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Abandoned
Abandoned is a dark, character-driven fantasy with morally grey protagonists and heavy themes. The story is a slow-burn with multiple POVs that gradually converge. Ideal for readers who enjoy grimdark fantasy, layered worldbuilding, and complex characters.Is humanity defined by where it came from, or by what it chooses to become?
Max awakens in a city reclaimed by nature, centuries removed from the world he remembers. Humanity now hides in primitive cities, protected by the magic of ancient Shards and hunted by biomechanical creatures left behind by the old civilisation.
But Max is not simply a man displaced in time. Buried within his fractured mind is a past tied to the destruction of the old world—and the terrifying possibility that humanity remembers him, even if he cannot remember himself.
Tianna rules the Sunken City through strength, sacrifice and an unshakable belief that survival justifies almost anything. Harley, born of neither world, follows the Shard’s call as though it were speaking her name. With no history to guide her, only instinct, she begins to learn what it truly means to be human.
As their paths converge, the secrets beneath humanity’s survival begin to surface. Max must choose what kind of man he wants to become.
This is not a story about saving the world. It is about deciding who gets to survive it.
Max awakens in a city reclaimed by nature, centuries removed from the world he remembers. Humanity now hides in primitive cities, protected by the magic of ancient Shards and hunted by biomechanical creatures left behind by the old civilisation.
But Max is not simply a man displaced in time. Buried within his fractured mind is a past tied to the destruction of the old world—and the terrifying possibility that humanity remembers him, even if he cannot remember himself.
Tianna rules the Sunken City through strength, sacrifice and an unshakable belief that survival justifies almost anything. Harley, born of neither world, follows the Shard’s call as though it were speaking her name. With no history to guide her, only instinct, she begins to learn what it truly means to be human.
As their paths converge, the secrets beneath humanity’s survival begin to surface. Max must choose what kind of man he wants to become.
This is not a story about saving the world. It is about deciding who gets to survive it.
455 pages, Paperback
Published March 14, 2026
About the author
Jordan C. Connor
1 book1 followerJordan C Connor writes dark sci-fi fantasy filled with dangerous ideas, flawed characters, and worlds that don’t forgive mistakes. Inspired by cosmic horror and grimdark storytelling, their work leans into the uncomfortable and the unknown. They have a particular interest in how far people will go when there’s nothing left to lose.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 16, 2026
I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into this, but it ended up being one of those books that keeps you thinking about it even after you've put it down.
One of the things that impressed me most was how naturally the different character perspectives flowed into one another. Multiple POV stories can sometimes feel disjointed, but here each transition felt purposeful, with every storyline adding something meaningful and making me want to know what happened next. As everything gradually starts to connect, the payoff feels genuinely satisfying.
The world-building is easily one of the book's strongest points. It's imaginative, original and filled with a sense of mystery that slowly unravels as the story progresses. Rather than overwhelming the reader with exposition, the world reveals itself naturally, which made discovering its secrets all the more engaging. The post-apocalyptic setting, the biomechanical creatures, and the bigger questions surrounding humanity all come together to create a world that feels vivid and believable.
The atmosphere throughout is another highlight. There are plenty of moments of suspense and tension, mixed with reveals that genuinely caught me off guard. It's dark without feeling overdone and the characters are layered enough that their motivations and decisions rarely feel predictable.
Overall, this was a great read. If you enjoy darker sci-fi fantasy with immersive world-building, intriguing mysteries and characters whose stories gradually come together, I'd definitely recommend giving this a read. It's an impressive debut and I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the series.
One of the things that impressed me most was how naturally the different character perspectives flowed into one another. Multiple POV stories can sometimes feel disjointed, but here each transition felt purposeful, with every storyline adding something meaningful and making me want to know what happened next. As everything gradually starts to connect, the payoff feels genuinely satisfying.
The world-building is easily one of the book's strongest points. It's imaginative, original and filled with a sense of mystery that slowly unravels as the story progresses. Rather than overwhelming the reader with exposition, the world reveals itself naturally, which made discovering its secrets all the more engaging. The post-apocalyptic setting, the biomechanical creatures, and the bigger questions surrounding humanity all come together to create a world that feels vivid and believable.
The atmosphere throughout is another highlight. There are plenty of moments of suspense and tension, mixed with reveals that genuinely caught me off guard. It's dark without feeling overdone and the characters are layered enough that their motivations and decisions rarely feel predictable.
Overall, this was a great read. If you enjoy darker sci-fi fantasy with immersive world-building, intriguing mysteries and characters whose stories gradually come together, I'd definitely recommend giving this a read. It's an impressive debut and I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the series.
August 2, 2026
Get pulled into a different world where humans hide away from biomechanical beings. He has no real memories of who he is and how he got there. I saw how this new world may just be a forecast of our future as life is turned around from what it had been. I loved how others knew more about him than he did himself. A great but intriguing read which I could not put down until I finished it
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I was quickly pulled in, a fascinating read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I was quickly pulled in, a fascinating read
July 11, 2026
When you wake up in this post apocalyptic world you will, just like Max, be unable to escape back to yours. Read this if you want a gripping mystery and a fascinating world, and if you love dangerous robots stomping over the overgrown remnants of civilisation.
March 18, 2026
Fantastic book!! I’m not usually one for fantasy but this one hooked me - great characters, great plot, and an intriguing world that you want to dive into. Hard to put this down!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews