What do you think?
Rate this book
Origo Essentia #1
The Void Revealed
The first book of the Origo Essentia Series, a Sci-Fi Fantasy adventure with a female protagonist.
Sitting atop the Spire, Windhold is governed by the theocratical Brotherhood and the secular leadership of the Sentinel. Below them lies the Void, a barren land filled with the Red Death that arrived with the blistering winds of the Fury. The corruption in Windhold has left everyone at the mercy of a madman.
The only hope is Elise, groomed to be the Aspirant and replace the Sentinel for a peaceful new world. But when she ventures into the Void, she discovers that Windhold may not be everything it seems.
Sitting atop the Spire, Windhold is governed by the theocratical Brotherhood and the secular leadership of the Sentinel. Below them lies the Void, a barren land filled with the Red Death that arrived with the blistering winds of the Fury. The corruption in Windhold has left everyone at the mercy of a madman.
The only hope is Elise, groomed to be the Aspirant and replace the Sentinel for a peaceful new world. But when she ventures into the Void, she discovers that Windhold may not be everything it seems.
494 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2019
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 3, 2020
A well-crafted Sci-Fi Fantasy adventure...
The Void Revealed (Origo Essentia Book 1) by Stephen Ethier is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn settings and characters. The author weaves a well-crafted Sci-Fi Fantasy adventure that will captivate the reader’s attention from the start. Skillfully constructed, this exhilarating and suspenseful Sci-Fi will have you turning the pages from beginning to end.
The story unfurls in small acts, at first feeling slight to touch, then building in emotional substance. Into the spaces between the words, the author breathes a pulsating intensity that rolls like a motion picture camera. With an abundance of imagery in the writing style, it makes you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
For fans of the genre looking for an interesting, three-dimensional, and stimulating read, this would come highly recommended. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Stephen Ethier in the future. Five stars.
The Void Revealed (Origo Essentia Book 1) by Stephen Ethier is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn settings and characters. The author weaves a well-crafted Sci-Fi Fantasy adventure that will captivate the reader’s attention from the start. Skillfully constructed, this exhilarating and suspenseful Sci-Fi will have you turning the pages from beginning to end.
The story unfurls in small acts, at first feeling slight to touch, then building in emotional substance. Into the spaces between the words, the author breathes a pulsating intensity that rolls like a motion picture camera. With an abundance of imagery in the writing style, it makes you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
For fans of the genre looking for an interesting, three-dimensional, and stimulating read, this would come highly recommended. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Stephen Ethier in the future. Five stars.
March 22, 2024
This Sci-Fi/Fantasy book swept me into another time and place. Richly descriptive language sets the scene for a variety of well developed characters who have entered the Void. I became a part of their journey due to the imagery that the author created. From start to finish this book led me on a whimsical adventure that pulled me along wanting more. Cannot wait to continue this journey in the second book.
May 24, 2024
This book is like if avatar, GOT, Lotr, and merlin had a baby!
Ethier brilliantly captivates his readers by leaving them in suspense throughout the entire novel. He takes you on a magical adventure through foreign lands, introducing mystical creatures, and leaving you wanting more! Can't wait to move onto the novel #2!!!
Ethier brilliantly captivates his readers by leaving them in suspense throughout the entire novel. He takes you on a magical adventure through foreign lands, introducing mystical creatures, and leaving you wanting more! Can't wait to move onto the novel #2!!!
July 8, 2020
This fantasy story had, for me, a weak start that seemed to be bogged down in places, and was coupled with some unorthodox formatting, particularly with paragraphs, which changed based on short length rather than thought-groups, but don't let that stop you. The world-building is extremely good, although it may not seem that in the beginning. The world was a huge hole in the rocks, with a spire in the centre, and several hundred years before, life had been almost wiped out by a firestorm called the fury. Human civilization was constrained to the top of the spire, where "brothers" of a flame-based religious sect have adopted a strict "monkish" lifestyle for everyone, although they don't quite practice what they wish everyone else to practice. There is a further settlement on a ledge, which ships food they grow to the spire through airboats. There is also a sentinel, a person we don't see who is watching for a return of the fury and will be responsible for triggering a defence. The bottom of the hole, the void, is hidden by fog. Rivers tumble into the hole – why the hole does not fill up is unexplained. Elise is a young woman selected to be the next sentinel, but she has developed independent thought and the brothers can't have that. Brand is a young sentry who starts by wanting to use Elise to get at a brother who murdered his father, but he starts to get attracted to her.
The characters are a little "ordinary" to start with, but when a religious fanatic "brother" sends the airship Elise is on to the bottom through destroying the balloon Brand and some sentries go to retrieve her, and a young brother also goes to ensure she does not return. But the bottom is not what they expect. There are all sorts of life down there. The characters become much more real, the story hits its straps, and while it ends with an obvious next book coming, at least it closes two aspects of the story, and leaves a lot more open. Well worth reading.
The characters are a little "ordinary" to start with, but when a religious fanatic "brother" sends the airship Elise is on to the bottom through destroying the balloon Brand and some sentries go to retrieve her, and a young brother also goes to ensure she does not return. But the bottom is not what they expect. There are all sorts of life down there. The characters become much more real, the story hits its straps, and while it ends with an obvious next book coming, at least it closes two aspects of the story, and leaves a lot more open. Well worth reading.
February 18, 2020
The Void Revealed is the first in the Origo Essentia series by Stephen Ethier. The “religious” Brotherhood has been deceiving the people of Windhold for seven hundred years. It first began when Brother Rebald withheld vital information to the ruling Sentinel. In the Fury's wake, a deadly, fiery wind, Sentinel Dariot finds he lost his wife and son and slipped into despair. Taking advantage of the moment, Rebald persuades him to sign over his sovereign rule. Slowly, the Brotherhood corrupts the civilizations that depend upon each other. They fear the next to reign as they find she isn’t as moldable and she connects with the people.
From the beginning, The Void Revealed possessed a feeling of anticipation and suspense. Stephen Ethier keeps you glued to the pages as this fantasy unwinds. It details the descriptions, making you felt as if you can see the fog rising, the wind howling, and the unknown about to consume another generation. I highly recommend this novel and look forward to more from this author and in this series.
From the beginning, The Void Revealed possessed a feeling of anticipation and suspense. Stephen Ethier keeps you glued to the pages as this fantasy unwinds. It details the descriptions, making you felt as if you can see the fog rising, the wind howling, and the unknown about to consume another generation. I highly recommend this novel and look forward to more from this author and in this series.
February 8, 2020
In the first book a new Sci-Fi adventure, we are given an exciting new world. This world is very detailed, and we are given so much description, it is as if we are walking on the narrow streets of Windhold, feeling a brisk breeze ruffle our hair, or hear the crowd roaring. Windhold sits over a barren land called the Void. It was not always this way, but a fateful day brought blistering winds that eventually led to the lands demise. Windhold has thus far escaped that fate, but it has been ruled over by a power-hungry madman and it is now slipping into madness itself. Elise is our protagonist, a strong female character, groomed to overthrow the ruler and lead Windhold into a time of peace. But when she discovers that things are not truly what they seem, she needs to decide for herself just what path she will take.
I found this was an interesting book, a good vs evil tale full of adventure and a main character full of sass and strength. The supporting characters were well thought out as well and the story made sense, from beginning to end.
I found this was an interesting book, a good vs evil tale full of adventure and a main character full of sass and strength. The supporting characters were well thought out as well and the story made sense, from beginning to end.
July 10, 2020
A great sci-Fi adventure book to read it at the edge of your sofa.
When it comes to sci-Fi adventure books, I would say that this one is so engaging and original that it was difficult to put it down. I was glued to the pages. “The Void Revealed” is the first one in a series called “Origo”. It was written by Stephen Ethier.
What is interesting about this book, is that the protagonist and heroine in this tale is a woman, Eline. She is strong, brave and determine to change the fate of her society. Windhold is ruled by a corrupted theocratical Brotherhood and the secular leadership of the Sentinel. Unfortunately, the corruption of this place makes Elise to strive to make a change in her living place. She desires to spend her life in a peaceful and tranquil society. So, she has a mission: fight for a better society.
It is a well-written and well-developed book. There are several turns and twists in this story which make you feel on the alert all the time. I really enjoyed this sci-fi fantasy book. I recommend it to anyone who is fond of this genre.
When it comes to sci-Fi adventure books, I would say that this one is so engaging and original that it was difficult to put it down. I was glued to the pages. “The Void Revealed” is the first one in a series called “Origo”. It was written by Stephen Ethier.
What is interesting about this book, is that the protagonist and heroine in this tale is a woman, Eline. She is strong, brave and determine to change the fate of her society. Windhold is ruled by a corrupted theocratical Brotherhood and the secular leadership of the Sentinel. Unfortunately, the corruption of this place makes Elise to strive to make a change in her living place. She desires to spend her life in a peaceful and tranquil society. So, she has a mission: fight for a better society.
It is a well-written and well-developed book. There are several turns and twists in this story which make you feel on the alert all the time. I really enjoyed this sci-fi fantasy book. I recommend it to anyone who is fond of this genre.
April 9, 2020
A descriptive masterclass.
From the bird called Kree, to the cabins of Windhold, the author writes his vision vividly for the reader to see. The characterisations of even the insignificant characters are all deeply written such that even their meagre contributions to the story are felt and remembered.
Many events which will at first appear shocking, are dealt with in such a tasteful manner that the reader is quickly soothed, compelled to continue.
The story itself is cleverly woven in chunks as lived by the characters, and pieces which at first seem vague are all neatly intertwined before the end into one.
At its heart the Void Revealed is a love story, but this love is overshadowed by political intrigue and masterful subterfuge, to the point where the reader thinks little of love. Other experiences within the Void only distract the reader further, and only at the end does the reward come. But this is only part one. I can’t wait for part two...
From the bird called Kree, to the cabins of Windhold, the author writes his vision vividly for the reader to see. The characterisations of even the insignificant characters are all deeply written such that even their meagre contributions to the story are felt and remembered.
Many events which will at first appear shocking, are dealt with in such a tasteful manner that the reader is quickly soothed, compelled to continue.
The story itself is cleverly woven in chunks as lived by the characters, and pieces which at first seem vague are all neatly intertwined before the end into one.
At its heart the Void Revealed is a love story, but this love is overshadowed by political intrigue and masterful subterfuge, to the point where the reader thinks little of love. Other experiences within the Void only distract the reader further, and only at the end does the reward come. But this is only part one. I can’t wait for part two...
July 10, 2020
Sometimes you choose an author and you instantly know that you will follow-up him closely so as to keep on reading the other books in the series, and this is something that happened to me in this case. “The Void Revealed” is a science - fiction book written by Stephen J. Ethier. It is the first book in the Origo Essentia series. What first called my attention in the description of this book is that the protagonist is a woman.
The book tells the story of Elise, who is the only one capable of substitute the Sentinel for a new world where everyone can live in peace and be happy. Windhold is a place full of corruption and injustice but with Elise everything can change.
This novel contains fourteen chapters and it also includes chapter number one of the second book, which is really amazing. I can’t wait to read it!
I would gladly recommend you all, no matter what age you are, to read this amazing book. You won’t regret!
The book tells the story of Elise, who is the only one capable of substitute the Sentinel for a new world where everyone can live in peace and be happy. Windhold is a place full of corruption and injustice but with Elise everything can change.
This novel contains fourteen chapters and it also includes chapter number one of the second book, which is really amazing. I can’t wait to read it!
I would gladly recommend you all, no matter what age you are, to read this amazing book. You won’t regret!
July 11, 2020
“The Void Revealed” couldn’t have been a more appropriate title for this interesting story written by Stephen J. Ethier, a Canadian author. This science-fiction book is the first one of the Origo Essentia Series and it is addressed to a general audience but really captivating for fantasy lovers. It tells the story of a place called Windhold which is governed by a madman. Elise is the only hope that the citizens have, but it will not be easy to help them.
I absolutely love Stephen’s writing style. He brings us a bucket load of emotions. The attention to detail is so in depth that at times I felt like I was there in the story. The characters are excellently crafted; they are all very well described and each one has a great defined personality which adds a unique suspense to the story.
I can’t wait for more from this author. It is a fantastic work to explore. Bravo!
I absolutely love Stephen’s writing style. He brings us a bucket load of emotions. The attention to detail is so in depth that at times I felt like I was there in the story. The characters are excellently crafted; they are all very well described and each one has a great defined personality which adds a unique suspense to the story.
I can’t wait for more from this author. It is a fantastic work to explore. Bravo!
February 4, 2020
The Void Revealed is the first in the Origo Essentia series of Sci-Fi novels. The protagonist is Elise and she is the only hope for saving the world from a crazy leader and the secrets held within the governing city of Windhold. After a conspiratorial stranding in the Void, Elise quickly becomes aware that not everything is as the governing body would have you believe and they will stop at nothing to ensure she cannot spoil their plans.
This is a great Sci-Fi story with plenty of interesting situations and plot twists. There are the usual Sci-Fi tropes but they don’t feel tired in this book. They are in many ways refreshing and the book doesn’t take itself too seriously making this a much more entertaining read than it otherwise would have been. Great book!
This is a great Sci-Fi story with plenty of interesting situations and plot twists. There are the usual Sci-Fi tropes but they don’t feel tired in this book. They are in many ways refreshing and the book doesn’t take itself too seriously making this a much more entertaining read than it otherwise would have been. Great book!
July 5, 2020
Ancient airships, a crumbling theocracy, and a savage world.
In a world of stark contrasts and savage splendor, a society ruled by a corrupt theocracy lives in isolation high above the rest of the world, known as The Void. Like the airships, which are their only communication and lifeline with the rest of the world, the brotherhood uses partially understood devices of a forgotten science to maintain its tenure on the inhabitants of the lofty aerial society known as Windhold, situated atop a massive precipice of rock known as the Spire.
The Brotherhood is decaying from within and Elise who is a female Aspirant groomed to save the order is stranded in an orchestrated accident and left to face the peril of the Red Fury below. But the perilous world is not what they have been told it is, and Brand, who is sent out to rescue her, discovers strange intelligent animals in a world where the humans are more like animals. As they confront the horror in this world below, they discover things that question the notions of their own history, science, and religion.
This is a stunning new series that promises to be not only highly entertaining but packed with almost transcendental symbolism in it's highly original and savage world.
In a world of stark contrasts and savage splendor, a society ruled by a corrupt theocracy lives in isolation high above the rest of the world, known as The Void. Like the airships, which are their only communication and lifeline with the rest of the world, the brotherhood uses partially understood devices of a forgotten science to maintain its tenure on the inhabitants of the lofty aerial society known as Windhold, situated atop a massive precipice of rock known as the Spire.
The Brotherhood is decaying from within and Elise who is a female Aspirant groomed to save the order is stranded in an orchestrated accident and left to face the peril of the Red Fury below. But the perilous world is not what they have been told it is, and Brand, who is sent out to rescue her, discovers strange intelligent animals in a world where the humans are more like animals. As they confront the horror in this world below, they discover things that question the notions of their own history, science, and religion.
This is a stunning new series that promises to be not only highly entertaining but packed with almost transcendental symbolism in it's highly original and savage world.
February 10, 2020
‘I have had dealings with humans that have been willing to trade metal for food’
Canadian author Stephen J. Ethier earned his degree in engineering drafting and design and has worked with computer software design, as an educator in the New Brunswick college system, and has published thirty five academic books on AutoCAD, modeling in three dimensions, architectural design, animation and mechanical design. Now he makes his literary debut with THE VOID REVEALED, the initial volume of his planned series ORIGO ESSENTIA – a bland of science fiction and fantasy. His gifts as an artist are apparent in the very fine cover art for this book.
Initiating a fantasy epic, especially when the author is presenting concepts that must endure over many volumes, is a challenging task – and one in which Stephen finds security. His prose is eloquent, inventive, creatively scribed, and in designing characters of credibility despite their fantasy monikers and roles he places before us rich figures over the spectrum of good to evil!
An introduction of his thoughts, placed seven hundred years ago, gives hints of the novels breadth: ‘The scorching Fury had arrived, and death soon followed. The trees thrashed, rocks trembled and cracked, and those that lived within the cliff-encircled basin could only scream. Elspa, the City of Carvings, the one and only city in the basin, was in a state of terror. Wood timbers blackened in the heat bursting into flames as stonework shook and tumbled. The Fury’s wanton destruction rushed through the city and the surrounding forests and farmlands unfettered, fanning its own fiery creations, howling as if in glee…Only Windhold, the guardian fortress, carved directly out of the top of the rock, rebuffed the advances of the Fury.’ In this passage the atmosphere is set and the design of the tale is unfurled.
The novel is lengthy, but Stephen has condensed his epic as an overview – ‘Sitting atop the Spire, Windhold is governed by the theocratical Brotherhood and the secular leadership of the Sentinel. Below them lies the Void, a barren land filled with the Red Death that arrived with the blistering winds of the Fury. The corruption in Windhold has left everyone at the mercy of a madman. The only hope is Elise, groomed to be the Aspirant and replace the Sentinel for a peaceful new world. But when she ventures into the Void, she discovers that Windhold may not be everything it seems.’
Goals accomplished: a very strong female lead, a fantasy that quietly reflects current themes garbed in costumes of fiction, a painterly ‘other world’ that is near actually visible, strong philosophical ideas, and the stepping stones for a prolonged, and likely very successful, series. Enter this realm willingly – the rewards are plentiful.
Canadian author Stephen J. Ethier earned his degree in engineering drafting and design and has worked with computer software design, as an educator in the New Brunswick college system, and has published thirty five academic books on AutoCAD, modeling in three dimensions, architectural design, animation and mechanical design. Now he makes his literary debut with THE VOID REVEALED, the initial volume of his planned series ORIGO ESSENTIA – a bland of science fiction and fantasy. His gifts as an artist are apparent in the very fine cover art for this book.
Initiating a fantasy epic, especially when the author is presenting concepts that must endure over many volumes, is a challenging task – and one in which Stephen finds security. His prose is eloquent, inventive, creatively scribed, and in designing characters of credibility despite their fantasy monikers and roles he places before us rich figures over the spectrum of good to evil!
An introduction of his thoughts, placed seven hundred years ago, gives hints of the novels breadth: ‘The scorching Fury had arrived, and death soon followed. The trees thrashed, rocks trembled and cracked, and those that lived within the cliff-encircled basin could only scream. Elspa, the City of Carvings, the one and only city in the basin, was in a state of terror. Wood timbers blackened in the heat bursting into flames as stonework shook and tumbled. The Fury’s wanton destruction rushed through the city and the surrounding forests and farmlands unfettered, fanning its own fiery creations, howling as if in glee…Only Windhold, the guardian fortress, carved directly out of the top of the rock, rebuffed the advances of the Fury.’ In this passage the atmosphere is set and the design of the tale is unfurled.
The novel is lengthy, but Stephen has condensed his epic as an overview – ‘Sitting atop the Spire, Windhold is governed by the theocratical Brotherhood and the secular leadership of the Sentinel. Below them lies the Void, a barren land filled with the Red Death that arrived with the blistering winds of the Fury. The corruption in Windhold has left everyone at the mercy of a madman. The only hope is Elise, groomed to be the Aspirant and replace the Sentinel for a peaceful new world. But when she ventures into the Void, she discovers that Windhold may not be everything it seems.’
Goals accomplished: a very strong female lead, a fantasy that quietly reflects current themes garbed in costumes of fiction, a painterly ‘other world’ that is near actually visible, strong philosophical ideas, and the stepping stones for a prolonged, and likely very successful, series. Enter this realm willingly – the rewards are plentiful.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews