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The Gateway to Aeldynn Lore
This is a teaser book introducing you to the world of Aeldynn, including:
* The prologue and chapters 1-3 of debut novel Keys of the Origin
* Fragments of lore about the world of Aeldynn
* Sea Shanties from Aeldynn
* Character introductions
* Two maps (with links to larger versions)
* Days, months and zodiac of Aeldynn
SYNOPSIS
Zehn Kahner is a renowned mercenary, and a highly skilled swordsman. Larkh Savaldor is a flamboyant pirate captain, also highly skilled in swordsmanship and dual-wielding scimitars. The two are at odds with one another; one being a righteous, law-abiding servant to the people, and the other a distinguished outlaw. What the two of them don’t yet realise, however, is that they are really not so different from one another at all.
Fate leads them down a road they would never have dreamed of following, a road that leads them into a struggle to bring the world of Aeldynn back into a state of balance from the precipice of destruction. Mortal races once again seek to clash and conquer, society is rife with injustice, and divine forces of ages past manoeuvre to purge evil and drive back the unbalanced manifestations of chaos. It is not only Zehn and Larkh who must take on the world though. There are others who must join with them as they are coaxed toward the legendary guardian race of the Nays.
It has been little more than three thousand years since the War of the Black Sun when the Nays fought alongside the Kensai against the jealous Aurentai who had led the mortals opposed to change. Now that state of balance has dissipated again, it has roused the attention of the Nays and the Kensai and forced them to take up arms once more.
It is up to two of the seven Kaesan’Drahknyr, Melkhar and Kalthis, to take the first steps in deciphering the underlying causes, and to take the action they deem most necessary against the disturbances at hand. Though they are aware that such a cycle may be never-ending, can the Nays and their divine Drahknyr, and the Kensai and their Lyte E’varis combat both the warmongering mortal world and the malevolent legions of ruination without losing their minds? And can Larkh and Zehn really make a difference while the divine and malevolent forces are at each other’s throats?
* The prologue and chapters 1-3 of debut novel Keys of the Origin
* Fragments of lore about the world of Aeldynn
* Sea Shanties from Aeldynn
* Character introductions
* Two maps (with links to larger versions)
* Days, months and zodiac of Aeldynn
SYNOPSIS
Zehn Kahner is a renowned mercenary, and a highly skilled swordsman. Larkh Savaldor is a flamboyant pirate captain, also highly skilled in swordsmanship and dual-wielding scimitars. The two are at odds with one another; one being a righteous, law-abiding servant to the people, and the other a distinguished outlaw. What the two of them don’t yet realise, however, is that they are really not so different from one another at all.
Fate leads them down a road they would never have dreamed of following, a road that leads them into a struggle to bring the world of Aeldynn back into a state of balance from the precipice of destruction. Mortal races once again seek to clash and conquer, society is rife with injustice, and divine forces of ages past manoeuvre to purge evil and drive back the unbalanced manifestations of chaos. It is not only Zehn and Larkh who must take on the world though. There are others who must join with them as they are coaxed toward the legendary guardian race of the Nays.
It has been little more than three thousand years since the War of the Black Sun when the Nays fought alongside the Kensai against the jealous Aurentai who had led the mortals opposed to change. Now that state of balance has dissipated again, it has roused the attention of the Nays and the Kensai and forced them to take up arms once more.
It is up to two of the seven Kaesan’Drahknyr, Melkhar and Kalthis, to take the first steps in deciphering the underlying causes, and to take the action they deem most necessary against the disturbances at hand. Though they are aware that such a cycle may be never-ending, can the Nays and their divine Drahknyr, and the Kensai and their Lyte E’varis combat both the warmongering mortal world and the malevolent legions of ruination without losing their minds? And can Larkh and Zehn really make a difference while the divine and malevolent forces are at each other’s throats?
112 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2015
21 people want to read
About the author
Melissa A. Joy
4 books808 followersMelissa A. Joy is an Autistic + ADHD fantasy author who challenges the conventional expectations of fantasy and takes them to a whole new level. It is no secret that she/they believe(s) in the existence of all things fantastical, and that anything is possible.
She/they began building the world of Aeldynn and started writing seriously aged approximately 13, and has since developed it into something truly magical worth sharing. From the glorious winged Drahknyr and wise and fearsome dragons to pirates of the high seas and a world rich with history and lore, her/their imagination could be said to be limitless.
When not locked in a reverie about what’s going on in the world of Aeldynn, she/they are probably out sailing the high seas on a tall ship, training at Kung Fu, gaming, or perhaps dressed up in costume at an anime convention.
She/they began building the world of Aeldynn and started writing seriously aged approximately 13, and has since developed it into something truly magical worth sharing. From the glorious winged Drahknyr and wise and fearsome dragons to pirates of the high seas and a world rich with history and lore, her/their imagination could be said to be limitless.
When not locked in a reverie about what’s going on in the world of Aeldynn, she/they are probably out sailing the high seas on a tall ship, training at Kung Fu, gaming, or perhaps dressed up in costume at an anime convention.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 28, 2025
Reading The Gateway to Aeldynn Lore felt like watching two completely different worlds collide and realizing they belong together. Zehn, the mercenary with a moral compass, and Larkh, the roguish pirate, are polar opposites in every way. Their banter, their disdain for each other, and ultimately their reluctant respect is a dynamic that carried me through the book. Melissa Joy doesn’t take the easy route by making them instant allies; instead, she lets their grudging partnership grow naturally, with plenty of sparks along the way.
The worldbuilding here is rich. Joy doesn’t shy away from complexity, the mythos of the Nays, Kensai, and Aurentai could fill an encyclopedia, but instead of overwhelming me, it fascinated me. I loved how she tied the ancient history of Aeldynn into the present struggles, making it clear that cycles of war and imbalance are unavoidable. It gave the book a philosophical undertone that went beyond “heroes versus villains.”
If I had to sum it up, I’d say this book is about balance between chaos and order, between justice and freedom, and between characters who seem destined to be enemies but end up as something more. It’s a demanding but rewarding read, and one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
The worldbuilding here is rich. Joy doesn’t shy away from complexity, the mythos of the Nays, Kensai, and Aurentai could fill an encyclopedia, but instead of overwhelming me, it fascinated me. I loved how she tied the ancient history of Aeldynn into the present struggles, making it clear that cycles of war and imbalance are unavoidable. It gave the book a philosophical undertone that went beyond “heroes versus villains.”
If I had to sum it up, I’d say this book is about balance between chaos and order, between justice and freedom, and between characters who seem destined to be enemies but end up as something more. It’s a demanding but rewarding read, and one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
May 6, 2017
Fabulous! I love all the little extras. If I hadn't already read Keys of the Origin, I'd want to.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews