Bastard Land, before I dove into book one. Although you can read them in either order, I think I made the right decision, because the novella provides you with some important background history for the Kingdom of Viriland. Not knowing that context (mostly about how the Trewarne Dynasty that rules Viriland came to the throne) doesn’t take away from reader enjoyment at all, but it did allow me a certain level of familiarity before I began. Any doubts I might’ve otherwise had (not knowing about the Trewarne monarchs and such) would’ve been cleared up with the extensive glossaries the author included, though.
Thank you to the author for my ARC!
The first thing to know: this is a big book. Not just in terms of page count, but also in terms of the events it covers, the size of its cast, and the timeline. There’s a prominent arc threading through the book’s backbone that takes us to more than 800 years before the main events of the book, where we follow two immortal brothers whose actions across time essentially help shape the world as we know it. The story takes us across the extents of two continents—Nossia and Sussia—with a third—Essia—being referred to. The characters, though some do eventually cross paths, are scattered across these continents, making clear how all-consuming the unfolding plot is.
All of this combines into a world that feels thoroughly lived in, with a rich history supported by meticulous footnotes, references to in-world texts, and relevant quotes at the start of every chapter. I don’t think I’ve ever read another book that felt quite this researched and authentic, and I’d be so bold as to suggest TAV rivals the Stormlight Archive in this arena.
The cast themselves, though many in number, are actually quite focused on a smaller group, something that becomes apparent the further into the book you get. It can be quite daunting at first, and I know I struggled in the first couple of hundred pages to remember every character we’re being introduced to. However, the author is clever with context clues, and ensures that you’ll never forget a character for long. This is another area where I think TAV can be easily compared to books like the Stormlight Archive.
The main character, arguably, is the Ashen Viper, though to avoid spoilers I won’t mention who they actually are. Instead, I’ll draw attention to the people I consider to be the central characters: Roban, a disaffected young mage trying to win back the trust of the lord his father betrayed; Rodryc, at face value a humble villager, but who harbours a dark past; Onele, a young mage in self-exile who struggles with the weight of her magic; Alyster, a reluctant hero who’s taken to wandering to avoid responsibilities on his home isle; Alain, a man on the trail of the woman he’s infatuated with, who’s gone missing; and Emeline, a young noblewoman drawn into disastrous events through bad luck.
As for the plot, it’s important to note that this is the first book in an extensive fantasy series (the first of 8, I think?), and this is only the opening act. If you’re like me, and you love expansive stories in massive worlds that are given the time and space to unfold at a satisfying and measured pace, then this is definitely the book for you. It has its moments of fast-paced action, no doubt, but this is a slow and steady novel, a story that values its narrative and trusts its reader enough to pay attention. There are a lot of threads being woven together here, and because each thread needs tending, it can sometimes feel like the story isn’t progressing as fast as it could. This doesn’t bother me in the slightest, but I’m a sucker for slow-builds.
The framing device of this book being a text that exists within the world, compiled by a loresman who provides commentary through the footnotes, also adds a certain level of intrigue to the narrative. The loresman drip feeds us information beyond what’s captured within each chapter, and through these subtle notes makes it clear that the events in this book are only the opening stage of what will become a massive, all-encompassing conflict. Hints of the overarching plot are provided, though the focus for now is much more character-level, allowing the reader to decipher for themselves what roles the main cast might have to play in this future conflict only the loresman currently knows about.
The writing style is incredibly polished and professional. It has a somewhat archaic feel to it, not just with character dialogue, but also with the prose itself. This really feels like an in-world text kept hidden in a castle basement for years before being brought out and annotated. However, this doesn’t make it impenetrable, and I found it to be thoroughly easy reading. I don’t think there was a single time a sentence tripped me up (whether that be cliché phrasing, bland imagery, or errors), and I can feel the care and attention the author has lavished upon this novel.
So, overall, this is epic fantasy at its most epic. It provides hearty helpings of battle, politics, and violence, whilst at the same time balancing smaller character moments, interesting group dynamics, and subtle foreshadowing. There are immortals from different realms, armies of resurrected undead, a detailed magic system that has a cost and demands sacrifices from its users, a hidden city in the clouds, and even a dragon.
Seriously, if you consider yourself a fan of epic fantasy in any capacity, this series is one to check out.
A brief side-note: I read the prequel novella, Shrouded Steel for Bastard Land, before I dove into book one. Although you can read them in either order, I think I made the right decision, because the novella provides you with some important background history for the Kingdom of Viriland. Not knowing that context (mostly about how the Trewarne Dynasty that rules Viriland came to the throne) doesn’t take away from reader enjoyment at all, but it did allow me a certain level of familiarity before I began. Any doubts I might’ve otherwise had (not knowing about the Trewarne monarchs and such) would’ve been cleared up with the extensive glossaries the author included, though.
Thank you to the author for my ARC!
July 2, 2026
The Ashen Viper is what you get when you combine an insane amount of worldbuilding, an ambitious multi-book generational-type saga, and a multitude of characters built upon untold gobs of backstory with the mad wizardry (see lunacy) of a tenacious author. And Joseph John Lee is as insane as I’m about to make him sound for giving us this grandiose chonk, but in the best possible way.
There’s no denying that this book is a beast—1160+ pages on my e-reader to be exact—but this story does not waste a single page building and building and building until this first book of an 8-part saga comes to an end. This book, and series as a whole, is told via a historian finding some lost papers (The Forahm Papers), so the narration, while in 3rd Person close perspective, has a scholarly feel to it. There is also a Stormlight Archive structure to how this book is presented, in that there are parts separated by interludes, wherein each part has a set of POVs (some interchanging and disappearing between parts) and the interludes have a completely different set of side POVs. Then throw in some epithets and historical footnotes, plus some past timelines, and you have a book that is just downright ambitious in its scope.
But what is it about you ask? I shall tell you! Essentially this story boils down to an event known as The Great Betrayal, where some opposing kingdoms conspired and bad things happened. This book is the start of this Great Betrayal, and it is all predicated on a legendary character known as the Ashen Viper. What unfolds in this tome is how various characters from different lands with different powers all collide with the Ashen Viper. We also get past timelines detailing how the Ashen Viper became this legend over the course of centuries (yes, there are long-lifed people in this book) and how this person’s actions affected multiple kingdoms.
So the characters, there are MANNNNNNNY. We have: a traitor’s son, a deputy minister in love, a quiet farmer, a snarky heiress, a renowned warrior, a magical outcast, plus an assassin, a survivor, a different magical person, a kid, and more prominent side characters you can shake a stick at. What is impressive is that each of these characters you get POVs from, as well as those side characters you don’t, all have deep backstories. None are cardboard cutouts and each have their own motivations and quirks. It’s impressive, really.
But I will say in regards to the characters and the overall ambition of this book, it puts a lot of trust on the reader’s shoulders. Lee does not skimp on things, the build is slow, especially in the early chapters. It takes awhile for some arcs to truly get going and you, as the reader, need to be prepared for it. I promise, it all pays off, but only if you give it time. For me, it took a long time to warm up to a couple of character arcs just because I didn’t see where they were going, but once they came into focus, they became very much a fave.
I do want to specifically point out the Ashen Viper character (who I won’t name for plot reasons) as a really compelling character arc. I wasn’t fully sold on the dual timeline arc when it first showed up because it felt out of place to me in the overall concise structure of the book, but as I slowly (see stupidly) realized what Lee was doing, I became fully invested. The full breadth of where the Ashen Viper starts, what his character actually is, and what he ends up doing through the ages to get where we meet him as [redacted] is just amazing to follow, and I commend Lee for taking this approach. Bravo, sir, bravo.
One of the coolest part of this book is its magic systems. Yes, systems. We only scratch the surface of what Lee has created in this book so I won’t spoil the secrets that I got him to tell me at knifepoint behind the scenes (I jest…), but each system has its own cool attributes and consequences. We have ‘natura’ which is essentially elemental magic but also takes a part of your physical strength as tithe. We have ‘anima’ and ‘arcana’, plus a couple others you’ll have to RAFO to learn about. Each of these systems has its rules and what I personally love more than anything is when there are consequences to its use, as witnessed by one specific character…I’ll leave that to you to find out about. There might also be magical swords, but no comment here… But what’s also really amazing is that what we get in this book, it’s only the beginning. It is not until 1000 pages in do we learn how deep these systems truly go and what it means for the rest of the saga. And there is also some burgeoning technology introduced, like firearms.
I really do also want to point out Lee’s storytelling and style in this book. It is not simplistic in its prose, nor is it flowery, but there is a style here and it lasts throughout the entire book. That is not an easy thing, especially since this book is as long as it is. But you truly do feel incredibly grounded and a part of this massive world, no matter where in it you are, and that comes down to how Lee builds his scenery. So when cities get leveled by magical battles (of which there are plenty), you feel the grit and grime, the fires and terror. Again, a testament to an author hitting his stride.
At the end of the day, The Ashen Viper is simply astounding. Yes, it is long. Yes, it asks a lot of the reader, begging for patience. In a lesser storyteller’s hands, it easily could have been too much. But not Lee’s. I’m wholly impressed by this book, and with how it ends and where the rest of this saga goes, because if this ending (which is usually a trilogy’s worth of comeuppance) is only the beginning, I cannot wait to see where Lee takes us.
The Ashen Viper will release in Fall/Winter 2026, but be on the lookout for a special edition Kickstarter to launch in the next month or so!
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
There’s no denying that this book is a beast—1160+ pages on my e-reader to be exact—but this story does not waste a single page building and building and building until this first book of an 8-part saga comes to an end. This book, and series as a whole, is told via a historian finding some lost papers (The Forahm Papers), so the narration, while in 3rd Person close perspective, has a scholarly feel to it. There is also a Stormlight Archive structure to how this book is presented, in that there are parts separated by interludes, wherein each part has a set of POVs (some interchanging and disappearing between parts) and the interludes have a completely different set of side POVs. Then throw in some epithets and historical footnotes, plus some past timelines, and you have a book that is just downright ambitious in its scope.
But what is it about you ask? I shall tell you! Essentially this story boils down to an event known as The Great Betrayal, where some opposing kingdoms conspired and bad things happened. This book is the start of this Great Betrayal, and it is all predicated on a legendary character known as the Ashen Viper. What unfolds in this tome is how various characters from different lands with different powers all collide with the Ashen Viper. We also get past timelines detailing how the Ashen Viper became this legend over the course of centuries (yes, there are long-lifed people in this book) and how this person’s actions affected multiple kingdoms.
So the characters, there are MANNNNNNNY. We have: a traitor’s son, a deputy minister in love, a quiet farmer, a snarky heiress, a renowned warrior, a magical outcast, plus an assassin, a survivor, a different magical person, a kid, and more prominent side characters you can shake a stick at. What is impressive is that each of these characters you get POVs from, as well as those side characters you don’t, all have deep backstories. None are cardboard cutouts and each have their own motivations and quirks. It’s impressive, really.
But I will say in regards to the characters and the overall ambition of this book, it puts a lot of trust on the reader’s shoulders. Lee does not skimp on things, the build is slow, especially in the early chapters. It takes awhile for some arcs to truly get going and you, as the reader, need to be prepared for it. I promise, it all pays off, but only if you give it time. For me, it took a long time to warm up to a couple of character arcs just because I didn’t see where they were going, but once they came into focus, they became very much a fave.
I do want to specifically point out the Ashen Viper character (who I won’t name for plot reasons) as a really compelling character arc. I wasn’t fully sold on the dual timeline arc when it first showed up because it felt out of place to me in the overall concise structure of the book, but as I slowly (see stupidly) realized what Lee was doing, I became fully invested. The full breadth of where the Ashen Viper starts, what his character actually is, and what he ends up doing through the ages to get where we meet him as [redacted] is just amazing to follow, and I commend Lee for taking this approach. Bravo, sir, bravo.
One of the coolest part of this book is its magic systems. Yes, systems. We only scratch the surface of what Lee has created in this book so I won’t spoil the secrets that I got him to tell me at knifepoint behind the scenes (I jest…), but each system has its own cool attributes and consequences. We have ‘natura’ which is essentially elemental magic but also takes a part of your physical strength as tithe. We have ‘anima’ and ‘arcana’, plus a couple others you’ll have to RAFO to learn about. Each of these systems has its rules and what I personally love more than anything is when there are consequences to its use, as witnessed by one specific character…I’ll leave that to you to find out about. There might also be magical swords, but no comment here… But what’s also really amazing is that what we get in this book, it’s only the beginning. It is not until 1000 pages in do we learn how deep these systems truly go and what it means for the rest of the saga. And there is also some burgeoning technology introduced, like firearms.
I really do also want to point out Lee’s storytelling and style in this book. It is not simplistic in its prose, nor is it flowery, but there is a style here and it lasts throughout the entire book. That is not an easy thing, especially since this book is as long as it is. But you truly do feel incredibly grounded and a part of this massive world, no matter where in it you are, and that comes down to how Lee builds his scenery. So when cities get leveled by magical battles (of which there are plenty), you feel the grit and grime, the fires and terror. Again, a testament to an author hitting his stride.
At the end of the day, The Ashen Viper is simply astounding. Yes, it is long. Yes, it asks a lot of the reader, begging for patience. In a lesser storyteller’s hands, it easily could have been too much. But not Lee’s. I’m wholly impressed by this book, and with how it ends and where the rest of this saga goes, because if this ending (which is usually a trilogy’s worth of comeuppance) is only the beginning, I cannot wait to see where Lee takes us.
The Ashen Viper will release in Fall/Winter 2026, but be on the lookout for a special edition Kickstarter to launch in the next month or so!
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
In great and big beginning to a grand series planned to be a 8 part saga, you have The Ashen Viper.
If you are a fan of series like the Stormlight Archive and it's massive world. Then this will be right up your alley with it's massive and impressive world. Joe have truly crafted a ambitious world with a large numbers of main pov's, and side pov's. In the same split as you find in the Stormlight Archive with, interludes, parts and backflash from one of the characters.
With how ambisious the world is, I was expecting that I won't connect to all the characters from the start to the end. Even if almost all of them was great, there was a few one's that needed some time and patience, but after some time Lee really showed that the patience was rewarding and worth it. And I can't wait to see them in the next installment in this series.
Ashen Viper is splited into 4 parts, and with how chunky this book is. I actually thought I was gonna use those parts to switch up between some other books, but I was pleasantly surprised with how smooth the story telling are and how easy it was to get dragged into the world, that it wasn't any problems to stay in it without breaks.
This is a great and amazing world, with so much to explore from places that makes you question your sanity, to a amazing journey through the world and it's wonders. And even with amazing magic systems (yes In plural) you will be in for a epic ride. There is also a novella before this one, Shrouded Steel, that I would recommend reading first to give you much more enjoyment and dept to the lore of the story.
Truly don't miss out on this if you love grand and epic fantasy. I had a fantastic time in it, and can't wait to see what happens next.
In great and big beginning to a grand series planned to be a 8 part saga, you have The Ashen Viper.
If you are a fan of series like the Stormlight Archive and it's massive world. Then this will be right up your alley with it's massive and impressive world. Joe have truly crafted a ambitious world with a large numbers of main pov's, and side pov's. In the same split as you find in the Stormlight Archive with, interludes, parts and backflash from one of the characters.
With how ambisious the world is, I was expecting that I won't connect to all the characters from the start to the end. Even if almost all of them was great, there was a few one's that needed some time and patience, but after some time Lee really showed that the patience was rewarding and worth it. And I can't wait to see them in the next installment in this series.
Ashen Viper is splited into 4 parts, and with how chunky this book is. I actually thought I was gonna use those parts to switch up between some other books, but I was pleasantly surprised with how smooth the story telling are and how easy it was to get dragged into the world, that it wasn't any problems to stay in it without breaks.
This is a great and amazing world, with so much to explore from places that makes you question your sanity, to a amazing journey through the world and it's wonders. And even with amazing magic systems (yes In plural) you will be in for a epic ride. There is also a novella before this one, Shrouded Steel, that I would recommend reading first to give you much more enjoyment and dept to the lore of the story.
Truly don't miss out on this if you love grand and epic fantasy. I had a fantastic time in it, and can't wait to see what happens next.
Want to Read
July 29, 2026I want this book. Love the cover art!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews